By Brittany Rowland
As we chose our top 10 blenders, we had several considerations in mind, such as:

1. Blending jar capacity and material
2. Sturdiness of construction
3. Ease of use and cleaning
4. Number of controls, preprogrammed settings, and pulse option
5. Noisiness
6. How easily it crushes ices and large food items
7. Resistance to leaks and spills

The best blenders have a motor powerful enough to chop and pulverize tough foods quickly without overheating or producing an odor. The containers should be strong enough to resist cracking or scratching but lightweight enough to hold and pour easily. The best blades are stainless steel, which cut through ice easily and don’t rust or become dull. If you know what you expect from a blender and how much you plan to use it, you can find a model with the right capacity and functions to suit your needs. See the blender comparison and ratings below with a link to the full review of each.

Blenders Buying Guide

What Features To Look For in a Blender

A blender is a wonderful modern convenience, an appliance that instantly mixes, chops, grinds, and purees various foods into a smooth blend. For the health-conscious and people who like quick, easy recipes, a blender is a real boon. Never has it been easier to make a delicious and nutritious smoothie of fresh fruits or vegetables. It makes getting kids to eat their veggies easier, too.

A blender’s purpose doesn’t end with smoothies or milkshakes, either. You can mix together soups, cheese dips, sauces, salad dressings, and more. With a little creativity and daring, you can spice up those drab leftovers, use up those odd items in the refrigerator, and save on eating out.

While a blender can save you a lot of time and effort in the kitchen, it’s important to pick a high-quality model that will perform its blending duties well, hold up over a long period of steady use, and not be too difficult to keep clean. There are all kinds of blenders on the market with various features, some running hundreds of dollars and others as low as 20 bucks. It’s up to you to consider the features you really need in a blender to make it perform the way you want and figure out how much you’re willing to spend. Here’s a beginner’s guide to the most important features you should look for in a blender.

Container Size

How large is your family, and do you intend to make large portions of fruit mixes, soup, or sauces for friends or company? There are blenders that feature large-capacity blending containers, some as big as 32, 64, or even 96 ounces. These are capacious enough to hold entire quarts of food mixes.

On the other hand, if you’re just one person and you’re looking for something simple and small to make single-serve fruit smoothies or milkshakes, there are personal blender models as small as 14 ounces designed just for that purpose.

Removable Blade

Cleaning your blender will be a fairly regular task. Often you can simply pour in some hot water and a little soap, run the blender, and then rinse it out for a quick, easy clean. However, it’s also good to give the blender a more thorough washing periodically. Food and gunk can get trapped beneath the blades otherwise, leading to bad smells and bacteria growth. Being able to remove the blades makes cleaning the container incredibly easier. If that’s not possible, then make sure the blender pitcher is safe to go in the dishwasher so it can be cleaned and sanitized.

Speed

Some high-end blender models offer multiple speeds, which can be very convenient and versatile. However, don’t pay too much extra for such features unless you really need them. Blenders with two to three speeds, from low to high, are just as effective at getting the job done and won’t cost an arm and a leg.

Jar Material and Shape

The blending jar’s shape affects how well it churns food. A tapered container will create a better vortex that pulls food down toward the blades and back up again, leaving no parts unmixed. The container’s material will determine how well it holds up over time. Plastic ones are generally less durable; they can scratch easily and develop odors or discoloration. Glass is more solid, but also heavier and prone to breaking if it’s accidentally dropped. A material called polycarbonate seems to be the happy medium: It’s lighter than glass but sturdy and shatterproof.

Console

As you’re browsing through possible blender choices, take a look at the buttons on the console. Do they look simple to use or unnecessarily complicated? Remember that buttons can get food crumbs stuck in the cracks, so consider a model with touchpads or dials to set the controls.

Pulse

The pulse button on a blender is your friend. It delivers fast, effective results in light bursts, which prevents your food from becoming mushier than you want it. The pulse feature is also great for crushing ice.

Noise

It seems that many of the models with the most powerful motors also have the loudest operation. You may feel that noisiness is only to be expected from a blender and not that big a deal, but to be fair you don’t want an ear-piercing model, either. You don’t want to pay for an expensive model only to not use it to its full potential because the decibel level is too obnoxious. Sound enclosures are available to help muffle the shrill noise, but those can be pricey, too.

Attractiveness

If the blender is particularly large and bulky, it will probably become a permanent fixture on your countertop, too large or too cumbersome to fit in a cabinet. If that’s the case, then be sure that it has a visually appealing style and matches the colors and design of your kitchen. Some brands even offer fun bright colors like red and blue to add some pizazz to your décor.

Cost

Do your homework before springing for the priciest model at the store. Read customer reviews to get an idea of how well a model performs and consider the mid-range blenders that offer a lot of value for a more reasonable price.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Featured Blender Articles

A Blender Brand Comparison: Vitamix Vs. Blendtec

Two of the biggest brand names when it comes to blenders are Vitamix and Blendtec. The reason these two brands are also the most expensive is because they offer such versatility and performance. Not only can their blenders crush ice and make smoothies, but they are equipped to prepare complicated sauces and soups… [more]

Getting the Most Out of Your Blender: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After buying a quality blender, you want to make sure you get the most out of it. Don’t just let it collect dust on the countertop or, worse, lie forgotten in a cabinet. You don’t have to be a master chef to make amazing mixtures with this appliance, and there … [more]

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Two of the biggest brand names when it comes to blenders are Vitamix and Blendtec. The reason these two brands are also the most expensive is because they offer such versatility and performance. Not only can their blenders crush ice and make smoothies, but they are equipped to prepare complicated sauces and soups. The powerful blades create enough friction to heat these dishes up without a microwave or stove!

Because Vitamix and Blendtec are the top competing brands, it’s valuable to compare some of their finer points and features.

Vitamix

Supplying blenders at the highest end of the price spectrum, up to $600, Vitamix models are suitable for commercial use as well as in your home. Some of their obvious benefits come down to size, power, and control options. Consider the following facts:

• Vitamix blenders typically feature an extra-large blending jar of 64 ounces, or half a gallon. That’s more than enough space to mix up large portions of soups, sauces, smoothies, and dressings.
• The horsepower of Vitamix motors is staggering. With a 2 HP motor, a blender’s blades can reach up to 29,000 rpm, which is fast enough to pulverize anything that comes in its path.
• Vitamix blenders have preprogrammed settings that automatically get the best blending results for soups, smoothies, and frozen treats. These one-touch controls take the guesswork out of preparing the most popular blended dishes.

Additional bonus features typically include a recipe book and a DVD with instructions and tips. A 7-year warranty guarantees your satisfaction with the appliance.

Of course, there are always a couple downsides to any product. With such a powerful motor, for instance, a Vitamix blender is very loud at the highest speed setting. While this is an aggravating element, it thankfully doesn’t last long because the blender mixes foods so quickly. The newest models are also quite large and too tall to fit under low-hanging cabinets. You may have to store it in a cabinet or leave the jar sitting next to the base.

Blendtec

Blendtec blenders are also expensive, generally in the $500 range, but they offer so many purposes and functions to justify the high cost. Professional chefs appreciate the series’ features, as do amateur gourmands at home. Blendtec’s primary attributes are durability, power, and precision. For instance:

• With strong, durable stainless steel blades, Blendtec blenders can grind hard stuff like coffee beans and ice without wearing down over time.
• At the same time, the blenders can handle the precise control needed to make fine gourmet soups and sauces.
• Functioning as food processors as well as blenders with 1,500-watt motors and 10 speeds, Blendtec models are even capable of kneading dough.

Some models, like the Blendtec TB-621-20, have the additional bonus of an automatic shut-off feature that stops the blades when the preprogrammed cycle is complete. This feature gives you the freedom to move around the kitchen instead of hovering over the blender while it works. Blendtec blenders also come with a recipe book, user instructions, and three-year warranties.

As with Vitamix, the Blendtec models have such powerful motors that they also make an incredible roar. This factor could pose a problem if you like to entertain at night or have sleeping family members nearby. However, you can’t discount the Blendtec series’ impressive ability to grind, pulverize, and liquefy nearly anything.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Related Articles

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After buying a quality blender, you want to make sure you get the most out of it. Don’t just let it collect dust on the countertop or, worse, lie forgotten in a cabinet. You don’t have to be a master chef to make amazing mixtures with this appliance, and there are several simple and quick ways to incorporate the blender into your daily kitchen routine…[more]

Top 10 Blenders

As we chose our top 10 blenders, we had several considerations in mind, such as: 1. Blending jar capacity and material, 2. Sturdiness of construction, 3. Ease of use and cleaning, 4. Number of controls, preprogrammed settings, and pulse option, 5. Noisiness, 6. How easily it crushes ices and large food items, and 7. Resistance to leaks and spills. The best blenders have a motor … [more]

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We found that the best food processors possess some important factors and convenient features, including: 1. Durable stainless steel blades that won’t wear down or become dull, 2. Easy to disassemble parts that are safe for the dishwasher, 3. A sturdy base that … [more]

Top 10 Juicers

There are several different types of juicers that handle different functions. Centrifugal juicers are the most common and range from $50 to $200. Masticating juicers are quieter, heavier, and more expensive, typically running up to $350. Some of the most expensive juice … [more]

After buying a quality blender, you want to make sure you get the most out of it. Don’t just let it collect dust on the countertop or, worse, lie forgotten in a cabinet. You don’t have to be a master chef to make amazing mixtures with this appliance, and there are several simple and quick ways to incorporate the blender into your daily kitchen routine.

Breakfast

• Grind your own coffee beans for the freshest taste. It’s cheaper than buying them pre-ground at the store, too.
• Start off the day with a burst of energy by mixing a fruit smoothie for breakfast. Fresh bananas and strawberries blended with yogurt and orange juice make a delicious and healthy treat.

Lunch

• There are a variety of soups you can whip up easily, including soups that can be served cold, like Gazpacho. Whether you like creamy or thick soup, a blender makes mixing the ingredients together simple and keeps all the juices and flavors intact.
• Dress up salads and sandwiches with homemade mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, vegetable spreads, and salad dressings.

Dinner

• Blenders are also good at grinding spices and maintaining their full flavor. Try processing whole garlic, peppercorn, and mustard seeds for an extra kick in your sauces or dressings.
• There are numerous online recipes for simple pies and mousses that can be quickly pureed in the blender and then chilled for dessert.
• Of course, everyone enjoys a mixed drink or a milkshake as an after-dinner treat. Whether it’s a fruit juice mix for the kids or margaritas for the grown-ups, the blender makes short work of ice.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Related Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Blenders

As we chose our top 10 blenders, we had several considerations in mind, such as: 1. Blending jar capacity and material, 2. Sturdiness of construction, 3. Ease of use and cleaning, 4. Number of controls, preprogrammed settings, and pulse option, 5. Noisiness, 6. How easily it crushes ices and large food items, and 7. Resistance to leaks and spills. The best blenders have a motor … [more]

Top 10 Food Processors

We found that the best food processors possess some important factors and convenient features, including: 1. Durable stainless steel blades that won’t wear down or become dull, 2. Easy to disassemble parts that are safe for the dishwasher, 3. A sturdy base that … [more]

Top 10 Juicers

There are several different types of juicers that handle different functions. Centrifugal juicers are the most common and range from $50 to $200. Masticating juicers are quieter, heavier, and more expensive, typically running up to $350. Some of the most expensive juice … [more]

By Brittany Rowland

An attractively retro professional bar blender in cool green, the Waring PBB212 rests on a circular, sturdy metal base. The design looks sophisticated and eye-catching, and the blending power is strong to match. Smooth-running and easy to operate with just two speeds determined by a simple switch, the blender includes a one-ounce measuring cap for adding additional ingredients as you make soups, smoothies, or other treats. Taking it apart is easy, too, given that the jar lifts off the base without a cumbersome locking feature. Most of the time, you can simply mix some hot soapy water in the blender for a quick clean. For just $95.04, this Waring blender packs a lot of value into an attractive package.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

An inexpensive blender that nevertheless delivers fine mixing and crushing performance, this Oster model has a powerful motor and sharp stainless steel blades that cut ice as fine as snow. Its sturdy metal construction looks certain to hold up well over the years, and the large glass blending jar washes in the dishwasher and can go from hot to cold temperatures quickly without shattering. Compared to blenders with similar motor power, this Oster blender isn’t horribly loud, either. Sleek and simple in design but more than satisfactory in performance, we were impressed with this model.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

Another powerful blender from Blendtec with an astounding 96-ounce pitcher, this model holds up to three quarts of whatever you want to mix in it: soups, dressings, smoothies, milkshakes, etc. Its preprogrammed cycles make it easy to get the best mixing results for whatever you’re blending. Also, the square blending jar truly stands out and pours better than the regular round kind. With so much horsepower, this blender is going to be really noisy at the highest setting, but thankfully it pulverizes food quickly. For $474.95, the Blendtec WildSide blender won’t disappoint with its strong performance.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

Available in a variety of fun splashy colors, from tangerine orange to watermelon to raspberry ice, this 5-speed blender from KitchenAid blends, purees, grinds, and crushes effectively with its 550-watt motor. The controls are clearly labeled and simple to operate, and the BPA-free plastic jar, shatterproof if it’s dropped, is lighter than glass and easy for even children to wield. I liked the tuck-away cord feature, which makes for a tidier look on the counter. Cleaning it is also hassle-free because the jar is safe to throw in the dishwasher and doesn’t have a lot of tiny crevices that collect food. Overall, the KitchenAid KSB1575ER delivers excellent performance for just $149.99.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

If you enjoy your daily smoothie or power drink and don’t have the need for a heavy-duty, behemoth blender, then you’ll appreciate this personal blender from Hamilton Beach. The 14-ounce blending jar, big enough to hold a large drink, transforms into a convenient portable cup you can take with you on the go. It even fits in most car cup holders. The universal lid snaps tight into place to prevent spills and leaks. One of the simplest machines to use and clean, this blender has just one button that works best when you pulse it. For only $17.15, you can’t go wrong with this personal blender that makes mixing smoothies and milkshakes a breeze. .

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

Like many heavy-duty blenders on the market today, this Vitamix model is loud on the highest setting, but it almost doesn’t matter because it thoroughly mixes food in just a minute or two with the 2+ horsepower motor. The jar’s design creates a vortex that pulls food down to the blades and back up again, leaving no parts untouched. Ice is no match for the laser-cut stainless steel blades, which don’t rust or become dull over time. As an added safety feature, the blender automatically shuts off if the motor becomes overheated from an overloaded container. At $498, this Vitamix blender is a serious player.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

A sleek stainless steel blender like the kind found in bars, this Waring model has a modern, sophisticated appeal and a powerful, effective motor to go with it. Its two speeds handle all your mixing, chopping, and pureeing needs. We were surprised by how quickly it ground up some ice. The 32-ounce container is smaller than some other competing models, but it’s adequate to hold enough for two tall drinks. The stainless steel construction is pleasantly durable and strong feeling, ensuring years of good use. Best of all, this Waring blender is available for only $128, making it a valuable purchase.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

A rugged die-cast metal base and clear copolymer container make this Cuisinart blender a very attractive countertop piece. More importantly, it effectively mixes, crushes, and pulses food in the powerful vortex that forms inside the capacious 64-ounce jar. The control panel is incredibly simple to use, with just the most important blender functions displayed in backlit buttons. We were pleased with how easy it is to clean this model, too. The blades are removable, but you can also blend some hot soapy water to get a good cleaning. Overall, for the reasonable price of $188, you’ll get a very effective and user-friendly blender.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

With a powerful 3 horsepower direct-drive motor, this Blendtec blender thoroughly blends and crushes food with stainless steel blades moving at 29,000 rpm. One of the most convenient features about this blender is that it automatically shuts off at the end of its preprogrammed cycles so you can leave the room while it’s running. An attractive black base and square polycarbonate jar make this a visually appealing model small enough to fit under most cabinets. While we were highly impressed with this Blendtec blender’s quick and thorough performance, we noted that it’s very noisy. However, for $434, it’s a superior model with impressive features.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

Blendtec Home Blender in Black – $401.99 Retail Price: $411.99 You Save: $10.00

By Brittany Rowland

With a sleek, brushed stainless steel finish that resists fingerprint smudges, this Vitamix blender is handsome enough to sit permanently on the countertop. Its powerful blades and horsepower motor can handle just about any food item you feel like blending, chopping, or pureeing. The durable copolyester container, a large-capacity jar of 64 ounces, withstands scratches and creates a vortex that pulls food down to the blades and back up again, getting an even mixture. With a convenient pulse feature and preset food options, the Vitamix 1710 is expensive at $598 but offers top-of-the-line performance.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices