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PopBabies Portable Blender vs. Oster My Blend Personal Blender Side-by-Side Comparison

Tina Pham
Reviewer
Nguyen Ntk
Visual Specialist
Updated
Tested Using Methodology v1.0
Updated Apr 6, 2023
Tested Using Methodology v1.0
Updated Apr 6, 2023
The PopBabies personal blender standing on a white table with a user’s manual, charging cable, funnel, ice cube tray, and paper carton box by its sides.
The Oster personal blender standing on a white table with its additional accessories, including a to-go lid, user’s manual, and paper carton box, by its sides.
Blenders type
personal
personal

Our Verdict

3.3
Overall Score
  • Performance (60%)
    2.3/10
  • Design (25%)
    5.1/10
  • Usability (15%)
    4.6/10
5.0
Overall Score
  • Performance (60%)
    3.9/10
  • Design (25%)
    6.6/10
  • Usability (15%)
    7.0/10

The Oster blender produced protein shakes with a consistency comparable to other low-powered blenders. It left a somewhat gritty texture due to partially intact dried berries, but it mostly blended oatmeal and almonds into a smooth liquid form. In contrast, the PopBabies blender resulted in disappointing outcomes with chunky and inconsistent shakes, even after blending for 30 seconds longer. 

For processing frozen ingredients, the Oster blender is a better choice than the PopBabies, which has a lower-powered motor and mediocre blade design, making it only suitable for blending fresh and soft fruits. However, neither blender performed well in blending leafy greens, leaving behind significant amounts of coarse pulp that indicated a lack of complete nutrient extraction.

It's also important to note that neither blender is designed for heavy-duty tasks like crushing ice. For better results, consider opting for a more powerful blender designed specifically for these tasks.

PopBabies Portable Blender Performance

Oster My Blend Personal Blender Performance: Limited Versatility
2.3
Performance Scores
  • Protein Shake (40%)2.8/10
  • Frozen Fruit Smoothie (30%)4.0/10
  • Fibrous Greens (20%)0/10
  • Crushed Ice (10%)0/10
3.9
Performance Scores
  • Protein Shake (40%)5.2/10
  • Frozen Fruit Smoothie (30%)6.0/10
  • Fibrous Greens (20%)0/10
  • Crushed Ice Cubes (10%)0/10
2.8

Protein Shake

5.2
A batch of protein shake prepared by the PopBabies Single-Serve Blender is checked for smoothness by being drained through a stainless steel mesh strainer, with a smartphone displaying the total blending time (3 minutes and 20 seconds) next to it.
A batch of protein shake prepared by the PopBabies Single-Serve Blender is checked for smoothness by being drained through a stainless steel mesh strainer, with a smartphone displaying the total blending time (3 minutes and 20 seconds) next to it.
Using a spoon to scoop a small smattering of dried blueberry chunks from a mesh strainer containing protein shake produced the PopBabies blender.
PopBabies Portable Blender Protein Shake Test
  • Blending Time: 3 mins 20 seconds
  • Result: Very Coarse

The testing of the PopBabies blender resulted in a disappointing outcome. Despite the blending session lasting for three minutes and twenty seconds, the oatmeal and almonds were blended well but the almonds remained largely intact, resulting in a chunky and texturally inconsistent shake.

One potential reason for this subpar testing performance is the blender's 175-watt motor, which appears to lack sufficient power to churn through such a tough ingredient. An inadequate blade design and jar shape can be factors that hinder the blender's efficiency as well. 

However, it is important to note that the PopBabies blender had a notable advantage compared to other blenders. During the test, it did not become clogged with food, allowing the blades to turn smoothly and continuously, with minimal disruptions, except for the required idle blending time. Considering this, the PopBabies seems to be not a bad choice for those seeking a quick and convenient solution to make fruity work-out treats. To ensure the best possible results, just make sure to use only soft ingredients.

Oster BLSTPB-WBL Protein Shake Video
A batch of protein shake prepared by the Oster Myblend Single-Serve Blender is checked for smoothness by being drained through a stainless steel mesh strainer, with a smartphone displaying the total blending time (2 minutes and 50 seconds) next to it.
Using a spoon to scoop a small smattering of dried blueberry chunks from a mesh strainer containing protein shake produced the Oster Single-Serving Blender.
  • Blending Time: 2 mins 50 seconds
  • Result: Coarse

The consistency of the Oster’s protein shake was about average and much in line with other low-powered blenders, such as the Black+Decker FusionBlade. After letting it pass through a mesh strainer, we found a small amount of dried berries remaining partially intact and this made the shake somewhat gritty. The oatmeal and almonds were mostly turned into liquid form, however. So overall, the beverage was still drinkable enough to help an athlete or gym enthusiast increase their muscle mass without feeling uncomfortable.   

Despite being second to none within its market segment, this blender abjectly surrendered to its higher-priced counterparts in terms of blending time. To manage an acceptable result, it took up to nearly three minutes, which was about one minute slower on average. For this reason, we only gave it a 5.2/10, in comparison to other personal blenders in our Protein Shake test.

4.0

Frozen Fruit Smoothie

6.0
A spoon of fruity smoothie packed with blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and mango made by the PopBabies  portable blender with a smartphone displaying the total blending time ( 2 minutes and 01 seconds) next to it.
A spoon of fruity smoothie packed with blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and mango made by the PopBabies  portable blender with a smartphone displaying the total blending time ( 2 minutes and 01 seconds) next to it.
To check for solid chunks, after finishing blending, the fruity smoothie made by the PopBabies personal blender is spread throughout a white paper.
PopBabies Portable Blender Frozen Fruit Smoothie Test
  • Blending Time: 2 mins
  • Result: Smooth
  • Suction:

The smoothie-making capability of the PopBabies was put to the test using four varieties of berries. Eventually, we found that this blender could achieve a smooth mixture within the allotted time of 2 minutes. That said, the final product did not meet our desired outcome of a thick, icy consistency due to the dilution caused by the fast-thawing nature of frozen fruits. Some other blenders we tested completed the task in only 1 minute so the smoothies they produced were perfectly ice-cream-like (for instance, the Ninja Fit, the NutriBullet, and the Ninja BN401)

Even worse, the blender itself couldn’t run smoothly, as opposed to the prior test with protein shakes. The fruits were so solid that the blades couldn’t power through so we had to intervene multiple times by shaking the cup vigorously. Nonetheless, we believe this blender still makes sense for all of us when it comes to preparing small batches of smoothies as long as our ideas of drinks involve fresh fruits instead of frozen ones.

Oster BLSTPB-WBL Frozen Fruit Smoothie Video
To check for solid chunks, after finishing blending, the fruity smoothie made by the Oster Myblend personal blender is spread throughout a white paper.
A spoon of fruity smoothie packed with blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and mango made by the Oster portable blender with a smartphone displaying the total blending time ( 1 minute and 40 seconds) next to it.
  • Blending Time: 1 min 40 seconds
  • Result: Silky Smooth
  • Suction:

The Oster BLSTPB-WBL did fairly well in this test, producing a result that was roughly the same as that of a higher-powered blender. So if you tend to focus on frozen smoothies, this device should be worth your consideration. Spinning at speed, we can assure you its blades will yield a silky frozen smoothie without a particularly intense struggle. Just make sure to give your blending cup a good shake once you notice any food getting stuck in the blades and prevent them from turning.

However, you might be wondering why it only got a 6/10 if its smoothie came out that good. Again, it was because of its longer-than-average blending time. 

In particular, after a course of testing trials, we found that a good blender for making icy beverages has to process all the frozen ingredients as fast as possible so they don’t have time to thaw and dilute the overall consistency. As such, the completion time of the Oster meant its smoothie was thinner and less ice-cream-like than faster models, namely the Ninja Fit or the  NutriBullet.

0.0

Fibrous Greens

0.0
A glass of water and with fibrous greens pulp produced by the PopBabies Single-Serve Blender.
A glass of water and with fibrous greens pulp produced by the PopBabies Single-Serve Blender.
PopBabies Portable Blender Fibrous Greens Test
  • Blending Time: 20 seconds
  • Result: Very Coarse

It is unclear why the PopBabies blade failed to spin at the outset of our test, but it is possible due to the small size of the blending cup and the large amount of greens we used. To get the food to circulate properly, we had to shake the cup vigorously, which was time consuming and left us underwhelmed, though, after several attempts, we finally got the blender to run for the required 20 seconds. Following this, we strained the mixture through a mesh strainer and were dismayed to find a significant amount of pulp still remained. This indicated that the blender didn’t extract the full range of nutrients and flavors from the greens. Apparently enough, if your aim is to maximize the nutritional value of your vegetables, this blender may not be an ideal choice.

Oster BLSTPB-WBL Fibrous Greens Video
A glass of water with fibrous greens pulp produced by the Oster Single-Serve Blender.
  • Blending Time: 20 seconds
  • Result: Very Coarse

With the Oster, it was definitely an undertaking to extract high-fiber food into liquid form in a short period of time (20 seconds). By our cutoff point, we drained the final mixture with a mesh strainer and ended up with a substantial amount of coarse pulp. This suggested that the test was just one-third completed. 

Perhaps, if we allowed this blender a longer runtime, we would eventually get a smoother outcome. However, one noticeable point was that some personal blenders we tested could do this trick perfectly following the same time frame. (For example, the Nutri Ninja Auto-IQ). As such, the performance of this Oster means more than just a slower extraction — it also has some implications for its overall efficiency in comparison with the expensive, high-end ones.

0.0

Crushed Ice

Crushed Ice Cubes
  • Ice Fineness: Failed
  • Unblended Ice: 100% of 6 oz

Given our experience with the blender in previous performances, it would have been reasonable to have low expectations for its capability in this test. However, we still gave it a fair shot. 

And again, this blender became obstructed by the ingredients even when we had tried hard to shake the cup repeatedly. To be fair, though, personal blenders like this one are not designed for heavy-duty tasks like crushing ice due to their lack of power. Pushing your device beyond its limits can cause wear and tear that will inevitably impact its overall performance, even in more standard blending tasks. If you want fluffy, snow-like crushed ice or desire to incorporate ice into your smoothies, it may be worth investing in a high-performance blender, such as the Ninja Nutri Auto-IQ.

Oster BLSTPB-WBL Crushed Ice Video
A black tray of crushed ice produced by the Oster Smoothie Maker Blender being on a table.
The amount of unblended ice cubes (3.91 oz) of the Oster Myblend single-serve blender displayed on a scale’s screen.
  • Ice Fineness: Chunky
  • Unblended Ice: 65% of 6 oz

The weak motor power didn’t allow the Oster BLSTPB-WBL to crush ice so the final outcome came out almost pristine but this is a common occurrence of this type of personal blender. If you want fluffy, snow-like crushed ice or desire to incorporate ice into your smoothies, we recommend more powerful blenders, like the Ninja Fit.

PopBabies Portable Blender Design

Oster My Blend Smoothie Blender Design: Eye-Catching with Standard Quality
5.1
design Scores
  • Blades (20%)6.0/10
  • Build Quality (60%)6.5/10
  • Blending Cup (20%)0/10
6.6
design Scores
  • Blades (20%)7.0/10
  • Build Quality (60%)7.0/10
  • Blending Cup (20%)5.0/10

In the Box of the PopBabies Personal Blender

In the Box of the Oster MyBlend Portable Blender
The PopBabies  personal blender lying on a table with a paper carton box, user guide, charging cable, funnel, and ice cube tray by its sides.
  • Motor base 
  • Blending cup 
  • Rubber funnel 
  • Ice cube tray
  • Charging cable
  • Recipe & user manual
The Oster Myblend personal blender lying on a table with its additional accessories, including a to-go lid, user guide, and paper carton box.
  • Motor Base 
  • Extractor Blade
  • Recipe book & user guide
  • Blending Cup

Dimensions

The PopBabies portable blender standing on a table, with the length of its motor base being noted to the side as 4.2 inches, and the total length and width of the unit as 10.2 inches and 3.3 inches, respectively.
  • Height:
    10.2" (25.9 cm)
  • Width:
    3.3" (8.4 cm)
  • Weight:
    1.3 lbs (0.6 kg)
  • Shaft Length:

The Oster Myblend personal blender standing on a gray table, with the length of its motor base being noted to the side as 7.5 inches, and the total length and width of the unit as 14.5 inches and 5.5 inches, respectively.
  • Height:
    14.5" (36.8 cm)
  • Width:
    5.5" (14.0 cm)
  • Weight:
    2.6 oz (74 g)
  • Shaft Length:

The Oster BLSTPB-WBL is 5.5 inches wide and14.5 inches tall with the blending jar attached. It’s not so bulky, but a bit taller compared to most single-serve blenders. Despite that, we believe it would fit nicely in a tiny kitchen or easily tuck away in any cabinet when it’s not in use.

6.5

Build Quality

7.0
The motor base and blending cup of the PopBabies blender.

The PopBabies blender comes across as inexpensive, with the use of cut-rate materials. There are a lot of plastic parts that look cheap and are prone to scratching. Even after taking care to avoid using abrasive cleaning tools, we found multiple little scratches appeared on both the inner and outer surfaces. We were also disappointed to find that the cup did not hold up well over time as it somehow became cloudy with use, detracting from the overall appearance of the blender. The blade is adequate for the blender's price range, but it still lacks the sturdiness necessary for consistent performance found on higher-priced models.

The motor base and blending cup with blade assembly attached of the Oster single-serve blender.

The overall build quality is more than acceptable. The whole construction is made out of plastic, except for the blending blade, which is the standard in most budget-friendly personal blenders. We can’t say for sure if such a material makes this blender less durable than the ones reinforced with stainless steel, but it surely means that your machine isn’t as steady, resulting in the fact that it will be shaky when tackling heavy-duty blends.

6.0

Blades

7.0
A close-up of the PopBabies’s blade
  • Material:
    Stainless steel
  • Type:
    Cross
  • Guard Material:
  • Blade Count:
    4 blades
  • Removable:
    No
  • Dishwasher Safe:
    No

The PopBabies features a stainless steel blade assembly that is noticeably short and not very sharp compared to other personal blenders. While it may offer some benefits, we questioned whether this design could provide sufficient contact between the blades and ingredients for quick and even blending, and our experience with the blender confirmed that it was not as impressive as it may have appeared on paper. Furthermore, the blade assembly is permanently attached to the motor base, unlike most personal blenders. This makes it more challenging to clean the blades thoroughly, especially on the undersides.

A close-up of the blade assembly featuring 4 stainless steel prongs of the Oster small blender.
  • Material:
    Stainless Steel
  • Type:
    Cross
  • Guard Material:
  • Blade Count:
    4 blades
  • Removable:
    No
  • Dishwasher Safe:
    Yes

The blade assembly looks solid, adding extra value to the overall product. That being said, it comes with dull prongs made of stainless steel, not sharp, which are typically more ideal for processing dry ingredients rather than wet mixtures.

PopBabies Blender Motor Base

Oster BLSTPB-WBL Personal Blender Motor Base
The PopBabies’s Motor Base
The PopBabies’s Motor Base
A close-up of the PopBabies’s motor base
The underside of the PopBabies’s motor base
  • Rated Voltage:
    N/A
  • Rated Power:
    175 Watt
  • Working Time:
    N/A
  • Protection:
    Yes
  • Weight:
    0.8 lb
  • Cord Length:
    NaN" (NaN cm)
  • Extra Feature:
    No

The motor has a peak power output of 175 watts. It has a 20-second idle blending time and shouldn’t run continuously for a long time per interval. In case it goes beyond the idle time frame, the blender will automatically stop and you will have to press the switch again should you want to continue blending. The safety mode is critical in preventing overloading and subsequent damage to the blender's components. Other blenders may rely on silicone feet for stability, but this model defies convention. Despite lacking this feature, we found it remained remarkably stable on the counter during all of its testing performance, with no significant movement to report. It's a small detail, but one that speaks to the blender's usability.

The motor base of the Oster personal blender standing on a white table.
The motor base of the Oster personal blender standing on a white table.
A close-up of the Oster personal blender motor base.
A close-up of the underside of the Oster’s motor base.
A close-up of the power cord sporing a 2-plug in the underside of the Oster’s motor base.
  • Rated Voltage:
    120 V
  • Rated Power:
    250 Watts
  • Working Time:
    N/A
  • Protection:
    Yes
  • Weight:
    2.2 lbs (1.0 kg)
  • Cord Length:
    2.1 ft (0.6 m)
  • Extra Feature:
    Handle

The motor peaks around 250 watts, which is sufficient to handle simple combinations of soft ingredients. In general, such a low-powered motor can only run continuously for one minute. Longer than that will result in an overloaded motor and cause it to be permanently damaged. More often than not, you can determine the maximum continuous runtime of your blender by checking its user manual. 

So far, however, we haven’t found any information about the Oster’s motor in this regard. As such, it’s uncertain if this blender has a specific maximum runtime, especially when it’s packed with a built-in thermal resettable fuse to prevent damage in the case of extreme overload. Despite that, we still recommend not running it continuously for longer than 1 minute per interval.

Another nice extra feature that you won’t find in other blenders' motor bases is the handle, which gives it much better mobility.

0.0

Blending Cup

5.0
The PopBabies’s cup standing on a table, with its dimension being noted to the side as 2.3x8.6x3.2 inches
  • Material:
    Plastic
  • Capacity:
    16.0 fl oz (473.2 ml)
  • Weight:
    0.5 oz (14 g)
  • Dishwasher Safe:
    Yes
  • Measurement:
    Yes
  • Suitable For:
    Small batches
  • Accessories:
    A funnel

The blender comes with a 16-ounce capacity cup made of AS material. After rigorous testing, we found some areas being scratched, but it didn't affect the blender's performance in any way. The cup's lid provides a tight seal that prevents leaks, even during vigorous shaking or when the cup is turned upside down. To ensure optimal safety, it's essential to keep the lid securely closed and avoid adding ingredients while the blender is in operation. Additionally, the cup's small opening can make adding ingredients a bit challenging, but the included rubber funnel helps to prevent mess and spills.

The blender cup of the Oster Myblend personal blender standing on a table with dimension measurements written to the side (4x9x3.2 inches).
  • Material:
    Plastic
  • Capacity:
    20 oz
  • Weight:
    0.3 lbs (0.1 kg)
  • Dishwasher Safe:
    Yes
  • Measurement:
    No
  • Suitable For:
    Small batches
  • Accessories:
    To-go lid

Included in this set is a 20-oz blending cup with lid. We found the lid is easy to attach to the cup, but a little bit on the firm side to unscrew. It seals the cup so tightly that you can take your favorite beverages with you wherever you’ll go without leakage. You may also appreciate its flip-top spout, which allows you to take a sip straight from the cup easily and mess-free. 

The cup, on the other hand, is not as practical. We like its beautiful and ergonomic design—which makes it feel good in our hands and ensures convenient handling—but there was always a problem getting our hands inside for cleaning due to its narrow structure.

Speed and Controls of the PopBabies Portable Blender

Speed and Controls
A close-up of the power button on the motor base of the PopBabies
A close-up of the power button on the motor base of the PopBabies
Someone is measuring the noise level of the Popbabies personal blender with the noise meter (86.4 dB).
  • Control Type:
    Button
  • Min Speed:
    N/A
  • Max Speed:
    N/A
  • Presets:
    No
  • Noise Level:
    86 dB
  • Digital Display:
    No
  • Pulse Mode:
    No

The blender features a single-speed function that can be easily activated through a touch button. While it doesn't have a dedicated pulse function, you can still achieve a similar effect by rhythmically tapping the button in short bursts. Since the button requires only slight pressure to operate, you can get control over the blending process with ease.

Someone is measuring the noise level of the Oster personal blender with the noise meter (86.1 dB).
  • Control Type:
    Twist
  • Min Speed:
  • Max Speed:
  • Presets:
    No
  • Noise Level:
    86 dB
  • Digital Display:
    No
  • Pulse Mode:
    No

As a standard personal blender, the Oster BLSTPB-WBL comes with only one speed, but you can get pulse mode by pressing and releasing the cup in short intervals.

Battery

The PopBabies portable blender and its charging cable.
  • Status Indicator:
    Yes
  • Full Charging Time:
    3-4 hours
  • Quick Charging Time:
    N/A
  • Charger Adapter:
    N/A
  • Charger Adapter Pin:
    USB-C, 5 V output
  • Charger Length:

The PopBabies is equipped with a 4000mAh rechargeable battery, which requires a 3-4 hours charging time to reach its full capacity. The package doesn't include a charger, but you can charge the blender through any USB-C port using the supplied charging cable. This provides flexibility, allowing you to charge the blender using a variety of devices, including power banks and smartphone chargers.

PopBabies Portable Blender Usability Review

Oster MyBlend Personal Blender Usability Review
4.6
usability Scores
  • Hands-Free Operation (60%)3.0/10
  • Assembly (20%)7.0/10
  • Cleanability (20%)7.0/10
7.0
usability Scores
  • Hands-Free Operation (60%)6.5/10
  • Assembly (20%)7.5/10
  • Cleanability (20%)8.0/10
3.0

Hands-Free Operation

6.5

The PopBabies personal blender simplifies the blending process by allowing users to hit the power button instead of continuously holding it, as required by most traditional personal blenders. However, the device's cross blade is prone to clogs, which may impede the blending process when using solid ingredients such as hard nuts and root vegetables. Therefore, close monitoring of the blending process is necessary to detect obstructions early and prevent damage to the device. 

In addition, the blender's automatic shut-off feature after 20 seconds of operation may inconvenience users as they have to press multiple times to resume blending, leading to a potentially impaired end-product quality. All things considered, hands-free operation alone cannot guarantee optimal convenience, and users must remain vigilant throughout the blending process.

The Oster BLSTPB-WBL allows you to lock the blending cup in place so you won’t need to continuously press it down to the motor base for activation. However, this doesn’t mean that it will get the job done without your hands involved in the blending process. If your beverage is packed with tough ingredients which are too hard for the blade to power through, thus causing it to get jammed, sometimes you’ll need to stop the blender and give its cup a good shake to even out the blend.

7.0

Assembly

7.5

Assembling the lid, cup, and motor is a simple task. Our recommendation is to attach the lid to the blending cup first, then secure the cup to the motor. However, keep in mind that the force required for tightening may pose a challenge for individuals with oily or wet hands. Furthermore, there is no audible "click" or visual cue to indicate whether the assembly was successful. The only way to know for sure is to press the power button. It's also important to note that simply tightening the cup to the motor for operation can be a safety risk, as it can easily be done by a child.

Disassembling the blender is equally effortless, just reverse the assembly process.

There’s minimal assembly required since this blender has only three parts. First and foremost, you’ll need to fasten the blade assembly on the open end of the blending cup, then turn the whole piece upside down to place it in the base. For the proper result, make sure to line up the arrows on the blade assembly to the arrows on the base. Blending begins as soon as you press the cup down, but you can also lock the cup for hands-free operation by turning it clockwise in the base, though it can take quite some time to figure out how things work.

7.0

Cleanability

8.0

The lid, funnel, and blending cup can be safely placed on the top rack, but it's recommended to wash them by hand with warm, soapy water to prevent rapid degradation. However, it can be a bit challenging, especially when it comes to cleaning the blade's undersides. The blade is permanently attached to the cup, making it difficult to clean its nooks and crannies. Not to mention, the small opening of the cup makes it hard to reach the blade. In this case, a bottle-cleaning brush is essential to ensure that the blade assembly is entirely free of any food debris.

We've also tried a water-only cleaning method, where we fill the blending cup half full with water and let it blend itself to remove food residues from the blade. However, we found that this method wasn't as effective as manually cleaning the blade under running tap water with a brush. This is especially true if you're dealing with tougher residues that the self-blending action alone can't remove.

All the parts, except for the motor base, are dishwasher safe, so simply add them to the top rack and you’ll have more time to spare for other activities. Hand washing is also nothing short of frustrating and worrisome. Make sure you have cleaning brushes handy for removing food tailings in the hard-to-reach spots of the long, narrow cup and the blade’s backsides.