Most processors have clear plastic mixing bowls and lids. Lids have a raised opening to allow adding food items while machine is running.

They have one speed and a pulse option. This allows for good control of the chopping, you have the ability to chop very course or almost puree depending on what foods your are working with and the processing time.

The chopping blades are S shaped and easily removed for washing. The full sized models may also have a dull blade for kneading and a slicer and grater blade. Some may also have a juicer attachment. Those easy to clean touch controls are starting to be more common place too.

There is a wide variation in processor size, from a small three cup unit for small jobs, or as large as 11 cups.

If you have a family you probably should consider mid size to large capacity models. These can process enough cabbage for a good-sized bowl of cole slaw or grind a number of cups of left over turkey in one filling.

Food Processors can vary in their ability to handle tough jobs. Most all can shred vegetables, grate cheese and puree foods. However, difficult jobs such as kneading dough can require more power than some of the small units have. If you plan on using your machine in making breads or kneading dough then be prepared to purchase one of the larger, heavy duty models.

I have used upper end processors and they provided years of heavy usage both in time and what they processed. I have also bought into the less expensive units and found they were less than satisfactory with their power and life expectancy.

One common brand name model I purchased from one of the major chain stores lasted only a year before failing. In my case that was $50 wasted. However, that same machine may have preformed well for years had it been used in less stressing tasks.

Consumer Reports rates most of the common brand names.

Various models of KitchenAid, Cuisinart were the only brands that ranked in the excellent to very good in all these categories - Slicing, shredding, pureeing and noise levels.

Hamilton Beach models appear to rate good in shredding and slicing but are only fair in noise and poor in pureeing.

GE model chopper common at Wal-Mart is ranked the same as the Hamilton Beach.

I have not provided rating for units that have been discontinued.

Price ranges of the various models of both KitchenAid and Cuisinart vary between $100 to $300 per unit.

The Black & Decker and Hamilton Beach models range between $40 -$55.