Cuisinart Mini Prep vs Mini Prep Plus Food Processor: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Compact Kitchen Favorites

There’s something incredibly satisfying about a compact food processor that gets the job done without dominating your counter space. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been using two of Cuisinart’s most popular mini models — the Cuisinart Mini Prep and the Cuisinart Mini Prep Plus. Both promise speed, convenience, and that familiar Cuisinart reliability. But after putting them through everyday kitchen tests — from chopping onions and herbs to grinding nuts and cheese — I discovered that these two “minis” have very different personalities.

Here’s a complete breakdown of my hands-on experience comparing the Cuisinart Mini Prep and Mini Prep Plus, and which one truly deserves a spot in your kitchen.

Key Difference Between Cuisinart Mini Prep vs Mini Prep Plus Food Processor

At first glance, both models look nearly identical — compact design, simple controls, and similar accessories. But dig deeper, and the main differences are clear:

The Cuisinart Mini Prep comes with a 110-watt motor and a 21-ounce bowl, making it perfect for very light food prep. It’s simple, efficient, and great for quick chopping and grinding small quantities.

The Cuisinart Mini Prep Plus, on the other hand, steps things up with a 250-watt motor and a slightly larger 24-ounce bowl. The difference in power is noticeable — it handles tougher ingredients more easily and delivers smoother, faster results.

In short, the Mini Prep is for light-duty tasks, while the Mini Prep Plus is designed to be a compact yet powerful mini processor for daily use.

Comparison Table: Cuisinart Mini Prep vs Mini Prep Plus Food Processor

Feature	Cuisinart Mini Prep	Cuisinart Mini Prep Plus
Bowl Capacity	21 Ounces (2.6 Cups)	24 Ounces (3 Cups)
Wattage	110 Watts	250 Watts
Material	Plastic	Plastic
Dimensions	7”D x 11.25”W x 14.5”H	5”D x 7”W x 9.25”H
Weight	1.63 Pounds	3 Pounds
Voltage	220 Volts	120 Volts
Controls	Push-Button (Chop/Grind)	Push-Button (Chop/Grind)
Blade	Reversible Stainless Steel	Reversible Stainless Steel
Special Features	BPA Free, Dishwasher Safe, 2 Speeds	BPA Free, Dishwasher Safe, SmartPower Blade
Included Accessories	Bowl, Blade, Spatula, Recipe Book	Bowl, Blade, Spatula, Recipe Book
Best For	Small Prep, Herbs, Garlic, Nuts	Everyday Chopping, Vegetables, Cheese, Dips
Latest Price, Deals & Offers	Buy on Amazon	Buy on Amazon

1. Design and Build Quality

Design-wise, both models carry Cuisinart’s signature compact look. The Mini Prep has a clean silver stainless steel finish that feels modern and fits easily on any counter. It’s light — barely over 1.6 pounds — so it’s super easy to move around or store when not in use.

The Mini Prep Plus looks similar but feels sturdier. Despite being slightly heavier, it’s more stable when operating thanks to its solid build and weight distribution. The white finish gives it a clean, classic kitchen look. I particularly liked its smaller footprint — even though it’s a bit heavier, it actually takes up less counter space due to its compact shape.

When it comes to build quality, both are made of durable BPA-free plastic. However, the Mini Prep Plus feels a little more premium — perhaps because of its refined design and smoother lid mechanism.

Verdict: The Mini Prep Plus edges ahead with a sturdier feel and cleaner design, though both are well-built and compact.

2. Ease of Use

Both models are refreshingly straightforward — no confusing buttons or settings. You get two push buttons: “Chop” and “Grind”, which use Cuisinart’s auto-reversing SmartPower blade. One edge chops softer ingredients like herbs or fruits, while the other grinds harder items such as nuts or cheese.

However, the Mini Prep Plus is noticeably faster and more responsive. It doesn’t hesitate or bog down with dense ingredients. When I chopped onions and celery, it gave me even, consistent results in seconds. On the other hand, the Mini Prep took a little longer and occasionally required manual shaking or scraping to keep things moving.

Both bowls lock and unlock easily, and cleaning up afterward is simple. The bowl, lid, and blade are all dishwasher-safe, and I found the motor base easy to wipe down.

Verdict: Both are easy to use, but the Mini Prep Plus performs tasks faster and with less effort.

3. Performance and Power

This was the biggest differentiator for me.

The Cuisinart Mini Prep runs on a modest 110-watt motor, which is enough for small, soft ingredients — garlic, herbs, or soft nuts. It handles basic chopping and pureeing, but it struggles a bit with harder items. When I tried grinding almonds into fine powder, it took multiple pulses and still left some uneven pieces.

The Mini Prep Plus, with its 250-watt motor, is a powerhouse in comparison. It tackled everything from cheese to carrots with ease. I made pesto, chopped onions, and even ground nuts — all with consistent texture and no overheating. It’s fast, efficient, and clearly designed for more frequent use.

If you cook daily and often need quick prep work, the Mini Prep Plus easily outperforms the original Mini Prep.

Verdict: The Mini Prep Plus wins for power and versatility.

4. Functionality and Blade Performance

Both food processors use Cuisinart’s patented reversible stainless steel blade, which switches direction depending on the task. The chop function spins in one direction with the sharp edge, while the grind function reverses to use the blunt side.

This reversible design works well in both models, but the Mini Prep Plus benefits from the stronger motor, which means smoother and quicker processing. The original Mini Prep performs admirably for small jobs but can leave chunkier textures when working with harder ingredients.

I also noticed that the Mini Prep Plus maintains more consistent speeds, while the Mini Prep can sometimes fluctuate slightly during heavier loads.

Verdict: Both share smart blade design, but the Plus version delivers smoother, more reliable results.

5. Cleaning and Maintenance

This is where both models really shine.

I appreciated how simple they are to clean — both have dishwasher-safe parts and smooth surfaces that don’t trap residue. The blades lift out easily, and there are no hard-to-reach crevices.

The Mini Prep Plus has a slightly better lid seal, preventing liquid splashes during pureeing. With the Mini Prep, I noticed a small amount of seepage when blending wetter mixtures like salad dressings. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s something to be aware of.

Verdict: Both are easy to maintain, but the Mini Prep Plus handles liquid tasks more cleanly.

6. Noise and Stability

Neither model is particularly noisy, though both produce a light hum typical of compact processors. However, because the Mini Prep Plus has more power and weight, it stays more stable on the counter during use.

The lighter Mini Prep can move slightly if you’re grinding harder items, but holding it steady easily solves that.

Verdict: The Mini Prep Plus is quieter and more stable during operation.

Cuisinart Mini Prep Food Processor

Pros:

• Lightweight and extremely compact
• Simple two-button operation
• Affordable price point
• Dishwasher-safe bowl and parts
• Great for small, soft ingredients

Cons:

• Low 110-watt motor limits performance
• Struggles with tougher ingredients
• Smaller 21-ounce bowl
• Slightly noisier under strain

Cuisinart Mini Prep Plus Food Processor

Pros:

• Powerful 250-watt motor
• Handles tougher foods easily
• Slightly larger 24-ounce capacity
• Smooth, quiet performance
• Dishwasher-safe and easy to clean

Cons:

• Slightly heavier than the Mini Prep
• Costs a bit more
• Not ideal for very large quantities

Final Verdict – Which One Should You Buy?

After using both, I can confidently say the Cuisinart Mini Prep Plus is the better all-around choice. The power upgrade makes a huge difference — it chops faster, grinds smoother, and can handle a wider range of ingredients. Whether you’re making dips, chopping veggies, or prepping sauces, it performs like a mini powerhouse.

The Cuisinart Mini Prep, however, still has its charm. It’s smaller, lighter, and perfect for someone who just needs a basic processor for simple tasks like chopping herbs or grinding soft nuts. If you cook occasionally or live alone, it’ll serve you well without taking up space.

But if you want something that feels more capable and future-proof, the Mini Prep Plus is worth the extra investment. It bridges the gap between compact design and powerful performance beautifully.

Personally, I now keep the Mini Prep Plus on my counter — it’s quick, quiet, and ready for anything. The Mini Prep? It’s earned a cozy spot in my cabinet as a reliable backup for those smaller, one-ingredient tasks.