Perhaps the most common thing blenders are used for is creating delicious and creamy smoothies. Whether you are preparing for a smoothie-filled healthy lifestyle or aiming to replace your old blender, we have created a list that aims to help you find the best blender for smoothies.
Notably, all blenders aren’t created equal when it comes to churning out these tasty concoctions.
Our list has something for everyone at every budget. Therefore, load up your grocery cart with smoothie ingredient goodness and let's dive in!
Top Blender for Smoothies
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Editor's Choice as the Best Blender for Smoothies
Our top choice, the Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender, the ultimate in precision control. This powerful blender operates off a cool-running motor and a metal drive system which provide power and speed while being incredibly durable. If you need to churn out daily smoothies without a hitch, then this is the machine for you.
The hardened stainless steel blades can chop through anything you place in the pitcher, even frozen fruits and ice cubes. They are controlled by a variable ten-speed control dial which gives you complete control over the texture of your blend. You can turn it up to blitz chia seeds or turn it down for a chunkier fruit smoothie.
The pulse feature helps to thoroughly mix your blend without having to open the lid and stir the mixture. Or, you can use it to layer your blend, placing a coarse chop over a smooth puree. Smoothie bowls, anyone?
Should you need to stir a stubborn blend the vented lid has an opening perfectly designed for the included tamper. It is also great for adding additional ingredients in case you decide to add a last minute shot of rum to a tropical afternoon smoothie. The 48 ounce container is just the right size to make a personal smoothie or a batch for the family. And the no-spill spout allows you to effortlessly serve them up.
What We Like:
- Vented lid
- Stainless steel blades
- Variable speed dial
- Powerful motor
- Low profile 48 ounce container
What We Don't Like:
- Loud
- Heavy at 11.5 pounds
Best Runner Up Blender for Smoothies
If you are looking for a more hands-free option, consider the Blendtec Total Classic Original Blender. This blender has a timer feature with its pre-programmed settings. For example, when you select the smoothie program, the blender timer will begin counting down while mixing up your ingredients. This gives you the opportunity to complete other kitchen tasks during your busy morning without having to babysit your blender.
The smoothie button isn’t its only preset cycle though, there are six, including a hot soup setting. It uses blade friction heating to warm your mixture while it blends it, resulting in a hot creamy soup. On the negative side, don't accidentally press the wrong button because a hot smoothie doesn't sound too appetizing.
Whether you are making hot soup or icy smoothies, the powerful blades can effortlessly chop through ingredients. You don’t have to worry about pokes or ruined tampers because they are dull, yet efficient. Yes, you read that correctly. The Blendtec brand features a unique, wing shaped dull blade that is the hallmark of their brand.
For capacity, the 75 ounce jar can handle larger batches so your entire family can have smoothies. Another large feature? The lengthy 3-foot cord that can stretch conveniently across your countertop.
In all, this blender is ideal for smoothies with its ability to crush anything that you can dream of blending. If you need a powerhouse blender that shows up for work each morning without fail, then this is the blender for you.
What We Like:
- Dull blade design
- Built in timer
- 6 program settings
- Long 3 foot power cord
- Large capacity blending container
What We Don't Like:
- Less affordable
- Excessive plastic parts
Best Personal Smoothie Blender
Are you livin' that solo life? Or maybe you are the only one in your household drinking smoothies on the daily? The Nutri Ninja Auto-iQ BL480D is a personal-sized blender that is ideal for making smoothies on-the-go or that are ready to travel. Two included flip-top travel lids work with either the 24 ounce cup or the smaller 18 ounce cup.
Since you can blend directly in the cup, there is little to no cleanup. Simply add your ingredients, screw on the pro extractor blades, and then pop the cup into the 1000 watt base. The stacked design of the blades means frozen items stand no chance of getting trapped on either side but instead are pulled into the base and efficiently broken down.
For controls, you can use the pulse button or take advantage of one of the two Auto-iQ presets. These presets use timed patterns of pulsing, blending, and pausing to achieve the perfect texture effectively freeing you to take care of other kitchen tasks. This potent but petite little blender is an awesome way to liquefy greens, blitz seeds, and break down frozen ingredients to make delicious smoothies for one.
What We Like:
- Compact
- Affordable
- Powerful 1000 watt motor
- 2 Auto-iQ preset programs
- To go cups with lids included
What We Don't Like:
- Not suitable for hot liquids
- Not suitable for large batches
Best Blender for Smoothies with Accessories
If you want the versatility of a full-sized blender and a personal sized one, consider the NutriBullet Blender Combo. This blender includes a large capacity 64 ounce pitcher and two smaller sized to-go cups, one at 32 and the other at 24 ounces respectively. This machine truly offers the best of both worlds.
The large pitcher has easy to read measurements and a vented lid cap. This makes adding additional ingredients like flaxseed, chia seeds, or nut butters a cinch. When pouring out your creation, the easy-pour spout equals zero drips! The to-go cups and their travel lids are just as painless to use as you can blend directly in the cup with the easy-twist extractor blade.
No matter what quantity of smoothie you're making, you control the consistency of the 1200 watt motor. The blender base has an extract button, a pulse button, and three different speeds. You can effortlessly achieve the perfect consistency smoothie whether it be thick and icy or smooth and creamy. Everything is dishwasher safe so when you’re done cleanup is a breeze!
What We Like:
- Easy pour spout
- Dishwasher safe
- Easy to operate
- Powerful 1200 watt motor
- Includes to go cups with lids
What We Don't Like:
- Heavy at 11.33 pounds
- Blades aren’t removable for cleaning
Best Smart Blender for Smoothies
Searching for a smart blender? The Vitamix A2500 Ascent Series Smart Blender has got you covered. It has a variety of features that offer walk-away convenience. Smoothie making doesn’t get any easier than this with this beauty by your side in the kitchen. Let's chat about it.
First, for capacity, the large 64 ounce container is perfect for big batches, and its low profile design makes it easy to store or use on your counter. The smart base uses clever sensor technology to sense the container load and then adjusts blend settings and speed. It even works with any SELF-DETECT© containers like bowls and cups.
Next, the digital timer is another awesome offering as it can help you perfect your recipes. Once you find the best time for recipes that are manually processed, you can then set the timer for subsequent blends and arrive at the ideal consistency with ease. Additionally, the timer also counts down remaining blend time on any selected pre-set whether soup, frozen dessert, or smoothie.
Finally, if pre-sets don't suit you, a ten-speed dial allows you to blend manually by rotating the dial to your desired speed. However, we do find the soup program setting especially useful for when you want to blend hot soup without monitoring your blender constantly.
To sum it up, this smart machine is impressive and can handle smoothies in a flash. It's got all the Vitamix glory with a price tag to match. If you're in the market and it's in your budget, then this machine ticks all the boxes.
What We Like:
- Three programs
- Digital timer
- Powerful motor
- Variable speed dial
- SELF-DETECT© technology
What We Don't Like:
- Less affordable
- Not sold with additional accessories
Best Glass Smoothie Blender
The Oster Blender Pro 1200 is a wonderful eco-friendly glass option for those who occasionally want a smoothie. Emphatically, it's also affordable. Yet despite its price point, it has a lot to offer in the way of settings and components.
This blending system comes with large pitcher and a to-go cup. The 6 cup Boroclass jar is shock resistant and less likely to retain flavors and odors than plastic. In short, your morning strawberry smoothie will be free from last night's garlic hummus. The included 24 ounce smoothie cup equipped with a to-go lid fits right in the stylish brushed nickel base so you can blend directly in the cup.
For force, 1200 watts of power are more than enough to blast through ice and tear through frozen fruits. Larger sized blades and dual blade direction technology ensure consistently smooth blends for smoothies, soups, sauces, and even baby food purees.
For controls, you have a choice of seven speeds or three pre-programmed settings: green/frozen smoothies, food chop/salsa, and milkshakes. With these controls, you can be hands-on with your blends, tailoring them to your liking or use one of the settings and let the blender do the work for you.
All in all, we love this glass option since it's so rare to find a quality glass blender these days. Our only gripe is the short power cord (it's 16 inches) and the lack of variable speed control. Other than this, the Oster Pro 1200 is a great smoothie making machine.
What We Like:
- Glass jar
- Affordable
- Stylish blender base
- Powerful 1200 watt motor
- To go cup with lid included
What We Don't Like:
- Glass prone to chipping and cracking
Best Vitamix Alternative Smoothie Blender
It may not be as attractive as other blenders, but the Cleanblend Commercial Blender packs a professional grade punch. It has 1800 watts of power that are controlled by a variable speed dial, effectively rivaling the Vitamix brand.
With its colossally powered motor, you can easily make smoothies, chunky salsas, creamy nut butter, and even hot soups. Furthermore, this blender boasts that it replaces up to nine appliances thanks to its versatility and ability to dice, chop, liquefy, heat, and more.
The lid to the 64 ounce container contains a vented space where you can easily insert a tamper to help process difficult blends, though you likely won’t have that problem. The 8 blade system effortlessly tears through whatever you place inside the pitcher.
Despite being incredibly powerful, the strong base and sealed ball bearings make this blender slightly less noisy than other commercial-grade models. However, since it's a blender, it is still noisy.
To sum it up, this machine is a great choice if you want the Vitamix power but not the Vitamix price tag.
What We Like:
- Pulse button
- Variable speed dial
- Tamper included
- Powerful 1800 watt motor
- Large capacity blending container
What We Don't Like:
- No pre-set programs
- Heavy at 12 pounds
Best Budget Blender for Smoothies
The Hamilton Beach Power Elite Blender is a fast and functional model that is excellent for those with a small budget and a small kitchen. Its compact size, featuring a 40 ounce glass pitcher and a low profile base is easy to store or keep on your countertop.
Surprisingly sturdy considering its affordability, the 700 watt motor provides sufficient power to the durable blades for chopping, pureeing, grinding, and grating. Cyclonic wave action efficiently pulls everything down towards the blades, no stirring required.
For blending control, twelve different functions take the guesswork out of making perfect blends. The pulse button gives you an extra boost so you can achieve your ideal consistency. We find this button particularly useful when making acai bowls or topping off a smoothie with some crushed pecans.
The unique pour spout lid doesn’t drip or spill when transferring your mixture. After all, you worked hard to make your smoothie and none of it should be wasted. When you're finished blending, everything is dishwasher safe, including the blades which remove for deeper cleaning.
What We Like:
- Affordable
- Glass pitcher
- Dishwasher safe
- 12 blending functions
- Compact and easy to store
What We Don't Like:
- Short 1 year warranty
- Needs a fair amount of liquid to crush ice
Best Smoothie Blender for Families
If you are feeding a large household, the Ninja Professional Countertop Blender is a large capacity, home-use model with commercial-grade power. The 1100 watt base is easy to operate and provides enough power for the blender to tear through whatever you put in the pitcher.
The Ninja definitely lives up to its stealth and effective name thanks to the six blade total crushing assembly. It's strong and durable and turns ice into snow in just seconds. It does the same for frozen fruit, which results in deliciously smooth smoothies and shakes.
You can make enough for your entire workout group using the 72 ounce pitcher or just blend up a personal serving in one of the 16 ounce to-go cups. Both the pitcher and the to-go cups click safely and securely onto the base. It really doesn't get any easier than this!
This blender makes it effortless to whip up dips, dressings, and more thanks to its user-friendly settings. There are only three-speeds and a pulse button so you don’t have to worry about choosing the right preset or setting a tricky timer. This blender can quickly pulverize your raw smoothie ingredients with just a press of a button so you can be on your way!
What We Like:
- Compact base
- To go cups included
- Powerful 1100 watt motor
- Large capacity blending container
What We Don't Like:
- All plastic parts
- No pre-set programs
Buying the Best Blender for Smoothies
Blenders are truly awesome kitchen appliances. Thanks to powerful motors, razor sharp blades, and durable blending containers, they turn difficult tasks into effortless experiences. In fact, for the experienced chef, using a blender is often a source of joy.
When it comes to making smoothies, blenders are absolutely best qualified for the job. However, there are dozens if not hundreds of different types of blenders to choose from. It can be a downright challenge to know which one will be the best one for your needs.
In our guide, we've taken the time to highlight the most important buying criteria when it comes to choosing a new blender. By keeping these factors in mind, you will be on your way to making the best choice for your new smoothie blender.
Smoothie Blender Power
Any of the blenders on our list can whip up a great smoothie. Yet, certain blenders are more powerful than others. When it comes down to it, blender power can make or break your daily blender experience. Anyone who has ever stood shaking and rocking a weak blender can relate.
Regarding blender power, it helps to to take a moment to think through the types of smoothies that you consistently like to enjoy. You may even want to make a list of common smoothie ingredients that you find yourself using often.
If you are someone who likes to add frozen fruit, ice, or thick nut butters to your smoothies, then you will need some significant power in order to get a smooth consistency. Ideally, a blender with 1000 watts of power or more, like the Nutri Ninja Auto-iQ BL480D is recommended to effectively blend ice into snow.
Alternatively, if you enjoy mostly liquid or powder based smoothies and shakes, then a lower powered (and often more budget friendly) model like the Hamilton Beach Power Elite Blender will be more than enough.
In some cases, you may even be able to switch to a blender bottle to meet your needs. Bottles like this have no motor at all and use your muscle power, along with a special wire whisk ball to mix up your ingredients.
Whatever your current power needs, be sure to also consider what your future needs may be in order to make the best choice and, in turn, avoid buying multiple blenders.
Cleaning a Smoothie Blender
In order to keep your blender functioning at peak performance, we suggest implementing a cleaning routine after each smoothie. Now, before you despair about constant cleaning, it's important to know that some blenders make this task ridiculously easy.
For example, any Vitamix blender can clean itself with a drop of soap and some warm water. The powerful motor found in the Vitamix creates a dishwasher vortex before your eyes. Admittedly, you can do this trick with any blender, but Vitamix does it best.
Alternatively, some blenders like the Hamilton Beach Power Elite Blender are able to be completely disassembled, including the blades and tossed in the dishwasher. Dishwasher safe models are ideal, especially if you hate washing up.
Notably, some models have dishwasher safe parts or are only partially able to deep cleaned. The NutriBullet Blender Combo is one such machine in that everything is dishwasher safe, yet the blades aren't removable. If the concept of this creeps you out a little, then a machine without removable blades may not be the best choice.
Smoothie Blender Accessories
When shopping for your blender, take note of any special accessories that are available for purchase. Using add on blender accessories is a great way to expand the functionality of your machine while often sparing you the cost of purchasing another appliance.
For example, the Vitamix Ascent Series has many different accessories in various sizes that work seamlessly with the blender base. A few notable ones are the 20 ounce blending cups, the 8 ounce blending bowls, and the 12 cup food processor.
Being able to add on accessories is definitely a perk when it comes to smoothie making. Additionally, accessories like separate blending cups are perfect for households that are managing allergies, food sensitivities, or picky eaters.
Blender Blades for Smoothies
When you need a smoothie, you need it now. Blender blades are the star mechanism enabling all the smoothie goodness to happen. Without them, a blender would be rendered useless.
When shopping for your new smoothie maker, consider what type of blade would suit you best. The market has many options, from dull to razor sharp, and from wing shaped to total crushing. Similar to blender power, the type of blender blade that suits you best really depends on the variety of ingredients that you intend to blend.
For example, if you know that you are an ice loving smoothie fanatic, then a machine with total crushing blades like the Ninja Professional Countertop Blender would be a great choice. Additionally, hardened stainless steel blades like those found in any Vitamix can also crush ice and frozen fruit efficiently.
Opposite, if you mostly want to enjoy protein shakes or smoothies with soft, fresh fruit then just about any blade will cut it, pun intended.
Conclusion
Each blender on our list is capable of making an awesome smoothie. However, if you want it done quickly and efficiently every time, we recommend the Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender. This blender might be a bit of an investment, but it is extremely versatile and you will find many uses for it in your kitchen from crushing ice to pulverizing frozen fruit.
If you want to try out a dull blender blade, we also recommend the Blendtec Total Classic Original Blender for its uniqueness, programmed settings, and all around high quality construction.
Drop a comment below with some of your favorite smoothie recipes as well as tips and tricks for getting just the right consistency. We also can't wait to hear which blender is right for you. Happy blending!