Pulse activation gives maximum control for precision processing, whether chopping or grinding. Although there’s some overlap in what they can do, food processors and blenders aren’t interchangeable appliances. A food processor is the best tool for chopping and mincing, because its wide base allows the blades to slice through more at once, so you can coarsely chop ingredients quickly and evenly. Most full-size food processors also come with blades for slicing and grating, which a blender can’t do. This model is a scaled-down version of our winning full-size Cuisinart food processor, both in appearance and in power.
In fact, of all the food processors, blenders, and immersion blenders we’ve tested for various guides, we found making mayo easiest in a mini food processor like the Food Chopper. That’s because its lid has a small indent to hold oil and a small hole that allows the oil to pour directly onto the blades so you have a consistent, measured stream. With this method, the mayonnaise comes together without your having to control the flow of oil. Most mini choppers don’t have hefty bases like full-size processors do, and the Food Chopper is no exception. However, at just under 2 pounds, it has a slightly heavier base than other mini models, which helps keep it stable.
You’ll find replacement bowls, food pushers, blades, and various other attachments for the Cuisinart Custom 14 and the Breville Sous Chef 16 Pro (though we should note that they can be quite expensive). You can sometimes find cheaper, secondhand parts on eBay, but just be sure you get the right model number. We read a few reviews by people who disliked how the Cuisinart Custom 14’s lid locks with the feed tube in the back rather than in the front (which is standard for most models). However, we think it’s actually easier to see the ingredients in the bowl when the feed tube is positioned in the back of the lid. We recommend this large, 16-cup processor only if you’re cooking for a crowd multiple times a week.
The bowl’s handle and built-in pour spout make it easier to transfer liquids and sauces like salsa. The two settings — chop and puree — are controlled with a press of your thumb on top of the handle. Our pros like the 3-cup bowl, which accommodates generous batches and is a comfortable size for prepping a range of ingredients. The simple buttons allow you to chop or grind, and you can pulse or run continuously in both modes.
The performance of the Cuisinart rebounded in our garlic mincing challenge, doing the best job of preserving the appearance of the garlic while mincing it extremely finely. We also like that you can remove the work bowl with the lid attached. The Cuisinart FP-12DCN Elite Collection Food Processor also has this handy feature, but most models (including the Cuisinart Custom 14) require that you loosen the lid before removing the bowl.
It’s also slightly skinnier than the other models we tried, which ultimately made it easier to store in a drawer or cabinet. For one third the price of the winning cuisinart toaster costco Cuisinart, it’s an awesome alternative that will get the job done. Cuisinart’s cordless choppers are the perfect kitchen tool for those who are always on the go.
Sarah (she/her) is a deputy editor for the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she tests products and covers the best picks across kitchen, tech, health and food. She holds a certificate in professional culinary arts from the International Culinary Center (now the Institute of Culinary Education). The Sous Chef is solidly built, with a hefty base that weighs about 15½ pounds (excluding the bowl). This processor also comes with a limited one-year product warranty and has a 25-year warranty on the motor—by far the longest warranty on a motor of any of the models we tested. You can use a food processor for pureeing dips and sauces too, but it will yield coarser textures than a high-powered blender—it’s best for things like hummus and pesto. You’ll need a blender if you want to make silky smoothies or to puree liquids like soup, which can splatter and leak out of a food processor’s doughnut-shaped bowl.