Blender food processor combos are versatile appliances that can replace multiple gadgets, saving you time and space in the kitchen. When choosing the best option, consider its power for your needs—whether it’s blending smoothies, chopping vegetables or kneading dough—and ensure the bowl’s size and shape match your serving requirements. After thorough research and interviewing several experts, our top pick for the best blender food processor combo overall is the Ninja SS401 Foodi Power Blender Ultimate System, a versatile, affordable and powerful model.
The best blender food processor combos are versatile tools that can replace multiple gadgets, saving … [+] you time and space in the kitchen.
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Before you start shopping for the best blender food processor combos, it’s crucial to understand how these appliances work. “You’ll get one base to plug into the wall, and be able to switch out food processor and blender bowls and blades,” explains Ann Ziata, chef at the Institute of Culinary Education. In addition, most devices offer multiple speed settings that add versatility and efficiency to your cooking chores, but they tend to be pricier. Nevertheless, the ideal combination unit for you depends on your budget and specific needs. With these factors in mind, here are the best food processor blender combos for 2024.
Best Blender Food Processor Combo Overall: Ninja SS401 FoodiPower Blender Ultimate System
Best Glass Blender Food Processor Combo: Oster Blender Pro 1200 With Glass Jar
Best Value Blender Food Processor Combo: Hamilton Beach Power Elite Blender
Best Compact Blender Food Processor Combo: Ninja QB1004 Blender/Food Processor
Best Programmable Blender Food Processor Combo: Nutribullet Triple Prep System NBKS50100
Best Large Capacity Blender Food Processor Combo: Ninja BL770 Mega Kitchen System
Best Vitamix Blender Food Processor Combo: Vitamix A2300 SmartPrep Kitchen System
Best Vitamix Blender Food Processor Combo: Vitamix A3500 Gourmet SmartPrep Kitchen System
Best Food Processor Hand Blender Combo: Braun Multiquick 9 Hand Blender With Imode Technology
Amazon
Ninja SS401 Foodi Power Blender Ultimate System
Capacity: 72-ounce pitcher/food processor bowl | Material: BPA-free plastic and stainless steel blades| Dimensions: 8.7 x 8.3 x 16.14 inches | Power: 1200 watts | Attachments: Total Crushing, Chopping Blade Assembly, reversible slicing/shredding disc, grating disc, dough blade, Hybrid Edge Blades Assembly
The Ninja SS401 Foodi Power Blender Ultimate System is a space-saving unit that combines the blending pitcher and food processing bowl into one, eliminating the need to swap bowls and making cleanup easy. While the wide base of the 2-in-1 bowl makes it less ideal for blending smaller portions, that’s where the included 18-ounce smoothie bowl attachment comes in handy. It has a built-in tamper that pushes ingredients toward the stainless steel blade, so no lumps or chunks go unpulverized.
This unit also has 7 pre-programmed settings for smoothies, extractions, bowls, spreads, chopping, food processing and dough, so you don’t have to guess how long to blend or process your food. Because the unit can detect which container and/or lid is on the motor base, only the applicable programs will appear on the LED screen. You can also use the 10-speed variable control or the pulse function. All-in-all, it’s a versatile and reliable blender food processor at a reasonable price.
Pros:
Space-saving designLarge capacity Versatile use
Cons:
Some users say the nutrient extract cup is difficult to clean
Amazon
Oster Blender Pro 1200 With Glass Jar
Capacity: 48-ounce pitcher, 40-ounce processor bowl, 24-ounce smoothie cup with lid | Material: Glass, BPA-free plastic | Dimensions: 7.25 x 8 x 14.25 inches | Power: 900 watts | Attachments: Slicing disk and chopping blade
This isn’t your grandma’s Oster but with proper care, the Oster Pro 1200 is built to last just as long. Instead of relying on breakable plastic parts to spin its dual-direction blades, this Oster blender food processor features an all-metal drive covered by a 10-year limited warranty. Just keep in mind that its glass jar, while aesthetically pleasing, tends to be heavier than plastic and can crack if dropped.
The blender-food processor combo uses a 700-watt motor to churn, pulverize, chop and dice whole ingredients. Its 48-ounce glass pitcher features a tapered design, essential for generating the required vortex when tackling smaller food batches. And when it comes to hot foods, the blender’s glass pitcher can handle temperatures below boiling.
A great option for everyday use, users rave over this appliance’s ability to tackle multiple tasks in the kitchen. “This blender is a workhorse,” says an Amazon reviewer, sharing their use of the multitool to crush ice and frozen fruits and vegetables with ease, make smoothies, soups, sauces and dressings as well as chop nuts and vegetables.
Pros:
Includes a to-go cup with lid7 speeds, including 3 pre-programmed settings for 1-touch salsas, milkshakes and smoothies, plus a pulse function.Relatively inexpensive compared to other high-end blender food processors.
Cons:
Can be loud at high speedsSome users report that the blender lid is not airtight and may leak when the blender is too full, at high speeds, or if the lid is not properly fitted.
Amazon
Hamilton Beach Power Elite Blender
Capacity: 40-ounce pitcher, 24-ounce processor bowl | Material: Glass, BPA-free plastic, stainless steel blades| Dimensions: 8.5 x 8.66 x 14.69 inches | Power: 700 watts | Attachments: None
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly blender food processor combo, look no further than the Hamilton Beach 12 Function Blender & Chopper. It’s a reliable model that earned a spot in our list of best blenders thanks to its 700-watt motor that operates on a Wave Action system, pulling the glass pitcher’s contents down into its stainless steel blades.
The 3-cup capacity food processor attachment is a good food processor for the price. While it’s not as powerful or versatile as some of the more expensive models on this list, reviewers say it does a good job tackling small chopping tasks and soft ingredients. However, it may not be powerful enough for larger quantities or hard-to-chop foods.
Pros:
Great valueCompact sizeSecure baseIdeal for smoothies and chopping tasks
Cons:
Some users say the lid can be tough to remove after blendingThe food processor only comes with a chopping attachment
Amazon
Ninja QB1004 Blender/Food Processor
Capacity: 48-ounce pitcher, 40-ounce processor bowl, 16-ounce chopper bowl | Material: BPA-free plastic, stainless steel blades | Dimensions: 11 x 11 x 19 inches | Power: 450 watts | Attachments: None
Navigating a small kitchen demands creative solutions, like maximizing every inch of kitchen space. Fortunately, Ninja makes some of the best blenders and food processors and this compact blender food processor 2-in-1 is no exception.
While you’d be right to worry that a compact model might skimp on bowl capacity, that’s not the case with the Ninja QB1004. It comes with a 48-ounce pitcher and a 40-ounce processor bowl. For small chopping tasks, you can swap to the 16-ounce chopper bowl. There are no additional blades or attachments that require storing.
The space-saving Ninja QB1004 design features 450 watts of power, perfectly suited for even chopping of veggies and blending smoothies. It has a one-button design, a generously sized pulse button that gives you control to attain your desired consistency, and no bulky base. In the world of compact kitchens where accidents, messes and spills are bound to happen, Ninja’s got you covered. This kitchen combo set comes with storage lids for your freshly chopped food and each bowl is equipped with a non-slip base that keeps the unit firmly in place.
Pros:
Great valueCompact sizeSecure base
Cons:
It’s the least powerful of all our picksAligning the motor and bowls can be tricky for some
Amazon
Nutribullet Triple Prep System NBKS50100
Capacity: 64-ounce pitcher, 56-ounce processor bowl, 32-ounce cup with lid, 24-ounce single-serve cup with lid | Material: BPA-free plastic, stainless steel blades | Dimensions: 8 x 7.75 x 19.75 inches | Power: 1500 watts | Attachments: Dough blade, easy-twist power extractor blade, chopping blade, slice/shred disk, tamper
If you prefer perfectly blended or chopped ingredients with a touch of a button (and who doesn’t?), a blender food processor combo with pre-programmed settings is your best bet. “I love programmable features because it takes the guesswork out of what to set it at and I can set it and let it run without needing to watch,” says Rachel Lessenden, the founder of Healthy My Lifestyle.
With eight pre-programmed settings, including nut milk, smoothie, dressing and dough, the NutriBullet Triple Prep System can sense which vessel is attached and illuminate the corresponding commands on the LED screen, making it easy to blend, chop, or puree at the touch of a button. With 1500 watts of power, this 2-in-1 appliance can do everything from creating creamy nut butters and milk to the perfect personal smoothie.
Pros:
PowerfulStable baseConvenient and accurate 8 pre-programmed settings Comes with a travel lid for easy transport
Cons:
Can be loud at high speedsSome find it tricky to clean
Amazon
Ninja BL770 Mega Kitchen System
Capacity: 72-ounce pitcher, 64-ounce processor bowl, 2 16-ounce cups with lids | Material: BPA-free plastic, stainless steel blades | Dimensions: 8 x 7.75 x 19.75 inches | Power: 1500 watts | Attachments: Stacked blade assembly, Nutri Ninja Blades, dough blade, chopping blade
The Ninja Mega Kitchen System holds up to 9 cups in its pitcher and 8 cups in its processor bowl. According to Ziata, attempting to puree in too small of a blender or food processor bowl leads to chunky, uneven results. “There isn’t enough space for the ingredients to move around,” she says, adding that she considers “large” capacity bowls to be at least 8 cups, often preferring between a 6- and 14-cup capacity herself.
The unit’s noteworthy for its ability to whip airy smoothies. However, the Ninja Mega Kitchen System has the power and versatility to do way more than perfectly blend your family-sized serving of fruit and veggies. It has a tampered design that makes it suitable for personal portions, and 1500 watts of power. With the large 8-cup processor bowl, it can mix up to two pounds of dough in 30 seconds.
Pros:
Large capacityIdeal for family-sized and personal smoothiesDurableEasy to cleanHas a 10-year warranty
Cons:
May be too large for some kitchensPoor customer support
Amazon
Vitamix A2300 SmartPrep Kitchen System
Capacity: 64-ounce pitcher, 96-ounce processor bowl | Material: BPA-free Eastman Tritan, stainless steel blades | Dimensions: 11 x 8 x 17 inches | Power: 1380 watts | Attachments: (2) Reversible slice/shred discs, (1) multi-use blade
Vitamix tools are renowned for their exceptional power and long-lasting durability. This is precisely why chef Joshua Weissman, swears by the brand. The experts at the Institute of Culinary Education also stock their teaching kitchens with Vitamix tools.
Vitamix tools are not budget-friendly, but Weissman emphasizes that the machines are built to withstand “the insanity of a restaurant” and will last home cooks for many years. That said, the more modestly priced A2300 SmartPrep Kitchen System is a great option for most home cooks. It belongs to the Ascent Series, known for its exceptional ability to create ultra-smooth everyday liquids and handle large batches of food. One limitation of this blender is that it lacks a tamper design, which could pose challenges for those looking to blend smaller batches.
The A2300 SmartPrep Kitchen System has some tech features, including a built-in timer, wireless connectivity and a sensor that detects the size of the container and adjusts the blender settings accordingly. It comes with a 64-ounce pitcher and a 96-ounce processor bowl, but it’s also compatible with any container that has the “self-detect” blade base. For personalized precision, you can use the manual controls, such as the pulse button and the 10-speed control knob.
Pros:
PowerfulChef-recommended Durable, plus it comes with a 10-year limited warrantyHelpful customer support with product knowledge
Cons:
ExpensiveBulkyMay not perform well with small batches
Amazon
Vitamix A3500 Gourmet SmartPrep Kitchen System
Capacity: 64-ounce pitcher, 96-ounce processor bowl | Material: BPA-free Eastman Tritan, stainless steel blades | Dimensions: 11 x 8 x 17 inches | Power: 1380 watts | Attachments: Multi-use blade, small shred/thin slice disc, large shred/thick slice disc, julienne disc, veggie stick disc
If you’re serious about having the best of the best in home cooking gadgets, the Vitamix A3500 Gourmet SmartPrep Kitchen System is the blender food processor combo for you. It has the same powerful motor as the A2300 with extra features, including better noise dampening, pre-programmed settings and a few additional food processing blades. It comes in at just under $900, making it Vitamix’s most expensive bundle.
The convenient perk of the A3500 is its 5 pre-programmed settings, including smoothies, hot soups, dips and spreads, frozen desserts and self-cleaning. Paired with the self-detect features which automatically reads the container size you’ve chosen to adjust the program setting and blending times accordingly, the A3500 takes prep up a level in simplicity and efficiency.
Pros:
PowerfulChef-recommended Convenient 5 pre-programmed settings Durable, plus it comes with a 10-year limited warrantyHelpful customer support with product knowledge
Cons:
ExpensiveBulkyMay not perform well with small batches
MOST POPULAR
Williams Sonoma
Braun Multiquick 9 Hand Blender With Imode Technology
Capacity: 16-ounce processor bowl, 20-ounce plastic beaker | Material: BPA-free plastic, stainless steel blades | Dimensions: 2 .75 diameter x 16 long x 8.5-inch shaft | Power: 700 watts Attachments: Chopping blade, fine shredding insert, julienne insert, slicing insert, French fry insert, dough kneading hook, and a dicer, plus hand blender attachments for blending, chopping, whisking, mashing, puréeing and slicing
If soups, salad dressings and chopped veggies are commonplace in your kitchen, a hand blender food processor combo might be the way to go. Hand blenders, also called stick blenders or immersion blenders, are the most convenient appliance for small amounts of food that a food processor or stand blender could have issues processing, says Lucia Calmell del Solar Malpartida, a chef at Chef and the Dish, who generally prefers stick blenders over stand ones.
Carlotta Martinelli, also a chef at Chef and the Dish, points out that most hand blenders lack the power to blend smoothies without leaving unwanted chunks. To reduce the risk of chunks, the Braun Multiquick 9 Hand Blender is powered with 700 watts and incorporates a unique flexible shaft that moves the blade up and down, preventing solids from getting trapped underneath the blade. That said, home cooks who often make mayonnaise, cake glaze or other recipes with more fluids than solids may find a hand blender food processor to be the most beneficial tool for their needs.
The package includes an 8-cup food processor and a variety of useful tools that could potentially replace half of your kitchen gadgets, including a chopping blade, fine shredding insert, julienne insert, slicing insert, French fry insert, dough kneading hook and a dicer, plus hand blender attachments for blending, chopping, whisking, mashing, puréeing and slicing.
Pros:
Easy to useVersatile with a variety of attachmentsAttachments are top-drawer dishwasher-safe
Cons:
Not ideal for making smoothiesAttachments may be tricky to store
How We Chose The Best Blender Food Processor Combo
To choose the best blender food processors for a wide range of needs, we identified the top-rated and best-selling models on the market. We focused on models that are versatile or excel at a particular task. Then, we analyzed them based on customer reviews, capacity, motor power, value and how they compare to our experts’ guidelines and insights.
For this particular blender food processor story, we also considered previous testing and research from several other published stories on Forbes Vetted. We also consulted with culinary experts like professional chefs, authors and food bloggers to compile a list of the very best models on the market.
What To Look For In Blender Food Processor Combos
Capacity
According to Calmell del Solar Malpartida, a quality food processor blender combo should have at least a five-cup capacity. That’s because puréeing or processing ingredients in a blender or food processor bowl that is too small will result in a chunky and uneven mixture since there’s not enough space for the ingredients to move around freely. Chefs typically prefer large-capacity bowls, which are at least 8 cups in size but home cooks may benefit from a more compact, space-saving unit.
Power
Home cooks can make simple smoothies with a blender or food processor that has at least 450 watts of power, as long as the blades are sharp and durable. That said, our list of best blender food processors includes tools that exceed 1000 watts.
While this much power may be overkill for some home cooks, Weissman says it’s key in making “ultra-smooth sauces and really easy emulsions.” Martinelli emphasizes the importance of understanding your blender’s capabilities. For example, Vitamix blenders are so powerful that they can make hot soup in under ten minutes using the friction of their blades.
Speed
“Generally, the more speed settings, the more versatile and powerful the appliance will be,” says Lessenden. Choosing a machine with a wide option of speed settings gives you control over texture, helping you achieve anything from a chunky to silky smooth finish.
Material
Lessenden recommends stainless steel blades for their durability and longevity. Plastic bowls are more common, as they are lightweight and less likely to break. Glass bowls are more attractive but may be heavier and more prone to shattering.
Is A Food Processor Blender Combo Worth It?
The versatile blender food processor combo doesn’t have to break the bank and can significantly streamline your food preparation by replacing multiple kitchen gadgets. They can also help you save valuable kitchen space. Weissman recommends testing the capabilities of a blender food processor combo with recipes like squash risotto, where you can quickly prep your vegetables using the food processor and seamlessly transition to the blender for a silky puree.
What Is The Difference Between A Food Processor And Blender?
Food processors have a wider blade that can chop, slice and shred food into different sizes and textures. This makes them ideal for tasks such as mincing vegetables, shredding cheese and making dough. Blenders, on the other hand, have a smaller blade that is better for puréeing and blending liquids. This makes them ideal for tasks such as making smoothies, soups and sauces.
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Meet The Experts
Ann Ziata is a chef at the Institute of Culinary Education and known for her work at Ravens Restaurant, Omega Institute, Cafe Paradiso, and her role as the lead chef for First Descents, where she caters to cancer survivors on retreats across the United States every summer since 2015.
Joshua Weissman is a chef, bestselling author of “An Unapologetic Cookbook” and just-released “Texture Over Taste” and digital personality.
Rachel Lessenden is a food blogger who documents her plant-based lifestyle on her food blog Health My Lifestyle.
Lucia Calmell del Solar Malpartida is a chef, restaurant consultant and Peruvian culinary expert at the Chef and the Dish.
Carlotta Martinelli is a Michelin-star restaurant chef (Rimini, Padua, Milan, Rome and London) and currently an Italian culinary expert at the Chef and the Dish.
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