BLACK+DECKER 3
Ninja BN801 Professional Plus
When you’re in the kitchen, having the right tools can make all the difference between a culinary triumph and a frustrating mess. Two popular contenders in the food processing arena are the BLACK+DECKER 3-in-1 Easy Assembly 8-Cup Food Processor, which we’ll refer to as BLACK+DECKER 3 for short, and the Ninja BN801 Professional Plus Kitchen System, or Ninja BN801 Professional Plus. Both promise to simplify your cooking prep, but they approach the task with different philosophies and feature sets.
This isn’t just about which machine looks better on your counter; it’s about understanding which one aligns with your cooking style, your budget, and your specific needs. Are you a weeknight warrior whipping up quick weeknight meals, or are you a weekend warrior tackling more ambitious recipes? Do you prioritize ease of use above all else, or are you looking for maximum versatility and power? We’re here to break down the differences, highlight the strengths, and help you make an informed decision.
In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll dive deep into what each food processor offers, from their core functionalities and performance to their user-friendliness and cleaning convenience. We’ll explore how they stack up against each other feature by feature, drawing on real customer experiences to give you a well-rounded picture. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear understanding of which of these kitchen powerhouses is the right fit for your home.
In-Depth Look: BLACK+DECKER 3
The BLACK+DECKER 3 is designed with simplicity and efficiency in mind. It aims to be your go-to appliance for common food prep tasks, offering a straightforward approach that many home cooks will appreciate. This 8-cup food processor boasts a 450W motor, which is ample power for most everyday chopping, slicing, and shredding needs. Its standout feature is the “easy assembly” design, where the lid acts as the locking mechanism. This is a game-changer for anyone who has struggled with traditional food processor bowls that can be finicky to align and lock securely.
The machine comes with two essential attachments: a durable stainless steel S-blade for chopping and mixing, and a reversible disc that handles both slicing and shredding. This versatility means you can quickly prepare vegetables for salads, shred cheese, or create smooth purees for sauces and dips. The control panel is equally user-friendly, featuring simple low, high, and pulse settings. Cleaning is also a breeze, as the work bowl, lid, and blades are typically dishwasher-safe, which is a huge plus for busy kitchens.
Pros of the BLACK+DECKER 3:
- Effortless Assembly: The lid-locking mechanism is a significant convenience, making setup and breakdown much faster.
- User-Friendly Controls: Simple low, high, and pulse settings are intuitive for anyone to use.
- Good Capacity for Everyday Tasks: The 8-cup bowl is sufficient for most common recipes and family meals.
- Sharp Stainless Steel Blade: It efficiently chops, mixes, and purees ingredients.
- Reversible Slice/Shred Disc: Adds versatility for preparing produce.
- Easy to Clean: Dishwasher-safe components simplify the cleanup process.
- Reliable Brand: BLACK+DECKER is a trusted name in home appliances, offering a sense of quality assurance.
Cons of the BLACK+DECKER 3:
- Lower Motor Power: Compared to higher-end models, the 450W motor might struggle with extremely hard ingredients or very large batches.
- Limited Functions: Primarily focused on chopping, slicing, and shredding; it doesn’t offer blending or dough mixing capabilities.
- No Single-Serve Option: It’s designed for batch processing rather than individual smoothies or portions.
Customer Reviews Highlight:
“This is a must have for anyone that cooks at home. It comes with everything you need. Black and Decker is a well known brand that makes great quality products and this is no exception. It works perfectly. Easy to use, comes with easy to read and understand instructions. It’s the perfect size and the power is strong. It doesn’t whine or slow down when slicing or chopping hard vegetables.”
Another satisfied user shared, “I had the same food processor for quite a few years and I just loved it. I liked it better than my Cuisinart. It’s easier to clean. It just worked fine. I loved it and then it stopped working one day. I’m literally after five years at least and I was so pleased when I ordered another one and it came exactly like my old one thanks for keeping this product because it’s great.”
One reviewer enthusiastically stated, “I’m so impressed with the BLACK+DECKER Food Processor! This 8-cup model has quickly become one of my favorite kitchen tools. The stainless steel blade is incredibly sharp and efficient, making chopping, slicing, and pureeing a breeze. Whether I’m shredding veggies for a salad, slicing potatoes for fries, or making a smooth puree, this food processor does it all effortlessly. The 450W power is more than enough for all my daily cooking needs, and the multiple attachments are a huge bonus. It’s so easy to use and clean.”
Best for: The BLACK+DECKER 3 is an excellent choice for home cooks who need a reliable, easy-to-use food processor for everyday tasks like chopping onions, shredding cheese, making dips, and slicing vegetables. It’s ideal for smaller households or those who value simplicity and quick cleanup over extensive functionalities.
Check Price on Amazon for BLACK+DECKER 3
In-Depth Look: Ninja BN801 Professional Plus
The Ninja BN801 Professional Plus Kitchen System is a powerhouse designed to tackle a wide array of kitchen tasks, far beyond basic food processing. It’s a true multi-tasker, blending smoothie-making, food prep, and even dough mixing into one impressive unit. With a staggering 1400 peak watts of power, this machine means business. This raw power is harnessed through Ninja’s Total Crushing Blades, ensuring that ice, frozen fruits, and tough ingredients are pulverized into smooth perfection for your beverages.
What sets the Ninja BN801 Professional Plus apart is its versatility and its intelligent Auto-iQ technology. It features five preset programs – smoothies, frozen drinks, nutrient extraction, chopped mixtures, and dough – that take the guesswork out of blending. These programs use unique timed pulsing, blending, and pausing patterns to deliver optimal results at the touch of a button. This is incredibly useful when you want a perfectly blended smoothie without constant monitoring.
Beyond its blending prowess, the 8-cup Precision Processor Bowl allows for precise chopping and smooth purees, living up to its food processor name. The inclusion of a 72 oz Total Crushing Pitcher means you can make large batches, perfect for entertaining or feeding a family. And for those on-the-go moments, two 24-oz single-serve cups with spout lids are included, making it easy to take your creations with you. The ability to mix up to 2 lbs. of dough in as little as 30 seconds is a remarkable feature for bakers.
Pros of the Ninja BN801 Professional Plus:
- Exceptional Power: 1400 peak watts provide unparalleled performance for crushing ice and tough ingredients.
- Multi-Functionality: It acts as a blender, food processor, and dough mixer, offering immense value.
- Auto-iQ Technology: Intelligent programs simplify operation and deliver consistent results.
- Versatile Attachments: Includes a large pitcher, single-serve cups, a processor bowl, and a dough mixer.
- Efficient Nutrient Extraction: Ideal for making healthy smoothies packed with vitamins.
- Fast Dough Mixing: Capable of making up to 2 lbs of dough quickly.
- Great for Large Batches: The 72 oz pitcher is perfect for families or entertaining.
Cons of the Ninja BN801 Professional Plus:
- Larger Footprint: As a multi-function system, it takes up more counter and storage space than a single-function appliance.
- Can Be Loud: High-powered motors, while effective, can be quite noisy.
- Complexity: With more functions and programs, there’s a slightly steeper learning curve for some users.
Customer Reviews Highlight:
One enthusiastic user raved, “This Ninja blender is extremely powerful and works amazingly well. It blends smoothies, frozen fruits, and ice effortlessly. The multiple settings are very convenient, and the DUO cups are perfect for single servings. Easy to use, easy to clean, and great quality overall. Highly recommend!”
Another customer expressed their fascination: “I am fascinated with my new Ninja blender. The power of its motor is strong and impressive—it blends frozen fruit, hard ingredients, raw and cooked foods easily and quickly in just seconds. In addition, it is very complete: it includes a pitcher, two single-serve cups, a food processing bowl, and two attachments for kneading and chopping. This allows me to prepare everything from smoothies to pizza or bread dough. Cleaning is also very easy because the blades are large and wide, which makes washing…”
A glowing review mentioned, “Such a great unit. Love that it just mows through just about anything I throw at it. Processor is amazing, smoothies come out perfect, and the blender makes a killer margarita (add egg whites to make them fluffy). Lids don’t leak, and the customer service was awesome when I’m my first one would not get power to the unit. Worth it in the long run, but this one, not an underpowered POS. Sad I didn’t buy one sooner.”
Best for: The Ninja BN801 Professional Plus is perfect for culinary enthusiasts who want an all-in-one solution. It’s ideal for those who frequently make smoothies, frozen drinks, and need a capable food processor for chopping and pureeing, as well as bakers who want to mix dough. If you have the counter space and appreciate versatility and raw power, this is a fantastic option.
Check Price on Amazon for Ninja BN801 Professional Plus
Head-to-Head Comparison
Performance and Power
When it comes to raw performance, the difference is stark. The BLACK+DECKER 3, with its 450W motor, is designed for everyday food prep. It handles tasks like chopping onions, slicing cucumbers, and shredding carrots with ease. However, it might show its limitations when faced with very dense ingredients or when processing large quantities continuously. The Ninja BN801 Professional Plus, on the other hand, boasts an impressive 1400 peak watts. This colossal power means it can crush ice into snow, pulverize frozen fruits for smoothies, and effortlessly process tougher ingredients that would challenge less powerful machines. For tasks requiring sheer brute force, the Ninja BN801 Professional Plus is the clear winner.
Versatility and Functions
This is where the two machines diverge significantly. The BLACK+DECKER 3 is primarily a food processor, excelling at chopping, slicing, and shredding. It’s a focused tool for specific tasks. The Ninja BN801 Professional Plus is a multi-functional kitchen system. It not only chops, slices, and purees like a food processor but also blends, crushes ice for drinks, extracts nutrients, and even mixes dough. This expansive range of functions makes the Ninja BN801 Professional Plus a far more versatile appliance, capable of replacing several other kitchen gadgets. If you’re looking to consolidate your kitchen tools and expand your culinary horizons, the Ninja BN801 Professional Plus is the way to go. For those who just need a solid food processor, the BLACK+DECKER 3 suffices.
Ease of Use and Assembly
The BLACK+DECKER 3 shines in its simplicity, particularly with its “easy assembly” feature. The lid locking mechanism is a standout design choice that significantly reduces frustration. The controls are straightforward – low, high, and pulse – making it very intuitive. The Ninja BN801 Professional Plus, while also designed with user convenience in mind, has more components and functions. Its Auto-iQ programs are designed to simplify blending, but there’s still a slight learning curve associated with understanding all the different programs and attachments. For pure plug-and-play simplicity, the BLACK+DECKER 3 edges out the Ninja BN801 Professional Plus, especially for users who are less tech-savvy.
Capacity and Portability
Both units offer an 8-cup work bowl for food processing tasks, which is a good mid-range capacity. However, the Ninja BN801 Professional Plus extends this significantly with its 72 oz Total Crushing Pitcher, perfect for making large batches of smoothies or sauces. The inclusion of two 24-oz single-serve cups with spout lids is a major convenience for those who want to make a smoothie and take it directly to work or the gym. The BLACK+DECKER 3 doesn’t offer this single-serve convenience. Therefore, for batch processing or on-the-go beverages, the Ninja BN801 Professional Plus has a distinct advantage.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Both appliances generally receive good marks for ease of cleaning, with most removable parts being dishwasher-safe. This is a crucial factor for any busy cook. The design of the blades and bowls in both systems allows for relatively easy rinsing. However, the Ninja BN801 Professional Plus, with its more complex system and multiple attachments, might have slightly more pieces to wash after a comprehensive use. The simpler design of the BLACK+DECKER 3 might translate to a slightly quicker cleanup for basic food processing tasks.
Value for Money
This is a complex comparison, as the value proposition depends heavily on what you need. The BLACK+DECKER 3 is typically the more budget-friendly option. It offers solid performance for its price point, making it a great value for basic food processing needs. The Ninja BN801 Professional Plus is a significant investment, but you are paying for a high-powered, multi-functional system that can replace several appliances. If you plan to utilize its full range of capabilities – blending, dough making, and large-batch processing – then its value is immense. If you only need to chop an onion occasionally, the BLACK+DECKER 3 is the more economical choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which food processor is better for making smoothies?
A: The Ninja BN801 Professional Plus is significantly better for making smoothies due to its much higher motor power (1400 peak watts) and specialized Auto-iQ programs for smoothies and frozen drinks. Its Total Crushing Blades are designed to pulverize ice and frozen fruits effortlessly. While the BLACK+DECKER 3 can puree ingredients, it’s not designed for the demands of ice crushing or creating perfectly smooth frozen beverages like the Ninja.
Q: Can the BLACK+DECKER 3 be used for blending soups?
A: Yes, the BLACK+DECKER 3 can puree cooked ingredients to make soups. Its S-blade is effective for creating smooth textures. However, you would need to transfer the hot soup to a heat-safe container before pureeing, as food processor bowls are not designed for hot liquids. The Ninja BN801 Professional Plus, with its pitcher and blending functions, is more naturally suited for this task, and many users often use it for pureeing hot soups directly (with caution, of course, ensuring the lid is secure and venting steam).
Q: Is the Ninja BN801 Professional Plus too powerful for delicate tasks like chopping herbs?
A: Not necessarily. While the Ninja BN801 Professional Plus is very powerful, its Auto-iQ technology and the precision processor bowl allow for controlled chopping. By using the “chopped” program or pulse function, you can achieve delicate chopping results. For very fine or gentle tasks, it’s always about using the right program and pulsing the machine carefully. The BLACK+DECKER 3’s simpler controls also make it good for this, but the Ninja offers more precise control through its presets.
Q: Which appliance is better for someone who bakes frequently?
A: The Ninja BN801 Professional Plus is the clear winner for bakers. Its ability to mix up to 2 lbs. of dough in seconds is a standout feature that the BLACK+DECKER 3 simply cannot replicate. While the BLACK+DECKER 3 is great for chopping nuts or processing ingredients for pie crusts, the Ninja’s dough mixing function makes it a much more comprehensive tool for bakers.
Q: What are the main differences in terms of motor power and why does it matter?
A: The primary difference in motor power is between the BLACK+DECKER 3’s 450W motor and the Ninja BN801 Professional Plus’s 1400 peak watts. Motor power dictates an appliance’s ability to handle tough tasks. Higher wattage means the motor can sustain more resistance without slowing down or overheating. For tasks like crushing ice, blending frozen fruits, or processing hard vegetables like carrots or sweet potatoes, higher wattage is crucial for smooth results and preventing motor strain. The lower wattage of the BLACK+DECKER 3 makes it suitable for softer ingredients and less demanding chopping, while the Ninja’s power makes it a true workhorse for a wider range of challenging food prep.
Q: Are there any specific Ninja models that offer similar food processing capabilities to the BLACK+DECKER 3 but are also blenders?
A: Yes, Ninja offers several kitchen systems that combine blending and food processing. Models like the Ninja BN801 Professional Plus (which we’ve reviewed here) are prime examples. Ninja also has other kitchen systems that might include different pitcher sizes or fewer dedicated functions, such as some of their air fryer ovens which also have blending capabilities. If you’re looking for a blender that also has food processing functions, exploring Ninja’s broader range of kitchen appliances would be worthwhile.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
Deciding between the BLACK+DECKER 3 and the Ninja BN801 Professional Plus boils down to your individual kitchen needs and priorities. If your primary goal is a straightforward, reliable, and easy-to-use food processor for everyday chopping, slicing, and shredding, the BLACK+DECKER 3 is an excellent choice. Its simple operation, particularly the innovative lid-locking mechanism, makes it incredibly user-friendly and a time-saver for basic meal prep. It’s a no-nonsense appliance that gets the job done efficiently for common tasks, and its more budget-friendly price point makes it accessible.
However, if you’re looking for a true kitchen powerhouse that can handle a vast array of tasks, from making silky-smooth smoothies and crushing ice to mixing dough and processing large batches, the Ninja BN801 Professional Plus is the superior option. Its immense power, versatile functions, and intelligent Auto-iQ technology offer unparalleled flexibility and performance. While it comes at a higher price point and requires more counter space, the ability to consolidate multiple appliances into one makes it an incredibly valuable investment for serious home cooks, smoothie enthusiasts, and bakers alike.
Ultimately, the BLACK+DECKER 3 is for the cook who needs a dedicated, simple food processor. The Ninja BN801 Professional Plus is for the culinary adventurer who wants a do-it-all machine that excels at almost everything. Consider your typical cooking routine, the types of recipes you enjoy, and the space you have available to make the best choice for your kitchen.
