The 8 Best Food Processors of 2023

Our top-performing models provide the power, versatility, and efficiency every cook wants and needs.

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Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore

Food processors are one of the most versatile tools in any home cook's arsenal. From pesto to hummus and beyond, they can turn arduous knife tasks into a 30-second job. A good food processor will cut down your prepping time, so you'll spend less time making your signature spinach dip and more time enjoying it.

Pro cooks are also fans of food processors. Juan Ocampo, executive chef of Village Vine in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, loves his food processor at home and work. According to him, "good processors are versatile and essential for any kitchen worth cooking in."

In order to find the best models on the market, we put 19 food processors through various tests, measuring them on attachments, ease of setup, cleaning, and overall function. Sure, some things can be done in a good blender or immersion blender, but where those two fall short, a quality food processor picks up the slack. Read on for more details about which food processors made the cut.

Amazon

Two buttons and practical attachments make this model easy to use.

This food processor has some attachments that are sometimes hard to insert.

Our testers loved this model from Cuisinart, giving it top marks across the board in all categories. We especially like how straightforward this food processor is; there are only two buttons — on/off and pulse, so there's no fussing with confusing settings.

We were thrilled with their performance when it came time to use the attachments. The standard blade was sharp and gave our onion an even, non-crushed dice. The grated attachment shredded cheddar cheese quickly and evenly with little amount stuck to the grater. There is a bit of a learning curve when it comes to fitting the attachments: We noted some frustration with setup, but a quick glance at the manual helped the process. What's more, the parts can be tossed in the dishwasher when done.

Price at time of publish: $250

Amazon

This food processor has many extra features and attachments that make it easy to use and a snap to clean.

It can be hard to make a successful small batch in this bowl, and the assembly can be challenging.

For under $200, we were more than pleased with all the Ninja Plus Professional Food Processor's extra features and attachments, especially since nearly everything is dishwasher-safe. There are several different buttons to find the perfect setting for every task. During our testing, the food processor chopped an onion and sliced a zucchini evenly without crushing them. While it grated two different kinds of cheese well, our testers did notice some leftover cheese underneath the lid.

The setup and attachments are not necessarily intuitive, and the blade sits farther up in the bowl, which can be frustrating. One tester noted that this model is not well-suited for bigger batch recipes.

However, despite this, our testers said they would not only recommend this model to a friend but would consider buying one for themselves due to the great value and overall usefulness of the features. All in all, our testers described this food processor as a "slam dunk."

Price at time of publish: $120

Amazon

This model is easy to assemble and disassemble attachments, and the simple design and added timer are nice touches.

It is more expensive than many others on the market, especially considering there are some issues with food getting caught in the lid.

The best thing about this food processor from Breville is how simple it is to use. One of our testers noted that it was extremely easy to change the attachments: "They all connect to the drive without locking in, so you just pull the attachments you need to connect in and out."

During our cheese tests, we noticed a small but still significant amount of cheddar and parmesan stuck in the lid in a few places, and we did find ourselves wishing there was an included grater attachment. Cleanup is simple: Place the removable parts into the dishwasher, and wipe the base clean with a damp cloth.

Price at time of publish: $550

Related: The Best Personal Blenders, According to Our Rigorous Testing

Amazon

Our testers loved that this model performed well during the most number of tasks and took little effort to clean up.

This model struggled with an even chop in our onion test.

This model from the trusted KitchenAid name has everything you'd expect from a high-quality food processor — plus the added bonus of the dicing kit. We saw an even grate on the cheese, uniform zucchini slices, and silky smooth aioli, but the onions were a letdown. They found the blade to be super powerful, and it doesn't take much to chop the onion up. While some of the onion was chopped perfectly, other bits were almost pureed.

However, we loved the attachments and appreciated how simple they made every task. One of our testers noted, "for regular everyday jobs, it is incredibly easy to use." The design is intuitive, and as a bonus, everything but the base can be tossed in the dishwasher.

Price at time of publish: $200

Amazon

This food processor is incredibly easy to operate and even easier to clean.

It can't be used for most tasks for which one would use a food processor.

This little processor is one of the most straightforward appliances on the market. Just pull the handle and chop. You can put the entire product in the dishwasher, and our testers loved how easy cleanup was, saying, "fast cleanup since it is small with very little moving parts and nowhere for food to get really trapped in there."

Unfortunately, this model just couldn't keep up with its electric peers. We couldn't perform our zucchini, cheese, or aioli tests, but it did perform relatively well in our onion test. It's not the best choice for most food processor tasks, but if you find yourself toiling away with knife work or often need to small dice veggies, this is a perfect choice to streamline everyday food prep. When it's time to clean, the bowl and blades are dishwasher-safe and can be placed in the top rack, while the lid should be wiped with a damp cloth.

Price at time of publish: $40

Related: The Best Vegetable Choppers for Faster Food Prep

Amazon

This processor was loved by our testers for its impeccable design and high-performance ratings.

This is expensive for just an attachment, as it's necessary to own a Vitamix in order to use it.

Everyone loves a Vitamix. They're known for their easy-to-use design and incredible durability. This attachment is no different. Like most Vitamix products, it can only be used if you already have a Vitamix base. That said, our testers felt the price was worth the durability and longevity of the processor. They also raved about how self-explanatory and straightforward it is to use.

The results of our tests were consistent and up to par: It performed well across the board, especially in our aioli test. "There is nothing this product really couldn't do," one tester noted. "Multiple blade attachments and that signature Vitamix base that gives you control of the speed very well. You can use this for any chopping, slicing, shredding, or emulsifying needs."

Price at time of publish: $200

Amazon

This food processor is small, quick, and efficient.

You are limited with your recipe output due to its smaller capacity.

While this model wasn't one of the products we tested, we would be remiss not to include it in our top picks. With almost 20,000 five-star reviews, KitchenAid's 3.5-Cup Food Chopper is a fan-favorite for smaller space kitchens — or any household that doesn't need the large cup capacity of some of the other models.

Its simple and straightforward design features two speeds and pulse for coarse or fine results, and it comes equipped with a locking blade, handle, and pour spout for easy serving. Though small in size, its blades are mighty powerful and can quickly chop, slice, and even puree in an instant.

At only seven inches wide, its small footprint can sit comfortably stowed away in a cupboard or on a countertop. We love that it comes in over 15 colors, allowing you to match its color to your kitchen personality. When it's time to clean up, simply pop the bowl into the dishwasher.

Price at time of publish: $60

Amazon

Easy, on-the-go design that allows for prep and usage anywhere.

If you forget to recharge it, you’re out of luck.

If you find yourself needing your food processor on the road, this convenient model from KitchenAid may just be your best option. While we didn't test this cordless option during our tests, we’re including it for its convenient and well-executed capabilities. Powered by a rechargeable battery, it can be recharged in just ten minutes.

And with a 5-cup capacity, it's just large enough to create a sizeable dip or sauce but compact enough not to be cumbersome during your travels. More good news? Its stainless steel blade and whisk are dishwasher-safe.

Price at time of publish: $100

The Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor was our favorite for its simple design and especially effective attachments. If you're looking for the best design and already own a Vitamix, the Vitamix 12-Cup Food Processor Attachment is perfect for nearly any task.

Our testers started by setting up each food processor and putting it through five tests: Dice an onion, grate a block of cheddar and parmesan cheese, slice a zucchini, and make a batch of mayonnaise. Our testers were looking for how easy the attachments were to assemble and use, if there was any lack of uniformity or tearing on the edges, how much food was left behind, if there was any amount of food stuck to the bowl, and of course, the quality of the end product. Finally, the testers rated each food processor on design, ease of use, cleaning, effectiveness, and overall value.

Pesto for one or spinach dip for a crowd? What size food processor will best suit your needs depends on what type of projects you want to use it for and how big your household is. No need to take up extra cabinet space with a large capacity model if your household is only one or two people and you will not be using it to make big batches. However, if you have a large family or like to meal prep, a larger capacity will be well worth it.

Most food processors are electric, but there are some great manual models. A manual food processor is handy for small, quick jobs and is a time-saving alternative to endless chopping by hand. They're usually much smaller in size, taking up much less space. They're not for everyone, though; they struggle with things like sauces or recipes that require a smooth or blended texture. Electric models are much better suited for these types of tasks. Manual food processors also require some brute force, so the physical ability is important to consider.

When looking for a new food processor, it's essential to think about how you'll use it. Are you interested in shredding your own cheese, spiralizing zucchini, or using a dicing attachment? Looking to knead bread? If so, seeking a model with extra features and accessories will be worth the price. But if you don't plan to use your food processor often or know you only want the basics, a pared-down model will be a better fit.

Nobody likes to clean up, but knowing what clean-up for each specific model entails can help you make a better decision based on your needs. For example, some models are hand-wash only, while others have dishwasher-safe components. In addition, some models can be tricky to take apart and put together. That said, if they have other features that are more desirable, that might not bother you as much. Knowing what breakdown and cleanup look like for each model will give you all the information you need to make an informed decision.

The answer to this question is a nearly endless list. Food processors are handy tools that can whizz up sauces like homemade aioli, pesto, vinaigrette, and more with just a few pulses. Thicker paste-like items also come together quickly in a food processor, whereas a blender might struggle to fully incorporate ingredients without extra liquid (think hummus or even pizza dough), Food processors can also make quick work of cumbersome chopping tasks. You can even chop nuts, make breadcrumbs, and DIY cauliflower rice in your food processor. Mince onion, carrot, and celery for a classic Italian Bolognese in the time it takes to heat up the pan! A food processor can also replace a box grater, mandoline, and even many knife work tasks with some strategic use.

The fundamental difference between a food processor and a food chopper is that a food processor is electric, and a chopper is manual. Food processors use an electric blade to quickly buzz up ingredients in the bowl; it's easy to get smooth and homogeneous textures with the food processor's power. A food chopper can be engineered in a few different ways, but in general, you manually apply downward force, and a blade pushes through the food. These are a smart choice for dishes like a salad, where everything needs to be bite-sized or cubed potatoes to cook at the same rate. However, you cannot successfully produce things like curry paste or hollandaise with a food chopper — two things an electric food processor can do.

The short answer here is: kind of, yes. The two aren't totally interchangeable, but you can squeak by if you only have a food processor and are without a blender. A food processor doesn't perform as well as a blender for things like smoothies or icy drinks, and it won't be able to fully break down things like small seeds or flecks of veggies skins, but it will do a passable job. If you're looking to make your signature Tuscan kale pasta sauce that usually comes out an even, brilliant green with no trace of bits of kale, know that it'll be a bit more 'rustic' in a food processor.

Food processors are incredibly versatile, but a few things are better left to other appliances. When you turn a food processor on, the blades create a force that moves the food much farther up the sides than the initial fill line. Because of this, recipes with a lot of liquid or anything hot are not ideal for food processors as they can make a disastrous mess or even burn you. On that note, never put hot nuts fresh from the oven in a food processor. Not only can they melt the plastic (those babies get hot!), but the hot nuts will take on a gummy, less-than-ideal texture in the food processor.

While a food processor's blade is razor sharp, avoid putting things in the bowl that will dull or damage the blade. Things like meat with bones, dry beans, frozen food, or anything with pits or hard seeds are major no-nos. In terms of safety, it's imperative that you never put any sort of utensils into the processor while it's on. Once it's off, avoid any metal utensils, they can damage the blade. Instead, nylon or silicone utensils are best for the blade and are much better for scraping every last bit of goodness from the bowl's walls.

When it comes to cleaning, it's always best to defer to the user manual. You'll usually find detailed, specific cleaning instructions there. Beyond that, a good guideline is to take everything apart into its smallest pieces, gently wipe away any large chunks, and then carefully wash with warm soapy water. It's important to let all the parts air dry as moisture can get trapped in small nooks and crannies that hand drying can miss. When cleaning the base, start by using a dry towel to knock off any surface debris. Then, use a towel dampened with warm water to carefully wipe down the base to avoid areas like the cord or the crevices around the buttons. Some models might have dishwasher-safe pieces but always check the manufacturer's recommendations to ensure it is safe.

Nick DeSimone wrote and compiled this piece. They have spent nearly a decade working in professional kitchens and have used nearly every brand and model of food processor during that time. Nick also used data collected by our Food & Wine professional product testers. Our testers are dedicated culinary professionals who are committed to unbiased, thorough testing.