Battle of the Blenders: Best Blender Reviews 2019

Like any health-conscious person, I’ve admittedly tried several diet and weight loss fads in the past. From the sauna belt, to the paleo diet, to the seaweed slimming soap, I’ve either personally tried them and saw how they only worked for short-term purposes or did my research well enough to realize they were a total waste of money.

One diet practice I’ve found that helps, however, is drinking fresh fruit juice, shakes, and fruit blends. While it’s been debated online on how healthy it really is, my diet routine has really benefitted from adding more fruits, vegetables, and even seeds and herbs into my daily intake.

I don’t use it as a detox, nor do I add a ton of white sugar to cancel out the health benefits. In the two years I’ve been juicing and blending, however, I’ve experienced using several blenders. And while each has its own advantages, the drawbacks tend to cancel them out. So, here’s a review of some blenders to help with your fitness goals this 2019.

Oster Ball Mason Jar Blender ()

Oster’s Ball Mason Jar Blender makes it easy for users to blend in style. One of the personal blenders in the market, Oster takes style a step further by replacing your typical blender jugs with a trendy-looking mason jar.

Each purchase of the blending kit will get you two orfour 20-ounce plastic mason jars, two reusable straws, two sip and straw lids, two storage lids, and the blender base. Purchasing from the manufacturer or an authorized seller gives you a three-year satisfaction guarantee.

It’s a great product if you’re only making a drink for yourself. Fruit shakes are best fresh, so making it in small amounts instead of making a big batch and leaving it in the fridge gives you more flavor with every sip. And instead of having to transfer your shake to a serving glass, simply drink it out of the mason jar straight or sip it with one of your reusable straw.

Its advantages, however, are also its drawbacks. Your own glass of banana shake may seem like a good idea, but if you’re having company over or serving for the entire family, you have to blend four different mason jars instead of just one big serving for all. And you’re only limited to the four mason jars since other glass mason jars won’t work, unless you buy more jars from its store. Oster offers a large glass jar blender good for six servings on its store, but that costs you an additional $15.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Convenient single servings
• 3-year warranty
• Dishwasher safe

Cons

• Only serves up to two servings
• Has many parts to clean
• Does not work with other mason jars
• Six-cup glass blender not included

Verdict: Worth buying for its quality and power, but only if you’re using it for self-use. Otherwise, get a normal blender.

Shake n’ Take Sports Bottle Blender ()

Upon doing research, I suspect Shake n’ Take is one of those generic-ish named products created cheaply and sold in flea markets and online stores. I couldn’t find a company called Shake n’ Take or any business affiliated with the product except for resellers in online markets. In fact, the only products I could find were the Shake n’ Take and the Shake n’ Take 3 – where’s Shake n’ Take 2?

The Shake N Take Sports Bottle Blender I found on Amazon offers the basics: a blending base and a jug. Because the seller isn’t the original manufacturer, buying this will only get you Amazon’s warranty, no manufacturer warranty.

As a personal shake, it’s a relatively affordable model. The instant advantage you can see is that it blends from the bottom, so you don’t have to turn it over, which makes it good for blending liquids such as milk. It’s fairly basic, and while there’s nothing remarkable about it, it’s supposed to do its job for a low price.

However, if you look at the reviews, the product doesn’t have such favorable reviews. And as a former user, I’m inclined to agree with them. The bottom blade means I never have to deal with carefully taking it off and replacing it with the regular bottle lid, but it’s difficult once you have to clean, especially if some fruit bits remain stuck at the bottom. And with the wear and tear of usage, eventually, the bottom begins to leak, something both I and users can attest to.

Other complaints include its relatively weak ability to crush large bits of ice (you have to manually crush the ice into smaller bits before putting it in) as well as harder fruits such as apples and pears. And I don’t know about other users, but I have to unscrew the lid and drink it like I were drinking from a glass because the lid has one of those old water jug straws that are difficult to drink out of – especially with creamy shakes.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Good for blending cold or warm liquids

Cons:

• Users complained of quick damage
• Incompatible with other Shake n’ Take bottles
• Hard to clean
• Bottle straw difficult to drink out of
• Difficult to use on hard fruits and large ice

Verdict: You’re getting what you pay for. Save your money and invest in something a bit more durable and convenient.

Shake n’ Take 3 Juicer (.57)

So, after the disastrous reviews of the Shake n’ Take, I discovered that there was a Shake n’ Take 3. I’ll never understand what happened to the Shake n’ Take 2 and why it seemingly doesn’t exist on the internet, but I digress. Anyway, I found that the Shake n’ Take was made in China, which could be why I couldn’t find one company claiming the brand for itself.

Aesthetically, it’s an improvement from the bulky Shake n’ Take. The Shake n’ Take 3 has a sleeker appearance with a bottle that’s much easier to grip especially when on the go. You still get the basic jug and base, but because the bottle is upside-down, you get a screw-on mixing blade and a leak-proof cover.

I used this for a few months after getting this as a Christmas gift a few years ago. Pro-tip: if you’re looking for an affordable gift for your shake-loving friends, this model comes in multiple colors. Because you have to screw on the blade to the bottle first, it’s still a good option for blending fruits and liquids. The bottle’s shape makes it easier to grip. In terms of hard fruits and ice, I found that it also did a better job blending than its predecessor.

While it lasted much longer than the Shake n’ Take, it still broke after a few months. You can’t use the Shake n’ Take bottle (or, if it exists, the Shake n’ Take 2), but I didn’t check if it was compatible with other single similar-looking bottles on the market. I found that having to keep your finger on the power button exhausting, especially when there are other personal blenders that offer touch and go features.  Also, because it appears the Shake n’ Take brand isn’t a real company, you can only get an Amazon warranty.

Pros:

• Convenient for personal drinks
• Good for blending ice, fruits, and cold or warm liquids

Cons:

• Incompatible with other Shake n’ Take bottles
• No manufacturer warranty

Verdict: A step-up from the Shake n’ Take, the Shake n’ Take 3 is ok for its price, but still has room for improvement. But if the first model’s quality says anything, buyer beware of this model’s quality.

NutriBullet RX (9.99)

Onto the mid-range and high-end blenders. To start off, let’s look at one of NutriBullet’s best models, the NutriBullet RX. Dubbed “the world’s most powerful nutrition extractor,” the RX is said to be one of the best options if you’re looking to get the most nutrients out of your fruits and vegetables.

Each NutriBullet RX comes with a strong power base, a screw-on blade, a pitcher used for soups, one short and one oversized cup, a lid, and a user guide and natures prescription book. Purchasing a set from the manufacturer takes a week up to 10 days shipping.

The first thing that truly impressed me was its smart technology features. Upon setting the cup onto the base, it starts and stops automatically. It’s not the most powerful blender on the market, but its motor and blade are powerful enough to handle hard fruits and vegetables. You don’t have to chop berries, nuts, or any small soft item as long as it fits into whichever cup you use. As for the size, I like how we have the option to either have a regular-sized cup or, if we’re feeling particularly thirsty, an oversized cup. There’s even the option to make soup.

On the downside, though, I recognize that $350 isn’t an amount of money some people can just throw away, even if it is a high-quality and multi-purpose blender. And if you’re spending that much money on a blender, you’d probably want a bigger container to make more servings, and not just a single serving or single serving in large.

Pros:

• Convenient for personal drinks
• Good for blending ice, fruits, and cold or warm liquids
• Strong enough for hard fruits
• Has smart technology

Cons:

• Not affordable for everyone
• Only provides single servings

Verdict: The quality makes up for such a high price, but if you don’t see yourself drinking shakes and making soup all the time, you’re better off with a less expensive blender model.

NutriBullet 600 (9.99)

The original NutriBullet model, it’s not as powerful as the NutriBullet RX. The NutriBullet 600 is the mid-range option and offers the basics for blending. However, unlike other cheaper models, it’s stronger and doesn’t destroy or take away the nutrients and benefits of fruits, vegetables, and other superfoods you might want to try.

The NutriBullet 600 set includes fewer items than the RX: you have a relatively strong power base, a blade, a user guide and pocket nutritionist, and a tall 700mL cup. Additional cups (500mL, 700mL, 900mL, and 900mL with a handle) may be purchased on their online store. It takes up to a week to ship.

If you’re feeling iffy about the NutriBullet RX because of the high costs and the features you don’t really need, the NutriBullet is more affordable, is limited to blending, and does a good job doing it. If you choose to buy the 900 mL cup for an additional $15, it holds roughly the same amount of liquid as your ordinary blender but occupies significantly less space on your countertop.

However, for something that costs over a hundred dollars, you’d think that NutriBullet would include all the other products they’ve included on their website for the NutriBullet 600 onto the package. Because if I have to pay $130 just to include the 900mL cup and then buy all the other items not included in the set, the accumulated cost of the NutriBullet 600 seems less and less worth the price.

Pros:

• Convenient for personal drinks
• Good for blending ice, fruits, and cold or warm liquids
• Considerably less bulky than ordinary blenders

Cons:

• Only one cup size is included in the set
• Additional items such as a flip-top lid, vessel grip, lip ring, and a lid are not included in the package but available for purchase online

Verdict: If you’re not a very picky person and don’t need the additional items to enjoy your shake, it’s a good product to have in your home.

Ninja Ultra Prep Food Processor (.99)

The Ninja Ultra Prep is your three-in-one for less. It’s probably the bulkiest contender on our list, but as a blender, food processor, and dough mixer into one, you’re canceling out the need to buy more appliances for your home – and it isn’t even the most expensive item on this list!

Because of its versatility, there are more parts included in this model. There’s a power pod that powers the food processor from above, a 48-ounce container with a lid, a blending blade, a chopping blade, a dough blade, a blade case, a cleaning brush, a recipe book, and the user guide. Ninja offers a one-year limited warranty as well as a 60-day money back guarantee. If you purchase from Ninja’s website, you can opt to pay in installments via Affirm.

Based on Amazon reviews, despite its mid-range cost, the Ninja Ultra lives up to its quality. In terms of ease of use, versatility, and easy to clean, users give it between four and a half to 4.8 stars. Ninja says it is dishwasher safe, but as someone who doesn’t own a dishwasher, I feel relieved that something that has so many parts is relatively easy to clean. And because of its multi-functional use, I don’t have to buy a separate food processor or bread kneader, which compensates for the Ninja Ultra’s large (but lightweight) size.

However, if money is not an issue and space is, perhaps you’re better off getting a smaller blender for your shakes and fruit blends. The container, the power pod, and the blades take up a lot of space in storage. If you’re cleaning your Ninja Ultra by hand, remember to be careful of the blade. Some users have reported getting cuts while cleaning their blades even with just a soft touch. Also, this isn’t a personal blender. A 48-ounce blender is too big for one regular-sized drink, which may be a hassle considering the clean-up.

Pros:

• Multi-functional: blender, food processor, dough kneader
• Relatively mid-range price
• Easy to use, lightweight, dishwasher safe
• Powerful enough to blend hard fruits and process meat

Cons:

• Its bulky shape may take up counter space
• Sharp blades may be a safety hazard when cleaning by hand
• Not ideal for people looking for personal blenders

Verdict: If space is not a problem in your kitchen and you’re looking for a blender to create more than one serving, the Ninja Ultra is the ideal blender for your home.

Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender (9.95)

Vitamix is known for its high-quality products, and that usually translates to its high-end prices, and the Vitamix Professional Series 750 blender is no exception. It looks like your average blender, but with its commercial-grade motor, it can blend even the hardest ingredients – fruits and seeds included.

Each set of the Professional Series 750 comes with a base with a maximum 2.2 horsepower motor, a 64-ounce container, and a tamper to mix your blend while the blender operates. The blender is available in three colors. It has a standard 7-year warranty with the option to extend for three additional years for $75. If you’re paying via PayPal credit, you can pay a 2-year installment without interest.

Based on reviews, plenty of people are satisfied with their blender. Despite its high price, the Professional Series 750‘s features are worth the cost. It has five pre-programmed functions – smoothies, hot soup, frozen desserts, purees, and self-cleaning – as well as a dial for manual adjustment. The self-cleaning is particularly useful: just add dish soap and warm water, and the blender cleans itself within a minute so all you have to do is rinse. If you need to process other types of blends such as soups and milk, this blender has the ability to do so.

However, with its high prices, that means high expectations for this model. And unfortunately, a few users found that the Professional Series 750 did not meet said expectations. Many complained that the blender was not functioning for them. Others complained that the blender was too noisy. There’s also the problem of using the tamper, as the speed of the blender may cause some of the liquid to spill out when in use. Also, if you’re looking for a personal blender, this isn’t it.

Pros:

• Multi-functional
• Easy clean-up
• Seven-year full warranty covers parts, performance, labor, and shipping
• Commercial-grade motor with high-end quality

Cons:

• High price
• Noisy performance
• Liquid may spill when using the tamper

Verdict: Aside from its price, the Vitamix Professional Series 750 packs a punch and can go beyond its blending operation. Definitely worth the cost – assuming you aren’t the unlucky one who ends up with a lemon.

How to Choose the Perfect Blender

To recap, let’s look at all the blenders we’ve listed:

These blenders have their own advantages and drawbacks, so if you want to get the most out of your purchase, you should choose which blender will best suit your needs.

For example, the quality of the Vitamix Professional Series 750 trumps the Oster Ball Mason Jar in terms of motor power. However, you live alone, don’t have that many people over, and you don’t have an additional $650 lying around just for a healthy banana shake. The latter will suit your needs just fine, and you don’t have to pay more than you need to get your daily shake fix.

Or, if you want a bigger blender, will you ever need it for something other than shakes? If you want to try making soup, bread, corned meat, or purees, the Vitamix Professional Series 750 is your best bet. But if you don’t need all that additional pomp and just want to make shakes, the NutriBullet 600 can suit your needs just fine.

There’s no one perfect blender that will fit everyone’s needs, considering that you have to take in different factors such as price, usage, space at home, and whether or not you’re looking for an investment that will last you years or something that can last long enough until you grow weary of making your own shakes.

When it comes to appliances, I’m not the type of person to recommend buying on something with questionable quality that will last you short-term. At the same time, I’m not a believer in buying the most expensive item when a more affordable one has good quality and can offer you exactly what you need without all the additional features you’ll probably never use. Using these reviews and weighing the pros and cons of each item can help you understand what you’re really looking for in your blender, which can lead you to the best decision.