We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. In 2021, we tested best ninja blender for smoothies new blenders: To see how well the blenders could handle hard ingredients, we ground more than 3 pounds of coffee beans, blended nearly 10 pounds of frozen strawberries and pulverized over 650 ice cubes. We also made strawberry green smoothies, vanilla milkshakes and frozen margaritas. When testing, we rated the helpfulness of the owner’s manual and evaluated how easy each model is to assemble, use and clean.
We also considered how noisy each blender was while operating. Instead, they come with strong blades that stand the test of time and are able to pulverize just about anything. This also makes them much safer to clean. Size: If you don’t plan to keep your blender on your countertop, look for a lightweight model. They’re more portable, but also more likely to move around on the countertop when in use.
If you want to keep your blender on the counter, be sure to consider the height, as some models are too tall to fit neatly underneath kitchen cabinets. Glass is heavier, but it won’t retain odors or stain as easily as plastic models. Wattage: Blenders with higher wattage tended to perform better. But note that this was not always the case: The overall design of the blender is more important in determining performance.
It’s a cult fave for a reason: Short of cleaning your kitchen, there’s nothing the showpiece Vitamix can’t do. With pro-quality precision and control, it can make everything from perfectly smooth nut butters to creamy soups and more. The ultra-powerful motor has 10 variable speed settings, and its heavy-duty base won’t easily shift on the counter when in use. With its high-quality design, this blender looks and performs better than most blenders in its category. Its pitcher is on the smaller side with a six-cup capacity, but it still allows you to easily whirl up a soup or smoothie in one batch. In our testing, the smoothie still had a little bit of texture from strawberry seeds but was still very creamy and thick. 32 ounces and 24 ounces with a handle.
Both cups have lids that make it easy to take your smoothie to-go. The Oster My Blend is our top recommendation for making smoothies or protein shakes to take on the go. Drinks can be blended directly in the sport bottle, meaning no extra dishes to do. Simply fill the jar with ingredients, twist on to blend, replace the blade with the lid, and you’re off. Of note: This machine does well with fruit smoothies and protein shakes, but it doesn’t perform well with tough leafy greens. We were very impressed with how well this blender performed for its great price point. The green smoothie setting yields a smooth and creamy texture with no sign of fibrous kale or spinach.
This blender also has a regular smoothie button, which will provide you with a juice-bar-quality smoothie in one minute. In our tests, this blender pureed soup with a silky smooth texture and produced a mighty fine margarita as well. The Fresh and Furious is easy to clean, and the jar and lid are dishwasher safe. In our tests, we found very few flaws, though the jar is just 50 ounces and stained a little from tomato sauce. So while you can blend soup prepared on the stovetop or in a slow cooker, you can also cook and puree right in the blender. The blender will not operate until the lid is locked into place, a nice safety measure when working with hot liquids. In our tests, this model blended incredibly creamy smoothies and better-than-restaurant frozen margaritas.