Finding the right food processor can feel like a daunting task, especially when working with a budget. You need a machine that is powerful enough to handle tough ingredients, versatile enough for a variety of recipes, and reliable enough to become a staple in your kitchen. The good news is that the sub-$150 category is filled with impressive options that deliver professional-grade performance without the high cost.
Whether you are preparing ingredients for a large family meal, making homemade dips and sauces, or simply looking to save time on daily prep work, a quality food processor is an invaluable tool. This roundup highlights eight of the best models available, each offering a unique set of features, capacities, and strengths to suit different cooking styles and kitchen needs.
Our Top Picks for Food Processors Under $150
- Hamilton Beach Food Processor & Vegetable Chopper, 10 Cups
- BLACK+DECKER Food Processor and Vegetable Chopper, 8-Cup
- GANIZA Food Processors with Meat Grinder, 2 Bowls
- Hamilton Beach Electric Vegetable Chopper, 3-Cup
- BLACK+DECKER 1.5-Cup Electric Food Chopper
- Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus Food Processor, 24-Ounce
- Cuisinart DFP-14BCNY 14-Cup Food Processor
- Ninja BN601 Professional Plus Food Processor
Hamilton Beach Food Processor & Vegetable Chopper, 10 Cups
This Hamilton Beach model stands out with its innovative built-in bowl scraper, a feature that saves significant time and effort. As the machine runs, you can move the scraper from side to side to keep ingredients moving toward the blades, eliminating the need to stop and use a spatula. This results in smoother purees and more consistent mixes without the interruption.
Equipped with a robust 450-watt motor, it powers through tough ingredients like hard cheeses and root vegetables with ease. The 10-cup capacity is ideal for larger batches, and the included stainless steel slicing/shredding disc and reversible chopping/pureeing blade provide five essential functions for a wide range of recipes, from healthy salads to hearty sauces.
BLACK+DECKER Food Processor and Vegetable Chopper, 8-Cup
Simplicity is the key strength of this BLACK+DECKER food processor. Its smart design allows for easy assembly, as the work bowl simply sets onto the base and the lid itself acts as the locking mechanism. This eliminates the struggle of twisting and locking a bowl into place, making setup and cleanup a quick process.
The 8-cup work bowl provides ample space for creating salsas, nut butters, and hummus. A sharp stainless steel S-blade ensures fast and consistent chopping and mixing results. With 450 watts of power, it handles a variety of kitchen tasks efficiently, making it a reliable and user-friendly choice for everyday use.
GANIZA Food Processors with Meat Grinder, 2 Bowls
For those seeking maximum versatility, the GANIZA food processor is a compelling option. It comes with two separate 8-cup bowls—one made of glass and the other of stainless steel—along with two sets of bi-level blades. This setup allows you to process different types of ingredients, like meat and vegetables, without cross-contamination and without needing to wash the bowl in between tasks.
It is powered by a durable full-copper motor designed for a long service life. Safety is a priority with this model, featuring an automatic stopping design that halts the blades immediately when the motor is removed. An overheating protection system also safeguards the motor, ensuring both safety and longevity during intensive use.
Hamilton Beach Electric Vegetable Chopper, 3-Cup
This compact chopper from Hamilton Beach is perfect for smaller, everyday tasks. Its patented stack and press design makes it incredibly easy to use; you simply press the lid to chop and release to stop. There are no complicated twist-lock mechanisms, making it accessible for everyone in the household.
The 3-cup capacity is ideal for chopping an onion, mincing garlic, or pureeing ingredients for a single sauce or dip. Durable stainless steel blades handle a multitude of ingredients, and a convenient oil dispenser on the lid allows for easy emulsification of dressings and sauces directly in the bowl.
BLACK+DECKER 1.5-Cup Electric Food Chopper
When your chopping needs are very small, this 1.5-cup model from BLACK+DECKER is the perfect solution. It is designed for quick jobs like chopping a handful of herbs, making breadcrumbs, or dicing a single piece of fruit. Its compact size makes it easy to store in any kitchen cabinet.
Operation is simple with a one-touch pulse button that gives you control over the texture. The stay-sharp stainless steel blades are built for long-lasting performance, and the removable parts are dishwasher safe, making cleanup after small tasks exceptionally fast and convenient.
Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus Food Processor, 24-Ounce
The Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus is a compact powerhouse renowned for its reliability and performance. Its 250-watt motor and patented reversible stainless steel blade work together to quickly chop herbs, dice vegetables, and even grind hard cheeses. The push-button control panel offers two processing options: chop and grind.
With a 24-ounce work bowl, it is perfectly sized for small to medium tasks without taking up much counter space. Cleanup is straightforward, as the bowl and lid are dishwasher safe. This model has stood the test of time and remains a favorite for its consistent results and durable construction.
Cuisinart DFP-14BCNY 14-Cup Food Processor
For those who frequently cook for a crowd or undertake large projects, the Cuisinart 14-cup model offers the capacity and power needed. Its large work bowl can handle significant quantities of dough, large batches of vegetables, or substantial amounts of dip, making it ideal for meal prep and entertaining.
This processor typically comes with a variety of discs for slicing, shredding, and kneading, providing exceptional versatility for a wide range of culinary applications. As a model from a trusted brand in food processors, it is built to deliver consistent, professional-quality results for the home chef.
Ninja BN601 Professional Plus Food Processor
The Ninja Professional Plus is designed for high-performance food preparation. It often features a powerful motor and specialized blades, such as a dough blade and a chopping blade, to handle everything from delicate herbs to thick pizza dough. Its precision and control make it a workhorse in the kitchen.
With a sizable capacity and multiple speed options, it provides the flexibility needed for complex recipes. Ninja’s reputation for robust and effective kitchen appliances is evident in this model, which is built to simplify even the most demanding food processing tasks with efficiency and ease.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Food Processors Under $150
I know that shopping for a food processor can feel overwhelming with all the options out there. You want something that works well without emptying your wallet. Having tested my fair share of them, I’ve learned what really matters when you’re looking for the best food processors under $150. It’s not just about the price tag; it’s about finding a machine that will be your reliable kitchen helper for years to come.
First, consider the motor power. This is the heart of the machine. For a budget under $150, you can find models with motors ranging from around 400 to 700 watts. A more powerful motor, say 600 watts or above, will handle tougher jobs like kneading bread dough or chopping hard vegetables without straining. If you mostly plan on making pesto, hummus, or slicing soft foods, a lower wattage around 400-500 might be perfectly sufficient for you. Don’t just go for the biggest number; think about what you’ll actually use it for.
Next, let’s talk about capacity and size. This is a big one. Food processors come with work bowls measured in cups. A smaller model around 4 cups is fantastic for small tasks like mincing garlic or making a single-serving dip. But if you’re cooking for a family or like to meal prep, you’ll want something larger. An 8 to 12-cup capacity is the real workhorse for this price range. It can handle a batch of cookie dough, a big salad, or a large quantity of soup puree. Also, check the physical footprint of the machine. Will it fit comfortably on your countertop or in your cabinet? A compact design can be a major plus in a smaller kitchen.
The attachments and functions are where you can really get your money’s worth. Most models come with an S-blade for chopping and pureeing, a slicing disc, and a shredding disc. See if the discs are reversible, as this gives you two slice or shred thicknesses from one disc, saving storage space. Some models might include a dough blade or even a citrus juicer attachment. Think about your cooking style. Do you bake often? Then a dedicated dough blade is useful. Love homemade coleslaw? A good shredding disc is key. I always look for machines that have the attachments I’ll use regularly, rather than a dozen pieces that will just collect dust.
Finally, don’t overlook the little things. The build quality and materials matter. A bowl made from durable, dishwasher-safe plastic makes cleanup a breeze. Look for a locking lid mechanism that feels secure and prevents the motor from starting unless it’s properly locked—this is a crucial safety feature. The feed tube size is another detail; a wider feed tube means you can push larger pieces of food through without as much pre-cutting. By paying attention to these details—motor power, capacity, useful attachments, and smart design—you can confidently find one of the best food processors under $150 that fits your specific kitchen needs perfectly.
FAQ
What is the main difference between a food processor and a blender?
This is a common point of confusion. While they can sometimes overlap, their main jobs are different. A blender is designed for liquids. It’s the champion for smoothies, soups, and shakes. Its tall, narrow pitcher and blade are perfect for creating a vortex that pulls ingredients down into the blades. A food processor, on the other hand, is for solid or semi-solid foods. Its wider, shorter bowl and different blade types are ideal for tasks that require precision, like chopping vegetables, shredding cheese, kneading dough, or making pastry. So, if you want to puree a soup, a blender is great. If you want to chop the vegetables for that soup, a food processor is your tool. You can find excellent models for both purposes, including some of the best food processors under $150.
Can a food processor under $150 really knead bread dough?
Yes, absolutely! Many models in this price range are perfectly capable of kneading dough. The key is to look for a machine with a more powerful motor, ideally 600 watts or higher, and a dedicated dough blade. The dough blade is usually made of plastic and has a different shape than the standard S-blade, which is better for gently folding and stretching the dough. Just be sure not to overfill the bowl, as dough can expand, and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for maximum capacity. It saves so much time and effort compared to kneading by hand.
Are the bowls and attachments dishwasher safe?
This varies by model, but it’s a feature I always check for. In the under-$150 category, the vast majority of work bowls and lids are made from BPA-free plastic and are dishwasher safe on the top rack. The metal blades and discs, however, should almost always be hand-washed. Dishwasher detergent and high heat can dull the sharp edges of the blades over time. Always double-check the manual for your specific model to be sure, but planning to hand-wash the sharp parts will help them last longer.
How important is the size of the feed tube?
It’s more important than you might think. A small feed tube means you have to spend more time pre-cutting your vegetables, fruits, or cheese into tiny pieces before you can process them. A wider feed tube allows you to push through larger items, like a whole potato or a large carrot, which significantly speeds up your prep work. Some models even have a “mini” feed tube within the main one for adding liquids like oil or vinegar while the machine is running. When comparing models, a larger feed tube is a convenience feature that I personally find very valuable.
What safety features should I look for?
The most critical safety feature is an interlock system. This means the food processor simply will not turn on unless the bowl is correctly locked onto the base and the lid is securely locked onto the bowl. This prevents any accidental starts, which is essential when you’re handling sharp blades. Another good feature is a non-slip base, often with suction feet, to keep the unit stable on your countertop during operation, especially when tackling tougher jobs like kneading dough.