The 6 Best Blender Food Processor Combos – Tried and Tested to Find Your New Kitchen Sous Chef
Our expert testing team have put the top models through their paces to find the best multi-functional machines for your money
Chiana Dickson
The best blender-food processor combos can be a lifesaver if you love to cook. Home chefs know how quickly a kitchen can become overwhelmed by a mass of appliances, which is why multi-functional tools are invaluable for saving space and streamlining prep.
So, I enlisted the help of our expert testers to find the very best blender-food-processor combos out there. We all agreed that these needed to be worthy of a position in our best blender buying guide, as well as our best food processors list. There shouldn't be any compromises.
After 40 hours and a whole lot of smoothies and chopped veg, here are the best of the best.
One-Minute Verdict
Our top pick is the Ninja Professional Plus – it is spacious, powerful, perfect for families and great value, too. For those working with less storage space, the Nutribullet Ultra Plus Kitchen System, available at Target, is our pick, with compact accessories. Finally, for those with the budget, the Magimix 14-Cup Food Processor, at Williams Sonoma, is the most durable option we tested.
The Quick List
This boasts some serious power and capacity. It was faultless across all our tests. If you want a straightforward appliance that can do it all and not cost the earth, look no further. Just note, this is huge.
This Nutribullet model is arguably more aesthetically pleasing and sleek than the Ninja, featuring a touchscreen interface. It just struggles with smaller quantities.
The Nutribullet Ultra Plus is perfect for apartment dwellers or those with smaller kitchens. Just like a personal blender, the motor base is petite and light enough to move anywhere you want to do your blending or processing.
If you don't have a tall cupboard for a big appliance, this option could suit you. A stick blender powers the food processor, so there's no chunky base. It comes with lots of accessories, like a whisk, dough hook, mini chopper, and potato masher.
Magimix invented the food processor, and they stand by their quality with a 30-year warranty. It comes with a sharp blender blade for creamy smoothies, making it an excellent combo option.
This powerful system eliminates the need for separate, clunky mixers, blenders, and food processors on your countertop. It is more expensive than other offers on this list, but we think it is worth the investment. However, it may be a bit complex for some.
Best Overall Blender-Food Processor: The Ninja Professional Plus Kitchen System
How does it perform on blending? Our tester, Millie, made some creamy smoothies that rivaled the best blenders on the market. At 1400 watts, it's seriously powerful. The only flaw was that it left some seeds behind in our berry smoothie test – but frankly, we have very high standards. It was also impressive across soups and ice cones. It's best suited for bigger families, thanks to the enormous 72 oz pitcher, but if you want to make single servings, there are also two 24 oz travel-sized bullets.
What about food processing? Millie labeled the chopping functions 'faultless'. She tested chopped zucchini, celery, and carrots, and grated cheese, saying: 'Every ingredient was evenly blitzed using the double-layered blades. I thought that the Auto-IQ settings were excellently timed with differing strengths and intermediate pulsing. My only complaint is that it's on the noisy side.'
In terms of cleaning, all removable attachments (the lids and blending cups, to the blades and slicing disc), can go through the dishwasher. If you plan on using it on a regular basis, MillIe reports that is also easy enough to clean by hand.
Small criticisms: Before you invest, it's worth evaluating your kitchen space. The large attachments need some spacious cupboards to be stored neatly away in, especially because the lids only lock into place when the attachments are on your base. But remember, this is two appliances in one, so you're probably saving space overall.
Our Ninja Professional Plus Kitchen System with Auto-IQ review has more details
Best Designed Blender-Food Processor
How does it perform on blending? If you’re after a kitchen appliance that blends power with sophistication, the Nutribullet is a standout. The sleek and shiny design combines blending and food processing into one modern device – complete with a light-up digital timer and touchscreen for total control.
Our small appliances expert, Laura, tested the blending blades on smoothies, soups, dips, and even ice cones. She says, 'The razor-sharp blades and powerful motor delivered fantastic results every time. I also loved the single-serve cups in small and medium sizes – which were perfect for prepping on-the-go drinks.' It's worth mentioning that all of the attachments are dishwasher-safe for easy clean-up.
What about food processing? The food processor is also impressive, chopping, shredding, and pureeing large quantities with ease. However, Laura says, 'It faltered on smaller quantities. The food processor is so big that when I added one small onion, it rolled around and didn't get thoroughly chopped.'
Small criticisms: If you need a food processor for small tasks, this isn't the ideal fit. The Ninja Professional Plus above is slightly more consistent, since the blades sit at different levels, meaning that it achieves more thorough results, even as the bowl fills up. Also, it's slightly more expensive than the Ninja. However, if you prioritize sleek design, you have the space and the family demand for a large appliance, it’s still a worthy investment. It's a good one to shop in the sales, too.
Our full Nutribullet Triple Prep review has more details
Best Compact Blender-Food Processor
How does it perform on blending? Our team was already a huge fan of the Nutribullet Ultra blender, so we were expecting big things from the 3-in-1 Plus system. Unsurprisingly, the powerful 1200-watt motor and stable base easily handled frozen bananas, berries, and ice with ease (so long as you place them in the right order). I like that two personal blender cups are included for single-serve smoothies on the go.
Food processing? The 2-cup food processor bowl is ideal for small chopping tasks. Our expert cookware tester, Tobey, chopped an onion into a texture suitable for sauces and soups in under a minute. She noted that the results weren't uniformly perfect, but good enough. She also sliced carrots and cucumbers, and ground fresh spices.
Small criticisms: The Nutribullet Ultra Plus+ struggled with grating Parmesan cheese (it quickly turned into a melted mess). Plus, the food processing cup is small; some ingredients need to be pre-cut before processing, which adds an extra step to meal prep. If size and versatility matter to you, I recommend spending a bit more on something like the Ninja Professional Plus – it's worth it.
Finally, the motor base is ideal for small kitchen counters, but with 14 pieces included, finding storage space for all attachments can be challenging.
Read more in our full Nutribullet Ultra Plus review
Most Versatile Blender-Food Processor
How does it perform on blending? If you're short on space, the Braun MultiQuick is a powerhouse in a compact package. It comes with attachments for blending, whisking, mashing, chopping, pureeing, and kneading – all powered by an impressive stick motor. We particularly loved the blending wand, which is flexible, easy to control and gets into the tightest corners. We used it to make a very smooth pea soup – the chunky onions, mint and pea skins disappearing into nothing. This earned the Braun a spot in our best blender buying guide as the best blender for baby food.
Food Processing: Our tester, Millie, was pleasantly surprised to find that the Braun's 8-cup processor attachment rivals larger models like the Ninja but takes up far less space, since it doesn't need the chunky motor base. Millie issues a word of warning: 'It actually chopped my onions almost too well – blitzing them to a near-purée on a high setting. This kit also comes with a mini chopper, which made a very smooth pesto in the test kitchen, with a sauce-like consistency and no trace of large chunks of garlic or pine nuts.
Small criticisms: The blender is handheld, so you do have to do a little manual work to get those ultra-smooth results. Plus, our tester Millie felt that the food processor chopping bowl and blades were flimsy in comparison to some of our top options, like the Ninja and Nutribullet above. However, if you lack tall cupboards and pantries for those kinds of large appliances, the Braun is your best bet.
You can read more in our Braun MultiQuick Immersion Hand Blender review
Most Durable Blender-Food Processor
How does it perform on blending? Though the Magimix 14-Cup Food Processor is primarily a food processor, it comes with a blending blade perfect for smoothies and batters – making it a strong combo option. In testing, I blended banana, yogurt, almond milk, flax seeds, and cinnamon into a creamy smoothie in under a minute. There was one tiny chunk of banana left behind, but overall, it did a great job. It was slightly tricky to pour accurately, since there's no spout like a blender pitcher.
What about food processing? This is hands-down one of the best food processors for serious home cooks and pros alike. Built by Robot-Coupe – the only brand trusted in commercial kitchens – it features ultra-sharp Sabatier blades for precise slicing, shredding, and chopping. I used it for everything from grating cheese to prepping veggies for a ratatouille and blending hummus, and it handled every task with power and consistency. The three bowl sizes add great flexibility, and all attachments are dishwasher-safe and easy to use.
Small criticism: It’s tall, heavy, and not cheap – but it’s built to last. The 30-year motor warranty speaks volumes, and I know chefs who’ve used theirs for decades without a hitch. If you're ready to invest in a durable, professional-grade processor, the Magimix is worth it.
My Magimix 4200XL review has more details
Best Premium Blender-Food Processor
How did it perform on blending? Our reviewer, Alexandra Frost, made smoothies and crushed ice to test the blender's performance. This blender had turned around 20 ice cubes into slushie-ready mix in under five seconds, and mixed a super smooth smoothie without complaint. She didn't need to shake the pitcher or scrape down the sides, either. When making nut butter, it took only seconds to break down whole almonds.
What about food processing? The processing function is the fastest and most impressive way of cutting a vegetable Alex had ever seen, and much more efficient than competing products she has tested in the past. A single potato was completely sliced and ready to make chips, hash browns, or a casserole side dish in a matter of seconds. The slices were consistent, and no food was stuck in the process.
Small criticisms: While this is a high-performing machine, it’s not a quiet one. At over 90 decibels during the blending process, it is not considered a quiet blender. However, it’s on for such a short time as it does its job efficiently that it bothers everyone less than quieter options that take longer.
Being a large machine with so many settings, it can also feel initially overwhelming as you come to learn the setup, and the blades are sharp enough to cut skin easily, so be careful when handling.
Our full Ninja Foodi Power Blender Ultimate System review has more details
How to Choose a Blender-Food Processor
If you're stuck wondering: 'Which food prep appliance do I actually need?' I've written a guide to help you start.
If you're already set on getting a blender-food-processor combo, you need to think beyond the basics. It’s not just about blending and chopping – it’s about efficiency, versatility, and durability in the kitchen. Here’s what to consider:
Versatility: A good combo appliance should be a true multitasker. Look for attachments that you need, like graters, slicers, whisks, and even juicers, if you like that sort of thing. For frozen cocktails, look for ice-crushing capabilities, too. Only pay for what you'll actually use – if you’re just making smoothies and occasional sauces, a simpler model will do.
Capacity & Size: Consider both the volume you’ll be working with and where you’ll store it. A large-capacity processor (7+ cups) is ideal for prepping big batches, but make sure it fits your counter or cabinet space. If you’re tight on room, a compact model with attachments that slot into a drawer might be better.
Power: The power rating matters. If you're crushing ice or turning vegetables into thick purées, aim for at least 1000 watts. For lighter tasks like chopping herbs or making vinaigrettes, 600 watts should suffice. Underpowered machines struggle with tougher ingredients, leading to uneven textures and burnout over time.
Durability & Build Quality: Plastic components may be lighter and cheaper, but they wear down faster. If you're using this appliance daily, look for BPA Tritan plastic and stainless steel blades – they're more durable and often easier to clean. Also, check warranties – good brands stand by their products.
Cleaning: If you dread washing up, look for detachable blades, smooth surfaces and dishwasher-safe signs.
Cost vs. Value: Price matters, but think about value over time. A cheap model might seem like a steal, but if it struggles with basic tasks or breaks within a year, it's probably not worth it. You might even prefer to invest in a reliable, time-tested blender and separate processor, if you plan to use them every single day for a long time.
How We Test Blender-Food Processor Combos
When evaluating the best blender-food processor combos, we treat each function – blending, processing, and additional attachments – as if they were standalone appliances.
For blenders, we test smoothies, soup (where the appliances accept hot liquids), and ice to test power. A food processor has to slice, grate, and dice vegetables, and make a smooth dip with no lumps.
You can read more details about each process in how we test food processors and how we test blenders.
FAQS
What is the difference between a blender and a food processor?
If you’re trying to decide between a food processor vs blender, it helps to know they serve very different purposes. The best food processors have wider, shallower bowls, making them ideal for chopping, slicing, or shredding vegetables, nuts, and other dry or semi-dry ingredients.
The best blenders, on the other hand, have tall, narrow pitchers designed to create a vortex that pulls ingredients toward the blades, so they excel at turning liquids and soft ingredients into smooth drinks or sauces. If you’ve ever tried making a soup in a food processor or chopping raw veggies in a blender, you’ll know why each machine is built for its own set of tasks (I really don't recommend you try the experiment, though!)
The options in this guide combine the best of both worlds, offering interchangeable blender pitchers and food processors that can blend smoothies and chop veggies with one powerful motor base.
What can you use a food processor for?
For me, the best part about a food processor is that you can make healthier, homemade versions of ultra-processed or packaged store-bought foods. For example, you can grate cheese that's free from added binding chemicals, chop tomatoes without the extra sugar or metallic taste from cans, and prepare preservative-free hummus or mayonnaise.
If you enjoy cooking from scratch, a food processor can help you make your own meatballs, patties, or falafels with ease. Of course, the most well-known function is chopping onions, mincing garlic, and shredding carrots or cabbage - but you can also turn your hand to dips, like pesto, salsas, and hummus.
That’s just scratching the surface. Depending on the blender-food-processor combo you choose, you might even be able to bind dough or shortcrust pastry. Our small appliance tester and expert foodie, Alex, has written a really interesting guide to what a food processor can do (and you might want to take a look at my list of things you can make in a blender while you're at it).
With your new appliance secured, learn the best way to clean a blender to keep it in perfect condition.
Love the latest product news and helpful shopping advice? Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.
