Best mini choppers: small electric choppers for onions, garlic, herbs and pastes
A mini chopper turns onions, garlic, herbs and curry paste into a ten-second job, and fits in a drawer where a food processor won't. Here are seven electric choppers on Amazon.co.uk, from a budget 500ml model to a 2-litre glass-bowl chopper for batch cooking.
Quick picks
- Best overallNinja Express Chop mini chopper with 2 stackable containers (NJ1002UKBK)Check price
- Best small and simpleKenwood mini chopper 0.35L, 2 speeds, 300W (CH180B)Check price
- Best budgetRussell Hobbs Food Collection electric mini chopper, 500ml (22220)Check price
- Best glass bowlRussell Hobbs Desire mini chopper with 1L glass bowl and storage lid (24662)Check price
- Best for bigger batchesCuisinart Mini Prep Pro mini chopper and grinder, 900ml (ECH4U)Check price
- Best premiumKitchenAid 830ml mini food chopper, Empire Red (5KFC3516BER)Check price
- Biggest bowlTefal Choppeo mini food processor and chopper with 2L glass bowl (MB603BG1)Check price
How we chose: I compared popular mini choppers on Amazon.co.uk, checking each listing on 21 October 2026 (with a UK delivery postcode) for an add-to-cart button, the model number, wattage, bowl size, which parts are dishwasher-safe and the warranty. I read recurring themes in owner feedback, especially chopping consistency, how easy it is to clean and reliability, and cross-checked with BBC Good Food's mini chopper testing. These products have not been tested hands-on; this is a research-based roundup. How the research works.
Mini choppers are small electric food processors with a single blade, a small bowl and usually one or two speeds. They're quicker to get out and wash than a full food processor, and they're good at the jobs that are fiddly by hand: chopping onions without tears, mincing garlic and chillies, making pesto, salsa, breadcrumbs and curry pastes, and blitzing nuts.
The main choice is bowl size. BBC Good Food suggests bowls up to 500ml for small chopping jobs, and bigger bowls if you want to make larger batches of dips, sauces or pastes. Remember that the working capacity is usually less than the bowl size, especially for liquids.
Who this guide is for: Small kitchens, cooks who make a lot of curry pastes, sauces and dips, and anyone who wants to chop onions and garlic quickly. If you need slicing and grating too, a compact food processor may suit you better (see the advice below). For more space-saving ideas, see our small kitchen storage ideas.
Black Friday tip: Black Friday is Friday 27 November 2026, and Amazon UK has opened its Black Friday Week sale about a week earlier in recent years. Before you buy, check the product’s price history: our Black Friday home buying guide explains how to spot a genuine deal and which picks to watch.
Comparison table
| Pick | Bowl | Power | Speeds | Warranty (maker) | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja Express Chop NJ1002Best overall | 0.5L, plus a second container with lid | 200W | Pulse | See listing | Check price |
| Kenwood CH180Best small and simple | 0.35L (about 150g of food) | 300W | 2 | See listing | Check price |
| Russell Hobbs 22220Best budget | 500ml | Low wattage (see listing) | One button | Up to 3 years with online registration | Check price |
| Russell Hobbs Desire 24662Best glass bowl | 1L glass bowl, 500ml working capacity | 200W | One-touch | 2 years + 1 with online registration | Check price |
| Cuisinart Mini Prep ProBest for bigger batches | 900ml | 250W | Chop and grind settings + pulse | 3 years (per listing) | Check price |
| KitchenAid 5KFC3516Best premium | 830ml (about 500ml working) | 240W | 2 + pulse | See listing | Check price |
| Tefal Choppeo 2LBiggest bowl | 2L glass, up to 1L of ingredients | 500W | 2 | See listing | Check price |
Specs are from manufacturer listings as of 21 October 2026; claimed figures (running costs, runtimes) are the maker’s, not ours. Check the Amazon page for the current price and exact variant before you buy.
The picks in detail
Ninja Express Chop mini chopper with 2 stackable containers (NJ1002UKBK)
Best for: Everyday onions, herbs and salsa, with containers that double as storage
- Bowl
- 0.5L, plus a second container with lid
- Power
- 200W
- Speeds
- Pulse
- Warranty (maker)
- See listing
A compact chopper with a press-down pulse top and Ninja's blade assembly. It comes with two stackable containers with lids, so you can chop, seal and put the result straight in the fridge. Ninja suggests running it empty for a couple of minutes first to get rid of the new-appliance smell. On the day I checked, it was sold by Amazon.
Owners say it chops finely and fast (one mentions a large onion in about ten seconds), washes up quickly, and suits small kitchens. With just a pulse action, you control the texture by how many times you press.
What owners and reviewers like
- Two containers with storage lids
- Fast and fine chopping
- Small footprint
Watch-outs
- Pulse only, no speed settings
- 0.5L bowl limits batch sizes
- Initial plastic smell mentioned
Check current price on Amazon Also at Currys Also at SharkNinja Amazon link is an affiliate link · Currys and SharkNinja links may earn a commission via Skimlinks
Kenwood mini chopper 0.35L, 2 speeds, 300W (CH180B)
Best for: Garlic, chillies, shallots and herbs in small amounts
- Bowl
- 0.35L (about 150g of food)
- Power
- 300W
- Speeds
- 2
- Warranty (maker)
- See listing
A long-running small chopper with a 300W motor, two speeds, rubber feet for grip and an interlock so it won't run unless the bowl is in place. Kenwood says the 0.35L bowl takes about 150g of food and is dishwasher-safe.
Owners find it good for chopping onions and shallots finely and handy for garlic and chillies. The small size divides opinion: easy to keep on the side, but too small for big batches. BBC Good Food tried the CH180A version but didn't make it a top pick.
What owners and reviewers like
- Two speeds
- Very compact
- Dishwasher-safe bowl
Watch-outs
- Small 0.35L bowl
- Not for batch cooking
- Basic design
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Russell Hobbs Food Collection electric mini chopper, 500ml (22220)
Best for: Occasional chopping and baby food on a tight budget
- Bowl
- 500ml
- Power
- Low wattage (see listing)
- Speeds
- One button
- Warranty (maker)
- Up to 3 years with online registration
A simple one-button chopper with a 500ml bowl. The bowl, lid and blade come off and are dishwasher-safe. Russell Hobbs offers an extra year's guarantee if you register online.
Owners like its size and ease of cleaning, and use it for onions and baby food. Performance comments are mixed, with some saying it struggles with harder ingredients, which isn't surprising given the low power.
What owners and reviewers like
- Low price
- Dishwasher-safe parts
- Extra year's guarantee with registration
Watch-outs
- Low power
- Mixed reviews on harder foods
- One speed
Check current price on Amazon Also at Robert Dyas Also at Russell Hobbs Amazon link is an affiliate link · Robert Dyas and Russell Hobbs links may earn a commission via Skimlinks
Russell Hobbs Desire mini chopper with 1L glass bowl and storage lid (24662)
Best for: Dips, salsa and pesto you want to store in the same bowl
- Bowl
- 1L glass bowl, 500ml working capacity
- Power
- 200W
- Speeds
- One-touch
- Warranty (maker)
- 2 years + 1 with online registration
The motor sits on top of a 1L glass bowl, and you press the top to chop. A separate storage lid means the bowl goes straight in the fridge. In BBC Good Food's testing it was praised for the one-touch operation and the storage lid, and noted the base is heavier than some.
Owners say it chops in seconds, is easy to clean and gets used every day. Russell Hobbs offers two years' guarantee plus one more when you register.
What owners and reviewers like
- Glass bowl with storage lid
- Simple one-touch use
- Three years' guarantee with registration
Watch-outs
- Heavier than plastic models
- Working capacity is half the bowl size
- One speed
Check current price on Amazon Also at Russell Hobbs Amazon link is an affiliate link · Russell Hobbs link may earn a commission via Skimlinks
Cuisinart Mini Prep Pro mini chopper and grinder, 900ml (ECH4U)
Best for: Curry pastes, nuts and spices, with a bigger bowl
- Bowl
- 900ml
- Power
- 250W
- Speeds
- Chop and grind settings + pulse
- Warranty (maker)
- 3 years (per listing)
A compact processor with a 900ml bowl and a reversible blade: one edge is sharp for chopping, the other blunt for grinding nuts and spices. The lid has drizzle holes for adding oil to make mayonnaise or dressings. BBC Good Food liked its large bowl and range of tasks, though it noted the bowl can be tricky to lock.
Owners find it easy to use for onions and tomatoes and quick to wash. The Amazon listing quotes a three-year guarantee.
What owners and reviewers like
- Large 900ml bowl
- Chop and grind settings
- Drizzle holes for emulsions
Watch-outs
- Bowl can be fiddly to lock
- Bigger than basic choppers
- Plastic bowl
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
KitchenAid 830ml mini food chopper, Empire Red (5KFC3516BER)
Best for: Keen cooks who want two speeds, a pouring lip and a choice of colours
- Bowl
- 830ml (about 500ml working)
- Power
- 240W
- Speeds
- 2 + pulse
- Warranty (maker)
- See listing
KitchenAid's mini chopper has two speeds and pulse, a stainless steel blade, an 830ml bowl with a pouring spout and a drizzle basin in the lid. It comes in several colours; the one linked is Empire Red. BBC Good Food named it the best classic mini chopper, praising fine, even results and a silky curry paste.
Owners love the quality and say it's easy to clean and versatile. It costs more than most here. Check the manual for which parts can go in the dishwasher.
What owners and reviewers like
- Top pick in BBC Good Food's test
- Two speeds plus pulse
- Pouring lip and drizzle basin
Watch-outs
- Expensive for a mini chopper
- Plastic bowl
- Colour choice affects price
Check current price on Amazon Also at Robert Dyas Also at Currys Amazon link is an affiliate link · Robert Dyas and Currys links may earn a commission via Skimlinks
Tefal Choppeo mini food processor and chopper with 2L glass bowl (MB603BG1)
Best for: Families and batch cooks making big batches of sauce or nut butter
- Bowl
- 2L glass, up to 1L of ingredients
- Power
- 500W
- Speeds
- 2
- Warranty (maker)
- See listing
A large chopper with a 2L glass bowl (Tefal says up to 1L of ingredients), a 500W motor, four stainless steel blades and two speeds. A storage lid keeps food in the bowl, there's an anti-slip pad, and a bowl-detection safety system stops it running unless everything is in place.
Owners like the big glass bowl and the speed, with one making two jars of nut butter at once. It's a newer listing, so there are fewer long-term reviews than the others.
What owners and reviewers like
- Very large glass bowl
- Most powerful here
- Storage lid
Watch-outs
- Big for a 'mini' chopper
- Heavier glass bowl
- Newer listing
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Mini chopper or compact food processor?
A mini chopper does one job well: chopping, mincing and puréeing small amounts with a single blade. If you also want to slice and grate (coleslaw, cheese, potatoes), look at a compact food processor with discs, such as the Kenwood FP120 compact food processor (1.4L bowl, 400W). If you want a mini chopper that also whips cream, BBC Good Food liked the Cuisinart Pixie, which comes with a whipping disc.
Bowl size, power and speeds
- Bowl: 350–500ml is enough for an onion, a few garlic cloves or a jar of pesto. 800ml–1L suits curry pastes and dips for a family. Over 1L is for batch cooking.
- Power: 200–300W handles onions, herbs and garlic. Nuts, hard spices and big batches benefit from more.
- Speeds: two speeds or a pulse let you stop at a rough chop rather than a purée. Pulse in short bursts and scrape down the sides.
- Glass or plastic: glass doesn't stain or hold smells (useful for garlic and turmeric) but is heavier.
Cleaning and safety
Mini chopper blades are very sharp. Lift the blade out by its central stem, never by the edges, and don't leave it loose in a sink of soapy water. Wash bowls and blades straight after use, especially after raw meat, and dry them thoroughly. Food safety guidance from the Food Standards Agency is to wash utensils and equipment thoroughly in hot soapy water after preparing raw meat, before using them for ready-to-eat food.
Check the manual before putting parts in the dishwasher: some bowls and lids are dishwasher-safe, some makers recommend hand washing the blade to keep it sharp, and the motor base should only ever be wiped.
Good jobs for a mini chopper
Onions and shallots (cut into rough 2–3cm pieces first), garlic, ginger and chillies, herbs for pesto and salsa verde, breadcrumbs from stale bread, curry pastes, hummus and dips, and chopped nuts for baking. For pairing with a slow cooker or air fryer, a chopper speeds up the prep for batch cooking. A good chopper also makes a useful present for a keen cook; see our gifts for cooks.
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FAQs
What is the best mini chopper UK?
For most kitchens, the Ninja Express Chop is a good all-rounder: compact, fast and supplied with two containers with storage lids. If you want a top independent test pick, BBC Good Food named the KitchenAid 5KFC3516 its best classic mini chopper. For bigger batches, look at the Cuisinart Mini Prep Pro (900ml) or Tefal Choppeo (2L).
Can a mini chopper chop onions?
Yes, it's one of the main jobs. Cut the onion into rough chunks first, don't overfill the bowl, and use short pulses so you get a chop rather than a purée.
Can you make pesto in a mini chopper?
Yes. Most mini choppers handle basil, garlic, pine nuts and cheese well. Models with drizzle holes in the lid (Cuisinart Mini Prep Pro, KitchenAid) let you add oil while the blade runs.
Are mini choppers dishwasher safe?
Many bowls, lids and blades are, but not all. The Kenwood CH180's bowl and the Russell Hobbs 22220's bowl, lid and blade are listed as dishwasher-safe. Always check the manual, and never put the motor base in water.
Do you get commission?
Yes. If you buy through the links on this page, Amazon may pay a small commission at no extra cost to you. It doesn't affect which products are included. See the affiliate disclosure.
Sources we consulted
- BBC Good Food: best mini choppers, tested
- BBC Good Food: best food processors
- Food Standards Agency: why avoiding cross-contamination is important
Prices change constantly, so we don’t list them here. Always check the current price, seller and delivery details on Amazon before buying. If anything on this page looks wrong or out of date, let me know.
