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BLACK+DECKER FusionBlade vs Magic Bullet 11 Piece Set Side-by-Side Comparison
Our Verdict
- Performance (60%)6.1/10
- Design (25%)7.4/10
- Usability (15%)7.0/10
- Performance (60%)2.8/10
- Design (25%)7.5/10
- Usability (15%)6.9/10
These two personal blenders have a very different appearance. Their efficiency is also different from each other as well.
While the BLACK+DECKER FusionBlade wasn’t the best in our test of smoothies, it did at least break down all the frozen fruits without as much struggle as did the Magic Bullet 11-Piece Set. Its milkshake-making performance was also more thorough, leaving behind a consistency where just a very tiny flake of almond remained solid. If you want a blender that is moderately capable of everything, except for crushing ice, then consider this blender.
You might want to choose the Magic Bullet 11-Piece Set if you're after an affordable solution only for simple blends or for a fiber-rich diet. In the fibrous greens test, the product it produced was comparable in smoothness to the BLACK+DECKER’s product, and was a little bit more impressive than those of other counterparts.
Black+Decker Fusionblade Personal Blender Performance
- 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 (40%)3.9/10
- Frozen Fruit Smoothie (30%)0/10
- Fibrous Greens (20%)6.0/10
- Crushed Ice Cubes (10%)0/10
Protein Shake
- 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.
- Blending Time: 2 mins 10 seconds
- Result: Very Coarse
In this test, the two minutes and ten seconds we spent with the Magic Bullet produced an undrinkable result. While all the oatmeal was broken down pretty well, most of the blueberries and almonds came out completely intact. As a result, the drink was too chunky to sip on. It also lacked the fruity flavor that our recipe prides itself on. If you want to use this blender for a protein shake, we recommend just using soft ingredients.
Frozen Fruit Smoothie
- 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.
- Blending Time: 2 minutes
- Result: Chunky
- Suction:
By our 2-minute cutoff point, the Magic Bullet hadn't fully processed all the ingredients so we considered it to have failed the test and awarded it no points. To be fair, though, the final result was not too bad. While this blender still left behind strawberry chunks, it blended through other ingredients pretty evenly. The smoothie came out smooth; our straw didn't get clogged with hard bits after we removed the two partially blended chunks. It was just quite thin since the blending process was so long that the frozen fruit had time to thaw thus diluting the overall consistency.
Fibrous Greens
- 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.
- Blending Time: 20 seconds
- Result: Coarse
If you’re looking for a personal blender that can handle leafy vegetables along with other fiber-filled foods, the Magic Bullet is up to the challenge but will not wow you.
In this test, its mission was to break down kale, spinach, and celery in 20 seconds. Perhaps, you will get a better result if you blend for longer than we did, but this time frame is adequate for us to evaluate this blender’s efficiency. To check the result, we drained the completed drink through a mesh strainer. As such, we noticed a vast number of leafy chunks remained unblended. The pulp also looked coarse and non-uniform. Still, this outcome is more impressive than those produced by its counterparts, namely the Hamilton Beach and the KOIOS Pro.
Crushed Ice Cubes
- 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.
- Ice Fineness: Chunky
- Unblended Ice: 83% of 6 oz
Our Magic Bullet couldn’t blend through 6 oz ice cubes thoroughly not only because of its weak motor power but also because its blending cup is too small to handle such an amount of ice. For the most part, the ice got stuck in the blade and prevented it from turning. Even when we undocked the cup and shook it, this still couldn’t help much. If you want something that can be up to this sort of blend, consider the NutriBullet, Ninja Fit, and Ninja Nutri Pro.
Black and Decker Fusionblade Personal Blender Design
- Blades (20%)6.0/10
- Build Quality (60%)7.0/10
- Blending Cup (20%)10/10
- Blades (20%)6.5/10
- Build Quality (60%)7.0/10
- Blending Cup (20%)10/10
In the Box of the Black+Decker Fusionblade Digital Blender
- Motor Base
- Extractor Blade
- Two Blending Cups
- Two Travel Lids
- Recipe Book & User Guide
- Motor base
- Extractor blade
- Two blending cups
- One to-go lid
- One party mug
- Two lip rings
- Two resealable lids
- Recipe guide
Dimensions
- 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.
- Height:12.0" (30.5 cm)
- Width:4.5" (11.4 cm)
- Weight:2.0 oz (57 g)
- Shaft Length:
The Magic Bullet is half the size of traditional countertop blenders so it should fit easily into your cabinet. This compact structure also avoids overwhelming your counter space. That being said, the plastic construction means the blender itself is so lightweight that it wobbles while blending.
Build Quality
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.
All the parts are mostly made of plastic, making the blender look flimsy both inside and outside. Apart from lacking the sturdiness we’re after, the Magic Bullet also has a low resistance to wear and tear. It feels like it could be easily scratched or even broken if accidentally dropped. The blade made of standard stainless steel may well grab your attention but unfortunately, it’s less solid than its competitors at the same price point—the KOIOS, to name but one. So again, the low cost shouldn’t be an excuse for this blender’s shortcomings.
Blades
- 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.
- Material:Stainless Steel
- Type:Sharp Blade
- Guard Material:
- Blade Count:4
- Removable:No
- Dishwasher Safe:Yes
The stainless steel blade has 4 prongs. It comes relatively sharp but looks a bit fragile so we would suggest that you shouldn’t use it for blending hard ingredients without liquid. Otherwise, it may dull or even get permanently damaged.
Black+Decker Fusionblade Personal Blender Motor Base
- 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.
- Rated Voltage:120
- Rated Power:250
- Working Time:≤ 1 minute
- Protection:Yes
- Weight:1.6 oz (45 g)
- Cord Length:2.2" (5.6 cm)
- Extra Feature:Silicon feet
The motor peaks around 250 watts. It is too weak to be used for ice crushing or dry blending. To make icy drinks, we recommend only using chilled ingredients. Like other personal blenders, it cannot run for longer than 1 minute to avoid damage caused by overheating, though there is an internal thermal breaker that shuts off the unit when it overheats.
The base has four silicone feet to help keep the whole blender in place while operating. However, we don’t think such add-ons are really helpful; our machine walked around on the counter in every test anyway.
Blending 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.
- Material:Plastic
- Capacity:12-,16-, and 22-oz
- Weight:0.18-, 0.33-, and 0.25-pound
- Dishwasher Safe:Yes
- Measurement:No
- Suitable For:Small and medium batches
- Accessories:2 lid rings, 3 lids
The set consists of three blending cups. They work interchangeably with the extractor blade and two different types of lids. There are also two removable lip rings included so you may find it easier to sip your drink straight from the cup.
The drawback is that the lids do not seal tightly to the cup. In the smoothie test, we paused several times to give the cup a shake and eventually ended up with a mess.
Speed and Controls
- 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.
- Control Type:Push
- Min Speed:
- Max Speed:
- Presets:No
- Noise Level:97 dB
- Digital Display:No
- Pulse Mode:No
The Magic Bullet is a single-speed blender working without any physical buttons. To use, you simply place the blending cup and press it down onto the motor base. You can also simulate pulse mode by pressing and releasing the cup in short intervals.
Black and Decker Fusionblade Personal Blender Usability Review
- Hands-Free Operation (60%)5.3/10
- Assembly (20%)10/10
- Cleanability (20%)9.0/10
- Hands-Free Operation (60%)5.8/10
- Assembly (20%)10/10
- Cleanability (20%)7.2/10
Hands-Free Operation
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.
The Magic Bullet will blend for as long as you press the cup down onto the power base. To stop blending, simply release pressure on the cup, but with the Lock On Mode, your machine can also offer hands-free blending. However, we recommend not letting it out of your sight: Sometimes, solid ingredients like hard nuts and root veggies can stop the blade from turning so you will need to detect this obstruction and intervene as soon as possible. In the smoothie test, we had to shake to unblock the cross blade up to 6 times.
Assembly
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.
There's a very shallow learning curve to getting accustomed to the assembly process. To blend, you simply line up the tabs on the sealed cup with the tabs on the power base, then press it down until the desired consistency is achieved.
You can also press down and turn the cup clockwise until the tabs lock under the lip of the power base for hands-free operation. To turn it off, just twist the cup back counter-clockwise and release the cup.
Cleanability
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.
Cleaning all the pieces is a snap, especially when the cups and lids are top-rack dishwasher safe, but that didn’t save us much cleanup time. Because of leakage, the motor base got dirty after nearly every blend, though we could easily wipe away the gunk with a damp cloth. Not only that, but the blade’s backsides also gave us a hard time for a thorough hand cleaning so we recommend using a straw-cleaning brush.