If you love to cook but your knife skills are a little unsteady then having a food processor will be extremely beneficial. Using one of these small appliances is a smart way to save time and reduce your workload. Modern food processors are extremely versatile machines that can do more than just chop and slice your vegetables. They can be a real asset and make your time in the kitchen more enjoyable and efficient.
We have researched the feedback from customer reviews of today’s most popular models to come up with a list of the top 6. Our food processor reviews include the best rated machines with various price ranges and features to cover all types of budgets.
Best Food Processors 2018 – A Quick Comparison
Before we get to the food processor ratings here is a brief rundown of the different machines to make our list.
| Food Processor | Capacity | Weight | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breville BFP800XL | 16 Cup | 26 lbs | $$$$ | |
| Cuisinart DFP-14BCNY | 14 Cup | 18 lbs | $$$ | |
| Breville BFP660SIL | 12 Cup | 15.9 lbs | $$$$ | |
| Cuisinart DLC-10SY | 7 Cup | 14.9 lbs | $$ | |
| Braun FP3020 | 12 Cup | 9.8 lbs | $$$ | |
|
Hamilton Beach 70760 (Best Budget Option) |
10 Cup | 7 lbs | $ |
1. Breville BFP800XL – The Ultimate High End Food Processor
Breville has some of the best customer rated small kitchen appliances and this food processor is another example of their brilliant design and engineering. Despite its high price, it is one of the top rated machines we have come across. Owners just love how versatile and powerful this food processor is and they give it very favorable scores and recommendation rates.
The Breville Sous Chef has a lot of great qualities. This unit comes with two different sized bowls. It has a large bowl with a 16 cup capacity. It also contains a 2.5 cup bowl for smaller jobs.
The BFP800XL has 5 multi-function discs as well as 3 different cutting discs to give you all of the versatility you need. These, along with other accessories, can be kept in an included plastic storage container.
The body is made of solid die cast metal. This thing is not going anywhere. Coupled with non-slip rubber feet, this machine is extremely stable during operation.
Breville is also known for the design aspect of their appliances and this food processor is another example of that. It is a real eye catcher for its modern look and feel, especially with the LCD display and illuminated buttons.
The “Sous Chef” also has the convenience of an extra wide feed chute. This will save you added time by not requiring food to be cut up into tiny pieces just to fit into the machine.
It is also heavier than most of the other machines on our list. This is something to keep in mind if you plan on storing it in a cabinet and not on your counter.
Clean up is pretty standard. The parts are BPA free and dishwasher safe. Some of the blades might require some hand washing to get them completely clean.
It is an extremely powerful and efficient machine that shines in just about every task you throw at it. It is pricey, but if you can afford to splurge a bit it is well worth the money.
PROS
- Powerful Motor
- 16 Cup Capacity (Dry) 12 Cup (Wet)
- Wide Feed Chute
- Assortment of Heavy Duty Discs
- Solid Die Cast Metal Body
- Modern Styling – LCD Display
- Versatility
CONS
- Price
- Some Issues Kneading Dough
- Heavy
- Hand Washing Recommended
2. Cuisinart DFP-14BCNY – Large Capacity Workhorse
If you need to get a lot of work done in a short amount of time then this machine is an excellent option. This is an extremely powerful unit that comes with a 720W motor and a 14 cup capacity to handle bigger workloads. It has been around for a while but it is still one of Cuisinart’s top rated food processors.
It comes with a shredding disc, a slicing disc, and a redesigned cutting blade. All of these have been engineered to deliver efficient and quiet performance no matter what you throw at it.
The Lexan bowl is nearly indestructible, although it can get scratched, and it is dishwasher safe. It features a wide feed chute as well so you won’t have to cut food up into tiny pieces just to fit inside the machine. After all, this is what you have a food processor for.
The controls are super simple with just an “On” and an “Off/Pulse” button. It does not try to be smarter than the user.
It does not come with a dough blade. You have to buy this separately. More than a few users were disappointed in this as the DFP-14BCNY is already a bit pricey.
We also ran across some complaints about how this unit performs when trying to make nut butters.
Since the parts are dishwasher safe this should be relatively easy to clean. A simple hand washing or soaking in warm soapy water should also do the trick.
PROS
- 14 Cup Capacity
- 3 Included Discs
- Powerful 720Watt Motor
- Dishwasher Safe Parts
- Simple Controls
- Large Feed Chute
CONS
- Dough Blade Not Included
- Nut Butter Performance
- Parts Can Be Hard To Assemble At Times
- Less Capacity For Wet Ingredients
3. Breville BFP660SIL – 12 Cups Of Modern Performance
This model has most of the same performance and features seen in Breville’s BFP800XL but in a slightly smaller package. The 12 cup capacity is perfect for small or medium workloads. It is a bit pricey but this is one of the most modern food processors that you can buy for your kitchen counter.
The BFP660SIL is equipped with a powerful 1000W motor to tackle just about anything that you can throw at it. With 2 cutting discs and a dough blade, this model comes ready for you to get to work on all of your favorite recipes straight out of the box. The slicing disc is adjustable with 24 different settings.
The workbowl is made of BPA-free plastic and is sealed to prevent leaks during operation. Another great feature is its 5 inch wide feed chute. This will end up saving you a fair amount of time. The lid is also interlocking for safety purposes.
Like all Breville small appliances, a fair amount of attention has been paid to its design and styling. This food processor has a clean and modern look. The buttons have LED rings for easy visibility as well.
It is a little heavy and may not be ideal for some users who wish to store this food processor in a cabinet when not in use. It is well built and substantial.
Also, we found a few instances where owners had some trouble making nut butters. Grinding took longer than expected.
It gets very high grades from owners for how easy it is to keep clean. Dishwasher safe parts are a huge plus. Users also like the sealed bowl that makes it great for mixing liquid ingredients without worrying about spillage.
PROS
- Power
- Dough Blade and Adjustable Slicing Disc
- Modern Style
- Construction
- Wide Feed Chute
- Size
- Easy To Clean
- Performance With Various Tasks
CONS
- Price
- Heavy
- Nut Butter Performance
4. Cuisinart DLC-10SY – A Classic That Is Still Going Strong
Cuisinart has a solid reputation for the quality of their small kitchen appliances. Their food processors have been wildly popular for decades and the DLC-10SY Classic Pro is another shining example in their well regarded line.
This model has a 7 cup capacity that is perfect for smaller sized tasks. It includes a shredding disc, slicing disc, and a cutting/mixing blade. These discs are durable and give you extremely flexibility in the kitchen.
This unit comes equipped with an extra-large feed tube that has been specifically designed to accommodate ingredients of just about any size. This will save you time and reduce the need for extra food prep.
The controls are as simple as they come as there is only “On”, “Off”, and “Pulse” settings. The motor is strong enough to cover a wide range of chores as it can tackle anything from chopping to slicing, grating, mincing, shredding, kneading, whipping and mixing ingredients with ease.
We found some users who feel that the plastic is a little too flimsy for their tastes.
The parts are dishwasher safe so clean up should be rather hassle free. There may be some harder to reach areas where food can get stuck that require a some hand washing.
For the price you wind up getting an excellent value. This continues to get very nice customer feed back and recommendation rates. It may have been around for decades, but this food processor keeps on going strong.
PROS
- Value
- Simplicity
- Versatility
- 3 Year Warranty (5 Year For Motor)
- 3 Discs
- Easy To Clean
- Power & Efficiency
CONS
- Dated Design
- White Plastic Feels A Little Flimsy
- Not Quite Up To The Standards Of Their Older Models
5. Braun FP3020 – Quiet Power With Lots of Accessories
This is an all-in-one machine that does a nice job of reducing the time and effort it takes to prepare your favorite recipes. The Braun FP3020 is a rather unique food processor both in its stance and its features. It has a 12 cup (dry) capacity which is perfect for small to medium sized chores.
With a 600W motor that can ramp up to 900W during peak performance, this model is quite robust and can handle variable food prep tasks with ease. It has dual controls that lets you adjust the speed depending on the job at hand. The motor is designed to be ultra quiet as well.
This unit has standard safety features built in that will prevent the machine from turning on until everything is locked securely into place.
The FP3020 also amazes users with the amount of blades and attachments that come included (7 in total). You get a slicing, shredding, and grating discs. You also get attachments to juice, knead dough, and whip batter. This makes it one of the most versatile food processors on the market.
A few owners also wished that it came with some sort of storage container for the numerous attachments.
Dishwasher safe parts make this unit easy to keep clean as well. The bowl is made of BPA-free materials for added safety.
PROS
- Relatively Quiet Operation
- Dual Controls
- Numerous Accessories
- Compact Design
- Value and Versatility
CONS
- Lack of Storage Organizer For Accessories
- Light Weight Can Be A Detriment At Times
- Poor Instruction Manual
6. Hamilton Beach 70760 – Best Budget Option
If you do not have a lot of money to spend on a new small appliance then the 70760 from Hamilton Beach is a smart choice. This 10 cup capacity food processor can handle its own for smaller workloads. It is a great unit for the demands of cooking for 1 or 2 people.
This model comes with a 500 Watt motor that can tackle most of your slicing, chopping, grating, shredding, and mixing needs. It includes 3 discs that cover a variety of tasks.
One nifty feature is that the lid reverses for storage. The feed tube is not in the way and it is better able to fit into tighter spaces with not a lot of headroom. This is something that the other models on our list lack.
The controls are straight forward and easy to use and there is internal cord storage for added convenience.
The slicing attachment leaves a little to be desired producing inconsistent results for some owners. Sizes can come out uneven with different foods.
The feed chute is wide but it is not very deep. You may have to cut up certain foods in order for it to fit properly.
It is also lighter than most food processors and can take some effort to keep it stable.
Clean up is easy. The parts are BPA-free and dishwasher safe. Storage also gets high marks from owners.
PROS
- Price
- Simplicity
- Convenient Storage Feature
- Easy To Clean
CONS
- Uneven Slicing With Certain Foods
- Lightweight
- Feed Chute Is Not Very Deep
Food Processor Buyer’s Guide
If you have never used one of these machines before and you don’t know where to start then here is a quick guide to get you going in the right direction. Finding the perfect food processor for your kitchen will depend on several factors. Here are some of the key aspects of these small appliances that you should focus on when shopping.
Price
This is usually #1 on everyone’s checklist. We all have financial constraints so determining your budget beforehand is important. Quality food processors typically fall between $30 and $300. While that is a big range it should not be all that hard to find something that you will enjoy using that you can afford.
If you have a real tight budget you may have to sacrifice some features and get a smaller capacity machine.
Capacity
With food processors, cup capacity is a big deal. Most of today’s machines can handle larger amounts of dry ingredients and smaller amounts of wet ingredients. This is something to pay attention to as you look at different models.
If you are cooking for 1 or 2 people then something in the small to medium capacity (7 to 10 cups) should suffice. For more people a larger capacity machine would be a better option.
Clean Up
This is another key area that will help determine if you are going to enjoy using your new food processor. While most have dishwasher safe parts, some bowls and lids are designed in varying ways that may make them harder to wash.
Having a machine that is a pain to clean will take away from your enjoyment. If something is a chore to use then you will be less likely to use it on a regular basis. This is often why we have cabinets full of small kitchen appliances that are dust collectors.
Power
If you cook often or you cook for a lot of people then you are going to be best served with something that has a hefty motor under the hood. Unfortunately, these are going to be the more expensive options. If you need a workhorse then make sure to get a model with that extra power.
On the other hand, if you need something to use less often for simple slicing and dicing then you will be able to get away with something less expensive. Knowing how you anticipate using your food processor beforehand will save you a lot of headaches, and money, in the long run.
Blades & Accessories
These will play a major role in the performance of your machine. Quality blades that are durable and easy to clean will go a long way in reducing your frustration in the kitchen.
Weight
If you wish to store your food processor under the counter and just get out when you need to use it then having a lighter machine is going to beneficial. If you have room on your kitchen counter and you plan to keep it there all the time then getting a heavier machine won’t be that big of a deal. Heavier food processors typically have the advantage of being more stable while operating.
Benefits
These are just some of the factors that can help you decide on a certain model. The best food processor is one that you enjoy using and one that helps reduce your workload. Luckily, there are a number of high quality options in just about every price range. Lay down the knife and make your time in the kitchen more efficient by getting a food processor. Your finger tips are going to thank you.