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Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor vs Breville Sous Chef 16 Pro Food Processor
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor ranks higher (#1 vs #2 of 8) and scores better on easy cleaning, durability. Breville Sous Chef 16 Pro Food Processor wins on chopping & slicing.
The biggest complaint about the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor is plastic parts crack over time; for the Breville Sous Chef 16 Pro Food Processor it's very expensive. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor | Breville Sous Chef 16 Pro Food Processor | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in food processors | #1 | #2 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$$ |
| Type | Full-size | Full-size |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 7% | 7% |
| Overall score | 4.3 | 4.1 |
| Chopping & slicing | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Dough & purées | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Ease of use | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Easy cleaning | 4.5 | 3.0 |
| Durability | 4.0 | 3.5 |
Price tiers: $ under $80 · $$ $80–250 · $$$ over $250. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor
- Plastic parts crack over time
Amazon's review summary says durability feedback is mixed, with some owners reporting plastic parts cracking after a year (318 of 506 durability mentions are negative). Value for money is also divided.
- Lid hard to lock, or the unit won't start
Several 1-star Walmart reviews say the lid is nearly impossible to lock or the machine won't start after assembly. Cuisinart's reply explains that the bowl, lid and pusher must all be fully locked for the safety interlock to allow it to run.
Source: Walmart reviews (lowest rated) - Basic attachments, less precise on delicate jobs
Wirecutter notes that the slicing disk is fixed at about 5 mm and isn't adjustable. The machine also left some large parsley pieces and ground up soft mozzarella instead of shredding it. Serious Eats dislikes that the feed chute sits at the back and that the pusher falls out when the lid is turned over.
Source: Wirecutter, Serious Eats
Breville Sous Chef 16 Pro Food Processor
- Very expensive
It costs about twice as much as Wirecutter's top pick, and Food Network lists the price as its main con. Value for money is mixed on Amazon, where some owners call it an expensive mistake (117 of 349 mentions are negative).
- Huge, with a big accessory case to store
Wirecutter says it is almost 18 inches tall, weighs nearly 20 pounds, and comes with an accessory case almost as big as the machine. Serious Eats and Food Network both flag the size, and Amazon owners give mixed feedback on it.
- Bowl cracks; mixed durability
Amazon's summary says durability is mixed, with some owners reporting bowl cracks despite infrequent use (87 of 155 mentions are negative). Wirecutter calls the general warranty underwhelming for the price, though the motor has a separate long warranty.
Who should pick which
Pick the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor if
Most home cooks who want one reliable machine
Kneading pizza and bread dough
People who like simple two-button controls
Skip it if: You want very thin, adjustable slicing; You mostly chop fresh herbs finely; You need lots of specialty attachments
Pick the Breville Sous Chef 16 Pro Food Processor if
Cooking big, prep-heavy recipes several times a week
Paper-thin, even slicing
Finely chopped herbs
Skip it if: You have little counter or cabinet space; You only use a food processor occasionally; You're on a budget
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