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KOIOS 850W Bullet vs Magic Bullet 11 Piece Set Side-by-Side Comparison
Our Verdict
- Performance (60%)7.1/10
- Design (25%)8.3/10
- Usability (15%)7.3/10
- Performance (60%)2.8/10
- Design (25%)7.5/10
- Usability (15%)6.9/10
The KOIOS 850W Bullet personal blender is within the same price range as the Magic Bullet 11-Piece Set, but based on performance, it showed much more potential. Although its outputs weren’t perfect, with some still containing a smattering of blended chunks (for example the extraction of leafy greens), they were smoother than those produced by the Magic Bullet 11-Piece Set, and possibly top of this market segment.
If you place these two blenders next to each other, the overall design is quite similar. But the KOIOS 850W Bullet is sleeker and offers accessories not on the Magic Bullet 11-Piece Set, including the flat blade assembly for dry grinding, and a sieve lid that can be used as a cooking dredge for any seasonings.
In conclusion, we believe the KOIOS 850W Bullet offers you a better way to make smoothies at home. It’s also a more ideal personal blender for your sauces, protein shakes, or even grinding coffee beans.
KOIOS 850W Smoothie Bullet Blender Performance
- Protein Shake (40%)9.2/10
- Frozen Fruit Smoothie (30%)8.0/10
- Fibrous Greens (20%)5.0/10
- 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: 56 seconds
- Result: Smooth
The KOIOS’s blade has a rotation speed that is fairly quick for the class so it shouldn’t be surprising that this blender can make a good breakfast or post-workout milkshake in a matter of seconds. Not to mention its high-powered motor and more-than-average number of blade prongs (more prongs means more food contact, and results in faster results).
In this test, it took less than 1 minute to break down and combine all the ingredients, which was faster than most. The powerful motor couldn’t quite remove all lumps from the protein shake, but only a few chunks remained unblended, so our drink was still pleasant to drink. Moreover, the residual solids didn’t affect the tasting experience much — they were so tiny that they didn’t bother us at all. If you want smoother results, consider the NutriBullet or the Ninja Fit, though.
- 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 20 seconds
- Result: Silky Smooth
- Suction:
The KOIOS Bullet brought all the ingredients together for a great-tasting smoothie in one minute and twenty seconds. Of all the similarly-priced blenders we tested, it was the only one that could liquify frozen ingredients that quickly. Most were 20-40 seconds slower, such as the Black+Decker, but that can make a difference; frozen foods thaw quickly at room temperature, so the longer you blend, the more your smoothie will be diluted.
Simply put, the quicker performance of the KOIOS made for a thicker and more ice-cream-like smoothie. Chilly and fresh enough to quench our thirst, it also retained the texture that people look for in frozen fruit smoothies.
- 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: Very Coarse
We evaluated how well this blender handled fiber by blending kale, celery, spinach, and water for 20 seconds. The mixture came out grainy with a substantial amount of partially blended particles. Then, we drained it through a mesh strainer and examined the pulp. It looked like green sand with a moderately coarse consistency. We didn't taste the mixture prior to draining, but this coarseness, together with the volume of pulp, meant this blender failed to extract most of the flavor from the greens.
We can’t say for sure if more blending time would improve the final result, but can conclusively say that 20 seconds worth of blending is not enough. By comparison, the Ninja Fit did the same job much better, leaving behind a significantly smaller amount of visible flakes.
Our conclusion is that the KOIOS is just mediocre for blending leafy veggies. If you want to avoid leafy chunks in a quick high-fiber beverage, this is not the blender for you.
- 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: Coarse
- Unblended Ice: 77% of 6 oz
In this test, its performance was lackluster. The machine itself is incapable of crushing ice cubes. In fact, attempting to do so is not a good idea; the heavy-duty task can take a toll on your device and impair its performance in more ordinary blends.
- 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.
KOIOS Pro 850W Bullet Personal Blender Design
- Blades (20%)7.5/10
- Build Quality (60%)8.0/10
- Blending Cup (20%)10/10
- Blades (20%)6.5/10
- Build Quality (60%)7.0/10
- Blending Cup (20%)10/10
In the Box
- Motor Base
- Two Blade Assemblies
- Four Lids
- Cleaning Brush
- Three Blending Cups
- 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
KOIOS 850W Small Personal Blender Dimension
- Height:12.2" (31.0 cm)
- Width:5.5" (14.0 cm)
- Weight:2.9 oz (82 g)
- Shaft Length:
The KOIOS Bullet’s dimensions are about as standard as they come. At 12 inches tall by 5.5 inches wide, it is a typical size for a personal blender and can easily tuck away in your cabinet. Mobility is also very practical thanks to its compact form.
- 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
Build quality is moderate, with a body mostly made of plastic. The stainless steel blades look promising in terms of durability and capability while the motor base is rather flimsy. However, despite that, this blender stands very firmly during operation. It doesn’t jump around while handling solid foods like most mid-range counterparts such as the Magic Bullet.
We like the metal surface on the front of the motor base. It gives our blender a more attractive appearance and better quality feel. After a couple of months in the lab, this surface still retains its original shine — even after the occasional cleaning with a metal scouring pad.
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:Flat and Cross
- Guard Material:
- Blade Count:(Flat) 2 blades, (Cross) 4 blades
- Removable:Yes
- Dishwasher Safe:No
The KOIOS Bullet comes with two extractor blades: one is flat and the other shaped like a cross.
The flat blade has two dull prongs tilted slightly upwards and is only compatible with the short blending cup. We haven’t performed any tests on it, but believe this add-on will be handy for grinding hard ingredients like coffee beans, raw nuts, and whole grains. The blender’s mighty motor and consistent performance suggest it should be able to handle such ingredients.
Most of your blended treats will be best served by the cross blade. With six sharp prongs, it contacts more food at any given moment, resulting in finer outcomes and faster blending times. That being said, it looks less sturdy than some models (particularly the Ninja Fit). More prongs also means you’ll have more nooks and crannies to weave in and out of when it comes to cleaning.
- Material:Stainless Steel
- Type:Cross
- Guard Material:
- Blade Count:4 blades
- 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.
KOIOS 850W Bullet Personal Blender Motor Base
- Rated Voltage:120 V
- Rated Power:850 Watt
- Working Time:≤ 1 minute
- Protection:No
- Weight:2.4 lbs (1.1 kg)
- Cord Length:4.1 ft (1.2 m)
- Extra Feature:suction feet, ventilation holes
The main housing of the KOIOS Bullet is made from medium-grade plastic, except for the front surface. It is a little smaller than other personal blenders, but could surprisingly tackle our tests without slipping or rocking around on the counter thanks to the four rubber feet at the bottom.
Most models around this price cannot run continuously for more than one minute because the motor can overheat. The KOIOS Bullet is not an exception despite the fact that it’s equipped with many ventilation holes for better heat dissipation. If your drinks demand a longer blending time, make sure you let your machine cool down for 20-30 seconds after each 1-minute interval.
- 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:10 oz, 17 oz, and 17 oz
- Weight:0.2 lb, 0.23 lb, and 0.34 lb
- Dishwasher Safe:Yes
- Measurement:No
- Suitable For:Small batches
- Accessories:two spout lids, one flat-top lid, one sieve lid
In this set, there are two tall cups (17 oz) for blending watery mixtures and a short cup (10 oz) for grinding solid ingredients. The tall cups can be sealed tightly by either a flat-top lid or spout lid if you want to enjoy your drink on the go. And the short cup’s distinctive design looks lovely. It features a flat foot for increased stability and is particularly compatible with the sieve lid so you can use it as a shaker for ground spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, cocoa flour, ground coffee beans, or whatever seasonings you need.
- 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 of the KOIOS 850W Smoothie Bullet Blender
- Control Type:Push
- Min Speed:N/A
- Max Speed:N/A
- Presets:No
- Noise Level:97 dB
- Digital Display:No
- Pulse Mode:No
Like many personal blenders, the KOIOS offers only one speed option but doesn’t have buttons or any sort of controls. To blend, you simply press the cup down into the base, then hold it continuously until your smoothie is ready. The operating method is so simple that you may not need any practice. It’s easy to get comfortable with this blender.
- 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.
KOIOS 850W Bullet Personal Blender Usability Review
- Hands-Free Operation (60%)5.7/10
- Assembly (20%)10/10
- Cleanability (20%)9.5/10
- Hands-Free Operation (60%)5.8/10
- Assembly (20%)10/10
- Cleanability (20%)7.2/10
Hands-Free Operation
You can’t walk away while the KOIOS Bullet does its job the way you might with a full-sized blender. It requires you to keep a hand on it the whole time. Plus, you may occasionally need to pause to remove the cup and give it a thorough shake.
Particularly in the smoothie test, frozen fruits got stuck under the blade and jammed it up. To even out the blend, we had to shake the cup after every 20 blending seconds. It gave us a good smoothie in 1 minute 20 seconds worth of runtime, so the process demanded four intervals total. Reviewers make a fuss about the repeated delays, but they’re a common occurrence among personal-size blenders. As long as you’re willing to spend an extra minute or two in the kitchen, it shouldn’t be a big deal.
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
Setting up this blender is a breeze. After twisting the blade assembly onto the cup, you’ll need to flip the cup over and place it securely onto the motor base, aligning the cup’s protrusions with the grooves inside the motor base. To start blending, gently push the cup down as long as you desire. Once finished, release the cup from the motor base and unscrew the blade assembly.
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
Of all the blenders we tested, the KOIOS is the only one with a blade that can be separated from its plastic base. It goes without saying, this can be a life-saver, especially since the blade assembly is not dishwasher safe.
To remove the blade attachment from the base, push the blade gear forward until it falls out. Note that these two pieces screw very tightly together through a white gasket ring so you'll have to apply a significant force, which can be a challenge if your hands are weak or in pain.
Once you’ve separated the blade attachment, plastic base, and gasket ring, they can be washed off easily with soapy water. The only parts that are tricky to clean are the blade’s undersides, but the included small brush will make life easier on you.
The other pieces, including the lids and blending cups, can be put in the dishwasher. For manual cleaning, just rinse them with soapy water.
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.