We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Home Reviews The 8 Best Food Choppers of 2024 to Make Meal Prep Easy Make meal prep a breeze with these gadgets. By Jack Byram Jack Byram Jack is a writer with over five years of writing experience. He has written about everything from tech to sleep, covering everything in between. He has tested numerous products, including vacuum cleaners, blenders, pillows, jeans, blackout blinds, and espresso machines. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on April 11, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews The Bottom Line What to Know Before Shopping Your Questions, Answered Who We Are Photo: Better Homes & Gardens / Marcus Millan If you like to meal prep for the week or you don’t like using very sharp knives, a food chopper is a great kitchen tool to consider. The chopper will evenly cut ingredients and make cooking easier with each use. “A food chopper typically cuts down the time needed to prep vegetables used in many different cooking preparations. It also deletes the need for a knife, which for the home chef makes life easier and cuts down on the accident factor with nicks and cuts,” says William Gideon, executive chef at Corsair Kitchen & Bar at JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa. What We Researched We evaluated food choppers on their dimensions, weight, capacity, type, and features. For additional insight, we also consulted Kristen Cropper, executive sous chef of Quinto in Miami, and William Gideon, executive chef at Corsair Kitchen & Bar at JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Ninja Food Chopper Express at Amazon $36 Jump to Review Best Budget: Zyliss Zick-Zick Classic Food Chopper at Amazon $21 Jump to Review Best Splurge: Breville Sous Chef 12-Cup Food Processor at Amazon $300 Jump to Review Best Electric: Cuisinart Elemental 4-Cup Chopper/Grinder at Amazon $40 Jump to Review Best Manual: SALE Mueller Pro Series All-in-One 12 Blade Vegetable Chopper at Amazon $60 $40 Jump to Review Best Compact: OXO Good Grips Chopper at Amazon $23 Jump to Review Best Chopper and Processor: Cuisinart Smart Power Duet Blender/Food Processor at Amazon $73 Jump to Review Best with Bowl: MOSAIC Electric Food Chopper at Amazon $45 Jump to Review Best Overall Ninja Food Chopper Express PHOTO: Amazon $34 at Amazon $25 at Target View on Lowe's Why You Should Get It The compact unit is easy to store. Keep in Mind The pulse feature won’t allow users to step away during chopping. Ninja’s Food Chopper is our pick for the best overall food chopper for its simple design and effectiveness. Plus, it’s dishwasher safe so maintenance is easy. The chopper uses proprietary Ninja technology, which works to ensure evenness of food size with every usage. In addition to chopping, the Ninja Food Chopper can also be used to mince herbs and puree ingredients for sauces and dressings. This pick features one-touch pulsing, leaving the control in the hands of the user. Just keep in mind that because of this, you won’t be able to step away from chopping like you might be able to with other options. We like that the splash guard can be used as a storage lid, and the base is non-slip, which promotes a better user experience to maintain sturdiness. This is an important feature because as Cropper tells us, “You are going to be putting in an amount of force, especially if you are using it [a food chopper] for something like root vegetables, you are going to need something that is going to be able to take the weight of pushing down.” Smaller in stature, the Ninja doesn’t take up much space when not in usage, especially when disassembled. However, if you want to leave it on your countertop, the simple and sleek design with gray accents will be a welcome addition to any kitchen. Product Deals: Dimensions: 5.7 x 5.7 x 10.1 inches | Weight: 2 pounds | Capacity: 16 fluid ounces | Type: Electric Best Budget Zyliss Zick-Zick Classic Food Chopper PHOTO: Amazon $21 at Amazon $22 at Wayfair $22 at Sur La Table Why You Should Get It It has a simple plunger design that provides users with complete control of just how much chopping they do. Keep in Mind You will most likely need to pre-cut your vegetables so they fit into this chopper. The Zyliss Zick Zick Classic Food Chopper is less expensive than other options, so it’s a great pick if you’re new to using a food chopper and don’t want to invest much. The simple design uses a hidden blade that extends at the pressing of a plunger while a cover surrounds the food you’re planning to chop to protect your fingers from the blades. The three sharp, stainless steel blades also rotate with each chop to promote smoother and more even cutting. When it comes time to put this option away after use, it’s dishwasher safe, and the handle locks down for more compact, space-saving storage. An included lid and storage cup keep any leftovers of your chopped food fresher for longer. Just be aware that the smaller size of this chopper means that you won’t be able to chop larger vegetables. As a result, you may need to pre-cut anything that you are looking to chop, which is an extra step that adds a bit of time. Product Details: Dimensions: 4.13 x 10.83 x 3.94 inches | Weight: 0.88 pounds | Capacity: Not listed | Type: Manual Best Splurge Breville Sous Chef 12-Cup Food Processor PHOTO: Amazon $300 at Amazon $300 at Wayfair $300 at Williams-Sonoma Why You Should Get It It includes multiple attachments for added versatility. Keep in Mind The heavier design can be harder to move. If you are looking for more than just chopping, Breville’s Sous Chef 12 Plus has you covered. A micro-serrated S-blade works to provide swift chopping, mixing, and processing, all while fueled by the highest-powered motor on our list, working with 1,000 watts of power. This option also comes with multiple attachments, all of which can be kept in a convenient storage box that comes with the purchase. Due to the higher power and sharp blades, we appreciate that this model includes a safety interlock system, which won’t allow the motor to operate unless the bowl and lid are locked in position and the pusher is inserted. This chopper also has a slicing disc that can be adjusted between 24 settings, giving the home chef the ability to slice between 0.3mm and 8.00mm of thickness. The optionality extends to the chute opening, which has a choice of 5-inch, 2.75-inch, and 1.5-inch mini-feed chute opening sizes. The Breville also comes with a dough shredder, a reversible shredder, and as the name implies, the bowl it comes with has a 12-cup capacity. It also includes a one-year limited warranty and a 10-year induction motor guarantee, While we appreciate the power and numerous options this product includes, the price tag is substantially higher than the other options on our list. Additionally, while the heavier nature does make it feel more substantial, it can also make it more cumbersome to move, so you’ll need the countertop space for it. Product Details: Dimensions: 8.5 x 16.5 x 15.5 inches | Weight: 16.5 pounds | Capacity: 12 cups | Type: Electric Best Electric Cuisinart Elemental 4-Cup Chopper/Grinder PHOTO: Amazon $36 at Amazon $33 at Walmart $40 at Williams-Sonoma Why You Should Get It It has an auto-reversing blade feature that offers excellent precision and control. Keep in Mind The chute is narrow, which means adding ingredients during usage isn’t ideal. Cuisinart’s Elemental 4-Cup Chopper/Grinder features a specific blade that is designed with an auto-reversing feature for premium cutting. The sharp edge of the blade works to delicately chop and puree softer foods, while the duller edge is designed to grind through spices and harder, more durable foods. The touchpad control offers the choice of either chopping or grinding. All of the removable parts of this option are dishwasher safe, and it includes a 4-cup bowl with a handle for a better overall user experience. In regards to attention to detail, Cuisinart’s BladeLock system has a great safety feature that keeps the blade secure for either processing or pouring. With 220 watts of power, this electric option will be able to handle whatever you need to put it through. Just be mindful that a smaller chute does mean that adding ingredients during usage can be difficult. Cuisinart also sells all three of the parts that make up the assembly of this chopper separately, should you need to replace a part down the road. Beyond that, the brand offers a limited 18-month warranty to keep you and your purchase protected. Product Details: Dimensions: 8.38 x 10.25 x 6 inches | Weight: 3.3 pounds | Capacity: 4 cups | Type: Electric Best Manual Mueller Pro Series All-in-One 12 Blade Vegetable Chopper PHOTO: Amazon $40 at Amazon Why You Should Get It It features different-sized dicers for added control. Keep in Mind The container doesn’t include a compatible lid to maintain freshness. As far as the best manual food choppers go, Mueller’s 12 Blade Vegetable Chopper is our pick for its sheer versatility. It features eight interchangeable stainless steel blades for a precise slice, and it also includes small and large dicers for added control of the final size of whatever you may be cutting. The option from Mueller also includes three grating blades: julienne, fine julienne, and grater, in addition to a mandoline slicer. And it also comes with spiralizing blades if you prefer a different shape to your sliced vegetables. For chopping, a full vegetable can be placed into this chopper. Simply pressing the top down will powerfully chop whatever you need to chop directly into the food container beneath. Additionally, it can be dismantled and put into the dishwasher for safe and easy cleaning. Where this falls short, in our opinion, is that it doesn’t come with a lid for the container, meaning that freshly chopped food cannot be placed directly into storage and the fridge to maintain freshness. While this isn’t a dealbreaker, it is a simple feature that other options on our list do include. On the plus side, all the attachments fit into the container for storage. Product Details: Dimensions: 5.47 x 5.71 x 10.91 inches | Weight: 2.94 pounds | Capacity: Not listed | Type: Manual Best Compact OXO Good Grips Chopper PHOTO: Amazon $23 at Amazon $27 at Jcpenney.com Why You Should Get It The chopper includes a cup you can chop directly into. Keep in Mind It only has 1 cup of storage. Those who are short on storage should consider OXO’s Good Grips Chopper. The 1-pound chopper measures just under 8 inches in height, with a lockable knob, making it the smallest option on our list. A wave-patterned blade evenly cuts and chops a variety of ingredients, like onions and nuts. While it provides a powerful chop, an internal soft bumper absorbs the shock for a more pleasant chopping experience. The chopper includes a cup you can chop directly into, or the cup can be removed, and the chopper can be used on a cutting board if preferred. A lid is included to store the freshly chopped ingredients to preserve them right in the cup. Plus, the stainless steel blade cartridge can be removed easily and placed in the dishwasher. The smaller stature of this option, which is what we particularly like about it, does mean that it has a lower capacity than other options, with only a 1-cup receptacle. Product Details: Dimensions: 4.25 x 10.35 x 4.3 inches | Weight: 0.7 pounds | Capacity: 1 cup | Type: Manual Best Chopper and Processor Cuisinart Smart Power Duet Blender/Food Processor PHOTO: Amazon $68 at Amazon $68 at Wayfair $115 at Walmart Why You Should Get It It includes seven preset functions that make it easy to use. Keep in Mind It takes up quite a bit of space and may not be appropriate for those with smaller kitchens. Cuisinart’s Smart Power Duet Blender/Food Processor is ideal for someone looking to squeeze some extra mileage and utility out of their chopper. The base is compatible with an included 40-ounce glass blender jar and a 3-cup capacity work bowl to handle various culinary needs. Thanks to an electronic touchpad control, users are given the choice of seven preset functions: stir, chop, mix, ice crush, pulse, food processor, and puree. When using the food processing function, the work bowl includes a cover with a feed tube and pusher to more easily add and mix ingredients at the user’s desired pace. Inside, a stainless steel blade works to thoroughly and evenly blend foods. When using the 3-cup food processor attachment, a chopping blade, and a disc that can slice and shred vegetables do the work, all while a 500-watt motor is strong enough to handle ice or any tougher ingredients that are thrown this device’s way. Cuisinart offers a limited three-year warranty for protection on this purchase, which we appreciate. We also enjoy that Cuisinart offers five different color options to inject some personal style into the kitchen. This option is heavy and takes up quite a bit of space, which may not be appropriate for those with smaller kitchens. Product Details: Dimensions: 7.4 x 13.2 x 15.5 inches | Weight: 10.3 pounds | Capacity: 40-ounce blender, 3-cup food processor | Type: Electric Best with Bowl MOSAIC Electric Food Chopper PHOTO: Amazon $45 at Amazon Why You Should Get It It comes with a rubber blade for peeling garlic. Keep in Mind Despite being electric, you will need to apply different levels of pressure to control the speed of the unit. Mosaic’s Food Chopper is ideal for anyone looking for an option that will chop directly into a bowl. The included glass bowl has a 4.2-cup capacity, which is one of the largest on our list. The blades are removable, which means that this bowl is suitable for serving directly after chopping your ingredients into it, so there will be one less thing to wash after use. The 400-watt motor and four titanium-coated blades provide a cut that is not only strong and sharp but also designed with durability in mind. Furthermore, all of the removable parts are dishwasher-safe. We also appreciate that this option from Mosaic includes a rubber blade that can be used to peel garlic without destroying it. While this unit is electric, you need to vary the pressure on the power button to adjust the speed. We would prefer if there were separate speed buttons for this feature. Product Details: Dimensions: 9.65 x 7.28 x 8.86 inches | Weight: 4 pounds | Capacity: 4.2 cups | Type: Electric The Bottom Line Our pick for the best overall food chopper, the Ninja Food Chopper, is compact without sacrificing power, and we appreciate that it is geared toward ensuring even and consistent chopping. What to Know About Food Choppers Before Shopping Dimensions You’ll want to consider your available storage space, either in a drawer, a cabinet, or on your countertop when deciding the best food chopper for your needs. If you are looking for an electric option that doesn’t take up much space, our pick for the best compact food chopper, the OXO Good Grips Chopper, features a lower height than the rest of the options on our list to take up less space when not in usage. However, if you intend to leave your chopper on the counter and there is ample room for it, something larger, like the Breville Sous Chef 12 Plus, will be a viable option for you. Weight Much like the dimensions of your food chopper, considering the weight of what you are purchasing is important. For some people, a more heavy and substantial build, like the Breville Sous Chef 12 Plus, provides a high-quality and durable feel. However, those who live in smaller spaces might prefer a lighter-weight option, like the Zyliss Zick Zick Classic Food Chopper, which can be stored away in a cabinet when not in use. Capacity If you are someone who likes to meal prep or frequently cook for larger numbers of people, then a food chopper with a larger receptacle can be a good choice. Something like the Mosaic Electric Food Processor, which features a 4.2-cup bowl, is designed with these types of home chefs in mind. For those interested in single servings, an option with a smaller capacity, like the Zyliss Zick Zick Classic Food Chopper, will be your best bet. Type If you prefer the convenience of an electric food chopper, options like the Cuisinart Elemental 4-Cup Chopper/Grinder will be suited for you. As Gideon notes, electric options are “easier to use than manual choppers since you just press a button to pulse or puree.” While electric options can add convenience and still provide a lot of user control, a manual option may be a better option for people who want even more control, albeit at the cost of extra work. With manual choices like the Mueller 12 Blade Vegetable Chopper, you are offered an element of control over the ultimate size of the chopped products. Similarly, with the Zyliss Zick Zick Classic Food Chopper, you can decide after each chop if you want to chop again, leaving the consistency fully in your hands. While they don’t include a motor powering them, Gideon tells us that, “Manual choppers are simple to use and relatively inexpensive. They’re useful for rough chopping nuts or vegetables and particularly good for making salsa.” Generally speaking, electric options will be larger, and Cropper recommends considering just how much you intend to use it before purchasing. Manual ones, she notes, are an excellent “way to give yourself some help in the kitchen without taking up a lot of space in your cupboards.” Features Some food choppers include additional attachments that make them more versatile tools. Models like the Cuisinart Smart Power Duet Blender/Food Processor include a separate personal blender so you can use the appliance for additional tasks, like making purees or smoothies. With options like the Breville Sous Chef 12 Plus, you can process, chop, and mix. Other features to look for if you want added convenience include removable and dishwasher-friendly parts, as well as warranties to protect the purchase. “I would look for multi-dimensional blades with different sizing. Safety guards are important, and ease of cleaning all are important areas to be aware of,” says Gideon. Your Questions, Answered What are the benefits of a food chopper? As mentioned by Gideon, food choppers can help to add an element of safety by eliminating the need for a knife for the at-home chef. Additionally, he tells us that they can be an effective tool to cut down on prep time in the kitchen. Cropper also notes that food choppers can uniformly cut everything quickly, which is extremely helpful for uniform cooking. “A big benefit of having your vegetables the same shape and sizes is that they are going to cook evenly, so it will help you even if you don’t feel confident about your chopping skills,” she tells us. What is the difference between a food chopper and a food processor? As Gideon tells us, “A food chopper is exactly that. It is used to chop mostly vegetables and maybe cheese into a small or medium dice.” Conversely, he tells us that food processors are useful in a variety of different ways. “This can include making dough, dressings, purees, and many more useful kitchen prepping techniques,” he states. Cropper echoes that sentiment, noting that a food processor enables a slew of options. “[With] a food processor, you can grind your own meat to make your own blended burger, and you can take nuts and make them into nut butter at home,” she tells us. How much do food choppers cost? Food choppers fall all along the price spectrum, depending on whether they are electric or manual and the features that they include. On the lower end, the best budget food choppers, like the manual Zyliss Zick Zick Classic Food Chopper, can cost under $25. If you are looking for more functionality and additional features, options like the Breville Sous Chef 12 Plus can cost upwards of $300 or more. Who We Are Jack Byram is a freelance writer who covers all things home-related. He has written about numerous kitchen appliances across a wide variety of publications, speaking with countless experts along the way to guide him. For this article about the best food choppers, he spoke with William Gideon, executive chef at Corsair Kitchen & Bar at JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, and Kristen Cropper, executive sous chef of Quinto in Miami, to better understand the functional uses of a food chopper and what someone should look for when searching for the best one. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit