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View ProfileA food processor is a staple countertop appliance in most modern kitchens. This versatile kitchen appliance is a true workhorse; it does everything from slicing and dicing to mincing, chopping, and blending.
Typically, a food processor makes most kitchen-related tasks easier, less time-consuming, and safer (compared to cutting, slicing, or dicing using an ordinary kitchen knife). Unfortunately, the high price set by brands hinders most home chefs from getting a processor. However, price shouldn’t be a major stumbling block in your journey towards owning this handy and versatile kitchen appliance.
So, if you’re in the market for this handy countertop appliance but are on a tight budget, you’re in the right place. In this article, I’ll review the best food processors under $100. I’ll also discuss the main factors to consider when purchasing a processor. So, keep it here!
Top picks for the best food processor under $100
Here’s an overview of the best food processors under $100:
Category | Unit Name | Bowl Capacity | Watts | Price |
Best Overall | Hamilton Beach Bowl Scraper Food Processor 10 Cups | 10-cup bowl | 450 watts | Check price on Amazon |
Best Mini Food Processor | Cuisinart DLC-2ABC 3 cups food processor | 3-cup bowl | 250 watts | Check Price on Amazon |
Best Budget Food Processor | Black Decker FP1600B 8-Cup Food Processor | 8-cup bowl | 450 watts | Check price on Amazon |
Best Large Capacity Food Processor | Hamilton Beach 70725A Stack & Snap Food Processor 12-cup bowl | 12-cup bowl | 450 watts | Check price on Amazon |
1. Best overall: Hamilton Beach Bowl Scraper Food Processor 10 Cups
Price: Check price on Amazon
If you’re looking for a versatile and powerful food processor that doesn’t cost a fortune, the Hamilton Beach Bowl Scraper Food Processor is an excellent choice. With 10 cups of capacity, this food processor is ideal for most meal prep tasks in a typical home kitchen.
Key features
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10-cup bowl capacity
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2 speeds + pulse
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Stainless steel S-blade
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Bowl scraper attachment
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Large feed tube/ chute with a pusher
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BPA free
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Reversible shredding/ slicing disc
The Hamilton Beach Bowl Scraper Food Processor is powered by a 450-watt motor, which is more than enough power for most home cooking needs. This food processor also comes with two-speed settings (1 and 2) plus a pulse function.
The stainless steel S-blade is razor-sharp and can easily handle even the toughest chopping, mixing, and pureeing tasks. The reversible shredding/ slicing disc is also a nice touch; it allows you to choose between slicing and shredding.
Another great feature of the Hamilton Beach Bowl Scraper Food Processor is the bowl scraper attachment. This unique attachment helps you scrape the sides of the bowl while the food processor is running, so you don’t have to stop the machine to do it manually.
This processor also boasts a large feed tube that can fit large blocks of food, allowing for easier processing with less prep time.
When it comes to safety, the Hamilton Beach Bowl Scraper Food Processor is equipped with a locking lid and an on/off switch. This prevents accidental spills and provides extra safety when in use. Plus, it has suction cups to keep it stable.
The Hamilton Beach Bowl Scraper Food Processor is also very easy to use and clean. All of the removable parts are dishwasher-safe, so clean-up is a breeze.
And did I mention its BPA free, meaning you can enjoy your meals without worrying about exposure to harmful BPA chemicals? Well, now you know.
Pros:
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10-cup capacity allowing for large meal preps at a go
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Powered by a 450-watt motor powerful enough for most meal prep tasks
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Comes with two-speed settings plus a pulse function, increasing its efficiency
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Stainless steel blades are razor-sharp and are ideal for chopping, slicing, pureeing, etc.
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Reversible shredding/slicing disc allows you to choose between fine and coarse shreds/slices
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Bowl scraper attachment helps you scrape the sides of the bowl while the food processor is running
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Compact design so it doesn’t take much space in your kitchen
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Doesn’t compromise your health, thanks to its BPA-free aspect
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Easy to use and clean
Cons:
- Noisy: However, the noise level is not enough to bother me, and I would still recommend this appliance to anyone looking for an affordable high performing food processor.
Why I love it
As someone who meal preps on a regular basis, I can say that the Hamilton Beach Bowl Scraper Food Processor has been a game-changer in my kitchen. Meal prepping can be time-consuming, but this food processor makes it so much easier and faster without breaking your bank. Plus, I can’t overlook the consistency in the end results and the fact that my meals aren’t contaminated by harmful BPA chemicals. I still can’t believe I went without one for so long. It is definitely worth the investment.
What other customers are saying about it
One Amazon customer had this to say about Hamilton Beach Bowl Scraper Food Processor 10 Cups, “I have owned this model for many years. I then bought one - different brand- with lots of attachments and fancy blades. Thought I’d get more done with it. Nope. Bowl shattered a few weeks in. And I really missed the scraper. SOOOO happy not to have to open the lid to scrape down the sides!!! My original went to our vacay house and I bought a second one of these to replace the fancy parts one. I have yet to stump this food processor. Does everything I need it to do with sufficient power and no problems.”
2. Best mini food processor: Cuisinart DLC-2ABC 3 cups food processor
Price: Check price on Amazon
Cuisinart DLC-2ABC 3 cups food processor is one of the best performing mini processors in the market today. This little helper is perfect for small meal preps such as chopping herbs and grinding hard cheese.
Key features
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Grind or chop at the touch of a button
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Powered by a 250-watt motor
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Easy to use touchpad controls
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Auto reversing stainless steel blade with sharp and blunt edges
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3-cup work bowl with handle
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Spatula
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Grips at the bottom for increased stability
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BPA free
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Dishwasher safe parts
Cuisinart DLC-2ABC 3 cups processor is powered by a 250-watt motor which makes it powerful and efficient for small meal preps. The easy-to-use touch pad controls make it very user-friendly, and the auto-reversing stainless steel blade with sharp and blunt edges makes it very versatile and ensures that your food is evenly chopped or ground.
This mini processor also boasts a 3-cup work bowl with a handle that makes it easy to transport your food from the processor to the stove or oven. Plus, the spatula makes scraping food particles from the sides of the bowl easy, and dishwasher-safe parts make clean-up easier.
So, whether you’re chopping herbs for a salad or grinding hard cheese for a sauce, this mini food processor will get the job done quickly and efficiently. Plus, you don’t have to worry about your health because Cuisinart DLC-2ABC 3 cups food processor is BPA-free.
Pros:
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Very powerful and efficient for small meal preps
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User-friendly touchpad controls
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Auto reversing stainless steel blade is very versatile and ensures evenly chopped or ground food
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3-cup work bowl with handle makes it easy to transport food
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Spatula and dishwasher-safe parts make clean-up easy
Cons:
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Some customers have complained that the Cuisinart DLC-2ABC 3 cups food processor is noisy.
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Not powerful enough to handle tasks such as grinding beans.
What I love about it
I used to hate having to chop herbs for salads or grind hard cheese for sauces because it was such a time-consuming and tedious task. But ever since I got my Cuisinart DLC-2ABC 3 cups food processor, meal prepping has been a breeze. This little helper is powerful enough to make quick work of even the most stubborn ingredients. Plus, the user-friendly touchpad controls and auto-reversing stainless steel blade make it super easy to get evenly chopped or ground results every time.
I also love that it comes with a limited 18-month warranty, just in case anything goes wrong.
What other customers are saying about it
One Amazon customer had this to say about the Cuisinart DLC, “Bought this, after much on-line research and reading of reviews from cooking websites, to replace our old processor. Comparing it to our old one, I think it deserves the great reviews that led me to purchase it. It has a nice base weight so it doesn’t slide around. It’s easy to get the lid on and off and to remove the blade for cleaning. The blade sits low enough that the food in the bottom doesn’t go unprocessed, which was a problem with our old food processor. It’s very powerful (and a little loud), so if you leave your finger on the button too long, you may end up with a purée you didn’t want, but after this happened to me once I learned my lesson and since then it’s worked out perfectly for me. And the picture doesn’t do it justice- it’s a beautiful metallic red (and easy to wipe down as well).“
3. Best budget food processor: Black + Decker FP1600B 8-Cup Food Processor
Price: Check price on Amazon
Black Decker FP1600B 8-Cup Food Processor is a budget-friendly option perfect for small to medium-sized meal preps such as chopping vegetables, fruits, nuts, or grinding meat.
Key features
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8-cup work bowl
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450 Watt motor
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Stainless steel slicer/shredder
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Stainless steel chopping blade
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Food Chute with Pusher
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Push-button control with three settings; off, on, and pulse
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SealTight Advantage System – Bowl and lid seal for leak-resistant processing and pouring
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Dishwasher safe parts
The Black+ Decker FP1600B 8-Cup Food Processor comes with an 8-cup work bowl and is powered by a 450 W motor making it perfect for chopping vegetables, fruits, and nuts or grinding meat. The pulse control gives you the ability to control the consistency of your food, while the stainless steel chopping blade and slicer/shredder ensure evenly chopped, sliced, or shredded food.
Plus, the SealTight Advantage System – Bowl and lid seal for leak-resistant processing and pouring – keeps your food from making a mess. And, the dishwasher-safe parts make clean-up a breeze.
Pros
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Budget-friendly for a home chef looking to get a high-performing food processor on a tight budget
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8-cup work bowl enough for most small to medium-sized meal preps
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Has grips at the base for increased grip and stability
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Stainless steel slicer/shredder and chopping blade for versatility and increased efficiency
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Food chute with pusher making it easy to push ingredients into the work bowl
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SealTight interlocking system that prevents accidental startups and spills
Cons
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The Black+ Decker FP1600B 8-Cup Food Processor is a little too noisy.
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The food chute is narrow, so larger pieces of food may need to be cut up before they can be processed.
What I love about it
I’ve always dreaded cooking time because of the tedious and time-consuming meal preps but the Black+ Decker FP1600B 8-Cup Processor has made things a lot easier for me. I love that it comes with an 8-cup work bowl perfect for small to medium-sized meal preps as well as a stainless steel slicer/shredder and chopping blade for versatility and increased efficiency. Plus, the SealTight Advantage System – Bowl and lid seal for leak-resistant processing and pouring – keeps my delicious meals from making a mess. And, with the dishwasher-safe parts, clean-up is a snap!
Black+ Decker FP1600B 8-Cup Food Processor has truly been a game-changer in the kitchen for me!
What other customers are saying about it
Here is what one Amazon customer had to say about the Black+ Decker FP1600B 8-Cup Food Processor, “My secret to staying fit. We are a Paleo household so before we found this we were hand mashing our plantains and cauli mash and now it takes me literally 30-45 seconds to power on and off and have an instant puree. Saves me the 20 minute labor intensive-mashing process that’s for sure. We don’t have kids yet but when we do atleast I’m confident that I can DIY baby food. This is better quality then some that are more expensive so don’t do what I did on first use and walk away while letting it run, I left the power on for two min and over puréed my food figuring the blade wasn’t too sharp I was wrong. I still can’t believe the price it’s such a steal for such quality.”
4. Best large-capacity food processor: Hamilton Beach 70725A Stack & Snap Food Processor 12-cup bowl
Price: Check price on Amazon
The Hamilton Beach 70725A Stack & Snap Food Processor 12-cup bowl is perfect if you have a large family or often have large meal preps.
Key features
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12-cup bowl capacity
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Stack & Snap design requires no difficult twisting or locking
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Easy-to-use function guide showing which blade to use and which button to press
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Large feed chute
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Powerful 450-watt motor
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Reversible blade for slicing and shredding
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Simple clips on the lid
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Stainless steel S-blade for chopping
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Built-in cord storage
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BPA-free
The Hamilton Beach 70725A Stack & Snap Food Processor 12-cup bowl is perfect for large meal preps. The unique Stack & Snap design is easy to use and requires no difficult twisting or locking to assemble.
The easy-to-use function guide clearly shows which blade to use and which function button to press. The large feed chute and powerful 450-watt motor make it easy to process large amounts of food quickly and easily.
The Hamilton Beach 70725A also comes with a reversible shredding disc that’s perfect for slicing and shredding. It also has a stainless steel S-blade great for chopping.
The lid has simple clips that hold it in place for safe operation and to reduce messy spills.
Pros
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Ideal for most large meal prep tasks thanks to its powerful 450-watt motor, large feed tube, and a 12-cup bowl
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Less spillage because of the simple clips on the lid
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Easy to assemble and use due to its stack and snap design
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Simple function guide that shows how to use it for the best results
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Razor-sharp reversible slicing/shredding disc and S-blade for increased efficiency and consistency
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Easy to clean thanks to its dishwasher-safe parts
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Easy to store because of its built-in code storage system
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It has a suction cup at the bottom for strong grip and increased steadiness
Cons
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A little noisy
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Not ideal for small meal preps
What I love about it
I had a traditional processor that was so hard to assemble. Countless times I tried assembling it to prepare my meals with no success; it was such a headache until I bought this Hamilton Beach 70725A Stack & Snap Food Processor 12-cup bowl. Its stack & snap design makes it easy to assemble; you don’t need to worry about difficult twisting or locking.
I also like how it comes with a function guide that shows which blade to use for each function. I was using the wrong blade for my traditional food processor and not getting the desired results. With this Hamilton Beach 70725A, I get consistent results every time.
I would definitely recommend this food processor to anyone looking for an easy-to-assemble/use food processor. It’s also great for large meal preps.
What other customers are saying about it
A satisfied Amazon customer said, “After researching for a powerful food processor I stumbled upon this one. I recently began keto and needed something to save me some time in the kitchen, especially being a single mom (sorta, my husband is a truck driver so he’s gone alot). I am super slow and peeling, cutting, and dicing fruits and veggies. I guess I cut myself one too many times in the kitchen. Anyway, I ordered this bad mam-a-jama. Well. Lemme tell you WHUT. THIS THING IS AMAZING. I sliced up a while cucumber in literally 2 seconds. I made guacamole that was soooooo easy and fast. This food processor changed my life. It isn’t as loud as I thought it’d be and it is not complicated to use. I also appreciate the safety features. 10/10 would recommend ❤“
Factors to consider when buying a food processor
Now that you know the best food processors for under $100, let’s now look at the essential factors to consider when buying a food processor.
1. Size
When it comes to size, you need to consider how much food you will be processing at one time. If you are only going to be using it for small meal preps, then a smaller food processor will suffice. However, if you are looking to do large meal preps or entertain often, then you will need a larger food processor.
2. Power
The power of the food processor is also an important factor to consider. You want one that is powerful enough to handle the tasks you will be using it for but not so powerful that it is difficult to control. A food processor with 450 watts should be powerful enough for most tasks.
3. Versatility
Functionality is another important factor to consider. You want a food processor that can perform all the tasks you need it to. If you only need it for basic chopping, then a simple food processor will suffice. However, if you need it for more advanced tasks such as shredding, mincing, and slicing, you will need a more advanced version.
4. Ease of use
Another important factor to consider is how easy the food processor is to use. You don’t want one that is difficult to assemble or use. Go for a food processor with a simple design that’s easy to assemble, use, and clean.
5. Easy to clean
You also want a food processor that is easy to clean. Look for one with dishwasher-safe parts and a detachable blade for easy cleaning.
6. Price
Last but not least, you need to consider the price. Food processors come in a wide price range, and you need to find one that fits your budget. However, don’t sacrifice quality for price. Go for a durable food processor that has the features you need but is also affordable.
7. Customer reviews
It’s also important to read customer reviews. Through customer reviews, you get first-hand information about other customers’ experiences with the same processor. These reviews give you an idea of the pros and cons of each food processor and help you make an informed decision.
Bottom Line
Whether you have a busy schedule and don’t have the time to handle all your meal preps by hand or haven’t perfected your knifework, a food processor is a good investment.
It will save you time and energy in the kitchen so you can focus on other things.
When choosing a food processor, consider size, power, versatility, ease of use, and price. Go for a food processor that is affordable and still meets all your needs.
Don’t break your bank to buy a food processor. The above-discussed processors under $100 will still serve the same purpose as their counterparts worth a few hundred dollars.
Get one of these high-performing affordable food processors today, and you won’t regret your purchase!
Be sure to check out these amazing articles on food processors to learn more on how you can get the most from this kitchen work horse:
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Can You Make a Smoothie With a Food Processor?
What Is the Difference Between a Food Processor and a Blender? 7 Key Differences