The best food processor is the Cuisinart 14-Cup DFP-14BCNY. Its 720-watt motor, 14-cup bowl and extra-large feed tube chop, slice, shred, purée and knead dough, and it has 4.5 stars from more than 15,000 Amazon reviews.
We compared eight top-rated food processors on Amazon, using only the specs each brand lists. Prices, ratings and review counts come from Amazon at the time of writing and may change.
A food processor speeds up chopping, slicing, shredding and dough making. Below you’ll find our top picks, a comparison table, detailed reviews, a buying guide and answers to common questions.
Top 3 Food Processors
Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor (DFP-14BCNY)
Ninja Professional XL Food Processor (NF701)
Ninja Professional Plus Food Processor (BN601)Food Processors Compared
| Image | Product | Key Specs | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor (DFP-14BCNY) Best Overall | 720-watt motor · 14-cup work bowl | 4.5/5 15,312 reviews | Check Price |
| 2. Ninja Professional XL Food Processor (NF701) Best Value Large | 1200 peak watts · 12-cup processor bowl | 4.6/5 14,408 reviews | Check Price |
| 3. Ninja Professional Plus Food Processor (BN601) Best Mid-Size | 1000 peak watts · 9-cup precision processor bowl | 4.6/5 14,401 reviews | Check Price |
 | 4. Cuisinart Elemental 8-Cup Food Processor (FP-8GMP1) Best Compact Full-Size | 350-watt motor · 8-cup work bowl with measurement markings | 4.6/5 9,477 reviews | Check Price |
 | 5. Cuisinart Pro Custom 11-Cup Food Processor Best for Meal Prep | 11-cup work bowl · Stainless steel blade | 4.5/5 3,498 reviews | Check Price |
 | 6. KitchenAid 7-Cup Food Processor (KFP0718) Best Storage | 7-cup work bowl · All-in-one storage for blades and discs | 4.5/5 7,904 reviews | Check Price |
 | 7. Hamilton Beach 10-Cup Food Processor with Bowl Scraper Best Budget | 450-watt motor · 10-cup bowl with large feed chute | 4.5/5 41,475 reviews | Check Price |
 | 8. Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus 3-Cup Food Processor Best Mini | 250-watt motor · 3-cup (24 oz) work bowl with handle | 4.5/5 25,346 reviews | Check Price |
1. Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor (DFP-14BCNY) – Best Overall
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 from 15,312 reviews
Pros
Cons
The Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor is the best food processor for most kitchens. Its 720-watt motor and 14-cup bowl handle everything from chopping vegetables and mincing herbs to shredding cheese, puréeing soups and kneading dough, and the extra-large feed tube takes whole potatoes and blocks of cheese. It costs about $250 with 4.5 stars from 15,312 Amazon reviews.
Controls are refreshingly simple — On and Off/Pulse buttons — and the work bowl, lid and stainless steel blades and discs are dishwasher safe. Cuisinart backs it with a limited 3-year warranty.
Key features
720-watt motor. Powers through dough and hard cheeses.
14-cup bowl. Big batches of slaw, salsa or pie dough.
Extra-large feed tube. Less pre-cutting.
What it’s like to own
The simple two-button design is part of its appeal: there are no programs to learn, just steady power and a pulse button for control. It’s a workhorse for holiday cooking and weekly meal prep.
Cuisinart notes the slicing and shredding discs aren’t adjustable, so you get one thickness for each, and the large base needs dedicated counter or cabinet space.
Best for: Families and serious cooks.
May not fit: Small kitchens.
2. Ninja Professional XL Food Processor (NF701) – Best Value Large
Ninja Professional XL Food Processor, 1200PW, 12-Cup, NF701
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 from 14,408 reviews
Pros
Cons
The Ninja Professional XL NF701 is the best value large food processor, at about $150 with 4.6 stars from more than 14,000 Amazon reviews. Its 1200-peak-watt motor and 12-cup bowl handle big batches.
Four Auto-iQ programs remove guesswork for chopping, slicing, purées and dough.
Key features
1200 peak watts. Tough ingredients and dough.
XL feed chute. 3-part pusher for any size.
Reversible disc. Fine or coarse shredding.
What it’s like to own
Ninja’s blade technology gives uniform processing and evenly mixed dough. It includes chopping and dough blades.
It has more parts to wash and store than a simple two-button processor.
Best for: Budget-conscious big batches.
May not fit: Quiet kitchens.
3. Ninja Professional Plus Food Processor (BN601) – Best Mid-Size
Ninja Professional Plus Food Processor, 1000PW, 9-Cup, Grey, BN601
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 from 14,401 reviews
Pros
Cons
The Ninja Professional Plus BN601 is the best mid-size food processor, at about $100 with 4.6 stars from more than 14,000 Amazon reviews. Its 1000-peak-watt motor powers a 9-cup bowl.
A specialized dough blade mixes bread and pizza dough.
Key features
Auto-iQ. 4 intelligent presets.
Dough blade. Bread and pizza.
Safety lock. Runs only when assembled.
What it’s like to own
All removable parts are BPA-free and dishwasher safe. Its compact design fits most kitchens.
The 9-cup bowl is smaller than the Cuisinart 14-cup.
Best for: Most families.
May not fit: Large batches.
4. Cuisinart Elemental 8-Cup Food Processor (FP-8GMP1) – Best Compact Full-Size
Cuisinart 8 Cup Food Processor, 350-Watt Motor, Gunmetal, FP-8GMP1
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 from 9,477 reviews
Pros
Cons
The Cuisinart Elemental 8-Cup is the best compact full-size food processor, at about $131 with 4.6 stars from 9,477 Amazon reviews. Its 8-cup bowl has measurement markings.
Rubberized controls offer high, low and pulse.
Key features
8-cup bowl. Right-sized for couples.
Simple controls. High, low and pulse.
Discs included. Slice and shred.
What it’s like to own
It’s easier to store than 12–14 cup processors. Cuisinart lists a limited 2-year warranty.
Its 350W motor is less powerful for dough.
Best for: Small households.
May not fit: Heavy dough.
5. Cuisinart Pro Custom 11-Cup Food Processor – Best for Meal Prep
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 from 3,498 reviews
Pros
Cons
The Cuisinart Pro Custom 11 is the best food processor for meal prep, at about $196 with 4.5 stars from 3,498 Amazon reviews. Its 11-cup bowl and three slicing/shredding discs cover weekly prep.
A durable food pusher keeps operation safe and mess-free.
Key features
11 cups. Meal prep in one go.
Three discs. Slicing and shredding options.
Dishwasher safe. Easy cleanup.
What it’s like to own
It slices vegetables, purées sauces and more. A spatula is included.
It costs more than the Ninja models.
Best for: Weekly meal preppers.
May not fit: Budget shoppers.
6. KitchenAid 7-Cup Food Processor (KFP0718) – Best Storage
KitchenAid 7-Cup Food Processor, KFP0718, Black Matte
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 from 7,904 reviews
Pros
Cons
The KitchenAid KFP0718 is the best food processor for tidy storage, at about $80 with 4.5 stars from 7,904 Amazon reviews. All blades and discs store directly inside the 7-cup bowl.
Its one-click bowl assembly and latched lid make setup easy.
Key features
All-in-one storage. No loose blades.
2-in-1 feed tube. Different ingredient sizes.
3 speeds. High, low and pulse.
What it’s like to own
It chops, shreds, slices and purées veggies, cheese and salsa. KitchenAid lists a 1-year warranty.
The 7-cup bowl suits smaller batches.
Best for: Small kitchens.
May not fit: Big families.
7. Hamilton Beach 10-Cup Food Processor with Bowl Scraper – Best Budget
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 from 41,475 reviews
Pros
Cons
The Hamilton Beach 10-Cup Food Processor is the best budget food processor, at about $70 with 4.5 stars from more than 41,000 Amazon reviews. Its built-in bowl scraper lets you scrape the sides while it runs.
A 450-watt motor and 10-cup bowl handle salads, salsa and acai bowls.
Key features
Bowl scraper. No spatula needed.
10 cups. Large volumes at once.
Reversible disc. Slice and shred.
What it’s like to own
Blades, bowl and lid are dishwasher safe and BPA-free in food zones. Two speeds plus pulse give control.
It has fewer accessories than premium models.
Best for: Budget shoppers.
May not fit: Dough making.
8. Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus 3-Cup Food Processor – Best Mini
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 from 25,346 reviews
Pros
Cons
The Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus is the best mini food processor, at about $40 with 4.5 stars from 25,346 Amazon reviews. Its 250-watt motor chops herbs, vegetables and hard cheese in a 3-cup bowl.
A reversible stainless blade offers chop and grind functions.
Key features
Compact. Small jobs without the big machine.
Chop and grind. Reversible blade.
Easy clean. Dishwasher-safe bowl and lid.
What it’s like to own
It’s ideal for garlic, herbs, nuts and dressings. Cuisinart lists an 18-month limited warranty.
It can’t slice or shred and holds only 3 cups.
Best for: Small tasks.
May not fit: Big batches.
How to Choose a Food Processor
Capacity
Food processor bowls range from 3 cups for minis to 14 cups for full-size models. A 7–9 cup bowl, like the KitchenAid KFP0718 or Ninja BN601, suits most couples and small families.
For big families, batch cooking and holiday baking, choose 11–14 cups, like the Cuisinart Pro Custom 11 or the Cuisinart 14-Cup. A mini like the Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus is perfect for herbs, garlic and dressings.
Motor power
Power matters most for dough and hard ingredients. Ninja’s NF701 has 1200 peak watts, the BN601 1000 peak watts and the Cuisinart 14-Cup 720 watts.
Smaller motors like the Cuisinart Elemental’s 350W and Hamilton Beach’s 450W handle chopping, slicing and shredding well but may struggle with stiff bread dough.
Blades and discs
Every food processor includes an S-shaped chopping blade. Slicing and shredding discs are the next most useful; most models include at least one reversible disc.
Dough blades, included with the Ninja NF701 and BN601, mix bread and pizza dough evenly. The Cuisinart Pro Custom 11 includes three discs for more slicing and shredding options.
Feed tube
A large feed tube means less pre-cutting. The Cuisinart 14-Cup’s extra-large tube and the Ninja NF701’s XL chute with a 3-part pusher accommodate whole potatoes and blocks of cheese.
Multi-size pushers, like KitchenAid’s 2-in-1 feed tube, let you slice thin items like carrots evenly as well as large ingredients.
Controls and programs
Simple On/Off and Pulse controls, as on the Cuisinart 14-Cup, are reliable and easy to learn. Pulse is essential for coarse chopping without turning food to mush.
Ninja’s Auto-iQ programs automate chopping, puréeing and dough. They’re convenient for beginners, but experienced cooks often prefer manual pulse control.
Cleaning and storage
Dishwasher-safe bowls, lids and blades save time; all the processors here offer them. Built-in features like Hamilton Beach’s bowl scraper reduce stopping to scrape.
Storage is often overlooked. KitchenAid’s KFP0718 stores all blades and discs inside the bowl, which keeps sharp parts organized and saves cabinet space.
FAQ
What is the best food processor?
The Cuisinart 14-Cup DFP-14BCNY is our top pick. It has a 720-watt motor, a 14-cup bowl and an extra-large feed tube. It has 4.5 stars from more than 15,000 reviews and a 3-year warranty.
What size food processor do I need?
A 7–9 cup processor suits most couples and small families. Choose 11–14 cups for big families, batch cooking and dough. A 3-cup mini is best for small jobs like herbs and garlic.
Can a food processor knead dough?
Yes, many can. The Cuisinart 14-Cup kneads dough, and Ninja’s NF701 and BN601 include dedicated dough blades. Smaller, lower-powered processors may struggle with stiff bread dough.
Is a food processor better than a blender?
They do different jobs. A food processor is better for chopping, slicing, shredding and dough, while a blender is better for smoothies, soups and liquids. Many kitchens use both.
Ninja or Cuisinart food processor?
Cuisinart processors are known for simple controls and long warranties, like the 14-Cup’s 3-year coverage. Ninja offers more power and Auto-iQ presets at lower prices. Both are highly rated.
How do I clean a food processor?
Most bowls, lids, blades and discs are dishwasher safe. Rinse immediately after use to prevent food from drying on. Handle blades carefully and wipe the base with a damp cloth.
Final Verdict
The Cuisinart 14-Cup DFP-14BCNY is the best food processor overall, with a 720-watt motor, 14-cup bowl and 3-year warranty.
Choose the Ninja NF701 for value in a large processor, the Ninja BN601 for a mid-size option, the KitchenAid KFP0718 for tidy storage or the Cuisinart Pro Custom 11 for meal prep.
On a budget, the Hamilton Beach 10-Cup costs about $70, and the Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus is the best mini at about $40.
Quick picks:
- Best overall: Cuisinart 14-Cup
- Best value large: Ninja NF701
- Best mid-size: Ninja BN601
- Best budget: Hamilton Beach 10-Cup
- Best mini: Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus
Related buying guides: Best Blenders · Best Hand Blenders · Best Immersion Blenders
