People who cook often in a small space
If you regularly make sauces or grated vegetables, measure the space available for the appliance and its accessories. A compact design is less useful if you have to store the discs and blades somewhere else.
Who are these appliances for?
Households preparing several ingredients
If you want to chop, grate and slice one ingredient after another, look at the size of the main bowl and the accessories supplied. A small bowl or mini chopper can also come in handy when you only need to process a few herbs or an onion.
People with specific cooking needs
If you mainly make smoothies, sauces or small chopped ingredients, compare a blender or separate chopper with a food processor. Grating and slicing discs are only useful if those tasks feature regularly in your cooking.
What should you check before choosing?
Start with the tasks you do most often, then choose a capacity and set of accessories to suit the quantities you prepare and the space you have.
Compact food processor
Worth considering: if storage space is limited and you mainly prepare small quantities.
Keep in mind: a small main bowl may mean processing ingredients in batches. Also check which accessories are included.
Food processor with a larger bowl
Worth considering: if you regularly chop, grate or slice several ingredients for a meal.
Keep in mind: extra bowls and accessories also need space for storage and cleaning.
Blender or separate chopper
Worth considering: if blending or chopping accounts for most of your food preparation.
Limitation: don’t expect it to grate, slice or knead unless it has the relevant function and accessory.
| What to consider | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Tasks and accessories | Check which blades and discs are included for chopping, grating or slicing. If you want to blend, see whether the model you’re considering comes with a blender attachment. | I often grate vegetables, or I mainly want to blend sauces: I’ll need different accessories for each. |
| Bowl capacity | Compare the main bowl with the quantities you usually prepare. Check whether there’s a mini bowl for smaller jobs and a direct-to-bowl outlet if you grate lots of vegetables. | A few herbs don’t need the same size bowl as several ingredients prepared for a meal. |
| Storage and cleaning | Measure the space you have, including room for the accessories. Check the instruction manual to see which parts are dishwasher-safe. | I want to be able to get the food processor out, find its accessories and clean it without making meal preparation more complicated. |
| Noise and spare parts | If noise is a key concern, look for a review of the exact model: wattage doesn’t tell you how noisy it is. Search for a bowl, lid or blade using the exact model reference. | Noise matters in a shared kitchen, and I’d also like to be able to find a compatible replacement part if needed. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Choosing a bundle just because it has lots of accessories
Parts for recipes you never make take up space and mean more washing up. A blender or citrus press isn’t included with every food processor, either.
List the dishes you make most often, then check which blades, discs and bowls come with the version you’re considering.
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Looking only at the main bowl’s capacity
A large bowl isn’t necessarily suited to chopping a small quantity; on the other hand, a small main bowl may mean dividing ingredients into batches.
Compare your usual quantities with the bowl capacity, and look for a mini bowl or mini chopper if you also prepare small portions.
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Forgetting about everyday storage and cleaning
Blades, discs and lids all need to be stored and washed after use. Que Choisir also considers ease of use and noise in its food processor testing process.
Measure the space available, check the washing instructions in the manual and, if noise matters to you, look for a review of the exact model.
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Assuming all the parts are interchangeable
A bowl or disc needs to be compatible with the exact food processor model. Spare-parts catalogues and manufacturers’ stated commitments don’t all have the same terms.
Before choosing, note down the full model reference and look for compatible bowls, lids, blades and discs.
Which ranges offer useful points of comparison?
These models show some of the different food processor configurations available. Always check what’s included with the version you’re considering.
Magimix
Magimix lists the CS 3200 XL with a 2,6 L bowl and several bowls for preparing different ingredients in succession.
- The brand advertises a 30-year motor guarantee and 30 years of parts availability.
- Check which accessories are actually included with the model you choose, rather than assuming those sold separately will be supplied.
Bosch
In its MultiTalent 3 range, Bosch lists the MCM3231B with a 2,3 L bowl and several accessories that can be stored inside the bowl.
- Bosch says that some parts of the MCM3231B are dishwasher-safe.
- Use the appliance’s E-Nr. number to find compatible parts. Bosch describes its 10-year parts availability as a general commitment, not a guarantee specific to every model.
Moulinex
Moulinex lists a Double Force model with a 3 L bowl, mini chopper, 2 L blender and accessory storage.
- This configuration lets you use the main bowl for some preparations and the mini chopper for others.
- Check the model reference and which parts are covered by Moulinex’s stated parts availability commitment; it doesn’t apply to every product without exception.
Kenwood
The MultiPro Go FDP22.140GY is an example of a compact design. Kenwood lists a 1,3 L bowl, two discs and a height of 30 cm.
- According to Kenwood, its Express Serve system lets you grate or slice ingredients directly into an external container.
- If you process large quantities in the main bowl, check that its 1,3 L capacity suits your recipes.
Which Joybuy appliances should you consider?
These Joybuy options include a blender with a chopper bowl and two choppers, so they’re best suited to blending or chopping. If you regularly grate or slice ingredients, check separately that the necessary discs are included.
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800 W 3-in-1 food processor blender with bottle and chopper bowl
Worth considering if you mainly blend ingredients and chop small quantities. The title lists a 1 500 ml blending jug, a 600 ml bottle and a 300 ml chopper bowl. Check which accessories you’ll need for other food preparation tasks.
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Bear QSJ-D03Q1 chopper with 2 L and 0,6 L glass bowls
The two bowl sizes let you choose the one that suits the quantity you’re chopping. The title lists a power rating of 300 W. If you also want to grate or slice, check the functions and accessories included with this model.
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Kenwood Easy Chop+ CHP62.400SI mini chopper and blender
This mini chopper and blender is worth comparing with your needs if you mainly chop or blend small quantities. Check the bowl capacity and compatible accessories before choosing it for your usual recipes.
Frequently asked questions
Does a food processor always replace a blender?
No. Check whether the exact model comes with a blender attachment. Que Choisir only tests blending with food processors when this accessory is included. If blending is your main use, compare it with a separate blender too.
How do I choose a bowl for small quantities?
Compare the quantities you usually prepare with the main bowl, and look for a mini bowl or mini chopper if you often process a few herbs or an onion. Que Choisir recommends choosing a bowl size to suit your household’s cooking habits. Capacity in litres alone doesn’t tell you how well an appliance will handle a small quantity.
Are all the accessories dishwasher-safe?
Don’t assume they are: check the manual for the exact model and each bowl, lid, blade or disc. Bosch lists some dishwasher-safe parts for the MCM3231B, but that guidance doesn’t apply to every food processor and accessory.
What should I do with a food processor at the end of its life in France?
According to the French Ministry for Ecological Transition, electrical appliances can be taken to a collection point or recycling centre, returned to a retailer or given to a social and solidarity economy organisation. If only one part is faulty, first look for a replacement compatible with your food processor’s model reference.