Smoothies are one of the best ways you can hit your nutrition goals: they're fast, portable and you can determine exactly what goes into them. I've been drinking them off and on for years, but I finally decided that 2026 was the year I'd take it more seriously.
I'd much rather slurp a delicious smoothie than throw some whey into one of the best protein shakers and drink chocolate-flavored water.
After speaking to some of my Tom's Guide colleagues about their experiences testing the best blenders, I decided the Nutribullet Ultra 1200 could be the silver...er...bullet to finally get my smoothie game on point. And yes, it's the one with the McLaren Formula 1 team's papaya colorway.
I'm not just looking to replace the odd breakfast with a smoothie (I recommend oatmeal, peanut butter and banana with a dash of honey) but use them to increase my protein intake between meals and stop snacking late at night.
I'd much rather slurp a delicious smoothie than throw some whey into one of the best protein shakers and drink chocolate-flavored water with lumps floating in it.
The upgrade
I wish I could tell you that some careful research and planning went into my OG blender purchase, but the truth is, it was about thirty bucks and a spontaneous purchase from a budget store months ago.
I've long since thrown away the box, but I managed to track down the model online. It's a "Blaupunkt Stainless Steel 1.5 litre Glass Jug Blender". It's got a 4-point stainless steel blade and five variable speed settings, including a pulse option. There's 600W of power and a 1.5 litre (52oz) capacity.
The Nutribullet Ultra 1200, by comparison, has a 32oz capacity and double the power at 1,200W. It's also quite a lot more expensive at £129/$129. But after just a few days of use, it became clear to me that extra hundred makes a world of difference.
A big difference
The biggest, and perhaps least scientific benefit I've found to using the Nutribullet over my old blender was how much easier it is to clean. There are only two parts to the Nutribullet: the blades and the cup. My other blender is bigger, heavier and splits into more pieces — all of which adds up to more cleaning. And yes, I know I could put them into the dishwasher but that's not the point.
With the Nutribullet, I can spin up one type of smoothie and pour it into another container, rinse and wash the components and be ready to make a second type in about half the time of my older blender. When you're (constantly) in a hurry, any time saved is a benefit.
In fact, everything about this blender is faster. It's got a 6-point titanium-coated extractor blade rather than a 4-point one and while it doesn't have multiple speed settings, it has a pulse button that I can use if I need to. Which, most of the time, I don't. Nutribullet's blades come with a 5-year limited warranty, which is not something you get with a $30 no-brand purchase.
It's also quieter. The Nutribullet Ultra 1200 is the most powerful in the brand's range, and the noise level is measured at 87dB which is loud — you can't stand next to it in action and have a conversation — but quieter than my Blaupunkt that measured 94dB when I tested it.
Finally, the plastic Nutribullet cup doubles up as a shaker, too. So I can just pull it off the top of the blender, slap the lid on and go. If I'm not making anything else and just need to blend and go, I don't need to pour out into something else. If you're anything like me, you'll appreciate this too. It's a bit of a bummer I don't have a handle but this one came with a 32oz cup and a 24oz cup. If you're in the U.S., you'll get a 24oz handled cup so you won't have to worry about that.
Should you bite the (Nutri)bullet?
When I see the Nutribullet sitting their on the kitchen counter every day, it makes me want to use it.
Part of the reason I wanted to start using the Nutribullet was to make smoothies a part of my nutrition plan, rather than just as an afterthought. It shouldn't take a luxury purchase to do this but in my case it's worked. When I see the Nutribullet sitting there on the kitchen counter every day, it makes me want to use it. I want to find new recipes and put the tech through its paces.
And every time I do use it, I come away feeling like the extra $100 is giving me value. It's quicker, quieter, cleaner and better than the $30 machine I'd been getting along with. I understand that for a lot of people, $100 is big investment and I'd caution it's only worth making such a payment if you plan to use it regularly. For context, the Nutribullet 600 (which Tom's Guide hasn't tested) is $79 / £69, and the Nutribullet 900, which we gave a 4.5-star review, is $109 / £89.
If a blender upgrade is on your list of purchases for 2026 then let me know in the comments below what you plan to go for. And, more importantly, any good smoothie recipes that you swear by.
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