The 5 Best Food Processors, According to Our Tests

Our Favorite Food Processor

The Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor is our favorite for its simple design and consistent performance. For a machine that packs lots of power and multiple functions into a small and more affordable package, consider the Ninja Professional Plus Food Processor instead.

How We Tested Food Processors

To choose our favorite food processors, we chose 20 top models to pit head-to-head in a series of tests.

• Setup test: We unboxed each model and attempted to put it together — without consulting the instruction manual if possible. Models that assembled and disassembled quickly and intuitively received high scores, while we dinged those with a lot of confusing parts and procedures.
• Chopping test: Using the standard chopping blade, we processed a peeled and quartered red onion in each machine for exactly 10 seconds. We examined the results, looking for an even texture and clean cuts. Food processors that had trouble with chopping often had large pieces get stuck beneath the blade, or a dull blade that crushed the onion rather than chop it.
• Slicing test: To test slicing discs, we sliced zucchini, using the thinnest, thickest, and middle settings with adjustable blades. We checked whether the slices came out in equal sizes, and if any didn't cut completely through. We also weighed the zucchini before and after slicing to measure the amount lost via crushing or getting trapped in the bowl.
  
• Shredding/grating test: We used each food processor's shredding blade to shred a 2-ounce block of cheddar cheese, weighing the results to see how efficiently they handled the entire piece. We also looked at the evenness of texture post-shredding. If a machine included a smaller grating blade, we repeated the test with a 2-ounce block of harder Parmesan.
• Mixing test: Food processor blades aren't just for cutting; to measure their ability to mix, we used each machine to combine egg yolk and oil into mayonnaise. Poor blade design made some models unable to reach the small amounts of ingredients, while others had clever features in the lid that helped drizzle the oil in slowly for proper emulsification.
• Cleaning test: In between each round of testing, we thoroughly washed the bowls, blades, and other parts following the included directions. We ran dishwasher-safe components through the dishwasher and looked for any wear and tear, and we hand-washed all the other items, noting features that made sharp parts safer to handle. We also looked at whether any parts held onto the water and needed extra shaking out or drying before we could move on.

Our final ratings also took into account size and capacity, and the quantity and usefulness of extra functions, blades, and other attachments. After rating the food processors on all other categories, we revealed the retail prices to consider value for money. At the time of testing, the 20 models ranged in cost from $36.95 to $753, with an average of $244.42.

Do I Need a Food Processor If I Have a Blender?

If you've already got a powerful blender, you might be wondering why you'd need to spend the money on another appliance that does some of the same things. There is an overlap between the functions of food processors and blenders, but the truth is that they work very differently. A food processor has a large, sharp blade that spins comparatively slowly to cut ingredients into evenly sized pieces. The longer you run the motor, the smaller the pieces become, but a good food processor should keep the pieces even throughout the process.

A blender, on the other hand, uses a smaller, duller blade that spins very quickly to break items apart more than cut them up. It's meant to make smooth-textured mixtures without any chunks, as in a smoothie or silky tomato soup. It's also good for crushing ice, as the rapidly spinning blades break large cubes into bits before they can melt.

The truth is that you probably need both a food processor and a blender in your kitchen. If you want to rough-chop onion for salsa and also create velvety purees, very few appliances can do both effectively. A space-saving puree alternative could be a small personal blender or an immersion blender that doesn't need a dedicated pitcher.

Factors to Consider

Capacity

Pesto for one or a big bowl of party dip? What size food processor will best suit your needs depends on what type of projects you want to use it for and how big your household is. Small and inexpensive models might hold only a few cups, while large models are big enough for a gallon (16 cups) or more. If you fill a food processor bowl all the way to the brim you're likely to get spillage, so you should always leave a little bit of room. However, a huge machine won't effectively chop or mix tiny amounts, which can get stuck underneath the blades or against the walls of the bowl. Plus, a bigger food processor takes up more space on the counter and in the cabinet.

Power (and Power Source)

Most food processors use an electric motor to spin their blades, with a higher wattage indicating more power. But different sizes and blade designs can be more or less effective with the same amount of power, so you can't just look at the number of watts.

There are also some manual food processors, which use muscle power to turn the blades, often via a crank, pull-cord, or simply by pushing down on the top. These models are often tiny and very inexpensive, potentially good for small jobs. We've tested a few manual models and found that the cost savings simply isn't worth the amount of effort required, especially compared to small electric models that aren't very much more expensive.

Features and Accessories

Beyond the standard chopping, shredding, and slicing, food processors can offer all sorts of additional functions. Shredding blades often flip over to offer a coarse and fine side, and some slicing blades can adjust their thickness for different kinds of slices. Other common accessories include a dull plastic dough blade for kneading bread or pizza dough; a julienne slicer for French fries; and a dicing blade that can cut even cubes. Food processors that include more of these tend to cost more and might not be worth it if you won't use all the extras.

Another feature to pay attention to is the control panel. The simplest food processors have only a pulse mode, where you have to hold down a button to run the machine, while other have an on setting that keeps the blades going by itself. Higher-end machines can even have automatic timers. Multiple speed settings can increase a food processor's versatility, as well: Slow speeds are good for kneading dough and controlled large-chopping, and fast speeds can mince garlic or puree fruit with ease.

Cleanup

Nobody likes to clean up, but some food processor models make things easier than others. Some machines have dishwasher-safe pieces, especially plastic bowls and lids. Blades can be dishwasher-safe, too, but harsh detergents and high temperatures might dull and damage them. It's good to note if a brand says parts are dishwasher-safe but recommends hand-washing; this can indicate that you should keep metal parts out of the dishwasher.

One part of an electric food processor that should never go in the sink or dishwasher is the motor base. Water immersion can short out the parts and ruin the machine. If the base spills or spatters, you should unplug it and then wipe it down with a sponge or paper towel.

Other Food Processors We Tested

Strong Contenders

Magimix Food Processor (Nutrimill)

We loved the Magamix's variety of bowls and attachments, which made switching jobs incredibly easy and allowed for easy cleanup. The potential use cases for this powerful machine are practically limitless. However, we did encounter some problems with the processor trapping food and making some uneven cuts, and it's quite expensive.

GE 12-Cup Food Processor (Amazon)

This GE model was incredibly simple and intuitive to use, with attachments that are easy to snap on and off. But we noticed some inconsistencies in how it chopped some of our veggies and found it to be pretty easy to accidentally knick yourself on the sharp blade and attachments while washing.

Cuisinart Elemental 13-Cup Food Processor (Amazon)

We found this unit to be straightforward and user-friendly, with all the basic features and performance you'd expect from a standard food processor. If it had a lower price, it probably would have made our list of winners, but it's a little expensive for what you get.

Vitamix 12-Cup Food Processor Attachment (Amazon)

Vitamix makes some of the world's best blenders, at sky-high prices to match. If you already own one, this attachment makes your existing blender into an all-purpose chopping machine. But if you don't, it's not worth buying a Vitamix blender just so you can use the brand's food processor.

Black & Decker Power Pro Wide-Mouth 10-Cup Food Processor (Amazon)

We loved how well the value-priced Power Pro emulsified everything we tried without even having to scrape down the sides. However, we did have some issues with uneven cuts and food items getting stuck under or shredded by the blade.

Breville Sous Chef 12-Cup Food Processor (Amazon)

This smaller, cheaper cousin of the 16-cup Sous Chef we named our best splurge is not only smaller but also comes with less versatility. You get fewer accessories in addition to the lower capacity, and it doesn't include the mini-bowl we liked in the 16-cup version. If you're going to drop the money for a high-end Breville, we say to go for the gusto with the highest-end version.

What Didn't Make the List

Food processors can span a wide variety of price ranges and features, and the same goes for all the models we tested. A few were simply too expensive to make it onto our list with just average performance, while others lacked functionality and features we felt were necessary to make them worthwhile. A few cheap models simply did a poor job of cutting anything. The machines that we considered include Waring, OXO, Hamilton Beach, and Oster, as well as additional models from brands that did make the list.

Our Expertise

• Nick DeSimone wrote and compiled this piece. They have spent nearly a decade working in professional kitchens and have used nearly every brand and model of food processor during that time. Nick also used data collected by our Food & Wine professional product testers. Our testers are dedicated culinary professionals who are committed to unbiased, thorough testing.