Best Blender for Smoothies: The Ultimate Buying Guide

I find mornings to be the best time to drink smoothies. I mean, what better way to start your day than with a nutrient-packed cup of goodness? It has everything you need from fresh greens, tasty fruits to healthy superfoods. Smoothies are the best way to give your family all the vitamins and minerals they need for the day. If indeed the time has an effect, learn when is the best time to drink a green smoothie via our blog.

Smoothies are convenient to where you can just throw everything in your blender, let it do its job and you get a perfectly balanced meal in a cup. If I or the hubby woke up running late for work, it will take less than 15 minutes to prepare and drink our smoothies and we’re ready to go. Sometimes we would transfer it to a spill-proof tumbler and take it to go on the way to work or when we go on a jog.

However, if you don’t have the right blender, it can be quite a task. You might end up wiping down your whole countertop at 6 in the morning. Or taking forever to make a smoothie when it should only take about 15 minutes max. Or making 4 different batches for each member of the family because it’s not spacious or powerful enough to make a big batch.

A blender is a good investment for your kitchen. However, shopping for one isn’t easy. What with all these different models, each one offering attractive features. Therefore, I compiled The Best Blender for Smoothies in the market right now. Anywhere from high-end, mid-range, and budget-friendly ones!

Best Smoothie Blender: Top 3 Winners

NutriBullet NB9 Pro

This small but terrible personal blender can make creamy smoothies in less than a minute! It comes with 900 watts of power than can easily blend a nutrient-packed glass of smoothie with kales, nuts, and frozen fruits.

Last update on 2024-10-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

It also comes with various attachments for your smoothie to-go cup. Nutribullet provides two lids, two lip rings, and handle attachment, and your own recipe book! This is also dishwasher safe, so you don’t have to worry about cutting yourself accidentally in its stainless-steel blades. 

Vitamix 5200 Professional Blender

From the blender royalty, Vitamix is the 5200 Professional Blender. This high-end blender offers 10-speed options to give you a wide variety of textures, plus a pulse feature.

Last update on 2024-10-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The 64 oz container is more than enough to serve a family’s worth of smoothies without having to make a second batch. It has precise, laser-cut blades that stay sharp through the years. It’s also responsible for creating friction enough to heat up cold or room temperature food to steaming hot soup in less than 10 minutes!

Ninja BL660 Professional Countertop Blender

This is one heck of a monster blender! It’s got not 4, but 6 blades! It is powered by an 1100-watt motor and has 3 different speeds, a pulse button, and a single-serve button. It comes with a giant 72 oz pitcher so you can make a good smoothie for the whole family in one big batch. 

Last update on 2024-10-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

You can also make single-serve smoothies with this blender. It comes with two 16 oz Nutri Ninja cups that have their own lids so you can take them to go if you’re taking it with you on a jog or on your way to work.

What Do You Look Out For In A Good Smoothie Blender?

Getting a proper blender is definitely the first and most important step when you’re trying to get started with a smoothie diet. But with thousands of blenders in the market promising all kinds of features, how do you pick the one that’s right for you? 

The products on this list are chosen based on these factors: power, blades, size, speed options, pitcher material, ease of cleaning, and price. They have all performed exceptionally well for their price point.

Power – When making smoothies, you will need a blender with a motor that’s powerful enough to cut through ice cubes and frozen fruits and vegetables. This is so that you get that velvety, creamy consistency that smoothies have. 

In this case, the higher the wattage and horsepower of the blender, the finer result you get. Needless to say, these high-powered blenders often come with a hefty price tag. But if you’re committed to going through a smoothie diet, this will eventually save you more money and time.

Blades – Blender blades are usually made of stainless steel. Contrary to popular belief, sharper blades do not make better-performing blenders. They will eventually dull over time. You need to go with a blender that has a durable, sturdy blade that lasts over years. Not necessarily super sharp, but rather, have strong blades that can cut through tough ingredients without chipping. This also makes the blender easier and safer to clean.

Size – This is where you need to decide who are you making the smoothie for and how much do you need to make per day? If it’s just for you, you can go with a personal blender. This type of blender can usually make up to 2 cups of smoothies. Then we have our conventional blenders. They are the ones we’re used to seeing in family homes as they can process up to 6 cups of content. 

Pitcher Material – This comes down to two things: Glass vs Plastic. Each has its own share of pros and cons. Glass is easier to clean as stains and odors will not to it like they would with plastic pitchers. You will need to take extra care of the glass pitcher though since it’s heavier and can chip or shatter when dropped accidentally.

Ease of Cleaning – Other than the pitcher itself, you should also take into consideration how you can clean the rest of the blender. Some advanced models do have a self-cleaning option where you just put water and mild dish soap then run it on high speed and it cleans itself. As with personal blenders and other models that do not have self-cleaning, it must be dishwasher safe. 

Price – How much are you willing to spend on your smoothie blender? For me, it boils down to how much you will use it. If you plan on incorporating smoothies in your daily diet, or if you have other use for the blender then it’s best to invest in a top tier model.  

Vitamix 5200 Professional Blender – Best Overall

The Vitamix 5200 is one amazing proof of how seriously this high-end brand takes its quality. It may look like your regular blender with its classic beauty, but don’t be fooled! This blender is powered by a sturdy cool-running motor that’s about 1400 watts and 2 horsepower. 

Last update on 2024-10-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The 5200 also boasts of hardened, premium quality stainless-steel blades. These blades combined with its cool-running motor can turn tough to chop fruits and vegetables into a satisfyingly creamy smoothie effortlessly. It also has 10-speed options and a High and Variable switch. With its blades speed fast enough, this blender can make you a steaming hot soup in under 10 minutes. Learn more about this fascinating blender in a thorough review I made here. 

Pros:

• The multi-speed option makes it extremely versatile
• Premium blades backed up by a powerful motor allows it to break through the toughest ingredients with ease
• The machine is easy to operate with straightforward controls 

Cons:

• It has fixed blades and is not dishwasher safe. However, the machine can clean itself easily. All you must do is mix a little water with mild dish soap and leave the machine on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• It costs higher than an average household blender. This is understandable and something you can expect from a blender with a quality like this one. With everything the 5200 has to offer, it is well worth the price.

Oster BLSTPB-WPK Blender – Best Budget Blender For Smoothies

The Oster My Blend is the best budget to-go blender for any specific smoothie diet need. This inexpensive personal blender can make you a smoothie directly into the 20 oz BPA sports bottle that it comes with. It’s also very easy to use, fill it up with your choice of fruits or protein shake, some ice cubes then attach it to the base and blend.

Last update on 2024-10-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

When it’s done, just flip it and untwist then replace it with the to-go lid. You can now take it for your early morning run or drive to work. After you down your smoothie, you can easily clean it up since its dishwasher safe and use it as a water bottle. It even comes in four vibrant colors to choose from!

Pros:

• It’s convenient how it directly blends in the sport bottle, which means fewer dishes to wash!
• It’s inexpensive yet it works amazing as a smoothie blender. 

Cons:

• It only has a 400-watt power. However, if you only need a basic smoothie blender, this does the job exceptionally great for its price!
• Some reviews mention that it leaks with the to-go lid. This can be fixed by ensuring that the lid is securely put in place.

Cleanblend Commercial Blender – Best Blender For Smoothies With Ice

I can confidently say this is one of the best blenders you can get in its price range. The Cleanblend Commercial Blender comes with 3 horsepower, 1800-watt motor. But wait, there’s more! It has variable speed functions, and not four, but an 8 stainless steel blade system.  

Last update on 2024-10-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This is the blender that other blenders should fear. It is versatile enough that it can easily replace other kitchen tools. The Cleanblend Commercial Blender can make you crushed ice in a breeze. It can also make soup, sauces, nut butter, and a lot more. 

Pros:

• This blender is multi-functional yet very affordable compared to other brands or models with these many features.
• It comes with a 64 oz BPA free container big enough for you to make a family-sized serving of soup or smoothie.

Cons:

• It’s a chunky piece of equipment and takes up a lot of space. But then considering that this blender can do multiple tasks that can replace other tools, you can free up space for it.
• The blender tends to move around while processing food. It’s not much of an issue considering how well it works for its price, putting it on top of a towel while it blends keeps it in place.

NutriBullet Blender Combo – Best Blender For Green Smoothies

The NutriBullet Blender gives you the best of both worlds! It comes with both a 64 oz pitcher and two single-serve cups. One is 32 oz and the other is 24 oz, both of which have their own to-go lids. The versatile containers paired with a 1200-watt motor allows this blender to serve different functions.

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You can use it to make the best green smoothies, either for your whole family or your own workout drink! It even has its own preset on the blender. Press the extract button and it will make you a perfect smoothie! The also blender has 3-speed options and a pulse button. It can also be used to make salsa, nut butter, and even soup.

Pros:

• It has suction cups to keep it place while blending. This means you don’t have to worry about it falling off the counter while it’s making your smoothie.
• It is versatile with it’s 3 different container sizes. This means you can make a serving specific to your need. May it be for family, you and the hubby, or single-serve.

Cons:

• The blender can be quite loud. This is something that comes with a powerful motor. To lessen the noise, put a towel underneath it while it’s processing.
• The blades are not dishwasher safe. To clean this, you can simply remove the Extractor blades by twisting it. Then wash with soap and water.

NutriBullet Pro – Best Blender For Kale

The Nutribullet Pro has a 900-watt motor that is extra powerful considering this is a personal smoothie blender. This makes it best for making green smoothies, especially with stubborn greens like kale. The stainless-steel blades exert cyclonic action that allows it to break up the ingredients resulting in a silky-smooth drink without chunks of greens.

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The blender comes with two 32 oz cups with their own to-go lids plus lip rings with a handle. It’s stylish that you won’t mind taking it with you outside. You also get a free recipe book! This is secured by a 1-year Limited Warranty.

Pros:

• The containers are easy to clean, you can just rinse them off and put them in the dishwasher. While the blades can be twisted off of the base and rinsed off with soap and water.
• It has 11 colors to choose from and has complete attachments for a to-go cup. It has a stylish modern design, so it looks good to be carried around.

Cons:

• Reviewers say it can be quite loud. Again, thanks to its powerful 900-watt motor. Nothing that can’t be helped by a trusty towel underneath the base to lessen the noise.
• The lid can be difficult to remove. This is because it was designed to be tight in order to avoid leaks.

Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender – Best Blender For Frozen Fruit

Another premium blender from Vitamix is the E310 Explorian Blender. It has a powerful motor and aircraft-grade stainless steel blades. This makes blending frozen fruits for your smoothies as easy as pie. It also comes with 10-speed options, giving you different textures that your dishes need. The pulse switch also helps you make a hearty soup, different sauces, or purees.

Last update on 2024-10-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

No need to worry about overheating because this premium blender comes with a cooling fan and a thermal protection system. This helps your blender stay cool to touch and keep it from burning it’s motor while making your favorite smoothie.

Pros:

• The 48 oz container allows you to make family-sized smoothies, ice cream, sauces, or soup. It is just the right size for making a whole serving for our small family.
• It is self-cleaning, simply put water and a drop of soap then run it on high for 60 seconds. Hassle-free and I don’t have to spend a lot of time cleaning up.

Cons:

• It tends to move in place while blending. This one is easy to fix, you can either place it on top of a towel or gently hold it down since it has powerful motors you may only need 2 to 5 minutes and it has already completed the task.

Instant Ace Nova Cooking Blender – Best Blender For Pureeing

If you loved Instant Pot, you will love its sibling product, the Instant Ace Nova Cooking Blender! Yes, it is literally called a cooking blender. It also comes with different accessories – a strainer bag, food tamper, measuring cup with a tamper handle, and a cleaning brush.

Last update on 2024-10-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This is the most versatile blender you can find at this price point. It has hot and cold functions for making soup or frozen desserts. It has 9 different preset programs: smoothie, puree, crushed ice, frozen desserts, soup, nut/oat milk, rice milk, and soy milk, and pulse. It even has its own Keep Warm and Clean button too!

Pros:

• This blender comes with a 26,500 RPM power and a display screen to make it more convenient. The display screen shows what preset program it’s on, the remaining time it needs to process and the speed level it is currently set to.
• It comes with a free Instant Pot app compatible with both IOS and Android that gives you access to unlimited recipes. This helps especially with those who want to experiment using their newfound cooking blender.

Cons:

• The modern interface may be confusing to those who are not big into technology. However, after frequent use, one will find it convenient to have specific presets on the blender.
• It slightly struggles with larger chunks of ice or frozen fruit. Since this is a mid-range blender the motor power is not as strong as one from a high-end blender so it’s best to chop the ingredients into smaller sizes.

Ninja BL610 Professional Blender – Best Blender For Making Acai Bowls

One of Ninja’s highly rated blenders is the Ninja BL610 Professional Blender. This 1000-watt powered blender can crush ice and frozen fruits with ease. It has a 6-blade assembly, giving you smooth, creamy blends in a matter of seconds. Making it more convenient to put your breakfast acai bowls together.

Last update on 2024-10-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

It has 3 speed presets and a pulse option. The user-friendly interface makes this compatible for use with elderly people too. The Ninja BL610 has a sleek modern design that you won’t mind displaying it in your kitchen.

Pros:

• It comes with an oversized 72 oz pitcher, so no need to worry about several batches when making smoothies or frozen drinks for multiple people. 
• Easy to clean. The pitcher is dishwasher safe, so you just need to rinse them first in soap and water. Meanwhile, the base can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth.

Cons:

• The blender is limited to mediocre tasks befitted for its motor power which is still amazing for its price. This blender will last as long as you follow the instruction manual on its maintenance and limitation.
• The lid can be hard to put in place. The blender has small arrow indicators that helps you place it correctly.

Ninja BL660 Professional Countertop Blender – Best Large Smoothie Blender

This is the blender version of the saying “Go Big or Go Home”. It prides on its 72 oz pitcher that fits up to 9 cups. The pitcher comes with a safety lid that will refrain the machine from starting if not placed securely. You can also make single-serve smoothies in it’s two 16 oz jars, one for you and one for the hubby.

Last update on 2024-10-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

It is powered by a 1.5 HP, 1100-watt motor. The BL660 has 3-speed options, a pulse button, and a single-serve preset for the smaller containers. It can pulverize ice to fine snow in just a matter of seconds.

Pros:

• It has a removable blade hub and the pitcher is dishwasher safe. This makes cleaning it super easy. A simple rinse and parts with soap and water then place the body in the dishwasher to clean it completely. The base can simply be wiped with a damp cloth.
• The extra safety mechanism is an excellent touch. It saves you from a huge mess in case you accidentally start it with the lid not tightly secured.  

Cons:

• Since the motor is only 1100 watts, it is not the best at heavy tasks. If you need a more powerful blender, you can go with the Ninja BL770 Mega Kitchen Blender for a higher price.
• It is quite tall at 17” so it may be tricky to place it under the kitchen cabinets. However, it is compact enough to fit inside the cupboards if you detach the base from the pitcher and store them separately.

Based on the above factors, we came up with our top 3 recommendations: NutriBullet NB9 Pro, Vitamix 5200 Professional Blender, and Ninja BL660 Professional Countertop Blender. They exceeded expectations and have performed their tasks well. The biggest take is that they are well worth the price especially for the mid-range and high-end models since they are considered an investment for your kitchen.

The NutriBullet NB9 Pro will give you the watt power of a conventional blender for a fraction of the size and price. This is perfect if you’re always on-the-go since it is a travel-sized personal blender.

Meanwhile, the Ninja BL660 Professional Countertop Blender is best if you want a powerful mid-range blender that can do above average tasks. It has an amazing blade and motor combination that will let you make smoothies without any struggle.

And last but not least is the Vitamix 5200 Professional Blender. From one of the best brands known for their high quality, commercial-grade blender. It sure is an investment but I have it for about 2.5 years now and I never once regretted getting it. Every penny I spend on getting this premium blender is worth it.

This is the same guide I used to get my Vitamix 5200 Professional Blender. I like how versatile and heavy-duty it is. I do a lot of baking and cooking, especially during weekends and holidays. And so far, this blender hasn’t failed me once. I used it to make a dough, ice cream, steamed blender soup, A LOT of salsa, and our daily dose of smoothies.

Hopefully, this guide helps you pick out your new best friend too! Just like how I found mine. Remember to analyze your needs first so you can choose the perfect blender for you and your family. Much love, ciao! ♥