If you already have appliances for cooking, start by choosing based on the tasks you do regularly and the accessories you need. A compact food processor suits smaller quantities when storage space matters; if you want to prepare more at once, compare the usable capacity and the space a large bowl takes up. If you regularly do only one or two tasks, a specialist appliance may be enough, but it won’t replace all the functions of a food processor.
If you often chop, grate or slice ingredients, measure the space available for the appliance and its accessories. A small base won’t solve the storage problem on its own: you’ll also need somewhere to keep the discs, blades and bowls.
If you’re processing lots of vegetables or kneading dough, compare the usable capacity and the maximum dough quantity specified for each model. The bowl’s total capacity doesn’t necessarily tell you how much you can actually use.
If you already use an oven, hob or another appliance for cooking, focus your choice on food preparation. A food processor without a cooking function is only worthwhile if its accessories suit the tasks you want it to do.
Make a list of the tasks you do regularly, then compare it with the accessories included, the quantities you need to process and the space available.
Worth considering: if you prepare smaller quantities and need to put the appliance away after use.
Trade-off: a compact design doesn’t guarantee a bowl suited to larger preparations or all the accessories you want.
Worth considering: if you regularly prepare food for several people or knead large quantities.
Trade-off: check the usable capacity and how much space you’ll need to store and move the whole appliance.
Worth considering: if one or two tasks, such as blending or chopping small quantities, make up most of your use.
Trade-off: a mini chopper, for example, won’t replace the slicing discs or dough tool of a food processor that includes them.
| What to consider | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Accessories | Check which discs, blades, bowls or dough tools are actually included. Match each accessory to the tasks you do. | I often grate and slice vegetables; the accessories for those tasks matter more to me than a long list of advertised functions. |
| Storage | Measure the space for the appliance and allow room for its accessories. Check which accessories can be stored inside the bowl. | My worktop space is limited, so I need somewhere to store the discs, blades and bowls too. |
| Quantities | Distinguish between total and usable capacity. For kneading, look for the maximum dough quantity specified for the model. | For family meals, I want to avoid having to make several batches. For smaller portions, I’ll also look at options with a small bowl or mini chopper. |
| Care and maintenance | Check the cleaning instructions for each part, then look for information about spare parts and after-sales service for the model. | If I use the appliance often, I want to be able to clean the parts I use and check what repair options are available before replacing it. |
A particular task may require a specific accessory. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol, for example, assesses some functions only when the corresponding accessory is included.
Make a note of the tasks you do regularly, then check what comes with the exact model: discs, blender, mini chopper or dough tool, depending on your needs.
Total capacity, usable capacity and maximum dough quantity all describe different limits. For example, Magimix lists a total capacity of 3.6 L and a usable capacity of 1.8 L for the CS5200XL Premium.
Compare these figures with the quantities in your usual recipes, especially if you prepare large amounts or knead regularly.
UFC-Que Choisir points out that accessories also take up space. You need room to store the complete appliance and keep its parts within easy reach.
Measure the space you have in mind and work out where the lid, discs, blades and bowls will go. If the appliance is advertised as having storage space inside the bowl, check which accessories will fit.
According to ADEME, a food processor may be repairable. Depending on its condition, donating it, selling it on or taking it to an appropriate collection point are also options.
Before choosing a new appliance, find out about repair options and available parts for your model. If you’re getting rid of it, use a suitable recycling scheme for small electrical appliances.
These examples show different configurations. The features listed apply to the specific models named, not to the brands’ entire ranges.
Kenwood France describes the MultiPro Go FDP23.140GY as an ultra-compact food processor.
For the Double Force Compact FP546811, Moulinex France lists a 3 L bowl, reversible discs, a dough tool, a mini chopper and an emulsifying disc.
Bosch Electroménager France lists a 2.3 L bowl and a dough capacity of up to 800 g for the MCM3100W, compared with a 3.9 L bowl and a dough capacity of up to 1.5 kg for the MC812M844.
Magimix France lists a total capacity of 3.6 L, a usable capacity of 1.8 L and a weight of 11 kg for the CS5200XL Premium.
This selection includes food processors without a cooking function, as well as mini choppers for more specific tasks. Compare their features with your recipes: mini choppers aren’t alternatives to food processors with large bowls.
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If you prepare smaller quantities, compare its 1.5 L bowl with the recipes you usually make. If you plan to grate, slice or knead, check which accessories come with the DOP250N and how much space you’ll need to store them.
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Compare the 1.1 L bowl with the size of your usual preparations, especially if you cook for several people. If you want to chop or grate, check the accessories included with this model; don’t assume it’s suitable for kneading too.
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The product description mentions a blender, a chopper, and slicing and grating discs. If these are the tasks you have in mind, check the exact list of parts included, then make sure you have enough space to store the whole appliance.
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Worth considering if chopping small quantities is your main task. Don’t choose this mini chopper instead of a food processor with discs or a dough tool if you mainly want to grate, slice or make large batches of dough.
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This cordless model is suited to occasional chopping rather than several different food preparation tasks. Check that its capacity and charging requirements suit how often you plan to use it.
Start with the quantities you prepare, and distinguish between total capacity, usable capacity and, if you knead, the maximum dough quantity. Magimix France lists a total capacity of 3.6 L but a usable capacity of 1.8 L for the CS5200XL Premium; Bosch Electroménager France lists a 3.9 L bowl and a dough capacity of up to 1.5 kg for the MC812M844. These figures don’t measure the same thing.
No: you also need to allow room for the accessories. UFC-Que Choisir points out that they take up space too, so measure the area you have available and check where the discs, blades and bowls for your chosen model will go.
No, it depends on which accessories are included. For example, UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses smoothie-making when the food processor has a blender, and juice-making when it has the corresponding accessory. Check exactly what comes with the model before you buy.
According to ADEME, you could consider having it repaired, donating it or selling it, depending on its condition. If it needs to be thrown away, take it to a suitable collection point for small electrical appliances rather than putting it in your household rubbish.