In busy kitchens in 2024, home cooks turn to food processors for culinary creativity and efficiency. These versatile appliances have undoubtedly come a long way from only offering simple chopping and slicing functions. Today’s food processor is capable of everything from kneading dough to puréeing soups. It is an important addition to any kitchen, whether for a novice cook or a chef experienced in his craft.
As we go deep inside food processors, it becomes imperative to share that market is filled with products with special features and capabilities. This article cuts through the noise and presents three of the top food processors standing tall in 2024 to meet diversified needs and budgets. We will also give you an overview of a buying guide so you can decide on this multipurpose kitchen appliance.
List of the Best Food Processors
Best Overall: Cuisinart Food Processor
- SUPERIOR FUNCTION: Cuisinart’s 720-watt motor for our 14-cup large-capacity food processor can handle almost anything. Make any kind of dip, puree soup or sauce including hummus, salsa, guacamole – the possibilities are endless
- MUST HAVE FEATURES: The 14 cup food processor has an “on” and “off/pulse” buttons with a Lexan bowl, extra large feed tube with small and large pusher bowl sleeve assembly. Also a detachable disc stem for easy use and clean up. Cord length is 36-inches
For decades, the Cuisinart DFP-14BCNY has remained the benchmark for all food processors. Again, for 2024, its robust performance and reliability exude nothing less than exhilarating incitement for the home cook. This 14-cup beast chews through huge batches and is perfect for families.
Notable features include the powerful 720-watt motor that can handle tougher ingredients without being strained. The large feed tube is a qualifying feature in this respect, making it possible for you to process whole fruits and vegetables, not pre-cut.
The DFP-14BCNY has a stainless steel chopping blade, the dough blade, and slicing and shredding discs. This further broadens its functionality, hence allows you to do quite a lot of things: from mincing all the way to kneading.
Users also constantly rave about how durable and user-friendly the Cuisinart is. Easy-to-operate on/off and pulse buttons, plus every removable component is dishwasher-safe for convenient cleanup.
It may come in as an investment, but the performance, durability, and seven-year warranty on the Cuisinart DFP-14BCNY make it is worth the cost for a serious home cook.
Best Versatility: GE Food Processor
- POWERFUL 550 WATT FOOD PROCESSOR – Prepare even the toughest fruits, vegetables and meats with a powerful 550w food processor
- 12 CUP CAPACITY JAR WITH HANDLE – There will be enough to go around thanks a 12 cup food processor that is equipped with an ergonomic handle for secure handling and dishwasher safe.
GE has really come a long way with kitchen appliances, and this 12-cup food processor is just evidence of the dedication of the company in making innovative, versatile machines. This is a perfect food processor choice for any home chef who is looking for flexibility with a lot of things.
The special feature of the GE food processor is three sizes of feeding tubes. This means improved control over the ingredients being processed, from long vegetables to small nuts or seeds. Its motor is a little less powerful than most competitors, at 550 watts, but that is still more than adequate for the majority of tasks associated with home cooking.
The three-speed setting carried by this model is one of the greatest appreciated things, giving the user much more control in the texture of his ingredients. Whether rough chopping a stir-fry’s vegetables or really fine mincing herbs for a sauce, the GE processor will do it both to perfection.
It comes equipped with a good-quality stainless steel mixing blade and shredding disk and performs well across the board. The ability to shred cheese and chicken at quick speeds is something that some other devices struggle with and that many reviewers found to be a highly praised function of this unit.
While the 12-cup capacity might be a little shy of our pick above, it is still very generous for most household needs. The compact design also allows for easier storage for the processor in tighter kitchens.
Overall, the GE food processor ensures a good balance between functionality and price tag, and is one of the perfectly eligible home cooks on the lookout for diversified time and money investment options.
Best Budget: Ninja Professional Plus Food Processor
- POWERFUL PERFORMANCE: Equipped with a 1000-peak-watt motor, this Ninja food processor effortlessly handles tough ingredients, ensuring smooth and consistent results every time.
- AUTO-IQ TECHNOLOGY: Features 4 Auto-iQ intelligent preset programs that take the guesswork out of food prep, providing one-touch control for chopping, slicing, pureeing, and dough making.
For the home chef who wants maximum performance without breaking the bank, the Ninja BN601 Professional Plus Food Processor represents extreme value. For a 9-cup model, it really packs a wallop with its 1,000-peak-watt motor, performing almost as well as units from more expensive competition.
The Ninja BN601 has four auto-iQ preset programs: chopping, pureeing, dough, and disc. Basically, these are the settings that take you through every stage of food processing, removing the guesswork and ensuring uniformity in your food at the press of a single button. All these qualities are therefore going to appeal to beginners and people who enjoy convenience.
For a budget processor, the Ninja comes with plenty of extras. You’ll get a dough blade, chopping blade, and reversible slicing/shredding disc—this list covers most of the bases for everyday cooking needs. The food chute and the pusher are well-designed, allowing you to easily add ingredients while it is running.
This is possibly one of the most impressive features of the Ninja BN601: handling dough. Most budget food processors don’t seem to do it very well, but the power of the motor, plus the specialized dough blade of the Ninja, makes quick work of pizza and bread doughs.
While 9 cups can be a limiting amount for larger families or batch cooking, this is enough for most everyday tasks and at the same time helps keep the overall footprint of the appliance small, which is good for saving space on the countertop.
As the Ninja BN601 proves, it’s not necessary to spend a small fortune to own a good, versatile food processor. Not only is this a well-priced unit, but its combination of power and functionality is a great find for budget-focused chefs or, to that end, anyone new to the world of food processing.
Food Processor Buying Guide: Expert Tips
Things to keep in mind while selecting a food processor so you make the correct choice:
- Capacity: Ranging from 3 to 16 cups, you will find food processors. Most home cooks find models from 9 to 14 cups most suitable for a combination of plenty of food-prep leeway and capacity to fit comfortably in their storage.
- Power: Search for motors in the 500 to 1000 watts range. More powerful motors can handle tougher tasks like kneading dough or grinding meat.
- Attachments and Disks: Blades and disks provide versatility to your processor. Look for at least a general-purpose blade, dough blade, and slicing/shredding disks.
- Feed Tube Size: Larger feed tubes reduce time spent pre-cutting. Many models come with two feed tube sizes, adding to the flexibility of the machine.
- Controls: The simpler the better, for the most part. Look for easy-to-use controls with at least an on/off and pulse.
- Easy cleaning: Having components that are dishwasher-safe makes cleaning much easier. Verify the model you are considering has dishwasher-friendly components.
- Noise Level: Food processors can be very noisy. If noise is an issue, look for models that advertise quiet operation.
- Brand Reputation and Warranty: A good brand would generally provide customer service and a longer warranty on such an expenditure done to last in your kitchen for many coming years.
- Safety Features: Check out models with stability and good safety lock mechanisms against possible accidents during operation.
- Additional Features: Other attachments offered in some mixer models are spiralizing and juicing attachments. These are nice frills to have, but don’t worry about them too much while looking at the key functions.
Final Verdict
Of the best food processors out to buy in 2024, the Cuisinart DFP-14BCNY comes out ahead as the all-rounder model for any home cook. This is because its power, capacity, versatility, and durability set it apart to perform really well in most kitchens.
However, the final definition of the best one for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. A mid-ranged processor that is versatile and with a few really helpful design touches is the GE 12-Cup Food Processor when you need some flexibility without the premium price tag.
All on a very nice, wallet-friendly price, Ninja BN601 Professional Plus has wowed with performance and functionality—even without charging you an arm and a leg—for the more budget-conscious consumers or for the newcomers in food processing.
And no matter which type you choose, a good food processor will be sure to change your perspective on cooking—for the better. To consider the factors and features we have just detailed in our buying guide, weigh them against your own needs and preferences, and you are on your way to pick out the ideal food processor to enrich your home cooking in 2024 and beyond.
Best Food Processors – FAQs
Which company is good for food processors?
Companies like Cuisinart, KitchenAid, and Breville are well-regarded for their high-quality, durable food processors. They offer a range of models to suit different needs and budgets.
What is the latest food processor?
The best food processors you can buy today
- Breville Paradice 16. …
- KitchenAid Cordless 5 Cup Food Chopper. …
- Cuisinart 14 Cup Custom Food Processor. …
- KitchenAid 13 Cup Food Processor. …
- Breville Sous Chef 12 Cup Food Processor. …
- GE 12 Cup Food Processor. …
- Cuisinart Elemental 8 Cup Food Processor. …
- Ninja Professional Food Processor
What is the life expectancy of a food processor?
A good food processor typically lasts around 7 to 10 years with regular use and proper maintenance. High-end models may last even longer.
