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The 8 Best Mini Food Processors Of 2024

Low on kitchen space but hate prepping veggies? You need one of these.

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VerifiedReviewed by Kitchen Appliances Lab Director
mini food processors
Alison Dominguez

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Downsized recently? Just starting out on your own, in a tiny first apartment or a crammed college dorm? There’s no reason to forgo the finer things in life. After all, just because you’re low on space doesn’t mean you have to skimp on essential kitchen gadgets. Our space-saving solution? The mini food processor.

There are plenty of reasons to get one, whether you're inclined to throw together a quick salsa or whip up an easy pie crust. They're also great for prepping veggies—who wants to finely dice a green pepper when a machine can do it for you?—which can majorly cut down on the time it takes to get dinner on the table.

Our Top Picks for the Best Mini Food Processors of 2024

No matter your motivation, mini food processors have your back and can do everything a regular food processor can do—just in smaller batches. Unlike a blender, which pulverizes food, processors can leave ingredients with some texture and weight. (After all, who wants to sip their homemade coleslaw through a straw?) Plus, many are versatile enough to do everything from mincing and pulsing to grating and shredding.

Have we convinced you yet? Good. Read on for our recommendations for the eight best mini food processors on the market. For those looking for more kitchen tools to streamline your cooking process, check out our recommendations for the best food processors and immersion blenders.

    How we picked these products

    Good House Keeping Institute Lab Tested Badge

    To find the best mini food processors, we tapped celebrity chef and Chopped judge Amanda Freitag, Grove Bay Hospitality culinary director and chef Kenny Gilbert, Rusty Pelican Miami executive chef Fiorela Cornejo, and Delish assistant food editor Taylor Ann Spencer for their top recs. We also spoke with our friends at the Good Housekeeping Institute—including Kitchen Appliances & Culinary Innovation Lab director Nicole Papantoniou—who rigorously put everyday products to the test (and then more and more tests) in their New York City-based labs to determine which ones you can trust. They assessed mini food processors based on how well they minced parsley, chopped onions, and ground Parmesan cheese, as well as how easy they were to use and clean. After gathering insights from all of our experts, we've determined that these are the best mini food processors you can buy in 2023.

    1
    Best Overall Mini Food Processor

    KitchenAid Mini Food Processor

    KitchenAid Mini Food Processor

    Pros

    • Excellent control and safety
    • Dishwasher-safe

    Cons

    • Limited tools and accessories

    Despite its compact size, the KitchenAid Mini Food Processor packs a powerful punch. “I have had mine for seven years now, and I have never had an issue,” says Freitag. “It is small but mighty, and convenient!”

    Equipped with a single multipurpose blade, this corded, dishwasher-safe model is ideal if you’re looking for a little help in the kitchen with mincing or chopping (though it’s not best to use with softer fruits and veggies, like tomatoes and cucumbers). Featuring two pulse speeds for chop and purée, there’s nothing “small” about this small appliance’s capabilities. Bonus: There's a handy storage compartment for the cord to keep it tucked away when needed.

    The Good Housekeeping Institute found the controls to be intuitive and appreciated the lid's “drizzle basin," which is used as a "funnel to slowly incorporate oils and other liquids." One thing to note: some testers did say the tight-locking lid was hard to remove, however.

    • Power: 240 watts
    • Capacity: 2.5 cups
    • Dishwasher safe: Yes
    • Dimensions: 5.6 x 7 x 8.7 inches
    2
    Best Budget Mini Food Processor

    Ninja Express Chop

    Ninja Express Chop

    Pros

    • Quiet and efficient
    • Affordable

    Cons

    • Inconsistent performance

    Not only is the Ninja Express Chop the most budget-friendly option on our list, its two-in-one lid (which serves as both a splatter guard and storage lid) makes it an even better value. The Good Housekeeping Institute notes that the measurement markings on the bowl are another high point, "so you won't have to dirty measuring cups when preparing recipes."

    This two-cup mini food processor has a corded design and also features two types of blades to chop and mince a multitude of ingredients for precise, even results. Keep in mind that the machine's head can pivot during processing, so the experts recommend holding it in place. The manufacturer notes that the mini food processor’s parts are dishwasher safe, which can help make cleanup easier.

    • Power: 200 watts
    • Capacity: 2 cups
    • Dishwasher safe: Yes
    • Dimensions: 10.1 x 5.7 x 5.7 inches
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    3
    Best Mini Food Processor For Beginners

    Cuisinart Mini Prep Food Processor Plus

    Mini Prep Food Processor Plus
    Credit: Amazon

    Pros

    • Durable stainless-steel blade
    • Intuitive control panel

    Cons

    • Less processing options than some other mini food processors
    • Only 110 watts

    This Cuisinart mini food processor is Cornejo's personal favorite. "I have this one at home and love it," she says. While it boasts just 110 watts of power, she mentions that it's still "really strong" to tackle a variety of ingredients to make things like dressings, mousses, fillings, cream cheeses, Mexican salsa, and Peruvian sauces. For the best results, the manufacturer recommends prepping ingredients by cutting them into small, even pieces (about 1/2-inch squares).

    This corded electric mini food processor is also great for beginners. It has an intuitive push-button control panel for easily adjusting the speed, patented auto-reversing, stainless-steel blade for effectively chopping and grinding, and dishwasher-safe parts that make cleanup a breeze. Just make sure to wipe the motor base off separately with a damp sponge or cloth.

    • Power: 110 watts
    • Capacity: 2.63 cups
    • Dishwasher safe: Yes
    • Dimensions: 7 x 8.4 x 5.1 inches
    4
    Most Versatile Mini Food Processor

    Hamilton Beach Stack & Snap Mini Food Processor & Vegetable Chopper

    Stack & Snap Mini Food Processor & Vegetable Chopper

    Pros

    • Shredding and slicing disks included
    • Large capacity

    Cons

    • Fragile lid
    • Not dishwasher safe

    Need to shred veggies? No problem! Have fruits to slice? This mini food processor still has you covered! Unlike most other models on the market that just chop and puree, the Hamilton Beach Stack & Snap Mini Food Processor & Vegetable Chopper has shredding and slicing disks to help tackle more food prep tasks.

    Although the Good Housekeeping Institute hasn’t tested this specific model, they've found many Hamilton Beach products to be “generally reliable.” They like how this mini food processor has a “reasonable chute for its size,” so you can “easily feed” through carrots, cucumbers, and standard blocks of cheese. However, they did note that many reviewers complained that the tab on the lid is delicate and broke during use and the model is not dishwasher safe. On the bright side, this mini food processor has built-in cord storage to help keep your countertops more organized.

    • Power: 250 watts
    • Capacity: 4 cups
    • Dishwasher safe: No
    • Dimensions: 6 x 8.25 x 13.5 inches
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    5
    Easiest-to-Use Mini Food Processor

    Cuisinart DLC-2ABC Mini Prep Food Processor

    Cuisinart DLC-2ABC Mini Prep Food Processor

    Pros

    • Sturdy build
    • 18-month warranty
    • Intuitive control panel

    Cons

    • May cause accidental purées
    • A little noisy
    • The motor isn't the strongest

    With features like a push-button control panel, an auto-reversing SmartPower stainless steel blade, and a dishwasher-safe, 24-ounce bowl and lid, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Cuisinart Mini Prep is the most user-friendly mini food processor we recommend—it even comes with a spatula.

    This mini food processor "aced" the Good Housekeeping Institute's tests, thanks to the "simple buttons," which help you chop or grind with ease. An added perk: You can do so by pulsing or running continuously on both modes.

    One of their favorite features is the grind setting that is "perfect for spices" and more gently processes to crush instead of chop. Plus, the lid has two holes and a long well to "add liquid when making dressings or mayonnaise." Spencer loves this feature for drizzling in liquid fats like melted butter to make crumb crust mixes.

    Testers did notice that this mini food processor has a noisy motor, though. Plus, Spencer says that its motor “isn’t the strongest,” but she notes that the most powerful ones are in full-size models. On the plus side, Spencer adds that this mini food processor is “very easy to assemble and disassemble and clean.”

    • Power: 250 watts
    • Capacity: 3 cups
    • Dishwasher safe: Yes
    • Dimensions: 7 x 9.25 x 5 inches
    6
    Best Cordless Mini Food Processor

    KitchenAid Cordless Food Chopper

    KitchenAid Cordless Food Chopper

    Pros

    • Surprisingly powerful
    • Rechargeable cordless design

    Cons

    • Pricey

    Low on electrical outlets? The KitchenAid Cordless 5-Cup Food Chopper can make quick work of small tasks without needing to be plugged in.

    This mini food processor comes with a multi-purpose blade and whisk accessory, as well as a universal charger. Nicole Papantoniou, the director of the Kitchen Appliances & Culinary Innovation Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, says this unit is "lightweight and sturdy" and equipped with a powerful battery. The rechargeable lithium ion battery can chop as many as 40 onions on a full charge, and takes about two hours to fuel from empty to full. You can also quick charge this mini food processor’s battery for 10 minutes, which can allow you to chop about 11 onions. This model is dishwasher safe, including its stainless-steel blade and whisk accessory.

    • Power: 12 volts
    • Capacity: 5 cups
    • Dishwasher safe: Yes
    • Dimensions: 6.61 x 5.51 x 10.39 inches
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    7
    Best Dual Mini Food Processor

    Hamilton Beach Electric Vegetable Chopper & Mini Food Processor

    Electric Vegetable Chopper & Mini Food Processor

    Pros

    • Easy to use
    • Durable stainless steel blades
    • Affordable

    Cons

    • Noisy

    Despite common belief, food choppers are different from processors since the former can't turn solids (think hard fruits and veggies) into liquids. However, this Delish-approved Hamilton Beach unit pulls double duty with its stainless-steel blades that can dice, mince, and puree. It's also simple to use: All you have to do is press the lid to power the appliance’s single speed and release to stop it. No twisting or locking required! Its oil dispenser is another notable feature, as it easily emulsifies dressings, dips, and sauces.

    The mini food processor comes with a dishwasher safe bowl, lid, and blades. Plus, the cord can be wrapped and tucked underneath the chopper for easier storage.

    • Power: 350 watts
    • Capacity: 3 cups
    • Dishwasher safe: Yes
    • Dimensions: 5.2 x 5.9 x 8.5 inches
    8
    Best Manual Mini Food Processor

    Zyliss Manual Food Processor

    Zyliss Manual Food Processor

    Pros

    • Sharp blades
    • Easy to operate

    Cons

    • Hand-wash only
    • Requires more effort

    Whether you’re an avid camper, trying to conserve energy, or simply prefer doing things the good old-fashioned way, there’s a lot to love about the Zyliss Easy Pull. Equipped with only a bowl, blades, and lid, this user-friendly gadget is operated by just pulling its ergonomic handle. In fact, the oversized, "easy to pull and use" handle makes this mini food processor one of Papantoniou's favorite models.

    She adds that this appliance is ideal for preparing garlic and performing other quick tasks, plus is "simple to clean" afterwards. Only the 25-ounce bowl and blades can safely go on the top rack of your dishwasher, though.

    And because this one requires some manual labor, note that your arms may get tired after awhile.

    • Power: Not listed
    • Capacity: 3.125 cups
    • Dishwasher safe: Yes (top rack; not lid)
    • Dimensions: 5.5 x 5.5 x 5.2 inches
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    What To Look For In The Best Mini Food Processors

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    Size: The Good Housekeeping Institute recommends buying a mini food processor with a 2-cup capacity. This size is compact enough for the blade to reach all ingredients, but isn't so small that you'd have to chop in tons of batches. These should also take up "very little space" and are "lightweight", which makes them easier to put away and clean up, says Freitag.

    Manual Versus Electric: Most mini food processors are electric, with between 100 and 400 watts of power, however you can also shop some manual options. Manual food processors typically feature a handle you pull to operate the machine and are your best bet if you don't have an accessible outlet in your kitchen. "While both models are suitable for all levels of cooks, an electric mini food processor eliminates some of the extra effort you put in," says Cornejo.

    Seal: Make sure the lid on your model has a tight seal so there are no leaks. This is especially key when it comes to making purees, dressing, and sauces.

    Controls: Keep an eye out for simple controls like large buttons and easy-to-turn dials. The Good Housekeeping Institute also likes options with pulsing functions, as they allow you to “better control your chopping and prevent over-processing.”

    Speeds: At the very least, ensure your processor has a low and high speed to tackle delicate and tough ingredients.

    Features: The Good Housekeeping Institute likes mini food processors with disks that allow you to slice and shred. These offer added versatility, but because mini food processors are small, keep in mind this function will likely work best with narrow foods, like carrots and celery.

    Oh, and don't be shy about picking a fun design! Freitag recommends “getting something totally different than your other appliances” and choosing a style in “a cool color” to switch things up.

    What Can You Use A Mini Food Processor For?

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    A mini food processor can be used for "small batch prep," says Gilbert, and is extremely versatile. “They're great for making sauces that involve fresh herbs or garlic and things that need to be chopped really fine but not necessarily pureed (like hummus, chimichurri, or pesto),” adds Spencer. “I also love using the mini food process for blitzing cookies into crumbs for pie or cheesecake crusts.”

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    Can A Mini Food Processor Chop Ice?

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    Cornejo and Gilbert say mini food processors technically can't chop ice but could crush it. However, the experts don't recommend doing this, since mini food processors are so small in size and most aren't actually built to crush ice.

    How To Clean A Mini Food Processor

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    Unless your design is labelled dishwasher-safe by the manufacturer, clean your mini food processor by washing the bowl, blade, and lid separately with warm, soapy water and wiping down its base with a damp cloth, Spencer says. From there, dry each piece by hand with a dish towel before reassembling.

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    Is A Mini Food Processor The Same As A Mini Food Chopper?

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    In short, no. “Food processors typically include a feed tube in the top and often can accommodate different attachments for shredding or grating, while a mini chopper doesn't usually include that feed tube in the top and is just for fine chopping,” says Spencer. “Also, while a food processor can be used to break down and blitz solid ingredients together, a mini chopper is typically for chopping one single ingredient at a time.”

    Take note: "This distinction isn't always respected by manufacturers; you may find some brands that market a mini chopper as a mini food processor and vice versa," adds Spencer.

    Meet The Experts

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    Taylor Ann Spencer is the Delish assistant food editor.

    Amanda Freitag is a celebrity chef and judge on the TV food competition series Chopped.

    Fiorela Cornejo is the executive chef at Rusty Pelican Miami.

    Kenny Gilbert is a chef and culinary director at Grove Bay Hospitality.

    Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Kitchen Appliances & Culinary Innovation Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute.

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    Why Trust Delish

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    Kaitlin Mahar is an experienced California-based freelance writer covering the food, shopping, and lifestyle beats.

    Nashia Baker is a commerce editor at Hearst covering the latest and greatest products across the home and lifestyle categories. Throughout her career, she has interviewed chefs and food experts to learn about top trends in the culinary world. For this story, she interviewed a Delish staffer and three culinary experts and consulted Good Housekeeping Institute experts and testing notes to find the best mini food processors and what to look for when shopping.

    Headshot of Nicole Papantoniou
    Reviewed byNicole Papantoniou
    Kitchen Appliances Lab Director

    Nicole (she/her) is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she has overseen content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear since 2019. She’s an experienced product tester and recipe creator, trained in classic culinary arts and culinary nutrition. She has worked in test kitchens for small kitchen appliance brands and national magazines, including Family Circle and Ladies’ Home Journal.

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