Anyone with a small family longs for the best mini food processor to help them with prep work like chopping, mixing, slicing, or shredding, especially since this machine doesn’t take much space like the regular-sized ones.
However, picking the best one isn’t an easy task when there are thousands of brands on the market with different features. You can easily bring the wrong one to your kitchen without knowing it until you use it for the first time.
So, how can you know which is the best mini food processor? All the necessary information is waiting for you in this article!
What Is A Food Processor?
Nowadays, many people have become familiar with food processors. Simply put, a food processor is a kitchen appliance with different sets of blades for various uses. You can use it to chop, mix, slice, shred, or even puree your foods.
Some might confuse it with food choppers. But these two have various significant differences. Food processors are usually stronger and have automatic systems, while food choppers are smaller and manual.
No one doubts the convenience of food processors. However, these machines have one tiny fault: They require lots of space in your kitchen.
But that problem has been solved with these mini food processors as they can do the same work but take less room and obviously, come at a lower price.
What Can I Use A Mini Food Processor For?
As indicated above, mini food processors can do pretty much everything like a regular food processor. But obviously, you still need to consider its size and its motor power before tossing any ingredients in. So, all in all, here are the most common uses of this machine:
- Mixing salad dressings, sauces, salsas, and condiments
- Dicing and chopping small vegetables like onions, peppers, garlic,…
- Mincing herbs
- Grinding coffee, whole spices, and nuts
- Pureeing soups
Some mini food processors can even handle roof veggies like carrots or grate cheese.
Quick Answer: The Best Mini Food Processor On The Market 2021
Overall, the best mini food processor is the Cuisinart DLC-2ABC product with its exceptional features. But if you are looking for something at a more reasonable price, Hamilton Beach is also a decent choice.
Aside from them, there are other products in this list for you to choose from:
- Best Overall: Cuisinart DLC-2ABC Mini Food Processor
“3-cup container, not contain BPA, reversible blades made of stainless steel, various uses, dishwasher-friendly.” - Best Budget: Hamilton Beach 72850 3-cup Mini Food Processor
“350-watt motor strength, S-blades, easy to assemble and use, stain-resistant, odor-resistant, reasonable price.” - Best For Chopping And Grinding: Cuisinart DLC-4CHB 4-Cup Mini Food Processor
“2 different settings, sharp blades at both sides, 4-cup container, touchpad control, easy cleaning.” - Best For Pureeing: KitchenAid KFC3516 3.5-cup Mini Food Processor
“Big work bowl for a family, BPA-free, 240-watt power, S-blades with the blade-locking system, various colors to choose, simple cleaning.” - Best For Making Dips, Salsas, And Pestos: Black+Decker HC150B 1.5-cup Mini Food Processor
“Suitable to make dishes with small servings, oil holes on the lead, one-touch control, make no noise when running, take less space.” - Best Blender Substitute: Ninja QB900B 400-watt Mini Food Processor
“2 different containers with 2 sets of blades, BPA-free materials, strong motor power, various uses, splash guards, no-slip base, beginner-friendly.” - Best For Multi-Purposes: Cuisinart FP-8SV 8-cup Mini Food Processor
“Huge work bowl, powerful motor strength, multi-directional blades and discs, simple control, wide feed tube, easy cleaning, not contain BPA.” - Best Top-Down Product: Ninja NJ110GR 200-watt Mini Food Processor
“Top-down design, easy to clean and store, no spilling food, less space required, BPA-free product.” - Best Manual Product: ZYLISS E910015U Mini Food Processor
“No electricity required, suitable for camping and outdoor uses, dual blades, simple to use, easy cleaning.” - Best Safety Product: LINKChef FC-5125 Mini Food Processor
“Safe to use, handle both high and low temperatures, double-layer blades, quiet, durable materials, versatile product.”
Best Mini Food Processor Comparison Chart 2021
If you want a quick comparison among these best mini food processors, don’t skip this part! You’ll find a table with the most vital characteristics of these products.
Top 10 Best Mini Food Processor Reviews 2021
Here are the 10 best mini food processors for you to choose from! Besides their key features, you can find all their strong and weak points in this part. Then, you can pick out the one that’s the most suitable for you.
Cuisinart DLC-2ABC Mini Food Processor
(Best Overall)
There are no reasons to leave out Cuisinart when it comes to kitchen appliances. This time, this brand will impress you again with its mini food processor.
While this kind of machine is often meant for small portions, this DLC-2ABC product can even prepare foods for a family of three with its 3-cup work bowl.
Also, what sets this unit apart is its blades, which are reversible instead of S-shaped. Moreover, these blades have both blunt and sharp sides, helping them deal with all veggies and fruits. You can also choose either chopping or grinding mode based on the ingredients.
Key Features
- BPA-free, dishwasher-friendly materials
- 3-cup capacity
- Reversible, stainless-steel blades
- 2 different processor modes: chopping and grinding
- North American electrical standards
Pros
- Can work with various ingredients
- Freely control the consistency of result
- Suitable for prepare foods for several people
- Easy to clean
- High-quality and durable product
Cons
- Not recommend grinding beans
- A bit loud when in use
Product Specifications
Brand | Cuisinart |
Weight | 2.2 pounds |
Dimensions | 9.25 x 7 x 5 inches |
Motor Strength (Peak) | 250 watts |
Included Components | 24-oz (3-cup) plastic work bowl with handle
S-blades (stainless steel), spatula Instruction/Recipe book |
Material | Plastic |
Color | Brushed chrome and nickel |
Warranty Period | Limited 18 months |
Watch this video to know more:
Hamilton Beach 72850 3-cup Mini Food Processor
(Best Budget)
Not everyone has enough money for a premium mini food processor. That’s when this Black+Decker product comes to help! And don’t judge its quality by its price. This appliance won’t let you down in the slightest.
First off, it has a 350-watt motor, which is much stronger than other brands. Accompanied with stainless blades, it can quickly chop, mince, or emulsify various ingredients with less time.
And it’s also super easy to use. You only need to hold the button on the lid for the machine to run. Also, in terms of assembling, this product has a simple stack and press design, so even beginners can do it themselves.
Key Features
- 350-watt motor power
- S-blades made of stainless steel
- Stack-and-press design
- Stain-resistant and odor-resistant bowl
- Dishwasher-friendly
Pros
- Affordable price
- Powerful strength to process different ingredients
- Easy to assemble
- Beginner-friendly
Cons
- It might get hot pretty quickly
Product Specifications
Brand | Hamilton Beach |
Weight | 2.09 pounds |
Dimensions | 5.9 x 5.2 x 8.54 inches |
Motor Strength (Peak) | 350 watts |
Included Components | 3-cup chopper
S-blades (stainless steel) |
Material | Plastic |
Color | Black (Other colors: white) |
Warranty Period | 1 year |
Cuisinart DLC-4CHB 4-Cup Mini Food Processor
(Best For Chopping And Grinding)
If you need a product that excels in chopping and grinding, look no further than this Cuisinart DLC-4CHB mini food processor. With its chopping feature, you can freely handle all the soft ingredients.
And for the hard ones like nuts or ices, you can switch to the other option. Its dual-sharpened blades are also helpful in this case.
Not to mention, this food processor has a 4-cup container. So, you can prepare a huge amount of food at once instead of dividing them into smaller portions like other products.
Also, with its touchpad control, this machine is so easy to use that even a beginner can succeed on the first try.
Key Features
- 2 different processing settings
- Blades are sharp at both sides with auto-reversing SmartPower
- 4-cup capacity
- Touchpad control
- BPA-free parts can be washed with dishwasher
Pros
- Powerful mixing strength can handle numerous ingredients
- Can prepare for several people at once
- Easy to use and store
- Decent size for kitchen countertop
Cons
- Can be pretty loud when using
Product Specifications
Brand | Cuisinart |
Weight | 1.98 pounds |
Dimensions | 11 x 9 x 6 inches |
Motor Strength (Peak) | 250 watts |
Included components | 4-cup work bowl with handle
Auto-reverse SmartPower blades, spatula Recipe book |
Material | Stainless steel |
Color | Brushed stainless |
Warranty Period | Limited 18 months |
KitchenAid KFC3516 3.5-cup Mini Food Processor
(Best For Pureeing)
While it’s also a mini food processor, this KitchenAid product can confidently prepare meals for your family with its 3.5-cup capacity. Also, since its work bowl has a blade-lock mechanism, you can easily pour out your food without fearing the blades will drop out as well.
Aside from those, what makes this KitchenAid product so well-liked is its drizzle basin on the lid, making it easier to add liquids to the bowl.
Also, with its 240-watt power and S-shaped blades, this unit can help with all the simple preparation like chopping, mixing, and cutting. You can even puree food with this machine.
Key Features
- Not contain any BPA
- 5-cup work bowl
- 240-watt motor strength with S-blades
- Blade-locking system
- Dishwasher-safe
- Simple cord wrap and compact design
Pros
- Suitable for big meals
- Ideal choice for simple preparation
- Easily add sauce to the bowl
- A wide range of colors, matching with any kitchen styles
- Can scoop out ingredients without getting stuck with blades
Cons
- The lid is a little difficult to remove
Product Specifications
Brand | KitchenAid |
Weight | 2.7 pounds |
Dimensions | 5.6 x 7 x 8.7 inches |
Motor Strength (Peak) | 240 watts |
Included materials | 3.5-cup work bowl, handle, pour spout, drizzle basin
S-blades (stainless steel) |
Material | Plastic |
Color | Matte black (Other colors: Boysenberry, cocoa silver, contour silver, empire red, green apple, guava glaze, ice blue, majestic yellow, matte gray, onyx black, tangerine, white) |
Warranty Period | 1 year |
If you are wondering how to use this KitchenAid mini food processor, this is your answer!
Black+Decker HC150B 1.5-cup Mini Food Processor
(Best For Making Dips, Salsas, And Pestos)
At first glance, this Black+Decker mini food processor may seem a bit inferior to other products since it only has a small container (1.5-cup size), and its motor power is a bit weak (70 watts).
However, these features make it perfect for making small side dishes, such as dips, salsas, or pestos. Its 70-watt strength helps this machine chop and mince ingredients to the ideal size for these dishes.
Also, there are several holes on the lid, so you can easily add oils when the machine is running without making a mess. And with its one-touch operation, you don’t need to worry about complex settings and controls.
Key Features
- 70-watt motor power
- 5-cup work bowl with oil holes on the lid
- One-touch pulse control
- Bi-level stainless blades
Pros
- Quickly chop and mince ingredients
- Easy to use
- Make no noise when running
- Require little space
- Easy cleaning
Cons
- Motor power is a bit weak
- Food might scatter through the oil holes
Product Specifications
Brand | Black+Decker |
Weight | 1.25 pounds |
Dimensions | 6.5 x 4 x 5 inches |
Motor Strength (Peak) | 700 watts |
Included Materials | 1.5-cup work container
Bi-level blades (stainless steel) |
Material | Plastic |
Color | Black |
Warranty Period | Limited 2 years |
Ninja QB900B 400-watt Mini Food Processor
(Best Blender Substitute)
What’s better than having a mini food processor that can double a blender just fine? But why can this Ninja QB900B product do that?
It’s thanks to the 400-watt motor strength, which belongs to the stronger side of mini food processors. Moreover, this product comes with two different sets of blades, suitable for handling almost any type of ingredients, even making dough or crushing nuts.
Although it has such a strong power, you don’t have to fret over cleaning all splattered foods afterward. It’s because this machine has splash guards and a non-slip base to prevent spilling.
Key Features:
- 2 different containers made of BPA-free materials
- 2 sets of blades (4-blade and 6-blade sets)
- 400-watt motor power
- Splash guards and no-slip base
- Dishwasher-safe
Pros
- Versatile uses, can handle even heavy tasks
- No food spilling
- Prepare a large amount of food
- One-touch operation that’s beginner-friendly
Cons
- You need to control this machine manually
Product Specifications
Brand | Ninja |
Weight | 4 pounds |
Dimensions | 11 x 12.25 x 7 inches |
Motor Strength (Peak) | 400 watts |
Included components | 48-oz pitcher, 16-oz chopper bowl, 2 conveniently-sized jars, pour spout, splash guard
4-blade and 6-blade sets |
Material | Plastic |
Color | Grey |
Warranty Period | Limited 1 year |
Cuisinart FP-8SV 8-cup Mini Food Processor
(Best For Multi-Purposes)
Here is another mini food processor from the Cuisinart brand. Compared to other competitors, this product costs much higher. However, its quality makes it worth every dollar you spend.
First off, this food processor comes with an 8-cup bowl, larger than almost every mini type on the market. And its 350-watt power also belongs to the stronger side, making it one of the most versatile machines on this list.
The blades are one of this product’s highlights as they are all multi-directional. That means they can freely change their directions, making the result more satisfying. Also, this machine has separate slicing and shredding discs so that you can change them according to your wills.
Key Features
- 8-cup work bowl (Cuisinart also provides another mini food processor with 11-cup work bowl)
- Strong 350-watt power
- Separate discs and multi-directional blades
- All removable parts are dishwasher-friendly and BPA-free
Pros
- Various uses
- Can prepare food for many people
- No trouble with cleaning
- Easy control
- A wide feed tube makes it easier to add other ingredients
Cons
- Slightly expensive
Product Specifications
Brand | Cuisinart |
Weight | 6 pounds |
Dimensions | 7.6 x 9.58 x 15.19 inches |
Motor Strength (Peak) | 350 watts |
Included components | 8-cup work bowl
S-blades and slicing/shredding discs (stainless steel) |
Material | Plastic |
Color | Silver |
Warranty Period | Limited 2 years |
Don’t skip this thorough review about this Cuisinart FP-8SV mini food processor!
Ninja NJ110GR 200-watt Mini Food Processor
(Best Top-Down Product)
The first thing about this Ninja NJ110GR mini food processor that caught my eyes is its top-down design, pretty different from other competitors on the market. This characteristic makes it easier to clean up afterward.
This Ninja product also comes with another extra lid for storage so that you can keep your food right in the bowl. Just flip the hole on top to close it. When you need to reuse your food, flip the spot open to add the motor.
This lid also acts as a splatter guard for this food processor, accompanied by a non-slip base. Thanks to these components, you won’t have to worry about your food getting scattered all over the place.
Key Features
- 200-watts power
- 2-cup capacity
- No-slip base and a splash guard
- BPA-free, dishwasher-safe materials
- Ergonomic-designed power head
Pros
- Easy clean-up
- Ideal design for storage
- Take less space
- Convenient and easy to use
Cons
- You’ll need to cut your ingredients into smaller sizes before tossing them into the machine
Product Specifications
Brand | Ninja |
Weight | 2 pounds |
Dimensions | 5.75 x 5.75 x 10.13 inches |
Motor Strength (Peak) | 200 watts |
Included Components | 16-oz bowl
S-blades (stainless steel) |
Material | Plastic |
Color | Gray |
Warranty Period | Limited 1 year |
ZYLISS E910015U Mini Food Processor
(Best Manual Product)
Most mini food processors are only for home-using. But that doesn’t apply to this ZYLISS product. It doesn’t need any electricity or cords to run. Just your hands are more than enough.
Pull the handle up and away while holding tight on the lid, and your mini food processor will run smoothly as you want. As its blades are on opposite sides, this product can chop, blend, or puree any ingredients.
Not to mention, with the booster arms on top and bottom, your food will never get stuck to the surface. And its box-like design makes it an ideal choice for campings or outdoor parties.
Key Features
- Not require electricity
- Manual pull on top
- Dual blades on opposite sides
- Booster arms on top and bottom
Pros
- Clever design for outdoor activities
- Environment-friendly
- Simple usage
- Easy cleaning
Cons
- It requires a bit of effort
- You should not submerge the lid
Product Specifications
Brand | ZYLISS |
Weight | 0.8 pounds |
Dimensions | 5.5 x 5.5 x 5.2 inches |
Motor Strength (Peak) | None |
Included Components | 25-oz (3-cup) bowl
Swiss-designed blades |
Material | Stainless Steel |
Color | Red |
Warranty Period | 5 years |
You should see the video below:
LINKChef FC-5125 Mini Food Processor
(Best Safety Product)
One of the biggest concerns about mini food processors is their safety. Some people are scared of blades dropping into the bowl when taking the food out.
But with this LINKChef product, that won’t be your trouble anymore as it comes with a locking-blade feature. This design makes these double-layer blades stay secured in the bowl. Not to mention, the pour spout will help you pour the food out more easily.
Aside from that, this product is also a good investment for longer use as its work bowl made of stainless steel can handle both high and low temperatures. And don’t worry, its lid is transparent, so you can still see the ingredients inside to control it better.
Key Features
- Locking-blade system
- High and low temperature-resistant work bowl
- Double-layer blades made of stainless steel
- Motor power at 200 watts
- Another product with 2L bowl
Pros
- Easy to use and clean
- Durable and long-lasting
- Versatile uses
- Lightweight
- Quiet when running
Cons
- Not really compatible with making hummus or dressing
Product Specifications
Brand | LINKChef |
Weight | 2.75 pounds |
Dimensions | 6.4 x 6.4 x 9.2 inches |
Motor Strength (Peak) | 250 watts |
Included Components | 1.2-L stainless-steel bowl
Double-layer, bi-level (stainless steel) User manual |
Material | Stainless Steel |
Color | Silver and black |
Warranty Period | 3 years |
Best Mini Food Processor’s Buying Guide
For the most ideal mini food processor for your kitchen, there are some key factors that you should always pay close attention to.
Capacity
Even though this article is about mini food processors, the capacity of the work bowl is still vital. Usually, these machines will have a capacity of 3 to 5 cups. However, the maximum size you can get is 8 cups.
To pick the most suitable one, you should consider how many people your family is and how big your kitchen is. Bigger food processors can prepare foods for more people but will take more space in your house.
Also, don’t forget which ingredients you are going to use this machine for. Some mini food processors require you to chop down the foods beforehand.
Motor Power
Aside from the work bowl’s size, motor power is also a vital element in deciding how well your mini food processor works. Regular units have their motors between 200 and 500 watts. The higher the motor strength, the better it works with your ingredients.
Blades And Disc
Motor strength is not the only thing helping to break down your food. The mini food processor’s blades and disc do that as well. Most machines come with S-blades, a kind of curved knife. These blades are perfect for chopping, cutting, and mixing.
Versatile as they are, S-blades still can’t deal so well with some particular ingredients or cooking methods. Thus, some high-quality brands also provide you with additional blades, such as shredding, slicing, or dough ones.
You can also buy these extra blades yourself from other retailers. But make sure these tools are compatible with your mini food processor.
Moreover, since these blades are often exposed to moisture, remember to pick ones made of stainless steel so that they won’t rust over time.
Speed Controls
While mini food processors can’t have as many settings as the big-sized ones, several excellent brands on the market still offer you machines with more than two speed options.
Besides, don’t forget to check whether your food processor has the pulse function. That feature provides you more control over the texture of your foods, as you’ll hold the button to make the processor run at its top speed. Once you feel okay, just release your button.
Cleaning
Though it’s much easier to clean a mini food processor, you should still look for ones that are dishwasher-safe to save more time. However, make sure you hand wash your blades and the feeding chute so that you can clean every crook and cranny.
Safety Lock
You don’t want your food to scatter all over the place after switching the machine on, right? That’s why you’d better choose a food processor with a lid lock mechanism.
Other premium products can even provide you with splash guards and rubber gaskets to avoid leakage and spilling.
Materials
Most mini food processors are made with either plastic or stainless steel. While plastic can have a lower price, it’s not as durable as stainless steel. If you want more color options, you should go for plastic as well.
Warranty Period
Every mini food processor comes with its own warranty period, but not all brands share the same policy. Aside from the length of this guarantee period, you should also pay close attention to each brand’s requirements for warranty and refunding.
FAQs
As for this part, I’ll list out all the most commonly asked questions about mini food processors and answer them. You’ll know more about this gadget after reading it!
My Top Pick
Now you must have your own choice. But if you want my recommendation, Cuisinart DLC-2ABC Mini Food Processor is my favorite since it comes from a trustworthy brand and can work with multiple ingredients.
You can’t skip this Hamilton Beach 72850 3-cup Mini Food Processor if you are in need of some low-cost products.
So, do these two machines catch your eyes? Or do you prefer other products on this list? Have you tried any unit of those above? What do you think about them?… Just share all of your thoughts with other readers in the comment section below.