How to find the best food processor for your needs

Best for: Quiet power and all-in-one versatility

Blending, chopping and crushing without the noise? Meet the new Ninja Stealth IQ Kitchen System – a food processor and blender in one sleek design. Built with noise-dampening StealthShield materials, it’s up to 40 per cent quieter than traditional models, making it perfect for early risers or night owls. Its BlendSense Technology automatically detects ingredients and adjusts speed and time for smooth, consistent results every time.

If you don’t need the food processor attachments, the Ninja Stealth IQ Duo Power Blender Pro + Single Serve is a slightly more compact option that focuses on blending only. It has the same BlendSense and StealthShield technology, with a 2.1L jug and single-serve cup – ideal for smoothies, sauces and smaller prep jobs.

“Incredible product, me and my partner use the stealth every morning for our protein shakes,” shared a recent five-star reviewer on the Ninja site. “We have found this is on another level to other brands we have used in the past. Quick, quiet and seamless. A great recipe for success.”

Another wrote: “I use this product 4-5 days a week for smoothies, pasta sauces and ingredient chopping – the multiple modes and attachments are amazing.”

Colour: Black

Key features:

• BlendSense technology senses and adjusts settings for ideal texture
• StealthShield dampens noise for quieter blending
• Variable speed control with 10 settings plus one-touch presets
• Includes 2.1L jug, 1.8L food processor bowl and three 700ml single-serve cups
• Comes with Total Crushing & Chopping blades, dough blade and slicing disc
• BPA-free, dishwasher-safe parts for easy clean-up

Also available at:

• $276 from Amazon
• $399 (usually $499) from David Jones
• $499.99 from Myer

Best for: All-around performance

Looking for an affordable food processor that delivers top-notch performance? Consider the Ninja Professional food processor. With its four food-processing functions – chop, slice, puree and mix – cooking has never been easier. Whether you’re dicing onions, blending sauces, or shredding cheese for taco night, its powerful motor and sharp stainless steel blades make every task quick and easy.

“This is a great little food processor,” one customer shared in a five-star review on the Myer website, where it has an average of 4.8 stars from over 225 reviews. “It isn’t heavy and doesn’t take up a lot of space. The blades are super sharp and it does a great job grating and slicing and it’s very easy to clean. I’m really enjoying using it.”

Another posted: “The most amazing food processor I have yet purchased. Was very easy for me to use. The cleaning process is also very very easy, took me probably like 10-15 minutes and all was clean. Makes noise but very subtle, not like the other machines. Definitely recommend. 9/10.”

Colour: Silver

Key features:

• Auto-IQ technology automates chopping, mixing, pureeing and slicing
• 850W motor tackles tough ingredients
• Nine-cup capacity handles everything from small batches to full meals
• Unique four-blade chopping system
• BPA-free and dishwasher-safe parts
• Non-slip feet keep it stable
• Compact design with a 0.9m cord
• Backed by a two-year warranty

Also available at:

• $148 (usually $249) from Bing Lee
• $148 (usually $260) from Appliances Online
• $149 from Betta Home Living

Best for: Quick and compact tasks

With its three-cup capacity, this Cuisinart food processor is perfect for making quick dips, dressings, or even puréeing baby food without taking up too much space. Powered by a 250W motor, it chops, grinds and purées ingredients in seconds. Plus, it’s ridiculously easy to use with just two buttons to choose from – chop or grind.

It has 49 five-star ratings on the Myer website, with one recent shopper writing: “I already own one of these – this one is for my daughter. This is the most used cooking appliance in my kitchen – so incredibly useful, easy to use, easy to clean and doesn’t take a lot of space. Fab appliance.”

“Didn’t realise how helpful this little item would be,” shared a second reviewer. “Have used for grinding spices and coffee and also pulsing bread to make bread crumbs. The fact that the cord can be wound into the machine makes it very compact. It has also been useful for curry pastes. The compact size is great.”

Colours: White and silver

Key features:

• Three-cup capacity ideal for small batches like dips and sauces
• Versatile motor for chopping, grinding and puréeing
• Simple two-button operation for easy use
• Dishwasher-safe removable parts for easy clean-up
• BPA-free construction for peace of mind

Also available at:

• $79.95 (usually $119) from Kitchen Warehouse
• $95 (usually $119) from Appliances Online
• $99 from Myer
• $114.50 from Barbeques Galore

Best for: Serious cooks looking to invest

No one likes spending more time chopping than actually cooking. The Kitchen Wizz 11 Plus takes care of all the tedious prep, so you can focus on the fun part. A powerful induction motor, stainless steel blades and an extra-wide feed chute make slicing, grating and mixing simple. It doesn’t matter if you’re making dough, shredding veggies, or blending up a sauce – it delivers precision every single time.

One Big W reviewer said: “I wanted something with a lot more ‘grunt’ and quality attachments – well I got what I wished for. Powerful motor, great accessories made with strong plastics. An attachment for just about every kitchen chore. The double blade unit is incredible – but watch out for its surgical sharpness!”

Colour: Silver

Key features:

• 1000W induction motor for high-performance food processing
• Extra-wide feed chute reduces the need for pre-cutting
• 24 thickness settings for custom slicing and grating
• Quad blade system ensures even chopping and mixing
• Includes a dough blade, small blade and reversible grating disk
• Compact size with a dedicated storage box for accessories
• Stainless steel reinforced spindle for durability
• One-year warranty with a 10-year motor guarantee

Also available at:

• $729.95 (usually $769) from Kitchen Warehouse

Best for: Kneading dough and heavy-duty mixing

If you consider yourself a serious baker or are after something that can stand up against heavy-duty mixing, this food processor from Magimix is a worthy investment. Of course, it can do all of the classics like chopping, mixing, blending and pureeing but its ability to knead is unmatched. Plus, it has a 30-year warranty should you run into issues decades from now.

It has a quality reputation for durability and performance, with one Myer reviewer saying they’ve owned previous models for over 20 years. They love its versatility for tasks like dough-making, chopping and blending, and appreciate its quiet motor and sturdy build. While some find the nesting bowls inconvenient to clean, others highlight the different bowl sizes as a major advantage.

A few reviewers noted that the newer models feel more complex than older ones, but overall, the Magimix is a trusted choice for home cooks looking for a reliable, high-quality food processor.

Colour: Black

Key features:

• 2.6L total capacity, 1L working capacity
• 650-watt motor
• Three BPA-free bowls: 2.6L main, 2.2L midi, 1.2L mini
• Extra-large feed tube for easy ingredient loading
• Stainless steel sabatier blades and discs
• Includes slicing and grating discs (2mm & 4mm), dough blade, egg whisk, and spatula
• BlenderMix ring for smoother blends
• Quiet Mark approved and Choice recommended
• 30-year motor guarantee, three-year parts and labour guarantee
• Comes with an accessory box and recipe book

Also available at:

• $635 (usually $799) from Appliances Online
• $639.95 (usually $799) from Kitchen Warehouse
• $729 (usually $799) from David Jones
• $799 from Myer

Best for: Precision and versatility

If you like your kitchen gadgets to work smarter, not harder, the Kenwood MultiPro XL is a standout. It comes with integrated digital scales, a count-up timer and a generous 3L bowl so you can prep, weigh and measure in one spot. The extra-wide feed tube cuts down on prep, while EverSharp blades keep their edge for longer.

From dicing veggies and kneading dough to blending smoothies or piping-hot soups in the ThermoResist glass blender, this 1000W powerhouse has a tool for just about every task.

“This thing does everything that I need it to do,” shared a happy reviewer on the Kitchen Warehouse website. “Saved quite a bit of cupboard space with the removal of other appliances and utensils that were just using space. This takes the place of many things and I use this regularly.”

Colour: Black

Key features:

• 3L bowl capacity with 1000W motor
• Extra-wide three-in-one feed tube for different sized ingredients
• Integrated digital scales and count-up timer
• One stainless steel disc with five slicing settings and one dicing option
• EverSharp chopping blades for long-lasting performance
• ThermoResist glass blender handles hot soups and cold drinks
• Multiple accessories, including dough tool, dual whisk, citrus juicer and juice extractor
• Dishwasher-safe accessories for easy cleaning
• Backed by a five-year warranty

Also available at:

• $399.95 from Amazon
• $440 from Bing Lee
• $449 from The Good Guys
• $449 from Kenwood
• $497 from Appliances Online

Best for: Compact convenience

Big tasks don’t always need big appliances. KitchenAid’s mini chopper has a compact design that’ll quickly (and smoothly) aid your chopping, mixing and pureeing. Two speed settings and a pulse function let you control the texture, while the built-in drizzle basin makes emulsifying dressings and mayonnaise fast. It’s easy to clean, simple to store and always ready for your next kitchen experiment.

This food processor has an impressive 4.7 star rating from over 3.8k reviews at KitchenAid, with customers raving about its powerful motor, quick chopping and slicing, and easy clean-up. They love the compact design, saying it fits perfectly on their counter. Others mention the sturdy build and versatile functions.

One satisfied shopper said: “I have just bought this food processor and initially thought it may be too small for my needs. However, after processing a black bean chocolate cake, I am impressed. It also grinds the carrots and onions with ease. It took me a minute to work out how to unlock the lid, but I am now an expert at it. Very impressed with the compactness and power. My pasta sauce, hamburgers, fritters, meatballs, quiches, etc are now a breeze to whiz up.”

Colour: Silver

Key features:

• 3.5-cup BPA-free work bowl with a handle and pour spout
• Stainless steel multipurpose blade for precise chopping and pureeing
• Two speed settings and pulse control
• In-lid drizzle basin
• Dishwasher-safe bowl, lid and blade
• Compact design with built-in storage for accessories

Also available at:

• $149 from Bing Lee
• $149 (red colour) from The Good Guys
• $149.95 (usually $169) from Kitchen Warehouse

Best for: Fast and versatile chopping

Prepping meals shouldn’t feel like a workout. This food processor from NutriBullet takes care of everything, so you can spend less time on the prep and more time enjoying your food. Boasting a powerful 450-watt motor and multiple blade attachments, it’s perfect for everything from crisp veggies to soft dough. The large capacity means fewer batches, and when you’re done, all the parts tuck neatly inside the work bowl for easy storage.

“I had my old one for 34 years and it had a course grating blade and a fine grating blade,” said a customer who left five stars on Amazon. “I have searched high and low for one that had similar. Then I found the NutriBullet food processor. I am so happy. It has both blades I have been searching for. Most of the others have small 1/4 blades that just slide in and they don’t seem to do a very good job. But the NutriBullet food processor is amazing.”

Colour: Black

Key features:

• 3.5L work bowl
• Multi-blade storage
• Dual-size food pusher
• 450-watt DC motor
• Slicing, shredding, chopping, spiralising and kneading functions
• Dishwasher-safe parts
• Simple speed controls with high, low and pulse settings
• Blades and accessories store neatly inside the bowl

Best for: Affordability

Russell Hobbs keeps things simple with the Desire food processor – no unnecessary bells and whistles, just solid performance. The matte black finish looks sharp, and with a 2.5L capacity, it’s big enough to handle dinner prep without taking over your kitchen. Clean-up is easy too, with dishwasher-safe parts that won’t leave you scrubbing for ages.

“Great all rounder product to do all my chopping, slicing, grating etc,” wrote a five-star reviewer on the Harris Scarfe site. “I used to do it all by hand but with arthritic hands and shoulder surgery coming up, I needed help. This product was well priced and does it all, including blending. Very happy with my purchase.”

Colour: Matte black

Key features:

• 2.5L capacity for chopping, slicing and shredding
• Stainless steel blades and multiple attachments
• Two speeds and a pulse setting for control
• Matte black finish that looks good in any kitchen
• Dishwasher-safe parts for quick clean-up

Also available at:

• $104 (usually $119.95) from Amazon
• $104 (usually $130) from Spotlight
• $119 from Betta Home Living