If you enjoy creating sweet and savory dishes at home, a high-quality food processor is a must. These machines perform a variety of tasks, both large and small—saving you time and energy. Whether you are chopping walnuts for cookies or shredding Parmesan cheese for pasta, a food processor makes the process quick and easy. Plus, many of these machines are incredibly accurate, allowing users to select the exact size and cut they need.
However, as with all kitchen gadgets, food processors vary in cost, motor power, capacity, and durability. To help you narrow down your choices, we take a closer look at 5 of the most popular models on the market. Our food processor buyer’s guide also highlights the value of each feature, so you can determine which ones will make the cooking process easier for you.
5 Best Food Processors of 2024
Best Food Processor Overall
Breville Sous Chef 16 Pro
The Breville Sous Chef 16 Pro comes with multiple blades and slicing discs that help you tackle various kitchen projects. With a powerful 1200 watt motor, this machine can handle practically any job.
$399 on Breville.comBest Food Processor Overall: Breville Sous Chef 16 Pro
Most Versatile Food Processor: Cuisinart Custom 14 Cup
Most User-Friendly Food Processor: Oster Designed for Life 14-Cup
Best Value Food Processor: Hamilton Beach 8-Cup Compact Food Processor
Best Mini Food Processor: KitchenAid 3.5 Cup Mini Food Chopper
Best Food Processor Overall
Breville Sous Chef 16 Pro
- 1200-watt motor
- 5.5-inch wide feed chute
- 16 and 2.5 cup bowl attachments
- Comes with 5 multi-functional discs & 3 blades
- Available in black and brushed stainless steel
The Breville Sous Chef 16 Pro is our pick for the best overall food processor because it offers 24 different slicing settings that allow you to customize the thickness of your ingredients. By changing out the blade or disc, the machine can produce a cut as thin as .03mm or as thick as 8.0 mm.
A whisking disk, julienne disc, French fry disc, and reversible shredding disc are all included, so you can use the machine to perform practically any task. All accessories come in a compact box that can be stored either horizontally or vertically.
Depending on the portion size needed, you can also switch between the large capacity 16-cup processing bowl or the 2.5 cup mini bowl. The direct drive, high torque 1200-watt motor is durable enough to handle even the toughest jobs without overheating. Although this machine is high powered, it is also safe and easy to use.
This Breville food processor features their Feed Chute Safety System, so the motor only turns on when the bowl, lid, and large food pusher are correctly locked into place. The feed chute is 5.5 inches wide, so you can place whole ingredients into the processor without opening the lid. With a 1-year limited warranty and a 25-year motor guarantee, Breville ensures their food processor will aid you in the kitchen for many years.
The original list price of the Breville Sous Chef 16 Pro is $499.99, but it’s now available for $399.95 on Breville.com.
Most Versatile Food Processor
Cuisinart Custom 14 Cup
- 720-watt motor
- 14 cup processing bowl
- Includes 2 stainless steel discs and 1 blade
- 3-year warranty on the unit and 5-year motor warranty
- Available in 4 different color options
Whether you’re cooking a large dinner or putting together a quick weeknight meal, the Cuisinart food processor is the perfect tool. This machine has a 14 cup processing bowl—making it ideal for entertaining. The cover of the container features an extra-large feed tube, small feed tube, and pusher. No matter the size of your ingredients, it is easy and safe to add them to the bowl while it is processing.
The 720-watt powerful motor can dice whole vegetables and mix dough. It comes with 2 rustproof stainless steel discs—one is a standard 4mm slicing disc that produces uniformly chopped ingredients every time. The other disc is a medium shredding disc that is ideal for grating cheese.
The stainless steel disc and blade are held in place by a detachable stem that is easy to clean and reassemble. With a sleek design available in 4 different colors, this machine looks great on any kitchen countertop. Cuisinart offers a 5-year limited warranty on the entire unit. It also comes with a spatula and a recipe book.
Most User-Friendly Food Processor
Oster Designed for Life 14-Cup Food Processor
- 550-watt motor
- BPA-free, dishwasher-safe parts
- Includes 2 processing bowls—a 14-cup bowl and a 5-cup bowl
- Built-in storage holds all blades and discs
- 5-year satisfaction guarantee
The Oster Designed for Life 14-Cup Food Processor is the most user-friendly food processor on our list because it is easy to disassemble, and each component is dishwasher safe.
Plus, the base of the machine has a built-in storage compartment that keeps each piece organized and protected. This food processor comes with 2 processing bowls—a large capacity 14-cup bowl and a small 5-cup mini bowl that is ideal for chopping nuts or dicing garlic.
In addition to the bowls, this machine also includes 2 stainless steel S-shaped chopping blades and a dough blade, which offers hands-free kneading. This plastic kneading blade can be a lifesaver if you enjoy baking bread or pizza dough. The stainless steel slicing disc is reversible, so you can slice or shred your ingredients.
Using the 3 preset speeds—chop, shred, and pulse—you can quickly select a setting that fits your needs. This machine has a compact, stainless steel base and a durable, reinforced handle. Oster backs the quality of this machine with a 5-year satisfaction guarantee.
“The Oster Designed for Life 14-Cup Food Processor is the most user-friendly food processor on our list because it is easy to disassemble, and each component is dishwasher safe.”
Best Value Food Processor
Hamilton Beach 8-Cup Food Processor
- 450-watt motor
- 2 different speeds and 1 pulse control
- 8-cup capacity bowl
- Reversible stainless steel slice/shred disc
- Flip lid for easy storage
Like most of Hamilton Beach’s kitchen appliances, their 8-cup food processor is a sturdy, yet affordable machine. This device has a 450-watt motor and two-speed settings—low and high.
It also has a handy pulse button for grating cheese or cutting flour and butter when making dough. The stainless steel S-blade can be used for mixing and pureeing, while the reversible disc shreds and slices with accuracy.
The 8-cup processing bowl is big enough to handle most everyday tasks, yet compact enough for easy storage. You can also flip the lid when the machine is not in use—allowing it to fit into most cupboards.
The bowl, lid, and blades are BPA-free and dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. This versatile and reliable kitchen tool is available for just under $40.
Best Mini Food Processor
KitchenAid 3.5-Cup Mini Food Chopper
- 240-watt motor
- Built-in drizzle basin
- 2 speeds and 1 pulse control
- Dishwasher safe bowl, lid, and blade
- Available in 10 colors
The KitchenAid Mini Chopper features their trademark red and stainless steel exterior. Or, you can choose from one of 9 other colors, including black, white, and silver. This machine has a small compact base and bowl that sit a total of 8 inches high. An easy to use cord wrap also makes for secure storage and helps to keep your countertops clutter-free.
The processing bowl has a 3.5-cup capacity and drizzle basin that slowly adds oils and liquids into the bowl during blending. Simply place the liquid in the basin, and press the top of the handle to release it into the bowl.
This feature gives you more control over your foods’ consistency, which is perfect for making hummus, pesto, and salad dressings. The stainless steel blade purees, chops, and locks into place for safe pouring. Each component is BPA-free and dishwasher safe.
The KitchenAid 3.5-Cup Mini Food Chopper is originally $49.99, but this machine is available now for $34.99 on KitchenAid.com.
What to Consider When Buying a Food Processor
A food processor is a useful kitchen tool, but it’s important that you select the right model for your needs. Below, we offer a few points to keep in mind as you shop for the best food processor.
Motor Power
The wattage on most modern food processors ranges between 200 to 1200. If you are a serious home chef looking for a powerful machine, a food processor with a wattage between 700 and 1200 will be your best bet. For an appliance that can handle just the basics, such as dicing, slicing, and chopping, 200 to 600 watts should work well.
Cost
Smaller, low-watt machines typically cost between $30 and $50. Those with a 12- to 14-cup capacity may retail for $100 or $200. Units with a higher wattage—between 700 and 1200—usually range from $300 to $500 in price. Additional attachments such as plastic blades for kneading dough and various slicing discs can also increase the cost.
Ease of Use
Most modern food processors are fairly easy to operate. However, choosing a machine that is too small for your needs can make it difficult to use. Therefore, be sure to select at least an 8-cup capacity machine if you plan to use it for more than just chopping and slicing.
A larger capacity bowl will also have a wide feed chute. If the feed tube is wider, it allows you to place whole vegetables and blocks of cheese into the machine during processing. That means less prep for you, which can be a big time saver when putting together a meal.
For quick cleanup, select a food processor that can be easily disassembled for cleaning. One with a dishwasher safe bowl, lid, and blade is also convenient.
Capacity
Most food processors have a work bowl capacity between 8 and 14 cups. Some machines also come with a second bowl attachment with a 2.5 to 5-cup capacity. Appliances with a smaller base may even have a smaller bowl capacity and wattage.
The right size will depend on how you plan to use your food processor. If you enjoy cooking for 2 or more people and have plenty of storage space, it is best to opt for a machine with at least an 8-cup capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a food processor and a blender?
Food processors and blenders are similar. However, some tasks require a blender, while others are more suited to a food processor. Smoothies, soups, and nut butters are easier to make in a blender. Food processors are better for chopping, shredding, and grating ingredients.
Can I julienne my food in a food processor?
Many of the machines on our list come with a slicing disc. A slicing disc replaces the sharp blade and allows the machine to produce julienned vegetables. This is done by placing the slicing disc on the blade stem, closing the lid, and feeding the ingredients through the feed chute during processing.
Can you make a milkshake in a food processor?
Yes. Believe it or not, you can use a food processor to make a milkshake. You can place frozen fruit or ice cream and your favorite type of milk in the processing bowl. Then, turn the machine on a low or medium puree setting. When making a milkshake, it is best to use a metal blade attachment rather than a slicing disc.
Can you bake with a food processor?
You can use a food processor to mix dough or batter for cakes, cookies, bread, and brownies. However, the food processor does not heat up enough to bake the mixture. The dough or batter should be transferred to a pan and put in the oven for baking.
Can you use a food processor to knead bread dough?
Food processors with a large bowl and at least 600 watts of power can knead bread dough. Using a metal blade for kneading may warm the dough slightly, which can cause it to rise. Many food processors come with a plastic blade that is designed specifically for kneading dough.
Conclusion
For most home cooks, a food processor can make even the most complicated recipes a breeze. Creating meals for family and friends can be a rewarding experience, but making the process quicker and easier gives you more time to relax and enjoy time with your loved ones.
As you shop, be sure to keep your needs in mind. As with all purchases, you don’t have to spend money on features you won’t use. If you need a food processing machine to chop and dice, a smaller device may work best for you. However, if you are looking for a tool that can help you make hummus, knead bread dough, or mix batter—a larger, higher-powered food processor is the best option.
