The Breville Sous Chef 12 and Sous Chef 16 are premier food processors from Breville that primarily differ in capacity, power, and price. The Sous Chef 12 is a more compact 12-cup model with a 1000W motor ideal for smaller households, while the Sous Chef 16 is a larger 16-cup powerhouse with a 1200W motor designed for bulk processing and larger families.
Here’s a detailed comparison to help you choose the right food processor for your kitchen.
Breville Sous Chef 12
The Sous Chef 12 is the perfect entry into Breville's high-performance food processor line, offering professional-grade results in a more compact and kitchen-friendly size. It balances a powerful motor with a manageable 12-cup capacity, making it a versatile tool for everyday chopping, slicing, and shredding tasks without overwhelming smaller kitchen spaces.
- What it is: A high-performance 12-cup food processor designed for small to medium-sized households and everyday culinary tasks.
- Key features: 12-cup work bowl, 1000-watt motor, adjustable slicing disc with 24 settings, micro-serrated S-blade, and a safety interlock system.
- Price: Typically costs between $400 and $450 USD.
- Dimensions: Approximately 14.5" (H) x 8" (W) x 10.25" (D). Its smaller footprint is suitable for kitchens with limited counter or storage space.
- Materials/Construction: Features a sturdy die-cast metal base, a BPA-free plastic work bowl, and high-quality stainless steel blades.
- Pros: More affordable price point. Compact design fits easily under most kitchen cabinets. Powerful enough for common tasks like kneading dough and chopping nuts. All cutting accessories come in a convenient storage caddy.
- Cons: Smaller capacity may require working in batches for large recipes. The motor is powerful but has less torque than the Sous Chef 16 for very heavy loads.
This model is ideal for couples, small families, or any home cook who wants premium performance for daily food prep without committing to a larger, more expensive machine.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/food-processors/bfp660.html
Breville Sous Chef 16 Pro
The Sous Chef 16 Pro is Breville's top-tier food processor, built for serious home chefs, large families, and anyone who frequently entertains. With a massive 16-cup bowl, an exceptionally powerful 1200-watt motor, and more included accessories like a dicing kit, it tackles the biggest and toughest kitchen tasks with ease, from bulk vegetable prep to heavy bread doughs.
- What it is: A heavy-duty, large-capacity 16-cup food processor for big batches and frequent use.
- Key features: 16-cup work bowl and a 2.5-cup mini bowl, heavy-duty 1200-watt induction motor, feed chute safety system, multiple feed chute options, and a comprehensive set of accessories.
- Price: Ranges from $550 to $650 USD.
- Dimensions: Approximately 17.5" H x 11.5" W x 9" D. Requires significant counter space and storage.
- Materials/Construction: Built with a premium die-cast metal base, high-impact BPA-free plastic bowls, and razor-sharp stainless steel blades and discs.
- Pros: Extra-large capacity is perfect for bulk prep and entertaining. The highly powerful motor makes quick work of dense doughs and tough ingredients. Comes with additional attachments and a convenient mini-bowl for smaller tasks.
- Cons: Significantly more expensive than the 12-cup model. Its large size and weight can be cumbersome to store and move. Might be excessive for the needs of a smaller household.
This machine is built for the passionate home cook who needs uncompromising power and capacity for ambitious recipes and large-scale meal preparation.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/food-processors/bfp800.html
Breville Sous Chef 12 vs. Sous Chef 16 Comparison
Dimensions & Capacity
The most obvious difference between the Sous Chef 12 and Sous Chef 16 is their size. The 12-cup capacity of the Sous Chef 12 is generous for daily meals and serves a family of about four perfectly. In contrast, the Sous Chef 16's massive 16-cup bowl is designed for scale - think holiday meal prep, doubling recipes, or prepping a week's worth of vegetables at once.
This size difference extends to the physical footprint. The Sous Chef 12 stands around 14.5 inches tall, making it easier to tuck away under standard kitchen cabinets. The Sous Chef 16 is a much larger unit at nearly 18 inches tall, requiring more dedicated counter or pantry space. This is a crucial consideration for those with smaller kitchens.
Power & Performance
While both processors are powerful, there's a noticeable step-up from the 1000-watt motor in the Sous Chef 12 to the 1200-watt induction motor in the Sous Chef 16. For most tasks like chopping vegetables or making salsa, both perform exceptionally well. However, the extra 200 watts in the Sous Chef 16 provides more torque for tougher jobs.
If you frequently knead heavy bread doughs, grind large batches of nuts into butter, or work with very dense ingredients, the Sous Chef 16's motor will handle these tasks more effortlessly and consistently without any risk of straining.
Price & Value
There's a significant price gap of around $150-$200 between the Sous Chef 12 and the Sous Chef 16. The value really depends on your usage. For the average home cook, the Sous Chef 12 offers outstanding performance and quality that justifies its price, it’s a durable machine that will last for years. The extra cost of the Sous Chef 16 is a clear investment in capacity and power. If you know you'll use its large bowl and superior motor regularly, the cost is justified by the time and effort it saves.
Design & Materials
Both models share Breville's signature look: a sleek, brushed die-cast metal base that is both beautiful and sturdy. The construction quality is excellent on both, with BPA-free bowls that are tough and resistant to cracking. They feel like premium appliances from the moment you take them out of the box. Functionally, the safety features, like the interlock system and non-slip feet, are identical. Your choice here isn't about better quality but about the appropriate scale for your kitchen.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both food processors are best-in-class machines, but they are tailored for very different kitchen workflows.
Choose the Breville Sous Chef 12 if:
- You're cooking for a household of 1-4 people.
- You have limited counter space or need something that fits under your cabinets.
- Your primary needs are slicing, shredding, and chopping for everyday meals.
- You want professional-grade performance at a more accessible price point.
Choose the Breville Sous Chef 16 Pro if:
- You have a large family, host dinner parties, or cook for a crowd.
- You frequently do bulk meal prep or batch cooking on weekends.
- You are a serious baker who needs to knead large, heavy doughs.
- You have plenty of kitchen space and budget is less of a concern than top-tier power and capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between the Sous Chef 12 and 16?
The main differences are capacity (12-cup vs. 16-cup), motor power (1000W vs. 1200W), physical size, and price. The Sous Chef 16 is larger, more powerful, and more expensive, catering to heavy-duty users.
Which is better for making dough?
Both machines can handle dough, but the Sous Chef 16 is superior for this task. Its larger bowl can accommodate bigger recipes, and its more powerful motor kneads heavy, dense doughs with more ease and less strain on the machine over time.
Are the attachments interchangeable between the 12 and 16?
No, the attachments are not interchangeable. The discs, blades, and bowls are sized specifically for each model’s base and capacity, so a 12-cup disc will not fit in a 16-cup machine, and vice-versa.
Is the Breville Sous Chef 16 worth the extra cost?
For the right user, absolutely. If you're constantly having to process ingredients in batches with a smaller food processor or find your current one struggles with heavy loads, the capacity and power of the Sous Chef 16 will be a significant upgrade that saves you time and effort.
How much bigger is the Sous Chef 16?
The Sous Chef 16 is roughly 3 inches taller and 3 inches wider than the Sous Chef 12. While this may not sound like much, it makes a substantial difference on a countertop and in storage. Always measure your space before buying the larger model.
Are these food processors easy to clean?
Yes, both models are designed for easy cleaning. The removable parts, including the bowls, lids, and most attachments, are dishwasher-safe (top rack recommended).
Do both models come with a storage caddy for accessories?
Yes, both the Sous Chef 12 and 16 come with a plastic storage case that neatly organizes the sharp blades and discs, making them safe and easy to store in a cabinet.
Can I still process small quantities in the Sous Chef 16?
Yes. The Sous Chef 16 comes with a handy 2.5-cup mini processing bowl that sits inside the main bowl, making it perfect for small tasks like chopping herbs, making dressings, or mincing garlic.
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