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Ninja BL480D Nutri vs KOIOS 850W Bullet Side-by-Side Comparison
Our Verdict
- Performance (60%)8.8/10
- Design (25%)9.7/10
- Usability (15%)9.7/10
- Performance (60%)7.1/10
- Design (25%)8.3/10
- Usability (15%)7.3/10
As a premium personal blender, the Ninja BL480D Nutri has the features that none of its peers offer. These include a heavy-duty motor with consistent performances, a package of high-quality accessories, and clever settings that help you blend with ease. Such features however, aren’t enough to warrant the blender’s premium price, especially considering some of its testing performances weren’t nearly as good as those of the less expensive blenders.
Despite being less efficient than its counterpart, the KOIOS 850W Bullet represents economical, simple blending solutions at its best. We particularly love its overall design, which seems to be the most thoughtful in this analogy. There is also a surprising amount of extra accessories and features for its price range. This KOIOS is indeed, good value for the money.
Ninja Nutri Auto iQ Personal Blender Performance
- Protein Shake (40%)8.8/10
- Frozen Fruit Smoothie (30%)9.5/10
- Fibrous Greens (20%)8.0/10
- Crushed Ice Cubes (10%)8.0/10
- 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
- Blending Time: 1 min 10 seconds
- Result: Silky Smooth
The Ninja Nutri is essentially a single-serve blender but refinements to its blades and motor’s power have brought it many advantages over the competition.
You might notice the blade assembly looks like nothing else in the market. Design-wise, it is attention to detail with four sharp, sophisticated prongs. Beyonds spinning extremely speedy, the prongs are towards various sides to allow for more food contact at a time. And such combos did make our Ninja Nutri among the fastest blenders in this test, taking one minute and ten seconds to yield a serving of protein shake. Not to mention the 1000-watt motor which helped churn through ingredients like almonds, dried berries, oatmeal, with super ease.
As efficient as it was, this blender still underperformed by a few seconds against two top competitors (the Ninja Fit and the NutriBullet), though. The texture it delivered also had room for improvement since while the oatmeal was completely broken down, small amounts of almonds and berries remained solid. Considering the price, we had wished for a chunky-free texture which was exactly similar to those we got from its counterparts.
Overall, unless you’re really interested in its professional look and hi-tech features, there are some alternatives that can actually blend your drink better and do so at less than half the price.
- 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.
Frozen Fruit Smoothie
- Blending Time: 1 min 5 seconds
- Result: Silky Smooth
- Suction:
The Nutri Ninja was excellent at this test. Again, its distinctly-designed blades and higher-powered motor were good things for a quick, even outcome. They allowed the blender to power through all the frozen mango, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries to perfection in just over one minute. And we remember everything was very easy and simple here, which you will rarely experience with other weaker personal blenders. Just noting that the process was fifteen seconds slower than that of the NutriBullet, but this wasn’t a huge gap. You might be willing to wait a bit longer as long as you get good results.
Initially, we intended to use the Auto-IQ Ultra Blend setting, but the testing trials then suggested us shifting to the regular one. When running on the Auto-IQ Ultra Blend mode, your blender will blend in short intervals in 60 seconds and there will be a unique pulsing and pausing pattern after each interval. This is meant to force all the clogged ingredients back down onto the blades to even out the blend. That being said, we don’t think this is highly necessary in making icy smoothies; frozen fruits need to blend as fast as possible, but the pausing intervals give them time to thaw and then dilute the consistency. Perhaps, the Auto-IQ technology is better for dry-grinding harder ingredients like whole ice cubes and raw nuts.
- 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.
Fibrous Greens
- Blending Time: 20 seconds
- Result: Fine
The blender’s ability to process leafy vegetables was above average. The final drink came out acceptably uniform but with a gritty texture. We don’t think you’ll get too many complaints if you run everything through a mesh strainer before drinking. Given its high-end price tag, however, we expected better results with fewer leafy chunks.
- 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.
Crushed Ice Cubes
- Ice Fineness: Coarse
- Unblended Ice: 0% of 6 oz
As a personal blender, this Nutri Ninja didn’t perform half bad, grinding 6 oz of whole ice cubes in just 22 seconds. None of the other blenders we tested could do the same; some took longer to entirely break up the ice while others were simply not powerful enough to churn through such a solid ingredient. (For example, the KOIOS Pro and the Oster)The crushed ice didn’t have a snow-like texture, but would be good enough for your cocktails.
- 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.
Ninja BL480D Nutri Personal Blender Design
- Blades (20%)10/10
- Build Quality (60%)9.5/10
- Blending Cup (20%)10/10
- Blades (20%)7.5/10
- Build Quality (60%)8.0/10
- Blending Cup (20%)10/10
In the Box of the Ninja Nutri Auto iQ Personal Blender
- Motor base
- Extractor blade
- Two blending cups
- Two to-go lids
- Recipe book & user guide
- Motor Base
- Two Blade Assemblies
- Four Lids
- Cleaning Brush
- Three Blending Cups
- Recipe book & user guide
Dimensions
- Height:14.2" (36.1 cm)
- Width:6.4" (16.3 cm)
- Weight:5.4 oz (153 g)
- Shaft Length:
The Ninja Nutri is larger and bulkier than your average single-serve blender. The motor section looks more like a full-sized countertop version, coming in at 14.5 inches tall by 6.2 inches wide. At 5.4 pounds, it’s also heavier than most, so you may find it difficult to move your blender in and out of storage.
- 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.
Build Quality
Build quality does match the price point. It’s good, with many parts — to include the entire exterior — made of anti-scratch plastic. We haven’t had to deal with problems like discoloration, paint peeling, or inner components wearing out. Additionally, the construction is sturdy enough to hold up frequent use, so you will get stable performance and consistency for many years.
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.
Blades
- Material:Stainless Steel
- Type:Cross
- Guard Material:
- Blade Count:4 blades
- Removable:No
- Dishwasher Safe:Yes
The blade features 4 hardened stainless steel prongs. It is super sharp and has a high-quality feel. Unfortunately, the blades can’t be removed from the base, so cleaning their undersides is pretty tricky.
- 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.
Ninja Nutri Auto iQ 1000 Watts Motor Base
- Rated Voltage:110 - 120 V
- Rated Power:1000 Watt
- Working Time:≤ 1 minute
- Protection:No
- Weight:4.5 lbs (2.0 kg)
- Cord Length:2.6 ft (0.8 m)
- Extra Feature:Silicon feet, cooling fan, anti-slip pads
The motor comes with many user-friendly components. They include a cooling fan to prevent overheating, suction feet to help the blender stand firm against heavy-duty tasks, and small anti-slip pads to minimize the risk of sliding on wet surfaces. We’re also impressed with the inner parts which are all well-made and detailed.
Just be aware that the motor should not run for more than one minute continuously. If your recipes demand longer than this timeframe, blending for 1-minute intervals can help you avoid overheating. In the event your machine gets too hot, a built-in thermal switch will engage and stop the motor from running. To reset, you’ll have to unplug and let it cool down for 30 minutes before blending again.
- 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.
Speed and Controls
- Control Type:Button
- Min Speed:
- Max Speed:
- Presets:No
- Noise Level:103 dB
- Digital Display:No
- Pulse Mode:No
The front interface is intuitive, featuring four buttons that correspond to four different options. As a visual aid, this model also has a digital display which indicates the elapsed blending time or counts down to the end of a preset program.
If you want continuous blending, press the Start/Stop button. To avoid chopping ingredients too finely, use the Pulse function. For fresh or softer ingredients, the Auto-IQ Blend button will help you create consistent results without relying on guesswork. There is also the Auto-IQ Ultra Blend button, which runs the blender at its fastest speed tobreak ice cubes, fibrous greens, whole grains, or frozen mixtures down to a lump-free consistency.
We found that the speed settings work very well. Each step gives you a noticeable change in power level. For the most part, however, we agree with some reviewers that it feels a bit gimmicky because single-speed blenders generally work just as well.
Note that regardless of the speed setting, this Nutri Ninja is terribly noisy. If noise is a major factor in your buying decision, this one’s not for you.
- 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.
Blending Cup
- Material:Plastic
- Capacity:18- and 24-oz
- Weight:0.5- and 0.58-lb
- Dishwasher Safe:Yes
- Measurement:No
- Suitable For:Small and medium batches
- Accessories:2 to-go lids
This set includes two blending cups which can be used interchangeably with the extractor blade. Each cup comes with a tight-seal lid featuring a flip-top spout for mess-free drinking on the go.
- 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.
Nutri Ninja Auto iQ Personal Blender Usability Review
- Hands-Free Operation (60%)10/10
- Assembly (20%)9.5/10
- Cleanability (20%)9.0/10
- Hands-Free Operation (60%)5.7/10
- Assembly (20%)10/10
- Cleanability (20%)9.5/10
Hands-Free Operation
This blender is more convenient to use than others because the cup can be locked in place; you won’t need to hold the cup continuously to engage the motor. Additionally, once activated, it draws almost everything toward its blades, creating a homogeneous mixture without extra shaking or stirring.
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.
Assembly
To set up the blender, simply attach the extractor blade to the cup, turn the whole assembly upside down, and place it on the motor base. Once the display reads “0,” press one of the buttons to start blending. When your drink is complete, simply pull the cup out from the motor base and serve. Note that you must pull with quite a bit of force compared to other blenders we tested, so it may be tougher to remove when your hands are wet or oily.
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.
Cleanability
We cleaned the cups, lids, and blade manually with soapy water, but they’re also safe to put in the dishwasher. Of all those parts, the blade’s backsides were the trickiest to clean, so make sure you have a straw-cleaning brush available.
The motor base only took us a couple of minutes to wipe down. Unplug the device and use a dish cloth dampened (but not soaked) with soapy water to wipe down exterior surfaces and the inside of the cup receptacle. We never had any leakage during our tests, so we didn’t have to contend with stubborn food on the actuator tabs or other components.
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.