Breville Sous Chef 12 vs 16 Food Processor: Hands-On Review After Using Both Models

The first time I placed the Breville Sous Chef 12 and the Sous Chef 16 side by side on my counter, the size difference alone told me I was dealing with two very different machines. Both are capable, powerful food processors — but the experience of actually cooking with them reveals realities that specs alone don’t show. After weeks of chopping, kneading, shredding, testing dough, slicing vegetables, and preparing everything from salsa to pastry dough, the distinction between the two became refreshingly clear.

If you’re deciding between them, let me take you through the experience as someone who has used both in real kitchen conditions.

Main Difference Between the Breville Sous Chef 12 vs 16 Food Processor 

The most defining difference is power and capacity.

• The Sous Chef 12 offers a 12-cup capacity and a strong 1000W motor.
• The Sous Chef 16 jumps to a 16-cup bowl and a heavy-duty 1450W motor, built for dense doughs, larger batches, and more intense workloads.

Beyond size and power, the number of accessories, precision tools, and included blades heavily favor the Sous Chef 16.

The Sous Chef 12 is a great high-end food processor.
The Sous Chef 16 feels like a professional workstation that just happens to fit on the counter.

Breville Sous Chef 12 vs 16 – Comparison Table

Feature	Breville Sous Chef 12	Breville Sous Chef 16
Bowl Capacity	12 cups	16 cups
Power	1000W	1450W
Material	Plastic	Stainless Steel
Dimensions	8.5″ D × 7.52″ W × 17.01″ H	9.2″ D × 11.3″ W × 17.7″ H
Weight	15.9 lbs	30.6 lbs
Feed Chutes	3 sizes	3-in-1 ultra-wide chute (5.5″)
Adjustable Slicer	Yes (0.3–8.0 mm)	Yes (24 settings)
Included Accessories	S-blade, slicing disc	S-blade, mini blade, dough blade, French fry disc, reversible shredder, mini bowl, slicing deck
Warranty	1-year product, 10-year motor	2-year product, 30-year motor
Best For	Everyday home cooking	Serious cooks, large families, heavy food prep
Special Features	Safety braking system	Accessory storage box, stainless steel hub, Breville+ guided recipes
Check Latest Price & Deals	Buy on Amazon	Buy on Amazon

Detailed Comparative Review — My Experience Using Both Models

1. Design & Build Quality

Breville Sous Chef 12

The Sous Chef 12 has a clean, sleek look with its silver body. It’s noticeably lighter, which makes it easier to move around. The plastic build doesn’t feel cheap — Breville doesn’t do cheap — but compared to the 16, it’s clear this model is made for home use rather than professional-level workloads.

Breville Sous Chef 16

The first word that comes to mind: stability.
This thing is heavy. You don’t move it — it stays where you put it. The stainless-steel construction, reinforced hub, and the upgraded bowl design all feel extremely premium. If the Sous Chef 12 feels like a reliable appliance, the Sous Chef 16 feels like a machine built to last decades.

Winner for Design: Sous Chef 16, without question.

2. Ease of Use

Using the Sous Chef 12

This model is very user-friendly. The three feed chute options make prep much easier, and I love that I can slice large vegetables without pre-trimming. The control panel is simple — just what a food processor should be. It performed smoothly even when I pushed it with dense bread dough.

Using the Sous Chef 16

While the 12 is simple, the 16 feels refined.
The ultra-wide 5.5-inch feed chute makes a huge difference. I could drop in whole potatoes, apples, and large onion halves without fighting the chute — something I can’t say for most processors. The 16 also comes with way more accessories, which gives more control but slightly increases the learning curve.

Winner for Ease of Use: Sous Chef 12 (simpler for beginners)

3. Functionality & Performance

Performance of the Sous Chef 12

The 1000W motor handles everyday tasks extremely well:

• Salsas
• Chopping vegetables
• Dough
• Nut butters
• Shredding cheese
• Slicing cucumbers and potatoes

The micro-serrated S-blade stays sharp and does a great job giving consistent cuts. It’s powerful, quiet, and reliable — a great upgrade for most home cooks.

Performance of the Sous Chef 16

This machine is in another league. The 1450W motor made tough tasks feel effortless:

• Thick doughs
• Heavy nut butters
• Large volumes of vegetables
• Thick batters

What stood out the most was the precision. The adjustable slicer delivered nearly perfect, restaurant-level paper-thin slices. The French fry disc created uniformly cut fries. Even shredding cheese felt faster and more controlled.

Winner for Performance: Sous Chef 16 — unmatched power and versatility

4. Accessories & Included Tools

Sous Chef 12 Includes:

• Adjustable slicing disc
• S-blade
• Three feed chutes

That’s about it. Enough for everyday cooking.

Sous Chef 16 Includes:

• Mini bowl
• Mini blade
• Regular S-blade
• Dough blade
• Reversible shredder
• French fries disc
• Adjustable slicing deck
• Dual spindles
• Storage box for all tools

The difference is huge. With the 16, I found myself experimenting more because the tools invited experimentation.

Winner: Sous Chef 16

5. Cleaning & Maintenance

Both models have dishwasher-safe parts and are easy to detach. However:

• The Sous Chef 12 is easier to clean simply because it has fewer parts.
• The Sous Chef 16 takes longer due to more accessories and larger parts.

Winner for Cleaning: Sous Chef 12

Breville Sous Chef 12 Food Processor 

Pros:

• Great size for most homes
• Strong 1000W motor
• Easy to use and simpler to operate
• Lighter and easier to move
• Affordable compared to the 16
• Adjustable slicer included

Cons:

• Fewer accessories
• Plastic construction
• No mini bowl
• Not as powerful for heavy-duty tasks

Breville Sous Chef 16 Food Processor

Pros:

• Extremely powerful 1450W motor
• Comes with a full suite of professional-grade accessories
• Stainless steel hub and bowl feel premium
• 5.5” ultra-wide chute saves tons of prep time
• Storage container keeps everything organized
• Best slicing precision in its class

Cons:

• Very heavy
• Larger footprint
• Higher price
• More parts to clean

Conclusion: Which One Do I Recommend?

After cooking with both extensively, here’s my honest conclusion:

✔ Choose the Breville Sous Chef 12 if:

• You want a powerful but simple food processor
• You cook for a small-to-medium household
• You prefer fewer parts and easier cleanup
• You don’t need every specialty blade

It’s perfect for everyday use without overwhelming you.

✔ Choose the Breville Sous Chef 16 if:

• You cook often or in large batches
• You want near-professional precision
• You need multiple blades and advanced slicing options
• You want the absolute best Breville offers
• You prepare dough, nut butters, or tougher ingredients regularly

This is the machine for serious cooks and culinary enthusiasts.

My Final Recommendation:

If your budget allows and you appreciate premium tools, the Breville Sous Chef 16 is the superior machine by a huge margin.
But for most households, the Sous Chef 12 is more than enough — powerful, reliable, and easier to manage.