Best food processor

The best food processor for most people is a 12–14-cup model from a reputable brand with a powerful motor, a wide feed tube, and dishwasher-safe parts. It should handle chopping vegetables, shredding cheese, slicing potatoes, making pesto, and mixing dough without taking up your entire kitchen.

The right choice depends on whether you want a dependable everyday machine, a premium workhorse, or a budget-friendly option.

My top 4 food processors to buy

(Best overall)

Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor

$299.99

Target · 4.7/5 (1,245 reviews)

My recommendation for most households. A roomy bowl, straightforward controls, and strong everyday chopping, slicing, shredding, and dough-making performance. Consumer Reports Tom's Guide

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(Best premium)

Breville Sous Chef 16-Cup Food Processor

$499.99

Target

The upgrade for serious home cooks. Its 1,450-watt motor, large capacity, and generous selection of cutting accessories make it appealing for frequent batch prep and demanding kitchen projects. Food Network The Practical Choice

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KitchenAid 13-Cup Food Processor

$229.99

Walmart · 4.4/5 (383 reviews)

Best if you value convenience and versatility. The adjustable slicing disc and in-bowl accessory storage are useful features for regular meal prep.

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(Best for smaller kitchens)

KitchenAid 7-Cup Food Processor

$109.99

Target · 4.5/5 (2,290 reviews)

A sensible choice for everyday chopping, sauces, salsa, and smaller batches without the size and weight of a full-size machine.

Shop at Target

Which one would I buy?

I'd start with the Cuisinart 14-cup. It's a practical balance of capacity, performance, and simplicity. I'd spend the extra money on the Breville only if I cooked frequently, prepared large batches, or really wanted its more extensive accessories.

One important caveat: prices vary, and the Cuisinart's listed price above is relatively high compared with some recent buying guides. I'd compare current offers before paying full price. Food Network Counter Tested

Let me narrow it down for you

What's your budget?

Under $100

$100–$150

$150–$300

$300+ for the best quality

What will you use it for most?

Chopping vegetables, slicing and shredding

Bread dough, pastry, and baking

Hummus, pesto, salsa, and sauces

Large batches and frequent heavy use

What size do you prefer?

Compact, easy to store

Full-size, around 11–16 cups

No preference

[Find my best match]

The best food processors stand out based on power, capacity, and reliability according to recent tests:

Best Overall / Runner-Up:Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor (approx. $229 – $300) (Bon Appétit: Recipes, Cooking, Entertaining, Restaurants | Bon Appétit) Food & Wine

• Power: 720-watt motor
• Why buy: A classic kitchen workhorse that uniformly chops, slices, shreds, and kneads dough with a reliable and straightforward design. (Bon Appétit: Recipes, Cooking, Entertaining, Restaurants | Bon Appétit) Food & Wine

Best Overall / Heavy-Duty:Breville Sous Chef 16 (approx. $500) Serious Eats

• Power: 1450-watt motor
• Why buy: Features massive capacity, micro-serrated S-blades, and extensive attachment options for precision prep. Serious Eats
• Best Value:KitchenAid 13-Cup Food Processor with Dicing Kit (approx. $180 – $260) Food & Wine
• Power: 500-watt motor
• Why buy: Includes a built-in dicing kit, a 3-in-1 feed tube, and an internal storage caddy that fits right inside the bowl. Food & Wine
• Best Budget Option:Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Stack & Snap Food Processor (approx. $70) Allrecipes YouTube
• Power: 450-watt motor
• Why buy: Simple twist-free assembly and great performance for large batches of salsa, cheese shredding, or basic chopping on a budget. Allrecipes YouTube
• Best Buy-It-For-Life Splurge:Magimix 4200XL (14-Cup) (approx. $399) Reddit
• Why buy: Derived from commercial Robot-Coupe technology with an ultra-quiet induction motor and a 30-year motor warranty. Reddit

Choosing the best food processor depends on your budget, how often you cook, and the types of tasks you tackle (like kneading dough, chopping vegetables, or making purees). Across culinary testing by major review sites, a few standout models consistently lead the market.

Here are the best food processors to consider based on your needs:

1. The Overall Best: Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor (DFP-14BCNY)

This is widely considered the gold standard for home cooks. It strikes the perfect balance between power, capacity, and reliability.

• Capacity: 14 cups
• Key Features: Heavy-duty induction motor, simple paddle controls (on/off/pulse), extra-large feed tube, and a sturdy build.
• Why buy it: It handles heavy tasks like kneading bread dough and chopping dense vegetables effortlessly without bogging down. It’s built like a tank and often comes with a multi-year warranty.

2. The Best Premium / Multi-Attachment: Breville Sous Chef 12-Cup or 16-Cup

If you want professional-grade performance and a massive array of slicing and shredding options, Breville is the top tier.

• Capacity: Available in 12-cup and 16-cup models.
• Key Features: Micro-serrated S-blade, adjustable slicing disc (from paper-thin to thick), reversible shredding disc, and a dedicated mini-bowl and blade.
• Why buy it: Incredible precision and power. The LCD countdown timer and micro-switch safety features make it a joy to use, though it comes at a higher price point.

3. The Best Budget Option: Hamilton Beach 10-Cup Food Processor

If you don't want to spend over $150 but still want a capable machine for everyday weeknight prep, this is a top pick.

• Capacity: 10 cups
• Key Features: Bowl scraper attachment (so you don't have to keep stopping to scrape the sides), simple stack-and-snap assembly.
• Why buy it: Great value for money. It easily handles chopping, slicing, and shredding for standard family meals without taking up too much counter space.

4. The Best Compact Choice: KitchenAid 3.5-Cup Food Chopper

If you primarily cook for one or two people, or just need a machine for small jobs like chopping garlic, making dressings, or pureeing baby food, a full-sized processor is overkill.

• Capacity: 3.5 cups
• Key Features: Compact footprint, lightweight, one-touch operation in the lid.
• Why buy it: It takes up minimal counter/cabinet space and is much faster to clean than a large 14-cup machine for small tasks.

Quick Buying Checklist

• Motor Power: Look for induction or heavy-duty motors if you plan on doing a lot of bread-making or heavy chopping.
• Capacity: 11 to 14 cups is ideal for families and entertaining; 7 to 10 cups is great for couples; under 4 cups is strictly for quick chopping and sauces.
• Ease of Cleaning: Check if the parts are dishwasher safe, as food processor blades and lids can sometimes be tedious to wash by hand.

What kinds of cooking or meal prep tasks do you plan to use your food processor for the most?

For most people, the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor is the best buy: it’s consistently top-rated, has plenty of capacity, and is simpler and more compact than many competitors. If you want a premium upgrade with more capacity and attachments, consider the Breville Sous Chef 16.americastestkitchen.comnytimes.comfoodandwine.com

A decent basic model is worth it.