I never knew my daily protein shake was suffering from Crowded Blender Syndrome. Normally, I’d pack ingredients all the way to the top, then wonder why it was struggling to blend.

After three weeks of testing the nutribullet PowerCore XL Blender, I discovered the problem was never my ingredients. The real issue was capacity. Ingredients need space to move freely if you want truly smooth smoothies, batters, and sauces. The XL design quickly proved its worth, delivering consistently thorough blends with minimal effort. Its intuitive controls make it remarkably easy to use straight out of the box, quickly earning a permanent spot on my countertop.

Here’s what to expect if you are ready to 'size up' on your best blender and are sick of too many options that don’t make much sense on the control panel.

Product Specifications: KitchenAid Artisan Plus 5 Quart Stand Mixer

Design and First Impressions

Unboxing the product is straightforward and simple. A large box contains the two main parts of the blender and a lid, multiple directions and paper materials, and some plastic and cardboard wrapping. It’s simple to remove the blender, give it a rinse in the sink and get blending.

One of the benefits of this blender is that little to no knowledge is required to get started. It might take a minute to understand which direction the large container and lid need to go to align and click in properly, but then you can get started.

My first impression was one of relief. There were just a few settings to choose from, unlike some options that feel like the equivalent of learning an entire new computer system just to make a shake. Instead, this just has two options for presets like “smoothie” and “pulse,” or you can just choose from low, medium, or high functions. Easy and quick.

Performance

To test this blender, I followed a thorough process that included multiple cooking tests to see how it did with different consistencies and types of foods and drinks.

I made a smoothie, a milkshake, pancake batter, and an icee/slushie. Each process taught me something different about what the blender can and can’t do, and which processes it is best for.

I also tested ease of use before and after the blending process, such as how easy it is to take it apart and wash it, get food out from around the blades, get the lid on and off, and move the entire appliance around the kitchen in spite of the suction cups on the bottom, determined to keep it in one place.

Overall, the blender performed somewhat well across the tests, though it would be nice to have easier features for pouring or scraping food from the bottom to prevent spills, stronger settings, and better ice handling.

1. Pancake Batter

In the first test, I made pancake batter for my favorite recipe, which includes cottage cheese, oats, eggs, and a sweetener like sugar, honey, agave, or whatever you prefer. I was immediately thrilled that I didn’t have to make it in two batches, like I normally have to do with a smaller blender. Instead, I dumped an entire container of cottage cheese in and still wasn’t even close to halfway to capacity. I added multiple cups of oats and the eggs, and still had plenty of room.

I blended this on the medium setting, and the final result was so much smoother than normal, even with steel-cut oats, which can end up not super smooth and a little too gritty in pancakes. I was happy to see the batter run out into the container like a thick liquid, without needing to be scraped out at all except for around the bottom a bit.

This proved the blender does well with higher quantities of food, not just because it has the capacity, but because it seems to blend better when there’s a heavier load to work with.

2. The Ice Test

On the contrary, I helped my child make an icee or slushie with a pile of 10-ish ice cubes and lemonade. The blender immediately struggled to crush the ice and made very loud sounds. The decibel meter read over 90 at one point, and averaged out around 85 when I was using the high setting. This wasn’t a pleasant experience compared to other blenders and food processors that have handled ice much better. The blender did much better when there were just a few ice cubes, such as in a smoothie, versus trying to handle a more significant amount of ice.

In the ice test, we ended up giving up and settling for large chunks of unblended ice. If you frequently use a blender to crush or blend ice, I’d recommend the Ninja Food Power Blender Ultimate System.

3. Smoothies & Milkshakes

I also used the blender to make a milkshake and a smoothie. While both turned out well, thicker mixtures were a little tricky to remove from around the blades. After testing several settings, including the Pulse and Smoothie functions, I found myself relying almost exclusively on the Medium and High speeds, which delivered better results. Rather than pulsing to redistribute ingredients, I often found a quick shake of the pitcher worked more effectively.

Like most blenders, it needs to come to a complete stop before the container can be removed, but thankfully, this only took a few seconds, making the overall blending process smooth and convenient.

Cleaning and Maintenance

This product comes apart into three pieces, not including the motor, for cleaning. I put all of these items: the lid, the middle and removable part of the lid, and the container into the dishwasher without issue. On a typical cycle, the dishwasher thoroughly cleans the container well, possibly even better than smaller blenders because there’s more room for water and soap to get up into the container and move around, removing old food particles.

Some people might struggle to fit the large container into a dishwasher given its size, so keep in mind it might have to be tilted. The suction cups are strong and effective, but not so strong that you can’t easily move it for storage. But overall, it is not a difficult product to clean or store.

How The nutribullet PowerCore XL Blender Compares

This product is larger, slightly less powerful, and much easier to use than other competitors. If you happen to be using a blender frequently with kids around (mine love to make their own milkshakes), this is an excellent option as it’s quite steady, simple, and self-explanatory. For others who want more extensive settings, competitors might be better options. To fully determine how to shop for the best product for you, check out our chef’s guide to blenders, food processors, and juicers.

On the nutribullet website, 118 reviewers have resulted in an overall rating of 4.8. One of the reviewers also noticed the product’s kid-friendly aspects, writing, “I love this blender! It is so easy to use and quickly blends up whatever I am serving. It is perfect for my kids smoothies and blending things like homemade apple sauce.” Another said it “blends smoothies like a dream,” and some reviewers had an easier experience than I did with ice.

On Amazon, ratings average 4.3 of 5, from 85 reviewers. According to a summary of Amazon’s reviews, people found the following helpful and complained most often about the noise level:

Powerful motor (1400W) that handles tough ingredients like greens, seeds, ice, and nuts

XL 72oz pitchergreat for batch blending and family-sized portions

Dishwasher-safe parts for easy cleanup

Automatic smoothie setting for one-touch convenience

BPA-free plastic pitcher

Should You Buy The nutribullet PowerCore XL Blender?

The nutribullet PowerCore XL Blender is an easy recommendation for most households. It’s reliable and efficient, with a durable design that feels built to withstand years of regular use.

While it has a few drawbacks, its generous capacity makes it difficult to beat for anyone regularly blending large batches of smoothies, soups, or pancake batter.

It is particularly well suited to larger families, meal preppers, and home cooks who prefer to batch-cook. Those who appreciate a simple, no-fuss appliance with intuitive controls will also find plenty to like.

However, if someone is sensitive to noise or uses the product primarily for ice blending, they should avoid this product.

What Else to Shop

To help you make the most of your home blender, we have rounded up six of the best accessories, from noise-dampening pads to leftover storage.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

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After chopping, blending, and shredding with the Ninja Foodi Power Blender Ultimate System for three weeks, it has become a must-have in my kitchen routine.

It is a strong competitor against standalone blenders, food processors, and mixers, instead combining all those functions into one very strong product. After purchasing this product, your counter space will thank you.

Kitchen gadgets that promise to do it all often have home chefs, including me, rolling their eyes when we realize another product will fail to actually blend ice in seconds, slide potatoes with pro-chef-like precision, and deliver on other promises. However, this best blender-food processor combo delivers in terms of speed, versatility, and power. Just watch your fingers!

Product Specifications: Ninja Foodi Power Blender Ultimate System

Design and First Impressions

Prepare a good amount of space and time to get to know each other ahead of unboxing your Foodi. This is because there are quite a few pieces to unwrap and explore, each with a different function, directions in a pamphlet, stickers with tips and tricks on them, and a corresponding recipe book. However, these useful accessories aren’t just extras that will (or should) gather dust in the pantry.

Instead, with some time and experimenting, you can see just how each could be most useful to you with your current cooking needs. Included you will find:

• The motor/base
• A blender and processor pitcher with a pour spout
• An XL smoothie maker bowl with storage lid
• Crushing and chopping blade
• Slicing and shredding blade
• Grating disc
• Disc spindle
• Dough blade assembly
• Hybrid edge blades assembly
• The recipe guide

Upon unboxing, I was excited about the size of the pitcher, which I immediately knew would come in handy making smoothies for my family of seven all at once, not two at a time with other blenders.

I also immediately appreciated some safety features meant to keep the blender on the base, and the top on the blender – extra turns, clicks, and buttons made sure that you really meant to remove it, and that it wasn’t an accident. In addition, strong suction keeps the base in place regardless of what happens up top.

The packaging itself was a mix of plastic protectors and recyclable materials, and all items came well-protected and securely situated in the box.

Blending Performance

Testing a blender doesn’t just involve whipping up a quick smoothie and judging its consistency, especially when it’s a blender/processor combo. Instead, I followed a thorough process that involved multiple cooking tests, outlined below, to test some of its various functions.

I made smoothies, crushed ice, chopped potatoes, and whipped up my first almond butter. Each had its own learning curve to decide which accessories were best and to test different functions’ performance. Throughout, I explored the 'Auto IQ programs,' which allow presets for smoothies, spreads, chopping, and others, but also tried the variable speed and blending/processing time in the manual setting too. I didn’t find any issues with the Auto-IQ settings being inaccurate, but generally found it easier to control the settings myself manually.

Users should note that while this is a high-performing machine, it’s not a quiet one. At over 90 decibels during the blending process, it is not considered a quiet blender. However, it’s on for such a short time as it does its job efficiently that it bothers everyone less than quieter options that take longer.

Overall, the product is high-performance and a joy to use.

The Processor Test

The first test was to chop potatoes, using the food processor and food chute, a hole in the top that allows you to send vegetables and other foods down the 'chute' into the main processor. From there, if a food gets stuck, you can use a helpful tool to shove the rest down to the bottom toward the blades.

The processing function is the fastest and most impressive way of cutting a vegetable I’d seen, and much more efficient than competing products I’ve tested in the past. A single potato was completely sliced and ready to make chips, hash browns, or a casserole side dish in a matter of seconds.

The slices were consistent, no food was stuck in the process, and the only errors were from the operator’s learning curve (such as trying to fit too big a potato through the chute).

The Ice Test

Next, I explored whether I’d be able to tell my kids that we officially have a slushie machine, based on its ability to crush ice as well as our local snow cone shop.

This blender had turned around 20 ice cubes into slushie-ready mix in under five seconds. In this moment, I realized how much I’d been unknowingly suffering with my own blender, shaking and reshaking it to give it a boost between blending sessions as it fought with ice cubes.

If you make a daily smoothie or smoothie bowl, this product is a must-have simply for its mastery of ice crushing.

The Nut Butter Test

Finally, I attempted to make almond butter, by blending almonds and oil, at the suggestion of the recipe book. The book is well-labeled with the appropriate settings to help you understand how to set up your machine to create that exact recipe.

Though I should have used a bit more oil, and ended up with more of an almond butter sprinkle topping than butter consistency, the machine did its job, again in seconds.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Sometimes, it can be difficult to get all the blended or processed food out of the deep pitcher, so have a long spatula on hand to reach all the corners. But the components easily come apart for washing, so that shouldn’t be an issue.

One trick I came to appreciate was putting some water into the blender and continuing to blend after my cooking was done, just for a few seconds, to prevent stuck-on food and drink from becoming too stuck. This made washing much easier afterward.

The entire product is dishwasher safe, which I appreciate as a busy mom of five who has two dishwashers running nearly all the time. With such a wide pitcher, the dishwasher does a great job of getting the larger components clean as well. I was a bit more careful putting blades and other sharp objects in the dishwasher, though, just in case little hands would help unload later.

That brings us to The Accident. While attempting to clean up and store this product, I cut two fingers on a blade. I didn’t drop it or do anything out of the ordinary, other than try to pick it up. So, when I say the blades are super sharp, I mean sharp enough that you shouldn’t touch any of them at all. That can affect storage and cleaning processes, but also likely the reason it’s such an efficient and high-performing product. Keep Band-Aids (available at Walmart) on hand if you are clumsy, and when storing the product, put it up high or otherwise wrap up the parts to protect others from the blades.

Luckily, the product fits under my standard height counter tops, though I wouldn’t be able to really cook much with it under there, so I have to pull it in and out to cook. But this gives options for storage – the whole thing doesn’t have to go back in the cupboard each time.

How Does the The Ninja Foodi Power Blender Ultimate System Compare?

As a longtime kitchen product tester, I have found this product to be exceptionally better than all other blenders I’ve tried through the years. In addition, it has equal-to-or-advanced food-processing functions and performance.

Competitors include Ninja’s own alternative option, the Ninja Professional Plus Kitchen System, which Homes and Gardens editors also loved and ranked as a top blender/processor. Others included the Nutribullet Triple Prep Blender System, noted for best savings, in addition to the Nutribullet’s Ultra Plus Kitchen System, which comes in at a more affordable price of just under $100 for those on a budget. Finally, the Braun MultiQuick 9 competes with the Ninja Foodi as the most versatile option, and also might be more space-saving for those with less counter space.

For those trying to decide which product is best, first match your needs up with the chef’s guide to blenders, food processors, and juicers.

On Ninja’s website, users rank this product as a 4.1, with close to 200 ratings. 119 of those ratings were five stars, with just 21 as one star. Performance was the top-ranking feature among those reviews, with quality being the lowest. One loyal Ninja fan says, compared to her older product, this one is much bigger with more options. She also noted that she liked the 'pour top' function, in which a small spout opens to let your smoothie pour into your favorite to-go cup without mess or issue.

Amazon customers reflect my satisfaction with the product, with over 4,000 ratings resulting in a 4.5 out of 5 stars. According to Amazon, customers overall note the solid performance, especially for smoothie and dough mixing, with strong motor power and quick blending times. However, there are some durability concerns, with some reporting it lasts for years, while others are concerned about cracking in the plastic pitcher. Customers overall considered it worth the price.

Should You Buy The The Ninja Foodi Power Blender Ultimate System?

Yes, you should buy this product. If you are looking for reliability, consistency, top performance, and don’t mind a little noise to achieve the perfect ice consistency, this is for you.

This product would suit busy cooks who want to chop vegetables quickly and have no use for slow or inefficient motors. Those who frequently make smoothies will appreciate the extra minutes they get back every day, not fighting with a blender, and people who want their products to be versatile and customizable will like the extra options, features, settings, and accessories.

How We Test Blenders

Over the years, we've refined our process for how we test blenders.

The first step is market research. We keep in touch with the industry to make sure that we're always first to hear about a new launch, and will almost always call it in to test to try and be among the first to assess how well it performs. Every blender must be tested for a prolonged period (two weeks or more) to check for any issues and assess the product's longevity, and where possible, we aim to keep blenders in-house to test them on a long-term basis, updating our reviews as the months and years pass to see if our favorite is still ahead of the crowd.

Smoothies are the most basic thing a blender can do. They're pretty much why blenders were invented, so if we've got a model that can't handle these you won't find it anywhere near our rankings of the best.

We then see if a blender can crush ice. Ice is useful for two reasons. One is as a straightforward test of sheer power. Weak blenders won't be able to crush it, or will do half a job. A powerful, premium blender should be able to mist ice cubes into fine white powder. If a blender can't manage this, then it can't earn a perfect score.

A blender will score extra points in our tests if it operates quietly. We monitor the decibel levels on every test. We also clean every blender by hand to see how easy this is, and if it feels safe.

You can find out more details on our How We Test Blenders page.

What Else to Shop

Add six products that help with the featured item, e.g. cleaning tools, extra accessories ti make the most of it.

All prices correct at time of publication.

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I have always been a fan of homemade smoothies, and as a dedicated gym-goer, having a tumbler I can take on the go is a must. That’s why, after testing the Ninja BlendBoss Tumbler Blender for the last few weeks, I’ve decided to keep it as part of my morning routine.

Finding the best personal blender can be tricky. Some models simply aren’t powerful enough to break down fibrous greens, while others lack the chic design you’d want to carry with you on the go. Fortunately, the Ninja BlendBoss Tumbler Blender tackles both of these issues head-on.

Here’s how it performed while I tested it across a range of smoothies and protein shakes – along with the minor snags that led me to dock half a star from an otherwise fun countertop addition.

Product Specifications: The Ninja BlendBoss Tumbler Blender

Design and First Impressions

I personally think that the Ninja BlendBoss Tumbler Blender is one of the best blenders for design in recent years. It's fun, opting for what I can call a 'pop-art' style rather than being sleek and modernist. With the bubble-esque base, Stanley style tumbler, and cute color options, it looks almost futuristic on my counter. There is something for everyone, from the more refined 'Stone Mint' that I tested (and is pictured above), to my personal favorite 'Lavender Lemonade', a sweet lilac and butter yellow combination that simply makes me smile.

The packaging was just as bright, filled with tips for using the appliance. I was pleased to see several recyclable components, such as the box and protective shell; however, the fabric bags protecting the components and the several stickers did bring the recyclability score down. This is minor, as the bags I can repurpose elsewhere at home, leaving only the stickers to waste. All in all, not terrible, but not the best.

The blender comes with three 'pamphlets': The regulatory and safety sheet, and two quick start guides, and an info sticker on the tumbler, which offers more information about the three blending modes. The quick start guides covered everything I needed to get the papliance running, and even included a basic starting smoothie recipe, and instructions on the order in which to add the ingredients for a perfect blend. This, I would later find out, would be very important, but more on that in the smoothie test break down below.

Putting the blender together was just as simple. After rinsing it all out to remove any lingering factory dust, the blade base screws on neatly to the top of the large tumbler and locks into place, offering peace of mind and preventing leaks. Then, it is as simple as locking it onto the motor base, and choosing your desired setting.

It is worth noting that the tumbler, despite its large, ergonomic Stanley-style handle, is on the heavier side, weighing 1.3lbs (600g) when empty and with the drinking lid and straw. It is large, with thick walls to withstand ice-crushing, but this could detract from the portability slightly if you have a compromised grip. This wasn't a problem for me, but it is worth considering.

One thing that does not detract from this potability, however, is the straw. I was worried that with it, the lid would not close. However, Ninja's foresight has given the straw a silicone flex base, meaning it compresses into the tumbler when the flip-hinge lid is down. It then conveniently pops back up when you open the cup. It's simple but effective.

Blending Performance

The Smoothie Test

We test all of our blenders (from the best blender food processor combos to the best quiet blenders) the same way: Using a simple breakfast smoothie mixture of milk, yogurt, protein powder, chia seeds, banana, frozen berries, and fresh spinach. This tests everything you need in a blender, from the ability to break down seeds and ice to shredding fibrous veggies and dealing with the clumping and grittiness of powders.

I filled the tumbler up with the ingredients in the order recommended by Ninja on the quick start guide (see above slide four). However, I realised I forgot to add my protein powder scoop at the same time as my chia seeds, so I threw it in just before adding the frozen berries. This, I would learn, was a mistake – but more on that later.

I screwed the blades into place, inverted the tumbler and saw no leaks, and placed it on the base. I selected the preset 'Smoothie IQ' setting and let it run. The first thing I noticed is that this blender is loud, maxing out on the smoothie setting at 97.7 decibels when recorded with the Decibel X app. The Smoothie IQ program runs for 55 seconds (matching Ninja's claim perfectly, proving great accuracy), and this noise was horrid. The Smoothie setting is designed to stop and start periodically at the beginning of the blend to allow ingredients to settle, meaning no more guesswork, stuck items, and chunks.

With the programme over (counted down with the five LED lights on the base), I removed the tumbler, flipped it, and unscrewed the blades. A small vacuum forms during blending, but it wasn't difficult to remove despite this. The smoothie was almost perfectly smooth, with the only texture being a few tiny seeds. This is negligible to me, as the fibrous spinach, gritty protein powder, and chunks of berry had been obliterated into the perfect consistency.

This is, however, when I realised just how important it was to add all the ingredients in the perfect order. As shown in slide two, adding the protein powder late meant that upon blending, some of the powder stuck to the sides of the container and was not fully incorporated. When I repeated this same test with the same measurements the next morning, this time adding the powder when I should have, the powder mixed in perfectly, with no clumps left behind.

All in all, it was a smooth experience, if you'll pardon my pun, and I think it will become my new favourite summertime breakfast morning routine, just not too early, or the noise might wake the neighbours.

(Below, you can see the Smoothie IQ setting stopping and starting as it progresses through the programme to ensure an even blend.)

The Ice Test

The ice crushing test is what makes or breaks a good blender score, and as the Ninja BlendBoss comes with a dedicated 'Ice Crush IQ' mode, I had to test it to its limits.

For the first ice test, I added cold water up to the minimum liquid line, and then filled the tumbler with large store-bought ice chunks to the max fill line. I set it off on the Ice Crush IQ mode and cringed at the noise. This time, it totalled 100 decibels, and I needed my noise-cancelling headphones to push through the 55 second programme.

This test crushed most of the ice, but a few of the large chunks in the top of the tumbler were missed. Otherwise, the ice that had made it to the blades was a slushy snow consistency, holding somewhat true to Ninja's claim of 'snow' like textures, mush like their smaller Ninja Blast Max, reviewed for us by Lydia Hayman.

I repeated the test immediately after with the same-sized ice cubes but only half filling the tumbler and had greater success (albeit with no less noise). This time, all of the chunks were blitzed.

It is worth noting that, as the tumbler is designed for consumption from the vessel, and not pouring or decanting, there is no spout, which made trying to pour the slush out a bit awkward, especially into a narrower rimmed glass. I settled for spooning it out or tipping it into a larger rimmed pitcher.

All in all, the ice test was a success, a noisy one with some trial and error, but a success.

The Milkshake Test

Milkshakes are not a standard part of our blender tests, but as the weather is gradually warming up and I had just gotten my hands on some blueberry white chocolate powder, who was I not to test out a sweet treat? Milkshakes are, after all, one of the best things you can make in a blender.

I added milk, a few scoops of vanilla ice cream, and some of the chocolate powder to the tumbler, screwed on the blades, and blended on the 'Blend IQ' setting, a 60-second programme Ninja says is best for protein drinks. As I was primarily using a flavour powder here, I thought this would be a great test.

After the 60 (loud) seconds, the drink was perfectly smooth, with no grittiness or chunks of ice cream. It's going to be perfect for summer, I know it.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Cleaning a blender is usually one of the worst parts of making smoothies. However, the Ninja BlendBoss makes it simple.

The tumbler, lid, and straw are dishwasher safe, but they are simple enough to rinse and wipe out by hand (especially as the large rim makes it easy to reach inside). You can also half-fill the tumbler with warm water (not hot) and a few drops of dish soap, and pulse a few times. This was my favorite way to tackle the tumbler, as it rendered it spotless after just three pulses and a quick rinse. You can also remove the silicone sleeve base to check for stuck residue in the bottom corners.

Ninja recommends cleaning the blades with a long-handled soft brush to prevent injury, but it does not include one. As you will also need one for cleaning out the straw properly when washing by hand, I see this as an essential added investment. Luckily, I already had a straw brush, from Amazon, to hand.

The base then just needs wiping with a dry microfiber cloth.

What Shoppers Say

The overall shopper reviews of the Ninja BlendBoss are positive, with an average star rating of 4.6 stars on Amazon, and the Ninja US website.

One five star Amazon review, witten by Jill Anderson, shared a lot of my own findings. They wrote, 'Great for smoothies too. It is actually leak-proof, no, it's not a myth, it really doesn't leak! The lid is easy on and easy off, and attaches to the base very easily as well.' They noted, however, that they wished it came with two tumblers as standard. You can buy additional tumblers for the blender, but at $40 per travel tumbler (complete with lid, and straw) on the Ninja site, it is not the cheapest accessory.

Shoppers also commented on the great size, both in terms of portion and storage. Fellow Amazon shopper D. S. added in their five-star review, 'The 26oz tumbler is genuinely leakproof, lid screws on tight, and it’s easy to clean.' They also loved how they can 'Hit the button and 30-40 seconds later it’s a perfectly smooth smoothie – no chunks, no half-frozen boulders, no need to babysit it.'

Of the one-star reviews on the Ninja site, the users mention leaking lids around the lid release button; however, this is not a problem I have encountered with my own. I will continue to monitor, however, to see if this is an issue that develops with longer use, and update my review as needed.

Other early one-star reviews also referenced a frustration in only having one tumbler. This was when Ninja had yet to release the optional add-on cups. These, however, are now widely available both from Ninja directly and from Amazon.

Should You Buy The Ninja BlendBoss Tumbler Blender?

All in all, I would recommend the Ninja BlendBoss Tumbler Blender to anyone who is looking for a fun personal blender, loves the Stanley style, and wants a large capacity power house for making great smoothies and milkshakes. It is super simple to use, easy to clean, and easy to drink from, with a large 'gulp' hole and thick straw that makes slurping even thick mixes simple, no jaw workout required.

That being said, the loud noise means it might not be the best pick for people who are up very early and want to whip up a drink before others in the house are awake, say for breakfast smoothies on the go, or protein shakes for the gym. Similarly, the tumbler, while perfect for fitting in car cup holders and is leakproof, is not insulated like a Stanley, so it will not keep drinks cool, and it is on the heavier side, so it may be cumbersome to those with lessened grip or a lot to carry.

It is also not suited to blending hot ingredients, as stated on the instructions, so it cannot be used to make small, single-portioned soups. This is not what the blender is designed or marketed for, however, and thus I will not hold it against them.

However, it is a great personal blender that adds a touch of personality to the kitchen.

How We Test Blenders

Over the years, we've refined our process for how we test blenders.

The first step is market research. We keep in touch with the industry to make sure that we're always first to hear about a new launch, and will almost always call it in to test to try and be among the first to assess how well it performs. Every blender must be tested for a prolonged period (two weeks or more) to check for any issues and assess the product's longevity, and where possible, we aim to keep blenders in-house to test them on a long-term basis, updating our reviews as the months and years pass to see if our favorite is still ahead of the crowd.

Smoothies are the most basic thing a blender can do. They're pretty much why blenders were invented, so if we've got a model that can't handle these you won't find it anywhere near our rankings of the best.

We then see if a blender can crush ice. Ice is useful for two reasons. One is as a straightforward test of sheer power. Weak blenders won't be able to crush it, or will do half a job. A powerful, premium blender should be able to mist ice cubes into fine white powder. If a blender can't manage this, then it can't earn a perfect score.

A blender will score extra points in our tests if it operates quietly. We monitor the decibel levels on every test. We also clean every blender by hand to see how easy this is, and if it feels safe.

You can find out more details on our How We Test Blenders page.

What Else to Shop

Having used the Ninja BlendBoss Tumbler Blender for a few weeks, I think there are a few accessories that would make it even better. These are my picks for a smoother experience, and a Ninja alternative that you might like if you're looking for something smaller.

I certainly think that this is one of the best Ninja products for your kitchen, but we have curated a full list for you to kit out your cookspace.

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I write about appliances day in and day out, and I admit I can get unreasonably excited about features and cookware most people consider mundane. That said, I think it’s fair to say the new Ninja BlendBoss is something we can all get excited about.

Looking like the quirky offspring of a viral Stanley Cup and a blender, I finally got my hands on what’s shaping up to be the cutest personal blender on the market.

Here’s why I’m so excited to review this playful countertop appliance, and why I think you should be excited too.

My First Impressions of the Ninja Blendboss

I have yet to put this new contender for best blender through our rigorous testing process, but even just unboxing it has me genuinely excited.

With a 12000-peak-watt motor, Ninja promises that this blender is its most powerful 'ice-crusher' yet, which is an impressive prospect given that Ninja's smaller, less powerful Blast Max, reviewed and given five stars by our expert chef, Lydia Hayman, successfully turned ice into the perfect slushie consistency. I'll certainly be putting this claim to the test myself, but I am going in with high hopes.

The Stanley-style tumbler is what really catches my eye. Not only is the blender available in some of the most fun colors I’ve seen on an appliance lately, mimicking that iconic Stanley look, but the 26oz cup, with a removable straw and hooked handle, makes it perfect for car errands or gym trips.

It’s single-serve and not designed for blitzing soups or dips, but it doesn’t claim to be anything more than the ultimate smoothie companion, so I won’t hold that against it. Plus, Ninja offer separate BlendBoss travel tumblers with straws for under $40 (at the time of writing), so you can whip up several drinks in one go.

Initial shopper reviews are also promising, with 300 Amazon reviews and an overall 4.7-star rating. One satisfied shopper, Brielle, wrote, 'This thing is amazing! I was using my bulky Vitamix to make smoothies and decided to try the Ninja. Not only does it make better smoothies than my Vitamix, but it takes up less space, looks nicer, and I don’t have to dirty an extra cup.'

I can’t wait to put it through its paces, but if it lives up to Ninja’s usual quality, I have a feeling we’re looking at a winner.

What to Shop

Want to hold off until we can put the BlendBoss through its paces? Don't fret, we have several other tried-and-tested recommendations to upgrade your kitchen.

Not quite sure which appliance is best for you? Our pro chef has put together a guide to the best blenders, food processors, and juicers to help you pick the best investment for your home.

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Having a kitchen that's short on storage and countertop space tests your patience daily – trust me, I know. That is where having multi-functional appliances makes such a difference.

One of the best space savers is the Nutribullet Ultra Plus+ Compact Kitchen System, from Amazon, which combines two appliances (a blender and food processor) that are essentials to most home cooks, to save you space.

We tested it and ranked it one of our best blender-food processor combos, and it's $65 off right now, making it a great deal for your wallet as well as an improvement to your kitchen setup.

Free up Space on Kitchen Counters and in Cabinets with This Combo Appliance

The Nutribullet Ultra Plus+ system tackles three appliances in one, acting as a personal blender, one of the best food processors, and a coffee grinder, all using one base, saving a third ofthe space in small kitchen storage as having each appliance individually. I don't know about you, but this sounds like the perfect balm for my tiny kitchen woes.

Just because it is a Jack of all trades doesn't mean it is a master of none. When our expert appliance reviewer, Tobey Grumet Segal, tested the Nutribullet Ultra Plus+, she found that the 'two blending cups, a mini-sized food processor bowl, a grinder cup, and four different blades to swap out all do a proper amount of blending and prep work, yet won’t eat up a ton of space.'

When blending, just 30 seconds on a low-volume cycle reduced berries, yogurt, and water into a seamless, creamy smoothie. When adding ice, powdered protein, and frozen berries for the next test, two cycles quickly reduced it all to a perfectly satisfying consistency.

The food processor was just as impressive, although the compact size does mean you may have to chop larger items (such as whole onions) into rough chunks first to get them in. We think this is a fair trade-off for the convenience of organizing a kitchen.

The spice and coffee grinder were also satisfying. Again, one 30-second round created a perfectly fine powder.

If the convenience of its compact size and multi-functional heads wasn't enough, the system is also super simple to clean, being one of the things you can wash in a dishwasher (except the electric base, which only requires wiping with a nearly dry cloth).

It's perfect for small-space living, smaller households, and the average everyday home cook who doesn't need all the fancy gadgets and gizmos to put together a weeknight dinner.

And for $65 off for the whole Nutribullet Ultra Plus+ System at Amazon right now, it's a no-brainer.

What to Shop

After investing, brush up on how to clean a blender to keep your appliance in top condition for longer, and make sure your food tastes fantastic every time.

Choosing the Right Blender: Tested and Reviewed by Expert Chefs

Want a Food Processor or Juicer Too? This Is What to Shop

If Ninja is known for anything, it's constant innovation. The Ninja Blast Max is a chunky, 22-oz version of the original Ninja Blast, which I tested last summer. I was a big fan of the original and there wasn't much I'd have improved. Making it larger certainly wouldn’t have been my first thought, but once I got it into the test kitchen, I realized that more had been upgraded than just the size.

In fact, the Ninja Blast Max stands out from all the best personal blenders I’ve tried. The large cup has fixed blades inside, which means you can twist off the cup and drink straight from it without the motor base attached. Cleaning is easier, too – no worrying about water getting on the motor.

On top of that, the Max comes with Auto-IQ Blend, Smoothie, and Crush settings, which automatically tailor your drinks to the exact texture you want, whether you’re making a simple protein shake, fibrous green smoothies, or crushing ice for cocktails. This isn’t just a bigger Ninja Blast, it’s better – in every way.

Product specifications

Blending performance

If you think you'll be blending straight out of the box, think again. The Ninja Blast needs a 3-hour initial charge, which was actually a bit frustrating, since I had a busy day of testing ahead and I wanted to make my smoothies first. However, once fully powered, you can get up to 25 blends before needing to charge again. Once the green charger light finally got glowing, here's what I made in the test kitchen.

Test 1: Berry breakfast smoothie

A berry breakfast smoothie is always my first test when trying out the best blenders. I started by pouring some oat milk up to the 'minimum liquid' line on the side of the Ninja Blast Max – super handy. Then, I added my challenging breakfast ingredients: frozen blueberries, strawberries, chia seeds, flax seeds, almond butter, and a banana. There was more than enough room for everything.

I hit the Smoothie button, and the blender got to work. It was impressively quiet, measuring just 80 decibels – definitely a contender for my quietest blender list. The Ninja Blast Max took 35 seconds to finish the blend.

The results were delicious. I did notice a few tiny flecks of blueberry skin, but they didn’t affect the taste at all. The only truly uniform smoothie I’ve ever had came from an enormous $500 Vitamix, so I can forgive the Ninja Blast Max for a few flecks here and there.

Test 2: Kale smoothie

Next up, a curly kale smoothie, packed with vanilla protein powder, green yoghurt, peanut butter, banana, and oats. The challenge here is the fibrous greens – will the blender be able to blitz them down into nothing? Then there's the nut butter and protein powder – will they clump together or stick to the sides?

The Ninja Blast Max stood up to the challenge. I did have to run the 'Smoothie' cycle twice to really get the kale cut down into tiny flecks, but in the end, it was smooth and refreshing. Just as powerful as the Ninja's best countertop blenders.

Test 3: Ice

Portable blenders aren’t really designed to crush ice. They’re typically too small and underpowered. But I noticed that the Ninja Blast Max packaging boldly claimed: 'TURNS ICE TO SNOW', which was hard to ignore.

To my surprise, it did exactly that. I dropped in three large freezer-fresh ice cubes, added a splash of water, and touched the Crush button. It was pretty loud, but around 60 seconds later, I had a snow-like slush – ideal for frappuccinos or frozen summer cocktails on the go, if that's your thing.

Is it leak-proof and travel-friendly?

When I’ve tested other portable blenders, like the NutriBullet Flip, I always get a flutter of panic packing it into my bag alongside my laptop and notebooks – there’s that constant worry about leaks or spills. With the Ninja Blast Max, I felt strangely confident. The lid screws on tightly and securely, and the built-in seal keeps everything contained (I tested it first by tipping it upside down over the sink).

Once I was out and about, I didn't experience any drips or sticky messes. I can confirm the Ninja Blast Max is a portable blender you can trust.

I was originally concerned about the size of the blender being too large for my bag, but it was totally manageable, as the design is quite wide and squat, plus you can dismantle the motor and leave it at home. It didn't fit into my car cup holders though – if that's a real priority, you might want to get the measuring tape out before you buy – or try the svelte BlendJet2 Portable blender instead.

Cleaning

There are three easy ways to clean the Ninja Blast Max: handwashing, filling the cup with water and a drop of detergent, and hitting Blend, or simply popping the cup in the dishwasher. I tried all three, and each one was quick and effortless.

Compared with the original Ninja Blast, the Max feels even easier to clean. The fixed blades are well-designed, so there are fewer nooks and crannies for food to hide in, and the larger 22-oz cup gives you more room to get in with a sponge if you’re handwashing.

How does it compare?

Ninja Blast vs. Ninja Blast Max

The original Ninja Blast (the link goes to our review) was already one of the best portable blenders out there – compact, convenient, and capable of handling everyday smoothies and frozen blends.

The Ninja Blast Max, however, levels up in almost every area. Its 22-oz capacity gives you more room for larger batches, while the extra voltage and new settings (Smoothie, Blend, and Crush) make it more versatile than the single-speed original. It has a longer battery life, too. It packs in a lot of power, but weighs only 0.4 lbs more than the original.

Both models are easy to clean and dishwasher-safe, but the Ninja Blast Max’s larger jar and new fixed-blade design make it feel even more user-friendly.

NutriBullet Flip vs. Ninja Blast Max

The NutriBullet Flip is another strong contender in the portable blender space, and in some areas, it has an edge. It’s quieter than the Ninja Blast Max and does a better job at keeping drinks cold thanks to its insulated design.

However, the Flip lacks some of the practical touches that make the Max a joy to use. The Ninja’s measurement markings on the side take the guesswork out of prepping smoothies, its transparent cup makes it easier to see the blend in action, and its lighter weight makes it easier to carry around. Most importantly, the Ninja Blast Max can crush ice, giving it the upper hand when it comes to versatility.

Should you buy the Ninja Blast Max?

The Ninja Blast Max takes everything we loved about the original and super-sizes it with more power, more capacity, battery life, and more versatility. It punches well above its weight for a portable design.

I'd recommend it to smoothie lovers who want bigger portions on the go, anyone who likes to make frozen drinks or iced coffees, or those who value ease of cleaning and reliable leak-proof portability.

If you're not quite sure or you need a little more guidance on making the right investment, I recently wrote a guide on how to choose the best blender for your needs.

When temperatures soared above 90°F this week, I was especially grateful to be testing the best personal blenders, not roasting dishes or wood-fired pizza ovens. Standing over a hot stove was out of the question, but whipping up chilled salad dressings and smoothies? That I could handle.

The Beast Mighty 850 Plus quickly became my go-to for staying cool and nourished during the heatwave. It blends some of the creamiest smoothie bowls I’ve ever made at home – thick, silky, effortless, and Instagrammable.

But there’s more to this blender than just good looks and glossy results. Can it handle ice? Is it too loud? And most importantly, is it worth the steep price tag? Let’s dive in.

Specifications

Design

The Beast Mighty 850 blender's design is a cut above the rest. It feels sturdy and premium. I chose the white design, which is minimalist and sleek, but it is also available in covetable colorways, such as pastel lilac and moody blue. The motor base is tiny, with one simple button for controlling your blender. It didn’t hog any counter space, so I was happy to leave it tucked in the corner of my kitchen all week during testing. It also fitted neatly into my shelves.

The accessories are more sprawling. It comes with three cups – extra large, medium, and small – and three interchangeable lids with carry handles and built-in straws. This was my favorite part of the blender and the main factor that propelled it into my guide to the best personal blenders. The versatile cups and lids allowed me to be flexible with my recipes and transport different drinks around with me – even small dips and dressings that I could put in the office fridge for my lunch.

What is it like to use?

This blender keeps things simple: there are no presets or variable speed settings – just a single, light-up button on the motor base. Press and hold, and it gets to work. While my decibel meter registered a relatively quiet 80 dB during smoothies (impressive by blender standards) in real life, the sound felt noticeably sharp and piercing. This might be personal opinion, but some reviewers agree with me (more on this below)

Test 1: Berry breakfast smoothie

For the first blending task, I always choose the toughest smoothie ingredients to push the appliance to the limits. That includes frozen strawberries and blueberries, banana, protein powder, peanut butter, chia seeds, rolled oats, yoghurt, and a splash of almond milk to get it all moving.

Once I had loaded up the large blender cup, I pressed the singular button on the motor base. I quickly realised you need to hold it down for a couple of seconds to set the blades whirring continuously, rather than pulsing. Once the blender was away, I watched as the fruit turned into a velvety, purple pulp with only a few flecks of chia.

I tried the same test the next day with chunks of frozen banana, but this caused more trouble. After around 20 seconds, I realized that the banana was causing a jam. I shook the blender and tried again, but I think the fruit was just too solid. I let the banana thaw for a couple of minutes (it didn't take long in the heat) and tried again with much more success.

Beast recommends adding your liquid first before fruit to help things move around, which I'm not sure I did on this test (I blame the heat for my lack of precision here). I have used that method on every blend since, and have had no problems at all.

Test 2: Green goddess dip

Cool, creamy dips were my go-to during the heatwave. I whipped up a green goddess dressing, and the Beast’s performance was silky smooth, even though I tossed in tonnes of fibrous kale, strands of chives and whole cloves of raw garlic. There wasn't a lump or fleck to be seen.

I put it straight in the refrigerator in the medium blending cup with the tight sealing lid, which kept it fresh and vibrant for a couple of days. I dipped into it with tortilla chips, carrot and celery sticks throughout the week.

Test 3: Crushed ice

Unfortunately, the one thing this blender wasn't 'mighty' enough for was ice. While popping a single ice cube into a smoothie was fine, the blender struggled with larger batches of ice. When I tried to make a sno-cone, the crushed ice cubes got lodged under the blades and stalled the blending process.

If you’re desperate for a frozen drink, you'll need something larger, more powerful and suited to crushing ice. A Vitamix e5200 will tackle the task with no qualms, or the cheaper Vitamix alternatives I've reviewed can blitz ice excellently, too.

Cleaning & maintenance

Post-smoothie cleanup was less refreshing and more frustrating. The interior ridges made cleaning sticky smoothie residue very fiddly. I struggled after thicker blends, which left traces of ingredients like chia seeds and protein powders. The jars, lids, and accessories are all dishwasher-safe, though, which does help if you are blessed with a dishwasher (I am not).

On a positive note, I found the included blade brush helpful for cleaning around the sharp blades without risking cuts to my fingers. This is a thoughtful addition; I've tested over 25 blenders this year, and I've never seen anything like this included by a brand.

How does it compare?

When stacked up against the leading personal blender in our best blender guide, the Beast Mighty 850 falls a little short. The Nutribullet Ultra features a more powerful motor that powers through tough ingredients like ice cubes and chunky frozen fruit with ease. However, it's also about 10 decibels louder – and far less visually appealing than the beautiful beast.

If aesthetics are a priority and your primary goal is blending creamy smoothies and dips, I’d probably recommend the Zwilling Enfinigy Personal Blender over the Beast. I rated it 4.5 stars in my review. It's more affordable at around $99, easier to clean thanks to its ribbed exterior (not interior), and just as stylish. That said, the Zwilling lacks some of the thoughtful extras the Beast includes – like interchangeable lids and reusable straws – so it depends on what you value most.

Of course, compared to a full-sized blender, the Beast Mighty 850 is naturally more limited in both capacity and versatility. If you're looking for a machine that can handle soups, sauces, nut butters, and serious ice crushing, I’d recommend investing in a Vitamix every time.

What do customer reviews say?

I tend to look at Amazon.com for reviews first, since they always seem to be the most honest in comparison to comments I see on brand websites. Overall, Amazon reviewers appreciate the quality and style of the Beast Mighty 850 blender, praising its size and versatility, yet criticising the price and fiddly cleaning. It earns an average of 4.3 stars.

One top review says: 'Before I made the switch to this new blender, I was using a Vitamix, which I ultimately decided to donate. The main reason for this decision was my need for a more compact option that would fit better in my kitchen. Since this new blender arrived, I have been absolutely obsessed with it! I can’t express enough how much I enjoy using it. It’s the perfect size, not too bulky, yet spacious enough to accommodate my favorite smoothie recipes. The performance is outstanding; it blends everything to a creamy consistency with ease, making my smoothie-making experience not just efficient, but genuinely enjoyable.'

Other users were irritated by the Beast Mighty 850's high price tag, fiddly cleaning and noise level. A 1-star reviewer said: 'Too expensive for what you get. Packaging is beautiful, but product is difficult to use... Cleaning is very difficult. I was making a soft cheese dressing. The cheese got stuck and would not mix. When I opened the lid to stir, all the liquid (ie. oil) spilled out, but the soft cheese remained stuck. Had to get a spatula to scoop it out. The ridges on the inside just serve to get everything stuck.'

Should you buy it?

If you are in the market for a pretty blender that makes light work of dips, dressings, and delicious smoothies, then you'll love the Beast Mighty 850. I fell in love with the versatile accessories, which I carried around everywhere with me – drinking smoothies in the car and storing dips in the refrigerator at work. However, the ribbed cups can be tricky to clean, and I found the noise quite jarring. If you prioritise peace, more power and a more palatable price tag, you'll be better off choosing the number one Nutribullet in our best personal blender guide.

Some kitchen tools quietly earn their place in your every day routine – not with fanfare or flashy features, but with genuinely useful features that you just can't resist.

The Dualit Hand Blender is exactly that. I’ve tested it in my kitchen for a couple of weeks, using it for everything from fresh soups and salsas to whipped cream and even a batch of meringues for a weekend baking project. With its interchangeable attachments and compact footprint, it’s a smart choice for anyone seeking the best blender/food processor combo for small kitchens or everyday use. It even earned a place on my list of the best quiet blenders, thanks to the powerful yet low-decibel motor.

As you will see from my test results, I found it to be a multi-tasking essential for any keen cook, especially in summer, when quick, cool dishes – like chocolate mousse or guacamole – are the order of the day.

Specifications

Power: 450 watts

Weight: 2.88lb

Settings: 3

Attachments: Blending wand, mixing jug, whisk, food chopping bowl

Dimensions: 3 x 3 x 7 inches

Design

Let’s begin with appearances, because the Dualit Hand Blender is surely the sleekest hand blender on the market. I tested the copper finish, but it is more widely available in stainless steel. It's the kind of tool you might actually want to leave out on the counter, especially if you have open shelving or a chrome-accented kitchen.

Included in the box, you'll find a stainless steel blending wand, 1-litre blending jug, whisk attachment, and a food chopper. The jug is made from BPA-free plastic, and all the attachments are dishwasher-safe.

I've tested some immersion blenders that feel a bit flimsy, but every element in the Dualit Hand Blender set feels well-made with solid construction. The control itself has a comfortable, ergonomic grip.

Performance

I tested the Dualit Hand Blender for a couple of weeks in my kitchen. I trialled each of the functions, from hand blending to whisking and chopping, and I picked the toughest ingredients, from frozen fruits to whole, raw garlic. Here's everything you need to know.

Test 1: Berry breakfast smoothie

My first task for every blender I test is a breakfast berry smoothie with the toughest ingredients I can think of: frozen blueberries, banana, chia seeds, rolled oats, peanut butter and protein powder. The Dualit Hand Blender made a deliciously frothy drink, though I noticed flecks of blueberry skin and a slight grit from the chia seeds – nothing unpleasant, just worth noting if you want the silkiest of smoothies like a premium Vitamix can produce.

Test 2: Leek & potato soup

Next, I tried a soup recipe. I simmered leeks in butter and garlic, then added raw chopped potatoes and vegetable stock. Once the vegetables softened, I whipped out the Dualit Hand Blender and got to work puréeing.

Within a minute or two, I had a smooth, velvety potato soup in the pan. It was pretty quiet (no disturbing my neighbours), there was no splashing over the edges, and the 'non-scratch' guard protected the bottom of my Le Creuset pan.

Test 3: Homemade hummus

To test the functionality on dips, I simply added garbanzo beans, tahini, lemon juice, whole cloves of garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper to the blending jug. I gently moved the blending head up, down and around to crush the beans into a light, super smooth hummus.

The process was simple and mess-free, and I was left with a light delicious dip, with no chunks of garlic or stray garbanzo bean skins. It got me thinking: the Dualit Hand Blender would also be good for batch-making baby food that needs to be super soft.

Test 4: Chopped onions

The mini chopper attachment is very small, but a lovely time-saver for small prep jobs. I tried it on a brown onion (which needed to be roughly chopped into 2cm dice before I added it to the chopping bowl). I was left with fine dice, which I used in a chunky tomato salsa.

The small bowl and moderate power of this chopper would be suitable for chopping fresh herbs, pestos, and dressings, but not much more. If you need something more powerful, versatile, and spacious, I'd recommend one of the best food processors, like a Cuisinart or Magimix instead.

Test 4: Whipped cream

As a baker, I really appreciated the whisk attachment on the Dualit Hand Blender – it handled whipped cream with surprising ease. In fact, maybe too much ease. Whipped cream is notoriously temperamental, going from soft, cloud-like peaks to grainy and overwhipped in seconds. I wasn’t quite prepared for the Dualit Hand Blender’s speed and power, and my first test batch ended up far too thick. Consider this your warning: the Dualit’s whisk is a quiet but mighty workhorse.

The other word of warning is that it took me a couple of minutes to attach the whisk to the motor on my first try – you need to give it quite a hard push in order for it to click into place. After that, it was easy to navigate.

Cleaning & storage

Each attachment detaches smoothly and is straightforward to clean. The blending jug and food chopper bowl rinse clean easily, and while some components are top-rack dishwasher safe, I found a quick rinse with soapy warm water was more than good enough.

The only irritation I had was the blotchy fingerprints on the chrome finish. I needed to wipe it down after every use. I suppose the prettiest tools always need a bit of extra TLC.

What do customer reviews say?

After trawling through the customer reviews online, I can gather that the Dualit Hand Blender is appreciated for its quiet power, premium finish, and everyday versatility. It averages 4.6 stars on Amazon.com – and I couldn't find any reviews below 4 stars.

One reviewer noted that it is heavier than other hand blenders on the market, saying 'If you have an issue with the weight of a gallon of milk, this is not for you. It does have a nice ergonomic design, though, so it rests in your hand to make it easy to hold and operate one handed.'

Others praised its multi-functionality, especially the ability to switch seamlessly between blending, chopping, and whisking without cluttering the kitchen with multiple appliances. Another reviewer said: 'This set is basically the kitchen equivalent of getting promoted from intern to manager overnight. I went in expecting a basic hand blender and came out with a whole mini appliance army. The chrome finish looks sleek and weirdly motivational for making things like hummus and whipped cream from scratch.'

Should you buy it?

If you’re looking for a stylish set to help with everything from soups to sauces, dips to desserts, the Dualit Hand Blender is a very practical and satisfying choice. It’s quiet, beautifully made, and thoughtfully designed for everyday cooking.

Of course, if you need to blend large batches of smoothies, grind tougher ingredients like nuts or ice, or you need fancy pre-sets, you'll be better off with a full-size model from our best blender guide.

How we test blender combos

At Homes & Gardens, we put a lot of thought into how we test. When evaluating the best immersion blenders and blender-food processor combos, we treat each function – blending, processing, and additional attachments – as if they were standalone appliances. That means rigorous, real-world testing to ensure that you’re getting a product that performs exceptionally in every category.

• Berry smoothie A mix of large frozen berries, chia seeds, oats, bananas and protein tests the blender’s ability to handle fibrous textures, frozen fruit, and seeds without leaving chunks.
• Soup: A blend of root vegetables and stock helps us evaluate how well the blender turns chunky ingredients into a smooth, creamy consistency. We often add bright spices, like cumin and turmeric, to see if there is any staining on the plastic beakers (more common on cheaper appliances).
• Hummus: A good hand blender or food processor should achieve a smooth, velvety hummus out of raw chickpeas or beans, garlic, olive oil, and tahini – without the need for shaking or stirring.
• Chopped onions: If the set comes with a food processor attachment, we test it out on some basic chopping tasks. We try to test multiple onions, then a singular shallot, to see how well the processor handles small and large quantities. We want evenly diced results and not mush.
• Whipped cream: If a hand blender set comes with a whisk, we test it on whipped cream, timing how long it takes the liquid to turn into a fluffy, cloud-like texture, or whether the power is too limited.
• Mashed potato: If a hand blender set comes with a masher, we boil potatoes and mash them, looking for smooth results and watching out in case the attachment becomes easily jammed.

After the cooking tests, we step back and assess the appliance's design, durability and overall value for money. The Dualit Hand Blender sailed through all the tests and gained a coveted 4.5 star score. This polished piece of kit has earned its way into my personal cookware collection, and our Homes & Garden's guide to the best summer baking essentials. High praise indeed.

If you're a smoothie fanatic, soup-lover, or a keen home cook, you'll want a powerful blender that you can rely on. It's no secret that Vitamix make the best of the best. Their A3500 model is at the top of our best blender guide, but what do we think about the lower end of their range?

I took the Vitamix Explorian E520 to my test kitchen and ran through every single feature – from soups and smoothies to dips and dressings. I also tested it side by side with the premium Vitamix A3500 for comparison. Here are the results of my testing, so you can make the best investment for your kitchen.

Specifications

Design

First off, I love the slightly wider, squat shape of the Vitamix E520. It makes it easy to fit under most kitchen counters and store in your cupboards. The base has four little feet to elevate the blender off the counter and keep it stable during use. On the base, there's an analog speed dial with 10 variable speeds, three program settings for smoothies, frozen desserts, and hot soups) and a pulse feature. It's not flashy or high-tech, but I love the simplicity.

As for the blending pitcher, it can hold up to 2 liters. There's a black rubber lid with a removable, clear centerpiece, allowing you to add ingredients mid-blend. I found the lid quite stiff to remove, but it clips on firmly giving you peace of mind when blending. The entire unit shines with classic, Vitamix quality – it's made in the USA with industry-leading materials. I loved the blue light which glows when the blender is switched on – I was excited to get blending.

Blending performance

I put the Vitamix Explorian E520 through its paces on berry smoothies, hot soups, dips, crushed ice ,and nut butter. It surpassed my expectations, even on the toughest ingredients.

Test 1: Smoothies

My first test for the Vitamix E520? A challenging blend of frozen bananas, blueberries, strawberries, oats, chia seeds, protein powder, yogurt, and milk.

I selected the automatic smoothie setting and the blender got to work. It was fairly loud at 97 decibels. There was no timer like on higher-end Vitamix models, but I was happy to let it do its thing. When it stopped, I poured the silkiest smoothie into my glass. On the taste test, it was a smooth, cold, and creamy with zero graininess – a perfect 10/10.

Test 2: Hot soup

Next, I tested the Vitamix E520's ability to create hot blends with a roasted butternut squash soup. I like to make root vegetable soups when I'm testing blenders, since they have a fibrous, starchy texture.

First, I roasted large cubes of butternut squash in my air fryer, leaving the thick skin on so it became crispy and toughened. I added this to the blender with raw onion, a can of cannellini beans, garam masala spices, raw garlic and hot chicken broth.

This was probably the best results I got out of all my tests. The soup was warm and exceptionally smooth – not a fleck of squash skin or ounce of raw garlic or onion was left in the pitcher. The taste was mild, ultra-soft and velvety – I think this blender would be excellent for making baby food.

Test 3. Kale Pesto

I picked another fibrous ingredient for my next test: kale pesto. I added a glug of olive oil, lemon juice, fresh basil, and pine nuts along with raw curly kale. To my disappointment, there wasn't a dip preset, so I just picked a medium-low speed setting.

I wish I blended for less time and on a lower speed; the blades were so powerful I created an incredibly smooth pesto in 20 seconds. I prefer to leave a little chunkiness in it, but that's testament to the Vitamix E520's incredible power. I actually ended up with a silky salad dressing, instead. Not a fibrous kale stalk or unblended pine nut was left in its wake.

Test 4: Ice & frozen drinks

If you want to make frozen cocktails or desserts in the summer, this blender won't fail you. I added two handfuls of chunky ice cubes into the pitcher and selected the frozen dessert pre-set. Within seconds, I had perfect, crushed ice for frozen margaritas (don't worry, this was the very last task of my test day!)

Test 5: Peanut butter

Excited by the performance on pine nuts, I couldn't wait to try the tougher texture of peanuts. I followed the recipe on Vitamix's website, adding salt to the pitcher along with the whole nuts. At this point, I realized I had meant to buy roasted peanuts, but the results were still excellent and smooth – just not as oily, velvety and smooth as I'd expected.

If you prefer to take the guesswork out of blending, you might not like that there isn't an automatic 'Dips & Spreads Program.' But it was easy to follow Vitamix's instructions starting the blender on its lowest speed, then quickly increasing to high for 60 seconds. The included tamper was also very handy for pushing ingredients toward the blades.

I popped the homemade nut butter in sealable pots and used it for adding to recipes in midweek meals. I was very pleased with the whole experience.

Cleaning, storage & maintainence

Again, I have a lot of praises to sing. The wider design on the pitcher was very easy to handwash – I actually preferred this design to the Vitamix A3500i I was testing alongside it. There wasn't a specific self-clean mode like the higher-end models, but you can just add warm water and dish soap and set it on a low speed. The blender cleans itself in under a minute, although you will still have to tackle the lid by hand. Plus, the colorful spices I used in the soup left no stains in the pitcher – a testament to the high-quality materials.

In terms of storage, the blender pitcher detaches from the motor, which is helpful as it's quite a chunky device all-in-all. Once I had cleared out some space, they easily fit in my kitchen cupboards. Underneath the unit, there's a wrap for the power cord, so you can wind it up neatly and it remains tangle-free.

What do customer reviews say?

Most of the reviewers on Vitamix.com are very happy with their purchase, with an average of 4.3 stars across 29 reviews. They like the size, shape, and power of this model.

I read one or two reviews that complained about a burning smell, but Vitamix had a reassuring answer for this: 'The behavior you are experiencing is completely normal for a newer machine. Although all motors are tested at the Vitamix production facility, heavy use will cause further curing of the motor windings. This curing gives off a burning smell and is typical for wound motors. This smell will quickly dissipate after a few more heavy uses.'

They also explain that the Vitamix motor is designed to protect itself from overheating. 'Sometimes the machine may emit a burning odor and/or stop temporarily because its thermal protector sensed that the machine was about to overheat. If this occurs, we recommend turning the power switch off for up to 45 minutes, allowing the machine to cool down or reset. To avoid overheating your machine in the future, be sure to ramp the machine up to the highest speed within 5 seconds of turning it on to activate the cooling fan in the motor.'

How does it compare?

If you really want the best of the best and you’ve got a budget to match, the Vitamix Ascent A3500 is the top-of-the-range model to pick. It’s incredibly powerful, offers five smart programs, a programmable timer, smart wireless connectivity, and a large 64oz container. It’s currently topping our list of best blenders and the performance is top-notch.

However, the E520 excels in simplicity. The lack of a timer wasn’t a dealbreaker for me, and I actually found the analog dial very intuitive. In terms of blending performance, the difference between the two was minimal during testing. I actually found that the A3500i was so powerful it slightly warmed my smoothie, whereas the E520 kept things ice cold. Plus, the wider pitcher also made it easier to clean and store.

At the cheaper end of the scale, the Vitamix Explorian E310 is a very respectable model that we also rated 4.5 stars back in 2023. It just lacks automatic programs for hot soups and frozen desserts.

Should you buy it?

If you're looking for a straightforward, simple, and powerful Vitamix, you should definitely consider the Explorian E520. It's ideal for refreshing smoothies and super velvety soups. The only struggles I can think of were the noise, the stiff lid, and the fact it isn't that widely available online. If you check the store locator on Vitamix.com, you can find it in Macy's, Best Buy and CostCo. Or, I'm 99% sure this is exactly the same model on Amazon (it's the low-profile Explorian with the rubber lid) although it doesn't have E520 in the title.

At the end of the day, if you're looking for a Vitamix that's more versatile and modern with all the bells and whistles, you'll want to consider the Ascent series instead – it really is the best that Vitamix has to offer, although that's reflected in the price.

How we test blenders

We have a meticulous and rigorous process for how we test blenders.

Smoothies: For the first round of testing, we stick to a classic breakfast smoothie – making sure it's packed with challenging ingredients. We start with frozen berries to see how a blender can cope with frozen textures, tough skin, and seeds. We then add frozen banana halves to see whether it can break down larger frozen solids. Then, we add jumbo oats and gritty chia seeds. Finally, we add my favorite tricky ingredients: protein powder and creatine, because these powdery textures can easily add unappetizing grit to a smoothie.

Soups: We like to make root vegetable soups when testing blenders, since they have a fibrous, starchy texture. The ingredients we choose will depend on the season, but they can range from butternut squash to artichokes and beets. Of course, there will also be onion and garlic. We also like to add bright spices (like turmeric) to test whether they stain the pitcher. The pass/fail criteria here are simple. The blender should fully incorporate every ingredient into a single liquid with no lumps or grittiness. If the blender claims to make hot soup, the resulting soup must be piping hot.

Ice: Next, we see if a blender can crush ice. Ice is useful for two reasons. One is as a straightforward test of sheer power. Weak blenders won't be able to crush it, or will do half a job. A powerful, premium blender should be able to mist ice cubes into fine white powder. If a blender can't manage this, then it can't earn a perfect score.

Dips & Dressings: Technically, food processors are much better suited to making dips and sauces than blenders. Blenders are for liquids, not sauces, and their small blades aren't as thorough at mixing and emulsifying as food processors. That said, plenty of blenders market themselves as being able to make homemade dips and sauces - so we have to try it.

Extras: We then test for any other extras advertised by the blender, such as frozen smoothie bowls, nut butters and plant milks.

Design & decibels: A blender will score extra points in our tests if it looks beautiful and operates quietly. We monitor the decibel levels on every test. We're conscious that you're looking for quiet blenders that don't wake up your family, disturb your neighbors – or simply whirr quietly to calm your nerves – so we note our personal reactions to the noise levels, too

Cleaning: A great blender is one thing, but it can be annoying if lumps of food can lodge themselves in nooks and crannies. We clean every blender by hand to see how easy and safe it is. We also test dishwasher-safe blenders and self-cleaning settings, if they are on offer. In terms of storage, we see if we can fit the blenders in cupboards and pantries, and how easy they are to lift and access.

Value for money: We then collate the results of online reviews to evaluate long-term reliability. We also take into account the warranty, price and overall value for money. Finally, our team compares the blender to all of the others that we've tested, so we can let you know where it sits in the market.

I’ll cut straight to the chase: I absolutely loved testing this portable blender. One of my guilty pleasures is stopping by Whole Foods for an eye-wateringly expensive green smoothie. It's always nice to have a boost of fruit, veg, protein, and fiber when you're miles away from your kitchen. But if you have one of the best portable blenders, you can enjoy that same luxury without the weekly overspend.

For cold, fresh smoothies, the Nutribullet Flip is the best portable blender I’ve tried so far. It’s a battery-operated machine with a stainless steel lining that keeps your drinks cool for up to 24 hours – a unique feature in the market. The motor is powerful, the design feels trustworthy, and the lid never leaked during my week of testing. My only disappointment? It can’t handle hot ingredients and it struggles on crushed ice, so soup and frozen margaritas are off the menu.

Specifications

Design

The market for cordless blenders is still small, so the Nutribullet Flip feels like an exciting new contender. In terms of appearance, it's very different from the rest (see the picture above). It has an opaque exterior that's lined with stainless steel to keep your drinks cold for hours. That's wonderfully practical, but it does mean you lose the satisfaction (and control) of watching your ingredients blend.

It's also pretty chunky. I have very small hands, and I found it a bit hard to twist the lid off. That said, the materials feel sturdy and reliable, whereas other portable blenders can feel cheap and plasticky.

I was sent the black colorway to test, and I thought it looked a little like a boring, camping thermos. But as of December 2024, Nutribullet has brought out some fun colorways, like purple, white, and indigo, which feel more personalized.

While the design is utilitarian, it is functionally brilliant. I loved the 'flip-to-blend' feature; it's fun and intuitive. The power button lights up and flashes different colors to tell you the charge status. The liquid measures inside the pitcher are super helpful, as are the included metal straw, straw cleaner, and travel lid.

My main design disappointment is that it's not suited to hot ingredients. I wouldn't have expected that from other portable blenders, but when I saw the word 'insulated' on the packaging, I instantly imagined blending hot soups for a healthy office lunch. Sadly, that's not the case.

Blending performance

Throughout the week, I made seven different smoothies in the Nutribullet Flip. I've never felt healthier! Without boring you with the details of every single blend, here are the results of the top three trickiest blends.

1. Berry breakfast smoothie

This was the first smoothie I made with the Nutribullet Flip. I added a banana, frozen blueberries, a scoop of protein powder, yogurt, and oat milk into the cup – as well as some tough-to-blend oats and chia seeds.

After pressing the power button, the blender sprang to life. It measured a very quiet 73 decibels and ran for 30 seconds before stopping automatically.

Without the ability to see inside the opaque blending cup, I had to trust the process. When I opened the lid, I was pleasantly surprised to find a vibrant, frothy smoothie.

I could see a few flecks of blueberry skins, but on the taste test, the drink was deliciously smooth. The oats added a slight graininess, and I found a banana lump when I drank to the bottom of the cup. This is not quite Vitamix quality, of course, but for a portable blender, this was very good. In hindsight, blending it a second time would likely have eliminated the stray lump.

The smoothie stayed refreshingly cool as I drank it – a testament to the Nutribullet Flip’s thoughtful design. Sometimes when you're testing an appliance you get an instantly good feeling; I was really excited for the week ahead.

2. Iced coffee shake

I decided to test the Nutribullet Flip's claim to keep drinks cold for hours on end. At 6pm on Tuesday night, I blended a frozen banana, oat milk, cacao powder, collagen powder, ice cubes, and a shot of espresso. With the blending lid tightly on, I left it on my kitchen counter overnight.

The next morning at 7am, the shake was still cool. While it wasn’t ice-cold, it hit the perfect temperature for a morning pick-me-up. I took it to work and drank it at 10am – it was lovely.

3. Frozen kale & mango smoothie

I love a green smoothie and this was the ultimate test for the motor. I added a frozen blend of chopped kale, mango, pineapple, avocado, pumpkin seeds – along with a couple of small ice cubes and some coconut water.

This was the first time I saw the yellow flashing light – which concerned me. The instructions manual revealed this could indicate a jammed blade or overheating. I gave the blender a shake and tried again. I assume a lump of ice had lodged itself under the blade, because it was fine after that.

After two rounds of 30 second blending, the results were very smooth, creamy and pretty perfect. There were a few, tiny flecks of kale, but overall, I was impressed that the ice and seeds had disappeared to nothing.

I ended up making this smoothie most days going forward, and the results were consistently good.

4. Crushed ice

I'm not quite sure why you'd want to crush ice on the go, but I tested it anyway. I added six small ice cubes to the cup. This blender lacks a pulse function, so I ran four blending cycles. It got up to 100 decibels, which is as loud as a garbage truck (sorry neighbors). I got the yellow warning sign a couple of times, so I had to shake it to dislodge the ice from the blades.

You can see from the results, it didn't really work. If you want crushed iced on the go, the best you'll get it the Ninja Blast. But really, for frozen margaritas or slushies, you want a wider, stronger countertop model like a Vitamix or Breville Super Q. But if you're adding just a few ice cubes to a liquid blend, the Nutribullet Flip works fine (see the recipes above).

Is it bag-friendly and spill-proof?

I was slightly annoyed that the blender was too chunky for the coffee cup holders on the sides of my rucksack. However, the blender fit easily inside the main body. I carried it around all week, next to my laptop and notebooks. It felt lightweight and the lid stayed very secure. Not a single drop leaked. Even when I packed it into a gym bag for a barre ballet class, it remained spill-proof, despite rolling around quite a bit during transit.

It was too bulky for my handbag, but there is a handle so you can carry it around like a tote – if you so wish. I also tested it out in my car cup holders. It was much too tall for the central cup holder by the gear stick, but it slotted perfectly into the larger cup holder between the seats.

Cleaning, storage & maintenance

Portable blenders can sometimes be tricky to clean, especially if you’ve blended in the morning and left the container in your bag all day, allowing residue to harden.

However, I found the Nutribullet Flip easy to rinse and wipe down. The residue easily lifts away from the stainless steel interior, using a soft sponge and hot soapy water. There was a large space beneath the blades, so I could clean this area thoroughly without cutting my hand. The only part you need to watch out for is the sip hole in the lid, which can be easy to overlook. I found the straw cleaner very helpful for this.

In terms of storage and maintenence, it fits in a cupboard easily and I am thrilled to report I didn't need to charge it all week long. Nutribullet say there are over 14 30-second blending cycles per full charge.

How does it compare?

In many ways, this is the best portable blender I've ever tested. In terms of power, the 11 volts blows the competitors out the water. However, at over 3lbs, it's not as compact, slender or lightweight as other models, like the Ninja Blast (which weighs 1.7lbs). The Ninja Blast also excels on crushing ice, so if you're a slushie or frozen cocktail fan, that could be your winner. The Ninja is also a bit cheaper, but that's reflected in the more plastic materials.

Should you buy it?

Yes, if you're looking for refreshing cold smoothies and shakes on the go, you can't go wrong with this. It's super powerful, robust, effective and well-designed. There are some things to bear in mind: it's pretty large, chunky and it can't crush ice into a fine powder. But personally, I don't think those are dealbreakers.

If you're something who travels a lot or works long hours, you'll love the cold-insulation technology and long battery life. All week long, I enjoyed morning and afternoon smoothies that were fresh, full of fiber and packed with healthy fruit – with very little planning or effort. That's a winner for me.

How we test portable blenders

We're proud of how we test blenders. As H&G's kitchen appliances editor, I test blenders in my home kitchen and fit them into my daily routine, so I can see how they function in real life. When it comes to portable blenders, it's all about ease, portability and reliability.

We have a series of standardized 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: We blend a mix of frozen and fresh fruits, leafy greens like 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.

Added extras: We also try blending tough ingredients that add nutritional value to your smoothies, like sunflower seeds, collagen and protein powders. This is a good measure of the blenders vortex system, which should blitz evenly to create a smooth blend.

Crushed ice: Finally, we try crushed ice to see if the blenders can 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 surprise us with how well they do.

Speed & noise: It's pretty embarrassing to use a loud blender in the office or subway, so we measure the decibels on our performance tests, too. We also measure the speed so you can see how efficient the motor is.

Clean-up: Clean-up is just as important as the blending. If it's tricky and inefficient, we'll be the first to let you know.

Reliability & design: After these tests, we'll group together to think about how the model compares to other similar blenders in the market, and we'll consider who it suits. Here, we'll let you how well-built it is, whether it's well-designed for small bags, car cup holders, whether it leaks and how easy it is to use. We also read up on customer reviews to see how it fares over a long period of time and what unique insights real-life users can bring to our reviews.

Often, we're lucky enough to keep the products ourselves, which means we can continually update our buying guides with comments about longevity, including whether they leaked in our bags!

Our review and testing guidelines provide more insight into our processes, and our testers for this guide are listed below.

Appliance storage can be a challenge, especially in kitchens with limited space. If you're on the hunt for a way to conceal a blender that you use enough to keep, but not enough to give up counter space for, this is for you.

Whether you have a bulky pro model, or a sleek cup blender, finding a home for your blender is essential to keep your kitchen clutter-free and efficient.

Here, top home organizers and chefs share eight practical storage solutions to maximize your kitchen space, protect your blender from dirt and damage, and keep counters clear.

1. Install an appliance 'garage'

If you have the space, time, and budget, appliance garage ideas are a sound investment.

Dennis Littley, chef and recipe expert at Ask Chef Dennis says, ‘These are essentially small, roll-down cabinets designed for your countertop to conceal appliances like blenders, toasters, or coffee machines. They’re a stylish way to keep your blender accessible but out of sight, and since it stays plugged in, you’re more likely to use it.

‘I love these for kitchens where counter space is precious because the blender stays in one spot without feeling like clutter.’

The appliance garage trend is also a great way to conceal an air fryer in the kitchen, tackling a load of bulky, awkward appliances in one go.

2. Deep pull-out drawers

If you struggle to organize kitchen cabinets efficiently, finding items falling over and having to dig thoroughly to the back to get out what you need, deep pull-out drawers could be the solution – especially for portable devices such as blenders.

Lisa Chun, home organization hacker and lifestyle blogger behind Our Home Becoming explains, ‘Pull-out drawers inside cabinets are a great storage solution for small appliances like blenders. There are many heavy-duty adhesive drawer options now [available at Amazon], which means they can be installed without drilling. If a blender has accessories, store all the parts together inside a small clear bin next to the base to keep them tidy and together.’

3. Set aside workspace in a pantry

Whether you have huge walk-in pantry ideas or simpler pantry shelving, consider making your food storage a little more practical by setting up a blender station.

Dennis Littley shares, ‘One of my favorite solutions is setting up a dedicated workspace in the pantry. If you have a walk-in pantry or even just a good-sized shelf space, create a mini “appliance zone.” Place your blender on a sturdy shelf at counter height so it’s ready to use, but tuck it away behind closed doors when you’re done.

‘You can even run power strips [such as this waterproof powerstrip at Walmart] into the pantry for an extra layer of convenience, letting you use the blender without moving it around.’

4. Use a camouflaged cabinet

Kitchen cabinet ideas don’t need to follow conventional rules. When trying to hide a blender in a kitchen, consider turning smaller unused spaces into concealed cabinets.

Maria Anderson, cleaning and organizing expert at Henfield Storage explains, ‘This would be a cabinet that looks like a part of your kitchen style but has a hidden, retractable feature. It may look like a set of drawers or a decorative panel at first glance. When opened with a push or pull, it reveals a properly stored blender. This “disguised compartment" method hides the blender in sight while leaving it within arm's reach improving the aesthetic appearance of your kitchen.’

5. Tuck them in corner cabinets

Organizing corner cabinets is a strategic nightmare, but they offer a great hiding spot for small appliances like blenders as they usually have a lot of volume in terms of available space. To make them easier to access, consider investing in a pull-out corner unit where you can tuck your blender away when not in use, but pull it out quickly should the urge for a smoothie strike.

It’s a great way to mitigate the biggest cause of wasted space in your kitchen.

6. Create a breakfast spot

If you use your blender a lot, why not incorporate it into a feature breakfast bar idea?

Matthew O’Grady, director at Thomas Matthew Kitchens & Furniture says, ‘A centrally-located, multi-functional breakfast bar or nook is an essential key to slow-living mornings. This space not only serves as a place for meals but also a locale where preparations can be done. It provides a convenient area to place important items like keys, phones, or laptops so everything needed to start your day is in one organized place.’

This way, the blender is easy to access but will look more intentional, limiting that sensation of kitchen clutter. Extra points if you use a stylish tray like this over-sized wooden serving tray, from Amazon, to coral your morning appliances like your best coffee machine to make the space look a little neater.

7. Use a lazy Susan for smaller blenders

One thing people with organized kitchen pantries always do is make use of every little corner for storage. If you have a smaller, single-serve blender such as a Nutribullet, Ultra (which we reviewed and gave 4.5 stars here) consider stashing it on a lazy Susan from Walmart in the corner of a cabinet. This way, it is out of sight, but easy to grab for occasional use.

Meaghan Kessman, professional home organizer agrees, ‘Corners can be tricky, but lazy Susans are a lifesaver! They make those hard-to-reach areas more accessible and help you make the most of every inch of space.’

8. Keep it out on shelving

If you are a soup or smoothie fanatic and use your blender more than twice a week, it is okay to leave it out on display, putting it out on kitchen shelving ideas for easy access.

To avoid clutter, however, Diane N. Quintana, Certified Professional Organizer at Chronic Disorganization, DNQ Solutions warns, ‘Keep the counters as clear as possible. Have only things out that you use all the time – like a coffee maker, toaster oven, and a crockery full of cooking utensils.’

Chef Dennis Littley reminds us, ‘Don’t overlook the power of labeling and visibility when organizing a kitchen. No matter where you store your blender – whether it’s in a pantry, a cabinet, or a drawer – make sure it’s easy to spot and access. If it’s tucked too far out of sight, you’ll forget to use it, and a blender should be a go-to tool in any kitchen. Strategic placement and easy access mean it’ll stay a functional part of your cooking routine without being an eyesore.’

It's no secret that David Beckham is a fan of Ninja. The soccer player has partnered with the brand to show how he uses their kitchen appliances throughout his home countless times. As an avid cook and heath foot aficionado, it makes complete sense, and he has a new favorite blender this Christmas.

The 'footballer' took to Instagram to share a video of his Christmas decorations, and a Ninja Blast Portable Blender (available from Ninja) features prominently. In the humorous reel, Beckham steals the Ninja Blast from a stocking that ostensibly belongs to one of his children. He takes it to the kitchen and quietly makes himself a midnight smoothie. He then washes the blender and places it back in the stocking, ready to gift on Christmas morning. Not only does Beckham think the blender makes a great stocking stuffer, but he wants one himself.

It's clear why Beckham is obsessed with the blender. The Ninja Blast has a stylish, cordless, and hand-held design. It charges via USB-C for repeated use year after year. Its easy sip lid makes it simple to take on the go, as Beckham demonstrates. Despite its portable nature, the blender is relatively large, allowing room for up to 18 ounces of beverage. Plus, it's BPA-free and dishwasher-safe.

Beckham's choice has been consistently highly rated. H&G Kitchen Editor Lydia Hayman named the Ninja Blast the Best Portable Blender of 2024. In her Ninja Blast review, she calls it 'a portable blender actually worth buying.' She states: 'portable blenders have always struck me as gimmicks,' but then continues, 'However, when I put it to the test, I found a good blender in its own right. It did a great job with berries, leafy greens, and protein and creatine powders. It's remarkably good at crushing ice for a blender of this size and I used it at home for a delicious slushie. It lived up to our commute test, and it has lots of excellent safety features.'

If you are looking for a last-minute Christmas gift to add to a health-conscious friend or family member's stocking, David Beckham just might have you covered. With a seal of approval from both the king of soccer and kitchen appliance experts, it seems you can't go wrong.

With so many blenders on the market, selecting the right one is a process that requires careful consideration. Not all blenders are made alike, and as such, elements such as size, speed, and wattage are important to think about.

Vitamix is a brand that needs no introduction, with legions of celebrities among their fans. Kourtney Kardashian is one of them – Poosh, her lifestyle brand, shared a photo of her with a Vitamix, one of the best blenders on the market, which she used to make an organic smoothie.

Fortunately, we not only found the model she uses, but it is also on sale. The Vitamix 5200 Blender (available on Amazon) is typically $428.00, but it's now on for $349.95 (as part of the most noteworthy Vitamix deals currently live for Black Friday). H&G's appliance editor, Lydia Hayman, warns these deals are selling out fast, and she's not sure how long they'll last, so why wait to follow Kardashian's lead?

With a speed dial that gives options from 1-10, this Vitamix model is ideal for anything from soups and smoothies to sauces and salsas. The 64 oz container also allows for large batches, making this a great option for families or those who host.

Additionally, the blender also has the ability to heat up food with its blades, using friction-based technology to warm items like soup in six minutes. It's no surprise that Hayman counts it among the best Black Friday homes deals of the year.

'Tall, sleek, and slim enough to deserve in kitchens with spacious kitchen islands,' Hayman comments. 'The distinctive angled sides ensure a smooth, even blend while enhancing its ability to heat soup and self-clean efficiently. It’s the perfect choice for kitchen islands, but its height isn't suited to counters with low-hanging wall cabinets.' If your kitchen falls into the latter, then fear not. We've rounded up some other H&G Vitamix favorites, all of which happen to be on sale right now. Act fast.

Making a splash in the US market on July 11th, the Ninja SLUSHi™ quickly sold out. It’s nowhere to be seen on supermarket shelves, but everywhere on social media. My feed is filled with lucky people whipping up refreshing slushies and frappuccinos in their shiny new Ninjas.

So, what makes the Ninja Slushi so special? It's all about the RapidChill Technology, which can reportedly frost your drinks in as little as fifteen minutes – no ice needed. There are five exciting settings – slush, spiked slush (think: frozen cocktails), frappe, milkshake, and frozen juice. Ninja says it can keep drinks cold for up to twelve hours, too.

It sounds speedy, user-friendly, and utterly delicious. There's just one snag: you'll have to join a waitlist to get your hands on one. You're not alone; I'm also patiently waiting to test and review this cool new gadget.

In the meantime, if your cravings can't wait, I've got some Ninja Slushi alternatives for you. While Ninja’s machine does boast cutting-edge features, some of the best blenders on the market can also crush ice to make slushy, frozen treats. They might be a tad less fun to use (and you might not go viral for using them) but on a hot summer's day, the results are just as delightful.

Best Ninja Slushi Alternatives

If you want to get your frozen fix immediately, the best Ninja Slushi alternatives are right here.

Final Thoughts

If you’re after instant gratification and spontaneous frozen drinks, the Ninja Slushi looks like your go-to gadget. Its rapid chill technology supposedly takes your drinks from zero to frozen in as little as fifteen minutes and keeps them that way for twelve hours. It sounds ideal for entertaining. Once I’ve tested it (it's on route to me right now), I’ll report straight back.

However, with the help of a powerful blender or ice cream maker, you can still enjoy frozen drinks this summer. Or at least, while you wait for the Ninja Slushi to become available again.

FAQs

Last summer, I went on a yoga retreat in Greece. Every morning, the retreat chef prepared fresh ginger shots to energize us before sessions. This daily ritual was so refreshing and invigorating, it made me want to bring a slice of that healthy lifestyle into my own home.

If you love the idea of starting the day with freshly-squeezed juices (or like me, aspire to be that kind of health goddess), creating a dedicated juice bar in your kitchen is a great way to start a habit. Inspired by our resident barista Laura and her kitchen coffee nook, I’ve put together this guide to help you create a juice bar at home.

We’ll start by choosing the best juicer to grace your worktop, before adding a few essentials like elegant glassware, juicing accessories and fruit bowls – guaranteed to bring joy and ease to your juicing routine.

The Quick List

Further down, I'll give you options and explanations of what you need in your juice bar and why. However, if you just want a quick list of the juice bar essentials, here's everything you need.

The juicer

There are tons of different juicers on the market, making it hard to know how to choose the right model. If you don’t have one already or are looking for a quality upgrade, you might like to read our guide to the best juicers of 2024.

Spoiler alert: we picked the Kuvings EVO820 as the best juicer overall, but for my dream juice bar, I’d pick the Nama J3 Cold Press Juicer. It’s stylish, minimalist and most importantly, fuss-free. It has a large hopper with a rotating blade, which automatically feeds ingredients down to be juiced This means you can add whole or large pieces of fruit and let the Nama get on with it, which is ideal for sleepy or busy mornings. It’s straight out of my health goddess dreams.

Fruit holders

The best part of the juicing ritual is selecting your fresh fruit. I love displaying fruit in my kitchen, not just for the pop of color it brings to my worktop. It inspires me to replenish my stock frequently and try out new flavor combinations

Cutting Boards

Once you’ve selected your fruit, you’ll need to prep it for the juicer. I asked Kyle Mendenhall, juicing expert & Senior Director of Culinary Innovation at Snooze A.M. Eatery for his professional tips. He advises 'preparing all your ingredients before you start to juice (washing, trimming, seeding, etc.). This will allow you to juice everything at one time and keep your juice as fresh as possible.’

Whether you’re chopping a pineapple, peeling a lime, or slicing up some apples, you’ll need a high-quality cutting board to hand. Personally, I like to use wooden cutting boards that are free from BPA and non-toxic, ensuring the healthiest juice possible.

However, Kyle says, ‘Sometimes wood can absorb flavors and make it hard to clean sticky sugar residue.’ He recommends a Hasegawa Japanese cutting board. ‘They have a wood core, a rubber outer coating, and provide a softness when cutting. They are also anti-bacterial. Originally intended for sushi chefs, I find these boards are top-notch for prepping fruits and vegetables.'

Glassware

Once your juice is ready to drink, you’ll want to pour it into a sleek, elegant glass for the true juice bar experience. Kyle says, ‘glasses that are good for chilled cocktails and cold beer also work great for juice.’

Accessories

Now it's time to bring the color and vibrance of the juice bar to your own kitchen. Think: fresh flowers, bold prints and bright vases. I’m not very green-thumbed, but I love the idea of growing my own fruit tree indoors next to my kitchen juice bar. Imagine juicing your own, home-grown clementines! Otherwise, a fresh bunch of flowers or vibrant print will be equally uplifting.

Useful extras

FAQs

What is the best juicer for small spaces?

The Hurom HP is cute and compact. Just the right size for single servings. It even incorporates Slow Squeeze Technology to get all the goodness out of your produce. Read our full review here.

Can you make juice in a blender?

It's not ideal (a juicer will always make a crisper, clearer juice) but if you're in a squeeze, you can make juice in a blender. In fact, we've covered the blender vs juicer debate in detail.

What is the difference between smoothies and juices?

Juices are naturally hydrating. They're created by extracting liquid from fruits and vegetables, leaving behind the fiber in the form of 'juice pulp'.

Smoothies are made by blending whole fruits and vegetables, retaining their fiber and offering a thicker, creamy texture. Smoothies can be more filling, while juices offer a concentrated source of vitamins and minerals.

If you’re more of a smoothie lover, you can easily create an at-home smoothie station instead. Start with our guide to the best smoothie blenders and more.

To say Tom Brady's athleticism has been well-documented is an understatement. As the former QB of the New England Patriots, health and fitness is a major part of the NFL player's life, and as such, he occasionally shares his favorite recipes on his Instagram page.

A recent video in particular grabbed our attention. The football player shows us how he makes his signature TB12 smoothie, and while the beverage itself looks delicious, we were naturally interested in his surroundings; in particular, the lack of clutter around his Nutribullet blender.

Naturally, appliances can be bulky – between essential items such as microwaves, toasters, kettles, and the aforementioned blenders, countertop real estate can become a hot commodity, particularly in smaller kitchens. As such, it is crucial to be as economical as possible when selecting which appliances get prime counter space, as experts explain.

'Declutter your kitchen regularly by assessing kitchen items and donating or discarding items that are broken or no longer used,' says Molly Chandler, designer at Willis & Stone. 'It’s also a good idea to anticipate future storage needs by designing flexible solutions that can adapt to changing lifestyles.'

As we can see in the clip, Brady seems to use the Nutribullet daily for his protein smoothie, so it makes sense that it would get a coveted spot on his countertop.

Another aspect of kitchen appliance storage to keep in mind is utilizing cabinets to hide away less frequently used pieces, as well as implementing new storage solutions.

'Think about storage for small appliances, technology integration, and potential changes in the household,' Chandler says. 'Tech-savvy individuals may need storage solutions for kitchen gadgets, charging stations, and the integration of smart appliances.'

Finally, Chandler recommends eliminating any cables or kitchen appliances that are not especially visually pleasing unless they are in use, as they can be eyesores.

'Consider incorporating hidden outlets and dedicated spaces for electronic devices,' Chandler states. 'By carefully considering these aspects during the planning phase, you can create a kitchen that is not only functional and stylish but also provides efficient storage solutions tailored to your lifestyle.'

A bonus of the Nutribullet, in this case, is its sleek and aesthetically pleasing appearance. Slim yet robust, these blenders fit in seamlessly on counters and come in a variety of colorways. Additionally, its glass top complements existing glass details and contrasts wood accents in the kitchen.

Overall, we recommend being strategic with kitchen appliances. Consider how often the appliance will be used, and how often the item will be displayed. Furthermore, have fun with colors and models of items like blenders and kettles – they can be decor in their own right.

KitchenAid have been gracing us with elegant, durable, cordless appliances for decades. Their latest release, the Go Cordless Portable Blender, is amongst some of their best launches. Here’s why.

When we’re testing the best personal blenders on the market, we look for three things: power, design, and usability. Unlike the majority of models that don’t make our list, the KitchenAid is powerful enough to rival plug-in family blenders. It’s slim and sleek, but with enough capacity to support two drinkers or those who want big protein shakes. And usability? It’s a KitchenAid. Of course it’s easy to use.

I put the KitchenAid through a series of tests, using it to make smoothies, dips, and crushed ice. I’ll give you a spoiler: it was brilliant. If you’re a big smoothie drinker or gym goer, this is perfect for you. 

Specifications

Unboxing

In true KitchenAid style, the packaging for the blender was minimal. The cardboard box is completely recyclable, making this easy on your garbage. 

We tested a model that comes with a rechargeable battery included. Whilst buying a model with a battery is a little more expensive than not, you’ll need it if you don’t already have a battery from one of KitchenAid’s other cordless models. Once you have one or two batteries, you can buy any of KitchenAid’s range without needing to make an extra investment.

Aesthetically, this is bigger than most personal blenders out there. In fact, it was only just smaller than the NutriBullet Pro 900. The design is sleek and easy to store, but it’s certainly on the large end of portable blenders.

Who would it suit?

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. 

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. 

What is it like to use?

My KitchenAid battery arrived with full charge, but the first thing I’d recommend that you do is get yours charging, just in case. Setting up the KitchenAid for blending was simple. All I had to do was rinse the blending bottle and then it was ready to use.

The controls are simple. You lock the blending bullet, put it in place, and twist. It works on a single, powerful speed, so you’ll have to keep an eye on things if you want some texture, but it’s really, very easy. 

Test 1: smoothies and protein shakes

The first test we put all of our blenders through is making a smoothie. I added frozen berries, bananas, spinach, oats, and almond milk to my blending bottle. This is a good test of the blender's versatility and range. Spinach skins are tough to whizz into nothing; frozen, seedy berries are almost as tough as blending ice cubes; and oats can be fibrous and tricky to get super smooth. However, at both half and full capacity, the KitchenAid worked quickly and effectively. The smoothies were perfect, there wasn’t a seed or a skin in sight.

Then I tried adding a scoop of protein powder to my drinks. Often, adding creatine or protein can make your drink go lumpy, with pockets of powder. However, the KitchenAid didn’t struggle at all. It incorporated my protein powder perfectly into the smoothie, which would suggest that you could use this for batters and pancake mixes too.

Test 2: hummus

The next test I give all of our blenders is making hummus. This can be tough for small, bullet models, since the mix is much lower in liquid content. However, it’s also really useful if you know that your blender can whip up hummus, guacamole, or salsa.

I used the KitchenAid to make hummus, so I added a can of chickpeas, a spoon of tahini, a squeeze of lemon, some cumin, and some salt to the blender. Then, I twisted on the lid and turned the bottle upside down for blending. This did mean that I left a bit of tahini on the side of my blender, an unavoidable bit of residue, but it wasn’t a disaster. I gave the blender a shake so that the hummus would pick it up. 

The most important thing to know is that the KitchenAid made the best hummus of all the personal blenders I’ve tested. It was by far the smoothest and that was in the shortest amount of time too. The next most important thing to know is that I made double the amount of hummus than I did in any other personal blender. Both of these are down to the above-average size and power of the KitchenAid, which I’m wondering even classes as ‘personal’, but I won’t complain.

Test 3: crushed ice

The final test is a bit of an unfair one for personal blenders, but we give it to our bigger blenders because we think it’s a useful thing to know. We add ice cubes and a drop of water to our blender to see whether it can crush ice. The KitchenAid is one of a handful of personal blenders that actually, successfully blended ice finely enough for it to be an ice cone. It wasn’t as perfect as a full-suited Vitamix, but you could definitely use this for frozen cocktails.

Cleaning, storage, and maintenance

This part of the whole KitchenAid user experience is as good as the rest. All of the detachable parts are dishwasher safe, so they’re easy to load in and forget about. I chose to hand wash them, adding a squeeze of dish soap and some warm water to the blending bottle. Just thirty seconds of blending cleaned all the hummus or smoothie out of the blender and it was ready to go again. It’s simple.

As for storage, this is easy to fit into any cupboard. If you think of this as a carton of milk in size, any space that will fit it will fit the KitchenAid. Even better, you don’t have a plug or cord getting tangled with anything. This is just one appliance. I hate to say the same phrase again, but it’s simple. 

How does it rate online?

Even though this is relatively new to the market, the KitchenAid has some impressive reviews. People praise it as versatile, slim, and easy to use. I was actually surprised to find a number of people calling this 'light and compact', saying they carried it with them to work and to the gym. I thought it was quite big, especially for personal blender standards, but if you don't need anything too hefty, this is a good shout.

A few reviewers said that another blending bottle would have made a difference. Then, you could have multiple drinks on the go, which is a good idea, but it would also take up more space in the cupboard. A few people also commented that this was an expensive personal blender, which it is. However, you're paying for KitchenAid's battery, which is then compatible with five other products in their range. If you'll use all of these, you can actually make a good saving.

How does it compare?

This is one of the biggest personal, portable blenders that we’ve tested, so it’s tricky to find one that makes a fair comparison. However, as we were using it, our experts kept coming back to the BlenderX, which is relatively similar. 

We normally recommend the BlenderX to campers because it’s big and has good battery life and some serious power. Granted, the 20 oz jar of the BlenderX is another 4 oz bigger than the KitchenAid, but it is more powerful and can run for a lot longer. In fact, the KitchenAid Go Cordless can run for 60 minutes at full power. That's a lot of blending for just one battery.

The BlenderX is perhaps better set up for travel, thanks to its useful carry bag and simple controls. It's also quieter to use. However, it's twice as heavy, so if you need to economize on weight, the KitchenAid is a good option.

At exactly the same price, it's hard to choose between the two. The BlenderX is bigger and it's powerful, but it's also heavier and less versatile. At the end of the day, it's an aesthetic choice.

Should you buy it?

If you're looking for a substantial, powerful, personal blender, the KitchenAid is the perfect option. It's slim, sleek, and easy to use. Our experts are sold on it. However, we recognize that this is bigger than some people might want in their personal blenders, so if you need a handbag or backpack sized option, you'll want to check out our list of the other best portable blenders out there.

How we test

Evaluating a blender involves extensive behind-the-scenes work. Our experts dedicate their time to researching the top portable blenders available. When we discover a promising model, we bring it into our test kitchen. Once we have it, we assess every aspect, from unboxing and initial impressions to making smoothies, protein shakes, hummus, salsa, and ice cones.

After thorough testing, we clean the blender to determine how easy it is to get it sparkling clean. We also evaluate how simple it is to maintain and store. Then, we compare it with other models on the market.

Ultimately, we decide who the blender is best suited for and whether it's worth purchasing, helping you make an informed decision. For more details, check out our dedicated page on how we test blenders.

If you know your blender brands, it will come as no surprise to you that Nutribullet have launched a single-serve blender. They've been making impressive, sleek bullet blenders for decades. The latest addition to their range - a slim, bottle-shaped portable model - is already garnering an impressive reputation.

To be one of the best personal blenders on the market is quite a demanding task. These models are used by everyone from gym-goers and morning commuters to campers, all of whom have different needs. A good portable blender needs to have a good seal (we don't want any leakage), a powerful motor (for blending your ingredients), and a design that's easy to drink from and even easier to clean. Then there are other factors that play into it, such as battery life, noise levels, and aesthetics. As you can see, it takes a lot to make a good portable option. 

Whilst Nutribullet hasn't done anything innovative or disruptive to their blender, what they have done is combine all the features of the best blenders to make a hybrid model. This is incredible value, it's stylish, and it's easy to use. There's a lot to love. And here are all the details.

Specifications

Unboxing

The packaging around the Nutribullet is very minimal. The slim cardboard box is completely recyclable and then there's a thin plastic sleeve to protect the blender from scratching in transit. 

Nutribullet will also give you a USBC charging cable (but not a plug) and a getting-started guide. I plugged mine in to give it some juice (pardon the pun) before testing, but I've read plenty of reviews where people's blenders arrived with power already.

The bottle itself is Tritan, which feels relatively robust. It's not quite glass, but it has that effect. The design makes it nice to hold. You can loop the lid on your fingers, hold it in the palm of your hand, and it sits nicely in a backpack bottle holder and in a handbag. So far so good.

Who would it suit?

Nutribullet has designed their portable blender to have a broad appeal. The elegant, slim, modern design is easy to imagine in a range of settings: at a picnic, in the gym, in the office, or on the kitchen countertop. Pair the design with the range of colorways (from light blue to navy and magenta) and the Nutribullet will suit almost any home.

Even though it looks (and feels) like a premium portable blender, this is one of the cheapest portable models on the market. I quite like this aspect because it broadens the appeal of the Nutribullet. It's the budget option without feeling like a cheap alternative to the Ninja or BlendJet 2. 

The sleek design and reasonable price tag mean that this has a pretty broad appeal. It also has a battery life that can withstand 15 blends before needing a recharge, which is perfect for campers who might not have access to a plug for a while. 

The people who might want to look elsewhere are those who want capacity. 16 oz isn't huge and there are bigger, more powerful models out there. As a generic investment, this is good.

What is it like to use?

As soon as I unboxed the Nutribullet, I put it on charge. I'd recommend making a habit of keeping this on charge because there's nothing worse than a half-blended smoothie that you can't finish working on because your charger is at home. Nutribullet estimated that a full charge will give you fifteen blends, which is about what I've found. That's better than plenty of models on the market, but I never like to change it running out.

Once I had given this half an hour plugged in, I thought it should have enough to get through our tasks. I took a quick glance at the instructions, which are super simple. All they tell you to do is add your ingredients, secure the lid, and press go, so that's what I did.

Test 1: smoothie and protein shakes

The main reason most people invest in a portable blender is for making smoothies and protein shakes, so we gave this a deep, detailed trial across a range of different recipes.

I started off simple, using soft strawberries, bananas, spinach, almond milk, and oats. The Nutribullet made light work of this recipe, which isn't much of a surprise. The soft strawberries shouldn't be too challenging. Spinach and oats are probably the toughest ingredients to blend and, in this context, they didn't pose any issues.

With that in mind, I tweaked the test a bit. I added frozen strawberries, frozen blueberries, bananas, spinach, almond milk, and oats, to see how well the small blades could handle big, frozen chunks of fruit. Surprisingly, this did a pretty good job. I did have to stop and shake the Nutribullet around to get all of the chunks fully blended, but after a few minutes, I had another successfully smooth drink.

In the first round, I just pushed the button and let the blender do its thing. However, when it was struggling with the second task, I made use of the pulse function, which was surprisingly versatile and powerful. If you want to have a little more agency over how thick your smoothie is, this is really helpful.

When I wanted to sip straight from the bottle, the lid hinges back really far. It's a small detail that sounds insignificant, but it makes a big difference to the experience actually drinking from the Nutribullet. I didn't get hit in the face with the lid. It stayed neatly in place. Plus, the weight of the bottle didn't actually make it hard to hold. You might need to support the base a little more, but it wasn't a problem.

The final test for both smoothies was how easily I could turn them into a protein shake. I added a scoop to both mixes and set them running in the Nutribullet. Neither mix went lumpy or bubbly. The powder was incorporated smoothly and effortlessly.

Test 2: dips

We give all our blenders, portable or not, a trial for making dips. We use them to make hummus, salsa, and guacamole so that we can see how it fares with different ingredients.

Both the salsa and the guacamole were perfect. The soft ingredients worked really well on the pulse setting and they were both spreadable and scoop-able within minutes. The hummus, whilst serviceable, took a little more time. 

Normally, I would add a whole can of chickpeas to a blender, but the capacity of the Nutribullet didn't seem particularly well-suited to overfilling, so I tested just half a can. I added in a spoonful of tahini, some cumin, a squeeze of lemon, and a pinch of salt. I could see that the lower moisture content was making it tricky for the Nutribullet to make some good progress, but, with me shaking the Nutribullet and the pulse function running, it gradually worked through the chickpeas, making a smooth paste. There was still some texture to the dip, so it had quite a 'homemade' feel, but it was still good.

Test 3: crushed ice

Crushing ice is a test that we give all of our blenders, but it's rare that portable blenders can actually do it. The small, tubular shape of the Nutribullet just isn't conducive to smashing ice cubes into fragments. 

Nonetheless, I put a few ice cubes into the bottle, added a splash of water, and set it running. I left the ice clattering around the inside of the Nutribullet for two minutes before I concluded that it definitely wouldn't be able to crush the ice. It's an unfair test to put the Nutribullet through, but it's good to know about.

Cleaning, storage, and maintenance

Cordless appliances can be tricky to clean because you can't always put them in the dishwasher. Cleverly, Nutribullet has made all of the detachable parts dishwasher-safe, which is almost the entirety of the blender: the bottle and the lid are detachable, so it's only the base that you can't submerge. This makes life really easy, although I decided to clean it by adding a squeeze of dish soap and some hot water to the blending bottle. I just whizzed this around for a minute and the blender was completely clean.

The other parts of the blender can be wiped down (these don't really get grubby anyway) and then you can leave your blender charging. Anecdotally, the blender can run for about fifteen blends before it needs to be charged (you'll see a red light when it's coming close to running out of battery). I'd recommend making a habit of charging your blender after use. Even though this survived all of our tests with just one quick charge, it can't hurt to keep yours charged up.

As for storing the Nutribullet, you won't have any trouble. Any space that you have in your cupboards for a water bottle can be converted into a spot for storing your blender. It's super simple.

How does it rate online?

Even though it's relatively new to the market, the Nutribullet rates really well. People seemed to enjoy using this for their morning protein shakes more than anything else, because it's quiet (lots of people praised this) and does a good job at making smoothies (lots of people loved this). A number of people were surprised by how efficient, sleek, and powerful this is.

A number of people identified that this isn't quite perfect when it comes to crushing ice. In fact, one of the most common criticisms of the Nutribullet was that it lacks power. The motor is fine for smoothies and dips, especially if you'll only be using soft fruits and vegetables, but it might struggle if you overfill it or if you're using a full-set of frozen ingredients. However, I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a personal blender that can do a really good job of crushing ice.

How does it compare?

The best portable blender on the market is the Ninja Blast, which looks almost identical to the Nutribullet. It's around the same price point and a little longer, but aside from that, the two are hard to choose between.

Our expert appliance tester, Alex, has been doing an extended test of the Ninja and he loves it. Almost a year later, the leak-proof feature is still going strong, it makes a good smoothie and protein shake, and it's as powerful as ever. The only feature that Alex feels it needs is the indicator light that the Nutribullet has. Without any warning, the Ninja will suddenly run out of charge and you'll be left with a chunky fruit slush rather than a super silky smoothie. 

Power-wise, the Ninja is better. It's also bigger and slightly more versatile. However, I actually prefer the ergonomics of the Nutribullet. It's nicer to hold, easier to fit in a handbag, and you don't really need the extra power boost unless you often blend large chunks of thick, frozen fruit.

Should you buy it?

If you're in the market for a portable blender that can make protein shakes with a punch and smoothies silkier than anything you'll have ever tried, this is perfect. It's a great inexpensive option that doesn't feel like much of a compromise. However, if you know you'll need more capacity, it's worth checking out our guide to the best portable blenders on the market. There are bigger, more powerful options over there.

How we test

There's a lot that goes on behind the scenes for us to review a blender. Our experts spend their days researching the best portable blenders on the market. As soon as we find a model that we think you'll like, we call it into our test kitchen. Once we have a model in our hands, we make notes on everything from unboxing and first impressions to making smoothies, protein shakes, hummus, salsa, and ice cones. 

After we're satisfied with our tests, we clean the blender up, letting you know how easy it is to get sparkling. Then we make notes on how easy it is to maintain and store, before comparing it to other models on the market.

We come to a conclusion about who it suits and whether you should buy it to help you decide whether you should make the investment. If you want to find out more, you can read our dedicated page for how we test blenders.

When you choose to buy an appliance that does two jobs at once, you run the risk of having to compromise on one – or both – functions. When it comes to blending and juicing, there isn't really a place that you'll want to compromise. Smoothies, soups, ginger shots, and green juices can't really be anything less than perfect.

In the pursuit of perfection, we've been testing blender-juicer combos, looking for models that could claim a place in our buying guides for the best juicers as well as the best blenders. The Nama C2 is truly the crème de la blend.

If you recognize the Nama name, it's because they're already well-established as some of the best, most luxurious cold press juicers on the market. Their foray into blender-juicer combos is a wise one. We've put the Nama through all of our juicing and blending tests. Here’s what we found. 

Specifications

Unboxing

Nama does a lot of things well, including their packaging. Their beautifully illustrated boxes are completely recyclable, but honestly, I don’t think you’ll want to see yours go. Then, each part of the C2 comes with its own material bag to protect it from dirt, dust, and damage. 

If unboxing it was a delight, setting it up was even easier. Nama provides a wonderfully illustrated user guide and recipe book that makes everything about the set-up easy. 

Essentially, the C2 comes in three parts. You get a big, powerful base station; a blending jug; and a juicer attachment (that is identical to the Nama J2). All of these parts are big, so you'll need some storage space, but they're also really nicely made and they feel robust too. As an appliance built for two, I have no doubt this has all the power you need (and more). However, if you’re investing in a combination machine to save space, this might not be for you.

Who would it suit?

Nama always serves up luxury appliances, so if you know you like your juicers to feel as smart and sleek as they look, you’re in the perfect place. Premium appliances can often skimp on capacity in the hopes of designing something super slick, but Nama steered well clear, opting for the kind of appliance that will meet the needs of any big and bustling family. It’s an investment, but it’s a durable one at that. 

The simple controls and dial are easy enough for anyone to use. If you’re baking with the kids, they’ll be able to have a hand in your creations. And similarly, if you’re new to juicing and blending, you won’t struggle with this at all.

Whilst the black and white colorways and sleek aesthetic make this easy on the eye, it’s worth noting that the big station isn’t quite so countertop-friendly. You’ll need deep, low cupboards (the base is too heavy to lift into a wall cupboard) with plenty of space for all the jugs, juicers, and accessories that come with the Nama. So, if you’re short on space in the kitchen, you might want to re-think and invest in a slightly smaller model. 

What is it like to use?

The sheer simplicity of the Nama is why it has such a broad appeal. Nama’s illustrated guide will show you which pieces slot into which places. Once you’ve assembled it once, you won’t need the guide again, it’s incredibly straightforward.

The dial has some useful icons to point you towards whichever function you want. There’s a hot soup setting, crushed ice, grain milling, smoothie, and cleaning functions. Then for juicing, it’s simple. You just twist the dial to juice. 

There's also a useful timer that will let you know how long your Nama has been running for. Until you use a product that has this feature on, you won't fully appreciate how easy it is to use. The timer is a good reality check. If a recipe says to blend for a minute, that can be hard to judge unless you actually set a timer (which people very rarely actually do).

Test 2: the juicer

So, after rinsing all the parts and slotting them in their places, we were ready to get testing. We started with juicing because our experts could almost bet what we were going to get here. Our standard tests for every juicer are: carrot and orange juice, ginger shots, green juice, and almond milk. This means that we cover how well the juicer can handle fibrous ingredients (ginger), soft fruits (orange), hard vegetables (carrots), leafy greens (spinach), and hard nuts (almonds). We threw everything at the Nama, not giving it much let-up between batches and our experts were suitably impressed. 

All of our juices were crisp and clear, none had smoothie-like pulp or lumps. We agreed that this made some perfect cold-pressed juice. Then, when we ran a check at the pulp end of the juicer, it was dry and crumbly, indicating that we had well-extracted all the juice and nutrients from our ingredients across the board. 

Almond milk and other plant-based milks are often featured in most modern juicers, but they’re rarely done well. As a seasoned almond milk drinker, I was hopeful that the Nama would do a good job. Nama advises that you pre-soak your almonds, which I did for our first test with excellent results. The almond milk this made was pure white and smooth to drink. It’ll separate after a few hours, but that’s nothing a shake won’t fix. 

I was intrigued to see how this would cope with less-organised nut milk makers, so I tried adding unsoaked almonds to the mix. Actually, the Nama still did a great job of pressing them into a delicious nut milk. It had a bit more texture, but nothing that I would complain about.

Test 2: the blender

Now for the all-important test: can Nama make blenders as good as their juicers? If you’re on the edge of your seat, you can relax. Nama makes blenders that are worthy of a spot in our buying guide for the best blenders. I used this to make smoothies, protein shakes, hummus, crushed ice, and nut butter. The results were consistently impressive. Something that I’m both pleased and relieved to say.

Our first blending test isn’t easy. We add seedy, frozen strawberries, frozen bananas, spinach, and almond milk into the pitcher. At first, I added enough for just one smoothie, because I wanted to see how the huge 100 oz pitcher would handle small ingredients. I twisted the dial to blend, and, in less than sixty seconds, I had a wonderfully smooth drink. There weren’t any seeds or skins that hadn’t been shredded into a liquid. Whilst this is impressive, it’s worth noting that the C2 made a considerable amount of noise in the process. It’s fine, because the Nama works quickly, but you won’t be making any friends if you blend first thing.

For our protein shake test, I made a big batch of smoothie mix. I wanted to see a) how well the blender could make large quantities and b) whether it could incorporate powders into liquids without them going lumpy. In other words, can they make batters and protein shakes? 

First things first, the smoothie was great. It didn’t take much longer to achieve the same, silky-smooth results. Next, when I added in the protein powder and gave it a whizz around, the smoothie was still wonderfully pourable. 

After that, I wanted to see how this would handle a task with a little less liquid, so I made hummus in the Nama. This was a simple concoction of chickpeas, cumin, salt, lemon, and tahini. I used the milling setting for the blender because I didn’t want it to be too aggressive with the hummus. Whilst this was speedy and made a serviceable hummus, I think the combination of less liquid and a huge blender left this on the chunkier side. Adding more ingredients would have given me a better result, but my single can of chickpeas was already enough for plenty of hummus.

We don’t always test soup-making in blenders, because some can’t handle hot ingredients. However, the Nama claimed to be able to both heat and blend. Intrigued, I added chopped carrots, cilantro, onion, and vegetable stock to my pitcher. The soup setting runs for a while (I timed nearly ten minutes), but it does a decent job of making a smooth soup. I could have kept on blending for smoother results, but it’s noisy and I’m not sure anyone would want it running for too much longer.

The last test we give our blenders is on crushing ice. We rarely have impressive results in this category, but the Nama has an ice pre-set and well-shaped pitcher for the task. After adding two handfuls of ice and a small amount of ice water, I switched to the ice pre-set and in a matter of seconds, the ice cubes misted into nothing. It’s the best performance I’ve been on our ice test. 

Cleaning, storage, and maintenance

Some parts of the Nama are easier to clean than others. The juicer comes apart, but each piece has to be hand-cleaned, which is fiddly. Luckily, Nama provides accessories to help you, but that might put you off juicing if you know you have a jam-packed morning that you can't clear five minutes out of for cleaning.

The blender part is easier to clean. You can either run it blending with a touch of dish soap or pop it in the dishwasher. The blending pre-sets actually feature a special cleaning function, so I'd recommend following this since it's what Nama recommends.

Once you've cleaned yours, you'll need a place to store it. There's no escaping it, this is big. The base is tall, wide, and heavy, so you'll be better off keeping it in low cupboards or just leaving it on the countertop. It might be tricky to make space for, but if you think that this is covering the functions of a blender and a juicer, you will actually be saving a little bit of space.

How does it rate online?

The Nama C2 is one of the brand's lesser-known appliances, but it has a seriously impressive reputation online. Out of 160 reviews on the Nama website, the average rating score is 4.7 stars.

Everyone raves about the juicing and blending functions of the Nama. They say its power is impressive, delivering professional results across all fruits, vegetables, and nuts. People also praised the durable build-quality and overall style of the C2, saying that Nama has delivered on consistency with their latest launch.

When I looked for criticisms, they all centered around two issues. The first is that this is fiddly to clean. Most of these were related to the juicer, which is, inescapably fiddly. This isn't a problem unique to Nama; all juicers are a pain to clean, but this is particularly fiddly.

The second issue is price. The C2 is $800 (about £600), so if you thought that you'd be saving money by buying a 2-in-1 appliance, you won't be. Whilst this does deliver on style and premium build quality, a number of customers felt that a blender-juicer combo shouldn't cost nearly $1,000/£770. If I'm playing devil's advocate, this has a 15 year warranty that does help to reassure people that this is a long-term investment. However, for some, it's still too much.

How does it compare?

The only other blender-juicer combo worth considering is Breville's The 3x Bluicer. This has a very different aesthetic. The stainless steel, slim body is much more suited to a functional, industrial kitchen. 

It’s certainly smaller. The 50 oz capacity is half of the C2's, but then the footprint isn't half of the Nama's. So, if you're wary about the Nama's footprint, it's worth thinking about proportions. If you only need 50 oz (plenty for a smaller family), you might not mind downsizing. If you know you need more capacity, the Nama is actually more space efficient, even if it doesn't look it.

Performance-wise, the Nama is a better juicer. This is because the Nama uses the cold-press method to gently, but firmly extract maximal nutrients and juice from all of the ingredients. The Bluicer uses a quicker and louder method that isn't quite as efficient. You'll get a cloudier juice that doesn't last as long as the Nama's. If you didn't have them side-by-side, the Breville's would be good. However, as someone who uses the Nama, it was clear that this is better.

As a blender, the two are both on a par. The results were similarly good. However, the Nama has a few more premium features: it can heat your food with a soup function; it can time your blending; and you can use manual settings or pre-sets. These are all features that the Breville doesn't have. Most of these are luxuries that you don't necessarily need, but they're nice to have.

So, if you're willing to splurge on a luxury appliance, the Nama is for you. However, if you want to save on space and money (and you don't mind missing some of the premium finishes), you'll be happy with the Breville.

Should you buy it?

The Nama C2 is a truly luxurious blender-juicer combination machine. If you like to own the best of the best and the price tag (and footprint) don't matter to you, the Nama is a great buy. The fifteen-year warranty is a good reassurance that you're investing in the longer term. 

Whilst I was impressed with the appearance and performance of the C2, I can appreciate that this is expensive. I might be tempted to wait for a sale to shop the Nama.

How we test

At Homes & Gardens, we take our tests seriously. We had to run both our blender and juicer tests on the Nama C2 to make sure that it was good enough in both categories for you to make the investment.

When we test blenders we have four standard tests that we run. The first test is smoothie making. This is a basic skill that all blenders should whizz through, so we give each model leafy greens, seedy berries, frozen fruits, and nut butter to make sure that it can produce super smooth results. We'll also add in a scoop of protein powder to see whether this can make a good batter (without any lumps in).

The next test we give blenders is making a dip, normally hummus. This can be tricky because it has a lower liquid content, but it's important that your blender can make more than just drinks and batters. That's why we also have an ice cone test. This is where we see whether the blender can crush ice into small flakes for frozen drinks.

Our juicer tests are equally rigorous. We make carrot and orange juice, ginger shots, green juice, and almond milk to see how the juicer can handle a range of soft, hard, and fibrous ingredients. We look for crisp, clear drinks that haven't been made too foamy. Then we'll also check the pulp. If it's dry, that's a great indication that the juicer has extracted a good amount of water from the ingredients.

For each test, we talk about how easy it is to do, whether it makes much noise, how efficient it is, and how impressed we are. Our experts also make comparisons to other models on the market and we read up on user reviews so that you can get a holistic idea of what the model is like to use and where it sits on the market.

If you want to find out more, you can visit our pages for how we test juicers and how we test blenders.

The Nama C2 was kindly loaned to us by UK Juicers. You can buy it from them here.

If Martha Stewart approves an appliance, we are inclined to add it to our shopping carts. And after seeing the domestic dynamo making a beautiful green juice, we might just have to get a juicer ourselves. Lucky for us, we know exactly what model and make the home expert owns.

On her Instagram page, Martha Stewart demonstrated a step-by-step guide on how to make her staple, healthy morning beverage, and it's all done with a Breville 3X Bluicer Pro.

In the video, Stewart states that she is ritualistic about the fresh juice, drinking it every single day. As such, she is just as serious about the appliance she uses.

'You have to have a really good juicer,” she says in the video. 'I prefer this Breville; it really works extremely well. It’s worth the investment.'

While the Breville Bluicer Pro typically retails for $399.95, it is currently on Memorial Day sale for 20 percent off on Amazon, at $319.95 – a steal considering all the appliance's capabilities.

The appliance is a two-in-one blender and juicer (hence the "bluicer" title), allowing for users to make juices, smoothies, cocktails, and more. Some of the highlights include the 10 speeds, five one-touch programs, and Cold Spin Technology for the freshest and smoothest beverages possible.

As evidenced in the video, the Breville has a green juice function, which is optimal for juicing greens such as celery, cucumbers, and herbs.

'Be sure you have a pitcher under the spout,' Stewart states, demonstrating how efficiently she juices her greenhouse-grown celery.

Short on kitchen countertop space? Another key feature of the Breville is its compact size. Due to its multi-purpose capabilities, the device saves space already, and this is heightened with a design that has the pulp bin located behind the brushed stainless steel base.

For those who find cleaning appliances a drag (and who doesn't, really?), the Breville also features a self-cleaning function, making it all the easier to blend juices and smoothies without hand washing every single time. And, with such a great offer, how can we refuse? Act quickly, and happy shopping!

Nutribullet has historically dominated the single-serve, bullet blender market, and their latest release, the Nutribullet Ultra is by far the best model in their offering. It's by far the most powerful personal blender on the market, plus it looks beautiful too.

I already own and use a different Nutribullet (the Pro 900) every day. Before the Nutribullet Ultra, I thought my Pro 900 was one of the best blenders on the market. However, after testing more powerful, speedier, touchscreen Ultra, it'll be tough to go back to anything else.

I tested the Ultra on smoothies, dips, and crushed ice, even though bullet blenders have a tricky relationship with ice and tougher ingredients. The Ultra is powerful enough to take on these tasks, but is it enough for it to replace a family-sized pitcher blender?

Specifications

Who would it suit?

As a bullet blender, this is perfect for people who want quick drinks and single servings of smoothies. The nature of the shape of bullet blenders makes them much better at more liquid-based tasks, so if you’re looking for a blender to make ice cones and dips in huge quantities, you might want a more traditional blending jug. Both for blending power and consistency throughout your mix.

With that in mind though, the Nutribullet is by far the most powerful bullet blender that I’ve tested. It actually didn’t really struggle with dips or ice, but I couldn't make huge quantities in it.

Unboxing

The Nutribullet was easy to unbox and get set up. All the packaging was cardboard, which was very easy to flatten and recycle. The Ultra comes with a base, two blending cups, and a lid. This means that you can make bigger quantities and save some for later by just screwing the lid on.

Sat on the countertop, the Nutribullet looks smart. It has a backlit, touchscreen control panel which glows in a very futuristic way as soon as you plug it in. On the countertop, it’s very subtle and smart. I could imagine this blending seamlessly into any modern kitchen and even small kitchens wouldn’t struggle to make space for it.

What is it like to use?

Bullet blenders are intuitive to use. You screw the lid on, lock it into place, and then, rather than twisting it to blend, you use the touchscreen to toggle between 30-second blends and pulsing. Aside from the screen, the Ultra is exactly the same as other Nutribullets, but with extra, enhanced power, This makes it brilliant for blending tougher ingredients.

Test 1: smoothies

The first test that we put every blender through is on smoothies. I used a mix of frozen bananas, blueberries, ice, almond milk, spinach, and oats, because this tests the blades across a range of tricky ingredients. The frozen berries are effectively big ice chunks that also have tough seeds. The oats can be fibrous, as can the spinach leaves, so blending them all into a seamlessly smooth drink is no mean feat.

The Ultra, with its impressive power, made a super smooth drink. It hardly took any time either. I only used the thirty-second run, which was more than enough. I don't know whether I would say that the Ultra was quieter than my 900. It's certainly not the loudest blender I've tested, but it's not notably quieter. My dBA measurer was at around 90 for most of the blending.

I gave this an extra tough test by adding a scoop of protein powder into the mix. Protein powders come with the potential for the smoothie to get a little lumpy and powdery, but this was fine. My powder seamlessly blended into the smoothie.

Test 2: dips

I’ve had trouble with bullet blenders and hummus in the past. They normally need a shake or a scrape in the way of a helping hand, because there’s a very low liquid content, so chickpeas at the top aren’t often well integrated into the mix. The Ultra, however, didn’t break a sweat. It effortlessly whizzed up my chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and cumin into a super smooth dip. Even with a wider, more powerful pitcher blender, I wouldn’t have had the same results.

Test 3: crushed ice

I have never had success making crushed ice in a bullet blender. They’re just not made for snow cones, which is fine, but worth knowing nonetheless. That’s why I was so impressed when I put ice in the Ultra, set it running, and watched my ice cubes mist into fine particles. This was the first and only bullet blender that could actually crush ice. And it didn’t just do that. All the ice particles were powdery, light, and a wonderful texture. It’s faultless.

Cleaning, storage, and maintenance

The Nutribullet cup and blades are dishwasher safe, so once I was finished with testing, both parts went into the dishwasher. Cleaning up doesn’t get any easier. The base is, of course, not dishwasher-friendly, but it doesn’t really get dirty. I’d still recommend giving both the base and the touchscreen controls a wipe down with a microfiber cloth, but it’s not exactly a task that needs elbow grease.

The slim, sleek design of the Ultra makes it easy to keep out on the countertop. It’s subtle and smart, so I think it would be the most convenient solution to tuck this into a corner (if you blend daily). If you’re not a smoothie-every-morning kind of person, you’ll be fine to put this in a cupboard. The base, in spite of its power, isn’t very heavy. Plus, the cups come with sip-top lids, so you can use these for your protein shakes, or for transporting any liquids with you when you're on the go. Talk about accessories that do it all.

How does it rate online?

The Ultra is unanimously recognized as the most powerful, impressive bullet blender on the market. It has been met with a significant amount of praise from both reviewers and customers alike.

People say that this is stylish, the new touchscreen controls always got a special mention. People liked how sensitive the touchscreen is, although I did find a few people who accidentally set theirs running because it's almost too sensitive. However, the blender won't run until your cup is locked into place, so you won't get much mess.

The other upgrades that Nutibullet boasts, power and quietness, are also often mentioned. Everyone says that this is incredibly powerful and that it is much more capable of tackling tough tasks than other blenders. Even though I didn't find that mine was much quieter than other models, plenty of people thought that theirs were on the quiet side for blenders.

Some reviewers said that, whilst the upgrades were nice, they're not essential. Cheaper, simpler Nutribullets can offer similar results for less money. So, if you're holding on to your purse strings, you might not need to invest in Nutribullet's latest and greatest.

How does it compare?

I’ve tested some of the best blenders on the market and this truly is up there with them. I’d like to make two comparisons, one with the Nutribullet 900 (which is probably the other model you’re considering if you’re looking at this) and the Braun TriForce Power Blender.

The Nutribullet Pro 900 is slightly smaller, chunkier, and less modern-looking than the Ultra. This is the one I use almost every day at home and I can make an equally good smoothie or bowl of hummus in mine. However, when it comes to ice, the 900 is no match for the Ultra. The 900 spins the ice around, not misting it at all, whilst the Ultra makes light work of turning cubes into light crystals.

The Ultra's more powerful motor also means that it's much quicker than the 900 across all tasks. Although, with great power comes an immense amount of noise. The Ultra measured up to 90 dBa in my kitchen, which is a full 15 dBa more than the 900. If you want to save money and you don’t need immense amounts of power, the 900 is better, If you want power and speed, the Ultra is a better option.

The Braun TriForce Power Blender is a similar price to the Ultra, which is why I think it warrants comparison. It’s a different style from the Ultra in that the Nutribullet is a bullet blender and the Braun is a pitcher blender. This means that the Braun has a bigger capacity and is even better when it comes to silky-smooth results. The Braun is just as noisy as the Ultra, if not more, but if you need capacity, it’s a better option. However, the larger capacity means that it takes up more space, so a small kitchen or people who only need single servings won’t make use of the capacity.

Should you buy it?

If you want power and convenience, this is a great investment. The Nutribullet isn’t eye-wateringly expensive, but it’s the most expensive option on offer from Nutribullet. Compared to other blenders on the market, it’s a steal. Having used the Ultra, going back to my Pro 900 felt like walking after you've been running: it felt slower and a lot simpler. It still does a good job of the tasks, but if you want the best of the best, you need this.

How did we test the Nutribullet Ultra?

We have three simple tasks that we put our blenders through to test their performance. The first is making smoothies. We use frozen fruits (because these are like seedy ice cubes), oats (for the fiber), spinach (for the tough leaves), almond milk, and a scoop of protein powder (because this can go lumpy). When we set the blender running, we measure the time it takes to make a silky smoothie. We'll also measure the amount of noise that it makes, in decibels, since blenders are notoriously noisy appliances.

Our next test is on dips, normally hummus. There's a much lower liquid content here, so some blenders struggle to get a consistent blend across all the ingredients. We measure, again, the time and amount of noise made, whilst also making notes on the texture of our final hummus.

Our final, standard test, is on ice. These cubes are close to impossible for most bullet blenders to crush (although the Ultra did a stellar job). We'll let you know the results and why a blender has achieved the results it has, because not everyone needs to be able to mist ice daily.

Aside from making notes on performance, we'll also let you know how the blender looks, what it's like to clean, and how it compares to other models on the market. In short, we want you to be able to make a decision on what you want to buy, safe in the knowledge that you've seen all your options.

If you want to find out more, we've got all the details on our dedicated page for how we test blenders.

Knowing how to choose a food processor that suits your kitchen needs is key to making the most of your space, money, and time. There's plenty to consider before you dive into a food processor purchase and, thankfully, you've got the help of our experts for choosing the perfect one.

We've tested all of the best food processors on the market, as well as food choppers and some of the best food processor combos too. That means we've seen the small, the stylish, and the stunning, as well as ones which are a little less impressive.

Before you choose a food processor, you'll want to think about the size of your kitchen, the capacity that you need, what you will use your food processor for, how much you want to spend and, where you'll store it. We'll cover all of that and more right here.

How to choose a food processor 

The key factors to consider when you're buying a food processor are: capacity, footprint, power, functions, and price. I'll go deep into the details of that and more, but if you want a quick table for what to expect in different price ranges, here's a summary.

Matching aesthetics and style

Food processors aren't known for being the most beautiful appliances on the market, but it helps if you can pick one which matches your interior kitchen design, whether it's a retro-farmhouse style or a more modern, minimalistic tone, there'll be one to match your kitchen. Here are some of our tried and tested suggestions for different kitchen styles:

What sort of size and capacity do you need?

In the table above, I gave you a rough guideline for what sort of capacity and size to look for in a food processor. Large homes that need to make big batches of dips, sauces, smoothies, and nut butters, will need at least 11 cups of capacity. 

If you're a couple or small family, you'll probably want a 7-10 cup capacity. This will be enough to make hummus for you and any guests. There's a danger in sizing-up because the food processor blades won't do as thorough of a job if you've not got a very full food processor. The same applies for sizing down, in which case you're likely to have to run your chopping, dicing, slicing, and blending tasks in batches. 

The smallest food processors might also be called food choppers. These will have up to seven cups of capacity and will be great for single-person homes or couples. You'll be able to chop an onion, grate a carrot, and slice half a cucumber in these. They'll be useful extras to have, but don't count on them if you're squeezing all the extended family round for food.

Often, the footprint of your food processor is proportionate to capacity. Bigger models will require more space on your countertop. The bigger they get, the more important storage options will become. It's important to check that your extra accessories can be stored in the food processor bowl. You'll also want to measure your wall cupboards, if you have them, to make sure that your food processor clears them once the lid and feeding chute is fixed on. You can always pull it out further onto the countertop if you need to, but it's good to have options.

Which functions and features are important?

All basic food processors come with blades, which can chop, mix, and blend up your ingredients. However, as you pay more money, you'll get extras which increase the versatility of your food processor. Mid-range and premium food processors will have slicing and grating discs, so that you can shred cheese and carrots as well as cutting cucumber without getting your hands dirty. If you can see these features on a smaller food processor, make sure you check the chute size, since the smaller models might have narrow chutes which require some more vegetable prep before you can feed your foods into the bowl.

More versatile food processor and blender combos will come with blending pitchers, bullet blender attachments, and blending cups. This will mean that you have more clutter to store away, but, in the grand scheme of things, you'll be able to save space, since you've combined two appliances into one. Check the capacity and power of the blender to make sure that it can cater to your needs. 

Some food processors have special ice functions as well as pulse settings, speed settings, soup settings, and pre-sets for different kitchen tasks. These can be really useful, especially if they'll time how long your machine has been running for. However, bear in mind that you're paying a premium for a luxury rather than a necessary function.

What's good value and a reasonable warranty?

You can pick up an inexpensive food processor easily. The cheapest model that I've tested (and would still buy) is the Magic Bullet Kitchen Express. I actually recommend this all the time, because it's super speedy, really powerful, compact, and consistent. It's only $50 for the food processor with the blending attachments too. You can't go wrong if you're a small household.

At the other end of the spectrum, you've for the luxurious Vitamix food processor and the Ninja Professional Food Processor-Blender Combo. The Vitamix Gourmet SmartPrep Kitchen is $900 (currently reduced to $799.95 at QVC). You get a blender, food processor attachment, and plenty of different discs for various functions. It's a beautiful and powerful appliance, but you pay a premium for the prestigious brand name.

Somewhere in the middle of the two is the Ninja 3-in-1 Food Processor, which is $200. I love it because you get a full-sized food processor and blender, as well as smaller blending cups. It's powerful, sleek, and exceptional value. The only people I wouldn't recommend it to are those in smaller homes.

FAQs

Should I buy a food processor blender combo?

If you don't have both appliances or think you need to upgrade the quality of your food processor and your blender, I would recommend buying a blender and food processor combo. They'll save you space and money, so it's really a no-brainer. The only downside is, you won't get to select specific functions for both. For example, if you want a blender that heats and an 11 cup food processor, you'll have to do a lot more research than if you bought the two separately.

What factors should I consider when picking a food processor?

You'll want to work backwards, when choosing a food processor. The most important thing is that it can meet your needs. Think about whether you need yours to slice, and grate as well as chop. Then, think about the capacity and size of your food processor so that you can use it for your needs. You'll then need to set a budget and think about what yours should look like.

KitchenAid has been gracing our kitchens with their timeless designs and premium appliances for over a century. With the launch of six, new, cordless appliances, I expect they'll be our favorite kitchen staples for even longer.

The brand has announced the launch of their new Go Cordless line which covers six different appliances: a hand mixer, hand blender, food chopper, personal blender, coffee grinder, and kitchen vacuum. All these sleek and smart appliances are powered by one removable, rechargeable 12 Volt battery. 

It's simple. You don't need to wind up long wires or always be in proximity to a plug, you can take the food chopper out to the BBQ when you're eating in the sun; bring the blender with you to work; grind coffee in the office; and use all the other appliances wherever, whenever. 

Our experts can't wait to cut the cord with KitchenAid's stylish appliances (we've already got our tests of these lined up). Corded, KitchenAid's appliances make up some of the best hand mixers, coffee gadgets, and personal blenders on the market. Now that they're completely portable and versatile, kitchen plugs will be a thing of the past.

What is the KitchenAid Go Cordless line?

KitchenAid has designed the Go Cordless system to cover all your cooking and baking tasks without needing to be tied to a plug. Each matte black appliance is compatible with the same, rechargeable battery, so you'll only need one to share between the hand mixer, portable blender, food chopper, immersion blender, coffee grinder, and kitchen vacuum.

The lithium-ion battery comes with a USB-C charging cable, with an indicator light that will let you know when you need to charge the battery as well as when it's finished. At full power, the battery will give you three hours of run time.

Here's a little more about what your battery will be able to power:

Where can I buy the KitchenAid Go Cordless line?

All of the Go Cordless line, including the batteries are available on KitchenAid's website and that's the best place you can pick up all of them at once. You'll be able to find the appliances on Amazon and at third party retailers, where there might be discounts too, but if you want everything in one place, KitchenAid is the best place to look.

Are cordless kitchen appliances worth it?

KitchenAid's Go Cordless line is a selection of the most useful appliances to take with you on the go. Once you're emancipated from plug sockets and wires, you can wander around the kitchen and use these when needed. For example, if you've got a soup on the stove and not a plug nearby, you can use the immersion blender directly into the pan, without having to move the pan around. Equally, if you want to whip cream on the kitchen island (which doesn't have a plug) you can use the hand mixer or food chopper without any fuss. 

If you haven't heard of Bamix's immersion blenders and food processors, you're in for a treat. The Swiss brand is an expert at making timeless, durable appliances that are investments worth making.

As a committed foodie, I've tested the best immersion blenders on the market. I have a relatively compact kitchen too, so I like using these appliances that don't demand much room and that can do a lot. 

To check whether this is as good as it looks, I put the Bamix through its paces on soups, nut butter, sauces, and more. It's impressively powerful, sleek, and durable, which is perfect if you like old-school appliances.

Specifications

Unboxing

The Bamix comes with a neat, sturdy box. It's perfectly proportioned for the size of the hand food processor, meaning that you don't have too much cardboard to pack into your recycling. 

You'll get some useful accessories alongside the main stick blender. There's a small grinding pot for spices and nuts; a stand for putting your stand mixer in when not in use; and three different blades for blending, grinding, and chopping.

I tested mine in black, but these are available in a range of colors, meaning you can tailor yours to your interior style. It's sleek and not too heavy either. In other words, it's perfect.

Who would it suit?

Bamix call this a hand food processor, because it's more versatile than a hand food processor. It's durable and well-built, so even though it's more expensive than a Nutribullet option, for example, it's a good investment if you want yours to last for a lifetime.

The versatility of the Bamix also makes it a good choice for adventurous chefs. Even though the different attachments are versatile, they're better suited to single-person homes or for couples. Whilst you could use yours in a pan to make soups and sauces in bigger batches.

What is it like to use?

You can't really go wrong with the Bamix. You plug it in and then can choose between two speeds and three different blades, depending on what you want to do with your immersion blender. 

I had the stand set-up whilst I whizzed through our tests on soup, smoothies, hummus, and nut butter. It was really useful to have a secure spot to put the Bamix between tasks. My only reservation was fitting the different blades into place. I could imagine those who are a little long-sighted needing to be careful not to clip theirs in a little loosely.

Test 1: soup

A classic task for any immersion blender is how well they handle soup. You can buy blenders that can heat and blend at the same time (such as the Braun TriForce), but this is great if you boil vegetables in a saucepan and want to blend in there.

I chopped up some carrots and sauteed onion and garlic, mixing it all into one pan. Then, I used the Bamix to turn all of it into a smooth soup. Even throwing in the leafy cilantro didn't slow the Bamix. In under a minute I had made a smooth soup. The Bamix wasn't very noisy at all. However, there are just two buttons, so you don't get much control over the speed. Another nice feature is the pan guards which stop the blades from scratching the bottom of the pan.

Test 2: smoothies

Another great test for immersion blenders is the making smoothies. Bamix don't send a blending cup, so I placed some frozen blueberries, banana, oat milk, spinach, and protein powder into a pitcher. Then, I used the Bamix to whizz it into a smooth drink.

Immersion blenders aren't always the best for making smoothies (I prefer to use Nutribullets). However, the Bamix was excellent. The smoothie was fiber-free and easy to drink. There were no powder lumps, grains, or seeds left behind.

Test 3: hummus

Another key test we put all of our blenders through is making dips. Hummus is a great test of this, since you don't get a high water content to work with. I poured a can of chickpeas, a spoon of tahini, a squeeze of lemon juice, and some cumin into a bowl and used the Bamix to crush it. There was still a little texture left in the dip and I had to keep moving and stirring the chickpeas to make sure that the Bamix could whizz up everything in the dip. However, the end result was perfect. It took just a couple of minutes to make a delicious dip of hummus.

Test 4: tomato sauce

I was testing a pizza oven at the same time as this, so I thought I'd throw in another test for the Bamix. I made tomato sauce for the base using canned tomatoes, garlic, onion, tomato sauce, and oregano. 

The soup had proven that this can make a super smooth sauce, so I wanted to test how well this could make a sauce with a little bit of texture. I did my own pulsing using the controls and made a good, textured sauce. The oil was well integrated into the tomatoes and there were some small, but deliberate chunks integrated throughout.

Test 5: nut butter

I'd read that the grinder and pot was really useful for spices, but I wanted to give this a run on peanut butter. I put some roasted peanuts into the bowl and set them running. Normally you have to do thirty seconds on and thirty seconds off so that the motor doesn't overheat, but I thought that the Bamix was powerful enough for me to run. Within two and a half minutes I'd made a smooth peanut butter. I was seriously impressed here. It's a test that is easy to perform, but hard to perfect and the Bamix has done it.

Cleaning, storage, and maintenance

Whilst I was hesitant over detaching and reattaching blades when I started using the Bamix, it makes life a lot easier when it comes to cleaning. You can't put the parts in the dishwasher, but that isn't a problem, because all the parts are easy to clean. Of course, you'll want to be careful around the blades though.

The Bamix stand makes it easy to keep it stored neatly. You can keep it out on the countertop without it demanding too much room, but the slim design makes it easy to slot into drawers lying down. In summary, you'll have space for the Bamix and all of its attachments.

How does it rate online?

There's not a huge amount on the Bamix online, but all the reviews give it high praise. People who love the Bamix tended to be those who wanted a no-frills, top-grade, timeless blender. Most people praised the classic design and effortless performance although some reviewers called for a pulse function on the main body.

As I suspected, the thing that most people struggled with was the blades. People found changing and cleaning them to be a bit too fiddly and ended up getting a bit frustrated with the instructions. In reality, it's pretty straightforward. However, comparing this to other immersion blenders it's more involved.

How does it compare?

The performance of the Bamix secured itself a spot in our buying guide for the best immersion blenders on the market, even though they consider themselves to be hand food processors.

In the buying guide, our best option is the Braun MultiQuick 9 (available at QVC). This comes with a greater range of attachments, including a food processor bowl, masher, and whisk. This makes the Braun more versatile, but it also comes with more clutter. If you won't make use of all of them, you're wasting your money.

If you're looking for a cordless option, the Cuisinart EvolutionX (available at QVC) is a great alternative. It's powerful, easy to use, and also comes with a useful stand. It's a similar price to the Bamix and the downside is that you'll have to remember to keep yours on charge. With the Bamix, you'll have to manage the cord, but at least you won't have to remember to charge it.

Should you buy it?

The Bamix is a beautiful, well-built, premium option for small homes. It's perfect for small tasks and packs a really powerful motor into a slim body and design. The only reason I wouldn't recommend this is if you're set on having a cordless model.

If you’re not familiar with Braun already, today is your lucky day. The brand makes reasonably priced, quality kitchen appliances. Their newest TriForce blender promises results that are 60% finer and four times faster than any other blender that they make.

Within a morning of using the Braun, it has safely secured a spot in our competitive buying guide for the best blenders. It boasts all the functions of a Vitamix, with the considered designs of a Ninja, and the speed and convenience of a NutriBullet. The best part is, it’s cheaper than all of them.

Before I tell you all about the testing process that the Braun TriForce powered through, I should let you know about one thing: it's loud. There's blender noise and then there's the Braun blender's noise. However, given that it’s speedy and incredible value, I’d be tempted to snatch up the saving and throw some earguards in my shopping basket too. You won’t regret it.

Specifications

Unboxing

The Braun TriForce comes neatly packaged in a big, cardboard box with some soft plastic around it. Whilst the cardboard is easy to recycle, you might need to put some more thought into how you dispose of your soft plastics. It's doable though.

Once I’d peeled back all of the packaging, there was very little to assemble. The slick base sits smartly on the countertop and Braun TriForce provides a 68 oz pitcher with a tamper and a secure lid. Whilst it’s nice to have extra blending cups and cleaning brushes, there was actually something quite nice about how simple this made setting everything up.

Who would it suit?

The Braun TriForce boasts incredible capacity, so it’s perfect for large homes looking to batch-blend big servings of smoothies and soups. If you’ll only make single servings, you won’t struggle with any residue or leftover food in the bottom of your blender, but you certainly won’t be making the most of the Braun’s capacity. 

The sheer convenience and versatility of the Braun TriForce only takes it closer to securing its spot as the sponsor of busy homes. It can make hot soup in five minutes, a silky smoothie in two minutes, and ice cones in thirty seconds. The only catch is the noise that you’ll have to endure whilst this is working. If you live in an apartment, have a baby nearby, or have some particularly fussy neighbors, it might be worth looking for a quiet blender.

What is it like to use?

I didn’t even need the instruction manual to use this. It was a matter of plugging the machine in, the dial lit up, and I could read the different functions, which are: soup, chop, ice crush, frozen dessert, and spread. There are manual controls too, but the presets are actually really helpful and give you a degree of control too: there are three different smoothness settings: coarse, medium, and smooth. 

Test 1: smoothie

The first test we put all of our blenders through is on smoothies. We add oats, frozen berries, spinach, and almond milk to our drinks to start with. This gives a good test of how well the blender blades can handle big, seedy berries and tough greens and skins. 

I used the smoothie preset but manually stopped it after just one minute (the screen counts down how long you’ll need and will automatically stop when it thinks it’s finished). The smoothie didn’t need any more than one minute and I didn’t want to make a decibel more noise than I had to. 

I’ve tested blenders that are ten times the price and I can put my hand on my heart and say that this is the blender that puts smooth in smoothie. It was the silkiest that I’ve ever made. It was better than any smoothie bar, store-bought, or super techy blender’s results. There was not a grain or seed in sight. It was incredible. 

Even when I added a scoop of protein powder in and ran the whole process through again, I achieved the same incredible results. Normally, we get some graininess or even lumps when we add protein powder to smoothies, especially when we've already blended everything else beforehand. To say that this is great is an understatement.

Test 2: hummus

Given the success of the smoothie, I had high hopes for my hummus. I tipped a tin of chickpeas, a spoonful of tahini, a teaspoon of cumin, and a squeeze of lemon into my blending jug. 

I used the spread preset, opting for the smoothest setting. Again, in 45 seconds, I could see that the Braun TriForce had already made a really silky dip. I’m not sure that the pictures do it justice, because this was a hummus like no other. The tough chickpea skins had been totally pulverized. 

Test 3: soup

I wasn’t sure whether my soup would be made hot in the Braun TriForce, especially since the whole pitcher is dishwasher safe. However, the guidance said that I didn’t have to cook my vegetables beforehand, so I placed two halves of an onion, some garlic cloves, a stock cube, raw carrot, and cilantro into the pitcher. I set this onto the smooth soup setting and was surprised when the dial read seven minutes. That’s unbelievably speedy, especially for hot soup.

True to its form, the Braun was ready even before the preset timer was up. Within four minutes I had a piping hot, super smooth carrot soup. If I hadn’t already fallen in love with the Braun, this clinched it. I’ve never tested a blender at this price point which boasts so much power and versatility. I’m in love.

Test 4: ice

I held my breath for this test because ice is where every great blender fails. Of all the blenders that I've tested, the Vitamix A3500 is the only blender that's done a thorough job of blending ice and it's ten times the price of the Braun TriForce. However, as promised, ice was no match for the Braun's power.

I put a handful of ice cubes and a splash of water into the base of the blender and selected the ice setting. Again, 23 seconds before the one-minute preset had finished, I had perfectly misted ice. Again, this made a serious amount of noise but the powdery, snow-like ice that the Braun made as a result was worth every second. 

I had a dig through all of the powder and there wasn’t a shard in sight, if you plan on making snow cones or you’re making some frozen cocktails, you’ve just found your perfect kitchen assistant.

Cleaning, storage, and maintenance

This is rarely the exciting part of any blender test, but I had read that the pitcher is dishwasher safe. Most soup-making blenders can’t be submerged in water, let alone thrown in the dishwasher. If you’ve let your smoothie dry on the edges of your pitcher, you could run it with some water and dish soap on the soup setting. However, my clean-up was even easier. Everything I made in the Braun was met with such enthusiasm from the other testers that there wasn’t an ice crystal, spoonful of hummus, or drop of soup left behind. In short, cleaning the Braun is easy.

The storage, however, is a little less easy, since this is quite a bulky blender. Personally, I like the style of it. The slick base is modern and attractive, but if you need to keep this in a cupboard, you’ll need to remove a shelf or store the pitcher beside the base, rather than mounted on it. I planned on doing this, but during the week of testing, this was so popular that it became a permanent feature on the countertop. That’s in spite of the noise too.

How does it rate online?

The Braun TriForce seems to be a bit of a secret online: there aren't many reviews for it, which is crazy to me. I'm ready to end the secrecy because this is brilliant and the few reviews that exist are a testament to how good the Braun is.

People generally loved the angular elegant design and modern display. They all agree that it gives this a cutting-edge feel, comparable to a Vitamix blender. In fact, Vitamix seems to be the name on everyone's lips: this is evocative of the brand's iconic A3500 blender (available at QVC), just a lot cheaper.

People loved the range of pre-sets and the degree of control that you get within the presets (a smooth, medium, and coarse option). Everyone found that this worked in under a minute on almost all settings. I found a couple of reviewers who still wanted their soup heated up to a higher temperature. However, I had to let mine cool before I could test it, so I wondered whether they stopped the soup function too early.

Overall, everyone was happy with the value and performance of the blender. As expected, the noise levels came up in a few reviews. However, I thought more people would mention it, but it seemed to only be a few people who, like me, thought that this was almost excessively noisy.

How does it compare?

My favorite blender up until the Braun TriForce was the Ninja Hot and Cold. This boasts an impressive range of functions, covering sauces, jellies, and more. It's smaller and heavier than the Braun, but that's probably because the pitcher is crafted from glass.

The Braun is also a lot quicker. It takes the Ninja half an hour to make a smooth soup, whereas the Braun needed less than seven minutes, The biggest drawback with the Ninja is that you have to be really careful when washing it. The bottom of the blender categorically can't get wet, which means that you'll be on edge the whole time that you have it near to the sink.

The real test for the Braun TriForce is how it stands up against the Vitamix A3500. Results-wise, the two were almost identical. If anything, I think the Braun was better and quicker at misting ice and making soup. The only downsides of the Braun is how much louder it is and that the pitcher is plastic, not glass. This makes it feel slightly less durable, although Braun's website is reassuring, saying that the pitcher is crafted from Tritan, which has established a stellar reputation for itself. 

If you're money-conscious, the Braun is a great bet. If you want capacity and speed, the Braun is also great too. However, if you want an ultra-premium Vitamix and you like the brand name, you won't feel disappointed with the Vitamix.

Should you buy it?

There’s never been an easier product recommendation to make than the Braun. It’s versatile, powerful, and incredible value. I’m still trying to run the numbers on it, especially since comparable blenders are so much more expensive and absolutely objectively worse. The only thing I’d recommend is that you buy some earguards for how noisy it is, but you can afford them with the Braun TriForce's price tag.

How we test

We have a meticulous and rigorous process for how we test blenders. This starts with a simple smoothie. We use frozen berries and spinach, in our smoothie mix, because they test how well a blender can power through tough skins and seeds. Once it's done that, we add protein powder to see whether the smoothie goes lumpy.

We also test how well the blender can make hummus. There's a lower liquid content in dips, so blenders often struggle to make a super smooth dip. We make hummus because chickpea skins can be tough to blend really finely.

The last test we put blenders through is on ice. Most blenders struggle to get ice into a misted, fine snow-like texture. If it's suitable for snow cones and iced cocktails, it's a success.

We'll also test any special functions, such as soups and sauces if a blender has them. We make notes on other parts of the process too, including cleaning, unboxing, and maintenance. Our team also compares the blender to all of the others that we've tested, so we can let you know where it sits in the market.

Whether you're a sucker for a hard-working appliance, looking for versatility and value, or shopping for a kitchen appliance that does it all, I think you'll be pretty pleased with the Nutribullet Triple Prep system. It can handle all your blending and food processing needs like the best blender food processor combos on the market.

Nutribullet is known for making one of the best blenders on the market. The Triple Prep system uses the single-serve cups that make their iconic bullet blender but offers a jug blender for the more robust, ice-crushing tasks. That would be enough to sell me on this blender, but there's more. Nutribullet has thrown in a full-sized food processing bowl that has layered blades to chop up onions, blend nuts, slice veggies, and grate cheese like the best food processors on the market.

So, you can see that on paper, this looks like one serious piece of kit. I took it to our test kitchen to find out whether that translates from the smart credentials onto your kitchen countertop. Here's what I found (spoiler alert: I think you'll like it).

Specifications

Unboxing

The Nutribullet Triple Prep System arrives in a box proportionate to everything inside. What I'm trying to delicately say is that it's a big box. However, you're getting a full-sized bullet blender, jug blender, and food processor, so I wouldn't expect anything less.

The cardboard is packaged and neatly organized, so that unboxing makes it easy to understand which parts go with which appliance. You'll get two blending cups, which turn into portable bottles after use; a food processor bowl with interchangeable slicing and grating blades, a glass blending pitcher, and the sleek power base. It's a lot to store, so make sure that you have the space for this (I'd recommend dedicating a cupboard to the attachments) before you leap into buying one.

Who would it suit?

If you're kitting out a new home or starting afresh with your kitchen, the Nutribullet Triple Prep System is the perfect appliance. The sleek base could easily sit on a modern kitchen countertop, but you'll need to find some space in your cupboards for all the extras, which is why I tend to recommend this for larger homes. 

The single-serve cups are great if you need to blend for one and go, but the 64 oz blending pitcher and 7 cup food processor are what firmly puts this into the 'large homes' category since they're really designed for batch cooking. The sheer versatility of a bullet and jug blender is great if you want to switch up what you're making. The bullets are great for smoothies, but can't crush ice. The blending jug will mist your ice into fine snow in a matter of seconds but is harder to clean if you just want a quick smoothie.

Altogether, this feels like a sleek and smart piece of equipment. Even better, this comes at a relatively low cost. We've found less expensive models, but this is a sweet spot of value and simplicity. You could opt for more sensitive and advanced models (which I'll get into further down), but this is a great starting point.

What is it like to use?

Getting the Nutribullet Triple Prep System set up was easy and stress-free. It comes with instructions, but you won't really need them, since all the appliances click neatly into the base and the functions are all straightforward.

The one-touch operation is a breezy wonder, you can flick between blending, chopping and food processing relatively effortlessly. I made smoothies, crushed ice, shredded veg, dips, and more. By the end of testing, I'd completed a full (if not slightly obscure) dinner party spread without having to break a sweat. Here are some more details.

Test 1: smoothies

Our smoothie tests are simple but tough. We give every blender spinach so that we can test how it handles tough greens. We throw in frozen berries because these can be big and the small seeds are tough to get super smooth. We'll give it some help with banana and almond milk to see how it can handle them. 

I tested making smoothies in both the jug and bullet blender. If you're making a smaller serving and want a portable option, the bullet is brilliant. It works like Nutribullet's best, classic blender, whizzing up everything into a smooth and delicious drink in just 42 seconds. I even added a scoop of my protein powder to see whether the smoothie would go lumpy and this didn't phase the Nutribullet. I had a silky smooth shake in seconds. 

I tried the same quantities in the pitcher, which was good, but I didn't get the same smooth results in the smaller quantity. My smoothie was very drinkable, but I could taste some seeds. However, when I packed the pitcher with more ingredients, aiming to make a four-person pitcher of smoothie, the Nutribullet came into its own, whizzing up a perfect smoothie which I could pour straight from the jug.

Test 2: hummus

After we've made smoothies, we always move onto making a dip, because this has a lower liquid quantity. Blades can struggle to cut chickpea skins into a silky dip. I followed the same process as I did with the smoothies, testing hummus in the bullet blender and then the large pitcher.

I put a can of chickpeas, a squeeze of lemon, teaspoon of cumin, tablespoon of tahini, and drizzle of olive oil into the bullet blender and set it to work. I had to stop the bullet and give it a shake or a scrape a few times before I was satisfied that the blades had worked through all of my ingredients. Overall, this only took a couple of minutes, so I was pleased.

It was much of the same story with hummus in the blending jug as it was with smoothies. The bullet did a better job of small quantities, because the pitcher's blades simply skipped over some of my chickpeas, giving me a very chunky dip. I doubled my quantities and got much better results (and more hummus than I could ever possibly dream of). 

Test 3: ice

Bullet blenders notoriously struggle to even touch ice and this was no exception. I added a little bit of water and some ice cubes to the bullet and they rattled around for a few minutes, doing nothing. The pitcher on the other hand, was another story. I was totally blown away by how quickly this misted my ice cubes into a fine powder, perfect for snow cones and iced cocktails. There were some larger chunks initially, but as I carried on blending, I got some great results.

Test 4: guacamole

Next, I moved on to the food processor. I had enough hummus to feed the whole street, so thought I'd test out a second dip, guacamole. Although avocado is soft and relatively easy to blend, the cilantro is a tough green to cut nicely, the onion is difficult to get into an even size, and the chili is hard to integrate well. 

As you can see, the Nutribullet Triple Prep System aced the guacamole test. The food processor blades did a brilliant job of chopping and combining all of my ingredients throughout the dip even though they're not at different levels. Some chunks splashed up the sides, but I used a spatula to slide them down and into the main dip. 

Test 5: chopped onion

This test takes one step back from the guacamole, stripping out all the ingredients except for the red onion. I only needed to run the Nutribullet Triple Prep System for a few seconds to get the results that you can see in the picture above. The pieces of onion were relatively consistent, although I could spot a visible difference between larger and smaller chunks. 

After taking the picture, I ran the food processor for longer and ended up with some really small chunks and still some bigger ones. This is fine if you just need to quickly chop onions for a sauce, dip, or recipe. However, if you're a perfectionist who likes consistent, hand-chopped onions, you might be better off giving this one a miss.

Test 5: grated carrot and sliced cucumber

I made use of the double-sided disk. One face will slice your cheeses and vegetables, whilst the other will grate them. As you can see, I got a good grate on my carrot and I the cucumber was neatly and finely sliced too. It was really speedy and impressively powerful. This only needed a few minutes to power through my veggies.

My only grievance here is the size of the feeding chute, which was slightly awkwardly shaped. I had to halve and then slightly re-shape my cucumber before I could feed it to the disc. As with the onion, if you're a stickler for perfect shapes and sizes, this might be frustrating. However, if you want the job done and you prioritize speed, this is perfect.

Cleaning, storage, and maintenance

There's very little you need to worry about with cleaning the Nutribullet Triple Prep System. All the parts are dishwasher safe, so you can throw them all in and let your machine do the hard work. I would recommend exercising some caution with the slicing and grating discs. In fact, I actually washed these by hand, because I didn't trust my dishwasher to get into all the cracks and crevices.

The base station's sleek interface ended up showing some greasy and foodie fingerprints, so I gave it a quick wipe before tucking it towards the back of the countertop. If you're likely to use this a lot, I'd recommend storing the base on your countertop, since it's pretty small and simple. You'll just need to create some space in your cupboards for the various, large attachments.

How does it rate online?

The Nutribullet Triple Prep System is an online success. All owners praised the versatility of the machine, saying that it was convenient for busy homes that needed to cook in large quantities. People generally felt that it was impressive across all of the attachments, although the bullet blender got the most shout-outs for its performance. 

Lots of people enjoyed having a good blender-food processor combo. However, plenty issued warnings about storage since the attachments are big. It's worth it if you'll use all three (reviewers agree on this), but if one of the three functions will be redundant, it might be worth considering your options.

How does it compare?

This went straight into our buying guide for the best blender food processor combos, because it boasts incredible value, capacity, and performance. This means that it sits amongst the better-known Ninja Professional Plus system. 

The two appliances offer comparable performance and versatility, with single-serve bullet blenders, a pitcher, and food processor bowl. I think they're both brilliant, but if we are getting picky, the Ninja is more consistent and more powerful. The Ninja's food processor blades sit at different levels, meaning that it achieves more thorough results, even as the bowl fills up. This is where the Nutribullet slipped up. 

Aesthetically, I prefer the Nutribullet Triple Prep System. The digital interface disappears, making this look sleek on the countertop. The Ninja and its boxy design prioritizes functionality which is probably why it's cheaper. If you want to save money and put power first, the Ninja is a good bet. However, if you want the design of the iconic Nutribullet, you won't regret one.

If you like the sound of all things Ninja and Nutribullet, but you need a really compact appliance, I'd recommend looking at the Magic Bullet Kitchen Express. Admittedly, this feels cheaper and is really aimed at single or two-person households, but it does an excellent job of simple tasks. The blades of the food processor sit at different levels and the discs whizzed through all of our tests arguably quicker than the Nutribullet Triple Prep System. However, it is obviously is limited in capacity.

Should you buy it?

The Nutribullet Triple Prep System is one serious sous chef. It'll be a great helping hand in any family kitchen, because it covers silky smoothies, delicious dips, misty ice cones, and it can speedily slice and chop your vegetables. Even though this is more expensive than the Ninja, it's still a steal for what should be the cost of three, separate, market-leading appliances.

How we test

At Homes & Gardens, we understand the importance of finding kitchen appliances that not only meet but exceed expectations. When it comes to testing blender food processor combos, we have a rigorous process so that you know exactly what you're investing in and whether it's the best for your needs. 

We start all our tests with smoothies. This includes testing how well the blender can handle frozen fruits, leafy greens, and other ingredients to create smooth and creamy drinks. 

The next test we put out blenders through is on hummus (we test the food processors on guacamole). When we're blending these, we want to make sure that the blades can create a smooth and consistent texture for all of the ingredients.

The dip quality will also prepare us for how well the food processor attachment will handle vegetables. We assess how well a food processor will chop onions. We look at the uniformity and size of the chopped pieces, as well as the efficiency and ease of the chopping process. When slicing cucumber we can check the feeding chute shape, as well as look at the various thicknesses and clean cuts. Our final test is grating carrots. We want consistent and evenly grated carrot shreds, as well as an efficient and easy grating process.

In addition to testing individual functions, we compare each blender food processor combo to other models on the market. We consider factors such as performance, versatility, durability, and ease of use. We also evaluate the value proposition of each appliance, taking into account its features, quality, and price point. If you're interested in finding out more, you can read all about our process on our page dedicated to how we test appliances.

If you're anything like us, you often turn to Instagram for innovative cleaning and decluttering tips. If you're like us, you'll also know that cleaning a blender can be a pain. From struggling to safely clean the blades to having smoothie residue harden on the sides of the pitcher, it's always an uphill battle. Clearly, we're all a lot like Courteney Cox.

The Friends actress turned Homecourt founder took to TikTok to share a blender-cleaning tip she picked up off Instagram, and it's nothing short of genius. Essentially, the method requires filling the empty blender with clean, soapy water and blending it, just like you would with a smoothie. It's simple, effective, and helps keep your best blender shiny and new.

Though some users were quick to point out they'd been doing this all along,  it's pretty mind-blowing if you've never used this method to clean a blender before. 'I saw this cleaning hack on Instagram. Let's see if it works,' says Courteney, smiling at the camera.

'Take a dirty blender from your smoothies, rinse it,' she says, picking up a Vitamix blender covered in the remnants of a mango smoothie. Courteney then dumps the smoothie-soaked water out. 'Add dish soap,' she says, adding two pumps of her homecourt Steeped Rose dish soap into the blender, then adding more clean water. 

She places the blender on its stand and then turns it on to the low setting for about 5 seconds. Though this looks quick and easy for the video, we'd probably recommend leaving the blender on for just a bit longer, to make sure all of the blender gunk is shaken loose. With viral cleaning hacks, it's always important to double-check what's for social media versus what works best in real life.

Afterwards, she dumps the water out and rinses the blender out one more time, leaving it completely clean. 'Now, that's pretty easy,' smiles Courteney, holding up a spotless blender. Would you try this trick?

Courteney Cox's blender hack is simple and effective. Whether you already knew the trick or not, it's nice for a reminder that most cleaning processes have an easy, automated alternative.

A few months ago, I had a sneaky peek behind the curtain at Smeg and saw this product in the pipeline. It has taken all my willpower not to write about it; adding vacuum technology to a blender is such a good idea. The main issue with making your own smoothies and dips is that they expire pretty fast. Vacuum sealing means no more brown smoothies and grey guacamole. 

This is Smeg’s most technologically advanced blender by a long way. In fact, it's a rival to the best blenders on the market. It’s a marvel to look at, a joy to use, and it boasts some impressive performances across smoothies, dips, and ice.

As you can imagine, I’ve been itching to review this for months, so as soon as I could get one into the kitchen, I started blending. In spite of the hefty price tag, I love it. It’s perfect for busy, modern kitchens, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect for you. Here’s everything you need to know.

Specifications

Unboxing

It was great to see a real effort on the sustainability front from Smeg. This comes in a big cardboard box and cardboard packaging. There are some plastic sleeves to keep parts scratch-free, but this is minimal and could be taken to soft plastic recycling. 

On the countertop, this is simply stunning. As soon as the brushed stainless steel base came out the box, I was taken back to Smeg’s exclusive unveiling of their blender. It looks like a really premium product, but they haven’t made it overwhelming either. The buttons all have simple icons and the big LCD dial on the front is extremely self explanatory: it will countdown or time your blends, as well as navigate through different blending speeds. 

Smeg provides some cleaning tools, the vacuum sealant, and a thick, but not heavy 51 oz glass pitcher. They’ve put quantity measurements on both sides of the pitcher, so that you can slot the jug on to suit both right and left handed users, which is a feature not to be underestimated.

Who would it suit?

The sheer size and capacity of the Smeg blender tailors it to large homes specifically. It’s beautiful, but also extremely big, so you need deep countertops or cupboards if you want to keep the Smeg without resenting its space consumption. 

Unlike most big blenders, this could still appeal to single-users, especially those who batch blend. The useful vacuum seal will slow how quickly your smooth oxidizes, so you can make huge quantities and store them in the refrigerator and they'll stay fresher for longer. 

What is it like to use?

There’s a lot to love about the Smeg, most specifically the way that the design blends smart, sleek finishes with simple controls. The icons meant that I only needed to a cursory glance over the instruction manual, more to confirm that, yes, the ice cube icons were ice cubes, and, yes, the fruit icon is for smoothies. 

I gave the pitcher a rinse and pushed it onto the rubber base. The first time I pushed the pitcher into the base and the lid onto the pitcher, I found the rubber gave back some resistance. Over the course of our tests, it became a lot smoother and easier to do, but if you’re not very strong, get ready to use a bit of muscle the first time you use the Smeg. 

There are plenty of neat features which it would be easy to overlook. For example, the stopper which should sit in the feeding chute hole on the lid can also be used to measure syrups and other liquids which you might add to your smoothies. 

Test 1: smoothies

What’s a blender without smoothies? It’s the first test we put every blending appliance through. I placed frozen berries, banana, spinach, and almond milk into the pitcher. There’s a special smoothie function which you can select, a time will appear on the main dial, and then simply pushing it in will start the blender. It’s quite noisy, making on average 82 dBA of noise. You can hear the automated function running through different blending speeds and strength in an attempt to blend the ‘smooth’ into ‘smoothie’.

Towards the end of the blending, the power really went to full force and I was worried something was jammed. I lifted the stopper on lid off and added more almond milk, which the blender quickly incorporated into the drink. I was curious to see whether it had been jammed, so ran a smoothie bowl (with the same, original amount of almond milk) and heard that same, high speed blending at the end. It turns out, this is all part of the blending pre-sets, so there’s no need to worry. The results of both my smoothie and smoothie bowl were flawless: there were no seeds from the berries, no traces of spinach, and no ice crystals. I don’t like to say that things are ‘the best ever’ because it gives no scope for other blenders to come in and do a better job, but this is the best smoothie, texture wise, I’ve ever made.

I added some Free Soul protein powder to my smoothie mix and sent it through the blender again, testing how well it would handle potential lumps of protein powder. The Smeg whizzed through them, leaving no grains, pockets, or bubbles. 

Test 2: dips

After the success of the smoothie, I was hopeful that the hummus would be smooth too. I placed a can of chickpeas, tablespoon of tahini, juice of half a lemon, salt, and cumin into the blender. I used the manual mode to set this running and discovered that if you don’t use one of Smeg’s presets, rather than counting down for you, the LCD screen will start timing how long the blender has been running. The hummus only needed twenty seconds before it was perfectly smooth. I set up a bowl with some chips and crudités and almost before I could taste test, the rest of my team were demolishing the bowl. It scored top marks for texture, another speedy success from Smeg.

I have high countertops, and I’m quite small, so I had to judge the texture from the side of the blender. You can see in the picture that there were a few chunkier pieces of hummus up the sides of the pitcher, so I had to assume that it was smooth and lifted the lid off. The hummus was perfect, but I ran a spatula around the size to incorporate those larger chunks into the hummus and gave the blender another five seconds to run though.

I also tested making guacamole in a similar way to the hummus, but I was keen to see what the Smeg would make of onion and tomato. Plus, some blenders work avocado into lumps, rather than a smooth dip. However, as you might have guessed, this expertly whizzed my onion into nothing, making a delicious guacamole dip. The Smeg has no business being this incredible at both dips and smoothies. It's remarkable.

Test 3: Crushed ice

Unlike others I've tested, this blender has a special ice function, so I was, again, hopeful that I would get some success. All of our tests are on standard bullet ice cubes, so this was the first one that I carried out. It only took fifty seconds (and a 85 dBA of noise) to make a good batch of crushed ice. 

I was curious to test the limits of the Smeg, so brought out some larger ice cubes (the kind you would use for whiskey). The blender struggled with these, I mean, it’s a bit unfair that I even tested them. Plus, you can see in the image above that it worked them into much smaller ice cube shapes and, if I could have stood to listen to the Smeg running for a few more minutes, it would have easily worked through them. My concern was that it would work the already crushed ice into water. Anyway, I don’t think many blenders could handle such huge ice cubes, but it’s nevertheless worth knowing. 

Test 4: special features

The vacuum pump is one of this blender's most intriguing features. It has the potential to be incredibly innovative or a gimmick, so I was keep to give this a good test. 

To use the vacuum pump, you need four AA batteries which can be inserted in the pump. Mine came with batteries already inside, but this is no guarantee. I was apprehensive about both the complexity and noise that a vacuum pump might induce, but it was really easy to use and actually didn't get any louder than 80 dBA.

The vacuum pump works before blending, so I had to put my food into the blending pitcher and then place the pump on the lid. Activating the pump was really easy: I pressed a button, the LED lights lit up, and the pump got to work. The pump stopped when it had reached pressure and could then be removed. After this was finished, I used the blender as normal and removed the pressure of the jug.

I had a smoothie bowl from the jug as soon as it had finished blending and it was delicious. I kept the rest of my smoothie in a jug, in the refrigerator for a few days. The vacuum pump didn't stop it from discoloring, but I would say that my purple-colored smoothie stayed brighter for a couple of days longer, before slowing graying, as you might expect. I was happy to drink my way through the pitcher all week, so I think the vacuum did a good job of keeping my drink fresh. It wasn't as dramatic as I was expecting, nor did my smoothies taste like they had been 'enhanced' in any way. However, I suspect this is the kind of feature which you notice when it isn't working.

Cleaning, storage, and maintenance

I'd blended a lot of different food colors and textures in the Smeg, so I didn't expect an easy clean-up. You can imagine my pleasant surprise when all this needed was a quick run through on the cleaning function before it was sparkling. The matte, stainless steel finish on the base was really low maintenance. Even though I know my hands were covered in smoothie mix and hummus and the base was definitely splattered, it didn't look like it.

Whilst I think this is an attractive blender, I should tell you that it's also really big. The Smeg demanded a lot of countertop space, plus it's quite tall, so I wouldn't like to try and tuck it into a cupboard. The best thing you could do is embrace the size and style this as a smoothie station on your countertop.

How does it rate online?

We're some of the first people to review this, so there actually isn't any customer or expert feedback online yet. I'll update you with the people's opinion when it's more widely available.

When I attended the launch for the Smeg, there was a lot of excitement around both the aesthetics (which break away from Smeg's retro aesthetic) and the vacuum sealant, which could change the game if you like to batch blend. This was the most intriguing part of the Smeg blender. Back when we saw the preview, this is the feature that all the other experts were skeptical about, but I can attest to the fact that it's genuinely good, not just a gimmick.

How does it compare?

I took a picture of the Smeg next to my Ninja Foodi Heat-iQ Blender, which is less than half the price of the Smeg. You can see that their dimensions are relatively similar, but the Smeg is leagues ahead in terms of aesthetics. The simple design of the Smeg looks so much sleeker and smarter than Ninja's very functional-looking blender.

On smoothies, dips, and ice, I would say that the two blenders are head-to-head. They both offer pre-sets, so that all you have to do is add your ingredients and you're good to go. Their results were faultless across all of our tests too. However, even though the Ninja is cheaper, it has more pre-sets, which cover ice cream, soups, jellies, and dips. The Ninja also has capacity to heat up your blends, making soups, sauces, and sautéed vegetables. 

In some aspects makes the Smeg seem a little basic, especially for the price, but the Smeg has a different offering. The simple, minimalist controls are stress-free. They're not quite as overhwelming as Ninja's array, plus, the Smeg has one final trick up its sleeve. It has a vacuum seal. This means that you can take the oxygen out of your smoothies and dips, keeping them fresher, for longer. Plus, the Smeg can be fully submerged in water to wash (the Ninja is much more fiddly) and the Smeg works for both right and left-handed users (the Ninja is designed for right-handed users only). 

The Smeg is packed with some useful features, but whether these warrant the hefty price tag is a decision you can make for yourself. Other blenders which boast Smeg's smart vacuum sealing technology are either commercial (and so a lot more expensive), such as the Kuvings CB1000, or Oster's surprisingly inexpensive BLSTAB-CB0-000. Neither of these have the same aesthetic appeal as the Smeg, so they're not quite as kitchen-friendly. If you'd make use of the vacuum feature, I think the Smeg is the one I'd settle on.

Should I buy it?

If you care deeply about aesthetics and want to be able to batch-blend, the Smeg is an excellent investment. Sure, it comes with a significant price tag, but if you'll make use of their innovative settings and you want to enjoy their simple design, you're in extremely safe hands with this brand.

Personally, I love the heating function on my Ninja. I'd struggle to give it up, especially for a machine which is over double the price, but the Smeg is a tempting model nonetheless.

How we test

At Homes & Gardens, we make sure that all of our blenders work hard to earn any praise that they get. It's not something that we hand out lightly. We have a team of experts who are always researching and reading-up on the latest, most innovative blenders on the market. As soon as we spot one which we think you might like, we call it in to our test kitchen. Once there, we have a series of standard tests that we put it through. The first test is making a smoothie with frozen fruit, spinach, and protein powder. This will show us how well the blades can handle seeds, tough greens, and how well it can incorporate powders without creating any lumps.

The next test is making dips. Our standard test is hummus, but, if possible, we will test guacamole too.This can give us a good indicator of how the blender handles drier ingredients, such as chickpeas, which also have tough skins or onions, which are typically hard to make into a smooth paste.

The final test we put every blender through is our crushed ice test. Whether you're making ice cones or frozen cocktails, you want your blender to crush up ice into consistent, small crystals. If it can stay relatively quiet whilst doing so, well, that's a big bonus. 

When a machine has some special features, we always test them. In the case of the Smeg, it was the vacuum pump, which was designed to improve the life of each blend. However, this could range from anything to a heating function, portable bottles, or a different texture functions. You name it, we've tested it.

Our experts will also make notes on all the external factors, such as cleaning, storage, maintenance, and unboxing. These will all impact your perception of a blender, so we think it's important that you know every detail possible about them. That way, if you choose to invest in one of these, you're not in for any nasty surprises.

If you'd like to know more about, you can visit our dedicated page for how we test blenders.

It's no secret that Vitamix make the best blenders in the world. It's also no secret that Vitamix make the most expensive blenders in the world.

It might sit right at the top of our guide to the best blenders, but Vitamix's most premium blender costs more than $600. I've tested kitchen gadgets like blenders my entire career, and not even I love smoothies that much. What's more, even their cheaper blenders will set you back more than $300. It's a lot to spend for slightly tastier protein shakes. 

That's why I was excited when one of our eagle-eyed product testers caught that the Vitamix Explorian is now on sale at QVC. One of their cheaper blenders, it brings excellent performance around down to a price that most people can actually buy. This is a better price than we saw on Black Friday, so if you've been putting off buying a blender, I'd jump on this deal. 

What's the deal?

Is the Explorian any good?

Like other Vitamixes, the Explorian is an exceptionally good blender. Made in the USA, it aced every test we threw at it. For example, we tested it on a particularly tricky protein shake with some tough ingredients. It was packed with protein powder, which can be gritty and hard to mix; oats, which can be very thick and turn powdery; peanut butter, which can easily gum up the blades; and frozen raspberries, which not only have bitty, tough skin, but also little seeds and stems. This blender devoured all of them, blending every ingredient, including the seeds, into a smooth, drinkable, delicious smoothie. 

It can also make hot soup right in the pitcher, just from the heat of the friction of its blades. This wasn't as effective as other Vitamixes, which make piping hot soup, but made a delicious, if slightly foamy soup.

Yet crushing ice is where it truly shines. It turned ten ice cubes into snow in just seconds. It makes the perfect consistency for frozen cocktails or snow cones for kids and is the perfect companion for summer hosting as the weather slowly heats up. 

However, we found that it's missing a safety feature that other blenders have as standard. You can turn it on without the lid in place, which can be pretty dangerous if you aren't careful. What's more, bigger families might find that the 48oz pitcher is a little lacking when catering to the whole household. Most high-end blenders in this style can hold at least 64oz, so you might find that the portion sizes in this are smaller than you were expecting. 

There's more information in our full Vitamix Explorian E310 review.

What are my other options?

However, don't think this is your only option. There are a lot of better options out there, including some a lot less than this discounted sale price. 

If you’re thinking about buying a blender then you will no doubt have considered Vitamix. The brand is synonymous with powerful blenders, but these machines come with a hefty price tag, so it can be tricky to figure out whether it’s worth investing in a covetable Vitamix.

The Vitamix A2300 is by no means a basic blender, but it is the most entry-level and thereby the cheapest option in the Vitamix Ascent Series. This is the brand's smart range of blenders, equipped with clever SELF-DETECT technology. This range of blenders can be paired with any of the compatible containers including cups, bowls, and even a food processor attachment - all available to purchase separately.

I’ve reviewed several Vitamix blenders and I’ve always found them to be among best blenders you can buy. I was expecting big things from the Vitamix A2300 and safe to say, it didn’t disappoint.

Product specifications

Who will it suit?

As with most Vitamix blenders, this model is suited to those with an ample budget. Furthermore, you’ve got to be pretty serious about blending, both to justify the price, but also to use it to its full potential. It’ll be wasted on people who just want to blend protein powder with milk.

If you’re a budding chef who wants to experiment with nut butters and dips, soups and sauces, this blender will serve you well. Its 10 blending speeds will offer all the control you need. With the option to add on accessories, there’s plenty of scope to build it into a more versatile appliance.

Unboxing and setting up

The Vitamix A2300 arrived neatly packed in a compact box, protected by cardboard instead of polystyrene. The box contained the motor base which has a weightiness that implies quality and power. There’s a 64oz plastic container that is lightweight with a generous pouring spout and large handle. 

The lid for the container clips into position with two side clips and has a removable lid plug. Unlike the Vitamix E310, this model is equipped with a safety feature that means it won’t switch on unless the lid is clicked into place. Which makes it a great choice if you  have little ones in the house.

The final part is a tamper that can be inserted into the lid when the lid plug is removed. This allows you to push ingredients towards the blades during blending. There’s also a recipe book provided in the box and it includes a wide range of useful recipes to get you started.

The container sits directly on to the base without you having to master a complicated twisting maneuver or locking system. And it can be used with the handle to either the left or the right, making it ideal for everyone, no matter which is your dominant hand.

The base has a hidden on/off switch on the right hand side. On the front there’s a variable speed dial, numbered 1-10. To the right of the dial is a start/ stop switch and to the left is the pulse switch. It’s an uncomplicated setup that left me with little need to consult the manual.

Above the controls a digital timer counts up while it blends, this is particularly helpful when following recipes in the recipe booklet, as these detail the exact time to blend for. It’s advisable to give the container a quick wash before the first use, but other than that, it comes out of the box pretty much ready to go.

Test 1: Smoothies

The first thing I did was to make a smoothie. I blended 1 cup milk, 1 oz protein powder and 2 oz fresh spinach with 2 cups of frozen berries. The berries ranged from small frozen blackcurrants to big whole frozen strawberries. I knew it would be a real test for the blender to liquidize these berries quickly and efficiently.

I followed the instructions in the manual regarding the order in which the various smoothie ingredients should be added. Then switched it on at the lowest speed, increasing the speed gradually up to 10. The mixture was quite thick though, so after 20 seconds I put the tamper in to give it a helping hand. 

After a further 20 seconds, it was clear I’d been a little over-enthusiastic with the quantity of frozen berries, so I stopped it and added an extra ½ cup of milk. After this I blitzed it up again for a further 1 minute.

The resulting smoothie was aerated and smooth. There was a hint of grittiness from some berry seeds that hadn’t been completely pulverized, but it was a minimal amount in comparison to the seedy grittiness I’ve experienced when making berry smoothies in cheaper blenders. The spinach leaves were completely blended into the drink, which is the gold standard when I test blenders.

I also made a spiced carrot smoothie with 1 ½ cup milk, 1 oz protein powder, ½ teaspoon each of cinnamon, turmeric and nutmeg, a whole sliced frozen banana sliced, a whole carrot sliced, and ¼ cup golden raisins.

After a mere 45 seconds of blending, the smoothie was thick and creamy, with no trace of grittiness. There wasn’t even a stray unblended raisin, which my years of testing have taught me is rare when blending them into a smoothie. Yhe raw carrot had been completely obliterated, which again, is impressive.

Test 2: Black bean soup

I followed a recipe for black bean soup that’s in the included recipe book. I simply had to fry some onion and garlic to soften it and then add this along with vegetable stock and black beans to the blender. This model doesn’t have a soup program, but the recipe stated to blend at the highest speed for 6 ½ minutes.

It’s a super quick way of making minimal effort homemade hot soup. But, it’s very loud. I measured 99dB on my noise meter, which is the equivalent of standing 25ft from a motorcycle. So it’s not one to do while the baby is sleeping, or you’re taking a work call.

At the end of blending though, the soup was 177F/ 80C, so plenty hot enough to eat immediately. It was incredibly smooth and I topped it with cilantro and feta cheese for a tasty lunch. If you prefer a chunky soup, you’d need to add the chunks in after blending. Keep in mind that some raw foods like onion have to be cooked before you make the soup in the blender. This isn't the case with dedicated soup makers like the Ninja Foodi Hot and Cold, for example.

Test 3: Ice

It’s common for some blender brands to put a limit on how much ice you should put in the blender at a time. But having browsed through the manual I couldn’t see anything about ice. So I emptied a whole tray of 14 ice cubes into the blender.

I set the speed to number 4 and pressed the pulse button a total of 18 times - which was probably the equivalent of 18 seconds of continuous blending. And in that short time, all the ice cubes were pulverized into even snowy crushed ice. When I tipped it all out, there were no rogue chunks of ice stuck under the blades. It was a great result and the blender didn’t struggle whatsoever.

Test 4: Butter

With some spare cartons of cream in the fridge, I decided to follow the instructions in the recipe book to make homemade butter. After pouring the cream into the blender I switched it on and slowly increased the speed to 10, then let it blend at that speed for around 1 minute.

I drained off the buttermilk, mixed in some salt and rolled it in baking paper. After a night in the fridge it was delicious homemade butter ready to spread on my morning toast. It couldn’t have been easier.

Test 5: Hummus

I followed the hummus recipe in the recipe book, but cut it down by half. It was mixed to a smooth dip in a little under one minute. Even most of the tiny whole sesame seeds were completely broken down, which is no mean feat. 

Test 6: Peanut butter

Finally, I attempted to make peanut butter. The recipe just calls for peanuts, so it’s way healthier than the store bought variety that can contain lots of other added ingredients like oil and sugar. And after blending for 1 minute on the highest speed followed by 30 seconds on speed 7, it had completely pulverized 18 oz peanuts into a silk-smooth, spreadable nut butter.

It took me a while to scrape all the nut butter from beneath the blades. But the speed and ease with which it turned the nuts into peanut butter, was a joy to watch. Although it’s worth noting that the peanut butter was warm when I decanted it out into a tub. Even in 90 seconds, the blades create heat, which may be undesirable for some recipes.

Cleaning

 When it came to cleaning the container,  I followed guidance in the manual after most recipes. I half filled the container with warm water, added a drop of dishwashing liquid and with the lid in place, returned it to the base. A quick whizz up at full speed is enough to remove virtually all residues. Then it just needs a quick wipe and a rinse.

Sadly the manual makes no mention of the main container being dishwasher friendly, so I didn’t risk it. But the tamper, lid and lid plug can go in the dishwasher so I put them all  in the dishwasher after making peanut butter and they washed well.

How does it compare?

If you’re set on Vitamix but your budget won’t quite stretch to the A2300, take a look at the Vitamix E310 that I also reviewed. At around $350 it’s somewhat more affordable and yet it still offers 10 blending speeds and impressive performance. The main compromise is the smaller 48 oz container and it also lacks the smart self-detect features of the Ascent series.

At the opposite end of the scale is the all-singing, all-dancing Vitamix A3500. Starting at $650, this is the blender for the person who wants top-of-the-range performance and features. Currently sitting at top of the list in our best blenders guide, it’s a beast of an appliance. 

Should you buy the Vitamix A2300?

It’s safe to say that if you want a powerful blender that can cope with even the toughest of foods, the Vitamix A2300 is a great choice. If performance is your main consideration, then this is absolutely a worthwhile investment.

If you’ve got this far, then you probably have the budget to buy this blender. So the price tag aside, it’s not completely without flaws. As I already mentioned, the blades do get warm quite quickly, so you’ll need to make sure you start with chilled ingredients if you want them to stay cold. That said, it blends so fast that this is rarely a major issue. All in all, it’s a premium blender for serious cooks and it’ll tackle all your kitchen blending tasks with ease.

In a surprising move, BlendJet is conducting a voluntary recall of their BlendJet 2 portable blenders across the United States and Canada. 

Working with U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission, they have identified potential 'fire and laceration hazards'. The manufacturer reports that about 4.8 million units sold in the U.S. and 117,000 sold in Canada are affected. They pose two risks; either overheating or the blender blades breaking off.

BlendJet issued a statement saying that 'while none of the reported incidents resulted in serious injury or significant property damage, out of an abundance of caution, our company updated the base of the BlendJet 2 to feature thicker blades and an improved electrical configuration'. These updates have been in place for months and any BlendJet 2s currently for sale are not affected by the recall.

BlendJet recall - what to do now

Recalls started on December 28, 2023 with BlendJet offering a safe replacement of the model. If you own a BlendJet 2 and are concerned that you may be affected by the voluntary recall, you can check the serial number on BlendJet's site. If that is not possible, customers can call BlendJet at (844) 334-0562 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

Any BlendJet 2 with the serial number 5543 and greater is an updated model and thus not part of the recall. 

BlendJet has said that 'the vast majority of customers who purchased a BlendJet 2 in November of this year (2023), or afterwards, received the updated base with their blender'. Other BlendJet 2 models which are not included in the recall are the special edition lines "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," "Happy Viking," or the "Disney Princess". These all have the updated base.

If your blender is subject to the recall you should stop using it immediately and contact BlendJet for a free replacement base. Consumers affected will need to remove the rubber seal from the base into three or more pieces and send a photo to BlendJet showing the serial number. They are advised to dispose of the base following all environmental, federal, state, and local regulations.

Can I get a replacement?

Yes, BlendJet have offered no quibbles replacements for any of the BlendJet 2 blenders on recall. They say you will receive a new base and lid, but to keep the jar of your current BlendJet 2. They have more information in their recall FAQs. Other BlendJet models remain unaffected and will not be included in the recall.

BlendJet recall - more information

For more information, visit BlendJet's website. If you would like to know more, you can also read the Consumer Product Safety Commission's report. We will update this page with more information when it is available.

If you're thinking of starting a routine of morning smoothies, but don't want to wipe out your wallet, Magic Bullet has made your dream blender. For around $40 you can have access to a petite blender, which comes with three travel, sealable blending cups. 

I'm often skeptical of minimal-cost, maximal-promise products, so was keen to get the Magic Bullet into our test kitchen. I put it through our rigorous range of tests, from making a spinach and berry smoothie, a silky hummus, and powdery ice cones.

The Magic Bullet performed like a truly brilliant basic. It hasn't beaten out Vitamix as the best blender but it makes excellent smoothies and can whip up decent dips, but when you need power, the bullet shape can become a little limiting.

Specifications

Unboxing

The Magic Bullet is one of the cheapest blenders we've ever tested, so I was struck by the relatively generous extras packed into one, small, carboard box. It comes with a tall cup, short cup, portable cup, to-go lid, and stay fresh lids, as well as a recipe guide. When you've only spent $40 on a blender, this feels like a lavish offering.

The only drawback is that the Magic Bullet comes with a considerable amount of plastic wrap. Other brands (Ninja, for example) now wrap their products in recyclable paper, so it would be good to see Magic Bullet move to this more sustainable material, too. 

Who would it suit?

One of the best qualities of bullet blenders are how compact they are. Whilst the Magic Bullet isn't as small as some popular portable, personal blenders, it's a good, corded option and demands next to no space. If you have a small kitchen, this is brilliant.

If you're new to blending or not quite sure how much you'll use one, this is an inexpensive investment to make. I'd recommend it as a good, basic blender. However, if you're looking for something which will last you for over five years, crush ice, and heat soups (as many of the best blenders can), you'll find the Magic Bullet a little lacking.

What is it like to use?

If you're familiar with Nutribullets, you've essentially already used a Magic Bullet. In fact, if you're wondering the difference between Nutribullet vs Magic Bullet, the Magic Bullet is the forerunner; they're both owned by the same parent company. 

The whole appliance is very light and easy to get set up. All the ingredients should go into the blending cup (I recommend putting soft fruit in first and leafy greens in last) and then the lid needs to be screwed on tightly. 

If you don't secure it properly, your milk will leak out the sides and onto the countertop. This takes some muscle, so if you've not got great wrist mobility, it might be worth looking into alternatives, because you'll also need to depress the blending cup to start the Magic Bullet working. I initially thought that the Magic Bullet required constant pressure to blend, but you can lock it into place and walk away if you want to multitask whilst blending.

To get a better idea of what the Magic Bullet was like in day-to-day usage, I put it through our three key tests: making smoothies, hummus, and crushed ice. Here are the results for the Magic Bullet.

Test 1: smoothie

For all of our smoothie tests, we use frozen berries (to test how well the blender handles seeds and hard fruit), spinach (to see what happens with tough skins), and oat milk (for texture). Once I'd put these ingredients into the cup, I set it blending. 

The Magic Bullet is quite loud. I logged 90 dBA of noise when it was blending, which is about as noisy as a lawnmower. Thankfully, it doesn't run for long, but if you're the first up in your household and you need to blend in the mornings, you won't be making any friends with this. 

However, it's surprisingly effective for a 250 watt blender. For context, that's more than 1000W less than our all-time favorite, the Vitamix Ascent A3500. However, it's almost too much for itself to handle, because it shakes a little on the countertop. With this in mind, I wouldn't like to really challenge it, for fear of it overheating. However, with my smoothie ingredients, this did a great job. I could see a few seeds in my glass and if I really searched for them, I could taste them too. The spinach had whizzed up into nothing though, so, overall, it was a good, well blended smoothie.

Test 2: hummus

Hummus sounds simple, but chickpeas can be tough and chunky, so difficult to get ultra-smooth. I added a can of chickpeas, squeeze of lemon, tablespoon of tahini, and some salt and cumin into the blender. Initially, the Magic Bullet really struggled. The cup was full and there's not a lot of liquid to work with in hummus, which won't help any blender. I had to keep unscrewing the Magic Bullet and giving everything a mix to make sure the blades were reaching every ingredient. 

Once I'd had this blending for a total of two minutes, I stopped the Magic Bullet. I think I'd reached the peak of what this could achieve (and the noise that everyone in the test kitchen would tolerate). The hummus was quite chunky, but not inedible. For an inexpensive blender, it did a reasonable job. 

Test 3: crushed ice

I'm yet to test a bullet blender that can truly crush ice. I didn't have high hopes for the Magic Bullet, which is good, because it didn't deliver. My ice cubes rattled around in the container making nothing but noise. If you make a lot of frozen cocktails or ice cones, I'd recommend looking into a more heavy-duty blender.

Cleaning, storage, and maintenance

The Magic Bullet shines when it comes to convenience. Once you've made your dips or smoothie, everything is dishwasher safe, so you can almost forget about it. 

When the clean-up is finished, the power base is small enough to put into a deep drawer or cupboard. I'd challenge anyone to show me a kitchen that's too small to house one of these. 

The most difficult things to store are the three cups that Magic Bullet include in the box. Even then, I'd make sure to hold onto these, because they make preserving any extra smoothies or dips easy, especially if you want to turn one into a bottle for the gym or work.

How does it rate online?

You'll think I've been overly harsh in this review when you hear how it rates online. Out of over nearly 103,000 ratings on Amazon, the Magic Bullet has 4.5 stars on Amazon. It's one of their certified 'best sellers' for countertop blenders, so that should speak for itself.

People used theirs for baby food, protein shakes, smoothies, and more. It was hard to find anything but praise for how easy this was to use, clean, and enjoy every day. The place the Magic Bullet seems to fall short is, unsurprisingly, in its durability. There are some extreme cases, where it's clear people had an unluckily faulty product, but, from what I can gather, it's better not to push the Magic Bullet too far. If you've put nuts in the blender and they aren't the consistency you want, don't leave it running. Stop it, mix the nuts around, and set it running again. Leaving it in the same position, at full power, is a bad idea.

How does it compare?

There are two alternatives to the Magic Bullet you might want to consider: you could spend more and get a Nutribullet, or save space and get the Ninja Blast. Here's how they measure up to the Magic Bullet:

The Nutribullet, depending on which model you opt for, will cost at least another $30. I tested this Magic Bullet alongside the Nutribullet 600 Series and, honestly, there isn't a huge amount of difference. The Nutribullet feels more durable and, if you read the reviews, they tend to last longer too. I found the Nutribullet made a similar texture smoothie to the Magic Bullet, but a much smoother hummus. If you want precision, elegance, and that extra 350 Watts of power, the Nutribullet is worth some more money. If you want a simple, savvy blender, the Magic Bullet is better. Unfortunately, neither can crush ice,

The Ninja Blast, although only 18 oz (2 oz less than the Magic Bullet), is a smaller, cordless alternative. Granted, it can only handle single servings, but it's great at crushing ice, whizzing up leafy greens, and incorporating protein powder into drinks. When it came to blending frozen fruit, the Ninja struggles a little more with big pieces of frozen fruit, but, generally, it boasts an impressive performance. It's not hugely cheaper than the Magic Bullet, but you will save some money and space by opting for the Ninja instead.

Should you buy it?

If you're looking for an inexpensive blender, you won't go wrong with this. The Magic Bullet is like the clunky, smaller, slightly less refined version of a Nutribullet, which is why I'd recommend it to beginners, or those short on space. When I began to test the power and capacity, with ice, the Magic Bullet fell short, but, it's hard to complain when the whole thing costs $40.

How we test

At Homes & Gardens, we prioritise giving you practical, useful reviews. That’s why we meticulously test every appliance before we recommend them to you. That way, you’ll never waste money on an appliance which simply doesn’t suit your needs.

Aside from rounds of smoothies, hummus, and ice cones, we also test the storage, cleaning, and maintenance of an appliance. You can rest assured that we’ll let you know what’s important. If you’re interested in finding out more, you can read the details of our process at our how we test blenders page. 

Nutribullets have been at the heart of my kitchen for a long time. The slick design, speedy blending, and convenient features are displayed no better than on the original, their Series 600 model.

Since the Series 600 is Nutribullet's iconic blender, I was keen to get it tested against the other best blenders on the market. As soon as I could get one, I took it to our test kitchen to put it through our range of tests. I made smoothies using berries and spinach; smooth hummus; and attempted to crush ice.

Over the course of my tests, I was reminded why Nutribullets are so great for some people and not so great for others. There's no denying it, the Series 600 makes a killer smoothie. The dips it makes are great, too. However, if you need to crush ice or use hot ingredients, you need to consider Ninja or Vitamix for better results. 

Specifications

Unboxing

The Nutribullet is easy to unbox and get set up. It comes in essentially two parts: the motor and the 24 oz blending cup. Nutribullet also provides a sealable lid, so if you need to take your smoothie on the go, or save some for later, you can. They also give you a smaller, 18 oz short cup with a handle, and a sheet with some helpful recipes to get you started. Overall, it’s a great way to start. 

Who would it suit?

Nutribullets suit smoothie enthusiasts and dedicated dip makers. They're quick to set up, can blend through frozen fruits, fibrous veg, and skins easily. Plus, they come with a useful lid, so if you're someone who prefers a batch blend, you can save some for later. 

However, if you’ll be using ice in cocktails or for snow cones, you'll need a different blender. Bullet blenders really struggle to crush and shave ice. It’s also no good for making soups, unless you’re happy roasting vegetables to let them cool, to blend them, to then heat them up again. If you put hot food in your Nutribullet you risk a range of hazards and disasters, from nasty explosions to cracked blending cups.

What is it like to use?

I love the simplicity of Nutribullet’s design. It’s a matter of filling the blending cup, screwing the base on — tightly to avoid spills — and then pressing and twisting it into place. Nutribullets have just a single speed, but, if you don’t lock it into place, you can press and depress the bullet to act as a ‘pulse’.

Test 1: smoothie

I put frozen fruit, spinach, and oat milk into the blending cup, locked it down and let the Nutribullet get to work. It was quick and efficient at making a smooth drink. The spinach had been blended into nothing and, although there were a few seeds visible, I couldn’t feel these when I drank them. I got our other expert tester, Emilia, to double check this and she agreed. It was perfect. 

I have one of these at home and, from long-term usage, I’ve noticed that you get a much better blend if you stack your ingredients according to how heavy they are. I always put my leafy greens in last (closest to the blades) and soft fruit, such as banana in first. If you do it the other way around, you’ll see your final drink has a rougher, less thoroughly blended texture.

Test 2: hummus

It’s great if your blender can tackle dips as well as drinks, so I tested the Nutribullet out on hummus. Breaking down chickpeas into a smooth paste can take some skill, so it’s always a good indicator of how thorough a blender is.

I put a can of chickpeas, tablespoon of tahini, squeeze of lemon juice, teaspoon of cumin, and some salt into the blending cup. The nature of the bullet’s shape meant that I had to stop the Nutribullet and shake or mix it a little to make sure every part of the hummus was blended, but, within a couple of minutes, I had some good hummus. It was the smoothest hummus I’ve made with a bullet blender, even though I did have to interfere a little. 

Test 3: crushing ice

I really wanted the Nutribullet to be an excellent ice crusher. It would complete the blender test trifecta perfectly. However, as with most other bullet blenders, the Nutribullet missed the mark. I added some water to help it crush the ice cubes and ended up with a little bit of slush at the bottom, but nothing worth using. The picture above makes it look much more successful than it was. Below the first layer of slush are ice cubes, nothing that you could use for smoothies, for example.

Don’t be put off as this can still blend up frozen fruit, but when it comes to solid ice, you’ll need a different model.

Cleaning, storage, and maintenance

Cleaning the Nutribullet cup is easy. It’s dishwasher safe, so you can throw it in and forget about it. I would recommend taking some time over cleaning the base and rubber seal though, because these are easy places for food and remnants to get trapped. Try not to expose the blending cups to high temperatures too, because they will crack or permanently discolor. I speak from sad experience, although the replacement cups are easily available. 

When you’re finished with the Nutribullet, it’s subtle enough to keep on display. Fully assembled, it’s quite tall, but not so much that it couldn’t sit under wall cabinets. If you choose to keep it in a cupboard, just make sure you don’t misplace the rubber seal.

How does it rate online?

Nutribullet’s reputation is founded on a vast array of excellent reviews. It has 4.7 stars out of over 2,000 reviews on Amazon. I found plenty of people who had used theirs for well over five years, which is an impressive lifespan considering the price of these blenders. 

The main issue people had was that it tires when trying to blend ice (and pomegranate according to one reviewer). I found a few who wanted a bigger capacity, but I would issue a word of warning here: bigger capacity isn’t necessarily a good thing. Bullet blenders struggle to get through lots of ingredients stacked up high, so if you pack a tall blending cup to the top, you’ll get sub-par results. 

How does it compare?

There are two comparisons to make: between the Series 600 and other Nutribullets and between the 600 Series and alternative bullet blenders. 

At home, I have the 900 Series. The biggest difference between Nutribullet’s 600 and 900 Series is power. I often blend ginger, stems, and leafy greens, so my smoothie needs justify a more powerful model. However, if you make mostly fruity smoothies, you won’t need the extra 300 Watts of power. If you're interested, we've covered Nutribullet vs Nutribullet Pro goign into to depth about the differences in performance, including the Series 900’s more diverse range of color options and larger 32 oz capacity.

Ninja and Magic Bullet also make some good bullet blenders. Magic Bullets tend to feel like less premium, less durable versions of Nutribullets. Ninja’s Nutri-Blender Plus is a strong opponent for the Series 600. It makes a good smoothie, has another 100 watts of power, and is better at crushing ice. It also comes with three 20 oz blending jars and two to go lids, so is more versatile. Reviewers say that it doesn’t feel as well-built as the Ninja. That’s reflected in the price; the 600 Series is normally around $70 from Nutribullet.

On a final note with comparisons, if you’ll be blending soups, there are some excellent options on the market. Vitamix are best known for their heating blenders, but if you want to be savvy, here’s some insider advice. I use the Ninja Foodi Heat-iQ. It’s a game-changing blender with sauté, smooth soup, chunky soup, ice cream, jelly, and more functions. Plus, it’s a lot cheaper too.

Should you buy it?

If all you're making is smoothies, this is a brilliant blender. It's elegant and extremely easy to use. It’s definitely better than basic, but not ultra-refined; it can’t blend at different speeds and struggles with thicker mixes and dips. This criticism might put you off, but I test blenders for a living, and I still love my Nutribullet.

How we test

At Homes & Gardens  we like to know everything there is to know about a blender before we recommend it to you. Our team of expert testers took the Nutribullet to our dedicated test kitchen where we put it though our series of standardized tests. We make a smoothie, hummus, and try to crush ice. If there are extra features, we'll test them too. 

Our team make notes on other parts of the blender experience, so you know what it's like to unbox, clean, and store too. We leave nothing unchecked, so you know everything you need to before jumping in to a purchase. If you'd like to know more, you can visit our dedicated page for how we test blenders.

Since testing Magic Bullet's Kitchen Express, it has become my personality trait. I've spoken to countless friends about it and recommended it so often that anyone would think I was sponsored by Magic Bullet. I'm not. I just really like this appliance.

The Kitchen Express covers the functions of a personal blender and a mini food processor in one, compact appliance. It's only a little more than $100 and for that, you get a lot. 

If you're looking for a professional, ice crushing blender, I'll stop you now. This isn't for you (don't worry, there are plenty of other good blenders). It's aimed at small-space dwellers who need to make one to two portions of a smoothie or dip–  if that sounds like you then you're in for a treat.

I tested every function on the Kitchen Express: shredding, chopping, slicing, and blending, so I'll go deep into the details of what's on offer from Magic Bullet's smallest, multi-purpose machine.

Specifications

Unboxing

I knew this was a small appliance before I unboxed it, but it really is tiny. It comes in a compact cardboard box, but with lots of unnecessary plastic. This isn't ideal from an environmental perspective, though it meant that the Kitchen Express arrived in perfect condition. 

I was pleased to see that this comes with plenty of useful accessories. There's a two-in one shredding and slicing disk; a blade for chopping; two tall cups; and a to-go lid, which turns your smoothie cups into portable bottles. Sometimes these accessories can become clutter, but I was pleased to find that the food processor accessories can tuck neatly into the work bowl when not in use. 

Who would it suit?

There's a very clear divide in who this suits and who it doesn't. If you need a speedy, small food processor, this is excellent. If you'll mainly be be blending smoothies, this more than does the job. It's faultless in both respects and easy to pack into cupboards or even a deep drawer when you're not using it.

The issue, of course, inevitably comes down to power and size. As soon as you need to chop more than two onions at once, this will struggle and you'll need to do it in batches. The Nutribullet Food Processor, made by the same parent company, has 200 more watts than this little processor. A top-line processor like the Cusinart 14 Cup has almost 500 more watts. 

The blender, although good with smoothies, can't crush ice either, so whilst this is compact and competent, it will start to struggle when you start to push the limits.

However, although this is cheap, it actually feels well-built. The blades are stainless steel and the plastic is durable and BPA free.

What is it like to use?

As you might expect from a small and straightforward appliance, this is uncomplicated. The base station is an easy place to twist either the blender or food processor attachment on to and, from there, any accessories slot neatly into place. 

It's almost universal to blenders and food processors that these appliances are loud. The Kitchen Express reached 74 dBA, which isn't bad. If you need a comparison, that's about as noisy as a hairdryer. 

The light base would be prone to bouncing around the surface if it wasn't for some useful grippy feet, which fix it neatly onto the countertop. Just make sure you keep them clean, so they stay fully functional. 

Another well-considered feature is the lip on the work bowl, which makes it easy to pour out any liquids, such as soups. It's the sort of thing you wouldn't miss, but really appreciate having.

When you decide to start blending or chopping you're given the option of turning the Kitchen Express to 'on' or 'pulse'. There are no speed settings, which lacks some nuance, but is nevertheless good to have.

Testing the blender

When we test blenders we put them through three tasks: making a smoothie, blending up some hummus, and crushing ice. I wanted to see whether this was a good blender in its own right, so undertook our standard tests.

For the smoothie, I used a mix of frozen banana, berries, spinach, and oat milk. I didn't have to blend for more than a minute before I could see that the smoothie was ready to drink. There weren't many seeds from the berries left over and the spinach, even though I had packed it in, was indiscernible. I gave a glass to our other expert testers and we all agreed the Kitchen Express had made a smooth drink.

Making hummus can be a surprisingly difficult task for some blenders, but, overall, I was pleased with how the Kitchen Express performed. I put a can of chickpeas, a squeeze of lemon juice, some salt, tahini, and cumin into the blender and set it running. The resultant hummus was a little grainy, but that's me being picky. It was good, but if this was a blender-only appliance, I would say that there are better blender options available.

When it came to ice crushing, I added ice and a little water to the blending cup. Bullet blenders tend to struggle with blending ice, so it was no surprise that this made a little bit of slush before giving up and rattling ice cubes around the plastic cup. If you'll be making ice cones or frozen cocktails, you'll need a different blender.

Testing the food processor

The food processor was a really exciting part of the test for me. It's a tiny work bowl, but holds surprising amount of food. I peeled an onion, chopped it in four and fed it into the chute. Within just three seconds, my onion was finely chopped.

However, with such power comes a few inconveniences. I didn't keep the food pusher in the chute, so a few pieces of onion flew out onto the countertop. The sheer speed of the Kitchen Express also meant that my onion was unevenly chopped. You can see in the image above that it isn't a disaster, but if you're a perfectionist, this might bug you. 

The next function I tested was the slicer. I'd spotted that the feeding chute is a kidney shape, which, whilst pretty, is very inconvenient. I had to halve my cucumber and squeeze it down the chute to get it sliced by the disk. However, once I had done that the whole half cucumber was finely sliced in just four seconds. Here, the slices were delicately thin and faultlessly consistent. 

Whilst the blender had excelled at hummus, I wanted to see how the food processor would fare with dips. I put an avocado, some lemon, salt, and cilantro into the work bowl and let it blend. I used the pulse setting to see whether I could keep it chunky for a bit (for the people who like a little texture) and it did a pretty good job. It was a little uneven in that the bottom was much smoother than the top, but, once mixed, this wasn't obvious. I then gave it a final blend to get it smooth. The results were great. I'd made a really good guacamole, even if I say so myself.

The final test was assessing the grater. I used carrot, since this is quite a tough root vegetable, but you could use the disk to slice chocolate, cheese, or fruits and vegetables. I couldn't even time how quickly this whizzed through the carrot. It seemed like less than one second. Again, I had the issue of a few pieces flying out, but when a carrot is grated that quickly, you've saved enough time to clear up a few stray pieces of carrot.

Cleaning, storage, and maintenance

Aside from the stray foods which jumped out the food processor when I was using it, the clean up process was easy. There are lots of bits which need washing, but all the components are dishwasher safe. Just make sure to be careful with the blades. They're frighteningly sharp.

As for storage, this is easy. Unassembled, you could put everything in a deep drawer. Failing that, this would easily stack into a cupboard. There are quite a few accessories, but the food processing parts can all be kept in the work bowl and the bullet blenders are much harder to lose.

How does it rate online?

It comes as no surprise that this is highly rated online. On Amazon, out of nearly 1,000 reviews, this has 4.3 stars. People scored it highly on the clean-up, but a little lower on value, which I was surprised by. I looked a little deeper into the reviews and have put this grievance down to the size. There were a number of people who said they wished the blending cups and work bowl were both a little bigger. I wouldn't recommend this if you're a home of more than two people, but for servings less than that, the capacity is fine.

Unsurprisingly, renters in apartments or those with smaller kitchens preferred this food processor. People praised the design and power in almost every single review, which, after my experience, is understandable.

How does it compare?

If you have a little more budget to spend (that is, double), the Ninja Professional Plus Kitchen System is a better alternative. It comes with a 64 oz food processor, 72 oz blending pitcher, and two 24 oz to-go cups. This solves the capacity issue which the Magic Bullet Kitchen Express had. Plus, performance wise, the Ninja is better. It's more thorough and consistent. However, as you have been warned, it's twice the price. 

If you're looking for a good, mini food chopper, you can't go wrong with KitchenAid's 3.5 cup food chopper. In our full KitchenAid food chopper review, we found similar performance when chopping onions and mixing up dips. However, unlike the Magic Bullet, it lacks discs for shredding and slicing. If you're looking for versatility, I'd choose the Magic Bullet every time. However, if you just want a small food chopper, the cordless KitchenAid is still convenient. 

As for small blenders, the Ninja Blast is an excellent, 16 oz bender. Purely based on blending, it's better than the Magic Bullet. The Ninja Blast is cordless and didn't struggle with any of the tasks we set it, including crushing ice. It's also cheaper than the Magic Bullet, so is a great, portable appliance to have if you've got a compact kitchen.

Should you buy it?

If you're a small household with a compact kitchen, absolutely buy this. It is a speedy, powerful, and versatile appliance. However, if you're looking for capacity and versatility, I'd recommend looking into the Ninja Professional Plus Kitchen System. You'll just need to double your budget.

How we test

At Homes & Gardens we take our tests seriously. Our team of expert product testers took the Magic Bullet Kitchen Express to our dedicated test kitchen to put it through its paces. 

We used our standard tests for both blenders and food processors to see how the Kitchen Express compared to the best appliances in each category. I also made notes on the unboxing, clean up, and storage part of the process, so you know everything you need to before it arrives at your door. If you'd like to know more about the behind the scenes, you can visit our dedicated page for how we test.

I thought I had a reasonable idea of what the Nutribullet Immersion Blender would be like before I used it. Clichés like 'cheap and cheerful' immediately sprung to mind. For under $40, I didn't expect much.

However, the Nutribullet took my preconceptions and whizzed them up. It's surprisingly well built and powerful, with a considerable range of functions. The tactile dial allows for you to adjust speed, the blending shaft is long enough for deep pots and pans, and the whisk gives it a completely different use. 

If you're shopping on a budget, you're in luck. This is durable, powerful, and well-designed. It's one of the best immersion blenders on the market. It's missing all the bells and whistles of other models, but you'll have to triple your money to match the performance of the Nutribullet.

Specifications

Unboxing

For a $40 appliance, the unboxing process was everything I expected. There was a considerable amount of non-recyclable packaging, which always gets a thumbs-down from me. At least all the parts arrived scratch-free.

The main body feels surprisingly durable. There's a considerable amount of plastic, which, when shiny looks a little cheap. Paired with stainless steel and the rubber grip and it feels like a solid, but not super premium appliance.

Most immersion blenders come with a blending jug. This is useful if you're precious about your pans and want to avoid lots of scratches. The Nutribullet doesn't come with one, instead offering a whisk. 

Although this might be frustrating for some, I actually quite like it. The — normally plastic — jug ends up collecting dust in my cupboards, because I blend straight into the pan or bowl. The Nutribullet has some pan protecting distance between the blades at the end of the shaft in the hopes of stopping scratches from damaging any non-stick.

The whisk attachment feels a little flimsy. I expect it wouldn't rival any handheld whisks, but if you like in a small home and will use it for basic batters, it would do the job well.

Who would it suit?

This is the perfect 'first immersion blender'. It's low-cost with enough versatility to cover a range of kitchen needs. 

The variable speed dial is a feature I've seen lacking from more premium models. It's really useful if you prefer more control over textures of soups, smoothies, and sauces, because you can use lower-power for adding texture as and when you need to.

The whisk attachment is really an added extra. I wouldn't buy this for the whisk, but if this is part of a kitchen starter set, it'll be really useful for making meringue or pancake batters. 

If you consider yourself to be quite a chef, you'll start to see the limitations of the Nutribullet, You'll also quickly get frustrated by the cord. There are plenty of cordless immersion blenders that offer much more versatility and power. They just cost more money.

What is it like to use?

I was pleasantly surprised by how nice the Nutribullet was to handle. It has a comfortable silicone grip, which I was grateful for, since this is heavier than most other models I tested.

Getting started, I didn't have to struggle with any safety switches. It was incredibly straightforward. The only time this blends is when you depress the switch, which is a little frustrating, but a feature of lots of blenders.

My only frustration was with the variable speed settings. You have to pre-set which speed you want to use and then start blending. You could adjust it whilst the Nutribullet is running, but I imagine you'd splatter batter or soup everywhere. 

There's really one test that matters when you're using an immersion blender: how well it makes soups and purées. I boiled some cubes of carrot, sweet potato, and butternut squash. These root vegetables can be tough to purée, but, even on the lowest setting, the Nutribullet made a smooth mix in a matter of seconds. It did make 80 dBA of noise at the same time though. At least you don't need to use it for long.

I added some ginger to the mix and could see a few fibers left over. After blending on the highest setting, the puree was almost back to it's super smooth puree. I could see more texture than I could taste. In my mouth, it felt like the perfect baby food or purée.

Test 2: whisk

I wanted to give the whisk attachment a trial. If it's included, it's important for you to know how good it is. I made pancake batter using the whisk attachment and it's close to faultless. You'll only need to use a low speed, because as it gets more powerful, the whisk makes a mess. 

Using the lowest setting, I used my whisk to give some air to my batter and you can see in my picture that this did an excellent job. It created lots of air and bubbles in my batter and was much quieter than the immersion blender.

Cleaning, storage, and maintenance

No part of the Nutribullet is dishwasher safe. Whilst this isn't ideal, it's also not a big issue. All you have to do is wash the attachment in the sink. It's small, doesn't collect much food inside it, and so, in the grand scheme of kitchen utensils, this isn't a disaster.

Whilst I commented on this as heavy to hold after a long time, it's pretty compact. You won't struggle to store it in a drawer or cupboard. It's perfect for small kitchens.

How does it rate online?

Generally, this reviews really well. On Amazon, it has 4.6 stars out of 1,700 reviews, which speaks for itself. Most people say that it's easy to clean, easy to use, and they say that it's surprisingly high quality. Plenty of people used it to make sauces and baby food, but next to nobody makes use of the whisk. After my tests, I recommend they do.

Where this begins to falter is in big batches. Reviewers generally say it's okay for small batches of fibrous ingredients, but is a little grainy as soon as you move to multiple servings. It's also not made for crushing ice or making nut butters: you'll need a proper blender for that.

How does it compare?

If you double you money, you can buy the KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender. This feels like a more premium product and is a lot nicer to hold. The variable speed is controlled by the button you press: for more power, press harder, for less, loosen your grip. This mechanism makes the KitchenAid much more convenient than the Nutribullet. 

When not in use, I needed to lie the Nutribullet down, but the KitchenAid comes with its own stand and blending jug. When I used them both to blend, the purées were almost identical. The only difference was in the user experience, where the KitchenAid feels more premium. 

However, for the price of the KitchenAid, you could buy two Nutribullets. If you want a blender that will purées without the niceties of the KitchenAid, you'll be grateful you saved the money instead.

Should you buy it?

For a budget immersion blender, you won't get much more for your money. This is powerful, has variable speeds, and is well-built. There are some fiddly features, including having to constantly depress the switch, but, for the price-savvy it's a compromise worth making.

How we test

At Homes & Gardens we like to test every appliance before we recommend it to you. Our expert testers took this immersion blender to our test kitchen where we used it to puree root vegetables and leafy greens. Our experts also made notes on every aspect of the Nutribullet, from unboxing to washing up so that you don't have any surprises waiting for you when this arrives in your home. If you want to find out more, you can visit our page dedicated to how we test blenders.

When it comes to battling it out for the best juicers, the squeeze for top spot always comes down to Kuvings vs Hurom. Both brands put the press in impressive, but which is better and for whom?

Our experts have tested the best juicers on the market and they love both. The Kuvings EVO sits at the top of our list as an exceptional masticating juicer. The Hurom HP isn't far off, however; it's one of the best slow juicers we've tested. Because it's slightly cheaper, it's may be a better option than the Kuvings EVO despite of scoring 10% lower overall in our tests.

Choosing between Kuvings and Hurom also depends on your drink preferences, kitchen needs, and countertop space. Our experts have in-person experience, so can put these head-to-head to help you to find one which you'll use every day.

Head to head

Winner: Kuvings

Both of these are incredible juicers. Our experts have put them in the top three for all of our juicer buying guides (from best juicers to best cold press juicers) and they've defended their spot there for years. If you look at the reviews for both, you'll know why. The Kuvings achieved a rare five star review from one of our experts, which is a seriously special accolade.

The Hurom missed out on a perfect score by just 10%: the chute is a little narrow, which means we had to do more prep work before we could start juicing. If we're being really scrupulous, it comes in just a few too many parts, too: the assembly and clean up takes more time than we would like, especially in comparison to other models.

In spite of those criticisms, we still love the Hurom. Most people don't mind a lengthy clean up — it's close to characteristic of some of the best juicers. It's also worth making these sacrifices because the Hurom is a great price: it's usually $250 cheaper than the Kuvings.

What's more, when we were making juice with the Hurom, we were struck by how quiet and easy it is to use. It's also one of the most compact options on the market, perfect for petite kitchens. Most importantly, it extracted a lot of juice, even from tough greens and fibrous ginger, so if you want better-than-store-bought cold pressed juice, this is an excellent option.

The reason that you'll always see the Kuvings in top spot for us is because it's the inverse of many of the Hurom's flaws. The chute is nearly an inch wider, so there's much less prep work to do before you can get juicing. It can do all the juicing jobs - including the tough ones, but also makes nut milks, smoothies, and frozen deserts to rival dedicated blenders and nut-milk machines.

Faultlessly multifunctional machines do have their own drawbacks. This is expensive and bigger than the Hurom. It also takes a similar amount of time to clean up after, because it comes in lots of parts which all have to be hand washed.

Alternative juicer options

FAQs

How we test

At Homes & Gardens, we think carefully about how we test juicers. When reviewing them, our experts make notes on the capacity and size of juicers, as well as how easy they are to use and how much room they take on the countertop. As well as the basics, we'll consider how much foam and pulp is produced and then measure how damp the pulp is too, so we know how efficient a machine is being. If a machine claims to double-up as a blender, milk churner, or ice cream maker, we test those special features too. This means that when your juicer arrives at home, there are no nasty surprises waiting for you: we'll make sure you feel like you're getting good value. If you'd like to know more about how we test, we have details on our dedicated page.

Final thoughts

You won't be disappointed with either juicer; these are both exceptional at making crisp, smooth juice that extracts the most from fruit and vegetables. The Kuvings is more versatile, industrial, and powerful, so if you've got the extra budget, it's a brilliant and luxurious model. However, if you're short on space and shopping for aesthetics too, you'll love the Hurom. As I've mentioned, if neither is for you, there are plenty more options in our buying guide for the best juicers.  

I was very far from convinced when we first called this in. Portable blenders have always struck me as gimmicks; I could never see a situation where I'd need to blend a green smoothie while on the go. Even on the commute or while working out, I didn't see the benefit. The point of smoothies is to have fresh ingredients, so mixing a smoothie in my local gym did not appeal...

However, when I put the Ninja Blast to the test, I found a good personal blender in its own right. It did a great job with berries, leafy greens, protein and creatine powders. It's remarkably good at crushing ice for a blender of this size, and I used it at home for a delicious slushie. It lived up to our commute test, and it has lots of excellent safety features.

It's certainly not perfect – the Blast struggles with larger chunks of frozen ingredients like mango or papaya, and it can't blend seeds like one of the best blenders for your countertop.

Product specifications

Who would it suit?

I think it's good for single people needing their own blender or for small households. For example, my partner doesn't really like smoothies, so there's no need for us to have a 72oz monster blender taking up room in storage. I can just have one of these for blending for myself. I think it's also great if you're on a health kick and don't need a full size blender around all the time. It's good for smoothies and mixing up protein and creatine.

Unboxing

Setting this up was pretty easy. The box includes a sip lid with a carry handle, a blending motor, a pitcher, pitcher cap, and blade cover, as well as a USB-C charging cord. The instructions tell you to charge it for 2 hours before you begin; which is something to bear in mind if you were expecting to blend straight away.

Once you're charged, it's very easy to use. There are handy instructions that tell you the order you need to add all your ingredients to the blender for the smoothest results, as well as a minimum liquid line to make sure you add enough for the blender to work.

There's also a guide to the LED lights around the start/stop button. Purple means you're good to go, red means you need to charge, and orange means the blades are blocked. It's simple and effective.

Test 1: Protein shakes

I love this test because I designed it to catch blenders out. With every blender, we make a mix of frozen berries, spinach, protein powder, creatine, and ice, topped with almond milk.

We try this combination because these ingredients are as tricky as it gets for a blender, all in one. Frozen berries can be tough, especially the skins and seeds, and it's the same story with spinach. Protein powder and creatine are a good test for two reasons. The first is that they're the precise use case for a blender like this. It's clearly designed for taking to the gym or work to help you meet your macros. The second is that powders like these are notoriously difficult for blenders of all sizes, because they can easily clump or make the smoothie taste gritty.

This blender did a remarkably good job for its size. There were tiny but noticeable scraps of berry skin and spinach, but you wouldn't notice them unless you were looking for them. It was less good on protein powder, with a little grittiness. However, we trialled in on a single 30-second blend programme. If you ran it again I think it would probably handle it well. It's only really for protein, too - when I've since used it on creatine alone it did a fantastic job. Even better, it easily handled the ice, too.

I think it's probably about as loud as an electric toothbrush. I don't think you could do this at your desk while people are working, but you could probably get away with it in an office kitchen.

Test 2: Hummus

Sure, this is a little challenging for a blender of this size, but we have to be consistent. We test all our blenders on this, as it shows how they handle thicker ingredients. All we use is a can of garbanzo beans, a clove of garlic, a splash of olive oil and a little lemon. The process was far from perfect. We had to shake it around a lot and it was stuck a couple of times.

However, it made a pretty passable hummus. It wasn't the greatest I've ever made, as it was a little grainy, but it was definitely servable with crudités. If you want a homemade dip, this blender will just about manage it.

Test 3: Ice

Ice is the cornerstone of a good blender. Crushing ice is a summer essential, and if you can't make a frozen margarita in a blender you should stay well away.

Seeing as I was testing this on the clock, I didn't make anything alcoholic, but I did make a delicious lemonade slushie. I'm amazed at how good this is on ice for a blender of this size. Other portable blenders - specifically, the Nutribullet GO, will just rattle ice around and be unable to crush it. I filled this to the max fill line with ice and the minimum fill line with lemonade to really test it, and it more than met the mark. It made a delicious, ice-cold slush that's the perfect drink for summer.

Test 4: the commute

A portable blender is only useful if it's actually portable. That why we always take them into work with us on a busy commute. I made the purplest, biggest stain-risk smoothie possible before removing it from the blade base and screwing on the travel lid. This did not feel great – the thread on the travel lid is pretty shallow and while it screwed on very securely, I had the ominous feeling that it was going to burst open on the subway. I tucked this in next to my work laptop (don't tell our IT guys) and took it to work. It was perfectly fine. I had the smoothie mid-morning and it was a great way to up my fruit intake. However, while it easily fit into my backpack, at 10 inches it might not work for some handbags.

Cleaning

Cleaning this is really easy. You can add a dash of dish soap and some warm water into the blender and run a blending cycle, and it will take care of a lot of the cleaning. It's not perfect – it left some big daubs of hummus up the inside, but it removed a lot of smoothie leftovers. There's a spot on the blender motor that traps some of whatever you're blending, but it's easy enough to remove with a long-handle brush.

Safety features

Best of all, I loved the safety features included. I'm the sort of person to leave things out on the drying rack for a while, which meant the blender pitcher wasn't attached. I've had more than enough little cuts in my years testing blenders and food processors and the sight of the motor housing with the blades out briefly worried me until I remembered the plastic blade covering. You just screw it on the same as you do with the pitcher and the whole unit is safe, even if you turn it on.

How does it compare?

BlendJet is famous for portable blenders; the BlendJet 2 vs Ninja Blast matchup is a fair one. Both are portable, USB-C rechargeable, and great for on-the-go smoothies.

We've tested the BlendJet 2 vs Ninja Blast and found some key differences. The Blast is more powerful and handles frozen ingredients better, making it the better pick for thicker blends or icy drinks. It’s a bit bulkier and pricier, but the performance upgrade is noticeable.

The BlendJet 2, on the other hand, is lighter, quieter, and cheaper. It fits neatly in a handbag and is nice for softer ingredients or protein shakes. It’s very affordable (especially when it’s on sale), but the trade-off is that it feels a bit flimsier than the Ninja.

If you're looking for something in between, the Nutribullet Portable blender might hit that sweet spot. Again, it's slightly smaller and lighter than the Ninja Blast but not quite as powerful. I liked the drinking spout and that it's dishwasher-safe. It offers a nice balance for casual use.

And if you like the style of the Ninja Blast but wish it came in a larger size – good news! Ninja recently released the Blast Max, and it’s a serious upgrade in both size and style. It’s sleek, powerful, and designed to handle just about anything you throw in it.

Should you buy the Ninja Blast?

Yes, I think you should, but with some caveats. If you already have a blender you like, don't bother. I'm still not entirely convinced that there's any real reason to blend on the go, and you can make drinks to take with you in a bullet blender like a Nutribullet 900, so this blender isn't unique.

However, if you're in a small home, I've found this is a great option. 18oz is a lot of smoothie, and since there's only my partner and I in our apartment, I've found this makes enough for two. There's no need for us to get some behemoth that will dominate our space - one of these is good enough (see the above picture for comparison).

I also think it's a good choice if you just want to be a little healthier. I've definitely felt better for having this around. It makes for a fast, efficient way to improve your fruit and fiber intake.

Any decent blender can make a smoothie. The Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender makes so much more. With Auto-IQ options for ‘desserts’, ‘frozen drinks’, and ‘chunky soups’, this budget blender is beginner-friendly. 

With powerful blades and a big pitcher, the Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender can tackle large and firm produce as easily as small and soft. But it isn’t perfect. Some of those preset programs are more effective than others, and the blades proved tricky to clean. 

To test this blender, I made a protein shake, a smooth soup, and a hummus dip. I also used the Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender to crush some ice. Some of my recipes were freestyled, and one was taken from Ninja’s surprisingly excellent recipe inspiration guide. 

I found that this excels at making soup, and is pretty good at everything else. If you love a healthy, hearty soup, this is a must-buy. For anything else, I'd consider looking at the best blenders for more choice. 

Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender Specifications

Unboxing the Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender

Like all Ninja kitchenware, this Cold & Hot Blender was packaged sustainably in cardboard and tissue paper. Each machine comes with an instruction manual and a recipe inspiration guide. I wouldn’t throw these away, especially if you’re new to blending. The instruction booklet gives helpful tips about correct loading and which produce to blend on what setting. 

Thanks to its capacious 64-oz. pitcher, this blender is tall and broad. It should just about fit under standard kitchen cabinets, though you’ll have to pull it forward to remove the lid and load. We found it fit under a standard cabinets by about 1/4 inch, so it's not one for smaller homes. The glass pitcher is marked with measurements in milliliters, ounces, and cups: whatever your recipe calls for. The lid is a little stiff, though. It makes for secure locking, but it might be difficult to remove if you struggle with arthritis. 

Clearly and intuitively labeled, the Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender is easy to use. There’s a wide range of auto-IQ programs, including ‘smoothie’, ‘soup’, and ‘milkshake’ modes, which are great for blending beginners. If you like to have control in the kitchen, you’ll appreciate the manual ‘blend’ and ‘cook’ settings, too, with low, medium, and high speeds.  

I liked that this blender isn’t fussy: you don’t need to learn the right order in which to push the buttons. You can choose setting then speed, or speed then setting, and get the same results. 

Test 1: Protein smoothie

 Any decent blender can mix soft fruits. Since this machine looked pretty robust, I wanted to challenge it with tougher textures. 

I added a bag of frozen berries to my blending pitcher, along with a handful of spinach and two scoops of protein powder and creatine, topping it off with a splash of oat milk. I was keen to see whether the Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender was powerful enough to shred the berry skins and seeds and thorough enough to incorporate gritty powders into a smooth blend. 

First, I tried the auto-IQ smoothie setting, with little to no success. The blades moved in stops and starts, before giving up altogether. I tried again, using the Ninja tamper tool to push my ingredients down towards the blades, but still no joy. It’s not a great sign when your smoothie setting can’t make a smoothie. 

I decided to change tack and blend manually for 40 seconds on the lowest speed setting. This worked much better: the blades sliced through the berries and leafy greens with ease and even managed to incorporate most of the protein powder. 

I switched to the highest speed setting for the last 10 seconds to try and achieve the smoothest possible finish. For the most part, the Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender made a very well-blended, if very thick, protein shake. There were only a few seeds and scraps of leaf left intact. This made for an ever-so-slightly gritty texture, though it was good for my fiber intake. 

As I went to rinse the pitcher, I noticed that some of the protein powder had not been incorporated into the shake and was still stuck to the sides. So I scraped the powder down into the blended shake and gave it a quick stir: problem solved. 

Test 2: Soup

 Here at H&G, we’ve reviewed a lot of combination blenders, but the Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender is one of a small handful to make soup from start to finish. I was excited to put this function to the test. 

I peeled three onions and threw them in my pitcher, along with a pinch of salt and some olive oil. Though I quartered the onions for ease, I wanted the blender to chop them. I selected the auto-IQ ‘chop’ setting, which was far more effective than the ‘smoothie’. After a 10-second blitz, my onions were finely chopped and coated in seasoning. 

Next, I selected the ‘sauté’ function. I’ll admit that I was pretty skeptical that the onions would cook evenly, especially since there were no obvious signs of frying, aside from a little steam. Five minutes later, the blender beeped quietly and quickly to let me know it was finished, and I was proved wrong: the onions were gold and glistening and smelled delicious. 

Feeling much more confident in this blender’s soup-making abilities, I added a bag of butternut squash chunks and some carrot strips. Though the Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender comes with two soup settings, ‘smooth’ and ‘hearty’, I only wanted to try smooth soup. 

I pressed the button, and the 30-minute timer began. After that, the blender was so quiet, I practically forgot it was on. There was a blending blitz every few minutes, and a bigger blast for the last 60 seconds. But for the rest of the time, the blender just quietly bubbled away. 

I poured a few bowls of soup for lunch with the other product testers. I appreciated the neat, narrow spout on the pitcher, which prevented me from spilling a drop. It’s worth saying that the sides and the bottom of the pitcher got pretty hot. I’d recommend wearing oven mitts for this part. 

I added a crack of black pepper and some basil for garnish before we began. Though the first few sips were pretty hot, I can safely say it’s some of the best soup I’ve had all year, and much better than I was expecting before testing. Two of our testers found a tiny chunk of squash at the bottom of their bowl, but my own soup was super-smooth. 

Test 3: Hummus

 Following such a success making soup, I was optimistic about the Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender’s ability to make dips. Since I had a can of chickpeas to hand, I decided to make hummus. 

First, I rinsed my chickpeas and poured them into the pitcher, adding a splash of water to loosen things up. It’s easy to overmix hummus, so I stuck to manual settings, using the lowest speed and pulsing for control. 

It took around 60 seconds to reach my desired texture: smooth, but not too smooth. When I tried to use the tamper to move the chickpeas, I found that the tool isn’t quite long enough to reach through the lid and touch the sides. This design flaw meant I had to stop the machine and remove the lid before I could reach the chickpeas, and replace the lid before I could blend again. This inefficiency isn’t a dealbreaker for me, but it was inconvenient. 

Once I’d blended my chickpeas, I added two garlic cloves, the juice and zest of one whole lemon and a few tablespoons of olive oil. I stirred through three tablespoons of tahini for taste, then blitzed the mix for 15 seconds. The blades sprayed some hummus up the sides of the pitcher, so I used the tamper to push it down again. I seasoned the hummus with salt, pepper, paprika, and a pinch of chili powder before mixing for five more seconds. 

The Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender made a very smooth hummus. Even the two whole garlic cloves were incorporated into the paste. The hummus was delicious to taste, but difficult to serve. Too much of the dip was trapped beneath the blades, which cannot be removed from the blender base. I had to scratch and scrape, and I still didn’t get it all out. The pitcher sides are very straight, which makes it difficult to push ingredients up and out. 

Test 4: Crushing Ice

Since this blender claims to tackle hot and cold ingredients, I was keen to see how well it crushed ice. This was the simplest test of the lot: I placed 10 whole ice cubes in the pitcher and blended manually for a few seconds. 

The result was okay. The ice was pretty melted, perhaps because the blender had been working with warmer ingredients. This sort of ice would be great for frozen margaritas, but one of the best Vitamix blenders would create much colder, sharper shards. 

Cleaning the Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender

The lid, center cap and tamper are all dishwasher-safe for quick and convenient cleaning. If you wipe the motor base with a clean, damp cloth after use, you should prevent spills from becoming stains. 

The pitcher is not dishwasher-safe, since such high temperatures will damage the blender’s integrated heating element. This is annoying, but it’s par for the course with blenders that handle hot ingredients. Plus, each machine comes with a cleaning tool that gets between the blades. 

If you prefer to keep your hands dry, you could make use of the Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender’s auto-IQ ‘clean’ program. Just fill the pitcher with around 25 fl. oz. of water and two small drops of dish soap. Close the lid and press ‘clean’. 30 seconds later, you can pour out the dirty water and rinse. I tried the ‘clean’ setting, and I was impressed by what a thorough job this machine could do. With that said, the machine did drip a little and the blades got very hot. You’ll have to handle it with care. What's more, while it did a pretty good job in the pitcher, there was some soup residue in the lid and along the top edge of the pitcher. 

How does the Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender rate online?

The Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender has thousands of five-star ratings on Amazon, praising its versatility and flavorful cooking. However, a handful of customers have noted that the lid latch mechanism deteriorates over time. We’ll update this review in a few months and let you know what we’ve found. 

How does it compare to other blenders?

The Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender is one of the best blenders we’ve tested. You might get more use out of this multifunctional machine than you would a basic blender like the Vitamix E310 Explorian. 

With that said, this blender isn’t for everyone. If you’re looking for a smoothie-maker you can grab and go, then the Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender is much too big. You’ll be better off with something compact like the BlendJet 2. The Vitamix A3500 Smart Blender makes soups, dips, and smoothies, just like the Ninja, only it’s more powerful and easier to clean, albeit much more expensive. 

Should you buy the Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender?

 he Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender costs around $150. I’d say it’s worth the money, particularly if you’re keen on soups and smoother textures. It’s large enough to accommodate the ingredients to make multiple servings of soups, smoothies, and sauces to feed the whole family. While it isn’t the best blender on the market, it’s easy to use and great for beginners. Just prepare to hand-wash that pitcher.  

Best known for their pretty, premium products, Smeg makes some of my favorite kitchen appliances. Their beautiful personal blender is no exception. Slim and stylish, it's almost everything that a single-serve blender should be.

A good blender is a kitchen essential. If it's well-designed, it will slot effortlessly into your everyday life. You'll use it when you wake up in the morning for your smoothie bowl, serve-up soup at lunch, and whizz up hummus for an appetizer in the evening.

I used the Smeg personal blender in my home for a month. Anyone who knows me will know that I blend almost anything. Beetroot? Blend it. Carrots? Blend them. Coffee smoothies? Blend them (trust me). You can make some incredible things with a small appliance.

I loved using this Smeg personal blender. It's a durable, daily appliance which is one of the best single serve blenders on the market. If you have a small apartment and money to spend on your blending routine, it's a good choice, but it's expensive and not without its quirks. 

Should you buy it?

If you're all about style and capacity conscious, this is the blender for you. I fell in love with its looks, but the way it whips up a pretty good smoothie and delicious soup in seconds has made it irreplaceable in my kitchen. It's expensive and it isn't cordless like some other models, but I love it nonetheless. If you have other Smeg appliances, this will complete your kitchen look.

Who would it suit?

Smeg always suits a luxury kitchen. Their premium products deliver on quality and style. If you have a small and chic kitchen, this lightweight blender is perfect. It's easy to store and light enough to lift up onto high shelves without putting a back or shoulder out.

The portable bottles make this an on-the-go essential. If you make smoothies, shakes, soups, and dips on the regular, you'll find the versatile design endlessly useful. The two speed settings don't sound like much, but they're all you need for daily blending tasks.

Specifications

Unboxing

Unboxing this told me everything I needed to know about the beautiful Smeg blender. The box was lightweight and I was pleased to find it contained completely recyclable packaging. Each component was wrapped in paper bags, keeping all the parts clean and scratch-free without any single-use materials.

This comes with two bottles, made from Tritan Renew Plastic. This means that they're made from recycled plastic. Looking at them, you wouldn't guess it; they're clear and as high-quality as plastic can get.

The bottles double-up as a blending vessel, so, once you've used them to whizz up a smoothie, you can screw on the lid (provided) and take your drink with you on the go. Each bottle is even engraved with Smeg logos. It's a small touch, but it's these little extras that make a product an extra-special essential.

What is it like to use?

Blenders are all about speed. Super-fast smoothies, swift soups, and express shakes are easy work for the Smeg personal blender. Not only is it perfect practically, it looks gorgeous on my countertops. I had it on display, just so that I could keep looking at it. That's how I know this is something special.

To make sure that the Smeg was technically perfect, I put it through its paces. Over the course of a month, I made over 40 different smoothies, five different soups, and countless servings of hummus. I used tough foods, fibrous roots, and frozen fruits, so that I could find the talents and limits of this blender.

Test 1: Smoothie

I judge a blender on its smoothies. They're a quick and easy way to hit your nutrition goals, but if it's lumpy and poorly blended, it can be hard to stomach. I first tested the Smeg personal blender on my go-to vanilla blueberry shake recipe. This has oats and frozen blueberries in, both of which have tough skins to break up. It also has a scoop of protein powder which, if poorly blended, will be gritty, or worse, lumpy. 

I added two bananas, a handful of frozen blueberries, a scoop of vanilla protein, two tablespoons of oats, and a splash of oat milk to the bottle. I whizzed up these ingredients on the fastest speed, for a minute, and watched as all the ingredients break down. 

The blender was a little noisy (I recorded 106 dBA, which you'd need to shout to be heard above), but it didn't need to run for long. The top got a little warm after I'd blended a few different smoothies, one after the other, but it's not often that you would do this your day-to-day. 

After a minute, I lifted the bottle off because some of my protein powder had stuck to the side. I put the lid onto the blender and gave it a good shake. With a few seconds more blending, the protein powder had seamlessly integrated into my drink. This isn't really a fault with the Smeg, because most blenders find it tough to get through protein powder without a little help. When I find a good one, you'll know about it.

Test 2: Soup

Some blenders can handle hot ingredients, but they are expensive and industrial. The Smeg blender isn't suitable for hot ingredients, but don't let that stop you from making it your soup sous chef. 

If you make time to prep and cool ingredients you can use it to make soup. This takes more planning time, but a homemade soup is hard to beat. I wanted to test the Smeg blender on tough fibrous vegetables, like spinach and ginger, so I made a 'Souper Green' recipe.

I blended a cup of peas, a cup of water, two cups of spinach, half a courgette, and, a carrot with a handful of mint, knob of ginger, and a teaspoon of garlic paste. When I set these in front of the blender, it looked like it didn't stand a chance at getting through all my vegetables, but, magically, it did. 

I used the fastest speed setting, number two, for two minutes and my soup was close to perfect. It was thicker than a store-bought carton and there were some small bits of spinach. I couldn't see the spinach, but when I bit down on the soup, the spinach created a slight crunch. The next time I made this soup, I split the ingredients into two batches and my soup was much smoother. When I tried this with a more simple tomato soup, it was flawless.

The whole time this was blending, I was holding it down, but it doesn't need to be. I read reviews where other people hadn't noticed this feature and stood by their blender the whole time, so don't let that be you. If you lock the bottle down, you can take your hands off and walk away from the blender, perfect if you want it to run for a little longer.

Test 3: Hummus

Hummus is an excellent test of a blender's capacity, because chickpeas are large and have skins. Plus, garlic needs to be well integrated in hummus or you'll get intense chunks that will linger on your tongue for days.

I poured a can of chickpeas, one tablespoon of lemon juice, a teaspoon of cumin, pinch of salt, and dessertspoon of tahini into the bottle. When I held it down to blend I spotted that the chickpeas nearest the blade whipped up into a velvety paste. Every minute, for three minutes, I lifted the bottle, gave it a shake and blended the hummus again. If I didn't remove the bottle at intervals, the chickpeas would never break down, but it isn't much trouble.

I was surprised at how thick and delicious this hummus was. I made it for some friends and they couldn't tell the difference between store bought texture and my homemade one (obviously it tasted better too).

Test 4: Crushed ice

Ice is potentially the toughest test for any blender. The Smeg blender didn't struggle with frozen fruit, so I was fairly confident that it would crush ice without any issues. I filled this just over half way with large ice cubes and blended it on second speed. It blended a small bowl of crushed ice, but struggled to get through all of the cubes. The crushed ice that I did get was a really fine texture, although it melted a little around the blade, forming an almost solid crushed ice block. The trick for crushed ice in this blender is using small batches. This is a little annoying, because it's time consuming having to empty and re-fill the bottle, but it's worth it.

Cleaning, storage, and maintenance

The beauty of a simple, single-serve blender is in the cleaning as much as in the blending. This comes into two parts, the bottle and the blender, which means that washing up takes seconds. Even better, if you want to take your smoothie on the go, the bottle has a lid with a handle, so it becomes a useful everyday accessory which you can take with you to the gym, to work, or on a walk, saving time and washing up. The Smeg blender bottles are $60 at QVC if you want to invest in more, but that's very expensive for a plastic bottle. 

As I said, I kept my blender on the countertop. It's small, sleek, and stylish, so I didn't mind having it on display. It has useful cord storage underneath the motor and the base is lightweight, so if you needed to pack it into a small space, you could. I tried lifting it onto a high shelf and it was easy. This is only 4 lbs, so it's no heavier than a flour or sugar bag.

How does it rate online?

The Smeg blender averages 4.9 stars on Google reviews, which says a lot about this personal blender. It's generally popular amongst reviewers and customers alike. Most people complemented the style, of course, and found that it cuts through fruit and vegetables expertly. Most people made use of the bottle, keeping it in the refrigerator door if they'd blended in advance, or taking it it with them on a walk.

Where the blender receives the most critique is on jobs where there's less liquid, especially with ice. Most people found the constant reloading tedious and frustrating, especially because this is a relatively expensive blender, with expensive accessories too. If you're shopping on a budget, this isn't the one for you.

How does it compare?

In our guide to the best blenders on the market this is probably most similar to the the Beast Blender. This has all the aesthetic qualities of the Smeg blender, so it's the closest style rival for the Smeg appliance. It also comes with a portable converter, saving on washing up. 

The Beast Blender is still better for a couple reasons. First, it's much stronger when it comes to ice crushing. You don't need to add little batches and you can just blend everything at once.

The smoothie and soup functions were comparable, so if that's all you will use the blender for, the deciding factor will be aesthetics. The only extra that the Beast offers a hydration system; it can infuse water and make iced teas.

If I was given a choice between the two, I would genuinely choose the Smeg blender. The blending vessel is easier to clean (the ribs in the Beast make it hard to feel like you've done a thorough job). I don't crush ice much and personally prefer the retro style. I own lots of Smeg kitchen appliances and I'm a fan of co-ordination too.

How we test

At Homes & Gardens we pride ourselves on testing every appliance we recommend to you. I tested this blender, in my home, for over a month. I made smoothies, shakes, dips, soups, and ice cones every week, so that I could pick up the useful features and flaws in this blender. That way, if you choose to use one in your home, you won't have any nasty surprises. If you'd like to find out more, you can read all about how we test blenders on our dedicated page.

For most family kitchens, a good blender is an essential. From making soups and sauces to blending up healthy smoothies or not-so-healthy frozen cocktails, buying the best blender possible is a choice that will certainly pay off over the years. 

If you take a look at the very top-of-the-line blenders, you'll see brands such as Vitamix and Blendtec, and among that lineup is the much-loved Breville Super Q. 

Without any discounts, the Breville Super Q will cost you $550. It's not cheap, but it's at a similar price to my favorite blender I've ever tested, the Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Smart Blender. Like the Vitamix, the Super Q has a display screen and a dial for easy controls. 

Specifications

First impressions

The Breville Super Q arrived in a very large box, securely packaged in polystyrene. We always look for sustainable materials in packaging, so I have to dock a few points for that. On the plus side, the brushed stainless steel base feels very sturdy and well-made, and while the jug and cup are made of plastic, it's not flimsy in the slightest.

There's a tamper and a spatula included, the latter of which is well-shaped to scrape out the inside of the blending jug. The main jug is 68oz and the included blending cup is 24oz. It also comes with a very sturdy blending lid that screws into the top of the cup, and a to-go lid that came in pretty handy for taking my morning drinks to work. 

It's worth noting that I tested the Breville Super Q in the UK, where the brand is known as Sage, and I was sent it by UKJuicers.com who are one of the retailers that sell the blender to customers in the UK. In the US though, the Breville Super Q is exactly the same as the version I tried, just with Breville written on the front of the machine. 

What is it like to use?

The blender is incredibly user-friendly, but it's a bulky choice that's better suited to big kitchens. At 18 inches tall, it was a tiny bit too tall to fit underneath my kitchen cabinets, so I had to store the Breville Super Q without the lid in place in order for it to slot into the corner of the counter. This will be true for most kitchens. 18 inches is the average distance between countertop and cabinets, so this blender will either fit incredibly snugly or not at all. 

The controls are very easy to use. There's a setting for pulsing/ice crushing, a setting for smoothies, one for green smoothies, one for soups and one for frozen desserts. These settings differ in length and the frequency of preset pulsing, but you can also manually control the blender and use the dial to the right side of the control panel to set your own timer. 

Test 1: Berry Smoothie

To make my berry smoothie I combined frozen strawberries and blueberries with a banana and some oat milk. I used the smoothie setting, which runs for just under a minute, and was instantly struck by the power of this blender. It made light work of blending through frozen fruit, and by the end of the minute timer I had an almost-perfectly smooth drink. When pouring the drink out, however, I noticed that there was one strawberry which was still whole, so it could've benefitted from more pulsing to ensure that it was blended with the rest of the berries. 

Berry smoothies can often contain chunks of un-blended skin and a lot of bitty seeds that can make the drink a less enjoyable drinking experience. Despite the whole strawberry that the Breville Super Q left at the bottom of my glass, it did an excellent job of achieving a creamy, almost-whipped consistency that integrated seeds and blended through berry skin without any trouble. 

Test 2: Crushing ice

Crushing ice is a big test for any blender. While most blenders can handle liquid ingredients, it takes a decent amount of power to turn ice into the soft powdery consistency you'd want for a frozen margarita. The Breville Super Q achieved this in seconds. The ice crush setting blizted ice cubes into powder, and the spatula made it easy to scoop the ice from the edges of the pitcher, meaning I didn't miss anything. 

One thing I noticed from testing this blender is that the lid is very stiff to get in and out of place. It wasn't any trouble for me, but I could see it being difficult for those who have less arm strength because of how securely the rubber stoppers wedge the lid into the top of the blending jug. 

Test 3: Green smoothie

Blending tough stems from leafy greens is a big task for any blender, but the Breville Super Q has a dedicated green smoothie option, so I was confident that it'd handle my ingredients without too much trouble. For this test, I decided to use the personal blending cup in order to see how it performs for single servings. 

To my green smoothie I added frozen papaya and mango, as well as half a bag of kale and some ice. After topping the smoothie up with apple juice I let the green smoothie setting get to work. I noted throughout using the Breville Super Q that it's quite a noisy blender, but not as noisy as the comparable Vitamix A3500, which made me a bit embarrassed to make a morning shake. I recorded highs of 92dB on my sound meter, which is tolerable for the amount of time needed to pulverize a smoothie or some ice. 

The green smoothie setting did a brilliant job of tackling my kale and frozen fruit, and unlike my berry smoothie I didn't have any ingredients left un-blended when I poured out my finished drink. If you're making a drink for one, I'd recommend opting for the blending cup to achieve the smoothest possible result. 

Cleaning, Storage, and Maintenance

Storing the Breville Super Q is quite demanding. It's bulky, and it also comes with a blending cup, lid, tamper, and spatula that are all destined to end up in the back of a cupboard somewhere. They're handy, so I'm glad Breville includes them, but they did look a little messy when scattered next to the blender while testing. 

Cleaning is particularly easy because the blender comes with a cleaning button. To use it, the brand advises that you add some warm water and a few drops of detergent to the blender and put the lid back on before activating the cleaning cycle. For the smaller blending cup, don't add the detergent but simply run a cleaning cycle with cold water to remove residue from the inside and blades before washing by hand. 

How does it compare?

The most comparable blender to the Breville Super Q is the Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Smart Blender, which I tested last year. It's probably one of the best appliances I've ever tested, and I was particularly wowed by its ability to make hot soup when left running on the soup setting. While there's a soup setting with the Breville, the recipes included with the blender all require pre-cooking. If you're not as interested in using a personal blending cup, I'd opt for the Vitamix, but if you'd use the personal blending cup that comes with the Breville, it's a more savvy investment.

If you want a cheaper alternative to the Breville Super Q, I'd recommend taking a look at the Ninja Professional Plus Kitchen System with Auto-IQ. It's a surprisingly powerful option with three chopping attachments to choose from, and although it's a lot flimsier than the Breville blender, it's also a fraction of the price

Should you buy the Breville Super Q?

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Breville Super Q as a brilliant blender, but depending on what you're shopping for, it may not be for you. This blender is large, powerful, and imposing. It still has the charm of any good Breville appliance (and would partner perfectly with many of the best coffee makers we've tested) but the Super Q did struggle to fit into my smaller kitchen because I had to remove the lid to fit it under my kitchen counter. 

If you've got a generous kitchen and you want a capable family-size blender with easy pre-set options and an additional blending cup, the Super Q could well be the best option for you. If you're solely looking for blending power and don't mind a noisier option though, the similarly-priced Vitamix could be a better option for you. 

How We Test

At Homes & Gardens we test appliances in our dedicated test kitchen. We also test them in our homes to see how products perform in real-world conditions. We test blenders on a wide range of common tasks. 

We make berry smoothies to see how blenders handle seeds and skins. We make green smoothies with tough, leafy stems like kale and spinach to see if a blender can cope with these textures, and we also make protein shakes to see if a blender can incorporate gritty, powdery textures. Our other basic test is to see if the blender can crush ice for frozen cocktails and hot weather drinks.

Where relevant, we also see if a blender can make soups or sauces. We also test them on dips like hummus. In some rare cases, we can also test if a blender can handle making alternative milks like oat milk or almond milk. 

All of this is on top of more fundamental tests into how it is to set up a given blender, how loud it is, how easy it is to use and store, and how easy it is to clean. All the blenders we test are then judged against each other for capacity, price, warranty, and value for money to find the very best. 

 US brand Blentec makes blenders for both commercial and residential settings. And since the brand makes nothing but blenders, it’s pretty safe to assume these guys know what they’re doing. The Designer series of blenders is the middle of three different ranges the brand offers. And the Designer 625 is the entry-level model in this range.

But while it might be the cheapest in the range, this is by no means a bargain basement blender. At around $350 it’s one for serious blending enthusiasts, as well as keen cooks and budding chefs. So my challenge really, was to try it out and figure out whether it’s a worthwhile investment.

Based on looks alone, it gives off a professional vibe that tells me it means business. I tried out some pretty common blender recipes like smoothie and soup. But also some less common things like chopping veg and creating whole juice. Some were more successful than others. Read on to see what worked, as well as what didn’t quite go to plan.

Specifications

Who does it suit?

Based on price alone, I’d say this isn’t a blender for newbies. It’s the blender you upgrade to when your old one just isn’t cutting it anymore. It’s for people looking for a blender with muscle that doesn’t shy away from hard and frozen ingredients.

It’ll suit anyone who wants a blender that doesn’t come laden with the clutter of unwanted additional accessories. There are no extra things to squeeze into your kitchen cabinet. It’s simply the base and the jar.

Unboxing

Upon opening its compact box, I was pleased not to be faced with any chunky styrofoam. It’s not completely plastic free packaging, there are a few bags, but on the whole, it’s packaged mostly in cardboard.

The plastic jar is lightweight and has a soft rubbery lid that pushes on with minimal effort. The base is a sleek, shiny black color that looks very uncluttered thanks to the digital display that you don’t see until it’s switched on.

There are no other attachments or accessories in the box, not even a tamper. Which is a dream for those of us with limited storage space thanks to all the other appliances that come with unwanted accessories. 

Likewise, there is nothing to set up or assemble. Simply give the jar a wash and you’re good to go. The smooth touch control panel is pretty intuitive to get to grips with. The six speed slider control allows for easy increases and decreases in blending speed. Plus there’s a pulse button for more finite control.

I tested it in the UK, where it's sold by ukjuicers.com (who supplied the test product for this review). 

While the symbols are fairly obvious, I did have to check the manual to see what each of the four presets are designed for. It gives a couple of examples for each. Soups can also be used for hot chocolate and fondues and whole juice is for juices and green drinks. Meanwhile the smoothie and ice cream presets are self explanatory.

Test 1: Smoothies

 To get to grips with the blender, I made a simple smoothie. I added 1 cup almond milk, 1 scoop of my favorite vanilla protein powder and 2 cups of a frozen fruit and vegetable mix that consisted of kale, spinach, mango and kiwi.

I started up the smoothie preset and let it run for the full 60 seconds. The result was a smooth, thick and completely lump-free drink. There were a couple of pieces of green leaf higher up the jar that had been flung up to the top at the start and not made their way back down. But other than that, everything was well liquidized.

The next drink I made was a berry smoothie: 1 ½ cups of milk, ½ cup Greek yogurt, 1 scoop of protein powder and 2 cups of frozen mixed berries. Once again it produced a beautifully mixed smoothie in the 60 second preset time. It wasn’t as silky smooth as the green smoothie above, thanks to some berry seeds adding a slight grittiness to the texture. That said, it was far less gritty than I’ve experienced when making similar berry smoothies in other blenders.

Test 2: "Wet chopping"

Next I tried what Blendtec calls 'wet chopping'. The manual advises that to chop ingredients like celery, you add water along with the vegetables and then strain it off afterwards. The water helps the ingredients to circulate in the jar.

I added a celery stalk that I cut into three chunks and an onion that I’d peeled and quartered. I wasn’t sure how much water to add, so threw in half a cup and started pulsing. After nine presses of the pulse button, it looked fairly evenly chopped. But when I tipped it out there was a large chunk of celery trapped beneath the blade. So I put it all back in and pulsed a further three times.

The end result was relatively evenly chopped, with just a few bigger pieces that you can see in the picture. To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure I’d use the blender for this purpose again, and it’s certainly no rival for chopping vegetables in a food processor. Nevertheless, it did work.

Test 3: Juice

 I was keen to try the whole juice preset, which the manual says is designed to liquidize whole fruits and vegetables into pulpy, fiber rich juices. So I cored and quartered three apples and added them to the jar along with a small piece of ginger and a small handful of spinach.

I pressed the whole juice preset and just a few seconds into the 65 second blend, it was clear that this wasn’t going to work unless I added liquid. So I stopped it and added half a cup of water. But still, the apples were getting stuck, so I stopped it again and added another half a cup of water. 

The addition of the second half cup of water was enough to get things moving and all the ingredients were completely pulverized in the 65 seconds. It was a super thick, pulpy smoothie, there were no lumps or gritty bits left at all. Even the thumb size chunk of ginger had disappeared into a drinkable liquid.

However, let's get one thing clear. This isn't juice. It's too thick, even with adding water. It’s still just a smoothie. A delicious smoothie, but a smoothie none the less. Don't expect this blender to replace your juicer. Furthermore, it was ever so slightly warm. Even though the process took just 65 seconds, that was enough for the blades to create heat and warm the drink. I’d advise adding ice or using ingredients straight from the fridge.

Test 4: Pulse

To chop some mixed nuts, I used the pulse button. I added cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, and brazil nuts and pulsed until there were no large chunks left. The result was a combination of chopped and ground nuts. There was a bit more powder than I hoped for, but that's often the case when chopping nuts in a blender. It’d work well for finely ground nuts, which would have taken just a few more pulses.

On another occasion I attempted to make a small stir fry sauce. I added a whole garlic clove, a generous chunk of ginger, chili, and a good glug of both soy sauce and sesame oil. Sadly though, it was too small a batch to be effectively blitzed. The chunks did get chopped somewhat, but like many blenders, the blades do not sit low enough in the jar to be effective at small quantities.

Test 5: Soup

 To try out the soup preset, I added 2 ¼ cups of warm vegetable broth, 2 cups of pre-steamed but cold broccoli from the fridge, ½ an onion, a handful of spinach and ¼ cup shredded parmesan. The soup program takes 3 minutes and blends continuously for that time, so it’s quite noisy (around 80dB).

The vibrant green soup was about 135°F and very smooth, though a little frothy. I could taste raw onion, so I’d probably sauté onions and garlic if using this program again. It’s so quick that nothing gets cooked - the ingredients are simply blended and in the process, warmed. So you have to keep this in mind when thinking about your soup recipe. It is, however, an easy way of turning leftover cooked vegetables into a quick lunchtime soup the next day, which is probably how I’d use this setting.

Test 6: Crushing ice

One of the recipes included in the manual is for a lemon frozen yogurt. It’s primarily yogurt and ice cubes, with some fresh lemon juice, agave nectar (I used maple syrup) and banana. The recipe states 4 cups of ice, which a lot of blenders would struggle with, so I was interested to see how it would cope.

After 15 seconds on low speed, I increased it to high speed and blended for a further 20 seconds. And astonishingly, that’s all it needed to completely obliterate all of the ice cubes and create a smooth mixture. I was very impressed! 

Cleaning and storage

 The cleaning info in the manual makes no mention of whether the jar can go in the dishwasher, so I worked on the assumption that it can’t. Instead, it advises cleaning it by adding a cup of water, a drop of dish soap and pulsing for 10 seconds. When I did this it was effective at removing the majority of food residues, then it simply needs a wipe and a rinse.

Although more-often-than-not I simply washed it by hand in the sink. It was easy to get food out from under the blade and it came clean with very little effort. The blade isn’t viciously sharp, so it didn’t feel risky to wash it with a sponge but that said, a long dish washing brush will always be a safer choice.

The shiny base needs occasional buffing to keep it looking pristine, though I didn’t notice many smears or fingerprints accumulating.

How does it compare?

 If you need a large capacity blender that’s still a top performer, check out the Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series. This very powerful blender comes with a 64oz jug that’s great for mixing multiple portions. Not only that but it comes with 10 speed options, so you can really fine tune your blending speeds depending on what you’re making. The catch? It has a hefty RRP of $649.

On the other hand, the Ninja Professional Plus Kitchen System is a far more affordable, not to mention versatile blender. This three-in-one appliance comes with a host of accessories that mean it’s also a food processor and a single serve blender thanks to the handy to-go cups. At around $299 you get a lot of bang for your buck. There’s a lot to store, so it won’t suit those pushed for space. But this multipurpose appliance will work hard to earn its place in your kitchen. 

Should you buy the Blendtec Designer 625?

I enjoyed using this blender and was mightily impressed by how well it can obliterate tough frozen ingredients. The lack of unwanted accessories combined with the intuitive control panel makes it an effortless and straightforward appliance to use. 

I don’t think it excels at chopping and it can’t manage very small quantities. But for smoothies, sauces, dips, soups and the like, it is incredibly capable, powerful, and fast, if a tad noisy at times. Though you do have to keep in mind that the blades can quickly start to warm a mixture if blending for any length of time.

If you want infinite blending speeds, its six levels might not offer the degree of fine turning you’re after. But for most people, whether you’re a wannabe chef creating silky smooth sauces, or simply a fan of super smooth protein smoothies, this blender won’t let you down.

How we test blenders

At Homes & Gardens we test appliances in our dedicated test kitchen. We also test them in our homes to see how products perform in real-world conditions. We test blenders on a wide range of common drinks and foods. 

We make berry smoothies to see how blenders handle seeds and skins. We make green smoothies with tough, leafy stems like kale and spinach to see if a blender can cope with these textures, and we also make protein shakes to see if a blender can incorporate gritty, powdery textures. Our other basic test is to see if the blender can crush ice for frozen cocktails and hot weather drinks.

Where relevant, we also see if a blender can make soups or sauces. We also test them on dips like hummus. In some rare cases, we can also test if a blender can handle making alternative milks like oat milk or almond milk. 

All of this is on top of the more basic tests into how it is to set up a given blender, how loud it is, how easy it is to use and store, and how easy it is to clean. All the blenders we test are then judged against each other for capacity, price, warranty, and value for money to find the very best. 

Every kitchen needs a blender, but knowing which model to buy and whether it's any good requires some research. You can never judge a blender by just reading the credentials online, so that's why we make sure to test and review every and any model that we think would suit you.

Over the years, we've refined our process for how we test blenders. We put our models through rigorous rounds of testing, making smoothies, dips, ice cones, and more. However, to get the top spot in one of our guides for the best blenders, blender food processor combos, and portable blenders it has to do a lot more.

Here's how our experts measure the performance, appearance, reliability and value of our blender. We'll give you the insights into how we draw conclusions, why we make them, and what you should expect when you're shopping for blenders.

How we choose blenders to review

The first step is market research. We keep in touch with the industry to make sure that we're always first to hear about a new launch, and will almost always call it in to test to try and be among the first to assess how well it performs.

After reviewing product specifications and customer reviews to make sure it's worthy of a review, we get samples of those blenders we think could make it into our guides to the best blenders.

These tend to be from the big names in blending like Nutribullet and Vitamix, but we also keep our eyes out for more niche blenders from smaller companies in case they can keep up with or outdo the competition

Blenders are designed to sit on kitchen countertops, so we'd be lying if we said we weren't drawn to stylish designs or a colorful new launches from the likes of KitchenAid, Ninja, and Smeg.

Every blender must be tested for a prolonged period (two weeks or more) to check for any issues and assess the product's longevity, and where possible, we aim to keep blenders in-house to test them on a long-term basis, updating our reviews as the months and years pass to see if our favorite is still ahead of the crowd.

Unboxing

To start with, we get the blender out of its box – and before we do anything at all, we go through all the paperwork, noting safety warnings, warranties and the instructions for the set-up process.

At this point, we assess the blender design. We start by measuring up to see if it's easy to store or if takes up room. We assess the overall aesthetic on the countertop, how easy it is to move around, and the quality of the materials. This is also where we note accessibility features, because a stiff blender lid or a motor base that is tricky to align with a pitcher can be particularly difficult if you have mobility issues.

It's also where we assess the responsiveness of buttons, dials, and display screens, as well as simple but easy-to-forget features such as if the blender is left or right-handed, depending on where the handle is situated. At Homes & Gardens, we value impeccable style – but we don't prize it over substance. The blender design has got to feel user-friendly and intuitive, too.

Test 1: Smoothies

What else? Smoothies are the most basic thing a blender can do. They're pretty much why blenders were invented, so if we've got a model that can't handle these you won't find it anywhere near our rankings of the best.

As a the head of kitchen appliance testing, I'm also a trained chef and recipe editor – so you can imagine there are a variety of smoothie recipes I'd love to try out. But for the first round of testing, we stick to a classic breakfast smoothie – making sure it's packed with challenging ingredients. We start with frozen berries to see how a blender can cope with frozen textures, tough skin, and seeds. We then add frozen banana halves to see whether it can break down larger frozen solids. Then, we add jumbo oats and gritty chia seeds. Finally, we add my favorite tricky ingredients: protein powder and creatine, because these powdery textures can easily add unappetizing grit to a smoothie.

If a blender can whizz all of these into a smooth drink, then it's on track to be one of our new best blenders, but this is only the first test.

Test 2: Soup

I consider myself a bit of a soup expert, so this is my favorite test. Second only to immersion blenders, countertop blenders are the best appliances you can buy for making soup.

Most large countertop blenders can handle hot ingredients, so you can blend roasted vegetables into perfectly spiced soup, then heat it up on the stove or microwave. However, some blenders go one step further. Premium blenders, like the Vitamix A3500i can spin their blades so quickly that they can make hot soup right in the jug.

We like to make root vegetable soups when testing blenders, since they have a fibrous, starchy texture. The ingredients we choose will depend on the season, but they can range from butternut squash to artichokes and beets. Of course, there will also be onion and garlic. We also like to add bright spices (like turmeric) to test whether they stain the pitcher. Sometimes, I add beans to double check the blender can handle tons of fiber.

The pass/fail criteria here are simple. The blender should fully incorporate every ingredient into a single liquid with no lumps or grittiness. If the blender claims to make hot soup, the resulting soup must be piping hot.

Test 3: Ice

We then see if a blender can crush ice. Ice is useful for two reasons. One is as a straightforward test of sheer power. Weak blenders won't be able to crush it, or will do half a job. A powerful, premium blender should be able to mist ice cubes into fine white powder. If a blender can't manage this, then it can't earn a perfect score.

The other culinary reason we test ice is to see if a blender up to making icy cocktails like frozen margaritas and frozen desserts, like granita. While we don't drink on the job, we can certainly see if the blender is up to the ice! We know you'll be thankful for the knowledge, when you have the urge to make Frozé in the summer.

Test 4: Sauces and Dips

Technically, food processors are much better suited to making dips and sauces than blenders. Blenders are for liquids, not sauces, and their small blades aren't as thorough at mixing and emulsifying as food processors.

That said, plenty of blenders market themselves as being able to make homemade dips and sauces like hummus, guacamole and baba ganoush. Even some portable blenders claim to be up to the task, which is how we discovered that the cordless Cuisinart EvolutionX is an incredible little blender for making dips on the go – definitely one you want to bring to the BBQ or backyard cookout.

Any extras?

We then test for any other extras advertised by the blender, such as frozen smoothie bowls. Some blenders claim that they can make alternative milks, but we're often pretty skeptical. Alternative milks like almond milk are best homemade with a slow juicer, as this can crush liquid out of the nuts where a blender can only chop them smooth. However, just like sauces, skepticism isn't enough – we have to check everything for ourselves.

Decibel level

For some, making an early morning smoothie doubles as the alarm for waking up the whole house. After testing the best blenders in the world, which can crush and blend the toughest textures, we've learned that with great power comes great noise.

That's why a blender will score extra points in our tests if it operates quietly. We monitor the decibel levels on every test. We're conscious that you're looking for quiet blenders that don't wake up your family, disturb your neighbors – or simply whirr quietly to calm your nerves – so we note our personal reactions to the noise levels, too. If it's under 70 decibels and our experts are happy, it goes straight into the running for the quietest blender of the year.

Cleaning, storage & maintenance

We also clean every blender by hand to see how easy this was, and if it felt safe. A great blender is one thing, but it can be annoying if lumps of food can lodge themselves in nooks and crannies, particularly underneath the blender blades, which can be dangerous to clean. We also test dishwasher-safe blenders in a dishwasher to see if this is actually effective. Some blenders come with self-cleaning settings that can prevent ingredients from sticking to the blades of the pitcher – which we love.

In terms of storage, we see if we can fit the blenders in cupboards and pantries, and how easy they are to lift and access. For portable blenders, we leave our kitchens to carry out more expansive tests. For example, we mix up a smoothie, pack it in our work bag, and take it on the busy subway to work. If the smoothie makes it to work without leaking, it passes the portability test. We also check other things you might not think of, like how heavy it feels to carry, and whether it fits into car cup holders or in a handbag.

User reviews

We then collate the results of online reviews. This is to see if there's any aspect of the review we've missed or issues with the blender months down the line. User reviews are particularly helpful as they throw up problems with a blender we may not have considered, and let us see how it fares in a wide variety of spaces and contexts.

Value and warranty

All of this then informs whether or not we think a blender is good value. A good blender should have at least a two-year warranty, and some of the best even have 10-year warranties. Every blender we feature should be one that we would buy ourselves. Some expensive top-line blenders are worth every penny, but others aren't, so we incorporate this information into every review.

Finally, we're often allowed to keep the blenders for a longer amount of time – so we try to test them in our home kitchens and real-life routines, too.

We test pretty much everything Nutribullet put out. They're a massive brand bringing inexpensive blending to the masses. When you consider that the likes of Vitamix and KitchenAid start their prices at $300, Nutribullets like the new Smart Touch Blender offer a cheap alternative. But can a value appliance like this really tangle with the big brands?

No, but you don't need it to. On test, I found an average but incredibly straightforward blender. If you're like me and you don't want to overthink blending, this is great. It has four settings. You want a smoothie, hit smoothie and you're done. Same with purée and ice. If you want more control over your blend, there are timers and pulse buttons, but not much else. 

After testing this on tricky ingredients like protein powder, frozen berries, ice, and chickpeas, I think this is a new entry into our ranking of the best blenders. There's lots of tiny quibbles; the lid is a little stiff, and the motor body is pretty big to store, but if you want an inexpensive blender that does exactly what it claims, it doesn't get any simpler than this.

Nutribullet Smart Touch Blender review

Product specifications

Unboxing the Nutribullet Smart Touch Blender

Unboxing was my first hint to the simplicity of this blender. It was really easy to unbox. There's no extra parts - you get a motor, a jug with a blade in a lid and a tamp for pushing down ingredients. We're always on the watch for unnecessary plastic, and there was a little here, but because there are so few parts, this isn't particularly worrying. 

Setup is really straightforward. Everything slots together easily - you just stick the jug onto the motor and you're good to go. That said, the lid is a little bit stiff, and here I noticed the sheer size of the jug. 64oz is great for big portions for get togethers - I caught myself planning out a massive pitcher of frozen margaritas in this thing - but with a thick, unwieldy handle, some may fine this blender a little tricky to lift, especially if you have mobility issues. 

When you switch the power on, the interface is bright, simple, and clear, with four dedicated settings for frozen drinks, smoothies, pureés and soups. 

Test 1 - fruit smoothie

First up was a fruit smoothie, with a recipe that lets me assess how it manages multiple textures in one go. I made this with frozen berries, which let me see how it can tackle frozen textures as well as seeds. I used two whole bananas to thicken it out with some mushier textures, as well as some protein powder and creatine to see if this can cope with gritty, powdery textures. Topped off with oat milk, I had a potentially delicious shake but one with lots of potential pitfalls for a blender. 

All I had to do was switch on the smoothie setting and stand back and watch. After some initial struggle, the blender took the upper hand, whirring all of the ingredients into a thick smoothie. 

It delivered a fairly good result on the smoothie setting, but it struggled with the seeds in the berries, which largely survived unscathed. however, the flesh of the berries was otherwise really well mixed with no skins or lumps making it through the blades. The same was true of both bananas, and the protein powder and creatine were both really well incorporated, with no grittiness or lumps.

The downside here is that this was really loud, setting off my fitness watch with a 90dB warning. A bit of noise is to be expected with a blender; more frustrating is that the motor sends air out the back as exhaust, so if you’ve got a recipe book out on the countertop or kids' art on the fridge then you'll need to weigh them down.

Test 2 - Ice

Blending ice is a must for cool summer drinks and pitcher of margaritas. I wasn't about to make a load of these on the job, so this was a straightforward test of crushing ice - about 5 cups worth of ice vs the iced drinks setting. 

Ultimately, this wasn't an entire success. Almost all the ice was misted into a fine white powder that will work really well for slushies and frozen cocktails. However, there were some ice cubes left over at the end that hadn't been touched by the blender. I think it world work well on small quantities of ice, but can't stand up to lots of blending in one go. It's pretty good, but there are other blenders on the market which can effortlessly crush ice.

Test 3 - Puréeing hummus

I then thought I'd test out the purée setting, which should be good for dips, sauces, and baby food. Not having an expert toddler taste-tester on hand, I turned to a quick, trusty hummus to see if this setting could cope. I made it with a whole can of garbanzo beans, a little of the water, a couple cloves of garlic, a tiny bit of oil and lemon juice, and chilli and smoked paprika. 

I thought this setting - only a minute long - was too short for this. It would pulverise softer ingredients like bananas and tomatoes, but it doesn't work for harder ingredients like garbanzo beans. I've got to be honest: I hated the taste of this. I don't think it was well incorporated and too rough. It tasted like it wasn't properly emulsified, somehow, which shouldn't be the case since there was barely any oil involved. It couldn't even be saved with cucumber sticks.

However, eCommerce editor Laura Honey was also in the test kitchen when I gave this a go and she really liked it. The rough consistency worked well and the garlic was right. She thought it was good as a more authentic hummus, but if you're used to store-bought, you might not enjoy it. It's only fair to include both points of view, but I still think the result was too rough.

Cleaning

This is fairly easy to clean. It's dishwasher safe, and washing it by hand took seconds, because all you have to clean is the jug and the lid. Stickier ingredients like the smoothie were slightly stuck down the sides, but it wasn't too trick to remove these. 

The lid is a little fiddly - there's a hinge on the spout that stops liquid escaping as you blend that can be a bit tricky to work into with a brush, but beyond that, it's pretty easy to clean. The only issue is having enough room to put it away afterwards. It's a pretty bulky unit, and you might struggle to find room on a drying rack or in a cupboard. 

How does it rate online?

Most reviewers love this blender. 79% of the Amazon reviews are five stars, with lots of reviewers saying that it stands up to their old Vitamix blenders. Some found it a little fiddly to clean, and others noted as I did that it's pretty tricky to prise the lid off this thing. 

However, I caught a handful of one star reviews that say their blender hasn't held up over a few months and has stopped working. I'll revisit this review in a few months to see if this is the case for us. 

How does it compare?

In the introduction I mentioned Vitamix and KitchenAid, so let's do a little head-to-head. 

The Vitamix A3500 is our reigning champion. Unlike this Nutribullet, it can easily handle seeds, blasting through the seeds in a lemon wedge so thoroughly that you couldn't tell they were in the mix. The Ascent does not only have a soup setting for blending soup, but spins its blades so fast that it can make hot soup right in the pitcher, saving on washing up and cooking on the stove. The Nutribullet simply can't do this. However, the Nutribullet is 5 times cheaper than the Vitamix. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but I'm not sure the Vitamix is worth 6 times more for smoother smoothies and hot soup. 

Perhaps a fairer comparison is KitchenAid's K400. This blender tends to retail at around $300, so it's a slightly fairer comparison. The KitchenAid had a better performance with seeds, easily blending them, and it's easier to clean, as it has a dedicated cleaning setting.

However, I think the display on the Nutribullet is much simpler to use. It's bright and tells you exactly what you're selecting rather than relying on symbols on a dial, which are simple but need a bit of getting used to. 

Should you buy the Nutribullet Smart Touch Blender?

Yes, but it depends what you want. For a basic, inexpensive blender, you can't go wrong. If you want to make the occasional fruit smoothie or milkshake for the family then this will get it done. It will work for frozen cocktails too, as long as you don't overdo it on the ice. It's less good for sauces and dips. 

If you want to take your blending to the next level, this is too simple, and it's worth investing in something else. If you're single or a couple, the 64oz capacity could be overkill.

If TikTok hasn't shown the Ninja Creami on your 'For You' page, you'll have probably heard about it from enthusiastic owners. This appliance has changed the way people make ice cream. Rather than churn for twenty plus minutes, the Creami delivers you soft-serve results in three minutes.

Naturally, this had me intrigued. I've tested some of the best ice cream makers on the market, so I wanted to see whether Ninja was any match for them. I took the Ninja Creami to task, making ice cream, vegan ice cream, sorbet, and frozen yogurt. I made notes on the whole process, right up to the clean-up.

Whilst the results of the Creami were as promised, there are a few catches. The Creami requires the longest freeze time and it's quite loud. However, there are a lot of ice cream enthusiasts who would take this in their stride.

Ninja Creami Specs

Unboxing

The Ninja Creami’s box was damaged in transit, but thankfully, it was well protected. What I am not thankful for is the large amount of plastic used to package the Ninja Creami. Of all our ice cream makers, this had the most non-recyclable packaging by far.

The set up instructions are online, so you scan a QR code to get through to their website. This might be frustrating if you don’t have a smartphone. In reality, I’m more of a video tutorial person. Luckily for me, Ninja have a comprehensive set of video tutorials for you to follow instead.

After I heaved the Creami onto the countertop, it looked smart. It’s large, slim, and resembles a coffee machine. It’s heavy and tall, so certainly isn’t for everyone. You need tall cupboards, or, you’ll have to keep it out on the countertop.

It’s pretty standard to need to prep your ice cream makers in advance. The Ninja Creami calls for 24 hour preparation. This is because the Creami works backwards, chipping away and creaming your ice block until it’s a smooth, frozen desert. This length of time can catch you off guard, so I made sure to get some ice cream in their dedicated tubs well in advance of testing. I would advise that you do the same, so that you’re never caught out by ice cream cravings.

Who will it suit?

The Ninja Creami has an impressive range of settings and can quickly turn solid, frozen blocks of ingredients into ice cream and frozen desserts. It’s a good option for those who want to make small portions of ice cream, sorbet, and açai bowls. 

Lots of other ice cream makers require large amounts of freezer space for storing your ice cream bowls. For many, that’s a problem. Ninja Creami’s pint sized pots don’t need nearly as much room and double-up as ice cream containers, so are a brilliant option. They also can make ice cream in under three minutes; as long as you did your 24 hour prep, this is a hasty, tasty ice cream maker. 

If you don’t have much countertop space, or want to make big portions of quality, soft serve ice cream, you should buy the Cuisinart ice cream maker or KitchenAid attachment instead. They’re half the price with much better results.

What is it like to use?

There is a trick to using the Ninja Creami. Once I had mastered it, the process was slick. However, that skips over numerous reruns of the same Youtube video showing me how to assemble my Creami properly. 

To start, I took my  Ninja Creami pot out of the freezer. I slotted this into the outer, main pot. You’ll need to insert a sharp blade into the lid of the main container. For a somewhat accident prone person like me, this was hair-raising. Don’t do it with little ones. 

Next, you’ll slot the bowl onto the Creami base, click it in, twist it up and you’re ready to go.

Vanilla Ice Cream

For a fair test, I used a standard vanilla ice cream recipe. This was the same one I used across all ice cream makers. I whisked one cup of whole milk with ¾ cup of granulated sugar. Once dissolved, I added two cups of heavy cream and two teaspoons of vanilla paste. Overnight, this froze in my Ninja Creami pint tub.

I set my ice cream in place, pressed the ice cream button and let the Creami run. It timed 2.5 minutes and automatically stopped when it was done. The 2.5 minutes were filled with a loud, unpleasant screech that registered as 115 dBA, about the sound of a subway. Afterwards, I lifted the lid off to find a very smooth, well churned ice cream. I didn’t expect it, but I was impressed. There’s a mix in option for any extras and this integrated my brownie chunks throughout the mix really well. The ice cream was dense, but really creamy. I didn’t find any ice crystals or inconsistencies at all. I placed the ice cream in the freezer for a few hours and when I came back to it, the mixture was solid. The dense, velvety ice cream had become a rock. 

Vegan Ice Cream

By this point, I had tested all of our other ice cream makers with vegan ice cream, so the Creami had big boots to fill. Non-dairy ingredients have a tendency to split, take longer to freeze, or be difficult to handle. Non-dairy ice creams have even more of a reputation. They often suffer worse from freezer burn and I’ve opened many store-bought ice cream tubs to find a disappointing, hard, crystallized mix.

After three minutes, I could see that the Creami had churned my ice cream. I lifted the lid to find a soft, smooth vanilla ice cream. As with the dairy ice cream, it was dense, not light, but it was impressive. I had a look online and found a collection of non-dairy, low sugar bakers raving about the Creami. Their solution to the rock-hard freeze was to place the pint pot back in the Creami to for a re-spin. After a few hours, I tried this, and it worked. As a dairy-free option, it scores highly.

Sorbet

I found a Ninja recipe using only blended frozen berries. I was intrigued. Sorbets can get very sweet, so this was the perfect opportunity to test a low sugar option.

I blended 450g of raspberries and froze them overnight. These only had 17 hours in the freezer, but I had blended frozen raspberries, so they started off colder anyway. 

I sat my sorbet pot in position, pressed sorbet and ran the Creami. It created a  beautiful, non-sorbet raspberry crumb. This tasted like sorbet and melted in my mouth. Underneath, I could see the beginnings of sorbet too, but the top was the texture of breadcrumbs. I ran the pot through again and had the same crumb texture. With a tablespoon of water and another run through, my sorbet was smooth, shiny, and well creamed. It looked like shop-bought sorbet. It didn’t taste like it. It was really sharp – I’m definitely not used to sugar free sorbet. Aside from the sharpness, the sorbet was hard to fault.

Frozen Yogurt

I had seen people have issues with a crumbly texture in their Creamis and experienced it with the sorbet. I froze a tub’s worth of normal yogurt inside the dedicated Creami pint pots the night before.

I used the gelato setting and found that the resulting fro-yo was a fro-no-go. It was just crumbly. I sent it through again with little success. After adding a tablespoon of water, the mix was back to being silky smooth. It was really nice and light, so a pleasing end result. There were a few ice crystals where the yogurt had not fully mixed through, but I think if you sent the Creami on a final spin, this would be sorted. However, you shouldn’t have to do this. 

Cleaning and Storage

I used this appliance after another one of our expert testers had put the Creami through its paces. They told me that it was easy to clean, as the tubs, lids, and paddle were all dishwasher safe. However, when I came to use the Ninja Creami, it was clear that the dishwasher had not done a good job. There are lots of small spaces that the frozen fruit had been forced into. I needed a small brush to properly scrub the Creami out before I could use it. For this reason, I used warm soapy water to give the Ninja Creami a proper clean when I was finished. Make sure to scrub every tight space on the lid, because when the residue dries, it shows. The Creami has many places for food to get stuck on, so I didn’t find cleaning easy. It’s not a huge feat, but I found all of the other ice cream makers that I tested a lot easier to clean.

As I said, this is a tall, heavy machine. However, other ice cream makers have huge bowls which you need to fit in your freezer. The Creami pint sized pots are much smaller than the large mixing bowls. With the Creami, you sacrifice countertop space to save on freezer space. The pint pots double up as ice cream pots, so they are really useful. Just buy a few extra, because two isn’t enough.

How does it rate online?

The Ninja Creami went viral on TikTok, so there are lots of people with lots to say about its performance. Millie Fender, our expert Head of Reviews really liked the range of settings. With a small freezer, this was the best option for her household. 

Among reviewers, this was well-rated, often achieving four stars at least. The functions are fun, Ninja supplies a good range of tasty recipes, and lots of customers like having ice cream in three minutes. It’s much quicker than normal processes. The main community who particularly loved the Creami are those who made non-dairy ice cream or low calorie options. The high water content in these recipes make them crystallized and icy, but with the Creami, none of these negatives pull though.

Almost everyone commented on how loud and large the Creami is. It’s lucky that this only runs for three minutes, because people didn’t want much longer with the screech. Some had powdery sorbets or found that the Creami was very sensitive to ingredients, temperature, and freezing time. You can’t get away with any shortcuts.

How does it compare?

The Ninja Creami wins big points for some improvements on domestic ice cream makers. The pint-sized pots are significantly smaller than the Cuisinart and KitchenAid freezer bowls, which need a lot of space in the freezer. The ice cream making process only took three minutes, which is a tenth of the time that most ice cream makers needed and it had lots more settings. 

However, 24 hours worth of freeze time is the longest prep time of any ice cream maker that I tested. It was the heaviest and loudest by a long way. It is also double the price of most other appliances and it doesn’t feel like double the value. It’s well made, but expensive.

Should you buy it?

There is a very specific audience for the Ninja Creami. If you want to make ice cream quickly, in small batches, and you don’t have much freezer storage, the Creami ticks a lot of boxes. However, you pay a premium for speed and storage. For an appliance this big, I would have liked the Creami to have a blend capacity, to run a little quieter, and to produce more soft-serve texture ice cream.  

How We Test

We are dedicated to how we test all of our appliances. All of our experts are well-established product testers, bringing with them the expertise needed to discern whether these are worthy investments for your home. 

For ice cream makers, we researched the best products on the market. We wanted to look for appliances that were good value for money with exceptional results. We took these to our test kitchen and, over the course of a few days, tested these on ice cream, non-dairy ice cream, sorbet, and frozen yogurt. We made notes on the whole process from unboxing to cleaning up to make sure that we didn’t miss a thing. All of these ice cream makers were tested alongside each other, so we could make direct comparisons between them and their results. 

At Homes & Gardens, we take our morning smoothies seriously (some of us blend as early as 5am), so finding the best quiet blender that wouldn’t wake the whole household became something of a personal mission.

As a product tester and appliance editor, I've tested around 50 blenders over the past two years and learned that great power often comes with great noise. Even the best blenders, like Vitamix, can reach up to 90–100 decibels – the equivalent of revving a motorcycle in your kitchen.

Can you really get high performance without the roar? While there are pro-grade models with sound shields and cooling systems, they often come with four-figure price tags.

The good news is, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a quiet, effective blender that fits seamlessly into your routine. The Nutribullet Flip became our top pick for exactly that reason – compact, powerful, noticeably quiet, and under $100.

Below, we’ve rounded up the quietest blenders we’ve tested, from portable picks to ice crushers that won’t disturb the peace. With seasonal deals landing, now’s the perfect time to browse.

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

Why we like it: 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.

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 blew the BlendJet2 (our runner-up, featured below) out of the water.

Quiet test: 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 and 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.

Small criticisms: At over 3 lbs, the Flip isn’t as lightweight or slender as the BlendJet2, and despite the thermos-like design, it can’t handle hot soups. It can't crush ice, either, so forget frozen margaritas or winter soups – but if you’re focused on quiet smoothies and shakes, it’s a near-perfect pick.

You can read more details in our Nutribullet Flip review.

Runner up / best for crushed ice

Why we like it: Like most battery-powered blenders, the Ninja Blast is quiet. It’s much more subdued than Ninja's countertop models (we've tested the Foodi and Power Detect). I was genuinely impressed by how well this handled tough smoothie ingredients – berries, leafy greens, protein, and creatine powders. Where it really shines, though, is with ice. Most portables fail here, but the Ninja Blast Max made an excellent slushie. I filled it to the max line with ice and added cold brew to the minimum fill line, and it created a frosty frappuccino without waking the household.

Quiet test: At max speed on a breakfast smoothie, we measured 82 decibels. That’s louder than the Nutribullet Flip, but still very quiet for a blender. I’d compare the sound to a slightly loud electric toothbrush – it’s soft and not aggressive. Plus, it only needs to run for a short time to get the job done.

Small criticisms: It is quite expensive for a portable blender, and it won't pulverize kale or seeds into a 100% smooth blend the way a full-size Vitamix can. Still, for something this compact and quiet, it delivered more than I expected.

Our Ninja Blast Max review has more details

Best for families

Why we like it: If looks could carry a blender to the top of the list, this would have been my overall pick. Striking a perfect balance between power, usability, and stunning design, the Zwilling Enigify blender is one of our most recommended appliances for families.

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.

The quiet test: The Zwilling isn’t the quietest blender overall, but it does impress on its lower manual speeds. Its stainless steel blade system works beautifully even without full power, so you don’t need to crank it up unless you’re making something like ice cream or a frozen cocktail. When you do use the automatic presets, it gets a bit louder, but it never feels abrasive, high-pitched, or irritating.

Small criticisms: While the preset modes work well for hands-off blending, the pulse setting lacks precision and control. When we tried guacamole in the test kitchen, it went from chunky to soup in seconds. That said, for smoothies, green blends, and big-batch family drinks, it’s one of the best-looking and most effective quiet blenders out there. The price is pretty sweet, too.

Our Zwilling Enfinigy Countertop Power Blender review has more details.

Best for baby food / soup

Why we like it: The Dualit Hand Blender is a sleek and versatile kitchen tool that comes with everything you need for multitasking in the kitchen. The set includes a blending wand, a 1-litre jug, a whisk, and a mini food chopper. It handled everything from soups to smoothies with ease and looked great doing it. I tested the copper finish model and honestly considered leaving it out on display, had I not needed the counter space.

Quiet test: At just 79 decibels during smoothie blending, this was one of the quietest hand blenders we tested. The turbo mode does raise the volume slightly, but it still runs noticeably quieter than most high-powered stick blenders. It was ideal for blending directly in pots without causing a racket.

Small criticisms: The smoothie texture was decent, though a few blueberry skins and chia seeds slipped through. It actually performed better with soups and sauces, producing a perfectly smooth potato soup in the pan. At 450 watts, it’s less powerful than a countertop blender and does require more hands-on work. Still, the added attachments and quiet operation make this a smart pick for anyone looking for a flexible, low-noise kitchen companion.

Read more in our full Dualit Hand Blender review

Budget pick

Why we like it: BlendJet claims this model is 'whisper quiet,' and while it’s not silent, it’s definitely one of the quietest blenders I’ve tested. It’s small, portable, and ideal for blending in shared spaces – perfect for early-morning protein shakes or even midnight smoothies. It’s also surprisingly affordable, making it a smart pick for students or gifting.

Quiet test: Our sound tests matched the marketing: around 64 decibels – about as loud as a casual conversation. It’s discreet enough for use in the office or gym without turning heads. I found the soft hum far less jarring than traditional countertop blenders, especially first thing in the morning.

A small compromise: As expected with a relatively cheap cordless blender, there are some limitations. It handled soft fruits and powders well, but struggled with tougher ingredients like frozen berries, kale, and nut butter. You'll also need to recharge it daily for full power, whereas the Nutribullet Flip has fourteen blends per battery cycle, so it can last a fortnight if you blend every day. The plastic build feels a little light, but that does make it incredibly portable.

Our BlendJet 2 review has more details.

Ones that missed the list

How we test blenders