A genuinely compact, lightweight chopper that earns its keep for small prep jobs. At $34.95 and under 1.5 lb, it is the easiest food processor to pull out and put away, and the silicone bowl resists stains and odors better than plastic. The 250W motor keeps ambitions modest, but for herbs, onions, garlic, or a quick batch of breadcrumbs, it delivers.
Anyone who wants a fast, low-effort chopper for small-batch prep without committing counter or cabinet space to a full-size machine.
Skip if
You regularly process large batches, fibrous vegetables, or tough nuts. The 24 oz bowl and 250W motor are not built for heavy-duty work.
Power 250 W
Jar / bowl capacity 24.0 oz
Speeds 2
Jar / bowl material Silicon
Blade material Stainless Steel
Color White
Priced 86% below the category median ($250.57 across 47 tracked models)
Power of 250 W - lower than 78% of the 49 models we track
Jar / bowl capacity of 24.0 oz - smaller than 75% of the 49 models we track
Pros
Very light at 1.48 lb, genuinely easy to store and retrieve
Silicone bowl resists stains and odors better than plastic alternatives
Affordable entry point at $34.95 for a recognized brand
Stainless steel blade provides clean, consistent cuts on soft ingredients
Compact footprint (6.25 x 4.75 x 8.5 in) fits in tight kitchens
Cons
250W motor limits usefulness on dense or fibrous foods
24 oz bowl requires multiple passes for larger recipes
No pulse function noted in specs, limiting texture control
Our scorecard
4.4/5overall
Owner rating4.5/5
4.5 average across 388 owner ratings
Popularity3.3/5
388 owner reviews, more than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other countertop and personal blenders, immersion blenders, food processors, and masticating, centrifugal and citrus juicers we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Specifications
Power
250 W
Jar / bowl capacity
24.0 oz
Speeds
2
Jar / bowl material
Silicon
Blade material
Stainless Steel
Color
White
Dimensions
6.25 X 4.75 X 8.5 In
Weight
1.48 lb
Overview
The Cuisinart CCH-3 is a 3-cup (24 oz) mini food processor that runs on 250 watts and tips the scale at just 1.48 lb. Two speed settings cover everyday chopping needs, and the silicone bowl is the main differentiator here: it does not discolor from tomatoes or onions and does not hold onto garlic odors the way polycarbonate does.
At $34.95 it sits firmly in the budget-compact bracket, yet Cuisinart's fit and finish quality is evident. The stainless steel blade locks in securely, and 388 Amazon reviews average out at 4.5 stars, which is a healthy signal for a small appliance in this price range.
The obvious trade-off is capacity. A 24 oz bowl means multiple passes for family-size recipes, and 250 watts will labor through anything dense. Treat it as a daily-use herb chopper or a quick-mince assistant rather than a full food-prep workhorse, and it punches well above its price.
Performance notes
The 250W motor is adequate for soft and moderately firm ingredients: cooked beets, fresh herbs, onions, garlic, soft cheeses, and quick salsas. Harder items like raw carrots in large chunks or whole nuts may stress the motor or produce uneven results. Two speed settings give basic control, though the absence of a dedicated pulse mode means you are relying on short bursts of the low speed to avoid over-processing.
What buyers say
Reviewers consistently highlight how easy the CCH-3 is to use and clean. The silicone bowl gets specific praise for not retaining smells. The most common complaint is wanting a larger capacity, which suggests buyers are often happy with performance but outgrow the bowl size as their needs expand.
Cuisinart lists the bowl and blade as dishwasher safe, but check the current manual for rack placement guidance since silicone bowls can shift on the top rack.
Can the CCH-3 handle ice or frozen fruit?
No. At 250W, the motor is not designed for frozen or very hard ingredients. Attempting to crush ice risks overloading the motor and may void the warranty.
How does the CCH-3 compare to similar mini choppers?
The silicone bowl sets it apart from most plastic-bowl competitors at this price. The 250W power level is typical for the category. If you need more capacity or wattage, step up to a full 7-cup or 11-cup model.
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