If you regularly chop, grate, slice and blend, but don’t want to cook with your appliance, a food processor brings together several tasks worth considering. A compact model may be a better fit when space is limited, provided its bowl and attachments suit your needs. A blender and a chopper are better suited to blending and chopping, while adding attachments to a stand mixer makes most sense if you also use its baking functions. In every case, compare the included attachments, capacity, storage and cleaning requirements before you choose.
Your choice depends first on the tasks you repeat and the appliances you already have in your kitchen.
If you chop, grate, slice, blend or emulsify several times a week, a food processor lets you tackle these tasks with one appliance. Check that the bowl suits the quantities you prepare and that the necessary attachments are included.
A compact model may be a better fit if you need to store the main unit and attachments in a cupboard. Measure the available space and check the bowl capacity: a small footprint doesn’t guarantee it can handle your usual quantities.
First, identify the tasks your existing appliances can’t handle. A blender is for blending; if you want to add slicing or chopping to a stand mixer, check which attachments are compatible with its exact model number.
Start with the tasks you repeat, then weigh up the functions you need against the available space and how easy the appliance is to clean.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Tasks you repeat | List the tasks you do regularly and the appliances you already own. For grating or slicing, check that suitable discs are included; for blending and chopping, compare a blender and chopper too. | I often grate and slice vegetables, so these functions matter more to me than blending alone. |
| Attachments included | Compare what’s in the box with the tasks you actually need to do. Check which discs, blades or attachments are included, optional and compatible with the model you’ve chosen. | If I only use a few functions, I’d rather choose the relevant attachments than accumulate parts that need storing. |
| Capacity and space | Match the bowl size to the quantities you prepare. Measure the space needed for the main unit, bowl and attachments; Que Choisir highlights the importance of capacity and overall size. | I need enough capacity for my usual preparations, without having to leave the processor and its attachments on the worktop all the time. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts need to be taken apart and confirm dishwasher compatibility for each one. Look out for any exceptions relating to the motor base. | I want to be able to clean the parts I’ve used without the process putting me off getting the appliance out again. |
| Spare parts | Note down the full model number, then look for compatible bowls, lids, blades and discs. Check the difference between stated spare-part availability and the manufacturer’s warranty. | If an attachment gets lost or worn, I want to be able to find a replacement that fits my model. |
A useful function may rely on an attachment that isn’t included with the model you’ve chosen. Attachments you rarely use also take up space.
Match each task you do regularly to the attachment it needs, then check exactly what’s in the box and which optional attachments are compatible.
Attachments or storage solutions sold separately mean extra items to buy and store.
The bowl, discs and other parts also need to be easy to reach if you plan to use the appliance regularly.
Measure your storage space and check where the attachments and power cord will go. If you’re considering a compact model, make sure the bowl capacity also suits the food you prepare.
Power alone doesn’t tell you how well an appliance will grate, how easy it is to clean or how well its attachments hold up. Que Choisir tests several food-preparation functions and also puts the motor and attachments through endurance tests.
Compare the functions and attachments you actually need. If you consult independent tests, look at the tasks they put the appliance through rather than focusing on a single figure.
A bowl, lid or disc needs to match the appliance’s model number. A general statement about spare-part availability doesn’t remove the need to check.
Note down the full model number before you buy and search separately for any parts you might need to replace.
These brands illustrate different configurations. The features mentioned apply to the specific ranges or models listed, not every appliance they make.
Magimix’s food processor range, which doesn’t include cooking functions, offers several bowl sizes. The brand lists capacities of 1.7 L for the Mini Plus, 2.6 L for the CS 3200 XL and 3 L for the CS 4200 XL.
The Easy Force FP242B10 is a food processor for food preparation. Moulinex lists four attachments and 15 functions for this model.
Kenwood’s range includes the compact MultiPro Go FDP23.140GY food processor and the Multi Tasker KHC30.070GY stand mixer, two configurations designed for different uses.
The HR1507/00 chopper and HR3020/20 blender are examples of a separate-appliance setup for chopping and blending.
These two models suit different needs: a food processor for tackling several food-preparation tasks, and a blender for blending-focused use. If grating, slicing or chopping matters to you, check the attachments supplied with the specific model.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for an appliance that can handle several food-preparation tasks without a cooking function. The model is listed as 1.5 L and 600 W. Check that the capacity suits the quantities you prepare, then look at the included attachments, storage and compatible spare parts.
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Consider this if blending is your main task rather than grating or slicing. The model name lists two speeds, a Pulse function and four stainless-steel blades. Check which attachments are included for any other tasks, as well as the cleaning instructions for removable parts.
Write down the tasks you repeat — grating, slicing, chopping, blending or emulsifying — then check that the attachments for them are included with the model you’ve chosen. Take stock of your existing appliances too: an extra attachment is less useful if it duplicates a function you can already do easily.
They may suit you if your recipes mainly involve blending and chopping. If you regularly grate or slice, check how you’ll do those tasks: blending and chopping functions don’t guarantee that slicing discs are included.
Check dishwasher compatibility for each part and see how many pieces you’ll need to take apart. Moulinex lists the Easy Force FP242B10 as dishwasher-safe except for the base; Philips says the removable parts of the HR3020/20 blender, and the bowl and attachments of the HR1507/00 chopper, are dishwasher-safe.
Note down the full model number and search the manufacturer’s catalogue for compatible bowls, lids, blades and discs. Moulinex lets you search by model number, while Magimix states that spare parts are available for 30 years for its food processor range. Always confirm that the part you need matches the model you’re considering.