Whether you simply need to chop vegetables quickly, make a dip for a casual backyard lunch, or whip up a pie crust, a food processor is a necessity. The kitchen workhorse does it all and then some. Yet, to make sure your food processor isn't forgotten in the back of a kitchen cabinet, it's essential to buy the right one for your needs.

You'll find several sizes and types of food processors on the market, from mini-prep processors to mid-sized to large and extra-large. After price, consider both the size and the motor strength of a food processor and how often you think you'll use it.

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"If you spend a lot of time in your kitchen, you might want to look for at least a 12-cup capacity to prevent having to process in batches and make the best use of your time," says cookbook author and recipe developer Kristen Wood. "If you only want to more efficiently chop some vegetables here and there, a mini food processor might be right for you and it won't take up too much space in your kitchen." Motor strength is another consideration. "If you will be using the food processor frequently and will be processing tough ingredients like nuts or thick dough, you should aim for at least 750 watts in a food processor. If you will only be processing fruits, vegetables, and light sauces, a lower wattage food processor should do the trick just fine."

Don't forget to pay attention to the type of materials used. Are they dishwasher safe? Does that matter to you? And finally, make sure you check out the warranties. Here are five food processors we recommend whether you're planning on using your food processor every day or only a few times a month.

Cuisinart's food processor is a favorite of many home chefs, and for a good reason, it has an extra-large feeding tube, kneads bread dough, and chops, slices, shreds, mixes and purées, and it comes with a 3-year warranty.

"It is an investment buy," says food blogger Jessica Randhawa, but it's her pick for its power, plus, it has "all the features I need and has lots of great accessories."

If you're looking for a durable food processor that will do everything you need it to, this is the one for you.

Basic yet simple to use, Oster's 10-cup food processor is an excellent choice for anyone not sure how often they'd actually use a food processor. It has a 500-watt motor, two speeds, and three different types of blades you can use to chop, purée, slice, and mix up dough. Some online reviewers mention it sounds loud, but aren't most food processors? Plus, all the parts and accessories are dishwasher-safe, which is a massive plus to us.

Good things do indeed come in small sizes. Food blogger Cara Campbell is a huge fan of mini food processors like the KitchenAid 3.5 cup food chopper.

"I know it's tempting to buy the biggest, most powerful one you can find, but honestly, it just becomes a hassle," says Campbell. "I have both a full-sized processor, and a mini-processor, and I go out of my way to avoid the large one. It's heavy, bulky, and annoying. I've never found the mini-processor lacking in power either! I've had the older version of the KitchenAid [mini] processor in my kitchen for over nine years, and it still works like a charm."

This compact food processor has two speeds and includes a dishwasher-safe bowl, lids, and blade. It's ideal for those looking to make salsas, hummus, and dressings.

At first glance, between all the controls and the price the Breville Sous Chef might seem like an intimidating option. We consider it a good choice for power and versatility. It might be right for you if you're looking to upgrade your current food processor or simply know that you'll use a food processor several times a week. Not only does it come with plenty of power (a 1,200-watt motor), but thanks to its reversible shredding disc and adjustable slicing disc, it'll be easy to get the exact texture you want on everything from vegetables to meat. Plus, it has one of the largest feeding tubes, so there is no need to precut most ingredients. It's big, more than 18 inches tall and almost 20 pounds, so you'll need enough room to store it.

So many kitchen appliances, so few outlets? That's not a problem with this food chopper from KitchenAid. It's cordless and rechargeable (it takes about two hours to fully charge). Thanks to a multi-purpose blade and a whisk attachment (both dishwasher safe), it's versatile enough to chop, purée, and even mix and whip up chocolate mousse.