Best Food Processors
By Chester McKinley
| Updated 3 Days Ago
Food processors are a kitchen essential for anyone who loves to cook. They can chop, slice, shred, and puree foods quickly, saving a lot of time compared to doing these tasks by hand. Whether you’re making a salad, a dip, or prepping ingredients for a recipe, a food processor can be a big help.
When choosing a food processor, there are some key things to consider. The size of the bowl is important because it determines how much food you can process at once. The power of the motor matters for handling tougher jobs like kneading dough. Other important features include the number of blades and attachments, ease of cleaning, and the overall build quality of the machine.
We spent countless hours researching and testing various food processors to identify the best ones for efficiency and ease of use.
Best Food Processors
Here is our selection of the best food processors. We’ve researched and tested to help you choose the perfect one for your kitchen.
Ninja BN601 Pro Food Processor
Our Rating: 9.1/10
This food processor is an essential kitchen addition for anyone needing efficiency and power.
Pros
- Powerful 1000-peak-watt motor
- Easy to clean and assemble
- Versatile preset programs
Cons
- Bulky and takes up space
- Plastic components can crack
- Could be noisy during use
The Ninja BN601 Food Processor features a robust motor that tackles even the toughest ingredients. This makes chopping, shredding, and mixing simple tasks.
In terms of ease of use, we found the preset programs particularly helpful. Just press a button, and it handles everything from dough to veggies effortlessly.
While it’s fantastic for large quantities, its bulkiness might be a drawback if you have limited counter space. Nonetheless, its performance and versatility make meal prep a breeze.
Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor
Our Rating: 9.1/10
This food processor is a great buy for anyone who needs a versatile and robust kitchen tool.
Pros
- Powerful motor handles tough jobs easily
- Large capacity bowl
- Durable and stainless steel design
Cons
- Shredding and slicing blades aren’t adjustable
- Heavy and takes up counter space
- Some users find it tricky to secure the bowl
We are genuinely impressed with the Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor. It powers through tasks with its 720-watt motor, making chopping, mixing, and shredding a breeze. The large capacity bowl is perfect for big batches of salsa and dough.
Unfortunately, the machine isn’t lightweight, so moving it around can be a bit of a hassle. Plus, those new to kitchen appliances might find attaching the components somewhat challenging at first. The fixed shredding and slicing blades also mean you’re stuck with just one thickness.
All in all, if you’re on the lookout for a reliable, powerful, and versatile food processor, this model is definitely worth considering. It’s built to last, and handles just about any kitchen task with ease.
Hamilton Beach Food Processor
Our Rating: 8.8/10
Efficient and versatile, this Hamilton Beach Food Processor is perfect for any kitchen task.
Pros
- Bowl scraper attachment saves time
- Large 10 cup capacity
- Large feed chute reduces prep time
Cons
- Can be noisy
- Plastic build feels less durable
- Blades can dull over time
The Hamilton Beach Food Processor makes chopping, slicing, and shredding straightforward and quick with its 450-watt motor. The bowl scraper attachment is a standout feature, keeping ingredients closer to the blades without constant manual scraping, which significantly speeds up meal prep.
Its large 10 cup capacity means you can process hefty amounts of food at once, which is great for larger recipes or batch cooking. Plus, the wide feed chute allows whole pieces of cheese and other large items to fit easily, reducing the need for pre-cutting.
On the downside, this unit is a bit noisy, which might be a nuisance if you’re sensitive to sound. The plastic construction doesn’t feel as sturdy as other models made entirely of metal. Additionally, the blades might lose their sharpness after extended use, which could affect its long-term efficiency.
Despite these minor issues, we find the Hamilton Beach Food Processor to be a reliable choice for everyday kitchen tasks. It provides convenience and efficiency at a reasonable price point, making it a valuable addition to any kitchen.
Robot Coupe R101B CLR Food Processor
Our Rating: 8.7/10
The Robot Coupe R101B CLR is a reliable choice for anyone seeking an efficient food processor with good power and versatility.
Pros
- Exceptional motor power
- Durable, clear polycarbonate bowl
- Easy-to-use controls
Cons
- Takes some muscle to operate
- Limited to basic tasks
- Heavier than expected
We found the Robot Coupe R101B CLR to be a real workhorse in the kitchen. The 1/4-HP motor makes quick work of chopping, mixing, and emulsifying. The clear bowl is useful for monitoring progress without having to stop the processor.
Although it’s powerful, this machine does require a bit of force to open and close the lid, which might be a challenge for some users. The controls are straightforward, featuring simple ‘On’, ‘Off’, and ‘Pulse’ settings.
The heavier build ensures durability, but be prepared for its weight when moving it around. If you’re looking for reliable performance without too many frills, this food processor ticks many boxes.
KitchenAid 9 Cup Food Processor
Our Rating: 8.7/10
This food processor is a versatile kitchen tool that helps make meal prep easier and faster.
Pros
- Efficient chopping and mincing
- Multiple speed options
- Easy storage for all accessories
Cons
- Slightly bulky
- Can be loud
- Pricey compared to some other brands
We found the KitchenAid 9 Cup Food Processor to be very efficient. It handles everything from chopping vegetables to making dough. We tried mincing meat, and it tackled the task quickly and evenly. The three-speed options give us control over how fine we want our ingredients chopped.
The storage system is really handy. All the accessories fit perfectly in the bowl, and the cord wraps up cleanly. This means we don’t have to worry about losing parts or finding extra storage space. Cleaning is easy since it just needs warm water and soap.
On the downside, it’s a bit large, taking up more counter space than smaller models. The motor is powerful but can be quite loud at times. It is also on the pricier side, which might be a consideration for those on a budget.
In summary, this KitchenAid food processor is a solid investment for serious home cooks.
VEVOR Food Processor
Our Rating: 7.8/10
This food processor is a solid choice for large families due to its high capacity and versatility.
Pros
- Versatile: multiple blades and discs for different tasks
- Large capacity: 16-cup bowl
- Easy cleanup: dishwasher-safe parts
Cons
- Complex locking mechanism
- Some parts may arrive broken
- Not all users find it reliable
We found the VEVOR Food Processor to be quite versatile. Whether we needed to chop vegetables, grind meat, or knead dough, this processor handled it all well. The multiple blades allowed us to switch tasks easily. The 16-cup bowl was a huge advantage, making it ideal for preparing meals for a large family or gathering.
Although using the processor was mostly straightforward, the locking mechanism required some attention. Ensuring the lid and bowl were perfectly aligned before it would start was a bit of a hassle. Additionally, some users reported receiving broken parts upon delivery, which could be frustrating.
All parts touching food are BPA-free, which gives us peace of mind. Cleaning up was a breeze since most components are dishwasher-safe. Despite a few complaints about reliability, overall, this food processor serves its purpose effectively for those with bigger cooking needs.
Nutricook Choppi Cordless Electric Vegetable Chopper
Our Rating: 9.0/10
A compact and powerful chopper perfect for quick and easy food preparation tasks.
Pros
- Strong battery life
- Easy to use, cordless design
- Safe, BPA-free container
Cons
- Limited to smaller batches
- Can struggle with tougher veggies
- Must be hand washed
We love the design of the Nutricook Choppi. It’s small and easy to store, but don’t be fooled by the size — this chopper packs a punch. The 4000mAh battery means it lasts through multiple uses, perfect for meal prepping without constantly recharging.
The convenience of a cordless chopper is unbeatable. Having no cords means more freedom in the kitchen, and it’s easy to take it wherever you need it. Plus, the BPA-free Tritan cup ensures we’re preparing healthy meals without worrying about harmful chemicals leaching into our food.
On the flip side, it’s important to note that this chopper is ideal for smaller batches. When we tried chopping denser vegetables, we had to pre-cut them to get the best results. Additionally, it needs to be hand washed, which can be a minor inconvenience.
Despite these few cons, we find this mini food processor incredibly handy for quick chopping tasks and highly recommend it for everyday kitchen use.
Magiccos 14-Cup Food Processor
Our Rating: 8.7/10
This is a powerful and versatile food processor that makes meal prep a breeze.
Pros
- Strong 800W motor handles tough tasks with ease
- Large 14-cup bowl is ideal for big batches
- Unique diecast housing adds durability and style
Cons
- Some users find assembly a bit tricky
- Can be noisy during operation
- Bulky size takes up considerable counter space
We found the Magiccos 14-Cup Food Processor incredibly easy to use. The powerful 800W motor shredded cheese and sliced veggies effortlessly. The large capacity bowl was perfect for our big family meals, and the diecast housing adds a sturdy, premium feel.
One feature we loved was the large feeding chute. It saved us time by allowing us to place whole vegetables without pre-cutting. The variety of blades, including the French fry cutter, made it extremely versatile.
However, it did take a bit of effort to assemble the different parts correctly. It’s also quite noisy, so it may not be ideal for use during quiet hours. Despite these minor drawbacks, this food processor has become an invaluable tool in our kitchen. The overall performance and design make it worth considering.
Breville Sous Chef 12 Cup Food Processor
Our Rating: 8.9/10
If you’re looking for a powerful and versatile kitchen tool, the Breville Sous Chef 12 Cup Food Processor is a great choice.
Pros
- Powerful 1000-watt motor handles tough ingredients
- Wide feed chute reduces prep time
- Easy to clean with dishwasher-safe parts
Cons
- Takes up a lot of counter space
- Heavier than other models, making it less portable
- Higher price point
We found the Breville Sous Chef 12 Cup Food Processor to be incredibly efficient in the kitchen. It can handle everything from grating cheese and chopping herbs to mixing batter and pureeing soups. The powerful 1000-watt induction motor means it’s up for any task.
The 5-inch wide feed chute is a game-changer, greatly reducing the need to pre-cut ingredients. This feature alone saved us a lot of time during food prep. The machine is also incredibly easy to clean, with most of the parts being dishwasher safe.
However, keep in mind that this food processor is on the larger side and may take up significant counter space. The unit is also quite heavy, reflecting its high-quality build, but making it harder to move around. Finally, it comes with a higher price tag, but for the build quality and functionality, we believe it’s worth the investment.
KitchenAid KFC3516IC 3.5 Cup Food Chopper
Our Rating: 8.7/10
An excellent choice for those looking for a small but powerful food chopper.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight design
- Easy to clean
- Versatile functionalities
Cons
- Small capacity may not suit larger jobs
- Limited to two speeds
- Locking mechanism can be tricky
Our experience with the KitchenAid 3.5 Cup Food Chopper has been very positive. This chopper is compact and fits perfectly on the countertop, taking up very little space. It’s lightweight too, making it easy to move around. The 3.5 cup capacity is perfect for small to medium batches of food, but might not be ideal for larger families or bigger tasks.
Using it is a breeze. The two speeds and pulse function make chopping, mixing, and pureeing a straightforward process. We made everything from chunky salsa to smooth hummus without any issues. The drizzle basin is a thoughtful addition, letting us add liquids for dressings and sauces with ease.
Cleaning up is simple since all parts are dishwasher safe. Though the locking mechanism can be a bit tricky at first, it becomes second nature after a few uses. Overall, for everyday use, this KitchenAid chopper stands out for its reliability and ease of use.
Buying Guide
When choosing the best food processor, consider capacity. Small processors are great for basic tasks, while larger ones handle more complex jobs.
Look at the motor power. More power means better performance for chopping, slicing, and shredding tough ingredients like nuts and hard vegetables.
Attachments and accessories matter too. Some come with extra blades and disks for different cuts and functions.
Ease of cleaning is important. Look for models with dishwasher-safe parts.
Controls should be easy to use. Basic models have simple on/off buttons, while advanced ones offer multiple speed settings.
Safety features like lid locks and non-slip bases are key for safe operation.
Here’s a quick comparison to help:
Feature | What to Look For |
---|---|
Capacity | Small (3-5 cups) to Large (12+ cups) |
Motor Power | 400-1200 watts |
Attachments | Blades, slicing disks, shredding disks |
Cleaning | Dishwasher-safe parts |
Controls | Easy-to-use buttons or dials |
Safety Features | Lid locks, non-slip bases |