Incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet can be done quickly and easily with the help of a smoothie. They’re associated with a lower risk of death and a lower risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease.
Smoothies, which can be made with a variety of fruits and vegetables, some type of protein, and some type of fat, are a great way to get fiber and other vital nutrients on the go, but without a reliable, easy- to-use blender, you probably won’t incorporate them into your diet. That’s why we’ve researched and tested the best smoothie blenders on the market.
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What Is A Smoothie Blender?
A smoothie blender is a blender specifically designed for blending smoothie ingredients. Fruits, vegetables, milk, yogurt, ice and sugar are the main ingredients for a smoothie.
Smoothies can be made with a variety of nutritious and tasty ingredients. Preparing a smoothie in a blender is the most efficient method, as all ingredients can be blended evenly.
Soups, sauces and dips are just a few of the many other dishes that can be prepared with a blender. On the low end, smoothie blenders can be had for as little as $30, while on the high end they can cost as much as $200.
Our product review team has tested and picked 8 best smoothie blenders on the market.
The 8 Best Smoothie Blenders
1. Ninja BL480D Nutri-Blender Pro with Auto-IQ
Our favorite for best smoothie blender is the Ninja Nutri-Blender Pro, a small stand mixer that packs a punch. Two different sized cups and lids (18 oz. and 24 oz.) are included in the set. The base of the blender has a high-power motor with a peak output of 1100 watts, which processes ice cubes and frozen fruit and vegetable pieces in no time.
The blender’s to-go cup and blade are attached to the top with a screw, so all you’ve to do is pour in your ingredients and you’ve a freshly blended smoothie. When you’re ready, place the cup in the blender’s container. When making a smoothie, it’s best to start with the softer ingredients and then work your way to the harder ones, such as ice and frozen fruit and vegetable pieces, as the cup needs to be filled and then turned upside down to blend. As a rule of thumb, place the ingredients that are most difficult to blend right next to the blade first.
The Ninja Nutri-Blender Pro is small enough to be placed on a countertop or in a cabinet. The motor base is the only part that can’t be cleaned in the dishwasher, but everything else is easy to clean. This blender is quite noisy, so only use it if you don’t want anyone to be disturbed by the extra noise in the house.
2. Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender
The Vitamix 310 Explorian is a powerful high-performance blender with 10 speed settings and a pulse function. Compared to the other smoothie blenders on this list, this one stands out for its versatility: not only can it be used to make smoothies, but it can also be used to make sauces, soups, dips, and much more. For those who are looking for a high-quality blender, we can highly recommend this one.
The 48-ounce container is not dishwasher safe, but you can clean it by hand with a little soap and water and a 60-second swirl in the blender. Note that the blade is fixed, which makes it harder to remove stubborn food debris.
Like the Ninja, the Vitamix is known for its strength, durability and adaptability, but the downside is that it can be noisy. It’s also larger and bulkier than the other blenders on our list, making it more suitable for larger kitchens.
However, many who have purchased a Vitamix feel that it is money well spent. If money were no object, Geraty says, “I would recommend a Vitamix any day.” It can make a slushy from ice cubes and whips anything you throw in it to a creamy consistency without using cream.
3. Hamilton Beach Personal Blender with Travel Lid
One such personal blender is the Shakes and Smoothies Personal Blender from Hamilton Beach. There is only one button that can be used for either continuous blending or a pulse effect. Included is a 14-ounce container with lid that can be used on the go. We recommend this blender as the best affordable option due to its low price and ease of use.
The blade on this smoothie blender cannot be removed from the portable container, which sets it apart from many similar products. Since the blade is still attached, cleaning could become a bigger problem. The cup, lid, and blade are dishwasher safe, which is a nice bonus.
Thanks to its compact shape, the blender can be stored on the countertop or in the cabinet, and the motorized base has a wraparound cord for easy storage. The blender is convenient and easy to use, but it may not last as long as other appliances of choice.
4. Ninja Fit Personal Blender
After our research and testing, we have concluded that the Ninja Fit Compact Personal Blender is the best small blender for making smoothies. The 700-watt motor and hands-free blending function make quick work of ice and frozen vegetables. The cup is filled with the smoothie ingredients before being inserted into the base and secured with the blade. With just the touch of a finger, you can start the blender and blend the contents of your cup.
Since the blade attachment is removable from the cup, cleaning is a breeze. Sometimes the blender runs into the bottom while blending, which makes cleaning difficult. Included with the Ninja Fit Compact is a 16 ounce cup and portable lid so you can enjoy your blended drinks anywhere.
5. Magic Bullet Blender, 11-Piece Set
Powered by a 250-watt motor, the Magic Bullet Blender is a compact stand mixer that requires no buttons. Included are two cups (with 12 and 22 ounce capacities), many travel lids and lip rings, and a keep-fresh lid.
With so many portable containers and such a straightforward layout, this blender is our first choice. The ease of cleaning is another benefit we really appreciate (although the motor base isn’t allowed in the dishwasher).
Compared to the other personal blenders on the list, the Magic Bullet Blender performs similarly. To start blending, connect the cup to the motorized base and give it a gentle push.
Despite its 250-watt motor, the blender may have trouble crushing ice and other solid ingredients. If there are too many ingredients in the blender, it may not turn on. In this case, you can try removing some of the ingredients and blending them in two separate batches.
6. Ninja BL770 Mega Kitchen System
The Ninja Mega Kitchen System is our favorite for the most versatile blender because it can be used for so much more than just making smoothies from your favorite fruits and vegetables.
This unit is a three-in-one blender system that consists of a food processor, a regular blender, and a single-serve blender. If you’re trying to reduce the number of appliances in your kitchen without sacrificing the convenience of making smoothies for one person, this powerful appliance is just what you need.
Both the container and blades are removable and dishwasher safe for convenient cleaning. Even though this blender isn’t as sturdy as others, Ninja offers a number of warranties to customers who buy it from an authorized dealer.
7. Nutribullet 600W Personal Blender
To date, the Nutribullet Personal Blender is, in our opinion, the best single serve blender available. Similar to other smoothie blenders, this one requires you to snap the cup into the base and press down to start blending. Its 600-watt motor is buttonless.
Included with the blender are a 24-ounce travel mug, a lid, and a lip ring. While the powerful motor makes it easy to crush ice and other large foods, many users have complained that the blender is too noisy.
With the exception of the motor and replaceable blade, the Nutribullet Personal Blender is completely dishwasher safe. However, the blender can leak, making it difficult to thoroughly clean the base.
8. Cuisinart EvolutionX Cordless Compact Blender RPB-100
The Cuisinart EvolutionX is a cordless travel blender with USB battery. It is the best portable blender because of its small size, light weight and portability.
The blender takes two hours to fully charge and can be used continuously for up to 20 minutes. Except for the electric base, everything can be cleaned in the dishwasher.
Do not let the compact size of the Cuisinart EvolutionX fool you; it’s powerful enough to blend ice and chunky ingredients. However, the number of smoothies you can make before the battery needs to be recharged is limited. Because of its small size and smooth performance when processing frozen ingredients, this model tops our list of best hand blenders.
Types Of Smoothie Blenders
There are many different types of smoothie blenders on the market, but only two main categories are relevant here: Personal blenders and full-size blenders.
The small, portable, and inexpensive personal blenders have several advantages. They are convenient for making smoothies on the go and can be stored neatly after use.
Full-sized blenders, on the other hand, are sturdier, can handle more ingredients, and cost more. They are ideal for blending smoothies in large quantities and can also be used to chop vegetables and grind coffee.
So which blender should you choose? A stand mixer is the most practical device for blending a single serving of smoothies.
However, for the flexibility of a full-blown blender, a high-quality model is required.
Are Smoothie Blenders Worth It?
One of the most common and useful kitchen gadgets is the smoothie blender.
They don’t require any preparation and are inexpensive, so you can make refreshing and nutritious drinks at home.
Even if you’ve never made a smoothie before, you don’t have to be a culinary expert to make a delicious smoothie with one of today’s powerful yet user-friendly smoothie blenders.
They’re a great option for anyone on a tight budget who still wants to enjoy healthy, delicious smoothies.
Who Are Smoothie Blenders For?
Smoothie blenders are perfect for smoothie lovers. There’s a wide selection of smoothie blenders on the market for you to choose from. Finding the right device shouldn’t be too difficult.
Portable smoothie blenders are fantastic for whipping up nutritious drinks and snacks on the go.
Having a smoothie before heading to the gym or hitting the sidewalk is a great way to start your day off on the right foot.
Just get started. Smoothie blenders are available in stores now.
How To Shop For The Best Smoothie Blender?
There are some points you should consider when buying a top-notch smoothie blender.
The first step is to decide what types you want to combine. If you want to make smoothies with both frozen and fresh ingredients, you’ll need a powerful blender that can handle ice.
Second, you need to consider how often you’ll use the blender. A cheaper model might suffice if you only plan to make smoothies occasionally.
However, if you’re addicted to smoothies, you might want to opt for a more durable model.
Finally, you should think about the smoothie jars you want to use. There are blenders that come with either individual cups or large, shared jugs.
There’s a smoothie blender designed specifically for you and your preferences.
Smoothie Blenders FAQs
What is the difference between a smoothie maker and a blender?
The term “smoothie” refers to a type of blended drink usually made from fruits, vegetables and other foods. Blenders can be used to make smoothies, but a smoothie maker is a special type of blender for this purpose.
Smoothie makers usually have different speed settings as well as pulse and ice crushing settings.
Some blenders even have a built-in aerator that makes your smoothie even creamier and more delicious.
A smoothie blender is an all-purpose device that can be used to blend smoothie ingredients.
Compared to dedicated smoothie makers, blenders for making smoothies often lack features like variable speeds and other settings that are important to the process.
However, a high-quality smoothie blender can prepare a nutritious and tasty drink in any case.
What are some common problems associated with smoothies?
Smoothies are a common way to increase your intake of healthy fruits and vegetables in a short amount of time, but they can also be harmful if consumed improperly. The right smoothie blender, for example, can make all the difference.
If your blender isn’t powerful enough, your smoothie can become lumpy.
Also, some produce is particularly hard on the blender. Therefore, it’s advisable to find out in advance which fruits and vegetables can be safely blended in your chosen device.
A good smoothie blender is useless if you don’t know how to use it.
If you don’t want to have a disappointing smoothie, you need to add the ingredients in the right order and keep the right amount of time for the blending process.
Smoothies can be made with minimal effort and will provide you with a significant portion of your daily nutritional intake.
Do you need ice in a smoothie?
Homemade smoothies are easier to make than you might think, and you don’t even need ice to get the right consistency.
You can make a thick, icy treat by blending frozen fruit with milk, yogurt or water in a high-quality blender.
However, if you use fresh fruit or simply prefer a watery smoothie, you can also use a few ice cubes.
To perfect your smoothie recipe, play around with different ingredients and quantities until you find what you like.
How We Chose The Best Smoothie Blenders?
To make sure we know all the brands that are out there, we research extensively on the Internet and with the industry’s leading online retailers before making a final decision.
We consider many factors, such as customer feedback, star ratings, brand philosophy, production methods, raw materials, and ease of accessibility. We take the time to think through the pros and cons so you don’t have to.