For cooking and whipping, cutting, blending, and kneading, here are the best food processors for preparing every type of recipe, from appetizers to desserts, and how to choose the most suitable one for your needs.
The food processor is an excellent aid for preparing dishes of all types, speeding up and automating the preparation and cooking phases. The term “food processor” actually includes very different types.
From the more specific models for blending fruit and vegetables, chopping dried fruit, cheese, and herbs, whipping egg whites and cream, or kneading cakes and bread to cooking machines equipped with a cooking function, capable of creating different recipes from start to finish, both sweet and savory.
The best food processors can also fry and steam vegetables and fish, completely replacing other appliances and allowing you to make cakes and pizza dough in just a few minutes.
The food processor that cooks in the high-end versions also prepares soups, pasta, risottos, and stews, including functions for boiling, convenient pre-set menus, and induction cooking. Every preparation with a robot chef becomes very simple and quicker, thanks to the accessories and the many innovative functions available.
Table of Contents
The best food processors to buy
Below is the complete list of robot chefs selected with the best value for money, with related technical characteristics and prices.
- Simply stack and press to chop: The patented stack & press design makes it easy to...
- Perfect size for everyday use: Chop and mix up to 3 cups of ingredients every day of the...
- Easily chop, puree and emulsify with stainless steel blades: Durable stainless steel...
- MOST POWERFUL KITCHEN FOOD PROCESSOR: The 1000-peak-watt motor can process the toughest...
- PRROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE: Dedicated blades and discs deliver restaurant-worthy results....
- 4 VERSATILE FUNCTIONS: 4 Auto-iQ intelligent preset programs make food prep easier with 3...
- Easy Assembly- The smart design lets you set the work bowl onto the base, and uses the lid...
- 8-cup Work Bowl- The large capacity gives you plenty of room to work with when creating...
- S-Blade Blade- The stainless steel blade quickly chops and mixes for fast, consistent...
- Bowl scraper attachment: Special attachment scrapes the sides of the bowl to keep...
- 10 cup capacity: The generous 10 cup bowl can handle large volumes of foods without having...
- Large feed chute: Can fit large foods like a whole block of cheese for quick, easy...
- EASY STACK & SNAP ASSEMBLY. Unique design requires no difficult twisting and locking,...
- SIMPLE FUNCTION GUIDE: Eliminates guesswork by showing you which blade to use and which...
- 12 CUP SEALED BOWL WITH POUR SPOUT. This large 12 cup food processor comes with a sealed...
- SUPERIOR FUNCTION: Cuisinart’s 720-watt motor for our 14-cup large-capacity food...
- MUST HAVE FEATURES: The 14 cup food processor has an “on” and “off/pulse” buttons...
- INCLUDED: Stainless steel standard slicing disc (4mm), medium shredding disc and stainless...
- 【Indispensable Kitchen Helper】GANIZA BPA FREE food processor features 2 sets of blades...
- 【Efficient Motor & Safety Insurance】The Full-copper motor supports a 3 times longer...
- 【Unlock Versatility with Two Bowls】Your food hygiene, we care. The Mixing Bowls are...
- SUPERIOR FUNCTION: The Cuisinart 250-watt mini prep plus food processor quickly chops and...
- CONTROL: Push-button control panel with durable yet lightweight plastic body -...
- EASY CLEAN UP: Dishwasher-safe bowl and lid for easy clean up, wipe the motor base clean...
- Convenient 3.5 cup work bowl features a locking blade, handle and pour spout for easy...
- With its small, countertop friendly footprint and simple cord wrap, its easy to store,...
- 2 speeds and pulse for coarse or fine results for anything from chunky pico de gallo and...
- OUR MOST POWERFUL & VERSATILE KITCHEN FOOD PROCESSOR: 1200-peak-watt motor powers through...
- SLICE FROM THICK TO PAPER THIN: Variable slice settings for thick to paper-thin results.
- 4 VERSATILE PROGRAMS: Remove the guesswork with 4 Auto-iQ easy preset programs.
How to choose the food processor: types and characteristics
To choose the right model in line with our needs, it is essential to know the aspects that differentiate one model from another, the common elements, and those that characterize only the best professional kitchen robots. Let’s examine the fundamental features and functions to choose the best robot and be sure of making a good purchase.
Power and temperature
When talking about food processors, one of the first decisive factors to evaluate is power. This parameter has to do with the appliance’s performance and, as is easy to imagine, influences the recipes we can cook.
Power is expressed in Watts. On average, the best cheap kitchen robots have a power of 600 W and allow you to cut vegetables, knead, mix, and chop. However, this power may not be enough for more demanding and elaborate recipes. The same goes for mixing firmer dough or crushing ice. Opting for a more performing model with a power of at least 800 W up to 15,00 W of multifunction robots is preferable.
It is then essential to consider that differences are often made between the kneading power (e.g., 1500 W) and the cooking power (e.g., 1100 W), which may be lower, considering that the force needed for cooking differs from that for kneading. The temperature is adjustable for food processors with a cooking function and usually varies from 30°C to 180°C.
Speed
Another fact that expresses the versatility of an all-purpose food processor is speed. This parameter refers to the ease of the appliance in adapting to different preparations and the possibility of using more or fewer accessories.
Basic models usually have three-speed levels, plus the Pulse function emits single pulses. The best models, however, in addition to having the Turbo and Pulse options, have 8-12 speed levels, while professional kitchen robots can reach up to 15 levels, thus guaranteeing maximum adaptability.
Accessories
The accessories are the soul and beating heart of a multifunction food processor: without them, it would not be possible to prepare any recipe. The accessories allow you to blend, grate, chop food, slice vegetables, knead, and whip the ingredients for sauces, mousses, and desserts, as in the case of pastry food processors.
Some accessories are included, while others can be purchased separately, verifying compatibility. Choosing a well-known brand of food processor makes it easier to buy extra equipment.
Among the always present equipment, we find the Food Processor (the container to insert blades and discs for cutting and mincing), blades, spatulas, dispensers, and discs for slicing, grating, and cutting into Julienne, i.e., the stick shape. These accessories of different sizes are ideal for cutting finely, or more roughly, both vegetables and cheeses, fruit, and even meat, such as salami.
The lid of food processors is usually equipped with an opening to insert food without stopping the appliance. The blender, if present, can be made of plastic or glass. When equipped with good power, the robot can crush the most problematic foods, including ice.
Kneading hooks and blades are used for desserts, pizzas, and other doughs. Although they are exceptionally performing, they do not replace a planetary mixer. However, they can be equipped with functions typical of pastry food processors, such as making the dough rise by maintaining a low temperature (around 40°C) or preparing yogurt.
Also supplied, we can find a stainless steel S-shaped blade for chopping food, a steel or plastic emulsifying whisk, a single or double whisk, and an electric mixer for whipped cream, mayonnaise, and other sauces.
Finally, some versions of food processors also have grinders of various sizes, ideal for spices, dried fruit, and coffee, as well as an electric citrus juicer for making delicious fresh juices.
Only top-of-the-range products can have a centrifuge tool or a cold juice extractor. The french fry disc is included only in the best professional food processor versions but can usually be purchased separately.
Other accessories and extra functions
In the extra equipment, generally included for high-end food processors, we find some functional accessories, such as spatulas, containers to keep the various accessories tidy, and reducers to be applied to the ingredient insertion tube. We also always find a practical recipe book that offers preparation ideas.
Some versions, like the Kenwood Cooking Chef, also have a food scale. Other kitchen robots have a sausage program and specific accessories for preparing sausages by shredding the meat or a particular Pasta Maker kit for making pasta at home by choosing different formats. The most innovative kitchen robots are also equipped with pre-set cooking programs and can be programmed with an App and managed from a Smartphone or via WiFi, like the Bimby kitchen robot.
Width and capacity of containers
This factor is often underestimated, but the capacity of the containers and accessories supplied with the food processor influences both the preparations and the quantity, especially in the case of large families or if you often receive guests. As regards the blender, for example, it ranges from 1 to 2 liters, while the Food Processor varies depending on the model and can even reach 4 liters.
The size of the tube where the food is inserted and the presence of reductions must also be considered. The wider the tube, the less time you have to waste manually pre-cutting the ingredients to insert.
Size and Design
All-purpose food processors, although compact, take up a fair amount of space. For this reason, the dimensions must be carefully calculated for the work surface or furniture where you want to store it after use. The more accessories there are, the more space the appliance will require.
Furthermore, it is essential to check that you have a sufficient operating surface around you to place the ingredients and move them quickly. As always, we also recommend considering the size of the power cable. Regarding design, you are spoiled for choice between brightly colored models and the classic ones in white or stainless steel.
Practicality and safety
Practicality and safety are two decisive factors, even more so if you plan to use this appliance daily. Practicality is linked to the ease of handling, the weight of the appliance, and the presence of elements such as the cable collection compartment, which simplify operations during and after use. The food processor that cooks is always equipped with simple accessories to assemble and disassemble to make the appliance more practical.
An accessory container is also essential to keep discs, graters, and blades in order and safe. Speaking of safety, you shouldn’t forget to check that there are non-slip suction cup feet that securely anchor the robot to the work surface. This appliance is subject to vibrations and movements when kneading and mixing, so it should always be placed in a stable place.
Materials
Materials are an essential factor determining a food processor’s durability and cost. The main difference between the various models concerns the material of the containers and the blender: some favor glass, while others prefer plastic. If you want to purchase an appliance to be used almost daily and with good longevity, then an all-around food processor with glass containers is recommended.
They are the most expensive but also the most reliable when used intensively. However, there are also excellent economical kitchen robots with Food Processors made of resistant and BPA-free plastic, which perform well.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Buying a food processor means equipping yourself with an ally that helps you save time during preparations. This is provided that the appliance is fitted with accessories that are easy to clean so that the hours and efforts saved in cooking are not used for maintenance operations. This appliance must always be cleaned after use to prevent the accessories and containers from taking on the smell of food and transferring it to other foods for hygienic reasons.
Chopper discs and blades are usually made of stainless steel and can be easily washed in the dishwasher or by hand if you are careful. Glass is undoubtedly the best material to clean. At the same time, for Food Processors and other plastic accessories, it is a good idea to check that they can be washed in the dishwasher and are of good quality. Plastic can become yellow or opaque over time. The camera body is mainly made of wear-resistant and heat-resistant plastic or die-cast metal, and to clean it, all you need is a damp cloth to remove any residue on the surface.
Product prices and availability are subject to change. Therefore, any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to purchasing any products.