The best quiet blenders – tested for early morning smoothies and noise-free entertaining

For many, blending an early morning smoothie doubles as the alarm for waking up the whole house. I've tested the best blenders in the world, which can crush and blend the toughest textures, but I've learnt that with great power comes great noise. Even well-designed models like Vitamix can reach 90–100 decibels, which is as loud as a motorcycle or a lawnmower.

At Homes & Gardens, we're morning smoothie lovers ourselves (some of us even blend at 5 am!) is why we've gone to the trouble of finding the quietest blender you can buy. Together with my team of product testers, we trialled over 50 blenders in a year to find the quietest. To earn a spot on this competitive list, we looked for models that perform powerfully, but are under 80 decibels so they don't jangle your nerves.

We found some amazing, professional-grade appliances with noise-reducing shields, but they turned out to be very expensive. Our tests revealed you don’t need to break the bank for a quiet, high-performing blender. Our top pick –the Nutribullet Flip – delivers impressive power with low-pitch noise levels for under $100. It's easy on your ears and your wallet.

The Quick List

You'll find our favorite quiet blenders in this quick list. If you want more details, we've written longer reviews further down the page.

Best quiet blender overall

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The Nutribullet Flip is a cordless blender with a double-walled, insulated stainless steel pitcher. This is designed to keep your drinks cool for up to 24 hours, but on testing, we realized it also has an amazing sound-guarding effect.

The motor is powerful, but the steel acts as a buffer, protecting your ears from the blade noise. It also alters the way sound waves travel, reducing the high-pitched noise you can experience with plastic blenders. The overall sound is less noticeable or irritating than all the other models we tested, making this a fantastic choice for early-morning smoothies. To make it even quieter, you can lift it while blending to limit vibrations from the counter. We measured between 71-73 decibels.

We loved the cold smoothies and protein shakes we made in the Nutribullet Flip. It crushed frozen fruit, nut butter, and seeds into very creamy blends. In terms of power, the 11 volts blow the BlendJet2 (our runner-up, featured below) out of the water. However, at over 3lbs, it is certainly not as compact, slender or lightweight.

Our main disappointment in the Nutribullet Flip is that it isn't versatile. Normally, we wouldn't expect a portable blender to make soup, but the insulated design got us excited. It can’t handle hot ingredients and also struggles on crushed ice, so sadly, soup and frozen margaritas are off the menu.

You can read more details in our Nutribullet Flip review.

Runner up

BlendJet markets this blender as ‘whisper quiet’, and whilst it’s not silent, it’s certainly much quieter than many other blenders on the market. Reviewers compared the noise levels to a normal conversation (64 decibels), and we found similar results on test. It's perfect for morning drinks (or even midnight snacks) without waking a soul.

Our tester Millie was pleased with the results of her smoothie-making. She says, 'The BlendJet 2 was pretty powerful, especially considering this is a cordless and quiet option. However, it did struggle a little with tough frozen fruits, kale, and blueberry skins.'

It is quieter, but nowhere near as powerful as the Nutribullet Flip above. You'll also need to recharge it daily for full power, whereas the Nutribullet Flip has forteen blends per battery cycle, so it can last a fortnight if you blend every day. The BlendJet plastic is a little flimsy, but it is lightweight, so you can pack it into your bag for the gym or office.

It just happens to be light on your wallet, too. A great choice for gym bunnies and students, since it doesn't break the bank or cause a scene in public places.

Our BlendJet 2 review has more details.

Best professional

This blender is still in our test kitchen – we've used it to make kale smoothies and crushed ice, but we have a few more tests to run it through (like nut butters and root vegetable soups). However, the technology is so exciting, it's too good not to share.

It's the largest, most powerful model on this list – with a huge 48oz capacity and 3 horsepower motor – but it is remarkably quiet. Not much louder than a normal conversation.

It's classed as a commercial blender for use in cafés and restaurants. Vitamix have created a patented, advanced noise reduction shield that takes its decibel levels down to around those of a personal blender.

Reviewers online rave about the quality and capabilities. They don't notice any compromise, enjoying the smoothest blends. I agree with their comments that it feels incredibly premium, with many people commenting they can throw ice, spinach, and ginger into the Vitamix and it quietly gets to work. It seems this model can deliver juice-bar quality smoothies without waking up the neighborhood.

High quality comes at high prices: this blender can cost up to $1,500. It also weighs more than 10 pounds, so it will have to live on the countertop year-round.

Full review coming soon.

Best for crushing ice

Crushing ice is never going to be quiet, but the Super Q makes a valiant attempt.

We're pretty sure that the Breville Super 'Q' is named after its quiet technology. There's a specially designed fan cooling system that reduces motor noise. While not whisper-quiet like the portable options on this list, it does strike a good balance between sound and power, making it one of the more tolerable high-performance blenders to operate in shared spaces (if you don't want to spend thousands on the Vitamix Quiet One, that is).

Its strength lies in professional-level performance, especially with tasks like crushing ice. The blender's 1800W motor effortlessly transforms ice into a fine, snow-like consistency very, very quickly – meaning you don't have to run it very long, which reduces the noise.

It's perfect for frozen treats or cocktails. If you're hosting a gathering, the Super Q can whip up frozen margaritas or slushies without causing a racket.

Overall, the Super Q delivers a combination of power and versatility. It's a great choice for hosts or anyone who wants to blend large batches, while keeping noise levels manageable. Even better when you can score it on sale.

Read more in our full Breville Super Q review.

Best for families

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If looks could carry a blender to the top of the list, this would have been in the top spot. Striking a perfect balance between power, usability, and stunning design, the Zwilling Enigify blender is one of our most recommended appliances for families.

Although it has a range of automatic programs that can blitz perfect smoothies, frozen cocktails, and ice cream, those are best reserved for when you are happy to make a bit of noise. This blender is quietest when used on the lower settings. You might think that limits its efficacy, but the Zwilling is famous for its high-quality stainless steel knife, which chops and slices brilliantly on every setting.

In our tests, it handled everything from frozen berries to leafy greens with ease, producing creamy, nutrient-packed smoothies the whole family can enjoy. The 64 oz. capacity is ideal for making large batches, and the simple, safe design means even kids can help out. Plus, its sleek aesthetic looks great on the counter, so you’ll actually want to leave it out for daily use.

Our only disappointment was the pulse mode – it isn't precise. We tried guacamole in the test kitchen and it was tricky to control; we ended up with a dip that was too smooth when we were aiming for something chunky and authentic. The price is pretty irresistible though, so you'd be tempted to forgive this small flaw.

Our Zwilling Enfinigy Countertop Power Blender review has more details.

Best for soup

The Dualit Hand Blender is a sleek and versatile kitchen tool. It comes with a blending wand, 1-litre blending jug, whisk, and a mini food chopper – ideal for multi-tasking in the kitchen.

We were impressed by how quiet it is, measuring just 79 decibels when blending smoothies. While the super-charged turbo mode provides an extra boost and can get a little boisterous, it remains noticeably quieter than many other high-powered hand blenders we have tested.

The wand attachment and pitcher are easy to use to blend smoothies. We made a lovely berry smoothie – it did retain a few blueberry skins and a little chia seed grit, but the results were enjoyable. It was actually better on soups and sauces, creating a very velvety sweet potato soup in the pan – without disturbing the peace in the kitchen.

Finally, the mini chopper attachment is a nice time-saver, working well on small amounts of pesto or onions, and the whisk attachment is a great addition for bakers, who want to whip cream and fluffy meringues.

Beyond performance, the Hand Blender looks stunning. I tested a copper version, which I was tempted to leave on display, it looks so fancy. Of course, a hand blender is not quite as easy as letting a countertop blender do all the work for you. It's also not as powerful at just 450 watts. However, the performance, versatility, and design combined still make this a fantastic option for quieter kitchens.

Full review coming soon.

How we test blenders

Every blender in our quietest blender guide (apart from the Vitamix Quiet One, which is still being tested) has been reviewed by members of the Homes & Gardens team. We have a series of standard tests that all of our blenders go through.

Smoothies: To test smoothies, we select the toughest ingredients. We use frozen berries, fibrous kale and spinach, which can be tough to blend into a super smooth texture. If a blender has tackled both of those well, we'll also throw in protein powder and creatine, to check whether the blender can fully incorporate the powder into a smoothie, or whether it leaves it a little lumpy.

Crushed ice: This is tough work, and not all blenders are cut out for it. If it is safe for the blender to try it, we'll give it a go. Generally, blenders will either whizz ice cubes into powders or leave them crashing around. We'll let you know all the details.

Soups: Where a blender claims to be safe for use with hot ingredients, we also make soups to put this to the test. We typically include ingredients that are prone to staining such as turmeric, taking into account if the pitcher was left stained. We'll also test root vegetables, which take longer to cook and can be tougher to blend too.

Noise level: In this guide, we are looking for quiet function, so our experts have monitored the decibel levels. We've also noted our personal reactions to the noise, too. We're conscious that you're looking for quiet blenders that don't wake up your family, disturb your neighbours, or simply whirr at a low pitch so they don't jangle your nerves. While this isn't exactly measurable in numbers, we can tell you our personal reaction and comparisons – especially since we've tested some of the noisiest blenders out there.

Cleaning a blender is a very important part of the user process, so we give extra points to blenders that can be cleaned in a dishwasher. However, some also come with self-cleaning settings that can prevent ingredients from sticking to the blades of the pitcher. We cleaned every blender by hand to see how easy this was, and if it felt safe.

Design: Once we've covered the practicalities, we will step back and take a look at the blender. We'll think about how the capacity and which homes they're best suited to. It's important that the design is attractive as well as fully functional. We'll check whether it fits under wall cupboards and under shelves too.

Our review and testing guidelines provide more insight into our process.

Meet the testing team

Lydia Hayman

Lydia is the Kitchen Appliances Editor for Homes & Gardens, testing everything from blenders and juicers to air fryers and frying pans. Lydia trained in cookery at Leiths School of Food & Wine and was previously Recipe Editor for Mindful Chef. She’s also worked for healthy food brands, like Deliciously Ella. Her favorite blender recipe is a blueberry smoothie or frozen margaritas. Lydia tests all products in her home kitchen, making sure they're perfect for real home cooks.

Camryn Rabideau

Camryn Rabideau is a product tester who has been testing small kitchen appliances (as well as other home goods) for several years. She’s tested everything from blenders and mixers to oil infusion machines. Camryn does her product testing from her small homestead in beautiful Rhode Island.

Millie Hurst

Millie specializes in reviewing blenders and mixers, and has built up a deep knowledge of the best brands. She has tested budget-friendly portable models and the largest, best Vitamixes that money can buy. All of Millie's reviews are conducted at home, meaning she uses these products in her own kitchen, the way they're designed to be used.

How to choose

Blenders are really useful kitchen appliances for when you want to whizz up smoothies, soups, or ice. The type of blender that you want will depend on what you’ll be using it for. There are a few key factors that it’s worth checking:

Power: If you’re blending frozen fruits, vegetables, and ice, it’s helpful to have a more powerful motor. Generally, for household use, a 500-800 watt blender will do the job. If you're crushing ice, anything that's over 1,000 will be able to quickly create a snowy mist. However, these tend to be louder, so it’s a balancing act if you’re looking for something quiet.

Programs: Some blenders, especially personal models and bullet blenders, have just one speed, which is fine if you're always making smoothies. However, if you need control over texture, it’s a great feature if your blender has automatic programs for different uses. They’re a helpful guide for unfamiliar users. It is really nice to have manual controls too, so that you can keep an eye on the texture of your blend.

Capacity: Whether you’re after single-serve or a more family-friendly option, consider capacity when buying. Lots of quieter options tend to be single-serve so that they don’t require a huge motor, so their capacity can be as small as 8 fl oz. If you're a bigger family, you'll be looking at a standard countertop blender which can hold between 20 and 65 fl oz. Some go even bigger, but you know your household needs better than we do.

Noise: This is a buying guide for the quietest blenders, so we'd be remiss to exclude this from one of the key decision-making factors. A quiet blender will make anything between 60-80 dB of noise, which is a range that goes from the sound of an electric toothbrush right up to a hairdryer.

Special features: The more you pay, the more you’ll get from your blender, including extra settings, extra jugs and containers, and the ability to heat up food like soup. If you're only making smoothies, this will be superfluous and a waste of money, but if you plan on making your blender your sous chef, it's worth splurging.

Value and price: You can't make an investment without looking at the price tag first. Simple models can cost less than $50, but the Vitamix in this guide is over $1,500. Make a list of the features that are non-negotiables and try not to end up spending on programs that you won't use.

FAQs

How do I make my blender quieter?

If you want to make your countertop blender quieter, you can put it on top of a dish towel or silicone mat. If you’re willing, you could buy a sound enclosure box, like this one from Amazon. It’s a good idea to ensure that you can still have easy access to your blender from this. Alternatively, blend at a different time, e.g. the night before. Although this won’t make your blender quieter, it helps avoid a loud, morning blend which could wake up the whole house.

Who makes the best blender?

Different brands make the best blenders for a range of needs. Our best blenders guide placed the Vitamix at the top of our roundup, because this brand makes powerful, effective blenders with plenty of bonus features.

Cheaper models such as Ninja have similar, but not identical results. We have compared different models in our Vitamix vs Ninja and Ninja vs Nutribullet and Vitamix vs Blendtec comparisons.

Which quiet blender is best for smoothies?

The majority of the blenders on this list can whip up a berry smoothie, no trouble at all. But if you want fibrous green smoothies and protein shakes starring healthy ingredients (think: leafy kale, seeds, and protein powders) and you want very little noise, I'd recommend the Nutribullet Flip.

Our Verdict

Blending is not a quiet process. If you don't want to compromise on power or quality, you might be better off blending the night before. However, we think that the blenders on this list strike a good balance between the different factors.

Personally, I value a zen kitchen, and I have kept the Nutribullet Flip and Zwilling Enifigy blenders in my kitchen at home. While neither is silent, I find them to be much quieter than the average blender I tested. Between them, they can tackle multiple tasks – from blending my daily breakfast smoothie to making frozen margaritas on the weekend. They are high quality and reliable, too.