Food Processor Reviews

Comparing reviews of food processors

Food processors have long been a favorite kitchen appliance for chopping veggies, whipping up dips and puréeing sauces. However, with the right blade attachments, they can also save cooks time on tasks like mixing dough, shredding cheese or grinding meat. Food processors are categorized by work-bowl capacity, which typically ranges from 7 to 14 cups. A full-sized food processor can cost anywhere from $50 to $600, but for a basic model that will last, prepare to spend between $150 and $200. We found recommendations for one or two food processors that cost less than $100, but their performance doesn't match that of pricier machines.

A mini chopper is ideal for smaller jobs. Typically costing between $30 and $50, they are cheaper and easier to store than full-sized models. Equipped with a 2- to 4-cup work bowl and a single blade that can chop, grind and purée, these little machines can be handy for mincing herbs and garlic or whipping up a batch of baby food. They don't include extra attachments for slicing or shredding vegetables or making dough. Surprisingly, they tend to be louder than full-sized food processors, however with short pulses and less processing time, noise isn't usually an issue for users.

To choose the best full-sized processors and mini choppers, we consulted professional sources and user reviews. Both consumer and food magazines test food processors' performance at a variety of tasks, and some also evaluate factors such as noise level, construction and cleanup difficulty. User reviews at retail websites and opinion sites such as Epinions.com complement professional tests with anecdotes of real-world use. In their own kitchens, customers discover useful features and annoying quirks that may not show up in test kitchens. They can also provide information about how well a machine holds up over time.