The Breville Sous Chef and Magimix food processors are both high-performance kitchen workhorses, but they cater to different priorities. Breville's Sous Chef series is known for its innovative features, sleek modern design, and powerful motor at a more accessible price point. Magimix, a French brand, emphasizes extreme durability, ultra-quiet operation, and commercial-grade construction, positioning it as a premium, long-term investment.
Here's a detailed comparison to help you choose the right food processor for your kitchen.
Breville Sous Chef Food Processor
The Breville Sous Chef is a favorite among culinary enthusiasts who want a powerful, versatile food processor with thoughtful design features. It brings professional-level capabilities to the home kitchen, with a focus on making food prep faster and more precise through attachments like an adjustable slicing disc and a wide feed chute that reduces the need to pre-cut ingredients.
- What it is: A line of high-performance food processors known for powerful motors, large capacities, and a user-friendly, modern design.
- Key features: A very wide feed chute, an adjustable slicing disc with up to 24 settings, multiple bowl sizes included with larger models, a high-torque induction motor, and an LCD timer.
- Price: Ranges from $400 to $600 depending on the model (e.g., 12-Cup vs. 16-Cup Pro).
- Style: Sleek and contemporary, with brushed stainless steel or metallic finishes that complement modern kitchens.
- Materials/Construction: Heavy-duty die-cast metal base, BPA-free plastic work bowls, and high-quality stainless steel blades and discs.
- Pros: Excellent power for tough jobs like kneading dough. The extra-wide feed chute is a significant time-saver. Highly versatile with a wide array of included attachments. Generally more affordable than a comparable Magimix. Intuitive controls and handy features like the LCD timer.
- Cons: Can be quite loud during operation. The 1-2 year warranty is shorter than Magimix's. While sturdy, its plastic components may not last as long as Magimix's more robust parts over decades of use.
The Breville Sous Chef is ideal for the enthusiastic home cook who values performance, versatility, and modern features without paying a premium price.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/food-processors.html
Magimix Food Processor
Magimix is the inventor of the food processor and is widely considered the gold standard in Europe for its exceptional durability and professional-grade performance. Made in France, these machines are built to last for decades, featuring a simple three-button interface and a commercial-grade induction motor that is powerful yet remarkably quiet. Magimix focuses on function, longevity, and sustainability over flashy design trends.
- What it is: A premium, French-made food processor built for longevity and heavy-duty use, featuring a simple user interface and an ultra-quiet motor.
- Key features: Commercial-grade, quiet induction motor. Includes main, midi, and mini work bowls that nest together. Comes with precision Sabatier steel blades and discs. Simple three-button control (stop/auto/pulse).
- Price: Approximately $500 to $700 or more, depending on the model and capacity.
- Style: Classic and utilitarian with a professional kitchen aesthetic. Its robust design prioritizes function over form.
- Materials/Construction: Heavy-duty die-cast metal base, BPA-free and shatterproof Tritan bowls, and blades made from high-quality Sabatier stainless steel.
- Pros: Incredibly durable and built to last a lifetime. Exceptionally quiet motor. Comes with a long warranty (often 3 years on the machine and 20-30 years on the motor). Simple, foolproof operation. Made sustainably in France.
- Cons: Higher upfront cost. Fewer bells and whistles compared to Breville (e.g., no LCD timer). The design is more functional than stylish and may seem dated to some.
The Magimix is a smart investment for serious chefs and avid cooks who prioritize machine longevity, quiet operation, and rock-solid reliability over all else.
Shop this product: magimix.com/usa/22-food-processors
Breville Sous Chef vs. Magimix Comparison
Materials & Construction
This is where the core difference lies. Magimix machines famously feature a heavy, die-cast metal base that provides stability and houses a commercial-grade induction motor designed for decades of use. This build quality is backed by an industry-leading warranty. The Breville Sous Chef also has a sturdy die-cast base, but many of its accessories and some components are high-quality plastic. While Breville processors are well-made and durable for home use, Magimix is in another class, built with longevity and repairability as primary goals.
Performance & Features
Both machines are powerful performers capable of easily kneading dough, chopping dense root vegetables, and puréeing soups. The Breville Sous Chef often includes more innovative features, such as an adjustable slicing disc that allows you to change slice thickness without changing blades and a useful LCD timer. Its extra-wide feed chute is also a major convenience.
The Magimix focuses on raw, simple efficiency. Its main feature is its incredibly quiet, powerful motor. Operation is stripped down to three buttons, making it foolproof. While it may lack the bells and whistles of the Breville, its performance is consistent, powerful, and whisper-quiet, which can be a huge benefit in a busy kitchen.
Price & Value
The Breville Sous Chef generally costs between $400 and $600, offering tremendous performance and a rich feature set for the money. It represents excellent value for most home cooks who need a powerful, versatile machine. The Magimix series starts around $500 and can go well over $700. The value proposition for Magimix is long-term, you are paying a premium for a machine that is engineered to last for 20-30 years, reducing the need for replacements. It's an investment piece, similar to other high-end European appliances.
Style & Versatility
Breville excels in the style department with its modern, sleek design and brushed metal finishes that look great on a countertop. It's an appliance you want to show off. Aesthetically, it fits perfectly in contemporary kitchens. Magimix has a classic, utilitarian design that looks more at home in a professional kitchen. It's elegant in its simplicity but doesn't have the same modern flair. In terms of versatility, both offer bowls in multiple sizes and a wide range of discs and blades for various tasks from slicing and shredding to blending and kneading.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both of these food processors are excellent choices, but they are designed for different users with different priorities.
Choose the Breville Sous Chef if:
- You want professional-level performance and thoughtful features at a more accessible price.
- You appreciate a sleek, modern aesthetic in your kitchen appliances.
- Convenience features like a large feed chute and an adjustable slicing disc are important to you.
- You see your food processor as a high-performance tool for the next 5-10 years.
Choose the Magimix if:
- You view kitchen appliances as a long-term investment and prioritize extreme durability.
- A quiet kitchen environment is important to you, a loud motor is a deal-breaker.
- You prefer simple, foolproof operation over digital screens and multiple settings.
- You're a serious or professional cook who needs a machine that can withstand very heavy, frequent use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Breville and Magimix?
The main difference comes down to design philosophy. The Breville Sous Chef focuses on user-centric features, modern design, and powerful performance for the home cook at a strong value. Magimix focuses on commercial-grade durability, quiet operation, and longevity, making it a "buy it for life" investment piece.
Is Magimix really worth the extra money?
For those who cook frequently and demand extreme durability, yes. The higher price reflects its French manufacturing, exceptionally long warranty (especially on the motor), and construction designed to last for decades. If you use a food processor weekly and want a machine that won't need replacing for a very long time, it's a worthwhile investment.
Which brand is better for making dough?
Both have powerful motors capable of kneading dough. The Breville's high-torque induction motor handles dough well, while the Magimix's commercial-grade motor provides consistent power without straining, making it a reliable workhorse for frequent bread and pizza dough makers.
How long do these food processors last?
With proper care, a Breville Sous Chef can last for many years of regular home use. A Magimix is engineered to last for several decades, it's not uncommon for users to have the same machine for 20+ years.
Are the parts dishwasher safe?
Yes, the BPA-free bowls, lids, and attachments for both Breville and Magimix models are generally top-rack dishwasher safe, making cleanup easier.
Where are Breville and Magimix food processors made?
Breville appliances are designed in Australia and manufactured in China. Magimix food processors are designed and manufactured in France.
Which food processor is quieter?
Magimix is significantly quieter. Its induction motor is renowned for its low noise level, even under heavy load. Breville processors are powerful but also noticeably louder during operation.
What kind of warranty comes with each?
Breville typically offers a 1-year limited warranty on the machine and a 10 to 25-year warranty on the motor depending on the model. Magimix offers a much longer warranty, often 3 years on all parts and an impressive 30-year guarantee on the motor, reflecting their confidence in the machine's longevity.
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