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Any serious home chef should keep a food processor in the kitchen. These powerful appliances can chop, slice, and dice all your favourite ingredients, as well as a few other useful features to help cut down on meal prep time. With so many options, power settings, and attachments, how do you know what you need? We’re here to help! No matter what type of cooking you do, there’s a food processor for you.

Each of the best food processors in Canada was tested extensively at our test lab. Then, we handed them over to our at-home testers. They put them through their paces, and only the best made it onto our list. We looked at performance areas like capacity, speeds, power, and attachments to make our picks.

Why Did We Choose These Food Processors in Canada?

Each of the food processors on our list was chosen for a reason. These machines started to stand out to us in different ways, especially after we started our evaluation process in the test lab. Here’s why we chose the best food processors in Canada.

The KitchenAid Mini Food Processor is the best food processor in Canada overall. Its standard size, small footprint, and versatile design help most occasionally home chefs cut down on prep time significantly.

The Ninja Professional Plus Food Processor is the best professional option on our list. It offers consistent chopping with its powerful 850-watt motor, three-speed options, and three preset options.

When it comes to slicing, the Hamilton Beach Food Processor and Vegetable Chopper stand out. The reversible disc blade makes it quick and efficient at slicing and chopping your favourite ingredients.

Breville’s Sous Chef 12 Food Processor is powerful enough for all your needs. This 1000-watt motor is one of the best we’ve found and can easily handle everything you throw at it.

Meanwhile, the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor has the best feed chute we found. This extra-large chute can accommodate whole fruits and vegetables, cutting down your prep time considerably.

Finally, Braun’s 12-Cup Food Processor has the best attachments on our list. It comes with 10 attachments that help you perform a variety of tasks, from shredding and chopping to juicing and kneading.

Best Overall

KitchenAid Mini Food Processor

KitchenAid KFC3516WH 3.5 Cup Mini Food Processor, White

Features:

It's Great For:

KitchenAid’s Mini Food Processor is a great addition to the standard Canadian kitchen. The 3.5-cup work bowl is perfect for most single users or those with smaller families, including those who prep smaller meals. This food processor is powerful enough to chop or puree most fruits and vegetables, so you can make salsa, hummus, or your favorite sauce all in one machine.

There are two speeds to choose from, which allow you to produce a coarser chop or a finer result, depending on which you want. There’s also a pulse feature to help unlock the flavor of the vegetables you use most often, without overprocessing them and destroying the flavor. The pulse setting is best for onions and other intense flavors.

Despite its small size, you can use this food processor for a variety of uses. There’s something for every cook here, from chopping vegetables to making delicious dips and dressings. The drizzle basic on the lid helps you serve your best dressings and sauces without making a mess, producing the perfect amount for a drizzle each time.

It’s both simple to use and simple to clean. The bowl, lid, and stainless steel blade can be washed in the dishwasher. The smaller footprint on the base makes it easy to store. It’s also perfect for smaller kitchens, so those who don’t have a ton of counter space can still make excellent dishes. If you’re looking for a smaller appliance that can cut your prep time considerably, look no further than the KitchenAid Mini Food Processor.

The Highlights

The KitchenAid Mini Food Processor features a 3.5-cup work bowl, which comes with a handy pour spout, handle, and a locking blade for safety and easy serving. There are two speed options, plus a pulse setting for better results with certain vegetables. The small footprint is better for kitchens with less space, too. The drizzle basin feature in the lid makes it easier to serve dips and dressings with all of your favourite foods.

  • 5-cup work bowl includes a pour spout, handle, and a locking blade for safety
  • Two speed options, as well as a pulse option for flavorful veggie results
  • Small footprint for smaller kitchens
  • A drizzle basin in the lid helps serve delicious dressings and dips

From the Test Lab

“This food processor works well for most standard uses, especially in the standard Canadian kitchen.”

Best Professional

Ninja Professional Plus Food Processor

Ninja Professional Plus Food Processor 850-Watts with Auto-iQ Preset Programs Chop Puree Dough Slice Shred with a 9-Cup Capacity and a Silver Stainless Finish (BN600C) - Canadian Version

Features:

It's Great For:

Ninja’s Professional Plus Food Processor is one of the most powerful food processors we found. This machine can handle any function you need, from shredding and chopping to mixing dough and slicing vegetables. The 850-watt motor allows for several powerful functions. There are three preset options, as well as three additional speed settings for general use. It comes with three different blade options, including a standard chopping blade for food prep and a dough blade. There’s also a disk that helps consistently slice and shred vegetables and cheese.

Every process results in even mixing, chopping, and slicing. While other processors produce irregular cuts and slices, this machine works hard to ensure that you get beautifully chopped, flavorful vegetables every time. The dough blade works steadily to fold in ingredients. It’s a perfect way to make pizza dough or a base for your favourite baked goods.

The large 9-cup capacity is best for larger prepping sessions. You can use it to make smaller batches, but there’s also the option for larger preparation sessions. If you do a lot of meal prepping, this is the processor that might work best for you. The bowl and blade have a self-cleaning feature, but you can also place the bowl, blades, and disc into the dishwasher for a more thorough cleaning.

The Highlights

Ninja’s Professional Plus Food Processor offers a powerful 850-watt motor, which helps your process even the toughest foods to perfection. The blades chop your food into consistent pieces, making your dishes better and preventing overprocessing of vegetables like onions. The large 9-cup capacity promotes either small batch prep or larger, more intense chopping sessions. There are three speeds available, as well as three preset programs. You’ll have everything you need with this processor.

  • Power 850-watt motor to perfectly process all your foods
  • Consistent chopping makes better dishes and prevents overprocessing
  • A large 9-cup capacity allows for small batches or large prep sessions
  • Three speeds and three preset programs for all of your needs

From the Test Lab

“We were amazed at how powerful this food processor was. Everything we tried to process came out perfectly!”

Best for Slicing

Hamilton Beach Food Processor and Vegetable Chopper

Hamilton Beach Food Processor & Vegetable Chopper for Slicing, Shredding, Mincing, and Puree, 8 Cup, Black

Features:

It's Great For:

While most food processors can slice and chop vegetables, few do it as well as the Hamilton Beach Food Processor and Vegetable Chopper. This appliance features a reversible stainless steel disc blade. One side allows you to shred cheese and soft vegetables, while the other side features a sharp surface for slicing. Since the opening is always the same size, your vegetables will be sliced evenly.

In addition to this reversible blade, this food processor includes an S-blade. This blade helps you chop, mix, and puree all the fruits and veggies you need. There are two speeds to help achieve this, as well as a pulse feature. Some vegetables require a pulse feature (especially fragile ingredients like onions) to avoid becoming overprocessed. If you are concerned about overprocessing your foods, this food processor gives you more options for slower processing.

The large feed chute also makes it easy to process your favourite foods. It’s large enough for a whole block of cheese, so you don’t have to worry about prepping most foods for use in the processor. While some vegetables and fruits will still have to be sliced beforehand, the size of the chute can cut down your prep time considerably.

Despite the 8-cup capacity (which is the perfect size for a standard Canadian family), the processor’s footprint is rather small. When you’re finished using it, you can throw the work bowl, blades, and lid into the dishwasher for thorough washing. Ready to store it? Flip the flid over (chute and all) for easy storage inside cabinets and other smaller spaces. You can even store it on your countertops because it’s small enough that it won’t get in the way.

The 450-watt motor makes it great for slicing and dicing, though the processor may have trouble with some harder foods. If you only want to use your processor for some prep or you only prep smaller quantities, this might be the right processor for you.

The Highlights

The Hamilton Beach Food Processor and Vegetable Chopper are dishwasher safe, at least when it comes to the work bowl, the included blades, and the lid. It’s simple to clean up because of this. There are two possible speeds to use, plus a pulse option for more delicate ingredients. The large feed chute allows the processing of larger pieces, including entire blocks of cheese. The work bowl itself is large enough for the standard family, and those who regularly prep different ingredients for their meals.

  • Dishwasher-safe work bowl, blades, and lid
  • Two speeds plus a pulse option for all your needs
  • A large feed chute allows you to process larger pieces, including whole blocks of cheese
  • The 8-cup capacity is great for the standard Canadian family, plus those who regularly prep meals

From the Test Lab

“The food processor did exactly what we needed it to. The reversible disc was especially handy for cheese and vegetables.”

Best Power

Breville Sous Chef 12 Cup Food Processor

Breville BFP660SIL The Sous Chef 12 Food Processor, Silver

Features:

It's Great For:

Breville’s Sous Chef 12 Food Processor is a powerful kitchen appliance that can help you with all your processing needs. A 1000-watt induction motor makes it easy to slice through the hardest of foods, including nuts and carrots. This motor also uses overload protection, which helps prevent damage if the motor takes on too much. With these features, you can be sure that this food processor will last for a long time to come.

It comes with a large work bowl, which can hold up to 12 cups of ingredients. This is perfect for those with larger families or those who often make more servings for meal prep. There are two blade options, including an S-blade for chopping and mixing, as well as a variable slicing disc. This disc can be adjusted to 24 different settings. You can have your vegetables cut as fine as 0.3mm, or as thick as 8.0mm. These options make it easy to prepare ingredients exactly to your liking.

The feed chute has three different size options, which can be adjusted and removed as you need them. There’s a large option, which is about 5” apart, which will work for most whole fruits and vegetables. A medium chute of about 2 ¾” works great for smaller options, while the miniature feed chute (1.5”) is great for chopping smaller ingredients (or for holding vegetables like carrots and cucumbers upright for better slicing).

This food processor doesn’t need all the frills and options to be incredibly useful in your kitchen. It can do so much prep so quickly, it’s like having your own personal sous chef on hand. The powerful motor and large capacity ensure that even the largest meals can be finished with ease.

The Highlights

The Breville Sous Chef 12 Food Processor features a powerful 1000-watt motor, which is one of the most powerful options on our list. It can handle harder foods, including chopping nuts. The variable sliding disc can be adjusted to 24 different sizes, so you’ll always get the cuts you want. This induction motor has overload protection, so it will stop itself before becoming damaged. The large 12-cup capacity is ideal for larger families or those who entertain often.

  • The powerful 1000-watt motor can handle chopping nuts and other hard foods
  • The variable slicing disc has 24 different slicing settings and adjustments
  • The induction motor is equipped with overload protection
  • Large 12-cup capacity for larger families

From the Test Lab

“We loved the slicing options. The adjustable disc really stood out to us.”

Best Feed Chute

Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor

Cuisinart DFP-14BCNYC Custom 14-Cup Food Processor, Silver

Features:

It's Great For:

Sometimes, the size of the feed chute can make all the difference in your food processor. If you want to cut down on prep time significantly, the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor might be the perfect option for you. The powerful 720-watt motor and the extra-large feed tube mean that you don’t have to precut nearly as much as with other processors. The result is less time spent pre-preparing for your meal prep. You’ll spend more time getting it done.

The large work bowl can hold up to 14 cups of processed foods. For large batch cooking, entertaining, and larger families, this is a must-have food processor. Of course, you can also use the processor for smaller portions as well. It’s incredibly versatile and allows you to make as much (or as little) as you need.

This food processor gives you the ability to chop, slice, puree, and knead your foods. You can make bread, chop whole vegetables and fruits, and more. It comes with a 4mm slicing disc and a medium shredding disc, as well as the standard blade. This durable machine works well no matter what you need out of it. It’s even the perfect size for bigger jobs.

There are two speed options available, including ‘on’ and a pulse option. The pulse option can help prevent overprocessing of certain foods. Meanwhile, the standard s-blade can chop foods and even knead dough. Overall, this food processor has a powerful motor, and a huge capacity, and can work for all of your food prep needs.

The Highlights

Cuisinart’s Custom 14-Cup Food Processor provides a large capacity for a variety of uses, including large prep jobs and more. The paddle switches provide two modes – ‘on’ and ‘pulse’ – as well as the ‘off’ function. The powerful 720-watt motor helps make processing foods simple, no matter how dense they are. The extra-large feeder tube is roomy enough for whole fruits and vegetables, so you’ll have an easier time processing any foods that you need.

  • Large capacity for a variety of uses, including lots of large prep jobs
  • Paddles provide settings, including ‘on’, ‘off’, and ‘pulse’
  • A powerful 720-watt motor makes processing different foods simple
  • Extra large feeder tube fits whole fruits and vegetables for easy processing

From the Test Lab

“Everything about this food processor makes food prep simple. We loved the extra-large chute for larger foods.”

Best Attachments

Braun 12-Cup Food Processor

Braun FP3020 12 Cup Food Processor Ultra Quiet Powerful motor, includes 7 Attachment Blades + Chopper and Citrus Juicer , Made in Europe with German Engineering

Features:

It's Great For:

Braun’s 12-Cup Food Processor features some of the best attachments we’ve seen. There are 10 total attachments, including the standard blades and slicers included with most food processors. These attachments allow you to juice fruits, knead and whip doughs and creams, shred in a variety of sizes, and more. There’s no limit to the tasks this food processor can help you with.

Every part of this processor (except the electric base) is completely dishwasher safe, so it’s simple to clean it up after your prep. This ultra-quiet food processor has 11 speeds. The DualControl system gives you easy, direct control over the speed and options. It’s also variable, so it ramps up as needed for the evenest results. The processing can start at any speed, too.

The work bowl can hold up to 12 cups of dry ingredients, or 9 cups of wet ingredients or liquids. While the motor is rated for 600 watts, it can reach up to 900 watts during peak performance, especially at higher speeds. Essentially, this food processor is extremely variable based on what you need. You can use it for juicing, whipping, kneading, chopping, slicing, and shredding. It even comes with a Potato Latkes blade for special uses. Cut your prep down drastically with this machine.

The huge number of attachments can also save you money. Instead of purchasing attachments separately (or purchasing separate machines for different uses), everything you need comes with the machine. Besides, Braun is well-known for making advanced razors, so you know that their chopping attachments will be sharp! This machine has a larger footprint than some of the other options we’ve seen, but it’s also a bit shorter for those with lower cabinets.

The Highlights

The Braun 12-Cup Food Processor comes with 10 different attachments, including a juicer and dough hook. These attachments can help provide a variety of different functions for your food processor. It’s simple to clean because the bowl, lid, blades, and all attachments are dishwasher safe. The powerful 600-watt motor is ready to handle most jobs you can throw at it. The DualControl system offers a variable speed, so you always get the best results for whatever food you’re processing.

  • Comes with 10 different attachments for a variety of jobs
  • Easy to clean, as every part except the base is dishwasher safe
  • A powerful 600-watt motor can handle most jobs
  • DualControl system offers variable speed for the best results every time

From the Test Lab

“Whatever you need to make, this food processor can help you. There are so many speeds and functions that it can easily achieve most food prep.”

Why Trust Us?


For years, we’ve kept up with the latest trends in home goods. From small kitchen appliances (like the best food processors in Canada) to bedding, mattresses, and health and fitness products – we’ve tracked it all. During that time, we’ve developed a sense of what makes these items desirable for most Canadians. We use that knowledge, combined with our test lab evaluations and tester feedback, to determine which products are the best.

We evaluated the best food processors in Canada based on a few performance areas, including:

  • Capacity. The capacity you need depends on how you’ll use the food processor. As a result, we’ve tried to include processors with multiple capacities. 
  • Speeds. Speeds can determine how versatile your processor will be. There should be a wide range of options for chefs of every caliber. 
  • Power. More powerful food processors can handle more food and process it more quickly. However, not everyone will need the most powerful processor, so we included options for everyone. 
  • Attachments. A processor with more attachments can perform more functions. A standard processor with one blade can chop and puree, but other blades and attachments can grate, slide, juice, and more. 

Why Should You Use a Food Processor?

Tired of chopping your own fruits and vegetables? Ready to start making your own dips or salsas? What about shredded cheese? A food processor can do all these things and more. If you cook a lot at home but don’t like extended prep, a food processor can be your new best friend. In many cases, it’s like having a sous chef on hand, ready to handle your chopping needs!

But a food processor does more than just chop and shred your food. Depending on the speed and attachments, a food processor can also…

  • Grind
  • Mince
  • Puree
  • Blend or Mix
  • Slice
  • Knead dough
  • Fold ingredients into fresh dough
  • Juice oranges and lemons
  • Create salsas and dips
  • Blend exciting sauces

There’s no limit to what a food processor might be able to do in your kitchen. It depends on how you use it, the attachments it comes with, and the power behind the blades. We’ll talk about all these options and what they mean below.

Food Processor or Blender?

Some might argue that you don’t need both a food processor and a blender. The truth is, a well-rounded kitchen contains both appliances. Blenders are used primarily for large volumes of liquid or near-liquid ingredients. Food processors can quickly chop larger quantities of raw fruits and vegetables. Blenders, on the other hand, are better for ice and blended drinks.

Should you choose one or the other? It depends on how you plan to use them. If you primarily want help with meal prep, a food processor might be back. If you want to make milkshakes and crush ice, choose a blender.

Again, there is some overlap in the functions of each machine. Some food processors can handle liquid ingredients, including pureed foods. Some blenders can make salsas and chop up vegetables. The versatility depends on the type of appliance you buy, the attachment it has, and the type of motor it uses.

Always be sure to use your blender or food processor according to the guidelines for best use, usually outlined in the user manual. Make sure to follow these guidelines carefully, as using your blender or food processor for a function it is not designed to handle can lead to damage. It may void your warranty, too.

How to Choose a Food Processor in Canada

Now that you have some idea of how you might use a food processor, it’s time to start shopping. The following features, tips, and options can help you determine which food processor might work best in your kitchen.

Capacity

The first thing you need to consider when shopping for a food processor is capacity. Here, we’re referring to the size of the work bucket and the capacity of ingredients the processor can chop at once. The capacity you need is simple to determine.

  • Up to 6 cups. Food processors with a smaller capacity are great for single people, but they can also work well for smaller portions or those who only occasionally need to prep vegetables or puree foods.
  • 6 cups to 8 cups. This range is best for the standard family. If you want to get the most out of your food processor, this is the ideal range for most users.  
  • 8 cups to 12 cups. Food processors with this capacity are best for larger-than-average families. However, they can also be used by home chefs who do large meal prep sessions or larger batches at once.
  • Over 12 cups. Usually, professional food processors have a capacity of about 12 to 16 cups. Larger options do exist for industrial use. However, those with larger families, larger portion sizes, or those who entertain often should choose this option. 

For best results, we recommend choosing a larger cup than you think you will need. If you have space on your countertops, it’s always better to have a larger capacity than you think you need. If you need to make a larger serving size than usual or want to prepare food in bulk, a larger capacity is better.

Speeds

A food processor’s different speeds are another measure of what they are capable of. Most processors come with at least one speed, while the best food processors in Canada come with multiple speeds and a pulse setting. A single speed can efficiently chop or slice vegetables (depending on the attachment and blades used). However, more speeds can make it faster or simpler.

A food processor with a single speed will serve you well. However, if you are a dedicated home chef and want to create many different dishes, different speeds may be ideal. Your choice here should depend on how many speeds you think you’ll use, as processors with many different speeds can get pricey.

A processor with three speeds is a good place to land. Choosing an option with two speeds and a pulse function is great to start off with, too.

Preset Options

While it’s rare, some food processors do include preset options. Presets can make it easy to create popular foods and perform standard functions. Instead of worrying about the speed or duration you should be using, you touch a single button, and the processor does the rest.

Some common preset options might be dough, chopping, spreads, smoothies, and more. Some smoothies will have between 3 and 6 presets in addition to standard speeds and options. If getting the perfect settings is important to you, consider choosing a blender that has preset options you’ll use.

Power

The power rating of your food processor, measured in watts, will tell you how much the machine can accomplish. As with many other appliance power ratings, a higher power rating is always better. Some professional food processors have a rating of up to 1200 watts. With this much power, it can easily cut through a large variety of ingredients (including harder ingredients like nuts). This also means it can handle more ingredients at once.

Of course, smaller quantities can be easily processed with lower wattage ratings. Some single or mini food processors are rated for around 200 – 400 watts. As long as you aren’t overloading the processor, this can work fine for single people or those who only need a few ingredients blended or chopped.

Standard families who often prepare food in this way should choose a food processor with a wattage rating of between 600 and 800. Home chefs and professional users can start at 1000 watts for the best results.

Attachments

Attachments can help your food processor perform different tasks, increasing functionality overall. Attachments included with your food processor may vary. Most processors come with at least one blade. The s-shaped blade is the most common. This blade is best for mixing and chopping and fulfills the basic needs you should have from your food processor.

Other common attachments include:

  • Grating discs for cheese
  • Slicing discs for vegetables (some adjustable for differently sized slices)
  • Dough blades or hooks for making fresh dough and folding ingredients in
  • A sharp blade for mincing
  • Potato rasp for slicing and peeling potatoes
  • Juicers and citrus presses for juicing
  • A mill for chopping and grinding nuts and herbs

There might also be multiple versions of the same type of attachment. Usually, these versions vary in size or ability (such as a coarse grating disc as well as a standard one). If you plan on doing a lot of food prep and cooking with your food processor, try to choose one that comes with as many attachments as possible.

On the bright side, many food processor companies create additional attachments that can be purchased separately. If you ever find yourself needing an additional attachment, check the manufacturer’s website for compatible attachments.

Size

Because a food processor is a countertop appliance, its size can matter quite a lot. Some Canadians have less counter space than others, and some kitchens might have lower cabinets that prevent taller appliances from fitting underneath. Because of these issues, you should consider the dimensions of each food processor. This includes the size of the footprint (length and width), as well as the height.

In most food processors, the height listed includes the height of the feed chute. The feed chute is attached to the lid, so it can be removed or turned upside down for storage. Keep this in mind as you shop for a food processor in Canada. It’s important to choose an option that fits well in your kitchen, even as it meets your food preparation needs.

Feed Chute

The feed chute is the tube where you put your food into the processor. If you’re adding ingredients while the processor is working, you should be safely loading your fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients into the feed chute. The size of the feed chute can determine how much prep time your foods need, as well as how much your processor can handle.

Larger feed chutes may be able to load whole fruits and vegetables. With a larger feed chute, you won’t have to precut the foods so that they fit. If you want to reduce the time you spend preparing ingredients, go for a food processor with a larger feed chute.

However, even smaller feed chutes will work for most users. It just means you will spend a little more time cutting your vegetables and preparing them for the processor. The size you prefer is based on your preference.

Cleaning

When you use a food processor for a variety of purposes, you may wonder how you can keep it clean. After all, shredding, chopping, and slicing food is sure to leave behind a lot of mess. Thankfully, most food processors are simple to clean. We looked for options with dishwasher-safe components, including blades, work bowls, and lids.

Most food processors won’t be harmed in the dishwasher, especially those rated for cleaning this way. Some options might even include self-cleaning options to help keep your machine clean between dishwasher cycles. However you choose to clean your food processor, remember to remove the blade if possible. Much like blenders, the blades are likely removable to assist with cleaning. It’s much safer to clean the blade separately if possible to avoid injury.

Frequently Asked Questions

The size you need depends on how many people you are cooking for, but it can also depend on how much prep you’re doing. Single people should choose a bowl between 2 and 4 cups, while a larger family or those who entertain often might choose a capacity between 12 and 16 cups.

Yes, you can chop onions in a food processor. A food processor can chop a wide range of vegetables. However, the pieces won’t be uniform. Plus, you should avoid overprocessing some vegetables to preserve flavor, which is where a pulse setting comes in handy.

Blenders and food processors are similar, but they serve different purposes. Blenders are mostly used to make drinks and dips, as well as to crush ice or puree foods. A food processor is made to slice, grate, and dice foods before cooking. A well-equipped kitchen should have both appliances.