5 Best Blenders for Home Use

A blender is an essential part of the kitchen for professional chefs as well as for those of us who cook for a hobby and for everyday cookery. There are many blenders models on the market, and these range from a basic machine to one with high-tech functions and consequently these are available in a range of prices.

A quality blender changes ingredients into creamy, silky textures such as smoothies or they make other mixtures lump free.

We will help you to find your way to the most efficient standing blender for your requirements. We will outline ease of use, designs, jug sizes, volume capacity as well as speed and functionality.

• Best overall – Ninja BN801 Professional Plus Kitchen System with Auto-iQ
• Best professional – Vitamix 5200 Blender Professional-Grade, Self-Cleaning 64 oz Container
• Best compact – NutriBullet NBR-0601 Nutrient Extractor, 600W
• Best large capacity –  Ninja BL770 Mega Kitchen System and Blender 
• Best budget – Hamilton Beach Power Elite Blender with 12 Functions

Things to check before buying a blender

Blades

Blades need to be strong. Unlike good knives, blades are usually not too sharp, but they should stand the test of time and perform well to smooth all ingredients. Blades should be safe and easy to clean. 

Size

Size does matter! If you have enough countertop space, you can opt for a steady, bigger model with a design that fits your kitchen. If you are working with a limited amount of space it is better to look for a smaller lightweight model that is easy to store.

Material

Blenders come with glass or plastic jugs. Plastic tends to be the most common, but they are more expensive as they are lighter, shatter proof and they withstand the high speed of the blades. If you prefer a glass jug, choose one that has been thermal shock tested. Glass jugs also don’t stain as easily, and they won’t retain odours.

Power

Blengers are available from powers of 600 to 1500 Watts and the higher the wattage, the bigger the blender will be. 

Professional kitchens which rely heavily on blenders need the bigger, industrial, stronger motors which work faster and produce finer results. These blenders usually also handle hot ingredients.

Most home cooks can do with less powerful blenders that still produce great smoothies, foods and dips.

Speed

Multiple speeds and pulse options are available on most blenders. Some models also come with additional settings which are pre-set specific speeds. 

Cleaning

Professional blenders can self-clean effectively, but home use blenders usually have jugs that can be detached from the electric motor and are dishwasher safe. You can choose to wash the jugs by hand but always be careful with the blades.

Our selection of blenders

1. Best overall – Ninja BN801 Professional Plus Kitchen System with Auto-iQ

This blender functions also as food processor. The 1400 Watt power means that ice can be crushed easily with these blades. 

The pitcher or jug can hold up to 64 oz of liquid and is perfect to prepare big batches. The single-serve cups with spout lids make it easy to make smoothies to go.

There are 5 preset auto programs for smoothies, frozen drinks, chopped mixtures and dough mixing. All necessary pitchers, jugs and bowls are delivered together with a chopping blade and a dough blade. 

Everything is well explained in the instruction booklet and starter guide.  

Related: Best standmixers for your kitchen

2. Best professional – Vitamix 5200 Blender Professional-Grade, Self-Cleaning 64 oz Container

This machine gives you complete control to easily adjust speed dials that can be rotated at any point during the blend. The blades in the Vitamix container reach speeds fast enough to create friction heat, and warm up cold ingredients in about six minutes.

The self-cleaning function takes a maximum of 1 minute. Add a drop of dish soap and warm water, turn it on and the cleaning is done!

The best thing besides being a good professional blender is the 7- year full warranty.

3. Best compact – NutriBullet NBR-0601 Nutrient Extractor, 600W

The NutriBullet is not just a blender but is the fastest, easiest solution to make smoothies. Although it has only this one function to liquidize whole foods it is the most compact blender which is safe and easy to clean by twisting off the blade, rinsing with soap and water, and putting the cups in the dishwasher. 

4. Best large capacity –  Ninja BL770 Mega Kitchen System and Blender 

The powerful motor of 1500 Watts will pulverise ice, even if using large batches. The food processor bowl can hold up to 8 cups while the chopping still remains good. It can also make up to 2 pounds of dough.

As most blenders of the Ninja brand it comes with cups with to go lids that are dishwasher safe, and all cups,jugs, pitchers and bowls are BPA free.

Related: Quietest kitchen appliances

5. Best budget – Hamilton Beach Power Elite Blender with 12 Functions

This is the cheapest blender on the market with an acceptable performance. It functions best to make smoothies but because of the lower 700 watt power we recommend to blend only small batches of soft nuts and other ingredients. 

You can easily take it apart for cleaning and the jugs, blades and the lid are dishwasher safe. Just be careful when taking it apart as some people have mentioned having problems. Luckily, Hamilton has a good after sales service and usually replaces pieces during the warranty period.