6 Best Smoothie Blenders [UPDATED]

Price Range: $ = Under $50, $$ = $50-100, $$$ = $100+
Price Range accurate as of August 2016

You may already know that incorporating smoothies into your daily routine is a good idea for your health. But now the question begs, which are the best smoothie blenders to choose from for this healthier lifestyle?

In this post you'll learn what to look for when shopping for a smoothie maker. Additionally we are reviewing 6 of our favorite blenders in detail, so that you can find out which may be the best blender for smoothies and for you!

A smoothie a day keeps the doctor away.

Did you know that we are the most fed we have ever been, yet our bodies are still starving for nutrients? We are consuming more food than we as a species ever has before, but it’s the wrong kind of food- most of it is depleted of nutrients by processing before it even gets to us.

Our bodies are our friends, and when they see that we are in need of nutrients, they do us a little favor- they try to save our lives by packing on weight.

“We must store all the food that we can,” our bodies say regularly, “it’s a famine!”

Many people try and avoid weight gain by dieting, which often means eating even less! That causes even more of this “famine” type stress to the body, and it continues to try and help out by storing whatever it can; that’s why many people tend to gain weight back rapidly after going on a diet.

The ultimate trick here is, don’t cut out anything, simply add more; nutrients, that is! Now, that sounds like a really nice “diet.” Since most of the food we eat today has been processed so much that it is very low in nutrient quality, fresh produce is the absolute best thing we can feed our bodies.

The closer to nature, the better

Once you start adding more nutrients, your body relaxes, stops worrying so much, and begins to heal itself (which can be a bad thing for the doctor business, haha). The best way to start: A smoothie a day.

For breakfast, I can easily drink in a smoothie: a banana, an avocado, a cup (or more) of kale, ginger, a lemon, a mango, and perhaps some strawberries… Now, that is a nutrition-packed breakfast! Normally, we would not have all of these nutritious foods in a meal, nonetheless in a day. If I were to try and eat all of that, it would take me a long time- plus, we get a lot more full when we have to chew this food, as opposed to drinking it.

All you have to do is begin with one smoothie a day and you will notice yourself starting to feel much better; your mind feels more alert, you have more energy, your skin starts to glow, and your entire body starts feeling lighter and healthier. After realizing this, you will begin to want less of the other stuff you were eating before, and you will find yourself, instead, starting to crave more nutrient-dense food.

So, that’s where the best blender for smoothies comes in. To make smoothie-making much easier and more effective, it is important to get the right blender - and I’m here to help.

How to choose the best smoothie blender

1. Size

Size matters, but this is a personal matter. If you are going to be making smoothies for more than just yourself, or for hefty, meal replacement type smoothies, I highly recommend looking for a blender with a larger container (40-64 ounces). I once bought a personal sized smoothie maker that worked out very well for me; the top turned into a cup with a lid that I could take to work with me, it was really simple: blend, twist off, and go! Luckily, there are also smoothie blenders that have interchangeable sizes to suit different needs if they change from day to day.

2. Power

The finer the fruit in a smoothie is chopped, the better; the less your body has to work to digest, and the more readily it can absorb the nutrients you are giving it. As well, the less work your stomach has to work to digest, the less it feels full, and the more you can drink! Powerful smoothie makers unlock nutrients in your food. Also, higher wattage means less time you have to spend making a smoothie, it blends significantly faster, and it can withstand more uses without burning out. 700 watts or more is recommended for really good quality, awesome textured smoothies.

3. Durability

If you are going to be making smoothies everyday (and I hope you do) it is highly recommended that you spend the extra dollar initially to afford a good quality one. I once spent $30 on a blender that stopped working after only a month and a half of use. Also, smoothie making can get messy, you may want to purchase one that can withstand a drop or two on the ground.

4. Clean-ability

You might not be thinking of it now, but once you get in the routine of making smoothies everyday, the clean-ability of your blender will become highly important. You can have the most durable, the most powerful and best smoothie blender out there, but if it sucks to clean and causes you trouble every morning, you may be regretting your decision to buy it. The simpler a blender is to clean really will have great importance in the long-and short-run.

5. Value

To tie all of this together, look at what blender can incorporate all the things you need, for the best price. It is very possible to be completely satisfied with a smoothie maker without having to pay for the most expensive one; for that, we will also be looking for the best valued blenders.

Reviews of the Best Blenders for Smoothies

Oster Pro 1200 Blender Plus Review

It is not a wonder why this blender is a Bestseller on Amazon, for less than $70* the Oster Pro 1200 has 1200 power watts and 900 watts for ice crushing ability- a great blender for smoothies.

This blender is also very smart- it has programs to blend the perfect smoothie; you would never have to have those awkward moments of, “Is this the right setting? Has it been on for too long? Have I overdone it?”

The container size is 48 oz, and dishwasher safe, for really easy cleaning! It also comes with a 24 oz portable smoothie cup to take with you on the go. On top of all of that, it comes with a 3 year satisfaction guarantee; meaning that this blender was built to last!

Click here to check out the latest price, more details and reviews.

Ninja Professional Blender BL660 Review

Aside from it’s catchy name and sleek design, The Ninja Professional Blender is well known for it’s ability to pulverize ice and frozen fruit in seconds!

At 1000 watts and with 3 levels of blades (a unique quality), Ninja gets the job done quickly and efficiently, at under $80*! The Ninja also wins in the size departments: 72 oz, which is great for families or making larger quantities of smoothies all at once.

It is also made of BPA-free and dishwasher friendly plastic, so there is less to worry about breaking, and it is easy to clean. Compared to much more expensive blenders, the Ninja is of great quality and value!

Click here for the latest prices and more information.

Magic Bullet NutriBullet Review

As another Amazon Bestseller, the NutriBullet was masterfully engineered to have a little bit of everything, for everyone. As I would spend 20 minutes making a smoothie with my ill-working $30 blender from Target, my roommate had the Nutribullet; I would continuously watch him, in envy, liquify smoothies in seconds... Always regretfully wishing I had spent the extra $35 and saved myself so much time and hassle every morning.

The biggest appeal for most people isn’t just the cool bullet-like design, but all the interchangeable parts and possibilities: the NutriBullet comes with 12 different parts, including but not limited to; 2 short cups and 1 tall cup, 1 flat and 1 emulsifying blade, 2 re-sealable lids, and a manual with recipes, and a pocket nutritionist.  

At 600 watts, the NutriBullet boasts of it’s “superfood nutrition extractor” abilities. It is also dishwasher friendly, so cleaning is very easily done.

Click here for more reviews and the latest prices.

Oster My Blend Review

The Oster My Blend blender is a sporty little individual-sized blender. The magic here is in the size; if you are like me, and like making smoothies on the go, this is the perfect blender for you!

The 20 oz container is a very portable with a drinking lid that has a carry hook. It fits in most car cup holders and is made from BPA-free plastic that is dishwasher friendly (for easy cleaning, hurray!).

250 watts of power is quite a lot for its compact size. It’s small, yet durable; built to last for years and even has a 3 year satisfaction guarantee and a 1 year limited warranty!

Click here for the latest prices and more information.

Vitamix 5300 Review

This is a blender for serious smoothie makers. At one of the highest quality, highest rated, and longest lasting blenders you can purchase today, it is likewise one of the more expensive. But you have the option to get it certified refurbished for a significant discount.

With a 2.2 horsepower motor, and BPA- free 64 oz large container size, the Vitamix 5300 makes a whole lot of smoothie, insanely quickly and most effectively. The updated wider jar is designed to fit under your countertop.

This is the type of blender the professionals use at places like Jamba Juice, because the quality is commercial-grade and the clean-up is one of the easiest. It is built to last for years and years, while being used multiple times a day; promised with a 7 year warranty (5 years for the refurbished model).

Click here for more information and the latest prices.

Blendtec Classic 475 Review

It’s always been a popular debate: Blendtec or Vitamix?

This is another one for the serious smoothie makers. With it’s 1475 watt motor Blendtec Classic 475 claims to be “one of the most powerful and versatile machines available today,” with one of the largest motors in the blender industry.

At an average size of 32 oz, dishwasher-friendly container, this is another highly rated and regarded commercial-grade blender, only slightly cheaper, less than $300* brand-new.

Click here for more reviews and the latest prices.

The perfect blender is out there for everyone. Once you find yours, and you begin to get into the groove of making a smoothie a day, you will notice your life turn around, and your doctor will begin to miss seeing you. You will feel brighter and more vibrant everyday. Heck, perhaps this smoothie thing will start to really catch on, and one smoothie a day won’t be enough; you could be the healthiest person you know! Good luck, and happy blender hunting!