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Best Countertop Blenders

Updated December 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Vitamix 5200 Professional-Grade Blender
Vitamix
5200 Professional-Grade Blender
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Best Overall
Bottom Line

Offers impressive performance and features; Vitamix is the king, says our cooking expert.

Pros

Boasts strong stainless steel blades and a capable motor typical of Vitamix models. Offers variable speed controls that are straightforward to use. Delivers precise results. The 64-ounce container can handle large portions. A 6-foot cord and self-cleaning mode.

Cons

A few reports of machines with various malfunctions. It’s quite noisy on the highest setting.

Best Bang for the Buck
Ninja BL660
Ninja
BL660
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

A great mid-range model that features extra cups, which earn it our expert's approval.

Pros

A high-wattage Ninja blender with a sturdy base that offers 3 speeds as well as pulse and single-serve functions. Comes with a 72-ounce pitcher and a pair of 16-ounce to-go cups with lids.

Cons

Given the price, it doesn’t have as many settings or “bells and whistles” as you would expect.

Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender
Hamilton Beach
Wave Crusher Blender
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Classic Design
Bottom Line

A solid performer that's a good pick for people shopping on a budget; our expert touts the brand.

Pros

Offers 15 blending settings with clearly marked buttons for easy operation. Glass jar is thermal-shock tested and can withstand extreme temperature changes, making it suitable for soups. Effortlessly crushes ice.

Cons

It peaks at 700 watts. Lid has 2 openings, which makes it somewhat challenging to keep clean.

NutriBullet NBR-0601 Personal Blender
NutriBullet
NBR-0601 Personal Blender
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Best for Smaller Spaces
Bottom Line

Offers a compact style with a multi-speed pitcher with travel cups built for blending finer foods.

Pros

Blend combo offers full effortless control with easy-to-press buttons backed with a 1,200-watt motor for pureeing sauces, soups, smoothies, and so on. Make food safely with blades of stainless steel. The plastic pitcher and cups are BPA-free.

Cons

Customers report that the motor tends to overheat.

Braun Triforce Power Blender
Braun
Triforce Power Blender
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Feature-packed
Bottom Line

A powerful do-everything machine that our tester absolutely adored thanks to its ease of use.

Pros

The triangular jug design not only makes it easier to pour contents out but it chops any food more efficiently. Has an included cleaning function. Comes with 18 different settings so making soups, nut butter, and smoothies is a breeze. The 1600W motor provides the right amount of power for any dish.

Cons

Our tester noted that they wished there was more settings for certain functions such as making butter creamier.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

After going through an intensive research process to narrow down our short list of top products in this space, we tested most of our top five to be sure that these products are worth your time. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter and test to verify manufacturer claims.

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Models
Considered
130
Consumers
Consulted
12
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for Best blenders

If you want to make your own healthy beverages or you have a passion for whirling up soups, dressings, dips, and other recipes from scratch, a blender is what you need. Choose one that can accommodate the amount of food you want to make and has the power needed to blend the types of foods you want to blend, or it may limit the recipes you can make.

Notable features include stainless-steel blades, durable materials, and a blender that is easy to clean. The type of controls—push button, dial, or touchpad—are entirely up to user preference, but having a blender with a number of preprogrammed settings will come in handy.

Before you buy a blender, it helps to review the top concerns surrounding these handy kitchen gadgets, including blender type, features, and price.

blender
Did you know that a powerful blender can double as a food processor to accomplish some meal prep tasks? By running the blender for a few seconds at a time or using the pulse setting, you can control the texture of food during processing for recipes that don’t require it to be pureed or liquified.

Buying guide for Do you need a blender?

A blender is a must-have for anyone who enjoys smoothies, milkshakes, or frozen drinks.

It also comes in handy for blending pancake batter, sauces, gravies, dips, and soups. You can use a blender to grind cookies, bread, and crackers for crumbs.

If you purchase a high-performance blender, you can even use it to juice fruits and vegetables, grind nuts and other hard items, and make dough.

Types of blenders

Conventional blenders

A conventional blender is what most people think of when they think of a blender.

Its motor isn’t as powerful as that of a high-performance blender, and it doesn’t boast as many fancy features. But it can usually crush ice and blend fruit.

A conventional blender is ideal for making smoothies, milkshakes, and frozen cocktails.

High-performance blenders

A high-performance blender is often considered a “commercial-grade” blender. That’s because it features a powerful motor that not only blends smoothies and milkshakes but also grinds nuts, grains, and cheeses.

A high-performance blender can also chop hard fruits and vegetables and generate enough heat to make hot soup.

With a high-performance blender, you usually get plenty of high-tech features, too, such as preset programs and digital timers.

Person using tool for blenders to scrape sides
Expert TIp
Manufacturer-made tools designed for scraping down the sides or gently poking ingredients down during blending are a great investment and gift idea. They make blending much easier.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert

Personal blenders

A personal blender is a small blender that makes small batches and single servings. They are sometimes referred to as smoothie blenders, as they are commonly used to make these tasty concoctions. They are also great for whipping up protein shakes and healthful green smoothies.

Instead of a traditional blender jar, its container is usually a to-go blending cup. Many of the best personal blenders include accessories like several blending cups, lids, and recipes.

Because its motor is smaller, a personal blender is less powerful than that of a conventional blender. However, it’s a great option for someone who’s blending for one.

While they have the word blender in their name, hand blenders work differently than standard models. Also called immersion blenders, these small kitchen appliances are held in the hand during use instead of being placed on a countertop. They work similarly to hand mixers and are best used for small tasks and mixing and blending soft foods instead of firm items like veggies or ice cubes. While useful, this gadget won’t take the place of a regular blender when a home chef needs a powerful model with multiple functions.

If you are concerned about protecting your investment, be sure to check out the manufacturer protection of the blenders you are considering prior to making your purchase. Different brands come with protection of varying lengths, with pricier models typically being covered by the longest terms.

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What should you look for in a blender?

Blades

When it comes to a blender’s blades, stainless steel is the best option.

Stainless steel is less likely to rust than other materials, and it’s usually the most durable material.

To make cleaning easier, opt for a blender with a removable blade base.

Size and capacity

The first thing to consider when looking at blenders is what size would work best for your household.

High-performance blenders: These blenders tend to have large-capacity containers that hold up to 2.4 liters, so they’re ideal for large families.

Conventional blenders: With containers that hold between 1.65 and 1.9 liters (depending on the model you choose), conventional blenders can work for small families or larger households.

Personal or mini blenders: Personal blenders typically have containers that hold between 0.2 and 0.7 liters. They work best for one or two people, small families, and small kitchens with limited counter and cabinet space.

Motor wattage

In most cases, the higher a blender’s motor wattage, the more powerful and versatile it will be.

300 to 400 watts: If you only plan to lightly mix milkshakes and other soft ingredients, a blender with a wattage between 300 and 400 is usually sufficient.

500 to 700 watts: For an effective blender that can easily handle smoothies and frozen cocktails, look for a motor with between 500 and 700 watts.

1,000+ watts: High-performance blenders often have motors with 1,000+ watts, which is why they’re able to pulverize even the hardest of ingredients.

Pre-programmed settings

In addition to different speed settings, blenders are often equipped with a control panel with a collection of pre-programmed settings.

A blender may have settings for smoothies, shakes, or frozen cocktails. You only have to press a button and then let the blender do its thing. It will start the cycle, choose the right speed, and stop itself when the selected program is done.

You’ll usually pay extra for such pre-programmed settings, but they’re worth it if you’re often multi-tasking in the kitchen.

Person using wooden spoon with blender
Expert Tip
Never use a wooden spoon or another wood tool to poke down your ingredients while operating a blender. The spoon can get chipped or worse, dropped into the pitcher onto operating blades and create a dangerous situation.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert

Container material and design

Blender containers are usually made of plastic or glass. Plastic blending containers are lightweight and aren’t prone to cracking or breaking. However, plastic tends to absorb stains and odors more easily than glass, so it must be cleaned soon after use.

Glass containers usually don’t soak up stains or odors, but they can be very heavy and may chip, crack, or shatter. Blenders with high-power motors don’t typically use glass containers because of the risk of breakage.

Regardless of the container’s material, make sure it has a tight-fitting lid that’s secure during use. A blender container should also have a wide mouth so it’s easy to add ingredients and clean after use. A blender container with easy-to-read measurement markings is also handy. You’ll know how much of each ingredient you’re adding without using a separate measuring cup.

Person making hummus in blender
Expert tip
With a few simple ingredients, you can make hummus in a blender. If you keep the supplies on hand, you can make a delicious dip for chips, pita bread, and veggies whenever the mood strikes.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert 

Controls

Blenders come with several different types of controls.

  • Push-button controls: The most common type of controls for blenders, push buttons make it easy to switch from one speed to another and to turn the blender on and off. But it can be difficult to keep the buttons clean from spills and drips.
  • Digital touchpad controls: Digital touchpad controls are usually the easiest to keep clean, but they’re not always the easiest to use. You may have to press several buttons to turn the blender on and off or switch to another speed.
  • Dial controls: Dial controls also offer easy cleaning, but you usually have to dial through all the settings before you reach the speed or setting you want.

Speeds

Blenders typically come with at least three speeds and as many as sixteen. In general, three speeds—low, high, and pulse — are usually sufficient.

However, a graduated start-up feature that slowly brings the blender up to a higher speed can be helpful, as it reduces the chance of the motor burning out or ingredients splashing up.

Person storing blender after use
Expert Tip
Make sure all parts of your blender are completely dry before reassembling and/or storing. It’s easy for water to sit and create bacteria in tiny places within the assembly.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert 

How much do blenders cost?

You can find blenders at a variety of price points.

High-performance blender

For a high-performance blender that can juice, grind, and blend, you’ll likely pay between $400 and $700. Keep in mind that you’ll get impressive features and performance for the high price tag. And because a high-performance blender is durable, it’s often worth the investment.

Conventional blender

A conventional blender can set you back between $20 and $200. Budget-friendly models tend to have weak motors and aren’t very durable.

For a quality blender that won’t break the bank, expect to spend between $60 and $100.

Personal blender

A personal blender is the most affordable option. Most cost between $20 and $60.

How long will a blender last?

The lifespan of a blender depends on the quality of its construction and how often you use it.

If you purchase a high-performance blender, you can expect to get approximately 10 years of use out of it. Conventional and personal blenders, which have weaker motors and fall at the lower end of the price range, typically last between three and five years.

However, you should also factor in how often you use your blender.

If you’re blending smoothies daily, there’s a chance your motor will wear out more quickly. If you’re only using your blender once or twice a week, the motor will likely hold up longer.

Person using blender on kitchen counter
Caution
Extra-hot items should never be placed in a blender. Steam could build up inside, creating enough pressure to blow off the lid and send hot food all over your kitchen.
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BestReviews

Tips and tricks for using your blender

  • Not all blenders are designed to prevent overload. So, don’t run your blender any longer than needed. Extended operation could fry the motor.
  • Never operate your blender without the lid. And even if the lid for the blender jar fits tightly, hold it down with your hand while you blend to avoid any mess.
  • Your blender may get stuck due to cavitation (air bubble formation). If it does, use the pulse mode to disperse the bubble and get the blades moving again. You can also avoid air bubbles by balancing out the amounts of food and liquid.
  • Cut food items into manageable chunks before putting them in the blender. This is another way to prevent the blades from getting stuck. It’s also a way to make sure everything gets blended.
  • Use your blender’s own blending mechanism to clean the appliance. Simply fill the jar with warm water and add a few drops of liquid dish wash soap. Blend the mixture, and then rinse it out for a squeaky clean jar.
  • Always clean the blender thoroughly after use. Take the jar and blade assembly apart for cleaning. Soak the components in warm, soapy water if you don’t have time to clean the blender right after you use it.
  • When preparing food, leave a little room for expansion inside the blender jar. Only fill the jar approximately two-thirds full.

FAQ

Q. What features make a blender easier to clean?

A. For the easiest cleanup, look for a blender with removable blades. If the blades are built-in, make sure the jar has a wide base so you can easily remove any chunks that might get caught underneath the blades.

Q. Can I use a blender as a juicer?

A. Technically, yes. But keep in mind that the finished juice will be somewhat thicker than it would be if prepared by a juicer.

You may also want to consider a blender with a dishwasher-safe jar so you don’t have to wash it by hand.

Q. What’s the difference between peak horsepower and rated horsepower when it comes to a blender?

A. Peak horsepower refers only to the horsepower that the blender exhibits when you first turn it on. Rated horsepower is the steady horsepower at which the blender can run. Rated horsepower is a better indicator of the blender’s power.

Q. What’s the best container material for a blender?

A. Blenders usually have glass or plastic jars. Glass jars are preferred by some because they don’t absorb stains and odors as easily as plastic. However, they are heavy and break easily. Plastic jars are chip-proof and won’t break, so high-performance blenders use them for safety reasons.

Whip up some hummus – perfect for dipping vegetables and spreading on sandwiches.
You can use all types of fruits to make jam in the blender.
Make all kinds of interesting butter, like herbed or brown butter.
Spice up weeknight dinners with homemade salsa.
Try different pancake combinations for a yummy breakfast.
Clean your blender with ease – just add soap and water, then blend!
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