While there are excellent smaller food processors out there, this option, which comes with a pulse and auto function, will be a fine choice for anyone looking for a top food processor. Some food processors solve the problem by including bowls of several sizes, and some home cooks keep both a full-size food processor for bigger jobs as well as a mini food processor for just mincing garlic and other small-quantity aromatics. Minimalist in design but not in stature, this is a serious hunk of die-cast metal finished to an incredibly high spec. Each and every one of the best food processors in our guide has been tested by the Ideal Hometeam for even chopping, ease of use, and (of course) the cleaning process after you're done.

It’s important to use the pulse button though, this powerful machine is so fast that pulsing is the best way to retain control over the finished size and texture. Other features of note are a 30-minute eco mode, and a storage box for the blades, ensuring that they stay as sharp as possible. From small and compact models for those short on space, to bigger, professional-looking bits of kits ideal for large families or those who like to bake in bulk. A large food processor won’t do a good job at chopping small quantities because the pieces of food will collect on the bottom or sides of the bowl where they can't reach the blade (this is not as much of an issue when using a slicing, grating, or shredding disc.It doesn’t come packed with a bunch of obscure attachments I’ll rarely use but has all the basics: grating, slicing, chopping and so on. There's just one speed and a pulse function for shorter bursts of power, but what this food processor lacks in versatility, it more than makes up for in efficiency, intuitiveness and style.

This well-made machine, with a clever three-bowl system, makes it one of the most versatile on our test. Although we did find that if you had anything on your hands (which we always seem to when we’re baking) the control panel was far less responsive. A food processor can be used for a range of kitchen tasks, including chopping onions, shredding herbs, grinding spices and nuts.There’s also a reversible discs for shredding both thinly and coarsely and while it is a little noisy, we really liked how it chopped and blended fruit for a smoothie.

Some food processors have reversible blades with different sizes or functions, while others have discs with adjustable cutting sizes.We looked at the build quality, efficiency and accessories, and put each model to the test using thoroughly-tested BBC Good Food recipes. It also features a creaming disk, which really impressed us when we used it to make mayonnaise, although it is better used with large quantities thanks to the wide base of the bowl. What immediately impressed us about the Bosch multitalent 8 food processor was its powerful 1200W output, meaning the standard of chopping and blitzing was very high. With a total of 23 different accessories to play around with (including different bowl sizes, graters, slicers and blades), there’s very little you can’t do with this food processor. Overall quality of materials: a sturdy, well-weighted base, robust bowl and equally hardy accessories all scored well.

Its stainless steel body is quite heavy and bulky, but that only lends a sense of sturdiness: it won’t shake as you use it. We're all about value for money, and the Russell Hobbs Desire Food Processor certainly delivers this. Packaging: Like most high-value kitchen appliances, stand mixers often arrive with a lot of packaging.Since 2007, she's worked exclusively in interiors, writing about everything from extending your home to kitchen worktops, flooring, storage and more. If you’re unsure of how much you’re going to use your food processor, this is a great place to start. Although you can also control the appliance with manual settings, the Auto-iQ takes care of pulsing, pausing, blending and other process patterns in one move, adding to the stress-free nature of this gadget. Given the range of sizes on offer, there’s no doubt you’ll be able to find a stand mixer to suit your needs.