Best For Travel: Blendjet 2
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Measurement markings on blender cup
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Doesn’t fit many solid ingredients
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Short charging cord
Designed with portability in mind, the BlendJet 2 can go anywhere you do. The blender cup and base function as a single unit, and easily can be tossed in a gym bag, large purse, or even luggage. It is battery operated and recharges via a USB-C cable, so it can be charged in the car or plugged into a laptop and used to blend anywhere, no electricity required. After testing the original BlendJet One, we were excited to get our hands on the next-generation model, the BlendJet 2, which offers a larger capacity blending cup , more power, and a longer battery life.
Our tester particularly liked that the BlendJet 2 can get at least 15 uses out of every full chargea significant improvement over the previous version. Another upgrade? There are measurement marks on the 16-ounce blender cup, which makes on-the-go eyeballing of ingredients simpleno measuring cups required. Like the original version, this model is self-cleaning for added convenience.
Our tester was also sent free samples of the brand’s JetPacks, which are powdered single-serving fruit, veggie, and protein smoothies that can be whipped up quickly in the blender, and found them “surprisingly tasty.”
Power Rating: 5 volts | Cups Included: 1 | Maximum Cup Capacity: 16 ounces | Weight: 1.34 pounds | Warranty: 30-day return policy
Oster Portable Blender Best For Protein Shakes
Oster Blend Active
- Dimensions 10.43 x 4.69 x 4.65 inches
- Weight 10 ounces
The Oster Blend Active portable blender has a USB-rechargeable battery that lasts for 10 blends on the go when fully charged, and is a small, sleek, and simple to use personal blender.
You can drink straight out of the BPA-free bottle with the silicone drinking lid, and the nonslip sleeve gives you a good grip for a sip on the go.
However, users say this only works for softer fruits , and the smoothie amount you get is only 8 ounces. If you want a larger shake or to make several servings this is not for you.
- Sleek design, nonslip, has a drinking lid to sip on the go
- Motor strong enough for a protein-fruit shake
- Blades run only when the lid is on
- Easy and fun to use
Cons
Price check price
A Note About Vortices
When a blender is running, a well-formed vortex in the jar is what you need to pull food down into the blade for optimum processing. An efficient vortex is dependent on the jar shape, blade design, blade speed, and the quantity and consistency of the ingredients in the jar: It’s easy to get a vortex going with something as thin as water, but as the food gets thicker , that can become increasingly difficult.
Most manufacturers use blades that combine sharp, straight edges with serrated ones. Some brands use four blades, while others opt for six , but our testing didn’t reveal a clear correlation between any particular blade design and performance. Generally, it’s easier to dial in a speed that gets a good vortex going when the blender has an analog speed dial . Blenders with discrete buttons, on the other hand, can make this more difficult, forcing you to choose between a speed that’s too slow to form a vortex and one that’s so fast that the food rides on top of the blades, instead of through them.
While we tend to prefer dials for the fine-tuned control they offer, a dial alone doesn’t make a great blenderin fact, none of our top picks in the end were dial-controlled models. In our tests, all the models created vortices with a jar full of soup. But a few blenders struggled to produce a good vortex when making a small batch of mayo, because even their slowest speeds were too fast for the job.
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Can You Put Frozen Fruit In A Personal Blender
Yes, you can put frozen fruit in a personal blender. The key to getting a smooth blend is adding the right ratio of liquid to frozen ingredients. Check the user manual for recommendations.
If you are trying to blend frozen fruit in your personal blender and keep ending up with unblended bits, try letting the fruit sit out at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before blending to partially thaw and blend easier.
The Best Portable Personal Blender
With this USB-powered portable blender, you can make smoothies no matter where you are. It’s equipped with 175 watts of power â enough for small blending but not enough to blend standard sized ice cubes â and comes with a 14-ounce blending cup that doubles as a to-go bottle.The dishwasher-safe blender comes with a funnel for adding ingredients, as well as an ice tray that makes cubes that are small enough for the blender to handle. Of course, the trade-off for portability is versatility, so this option only operates on one simple setting.
Glowing review: âI love this portable blender! I work in a fast paced medical office and so i use this for my shakes in the morning at my desk and in the afternoon at lunch. Easy to clean i only charge it once every 4 or 5 days.”
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What Are The Best Blenders
According to our research, we’ve found the best blender to be the Vitamix Professional Series 750. It produces smooth and consistent results, crushes ice with ease and come with an extensive warranty. At over $500, it’s not the cheapest blender, but in terms of performance, there’s little room for improvement. If you’re looking for a hand blender for pureeing dips and sauces, we recommend the KitchenAid KHB2561CU 5-Speed Hand Blender. It comes with multiple attachments, giving it great versatility.
If you just want to blend smoothies and don’t want to break the bank, then the Hamilton Beach Personal Blender is worth considering. This smoothie maker is a steal for under $20 and while it’s not the most powerful, it will effectively blend soft fruit and is ideal for commuters or gym-goers. For a moderately priced full size jug blender, we recommend the KitchenAid KSB1570ER 5-Speed Blender it’s easy to use a good all-round performer.
If you’re a fan of kale, then you might like the Breville BBL620 Fresh & Furious Blender. It has a setting designed for green smoothies, so wont have any trouble with leaves or veggies.
Best Compact Model: Nutri Ninja Pro Personal Blender
On the surface, the Nutri Ninja Pro and our #1 Nutribullet Pro are very similar. But the differences between them will be a big deal to some people.
Even though both blenders come with two containers for blending ingredients, the Nutri Ninja Pro Blender comes with two different-sized containers. One of the containers is 24 ounces in size which is perfect for making one or two smoothies at a time and the other is 16 ounces. The 16-ounce container is perfect for a large smoothie or recipe for one person.
What’s more, since the container is shorter, it may be able to fit under lower hanging shelves in the cabinet or in the fridge, when compared to the Nutribullet Pro.
Reason #1 to Choose The Nutri Ninja Instead: Greater Blending Control
The Nutribullet and the Nutri Ninja Blender both operate by applying pressure to the top of the container to start the blending process. The Nutribullet locks into place during the blending process while the Ninja Nutri blender requires you to constantly apply pressure while blending.
This could be seen as a fallback but in other ways, it is a bonus. Since you have to apply pressure, this will allow you to control the blending process. Meaning you will be able to pulse the ingredients while the Nutribullet cannot do this action without unlocking the container. It may also serve as a safety measure to some people, but it will really depend on the consumer’s preference at this point.
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Best Overall: Ninja Nutri Pro Compact Personal Blender
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Easy to set up and clean
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Blender cups are durable and large
The Ninja company is known for its innovative appliances and was one of the first to come up with personal-sized blenders. Now that the market is crowded, these blenders are still user favorites because they check all the boxes.
This one has 900 watts of blending power that can pulverize fruits and vegetables, turning them into a silky smooth drink. Our tester was also able to make hummus, salsa, pudding, and even chopped vegetables. The blender can even crush ice, so slushie iced tea or lemonade is possible on hot days.
The twist-on spout lids make it easy to take the drink to go. This includes an 18-ounce cup and a 24-ounce cup, each with a lid, and more are available in case everyone in the family needs their own. For easy cleaning, the removable parts are all dishwasher safe, so this is as easy to care for as it is to use.
While we highly recommend the Nutri Ninja Pro, if you’re interested in the newest blending technology, you may want to check out the Ninja Nutri-Blender Pro with Auto-iQ . Ninja’s line of Auto-iQ blenders features preset buttons, with unique pausing and pulsing patterns designed to deliver perfectly blended drinks at the press of a button. This model features one preset for crushing and one for smoothies. It also features an increased 1,100 watts of power compared to our pick’s 900. It also comes with two cups, but both hold 24 ounces.
Most Affordable: Bella Personal
To buy: $18 at
Pros: The affordable price and silver base that doesn’t scream “cheap.”Cons: It makes smoothies with a weird consistency. Motor: 285 watts
At just $18, the Bella personal blender is by far the most affordable option that we tested. Even though it’s a cheaper option, it still comes with plenty of additional cups and types of lids. You definitely get what you pay for, though: There are no special settings or programs to choose from, and both types of smoothies ended up with an inconsistent texture that was quite gritty and chunky. It struggled to crush ice and blend celery, so the appliance was loud and gave off strong smells during those tests.
Bella’s personal blender is a decent option for anyone looking for the most affordable blender, but don’t expect it to last a whileplenty of reviewers mention having issues with warranty claims and replacement parts. So if you can swing it with your budget, we’d recommend spending a bit extra for a more reliable personal blender on this list.
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Cuts Through Fibrous Vegetables And Frozen Fruit
Getting a smooth puree from personal blenders and inexpensive full-size models is a tall order, because they simply dont have the power to quickly pulverize tough foods like the Vitamix 5200 can. And the Vitamix just makes a better smoothie because its one of the few blenders we tested that can puree tough greens and rock-hard frozen fruit into a smooth consistency.
Ganda Suthivarakom, Wirecutters strategy editor, said she loved how thoroughly her four-year-old Vitamix 5200 pureed even tough ingredients: I mostly use it for smoothies and dressings. I appreciate that the Vitamix pulverizes carrots and fibrous ginger to make a super-smooth dressing. To be honest, it’s probably more machine than I need, but it’s so good at producing a completely silky texture that I don’t regret spending the money.
Best For Travel: Hamilton Beach Personal Blender
Whether you have limited space or want to make a fresh smoothie while on the road, Hamilton Beach’s compact personal blender is exactly what you need. At only two pounds, it’s the lightest option on this list. The 14-ounce travel cup is BPA-free and attaches directly to the motor. To use, all you have to do is add the ingredients, press the power button, and voila! Wipe down the base with a damp washcloth and the rest can be hand washed or go into the dishwasher.
“It’s small and compact, the cord wraps around the bottom, and most of all it blends amazingly! Just press the button and it starts it’s not loud at all either, it’s a lot quieter than the bigger ones,” says one five-star reviewer. “I had no problems making my smoothie with protein powder and multiple fruits. It’s a great buy especially if you have a small kitchen and just need a personal blender for smoothies etc.”
Buy It: $18
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What To Know About The Best Blenders For Smoothies
Smoothie Setting:Many full-size blenders come with a smoothie setting on the base like our top pick, the Instant Ace Nova Blender. These settings are designed to use the right amount of speed and force to blend up a uniform drink. Don’t be surprised if the setting feels extra powerful. Most full-size, high-speed blenders are designed to handle this type of blending, and there’s not a whole lot of ramp-up.
Order Matters:The order of your ingredients for a smoothie can make all the difference in a blender, especially the personal kind. Some manuals will tell you how to order your ingredients for the perfect smoothie, but if not, we recommend adding liquid and tough greens toward the bottom and topping it off with frozen and hard ingredients.
Capacity:If you’re simply making a smoothie for yourself every morning, a personal blender with a portable cup is an ideal option. If you find yourself blending up smoothies for your whole family, a full-size option is preferable.
Best For Large Batches: Ninja Professional Countertop Blender With Travel Cups
No matter if you’re enjoying big batches of smoothies at home or taking one on the go, this Ninja blender has you covered with its large 72-ounce pitcher and two 16-ounce travel cups. Despite its large capacity, the base has a relatively slim design that won’t take up a ton of counter space, which means you can leave it out for everyday use without limitations. It has three speeds, along with a pulse and single-serve function that helps prevent food waste and ensures your food is at the right consistency.
“The thing that really sold me on this blender was simply the fact that it could handle ice like it’s nothing at allit can quite literally turn ice into snow in a matter of seconds,” . “With the single serve, it is a lot less hassle to clean, plus there isn’t anything wasted because we can make just the right amountand yes, even the single serve pitcher has no problem with blending ice.”
Buy It: $115
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What To Consider When Buying A Blender
When it comes to selecting the best blender for you, start by identifying the type of blender you need.
Jug blenders feature a blade inside the plastic or glass receptacle, which spins when connected to the motor in the base units. They can blend large quantities but are usually bulky.
Meanwhile, smoothie blenders, also known as personal blenders, come with a small plastic cup rather than a jug. Fill the cup with your ingredients then attach the blade, flip the cup upside down and attach to the base. When the ingredients are blended to your liking, remove from the base, unscrew the blade and screw on a to-go lid, then take your drink with you.
Finally, theres also immersion blenders to consider. Often referred to as hand blenders or stick blenders, they are designed to be inserted into a saucepan or container of ingredients you want to puree. These compact appliances should be swirled around in the liquid while the blade spins to ensure its blended uniformly. The blade can be detached from the main unit, containing the motor for easy cleaning too.
Also consider the number of speed and power settings the blender offers. If youre looking to crush ice and grind coffee beans, its worth considering a blender that has more control over how quickly it spins, to ensure you can chop the food to the consistency you want.
What’s Better Vitamix Or Ninja
Vitamix is well known for its high-end, powerful blenders. These machines are a great choice for those that blend daily and that want the absolute best results. Controls can be rather basic on some models, so these choices are ideal for experienced users.
Ninja products tend to be cheaper, and may not produce quite as smooth results. However, youll generally get more automatic programs and value is usually very good, with many sets coming with a lot of accessories to expand what the blender is capable of. We have a complete Vitamix vs Ninja guide that goes into more detail, and you can also take a look at Ninja vs NutriBullet and Vitamix vs Blendtec for more comparisons.
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How We Test Blenders
In a bid to compare each blender, weve put in hours in the kitchen preparing bowlfuls of mayonnaise, while also blending pineapple, spinach, and Greek yoghurt into a smoothie. As well as assessing how smooth the sauce and smoothie are, were also looking for ingredients that are well-combined without any curdling and whether there is residue trapped under the blade, or if the ingredients have leaked from the base or lid during blending.
We also evaluate how finely and evenly the blenders chop ice and nuts and compare how easy they are to use. For each model we rate how loud they are, how durable and easy to clean the body and parts are, and the useful accessories they come with such as a tamper for moving ingredients closer to the blade, extra jugs or containers, and recipe booklets for inspiration.