In the new age of smoothies and pureed fitness foods, a blender is a must have in a kitchen. Most amateur cooks, looking for quick fixes in the kitchen think that blenders are used for the sole purpose of blending. No intelligence required there, however, blenders have multi-purposes, from cooking to crushing ice for parties.
What falls under the list of essential ‘must have’ kitchen appliances? The answer to this question is never definitive, but rather relative. What a kitchen requires in terms of appliances is heavily reliant on a number of things amongst them being; number of people to cook for, type of family unit (single/couple or family with children) and general food requirements.
A blender, however, is a must have in every kitchen of every user. One of very joys of having a free market is also one of the very perils of it. There are hundreds and thousands of blenders available at shops and online stores alike. Kitchen appliance giants such as black and Decker, Hamilton beach etc. specializes in different types of blenders. Some blenders are perfect for pureeing and some for crushing and coarse blending.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN THE PERFECT BLENDER?
When one goes to buy a blender, the variety of options leaves even someone as informed as us confused. It is extremely natural to be overwhelmed by the wide range of options. Therefore, it is best to have a checklist or a guide on what to look for in order to be able to choose the most fitting blender.
- Price: it is not uncommon to come across an appliance you absolutely love and then realize it doesn’t fall under your price range. Decide on a range and make a list of all the blenders that fall under that range. For example a comprehensive list like best blenders under $100 etc. go a long way.
- Features: Long gone are the days when a blender was just used for blending. Blenders now days can do a variety of tasks. So it’s quite important to check the features before buying.
- Feature Relevance: Checking the features is of no use if you don’t know what you’re looking for. It is important to know what you’re looking for and how important those features are to you.
- Value for Money: Is the price worth it? A blender may fall under your high budget but does nothing other than look chic, meaning it has a low value for money.
- Warranty: It is a smart practice to check product warranty and go for those that have long warranties.
| Blender Machine | Dishwasher Safe | Multi-Purpose | Dimensions (in) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NutriBullet High-Speed 49980A | Fairly | Yes | 12.9 x 9 x 13 | Check Price |
| Ninja Blender BL610 | Yes | No | 10.6 x 8.2 x 15.8 | Check Price |
| Ninja Blender BL660 (Best Seller) | Yes | Yes | 9.2 x 12 x 16.4 | Check Price |
| Oster BLSTPB Blender | No | No | 6.9 x 6.7 x 14.9 | Check Price |
| Hamilton Single Serve | No | No | 4.8 x 4.8 x 10.3 | Check Price |
| Ninja Mega BL770 | Yes | Yes | 9.5 x 8.2 x 17.8 | Check Price |
| Oster Reverse Crush | Yes | Yes | 10.2 x 8.5 x 13.8 | Check Price |
| NutriBullet N17-1001 | Yes | No | 15.2 x 15.2 x 13.1 | Check Price |
| Ninja Auto IQ BL482 (Editor's Choice) | Yes | Yes | 6 x 6 x 15.5 | Check Price |
| Oster VERSA Pro | Yes | Yes | 9.3 x 10.3 x 17.6 | Check Price |
1. NutriBullet High-Speed Blender – Healthy High Life
NutriBullet is known for its endorsement of a healthy lifestyle. Known for making high-quality kitchen appliances, some celebrity chefs swear by nutribullet blenders. The magic bullet makes it easier to eat healthy by making extracted food a reality for middle class home owners.
Main Features:
Just looking at the overall design of the blender, not only does it look chic on the counter but the dimensions (9×12.87×13 inches) make it easy to store in compact spaces. In the era of studio apartments and tiny kitchens, an appliance that is not compact is one that is not in compliance with the needs of 21st century.
A busy lifestyle leaves little to no time for blenders that require extensive cleaning, however necessary. Foods such as pureed kale and bananas tend to stick. It is, therefore, essential to have parts that are detachable. The Magic bullet system consists of 12 parts, which can not only be detached easily but are also awfully easy to clean.
A common problem that numerous kitchen owners face when using blenders is one concerning the overall durability and the sharpness of the blade used in the product. Low quality blades fail to deliver in terms of smoothies and poorly pureed foods. The magic bullet, however, successfully breaks down food to its most absorbable state by easily churning through hard stems, tough seeds and the shredding through the toughest of fruit and vegetable skins.
The magic bullet is light weight and multi-purpose, but the most important question is whether it’s affordable or not? Extremely easy on the pocket, the magic bullet blender falls under $100, making it easy on the pocket for a system that not comes with blender blades but also shredding and grinding blade options.
Used by hundreds and thousands, the Magic bullet comes with a 1-year limited warranty. The machine is made in china and some consumers have complained about poor attached bases that tend to leak. However, some have found that this simply may be because of a loose base screwing. It is, therefore, recommended to tighten the base before use.
One of the most notable features of the magic bullet is the high-speed blending it ensures whilst only consuming 600watts! Comparatively, other nutribullet products take longer, but the magic bullet, much like its name; does the job in just 10 seconds or less.
- Complaints of leakage from base
- Capacity of 3 glasses
- Made in China – Comes with a one-year limited warranty
2. Ninja Professional Blender (BL610) – Souis Chef At Home
A recognizable name in amongst most professionals and restaurateurs, Shark Ninja has been known to produce affordable blenders that are perfect for professionals. Perfect for smoothies and thorough blending, the overall design of the BL610 is impressive and the buttons on the base add a more high-quality feel to it.
Main Features:
Manufactured using BPA free and dishwasher safe parts, the BL610 is designed keeping the needs of a commercial kitchen in mind. A mere glance at the specs of the blender is enough to conclude that the blender might be slightly heavy. Weighing 9.51 lbs, this blender is slightly heavier than its counterparts. This difference in weight may be due to the high powered blending that the base provides.
The most integral part of making professional quality smoothies is crushed ice. The Ninja Professional Blender BL610 is the best blender for crushing ice. However, the question is if for a blender that costs under $100, does it deliver the kind of professional quality it promises?
To be honest, for a blender that is supposed to be suitable for frequent and professional use, the container should be of glass and not plastic. Plastic containers are not the best option when it comes to choosing blenders for frequent and high-powered use.
A question of integral importance is the degree to which the Ninja Professional Blender has succeeded in delivering easy to use appliances. Dishwasher safe, the blender opens and closes with ease. I personally found that it was extremely easy to open and made taking out the blade a piece of cake. This in turn, also meant that it could either be rinsed using the running water or a dishwasher.
This high powered blender works on 1000 watts; the secret behind perfect ice crushing and vegetable pureeing. However, either due to operator error or manufactures fault, blades have been known to pop out of the blender. A major safety hazard, error made by either should be addressed by the shark ninja manufacturers.
- Plastic container
- Base is slightly heavy
- Complaints about blades popping out
3. Ninja professional Blender (BL660) – One Blender For All
Another product by the shark ninja – a notable name in professional quality kitchen appliances, is an upgrade from the BL610 we discussed earlier. This blender is the best ninja blender for smoothies for it comes with two, 16 oz nutria Ninja cups that are the perfect solution when looking to create new and personalized fruit and veggie nutrient rich drinks.
Main Features:
How versatile is this product? Honestly, no modern kitchen owner wants to pay over a hundred dollars for a blender that fails to crush through stems and thick skins when making purees for nutrient-rich dishes.
For over costing just a little more than BL610, the BL660 comes with a machine base, 72 oz plastic container, and two 16 oz nutri cups with go-to lids. For three parts, the blender has been priced extremely reasonably.
The BL660 is, in many ways, similar to the BL610. It can be said that the company – shark Ninja has managed to retain some of the best features of the BL610 and integrate it into the BL660.
Faster – running on 1100 watts, this blender is slightly heavy and weighs around 9.96lbs. The dimensions too make it a bit difficult to store in compact places. However, the single serve nutria cups can easily be kept outside or on counter tops.
Although, the issue of popping blades was a major setback for the BL610 makers, there have been zero complaints about the BL660 about popping blades. Overall, this blender has been found extremely easy to use with features such as the lid on top of the 72oz container for easy pour and go-to nutria cup lids.
4. Oster BLSTPB-WBL Blender with Travel Sport Bottle – Simple Yet Effective
Oster – known by its extremely catchy brand mantra ‘performance, versatility, durability’, is a rather well-known name in the kitchen appliance industry. Oster is known to produce durable and fairly priced products that appeal to the masses.
Main Features:
When holding the BLSTPB-WBL it is impossible not to appreciate the sleek and slim design. Essentially, a portable travel blender, this Oster product is not only appealing to look at but also easy to carry and store.
Perfect for frequent travels, one of the best things about this blender is its simplicity in the form of one button blending and compact design. One button to initiate blending is what makes this blender perfect for young children who love making personalized smoothies. Oster, hands down, is one blender I wish I had as a smoothie loving 14 years old!
Easy to store and carry, this blender is the ultimate go to for people who love their smoothies but are also always on the go. The sport bottle type locking, ensure lack of leakage and easy drinking.
What’s most shocking is the price at which it is retailed! Best blender under $50, the Oster travel blender has no trouble delivering in terms of effective blending. Most cheap and portable blenders fail to deliver when it comes to simple tasks such as i.e. blending frozen fruit or flax seeds etc.
However, a major setback was the lack of ease when looking to clean this blender. The blades are fixed in the bottle/ blending flask, making it impossible for the user to physically take them out and rinse them.
In conclusion though, most of us are looking for, affordable blenders that can effectively blend through everyday essentials such as frozen fruit and types of seeds and skins. For consumers looking to buy simple blenders that don’t offer fancy features and different blending options, Oster travel blender would be the perfect choice.
- Too simple – No option for different blending needs i.e. Ice crushing for snow cones
- Low capacity – suitable for one person
- Blades attached to base – Difficult to clean
5. Hamilton Beach Personal Single Serve Blender – Smoothie On The Go
Hamilton beach is another well-known name in the average American household. Hamilton Beach appliances are known for their innovative yet simplistic features and fair prices. This single serve blender is the perfect example of how diverse the Hamilton beach appliance range is. Their appliances range from professional to single serve blenders.
Main Features:
Similar to the oster travel blender, the Hamilton beach has a 14oz capacity best suited for single servings. The overall design of the blender is rather simplistic and compact. The blending container can be easily detached and has a travel lid that allows for mobility and on the go smoothies.
However, unlike the oster travel blender, the shape of the Hamilton beach container is rather odd. A bit wide, the container does not look appropriate for on the go drinking, unlike the oster travel blender with a sport bottle container design. Personally, I feel like that one of the most off-putting things about this blender; neither of us wants to look like we are drinking out of a tiny jug.
Like mentioned earlier, Hamilton beach is known for good quality appliances that have been priced reasonably. For people looking to buy a simplistic blender for their children, this is the best blender under $50. The question is if it has managed to retain at such a good price? It has been known to be working perfectly and blend through most things; however, it goes without saying that this blender does not have the features of the many high end blenders i.e. total ice crushing etc.
The main issue, in this travel blender too, remains that of the lack of detachable blades. Like the Oster, the blades cannot be detached from the container which makes it difficult to clean.
Extremely quiet for a 175 watt, tiny blender. One of the worst things about blenders is the noise they make; a blender that makes too much noise is a deal breaker for most. Hamilton beach has managed to install a motor that does the job rather quietly, which makes it a great buy.
- Not able to crush through frozen fruit effectively
- Lack of feature such as total ice crushing
- Oddly shaped container
- Difficult to clean
6. Ninja Mega Kitchen System BL770 – Big Spenders Dream Appliance
The Ninja Mega Kitchen System BL770 is the complete package for those looking to buy a multi-purpose, high-end blender. Chic, expensive and professional quality, this is a sure pleasure for big spenders.
Main Features:
The clean finish and glass container, add a sort of elegance to the overall design of the blender. However, the main issue is if it is just good to look at. We feel like its difficult not to love this one, for it has every feature a kitchen user could want.
Is it too good to be true? Partially, we feel like this is one the best blenders that fall under the $200 mark.
The base of the blender is equipped with a massive 1500 watt motor that can blend through anything with ease. Moreover, certain other features that stand out are the total crushing technology that is indispensible for households like mine who double as a snow cone stand during summers.
Quick and easy to use, the 2+ horsepower motor aids quick blending and professional quality results. This blender is more suited to users looking to make larger quantities either in professional settings or otherwise.
The massively powerful motor also makes it a good blender when looking to make green, nutrient rich and fibrous smoothies. Moreover, not only this, but this multi-purpose system can also chop and handle dough kneading with perfection.
The only drawbacks are the overall size and weight of the machine that only add to the kind of noise it makes. It can get rather noisy with that powerful base, not suited for houses with rather cranky toddlers.
- A bit pricey
- Noisy
- Difficult to store
- Heavy weight
7. Oster Reverse Crush Counterforms Stainless Steel Blender – Back To Basics In Style
Oster has managed to outdo them with this blender. Known for manufacturing a diverse range of appliances; Oster makes something for everyone. This blender particularly is one of their more high-end products; with features such as smart blending, food chopping etc.
Main Features:
With a gorgeous stainless steel exterior, the Oster reverse crush is a great addition to your countertop appliances. Since blenders are used frequently, most people like myself, tend to keep them on the countertop instead of storing them inside. The fact that this blender is extremely chic to look at, is a great plus point.
A skim through the specifics leaves one wanting to buy it immediately. This blender comes with a 10 year warranty on its metal drive; tried and tested for 10,000 smoothies. They claim to have tested the oster all-metal drive system fir up to 10,000 smoothies. That alone is enough for smoothie lovers like myself to go and order one.
Another striking feature is the reverse blade technology, which means that the motor installed alternates between forward and backwards. This in turn prevents:
- Food clogs
- Unevenly crushed ice
The base of the blender has a stainless steel exterior and has multiple buttons that cater to every kitchen users need. Different foods and drinks alike have different blending needs; pre-programmed, this blender comes equipped with the following:
- Pre-programmed Timing: Option to set the time for blending
- Pre-programmed Function: Option to pre-select the blending program
- Smart Blending: A relatively new addition to blenders, gauges the blending requirement according to the food/drink etc.
- Diverse options such as pulverize, chop, total ice crushing etc.
Every busy kitchen user needs a blender that is one stop solution for all their blending needs; food and drink alike. This blender comes equipped with a 6-point design that ensures effective and even chopping, pulverizing, pureeing etc. Moreover, the variety of speed section; ranging from low to high pulse, fits the need of every user with different preference. Who doesn’t want a blender that manages to retain some small chunks of fruits in their smoothie instead of blending through everything evenly?
This blender has a 6-cup capacity, making it perfect for use at a dinner party or for pureeing when making large batches of food. Moreover, it is dishwasher proof, which means easy cleaning too!
Conclusively, there aren’t a lot of negative about this blender apart of the rare complaints of base leakage.
- Glass container prone to breakage
- Heavy (9.16 lbs)
- Difficult to store/wide base
8. Magic Bullet NutriBullet Rx N17-1001 Blender – Lighting Fast Nutrition
Nearly every American who owns a television set has heard of Magic bullet, simple because it is primarily marketed through television adverts and infomercials. Magic bullet started out as more of a personal blender for people looking for a less space consuming and multi-purpose appliance.
Main Features:
The magic bullet NutriBullet Rx N17-1001 is designed keeping the original magic bullet in mind; compact and space saving. Perhaps that is one of the best things about magic bullet blenders; their design.
The magic bullet Nutribullet has the most powerful machine up to date. With 2.3 horse power, the high speed blade easily manages to make the perfect high nutrient smoothie while making sure it’s as nutritious as possible.
Installed with a massive 1700 watt motor, this blender can basically churn through anything. It is because of this extremely powerful blade that can easily blend through seeds, tough skins etc. that we feel this blender is the best blender for green smoothies and drink rich in vitamins.
The one question running through my mind is if we have the option of making larger batches using this blender? This 10 piece set has containers that can be used for both single and family sized serving, which makes it perfect because who doesn’t love a nutrient rich smoothie?
Is it affordable? Is it too good to be true? This is the best blender under $200 for people looking to splurge on high end nutribullets. Though highly priced, it does come with additional features such as a hand free smart technology and a separate container for heating soups and sauces to perfection.
- Expensive
- No other features such as chopping etc.
- Power consuming
- Noisy
9. Nutri Ninja Auto IQ BL482 – Blender With A Brain
A Shark Ninja product, the Nutria Ninja auto IQ BL482 is one of their most sophisticated products that come with pre-programmed options. Being one of the best blenders under $100, this appliance has some remarkable features.
Main Features:
A design extremely similar to the magic bullet, the nutria ninja is also compact and designed keeping modern kitchen needs in mind.
The base of the blender is installed with an extremely powerful blade that can easily pulverize through frozen fruit and seed alike. In addition to the pulse technology, the blender has the following options:
- Pulse Functionality: Perfect for pureeing and pulverizing for cooking needs.
- Nutri Ninja Functionality: A feature that makes it a good replacement for more expensive extractor blender like magic bullet/vitamix. This ensures that fruits and veggies are broken down to their healthiest form, making for extremely well blended green smoothies.
- Two auto IQ options that can easily blend/crush to perfection without constant supervision. This not only saves time and effort but also results in perfectly blended liquids. The intelligent blending program requires little to no guesswork, this makes it a very good option for new kitchen owners.
The blender is also dishwasher safe and the blade is not fixed in the container unlike many smaller, travel blenders. This makes is easy to rinse and wash.
For a blender with such diverse options, it is priced fairly well. With a little under $100, this ninja blender provides good value for money.
- Poor deal design prone to leakage
- Plastic containers
10. Oster VERSA Pro Performance Blender – A Blender To Last A Lifetime
Another Oster product, this one is quite the looker with a tinge of color and a unique design that does not fail to impress.
Main Features:
Just one look at the design of this blender is enough to impress. Quite the looker, it is a rather chic addition to one’s kitchen counter top. However, the base is rather wide and may take up excess counter space. The container is made of plastic and has a massive 64 ounce capacity perfect for large batches.
The base of the blender, though wide and space consuming, has a powerful 1400 watt motor that can churn through anything easily. The blender blade, spins at an amazing speed to give impressive results.
An extremely unique feature is the pre-programming option in addition to a speed dial that can be used to manipulate the speed manually. The pre-programmed option care perfect for people who frequently make dips smoothies and soups. These option aid kitchen users like myself, in unimaginable ways.
A major setback is the price of this blender. The blender has been priced extremely highly; being retailed for just under $200, it’s not easily affordable. However, this blender comes with a 7-year warranty which makes it good value for money.
- Expensive
- Space consuming
- Only good for large batches
Blender Machine Buyer’s Guide
It is natural to feel a bit woozy when skimming through all the possible buying options from all the possible brands.
The best blender or the winner of the lot depends on every individual needs. What is best is relative depending on what buyers feel like they need. Some give more value to features such a smart blending, whilst some just want a compact blender to aid simply smoothie making. It is more a matter of personal needs rather than one definite best.
Frequently Asked Questions: FAQ’s
Conclusion
However, if you’re still in two minds about what blender to go for, we have a very useful suggestion. Did you find a blender that ticked all boxes in the key features?
The nutrininja Auto IQ, is a sure fire winner in our eyes. Not only is it easy on the pockets but a brief look at other features will make you appreciate it as much as we do.
Why is the NutriNinja Auto IQ, the best of the list? There are some key features that make this a blender for all.
- Affordable: This blender is easy on the pocket. With features that provide great value for money.
- Auto IQ: Who can’t do with more brain in the kitchen? This blender is a blender with a brain and delivers perfectly pureed smoothies.
- If you invest in this blender, you do not have to buy another expensive magic bullet for your newly health conscious children. The extractor option gives vitamix quality smoothies for a fraction of the price.
- Looks good: Who wants an ugly appliance on their counter? Not me. This is not only elegantly designed but also extremely useful.
We seem to quote like the NurtiNinja Auto IQ, for there aren’t any noticeable cons. That aid, it is extremely important to do a bit of research yourself and ask people you know about their recent buys. So get buying and enjoying those deliciously blended smoothies!
I think when it comes to blender, the best so far is my Magimix! I love it
Loved the posts alot. Blender is one of the mosts useful thing and the factors mentioned by you are very useful to decide a perfect buy for the house.
Thanks Rakhi.
I’ve allways wanted to try the ninja one. I been eyeing it for a while now. Thanks for the guide.
Thanks for this comparison review. I’ve been looking for a good blender recently and wasn’t sure where to start. This has definitely given me a good starting point.
I’ve heard a lot about the NutriBullet, but it’s nice to read about other options too.
Thans for sharing, this has been really helpful.
I have always wanted the Ninja Pro Blender but I am a college student and I don’t have that kind of money right now. Lol. Christmas 2017 for sure.
Thanks for the detailed list! This will be super helpful when deciding which blender is right for me.
I think Your Listing is Perfect, already buy 1.NutriBullet High-Speed Blender it’s Super. Thanks EDNA