The Upland Hunter

The Best Food Processors: Upland Hunter’s Favorite Finds

Becky Bruce

From overall customer reviews to functionality and ease-of-use, we are rating the best food processors money can buy. We included food processors that cost less than $20 and others that tipped the scales (and robbed our wallets) at over $1,000.

A food processor with a price tag over $1,000 is typically commercial-grade, and you’re paying extra based on the fact it can run continuously without issue and take care of larger quantities of food at once. Luckily, if you don’t need a commercial-grade unit, even some of the “fanciest” consumer-grade models average closer to $200.

Here are some of the best food processors based on overall value, customer reviews, and functionality.

The Ninja CT682SP Intelli-Sense Kitchen System – #1 Best Food Processor

This splurge-worthy food processor offers features that no other machine on this list can compete with. Starting with 12 Smart Programs designed by chefs. Each program offers uniquely and precisely calibrated patterns of pulsing, pausing, and speed based upon whatever your recipe calls for. It is the highest-powered machine on this list as well, packing a 1,200-watt Smart Base.

Customers love how easy it is to use thanks to features like the Smart Base, which can recognize each attachment and automatically change its setting options on the touchscreen display. It can crush ice or whole fruit in seconds. This Ninja chops, purees, and makes delicious smoothies. It even comes with an auto-spiralizer feature so you can turn veggies and fruits into noodles for a healthy-twist on spaghetti. To top it all off, this model comes with both a fettuccini and spaghetti blade.

Despite all this machine can do, it weighs just 10.4 pounds, that’s less than the other ‘best food processors’ on this list that offer half as many features.

Intelli-Sense Kitchen System specs & details:

Click here to check the current price on Amazon

The Ninja Express Food Chopper – Best Mini Food Processor

At under $20, this mini food processor is a steal of a deal. The Ninja Express can mince, chop, and grind a variety of ingredients and foods. Customers love the ergonomic designed power head because it is easy to use and allows you to chop fine ingredients. The one-touch power pod provides perfect results in seconds.

Ninja Express Food Chopper specs & details:  

All detachable pieces are dishwasher safe, which makes clean-up a breeze. The one issue customers report is food getting stuck in the cracks where the motor is located. To remove the build-up, simply take a piece of foil and fold it in half for thickness. Push the foil through the top part and pull it back out so all the dried pieces of old food fall out. Reduce the issue in the first place by using shorter pulses to blend.

Click here to check the current price on Amazon

Cuisinart Mini Prep Food Processor – Second Best Mini Food Processor

The popularity of the Cuisinart Mini Food Processor makes it an undeniable addition to this list. After all, it has nearly 4,000 customer reviews! It offers an additional 50-watts of power compared to the Ninja mini. But, because it has a slightly higher percentage of negative reviews, it slides into second place.

Customers love that it is dishwasher friendly and easy to clean. They also love the patented, reversible, and stainless-steel Auto Reversing Smart Blade that makes this versatile food processor ideal for soft and hard foods. There are touchpad controls for simple device operation. This food processor is not intended to grind beans, it is made to chop.

Cuisinart Mini Prep Food Processor specs & details:  

Click here to check the current price on Amazon

Hamilton Beach 70740 8-Cup Food Processor – Amazon’s Best Selling Food Processor

At just $30, this cheap food processor packs more power than similarly priced mini food processors. With 450-watts of power, the Hamilton Beach food processor offers two speeds and pulse options. The stainless steel 5-blade design is specially engineered to chop, puree, and mix a wide variety of foods. It can also shred and slice thanks to its reversible stainless-steel slicing and shredding disc. Did we mention the large feed chute can fit an entire block of cheese and just imagine what else, oh cooking joy!

Not only is it one of the best cheap food processors, it’s also one of the best compact food processors. The lid is designed to flip down for compact storage.

Hamilton Beach Food Processor specs & details:  

Click here to check the current price on Amazon

Cuisinart Food Processor Elite Collection – Best Warranty

This food processor offers supreme chopping power with its 1,000-watt Peak Power Motor. It’s easy to use too, thanks to the electronic touchpad featuring On/Off/Pulse and blue LED lights. A couple people complain that the lights can be annoying because they stay on all the time. If this sounds like the kind of thing that might bug you, it’s worth considering another option on this list.

The Elite Cuisinart Food Processor is made from high quality Die Cast. It is advertised as “multiple food processors in one” because of the 4-cup working bowl that sits inside a larger 14-cup work bowl. It comes with an adjustable slicing disc and a reversible shredding disc. Additionally, each bowl comes with a stainless steel S blade. It’s far from silent, but this model is relatively quiet and smooth to operate.

Cuisinart Elite Collection food processor specs & details:

Click here to check the current price on Amazon

The Cuisinart DLC Pro Classic

Looking to spend a little less but stick with a Cuisinart food processor? The Cuisinart DLC Pro Classic is a more affordable option with similar functionality when compared to some of our other selections for the best food processors. So, why is this Cuisinart food processor half the price of the Elite Collection Cuisinart food processor listed above? Because…

This model packs a 600-watt motor and comes with a 7-cup work bowl. It also comes with an extra-large feed tube to accommodate whole fruits and veggies, as well as a smaller feed tube for slicing smaller items.

As one of the best food processors, the DLC Pro is quiet and powerful enough to knead thick batches of dough without issue. After all, the multifunctional and stainless-steel discs are all about precise slicing and shredding. While the stainless-steel blade is made to chop, mix and can even stand in as a dough blade.

The Cuisinart DLC Pro Classic food processor specs & details:

Click here to check the current price on Amazon

Robot Coupe R2N – Best Commercial Grade Food Processor

If you need a fan-cooled motor that can continually run without fault, this commercial-grade food processor is a highly rated option. The direct drive motor is fan-cooled for superior performance and longevity.

Robot Coupe R2N food processor specs & details:

People have higher expectations for products they pay more money for, like a $1,000 food processor. The fact that this device has all 4 and 5 star reviews stands in proof that it is worth every penny. This machine is built to last for YEARS, and that’s why it’s ranked as one of the best food processors out there.

Click here to check the current price on Amazon

If you liked our list of the best food processors on the market today, be sure to also check out our article ranking the best vacuum sealers for wild game! With all the work that goes into harvesting wild game, make sure you preserve the flavor with a quality vacuum sealer! You can also read about our picks for the best meat grinder here!