Food processors slice, blend, chop and puree. But heavy-duty kitchen tasks mean they are loud – some in excess of 100 dB! Today, there are many quieter options on the market, so we go on a quest for the quietest food processor.
Be wary of any food processor which claims to be ‘quiet’. Due to their job, most will be a pretty loud appliance, so it’s a matter of finding the quieter models. That’s what we’ll do here – giving you their decibel (dB) level, as well as other handy features.
How loud are food processors? – the average food processor can make anything from 70-100 dB, depending on the model and the mode it is in. Due to their higher power, they are usually louder than their kitchen cousins; blenders and smoothie makers (80-90 dB).
Skip to:
- Breville Sous Chef 12 Food Processor
- Nutrichef 2 Litre Food Processor
- Braun FP3020
- Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor
- Robot Coupe R2B
- KitchenAid 9 Cup Food Processor
We don’t want to keep you waiting, but here are some stats before the main bit:
#1 – Breville Sous Chef 12 Food Processor – 67 dB
A quiet, highly functional and capable food processor with good capacity – the Breville Sous Chef 12 also has a safety features which triggers when the lid is opened.
Sous chefs are very much the engine rooms of professional kitchens; organising and preparing. The Breville Sous Chef 12 Food Processor is your friend for a huge number of tasks – from chopping vegetables and herbs to grating cheese and pureeing soups – crucially, it is quieter than most.
Business Insider did some thorough testing, and found out that the Breville Sous Chef 12 Processor can do the job at just 67 dB. This puts it comfortably in the category of quiet food processors, and is as the website describes “quieter than a shower”.
Aside from that – all the parts apart from the base are dishwasher safe; there is an oversized chute (one of 3 size options you’ll get), which means that a lot of the ingredients don’t need to be precut; and a safety system that stops the blade if the lid is opened.
Oh, and there are no less than 24 settings, covering you for all sorts of food prep.
Pros
- Operating noise tested at 67 dB
- 24 settings
- Dishwasher-safe parts
- Safety feature
Cons
- Users report not the best at kneading dough
Best for: Trusty kitchen companion for busy family
#2 – Nutrichef 2 Litre Food Processor – 50-70 dB
Low noise and high capacity – this Nutrichef model is a no-frills, excellent value food processor that can handle kitchen prep basics.
The manufacturer hasn’t made the exact operating noise available on this one, but a scout around specifications suggests it is in the very acceptable range of 50-70 dB, depending on settings.
Nurtichef is very proud of its quiet-but-powerful motor. At 600W, it’s not the most powerful food processor in the world, but it isn’t a weakling, either. User reviews also back up the fact that this is a quieter food processor compared to other models they have owned in the past.
Apart from its relative quietness, the Nutrichef can win you over with its bang-for-buck, and large 2-litre capacity.
You’ll get a range of attachments with the set, giving you all it takes for juicing, chopping, slicing, shredding, dough kneading, mixing, mashing… need we continue?
Pros
- Quieter model (in region of 50-70 dB)
- Superb value
- Good capacity
Cons
- Not as powerful as some models
Best for: Quiet food prep on a budget
#3 – Braun FP3020 – 35 dB
Thought to be the quietest food processor on the market. The Braun FP3020 can go as low as 35 dB, depending on the setting and task. It’s also versatile and decent value.
Trusted German manufacturer of kitchen appliances – Braun – has put a lot of effort into designing and delivering an ultra-quiet food processor; and they’ve managed it with this best seller.
The Braun FP3020 can get down to an incredible 35 dB at its quietest – that’s the kind of noise level associated with a dehumidifier or fan.
Aside from making less noise than other food processors, the Braun FP3020 gives you 7 blade options for a wide range of kitchen tasks, has 11 speed settings, and with a motor equipped with a 600W power output, has enough strength to get the job done.
All in all; It might be the quietest food processor out there, and is a superb all-rounder for a fair price.
Pros
- Ultra quiet (as low as 35 dB)
- Range of speeds and kitchen capabilities
- Good value
Cons
- There are more powerful food processors
Best for: Ultra-quiet option
#4 – Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor – 58.8 dB
Low noise (tested at 58.8 dB), large capacity and simple, user-friendly controls. This Cuisinart model is an excellent for those who want minimal fuss and noise, but have a lot of food to prepare.
When Business Insider ran some tests, they found that the Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor registered at 58.8 dB. That makes it comfortably one of the quietest food processors around.
It’s not only the quieter operation which the manufacturer should be applauded for – there is a simplicity in the design which many will like. If you aren’t one for confusing settings, note this: There are just two buttons! An “ON” button, and an “OFF/PULSE” button. And to be honest, that’s all you really need…
A 720W motor means that you have the power you need for anything from chopping to blending, a 14-cup capacity gives you plenty of room, and there’s an array of dishwasher-safe attachments to let you choose the right method of attack for your food prep.
This is a very solid, quiet, good value choice.
Pros
- Quiet (58.8 dB)
- Simple, intuitive controls
- High capacity
- 5-Year Warranty
Cons
- Relatively heavy weight means not the easiest to transport
Best for: Low noise, high capacity
#5 – Robot Coupe R2B – 70 dB
Is this the ultimate quiet food processor? Its operating noise is certainly in the quiet category, while its professional-level power and design will appeal to both dedicated home cooks and restaurant chefs.
70 dB is still pretty quiet for a food processor, and so when we saw the manufacturer had quoted this price in the Robot Coupe R2B’s instruction manual, we thought it deserved a place in this list.
It’s not only that 70 dB puts the Coupe R2B at the lower end of the scale for noise – this is a food processor which few can match in other departments…
A Direct Drive, 1 HP motor (1725W) means that this is a model with serious power that can handle heavy-duty use for years. A batch bowl design will save you significant time, and there is a welcome lack of fuss with settings – just an “ON”, “OFF” and “PULSE” option.
It makes sense that with the power and relative quietness, this is an option that might appeal to pro chefs working in an open kitchen where noise should be kept to a minimum.
This is an impressive premium choice. It will have you covered for just about anything – kneading, mincing, chopping and grinding – you name it.
Pros
- Quieter model (70 dB)
- Very powerful
- Versatile
- Batch bowl is time saver
Cons
- Not suitable for budget buyers
Best for: Serious home chefs or open kitchen pros
#6 – KitchenAid KFP0718CU – N/A
There are overwhelmingly positive reviews on the noise level of this KitchenAid Food Processor, with many Amazon buyers highlighting its quietness. On the basic side, but good value.
Full disclosure here. We couldn’t find a specified operating noise for this KitchenAid Food Processor anywhere online, but there were a lot of reviewers who gave it a thumbs up for quietness – this convinced us to give it a place on the list.
Among the happy comments on Amazon are that the KitchenAid KFP0718CU is “very quiet” compared to a previous food processor, and “just quiet in general”.
It’s not just the volume. The KitchenAid KFP0718CU is a budget-friendly option. And as you’d expect, there are a few accessories for prepping your food, and these blades and discs (not to mention a whisk) can be kept neatly in the inbowl.
If you do a lot of mincing, note that the manufacturer says that 500g of chicken, beef or pork can be done in a matter of just 10 seconds.
Pros
- Quiet according to multiple reviewers
- Excellent value
Cons
- Lower power and capacity than some models
Best for: Reviewer’s favorite
