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The name ALDI is almost synonymous with value, and this food processor is no exception. Not only did it score the highest for value for money and ease of cleaning, but it also had the best ranking for performance.
A food processor is a multi-functional appliance that can help make food preparation quicker and easier. Food processors feature blades for chopping, slicing and grating, while some models also come with attachments to tackle tasks like kneading dough and whisking.
Name a food-prep task and there's a good chance a food processor will be able to do it. This includes:
The most basic food processors are designed to help you chop ingredients for cooking. These mini choppers come with chopping blades, a bowl and not much else, but they also feature budget-friendly price tags.
However, the majority of food processors are versatile enough to tackle a wide range of food-preparation jobs in the kitchen. They feature attachments for everything from shredding to kneading, larger capacities to suit the cooking needs of a family, and powerful motors to handle labour-intensive tasks.
You'll also be able to choose between food processors from a range of major appliance brands, including:
To find the best food processor for your needs, you'll need to compare a range of products and the features they offer. If you're ready to buy, check out our round-up of the best food processors available in Australia.
Keep the following factors in mind when comparing food processors:
You'll need to choose a food processor that's large enough for your home. Most models have a bowl capacity of between 1 and 3 litres.
It's also a good idea to check the specs sheet for the dimensions of the processor. If you've only got limited bench or cupboard space to work with, size really does matter. The weight of the unit is also important if you'll need to put it away in a cupboard for storage purposes.
Think about the tasks that you want your food processor to tackle – this will help you determine what attachments and accessories you need. For example, are you just looking for something to handle all basic chopping and slicing tasks, or do you want a machine that can help you puree baby food, knead dough and chop nuts?
Check what attachments come with the food processor and how you can use them in your kitchen. Items like S-blades, slicing discs and shredding discs are common, while some models also come with dough kneading tools, citrus presses, French-fry discs and more. Depending on your needs, those extra attachments could be regularly-used essentials or just needless extra clutter in your kitchen cupboards.
Check how wide the feed chute is to work out how much chopping you'll have to do before you can put items in the food processor.
The food processor you choose will need to have a motor that's powerful enough to handle whatever you throw at it. As a general guide, many food processor motors have at least 600W of power, but there are also several popular models with lower power ratings.
Most food processors have an "on" setting and a "pulse" function for short bursts of power. High-end models sometimes also offer a wider range of variable speed settings.
Do some research to find out how easy the food processor is to set up and use. Are all the controls easy to understand? Does the manual provide clear instructions? Does it come with a box or compartment where can you store extra blades and attachments when they're not in use? Are there any other features that enhance usability, such as built-in scales or extra feed chutes for adding oil or other small ingredients?
Consider how easy the processor will be to clean. Are there cracks or raised edges where mess might accumulate? Are the removable parts dishwasher safe?
Basic, compact food choppers start out at less than $100, while some high-end food processors can set you back $600 or $700. However, most models are priced somewhere in the $100-$400 range. As a general rule, go for a higher-priced model if you want a larger capacity and the ability to tackle a wider range of kitchen tasks.
What's the difference between a food processor and a blender? Though there are some similarities between these two kitchen appliances, they're actually used for different tasks.
While food processors can tackle a wide range of food-prep jobs that generally require lots of manual labour, blenders are used to blitz and combine ingredients into liquids. So if you're looking for an appliance to help you make smoothies, soups and purees, a blender may be a better choice. Check out our blender buying guide for more information, or you may want to consider a food processor that comes with a jug blender attachment.
If you're interested in making pulp-free fruit and vegetable juices, you might also want to check out our juicer buying guide.
There are a few other important factors to consider before you buy a food processor:
If you decide that you need a food processor for your kitchen, be sure to compare a range of options before deciding on the right appliance for your needs.
| Total Score | Overall rating | Value for Money | Ease of cleaning | Performance | Safety | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other | 8.33 | 4.75 | 4.17 | 4.08 | 4.42 | 4.25 |
| ALDI | 8.27 | 4.48 | 4.40 | 4.52 | 4.56 | 4.46 |
| Breville | 8.04 | 4.32 | 4.22 | 4.26 | 4.38 | 4.54 |
| Philips | 7.92 | 4.39 | 4.16 | 4.37 | 4.31 | 4.22 |
| KitchenAid | 7.89 | 4.33 | 4.19 | 4.33 | 4.35 | 4.29 |
| Kambrook | 7.72 | 4.28 | 4.26 | 4.22 | 4.06 | 4.12 |
| Sunbeam | 7.72 | 4.12 | 4.18 | 4.04 | 4.28 | 4.32 |
| Russell Hobbs | 7.62 | 4.15 | 4.13 | 4.22 | 4.20 | 4.26 |
| Kenwood | 7.61 | 4.08 | 4.12 | 4.10 | 4.28 | 4.16 |
| Kogan | 7.34 | 4.04 | 4.20 | 4.20 | 4.02 | 3.78 |
| Kmart | 7.29 | 3.98 | 4.28 | 3.98 | 3.82 | 3.88 |
| Magimix | 7.26 | 4.06 | 3.79 | 3.91 | 3.94 | 3.94 |
We’ve found the 8 best food processors in Australia that can save you time in the kitchen and drastically level up your home cooked meals.
