9 Best Blenders in 2023 Tested and Reviewed

Benders come in various types, each of which fills a specific purpose. But whatever style you buy, a quality blender can turn a pile of dissimilar ingredients into a uniform puree in a matter of seconds, and this is just one of the many benefits that this machine offers. Whether you’re making smoothies, milkshakes, or blended cocktails, the right tool will make all the difference. And since convenience is also a major selling point, there are tons of features to choose from such as multiple speed controls, blending presets, and additional accessories.

Blenders vs. Food Processors: What’s the Difference?

When you get down to it, food processors and blenders work essentially the same way. They utilize a motor and a rotating set of blades to chop food into smaller chunks. When it comes to their output, however, the two machines serve very different purposes.

• Blenders aren’t specifically developed to help with cooking. Their tasks are to mix liquids and to purée ingredients for drinks in both home and commercial kitchens. Some high-powered models can also prepare soup, crush ice, and pulverise frozen fruits. 
• Food processors, on the other hand, shine when they're used for preparing dishes that require a particular form of chopped vegetables. They are also great tools for bakers since many are capable of kneading dough.

However, in spite of all this utility, they cannot replace countertop blenders when it comes to making the silkiest smoothies, purees, or even soups.

For more information on the differences between blenders and food processors, take a look at this article.

How We Test Our Blenders

Our reviews are based on tests we’ve done ourselves to give you a full perspective on how each blender actually works. Our recommendations are the result of extensive testing by our team of reviewers, in-house technical experts, and culinary consultants. 

We wanted our tests to reflect the blender’s practicality in a real kitchen so we developed them according to the most common use of the products. It’s also worth noting that the tests and testing parameters differ substantially among blender’s types, but all products under a single category go through the exact same series of tests. This makes it possible to compare the products side by side. 

Particularly, to test our immersion blenders, we focus on five different tests that are relevant to the functions most users may care about most. They include the Pureed Hot Soup, Frozen Fruit Smoothie, Mayonnaise, Whipped Egg Whites, and Almond Milk tests.

Likewise, all the personal blenders get a chance to show their prevalent capabilities in preparing protein shake, frozen fruit smoothie, fibrous greens, and crushed ice.

Before the actual testing takes place, we run a series of “trial tests” to check for flaws in the logic and practicality of the tests themselves, and make adjustments accordingly. During the final product testing, we record and collate all data including photographic and video evidence.

How Our Recommendations Are Made

Recommendations are based upon the resulting scores of our testing procedures. We take into account the specialized strengths of a product, the situation it’s best suited for, or the personal circumstances it is likely to best match.

Reviews of the Best Blenders in 2023

After several months putting a range of highly-rated models through a series of tests, we’re confident that our finalists are the best blenders on the market. During our tests and research, we’ve also found out all about the pros and cons of each selected item so as to alleviate your purchase anxiety.  

Let’s take a look at our recommendations now:

1. Best Overall: Vitamix 5200 Blender

The Vitamix 5200 is an excellent example of the brand’s high-quality craftsmanship. The machine wins owners over with its durability, simple controls, and powerful motor. Although it’s pricey, it’s a wise financial investment over the long run, especially given the premium construction and significantly generous warranty.

• Strong motor
• Quality materials
• Simple to use
• Good at heavy tasks
• Well-built

• Expensive
• Not dishwasher friendly

The Vitamix 5200 is 7.3 inches wide, 8.8 inches deep, and stands 20.5 inches tall with the pitcher attached. It’s a bit bulky and often too tall for the average cupboard (18 inches between the cupboard and counter is a common standard). The motor peaks around 1400 watts (2 horsepower). Together with premium stainless steel blades, this insanely powerful motor ensures the best quality of refinement, breaking down ices, whole grains, or frozen mixtures to a chuck-free consistency in a matter of seconds. 

The blender doesn’t have any preset or a pulse function, but it offers up to ten speed options, so you can easily find the desired speed depending on the recipe used. We found that range of speed works very impressively; each step up from there gives you a noticeable change in power level. This makes the blender an excellent tool for hot liquids — accelerating gently from low to high helps prevent eruptions that might send you to the burn ward!  

The pitcher holds up to 64 ounces (7.5 cups), which is enough to make 5-6 portions in one go. There’s no need to twist the pitcher to lock it onto the motor base, so it’s easy to place and remove. 

There’s a spill-proof rubber lid that fits tightly onto the top of the pitcher. In the middle of the lid is a drop-in hole so you can add ingredients mid-session. The hole also allows the tamper to fit through in order to push the contents down when needed.

Many blender pitchers are dishwasher-safe, but we don’t recommend it in this case. Instead, pour a bit of water and dish soap into the pitcher, give it a quick blend, and check to make sure everything is cleaned up well. Then wash the lid and the tamper by hand.

The Vitamix 5200 also features an overload-safety function. If the blender runs for too long or is straining too much, the motor will shut down automatically to prevent circuit damage.

The model is covered under a 7-year warranty.

Price at time of publish: $438.56

Key Specs:

• Dimensions: H20.5 x D8.75 x W7.25 inches
• Weight: 10.56 lbs
• Capacity: 64 oz
• Motor Power: 1400 Watts 
• Number of speeds: 10
• Pulse/Turbo option: No
• Min speed: N/A
• Max speed: N/A
• Max noise: N/A
• Accessories: A tamper
• Dishwasher-safe: Yes
• Warranty: 7-year

2. Best Budget: Ninja BL701 Professional Plus

If you are looking for an all-around machine but can't afford for a fancy model like the Vitamix, this blender is a perfect alternative. Given the same high-powered motor (1500-watt) and consistent efficiency, it will definitely add excellent value to your arsenal.

• Strong motor
• Good accessory package
• Competitive price
• Safety lock

• Noisy
• Cumbersome blade shaft
• Mediocre at heavy tasks

The Ninja BL701 blender offers 3 speed manual controls, 1 pulse function, and 3 presets letting you blend without the guesswork for the appropriate speed and blending time. At 17.5 inches tall, 6.75 inches wide, and 9.0 inches deep, it is pretty large so you’ll need to find an open spot. It may be best on a kitchen island or table.

Ninja’s blade system is unique. A removable shaft runs from the base to the lid. The shaft’s six blades are stacked in pairs along its length to give the machine more points of contact with your ingredients. It makes for a fearsome looking little tower inside your blender, but in return, you’ll get smoother results. On the downside, the blade assembly is only secured once the lid is fully seated. If you’re not careful, it can give you a nasty cut when removing it. This design also makes it impossible to use a spatula or tamper to manipulate ingredients while you blend. 

In terms of versatility, the Ninja BL701 is able to pulverize practically any ingredient. It even can serve as a professional mixer, allowing you to beat eggs or create cookie dough and cake batter with maximum convenience. Because Ninja’s plastic containers cannot withstand the pressure build-up from hot liquids, however, this blender isn’t intended for hot blends. 

Another drawback is its loud noise, especially when it’s crushing ice. We suspect this is due to the flimsy casing and the low-quality suction cups. For an inexpensive price, however, we cannot expect more. 

All in all, the Ninja BL701 Professional Plus is apparently not the best model available, but it offers a good balance between utility and price. In all, it’s a good piece to have. Though, the compromises made in exchange for the cheaper price is a less customer-friendly warranty, compared to the top pick.

The model is covered under a 1-year limited warranty.

Price at time of publish: $101.38

Key Specs:

• Dimensions: H17.5 inches x  W6.75 x D9.0 inches 
• Weight: 8.1 lbs
• Capacity: 72 oz
• Motor Power: 1400 Watts 
• Number of speeds: 3 
• Pulse/Turbo option: Yes
• Min speed: N/A
• Max speed: N/A
• Max noise: N/A
• Accessories: No
• Dishwasher-safe: Yes
• Warranty: 1-year

3. Best Immersion: Braun MultiQuick 5 Immersion Blender

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The Braun MultiQuick-5 is our favorite hand blender. Although it doesn’t look as attractive as the Vitamix 5-speed, which is expected given its lower price, it stands out from the others in its range with some unique components. 

In particular, we like that its handle is ergonomically designed and coated with a distinguishable rubberized layer. No immersion blenders we’ve tested come with this nice feature. That’s why, throughout all of our tests, the Braun MultiQuick-5 provided greater handling comfort even when our hands were wet or greasy. 

Besides being of a standardized quality in terms of build, this blender’s performance is also praised for its surprisingly smooth results. Sporting a 350-watt motor, it had more than enough power for our blending tests. All of its outcomes, from ground nut-milk to pureed soup and frozen fruit smoothies, were delivered smooth and flavorful. 

With the handy whisk attachment, it also did a good job of beating egg-whites and emulsifying sauces. Yes! You didn’t hear wrong. Despite costing about half the price of the Vitamix 5-speed, this blender does come with a good range of accessories, including a beaker and a dishwasher-safe whisk attachment. 

The only drawback is that both operation buttons demand a relatively high pressure to activate, which may be trickier for those with weaker hands or long nails. 

In the end, the Braun MultiQuick-5 is a fun and efficient immersion blender, with something for everyone's taste.

The model is covered under a 3-year limited warranty.

Read our full Braun MultiQuick 5 Hand Blender In-depth Review.

Price at time of publish: $62.87

Key Specs

4. Runner-Up Immersion: Vitamix 5-Speed Immersion Blender

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The Vitamix is an extremely powerful, versatile piece of hardware. Many cooks choose hand blenders for their portability, but we love it in particular because it gets the job done quickly and conveniently. In our testing, it won hands down over other blenders in terms of efficiency and usability, churning out a velvet puree soup, a smooth frozen smoothie, a drinkable almond milk, and a silky mayonnaise without even a struggle. 

In the box, you’ll find only two items: one hand motor and one stainless steel blending wand. The moment we had a hands-on go with these components, their solid construction implied that it was worth the money. The hand motor is 625 watts, works consistently, and is more powerful than most, while the blade of the wand is exclusively designed with four prongs instead of two. That special design allows it to have greater contact with the ingredients, thus promoting more even results.

At this price range, you may dream of further accessories like a beaker, a whisk, and a food processor, and this is for a good reason. In our series of hands-on testing, the lack of extra blending tools did impair this blender’s overall capability. Although its blending shaft was excellently capable of emulsifying sauce, it couldn’t produce a proper beaten egg-white. Nevertheless, when it comes to standard capabilities of an  immersion blender, this Vitamix proved itself to be the best option over others.

At 3.2 pounds, the whole machine is relatively heavy, but we found it didn't fatigue our hands even when in a prolonged blending procedure. This was not only because of its ergonomically-designed handle, but also because its motor ran very smoothly. Throughout all of our tests, we didn’t experience any difficulty in switching between 5 speed settings or maneuvering the blending wand. 

Moreover, unlike others, it comes with a bell guard made of silicone rather than hard metal, which is designed to protect the blending surface from being damaged. That said, it is not dishwasher safe and if you lift it out of the liquid, or even near the top, it’s a sure bet you’ll end up with a little mess. 

The model is covered under a 3-year limited warranty.

Read our full Vitamix Immersion Blender 5-Speed In-depth Review.

Price at time of publish: $146.87

Key Specs

5. Best Personal: NutriBullet Pro 900W Personal Blender

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If you’re leading a fast-paced life, the NutriBullet Pro should be a practical addition to your kitchen. Among the best bullet blenders, this machine can handle a range of tasks in a fast and simple way. Whether we tested it for pulverizing frozen fruits or for crushing whole ice cubes, everything was churned out to perfection. We also found that the quality blades working together with the 900-watt motor could chop food so nicely that you might not need a stand-alone food processor. 

Combining the motor and the 32-ounce jar, the NutriBullet Pro is still only 14.7 inches tall. So even if you have a low-hanging cabinet, there should be enough vertical space to tuck it under the cabinet when it’s not in use. The base is just 5.4 inches wide so it should fit nicely, even in a small kitchen.

To use the machine, all you have to do is push the container down onto the base to activate the motor. If you want it to run without involving your hands, there’s a lock-in feature so you won’t have to hold it down continuously. 

In terms of accessories, there are one additional 32-ounce cup, two on-the-go lids, two cup rings, and 2 handled cup rings, so you can take your drink with you on the go and sip it directly from the cup. Several owners have shared their love for the lip rings. They say covering the thread really makes things less annoying and prevents spilling. As a bonus, it also means fewer glasses afterward.Just prepare yourself a roomy storage space for all those things. 

The model is under a 1-year limited warranty.

Read our full NutriBullet Pro 900 W Personal Blender In-depth Review.

Price at time of publish: $87.62

Key Specs

6. Runner-Up Personal: Ninja Fit QB3001SS Personal Blender

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The Ninja QB3001SS Fit is affordable, easy to use, and functional. That’s a tough combination to beat. If you’re looking for a quality personal blender at a moderate price, this is a good one to consider. Although it didn’t produce the absolute smoothest smoothies or protein shake in our tests, it worked well for an inexpensive price, if not outperformed most with the stable performance. 

This Ninja QB3001SS Fit is more compact than the NutriBullet Pro, only about 13 inches tall and 4.5 inches wide, so it may fit right on your kitchen counter even if you’ve got little room. Plus, thanks to the slim profile, it’s easy to find a spot in the cabinet to put the unit away.

The base is a 700-watt motor. It isn’t terribly strong, so the manufacturer suggests that you add liquid every time you blend— even if it’s with soft fruits or vegetables. Surprisingly enough, however, in the final testing round, we found this blender didn’t have any difficulty in crushing whole ice cubes; it turned 6-ounce ice into the perfect snow-like consistency without even a struggle. 

The Ninja QB3001SS Fit works simply by placing the jars with the blade assembly on top of the motor base, then pushing down it continuously to activate the motor. Unlike the NutriBullet Pro, this blender doesn’t allow for hands-free operation.

The blender is under a 1-year limited warranty.

Read our full Ninja Fit Personal Blender In-depth Review.

Price at time of publish: $60.22

Key Specs

7. Best Small: Oster Blender Pro 1200 with Glass Jar

The Oster Pro is moderately versatile at 1200-watt. Measuring about 14 inches tall, it’s the most compact conventional blender on our list. Despite the smaller size, however, the blender compares well with its larger counterparts, turning our frozen fruits into silky beverages without leaving behind unprocessed chunks.

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• Dual-direction blade technology
• Extra wide base
• One-touch controls
• Compact design
• Inexpensive

• Plastic construction

The Oster Pro is moderately versatile at 1200-watt. Measuring about 14 inches tall, it’s the most compact conventional blender on our list. Despite the smaller size, however, the blender compares well with its larger counterparts, turning our frozen fruits into silky beverages without leaving behind unprocessed chunks. 

Still, the whole construction of the Oster Pro is plastic. This makes it less aesthetically appealing, in our opinion. From a functional point of view, however, the blender beats out its competitors in this price range, though it may not be as durable as the Vitamix or Ninja. It also works slower due to the weaker motor, though, the difference in blending time is pretty inconsequential.

With an advanced 6-point blade system and powerful dual-direction motor, it chops, grinds, and shreds food pretty well. The wide, 48-ounce container lets food fall to the base rather than getting stuck on the walls, and an innovative design prevents it from sticking to the bottom as well. 

As stated by the manufacturer, the Oster Pro cannot heat food through friction from the blades, but it’s able to handle hot liquid without building excessive pressure and posing a danger to the user. Just remember to remove the filler cap from the lid to vent steam.  

Besides manual speed settings, the user-friendly control panel also features several programmed settings. These are timed programs that run at predetermined speeds, and are intended for specific recipes like salsas, milkshakes, and smoothies. 

The Oster Pro includes a 24-ounce to-go jar with a spill-proof lid. It can be paired with the removable blade assembly for the blending step. Then hit the road using that jar as your cup. All you’ll have to clean are the blades and the cup itself. 

The Oster Pro is covered under a 3-year limited warranty.

Price at time of publish: $82.74

Key Specs

• Dimensions: H11.2 x W10 x D13.6 inches 
• Weight: 7 lbs
• Capacity: 48 oz
• Motor Power: 900 Watts 
• Number of speeds: 3 
• Preset: 3 
• Pulse/Turbo option: Yes
• Min speed: N/A
• Max speed: N/A
• Max noise: N/A
• Accessories: No
• Dishwasher-safe: Yes
• Warranty: 3-year

8. Best Ninja: Ninja BL660 Professional Countertop Blender

The Ninja BL660 is the less expensive version of the Ninja BL770. It nevertheless still manages to pack a powerful motor, a pitcher, and on-the-go cups while maintaining an affordable price tag.

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• Sufficient power
• Dishwasher safe
• Competitive price
• Safety lock

• Can be noisy
• Mediocre at heavy tasks

Powering the whole blender is an 1100-watt (1.5-HP) motor base. It allows you to switch between 3 speeds, 1 pulse function, and 1 single-serve preset— which is designed for the single-serving jars. 

The blender comes with one 72-ounce (9-cup) pitcher with a lid that’s part of the safety mechanism: if the lid is not secured in place, the motor won’t start. There are also two 16-ounce jars, two to-go lids, and a screw-on conventional blade.

Unlike the jars, the pitcher uses a removable blade hub. It works well with loads that take up more than half the capacity. If the batch is too small, though, the results are likely to come out more chopped than blended.

To clean the parts, you should blend warm water with a few drops of dish soap. All of the blender’s removable parts are also dishwasher-safe if you prefer. And whatever you do, watch yourself around the blades— they are extremely sharp.

The model is under a 1-year limited warranty.

Price at time of publish: $112.72

Key Specs

• Dimensions: H17 x W8 x D6 inches
• Weight: 7.6 lbs
• Capacity: 72 oz
• Motor Power: 1100 Watts
• Number of speeds: 3
• Preset: 1
• Pulse/Turbo option: Yes
• Min speed: N/A
• Max speed: N/A
• Max noise: N/A
• Accessories: No
• Dishwasher-safe: Yes
• Warranty: 1-year

9. Best Commercial: Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Smart Blender

Solid construction, intelligent design, and an exceptionally powerful motor are advantages that make the Vitamix A3500 a great companion for foodservice operators. Featuring a 1640-watt (2.2 horsepower) motor with ten speed controls, this blender will mix smoothies, crush ice, or grind almonds without any hassle.

• Sturdy and powerful
• Built-in timer
• Stylish control panel
• Self-detect wireless technology

• Pricey

The touch-sensitive control panel consists of an intuitive display, five blending presets, a speed dial, and a pulse option. It also has a built-in timer, allowing you to set the blending time yourself. This can help you avoid under- or over-processing your food. Just activate the timer and the blender will shut off automatically once it reaches the preset time. 

More impressively, the blender can automatically adjust its settings to optimize itself for different pitcher types. However, this is only an issue if you buy those extra pitchers separately, and they’re expensive in and of themselves. 

The pitcher is made of plastic but it doesn’t feel flimsy. At 64 ounces, it can keep up with demand for many kinds of applications. Developed with easy cleaning in mind, the pitcher can self-clean quite effectively too.

Just pour in some water mixed with a bit of dish soap and run the blender at high speed. The process will clean the blade and the inside of the pitcher without the need to remove the retainer nut and blade assembly. 

The pitcher’s attractive transparent lid has two clips on each side to create a tight seal and prevent leakage. As a nice bonus, there is a fill cap in the middle of the lid. This add-on is removable and marked so you can use it as a measuring cup or take it out for when you want to add ingredients or use the tamper. 

Be aware that the machine isn’t intended to run continuously for more than one minute when used to make nut butter or oil-based food. The prolonged operation can overheat the motor. Plus, if you are accustomed to a basic blender, you may find yourself confused by these touch pads. Once you get the hang of it, though, using the Vitamix A5300 can be a delightful experience. 

With an exception of a tamper and cookbook, the machine doesn’t come with any additional accessories.

The Vitamix A3500 is covered under a 10-year limited warranty.

Price at time of publish: $618.84

Key Specs

• Dimensions: H17 x W11 x D8 inches 
• Weight: 14.9 lbs
• Capacity: 64 oz
• Motor Power: 1440 Watts 
• Number of speeds: 10 
• Preset: 5 
• Pulse/Turbo option: Yes
• Min speed: N/A
• Max speed: N/A
• Max noise: N/A
• Accessories: A tamper
• Dishwasher-safe: Yes
• Warranty: 10-year

Nearest Competitors

A few quick notes on other blenders we tested:

• BELLA 10-speed: If you’re looking for a medium-quality immersion blender at a moderate price, we recommend this model. Although its testing performances didn't match those of the Vitamix 5-speed or the Braun MultiQuick-5, they were adequate enough to meet our expectations. 
• KitchenAid KHBBV53: This is among the best cordless immersion blenders we’d experienced with. It performed quite similarly to the BELLA 10-speed, except for the worse performance of beaten eggs due to the lack of the included whisk attachment. 
• Ninja BL480D Nutri: In a battle of high-range personal blender, this machine lost to the NutriBullet Pro in all testing rounds, but the products it produced were more than acceptable, if not being among the smoothest. Still, at 90dB, the blender is quite loud while operating. 
• KOIOS Bullet: Mid-range personal blenders come typically with shortcomings, but we still recommend this KOIOS since it had the fewest standard issues as tested and except for crushing ice cubes, it handled our tasks pretty well, churning out the combinations of frozen fruits, protein shake, and fibrous greens that were all smoother than most in the segment.

Things to Keep in Mind When Buying a Blender

While price and brand are essential components when choosing a product, we also focused on things that directly impact the overall performance. They include the machine’s functionalities, construction, ease of use, and safety. 

Plus, remember that some models will give you a polished finish and proper performance, but lesser convenience compared to premium ones. So we confirmed that buying the best blender is not just a matter of preference, but also of need and budget. 

Below are some points that we’ve always kept in mind when looking for a blender.

1. Types of Blenders

There are hundreds of blender models which can be categorized into three main types: full-sized, immersion, and personal blenders.

Full-Sized Blender

Full-sized blenders, particularly the more powerful models, can cater to most of your daily needs. They have the strongest motors and can handle heavy tasks without overloading the motors or harming their structure.

As multiple-serve units, a full-sized blender’s pitcher capacity ranges between 40 ounces and 80 ounces. Even the lower end of that spectrum is enough to make drinks for many people at once. For commercial applications, though, it’s usually best to choose a blender with at least a 64-ounce capacity. 

Full-sized blenders vary in size. Some are about 14 inches high while others may be over 17 inches. The tallest that we’ve seen was 20.5 inches, which is too tall to fit under most upper-level cabinets. You may need to store it on an open island or a section of counter without cabinets above.

Immersion Blender (Hand Blender)

Immersion blenders are compact hand-held devices ideal for preparing quick meals. Although they may not do a good job of blending tough ingredients, they handle almost all types of fruits or veggies for your soups, sauces, and smoothies pretty well.

Unlike the other types, immersion blenders can work with any container, so the blending volume is not a limiting factor. Since they require more physical effort to use, however, choose one with a reasonable length (usually 9 to 13 inches) and a motor weight that you find comfortable. 

There are a few hand blenders that may be longer than 15 inches. That length allows them to easily reach to the bottom of deep pots, but also makes them more cumbersome to maneuver. 

Personal Blender

Personal blenders are more specialized in purpose: they’re designed to make single-serve smoothies or protein sharks. Due to their weaker blending power, they shouldn’t be used for tough jobs like crushing frozen fruits.

Personal blenders don't take up as much space as conventional ones, usually coming in at about 13 to 16 inches tall. They are typically more affordable, too.  But this also means that they will come with lower-capacity pitchers (from 16 to 24 ounces) which are as compact as travel mugs and often fit well in most car cup holders. 

Here’s a table to help you understand the primary differences between the three types of blenders.

*N/A: It depends on the container. 

2. Power and Rotation Speed 

Rotation speed correlates primarily with the motor’s power. Stronger motors yield greater rotation speed, promoting shorter blending times and finer blended results. 

Blenders with less powerful motors — on the order of 600 watts — can handle light drinks very efficiently. Since these units top out at slower spin speeds (20,000 RPM), however, they usually aren’t very good at crushing ice or grinding solid foods.

Mid-powered blenders with motors in the 1100-watt range rotate at 21,000 to 24,000 RPM. They do a fine job at heavier tasks. The blending process may take more time compared to what higher-powered motors can deliver though.

Blenders powered by motors of over 1500 watts may have a rotational speed of up to 40,000 RPM. This allows them to process things that most lower-powered motors cannot. Besides offering a longer lifespan, they’re also exceptional in another way: friction from that raw speed can actually heat your food. 

3. Blades 

Although blender blades are always constructed of hardened stainless steel, certain designs are tailored to work better on specific ingredients. 

Most countertop blenders have blades that sit just above the bottom of the container, either permanent or removable. Such blades come in two varieties: cross-bladed and flat-bladed. 

• Cross blade: The blade has four or six prongs specially designed for chopping, grating, and wet blending. More prongs means more food makes contact at a time, producing finer blended results. 
• Flat blade: The blade has two dull prongs that are tilted slightly upwards. This design is able to grind harder ingredients like rice, ice cubes, or whole grains, and helps cycle all the ingredients around the container.

There is also a very different type of blade assembly found exclusively in Ninja-brand conventional blenders, such as the Ninja BL660. This assembly has 6 stacked blades affixed to a plastic shaft that runs from the base to the lid.

This unusual design ensures greater contact between blades and ingredients all the way from top to bottom. But it also makes the whole assembly a laceration risk if you aren’t careful when removing the blade or if the lid is not locked in place correctly. 

Note: Blenders with fixed blades are less likely to leak, but they may be trickier to clean by hand.

4. Speed Control 

If you buy a personal blender, choose one that only has one speed setting. That style is usually cheaper, has a no-frills user interface, and is easiest to use.

A few models allow for hands-free operation by offering additional presets and a button for a Pulse function. But since the main task of personal blenders is nothing more than creating a contained mess out of soft ingredients, the option for multiple speeds is a bit extraneous.

Conventional and immersion blenders are another matter entirely. They’re made for many different types of blending, so it’s best when they have a wide range of speeds. This ensures you can easily find the right speed for your recipes.

Some models can also come with blending presets, which are combinations of specific speeds and times for common recipes like smoothies, hot soup, or dips & spreads. However, as claimed by several users, these functions do not produce purees as smoothly as when they control the speed and time manually.

Blender controls vary depending on the model, which may include push buttons, analog knobs, or touchscreens. They all get the job done just fine, so which you choose is likely up to your preference. 

5. Pitcher (Jar) Materials 

Blender pitchers are usually made of glass or plastic. 

Glass, in general, is cheaper. It’s dishwasher-safe and equally compatible with cold and hot ingredients. But low-quality, thin glass can shatter easily, making it rather risky. If you choose a glass pitcher, get one with thick walls; it will be heavy but much more resilient.

Many manufacturers choose to go with high-end plastics instead, because they’re lighter, safer, and more durable. However, they can get expensive, and some are not dishwasher-friendly. Make sure to read the blender’s documentation so you know what to expect.

The Best Blender Brands

There are so many blender choices available in the market these days. The question is which brand should you buy for the best value. Below we highlight five well-known blender brands to narrow down your options.

1. Vitamix

Vitamix blenders surpass all others in terms of quality, reliability, and performance. Founded in 1921, until now, the company has launched a series of models. Thanks to the usefulness and added convenience, all Vitamix blenders are exceptional performers with their long lasting gleaming and gleaming modern appearance.

Compared to others, they are more expensive with prices beginning in the $350 range. However, that extra cost might ensure sustainable performance and a lifetime of service.

The biggest selling point could be that most new Vitamix blenders come with a limited warranty of seven years starting from the date of purchase. According to the warranty policy, Vitamix will warrant to the buyer in case a motor blender, base, and any containers purchased together fail due to a defect in material or workmanship or as a result of normal wear and tear from ordinary household use.

2. Ninja Kitchen

Ninja blenders are designed in the USA and assembled in China. They’re built with the desire to make healthy eating affordable and convenient. Although each series has its own specific merits and downsides, they all have tons of power and are appropriate for a variety of tasks, like chopping veggies and blending smoothies.

Most of the blender’s components use plastic materials. This explains why they are at a much lower cost (from $90 to $160) than the fancy Vitamix. However, every single Ninja model is always of great quality and outstanding performance.

At the moment, Ninja Kitchen offer 5-7 years of warranty for all their orders to make sure that they can go with you for years to come.

3. NutriBullet

With 40 millions customers worldwide, NutriBullet is widely known for producing portable blenders. Developed by NutriBullet LLC company, these mini countertop blenders cost around from $80 to $150.

4. KitchenAid

KitchenAid is a famous brand based in America, when it comes to kitchen appliances. Since 1919, they have launched many great products from stand mixers to countertop blenders.

To distinguish themselves from others, KitchenAid blenders feature many exclusive features, such as the Intelli-Speed Motor Control and the Diamond Blending system.

More impressively, all are eligible for free shipping policy and are available in many colors, for example the KitchenAid KSB1575ER.

5. Breville

Founded in Australia in 1932, Breville is another famous brand in this industry. Their products have been travelling in over 70 countries around the world.

Breville blenders have three versions: personal, immersion, and multipurpose blenders. They usually costs around $200-$400.

Why Trust US

We purchase all the blenders of our own accord and for testing purposes only. We do not procure sponsorship or donations and have no stake in the reputation of the brands. 

Our testing procedures are data-driven, transparent, and collaboratively developed. We establish most testing procedures in house, but we consult with outside experts when necessary. Each test is rigorous and transparent; we detail the process, provide the data, and present evidence.

Since we are testing kitchen equipment, we have a team of professional cooks that help us evaluate the results of tests, including taste-testing where necessary.

Our Expertise 

Tina has been a seasoned tester at Healthy Kitchen 101 since 2018, with a wealth of experience in different types of blenders, including immersion, personal, and full-sized models. Her most recent testing initiative was a result of her collaboration with Chef Tuyet Pham and Test Lead Lap Vo, where they conducted in-depth research, approach development, and recipe testing.

Over the course of two years, Tina and her team have tested more than 35 blenders using a combination of laboratory-style testing and real-world usage scenarios. Their methodical execution and attention to detail resulted in accurate and reliable testing results.

Conclusion

These reviewed models are built with the latest technologies and high-quality materials for optimum performance and longevity. If you are a beginner looking for the best blender, we recommend that you should find something that looks good, works simply, and adds value to your money.