How to choose a food processor?

I prefer a 8 cup size 600 watt unit with drive attachment on top

Typical Uses

In an Indian home food processor may be used for following

1. Dry grinding for spices and spice blends

2. Wet grinding to make batter for Dosa, Idli, Vada

3. Wet grinding onions, garlic and ginger to make Curry Masala

4. Shredding vegetables, such as carrots to make Halwa

5. Slicing vegetables

6. Grinding meats to make Kheema

7. Making Nut butters, such as Almond butter, or Peanut butter

Configuration

All processors have a motor. From the motor the shaft may extend upwards to drive the attachment sitting on the top,  or via a belt  the attachment sitting on the side.

I prefer units with attachments sitting on the top . I just had bad luck with loose belts or even broken belt used to drive the attachment on the side.

Standard attachments

S-shaped blade called Sabatier blade used to chop and grind. Make sure it is a metal blade . They are sharper and more efficient as well as last longer than some of the blades made from hard plastics.

Shredding and slicing discs. Make sure they are all metal and not hard plastic or plastic with metal parts.

Optional attachments

Dough blade: A plastic curved paddle
Egg whip: Dual upward plastic paddle

Citrus juicer: Dome spindle

Fruit juicer: Collects the pulp straining juice on the bottom

The egg whip, citrus juicers work fairly well.

Capacity

There are three different sizes

Full size: 9 to 14 cups

Compact size: 5 to 7 cups

Mini size: 2 to five cups. These are also known as Choppers. Choppers are good for day to day chores to make chutney, grind spices, grind onions/garlic/ginger for curries. In my opinion they are noisy and too light for stable operation.

I prefer a 8 cup size, about 600 watt unit . This gives me the power and size to easily shred five pounds of carrots to make Gajar Halva. The motor for 600 watt unit is also heavy enough to provide good stable operation. Always choose heavier units .

Speeds/Features

For basic operation you only need Pulse, and On .

Some of the processor are providing different speeds to accommodate dough kneading and Juicer attachments. In my opinion jury is still out on these options.

The choppers may have two pulse controls.

Controls

Controls may be push buttons, or a touch pad. I prefer touch pad . Touch pad has minimum wear and tear, as well as easier to clean.