Best Blenders for Smoothies, Soups, Crushing Ice, and More

Whether it’s a picky child who needs their vegetables hidden in a sauce, a power smoothie-obsessed gym rat, or just a really big fan of soup, there’s normally someone in your life who requires a blender. To find the right model for your blending needs, I’ve rounded up the best blenders out there.

Our top picks for the best blenders

How we chose the best blenders

These blenders were all selected in consultation with my panel of experts, to ensure I had the most appropriate model for every category based on functionality, looks, durability, and power. I also scoured customer reviews to ensure that everything on my list has been well-reviewed by buyers.

If you found this guide helpful, you may also like our guides to the best coffee makers, air fryers, and espresso machines.

What to consider when choosing a blender

Use

The first aspect to consider is what will you use the blender for? “You mainly want to consider the primary functions,” says Fahad Javaid, general manager, operations at Zanduco. “An immersion blender, for example, will not perform the same as a countertop blender. For the largest capacity, you want to look for countertop blenders, whereas if you’re doing more smoothies and salad dressings, you may be best suited with a personal bullet blender.”

Functionality

Especially if you’re using it every day, choose a blender that will perform reliably. “Durability is important, so look for sturdy materials and a good warranty,” advises April Marie, founder of The Curvy Italian sauce range. “You should also prioritize ease of cleaning, weight, and portability, while quieter models are preferable for noise reduction. Additional features like special attachments and safety measures like secure lids and non-slip bases enhance functionality and safety.”

Aesthetic

Unless you’re planning on keeping your brand new blender in a cupboard, choose something you like the look of, that goes well with the rest of your kitchen. “If the blender is going to share space with other stylistic choices you’ve made for your countertop, what it looks like is important,” opines multi-decade retail expert Hank Reinhart, founder of Sabâvi Home. “Your coffeemaker, your toaster, your kitchen door hardware, and your other appliances adjacent to your countertop are all going to be neighbors. And as neighbors, you should encourage them to all get along.”

Price

“Many high-end blenders can retail for as high as $600, and commercial models can creep into the thousands,” warns Javaid. “Unless you’re running a smoothie shop, you can likely find a suitable model for no more than $150.”

Types of blenders

Blenders generally fall into one of the following three categories.

Countertop

“These are your classic household models, which have the pitcher on a standalone electric motor, usually with anywhere from 30 ounces to 60 ounces in capacity,” explains Javaid. He adds that countertop models will typically have higher horsepower than immersion or personal bullet blenders, since the motor can be much larger.

Immersion

“Immersion blenders are handheld appliances you can use to blend a simmering soup, mix ingredients in baking, and generally any other soft ingredients by immersing the appliance in the bowl or pot,” continues Javaid. He warns that they’re unsuitable for very hard pieces of food, like nuts or large quantities of hard vegetables.

Personal

“Personal blenders, commonly referred to as bullet blenders, are great for quick blending of small quantities of ingredients,” says Javaid. “Despite their size, they have powerful motors and sharp blades, similar to the larger countertop models. They are convenient if you are cooking for only one, and also very easy to clean.”

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is the best blender for smoothies?

“If you only need to make one smoothie at a time, I would certainly recommend a bullet blender,” says Javaid. “Nutribullet is a well-known and reputable supplier of personal blenders. This set also comes in different cup sizes, which is great if you only want to mix a half portion of a smoothie.”

Are blenders worth buying?

“Absolutely—they do what processors cannot, with less hassle, and they’re usually more nimble objects in your kitchen, especially the smaller to medium size blenders,” enthuses Reinhart.

How do you clean a blender?

“The best countertop and personal blender models are detachable and dishwasher-safe,” says Javaid. “When hand cleaning, you clean the parts like you would any cup or knife, taking extra precautions around the blade to avoid cutting yourself.” Once it’s washed, simply rinse and dry.

Javaid also warns not to keep the blade from soaking for too long, as you run the risk of it rusting. “If you want to avoid scrubbing the main blender compartment and blade, add warm water and a squirt of soap into the cup or pitcher and turn on the blender for 15-30 seconds,” he suggests. “This will help penetrate any stuck-on food quickly.

What is the best quiet blender?

According to Marie, several models stand out for their ability to blend effectively while minimizing noise.

• Vitamix Quiet One: Combines powerful blending with advanced noise reduction technology.
• Blendtec Professional 800: With its sound enclosure, another high-power yet ultra-quiet blender, offering pre-programmed settings for various tasks.
• Hamilton Beach Professional Quiet Shield Blender: More budget-friendly and includes a noise-dampening shield and a robust motor.
• Wolf Gourmet High-Performance Blender: Noted for its sturdy build and efficient, quieter operation.
• Breville Super Q Blender: Features noise suppression technology, a powerful motor, and multiple speed settings.