Ninja 3-in-1 Food Processor Review

The Ninja 3 in 1 food processor is one of those machines that you pretty quickly wonder how you lived without - which is why we chose it as the best premium buy in our guide to the best baby food makers. 

With one sturdy base and three different jugs, it offers an impressive variety of functions, including chopping, slicing, kneading, mixing, and of course, blending. 

What we love about it is the fact that it's just as good at whipping up baby food as it at creating meals and snacks for the whole family. Each jug is a different size, ranging from 700mls up to 2.1L, meaning you can choose which one to use depending on the amount you want to make. It can easily handle batch-cooking, and thanks to the powerful 1200W motor and sharp blades, it does so efficiently and effectively. 

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Design

Weighs: 4.49kgs | Age: 6 months+

You might have spotted a Ninja blender tucked away on the back bar of your favourite cocktail spot. (Although perhaps they’re a thing of your past if you’re looking for baby food makers?!) No wonder - this industry-standard 3 in 1 blender can chop, slice, knead and, of course, blend. 

In sleek black and silver, it's stylish enough to stay on display on your kitchen surface, although it does take up quite a bit of counter space. The console on the base is well-laid out, with clear symbols depicting the various functions below an LED digital display. 

This particular Ninja model comes with 3 attachments; the first is an 1.8L food processor bowl, the second a 2.1L blending jug, and the third is a compact 700ml cup that comes with a lid. I like how ‘professional’ it looked, and that it isn't an eyesore in my kitchen! 

Comfort and features

In terms of usability, the Ninja is neither clunky nor cumbersome, just as its name suggests. The attachments click on and off with ease, and their functions are intuitive; when you click a jug or bowl into place, the base lights up to show you which functions are compatible. 

The blend setting runs for 60 seconds, and the max blend setting for 70 seconds, plus there is also a pulse button. Mix and chop have their own dedicated button too, all of which are annotated - handy if you don’t want to be squinting at symbols and trying to remember what each one means! 

You can batch cook with the larger bowl or jug, or if you want to make a smaller portion and pop it in the fridge for later, you can do so with the smallest jug and screw-on lid, included in the box. 

All of these pieces are dishwasher safe, along with the stainless steel blades, and its 1200W motor allowed me to create silky-smooth mixtures in rapid time.

Value for money

While not a baby-branded item, and though there are no steaming capabilities, the variety of jugs and bowls that comes with this blender makes it ideal for baby and child meal prep. You can also use the machine for a wide variety of other non-child-related cooking tasks, such as kneading pizza dough. Not only does this mean longevity, but it also gives you the potential to use the item more, compared to a standard baby food maker. For that reason, the Ninja is excellent value for money - especially if you don’t want steaming abilities, or if you have the ability to do this with another gadget that you already own. This item will particularly appeal to anyone looking for a baby food maker that doesn't scream 'baby gadget'. 

We chose this as the best top-of-the-range baby food maker - but if you'd prefer to spend a little less, then check out Nutribaby(+) XL Baby Food Maker review, which we chose as the best baby food maker overall. 

If you're preparing to start weaning, you might also like to read our pick of the best high chairs while our guide to choosing the best bottle warmer might also be a helpful read.

And don't forget to check out our other baby product reviews.