Photo: Cuisinart
A food processor is a versatile home appliance that supports and simplifies many of the common food preparation tasks we undertake every day.
Cuisinart is an industry leader when it comes to making food processors. Its models are reliable, power-efficient, long-lasting, and versatile enough to deliver multiple food preparation functions.
You can use the brand’s food processors to slice and chop vegetables, grind hard cheese, prepare salads, bake bread, and even blend purée.
Dive into our Cuisinart food processor review to help you choose the ideal appliance that meets all your food preparation requirements.
In this post:
- 10 Best Cuisinart Food Processors – Review
- 1. Cuisinart FP-12DCN – Best Overall Cuisinart Food Processor
- 2. Cuisinart DLC-2ABC – Best Budget Cuisinart Food Processor
- 3. Cuisinart DFP-14BCNY – Best 14-Cup Cuisinart Food Processor
- 4. Cuisinart DLC-10SY – Best Quiet Cuisinart Food Processor
- 5. Cuisinart DLC-4CHB – Best Cuisinart Mini Food Processor
- 6. Cuisinart DLC-8SY – Best Cuisinart Food Processor for Slicing and Shredding
- 7. Cuisinart DFP-14BKSY – Custom Cuisinart Food Processor
- 8. Cuisinart DLC-2011CHBY – Cuisinart Food Processor with Simplified Controls
- 9. Cuisinart FP-8SV – Easy-to-clean Cuisinart Food Processor
- 10. Cuisinart DFP-14BCNYAMZ – Durable Cuisinart Food Processor
- How to Buy the Best Cuisinart Food Processor
- Conclusion
10 Best Cuisinart Food Processors – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Cuisinart FP-12DCN (Best Overall) |
| |
 | 2. Cuisinart DLC-2ABC (Best Budget) |
| |
 | 3. Cuisinart DFP-14BCNY (Best with 14-Cup Capacity) |
| |
 | 4. Cuisinart DLC-10SY (Best Quiet) |
| |
 | 5. Cuisinart DLC-4CHB (Best Mini) |
| |
 | 6. Cuisinart DLC-8SY (Best for Slicing & Shredding) |
| |
 | 7. Cuisinart DFP-14BKSY (Custom Design) |
| |
 | 8. Cuisinart DLC-2011CHBY (Simplified Controls) |
| |
 | 9. Cuisinart FP-8SV (Easy-to-clean) |
| |
 | 10. Cuisinart DFP-14BCNYAMZ (Durable Build) |
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Cuisinart FP-12DCN (Best Overall)
|
2. Cuisinart DLC-2ABC (Best Budget)
|
3. Cuisinart DFP-14BCNY (Best with 14-Cup Capacity)
|
4. Cuisinart DLC-10SY (Best Quiet)
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5. Cuisinart DLC-4CHB (Best Mini)
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6. Cuisinart DLC-8SY (Best for Slicing & Shredding)
|
7. Cuisinart DFP-14BKSY (Custom Design)
|
8. Cuisinart DLC-2011CHBY (Simplified Controls)
|
9. Cuisinart FP-8SV (Easy-to-clean)
|
10. Cuisinart DFP-14BCNYAMZ (Durable Build)
|
1. Cuisinart FP-12DCN – Best Overall Cuisinart Food Processor
Photo: Cuisinart
- Bowl Size: 12 cups, 4 cups
- Slicing Disk: 1-6mm
- Power: 1000 Watts
Starting us off is Cuisinart FP-12DCN, the best overall Cuisinart food processor on our list. It is a high-performance unit with robust food processing function, and decent capacity.
This processor from Cuisinart’s Elite Collection is a kitchen workhorse that will deliver superior performance for a vast range of food processing tasks, for both family and event recipes.
It boasts of a high 12-cup capacity, which is supplemented by an additional 4-cup bowl integrated within the larger bowl. The bowls have pour-spouts and measurement markings for ease of use.
Another handy feature of this appliance is its stainless-steel slicing disk, which is adjustable between 1mm and 6mm to offer robust cutting options. It also has a reversible shredding disk.
For ease of use, the food processor is equipped with electronic touchpad controls, which feature On/Off/Pulse buttons, and a blue LED light.
Because Cuisinart FP-12DCN is a high-performance unit, its power consumption is notably high at 1000 watts and can have cost implications especially with prolonged usage.
Pros:
- Large capacity
- Supports multiple food processing modes
- Adjustable slicing disk
- Easy to operate
Cons:
- Power consumption is high
2. Cuisinart DLC-2ABC – Best Budget Cuisinart Food Processor
Photo: Cuisinart
- Bowl Size: 3 cups
- Power: 250 Watts
Cuisinart DLC-2ABC positions itself as the best budget Cuisinart food processor. This pocket-friendly food processor is a very reliable chopper and grinder.
It comes with Cuisinart’s patented reversible blade, which is made of stainless steel and delivers exceptional chopping and grinding of food items.
Because this food processor is a mini-unit, it is compact and lightweight, weighing only 3 pounds. You can shift it around your kitchen easily even when it is full of content. It also takes up little storage space.
The touchpad controls of this food processor make it easy to operate and even clean. Simply wipe off any dirt that could be resting on the panel.
Also, the unit is also very conservative when it comes to power consumption, drawing only 250 watts of power for and maintaining energy costs at the minimum.
An aspect of the Cuisinart DLC-2ABC you may find limiting is its low 3-cup capacity, which may not support large family meals.
Pros:
- Reasonably-priced
- High-performance blade
- Lightweight and compact
- Power-efficient and easy to operate
Cons:
- Low capacity
3. Cuisinart DFP-14BCNY – Best 14-Cup Cuisinart Food Processor
Photo: Cuisinart
- Bowl Size: 14 cups
- Slicing Disk: 4mm
- Power: 720 Watts
Coming in a close second is Cuisinart DFP-14BCNY, the best 14-cup Cuisinart food processor. It is great for large family meals or for preparing event recipes for big groups.
The processor’s high 14-cup capacity is enough to accommodate a big load of ingredients, and its extra-large feed tube will accommodate whole fruits and vegetables, saving you the time you’d spend in pre-cutting the ingredients.
It is a versatile appliance, which can execute multiple functions supported by a 4 mm standard stainless-steel slicing disk, a medium shredding disk, and a stainless-steel mixing blade. You can use the processor for mixing chopping, shredding kneading, emulsifying, and mixing dough.
All the food processor’s functions are supported by a high-performance 720-watt motor, which fastens and simplifies the process of preparing large food quantities.
Cuisinart DFP-14BCNY is, however, one of the pricey models we have on our list, and not the most appealing to buyers on a budget.
Pros:
- Large capacity
- Extra-wide feeding tube
- Supports multiple functions
- Powerful and fast motor
Cons:
- Pricey
4. Cuisinart DLC-10SY – Best Quiet Cuisinart Food Processor
Photo: Cuisinart
- Bowl Size: 7 cups
- Slicing Disk: 4mm
- Power: 600 Watts
Cuisinart DLC-10SY is a unique piece because it is the best quiet Cuisinart food processor on our list. It makes a decent attempt to minimize noise for a comfortable operating experience.
The appliance is powered by a heavy-duty 600-watt motor, which runs quietly, even when your kneading multiple batches of thick dough. The processor will handle such pressure just fine.
It comes with an extra-large feed tube, which accommodates whole vegetables and fruits. If you want to slice smaller items, a smaller feed tube insert is available.
Slicing and chopping versatility is another strength of this food processor. It comes with a medium slicing disk (4 mm), a stainless-steel chopping blade, and a shredding disk.
We loved the fact that even though this food processor does not come with a touchpad panel, it has a very simplified paddle control that allows you to toggle between On/Off/Pulse settings.
Although the safety locks in Cuisinart DLC-10SY are very useful, they make assembly a bit too involving and time-consuming or our liking.
Pros:
- Quiet operation
- Feed tube has ample space
- Versatile blade and slicer
- Simplified controls
Cons:
- Cumbersome assembly
5. Cuisinart DLC-4CHB – Best Cuisinart Mini Food Processor
Photo: Cuisinart
- Bowl Size: 4 cups
- Power: 250 Watts
Cuisinart DLC-4CHB comes in as the best Cuisinart mini food processor. This compact unit is ideal for making small meals with its 4-cup capacity.
You can use the automatic reversing SmartPower blade feature of this food processor to grind or chop different recipes to create simple homemade meals.
This appliance has been constructed using elegant brushed metal, which makes it a fashionable fit for the modern kitchen.
For ease of control and operation, this food processor comes with touchpad controls. Also included are a handy user guide, and a recipe book to get you started right away.
We loved that this food processor is reasonably-priced and in the budget category. People on a budget and looking for a compact unit will find this one an ideal for everyday food preparation tasks.
Because the Cuisinart DLC-4CHB draws only 250 watts of power, it is not ideal for heavy-duty grinding, such as that involving nut butter and similar foods.
Pros:
- Makes small simple recipes
- High-performance blade
- Easy to operate
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- Limited motor power
6. Cuisinart DLC-8SY – Best Cuisinart Food Processor for Slicing and Shredding
Photo: Cuisinart
- Bowl Size: 11 cups
- Slicing Disk: 2mm, 4mm
- Power: 625 Watts
Cuisinart DLC-8SY is the best Cuisinart food processor for slicing and shredding because it comes equipped with multiple high-performance disks.
The appliance features 3 slicing/shredding disks and an upgraded chopping blade. These disks and blade made the process ideal for preparing a dough, shredding cheese, slicing vegetables, emulsifying, mincing herbs and garlic, mixing batters.
Enhanced slicing is especially supported by a 2 mm slicing disc, and a second 4 mm medium slicing disk.
Its 11-cup bowl is fed by an extra-large feed tube, which not only accommodates whole vegetables and fruits but also helps make servings large enough for your family. No pre-cutting is necessary with this food processor.
All the functions of this food processor are supported by a powerful 625-watt motor, which can accommodate all the light-duty and heavy-duty operating demands of the appliance.
We did note, however, that the Cuisinart DLC-8SY can prove weighty. It weighs 16.3 pounds, which means that when fully loaded, it is not very simple to shift around by lifting.
Pros:
- High-performance slicer and shredder
- Multiple slicing disks
- Large capacity and feed tube
- Powerful motor
Cons:
- May feel bulky
7. Cuisinart DFP-14BKSY – Custom Cuisinart Food Processor
Photo: Cuisinart
- Bowl Size: 14 cups
- Slicing Disk: 4 mm
- Power: 720W
Another unique piece is Cuisinart DFP-14BKSY because it is a custom Cuisinart food processor.
This top-rated food processor comes with a stainless-steel slicing disc, a shredding disc, and an upgraded chopping blade. Combined these components make cooking for crowds fast and easy.
It features a unique 14-cup Lexan work bowl, which is fed by an extra-large feed tube that has both large and small pushers. You can feed whole fruits and vegetables into this bowl to minimize pre-cutting time and effort.
The appliance is very durable and reliable as it features a brushed stainless-steel housing that can handle the pressures of everyday food preparation.
You’ll especially love the powerful 720-watt motor that comes with this processor. Such power makes the appliance a workhorse that will deliver on a weeknight and similar meals.
Unfortunately, the shredding and slicing blades of the Cuisinart DFP-14BKSY are not adjustable, hence denying you a bit of operational flexibility.
Pros:
- High-performance discs and chopper
- Large capacity
- Heavy-duty construction
- Powerful motor
Cons:
- Unadjustable slicing and shredding blades
8. Cuisinart DLC-2011CHBY – Cuisinart Food Processor with Simplified Controls
Photo: Cuisinart
- Bowl Size: 11 cups
- Slicing Disk: 4mm
- Power: 625 Watts
Cuisinart DLC-2011CHBY food processor stands out from the pack because of its simplified controls and ease of operation.
It comes with intuitive touchpad controls, which include ‘On’, ‘Off’, ‘Pulse’ buttons. An extra ‘Dough’ button has been included to grant you full control over the degree of food processing you require.
The ‘Dough’ button, which is absent in other Cuisinart models, is specially engineered for perfect dough needing, a process also supported by the PowerPrep dough blade.
This food processor offers a decent 11-cup capacity, which is enough to deliver family-sized food-preparation tasks while being flexible enough to perform smaller jobs.
Another feature we loved in this food processor is its automatic speed adjustment, which supports dough consistency.
Assembling and disassembling the Cuisinart DLC-2011CHBY food processor is, however, not easy, and takes a bit of time and effort.
Pros:
- Intuitive touch controls
- Dedicated dough button
- Decent bowl capacity
- Automatic speed adjustment
Cons:
- Assembly and disassembly are not easy
9. Cuisinart FP-8SV – Easy-to-clean Cuisinart Food Processor
Photo: Cuisinart
- Bowl Size: 8 cups
- Power: 350 Watts
You’ll love the Cuisinart FP-8SV Cuisinart food processor for its ease of cleaning. The appliance can be disassembled and its plastic component tossed into the dishwasher for safe and thorough cleaning.
It comes with 2 high-performance discs: an adjustable slicing disk, and a reversible shredding disc. The appliance is equipped with a medium-to-fine chopping/mixing/dough blade.
We also loved the many protective locks that come with the food processor. It employs Cuisinart’s SealTight Advantage system for effective bowl sealing and blade locking.
A wide-mouth feed tube will accommodate whole vegetables and fruits to reduce the time and effort spent on pre-cutting them.
An issue that was slightly disappointing about the Cuisinart FP-8SV food processor is its 350-watt power rating, which is in the lower range and may not be adequate to handle intensive food processing tasks.
Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Reversible discs
- Effective protective mechanism
- Wide feed tube
Cons:
- Not very powerful
10. Cuisinart DFP-14BCNYAMZ – Durable Cuisinart Food Processor
Photo: Cuisinart
- Bowl Size: 14 cups
- Slicing Disk: 4mm
- Power: 720 Watts
Cuisinart DFP-14BCNYAMZ is a durable Cuisinart food processor, which promises a lifetime of reliable service from its high-quality metallic build.
This is one of the few Cuisinart food processors that is made of brushed stainless steel as the main housing material. The high-quality construction slows down wear and tear by a considerable margin compared to plastic appliances.
Besides durability, this food processor is a high-capacity one and is capable of accommodating 14 cups of food content. This capacity is enough for family-sized meals and event servings.
It is supported by a powerful 720-watt motor, which is capable of handling intensive appliance operation. Intuitive ‘On’ and ‘Off/Pulse’ buttons help to simplify control.
Also, the plastic components of this food processor are dishwasher safe to simplify the cleaning process.
We were disappointed in the fact that Cuisinart DFP-14BCNYAMZ is the most expensive food processor on our list, which locks out potential buyers on a budget.
Pros:
- Durable metallic build
- High-capacity bowl
- Powerful motor
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Expensive
How to Buy the Best Cuisinart Food Processor
Photo: Cuisinart
1. Work Bowl
When choosing a Cuisinart food processor, the size of its work bowl is a top consideration to make.
You may need a high-capacity bowl if you’re making family-size recipes, or a low-capacity bowl if you wish to make small and fast recipes. Small bowls are great when you want to minimize the overall size of the processor, for instance, when there are space limitations.
If a large work bowl is what you require to meet all your food-processing demands, then processors such as the Cuisinart DFP-14BCNY and the Cuisinart DFP-14BCNYAMZ are great picks. Both have a high 14-cup capacity.
2. Blade & Discs
Because the core functions of food processors involve slicing and shredding, the appliances have blades and disks as their core components.
Discs are suited for slicing foods such as vegetables. Discs are also responsible for shredding, for instance, when preparing cheese.
Blades are ideal for chopping different food, including fruits, when you want to make your favorite salads. Some Cuisinart food processors come with multiple discs. The Cuisinart DLC-8SY food processor, for instance, has 2 discs (2 mm and 4 mm) for slicing versatility.
3. Materials
The materials used to construct your Cuisinart food processor, and its core components, are critical determinants of the appliance’s durability.
Most of the reliable Cuisinart food processors are made of tough BPA-free ABS plastic. This material is preferred for its durability, ease of cleaning, and the fact that it can be molded into a clear finish to enable you to see the food processor’s content.
The blades and discs used in Cuisinart’s food processors are made using stainless steel, which makes them strong and durable. You may stumble upon a food processor with a metallic finish such as brushed stainless steel.
4. Power
Cuisinart food processors are powered by electric motors, which are responsible for spinning the discs and blades.
These appliances have different power ratings. The higher the power your food processor draws, the more the load it can handle especially during intensive operations.
If power and high-performance are what you’re looking for in a food processor, pick the 1000-watt Cuisinart FP-12DCN. It’s worth noting, however, that operating a high-power food processor over extended periods can potentially increase your energy costs.
5. Control Features
All Cuisinart food processors come with control features, which allow you to operate the appliances by choosing between different modes.
The 3 most common control options in food processors include ‘On’, ‘Off’, and “Pulse”. These simplistic operations can be further enhanced by being embedded in touch panels, such as those available with some selected Cuisinart models.
Touchpads are not only easy to operate, but also contribute to simplifying the processor’s cleaning process.
6. Disassembling & Cleaning
Since your food processor is primarily meant to handle different foods, the generation of residue is a common occurrence, which often necessitates thorough cleaning.
Disassembling food processors is almost inevitable if their cleaning process is to be considered effective.
Luckily, Cuisinart food processors have been designed to simplify cleaning by allowing complete disassembly. Also, the plastic components of most Cuisinart models are dishwasher safe, for easy hassle-free cleaning.
Conclusion
Our Cuisinart food processor review demonstrates the value of having these appliances in the modern kitchen. They perform and simplify a wide range of everyday food processing tasks.
If you’re looking for the best of them all, pick Cuisinart FP-12DCN, the best overall Cuisinart food processor on our list. It is a powerful, large capacity, and versatile appliance.
If you want a food processor that will prepare large family-sized servings, the 14-cup Cuisinart DFP-14BCNY is the right appliance for you.
For those on a budget, Cuisinart DLC-2ABC offers some decent value for a pocket-friendly price.