Braun TributeCollection Review

The Braun does an exceptionally good job at mixing and chopping, and can usually be found at a price that won't break the bank. It's a great value option, though not quite the best value, but would be a solid choice, especially if it's on sale for a reduced price.

Performance Comparison

We compared the performance of this model to the others in our review in close to 25 distinct tests to determine the winners. These tests were divided up into six weighted metrics, with the sections below detailing how the Braun scored and why.

Chopping

The task that comes to mind first and foremost when talking about food processors is chopping. We chopped onions, carrots, and nuts and then scored each model based on the results, directly comparing them to one another. We also assessed how much control the "Pulse" button afforded us — whether it stopped immediately or kept spinning when the button was disengaged.

The Braun did very well, tying for the runner-up position with a score of 7 out of 10.

This model does spin for a bit after the button is released, comparable with the BLACK+DECKER. The Braun delivered an acceptable performance when chopping onions, with the majority being of uniform size with only a few outlying, larger chunks.

However, this model did substantially better when chopping carrots and nuts, tying for the top score in both of these tests. The chopped carrots were of impeccable quality, matching that of the Breville and the Hamilton Beach 10-Cup. It only took about five pulses to achieve the desired result, with little to none aberrant pieces.

This processor tied with the Breville for being the best at chopping almonds, though it did take three more pulses than the Breville to achieve the finished product. Practically all of the almonds were chopped, with only the occasional straggler escaping.

Mixing

The Braun delivered another stellar performance in our mixing metric, earning an 8 out of 10 and only lagging behind the top scorer by a single point. We compared the quality of pizza dough, pie crust dough, and mayonnaise created off identical recipes to determine the scores for each machine. This model would have tied for the top score, had it not had slightly inferior pizza dough compared to the Breville. This model successfully got the ball of dough to form rapidly but vibrated around like crazy once the second cup of flour was added, per the recipe instructions. This was the only sign of struggle from this model, with the motor seemingly content and not issuing sounds of protests.

The Braun mixed mayonnaise without incident, and made solid pie crust, displaying no visible inconsistencies when rolled out.

Pureeing

The Braun's performance dropped in our pureeing tests, earning a 6 out of 10 for its performance. We compared the quality hummus, applesauce, nut butter, and tomato sauce produced by each machine, as well as conducted a leak test with water to determine scores. We weren't the biggest fan of the hummus created by the Braun, being the second coarsest of the entire group.

The Braun improved when it came to making applesauce and tomato sauce, with both being well-mixed, but slightly chunkier than other models, such as the Cuisinart Custom and the Hamilton Beach 10-Cup. However, it did the best in our nut butter test, tying for the second-highest score. It only took a single spatula scrape in the beginning and produced high-quality nut butter after 15 minutes.

This model lacks a max fill line on the bowl, but the manual states that the maximum capacity is two cups of liquid. This fills the bowl about halfway, and there were no discernible leaks when we ran the food processor.

Shredding

We evaluated the shredded cheese, potatoes, and carrots created by each machine to determine scores, as well as comparing if there was any adjustability allowed on the shredding settings. The Braun did very well, tying for the runner-up position with a 7 out of 10.

This model has two shredding options: fine, and medium. A 2lb block of cheese would not fit down the feed tube, necessitating us to slice it in half longways. The shreds were nice and large, with only a few crumbled bits interspersed throughout, and very little stuck above the shredding disc.

This model actually did the best job of the entire group at shredding potatoes, rivaling those of the Breville and the Cuisinart Elemental.

Quality did drop when we shredded carrots, with the shreds being on the flimsier side and a single small piece left un-shredded.

Slicing

While the Braun did well at shredding, it delivered an abysmal performance in our slicing tests. We evaluated how it did at slicing tomatoes, potatoes, and zucchini, as well as how adjustable the slicing attachment was. The Braun did a subpar job in every aspect of this test, with the exception of potatoes.

There was no adjusting the slicing thickness, and this model completely and totally obliterated the tomatoes, rather than slicing them.

It did a little better with zucchini, but not by much. The slices were very thin and uneven, with a prominent taper. The edges were also rough, similar to the BLACK+DECKER.

Cleaning

Rounding out the end of our tests, this metric was assessing how easy it was to clean each food processor. The Braun scored above average, meriting a 6 out of 10. Every part is dishwasher safe, except the small chopper bowl. The blade is decently easy to clean but has plenty of small nooks and crannies to trap food. The bowl also has some small plastic details that are prone to trapping food pieces and require some extra attention to ensure they are actually clean. The lid was easiest to clean, with all parts easily accessible.

Value

This model is a great value, and definitely would be a model to consider for the budget-oriented shopper. It performs well, and the possibility of finding it at a discounted price is something to bear in mind when considering if this is a good pick for you.

Conclusion

The Braun is a great, second-tier food processor that can handle most tasks competently. However, this is definitely not the model you want to get if you plan on slicing, as it performed exceptionally poorly on that set of tests. It did redeem itself by stellar chopping and mixing performances, so this might be a good pick if that matches your food preparation needs.