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Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto-iQ (BN701) vs Cuisinart SmartPower Blender Side-by-Side Comparison

Neither the Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto-iQ (BN701) nor the Cuisinart SmartPower performed impressively, yet the Ninja's higher-powered 1200-watt motor did give it a slight performance edge.

By , , and ·Published

Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto-iQ (BN701)

Cuisinart SmartPower Blender

Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto-iQ (BN701) vs Cuisinart SmartPower Blender

Overall Verdict

Ranking by
OverallScore Performance60% Design20% Usability20% ScoreOverall 60%Performance 20%Design 20%Usability Cuisinart SmartPowe...Ninja Professional...4.83.76.07.16.56.66.16.7
Showing: 2/2 Items

Sporting a 500-watt motor, the Cuisinart produced a smooth protein shake packed with oatmeal, almond, and dried blueberries, with relative ease. However, it was incapable of crushing ice, preparing frozen fruit smoothies, and making spreadable butter. Meanwhile, the Ninja BN701 handled these challenging tasks quite efficiently, though both blenders did struggle with consistently liquifying fibrous greens.

Design-wise, the Ninja comes with a sturdier construction overall. This is especially noticeable in the Cuisinart's blade assembly base, which is made of lower-grade plastic, thus compromising its rigidity and making it prone to deformation under pressure.

Pros & Cons

  • Modern aesthetic design
  • Intuitive interface
  • Great for ice and nuts
  • Compact size, suitable for most kitchens.
  • Glass blending container can withstand high-heat blending tasks. 
  • Detachable blade assembly for thorough cleaning.
  • Good for preparing protein shakes.
  • Green smoothies a challenge
  • Subpar build quality
  • The lid is tricky to remove.
  • Stiff buttons reduce responsiveness. 
  • Blade assembly housing lacks firmness.

Key Specs

Dimensions
H17 x L6.6 x W9.3 inches
H14.6 x L8.3 x W6.7 inches
Weight
8.0 lbs (3.6 kg)
6.7 lbs (3.0 kg)
Capacity
72 oz
40 oz
Motor Power
1400 watts
500 wattages
Various Speed Settings
Yes
Yes
Pulse Mode
Yes
Yes

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$100.38
$70.55

*You help support HealthyKitchen101's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners.

Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
6.6
3.7

Smoothie

4.6
6.8
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s motor base and its container stand on a table, accompanied by a glass filled with a green smoothie. Next to it, a white paper features three distinct smoothie samples while a smartphone showcases the blending time of 4 minutes.
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s motor base and its container stand on a table, accompanied by a glass filled with a green smoothie. Next to it, a white paper features three distinct smoothie samples while a smartphone showcases the blending time of 4 minutes.
A white paper displays three smoothie samples, showcasing the consistency of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender smoothies blended for 2 minutes and 30 seconds, 3 minutes, 3 minutes and 30 seconds, and 4 minutes.
The Cuisinart SmartPower Blender motor base and its container stand on a table, accompanied by a glass filled with a green smoothie. Next to it, a white paper features three distinct smoothie samples while a smartphone showcases the blending time of 4 minutes.
The Cuisinart SmartPower Blender Smoothie Test
The Cuisinart SmartPower Blender motor base and its container stand on a table, accompanied by a glass filled with a green smoothie. Next to it, a white paper features three distinct smoothie samples while a smartphone showcases the blending time of 4 minutes.
A white paper displays three smoothie samples, showcasing the consistency of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower smoothies blended for three minutes, 3 minute 30 seconds, and four minutes.
Blending Time
3 mins
4 mins
Result
Chunky
Smooth

Frozen Fruit Smoothie

6.5
0.0
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender motor base stands beside a glass bowl which contains a portion of the smoothie it produced. Next to it, a smartphone displays a blending time of 3 minutes and 59 seconds.
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender motor base stands beside a glass bowl which contains a portion of the smoothie it produced. Next to it, a smartphone displays a blending time of 3 minutes and 59 seconds.
A sample of frozen fruit smoothie created with the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender, spread on white paper.
The Cuisinart SmartPower motor base stands beside a glass bowl which contains a portion of the smoothie it produced. Next to it, a smartphone displays a blending time of 5 minutes.
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower Frozen Fruit Smoothie
The Cuisinart SmartPower motor base stands beside a glass bowl which contains a portion of the smoothie it produced. Next to it, a smartphone displays a blending time of 5 minutes.
A sample of frozen fruit smoothie created with the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender, spread on white paper.
Blending Time
4 mins
5 mins
Result
Silky Smooth
Failed

Protein Shake

7.6
9.0
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender motor base stands beside the container. Next to it, a protein shake has been strained through a metal mesh strainer while a smartphone displays a blending time of 3 minutes 49 seconds.
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender motor base stands beside the container. Next to it, a protein shake has been strained through a metal mesh strainer while a smartphone displays a blending time of 3 minutes 49 seconds.
A mesh strainer filters a protein shake made by theNinja BN701 Professional Plus, retaining the unblended solids that fail to pass through.
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower motor base stands beside the container. Next to it, a protein shake has been strained through a metal mesh strainer while a smartphone displays a blending time of 2 minutes.
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower Protein Shake Test
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower motor base stands beside the container. Next to it, a protein shake has been strained through a metal mesh strainer while a smartphone displays a blending time of 2 minutes.
A mesh strainer filters a protein shake made by the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower, retaining the unblended solids that fail to pass through.
Blending Time
4 mins
2 mins
Result
Smooth
Smooth

Almond Butter

7.8
0.0
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus is beside a white plate containing almond butter with a spatula, blend assembly, and a smartphone revealing a blending time of 5 minutes.
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus is beside a white plate containing almond butter with a spatula, blend assembly, and a smartphone revealing a blending time of 5 minutes.
A sample of almond butter created with the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender, spread on white paper.
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower is beside a white plate containing almond butter with a spatula and a smartphone revealing a blending time of 4 minutes.
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower Almond Butter Test
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower is beside a white plate containing almond butter with a spatula and a smartphone revealing a blending time of 4 minutes.
A sample of almond butter created with the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender is beside a smartphone and the blender’s motor.
Blending Time
5 mins
4 mins
Result
Smooth
coarse

Crushed Ice

10
0.0
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender is beside a black tray containing its crushed ice.
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender is beside a black tray containing its crushed ice.
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower Ice Crushing Test
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender is beside a black tray containing its crushed ice.
The scale's screen shows 8.17 oz of uncrushed ice cubes remaining from the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender.
Ice Fineness
Very Fine
Coarse
Unblended Ice
0% of 12 oz
68% of 12 oz

Design

Overall Design Scoring
6.1
6.0

In the Box

A display of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender blender and its accessories, including the user manual and a carton box, on a table.
Unboxing the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender
A display of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender and its packaging box on a table.
Unboxing the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender

Dimensions

Illustrated dimensions of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender showing the height, length, and width in inches
Illustrated dimensions of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower showing the height, length, and width in inches.
Height
17.0" (43.2 cm)
14.6" (37.1 cm)
Width
9.3" (23.6 cm)
6.7" (17.0 cm)
Weight
8.0 lbs (3.6 kg)
6.7 lbs (3.0 kg)
Length
6.6" (16.8 cm)
8.3" (21.1 cm)

Build Quality

5.5
6.0
A closeup of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender motor base and container
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender Motor Base and Container
A closeup of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender’s motor base and container
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower Motor Base and Container

Blades

6.0
6.5
A closeup of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender stacked blade assembly
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender Stacked Blade Assembly
A closeup of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender stacked blade assembly
A closeup of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender stacked blade assembly
A closeup of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s container, stacked blade assembly, and lid.
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blade assembly
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blade assembly
Cuisinart SmartPower Blender Blades 1
Material
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel
Type
Stacked
Cross
Blade Count
6 sharp blades
4 sharp blades
Removable
Yes
Yes
Dishwasher Safe
Yes
Yes

Motor Base

A close-up of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s motor
A close-up of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s motor
A close-up of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s motor
A close-up of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s motor
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower motor base
Cuisinart SmartPower Blender Motor Base
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower motor base
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower motor base
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower motor base’s underside
Rated Voltage
120 Volts
120 Volts
Rated Power
1400 Wattages
500 Wattages
Working Time
N/A
N/A
Protection
Yes
No
Weight
5.3 pounds
3.0 pounds
Cord Length
2.8 ft (0.9 m)
3.8 feet

Blending Container

Illustrated dimensions of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender container showing the height and diameter in inches.
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender’s Container
Illustrated dimensions of Cuisinart SmartPower Blender Blending Container showing the height, depth, and width across in inches
Material
Plastic
Glass
Capacity
72 oz
40 oz
Weight
2.7 pounds
3.6 pound
Dishwasher Safe
Yes
Yes
Measurement
Yes
Yes
Suitable For
Large batches
Small to medium batches

Lid

A close-up of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s lid
A close-up of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s lid
A close-up of the damage caused by blade assembly misalignment
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower two-part lid
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower two-part lid
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower two-part lid
Material
Plastic
Plastic
Closing Type
Lock Mechanism
Friction
Features
Pouring Spout with Cap
Lid-plug

Control Panel

8.5
5.5
A close-up of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s control panel
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender’s Control Panel
A close-up of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s control panel
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Min Speed
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Max Speed
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower control panel
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower Control Panel
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower control panel
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender motor base on table, hand pressing digital tachometer attached to tripod, different blenders in background.
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender motor base on table, hand pressing digital tachometer attached to tripod, different blenders in background.
Activation
Touch button
Press-button
Min Speed
4,269 RPM
14,000 RPM
Max Speed
5,101 RPM
21,346 RPM
Presets
Yes
Yes
Digital Display
No
No
Built-in Timer
No
No
Pulse Mode
Yes
Yes

Extra Accessory

Material
N/A
N/A
Dishwasher Safe
N/A
N/A
Removable
N/A
N/A

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
6.7
7.1

Ease of Blend

6.0
6.0

Noise Level

7.1
6.2
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender is on a table, accompanied by a sound level meter displaying its recorded noise level. In the background, other blenders that we tested sit on a nearby shelf.
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender in Our Noise Level Test
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender motor base on table, hand pressing digital tachometer attached to tripod, different blenders in background.
Max Level
99.3 dB
104 dB

Assembly

8.5
8.0

Cleanability

6.5
9.0

Behind the Comparison

Headshot of Tina Pham
Tina PhamReviewer

Tina Pham is a staff writer and reviewer, with five years of experience in the industry. As a passionate amateur home cook, she loves to discover practical cooking solutions, and has made it her mission to bring her findings to every kitchen. Her ultimate goal is making cooking more of a pleasure for all.

Headshot of Lap Vo
Lap VoTest Lead

Lap is Head of the Research, Testing, and Review Team (RTR Team) at HealthyKitchen101.com, where he directs and supervises the testing of kitchen gadgets and appliances.

Headshot of Nguyen Ntk
Nguyen NtkVisual Specialist

Nguyen Ntk is a graphic designer, photographer, and videographer whose philosophy centers around respecting and celebrating the beauty of reality. Through his lenses, Nguyen strives to capture the true essence of objects and events, showcasing and highlighting authentic features without distortion or exaggeration.

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