Best Food Processors of 2023

While all of the food processors I tested can essentially get the job done when it comes to chopping, pureeing, grating, and slicing, they come in a variety of sizes and bowl sizes with a range of additional features and price points. If size or price are limiting factors for you, the decision becomes a breeze, as you can quickly narrow the field down to smaller, less expensive models. If price isn’t much of an issue and you have unlimited cabinet space for storage, a good place to start might be to consider what kind of use you anticipate having for your food processor on a regular basis.

Size and weight of the food processor

There are no standard sizes for food processors, but they are typically categorized by their bowl capacities: small models range from 3 to 6 cups, medium models range from 7 to 10 cups, and large models range from 10 to 13 cups. Lightweight models weigh between 5 and 10 pounds, while heavier models can weigh 15 pounds and up. The lighter models usually have suction cups on the base, to prevent movement while the food processor is in operation.

Food processor functions

Food processors are primarily used for chopping or dicing and pureeing, with an S-shaped rotating blade doing the work. Shredding and slicing are other typical applications, but various food processors may have dual-sided discs for these functions, or separate discs for each, and may include a separate anchor pin to hold these discs in place, from which the main S-blade is removed. Short doughs such as pie crusts can be made in a food processor, but kneaded dough is also possible, with several of the models listed here offering separate, plastic S-blades for this purpose.

Speeds

Most food processor recipes specify mixing or chopping on either a high or low speed, so you’ll want a food processor with at least two speeds and a powerful motor. The most common setup is low, high, and pulse. There are some food processors that only have one speed, but that’s extremely limiting, so look for a food processor with at least some range of speeds.

Attachments

While your food processor primarily consists of two rotating blades, a variety of other attachments can expand the capabilities of your food processor. Some come with multiple attachments, such as discs for grating, shredding, and slicing, dough blades for kneading bread dough, and attachments for whipping cream, chopping nuts, juicing fruit, or slicing vegetables. If you know what tasks you’ll be doing most often, check to see if your food processor comes with the blades and attachments you need, such as the right mixing blade, chopping blade, slicing blade, or citrus juicer. Some food processor models, such as the Magimix, come with many of these attachments, while others must be purchased separately. Depending on your food processing needs, this may be something to consider. Remember that attachments shouldn’t be difficult to clean, and you should definitely check to see if they’re dishwasher safe.