What type of blender is best for making smoothies and shakes?

If you’re looking for the best blender for making smoothies and shakes, you can’t go wrong with Vitamix’s E310 Explorian model. It has a powerful motor, sharp blade, and the ability to blend fresh and frozen fruits and veggies into a smooth, sippable beverage. In our tests, we named this model best for beginners thanks to its ease of use, specifically for making smoothies and shakes.

What type of blender is best for crushing ice?

When it comes to crushing ice, you’ll want to choose a blender with a powerful motor and strong blade system, like our pick: KichenAid’s 3-Speed Ice Crushing Blender. Your chosen model should come with a roomy pitcher big enough for those pre-crushed cubes, plus multiple speed settings to ensure a snow-like consistency.

How do I clean a blender?

These days, many blenders can be cleaned the same way they got dirty — by blending! Simply put a few drops of dish soap into the pitcher, along with some hot water, and run it on low for 30 to 60 seconds. You should always consult the user manual of your device for the best possible method of cleaning, as well as info on whether any of your parts can be rinsed in the dishwasher or should be hand-washed.

Can I make juice with a blender?

Yes — just with a few extra steps. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a juicer to get fresh veggie or fruit juice daily. A powerful blender — like our splurge pick, the Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender — has enough gusto to power through even the most fibrous of produce. That said, your juice will still have a bit of pulp in it, so you’ll want to strain the mixture over a cup or bowl using a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to ensure a silky result.

The 8 Best Blenders of 2024, Tested & Reviewed

Editor’s Note (January 2024): We initially included the BlendJet 2 as a portable blender option in this roundup, but the product has been recalled due to safety risks. Consumer Reports has advised consumers to stop using the product and contact BlendJet for a free replacement unit.

A blender is one of the most versatile gadgets you can have in your kitchen. With the right model for your needs, you’ll have a workhorse that can do everything from pulverizing your morning smoothie and making nut milk or butter to whipping up a silky smooth soup. Next to a countertop stand mixer and a top-rated coffee maker, a powerful blender is an essential tool.

We’ve tested more than 50 top-rated blenders, from portable blenders ideal for quick morning smoothies to chef-loved Vitamix blenders designed to create a range of different textures. Whether you want a way to get in some greens on the go or are looking for a smart kitchen appliance to help you out with meal prep, there is something on our list of best blenders for you.

What We're Looking For

Capacity: One of the biggest considerations when shopping for a blender is how large of a gadget you need. If you’re only making smoothies for yourself, you can get away with a much smaller model that takes up less countertop space. Pay attention to the capacity of the jar or pitcher included with your purchase, as well as additional accessories like tubs or extra jars.
Functions: There’s something to be said for shopping for just the features you need and nothing more. If you’re the kind of cook who prefers things simple and rudimentary in the kitchen, there’s no need to splurge on a smart blender with upwards of 15 settings. On the flip side, if you enjoy experimenting in the kitchen, a blender that has more nuanced controls may be the right pick.
Pitcher Durability: The selects on our list of the best blenders list either come with BPA-free plastic pitchers or glass pitchers. While this isn’t necessarily a make-or-break feature, it is something to consider, especially if you’re looking for a model that is dishwasher-safe or entirely free of plastic.
Motor Power: A blender is only as good as its motor. Consider what you’ll primarily be using your blender for and shop accordingly, whether that means selecting a more powerful model to tackle frozen fruit daily or a less powerful motor if you only blend up the occasional milkshake. Different motors also generate different amounts of noise. If you rise with the sun while the rest of your house sleeps, it might be worthwhile to check the decibel level on each model.

Our Top Picks

Best Blender for Smoothies:

Vitamix Explorian Blender at Amazon ($350)

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Best Personal Blender:

Ninja Nutri Blender Pro with Auto-iQ at Amazon ($80)

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Best Immersion Blender:

Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender at Amazon ($130)

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Best Mid-Range:

KitchenAid K400 Blender at Amazon ($300)

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Best Value:

NutriBullet Blender Combo at Amazon ($118)

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Best Smart Blender:

Vitamix A2500 Smart Blender at Amazon ($550)

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Best Splurge:

Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender at Amazon ($480)

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Best Blender-Food Processor Combo:

Ninja Compact Kitchen System at Amazon ($160)

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Amazon

View On Amazon $350 View On Target $350 View On Williams-Sonoma $350

Pros

This blender can clean itself with just a few drops of dish soap, water, and 30 seconds.

Cons

The 48-ounce container is smaller than some models, which can make batch cooking — or cooking for a larger crowd — a bit difficult.

For a straightforward and effective blender that's great for making smoothies, you can’t go wrong with Vitamix’s E310 Explorian model. We awarded it the Best Vitamix for Beginners in our comprehensive tests of the best Vitamix blenders — and for good reason. It has all the features you need to make smoothies, shakes, soups, and more, without the large footprint or extra bells and whistles that can come with more advanced models. Choose from ten variable speeds plus a pulse setting that lets you chop nuts or mince herbs with finesse.

In our tests, we also loved how compact the blender is versus other models, making it easy to store when not in use. Even though it is a more straightforward design and more entry-level model, it still comes with enough speed settings to make perfect frozen margaritas, smoothies, and even soups.

Weight: 10.5 pounds
Dimensions: 11 x 8 x 18 inches
Jar material: BPA-free plastic
Jar capacity: 48 ounces

Amazon

View On Amazon $80 View On Wayfair $100 View On Walmart $89

Pros

The base boasts sturdy suction cups to help keep the gadget in place while in use, and the cups, tops, and blades are all dishwasher-safe.

Cons

It can get louder than other models while blending.

Named our top personal blender after rigorous testing, the Ninja Nutri Blender Pro is a must for health nuts and home cooks alike. With just a 24-ounce capacity, it’s the ideal size for single servings of smoothies, sauce, or salsa. Don’t let its petite appearance fool you, though — this model still packs plenty of top-notch tech features aimed at making the user experience a cinch.

This blender got top marks for its AutoIQ programs that set the ideal time and pulse patterns for whatever you’re blending up, as well as its display with a countdown timer that clues you into exactly how much longer you have to wait to sip that frothy shake.

Weight: 6 pounds
Dimensions: 6.89 x 5.98 x 14.29 inches
Jar material: BPA-free plastic
Jar capacity: (2) 24-ounce cups

Williams Sonoma

View On Amazon $130 View On Williams-Sonoma $130 View On Breville.com $130

Earning the top spot in our review of the best immersion blenders, Breville's Control Grip Immersion Blender wowed us during testing. Of all the immersion blenders we tested, we were most impressed by this one's power and versatility. It performed well for everything from flawlessly pureeing velvety smooth soup to emulsifying mayo in record time. We were particularly impressed with its smoothie performance. This immersion blender crushed ice in 40 seconds and chia seeds after just two minutes.

The Breville has several design features that make it intuitive and fun to use. Its textured trigger grip and variable speed dial were comfortable to hold and operate, and it didn't feel too heavy, even after a full minute of continuous use. The trigger also made it easier to pulse. The only downside we noticed was that the highest speed setting was a bit loud. Given its powerful motor, this didn't sway us from naming it our favorite pick.

Weight: 3.8 pounds
Dimensions: 11 x 8 x 17 inches
Jar material: Stainless steel; BPA-free plastic
Jar capacity: 25-ounce chopping bowl; 42-ounce blending jug

KitchenAid K400 Variable Speed Blender - KSB4027

Amazon

View On Amazon $300 View On Wayfair $230 View On Walmart $300

Pros

The powerful motor easily crushes ice, plus KitchenAid has tons of fun colors to choose from.

Cons

The blending jug for the KitchenAid is plastic, so it's something to keep in mind for those who prefer glass.

Calling all cocktail connoisseurs: It’s time to replace the janky blender you relied on for Margarita Mondays in college with this oh-so-adult version from KitchenAid. With a range of five different numbered speed settings — plus a dedicated ice mode that will transform cubes into a snow-like powder in just 10 seconds — this blender is a great option for cooks who want a device that covers all the basic bases with finesse.

Weight: 12 pounds
Dimensions: 7.59 x 9.02 x 15.8 inches
Jar material: BPA-free plastic
Jar capacity: 56 ounces

Amazon

View On Amazon $118 View On Wayfair $107 View On Kohls.com $160

Pros

This blender comes with two cups and travel lids to take your concoctions on the go.

Cons

The personal-sized cups are placed upside-down onto the blender, which can lead to a mess when removing them if you’re not careful.

Not everyone wants to — or needs to — splurge on a pricey blender. The good news? You don’t have to! NutriBullet has been a trusted name in the game for over a decade, and their do-it-all Blender Combo makes it easy to see why. It allows you to seamlessly flex between single-serving cups and a full-sized pitcher, which is great if you often find yourself making both solo pre-workout smoothies and frozen cocktails for friends.

The straightforward push-button interface lets you choose from three speeds (low, medium, and high) plus an extract and pulse option for more specialized capabilities.

Weight: 10.3 pounds
Dimensions: 15.75 x 15.5 x 9.5 inches
Jar material: BPA-free plastic
Jar capacity: (1) 64-ounce pitcher, (1) 32-ounce cup, (1) 24-ounce cup

Vitamix A2500 Ascent Series Smart Blender

Amazon

View On Amazon $550 View On Target $550 View On Williams-Sonoma $550

Pros

The motor base on this model can read what size container you’ve chosen and will automatically adjust the program and blend settings accordingly.

Cons

The roomy 64-ounce container can feel a bit cumbersome when working with smaller portions, and other sizes must be purchased separately.

If you’re looking to level up your chef skills with a little boost from technology, Vitamix’s A2500 Ascent Series Smart Blender is just the device for you. It was also our favorite of the four Ascent models we tested. This blender incorporates all the powerful features you’ve come to know and love from the Vitamix brand and pairs them with tech-forward add-ons like an LED screen, wireless connectivity, and a bevy of different pre-programmed settings that let you fine-tune any recipe to utter perfection. Translation: there isn’t a salsa, dessert, soup, or drink you can throw at this thing that it can’t handle.

Weight: 12 pounds
Dimensions: 11 x 8 x 17 inches
Jar material: BPA-free plastic
Jar capacity: 64 ounces

Amazon

View On Amazon $480 View On Target $630 View On Williams-Sonoma $630

Pros

This versatile model uses friction to heat ingredients from cold to hot (in the case of soups or sauces) or whip up frozen treats in just minutes.

Cons

While roomy, the large 64-ounce container can make this model difficult to store in some cabinets.

If you’re on the hunt for a chef-worthy splurge that will leave you feeling like a Michelin-star pro, look no further than Vitamix’s Professional Series 750 Blender. Designed with functionality and versatility in mind, it comes equipped with a powerful 2.2 horsepower motor and an expansive blade radius, which together make quick work of even the toughest ingredients (see ya later, fibrous greens!).

If you're looking for a blender that has all the functionality of a cold press juicer, we recommend this Vitamix. Choose from 10-speed settings, a pulse feature, or five preset programs aimed at mastering smoothies, soups, frozen desserts, purees, and washing.

Weight: 13.6 pounds
Dimensions: 7.75 x 9.5 x 17.5 inches
Jar material: BPA-free plastic
Jar capacity: 64 ounces

Amazon

View On Amazon $160

Pros

This collection comes with various blades and containers suited to getting the most out of your device — there’s no need to buy extras.

Cons

It can be tough to find an accessible place to store this gadget and all its parts, especially if you have a small kitchen.

This Ninja system is the blender equivalent of owning the perfect pair of blue jeans — it does it all. It all starts with the multipurpose base, which pairs with multiple containers and blades and is equipped with an AutoIQ system, which changes the functions available on the LED screen depending on what container you’re using.

You can choose your adventure from a variety of accessories, ranging from a single-serve smoothie container to a 5-cup food processor bowl, where you can whip up the perfect pesto, velvety mayo, or pizza dough with ease.

Weight: 12 pounds
Dimensions: 7.5 x 8.25 x 17.25 inches
Jar material: BPA-free plasic
Jar capacity: (1) 64-ounce pitcher, (1) 5-cup processor bowl, (1) 18-ounce cup

Our Favorite Blender

If you’re looking for the best blender for making smoothies, shakes, frozen drinks, nut milk, or even soups, you simply can’t go wrong with Vitamix’s E310 Explorian model, which also won the title of Best Vitamix for Beginners in our comprehensive review of the brand. With its powerful motor, sharp blade, and ability to blend fresh and frozen fruits and veggies into a smooth, sippable beverage, we recommend this Vitamix.

How We Tested Blenders

We used a combination of research and hands-on product testing to curate this list of the best blenders for smoothies, soups, and more. Through both lab and real-world testing, we've tested more than 50 types of blenders, including Vitamix blenders, personal blenders, and immersion blenders. We used those testing insights plus additional research to inform this list.

To find the best Vitamix blenders, we tested more than 20 top-rated models. We tested how the blenders performed at different speeds by making peanut butter from roasted unsalted peanuts and smoothies with kale leaves, frozen pineapple, and orange juice. Other metrics we considered included ease of use, variable speed settings, blade design and shape, ease of cleaning, and noise.

In our tests of the best personal blenders, we spent countless hours testing 20 top-rated models, putting each one through multiple tests to determine how well they work for different uses. We also made two types of smoothies: a blueberry kale smoothie and a peanut butter date smoothie. The former allowed us to see how well the devices blend fibrous leafy greens, fruit skins, and ice, and the latter showed us whether or not they could mix sticky ingredients and frozen bananas.

To find the best immersion blenders, we tested 15 models from Breville, KitchenAid, Cuisinart, and Vitamix. To test the functionality, feel, and durability of our immersion blenders, we used three recipes. For pureeing, we made a creamy broccoli soup, timing how long it took to reach a smooth consistency and noting suction and splatter. For ice crushing, we timed how long it took to blend a very fibrous green smoothie filled with kale, chia seeds, and ice.

Finally, we made mayonnaise to test emulsification, judging how long each took to blend the ingredients and continuing to note suction. We also noted how easy the appliances were to control and clean, their volumes at full speed, and any overheating noticed during testing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of blender is best for making smoothies and shakes?

If you’re looking for the best blender for making smoothies and shakes, you can’t go wrong with Vitamix’s E310 Explorian model. It has a powerful motor, sharp blade, and the ability to blend fresh and frozen fruits and veggies into a smooth, sippable beverage. In our tests, we named this model best for beginners thanks to its ease of use, specifically for making smoothies and shakes.
What type of blender is best for crushing ice?

When it comes to crushing ice, you’ll want to choose a blender with a powerful motor and strong blade system, like our pick: KichenAid’s 3-Speed Ice Crushing Blender. Your chosen model should come with a roomy pitcher big enough for those pre-crushed cubes, plus multiple speed settings to ensure a snow-like consistency.
How do I clean a blender?

These days, many blenders can be cleaned the same way they got dirty — by blending! Simply put a few drops of dish soap into the pitcher, along with some hot water, and run it on low for 30 to 60 seconds. You should always consult the user manual of your device for the best possible method of cleaning, as well as info on whether any of your parts can be rinsed in the dishwasher or should be hand-washed.
Can I make juice with a blender?

Yes — just with a few extra steps. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a juicer to get fresh veggie or fruit juice daily. A powerful blender — like our splurge pick, the Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender — has enough gusto to power through even the most fibrous of produce. That said, your juice will still have a bit of pulp in it, so you’ll want to strain the mixture over a cup or bowl using a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to ensure a silky result.

Our Expertise

Alyssa Longobucco is a freelance writer, editor, and stylist living in New York with over a decade of experience in the food, home, and lifestyle categories. When she's not diving into the latest trends and products, she's restoring an 1820s farmhouse in the Hudson Valley alongside her husband and children.