Updated September 30, 2026 · SmartHomeCue Editorial Team
Chef iQ vs Solis
Chef iQ vs Solis: the differences
| Compare |  Chef iQ |  Solis |
|---|---|---|
| Reference models | iQ Cooker, iQ MiniOven, iQ Sense | Solis Grind & Infuse Perfetta Black, Solis Barista Perfetta Plus Black, Solis Scala Zero Static |
| Price from | $5 | €7.95 |
| Capacity (l) | 5.67Higher | 2.6 |
| Power (W) | 1,000 | 2,200 |
| Cooking programmes | 300Higher | 10 |
| Mobile app | YesHas it | No |
| Warranty | 1 year | 2 to 5 yearsHigher |
| Markets | US, CA, MX | CH, LI, NL, BE, SG, JP, DE, FR |
| Dishwasher-safe parts | Not confirmed | No |
Same on both: Spare parts shop (Yes).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Chef iQ scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.4.
- Capacity (l) is higher at Chef iQ: 5.67 vs 2.6.
- Cooking programmes is higher at Chef iQ: 300 vs 10.
- Mobile app: only Chef iQ.
- Warranty is higher at Solis: 2 to 5 years vs 1 year.
- Products: only Chef iQ offers Multicooker.
- Products: only Solis offers Air fryer, Blender.
- Markets: only Chef iQ offers US, CA, MX.
- Markets: only Solis offers CH, LI, NL.
Our verdict on each
Chef iQ
Chef iQ suits cooks who want guided multicooker programmes and a low entry price, and it is less convincing for anyone shopping for an air fryer range. Entry price of $5 sits at 3 of 87 brands, and programmes count of 300 ranks 1 of 60.
Solis
Solis suits drinkers who pull shots by hand and want the grinder inside the machine, with milk textured at the jug rather than by an automatic frother. Entry pricing of €302.95 and flagship pricing of €492.95 put the range below the coffee machine flagship median of €464.35.
Score breakdown
| Area | Chef iQ | Solis |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.9HigherEntry price of $5 ranks 3 of 87 brands priced from, the strongest cost showing in this group. | 9.0Entry pricing of €302.95 sits above the espresso machine entry median of €150.54, while the flagship price falls under the flagship median. |
| Offer | 9.1Programmes count of 300 ranks 1 of 60, plus a mobile app and a spare parts shop. | 9.6HigherThe grinder is built in, milk runs through a steam wand system. |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.7The brand is run by Solis of Switzerland AG, headquartered in CH and trading since 1908, with support on email, phone and help centre. |
Choosing between them
Pick Chef iQ if cost, capacity (l), cooking programmes, and mobile app matter most.
Pick Solis if offer and warranty matter most.
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Chef iQ | Solis |
|---|---|---|
| Air fryers and multicookers | 6 of 46 | 7 of 46 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Chef iQ | Solis |
|---|---|---|
| Products | Multicooker | Air fryer, Blender |
| Legal entity | RJ BRANDS, LLC | Solis of Switzerland AG |
| Headquarters | United States | Switzerland |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1908 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Air treatment
| Fact | Chef iQ | Solis |
|---|---|---|
| Filter types | Not confirmed | Uv, Ioniser |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Chef iQ | Solis | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity (l) | 5.67below the median | 2.6lowest quarter | 7.1 |
| Power (W) | 1,000lowest quarter | 2,200highest quarter | 1,700 |
| Cooking programmes | 300highest quarter | 10above the median | 9 |
| Warranty | 1 yearbelow the median | 2 to 5 yearshighest quarter | 2 years |
Median across 58 listed brands.
Pros and cons
Chef iQ
Pros
- Programmes count of 300 ranks 1 of 60 brands in this group.
- Entry price of $5 places the brand 3 of 87 brands ranked on price from.
- A mobile app is included, so recipe steps and settings sit in one place.
Cons
- Product types cover the multicooker alone, so an air fryer shopper has nothing to compare here.
- Capacity of 5.67-litre ranks 44 of 69 brands, which is a small bowl for batch cooking.
- Warranty cover runs 1 year, shorter than many appliances in this category.
Solis
Pros
- The grinder is built in, which keeps the setup to a single box and puts fresh grinding next to the group head.
- Milk runs through a steam wand system, which suits drinkers who want control over jug texture.
- A spare parts shop is available, so wear parts such as seals and baskets can be ordered from the brand.
Cons
- Machine types cover espresso and grinder under espresso and grinder, so bean to cup is not among them, unlike Philips at bean to cup and espresso.
- Price entry ranks at 47 of 65, so the entry machine sits toward the dearer end of the brands tracked on that measure.
- Milk is a steam wand system, so every milk drink takes work at the jug while Philips pairs espresso with a bean to cup route under bean to cup and espresso.
Who each suits
Chef iQ
Who it suits
- Cooks who want guided cooking steps in a mobile app rather than freehand timing.
- Households wanting a single multicooker for pressure cooking and slow cooking.
- Shoppers in the US, Canada and Mexico who want a low entry price for a multicooker.
Who should look elsewhere
- Air fryer first buyers, since GASTROBACK and Daewoo Electricals both list air fryers alongside other product types.
- Large batch cooks, because the capacity ranks near the back of the field.
- Shoppers outside US, CA and MX who need a broad local support network.
Solis
Who it suits
- Drinkers who pull espresso by hand and want the grinder in the machine rather than beside it.
- Households buying a first setup around the coffee machine entry median of €139.44.
- Buyers in the markets listed under CH, LI and NL who want Swiss parts backup from Solis of Switzerland AG.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone after bean to cup convenience, where Philips lists bean to cup and espresso.
- Drinkers who want drip next to espresso, since GASTROBACK lists espresso, drip and grinder.
- Shoppers looking for a brand listed across drip as well as espresso and grinder, since Daewoo Electricals lists drip, espresso and grinder.
Country by country
| Country | Chef iQ | Solis |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | Yes | No |
| Mexico | Yes | No |
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Chef iQ
How much does a Chef iQ multicooker cost to buy?+
Entry pricing starts at $5 across the range listed by the brand. That puts Chef iQ at 3 of 87 brands ranked on price from, one of the stronger positions in this group. The reference models are iQ Cooker, iQ MiniOven, iQ Sense, so the entry figure covers the range rather than a single appliance.
Is there an app for the Chef iQ cooker?+
Yes, a mobile app is part of the package for the iQ Cooker. Guided recipes, timings and settings are handled there rather than through a control panel alone, which is the main reason to pick this brand over a simpler multicooker. Buyers who prefer a physical dial will find the app adds a step rather than removes one.
Solis
What does a Solis espresso machine cost at the entry point?+
Entry pricing of €302.95 is the figure most buyers see first, with the top of the range at €492.95. Both are purchase prices rather than subscriptions, so the budget is set once at the point of sale and stays predictable.
Does the Solis range keep the grinder in the machine?+
The grinder is built in, so beans are ground inside the machine and the setup stays a single box on the counter. Milk on the flagship comes through a steam wand system, and the tank on the top model holds 2.6 litres.