Morphy Richards Compact Soup Maker review: "feels refreshingly uncomplicated to use"

Price at time of testing: £60 | Buy now from Amazon, Morphy Richards or Currys

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My verdict

After spending time with both the Total Control and the Compact Soup Maker, it’s clear these appliances are aimed at different households. The Compact doesn’t try to compete on features, and that’s actually its strength. It’s designed for people who want homemade soup without menus, modes or mental effort, and in that respect it does exactly what it promises.

I didn’t find myself frustrated by what it lacks once I’d adjusted expectations. Yes, there’s no reheat or keep-warm setting, but reheating soup in the microwave takes a minute or two and quickly becomes part of the routine. What mattered more to me was how consistently it produced good soup, how little space it took up and how easy it was to clean after a long day.

For £60, this feels like a sensible, well-judged purchase for small households, individuals or families making smaller batches. It won’t replace a blender or cater for big batch cooking, but if your priority is simple, reliable soup without the fuss, the Morphy Richards Compact Soup Maker earns its place in your kitchen.

How I’ve tested the Morphy Richards Compact Soup Maker

I tested the Compact Soup Maker immediately after using the Morphy Richards Total Control model, which made the differences very clear. It’s been used several times a week, mainly in the evenings, to make soup to store for easy lunches and kids’ meals across the week. We’re a family of four with a busy schedule during the week thanks to schools and both DH and I working full time, so anything designed to make mealtimes a bit easier is a win-win for me.

Testing for us has included smooth and chunky soups, repeated use of the same recipes to check consistency - hello potato and leek! - plus drinks and blending to see how versatile this compact soup maker really is. My boys’ have enjoyed helping me chop vegetables and simply “chuck ‘em in” the soup maker - often standing in awe after just 20 minutes of cooking time to tasty, smooth soup. 

This compact model is smaller than the Total Control, with just room for 1,000ml of ingredients

First impressions and design of the Compact Soup Maker

Given this is the compact offering from Morphy Richards, it was no surprise that this particular soup maker feels refreshingly uncomplicated to use. It’s smaller and lighter than the brand’s larger models, and doesn’t dominate the kitchen. On the worktop, it takes up roughly the same space as a kettle and it’s easy enough to lift into a cupboard between uses. 

The control panel is clear and uncluttered, with no unnecessary icons or menus. So, if you’ve ever been put off by appliances that require a manual every time you use them, this will feel reassuring rather than basic. 

That said, with a smaller size and more basic controls, you do sacrifice quantity. Unlike the Total Control version, which can fit up to 1,600ml of ingredients, the compact version only holds 1,000ml - and it holds you to it. More on this below. 

Like all Morphy Richards products, the soup maker arrives neatly packaged and protected

Inside you'll find the kettle, the power cable and an instruction manual

What’s in the box of the Morphy Richards Compact Soup Maker? 

Inside the box you’ll find:

• The soup maker base with fixed jug

• A lid with integrated blade assembly

• The power cord

• An instruction booklet#

There are no extras or accessories, but nothing feels missing given the price and purpose.

How many servings does it make?

In real-world use, this comfortably makes up to three servings of soup. The 1,000ml maximum fill includes everything (solid ingredients and liquid), which caught me out on the first test.

As I overfilled it, the machine beeped and refused to start until the level was corrected. Annoying, but it was actually a helpful safety feature to prevent spills and uneven cooking. After pouring some stock out, we were good to go - and the soup tasted better for it, actually. 

Unlike the Total Control, this compact version is an all-in-one and doesn't dismantle (except the lid)

Programmes and cooking options

With the Morphy Richards Compact Soup Maker, there are just four programmes:

• Smooth soup

• Chunky soup

• Drinks

• Blend
  

Compared with the Total Control model, the lack of reheat and keep-warm settings is noticeable - but perhaps, only noticeable because I have just tested this one. I did miss them initially, but in practice reheating soup in the microwave took a minute or two and quickly became part of our routine.

For those of you who are simply in need of a soup maker, it does the job and I doubt you’ll miss the reheat/keep-warm functions. 

There are four settings to choose from - they do the job, but lack versatility

Like other soup makers, it has a blade attached to the lid where the controls are

How well does the Morphy Richards Compact soup maker make soup?

This is where the Compact really earns its keep. Smooth soup was ready in just 19 minutes and came out evenly cooked, hot and blended smoothly (a couple of lumps, but I’m willing to overlook that). Potato and leek soup, which I made several times, was consistent with no undercooked pieces.

Chunky soup also worked well, provided vegetables were chopped sensibly before chucking them in. It’s not forgiving of huge chunks, but that’s true of most soup makers at this size, I’ve found. 

Is it easy to clean?

Yes, and easier than expected given the fixed jug. Thanks to the non-stick interior, cleaning involves a quick soak with warm water and washing-up liquid, followed by a rinse. The blade can be rinsed under the tap, but you do need to be careful not to submerge the electrical parts. It’s not dishwasher safe, but cleaning it never felt like a chore.

Throwing ingredients inside is a simple job - just mask sure you don't go above 1,000ml

The before and after of my favourite soup, potato and leek

Who is this soup maker for?

In my opinion, the Morphy Richards Compact soup maker mostly suits:

• Individuals and couples

• Small households

• Parents making smaller batches for children

• Anyone short on storage or worktop space
  

It’s less suitable if you want to cook large batches or regularly feed four or more people. The three servings were fine on days when I made the soup fresh and served it to the kids. The times I stored it, it lasted maybe two days as lunch servings for both of them (over a weekend), along with a sandwich. 

Is the Morphy Richards Compact Soup Maker worth its price?

At £60, this represents very good value. It doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is: a compact, no-fuss soup maker. You’re not paying for features you won’t use, and for many households, that’s a positive rather than a compromise.

As far as size is concerned, it's no larger than a standard kettle (like my Russell Hobbs one)

Comparison table: Morphy Richards vs Ninja

Next to the Total Control, it's clear that this is a much more compact, smaller appliance

Final verdict: would I recommend the Morphy Richards Compact Soup Maker?

The Morphy Richards Compact Soup Maker won’t surprise you, and that’s exactly the point.

For £60, it offers a straightforward, reliable way to make homemade soup without cluttering your kitchen or your head. It lacks the extras of more expensive models, but it delivers where it matters: good soup, quickly, with minimal effort.

If you want advanced features, larger portions or powerful blending, look elsewhere. If you want soup without the fuss, this compact model more than earns its place as Mumsnet’s best compact soup maker.

About the author

Rebecca Roberts (aka Beccy) is our resident lifestyle expert with a practical focus on sleep, wellness and everyday comfort. She’s equally at home tackling frank, NSFW‑adjacent topics as she is road‑testing kitchen appliances, mattresses and vacuums that work for real parents. A former editor of LJMU’s Looprevil Press, she cut her teeth in journalism in 2010, earned a post‑grad diploma in Journalism and later led editorial at ExpatWoman in Dubai before joining Mumsnet. As a mum of two, she writes with the time‑poor, sleep‑deprived in mind - honest product reviews, realistic routines and products that make parents’ lives easier.

When she’s not at her desk, she’s probably product‑testing with her two helpers, corralling a PTA or walking her two dogs up and down country lanes.

About Mumsnet reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents after weeks of hands-on testing. We never accept payment for coverage, and our verdicts are independent and honest. We may earn a small commission through affiliate links, which helps fund our work - but it never influences our opinions.

All prices are correct at the time of writing.

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