Crying over chopped onions is a rite of passage for home cooks, but it doesn’t have to be. Usually, you have two choices to solve this: drag out a massive, heavy food processor that takes 10 minutes to clean, or buy a cheap manual pull-chopper that requires an arm workout.
The Ninja Food Chopper Express Chop (NJ110GR) sits comfortably in the middle.
- 200 watt power pod.
- Effortlessly mince, chop, grind and blend a variety of ingredients for easy meal preparation or final touches
- Perfect for garlic, onion, zest, spices, herbs, cheese, bacon crumbles, nut chopping, chocolate, dressings, sauces and s…
It’s an electric “power pod” that claims to mince, chop, and blend in seconds. With over 15,000 positive ratings and 1,000+ sold last month, people clearly love this gray little gadget. But at around $50, is it worth the investment if you just want a glorified ninja onion cutter?
We analyzed the specs and real user experiences to see if this 200-watt machine is a kitchen essential or just an expensive luxury.
Design: The “Power Pod” Difference
Most food processors have the motor at the bottom, making them heavy and bulky. The Ninja flips the script.
- Top-Mounted Motor: The 200-watt engine sits on top of the bowl like a lid. This is brilliant for two reasons: it keeps the footprint tiny (perfect for small counters), and you can remove the motor to wash the bowl without worrying about getting electrical parts wet.
- Capacity: It holds 16 ounces (about 2 cups). This is the “Goldilocks” size big enough for a whole onion or a batch of salsa, but small enough to rinse in the sink in 30 seconds.
- Manual Control: There are no complex buttons. You press the large gray button on top to pulse. As the
ninja food processor manualsuggests, short pulses give you chunky salsa; holding it down gives you a smooth puree.
Performance: More Than Just Veggies
We asked the big question: Is it overkill for onions?
If you only chop one onion a month, yes. Use a knife.
But user feedback shows this tool does significantly more than just basic chopping.
1. The Onion & Garlic Test
User Orlayda praises it for daily cooking, specifically for chopping onions and garlic quickly. The stacked blade design prevents that annoying issue where the bottom turns to mush while the top chunks stay whole.
2. The “Oat Flour” Surprise
This is where the 200 watts matter. A manual pull-chopper can’t grind grains. However, user Micaela Coco De Marco bought this specifically to “refine oats to make oat flour for cookies.”
- Analyst Note: The ability to grind dry ingredients puts this in a league above standard mini-choppers.
3. Small Batch Salsa
User Coop noted it’s perfect for making a “small amount of salsa.” If you use a giant blender for salsa, you often end up with a pink soup. The Ninja’s pulse control lets you keep the texture chunky.
Is It Better Than a Manual Chopper?
We often review manual pull-choppers (like Zyliss). Here is how the electric Ninja compares:
- Speed: The Ninja is faster. 3 pulses vs 10 pulls.
- Consistency: The electric motor provides constant torque, meaning hard carrots don’t get stuck.
- Effort: This is key for anyone with arthritis or tired hands. You just press a button.
- The Downside: It has a cord. You need an outlet.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Power: 200 Watts handles nuts, oats, and ice. | Corded: Tethered to an outlet (unlike manual ones). |
| Hygiene: Motor pod never touches the food. | Capacity: 16oz is too small for big meal prep. |
| Versatility: Chops, minces, grinds, and blends. | Price: More expensive than manual alternatives. |
| Easy Clean: Bowl and blades are dishwasher safe. |
The Bottom Line
So, is the Ninja Express Chop overkill?
- YES, if you literally only slice one onion a week. Save your money and buy a manual pull-chopper or a nice knife.
- NO, if you cook daily and want a “sous chef” that can handle garlic, nuts, oat flour, and dressings without taking up space.
It bridges the gap perfectly. It has the power of a big blender but the convenience of a mini chopper. For small households or quick “daily” tasks (as Orlayda mentioned), it is indispensable.
