Best Food Processors According to Consumer Reports
Best Food Processors According to Consumer Reports: Your Ultimate Kitchen Assistant
What's Inside This Article
- Top Food Processor Picks for 2025
- How to Choose the Perfect Food Processor
- Food Processor vs. Blender: What's the Difference?
- Best Food Processors for Different Budgets
- FAQs About Food Processors
- Food Processor Maintenance Tips
Are you tired of spending hours chopping vegetables, shredding cheese, or kneading dough by hand? A high-quality food processor can be your kitchen game-changer, saving you precious time and effort while delivering professional results. Here at Bargain Boxed, we've analyzed the latest Consumer Reports findings, conducted extensive research, and compiled this comprehensive guide to help you find the perfect food processor for your culinary needs.
Quick Answer: Best Food Processors of 2025
In a hurry? Here's a snapshot of the top-performing food processors according to Consumer Reports:
- Breville Sous Chef 16 Cup – Best Overall Food Processor
- Cuisinart Custom 14 Cup – Best Value for Money
- Ninja Professional Plus – Best for Versatility
- KitchenAid 7-Cup – Best Mid-Size Option
- Breville The Paradice 9 Cup – Best for Advanced Slicing
Top Food Processor Picks for 2025
1. Breville Sous Chef 16 Cup – Best Overall Food Processor
The Breville Sous Chef 16 Cup consistently earns top marks from Consumer Reports for its exceptional performance across all tasks. With its powerful 1,450-watt motor, this kitchen powerhouse can handle everything from delicate herbs to tough bread dough.
What We Love:
- Ultra-powerful motor handles any task with ease
- Includes 5 multi-function discs and 3 blades
- Extra-wide feed chute fits whole vegetables
- Adjustable slicing disc with 24 settings
- Silicone-sealed lid prevents leakage
Something to Consider:
- Premium price point
- Larger footprint requires more storage space
- At nearly 21 pounds, it's on the heavier side
2. Cuisinart Custom 14 Cup – Best Value for Money
This classic Cuisinart model proves that sometimes simpler is better. With straightforward controls and reliable performance, it's no wonder many professional chefs and home cooks alike have trusted this model for decades.
What We Love:
- Excellent chopping, slicing, and shredding capabilities
- Simple, intuitive controls with just two large paddle buttons
- Large 14-cup work bowl perfect for family meal prep
- Extra-wide feed tube reduces pre-cutting
- Durable construction built to last for years
Something to Consider:
- Fewer bells and whistles than premium models
- Assembly can be tricky for first-time users
3. Ninja Professional Plus – Best for Versatility
Ninja continues to impress with its innovative designs, and their Professional Plus food processor is no exception. This model offers excellent versatility at a reasonable price point.
What We Love:
- Auto-IQ technology takes the guesswork out of processing
- Powerful motor handles tough ingredients with ease
- Versatile 4-in-1 functionality
- Dishwasher-safe parts for easy cleanup
- Compact design with smart storage solutions
Something to Consider:
- Can be noisy during operation
- Requires adequate storage space for attachments
4. KitchenAid 7-Cup – Best Mid-Size Option
Sometimes you need something between a mini-chopper and a full-size processor. The KitchenAid 7-Cup hits the sweet spot with its mid-range capacity while maintaining excellent performance.
What We Love:
- Perfect size for small to medium households
- Simple, twist-free design
- Multi-purpose blade excels at chopping and mixing
- Adjustable slicing disc for customized cuts
- Clean, contemporary design available in multiple colors
Something to Consider:
- Feed tube is narrower than some competitors
- Limited capacity for large batch processing
5. Breville The Paradice 9 Cup – Best for Advanced Slicing
Another stellar offering from Breville, The Paradice 9 Cup specializes in precision cutting while maintaining a more compact footprint than its 16-cup sibling.
What We Love:
- Exceptional at chopping, slicing, and shredding
- Innovative dicing capability produces perfect cubes
- 9-cup capacity is ideal for average household needs
- 30-year warranty on motor demonstrates quality commitment
- Three separate blades optimize performance for specific tasks
Something to Consider:
- Grating performance is less impressive than other functions
- Premium price point
How to Choose the Perfect Food Processor
Finding the right food processor depends on your unique cooking habits, kitchen space, and budget. Here are the key factors to consider:
Capacity
Food processors typically range from 3 to 16 cups in capacity:
- 3-5 cups: Ideal for individuals or couples
- 6-9 cups: Perfect for small families
- 10-16 cups: Best for large families or batch cooking enthusiasts
At Bargain Boxed, we typically recommend choosing a slightly larger capacity than you think you'll need. Having extra space is always better than constantly processing in multiple batches!
Power
Motor wattage directly impacts performance, especially when processing dense ingredients:
- 400-600 watts: Sufficient for basic chopping and slicing
- 600-900 watts: Handles most household processing needs
- 900+ watts: Professional-grade power for serious home cooks
Attachments and Versatility
Most quality food processors include:
- S-blade: For chopping, mincing, and puréeing
- Slicing disc: For uniform slices of vegetables and fruits
- Shredding disc: For grating cheese, carrots, etc.
Premium models may also offer:
- Dough blade: Specially designed for kneading
- Adjustable slicing: Variable thickness settings
- Dicing kit: For perfect cubes
- French fry disc: For homemade fries
- Whipping disc: For creams and egg whites
Controls and Settings
Consider your preference for:
- Simple controls: Basic on/off/pulse buttons
- Multiple speeds: For precise processing control
- Preset programs: For one-touch convenience
- Digital displays: For exact timing and monitoring
Storage Considerations
Food processors can take up significant space. Consider:
- Footprint dimensions: Will it fit on your counter or in your cabinet?
- Cord storage: Retractable or wrap-around options
- Attachment storage: Included case or in-bowl storage
- Weight: Heavier models offer stability but are harder to move
Food Processor vs. Blender: What's the Difference?
Many kitchen enthusiasts wonder if they really need both a food processor and a blender. While there's some overlap in functionality, these appliances serve different primary purposes:
Food Processors Excel At:
- Chopping vegetables evenly
- Shredding and grating hard cheeses
- Slicing ingredients uniformly
- Kneading dough
- Creating chunky textures (salsas, chopped nuts)
- Processing dry ingredients
Blenders Excel At:
- Creating smooth purées and drinks
- Crushing ice
- Blending liquids seamlessly
- Making smooth soups
- Processing soft fruits
- Creating emulsions like mayonnaise
For the most versatile kitchen setup, having both is ideal. However, if you must choose just one, consider your most common cooking tasks and select accordingly.
Best Food Processors for Different Budgets
Budget-Friendly Options (Under $100)
- Hamilton Beach Stack & Snap 12-Cup: Offers good performance at an accessible price point
- GE 12-Cup Processor: Sleek stainless-steel design with three speeds
Mid-Range Excellence ($100-$200)
- Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup: Proven reliability with excellent performance
- KitchenAid 7-Cup: Quality construction with a perfect mid-size capacity
Premium Investments ($200+)
- Breville Sous Chef 16-Cup: The ultimate food processor for serious home chefs
- Magimix Food Processor: Professional-grade quality with exceptional durability
At Bargain Boxed, we pride ourselves on offering fantastic deals across all price ranges, helping you get the perfect food processor without breaking the bank!
FAQs About Food Processors
How long should a good food processor last?
A quality food processor from a reputable brand should last anywhere from 7-15 years with proper care and maintenance. Many of our customers report their high-end food processors still working perfectly after more than a decade!
Can I make smoothies in a food processor?
While food processors can blend ingredients, they're not optimized for smoothies. The blade design and bowl shape aren't ideal for creating the vortex needed for perfectly smooth drinks. For regular smoothie enthusiasts, we recommend a dedicated blender.
What's the difference between a food processor and a food chopper?
Food choppers are essentially mini food processors, typically with capacities under 4 cups. They excel at small tasks like mincing garlic or chopping herbs but lack the power and versatility of full-sized food processors.
Can I knead bread dough in any food processor?
Not all food processors are suitable for kneading dough. Look for models with at least 600 watts of power and preferably a specialized dough blade. Premium models from Breville, Cuisinart, and KitchenAid typically handle dough quite well.
How do I clean my food processor?
Most modern food processors have dishwasher-safe parts for easy cleaning. However, hand washing is recommended for preserving blade sharpness. Always be careful with sharp blades during cleaning!
What should I look for in a food processor warranty?
The best warranties cover both the motor and other parts separately, with longer coverage for the motor. Breville's 30-year motor warranty is exceptional, while most quality brands offer at least 3-5 years of coverage.
Food Processor Maintenance Tips
To keep your food processor performing optimally for years:
- Clean thoroughly after each use to prevent food buildup
- Hand wash blades when possible to maintain sharpness
- Never overload the work bowl beyond its capacity
- Allow the motor to cool between processing batches
- Store blades safely to prevent dulling and injuries
- Check the gasket and lid regularly for proper sealing
- Inspect the power cord periodically for any damage
Final Thoughts
A quality food processor is truly one of the most versatile and time-saving appliances you can add to your kitchen arsenal. Whether you're dicing vegetables for soup, shredding cheese for tacos, or kneading dough for homemade bread, the right food processor makes meal preparation faster, easier, and more consistent.
At Bargain Boxed, we're committed to helping you find the perfect kitchen tools at unbeatable prices. Our ever-revolving inventory means you can often score premium brands at a fraction of retail cost. While we don't offer returns (keeping our prices lower than anywhere else online), we stand behind the quality of every product we sell.
Remember that the best food processor for you is the one that fits your cooking style, kitchen space, and budget. Consider your most common food prep tasks when making your selection, and don't hesitate to invest in quality if you cook frequently. A good food processor will reward you with years of faithful service and countless hours saved in the kitchen!
Happy cooking from all of us at the Bargain Boxed team!