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Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor vs Ninja Professional Plus Food Processor, 9-Cup
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 #3 of 8) and scores better on chopping & slicing, dough & purées, easy cleaning, durability. Ninja Professional Plus Food Processor, 9-Cup wins on ease of use.
The biggest complaint about the Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor is plastic parts crack over time; for the Ninja Professional Plus Food Processor, 9-Cup it's doesn't purée smoothly. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor | Ninja Professional Plus Food Processor, 9-Cup | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in food processors | #1 | #3 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$ |
| Type | Full-size | Full-size |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 7% | 5% |
| Overall score | 4.3 | 3.5 |
| Chopping & slicing | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Dough & purées | 5.0 | 2.5 |
| Ease of use | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| Easy cleaning | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Durability | 4.0 | 3.0 |
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
Ninja Professional Plus Food Processor, 9-Cup
- Doesn't purée smoothly
Food Network says it doesn't purée as finely, and its pesto was less fine than other models'. Several 1-star Walmart reviews say sauces stayed chunky even after long runs.
- Shredding blade breaks; durability is mixed
Amazon's summary says some owners report the shredding blade breaking. Durability is a net-negative aspect (206 of 328 mentions are negative), and opinions on the blades are split. A few Walmart owners report cracked bowls, a melted base, or a burning smell on first use.
- Food gets stuck under the lid
Serious Eats left it out of its picks because food frequently got stuck under the lid.
Source: Serious Eats
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 Ninja Professional Plus Food Processor, 9-Cup if
Fast chopping of vegetables and cheese
Mid-budget buyers
People who want a lighter machine
Skip it if: You make smooth purées, sauces or hummus; You want a machine that lasts many years; You want expert-tested dough performance
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