The 5 Best Blenders We Tested for Smoothies, Soups, Game Day Queso, and More

Mar. 15, 2025

In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleOur Top PicksReviewsOthers We TriedWhat to KnowBehind the ScenesWhy Trust PEOPLE?What Is PEOPLE Tested?

In This ArticleView All

In This Article

View All

Our Top Picks

Reviews

Others We Tried

What to Know

Behind the Scenes

Why Trust PEOPLE?

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

Photo:People / Nick Simpson

People / Nick Simpson

No well-outfitted kitchen is complete without a powerful blender. From churning colorful morning smoothies to blitzing icy cocktails to puréeingcozy soups, a blender is a handy appliance for cooks at every level. But finding the right one isn’t as easy as mixing up your post-workout protein shake.

We tested 11 top-rated blenders from Ninja, Nutribullet, Hamilton Beach, and more to find the best options for every cook, budget, and aesthetic. We found a modern, budget-friendly choice that you’ll want to display on the counter at all times, as well as a feature-rich, professional-looking option worth a bit of a splurge if you’re serious about blending.

The Best Right NowThe best blender we tested is theNinja Detect Power Blender Pro. It’s packed with features, including a smart function that detects the contents of the pitcher and adjusts the blending speed accordingly.

The Best Right Now

The best blender we tested is theNinja Detect Power Blender Pro. It’s packed with features, including a smart function that detects the contents of the pitcher and adjusts the blending speed accordingly.

Read on to find the best blender for your kitchen, including what to look for when shopping for a new appliance.

Best Overall:Ninja Detect Duo Power Blender Pro + Single Serve at Amazon$180Jump to Review

Best Overall:Ninja Detect Duo Power Blender Pro + Single Serve at Amazon$180

Best Overall:

Best Overall (Cheaper):

Best Multifunctional:Nutribullet 1200W Full Size Blender Combo at Amazon$130Jump to Review

Best Multifunctional:Nutribullet 1200W Full Size Blender Combo at Amazon$130

Best Multifunctional:

Best Portable:NutriBullet Pro 1000 Personal Blender at Amazon$77Jump to Review

Best Portable:NutriBullet Pro 1000 Personal Blender at Amazon$77

Best Portable:

Best Features:Breville Fresh & Furious Blender at Amazon$200Jump to Review

Best Features:Breville Fresh & Furious Blender at Amazon$200

Best Features:

Best OverallNinja Detect Duo Power Blender Pro + Single ServePHOTO: Amazon$180$160 at Amazon$160 at Target$180 at Wayfair

Best OverallNinja Detect Duo Power Blender Pro + Single Serve

Best Overall

Ninja Detect Duo Power Blender Pro + Single Serve

PHOTO: Amazon

$180$160 at Amazon$160 at Target$180 at Wayfair

Star Qualities’BlendSense' detects contents and adjusts speedRemovable blade for easy cleaningProcessing mode for choppingEfficient and smoothRed FlagsNo cord storage

Star Qualities’BlendSense' detects contents and adjusts speedRemovable blade for easy cleaningProcessing mode for choppingEfficient and smooth

‘BlendSense’ detects contents and adjusts speed

Removable blade for easy cleaning

Processing mode for chopping

Efficient and smooth

Red FlagsNo cord storage

No cord storage

For easy cleaning, the central spiral-shaped blade is removable, and the pitcher is dishwasher-safe. This is a high-value appliance that’s efficient and intuitive to use. Plus, it looks good enough to display on your kitchen counter.

Testers Say"$160 is a great price for the value of this blender. The BlendSense setting is very impressive, and it consistently performs well. This is the only blender one might need. It does it all."

Testers Say

“$160 is a great price for the value of this blender. The BlendSense setting is very impressive, and it consistently performs well. This is the only blender one might need. It does it all.”

Dimensions:6.88 x 8.38 x 17.5 inches |Weight:10.67 pounds |Capacity:72 oz. |Speed Settings:10 |Presets:BlendSense auto-detect |Dishwasher-Safe:Yes

PHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick Simpson

Best Overall (Cheaper)

PHOTO: Walmart

Star QualitiesOne-touch buttonsGreat blending performanceSeveral presetsMeasuring cup insert on lidBeautiful designRed FlagsLid can be difficult to remove

Star QualitiesOne-touch buttonsGreat blending performanceSeveral presetsMeasuring cup insert on lidBeautiful design

One-touch buttons

Great blending performance

Several presets

Measuring cup insert on lid

Beautiful design

Red FlagsLid can be difficult to remove

Lid can be difficult to remove

As the name suggests, this is a great-looking blender for any kitchen aesthetic. It has a simple pitcher-style design and comes in several pretty colors, including a sage green we love. The blender comes with an attractive travel cup for smoothies on the go and is easy to use, thanks to responsive one-touch buttons on the control panel.

Aside from looks, this budget-friendly blender also performed great. It had no problem blitzing up a smooth Brazilian lemonade — ice and all. The removable blade is handy for cleaning, and we love the measuring cup insert on the lid. We struggled to remove the lid a few times during testing and are wary about the long-term durability of the blender, but at $59, it offers a solid value.

Dimensions:6.65 x 7.87 x 15.51 inches |Weight:5.62 pounds |Capacity:50 oz. |Speed Settings:3 |Presets:4 |Dishwasher-Safe:Yes

Best MultifunctionalNutribullet 1200W Full Size Blender ComboPHOTO: Amazon$130$111 at Amazon$109 at WayfairView on Nutribullet.comThis is a great two-in-one blender if you’re looking to maximize versatility. It includes a full-size pitcher as well as two smaller blending cups that double as travel containers. The blender has three speed settings, a pulse feature, and an automatic “extract” button. The blender aced our tests, easily producing a smooth Brazilian lemonade, even from ice and whole limes.We like that the blender is dishwasher-safe, though the blade is not removable for hand-washing. There’s also no cord storage, which is annoying but not a deal-breaker. Overall, this is a highly versatile blender that’s great for larger households, with multiple people looking to make morning smoothies and take them on the road.Testers Say"My favorite thing about this product is how well it performs and the different sizes of blender bottles. With everything included (multiple-sized cups, tamper, cup lids, etc.), there really isn’t much this blender can’t do.“Dimensions:7.75 x 8.07 x 16.97 inches |Weight:4 pounds |Capacity:64 oz. |Speed Settings:3 |Presets:1 |Dishwasher-Safe:YesPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick Simpson

Best MultifunctionalNutribullet 1200W Full Size Blender ComboPHOTO: Amazon$130$111 at Amazon$109 at WayfairView on Nutribullet.com

Best MultifunctionalNutribullet 1200W Full Size Blender Combo

Best Multifunctional

Nutribullet 1200W Full Size Blender Combo

$130$111 at Amazon$109 at WayfairView on Nutribullet.com

This is a great two-in-one blender if you’re looking to maximize versatility. It includes a full-size pitcher as well as two smaller blending cups that double as travel containers. The blender has three speed settings, a pulse feature, and an automatic “extract” button. The blender aced our tests, easily producing a smooth Brazilian lemonade, even from ice and whole limes.

We like that the blender is dishwasher-safe, though the blade is not removable for hand-washing. There’s also no cord storage, which is annoying but not a deal-breaker. Overall, this is a highly versatile blender that’s great for larger households, with multiple people looking to make morning smoothies and take them on the road.

Testers Say"My favorite thing about this product is how well it performs and the different sizes of blender bottles. With everything included (multiple-sized cups, tamper, cup lids, etc.), there really isn’t much this blender can’t do.”

“My favorite thing about this product is how well it performs and the different sizes of blender bottles. With everything included (multiple-sized cups, tamper, cup lids, etc.), there really isn’t much this blender can’t do.”

Dimensions:7.75 x 8.07 x 16.97 inches |Weight:4 pounds |Capacity:64 oz. |Speed Settings:3 |Presets:1 |Dishwasher-Safe:Yes

Best PortableNutriBullet Pro 1000 Personal BlenderPHOTO: Amazon$77 at Amazon$77 at Target$77 at WayfairStar QualitiesExcellent blendingRemovable dishwasher-safe bladeTester has had this model for 6 years, and it still works greatIncludes to-go lidsRed FlagsNo cord storageSuction cups on base are not effectiveIf you’re looking for apersonal blender, this one from Nutribullet saves countertop real estate without sacrificing blending performance. It has a strong motor that made quick work of the recipes in our blending tests, and it has handy features like a pulse button and dishwasher-safe blade. The blender comes with to-go lids, so you can simply flip your smoothie cup over and take it on the road.We also know that this blender is built to last. One of our testers has owned this model for over six years and still uses it regularly with no issues. It’s easy to store (with the caveat that there’s no dedicated cord storage), and at $119, you can’t beat the price for such a durable appliance.Dimensions:5.25 x 15.5 inches |Weight:4 pounds |Capacity:32 oz. |Speed Settings:1 |Presets:No |Dishwasher-Safe:YesPHOTO: People / Russell KilgorePHOTO: People / Russell KilgorePHOTO: People / Russell KilgorePHOTO: People / Russell KilgoreWhat We LearnedBlenders with a pulse feature were easier to use when processing difficult-to-blend ingredients like ice cubes and whole citrus fruits.

Best PortableNutriBullet Pro 1000 Personal BlenderPHOTO: Amazon$77 at Amazon$77 at Target$77 at Wayfair

Best PortableNutriBullet Pro 1000 Personal Blender

Best Portable

NutriBullet Pro 1000 Personal Blender

$77 at Amazon$77 at Target$77 at Wayfair

Star QualitiesExcellent blendingRemovable dishwasher-safe bladeTester has had this model for 6 years, and it still works greatIncludes to-go lidsRed FlagsNo cord storageSuction cups on base are not effective

Star QualitiesExcellent blendingRemovable dishwasher-safe bladeTester has had this model for 6 years, and it still works greatIncludes to-go lids

Excellent blending

Removable dishwasher-safe blade

Tester has had this model for 6 years, and it still works great

Includes to-go lids

Red FlagsNo cord storageSuction cups on base are not effective

Suction cups on base are not effective

If you’re looking for apersonal blender, this one from Nutribullet saves countertop real estate without sacrificing blending performance. It has a strong motor that made quick work of the recipes in our blending tests, and it has handy features like a pulse button and dishwasher-safe blade. The blender comes with to-go lids, so you can simply flip your smoothie cup over and take it on the road.

We also know that this blender is built to last. One of our testers has owned this model for over six years and still uses it regularly with no issues. It’s easy to store (with the caveat that there’s no dedicated cord storage), and at $119, you can’t beat the price for such a durable appliance.

Dimensions:5.25 x 15.5 inches |Weight:4 pounds |Capacity:32 oz. |Speed Settings:1 |Presets:No |Dishwasher-Safe:Yes

PHOTO: People / Russell KilgorePHOTO: People / Russell KilgorePHOTO: People / Russell KilgorePHOTO: People / Russell Kilgore

What We LearnedBlenders with a pulse feature were easier to use when processing difficult-to-blend ingredients like ice cubes and whole citrus fruits.

What We Learned

Blenders with a pulse feature were easier to use when processing difficult-to-blend ingredients like ice cubes and whole citrus fruits.

Best FeaturesBreville Fresh & Furious BlenderPHOTO: Amazon$200 at Amazon$200 at Target$200 at Williams-Sonoma

Best FeaturesBreville Fresh & Furious Blender

Best Features

Breville Fresh & Furious Blender

$200 at Amazon$200 at Target$200 at Williams-Sonoma

Star QualitiesSleek designMultiple speed and preset optionsAuto-clean cycleSmooth and reliable blendingRed FlagsAuto-pulse feature doesn’t work as well as anticipatedSuction feet on base can get caught on surfaces and destabilize blenderExpensive

Star QualitiesSleek designMultiple speed and preset optionsAuto-clean cycleSmooth and reliable blending

Sleek design

Multiple speed and preset options

Auto-clean cycle

Smooth and reliable blending

Red FlagsAuto-pulse feature doesn’t work as well as anticipatedSuction feet on base can get caught on surfaces and destabilize blenderExpensive

Auto-pulse feature doesn’t work as well as anticipated

Suction feet on base can get caught on surfaces and destabilize blender

Expensive

At $200, this blender is the priciest of any we tested, but its professional-level design and performance make it worth the price, especially if you’re a regular blender user who wants something powerful and durable. We also think it looks great on the counter and has a small enough footprint for easy storage.

Dimensions:6.9 x 8.3 x 17.7 inches |Weight:8.8 pounds |Capacity:50 oz. |Speed Settings:5 |Presets:3 |Dishwasher-Safe:Auto-clean function

Other Blenders We Tried

What to Know About Blenders

Types of Blenders

Speed Settings

Most of the blenders we recommend have at least three and up to 10 speed settings (looking at you,Ninja Detect). To achieve a smooth blend, especially if you’re dealing with tough ingredients like ice, frozen fruits and veggies, or whole citrus, it’s helpful to start at a lower speed and slowly increase as things get more broken down. More speed settings will give you greater control over the final texture of your dish.

Cleaning

As withany blade in the kitchen, hand-washing your blender blade will preserve its sharp edge. Though many of these blenders are dishwasher-safe, it’s a good idea to remove the blade first, if possible. Some, like theBreville model, have a self-cleaning mode. You simply add a few inches of warm water and a squirt of dish soap, and let the machine take care of itself. It’s also important to thoroughly dry your blender before storing it to avoid odors and bacteria from building up.

Price Range

Our team of expert testers assessed 11 blenders over 20 hours, including pitcher-style blenders and personal blenders. We first examined each blender’s design and overall usability, including motor power and speed options. Then we got to work in the kitchen.

The blenders that produced the smoothest, tastiest results made this list.

Lizzy Briskinis a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a trained chef and recipe developer. She has a culinary degree from Cambridge School of Culinary Arts and was formally the food editor at Real Simple and Food Network Magazines. She now contributes recipes and food content to outlets including Wirecutter, Delish, The Kitchen, and SELF. She uses her trusty blender regularly for smoothies, sauces, and soups, and her favorite feature is the self-cleaning mode.

We created thePEOPLE Tested seal of approvalto help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

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