Choose a food processor based on the task you do most often: the right discs for grating and slicing, a small bowl with a blade for smaller quantities, or enough dough capacity for kneading. A compact design is easier to store, while having several bowls lets you switch between quantities but means more parts to wash and store. If bread and brioche are your main uses, you could also compare stand mixers with the food-preparation accessories you need.
If you often grate cheese or carrots, or slice potatoes, start by checking which discs are included and the size of the feed tube. Que Choisir includes grating and slicing in its food processor testing protocol.
For small quantities of herbs, onions or sauces, the size of the bowl and its blade matter just as much as the capacity of the main bowl. Check that the small bowl can handle the preparations you make most often.
For bread, pizza or brioche, compare the stated dough capacity for the model with the quantities you usually make. Que Choisir also recommends considering a stand mixer if you make these recipes often or in large batches.
Start with the preparation you make most often, then check the quantity you need to process and how much room you have to store the processor and its accessories. Whether you choose a compact appliance, one with several bowls, a stand mixer with accessories or separate appliances depends on how you’ll use it—not simply on the number of functions advertised.
| Priority | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Grating and slicing | Check which discs are actually included and the feed tube on the exact model you’re considering. | When I regularly grate carrots or slice potatoes, I want to make these repetitive tasks easier. Around 37% of consumers reportedly prioritise vegetable preparation. |
| Kneading dough | Compare the stated dough capacity with your recipes and check for a suitable kneading attachment. | For my regular batches of bread, pizza or brioche, I’m looking for an appliance that suits the quantities I make. Kneading would be the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Processing small quantities | Check that a smaller bowl and its blade are included, and find out which preparations are suitable for that bowl. | For herbs or small batches of sauce, I need a bowl that works with just a few ingredients. Around 18% of consumers would prioritise smaller portions. |
| Storing everything | Measure the space available and allow room for the bowls, discs and cord. | If I put the processor away after every use, I need somewhere to store its accessories too. Storage would be the main concern for around 18% of consumers. |
A function may depend on a particular accessory. Que Choisir only tests some additional uses when the relevant accessory is supplied.
Make a list of the preparations you do regularly, then check what’s included with the exact model: discs, blades, bowls or a blender, depending on what you need.
The capacity of the main bowl doesn’t tell you whether the appliance is suitable for a few herbs or a small vinaigrette. Que Choisir notes that a smaller bowl and blade can be useful for smaller quantities.
If you make these preparations often, check whether a small bowl is included and what the instructions say you can use it for.
Bowls and accessories need space too. For the MultiPro Go FDP23.140GY, Kenwood says the accessories can be stored in the bowl and the cord can be wound away; this design is specific to this model.
Compare the dimensions of the complete appliance with your cupboard or drawer, and work out where you’ll keep the parts after use.
The CS 3200 XL is worth considering if you switch between smaller and larger preparations.
The MultiPro Go FDP23.140GY is worth a look if you need to put the appliance away after use.
The Masterchef 8000 Silver Premium YY3889FG is an example of a model supplied with several food-preparation accessories.
The MultiTalent 3 MCM3501M may suit households that want to use different accessories for different preparations.
This product is designed to mechanically prepare ingredients for grating, slicing, chopping or blending. For small portions and dough, compare its accessories and usable capacity separately with the recipes you usually make.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want one appliance for grating and slicing vegetables, as well as chopping and blending.
The product title states a power rating of 750 W and a 1.8 L bowl; check the usable capacity for the quantities you usually prepare.
Check which discs are included, the dimensions with the accessories stored away and, if you knead often, whether a suitable attachment is included.
No, not when it comes to cooking. Que Choisir distinguishes cooking food processors by this function, while food processors are used to mechanically prepare ingredients. If you also want to cook in the appliance, check the functions of a cooking food processor rather than assuming its food-preparation accessories allow you to do so.
Start with the quantities you prepare most often, and don’t confuse total capacity with the amount that’s actually suitable for your recipe. For herbs or small batches of sauce, look for a smaller bowl and its blade; for bread and large batches, check the stated dough capacity of the exact model.
Allow room for discs, blades and bowls as well as the base. Some models store accessories in the bowl or in a dedicated box. Check the configuration of the model you choose and measure the available height in your cupboard or drawer.
If you buy from a professional seller, you can invoke the legal guarantee of conformity if the product doesn’t conform to its description. The French Ministry of the Economy states that the time limit is two years for both new and second-hand goods. Keep your proof of purchase and the product description so you can explain the problem to the seller.