The best food processors to help you prepare meals in minutes

The best food processors will save you both time and energy, given the huge range of food prep functions they can perform - whisking, grating, pureeing, and even kneading dough. 

But, as with most kitchen gadgets and appliances, there are many options to choose from. To help you out, we’ve tested and evaluated the best options on the market. Our list spans all budgets and features mixers from many top brands including KitchenAid, Bosch, Kenwood, and Cuisinart. 

Our team of home and food experts assessed each food processor over a few weeks to determine how well the processor performed, along with how easy it was to clean, assemble and store. Like the best blenders, food processors are multi-functional, so they needed to excel at every task—from mincing to grating—in order to shine for us. So, with our trusty guide to how to use a food processor in hand, we put the machines through their paces.

What are the top 5 food processors?

Below we have a thorough review of every food processor we've tested. But if you're only interested in knowing which food processors are the best of the best, here's a glance at our top five picks based on hours of rigorous testing:

1. Cuisinart 1.9L Easy Prep Pro: A great machine at a great price
2. KitchenAid 2.1L Food Processor: The innovative design and powerful performance make this food processor a great option
3. Sage The Kitchen Wizz / Breville Sous Chef: This runner-up is the best luxury option that can peel, mince and dice in very little time.
4. Bosch MultiTalent 3 Food Processor: This budget food processor is capable of performing up to 50 functions with the appropriate accessories (UK only).
5. Salter Cosmos Food Processor and Blender: Value food processor with lots of accessories 

How we tested the best food processors

We tried and tested each of the following food processors to give a true review of how easy it is to use, clean, and store. We selected our edit especially to include products within a range of different prices, from budget to more expensive options. Our selection also varies from well-known to more niche brands to offer a full representation of the best models on the market. 

We tested each of the best food processors below over a period of weeks to properly assess the capabilities and strengths, as well as any weaknesses to cope with the demands of a busy kitchen where a food processor is frequently used.

Each food processor has been tested on a number of criteria. This included:

• Blending power and performance – arguably the most important factor, our tester spent hours assessing the grating, pureeing, and slicing capabilities for each model to follow our favorite food processor recipes.
• Ease of use – we looked at how simple it is to change the blades for different purposes, and how efficiently the bowl components attach and detach without spillages.
• Sound control – we put the noise factor to the test, seeing what it was like to use them throughout the different times of the day.
• Design aesthetic – including its dimensions and weight, which would determine if it was more suitable for kitchen countertops or best stored away.
• Price tag – to give better value for money and test more expensive models to justify the higher price tag.

The best food processors as reviewed by our experts

We were really impressed by the quality of this food processor. Taking the price point into consideration the Cuisinart 1.9L Easy Prep Pro was a clear winner. Deputy Food Editor Rose Fooks comments “this is the one that I would buy, it’s good quality and the additional small bowl insert would be really useful.”

The main bowl has a 1.9L capacity which is a good size for most things. But in addition, it also comes with a smaller bowl insert that’s ideal for blitzing small amounts and making sauces. The blade is sharp and powerful which made an easy job of chopping vegetables into even-sized pieces. As well as the two bowls,  the model also comes with a fine and medium grating and slicing disk and a book of recipe ideas which is handy if you're running low on inspiration.

The bowl locks in place with the handle at the front which looks neat, but also makes this machine super easy to store. Unfortunately, the attachments have to be stored separately, so if you are limited to cupboard space, a smaller model with fewer accessories may be preferable.

When turned on, the machine was quiet, and the rubber feet and large base stopped the machine from wobbling which was also a big bonus for us. This mixer is easy to clean and all of the accessories are dishwasher-safe. The central stick is attached to the base so no elements fell off while we were taking this apart to clean it.

If we were to pick out some small gripes, we did find the bowl a little fiddly to remove, however, especially compared to the Kitchenaid model that we tested where the bowl can simply be lifted from the base. Our testing team also favored the sleek look of the Kitchenaid and Rose spotted that the bowl on the Kitchenaid was also made with thicker plastic, but both are sturdy and well-made. Overall though, this is our favorite food processor on the market.

Assembling a food processor can be a pain, especially if there are multiple parts to slot together or if lids don’t lock in place easily. The KitchenAid 2.1L food processor eliminates these problems. The bowl drops onto the base and the lid hinges neatly on top. The hinged lid should be a bonus for anyone with very little counter space too, as there's no need to find extra room to set the lid down whilst emptying the mixer. However, the removable part of the lid does not stay in place so has a tendency to fall out when the lid is opened. "I love the look of this machine but every time I use it I somehow manage to fling the lid inserts across the room," remarked junior food writer at woman&home, Georgia Sparks. 

The KitchenAid 2.1L food processor also comes with plenty of power for chopping and mincing, so much so that during testing it did tend to shuffle around on the worktop, meaning you may need to keep hold of it while it’s in use. That being said, everything we processed went through without any struggle, and while the bowl is slightly too compact for a family-sized loaf, the dough we made in it did rise and bake well. 

Smartly designed and powerful to boot, this is a solid buy for everyday use - and given that a KitchenAid appliance is practically a kitchen essential, there was no doubt that it would make our guide to the best food processors.

See our full KitchenAid 2.1L Food Processor review

If time-consuming peeling, chopping, and dicing are what keep you from preparing home-cooked meals, let Sage’s The Kitchen Wizz Peel & Dice—known as the Breville Sous Chef Peel & Dice in the US—lighten the load. This food processor comes with a dizzying array of features packed into a double-level storage box. There’s also a mini bowl and blade for small quantities, plus a “quad” blade that provides additional fine chopping capabilities - an upgrade to the double blade you’ll find with most other processors. It's certainly a pricy compared to other food processors on this list, so this one is more of an investment purchase. 

In our tests, it made short work of almost everything. The chicken was minced in seconds, while the dicing system turned carrots into neat cubes quickly. It also did a sterling job making and kneading bread dough, but when it came to peeling potatoes, the results weren’t the seamless, clean prep we’d hoped for - peel missed and indentations in the flesh meant we had to finish the job by hand. Overall, however, it's a comprehensive piece of kitchen kit that makes short work of most meal prep. 

See our full Sage the Kitchen Wizz Peel & Dice Food Processor review

For a multipurpose machine that won’t blow your budget, look no further than the Bosch MultiTalent 3 Food Processor. While it’s a relatively compact appliance, it still manages to pack in a roomy 2.3-liter bowl (with space to whisk up to six egg whites) and enough accessories to serve 50 functions, so you’re unlikely to ever be stuck without the right tool. Its one-liter blender jug is great for keeping on hand for soups and smoothies, plus the mini chopper/grinder is sure to get plenty of use for all those smaller jobs that don’t require a full-sized processor bowl. Rose comments "the Bosch MultiTalent 3 Food Processor would be ideal for a cook who doesn't have tonnes of other gadgets, it has so many functions, it can be your blender, food processor and stand mixer too."

In tests, it performed well, slicing through carrots and chicken with ease, and kneading dough without any problems, making it one of our best food processors to buy. Our only niggle was that the high-speed setting could be a little whiny. However it's small but mighty and in a compact kitchen, this machine does a great job.

See our full Bosch MultiTalent 3 MCM3501MGB Food Processor review

We were impressed with the functionality of Salter Cosmos Food Processor and Blender. It was the cheapest full-sized food processor that we tested, and it comes with lots of accessories, so for that reason, we scored it highly.

As well as a food processor bowl, chopping blade and shredding/slicing disk, it also comes with a blender, dough blade, and emulsifying disk. We were particularly intrigued by the emulsifier disk, a rippled plastic disk that can be used to whip egg whites and cream. It worked well and could whisk six egg whites for meringue. When used to whip cream it didn’t take long but did make the cream a little grainy. This food processor has suction cup feet to secure it to the countertop but still shakes when at full speed and was louder than some of the other models that we tested - which may not be ideal, particularly in smaller homes.

All in all though, this is a great value product. For a kitchen tight on space, this would be a good substitute for having a separate food processor and blender. With the additional functions of the emulsifying disk and dough blade, it could even take the place of a stand mixer and hand-held electric whisk.

For making sauces such as pesto, grinding spice and making small quantities of things like mayonnaise and dips, this compact food processor is ideal. However, the small bowl means that you may need to also invest in a larger food processor for bigger things.

The Cuisinart Mini Prep Pro is cordless so you won't be constrained if you have few sockets in your kitchen. It comes with a charging cable and plug. The compact size and light weight mean it can easily be stored away and doesn't take up much cupboard space.

Although probably not a replacement for a larger classic food processor, for a more advanced cook it's a useful gadget to have and it's not a massive investment. Rose says “It’s often frustrating when large food processors don’t emulsify small amounts, so this would be really useful for making little things”. The blade rotates in both directions which helps to move ingredients around inside the bowl for even results. Cordless devices naturally have fewer functions than their corded counterparts, but for the price, we thought this was a good additional gadget if you cook regularly. 

It may technically be called a blender, but this three-in-one Power Nutri model from Ninja features all the functions of a food processor, with the added benefit that you can create smoothies, juices and sauces as well as the usual chopping and mixing.

It’s a smart-looking piece of kit and makes a great addition to compact kitchens if you don’t have room for separate appliances, although you will have to stash the extra storage cups when not in use. Although it’s great for pureeing lighter ingredients, we’re not here to talk about its blending capabilities – let’s fast-track to what the Foodi Power Nutri blender can do when it comes to food processing. 

Firstly, it’s got a decent size motor, so it doesn’t make a meal out of the thicker ingredients – something we were keen to test. It also chopped our salsa ingredients pretty speedily, and it was easy to control the speed and size of the chop, although it isn’t the quietest model on higher speeds. We wondered initially what the ‘Smart Torque’ function is, but were pleased to discover it’s the technology that Ninja has designed for heavier ingredients. We tried it with some nuts, which it chopped through pretty easily. 

The smaller Power Nutri bowl is ideal for making thicker recipes like nut butters and smoothie bowls. It has a built-in power paddle, which means you can power through frozen ingredients with less liquid as it pushes them down towards the blade while blending.

If we had to be picky (and that’s what we’re here for), there are things we missed, like the food chute to add ingredients to while it’s blitzing and a wider bowl (this appliance is slimmer and taller as you would expect from a blender style). To be honest, those are very minor sticking points, though, and we can see why it’s such a popular buy.

Much like the best cookware, the Kenwood MultiPro Compact+ is undeniably versatile. It won’t just be your food processor, it’ll also be your full-sized blender, mini chopper, personal blender, hand whisk, and scales. That’s because, as well as a whole box of attachments and tools, its base can be used to weigh out ingredients as you go. This means that it's great for bakers as you can make doughs, batters and other recipes that little bit faster, as well as saving space on your worktop. 

Fortunately, alongside all this extra functionality, the basics haven’t been forgotten and the Kenwood FDM312SS MultiPro Compact+ still works well as a great food processor, with a 2.1L bowl and a compact footprint that won’t hog workspace. It handled all its meat and vegetable processing tasks well (although there were some scraps leftover from slicing carrots), and kneaded bread dough with ease. We did note, however, that the higher speed was very whiny. But, with its multitude of attachments, this is one of the best food processors for bakers.

See our full Kenwood FDM312SS MultiPro Compact+ Food Processor review

The Magimix 5200XL has a stylish, quality design, with a price that reflects that. But you do get a lot for your money. With the main bowl, midi bowl, and mini bowl, along with what feels like a zillion attachments, you can chop, slice, knead, and dice however you like. It even doubles as a blender with an attachment designed to craft soups, milkshakes, and smoothies to your liking. 

It is also ultra-quiet, which was a real bonus when testing in the mornings to blend smoothies without waking the whole house. Whether you’re pulsing or blitzing, it’s as quiet as a mouse, making it a great pick for those who might need to cook at odd hours or simply want their cooking to be as unobtrusive as possible. Overall, this is a luxury operation that's worth the investment if you can afford it. 

The NutriChef Multipurpose food processor reigns over the market for its sleek, compact design that can still be loaded to the brim. This food processor touts a 2L capacity: it can hold up to 12 cups of dry ingredients and nine cups of liquid ingredients (that's a lot of food). And it has a time-efficient 600W motor, which is pretty powerful.

One feature we particularly liked is its electronic overload feature, which prevents and protects the motor from overheating. The best food processors should be stable and secure when you use them - and luckily, this one has a handy silicone rubber bottom, a feature that means you can easily suction the machine to your countertop to strengthen your hold on it and ensure it doesn’t slip around.

Just because it's petite, doesn't mean this compact food processor isn't robust. With just one touch of the on/off button, the Kocbelle Electric Small Food Processor chops chilies, vegetables, baby food, garlic, and even meats in mere seconds. Having said that, the detachable, stainless steel blades are the true heroes, as they can grate, slice, mince, and blend at different angles. They're also easy to clean, dishwasher safe, and don't rust easily.

Another noteworthy perk is its rechargeable function, so you don't need to bother with annoying cords - a great feature for kitchens with limited space. We also love its fun sage green color. Note: It should be charged every three months to prevent damage if you don't plan on using this device frequently.

For first-time and veteran parents, the Beaba Babycook Neo is a dependable food processor that simplifies feeding. This appliance steams, blends, heats, purees, and defrosts a range of mini-meals, eliminating the need for additional appliances. It's conveniently compact and made of eco-friendly materials. It's BPA-, lead- and phthalate-free.

During testing, we appreciated Neo's non-intricate system for steaming and blending. For steaming, the process is simple and takes less than 20 minutes. First, fill the water reservoir, place your ingredients in the included steamer basket, and touch the steam button. For mixing, transfer your food into the blender and hold the pulse button until you get your desired consistency. You won't need too many dishes, so cleanup is a breeze. Plus, its sleek profile and contemporary color palette will complement any kitchen space. Overall, a convenient stylish pick, and one of the best food processors for parents. 

We’ve given this model the title of best ‘family’ food processor, due to its safety functions, which are ideal if you have young children. Standing on suckers, it’s pretty much glued to your worktop, so if little hands do reach up for it, it’s hard to topple. Plus it can make short work of a lot of jobs, without sticking or spluttering. There’s also a double safety lock on the bowl so you can whizz away worry-free.

On to its performance, which didn’t let us down. The slicing and shredding disk chopped through our tomatoes and onions with ease, giving a really fine chop, and we found the model to be better on this front than it was on pureeing ingredients right down. There are two speeds and a pulse setting, and it felt like a good all-rounder – plus it has the blender jug, so it’s a good versatile buy. Most of the tools (handily) fit into the 2.5-liter bowl, making it efficient on the storage front, too.

So, we discussed the pros, but now let’s talk about the cons. For us, the biggest thing we noticed was the spindle, which almost felt as though it didn’t slot into the machine properly. It worked fine but just seemed slightly wobbly when fastening to begin with. We also noticed the plastic lid stuck a few times when it came to opening.

In short, there are more advantages than disadvantages and the price is amazing value for the Desire’s sultry looks and reliable performance.

What to consider when choosing the best food processor for you

Before investing in a food processor, it's crucial to evaluate the following:

• Size and capacity—consider how much worktop or cupboard space is available in your kitchen. Compact models are a good option if space is limited, but they can still have a bulky extra kit to store. It's also good to consider the bowl/cup capacity of the food processor—e.g how much food they can mix at a time. Generally, a 2.5L capacity is more than enough for the average household.
• Budget—the best food processors can vary hugely in price, much like the best induction pans. Around £100 / $100 is a good minimum, although some can come close to the £1,000 / $1,000 mark. So set your budget and stick to it— spending more doesn't necessarily mean a superior model. 
• Attachments—most models come with a multi-purpose chopping and mixing blade, a dough blade, and usually two reversible discs for slicing and shredding, but some have even more. There can be a whisk attachment or disc, chipping discs, a grinder for spices, as well as personal smoothie cups and blades. Consider which ones you need or want. 
• Wattage—wattage is a good indicator of a food processor's power. Anything with a wattage of over 500 should be plenty. It's important to note that wattage doesn't always indicate how well the food processor will work—the general build of the machine is important to consider here too. 
• Cleaning—for easy care, look for models with dishwasher-safe parts. Or, if you’re cleaning by hand, choose a streamlined design that has as few places as possible where food debris can gather. 

Is a food processor worth buying? 

If you do lots of cooking from scratch and find that you spend a lot of time preparing (e.g cutting, chopping, and blending ingredients) you might find that a food processor is well worth having.

The best food processors can help you to do all sorts of cooking tasks, from grinding nuts to chopping herbs or slicing up vegetables such as onions, peppers, and mushrooms. Food processors can also assist you with more unusual kitchen prep, such as making breadcrumbs, sauces, and even things like dough and batter. Plus, it's easy to learn how to use a food processor, especially compared to more complex gadgets.

So if you often find yourself frustrated at having to do these things manually, or find they take up a lot of time, a food processor could be the perfect purchase to make your cooking much easier and more efficient. They can certainly be a great way to save time and automate the cooking process. Overall, we reckon that one of the very best food processors is well worth buying for busy cooks.

What size of food processor do I need?

First, consider the space you have in your kitchen. Some food processors can be big and bulky, whereas others are small, slimline, and designed for smaller areas. If you have plenty of counter space to spare, feel free to consider all of the above options. If you don't, a smaller processor—such as the Cuisinart, or the Kitchenaid—might be the best bet for keeping an organized kitchen.

When it comes to the capacity of the mixer, the decision again depends on how you plan to use your food processor. If you cook a lot, and for a big family, you'll need a larger cup and/or bowl size. But, if you're a solo cook, cook only for a couple or a small family, or plan to use your food processor only on occasion, you won't need such big sizes. Generally, a 2.5L bowl capacity will be more than enough for most cooks. An 11-cup size food processor is usually also a great option for most people. However, it's worth bearing in mind that if you only plan on doing small tasks with your food processor—such as whizzing up herbs or nuts—you'll likely only need a lot less. 

It's also good to check that your food processor has a wide feed chute (which most of the best food processors will have). Having a wider chute in your machine means that you won't need to do as much food prep (e.g chopping vegetables into smaller pieces) before using. 

What food processor attachments do I need?

Regardless of brand and price, the most common food processor attachments include:

• Main blade knife—this generally comes in two sizes, suitable for small and large bowls. They're double-sided and sharp, blitzing and pureeing tough food particles to create smooth sauces, soups, dips, and dressings.
• Shredding disc—the shredding disc, often referred to as a grating disc, sits on top of the bowl and grates items that come through the feed tube located on the lid. This blade is exceptional for cutting cheese and vegetables.
• Slicing disc—similar to the shredding disc, this attachment is placed on top of the food processor to cut items passed through the feed tube. It's great for thinly slicing vegetables, potatoes, and other dense ingredients.
• Dough blade—this short, blunt plastic blade will pull, tear, and knead the dough. As a result, the dough will rise faster since it's already slightly warm. It's great for helping you prepare bread, cake, scones, and pizzas.
• Egg whisk—albeit designed to beat egg whites and whole eggs, this attachment also whips cream and mashed potatoes. It also saves space in your kitchen, as you won't need to purchase a separate electric whisk.

Most of the best food processors come with these attachments as a minimum. But be sure you check to see what is included in the food processor you are considering buying, as not every appliance has every attachment. It also helps to consider how many you want to incorporate into your kitchen cleaning routine, too.

Do I need a processor with variable speeds?

Most food processors only have one or two speeds at a maximum, so there's no need to go hunting around for mixers with multiple speeds or more speeds than that. Generally, the attachments are where you'll find the most variations. 

That being said, speed determines your appliance's ability to mix, emulsify, and prepare food. For that reason, choose a food processor with a high-speed setting. Most food processors with high-speed settings operate at around 1,700 to 1,800 revolutions per minute (rpm). Newer models even feature multiple speeds, ranging upwards of 3,700 rpm. These food processors expedite food prep, making the process far quicker and easier. More basic models, however, often run slower at around 275 to 800 rpm.