While they're commonly confused, blenders and food processors are two distinct kitchen appliances. A blender/food processor combo is ideal when you want the pureeing power of a blender and the chopping capabilities of a food processor without filling your kitchen cabinets to the brim.
Finding the right one for your kitchen is a matter of working out which features are important to you. For instance, if you have a large household, capacity might be vital, or you might prioritize high wattage for crushing ice or making smooth peanut butter.
Blenders are great for pureeing or liquidizing ingredients with a watery component, such as soups, smoothies and sauces. Food processors are great for chopping, mincing and shredding dry ingredients. Blender/food processor combos do both equally well.
Although some exceptions exist where the same bowl or jug blends and processes, most have separate blender jugs and food processor bowls that fit onto the same base. This way, you get the same level of performance as you'd expect from a dedicated blender or food processor but with less cabinet or counter space taken up.
Bowl capacity can range from around 3 to 9 cups.
Food processors should come with blades for chopping, mincing and dicing as well as discs that shred and slice ingredients. Some also have dough hooks or dough blades for kneading dough. Make sure your processor includes all the blades and discs you need.
Full-size blender jugs hold around 56 to 72 ounces, but you can also find more compact offerings of around 40 to 50 ounces. If you're short on space and live in a small household, you may find a compact jug suits you better than a full-size one. However, blenders that are too small can become annoying when you're trying to make soup or frozen drinks for a crowd and have to do so in several batches.
Some blender/food processor hybrids come with one or more personal blending cups as well as the standard jug. These are great for making personal servings of smoothies or juices. If smoothie-making is among the primary reasons you need a blender, compact blending cups are handy additions.
The watt rating tells you how powerful an appliance is. Blender/food processor combos can have motors with anywhere from 500 to 2,000 watts, though few offer more than 1,500 watts. If you want a powerful blender that can crush ice and make silky-smooth sauces, opt for at least 1,200 watts.
Most blenders and food processors have several speed settings. This helps you blend more effectively by starting on the lowest setting and gradually increasing. You generally don't need to worry about speed settings as much when using the food processor attachment.
You'll find some appliances with preset programs — for smoothies or frozen drinks, for instance. This takes the guesswork out of getting the best results.
Goodful by Cuisinart Food Processor/Blender Combo
This affordable appliance doesn't pack a huge punch, but it's solid and reliable. It's great for anyone who doesn't need to do heavy-duty blending. The jug holds 56 ounces, while the 3-cup processor attachment is great for chopping.
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Oster Pro 1200 Blender with Food Processor Attachment
With a 1,200-watt motor behind it, you can easily take on heavy-duty tasks, such as crushing ice and making nut butters. The 5-cup processor bowl comes with blades for chopping and a disc for slicing and shredding.
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Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender
This compact hybrid blender has a 40-ounce jug, a personal blending cup and a 3-cup vegetable chopper. The wave action system in the blender gives you smoother results with no need to stir or scrape down the sides.
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Cuisinart Smart Power Duet Blender/Food Processor
The compact size of this appliance makes it a great choice for households of one or two. The blender jug has a capacity of 48 ounces, and the processor bowl has capacity of 3 cups.
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Ninja BL770 Mega Kitchen System
Thanks to its 1,500-watt motor, large 72-ounce blender jug and 8-cup food processor bowl, this is a great choice for people who are serious about cooking. It also comes with two personal blending cups that are great for smoothies.
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Cuisinart Kitchen Central 3-in-1 Food Processor
The 500-watt motor is perfect for food processing, but it lacks the punch needed for heavy-duty blending tasks. However, it's an excellent processor with an 8-cup capacity, so it's perfect for buyers who mainly want to shred, slice and chop, only occasionally blending.
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Ninja AMZ493BRN Compact Kitchen System
With a 1,200-watt motor, this powerful appliance includes a 72-ounce blender jug, a personal blending cup and a food processor attachment. The 5-cup processor bowl comes with regular blades, a dough hook and discs for slicing and shredding.
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Cuisinart Velocity Ultra Trio Blender/Food Processor
This three-in-one appliance has a full size blender jug, two personal blender cups and a processor bowl, complete with blades and discs. It has low- and high-speed settings, plus preset programs for crushed ice and smoothies.
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Lauren Corona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
