The Best Food Processors and Blenders, According to Our Tests

How We Tested

We sent some of our top picks for each category—food processors and blenders—for our home testers to evaluate. To test each food processor's chopping and dicing capabilities, our tester processed a range of food items of various shapes, sizes, and textures, from smaller items like nuts and garlic to larger ones like cucumber, carrots, and butternut squash. If the processor came with a shredding or a grating disc, our tester tested a block of cheese. When it came to the blenders, we had our testers evaluate power by how well the units crushed ice and blended frozen fruits and vegetables, as well as how well they mixed in dry ingredients, like protein powders into smoothies. If a blender had presets, our testers observed how well the ingredients were blended based on those settings.

After thorough testing, our home testers sent us their feedback and rated each blender and food processor on the following attributes: design, ease of use, size, ease of cleaning, overall effectiveness, and overall value.

What to Look for in a Food Processor or Blender

Capacity

It’s important to match the jar or bowl to the amount of food you’ll be stuffing into it. If there isn't enough food in the bowl, it won’t blend well. With too much food, on the other hand, you might experience spills or leaks. If you’ll be working with both large and small amounts on a regular basis, a blender or processor with multiple sizes of containers might be the best buy.

Controls

Do you prefer knobs, buttons, toggles, dials, or touch screens? Today’s appliances offer a wide variety of control methods. Simple units might only have an on/off toggle, while others might have variable speed control or a variety of buttons. They’ll all get the job done, so it’s all about personal preference.

Cleaning

Food processors and blenders have sharp blades, which can make cleaning a bit hazardous. Do you prefer hand washing or feel safer placing the parts in the dishwasher? Do you prefer a removable blade or a fixed one? If you don’t like cleaning the appliance, chances are you’ll avoid using it regularly.

FAQs

What is the difference between a food processor and a blender?

While a food processor and a blender may look pretty similar (spinning blades in a glass or plastic container), there are notable differences. “A food processor has large, wide blades that are great for making thick, spreadable purées,” says Ann Ziata, chef at the Institute of Culinary Education. She uses one to make hummus and other dips, vegetable purées, nut butters, and veggie burgers. “You can also use a food processor to grind your own flours and, in large quantities, herbs and spices.”

A blender, by contrast, “is taller and narrower, and has smaller—and often sharper—blades used to make pourable purées,” Ziata says. She uses it to make frozen drinks, smoothies, nut milks, soups, vinaigrettes, and marinades.

Can you use a blender as a food processor?

The short answer: Not really. Ziata notes that blenders and food processors are not usually interchangeable, but there are a few exceptions. Foods that aren’t too thick or too thin, like an herb vinaigrette, hummus, tomato sauce, can be made in either one. “If you don’t have a food processor, you can try to make it in the blender,” she says. “It usually will require stopping the motor and scraping down the sides a few times to get everything puréed.”

How do you use a food processor?

Before getting started, make sure your food processor is unplugged; safety first! Some food processors have sensors that keep them from running if the base and lid aren’t properly locked in, but you don’t want to take any chances. Lock the bowl and blade into the (unplugged!) base, and then add your ingredients. “Don’t remove the bowl from the base and then add your food, because it’ll be challenging to correctly lock the blade in if the bowl is full of food,” Ziata says. Put on the lid, plug in the food processor, and then turn it on.

Can you grind coffee beans in a food processor or blender?

In a pinch, you can use a food processor or blender to grind coffee beans, but if you’re particular about your coffee or plan on grinding coffee beans often, it’s worth investing in an actual coffee grinder. “It boils down to a lack of control,” says Jim Munson, founder of Brooklyn Roasting Company. “It takes a while for the hard beans to be chopped evenly enough for an even extraction. By the time you get there with a food processor or blender, the coffee beans are mostly powder.” Another advantage of a dedicated coffee grinder is that it allows for smaller amounts to be ground at once.

Can you make smoothies in a food processor?

While you could, technically, make a smoothie in a food processor, your results will be less than ideal. If you do that, Khoran Horn, chef-founder of Stripp’d Juice and CEO of VIII XII Hospitality, says to not expect a great drinking experience. “One thing most food processors cannot handle well is frozen ingredients,” he says. “The motor strength is simply not equipped to handle such tasks.” He adds that the shape of a food processor pushes dry ingredients to the bottom, which results in a nonuniform final product.

Can you grind meat with a food processor?

Brad Wise, owner of The Wise Ox Butcher Shop and executive chef/owner of TRUST Restaurant Group in San Diego, California, says that you should never grind meat in a food processor. “A food processor just isn’t the right tool to grind meat,” he says. “It will purée the meat, not grind it, and essentially turn it into mush.” A meat grinder, which pushes meat through a die, is the ideal tool for the task. “The exception is if you’re making some sort of emulsified meat like mortadella, bologna, or pâté,” he says.

How do you clean a food processor or blender?

Your first step to cleaning a food processor or blender should be using a rubber spatula to scrape out as much food residue as possible. “There’s usually a good amount lingering along the sides,” Ziata says. 

If you’re cleaning a food processor, reattach the bowl, blade, and lid to the base, then run it for a few seconds. “Any extra food on the blade will fly to the sides for you to scrape off and enjoy, and your blade will be much easier to clean, too,” Ziata says. After that, hand-wash the individual pieces, being mindful of the sharp blades.

If you’re cleaning a blender, add a drop of dish soap and water to the blender, then run it for a few seconds to kickstart the cleaning process. Then, hand-wash the pitcher, lid, and blades.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Donna Currie is a cookbook author and product tester for The Spruce Eats. In addition to reviewing more than 90 products for the brand, Donna has compiled roundups on other small kitchen appliances, such as the best toaster ovens, rice cookers, and air fryers.

Abigail Abesamis Demarest is a freelance journalist who specializes in food and drink content. She’s interviewed cooking experts to learn more about food processors and blenders, and she’s always keen to share this knowledge with readers. Her two-in-one Ninja blender and food processor gets plenty of use in her cooking and baking endeavors and is almost always on the counter during hot summer months for making breakfast smoothies.

This article was updated by Katya Weiss-Andersson, a writer and editor who has nearly a decade of experience as a professional chef.