The 5 Best Vegetable Choppers of 2024, Tested & Reviewed

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Power through produce quickly with the right chopper for your needs.

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Food & Wine / Amazon

Preparing your mise en place for cooking can be tedious, especially if you have a lot of vegetables, herbs, and other ingredients to chop. While most culinary professionals use their chef's knife or other kitchen knives to chop and mince, a vegetable chopper is a helpful tool for home cooks.

"Vegetable choppers are great for speed for novices or for someone hoping to complete some meal prep for the week," says Olivia Roszkowski, chef-instructor of Health-Supportive Culinary Arts at the Institute of Culinary Education. What's more: "It's a safe and effective way for getting kids, teenagers, or those who might have hand coordination or grip issues involved in helping out in the kitchen."

When choosing a food chopper, there are a few factors to consider. "Typically, I look for an electric food chopper that isn't overly complicated with lots of different parts and is easily stowed," says Daniel Ziebell, former executive chef at AVOW Napa. With that in mind, we tested some of the best vegetable choppers, observing and ranking their key attributes — including capacity, ease of use and cleaning, and the number of settings included.

This chopper features a powerful motor and has dishwasher-safe parts that make it super easy to clean.

The bowl can become damaged if dropped, and it costs just as much to replace as a whole new chopper.

Made by Cuisinart, the Mini-Prep Plus looks and functions similarly to a food processor, featuring two settings that are operable with the touch of a button: chop and grind. The "chop" setting uses the sharp side of the S-shaped blade, which makes it ideal for softer foods like herbs and onions, while the "grind" setting uses the blunt side of the blade — designed to be used with harder foods like peppercorns or hard cheeses. Its three-cup bowl also comes with a locking lid that features holes to add liquid or oils. Equipped with a 240-watt motor, it's both powerful and speedy, and it can even handle weightier tasks like grating room-temperature parmesan cheese. (But be warned that this can wear out the motor if done too frequently!)

During our testing, we put the Mini-Prep Plus through its paces as we chopped various ingredients, including garlic, onions, and chilies, and we found it to be a solid machine that is very easy to use. All you have to do is prep your ingredients by cutting them into smaller chunks so they can fit inside the bowl, then the chopper will slice and dice them with just one push of a button. However, if you need uniform pieces, this may not be the device for you. We found this to be a better option for applications like making salsa or mincing garlic, as you have little control over the finished product or the size of the cuts.

Before long, you may find yourself reaching for this gadget even more than your food processor because it’s so lightweight and easy to operate. Plus, it’s just as easy to clean as it is to use — the bowl, lid, and blade can all go into the dishwasher for quick cleanup. But make sure to handle the bowl with care because it can become damaged if you drop it, and it will cost you just as much as a whole new chopper to replace it.

Dimensions: 9.25 x 7 x 5 inches | Capacity: 3 cups | Operation: Electric | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

The blades are super sharp, easy to switch out, and make manually slicing and dicing a breeze.

We wish the top fastened on with a little more suction.

If you want a manual vegetable chopper that doesn’t require too much physical labor to achieve quick, uniform cuts, then it’s worth it to check out Fullstar’s 4-in-1 Vegetable Chopper. With four interchangeable blades — including a small and a large dicing blade, a spiral blade, and a ribbon blade — it can cut the time it takes to complete some of your most tedious kitchen tasks in half. The chopper lid rests on top of a 1.2-liter collection tray that catches all your freshly diced veggies and stores them until you’re ready to add them to your recipe, and its non-skid base makes sure you have maximum leverage as you chop. Plus, safety features like a blade lock and a finger guard ensure that nothing more than fresh produce ends up in the bowl.

We’ll admit that we didn’t have the highest expectations when comparing manual choppers against high-performance electric models, but the results we achieved with this one blew us out of the water. The first thing we noticed was the high quality of the materials and the extra sharp blades, which all come with protective elements to make sure you don’t accidentally cut yourself. The chopper’s opening was large enough to accommodate one-half of a large onion at a time, and we were able to slice through it easily by pushing the lid down with minimal effort. We also found the inserts easy to swap, and all the cuts we made came out extremely uniform.

We love that it comes with dedicated cleaning brushes and tools so that you can get any stray pieces out of every nook and cranny when you’re done. And if you’re in a rush, you can simply throw all the parts into your dishwasher on the top rack. The only drawback we could find is that we wish the top fastened with just a little more suction. But other than that, we have absolutely no complaints.

Dimensions: 10.6 x 4.5 x 4.7 inches | Capacity: 1.2 liters | Operation: Manual | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

It works a lot like a full-sized food processor minus the bulk, and a convenient lever makes it easy to control the speed of the motor for more precise cuts.

It takes some practice to get used to the lid, which has to click into place before it’ll turn on.

If you like the functionality of a food processor but don't like a bulky appliance, this food chopper from KitchenAid is right up your alley. It is a bit of a splurge compared to some of the other items on our list, but it’s more than worth it. Equipped with two speeds and a pulse function, this small-but-mighty machine chops ingredients and even makes purees. The drizzle basin allows you to slowly drip liquids into the bowl, like olive oil for making salad dressing or emulsifying aioli. And with a 3.5-cup capacity, it’s roomy enough to hold lots of vegetables, but it's also lightweight and easier to bring out and put away than a full-sized food processor.

Although it took a minute or two to get used to the lid (which has to be locked in before the motor will turn on), we quickly fell in love with how powerful and easy-to-use this model is. We especially loved the convenient lever that allows you to control the speed of the motor for more precise cuts. Plus, the bowl, lid, and S-shaped stainless steel blade are all dishwasher safe, and we simply gave the base a quick wipe with a damp towel to clean up any splatters.

"I love my Kitchenaid mini chopper when I am too lazy to take out my large food processor," says Testing Editor Jennifer Zyman. "It is the perfect size for quick salsa, chopping garlic, and even grating room-temperature parmesan cheese."

Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 7 inches | Capacity: 3.5 cups | Operation: Electric | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

The grid-style blades make it easy to achieve uniform cuts.

You have to exert a significant amount of pressure to push the food through the blades.

Similar to the Fullstar model, OXO’s Easy-Pour Chopper allows you to dice vegetables by pushing them through a grid of sharpened blades. However, this version only has one permanent blade that isn’t interchangeable. But what it lacks in versatility, it makes up for in overall value, convenience, and functionality. Innovative features, like a convenient opening at the back so you can easily pour out your chopped ingredients as you go and a removable grid to help clean between the blades, make it a high-quality option that allows for efficient prep and easy cleanup. So, if you like this style of manual chopper but know that you won’t use all the extra blades and accessories that some other models come with, then this could be the perfect chopping tool for your kitchen.

While slicing everything from garlic, onions, and celery to carrots and potatoes, we found that this model could handle anything. It’s very durable, which is a plus because you don't have to exert significant pressure to push the food through the blades. And we love just how precise you can get your cuts with this style of chopper, especially for recipes where everything must be cut down to the same size so it cooks evenly. This is a great tool for making quick work of vegetable prep for soups and chilies, and it cleans up easily in the dishwasher once you’re done. Thoroughly dry all the parts before reassembling and storing them.

Dimensions: 8.74 x 5 x 3.5 inches | Capacity: 2.5 cups | Operation: Manual | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

This easy-to-use chopper is super durable and works great for mincing.

It’s not great for chopping things like herbs, which can easily become bruised due to its chopping style.

This classic manual chopper from OXO works by pushing down on a rubber stopper to operate the rotating, wave-pattern blades. You can chop ingredients inside its included easy-measure cup, or you can use it directly on top of your favorite cutting board. The rotating blades keep food from sticking to the walls of the cup, while the built-in bumpers absorb any shock while using it. If you’re chopping directly inside the cup, then you can simply pop the included lid on top to store your ingredients until you’re ready to use. It even has a convenient locking feature so that the chopper remains locked in the down position for easy storage.

We loved how durable and easy-to-use this chopper is, although we noticed that it doesn’t create very uniform or precise cuts. During testing, we used it for a variety of tasks, including chopping onions and cilantro for tacos, potatoes for hash browns, as well as carrots and celery. Since you have to push down very quickly on the stopper to chop, we found it to be better for pulverizing or mincing items like garlic or nuts. However, you should probably avoid using this chopper to cut up herbs or other delicate items that can bruise easily. When you’re done, its parts can be thrown into the dishwasher for easy cleanup, but you may also need to set them out to airdry afterward to make sure there’s no leftover moisture inside.

Dimensions: 3.75 x 4 x 8 inches | Capacity: 1 cup | Operation: Manual | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

We found the best electric vegetable chopper is the Cuisinart 3-Cup Mini-Prep Plus Food Processor. This chopper has plenty of power, it's a breeze to use, and it delivers effortless chopping at the touch of a button. We also love the Fullstar 4-in-1 Vegetable Chopper if you’re looking for a manual option that is also extremely efficient and easy to use.

To find the best choppers for vegetables, we tested several models in our kitchens. We used each chopper for common kitchen tasks like chopping two red onion halves to see how well each one could dice. We also tried to incorporate them into our normal cooking routines to observe how they handled a variety of produce and prep work. We first assessed each model on its design, taking note of their overall quality and durability.

Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman

Then, as we began to use them more, we took into account factors like their ease of use, how comfortable they were to hold and maneuver, how much effort it took to reach our final product, and how they performed overall (including how precise and uniform the cuts were). Lastly, we assessed their ease of cleaning and overall value, which led us to our final picks.

Food & Wine / Mary Lagroue

The size and capacity of your food chopper will largely depend on your needs: do you cook for a large family or just for one or two? Your answer to that question will determine whether you’ll be satisfied with a chopper that has a two-cup capacity or if you need one that can handle five cups or more. Another factor is storage space, as some models can take up as much room as a food processor — although most of our models on this list have a pretty small footprint. You can always choose a smaller size and work in batches, but if storage space isn't an issue, you can certainly spring for a larger capacity option.

Manually operated vegetable choppers often use a pull-type action or a plunger action and are great for quickly chopping onions, herbs, or other produce. Since they don't require electricity, they are ultra-portable and can be used indoors or outdoors — a great option if you have an outdoor kitchen or want to use it while camping. Electric models are quicker, more powerful, and a better choice if you have a lot of chopping to do, but you'll typically be limited as to where you can use them since you’ll need an outlet nearby.

Whether it’s manual or electric, consider how the food chopper operates — it could be via a handle you pull, a button you press, or even by pushing veggies through a grid. Some electric models feature a switch that allows for continuous operation, while others require that you hold down a button or tab. Choose one that feels comfortable for you to use, especially if you have any physical limitations that make it difficult to operate.

Most food choppers are pretty bare-bones when it comes to accessories, but some models offer additional blades or attachments to diversify their use. If this is important to you, shop around for a chopper that includes extras, from additional work bowls to whisking accessories.

Another factor to keep in mind is the ease of cleaning. If you're easily annoyed by hand washing separate pieces, be sure that your food chopper is dishwasher safe. Be warned that automatic dishwashers have a reputation for dulling blades, even dishwasher-safe ones, so to get more life out of their edges, try to wash them by hand whenever possible.

Food & Wine / Dana Fouchia

"Food choppers are great for any moist-cooking techniques, such as stock making, braising, stews, or simmered sauces," says Roszkowski. The pressure of using a vegetable chopper can slightly crush the cell walls of vegetables, making them slightly wetter, something to consider if you prefer less moisture for wok cooking or achieving caramelization over high heat, according to Roszkowski.

"Use the same etiquette and wash and peel produce as you would before as if you were using a knife," says Roszkowski. "Rinse the vegetable chopper between produce if using for different recipes. Save the typically strong-smelling items like onions for last, and anything that will pick up flavors, such as strawberries, should be processed first."

Vegetable choppers are typically smaller and come with one blade for all functions. They can also be operated manually or with an electric motor. On the other hand, food processors are usually larger in capacity, more high-powered, have more settings, and come with multiple blades to make a variety of cuts. If you already have a food processor, you may be wondering if it’s worth it to get a vegetable chopper, and vice versa. The truth is that vegetable choppers are incredibly easy to use and can be just as effective as food processors for quick and simple jobs. If you often find yourself reluctant to pull out your bulky food processor for meal prep, then it might be worth it to invest in a vegetable chopper because they are more lightweight and portable. They also take up much less space.

Not really, but it depends on the model. Most food choppers aren't powerful enough to thoroughly puree ice or frozen fruits, but if you're looking to make a fresh fruit smoothie with juice or water, you may be able to achieve a decent puree that you can drink.

"Whenever I have to cut something perfectly — for example, a garnish — I avoid using a food chopper," says Ziebell. "I also try to avoid putting hard and fibrous ingredients through it, like unpeeled ginger or lemongrass. I'll typically cook them down a bit before attempting to cut them in an effort to soften them up and avoid damaging the blade or machine."

Always consult your owner's manual to learn which parts are safe for the dishwasher. Hand washing is preferable for stainless steel blades because it helps to keep the blade's sharp edge from dulling. "Make sure to wash with soapy water and dry completely before putting away for storage between uses," says Roszkowski. With any type of blade, be careful when handling.

Maipor Vegetable Chopper ($34 at Amazon)

When it came to actual chopping, we loved how the Maipor Vegetable chopper achieved precise and uniform cuts, although slicing and shredding were a bit dicey. We wish the surface area for chopping were just a bit larger, and fewer attachments would make this model a bit less clunky and confusing.

LHS Vegetable Chopper ($19 at Amazon)

Although this model is of decent quality, it simply didn’t measure up to some of the other models we tested. Overall, we found the chopping grate and base to be too small for our needs, leaving some pieces smashed instead of diced in the process. If it were just a bit larger, we think this could make a good pick.

Mueller Dual Speed Food Chopper (Currently unavailable)

This manual chopper by Mueller offers quick and quiet chopping with the pull of a cord, though it takes a bit of setup and work to get the perfect pieces. You need to prep your veggies first by chopping them into manageable chunks for this chopper to function properly, but once everything is ready, it works quickly and efficiently. The blades are particularly sharp, and we've nicked ourselves a few times locking them in and out of position, so use this chopper with caution.

Other models we tested, like the Kuhn Rikon Pull Chopper and the Zyliss Zick Zick Classic Food Chopper, left us thoroughly unimpressed during our testing. From uneven chopping to mashed produce and stuck veggies, these choppers left us wishing for more — much more. Lack of overall quality and functionality was also a factor when it came to cleaning. We noticed rust on the Zyliss chopper after just a few washes, and the Kuhn Rikon chopper left us wary of damage to the blade mechanism and our own fingers during the recommended hand washing. Our final verdict would be to steer clear of these machines and find a more suitable model among our top picks.