Having both a high-powered blender and a food processor in your kitchen can give you the versatility to make everything from smoothies to soups to dough. But with countertop space at a premium in most kitchens, many home cooks opt for a single appliance that combines both functions. Here we’ll look at the top blender/food processor combos to help you choose the right model for your needs.
Best Overall: Vitamix Ascent Series A2300
The Vitamix Ascent Series A2300 is our top pick for best blender/food processor combo. This powerful motor base can be paired with different container sizes and types, allowing you to blend and process with the same machine.
- 64 oz blender container with tamper for smoothies and purées
- 8 oz blender cup for individual servings
- Food processor attachment with 64 oz bowl
With a 2.2 peak horsepower motor, the A2300 easily handles tough ingredients like ice, frozen fruit, and nuts. It comes with a pulse feature and variable speed control so you can fine-tune the texture of anything you’re making. The aircraft-grade stainless steel blades are precision-engineered for years of performance.
Vitamix stands behind this blender with a 10-year warranty. While it’s an investment, fans say the combination of power and versatility makes it worth the price.
Best for Budget: Ninja Mega Kitchen System
For budget-conscious buyers, the Ninja Mega Kitchen System packs an impressive punch. This 1500 watt motor base powers both a 72 oz blender pitcher and a 64 oz food processor bowl with a dough blade.
- Total Crushing blades pulverize ice, whole fruits, and veggies
- Smoothie and dough programs do the work for you
- Large batches for family meals and entertaining
With one-touch intelligent programs, you can walk away while the Ninja makes smoothies, dough, dips, and more. The components are BPA-free plastic rather than stainless steel, bringing the price down. If you’re looking for major blender and food processing power on a budget, the Ninja Mega delivers.
Best Attachment Style: KitchenAid 5 Speed Blender & Food Chopper
KitchenAid takes a different approach, allowing you to convert your blender into a food chopper with an attachment. This bundles their popular 5 Speed Blender with a 3.5 cup food chopper bowl.
- Powerful Intelli-Speed motor with 5 pre-set speeds
- 56 oz blender pitcher with stainless steel blade
- Food chopper attachment with blade and lid
The asymmetric blender stainless steel blade is designed to thoroughly mix ingredients without needing to stir or shake. The food chopper attachment fits on the blender base and allows you to swiftly chop vegetables, herbs, cheese, nuts, and more.
While you’ll have to remove the blender jar to attach the food processor, fans love the versatility and performance of this KitchenAid bundle.
Most Versatile: Breville Super Q Blender & Food Processor
For serious home cooks, the Breville Super Q is the most versatile blender/food processor we’ve found. It comes with both a 68 oz blender pitcher and an 8 cup bowl for the food processor.
- 1,800 watt motor with 3.5 peak horsepower
- Variable speed control from 1,000 to 27,000 RPM
- Precise adjustments from chop to purée
You can fine-tune the texture and achieve the exact consistency you want with the Super Q. The blade and bowl design provides super-fast controlled processing. Additional accessories like a mini blade and whisk expand the functionality even more.
With the Breville Super Q’s combination of power and precision, you can make restaurant-quality soups, spreads, doughs, batters and more.
Key Features to Look for
When evaluating blender/food processor combos, here are some key factors to consider:
- Motor power – Look for at least 1,000 watts for versatility in handling tough ingredients
- Control – Variable speed gives more control than just high/low/pulse settings
- Blades – Sharp, durable stainless steel blades crush through ice, seeds, etc.
- Capacity – 64+ oz blender jar and 8+ cup processor bowl for batch cooking
- Safety – Models with lid locks prevent spills and messes while blending
- Cleanup – Dishwasher-safe parts make cleanup easy
- Warranty – Longer warranties (5-10 years) provide peace of mind
Top Rated Blender/Food Processor Combos
| Model | Motor Power | Blades | Capacity | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamix Ascent A2300 | 2.2 HP | Stainless steel | 64 oz blender 8 oz cups 64 oz processor |
Variable speed control Aircraft-grade blades Self-detect containers |
| Ninja Mega Kitchen | 1,500 Watts | Total Crushing | 72 oz blender 64 oz processor |
One-touch programs Dough blade BPA-free plastic |
| KitchenAid 5-Speed Blender & Food Chopper | Intelli-Speed Motor | Asymmetric stainless steel | 56 oz blender 3.5 cup processor |
5 pre-set speeds Detachable processor |
| Breville Super Q | 1,800 Watts | Stainless steel | 68 oz blender 8 cup processor |
1,000-27,000 variable RPM Precision processing |
Which Type is Best?
When deciding between types of blender/food processor combinations, consider what and how much you’ll be making:
- Single Base: Models like the Vitamix Ascent have containers that attach to one motor base. Takes up less space but requires more prep when switching tasks.
- Individual Appliances: Blenders like the KitchenAid have a detachable processor attachment. Allows for making smoothies and chopping simultaneously.
- Dual-Chamber: All-in-one machines like the Ninja Mega have separate blender and processor bowls that mount to the base. No need to switch parts.
Tips for Using Your Combo Appliance
To get the most out of your blender/food processor combo, keep these tips in mind:
- Cut foods into 1-2 inch pieces before processing for even chopping
- Pulse ingredients instead of running continuously for more control
- Use the tamper when blending thick mixtures to push food toward the blades
- Add liquids slowly when making purées and doughs
- Let motor rest 1 minute between processing if mixing heavy loads
- Clean blades carefully; avoid immersing base/motor in water
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you grind grains in a food processor?
Yes, many food processors are capable of grinding grains. Add dry grains like wheat berries, oats, or rice to the processor bowl and pulse to achieve a coarse grind for recipes like homemade bread. For a fine flour consistency, process for longer.
What is the difference between a blender and food processor?
Blenders excel at liquefying ingredients and making smooth purées, while food processors chop, slice, shred, knead and mix. Blenders use fast spinning blades, while processors use multi-functional discs.
Can you shred cheese in a blender?
It’s not recommended to shred cheese in a blender. The high-speed blades are designed for liquids and will be ineffective at shredding solid cheeses into shreds. Use the grater disc attachment on a food processor instead.
Can you make nut butter in a blender or food processor?
Yes, both blenders and food processors can make homemade nut butter. Blenders are faster but can overheat with long running times. Food processors take longer but won’t overheat. Simply add roasted nuts and process, scraping down as needed.
Conclusion
Finding the right blender/food processor combo comes down to your cooking needs and budget. For a high-powered all-in-one appliance, the Vitamix Ascent performs excellently as both blender and food processor. Ninja Mega offers a budget-friendly dual chamber design perfect for batch cooking. Or choose a convertible model like the KitchenAid to switch between tasks. Whichever combo you choose, look for versatility, power and quality construction to meet all your blending and processing needs.
