A food processor does the knife work in a Mexican kitchen that nobody wants to do twice. It chops a pile of onions and serranos for pico de gallo in a few pulses, shreds a block of Monterey Jack or queso Chihuahua for a tray of enchiladas, slices cabbage and radishes for pozole, and cuts cold butter or lard into flour for empanada and pie dough before your hands warm it. It is a different machine from a blender: the wide, flat bowl and S-shaped blade chop food in pieces instead of pulling it into a liquid vortex.
This guide sets out eight processors sold on Amazon, from a 3.5-cup chopper for a single batch of salsa to a 16-cup machine for party prep. For each one we give the bowl size, the motor rating the maker or listing states, the blades and discs in the box, the feed tube and what can go in the dishwasher.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for in a food processor, the makers’ own specifications and the details on each Amazon listing.
Quick verdict: which food processor to buy
For most home kitchens, the best food processor is the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor: a big 14-cup bowl, a 720-watt motor, an extra-large feed tube and simple on and pulse controls that make chunky salsa easy to judge. If you prep for crowds and want adjustable slicing, the Breville Sous Chef 16-Cup Food Processor has the biggest bowl and the widest set of discs here. For one batch of pico de gallo or salsa at a time, the KitchenAid 3.5-Cup Food Chopper is small enough to leave on the counter.
The rest of this page explains how we got there and which size suits the way you cook.
Five food processors side by side
One pick for each kind of kitchen, with the bowl size and motor rating each maker or listing states. All eight processors are reviewed in full below.
| Food processor | Best for | Bowl | Motor (stated) | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food ProcessorBest overall
|
Most home kitchens | 14 cups | 720 W | View on Amazon |
Breville Sous Chef 16-Cup Food ProcessorBest for big batches
|
Party prep, precise slicing | 16 cups plus mini bowl | 1450 W, per listing | View on Amazon |
KitchenAid 13-Cup Food ProcessorBest adjustable slicing
|
Adjustable slicing, tidy storage | 13 cups | 500 W, per retailers | View on Amazon |
KitchenAid 3.5-Cup Food ChopperBest mini chopper
|
One batch of salsa or pico | 3.5 cups | 240 W, per retailers | View on Amazon |
| Tight budget | 10 cups | 450 W | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Motor figures are as stated by each maker, listing or retailer and measure power drawn, not chopping ability; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best food processor
These eight machines cover full-size processors, a compact 7-cup model, a three-bowl French processor and a mini chopper. Each pick says who it suits, what the maker or listing states, and one honest reason to skip it.
1. Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor – Big Bowl, Simple Controls
The Custom 14 is a long-running model, and its appeal is simplicity. There are two paddles, on and off/pulse, and a 14-cup work bowl that holds a family-size batch of salsa, a double batch of pie dough or a whole block of cheese for shredding. Retailers list the motor at 720 watts, and the Amazon listing says it is strong enough to knead bread dough.
In the box you get a chopping and mixing blade, a 4 mm slicing disc and a medium shredding disc, according to retailer listings. The extra-large feed tube takes whole tomatoes and onions, and a smaller pusher inside it steadies a single chile or carrot. The listing is clear that the slicing and shredding discs are not adjustable, so you get one thickness of each.
For pico de gallo, the pulse paddle is the feature that matters. Short pulses let you stop while the onion and chile are still in pieces, rather than a wet paste. Cuisinart covers the motor for five years, per the listing. The link here is the copper finish; the brushed stainless version showed as not yet available when we checked stock.
One safety note. Cuisinart has recalled about 8 million older food processors, including models whose numbers begin with DFP-14, because the riveted blade could crack, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. That recall covered only older units with four-rivet blades, and its sales dates end years before the units sold now. If you own an older Custom 14, check the blade against the CPSC notice.
Why we like it
- 14-cup work bowl
- Pulse paddle for chunky salsa and pico
- Extra-large feed tube with a small pusher inside
- Five-year motor warranty, per the listing
Key specifications
| Processor | DFP-14CPY (copper finish) |
|---|---|
| Bowl capacity | 14 cups |
| Motor (stated) | 720 W, per retailers |
| Blades/discs included | Chopping/mixing blade, 4 mm slicing disc, medium shredding disc |
| Feed tube | Extra-large, with small and large pushers |
| Dishwasher-safe parts | Removable parts, per retailers; wipe the base |
| Warranty | Full 5-year motor, per listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits a household that wants one reliable machine for salsa, shredded cheese, sliced vegetables and the occasional dough, without learning a control panel.
Skip it if you want to change slicing thickness; the discs are fixed, and the KitchenAid 13-Cup or Breville adjust.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large bowl for party batches
- Very simple to use
- Long motor warranty
Cons
- Slicing and shredding discs are not adjustable
- Only one speed plus pulse
- Heavy to lift in and out of a cabinet
2. Breville Sous Chef 16-Cup Food Processor – Most Discs, Biggest Bowl
The Sous Chef 16 is the processor for a cook who preps for parties. The main bowl holds 16 cups, the largest here, and a mini bowl with its own blade nests inside it for a small batch of salsa verde or a handful of garlic. Breville lists a 1450-watt direct-drive induction motor on the Amazon listing and backs it with a 30-year motor warranty and a 2-year product warranty.
The kit is the widest on this page. The listing names a 24-setting adjustable slicing disc, a reversible shredding disc, a French fry disc, a micro-serrated S-blade, a dough blade and the mini blade and bowl. That adjustable slicer is useful for a Mexican spread: paper-thin radishes and onions for tacos and pozole, thicker potato slices for a gratin, all from one disc.
The feed chute is 3-in-1, with openings from 1.7 to 5.5 inches, so whole tomatoes and cucumbers go in with little pre-cutting. A storage container holds the discs and blades when they are not in use, and the listing says the bowl is dishwasher safe. The trade-off is size and cost: this is a large machine, and you pay for the extra discs whether you use them or not.
Why we like it
- 16-cup bowl plus a mini bowl and blade
- 24-setting adjustable slicing disc
- Feed chute from 1.7 to 5.5 inches
- 30-year motor warranty, per the listing
Key specifications
| Processor | BFP810BSS (brushed stainless) |
|---|---|
| Bowl capacity | 16 cups, plus mini bowl (size not stated) |
| Motor (stated) | 1450 W, per listing |
| Blades/discs included | S-blade, dough blade, adjustable slicer, reversible shredder, French fry disc, mini blade |
| Feed tube | 3-in-1, 1.7 to 5.5 in |
| Dishwasher-safe parts | Bowl, per listing |
| Warranty | 2-year product, 30-year motor, per listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who host often, slice a lot of vegetables and want precise control over thickness from one machine.
Skip it if you mostly chop small batches of salsa; a 7-cup processor or a chopper is easier to pull out and wash.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Largest capacity here
- Adjustable slicing in 24 steps
- Storage container for the attachments
Cons
- Large footprint
- Costs the most of the full-size picks
- More parts to wash and store
3. KitchenAid 13-Cup Food Processor – Slice Thickness From Outside
KitchenAid built the 13-cup KFP1318 around two everyday annoyances: changing slice thickness and storing the discs. The ExactSlice disc adjusts from the outside with a lever, so you can go from thin onion rings to thick tomato slices without stopping and swapping parts. The blades and discs then store in a caddy that sits inside the work bowl.
The listing names a multi-purpose blade, the adjustable slicing disc, a reversible shredding disc and a dough blade. The 3-in-1 feed tube handles different shapes, and the bowl assembles with one click, without twisting, under a latched lid. KitchenAid’s listing names a quick fresh salsa among the jobs it sized the bowl for.
KitchenAid does not give a motor figure on the listing; Kohl’s and other retailers list 500 watts. For cleaning, the listing suggests adding warm water and a drop of soap to the leak-resistant bowl and running it, and Walmart’s listing marks the parts dishwasher safe; check the manual for which parts go on which rack.
Why we like it
- Externally adjustable ExactSlice disc
- Blades and discs store inside the bowl
- Dough blade included
- Twist-free bowl and latched lid
Key specifications
| Processor | KFP1318CU (Contour Silver) |
|---|---|
| Bowl capacity | 13 cups |
| Motor (stated) | Not on listing; 500 W per retailers |
| Blades/discs included | Multi-purpose blade, adjustable slicing disc, reversible shredding disc, dough blade |
| Feed tube | 3-in-1 |
| Dishwasher-safe parts | Yes, per retailer listings; check the manual |
| Warranty | 1 year, per listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who slice as much as they chop and want everything stored in one place.
Skip it if you want the longest motor warranty; Cuisinart, Breville and Magimix all offer longer coverage.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Change slice thickness without opening the lid
- Tidy in-bowl storage
- Comes in several colors
Cons
- Motor figure not stated by KitchenAid on the listing
- One-year warranty
- Storage caddy takes up some bowl space when stored
4. KitchenAid 3.5-Cup Food Chopper – One Batch of Salsa, Fast
Most weeknight jobs in a Mexican kitchen are small: one onion and two jalapeños for pico, a bunch of cilantro, a few roasted tomatillos for salsa verde. The KitchenAid chopper is built for that size. The 3.5-cup bowl has a handle and a pour spout, and the stainless steel blade locks in place so it stays put when you pour.
Two speeds and a pulse give you coarse or fine results, and the listing names “chunky pico de gallo and salsa” alongside hummus and dressings among its jobs. A drizzle basin in the lid lets you add oil or lime juice while it runs, which helps for an emulsified avocado salsa. Retailers rate the motor at 240 watts.
It has no feed tube and no discs, so it chops and purées but does not slice or shred. The bowl is dishwasher safe per the listing, the cord wraps around the base for storage, and the footprint is small enough to leave out. The listing shows a 5-year limited warranty, while KitchenAid’s own spec sheet says one year, so confirm the term with the seller.
Why we like it
- 3.5-cup bowl with handle and pour spout
- Two speeds plus pulse
- Drizzle basin for adding oil or lime juice
- Small enough to leave on the counter
Key specifications
| Processor | KFC3516CU (Contour Silver) |
|---|---|
| Bowl capacity | 3.5 cups |
| Motor (stated) | 240 W, per retailers |
| Blades/discs included | Stainless multi-purpose blade only |
| Feed tube | None; drizzle basin in lid |
| Dishwasher-safe parts | Work bowl, per listing |
| Warranty | Listing says 5-year limited; KitchenAid sheet says 1 year |
Why we recommend it
It suits small households and anyone who makes one bowl of salsa, pico or guacamole base at a time and wants quick cleanup.
Skip it if you need to slice or shred; it has no discs, so pair it with a box grater or choose a full-size processor.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fast to set up and wash
- Locking blade for clean pouring
- Many colors
Cons
- Chops and purées only
- Small batches only
- Warranty term differs by source
5. Hamilton Beach 10-Cup Food Processor with Bowl Scraper – Scrape Without Stopping
The Hamilton Beach 70730 earns its place with one clever part. A scraper built into the lid sweeps the side of the bowl when you move a handle back and forth, while the motor runs or with it off, so you do not have to stop, unlock the lid and reach in with a spatula. For sticky jobs such as chipotle mayo, bean dip or a smooth salsa that climbs the walls, that saves a lot of stopping.
The 10-cup bowl is big enough for a family batch, and the listing rates the motor at 450 watts with two speeds plus pulse. You get two attachments: an S-blade for chopping and puréeing and a stainless slicing and shredding disc. The feed chute is large, which Hamilton Beach says cuts down on pre-cutting.
The blades, bowl and lid are dishwasher safe, per the listing, and the warranty is one year. It is a lighter, plastic-bodied machine than the Cuisinart, and with one disc you get one slice thickness and one shred size. For occasional salsa, shredded cheese and sliced vegetables, that is plenty.
Why we like it
- Built-in bowl scraper works with the lid on
- 10-cup bowl
- Stainless slicing/shredding disc
- Dishwasher-safe blades, bowl and lid
Key specifications
| Processor | 70730 |
|---|---|
| Bowl capacity | 10 cups |
| Motor (stated) | 450 W |
| Blades/discs included | S-blade, slicing/shredding disc |
| Feed tube | Large feed chute |
| Dishwasher-safe parts | Blades, bowl and lid |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Why we recommend it
It suits a first kitchen or an occasional cook who wants a full-size bowl and dishwasher cleanup for little outlay.
Skip it if you plan to knead dough often; Hamilton Beach does not list a dough blade, and the motor is the smallest of the full-size picks.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Bowl scraper saves stopping
- Simple two-speed controls
- Low cost
Cons
- Only two attachments
- Lighter build than the premium picks
- No dough blade listed
6. Ninja Professional Plus 9-Cup Food Processor – Presets for Chop and Dough
Ninja’s BN601 takes the guesswork out with four Auto-iQ programs for chopping, slicing, puréeing and dough. Each runs a set pattern of pulses and pauses, which is handy if you are not sure how long to run the machine for a coarse salsa versus a smooth bean dip. The listing rates the motor at 1000 peak watts.
The 9-cup bowl comes with a chopping blade, a dough blade and a reversible slicing and shredding disc, plus a feed chute with a pusher, according to Ninja’s support pages and the listing. The dough blade and preset are the reason to choose it: pizza dough, a quick bolillo-style dough or a batch of pie dough for empanadas all mix with one button.
All removable parts are dishwasher safe, per the listing, and the warranty is one year. Note that “peak watts” is Ninja’s measure and is not directly comparable with the steady wattage other makers list. The bowl is smaller than the Cuisinart or Breville, so very large batches need splitting.
Why we like it
- Four Auto-iQ presets including dough
- Dough blade included
- Reversible slicing/shredding disc
- All removable parts dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Processor | BN601 |
|---|---|
| Bowl capacity | 9 cups |
| Motor (stated) | 1000 peak W |
| Blades/discs included | Chopping blade, dough blade, reversible slicing/shredding disc |
| Feed tube | Feed chute with pusher |
| Dishwasher-safe parts | All removable parts, per listing |
| Warranty | 1 year, per listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who make dough regularly and like one-touch programs more than judging by eye.
Skip it if you want a big bowl for party prep; 9 cups is the smallest of the full-size machines here apart from the 7-cup KitchenAid.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Presets for common jobs
- Dough blade in the box
- Dishwasher-safe parts
Cons
- Peak-watt rating is not comparable with other brands
- Smaller bowl
- One-year warranty
7. KitchenAid 7-Cup Food Processor – Full Processor, Smaller Footprint
The 7-cup KFP0718 sits between a chopper and a full-size machine. It has a real feed tube and a disc, so it slices and shreds as well as chopping, but it takes up much less space than a 13- or 14-cup processor. For a household of two to four, 7 cups covers salsa, shredded cheese for a pan of enchiladas and sliced cabbage for tostadas.
The listing names a multi-purpose blade and a reversible medium slicing and shredding disc, both of which store inside the bowl. The 2-in-1 feed tube takes whole and thin items, and the controls are three paddles: high, low and pulse. Like the larger KitchenAid, the bowl clicks on without twisting and the lid latches.
KitchenAid does not state the motor on the listing, and retailer figures disagree, so we list it as not stated. Leon’s, Macy’s and Abt describe the bowl, lid and accessories as dishwasher safe. With one disc you get one slice thickness, and there is no dough blade, so it is a prep machine rather than a baking one.
Why we like it
- Slices and shreds as well as chopping
- Blade and disc store inside the bowl
- High, low and pulse paddles
- Takes less space than full-size models
Key specifications
| Processor | KFP0718BM (Black Matte) |
|---|---|
| Bowl capacity | 7 cups |
| Motor (stated) | Not stated |
| Blades/discs included | Multi-purpose blade, reversible medium slicing/shredding disc |
| Feed tube | 2-in-1 |
| Dishwasher-safe parts | Bowl, lid and accessories, per retailers |
| Warranty | 1 year, per listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits small kitchens and small households that want slicing and shredding without a 14-cup machine on the counter.
Skip it if you make dough or big batches; there is no dough blade and the bowl is modest.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Compact for a full processor
- Easy assembly
- In-bowl storage
Cons
- Motor rating not stated
- One disc only
- No dough blade
8. Magimix Compact 4200 XL Food Processor – Three Bowls, Long Motor Warranty
Magimix is a French maker, and the 4200 XL is a mid-size model in its Compact range. The idea is three nesting bowls: a 14-cup main bowl, a 12-cup midi bowl used with the discs, and a 6-cup mini bowl, per US retailer listings. You can chop onions in the mini bowl, slice cabbage in the midi bowl and knead dough in the main bowl without washing in between.
The Amazon listing gives 950 watts and an induction motor with a 30-year guarantee, plus three years on parts, and says the machine is made in France. Controls are three buttons: stop, auto and pulse. Lehman’s lists the kit as 2 mm and 4 mm slicing and grating discs, a metal knife blade, a dough blade, an egg whisk and a mini blade, with an extra-wide feed tube and a triple pusher.
Retailers describe the removable parts as dishwasher safe; wipe the base with a damp cloth. The listing title says “Recipe Book” but does not list the full box contents, so check what your seller ships before buying. The listing also says the motor adjusts its power to the task and that the machine carries the Quiet Mark seal.
Why we like it
- Three nesting bowls
- 30-year motor guarantee, per the listing
- Two slicing and two grating thicknesses, per retailers
- Made in France, per the listing
Key specifications
| Processor | 4200 XL (white) |
|---|---|
| Bowl capacity | 14-cup main, 12-cup midi, 6-cup mini |
| Motor (stated) | 950 W, per listing |
| Blades/discs included | Knife blade, dough blade, 2 mm and 4 mm slicing and grating discs, egg whisk, mini blade, per retailers |
| Feed tube | Extra-wide, triple pusher |
| Dishwasher-safe parts | Removable parts, per retailers |
| Warranty | 3 years parts, 30 years motor, per listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who prep several things in a row and want a long-lived motor with a broad set of discs.
Skip it if you want a simple, low-cost machine; this is a premium processor with more parts to store.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Three bowls save washing mid-prep
- Longest stated motor coverage with Breville
- Two thicknesses of each disc
Cons
- Box contents not fully stated on the Amazon listing
- Premium cost
- Many parts to store
Full size or mini: how to choose a food processor
Size the bowl to your usual batch, then add a chopper if you need one. A 3.5-cup chopper handles one onion, two chiles and a bunch of cilantro. A 7- to 9-cup bowl suits a household of two to four. A 13- to 16-cup bowl is for party salsa, big blocks of cheese and double batches of dough. Many cooks own a full-size machine and a chopper and use the small one more often.
Look for a real pulse. Chunky salsa and pico de gallo depend on stopping before the vegetables turn to liquid. A pulse button or paddle that runs only while you hold it gives you that control. Pulse in short bursts and scrape down once; tomatoes release juice fast, so many cooks chop the onion, chile and cilantro in the machine and dice the tomato by knife.
Check the discs, not just the blade. If you shred cheese for enchiladas or slice radishes and cabbage for pozole and tostadas, a slicing and shredding disc matters as much as the S-blade. Adjustable discs (Breville, the KitchenAid 13-Cup) or two thicknesses (Magimix) give more control. For a few ounces of cheese, a box grater is quicker to wash.
Treat motor figures as rough. Makers measure differently, and Ninja quotes peak watts. A dough blade and a stated dough capacity tell you more about heavy work than the wattage on the box.
Think about cleanup and storage. Every disc and blade has to live somewhere. In-bowl storage (KitchenAid) or a storage box (Breville) keeps sharp parts together, and dishwasher-safe bowls make it more likely you will reach for the machine on a weeknight.
How we picked these eight processors
We started from the prep a food processor does in a Mexican kitchen: chopping onions, chiles and herbs for salsa and pico, puréeing smooth salsas and bean dips, shredding cheese, slicing vegetables for garnish, and cutting fat into flour for empanada and pie dough. We then looked at processors from identifiable makers sold on Amazon in the United States, from a mini chopper to a 16-cup machine, and checked each one’s stock with Amazon’s product data before writing.
Bowl sizes, motors, included parts and warranties come from each Amazon listing and, where a listing was silent, from retailer listings and Ninja’s support pages, all named in our notes. We did not use these machines ourselves, and we write “not stated” where no source gives a figure. We checked the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recalls: besides the older Cuisinart blade recall described above, KitchenAid once recalled some older food processors for a blade cap that could come loose, and we found no recall covering the models picked here. A Cuisinart Elemental and the stainless Custom 14 were considered but were not in stock, or listed too little detail, when we checked.
Food processor questions, answered
What is the best food processor for home use?
For most homes, a 13- or 14-cup machine with a pulse control and a slicing and shredding disc, such as the Cuisinart Custom 14 or the KitchenAid 13-Cup. Smaller households can do well with a 7- to 9-cup model.
Which food processor brands are worth considering?
Cuisinart for a proven, simple design; Breville and Magimix for big kits and long motor warranties; KitchenAid for adjustable slicing and choppers; Ninja for presets; Hamilton Beach for a low budget. Each has a clear strength.
What is the best food processor for the money?
The Hamilton Beach 10-Cup with its built-in bowl scraper covers chopping, slicing and shredding at a low cost. If you can spend more, the Cuisinart adds a bigger bowl and a much longer motor warranty.
Can a food processor make salsa and guacamole?
Yes, with care. Pulse the onion, chile and cilantro first, then add tomatoes for a few short pulses so the salsa stays chunky. For a smooth salsa roja or a creamy avocado salsa, run it longer. Classic chunky guacamole is still best mashed by hand; see our guide to molcajete vs blender for how texture changes with the tool.
Food processor or blender: which do I need?
A processor chops, slices and shreds; a blender liquefies. For pourable salsas, aguas frescas and smoothies, a blender is better; for chopped salsa, shredded cheese and dough, a processor is. Our guides to the best blender and the best blender for salsa cover the liquid side.
Can a food processor make masa or tortilla dough?
It can mix masa harina with water and fat for a small batch of tortillas or sopes, using the dough blade or S-blade in short bursts. For a big batch of tamal masa, where the lard is beaten until fluffy, a stand mixer does the job better.
Our final pick for salsa night and beyond
Buy the Cuisinart Custom 14 if you want one processor that handles almost everything with two simple controls. Choose the Breville Sous Chef 16 or the Magimix for big prep days and long motor coverage, the KitchenAid 13-Cup for adjustable slicing, the Hamilton Beach on a budget, and the KitchenAid 3.5-Cup Chopper for one bowl of salsa at a time.
More small-appliance guides: personal blenders, hand mixers, vegetable choppers, spice grinders, meat grinders, food dehydrators, yogurt makers, pasta makers, bread machines.
On a budget? See our guide to the best value food processors.
Deciding between the two big names? See KitchenAid vs Cuisinart food processors.
Prepping for a restaurant or a crowd? See our guide to the best commercial food processors.
Related guide: Best mini food processor.
Related guide: Best food processor for dough.
Related guide: Food processor alternative.
Related guide: Food processor vs chopper.
A processor is one part of a prep station. Our guide to the best mixing bowls covers what the chopped vegetables go into, and salsa roja vs salsa verde explains which salsa to make with them. And if you would rather someone else did the chopping tonight, see the menu or call to order.