The 4 Best Mini Food Processors of 2024, Tested & Reviewed

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Our favorites provide power, functionality, and versatility with a small footprint.

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Food & Wine

Food processors are versatile appliances every home cook should have in their kitchen. While standard food processors have between 8 and 14 cups of capacity, mini food processors offer 2 to 5 cups for small jobs, such as preparing homemade salad dressings and purees. Though they don’t usually have grating or slicing attachments, the best mini food processors can chop an onion or whip up a batch of a savory dip in seconds. They save you the headache of cleaning a large machine without sacrificing too much power, and they won't hog your whole kitchen countertop either.

To help you find the best mini food processor for your kitchen, we tested dozens of veggie choppers and food processors from Cuisinart, KitchenAid, Ninja, and Zyliss in our lab and real-world settings. We evaluated each one based on their size, design, performance, and ease of cleaning to find our winners. Read on to learn more about our top picks.

This model features a convenient lever that gives you more control over the speed of the blades and the size of your cuts.

The lid can be challenging to lock and engage.

This mini processor by culinary appliance leader KitchenAid is our best overall choice for its high functionality, versatility, and precision. At 3.5 cups, it takes up minimal counter space, so even snug kitchens should be able to fit this on the counter without issue. Even better, it also features two speeds — chop and puree — so you can prepare everything from pico de gallo to pesto in one compact gadget.

During testing, we were impressed by just how precise you could get with your cuts, thanks to the mini processor's handy lever that allows you to easily toggle between speeds for more control. The KitchenAid was leaps and bounds ahead in this department compared to some of the other models we tried. We used it to chop up everything from ginger to chilies and garlic, and it managed to dice them into well-portioned pieces within seconds. We also love that it has a drizzle basin, where you can pour liquids in slowly for maximum emulsification, and a pour spout for easy serving.

The only drawback we could find with this model was how tricky it was to figure out the lid initially. But after a thorough perusal of the manual, we managed it. You have to make sure the lid and processor bowl are locked into place correctly, and then you have to push down on the lid for the motor to engage. So if you run into any issues in that department, make sure you check (and double-check!) the manufacturer's instructions.

Power: 240 watts | Capacity: 3.5 cups | Dimensions: 5.6 x 7 x 8.7 inches | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

This is a solid machine that packs a surprising amount of functionality and power into a small package.

The cuts can be a bit imprecise.

This pick may be the runner-up for best overall, but the KitchenAid only beat it by a narrow margin. With a 3-cup capacity and a powerful 250-watt motor, the Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus can handle just about any food-processing task you throw at it — so long as it's in smaller quantities. And with its two-speed settings, you can chop or grind your ingredients with just the push of a button and without having to switch out the blade. (It auto-reverses instantly, using the sharp side of the blade for precision cuts and the blunt side to grind and puree). This makes it incredibly intuitive and user-friendly, and its lightweight build makes it much more convenient than a full-sized food processor.

When we tested this model firsthand, we loved how easy it was to operate and clean. We used it to chop up garlic, onion, and chilies and found it to work quickly for multiple applications. According to one of our editors, who's had it as a go-to in their kitchen for years, you can even use it to grate room-temperature parmesan cheese — although that can wear out the motor if you do it too often.

However, we should mention that it does not make very precise or uniform cuts. So, if that's what you're looking for, this might not be the machine for you. But it is still a great option for other applications, like mincing garlic, whipping up a hearty salsa, or pureeing ingredients into a game-day dip.

Power: 250 watts | Capacity: 3 cups | Dimensions: 9.25 x 7 x 5 inches | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Its simple design makes it incredibly easy to use, and it features a splash guard to keep things clean as well as a non-slip base for sturdiness.

The blade doesn't lock into place, and your ingredients can quickly turn into puree if you're not watchful.

The Ninja Express Chop will satisfy all your basic needs and will do so with minimal time or effort required on your part. The processor's powerful 200-watt motor and effective blade placement make it particularly efficient: Rather than having both blades near the bottom, one is positioned close to the top. In fact, during testing, we found the Express Chop to be a bit too efficient at times.

It took only a few seconds to chop up our onions, bell peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Any longer than that, and our ingredients quickly turned into puree. It operates with the push of a single button, and with that in mind, you're better off lightly pulsing your ingredients with quick presses rather than holding the button down (unless you're aiming for a puree, that is). We also like the fact that the included splash guard is there to prevent spills, and you can pour directly through the spout if you're creating a looser dressing or sauce.

It even comes with a convenient food storage container lid that allows you to store your freshly processed ingredients directly inside the processor cup until you need them. With its combined power and convenience, it's perfect for making salsas, quick dips, sauces, and dressings that require less precise cuts and more pureeing power. But make sure you keep an eye on the blade when you're emptying your ingredients because it doesn't lock into place.

Power: 200 watts | Capacity: 2 cups | Dimensions: 10.1 x 5.7 x 5.7 inches | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Its sharp blades and efficient design make for low-effort chopping that's fast and simple.

It will require more physical effort than the electric models, and it may not do well with super small quantities due to its 5-cup capacity.

The Mueller Dual-Speed Chopper operates manually using a pulling function, and while it’s more effort than an electric mini processor, it's far less work than chopping. During testing, we found that it was super easy to use and very fast and efficient. For it to work correctly, you do need to chop up your ingredients into more manageable pieces before you place the food inside. But once you've got the lid on, all you have to do is pull the large handle to break down the contents inside. And there’s no risk of over-processing because the clear container ensures you can see the progress as you go.

Overall, this mini food processor felt durable and of high quality, so we weren't worried about how well it would hold up to frequent chopping. Plus, its three-pronged blade and spinning mechanism did a good job of getting pretty even cuts.

Power: Manual | Capacity: 5 cups | Dimensions: 6 x 6 x 6 inches | Dishwasher Safe:

We chose the KitchenAid 3.5-Cup Food Chopper as our best overall pick because it has strong functionality and precision — not to mention it comes in various colors, which you can match with an accompanying immersion blender or hand mixer. Featuring a drizzle basin and pour spout, this mini food processor’s design exceeded our expectations.

We've tested dozens of food processors, vegetable choppers, and mini food processors in our lab and real-world settings to find the best ones overall. For this test, we also incorporated several of our top picks into our home kitchens to determine how well they operated over time and whether or not they could take on everyday tasks.

We used them for everything from simple tasks like chopping up two red onion halves to processing more complex mixtures of produce and herbs. We also made salsas, purees, and homemade mayonnaise (in the electric models) — all while assessing each pick on how easy it was to operate, how quickly and evenly it diced ingredients, how useful its speed settings were, and how easy or difficult it was to clean. We also assessed each mini food processor based on its overall design, ease of use, and value. Our top picks offered precision and control with minimal fuss or effort while also maximizing prep time and taking up little storage space.

Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore

Most food processors are electric, however, there are some quality manual models worth considering. A manual processor is only ideal if you don’t want to deal with cords or batteries or will be using it in a place without electricity. For everyday use, an electric model with motors between 200 and 400 watts is your best option.

Mini food processors generally come in sizes ranging between 2 to 5 cups. A 3- to 3.5-cup capacity tends to be the sweet spot when it comes to smaller kitchen tasks, but depending on your needs you may want to consider something slightly smaller or larger. Are you looking to quickly dice or puree small quantities of vegetables or herbs for quick and easy meal prep, or do you want a slightly larger capacity for making healthy servings of dips or spreads? You should select a mini processor with a capacity that is equipped to accommodate your intended use case or be prepared to complete your task in a couple of smaller batches.

The best mini food processors are great because they can accomplish much of what a full-sized food processor can do without taking up as much space or being as cumbersome to deal with. So, it may be worth the few minor trade-offs if space is a concern for you or if you don't make large batches very often.

With mini food processors, you're a bit more limited by the amount of control you have over the speed and size of your cuts. However, some models do come with multiple speeds — usually around two. We like models such as the KitchenAid 3.5-Cup Food Processor and the Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus so much because they have multiple speeds, which allows for a bit more control and precision when you're chopping and grinding. In fact, during our mini food processor testing, we noticed that those models with only one speed setting left much to be desired in this area and required more manual workarounds to achieve our desired consistency when chopping. However, if that isn't a concern for you and you will mostly use your mini processor for sauces or purees, then a one-speed model will work just fine.

The blades of food processors are sharp! That’s worth keeping in mind when removing the contents and hand-washing. Most mini food processors have dishwasher-safe parts, but you’ll want to confirm that before making your purchase. Additionally, the blade placement makes all the difference in how easily bits of food can get stuck inside. Models from Ninja, KitchenAid, and Cuisinart are usually dishwasher-safe and easy to clean.

Mini food processors can mix, chop, and puree a variety of foods, such as vegetables (think onions), chickpeas, and nuts. Just like using a mini slow cooker is better for making smaller portions of meals, when making smaller batches of salad dressings, salsas, sauces, and spreads, you’ll find that compact food processors are more suitable than larger models. However, if you want to make smoothies, a personal blender is a better option. And if you want to make tomato sauce or mashed potatoes, a food mill is the better choice.

Most mini food processors have dishwasher-safe parts. To wash them by hand, remove the bowl and the blade from the base and wash them in hot, soapy water, being extra careful with the sharp edges. The base of the processor cannot go into the water, so you should wipe it down with a cleaning spray or damp cloth instead. For optimal care, always refer to the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.

No, they’re not the same. A chopper that isn’t also a food processor can’t break down solids into a more liquid form, and it can’t be used to make sauces. It’s purely for chopping ingredients such as produce or nuts. A food processor, even a mini one, has more functionality than a mini chopper does.

Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore

ZYLISS Easy Pull Manual Food Processor ($43 at Amazon)

This Zyliss model operates from a simple pulling motion, similar to the Mueller chopper. During our tests, we found the Zyliss required more effort than an electric mini processor but far less than chopping. Though it cut very cleanly with no tearing and offered fast cleanup since it has very few moving parts, we didn't love its smaller 3.13-quart capacity. If you're after a cordless manual mini food processor, we wouldn't recommend this one over the slightly larger 5-cup Mueller included in our favorites.