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Bella Rocket Blender 12-Piece Set vs. BLACK+DECKER FusionBlade Side-by-Side Comparison




Our Verdict
- Performance (60%)5.7/10
- Design (25%)7.8/10
- Usability (15%)8.7/10
- Performance (60%)6.1/10
- Design (25%)7.4/10
- Usability (15%)7.0/10
There's no denying that the BLACK+DECKER FusionBlade comes from a more prestigious brand and has a more visually appealing design than the Bella Rocket Blender. However, our testing found that the BLACK+DECKER was not as quick nor as efficient as the Bella when handling a mixture of frozen fruits, raw nuts, or dried fruits. This is reflected by the less impressive smoothies and protein shakes from the BLACK+DECKER compared to those from the Bella Rocket.
On the other hand, the FusionBlade was among the few mid-range personal blenders we tested that could liquify leafy greens in just 20 seconds. This makes it a better choice for those looking to incorporate more high-fiber foods into their diet. Neither blender performed well when it came to crushing ice cubes, though.
It is also worth noting that while the Bella Rocket costs less but gets you more accessories for greater versatility, the BLACK+DECKER justifies its price with higher quality design. As such, choosing between these blenders will mostly be about personal preference and needs.
Bella Rocket Blender 12-Piece Set Performance
- Protein Shake (40%)7.5/10
- Frozen Fruit Smoothie (30%)9.0/10
- Fibrous Greens (20%)0/10
- Crushed Ice (10%)0/10
- Protein Shake (40%)7.2/10
- Frozen Fruit Smoothie (30%)6.0/10
- Fibrous Greens (20%)7.0/10
- Crushed Ice Cubes (10%)0/10
Protein Shake
- Blending Time: 1 mins 30 seconds
- Result: Smooth
In this test, the BELLA blender produced a nearly perfect protein shake in one minute and thirty seconds. There was a small smattering of partially intact berries and almonds found after straining, but the oatmeal was mostly blended well so this didn’t detract much from the overall quality of the drink. With a little bit of tweaking by letting it blend longer or soak the nuts prior to use, we would even get a chunk-free consistency. You’ll find lots of personal blenders in this class, but rarely of them might provide as smooth and quick results. Some took up to four minutes to liquify oatmeal entirely, while others' blades were too weak to churn through such solid fruits (for example, the Magic Bullet, the La Reveuse, and the Icucina).
- Blending Time: 2 mins
- Result: Smooth
In this protein shake test, the FusionBlade came out as one of the best personal blenders. Its sturdy 2-prong blade, together with the 275-watt motor, breaks down tough foods, including almonds and dried berries, without much problem. However, for some reason, it had a hard time with oatmeal, requiring up to 2 minutes — longer than the average blending time — to completely pulverize the oats. If you’re willing to spend a few extra seconds on prep, this may not matter much. Overall, the smoothness of its product was more than acceptable, with just a very tiny flake of almond remaining solid.
Frozen Fruit Smoothie
- Blending Time: 1 min 10 seconds
- Result: Silky Smooth
- Suction:
The BELLA is a classic example of why a cheaper blender isn't always worse because its smoothie-making capability proved to be even on par with those of higher-powered models, namely the Nutri Ninja Auto-iQ. This can be attributed to several factors, including blade design, motor strength, and blending speed.
The sturdy blade spined relatively fast. Working with a 240-watt motor, it took only one minute and ten seconds to blend and mix all the ingredients together. A very quick blending time for this class of blender, this speed is crucial when it comes to blending frozen ingredients as it helps to preserve the ice-cream-like texture that people look for in frozen fruit smoothies.
For the smoothie’s consistency, while there were still small bits of raspberry skin and strawberry seeds present, this is to be expected when blending ingredients of this nature. Overall, these small bits didn’t impair the smoothie’s quality at all.
- Blending Time: 1 min 40 seconds
- Result: Silky Smooth
- Suction:
If you've ever wondered how efficient a low-powered personal blender is in preparing frozen-fruit smoothies, the BLACK+DECKER FusionBlade can give you an answer. Although this machine isn’t so powerful, it liquified the ingredients with little effort, though a few shakes were required to ensure the blending process went smoothly.
The smoothie was churned into a smooth, chilly, and slushy consistency, though it lacked the perfect ice-cream-like texture we got from faster blenders, such as the Ninja Fit. This was because frozen fruits thaw quickly at room temperature, diluting the overall consistency if you don’t blend fast enough. Simply put, the longer processing time of the FusionBlade means its smoothie came out thinner and less desirable than it should.
Nevertheless, this machine is an adequate personal blender for making frozen-fruit smoothies. We found it’s better at this job than many other models within the same range, and the great smoothness of its product in this test reminds us of pricier blenders, namely the Nutri Ninja Pro.
Fibrous Greens
- Blending Time: 20 seconds
- Result: Failed
Upon conducting a 20-second blending cycle, we found the BELLA couldn’t perform up to its usual standards being somewhat suboptimal in processing high-fiber foods, including kale, celery, and spinach. Strain analysis of the mixture revealed a substantial volume of greens remaining partially unblended which led to a grainy texture and an inadequate extraction of the green’s nutrients, in the end.
On the contrary, some other blenders, like the Ninja Fit and the Ninja BN401, produced a smoother outcome with a significantly smaller volume of visible flakes. As such, our conclusion is that your BELLA is not well equipped to handle high-fiber foods and may fall short of the desired performance criteria for such applications.
- Blending Time: 20 seconds
- Result: Coarse
The FusionBlade didn’t struggle during the 20-second runtime (our time limit for this test). More impressively, of all the blenders we tested from this market segment, the BLACK+DECKER stood out with the best extraction of high-fiber foods. However, that doesn’t mean it did a complete job; there was still a considerable amount of coarse pulp left behind after we drained the mixture through a mesh strainer. It probably could have been better if we allowed our machine to blend longer. For sure, a quality green juice is worth a little extra waiting time.
Crushed Ice
- Ice Fineness: Coarse
- Unblended Ice: 79% of 6 oz
The BELLA appeared to lack the necessary strength for such a tough application. As a result, all the ice cubes remained virtually intact despite its significant effort. To be fair, though, this is a common limitation among personal blenders. Should you desire crushed ice with a fluffy, snow-like consistency or intend to incorporate more ice into your smoothies, consider the NutriBullet or anything with at least a 700-watt motor.
- Ice Fineness: Chunky
- Unblended Ice: 79% of 6 oz
It’s safe to say the BLACK+DECKER was not up to the heavy-duty task of crushing ice cubes. As Scotty might say, it just doesn’t have the power. That’s not a major hit to its value — we’ve learned that not many personal blenders are capable of producing fluffy, snow-like crushed ice (For instance, the Oster, the Hamilton Beach, or the KOIOS). If you insist on that sort of blend, you’ll need a more powerful motor. Most of this FusionBlade’s ice remained very chunky.
Overall, the BLACK+DECKER FusionBlade’s performance was not all bad, and we really like this blender, but there are still a few good ice-crusher alternatives to choose from.
Bella 14-oz Rocket Blender Design
- Blade (20%)6.5/10
- Build Quality (60%)7.5/10
- Blending Cup (20%)10/10
- Blades (20%)6.0/10
- Build Quality (60%)7.0/10
- Blending Cup (20%)10/10
In the Box of the Bella Rocket Blender 12-Piece Set
- Motor base
- Two blade assemblies
- Three blending cups
- Two storage lids
- Two lip rings
- Two shaker lids
- Recipe book & user guide
- Motor Base
- Extractor Blade
- Two Blending Cups
- Two Travel Lids
- Recipe Book & User Guide
Dimensions
- Height:11.8" (30.0 cm)
- Width:4.5" (11.4 cm)
- Weight:2.3 oz (65 g)
- Shaft Length:
- Height:14.5" (36.8 cm)
- Width:5.5" (14.0 cm)
- Weight:2.3 oz (65 g)
- Shaft Length:
As we learned from our research, the ideal weight of a personal blender is between 2 and 4 pounds, and at 2.3 lbs, the FusionBlade fits this metric. While it appears in pictures to be the roughly same size as others, it’s actually taller than average. Nonetheless, it’s still compact enough to easily find in your cabinet when not in use.
Build Quality
The motor’s build quality is on par with its price point, with a predominantly plastic housing reinforced by a thin metal layer on the outside. It doesn’t have any glaring flaws in finish, but we'd like things to be a bit sleeker, especially the outside. The same goes for the two blade assemblies. We're just less pleased with the blending cups since they both look less as quality, and feel more susceptible to damage.
This FusionBlade is powered by a motor encased in a simple plastic base. The overall quality and materials of the casing are inferior to premium models, but we haven’t experienced any durability issues so far. The same thing can be said about the blade assembly and plastic cup. Cheaply designed but otherwise sturdy, these pieces feel like they’ll be with you for years to come.
Blade
- Material:Stainless Steel
- Type:Sharp and Dull Blades
- Guard Material:
- Blade Count:4
- Removable:No
- Dishwasher Safe:Yes
The set includes two blade assemblies: a cross blade and a flat blade. Both pieces have average quality and lack a refined appearance. The cross blade features four prongs, potentially resulting in faster and smoother blending of wet ingredients compared to two-pronged blades. The flat blade, also known as a dry blade, is specifically designed for grinding harder ingredients such as rice, coffee beans, and whole grains.
- Material:Stainless Steel
- Type:Dull Blade
- Guard Material:
- Blade Count:2
- Removable:No
- Dishwasher Safe:Yes
The blade features two dull prongs rather than the more common sharp blades. This typically means the blender should be used for processing dry ingredients rather than wet mixtures, but the FusionBlade’s testing performance somehow suggests otherwise. And as mentioned above, the lack of extra prongs means this machine doesn’t blend as quickly as its counterparts that come with four or even six prongs.
Bella Rocket Blender Motor Base
- Rated Voltage:120V
- Rated Power:240 Watt
- Working Time:≤ 1 minute
- Protection:No
- Weight:
- Cord Length:2.3 ft (0.7 m)
- Extra Feature:Silicone feet
The motor is relatively resistant to overheating compared to similar models, but only in case you avoid operating it continuously for more than one minute at a time. If additional blending time is required, you should allow the motor to cool for up to three minutes before starting the next 1-minute interval. Otherwise, a cooling fan alone won't be sufficient to prevent your blender from getting hot.
Four rubber feet are placed underneath the motor to further enhance stability and reduce movement during operation. It also assists in providing proper ventilation for the motor.
- Rated Voltage:120V
- Rated Power:275 Watt
- Working Time:N/A
- Protection:No
- Weight:1.9 lbs (0.9 kg)
- Cord Length:2.3" (5.8 cm)
- Extra Feature:rubber feets
Despite the exterior being entirely plastic, the 275-watt motor base is on the robust side. It is wider at the bottom than the top to keep it steady, so the blender won’t walk around your counter while blending. There are also four rubber feet underneath to further help in this regard. They also help the blender avoid overheating by allowing some airflow to the motor.
In general, personal blenders tend to have an operational time limit on their motors — usually between 1 and 4 minutes at a stretch. Beyond the limit, they may overheat and damage the motor. That said, there is no clear information about the BLACK+DECKER FusionBlade in that regard. We recommend that you don’t run your device longer than 1 minute per interval to ensure the best long-term use.
Blending Cup
- Material:Plastic
- Capacity:13.5 oz, 13.5 oz, and 6 oz
- Weight:
- Dishwasher Safe:Yes
- Measurement:No
- Suitable For:Small batches
- Accessories:Two storage lid, two lip rings, two shaker Lid
This set includes three blending cups, two of which are 13.6 oz and one that is 6 oz. The two blending assemblies work interchangeably with all cups, making it very convenient to switch between different blending needs. The smaller cup is recommended for dry blends, as it comes with sieve lids that allow it to function as a shaker for ground spices and seasonings. There are also two storage lids and two removable lip rings included so you’ll find it easier to sip your drink straight from the tall cup.
- Material:Plastic
- Capacity:20 oz
- Weight:0.3 lb
- Dishwasher Safe:Yes
- Measurement:Yes
- Suitable For:Small batches
- Accessories:Travel lids
The set we bought includes two blending cups, but you can purchase more at BlackAndDeckerAppliances.com. All the cups provided by the manufacturer can be used interchangeably with the extractor blade. They also fit tightly with the included flip-top lids so you can enjoy your drinks on the go without mess. Another convenience is that the lids are easy to screw on and remove from the cups.
Speed and Controls of the Bella 12-Piece Rocket Blender
- Control Type:Twist
- Min Speed:N/A
- Max Speed:N/A
- Presets:No
- Noise Level:96 (db)
- Digital Display:No
- Pulse Mode:No
The BELLA is a single speed design and doesn’t have a pulse function. This may make it difficult to control the consistency of blends, but is convenient for those who prefer a straightforward blending experience.
- Control Type:Button
- Min Speed:N/A
- Max Speed:N/A
- Presets:No
- Noise Level:88 dB
- Digital Display:No
- Pulse Mode:No
There is one button in the front, which you’ll use to switch the motor on. It has only one speed, and you simply hold the button down to keep it running. We found the button to be very responsive so you don’t need much force. The FusionBlade isn’t equipped with a pulse function, but you can still approximate it and get a chunky texture by pressing and releasing its button in short intervals.
Bella Rocket Blender 12-Piece Set Usability Review
- Hands-Free Operation (60%)8.6/10
- Assembly (20%)9.0/10
- Cleanability (20%)8.5/10
- Hands-Free Operation (60%)5.3/10
- Assembly (20%)10/10
- Cleanability (20%)9.0/10
Hands-Free Operation
The BELLA personal blender boasts a convenient hands-free feature, which enables blending once the cup is locked in place, eliminating the need to continuously hold the cup and activate the motor. However, it may struggle with heavy-duty tasks as it can't draw ingredients towards the blade on its own. During the smoothie test, there were brief pauses every 20 seconds to shake the cup as the frozen fruits got stuck under the blade and caused jamming. This is a common issue among personal blenders and wouldn't pose a significant problem if one is willing to spend an extra minute or two in the kitchen. In fact, some other models tested required multiple shakes to achieve a smooth blend.
Although the design couldn't be simpler, the BLACK+DECKER FusionBlade isn’t very comfortable to use. It requires that you press and hold the power button throughout the whole operation. Not only that, but you also cannot take your eyes off the blending cup in any sort of blend. This is because food often gets lodged under the blade and stops it from operating, which demands your timely intervention to resolve.
Assembly
The BELLA is designed for easy assembly, with clear and concise instructions included. To put all the components together, just screw the blade assembly to the blending cup, insert it into the motor, and then make a quick clockwise turn to lock it in place for blending starting. Some people might find it’s a little bit frustrating to secure the blade assembly to the cup, but most of them would get the hang of it after a few tries.
Attaching the cup, the blade, and the motor base together is effortless. You’ll need to screw the extractor blade onto the top of the blending cup first, then turn the whole thing upside down and place it on the blender base. A quick, simple turn to the right will lock the cup into place and you can start blending securely.
Disassembly is even easier. Simply take the cup out from the base and unscrew the extractor blade. You can then replace the blade assembly with the spill-proof travel lid if you want to sip your drink on the go.
Cleanability
Except for the motor body, all the pieces are safe to put in the dishwasher, though we decided to clean them by hand and noticed that part of the cleaning process was performed with ease, as any remaining residues of the cups and lids are removed simply by wiping the surface with a damp soapy cloth.
The blades, on the other hand, required more attention due to their intricate design and close proximity to the assembly’s surface. As such, we had to use a straw-cleaning brush so that all remnants of food or other substances can be removed entirely.
All the removable pieces, including the blending cup, blade assembly, and travel lids, are top-rack dishwasher safe. We recommend washing them by hand with warm, soapy water, though, so they don’t wear down as quickly. We didn’t have any trouble scrubbing the blade’s undersides like we usually did with its competitors. Our only challenge was the blending cup, which was too narrow for even a small hand to get inside, so make sure you always have a bottle-cleaning brush available.