You have made the decision to get healthier. That is a great decision! It's now time to equip yourself with the gear that you need in order to meet your good health goals.
Eating healthy meals on the go is one of the biggest challenges to maintaining proper health. One way to help with more nutritious meal planning and drinks is to purchase a portable blender.
In this guide, I review my top picks for the best portable blender and why investing in one is a great idea!
Top Portable Blender
  | |||
  | |||
  | |||
  | |||
  | |||
  | |||
  |
Best Portable Blender for Smoothies
The Hamilton Beach Power Single-Serve Blender has an 800 watt motor which provides plenty of power for fruit, protein powder, small ice cubes, and liquid.
After you are finished blending, pop on the to go lid, and head out the door. There is nothing to clean before you go! As a bonus, the 20 ounce blender bottle is easy to carry and fits most standard car cup holders.
While not as lightweight nor battery rechargeable as some of the other blenders on the list, I could not resist including it due to its motor strength and convenient sound shield.
Pros:
- Easy to operate
- Travel bottle included
- 20 ounce capacity
- Powerful 800W motor
- Affordable
Cons:
- Excessive plastic parts
- Heavier than most models at 6.96 pounds
The BILACA Smoothie Blender offers one touch blending, detachable stainless steel blades, and a secure shutoff feature. The bottom of the base also includes a non slip design for added safety. Every part of this smoothie making machine is made from food grade material and is BPA-free.
The BILACA comes with two, 18 ounce bottles and travel lids making going from home to work to gym very easy. Having two bottles to work with also makes pre planning a breeze.
For ease of cleaning, the removable blades are easier to detach and toss into the dishwasher. Both the bottles and travel lids are also dishwasher safe.
Pros:
- 2 year warranty
- Detachable blades
- Secure shutoff
- Two bottles included
Cons:
- Not suitable for hard ice
Best Portable Battery Blender
In my opinion, the OBERLY Portable Blender is truly one of the most portable blenders to make the list. Weighing just 1.3 pounds and having a total dimension of 3x3x9" makes the OBERLY extremely convenient.
While this blender, with a 175 watt motor, might not be your best candidate for hard frozen fruit or large chunks of ice, the OBERLY can easily handle soft fruits, small ice chunks, and protein powders.
Fully rechargeable in two to three hours, this blender can produce between ten to twelve different drinks before needing another charge.
Pros:
- Rechargeable
- Ice tray included
- Lightweight
- Truly portable
- Juice strainer in cap
Cons:
- Not suitable for hot liquids
- Not suitable for large ice
Best Portable Blender for Car Travel
The Hamilton Beach Personal Blender for Shakes and Smoothies compact design makes it great for home, office, and travel. The genius design allows you to blend right inside the travel tumbler. For cleanup, the BPA-free tumbler and lid are dishwasher safe.
This blender boasts stainless steel blades and 175 watts of power. Similar to other blenders this size, the Hamilton Beach Personal Blender performs well with protein powders and soft fruit drinks, but not so well with large pieces of ice or hard frozen fruit.
Pros:
- Compact size
- One touch blending
- Budget friendly
- Dishwasher safe lid
- BPA-free
Cons:
- Low powered motor
- Not suitable for frozen foods
Best Portable Blender for Ice
The Ninja Nutri Pro is the most powerful compact blender to make the list. Packing 900 watts of power in its motor, the Ninja Nutri Pro can handle anything that you want to blend including nuts, seeds, frozen fruits, and ice.
While not as light as some of the other models, I have included it on my list due to the fact that you can do your blending right in the cup. Once finished, twist on the lid and go!
The cups are larger than most at 18 and 24 ounces, are dishwasher safe and come with lids. The manufacturer also makes additional cups available so that you have a few spares on hand for meal planning.
Pros:
- Powerful 900 watt motor
- Dishwasher safe
- Sleek design
- Extractor blades
- Recipe book included
Cons:
- Less affordable
Best Portable Blender with Cup
The Oster My Blend is the most popular and budget friendly portable blender to make the list. The convenient sports bottle is lightweight, travels well, and can be reused as a water bottle throughout the day. I love this eco option!
The motor blends at 250 watts of power, which means it can handle a bit more than other blenders, but still might not be your best contender if you prefer blending up larger pieces of food.
All parts, except for the compact base, are BPA-free and dishwasher safe. You can even drop a small amount of liquid soap and water into the cup, then blend for a quick clean if needed.
Pros:
- Travel cup included
- Short power cord
- Resettable fuse
- Recipe book included
- Affordable
Cons:
- Not suitable for large foods
Best Portable Blender for Camping
The PopBabies P20 Portable Blender is a unique, rechargeable battery powered blender. Perhaps the coolest feature that sets this blender apart from its rechargeable peers is that you can actually blend while charging!
This blender also boasts one of the largest blending bottles among portable blenders at 17 ounces, which leaves room for 14 ounces of blended goodness.
Perfect for travel, this blender is also light enough at 1.3 pounds to barely be felt in your purse, backpack, or gym bag. All parts are BPA-free and the bottle and lid are dishwasher safe.
Pros:
- Rechargeable
- Ice tray included
- Larger bottle
- Multiple colors available
Cons:
- Not suitable for hot liquids
- Not suitable for frozen foods
Buying the Best Portable Blender
When you are ready to buy a portable blender, keeping these tips in mind will get you started in the right direction.
Budget
Start with setting your budget. How much are you willing to spend on a portable blender? Are you someone who likes to invest a bit more in quality or are you someone who might just be getting started using blenders? Either way, determine the amount that you want to invest.
When it comes to blenders, many of the lower priced models have a reputation for breaking quickly. It's important to keep this is mind when shopping. It's also worth checking out the customer service rating of the brand you intend to buy from just in case something goes wrong with your purchase. For example, PopBabies is known for their great customer service!
Portable Blender Reviews
Once you have your budget set, move on to comparing items in your price range. Read in depth product reviews. Think about how you will use your blender and ask detailed questions to the manufacturer or even in the comments of this post!
Keep in mind that some reviews you find will have been written by paid writers. Yes, even some Amazon reviews can be written by someone who is getting paid! Not all written reviews come with paid intent, but definitely keep an eye out for those that sound too overly sales pitchy.
Portable Blender To Go
Think about how you are going to use your portable blender. Will you normally do your blending at home and just take the bottle to go? Maybe you will you want to bring the entire blender with you throughout your day or on your travels?
Making these considerations could mean the difference between a fully battery powered model like the OBERLY Portable Blender or a model that, while equipped with convenient bottles, is actually a bit better suited at home like the BILACA Smoothie Blender.
No matter how and where you blend, also consider the battery life of whatever model you choose. It would be a huge inconvenience to load up your blender with ingredients only to be left without power!
Also, consider the size and weight of your portable blender. Most portable blenders are compact, but a few have special lightweight features to make your life easier.
Portable Blender Warranty
It's important to take note of any warranty promises from the blender manufacturer that you are considering. Even if you have to contact the manufacturer directly, it helps to know what the warranty is.
Usually, if the manufacturer offers more than a one year warranty, it means that they make a superior product and will stand behind it. For example, the well known blender brand, Vitamix, has a seven year warranty, making them one of the best in the business.
Portable Blender Motor Power
I know that this seems like an odd thing to consider, but the power of your blender can really make or break your experience. No one wants to waste time trying to crush ice in a weak blender!
For example, if you only intend to blend water and protein powder, then a low powered motor like what is found in the Hamilton Beach Personal Blender for Shakes and Smoothies will suit your needs. However, if you want to pulverize everything that your personal blender comes in contact with, including ice and hard frozen fruits, then a model like the Ninja Nutri Pro would be best.
Overall, I suggest trying to narrow down your search between just a few models rather than trying to compare and contrast the entire portable blender market. Once you have a few in mind that you like, use the above considerations to make your final decision.
Getting Started with a Portable Blender
Your new portable blender will have you on your way to achieving your health goals in no time. Here are a few recipes that I love to help inspire you.
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
I like this recipe for strawberry banana smoothies. It's fast and easy to make with just a few ingredients on hand. You can even super boost it for your workout by adding protein powder. If you plan on using frozen fruit, be sure that your portable blender can handle large pieces of frozen fruit.
Peanut Butter Protein Shake
This recipe for a peanut butter protein shake is a quick win to help you get going with your new portable blender. I suggest adding any wet ingredients before adding any powders for the best results.
I like this peanut butter powder made by PBfit. For protein powder, this planted based vanilla powder flavor by Orgain is delicious.
FAQ's
Can I take a portable blender on a plane?
I recommend that you check all government security websites as well as specific airline rules before you fly with your portable blender. For example, in the USA, the TSA dictates that blenders are allowed in carry on baggage as long as the blades are removed. This assumes that you would also be checking a bag so that you can safely store the blades.
However, depending on the type of blender that you buy, some airlines (and even TSA) may have restrictions about large batteries. Be mindful of the battery size in your portable blender before you pack it in your checked luggage.
Where can I buy a portable blender?
Every portable blender model that we reviewed is available on Amazon. Some manufacturers also make their products available at popular electronics stores and on their own websites.
Can I put a portable blender in the fridge?
It depends. Usually electronic parts and batteries are safer and will last longer if they are not subjected to extreme temperatures. Most user manuals will have information regarding temperature limitations. I suggest reading through these before you store your entire blender in the fridge.
If, however, you want to meal prep or preserve a smoothie for a few hours, storing only the bottle or jar in the fridge is totally fine!
What is a portable blender bottle?
A portable blender bottle is a bottle with a small wire ball designed to be manually shaken by hand. The small wire ball inside the bottle works to churn the contents of your drink while you shake the bottle.
Since blenders bottles do not require electricity or batteries, they are perfect to take with you on the go!
Do portable blenders come with straws?
This depends on the type of portable blender that you purchase. Some models like this one do come with a set of reusable straws. However, most blenders are not sold with a spare set of straws. This reusable straw set is specifically made for Yeti Tumblers, but works great for any type of drinking glass.
Conclusion
Your blender choice should fill the need that you have. It should also give you as many of the features that you want according to your budget.
All of the models that I reviewed are suitable blenders, have decent warranties, and are budget-friendly. In our opinion, and because I love blending frozen fruits, I prefer the Ninja Nutri Pro as my top pick. If you don't have the budget for the Ninja, then the Hamilton Beach Power Single-Serve Blender is a great runner up.
I wish you happy blending at home, in your office, on the road, or wherever your travels may take you.