Portable blenders are the perfect balance of practicality and versatility. Whether you're shopping for a gym enthusiast, student, busy professional, or keen hiker, they make an excellent health-focused gift under $100.
As a kitchen product tester and health-conscious person, I love starting my day with a fresh smoothie – especially one I can whip up quickly and take to work. It’s just as essential as the best portable coffee cup.
So far, as a team of product testers, we've trialled 12 portable blenders. We tested cordless, battery-operated models, so you can blend on the go. Then, we tested more powerful countertop models with portable blending pitchers that you can slot into your bag. Just like when testing the best blenders of 2024, we blended fiber-rich smoothies, crushed ice, and creamy dips. We also tested how easy they were to pop into your bag without leaking.
We’ve narrowed the list to six top picks from brands like BlendJet, Nutribullet, KitchenAid, and Cuisinart. The standout? The Ninja Blast – a perfect blend of power, cute design, and portability.
Holiday deals on the best portable blenders
If you're looking for a small but practical gift—or planning to kickstart a healthier lifestyle—there are still a few great deals on our favorite portable blenders. The Ninja Blast is currently available at its Black Friday price, but this 'limited deal' won't last long, so grab one while you can!
The quick list
If you want a little blender for mixing smoothies and shakes on the go, this is the best option. We carried one around in a bag for months; it never leaked. Plus, we love the fun colors.
A inexpensive blender that's perfect for taking to the gym or on your commute. It excels on protein powder. It's ultra-lightweight and the quietest blender we've ever tested.
This bullet blender can tackle ice, frozen fruit, kale and seeds. It will stand the test of time. It's not cordless, but it comes with sealable lids for sipping on-the-go.
Another countertop model – but it's sleek, modern and versatile. We loved the leak-resistant blending vessels that double as travel bottles. They are dishwasher safe, which is convenient for everyday use. The blender itself is on the large side, however.
A portable blender that's excellent for dips and salsas. As a chef, this one's my favorite. You can use it at the outdoor grill or dinner parties to make fresh sauces.
It's big, powerful, and completely cordless without being too bulky or heavy. It serves two people, so it's a good investment for a couple of campers, hikers, or gym-goers.
Best portable blenders 2024
You can trust Homes & Gardens. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing the latest products, helping you choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Who (and what) is a portable blender for?
Fitness enthusiasts & gym-goers: You can quickly make protein shakes or smoothies before/after workouts. No kitchen required.
Busy professionals: I know first hand, it can be hard to prioritise health when you're busy. A portable blender helps out with healthy drinks during commutes or office breaks, so you don't reach for unhealthy snacks.
Hikers & campers: Cordless models are compact and lightweight, so you can make fresh drinks away from a plug.
College students: Very convenient for small dorm rooms. My sister uses the Ninja Blast for easy, healthy breakfast on the way to early classes.
Parents with young children: You can easily blend baby food or smoothies while out and about with a cordless model.
Small space dwellers: Ideal for small kitchens, apartments, or dorm rooms. You can tuck them away in a drawer when needed.
Frequent travelers: If you travel a lot, you don't have to leave your healthy routine behind. You can add a cordless model to your luggage.
Best portable blender overall
It takes a lot to earn the top spot in our buying guide and the Ninja Blast has recently taken the crown from Cuisinart's Evolution X. Why? It has a bigger capacity, liquid measures on the pitcher, it's lighter, smaller, and better value.
When we first opened this in the test kitchen, our experts were struck by how well-designed the Ninja is. It's slim enough to sit in any water bottle holder (both in backpacks and car cup holders), available in a range of fun colors, and has a useful flip-top lid that doesn't drip or dribble.
We put it through our standard range of tests. We made a smoothie with green spinach, frozen raspberries, bananas, and frozen blueberries. The results were smooth, although we did find the odd lump of frozen strawberry leftover.
Alex, one of our experts, has been using this in his home ever since and says, 'it's remained consistent and impressive. I regularly add a scoop of protein powder and creatine to my smoothie mix and the Ninja doesn't struggle to keep the mixture silky rather than lumpy.'
What our experts are most excited by is the ice-crushing capacity. Given the shape, size, and power of the Ninja, we didn't initially have high hopes for how well the Ninja could handle ice, but this did a great job both in our tests and back at Alex's home.
Overall, it's easy to use and easy to clean – you just add a little dish soap into the blender with water and press start, and it does a pretty good job cleaning up, even if you've left shake residue in there for a couple of hours. Alex also liked the screw-on bottom, which means you can take shakes on the go without taking the blades and motor with you. This also passed our commute test.
However, it's definitely not perfect. Like most portable blenders, it struggles to process seeds. It's also not as good as a countertop blender for making dips; it made a serviceable hummus, but not a great one. It's also fairly tall, so while it's actually a little more compact than the Evolution X, it's definitely better suited to a backpack than a handbag.
There's more information in our Ninja Blast review.
Best portable blender for the gym
If you'll mostly be using your blender for protein shakes, it's important that it can a) make a good smoothie and b) incorporate powders without it going lumpy. Of all the models that we tested, the BlendJet was easily the best.
Whilst the Ninja did a good job of protein shakes, the BlendJet takes the edge on creating an ultra-smooth texture. It's also smaller, slimmer, and easier to fit into your gym bag and car cup holders. We gave it a test for how well it fares in backpacks during peak commuting time, throwing a full blender around in the bag and it didn't leak a drop. So, all your electricals will be safe beside it.
Our smoothie test is also tougher than the average and the BlendJet sped through it. We gave it fibrous spinach, frozen, seedy berries, ice, and oats, all of which whizzed away to almost nothing. If we're being picky, there was a hint of blueberry skin textures left behind, but it wasn't any more than we would expect from a portable blender.
When we added a scoop of BlendJet's protein powder we made the perfect protein shake. There weren't any lumps at all. We also loved the pulse mode, which makes light work of thicker, dried ingredients. We also used it to make pancake batter, again a mix that risks getting lumpy, and it excelled. The only thing to note is that this might need a little shake as it blends to make sure that all the drink is reaching the blades.
Our BlendJet 2 review has more information.
Best value portable blender
This isn't the classic portable blender: it's bigger than a water bottle, needs to be plugged in, and it's a lot more powerful. We've included it in this guide because Nutribullet sends sip-style lids that screw onto the blending cups, transforming them into a bottle that you can take with you on the go.
I've had the Pro 900 for years and I honestly can't ever see myself switching. It fits neatly into my compact kitchen, is available in a range of colors, and it feels more versatile than any of the other models in this guide. Not only does the sip-style lid make it easy to travel with your smoothie, but the blending cups come with 18 oz, 24 oz, and 32 oz capacities. You can make a small serving for yourself, or a bigger portion that you store in the refrigerator with the help if Nutribullet's screw-on lids.
We put this through our classic smoothie test, which tells us how well the Pro 900 can handle tough spinach, frozen, seedy strawberries, tough blueberries, oats, and almond milk. I've thrown kale, seeds, and nut butter into my smoothies too and it's never let me down. Every smoothie I make is super smooth and expertly blended. It's arguably the best of the bunch, but the reason it's below BlendJet and Ninja is because it's so much bigger and heavier. This is the blender for people who put performance first.
Although simple to operate, the bullet-style blender shape can be a little limited on less watery mixes. For example, this can make good hummus, salsa, nut butter, and guacamole, but it's not always consistent across them all. I don't have to interfere with making salsa and guacamole, but the nut butter and hummus always need me to lift the blending cup, mix the ingredients around, and then set it running again.
When you're done with the Pro 900 everything but the blades themselves can go through the dishwasher, and it's easy enough to clean the blades under running water after your drink is finished. The only thing to note is that this isn't a blender that you can take with you on the go. What's more, it only has a single speed, so if you want to get creative with a recipe you might be a little stuck. We also found that when we tried it on sauces and dips like hummus it left a little to be desired.
Our full NutriBullet Pro 900 Series Blender review has more details.
Best portable blender for dips
Cuisinart was at the top of the game for portable blenders and the EvolutionX once sat in the top spot for our buying guide for a long time. It's completely cordless, looks really premium, and tackles tough ingredients without breaking a sweat. We gave it weeks of testing, making smoothies, frappés, frozen cocktails, and even hummus and salsas. It's arguably the most versatile of the selection, so if you want an option to replace your standard blender in the kitchen, this is perfect for you.
We quickly learned that, whilst this is thorough, it does require a little more prep than all the other models. We tried blending half a frozen banana in our smoothie test and it just got stuck. You'll need to chop some of your fruits into inch-sized chunks before throwing them in. Once your ingredients are in the blender, it's brilliant – especially for more complex, ingredient-rich recipes like dips. We made pancake batters and protein shakes, both of which can get a little lumpy if not well mixed. The EvolutionX was fantastic, even though it only has a single-speed, each mix was silky smooth. The travel lid is airtight and leak-proof. Even in a handbag, jostled around on the subway, our protein shake didn't leak or spill. I found the lid especially useful for making pancakes. The lid sits back and out of the way, ensuring a steady, even pour into the saucepan. It gets a proper chef's kiss.
What we were most surprised with was how well it crushes ice. This rivals the Ninja Blast (which is in our top spot right now) for its power. In fact, these are in the select few portable that can actually handle big ice cubes. It was unexpected given the preparation that fruits needed for blending, but we won't complain.
The final thing to note is that this won't work when it's charging, so you have to plan out when you'll use it ahead of time, and while the twenty-minute charge was great for occasional use, you might find it a little lacking for everyday use.
Our Cuisinart EvolutionX Cordless Blender review has more information
Best portable blender design
If you've got space for a countertop blender, but portability is your priority, the Beast Blender is a standout choice. We were impressed by its power and the ribbed blending vessel that doubles as a sleek, leak-resistant bottle. It's perfect for taking smoothies, water infusions, or iced tea to the gym, office, or wherever life takes you.
The Beast blender delivers on power and quality; we also voted it the quietest blender for morning smoothies, since you can blend a kale drink without producing wake-the-whole-house noise.
When our tester Camryn tested it on some of the toughest smoothie ingredients, like ginger and frozen spinach, she said 'every drink was faultless and the noise was unoticeable.' When she moved onto ice and dips, making pesto, salsa, and a range of baking batters, the Beast Blender also excelled.
However, it is worth noting that the ribs are trickier to clean than in other models. The cups are dishwasher safe, but Camryn says you'll have to rinse it thoroughly first. 'Plus, make sure the caps are fastened very tightly, so there's no risk of leakage'. The upgraded Beast Tonal set includes a stainless steel bottle with a leak-resistant straw system, which I'm keen to try out soon.
See our full review of the Beast Blender for more details.
Best portable blender for couples
Of all the cordless, personal blenders that I’ve tested, the KitchenAid is the biggest. That makes it the best candidate for kitchen use. You could easily make bigger portions, enough for two or three, in this. It feels more like a normal blender that just happens to be conveniently cordless. So, if you like big protein shakes, or you’re serving two people on the go, this is a great option.
The battery is also the longest-lasting of all the models we’ve tested. It could run for a full 60 minutes, according to KitchenAid, which is a lot of use. The fact that it separates to charge is useful for space, but it also means you can get a lot of juice in it before you go off-the-grid camping, for example. You'll love the carrier bag, too.
By virtue of its size and power, the KitchenAid has the best performance of all the cordless blenders we’ve tested, so if you’re all about achieving elite results, this is perfect. However, if you’re looking for a model that can slot into your handbag or the bottle holder in your rucksack, this is just too big. it could go in a gym bag, like a protein shaker, but that’s about it.
The KitchenAid Go Cordless is more affordably priced in the sales, with 38% off on Amazon, bringing it down to $79.99.
Read more in our full KitchenAid Go Cordless review.
How we test portable blenders
We're proud of how we test blenders. Our on-staff reviews team tests in both our test kitchen and in their own homes, and not just over the course of a day, but over weeks. Often, we're lucky enough to keep the products, which means we can continually update our buying guides with comments about longevity, including whether they leaked in our bags!
We have a series of tests that we carry out to help us gauge which kind of user each portable blender would suit. We'll keep making these tests harder and harder until the blender can't cope. It's important to know the limits of your model, even if they're extremely high.
Smoothies: For this portable blender guide, we first tried blending smoothies. We tried a mix of frozen and fresh fruits, mixed with spinach or kale, and regular or nut milk. We'd note down how well each ingredient was blended, how quickly it was done, and how loud it was in the process. If the blender has an automatic shutoff we made a note of how many tries it took to get the smoothie to the perfect consistency.
Dips: We also tried making hummus and pesto in our portable blenders, which allowed us to see how they handled less wet ingredients. Here, we looked around the blades, checking whether any residual ingredients were left behind, resulting in a more 'chunky' dip. This test also helped us see if any odors would remain inside the blending cup after use.
Crushed ice: Finally, we made crushed ice to see if the blenders could handle a few ice cubes. This is a big challenge for a portable blender since, it's not shaped very well for blending ice cubes. You generally need a lot of space and a wider blending pitcher if you want properly crushed ice but some surprised us with how well they did. This can be a noisy, long task, so we made sure to note how long each model took to crush ice (if it could) and how loud it was).
Value for money, reliability & design: After these tests, we'll group together to think about the value, how the model compares to other similar blenders in the market, and we'll consider who it suits. Here, we'll let you know how noisy it is overall, how well-built it is, whether it's well-designed for small bags, whether it leaks, how easy it is to use, and how straightforward the clean-up is too. Then, we put all the information together to let you know exactly what we thought.
We tested both corded and cordless personal blenders because while a cordless blender is rarely as powerful as a corded one, the very best can manage what most of us want from them: well-blended smoothies we can make on-the-go.
Our review and testing guidelines provide more insight into our processes, and our testers for this guide are listed below.
Meet the testing team
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 muffin smoothie or frozen margaritas. Lydia tests all products in her home kitchen, making sure they're perfect for real home cooks.
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 Fender is the Reviews Editor on the Homes & Gardens Ecommerce team. 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 a portable blender
Portable blenders (also known as travel blenders) are typically designed to make smoothies directly into cordless bottles. They’re built for quick, grab-and-go operation, and are designed to be easier and quicker to use than their full-sized models.
There are a few things to consider before choosing the ideal model for you.
Size: If you travel a lot and want a blender that you can throw in your luggage, then size is all-important. Look for a smaller, lighter and cordless blender, even if you have to compromise on a smaller travel mug as a result.
Countertop or cordless: Some of the countertop models in this list come with travel sized blending vessels, so you can twist them out and take them with you. This is best suited to morning smoothies; you blend at home then take on the go. However, if you’re out all day or camping a lot, you'll want a cordless, battery-powered model that you can charge and use when you’re out.
Smoothies or dips? Smaller blenders tend to have lower-powered motors, so will work well with soft fruits and for making most smoothies, but you’ll find they struggle with (or can’t handle) nuts, ice or frozen ingredients. Countertop models with large motors should perform well across the board.
Included accessories: It will be more affordable to choose a blender with added accessories, so you get more bang for your buck. However, make sure you have enough storage space.
FAQs
When is the best time to shop portable blenders?
If you're a savvy shopper, you'll know that Black Friday is the ideal time to invest in summer kitchen essentials. In the frosty depths of November, you'll find the best juicers, gelato makers, and cold brew gadgets marked down by up to 50%.
Even portable blenders and outdoor pizza ovens are considered summer items, so you'll find them discounted heavily during winter sales. That's when manufacturers cut prices to shift stock and make way for new items.
Over the holiday weekend, I spent hours each day tracking prices on kitchen appliances. While most deals ended on Cyber Monday, some deals are still live on Amazon for 'limited-time-only', so it's worth checking for live deals at the top of this page.
How much does a portable blender cost?
As they’re smaller and aren’t as powerful as full-size blenders, prices are much lower. An entry-level blender should cost under $50, and give you basic smoothie making with softer fruits. At the high-end, you can spend up to $150 on a countertop model with portable accessories and more powerful motors to give you more flexibility.
Is a portable blender as good as a full-size blender?
A portable blender is different from a full-size one. Most portable models are designed to be quick and easy to use, with one-button operation and single-speed motors. They’re typically as good as large models for smoothies.
Travel blenders are generally quite limited, though: you can make smaller quantities, they’re not built to run for as long, and they don’t have the controls of a full-size model.
You usually can’t use hot liquids in personal blenders, either, as the travel cups are made from plastic that could be damaged by the heat.
If you want to vary what you can make, and have more control over the process, a full-size blender makes sense and, as our guide showed, you can always add a travel cup to your model to give you that blend-and-go convenience.
Of course, while these portable blenders are great, they simply can't match bigger blenders for power, speed, or capacity, so it's worth considering a traditional style if that's what you're really after. What's more, blenders can only handle liquids. For dry chopping, you should research the best food processors.
-
Your favorite viral water bottle might be a 'burn hazard' – Stanley recalls 2.6 million travel mugs, find out if you're affectedThe Consumer Product Safety Commission urges customers to 'immediately stop using the recalled travel mugs' – here's what you need to know
-
Want to learn how to decorate like Joanna Gaines? She's just launched a Masterclass filled with her best-kept secretsJoanna Gaines has launched her online workshop with Masterclass that's sure to fill you with inspiration for decorating your home in 2025 and beyond
