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A food processor is a much-needed kitchen staple for almost any solid food item you want to dice, grind, knead, or shred, and it’s excellent at making chunky dips and salsas (like olive tapenade or hummus). Meanwhile, a blender is just as essential for soups, purées, and frozen beverages. The best of both worlds? One of the best blender food processor combos.
These multifaceted kitchen gadgets are truly a godsend in the kitchen, giving you the best of both worlds while saving cupboard space.
After Meggan and I researched a variety of food processor and blender combos (which come in handy for Meggan’s Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing or French Onion Dip), we settled on the most exceptional ones, including what’s in her test kitchen: the Ninja Professional Plus Kitchen System. Plus, we’ve detailed everything to look for while shopping for the best blender food processor combos. See all of our picks below!
Table of Contents
Our Top Picks
- What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: Ninja Professional Plus Kitchen System – $149 at Walmart
- Best Value Blender Food Processor: Hamilton Beach Blender and Food Processor Combo – $59.99 at Target
- Best Glass Blender Food Processor: Oster Pro Series 2-in-1 Kitchen System – $129.99 at Amazon
- Best for Smoothies: Cuisinart Velocity Ultra Trio 1 HP Blender/Food Processor – $149.95 at Amazon
- Best Splurge Blender Food Processor:
Reviews of The Best Blender Food Processor Combos
1. What Meggan Uses: Ninja Professional Plus Kitchen System
In Meggan’s very own test kitchen, you’ll find the Ninja Professional Plus Kitchen System—and this thing is no joke. The best blender food processor combo by far, this Ninja product can do it all (including Meggan’s fave cocktails like Blue Hawaiian and Strawberry Margarita).
“I purchased the Ninja Plus Kitchen System in the summer of 2021 in anticipation of stocking our new test kitchen space,” Meggan says. “I liked the idea of one item that could do lots of different functions. We had a blender, food processor, and mixer already, but we had multiple test kitchen employees who needed to use equipment at the same time.”
It’s true: It really does do it all, giving her extra storage space in the cabinet and saving her time swapping between appliances when testing recipes, too.
With 1,400 watts of power, this blender food processor combo can make everything from individual servings (with its included smoothie cups) to larger batches, holding 64 ounces of liquid. It also chops with precision, smoothes out purées, and works with up to 2 pounds of dough. Then there are the AutoiQ presets that take the guesswork of which program works best for your recipe. She also appreciates how versatile it is and — perhaps most importantly of all – how easy it is to clean!
What Meggan Says:
“I love how powerful it is and how well it works! It’s a lot cheaper than my favorite Vitamix, but it does a great job with everything we do,” Meggan explains. “I like that it has a mix of pre-programmed functions and simple low/medium/high buttons.”
The Specs:
- Materials: Stainless steel
- Dimensions: 7.52 by 9.96 by 17.64 inches
- Wattage: 1,400 watts
- Capacity: 72 oz total crushing pitcher (62 fl. oz. capacity)
- Functions: 5 preset AutoiQ programs
- Dishwasher safe: Parts only (not the base)
- Includes: 2 single-serve cups with spout lids
The Pros:
- Easy to clean
- 2 cups for convenient smoothie making
- BPA-free
The Cons:
- On the more expensive side
- Made of thin plastic
What Others are Saying
Good Housekeeping named the Ninja Professional Plus Kitchen System the best food processor-blender combo. It also has over 8,700 reviews on Amazon and a 4.8-star rating.
Buy the Ninja Professional Plus Kitchen System:
2. Best Value Blender Food Processor: Hamilton Beach Blender and Food Processor Combo
With Hamilton Beach, you can get almost all the benefits of a more expensive food processor and blender combo for a cost-effective price. This model is ideal for making sauces, dressings, and purées, and it has 4 preprogrammed presets that make it super easy to navigate: mix, purée, dice and chop, and grind and grate.
The pour spout is designed to eliminate drips, and the lid, blades, and jar are all dishwasher safe. It doesn’t get much simpler, making it a user-friendly option for novice cooks. The Hamilton Beach is a smart first purchase if you’re new to food processor and blender combos, plus, it’s lightweight, so you don’t have to worry about lugging it in and out of storage.
- Materials: BPA-free glass, stainless steel blades
- Weight: 7.7 lbs
- Dimensions: 6.8 by 7.8 by 15.2 inches
- Wattage: 700 watts
- Capacity: 40 fl oz (5 cups)
- Functions: 12 blending functions
- Dishwasher safe: Jars, lids, bowls, and blades
- Includes: Multiple blades, bowls, jars, and lids
The Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Easy to clean
- Accommodates many batches sizes
The Cons:
- Lower wattage than others
- Small food processing bowl
- Short power cord (12-inches)
- The blender and slicer don’t lock into the base
What Others Are Saying
The Hamilton Beach Blender and Food Processor has more than 3,000 reviews and a 4.4-star rating on Amazon.
Buy the Hamilton Beach Blender and Food Processor Combo:
3. Best Glass Blender Food Processor: Oster Pro Series 2-in-1 Kitchen System
The Oster Pro 1200 Plus Food Processor Attachment is slightly bulkier to store than some others on this list, but only because the food processor portion is a separate attachment. That being said, the precision that this hybrid executes is near flawless.
One standout feature includes dual-direction blade technology that makes sure food is chopped, diced, and blended from every angle for a smoother, better result. The base is wide, too, which keeps food from getting stuck at the bottom and not mixing. But it’s the 6-cup borosilicate glass jar we love most because this glass is made from at least 5 percent boric acid, so extreme temperatures and chemical corrosion don’t affect or warp the blender jar.
The Specs:
- Materials: BPA-free plastic and glass
- Weight: 13.45 lbs
- Dimensions: 7.25 by 8 by 14.25 inches
- Wattage: 1,200 watts
- Capacity: 5-cup plastic food processing bowl; 6-cup glass blender jar
- Functions: 7 speeds
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Includes: Multiple types of blades, bowls, jars, and lids
The Pros:
- Good wattage
- Easy to clean
- Has presets for frozen smoothies, food chop/salsa, and milkshakes
- Long-lasting glass that doesn’t warp or corrode
The Cons:
- Heavy compared to others
- Only has three preprogrammed preset functions
- Glass jar is breakable
- Other parts are still plastic
What Others Are Saying
The Oster Pro Series 2-in-1 Kitchen System has more than 300 reviews and a 4.3-star rating on Amazon.
Buy the Oster Pro Series 2-in-1 Kitchen System:
4. Best for Smoothies: Cuisinart Velocity Ultra Trio 1 HP Blender/Food Processor
If you make a fruit smoothie every morning or live and breathe protein shakes, you’ll immediately understand why we ranked the Cuisinart Velocity Ultra Trio 1 HP as the best for blended drinks. Not only does it come with 2 convenient travel cups (with lids) for on-the-go drinking, but it’s also durable and mixes so well that it goes so far as to create a fine powder.
What’s more, this combo earns high marks for slicing and shredding food and comes with a feed tube, food pusher, and stainless steel chopper blades. If you’re still not sold, the Velocity Ultra Trio 1 HP is the only combo on this list that features an electronic touchpad with LED indicators. It feels so high-tech, it’s like something out of the Jetsons.
The Specs:
- Materials: BPA-free plastic jar and stainless steel blade
- Weight: 13 lbs
- Dimensions: 8.5 by 6.5 by 16.25 inches
- Wattage: 745.7 watts
- Capacity: 56 oz (7 cups)
- Functions: 2 presets
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Includes: 3 cup food processor attachment with feed tube and pusher, slicer/shredder disc and chopper blade, 2 travel cups
The Pros:
- Digital LED indicators for easy use
- Tight seal lid that prevents spillage
- Smoothie and ice crush presets for perfect smoothies
The Cons:
- Lower wattage
- Heavy and loud
- Only 2 preset functions
- Bottom of pitcher has more narrow shape that traps some food
What Others Are Saying:
Consumer Reports found the Velocity Ultra Trio Blender to be the top blender food processor combo device they tested.
Buy the Cuisinart Velocity Ultra Trio 1 HP Blender & Food Processor:
5. Best Splurge: Vitamix A2300 Smart Prep Kitchen System
Meggan loves the efficiency of Vitamix blenders, and the Smart Prep has some wonderful qualities. It features a large 12-cup capacity for both the blender and food processor attachments as well as a handful of blades for chopping, dicing, and slicing to your heart’s content. You’ll also get incredible power and durability, so you be blending smoothies or making nut butters for years to come. It’s a bit heavy at 18 pounds and expensive, but it’s much cheaper than purchasing a Vitamix blender and a Vitamix food processor separately, which we consider to be a win!
The Specs:
- Materials: BPA free tritan
- Weight: 18 lbs
- Dimensions: 11 by 8 by 17 inches
- Wattage: 1440 watts
- Capacity: 12 cups
- Functions: 10 speeds
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Includes: 12 cup food processor attachment with feed tube and pusher, slicer/shredder disc and chopper blade, blender cup
The Pros:
- Powerful blending and chopping
- Stylish
- Stainless steel blades
- Durable for years to come
The Cons:
- Expensive
- Heavy
What Others Are Saying:
It was named the best Vitamix blender–food processor combo by Forbes Vetted and best splurge by U.S. News and World Report.
Buy the Vitamix A2300 Smart Prep Kitchen System:
Other Blender Food Processor Combos We Researched
MultiQuick Immersion Hand Blender and Food Processor
This space-saving, MultiQuick Immersion Hand Blender is a solid device, but with only a 2-cup capacity, it doesn’t stand up to our top picks. Since it’s a handheld, it’s great at mixing softer items like whipping eggs, soups, or dips, but isn’t recommended for hard, frozen foods. The MultiQuick Immersion Hand Blender and Food Processor is available on Amazon for $66.59.
Homeleader Electric Blender and Food Processor Combo
Pretty to look at, the Homeleader Electric Food Chopper and Blender may look great on your counter, but don’t forget it only has 300 watts of power. Its jar is also made of glass, and while that won’t discolor or hold food odors like some plastic jars do, it also increases the chance of breaking. Still, it’s a good value option for small side dishes or single-serve smoothies. The Homeleader Electric Blender and Food Processor Combo is available on Amazon for $49.99.
Ninja Blender/Food Processor
This alternative Ninja food processor and blender combo has a 4.7-star rating and over 16,000 reviews on Amazon. It has a decent-sized capacity, although it’s less than Meggan’s top pick (which is also from Ninja), and the motor is significantly less powerful (only 450 watts vs. 1,200). The Ninja Blender/Food Processor is available on Amazon for $56.37.
Cordless Variable Speed Hand Blender with Chopper
The best part about the Cordless Hand Blender and Chopper from KitchenAid is that it is, in fact, cordless. However, while there are no tangled cords to worry about, there’s always that risk of forgetting to charge it (which takes at least an hour). The Cordless Variable Speed Hand Blender with Chopper and Whisk Attachment is available on Amazon for $149.99.
Why You Can Trust Us
I’m Stephanie, a food, lifestyle, and sustainability writer who specializes in product reviews. I use blender food processor combos for my all-time favorite recipe (Almond Roca) and my other go-to, vegan smoothies! I worked on this roundup of the best blender food processor combos with Meggan, the Executive Chef behind Culinary Hill. Meggan relies on them to test recipes like her Quick Tomato Sauce, Split Pea Soup, Potato Pancakes, and Angel Food Cake.
To finalize our list of the best food processor and blender combos, we started with the one right in Meggan’s test kitchen. From there, we researched the most popular and highly-ranked products at major retailers, considered those listed in buying guides from culinary experts and trusted review sites, and ultimately narrowed our list to the best blender food processor combos.
What to Know About Blender Food Processor Combos
What to Consider Before Buying a Blender Food Processor Combo
There are a few things to look for before shopping for a blender food processor combo:
Accessories: Ask yourself the following questions: What do I plan to use this gadget for? Does the food processor and blender combo include extras like a disk (for whisking) or chopping attachments? Make sure it has what you need, but more accessories aren’t always better… too many accessories mean more to store.
Blender Type: Another important consideration is whether the blender is an immersion (handheld) or a countertop blender. Immersion blenders are better suited for liquids, where countertop blenders are better for whipping up frozen cocktails and smoothies.
Programmable Options: For added convenience, look at the preprogrammed presets on each product, which can range from 2 to 7. For example, a whisking option is a huge plus if you’re hoping to use a blender and food processor combo specifically for meringue. At the very least, a blender food processor should have low/medium/high control options.
Weight: Weight is important, especially if you have trouble lifting or plan on keeping this item in storage. A bulkier, more dense one could make it difficult to take out all the time.
Watts: The standard wattage for a blender and food processor combo is 1,200 watts. Anything less is going to have less juice.
Cord: Lastly, the cord is also important. Some blender and food processor combos are wireless but need to be charged. Others have cords that can be too long or too short, so you need to evaluate the length you need for your kitchen.
What is a Blender Food Processor Combo — And Do You Really Need One?
A blender food processor combo is a hybrid of these 2 otherwise independent kitchen gadgets. Part food processor (which chops, cuts, dices, and grinds) and part blender (which purées, mixes, and emulsifies), this handy-dandy kitchen tool saves you space (and time!) by combining the two together in 1 all-encompassing product. The two appliances typically come as attachments to the same motorized base.
At its core, a food processor and blender combo is a convenient device. If you’re a professional chef or someone who’s always whipping up smoothies or meals that require grinding, mincing, chopping, shredding, blending, slicing, or grating, you may consider one of the above combos.
Or, if you need to replace aging kitchen devices, a combo might be the way to go. Does it save you time? Of course. Does it save you counter or cabinet space by combining the 2 into 1? Absolutely. But no, it’s not a necessary tool. You can get by with separate units.
What’s the Difference Between a Blender and a Food Processor?
It’s true—these two kitchen items can do a lot of the same things, but they are each better suited for certain tasks. A blender is typically better for combining liquids and other foods that require a smooth consistency (think: smoothies, soups, sauces, dressings, and marinades), while a food processor can handle the heavier stuff (almonds, raw veggies, chickpeas for hummus, etc.). Anything thick or dry should go in the food processor attachment.
Despite looking like interchangeable devices, food processors and countertop blenders have different-shaped bowls, and while a blender has a fixed blade, food processors often have several different blade attachments. Additionally, an immersion blender is a handheld device with a small, spinning blade that lends itself to soups and sauces.
How to Use a Blender Food Processor Combo
First, determine which device you’ll need for the job at hand: the blender or food processor, and add it to your base. For both, always start out slow. You can always crank the speed up if necessary. Most combos come with three speeds: low, medium, and high. However, on the higher end of the spectrum, you may see combos with anywhere from 7 to 15 speeds. In general, more speed equals a faster blend.
Can You Use a Blender as a Food Processor?
Short answer? Sort of. These two items are not really interchangeable, but at the end of the day, you could get away with processing some foods in the blender. However, it may not be worth the risk. Yes, they work similarly, and you might get away with it by the skin of your teeth, but it may not be worth it if it ends up messing up your blender blades or overworking your motor.
Is a Glass Blender Jar Better Than Plastic?
It’s all relative, but some prefer glass while others stick to plastic. Glass might be longer-lasting, and is less likely to scratch, discolor, or develop odor. But it is worth noting that glass is more likely to break if you drop it or mishandle it, and it’s heavier.
That being said, plastic won’t break if it takes a tumble, but it does warp over time, fades or discolors, gets scratched, and eventually, gets stinky. That’s because plastic absorbs the smells of food (glass doesn’t!), so you might find yourself replacing it after just a few years if you use it all the time.
Are Blender Food Processor Combos Worth It?
If you’ve dealt with low-budget, easy-to-break food processors or blenders before, then you may not find yourself excited to jump back into the water. If you don’t often chop or make smoothies, this product probably wouldn’t be worth the investment.
However, if you’re big on smoothies, make puréed baby food, or need help chopping and mincing, a high-quality food processor and blender combo will save you time, energy, and storage space.
The Best Recipes to Use Your New Blender Food Processor Combo
Wondering why on Earth would you need a blender and food processor combo? These recipes from Culinary Hill are sure to convert you.
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
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