Best Food Processors in 2026: Cuisinart vs Breville vs KitchenAid
A professional chef reviews the best food processors of 2026. Compare Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup, Breville Sous Chef, and KitchenAid.
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In professional kitchens, we rely on food processors to save hours of prep time. Whether it's grating cheese, slicing potatoes for a gratin, pureeing a pesto, or kneading pie crust, a food processor is an invaluable power tool.
A poor food processor will leave large chunks of unchopped vegetables, struggle with dough, or have a motor that burns out under heavy loads.
We put the heavy hitters — Cuisinart, Breville, and KitchenAid — to the test in our test kitchen.
Quick Verdict / TL;DR: The Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor ($249) is our top pick — its design has remained virtually unchanged for decades because its heavy induction motor is nearly indestructible and chops flawlessly. For chefs wanting premium features and adjustable slicing thicknesses, the Breville Sous Chef 16 Pro ($449) is the ultimate upgrade.
1. Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup — Best Overall
Cuisinart is synonymous with food processors. Their Custom 14 model features a simple, classic design with two lever switches (On and Pulse).
The Pro Chef's Take: The heart of this machine is its heavy duty induction motor. Unlike cheap universal motors, induction motors operate quietly, deliver massive torque, and last for decades. It handles heavy pie doughs and hard vegetables with ease, and the large bowl capacity is perfect for family-sized prep.
- Price: $249.99
- Capacity: 14 Cups
- Where to buy: Amazon
2. Breville Sous Chef 16 Pro — Best Premium Slicer
The Sous Chef is a high-tech powerhouse with a massive 1200-watt motor and an adjustable slicing disc with 24 thickness settings.
The Pro Chef's Take: The adjustable slicing disc is a work of engineering genius, allowing you to slice everything from paper-thin garlic to thick cucumber slices. The extra-wide feed chute allows you to process whole potatoes and carrots without pre-cutting.
- Price: $449.95
- Capacity: 16 Cups
- Where to buy: Amazon
Marcus Chen
Editor & Lead Reviewer
Marcus Chen is the editor of KitchenwareAuthority.com. He writes about kitchen tools, cookware, and cooking techniques based on hands-on testing and research. Every product recommendation on this site has been evaluated through real-world kitchen use.
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