The Best Food Processors

A food processor may save you a lot of time in the kitchen, allowing you to get right to the good stuff–cooking and eating–much faster. A food processor fitted with a sharp, versatile blade can chop and ground practically any item, including onions for stock, nuts for fresh peanut butter, and graham crackers for pie crust. They may also be used to emulsify sauces, chop herbs, and puree infant food.

Most food processors come with attachments for kneading bread and pizza dough, shredding cheese blocks, and slicing vegetables in various thicknesses, making them genuine kitchen workhorses.  We've compiled a list of the finest among them in this guide, as well as some things to think about while looking for the best food processors for your family.

Top Picks

We will provide you with a selection of our top favorite food processors.

• Best Overall: Cuisinart FP-13DSV

• Best Premium Choice: Hamilton Beach Food Processor 

• Best Purchased Product: Breville BFP800XL Sous Chef 16

• Best Cheap Product: Cuisinart DLC-10SYP1 Food Processor

Buying Guide - What To Consider Before Buying 

1. Size and type

Food processors are available in a range of sizes and shapes, but they are typically classified as micro, compact, or full size like Cuisinart FP-13DSV or Hamilton Beach Food Processor . Mini processors (sometimes known as "choppers") are capable of dicing up one or two small things at a time and are simple to clean, but their utility is limited. The more diverse a food processor's capabilities are, the bigger it is. Premium processors also come with bigger storage containers, making them ideal for cooking meals for a family.

2. Budget

This is usually an excellent place to start, but keep in mind that there is a lot to choose from. Simple chopping machines range in price from $20 to $50 on the low end to $200 to $400 — and above — for professional-grade equipment. You indeed get what you pay for, but this isn't necessarily a negative thing. For example, Cuisinart DLC-10SYP1 Food Processor we can tell. 

3. Power

It's a broad spectrum. Larger machines consume the greatest power, ranging from 200 watts on the low end to 1,200 watts for luxury models. If you're looking for full-size equipment like Cuisinart FP-13DSV, 500 watts or more should be plenty to get most food-processing operations done quickly and efficiently. Weaker motors aren't as excellent at consistent chopping/mixing, and they're more likely to burn out if they're overused.

4. Controls

Budget versions include fewer customization options, such as LCD screens, countdown clocks, and specialized controls for slicing/shredding, pureeing/mixing, and pulsing. However, if your food-processing requirements are small, one or two speeds will suffice.

5. Blade performance

Sharp blades are vital because they determine how uniformly food is chopped, and some are reversible, extending their usefulness. Take Breville BFP800XL Sous Chef 16 as an example, the blades and grating disks of good quality should be razor-sharp immediately out of the box and stay that way for years.

6. Attachments

This is where you must pay close attention. Various types and models come with a variety of attachments and extras, but you're unlikely to use them all at the same time. Choose a food processor that comes with a collection of accessories that meets your needs. 

7. Bowl size

The optimal bowl or jar size for your food processor is determined solely by the size of your home or the number of people you normally prepare for. In general, a bowl that holds at least nine cups is the ideal option. If you frequently cook for parties of more than four people, or if you prefer to create large amounts of food that you can freeze, choose a model with an 11 to 14 cup bowl. In the same spirit, if you're simply cooking for one person or using the processor to prepare small batches of food, a three-cup bowl is generally enough. When shopping for food processor bowls, seek one that has a maximum liquid line. This will prevent you from overfilling the machine and producing leaks.

8. Food chute

A funnel on a food processor allows you to add food to the bowl while the machine is operating. Select a model that has a large food chute. Large portions of vegetables and other things may be pushed through a broad chute without having to be sliced beforehand.

9. Warranty

The warranty should be longer the more money you pay. Expect a one-year warranty on less expensive versions and up to three years on more costly models.

FAQs

1. Should I choose a food processor or a food chopper?

This is a key question to address if you're new to food processors. To answer it, you must first consider what you want to do with the item. Food processors are ideal for more difficult tasks like slicing and grating. They're ideal for preparing bread or pastry since they can manage the bigger capacity required by many recipes.

Choppers, on the other hand, are excellent for swiftly cutting a few components, such as salad veggies. These are much more compact in size, making them easier to store, and they are available in both electric and manual versions. You can refer to Cuisinart DLC-10SYP1 Food Processor if you want to own a high end food processors. Choppers are also useful because of their portability. They're easier to clean and put up because they're smaller.

They aren't as strong as food processors, though, and have been known to struggle with harder foods like nuts. Essentially, the food processor is the way to go if you want greater adaptability, power, and capacity. Breville BFP800XL Sous Chef 16 is also an optimal choice for you. If you're short on space and simply need something for tiny, routine chopping operations, a food chopper is a way to go. Some individuals purchase both since each has its advantages.

2. When should you get a new food processor?

The majority of food processors come with a one to three-year warranty. Extended warranties are available from certain manufacturers, but we don't suggest them because they tend to be more expensive than any prospective repairs. With regular usage and proper maintenance, a well-built food processor should last seven to ten years. It's possible that your food processor needs to be serviced if it suddenly stops working.

There are a few things you may try before calling for help or going shopping for a replacement to see if it's a simple fix. While this may seem self-evident, it's important to double-check that all of the pieces are properly fastened together. A safety cut-out in food processors prevents them from running unless this is the case. It's possible that your processor overheated while in operation, i.e. with food still inside.

Simply disconnect the appliance and wait 15 minutes before plugging it back in. If you don't get lucky, you'll have to fix or replace it. We recommend replacing your food processor if the cost of repairs is more than half the cost of a new one. However, there are some fast remedies, such as a defective locking mechanism, so it's worth looking at this first.

3. Can you use a food processor to ground coffee beans?

The ideal way to ground coffee beans is using a specialist coffee grinder with a conical burr, although a food processor, which is just a bigger version of a blade grinder, would suffice. Simply add a few scoops into the processor and pulse, turning the processor occasionally to ensure that all of the beans find their way into the blade. Continue until you've got the required amount of grinds.

Choosing the best food processor is largely a matter of personal preference and money. Small processors, sometimes known as food choppers, are ideal for light meal preparation and budget-conscious consumers. A full-size food processor is a better investment if you want a food processor that can handle more prep duties. Remember to go through our top picks and features to think about while choosing the right product for your family.