Looking for a kitchen appliance that can do it all without taking up your entire counter? A blender-food processor combo is the ultimate space-saving solution, offering the power to create everything from smooth, lump-free purees to perfectly chopped vegetables and even kneaded dough. These versatile machines consolidate multiple tasks into one powerful base unit, streamlining your cooking and prep work.
Choosing the right model, however, can be tricky. With varying motor strengths, bowl capacities, and included attachments, the best option depends entirely on your kitchen’s needs. To help you decide, we’ve compiled a list of the top-performing blender and food processor combos on the market, highlighting their key features and benefits to guide you toward the perfect match for your culinary adventures.
The Best Blender-Food Processor Combos for Your Kitchen
- Ninja Mega Kitchen System, 1500W
- Hamilton Beach Power Elite Blender with 3-Cup Chopper
- Ninja BL660 Professional Compact Smoothie Blender
- Cuisinart Smart Power Duet Blender/Food Processor
- Vitamix A3500 Gourmet SmartPrep Kitchen System
- Ninja BN801 Professional Plus Kitchen System
- Breville BFP800BSS the Sous Chef Food Processor
- Cuisinart FP-8SV Elemental 8-Cup Food Processor
Ninja Mega Kitchen System, 1500W
For those who need serious power for large batches, the Ninja Mega Kitchen System is a formidable contender. Its 1500-watt motor is designed for professional results, effortlessly crushing ice and blending through the toughest ingredients. The Total Crushing Technology in the XL 72-ounce pitcher ensures you can prepare drinks and purees for a crowd without a second thought.
Beyond the full-size blender, this system excels in convenience. It comes with an 8-cup food processor bowl for handling dough and chopping tasks, plus two 16-ounce to-go cups. This allows you to blend a personalized smoothie directly in a single-serve cup, making it ideal for busy mornings or post-workout refreshments.
Hamilton Beach Power Elite Blender with 3-Cup Chopper
The Hamilton Beach Power Elite offers a fantastic blend of performance and practical design at an accessible point. Its 700-watt motor provides ample power for crushing ice and creating smooth purees, ensuring your shakes and smoothies are consistently smooth. The 40-ounce glass jar is not only durable but also features a clever, mess-free pour spout to eliminate drips.
This model shines with its 2-in-1 versatility, including a separate 3-cup vegetable chopper. This compact food processor attachment is perfect for quickly dicing onions, making salsa, or chopping nuts, saving you both time and counter space. It’s a smart, no-fuss solution for everyday kitchen tasks.
Ninja BL660 Professional Compact Smoothie Blender
If you want Ninja’s renowned power in a more streamlined package, the BL660 is an excellent choice. The 1100-watt motor is more than capable of turning ice into snow and blending frozen fruits to a silky consistency. With three manual speeds, pulse control, and a dedicated single-serve function, it offers precise control for a wide range of recipes.
This system is built for both family meals and individual portions. The large 72-ounce pitcher is ideal for making big batches of soup or sauce, while the included two 16-ounce to-go cups let you blend and go. It’s a versatile workhorse that fits comfortably on most countertops.
Cuisinart Smart Power Duet Blender/Food Processor
The Cuisinart Smart Power Duet stands out with its sophisticated design and user-friendly touchpad controls. The 500-watt motor is efficient and can crush ice with no liquid required, a feature that adds to its convenience. The seven-speed touchpad with LED indicators makes it simple to select the perfect function, from stirring to ice crushing.
This unit includes a 48-ounce glass blender jar and a 3-cup food processor, making it a compact yet capable companion for daily kitchen duties. The die-cast metal housing provides durability and stability, ensuring the machine stays put during operation. It’s a great option for those who value both style and function.
Vitamix A3500 Gourmet SmartPrep Kitchen System
For the serious home chef who refuses to compromise on quality, the Vitamix A3500 system represents the pinnacle of performance. This premium package includes the renowned A3500 blender, known for its powerful motor and ability to create the smoothest textures, from nut butters to hot soups. The included 64-ounce low-profile container features self-detect technology for optimized performance.
The real game-changer is the dedicated Food Processor Attachment, which simplifies tedious prep work like chopping, dicing, and slicing. With multiple blade discs included, it offers exceptional versatility and precision, turning lengthy prep times into a matter of seconds. This is an investment for those who see cooking as a craft.
Ninja BN801 Professional Plus Kitchen System
The Ninja BN801 Professional Plus Kitchen System is designed to be a comprehensive solution for a busy kitchen. It builds on the success of other Ninja models with a powerful motor that can handle everything from dough to frozen desserts. The system typically includes a large blender pitcher, a food processor bowl, and single-serve cups for maximum versatility.
This all-in-one unit is perfect for home cooks who frequently switch between tasks like blending smoothies, chopping vegetables for a salad, and making nut flour. By consolidating multiple appliances into one base, it helps you achieve professional results while keeping your kitchen organized and clutter-free.
Breville BFP800BSS the Sous Chef Food Processor
While known primarily as a premium food processor, the Breville Sous Chef often features blending capabilities that make it a formidable combo unit. It is engineered for precision and power, with a robust motor that can tackle heavy-duty tasks like kneading bread dough or processing large quantities of vegetables with ease.
This model is ideal for someone who does a significant amount of food prep but also appreciates the ability to create emulsions, sauces, and purees. Its intelligent design, often including multiple blades and discs, provides restaurant-quality results, making it a centerpiece for any serious home kitchen.
Cuisinart FP-8SV Elemental 8-Cup Food Processor
The Cuisinart Elemental series offers simplicity and reliability, and the FP-8SV model provides substantial food processing power in a straightforward design. Its 8-cup work bowl is perfectly sized for most family cooking needs, from slicing and shredding to making pastry dough. The unit is designed for easy use and cleaning.
As a combo unit, it provides a versatile foundation for a variety of kitchen tasks beyond just processing. Its powerful motor and sharp blades ensure consistent results, whether you’re making chunky salsa or a smooth pesto. It’s a trusted workhorse for everyday meal preparation.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Blender-Food Processor Combo
I’ve been through my fair share of kitchen gadgets, and I can tell you that finding a good blender-food processor combo is a game-changer for saving counter space and money. But not all combos are created equal. Before you buy one of the 8 best blender-food processor combos to own, there are a few key things I always check for.
First, let’s talk about power. This is probably the most important factor. For a blender to crush ice and make smooth nut butters, you need a strong motor. I look for blenders with at least 1000 watts. For food processors, the power is still important for kneading dough or shredding hard vegetables, but the design of the blade and bowl also plays a huge role. A weak motor will struggle, overheat, and likely burn out quickly, leaving you with a half-made meal and a broken machine.
Next, consider the jars and bowls. A combo unit typically has a blender jar and a separate food processor bowl that attach to the same motor base. I check the capacity of both. A 64-ounce blender jar is great for big batches of soup or smoothies, while a 8 to 12-cup food processor bowl is versatile for most family cooking tasks. The material matters, too. Glass blender jars are heavy and can break, but they don’t stain. Plastic is lighter and more durable, but it can get scratched and hold onto odors from things like garlic or onion. For the food processor bowl, I always prefer a clear lid so I can see what’s happening inside without having to stop and open it.
The controls are another area where these machines differ. Some have simple buttons for pulse, low, and high. Others have pre-programmed settings for things like smoothies, ice crushing, or dough. I find the simple pulse button is often the most useful and reliable feature for both the blender and the food processor. Pre-set programs can be handy if you make the same thing all the time, but I don’t consider them a must-have.
Finally, think about the accessories. Many combos come with a set of different blades for the food processor. A standard S-blade is for chopping and pureeing, a shredding disc is for cheese and vegetables, and a slicing disc is a huge time-saver. Some even include a dough blade. I make sure the combo I’m looking at includes the attachments I’ll actually use. It’s also worth checking how easy the parts are to clean; dishwasher-safe components are a major bonus after a long day in the kitchen.
FAQ
What is the main difference between a blender and a food processor?
The main difference comes down to their job and design. A blender is designed for liquids. Its tall, narrow jar and angled blades are perfect for creating smooth purees, shakes, and soups. A food processor, with its wider, shorter bowl and different blades, is made for solid foods. It’s the tool you want for chopping vegetables, shredding cheese, kneading dough, or making pastry crumbs. While there is some overlap, a blender will struggle with dry ingredients, and a food processor won’t liquify things as smoothly.
Can I use my blender to do food processor tasks, or vice versa?
You can sometimes get away with it, but the results are rarely ideal. I’ve tried to chop onions in a blender, and you usually end up with a mushy mess at the bottom and large chunks on top. Similarly, trying to make a silky smoothie in a food processor often leaves a chunky texture because it’s not designed to pull ingredients down into the blades like a blender does. For the best results, it’s worth having both functions, which is why a combo unit is so useful.
Are blender and food processor combos as powerful as separate units?
This really depends on the model. High-end combo units can be incredibly powerful and perform just as well as high-end separate appliances. However, some budget-friendly combos might compromise on motor strength or the durability of the attachments. When you’re looking at the 8 best blender-food processor combos to own, you’ll notice the top-tier models have motors and build quality that rival, and sometimes surpass, many standalone machines. The key is to read reviews and not assume the cheapest option will handle tough jobs.
How do I clean and maintain my combo appliance?
Cleaning is straightforward. For the blender, I usually just add a drop of dish soap and some warm water, then run it on high for a minute. Rinse it out, and it’s good to go. For the food processor bowl and blades, I disassemble everything and wash them with soapy water. Most parts are dishwasher safe, which I love. The main base should never be submerged; just wipe it down with a damp cloth. To keep it running smoothly, make sure you don’t overfill the containers and always use the pulse function for chopping to avoid overheating the motor.
Is it worth getting a combo if I already have a blender?
It depends on how you cook. If your current blender meets all your liquid-based needs and you find yourself needing to chop, shred, or knead frequently, then adding a dedicated food processor might be a better path. But if your blender is old, weak, or you’re simply running out of counter and storage space, upgrading to a quality combo unit can replace two appliances with one. It consolidates your toolkit and often provides more versatility than a single-purpose blender.