While all of the food processors I tested were basically capable of chopping, mashing, shredding, and slicing, they come in a variety of sizes and bowl capacities, with a range of additional features and price points. If size or price is your limiting factor, the decision will be easy as you’ll be able to quickly narrow down to smaller, cheaper models. If price isn’t too important and you have unlimited cupboard space for storage, a good starting point might be to consider your regular use of the food processor.
KitchenAid’s 8-Cup Food Chopper is the perfect food processor for those with limited counter and storage space.
Food processor dimensions and weight
Food processors have no standard sizes, but are often classified based on bowl capacity: small models in the 3 to 6 cup range, medium models in the 7 to 10 cup range, and large models in the 10 to 10 cup range. Light-duty models weigh between 5 and 10 pounds, while heavy-duty models may weigh 15 pounds and more. Lighter models often have suction feet on the base to prevent movement while the food processor is in operation.
At $40, the Hamilton Beach 7073 is our pick for the best budget food processor.
food processor features
Food processors are mainly used for chopping or dicing and making purees, with an S-shaped rotating blade doing the job. Chopping and slicing are other typical uses, but different food processors may include side discs for these functions, or separate discs for each function, and may include separate anchors to hold the discs in place pin where the main S blade is removed. Short doughs such as pie crust can be made in a food processor, but kneaded dough can also be made, and several models here offer separate plastic S blades for this purpose.
speed
Most recipes involving a food processor specify blending or chopping at high or low speed, so you’ll want a processor with at least two speeds and a powerful motor. The most common configurations are low, high, and pulse options. Some food processors only have one speed, but this is very limiting, so look for one that has at least a range of speeds.
appendix
While your food processor is primarily just two rotating blades, there are many other accessories that can expand your processor’s capabilities. Some come with a variety of accessories, such as discs for grating, chopping, and slicing, dough blades for kneading bread dough, and attachments for whipping cream, chopping nuts, juicing, or slicing vegetables. If you know which tasks you perform most frequently, be sure to check that your processor includes the blades and accessories you need, such as the correct blending blade, chopping blade, slicing blade, or citrus juicer. Some food processor models, such as the Magimix, come with many of these accessories, while others must be purchased separately. Depending on your food processing needs, this may be something to consider. Remember that the accessories shouldn’t be difficult to clean, and you should definitely check that they are dishwasher safe.
