Ninja NF701 vs. NF705BRN Review: Which Professional XL Food Processor Is Worth It?

Imagine standing in the appliance aisle, staring at two boxes that look almost identical, save for a single digit in the model number and a subtle shift in color. This was my reality when I brought the Ninja Professional XL Food Processor NF701 and the NF705 into my kitchen. Food processors are the unsung heroes of meal prep, but they are also notorious for taking up too much space and having too many sharp parts scattered in a junk drawer.

I spent the last three weeks putting these two heavyweights through a “culinary gauntlet.” I’ve kneaded stiff pizza dough, sliced tomatoes until they were paper-thin, and shredded enough cheese to power a small pizzeria. What I found is that while the “engine” under the hood remains a consistent powerhouse, the difference between these two models isn’t about how they chop – it’s about how they live in your kitchen when the chopping is done.

In this deep dive, I’m going to strip away the marketing fluff and tell you exactly how the NF701 and NF705 handle the chaos of a real kitchen.

The Key Difference: Ninja NF701 vs. NF705 Review

When you peel back the stickers and look at the core mechanics, the Ninja NF701 and NF705 are built on the same 1200-peak-watt platform. However, the Ninja NF705 is the “Deluxe” organizational package.

• The Storage Box: The defining characteristic of the NF705 is the inclusion of a dedicated Storage Box. This is a hard-shell case designed to house the chopping blade, dough blade, and the various discs safely. The NF701 does not include this box, meaning your blades will likely live in the bowl or loose in a drawer.
• Color Finish: The NF701 typically sports a Silver/Grey finish, whereas the NF705 (specifically the NF705BRN) is finished in a sleek, deep Black.
• Wattage Nuance: While both are marketed as 1200-peak-watt machines, some retail listings for the NF705 mention a 1000-watt rated power. In my performance tests, the “peak” torque felt identical, but the NF701 felt slightly more “aggressive” during sustained heavy dough kneading.

Comparison Table: Technical Specifications

Feature	Ninja NF701 (The Silver Standard)	Ninja NF705 (The Organized Black)
Peak Power	1200 Watts	1200 Watts
Bowl Capacity	12-Cup Precision Bowl	12-Cup Precision Bowl
Storage Box	No (Blades store in bowl)	Yes (Dedicated Blade/Disc Box)
Feed Chute	XL with 3-Part Pusher	XL with 3-Part Pusher
Auto-iQ Programs	4 (Chop, Puree, Dough, Disc)	4 (Chop, Puree, Dough, Disc)
Included Blades	Chopping, Dough	Chopping, Dough
Included Discs	Adjustable Slicing, Reversible Shredding	Adjustable Slicing, Reversible Shredding
Color	Silver / Grey	Black
Dimensions	8.7″D x 10.7″W x 17.5″H	8.7″D x 10.7″W x 17.5″H
View Current Price on Amazon	View on Amazon	View on Amazon

Detailed Comparative Review: My Life with the Professional XL

1. Design: The XL Philosophy

The first thing I noticed when setting these up is that they are tall. At 17.5 inches, they are designed to be “Professional XL” machines. If you have low-hanging cabinets, you won’t be able to keep the lid on the base and slide it back.

The NF701 has that classic Ninja aesthetic – brushed silver accents that match most modern refrigerators. It feels industrial and capable.

The NF705, however, in its all-black finish, feels more “boutique.” It’s incredibly sleek. But the real design “win” for the NF705 is the storage box. I cannot overstate how dangerous it is to have a 4-blade “Quad Blade” assembly loose in a kitchen drawer. The NF705 box keeps those razor-sharp edges protected and organized.

2. Ease of Use: The 3-Part Pusher System

One of my biggest gripes with older food processors was having to cut a potato into four pieces just to get it to fit into the chute. Both the NF701 and NF705 utilize an XL Feed Chute with a 3-part pusher.

My Experience with the Chute:

• Large Setting: I dropped a whole medium-sized onion in there. No pre-cutting. It saved me about three minutes of prep time.
• Medium Setting: Perfect for carrots or cucumbers.
• Small Setting: This is a narrow tube for thin items like celery or for drizzling oil into a pesto.

The interface on both is identical – a flat, wipeable touch panel with the four Auto-iQ buttons and manual controls (Low, High, Pulse). I found that I used the “Disc” program most often. It alternates the speed to ensure that as you push a block of cheese down, the motor doesn’t bog down or “smush” the cheese instead of shredding it.

Task: Shredding 1lb Cheddar	NF701 Experience	NF705 Experience
Speed	12 Seconds	12 Seconds
Consistency	Perfect, uniform shreds	Perfect, uniform shreds
Motor Noise	Solid, deep hum	Solid, deep hum
Post-Cleanup	Cheese bits stuck in lid	Cheese bits stuck in lid

3. Functions: The smartTORQUE Advantage

Ninja’s marketing mentions “smartTORQUE,” and while it sounds like a buzzword, I felt it during the Dough Test. I tried making a high-hydration pizza dough – a task that usually makes food processors “walk” across the counter or smell like burning rubber.

• NF701 Performance: I hit the “Dough” Auto-iQ. The machine pulses to incorporate the flour and water, then goes into a sustained knead. The 1200-watt motor didn’t flinch. The suction cups on the bottom of the base are incredibly strong; I actually had a hard time pulling it off the counter when I was done.
• NF705 Performance: The experience was almost identical. The dough blade is plastic (as it should be), and it managed to form a perfect dough ball in under 60 seconds.

The Adjustable Slicing Disc is the other star here. You can turn a dial on the disc itself to change the thickness from “paper-thin” (think potato chips) to “thick-cut” (think stir-fry veggies). I used this on the NF705 for a cucumber salad and was blown away by the precision. It felt more like a mandoline than a food processor.

4. Maintenance: The Dishwasher Reality

Cleaning a 12-cup bowl is a chore, no matter how you slice it. Both models are labeled as “Dishwasher Safe,” but here is my real-world take:

The Bowl and Lid: They are large. They took up nearly the entire bottom rack of my dishwasher. On the NF701, I noticed that the handle on the bowl is hollow, and after a dishwasher cycle, it tended to trap a little bit of soapy water that I had to shake out.

The Blades: I highly recommend hand-washing the Quad Blade and the discs. Dishwasher detergent is abrasive and can dull the edges over time.

The Base: Since both have flat touchscreens, a simple wipe with a damp microfiber cloth made them look brand new. No knobs for flour to get stuck behind!

Ninja NF701 (Silver) Professional Food Processor

Pros:

• Maximum Power: The 1200-peak-watt motor feels truly unstoppable.
• Aesthetic: Matches most modern stainless steel kitchens.
• Price: Often $20-$30 cheaper than the NF705 because it lacks the storage box.
• Consistency: Uniform chopping with the Quad-Blade system.

Cons:

• Storage Issues: You have to find a safe way to store the extra discs and blades.
• Loud: It’s a 1200-watt machine; it sounds like power tools.

View on Amazon

Ninja NF705 (Black + Storage Box) Professional XL Food Processor

Pros:

• Safety First: The included storage box is a massive benefit for families with kids.
• Sleek Look: The all-black finish is premium and modern.
• Precision: The adjustable slicing disc is among the best in the industry.
• Organization: Keeps the kitchen clutter-free.

Cons:

• Higher Cost: You are essentially paying for the box and the color-way.
• Footprint: The storage box itself is another item that needs shelf space.

View on Amazon

The Verdict: Which Professional XL Should You Buy?

After using both for extensive meal prepping, my recommendation boils down to your Kitchen Philosophy.

Buy the Ninja NF701 if: You are a value-driven cook who already has an organizational system in place. If you have a dedicated drawer with blade guards or if you plan on keeping the blades inside the bowl at all times, the NF701 gives you the exact same professional performance as the NF705 for a lower price. It is the best “pure performance” food processor Ninja makes.

Buy the Ninja NF705 if: You value safety and organization. The storage box isn’t just a “nice-to-have”; it’s a necessity for anyone who doesn’t want to play “Russian Roulette” with their fingers in a kitchen drawer. The black finish is stunning, and the peace of mind knowing your $200 machine’s blades are protected is worth the extra investment.

My Personal Choice: I lean toward the NF705. I’ve cut myself one too many times reaching into a drawer for a shredding disc. The storage box makes the entire experience feel more “complete” and professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are the parts interchangeable between the NF701 and NF705?

Yes. The 12-cup bowl, the lids, the blades, and the discs are 100% interchangeable. They are built on the same mechanical platform.

2. Can I make nut butter in these?

Yes! The 1200-watt motor is perfect for this. However, because the 12-cup bowl is so large, you need to use at least 3-4 cups of nuts to ensure the blades can effectively create a vortex. If you use too few nuts, they’ll just spin around the edges.

3. How do the “Auto-iQ” programs work?

They are essentially “smart timers.” The “Chop” program, for example, uses a series of quick pulses rather than a continuous spin. This prevents the onions at the bottom from turning into mush while the ones at the top are still whole. It creates a “toss” effect inside the bowl.

4. Is the bowl glass or plastic?

It is a high-durability, BPA-free plastic. It’s designed to be shatter-resistant, which is important given the speed at which these blades spin.

5. Why is the NF705 listed as 1000 watts in some places?

This is a common confusion with Ninja’s “Peak” vs. “Rated” wattage. The motor is capable of hitting 1200 watts of “Peak” torque to break through a hard block of cheese or thick dough, but it may run at a sustained “Rated” 1000 watts for standard tasks. In practical use, I found no power difference between the two.