5 Best Countertop Blenders for Smoothies

Updated 27 Jun 2022

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We compare the most popular brands and models, and we boil them down to the top five to give you the most in-depth and dependable buying recommendation - so you can make the best buying decision possible.

BEST OF THE BEST

How We Tested

These products are recommended based on a thorough research process that aims to cut through the clutter and uncover the best products in this category. We spend hours looking into the elements that matter with the assistance of experts to provide you with these options.

Models Considered

180

Consumers Consulted

Hours Researched

Updated 27 Jun 2022

Written by

Revuu Buddy

Vitamix 5200 Professional-Grade Blender

BOTTOMLINE
Best Overall
Vitamix is a high-performance, all-around machine with plenty of power and features. Our culinary expert says it's the king for performance and features.

PROS
This blender has stainless steel blades and a powerful motor, which are characteristics of Vitamix equipment. The 64-ounce container can handle huge portions. The self-cleaning function and a 6-foot cord are two of its standout characteristics.

CONS
Some users have complained about faulty appliances. At maximum intensity, it's quite noisy.

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Ninja BL660

BOTTOMLINE
Good Value
A solid mid-range option with extra cups, which earned it the approval of our specialists.

PROS
A high-wattage model with a sturdy base that offers three speeds and pulse and single-serve modes. 72-ounce pitcher and two 16-ounce cups with lids included.

CONS
Given the cost, it doesn't have as many settings or "bells and whistles" as one might anticipate.

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Ninja BL610 Professional Blender

BOTTOMLINE
Expert Recommended
This Ninja blender and the all-in-one system are ideal for crushing, blending, and pureeing.

PROS
This blender has a high-speed motor system that can combine ingredients on the go. This product is well-made and thoughtfully created. It is simple to use. It's great for making smoothies and other foods that need finely ground ice or snow.

CONS
The Ninja Professional is among the noisiest blenders in the market.

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Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender

BOTTOMLINE
Classic Design
Our specialist endorses the brand, a solid choice for people on a budget who are searching for functionality.

PROS
It offers 15 color settings with clearly labeled buttons for easy operation. The glass jar is thermal-shock tested and can endure large temperature fluctuations, making it ideal for soups.

CONS
It has a high peak output of 700 watts. The lid features two openings, making it somewhat difficult to clean.

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NutriBullet NBR-0601 Personal Blender

BOTTOMLINE
Best for Smaller Spaces
It has a smaller design that is ideal for on-the-go mixing. It mixes food in a multi-speed pitcher with travel cup capacities designed for mincing finer ingredients.

PROS
It offers full effortless control with simple-to-press buttons and a 1,200-watt motor for pureeing sauces, soups, smoothies, and other foods. Make meals without fear of accidents when you use stainless steel blades. The plastic pitcher and glasses are BPA-free.

CONS
Customers claim that the motor gets too hot.

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Buying Guide for Best Countertop Blenders

If you want to create your healthy beverages or love chopping, mashing, and cooking soups, salads, dressings, dips, and other food from scratch in a blender, this is the device for you. Choose a machine that can fit the amount of food you want to make and has the power necessary to blend the kinds of meals you want to blend, or it may restrict the recipes available.

This blender features four stainless-steel blades, strong materials, and a simple design that makes cleaning quick and easy. There are numerous types of controls available, and the user's choice is entirely up to them. Having a blender with several preprogrammed settings on hand is useful.

Before purchasing a blender, consider the most common concerns surrounding this useful kitchen equipment, such as model, features, and price.

Did you know that a strong blender may be used to process both food and drink? You may also control food texture during processing for recipes that don't want it to be pureed or liquified by running the blender for a few seconds at a time or utilizing the pulse mode.

DO YOU NEED A BLENDER?

A blender is essential for everyone who enjoys smoothies, milkshakes, or frozen beverages.

It's also useful for combining pancake batter, sauces, gravies, dips, and soups. Use a blender to pulverize cookies, bread, and crackers for crumbs.

You may utilize a high-performance blender to juice fruits and vegetables, grind nuts and other hard items, and make dough.

TYPES OF BLENDERS

Conventional blenders

The most common type of blender is a conventional blender.

It lacks the high-performance blender's power and has fewer special features, but it can usually crush ice and mix fruit.

A blender is the most common type of juicer. It can be used to create smoothies, milkshakes, and frozen cocktails.

High-performance blenders

A high-performance blender, also known as a "commercial-grade" blender, is a blender that can handle a wide range of tasks. Because it has a powerful motor that not only smoothies and milkshakes but also mills nuts, grains, and cheeses, it's classified as a commercial-grade machine.

It's possible to chop firm veggies and fruits and create enough heat to make hot soup in a high-performance blender.

When you use a high-performance blender, you may also get plenty of high-tech features, such as preprogrammed settings and digital timers.

Personal blenders

A personal blender, also known as a single-serve blender, is a tiny blender that creates small quantities of juice. They're also known as smoothie blenders because they're commonly utilized to prepare them. They're also great for producing protein shakes and tasty green smoothies.

Its container is generally a to-go blending cup rather than a blender jar. Many of the best personal blenders come with accessories like as many as four mixing cups, lids, and recipes.

A personal blender is weaker than a conventional blender since its motor is smaller. However, it's an excellent choice for those who just need to blend one thing.

Hand blenders differ from traditional blenders in that they are powered by hand rather than by electricity. These are small, personal blenders that resemble immersion hand blenders and are used instead of being placed on a countertop. Hand mixers are comparable to stand mixers and are ideal for small jobs, such as combining and blending soft foods rather than hard items like veggies or ice cubes. A food processor is a good addition to any kitchen. Still, it won't take the place of a regular blender when a professional chef needs a powerful model with several functions.

If you're unsure whether or not a blender is worth the money, ask yourself if it's something that will last. Verify the warranties on any blenders you're interested in before making your purchase. Warranty lengths vary from brand to brand, but the longest warranties typically protect the most expensive models.

STAFF

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WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A BLENDER?

Blades

When it comes to blender blades, stainless steel is the best choice.

Stainless steel is a very resilient material that is less prone to rust than other metals. It's frequently the most durable of all materials.

To make cleaning easier, look for a blender with a detachable blade base.

Size and capacity

When deciding which blender to purchase, the first thing to consider is how many individuals will be using it.

High-performance blenders: It's easy to find blenders with large-capacity containers of up to 2.4 liters, making them ideal for big families.

Conventional blenders: Conventional blenders can handle a modest family or a bigger house, thanks to containers that hold 1.65 to 1.9 liters (depending on the type you pick).

Personal or mini blenders: The common capacity of personal blenders is 0.2 to 0.7 liters. They're best suited for one person or a couple of people and tiny families and small kitchens with little counters and storage areas.

Motor wattage

In most situations, the greater a blender's motor wattage is, the more powerful and versatile it will be.

300 to 400 watts: A blender with a wattage between 300 and 400 should be sufficient if you just want to gently combine milkshakes and other soft ingredients.

500 to 700 watts: Look for a motor with between 500 and 700 watts if you want an efficient blender that can handle smoothies and frozen cocktails without difficulty.

1,000+ watts: High-performance blenders usually have motors that produce 1,000+ watts, allowing them to crush even the hardest of ingredients.

Preprogrammed settings

Blenders are frequently equipped with a control panel that includes a selection of preprogrammed settings and various speed adjustments.

A blender may make smoothies, shakes, or frozen cocktails. You have to push a button and leave the blender to work. It will begin the cycle, pick the proper speed, and quit when the specified program is finished.

If you like to cook in the kitchen and frequently multitask, then preprogrammed settings may be worth it.

Container material and design

Blenders and other mixing equipment are generally made of plastic or glass. Plastic blending containers are lightweight and unlikely to shatter. On the other hand, plastic absorbs stains and odors more readily than glass. It must be cleaned as soon as possible after use because plastic absorbs stains and odors more readily than glass.

Glass containers typically don't retain stains or odors, but they are quite hefty and may chip, fracture, or shatter. Because of the danger of shattering, high-powered blenders don't generally use glass containers.

Regardless of the container's material, check if it includes a secure lid that fits properly. A blender container should also have a large opening to make adding ingredients and cleaning after use simple. A blender container with visible measuring lines is also helpful. You won't need a separate measuring cup since you'll be able to tell how much of each component you're adding.

DID YOU KNOW?

You may make hummus in a blender with just a few basic ingredients. You can make a fantastic dip for chips, pita bread, and vegetables at any time by keeping the materials on hand.

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Controls

Blenders have a variety of controls, depending on the model.

Push-button controls: The most popular blender control form, pushbuttons, makes it simple to change speeds and turn the blender on and off. However, spills and drips might make it difficult to keep the buttons clean.

Digital touchpad controls: The touchpad controls are the most difficult to maintain clean. They aren't always the most simple to use, either. To switch the blender on and off or change speeds, you must press numerous buttons.

Dial controls: Although they offer straightforward maintenance, most analog dial controls require you to scroll through all the settings before reaching your desired speed or setting.

Speeds

Blenders may be found in speeds, ranging from three to sixteen. Three speeds—low, high, and pulse —are more than enough.

However, a gradual start-up function that gradually increases the blender's pace might assist since it lowers the chance of the motor burning up or ingredients splashing out.

DID YOU KNOW?

Blenders can help you make a lot of kitchen items. Make your peanut butter to reduce preservatives and added sugar. Churn heavy cream, salt, and butter. You may also make ice cream in a blender.

STAFF

Revuu Buddy

HOW MUCH DO BLENDERS COST?

Blenders are available at a range of prices.

High-performance blender

You'll probably spend between $400 and $700 for a high-performance blender that can juice, crush, and blend. Keep in mind that you'll get great features and performance for the high price. Because high-performance blenders are long-lasting, they're frequently worth the expense.

Conventional blender

A blender with a price range of $20 to $200 is more affordable. Budget-friendly versions are frequently equipped with weak motors that don't last long.

Expect to pay anything from $60 and $100 for a high-quality blender that won't break the budget.

Personal blender

The most budget-friendly option is a personal blender. The majority of these machines cost between $20 and $60.

HOW LONG WILL A BLENDER LAST?

The lifespan of a blender is determined by the quality of its construction and how often it is used.

If you buy a high-performance blender, you can expect to get at least ten years of usage out of it. Conventional and personal blenders with smaller motors and are less costly generally survive three to five years.

However, consider how often you utilize your blender when determining how much counter space you need.

If you're making smoothies regularly, your motor will wear out faster. The motor of a blender that is only used once or twice per week will usually last longer.

CAUTION

Place anything with a temperature rating of more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit in the blender at your own risk. Anything hotter should never be put in a blender. Steam might build up inside, resulting in strong enough pressure to lift off the lid and send scalding food all over your kitchen.

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TIPS AND TRICKS FOR USING YOUR BLENDER

Overload is not prevented in all blenders. As a result, don't operate your blender for longer than is required. If the machine is used excessively, the motor may be damaged.

Never use your blender without the top on. Though the lid for the blender jar is properly sealed, maintain it down with your hand while blending to minimize any spills.

Due to cavitation (air bubble development), your blender may get clogged. Use the pulse setting to burst the bubble and restart the blades if this occurs. By balancing frozen foods and water quantities, you may also prevent air bubbles.

Cut food parts into manageable pieces before placing them in the blender. The blades may get stuck if you don't do this. It's also a method to ensure that everything is properly mixed.

To clean your blender, use the component that performs the same function. Fill a jar with warm water and a few drops of liquid dish wash soap and put it in your blender. Blend the mixture into a squeaky clean jar and then rinse it out.

Clean the blender after each usage, even if you don't see any food inside. For cleaning, take apart the jar and blade assembly. If you don't have enough time to clean the blender after using it, soak the components in warm, soapy water.

When blending food, allow for some leeway in the blender jar. Fill the container just half full.

FAQ

Q. What characteristics distinguish a blender that is easier to clean?

A. Look for a blender with detachable blades if you want the easiest cleanup. If the blades are integrated into the jar, make sure it has a large base so you can easily remove any chunks trapped underneath them.

Q. Is it possible to use a blender as a juicer?

A. Yes and no. Technically, you may make juice with a blender if the liquid is extracted in ice water. However, keep in mind that the finished juice will be somewhat thicker than if juiced using a juicer.

You might also want to check out a blender with a dishwasher-safe jar, so you don't have to wash it by hand.

Q. What's the difference between peak and rated horsepower for a blender?

A. The peak horsepower of a blender is the maximum amount of power it can produce when you first switch it on. The rated horsepower of the blender is equal to the continuous horsepower at which it can operate. The rated horsepower is a more reliable power indicator than the maximum horsepower.

Q. What is the best material for a blender's container?

A. Blenders are frequently equipped with glass or plastic jars. Some individuals prefer glass jars because they don't absorb stains and odors as readily as plastic. They are, however, rather hefty and break easily. Plastic jars are chip-proof and will not shatter if dropped, so high-performance blenders utilize them.

Vitamix 5200 Professional-Grade Blender

BOTTOMLINE
Best Overall
Vitamix is a high-performance, all-around machine with plenty of power and features. Our culinary expert says it's the king for performance and features.

Shop Now