The Best Blenders

(Image credit: Wolf)

Cake batter. Fruit smoothies. Whipped cream. Pureed veggies. BBQ sauce. Specialty cocktails. What do these culinary concoctions have in common? They're all blended, of course!

The blender sure has come a long way. First introduced in the 1930s, this miracle invention (well, it used to be) has revolutionized how we prepare food at home; from chopped ice to secret sauces, blending stuff has become a staple of most modern homes.

Based on our research, the best blender is the Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender. It's super-powerful, delivers consistent results, and has a long warranty. The Vitamix isn't cheap, though. If you're on a budget, the best blender is the Ninja Professional Countertop Blender. It has a very powerful motor and comes with two 16-ounce to-go cups.

If you like to mix things up in the kitchen (or are just learning how to cook), you're probably in need of a blender. After all, a quality machine will cut down on food-prep time, allowing you to elevate your gourmet game. (And a good blender is essential for the perfect smoothie.) Just like any other home appliance, however, there are tons of options to choose from these days. 

Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender

Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender (Image credit: Vitamix)

Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender

Specifications

Size: 17.5 x 9.4 x 7.7 inches
Weight: 13 pounds
Output: 2.2 HP
Warranty: 7 years

Reasons to buy

+
The best blender overall

For anyone who puts in their time with a vegetable knife, the Vitamix brand is probably a familiar one. Their Professional Series 750 is immensely popular, and if you browse some of the latest reviews, it's easy to see why. The powerful 2.2 HP motor can crush ice or blend peanut butter in no time, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a better smoothie machine; no task is too big or too small, and noise is minimal. 

Users consistently report a silky-smooth blending experience with the 750, even for leafy greens; we'd largely attribute this to the laser-cut stainless-steel blades. The 64-ounce pitcher is perfect for family meals, and the 17.5-inch height is short enough to fit under most cabinets. (It's also easy to clean — no disassembly required.) This is a premium blender, to be sure, but with a massive seven-year warranty, you know Vitamix is in it for the long haul.

KitchenAid KHB2561OB 5-Speed Hand Blender

KitchenAid KHB2561OB 5-Speed Hand Blender (Image credit: KitchenAid)

KitchenAid KHB2561OB 5-Speed Hand Blender

Specifications

Size: 21 x 4.5 x 4.5 inches
Weight: 2 pounds
Output: 200 watts
Warranty: 1 year

Reasons to buy

+
Our favorite handheld blender

The KHB2561OB is a frequent favorite for aspiring chefs, and the rubberized grip is comfortable in hand; an 8-inch blending arm is perfect for reaching inside deeper pots. From crushing ice to frothing milk, whipping eggs, blending soups and emulsifying sauces, the KHB2561OB is surprisingly capable. A custom storage case makes it easy to slip everything into a drawer, making it ideal for those with tight kitchen spaces. 

What really puts this handheld blender ahead of the pack, however, is its versatility. With five speeds, three interchangeable blades and a useful whisk attachment, the KHB2561OB can easily transition from one chore to the next. It's more expensive than other blenders in this category (it's more of a blending accessory, really), but you'll absolutely get your money's worth.

Hamilton Beach Personal Blender

Hamilton Beach Personal Blender (Image credit: Hamilton Beach)

Hamilton Beach Personal Blender

Specifications

Size: 11.9 x 5.2 x 4.2 inches
Weight: 1.8 pounds
Output: 175 watts
Warranty: 1 year

Reasons to buy

+
Great for smoothies and shakes

This minuscule machine is perfect for smoothies and protein shakes. The 14-ounce blending jar comes with a travel lid for true mobility, and the dishwasher-safe components are easy to clean. Gymgoers will appreciate the design, and bargain-hunters will appreciate the price. (It also comes in five attractive colors.)

With only 175 watts under the hood, this blender isn't meant for gourmet chefs, nor is it pretending to be: The Hamilton Beach Personal Blender is for health-conscious jet-setters with dead-simple blending needs and limited counter space. One-touch blending is as simple as it gets.

Magic Bullet Blender

Magic Bullet Blender (Image credit: Magic Bullet)

Magic Bullet Blender

Specifications

Size: 13.2 x 10.6 x 6.9 inches
Weight: 4.7 pounds
Output: 200 watts
Warranty: 1 year

Reasons to buy

+
A superior choice for athletes

It chops! It grinds! It whips! It blends! It's the Magic Bullet Blender. The 250-watt motor is powerful enough to handle the heartiest of protein shakes, and the portable, cylindrical blending cups are great for the gym. They're also super easy to clean. Regulating your diet has never been easier.

The Magic Bullet/NutriBullet brand is recommended by health and fitness gurus across the board. This trendy blender is ideal for those with busy lifestyles, modest mixing needs and minimal counter space. It's a unique design that's uniquely practical, too.

KitchenAid KSB1570ER 5-Speed Blender

KitchenAid KSB1570ER 5-Speed Blender (Image credit: KitchenAid)

KitchenAid KSB1570ER 5-Speed Blender

Specifications

Size: 16.3 x 9 x 8.5 inches
Weight: 10 pounds
Output: N/A
Warranty: 1 year

Reasons to buy

+
Very easy to use

For a small price, this countertop blender can handle most blending chores. The Soft Start feature pulls food into the blades before increasing speed, which makes food prep more efficient. The die-cast metal base is sturdy and attractive, and the BPA-free pitcher is easy to clean. There are five speeds, in addition to a "crush ice" and pulse mode; Intelli-Speed Motor Control senses blender contents to maintain consistent performance.

No frills? No problem. This blender does the basics, and does them well — at a gift-friendly price, no less.

Ninja Professional Countertop Blender (BL660)

Ninja Professional Countertop Blender (BL660) (Image credit: Ninja)

Ninja Professional Countertop Blender (BL660)

Specifications

Size: 17 x 8 x 6 inches
Weight: 10.9 pounds
Output: 1,100 watts
Warranty: 1 year

Reasons to buy

+
Pro power on a budget

The Ninja brand has been around for some time, and the BL660 is a consistent favorite among culinary enthusiasts. Smoothies, sauces and milkshakes are no match for the Ninja, and the 72-ounce pitcher is big enough to make dessert for the whole family. Unlike the cheaper models on our list, the BL660 boasts a 1,100-watt motor that's tough enough to power through whole fruits, vegetables, seeds, and stems; it'll turn ice to snow in a matter of seconds.

The sharp blades are tricky to assemble and clean (according to some reviews), but that's a small price to pay for silky-smooth concoctions in your dojo. We just wish it came with a longer warranty.

Wolf Gourmet High-Performance Blender (WGBL100S)

Wolf Gourmet High-Performance Blender (WGBL100S) (Image credit: Wolf)

Wolf Gourmet High-Performance Blender (WGBL100S)

Specifications

Size: 20.2 x 9 x 7.5 inches
Weight: 15.9 pounds
Output: 2.4 HP
Warranty: 5 years

Reasons to buy

+
Made for aspiring chefs

With a professional stainless-steel design and an array of blending capabilities, it's no wonder this high-performance blender turns heads. Boasting 2.4 horsepower, its blades spin up to a dizzying 210 mph; the WGBL100S can annihilate even the hardiest fruits and veggies in mere seconds. (And according to some reviews, it's a lot quieter than it looks.) Apples, carrots, celery, frozen fruit: nothing stands a chance. You can even make hot soup in just a few minutes — right from the blending jar. 

There are four preset modes: smoothie, ice crush, puree, and soup. The LCD panel provides continuous feedback on blending speed, elapsed time and user settings. At nearly 16 pounds, the WGBL100S is larger than some competitors, but if you've got the space for it, you won't regret this purchase. 

TJ Fink
Contributing Editor

As a freelance journalist, TJ has over a decade of multi-medium storytelling under his belt. Leveraging a quarter century of collective coddiwompling amid the ever-evolving landscape of wireless gadgetry, his unique editorial background allows him to explore a variety of tech-centric subsectors on this fascinating planet. When he's not field testing new gear in the Catskills, Adirondacks, or an actual field, he can be found sipping Negronis in his living room and crafting Dr. Seussian poetry inside a tattered moleskin.