Yes, it's meditative to slice and dice with a super sharp knife. But do you know what can be even more satisfying? The high of blitzing through heads of garlic, mounds of parsley, or sleeves of cookies for pie crusts. Such is the power of a food processor.
Food processors are handy kitchen tools, quickly chopping, shredding, and slicing everything from tough nuts to soft cheeses while also pulsing and blending sauces and dips. And there are tons of options out there — from manual mincers to blender-processor combos — but some are more powerful, intuitive to use, and easier to clean than others.
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To help you find the best food processor for your needs, we've turned to reviews from real customers on Amazon who have purchased and used these products for themselves. These best-selling items not only have near-perfect ratings, but they also have countless glowing reviews describing why they're so great.
These are the best food processors you can buy on Amazon:
Keep reading to learn more about what to look for when selecting a food processor and shop the nine appliances customers love the most.
Let's get this out of the way: Blenders and food processors serve different purposes. Blenders are best for liquifying ingredients—think super smooth soups, dressings, smoothies, and sauces—while a food processor excels in slicing and chopping solids. If you want to shred cheese, chop nuts, dice an onion, or knead the perfect pie dough, pick a food processor.
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Food processors are designed with wide, spacious bases to accommodate bulky ingredients and sharp S-shaped blades that allow them to slice through thicker and more substantial foods. They should easily transform whole or large pieces of food into uniform pieces in seconds with the strength of powerful motors.
"A high-quality food processor can save serious time in the kitchen," Food & Wine Associate Food Editor Kelsey Youngman said. "Our favorites have two main components in common: a good pulse button that triggers a quick burst of the blades, not a long, slow pulse, and a small gap between the blades and the sides and edges of the bowl. Both of these factors result in food being evenly chopped, without sticking to the blades or edges of the bowl.
"Next we look for easy to clean and store accessories and components, a nicely wide feed tube (so you don't waste food trimming it to fit), and a heavy, sturdy base, so the food processor won't wobble or tip on the counter while performing harder tasks, like kneading dough."
Now, on to the top-rated food processors.
This impressive processor comes from Cuisinart, the respected kitchen brand that's synonymous with reliability. The Elemental is particularly powerful and versatile. Its 500-watt motor is controlled by an electronic LED touchpad, and it features interchangeable 13-cup and 4.5-cup work bowls, a reversible shredder, a dough blade, a dicing disc, and a stainless steel chopping blade. No matter if you're prepping coleslaw for a crowd or dicing a handful of greens as a garnish, this machine is up to the task.
The high-performance device is popular with Amazon shoppers, earning a 4.6-star rating and reviews saying how reliable and powerful the tool is. "As a chef, convenience is key for appliances at home. Besides a bigger work bowl, the dicing blade is such a treat. I don't have to rely on a prep chef, as this machine does it for me."
The machine measures 21.75 inches long by 11.25 inches wide by 17.5 tall and weighs about 20 pounds. While some users say that the lightweight tool wobbles with big batches, others note it also makes it easier to put the appliance away when not in use. Plus the Cuisinart machine is covered by a three-year warranty for peace of mind.
To buy: $170 (originally $200) at amazon.com
This powerful machine proves you don't have to spend a ton of money on a high-quality food processor to get great results. Hamilton Beach's 8-cup model features high and low speeds, plus pulse for extra control, and 450 watts of power for easy-breezy shredding and slicing. (Users do note that the motor can be loud.) It also includes a BPA-free, dishwasher-safe bowl and lid with a spacious feed chute to fit large foods (like a whole block of cheese!) for quick, easy processing.
With more than 13,000 ratings, it's one of Amazon's most-reviewed processors. Shoppers rave about how powerful the processor is, saying it makes quick work of everything from bulky cabbage to tough nuts.
"Sounds and operates like a real professional of much higher quality," wrote a once-skeptic. "I haven't had any need to use the side scraper as it does just fine without it. I have made everything from guacamole to energy bites with very sticky dates and crunchy hazelnuts."
Another added, "I bought this food processor for the sole purpose of making nut butters. Once washed and assembled, I had a jar of pecan and a jar of cashew nut butter in literally a few minutes! I'm beyond IMPRESSED with this machine."
To buy: $45 at amazon.com
For an exceptional machine that even professional chefs turn to, check out Breville's Sous Chef 16 Pro. Its heavy-duty 1,200-watt motor easily blitzes the toughest fruits and vegetables into smooth purees, and its micro-serrated S-blade swiftly chops and mixes all sorts of ingredients, including dough. For slicing, this processor has 24 thickness settings, from paper-thin 0.3 mm to hearty 8.0 mm cuts, and promises precise slices every time. It is also designed with several safety features, including nonslip feet and an overload protection.
This processor is so popular, it's earned a superb 4.7-star rating with more than 2,500 reviews. "I was a food professional for over 40 years, so I know my way around the kitchen," wrote a reviewer. "But this Breville! What I most appreciate is the thinking that went into the design of this food processor… one grating blade has two sizes… one slicing blade can be adjusted for thickness—that's invaluable. The huge capacity (even though there are just two of us) is so helpful, and the mini-bowl means I don't have to pull out and fuss with my Cuisinart Smart Stick chopper."
The Breville Sous Chef 16 Pro is double the price of most food processors—a splurge best reserved for home cooks who plan on using their machines daily or who regularly cook for large families. That said, reviewers insist you won't find a better performer out there.
To buy: $400 at amazon.com
With its 14-cup work bowl and a feed tube large enough to fit whole fruits and vegetables, this machine is big enough to handle even your most substantial projects with ease. The powerful appliance features a 720-watt motor, stainless steel blades, and seven different food prep functions, like mixing, chopping, shredding, and kneading. Plus, the bowl is dishwasher-safe, making cleanup a breeze.
The Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor is so popular that it's earned a noteworthy 4.7-star rating from more than 8,600 reviewers who say the device is powerful, durable, and high-quality. "It has a large capacity so I can easily double or even triple a recipe," one wrote. Another added, "It has plenty of muscle to get the job done and plenty of capacity. I make peanut butter and date bars in it on a regular basis and it makes short work of slicing veggies."
To buy: $250 at amazon.com
Like larger counterparts, this mini processor effortlessly chops and grinds at the touch of a button. With its special auto-reversing SmartPower blade, it easily processes both hard and soft foods without the hassle of scraping down the sides. Its 24-ounce work bowl is the perfect size for mincing heads of garlic and whipping up sauces like pesto or chimichurri. And since it only has a 5 inch by 7 inch footprint, it takes up a fraction of your counter space.
Amazon customers love the mini chopper for its size and strength, with more than 12,800 leaving perfect five-star ratings. "The unit is compact in size and that is a definite plus for those of us who live in tiny apartments with practically nonexistent kitchens and even less storage space," a user said. "As a point of reference, it can process a 16-ounce can of pineapple chunks or a 19-ounce can of chickpeas without breaking the job down into batches."
To buy: $40 at amazon.com
We were excited when KitchenAid launched several cordless appliances last year, including this 5-cup food processor. Powered by a lithium Ion battery, the gadget can chop up to 40 onions on a full charge, and also comes with a whisk attachment for whipping cream, egg whites, and more. It takes about two hours to fully charge the cordless chopper, and an indicator light signals when the battery is running low.
Many users love the freedom of not being tied to an electrical outlet, saying it is perfect for small kitchens or crowded spaces. Reviewers also note that the processor's 5-cup capacity is a bit small for larger batches, with many writing they wished it came in larger sizes. That said, it's easy to store and grab for quick projects. One wrote, "We call it our salsa machine. Thought the rechargeable/wireless part would be weird but it's actually really convenient and holds a charge for a long time. Easy to clean, easy to use."
To buy: $99 at amazon.com
Want a two-in-one food processor that also functions as a blender? Consider this option from Ninja. The appliance comes with both an 8-cup food processor bowl as well as a 72-ounce blender pitcher that fits its 1,500-watt base. (It also includes two 16-ounce cups with to-go lids for personal smoothies, if you want that, too.) Plus both attachments are BPA-free and dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
Since this Ninja option costs less than purchasing a food processor and blender separately, it's an excellent choice for buyers who like a bang for their buck. However, the extra height from the blender pitcher might make it a challenge to fit underneath kitchen cabinets.
Nearly 18,000 Amazon shoppers have given the Ninja system a perfect rating, praising its versatility and durability. One said, "I previously bought blenders and food processors in the $25 to $50 price range and was tired of them dying after several months. This blender is not only many times more powerful, but also quieter. I wouldn't go so far as to call it quiet, but it doesn't make me want to cover my ears like others I've had. The food processor can handle just about anything. It can easily make more than a quart of hummus. I like that, in both the food processor and blender, the blades are not only at the bottom, but staggered up to about half the height of the vessel. I think this blender will be with me for years."
To buy: $160 (originally $200) at amazon.com
Typically, making juice with a food processor involves time-consuming straining after pulsing everything to a pulp. But in addition to the typical functions you'd expect (chopping, slicing, kneading), Braun's compact machine makes it easy to get nutritious juices with a handy citrus juicer attachment. Users say it takes as little as 30 seconds to make their favorite juice. Plus it boasts an extra-quiet motor and safety features where the processor will not start until the lid is properly closed.
The processor has earned a 4.6-star rating from nearly 2,000 reviews. Shoppers praise how quiet the appliance is, as well as straightforward it is to put together, operate, and clean. And while it's one of the more expensive processors on our list, many reviewers say it's "worth every penny."
One customer said: "It assembles like a breeze, has just two easy-to-turn knobs with numerous speed options for great results (for coarsely chopped veggies versus smooth purees), looks great, is sleek and easy to wipe clean, is the perfect weight, and isn't too loud. Because it lacks all the annoying nooks and crannies and ill-fitting lids of its competitors, food gets fully processed and can never get stuck in lid grooves. This model also comes with a juicer, which we thought we didn't want or need, but now we can't stop!"
To buy: $200 (originally $350) at amazon.com
Whether your tiny kitchen's low on outlets or you're looking for electricity-free options for
Whether your tiny kitchen's low on outlets or you're looking for electricity-free options for camping and RVing, this hand-powered chopper from Zyliss is a great no-fuss choice. It only weighs 13.4 ounces and measures 5.5 inches wide by 5.5 inches high and 5.2 inches long—an easy fit for tight drawers or small shelves. Simply toss ingredients in the 3-cup bowl, twist and lock the lid, then pull an easy-to-grip cord to spin the chopping blades. You can create everything from salsa to breadcrumbs to hummus in this little gadget; however, because it's hand-powered, you're not likely to get the silky smooth textures automatic machines produce.
The tool is one of Amazon's best-selling food processors and has thousands of shoppers raving about its versatility. Reviewers call it their favorite kitchen gadget, saying it's a lot more powerful than it looks. "It is smaller than I thought, but still I was impressed with how much it can handle," a user wrote "Cut a whole onion in seconds with plenty of room to spare."
A second added, "It's become one of my favorite tools in the kitchen. I love using this to chop my fresh herbs and to use on smaller dishes like guacamole. It beats taking out that heavy food processor that I absolutely loathe cleaning up and takes much less space!"
To buy: $33 at amazon.com
Yes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder—but who could deny how gorgeous this classic 7-cup processor is? Part of KitchenAid's black matte collection, it not only chops, slices, and dices, but also features an easy-to-clean design with a one-click, twist-free bowl assembly. Its sealed work bowl is leakproof to prevent countertop messes and its 2-in-1 feed tube fits foods like potatoes, cabbage, and carrots without a struggle.
Like other high-quality KitchenAid appliances, this gadget has passionate fans. Users praise its thoughtful, sleek design as well as its variety of blades. "I love the KitchenAid brand," one wrote. "Always durable and dependable. I was so happy to find this processor, as I have little counter space and it has a small base. Many others stick out and are bulky."
To buy: $99 at amazon.com