9 Cheapest Food Processors (That Still Get The Job Done)
“Good” and “cheap” are two words that are seldomly used to describe appliances nowadays. However, if you look hard enough, you will find a few options that truly give you the biggest bang for your buck.
Food processors typically cost upwards of $150 to $250 and more—why are they so costly? Well, your guess is as good as ours!
Although some expensive options do provide more features, at the end of the day, they just process food just like every other food processor in the market.
Why should you pay more when you don’t need all the bloated features?
What are the cheapest food processors that still get the job done? Food processors can cost a lot but you can still find some no-frill options that dispense with additional features and get the job done under $60! Cheaper options can at times produce the same results as costlier food processors too!
Read below to learn more about these cheaper alternatives, what they sacrifice, how efficient they are, and the best buyer’s guide and recommendation list for affordable food processors!
Cheap Vs Expensive Food Processors
Food processors, like many other appliances, are available in many different price ranges. You can find one that costs $49 and another that can cost you upwards of $1499!
The price of the appliance comes down to its features, build quality, and brand. Of course, this doesn’t mean that affordable or “cheaper” varieties are any less capable.
On the contrary, the food processors that most people go with usually don’t cost more than $50!
Most brands take into account the purchase disparity among customers which is why they might offer both cheap and expensive alternatives of the same unit.
They do this to cater to the needs of different users.
For example, most commercial food processors can cost several thousands of dollars, and other expensive home-based food processors can still set you back by at least $200 or more.
The expensive food processors are targeted towards professionals and experienced home chefs that need to process different types of food without worrying about breakdowns or inefficiencies.
In short, expensive food processors get the job done better using a few additional features and with premium materials and higher build quality.
However, “cheap” isn’t always inferior!
It turns out that in the world of food processors, “cheap” is more closely associated with a positive connotation than it is with “low-quality”. Let us explain!
Food processors have a very specific job. With the press of a button, you can easily process soft foods like tomatoes, onions, and garlic to other denser ingredients like carrots, nuts, and more.
Most brands understand this need-variance which is why they create cheaper alternatives for their more expensive offerings.
For example, a more affordable food processor may just have one function: to chop food as quickly as possible without having additional accessories or smart options.
This strategy of keeping the focus on just one thing works in the favor of customers.
This is because you get an appliance that is highly tuned to perform a single task with extreme efficiency rather than juggle between multiple presets and options.
Here’s a quick chart to help you understand the difference between cheaper and expensive food processors:
| Cheap Food Processors | Expensive Food Processors |
|---|---|
| Usually have limited functions. | Can help in multitasking more efficiently. |
| Are built with simple parts. | May have complicated and expensive parts. |
| Are great for single-use cases. | Can be used in a variety of ways. |
| Are very easy to use. | May require a manual. |
| May have a mix of plastic and steel parts. | Premium materials and stainless-steel parts. |
| Gets the job done without breaking the bank. | Gets the job done quicker with a higher price tag. |
How Do Cheap Food Processors Fare?
As mentioned, cheap food processors are designed for everyday folks who only require a simple machine for typical use.
How do you know if you are part of this group? Well, you need to first look at why you would require a food processor in the first place!
If your answer is simply to chop food without requiring an array of additional features then you just might fall into the affordable-food-processor category.
However, if you require additional blades, digital controls, and advanced accessories then you should probably look at the more expensive options.
Cheaper food processors also come with some features but they are usually limited by how useful they can be.
For example, most affordable food processors may include additional accessories like a spatula or built-in features like an oil hole to add oil as you emulsify a liquid.
But the most important and distinguishing factor that defines affordable food processors lies in their output.
While most affordable food processors are equipped with a decent motor that can easily get the job done, the more expensive varieties will usually have a high-powered and extremely efficient motor.
These food processors are best suited for people who want to use the appliance for commercial purposes and to get the most out of the multi-blade system.
So, if you are a home cook who is looking for just a simple, one-gear option then cheaper food processors will be an excellent choice!
Before we list down the recommendations, we have also prepared an easy and intuitive buyer’s guide that will help you make the right purchase decision.
Buyer’s Guide
We get it, finding the right food processor for under $100 may seem like a daunting task. However, with this guide, you will be able to gauge the efficacy of these affordable appliances and get the most value for your money!
Here are a few things that you need to keep in mind:
Build And Blade Quality
One of the key things that you need to look out for in cheap food processors is how well they are designed.
Remember, cheap doesn’t always mean bad! With simpler products, manufacturers can focus on quality more since they don’t have to worry about adding additional features to justify exorbitant prices.
Look for a food processor that has a sturdy body with a mix of stainless steel and high-quality plastics. This combination is perfect for all types of uses and is robust enough to last a very long time.
Expensive food processors will usually have metal or premium materials that can withstand the full power of the motor but in the case of cheaper alternatives, high-quality plastics will do just as well!
If you want the most value then we suggest that you focus on the blade more than the appliance itself. Remember, it’s the blade and motor that does the cutting; the chassis just holds everything together!
Always go for stainless-steel blades that are precision-built and have multiple patterns to assist in various chopping scenarios.
Motor Capacity
The motor is the next thing that you should look out for.
Most cheap food processors have an output of around 150W to 500W but some can even go as low as 50W or 70W.
The mid-range food processors offer the most value, especially if you are looking for more power from the appliance.
A high-powered motor will simply be able to do more work in less time. You may also find the 350W-500W range to be ideal for pulse operation and continuous food processing as well.
The lower output appliances are usually reserved for mini food processors that can be taken on the go and can quickly process small quantities within a minute.
Additional Features
Additional features are nice to have—however, make sure that the appliance doesn’t have gimmicky features that are more of a buy-trap than of actual value.
Small features like having a built-in oil hole to facilitate mixing or having an accessory like a spatula are great when it comes to cheaper food processors.
But if you want the most value then we highly suggest that you go for the no-frills options that are geared towards providing customers with a precise and efficient experience.
The 9 Best Cheap Food Processors
Here are our top picks for the best food processors that can easily get the job done without costing a lot!
| Rank | Product | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Hamilton Beach Food Processor | Basic yet powerful food processor, designed for everyday use. |
| 2. | Proctor Silex Mini Food Processor | Mini food processor. Perfect for portable use and small quantities. |
| 3. | Black Decker One-Touch Electric Food Chopper | 300W motor. Purees, chops, and slices food within minutes. |
| 4. | Cuisinart Elite Collection | Die-cast chassis, high-powered motor, and excellent output. |
| 5. | Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Stack & Snap Food Processor | High capacity and output food processor with premium blade and excellent build quality. |
| 6. | Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus | 250W, a high-powered mini food processor that can easily process every type of ingredient! |
| 7. | Oster 2-Speed 10-Cup Food Processor | Multi-functional and powerful food processor with 10-cup capacity. |
| 8. | Cuisinart CJE-500 Compact Juicer | A stylish juicer with a powerful motor and a superior processing blade system. |
| 9. | Cuisinart Elemental 4-C Chopper | 4 cup capacity, excellent blade design, and a powerful 250W motor. |
1. Hamilton Beach Food Processor
We are starting with a food processor that costs $49 but is on par with many of the more expensive options in the market.
This appliance can shred and slice food with ease and features a high-quality stainless-steel blade that is equipped with a 500W motor.
This is the very definition of affordability and value and we bet that you won’t get a food processor as good as this at this price range!
2. Proctor Silex Durable Mini Food Processor
On the flip side, this mini food processor is designed to be two things: extremely convenient and very cheap.
But of course, this doesn’t mean that it is any less capable!
Coming in at just $18, this is a lot of value in a small package as this food processor can puree, chop and slice food in no time.
It is equipped with a 70W motor that can run even on a portable battery which makes it great for kitchen and outdoor use.
It can hold up to 1.5 cups and will hardly take up space in the kitchen. If you just cook for yourself or a partner, then this compact and affordable food processor is just for you!
3. Black Decker One-Touch Electric Food Chopper
The one-touch electric food processor is focused on providing the best chopping experience.
If you like compact food processors but are looking for more power, then this 300W food processor is going to be perfect for all your needs.
It has a capacity of 1.5-3 cups, depending on what model you buy, and you get enough chopping power to process everyday ingredients with ease.
It costs just $18 and is a great option to have in a small apartment or home.
4. Cuisinart Elite Collection
Who said you can’t get high-quality materials and excellent value in cheaper products?
This food processor defies convention and provides an excellent chopping, pureeing, and slicing experience.
Priced under $60, this appliance comes with a stainless-steel blade and a die-cast body with an auto-reversing blade that can easily chop and puree food.
It is extremely convenient and the additional features combine to make this an excellent and cheap food processor for everyday use!
5. Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Stack & Snap Food Processor
This is another great food processor that doesn’t cost a lot and yet gets the job done—and then some!
This multi-function appliance is your answer to affordable food processors for home use.
It’s equipped with a powerful 450W motor that is designed to work in tandem with the stainless-steel blade.
It costs just $52 but is worth every penny, especially considering that you get a 12-cup capacity chamber that can easily process any kind of food!
6. Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus
This food processor is a great balance between size, capacity, and power. It is designed to be compact, yet it can fit in four cups of ingredients with ease.
The high-powered 250W motor will also easily chop, slice, and puree all the ingredients in one go.
Now you don’t have to depend on clunky and convoluted appliances to get work done, just plug this food processor in and chop away!
7. Oster 2-Speed 10-Cup Food Processor
The Oster food processor is designed to provide a superior grinding and blending experience.
This is all thanks to its premium, high-quality stainless-steel blade and its 500W motor!
This appliance has multiple useful functions that you can use every day, without fail.
It is also built with high-quality materials, so you won’t have to worry about it breaking down after just a few months either!
8. Hamilton Beach 3-Cup Food Processor & Vegetable Chopper
The great thing about Hamilton Beach is that it provides multiple options to its customers.
Take this food processor as an example: you get a 350W motor with stainless-steel blades that can easily chop through any type of ingredient.
This is the food processor that every small household should invest in.
It costs less than $25 and is the perfect way for you to conveniently and quickly chop, mince or puree food.
9. Cuisinart Elemental 4-C Chopper
This chopper is built for users who want to process a lot of ingredients without a hassle.
It is equipped with a 250W motor that can chop through just about anything using its high-quality stainless-steel blade.
Costing less than $40, this chopper is extremely easy to use as it has just two functionalities: one button is for grinding and the other is for chopping.
If you have been looking for a durable and affordable food processor then we highly recommend this option!
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