Also Great: Cleanblend Blender
*At the time of publishing, the price was $180.
If youre willing to take a chance on a shorter warranty from a newer company, the 1,800-watt Cleanblend Blender costs about the same as the Oster Versa and produces finer purees. In our tests, it blended silkier smoothies and piña coladas than many blenders that cost more than twice as much. This model comes with a durable Tritan-plastic jar and a tamper for you to help move thick mixtures while its blending. The Cleanblend doesnt have any preset buttons, and its variable speeds arent as nuanced as those of the Vitamix, but its interface is simple and intuitive to use. Judging from our long-term testing, the Cleanblends motor is durable and able to handle tough jobs like nut butter better than the Oster. Its also backed by a complete five-year warranty.
The Cleanblend made some of the smoothest smoothies in our tests, performing better than the Oster and even the Vitamix in that regard. When we strained the Cleanblends kale and berry smoothie, barely any raspberry seeds remained in our fine-mesh sieve the only blender that did better was the Blendtec. The Cleanblend also came in second, behind the Blendtec, in blending a silky-smooth piña colada. Were talking restaurant-worthy blended drinks here.
The Cleanblend made some of the smoothest smoothies in our tests.
When To Replace Your Blender
Warranties on blenders range anywhere from one to 10 years, and the most expensive machines cover at least five years. When you buy a new blender, pass on an extended warranty, it’s unlikely it will cost less than the expense of any lifetime repairs. On average theyâll last about seven years.
The most common sign itâs time to replace your blender is that it stops working. You may also notice that your blender is slowing down, taking longer to blend or food is not coming out with as smoothly as they used to. If you bring it in for a repair and are quoted a price thatâs more than 50% of the cost of a new unit, youâre better off buying a replacement.
Purchasing a new blender will give your countertop an instant upgrade. Blenders have become much sleeker over the years, and few models still have the multitude of buttons that are hard to keep clean and tend to stick. Most now have touch pads or a dial or switch. They have far fewer settings, most of which are for things you will likely use, such as make smoothies, crushing ice, and pureeing. In some cases they have programs for functions like smoothies, frozen cocktails, and soup that automatically change speeds and incorporate pulse for the best results.
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How We Tested And Picked
We’ve tested more than 30 different blenders across various categories including high-speed blenders, personal blenders, protein shakers and juicers. First, we evaluated their design, safety features , weight, materials that make up their jars and the design of their blades. Next, we took into account any instructions in the manual for any tips like how to order smoothie ingredients.
Then we got blending. In each machine, we blended up a few different smoothies including all-fruit smoothies and one with a tough green like kale to evaluate the power of the motor and sharpness of the blades. For each smoothie, we noted consistency and how uniform the blend was. We also noted how long each smoothie took to blend and whether or not we needed to use a tamp to combine ingredients.
Finally, we cleaned each blender by hand using this method: Add some dish soap and water to your blender jar, replace on the base and turn on to a low setting until the soap begins to foam. Rinse, and your blender jar is clean. Lastly, we noted whether any parts were dishwasher safe.
Recommended Reading: Making A Smoothie With Yogurt
Will My Small Kitchen Accommodate A Blender
Blender cables can be substantial, so look for machines with built-in storage to prevent the flex getting out of hand. Unless youâre buying a machine that youâre happy to have on display on the worktop, your blender will probably live in a cupboard. If so, choose one that can be easily dismantled, is light enough for you to lift in and out and wonât take up too much storage room.
Best Overall: Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender
With a whopping 2400 watts of power, theres not much the Vitamix Professional Series 750 can’t do. With manual controls for ten different speeds, a pulse button, and five programmed settings for self-cleaning, smoothies, hot soups, frozen desserts, and purees, this machine not only out-powers most of the competition, but you can also use it as a food processor in most cases. The blender also includes a tamper and has a cleaning mode that thoroughly cleans the container with just water and a small amount of soap.
A Vitamix blender is definitely an investment, but reviewers say this model is totally worth it for its versatility and power. While other blenders often struggle to get tough ingredients fully smooth without overworking the motor, our tester confirmed that this Vitamix can truly take on anything.
The Spruce / Renu Dhar
Capacity: 64 ounces | Power: 2400 watts | Settings: 10 speeds, 5 pre-programmed settings, and a pulse button| Dimensions: 8.5 x 17.25 x 8.5 inches | Warranty: 7 years
“I was surprised to see emulsions like Hollandaise turn out smooth and creamy.” Renu Dhar, Product Tester
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Hamilton Beach Professional 1800w Blender
The Hamilton Beach Professional 1800W Blender is a great deal when comparing price versus performance. It comes equipped with four program settings for making smoothies, crushing ice, pureeing and self-cleaning, tasks it performs with above-average reliability.
Large pulse and start/stop buttons make for uncomplicated control, and Hamilton Beach simplifies additional options by dividing its control dial into two halves: the left half dedicated to the aforementioned programmed modes and the right half for adjusting variable speeds. A large red LED display takes the guesswork out of keeping tabs on elapsed time or time remaining, depending on selected setting. Thereâs a measuring cap for incorporating ingredients while mixing at lower speeds, and the lid includes an ergonomic grip that improves the chances youâll remove it smoothly without splatter.The Hamilton Beach blender produced delicious tasting oat milk with a dairy-like consistency, alongside great tasting smoothies. Only a few pieces of frozen fruit escaped the blades resulting in a slightly chunkier chug, but the taste didnât suffer. Skip this blender if homemade hummus or nut butters are on your favorites list the blenderâs blade assembly does a sub-optimal job of incorporating ingredients like garlic or chickpeas into a satisfactory texture and you might be left fishing out chunks of ingredients.
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
Also Check: How To Make Homemade Protein Smoothies
Best Value: Black + Decker 10
For some, spending hundreds of dollars on a blender for smoothies isn’t an option, and thankfully, the 48-ounce Black + Decker blender will get the job done for just $25. The affordable appliance makes smoothies and costs a fraction of the price of most blenders, and it even comes with a two-year warranty. With this powerhouse machine you can choose from 10 speeds to make fruit smoothies, protein shakes, and malts at home instead of spending extra cash at a drive-thru.
“Bought this blender to replace an exact model that I had for 15 years. The best part is that I can use the jars from my old blender with this new one. Love Black + Decker they last forever,” one shopper says.
Buy It: $25
Blendtec Designer Series Smoothie Blender
The Blendtec Designer Series Smoothie Blender comes with an absolutely enormous pitcher thats a whopping 90-ounces. This pitcher size is really only appropriate for parties or big gatherings and can feel a little silly if youre blending a single smoothie.
The blender has a fifth side design so that ingredients dont get stuck. And, it has a slightly dull blade that makes it great if youre wanting to whip up ice cream or make dough.
The dull blades are also great for warming soups. And, the blender is easy to clean.
The biggest problem with this blender is that its too big for practical use. Plus, the dull blades dont chop ice or frozen fruits very well.
Recommended Reading: How To Make A Fruit Smoothie Without Yogurt
Quality Of Best Kitchen Blender For Smoothie
The primary factor that consumers must consider to consider when choosing the right item is the quality and this means they’re confident that it’s good. Manufacturers need to use advanced technology to produce a top quality product. Making use of the latest technology in production is an aspect that helps ensure the highest quality products, which meet the needs of customers.
The Best Rechargeable Blender: Popbabies Personal Blender
The last blender on our list is the PopBabies Personal Blender which is perfect for anyone who likes to blend on the go, travel with their smoothies, or just does not have the option or luxury of blending their drinks at home. It comes at a very affordable price, in fact, it’s the cheapest blender on our list.
The blender has the same pod-style design as the Nutribullet Pro and has most of the same capabilities and limitations in terms of what it can do. The container is much smaller than the Nutribullet Pro at 14 ounces which makes it perfect for one person who is constantly on the go. The blender was originally designed for mothers to make baby food or vegetable purees but was soon realized that it was able to make a rich creamy smoothie as well.
Reason #1 to Choose The PopBabies Blender: Battery Operated
The main reason this product is better than the Nutribullet Pro is the fact that it can be used anywhere you want without the use of electricity. The PopBabies blender is a compact blender that operates off of sustained battery power. The motor is only 200 watts but since the container is so small it is still able to create smooth drinks and purees with ease. The motor base can be recharged using a small USB cord and will also operate while it is actively charging. So if you wanted, it will still be able to use electricity like any other blender while reserving the battery power.
Reason #2 to Choose The PopBabies Blender: Space Saving
Recommended Reading: Kimberly Snyder Glowing Green Smoothie
Best Single Serve: Nutribullet 600w Personal Blender
Amazon
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Tendency to leak
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Loud
Our number one pick for the best single-serve blender is the Nutribullet Personal Blender. Its a button-less blender with a 600-watt motor base and, like other smoothie blenders, the Nutribullet Personal Blender blends when you lock the cup into the base and press down.
The blender comes with one 24-ounce travel cup, a single travel lid, and a single lip ring. Its high-powered motor makes it easy to blend ice and other large pieces of food, but many people report it is loud when blending.
All parts of the Nutribullet Personal Blender are dishwasher-safe excluding the motorized base and removable blade. But, despite the easy cleaning of most parts,the blender may leak, making it difficult to properly clean the base.
Weight: 6.04 pounds | Power: 600 Watts | Volume: 24 oz | Dimensions: 11.61 x 6.85 x 12.28 inches
Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender For Smoothies
Award:BEST FOR SMALL BATCHES
WHY WE LIKE IT: With intuitive, easy to use controls and a powerful motor, this model combines commercial-grade heavy-duty performance and a compact form that doesnt take up too much counter space.
Pros
- 48-ounce pitcher has a smaller capacity than many other countertop blenders
- Not the quietest Vitamix blender
This well-designed countertop blender has a number of key features that make it stand out as one of the top-rated blenders on the market if youre looking for the best blender for smoothies 2020 has to offer. It comes with a heavy-duty motor and cooling fan for better durability and more consistent blending, plus a self-cleaning mode and hardened stainless steel blades.
With its 48-ounce pitcher, this machine is under 15 inches tall, making it one of the more compact countertop blenders. It easily blends frozen fruit, ice cream, and shakes, as well as peanut butter, dates, dry powders, and other challenging food ingredients for delicious smoothies. If youre looking for the best blender to puree food and make stunning creations, add this to your list.
You May Like: Essential Living Foods Superfood Smoothie Mix
Jar Shape And Motor Strength
A great blender should be able to smoothly process tough items like fibrous kale, frozen berries, and ice without burning out the motor. How efficiently a blender does this depends on a combination of the blade length and position, the shape of the mixing jar, and the motor strength. All three of those elements combine to create a vortex that pulls food down around the blade.
In our testing, weve found that tall, tapered jars with a curved bottom develop a more consistent vortex than short, wide ones with a flat bottom. But the better blending that you get from a taller, tapered jar comes with a trade-off: A fully assembled blender might be too tall to fit under low-hanging cabinets. Blenders with wide, short jars are better for countertop storage, but youre sacrificing performance for that convenience.
Weve found that tall, tapered jars with a curved bottom develop a more consistent vortex than short, wide ones with a flat bottom.
Best Multipurpose: Cuisinart Kitchen Central 3
This 3-in-1 kitchen appliance from Cuisinart is a handy tool for anyone who’s looking to downsize and save space in their cabinets. The 500-watt base comes with three interchangeable parts that can turn the machine into a blender, food processor, and juicer. Not only does it blend ingredients to a smooth consistency, but the blender unit has a 40-ounce capacity, so it can handle family-size batches as well. Plus, each removable element is dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
Multiple reviewers mention that the blender is great for making smoothies, among other things. One writes, “The blender is great it’s high speed and powerful, and makes perfect smoothies and purees for our little one! I love the no-spill spout it has, so you don’t have to worry about spilling anything . The juicer is perfectit makes amazing fruit and veggie juice, and I end up now leaving it on my counter.”
Also Check: Best Blender To Make Smoothies With Ice
Kitchenaid Diamond Smoothie Blenders
One brand thats famous for creating outstanding kitchen appliances is KitchenAid, and when you see their Diamond Blender youll immediately understand why.
This blender has sleek, classic styling and comes with a 60-ounce pitcher. The blender can blend multiple smoothies at once but isnt so large that its inconvenient to create a single drink, either.
KitchenAids blender has five different speeds you can choose from via a panel on the front of the machine. The buttons are built with a long-lasting and easy-to-clean design.
The base of the blender is made out of die-cast metal, providing tons of stability. Plus, the coupler between the base and the pitcher is reinforced with steel.
Youll also love that there are easy-to-read measurement markings on the pitcher. Its easy to follow pretty much any recipe with this blender thanks to that feature.
Even though the blender is BPA-free and has tons of great qualities, the pitchers plastic design isnt built to last. Plus, the blades of the machine are tough to clean since they dont come out, so you have to clean around them and try to avoid cuts.
Why Trust Verywell Fit
Allison Knott, MS, RDN, CSSD is a registered dietitian and board certified specialist in sports dietetics who has extensive experience working in the culinary field. She knows the importance of preparing delicious food, including smoothies, at home and understands how a reliable kitchen appliance can make all the difference in ones commitment to preparing healthy food.
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What Type Of Blender Should You Get
A countertop blender delivers the silkiest smoothies, daiquiris, soups, and sauces of any style of blender you can buy. Its more versatile than a personal blender because it holds more and can handle hot liquids. Its also more powerful than an immersion blender, which is great for pureeing soups directly in the pot or making a quick mayo but doesnt yield the velvety textures you get from a good countertop blender.
That said, a blenders performance and longevity are usually proportional to its cost. High-end blenders are more powerful and designed to puree the thickest mixtures without burning out, something that inexpensive blenders simply cant do. If you want a kitchen workhorsea machine that can tackle everything from hot soups and sauces to thick frozen concoctionsa full-size, high-powered blender is the best choice. How much you should spend on one depends on exactly what youll use it for. Below is a breakdown of what each of our picks will do for you.
Get our budget pick, the KitchenAid, if:
- You use your blender only for the occasional smoothie, frozen drink, or soup.
- You dont blend nut butters or other motor-taxing mixtures.
- A short, limited one-year warranty isnt a concern.
Get our runner-up, the Oster, or our also-great pick, the Cleanblend, if:
- You blend no more than a few times a week.
- You rarely make nut butters.
- A five- or seven-year warranty is important to you.
Get our top pick, the Vitamix, if: