The 9 Best Blenders for Smoothies of 2023

The Beast Blender combines beauty with brawn at an accessible price point.

Rich Scherr is an updates strategist and fact checker for Dotdash Meredith brands, including Health and Verywell. He is a seasoned financial and technology journalist who served as editor-in-chief of the Potomac Tech Wire for nearly two decades, and is a regular contributor to the sports pages of The Baltimore Sun. He has also been a news editor for America Online and has contributed to the Associated Press and The Washington Post.

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Health / David Hattan

Smoothies are the blank canvas of a healthy diet. You could make yours earthy with ginger root and lots of greens or give it an indulgent edge with chocolate protein powder, crushed ice, and peanut butter. As with many clean-living trends, nailing a truly healthy recipe is fraught with traps, and many factors determine whether your smoothie is beneficial or not.

The health benefits of a smoothie boil down to what you’re putting in it. "It's possible to put together a smoothie that isn't so healthy and/or packed with calories and sugar, but smoothies are a great way to add in nutrients that you otherwise have trouble getting," Alix Turoff, RD, and nutrition coach explains. Likewise, Cynthia Sass, RD, MPH, MA, CSSD, a sports nutrition consultant who advises professional sports teams such as the New York Yankees, says that a less-healthy smoothie will "fall into two categories: one is omitting important elements (like drinking a fruit and veg-only smoothie as a meal that doesn't contain any protein and fat), and two is using less healthful ingredients like added sugar or ice cream or making a smoothie that's too excessive compared to your body's needs."

But, regardless of how you like to make your smoothie, you’ll need a blender that fits your kitchen and lifestyle and can handle your ingredients (we suggest nuts, ice, and some hardy vegetables). Thankfully, smoothie blenders come in all shapes, sizes, wattages, and prices.

A registered dietitian on our Medical Expert Board also reviewed this article for medical and scientific accuracy surrounding what to look for in a smoothie blender, what to avoid, and who may benefit from drinking smoothies.

Keep reading to find our roundup of the best smoothie blenders, whether you have solo or family-sized blending needs.

Beast

Why We Like It: It has a sleek design plus a powerful blade. It's Worth Noting: The cup's design may make it hard to grip. This blender combines beauty and brawn: It's powerful enough to crush ice and beautiful enough to sit next to your kitchen vase. You can also choose between three cup sizes when purchasing, which means it's great for singles and families.

The benefits of smoothies are so varied. Sass says it depends "on the ingredients and how you make them. A smoothie can easily pack a serving of veggies and fruit each and can be a complete meal if you include a source of lean protein and good fat. A smoothie can also be a great way to fit in healthful, antioxidant-rich add-ins, like raw cocoa powder, ginger, turmeric, or matcha." But a blender doesn't do you much good if you need to hide it away in a cupboard because it doesn't fit well in your kitchen. A blender that looks good on your kitchen counter (meaning it can stay on your counter) will remind you to drink your vitamins, and it might just make it that much easier to stay consistent with your healthy diet.

We also love that the cup doubles as a carrying vessel so you can make your smoothie for the road. It's worth noting that because the blender cup doubles as a carrying cup, it doesn't include a nifty handle like many other blenders, making it a bit harder to grip. We think the convenience of having a portable drink is worth the sacrifice.

Price at time of publication: $165

Product Details:

Amazon

Why We Like It: It doubles as a BPA-free plastic sport bottle at a low price. It's Worth Noting: Low blending wattage means you may opt for softer ingredients or extra fluid.Oster's budget blender is easy to pack for work and travel (if your luggage limit allows). If you’re yet to dip your toes into the life of smoothie blending, this is a great value option to test the waters before committing to an expensive option. It's relatively portable, so you can easily stay on track with your health goals and adapt your smoothie to your needs.

Because this blender doubles as a sports bottle, it's ideal for anyone looking to fuel their workout with nutritious carbs. Sass says, "If you’ll be drinking your smoothie within an hour of the start of a workout, skip the protein and fat and make it with veggies, fruit, and oat milk…protein and fat both slow stomach emptying. That's great in a meal replacement smoothie because it keeps you fuller longer and helps regulate blood sugar and insulin levels by slowing carb absorption. But [for] pre-workout, the goals are to fuel exercise (with easy-to-digest carbs) and keep your gut happy. Including protein and fat in a pre-workout smoothie too close to the start of a workout can slow digestion (especially as blood flows away from the gut and towards muscles), which can trigger cramps or reflux."

This budget blender does come in on the lower end of the wattage spectrum, which means it may not blend hardy veggies as well as others on this list. However, it can still get the job done nicely for softer fruits and veggies.

Price at time of publication: $35

Product Details:

Amazon

Why We Like It: This blender is an iconic favorite that includes three speeds and an 11-piece set.It's Worth Noting: It's not recommended for more than a couple of uses per day.The Magic Bullet Blender is highly recommended by one of our expert dieticians, Cynthia Sass, and for a good reason. This blender transforms simple ingredients into smoothies, salsas, soups, and more, and is easily storable in cabinets and cupboards if you're low on space.

It also comes with 11 accessories, including three different cup sizes. It's also more compact and a lot less bulky than other options that claim to be small. While it's great for making a range of recipes, a few reviewers noted that it struggled with their ice and frozen fruits—they needed to pause the product and shake the jar before starting again.

Price at time of publication: $39+Product Details:

Overstock

Why We Like It: This BPA-free blender is cordless and rechargeable. It's Worth Noting: You can't use it while charging. With the EvolutionX Cordless Blender, you can pack your smoothie maker in your gym bag, camping bag, or suitcase. This cordless option gives you 20 minutes of blending capabilities before you need to recharge it, so it's great for a quick and easy breakfast on the go.

Smoothies often come under criticism for being a subpar breakfast option, but our dieticians agree that it comes down to what goes in it. "There are so many ways to add nutrition to smoothies, and it's easy to get just as many nutrients and calories as you would when eating a ‘typical’ breakfast. That being said, I find that many of my clients don't feel satisfied with smoothies even when they have the same calories as a meal where they're chewing. This is individual, and I'd suggest experimenting with your hunger/body's cues," says Sass.

While this blender is particularly convenient for those who want to make a smoothie out of their homes, it's important to note it can't be used while it's charging. And the fact that it takes two hours to fully charge means you may need to remain cognizant of how charged it is so you’re not left smoothie-less in your time of need.

Price at time of publication: $80Product Details:

Amazon

Why We Like It: It's a BPA-free, professional-grade blender with a removable quiet shield that reduces noise. It's Worth Noting: This blender is quieter than the other blenders on this list, but not as quiet as more expensive options.This blender comes with a quiet shield that goes over the top of the jar just before you blend, so you won't have to notify everyone in your house before you turn it on. Many users have already mentioned that the blender is much quieter than other brands, including Ninja and Blendtec. Plus, it's even quieter if you put a towel over the top or underneath to dampen more of the sound. It's important to note that there are quieter blenders, but this one is a winner because it gets the job done at a reasonable price point. And unfortunately, the quieter options we found were incredibly pricey.

We love that it's powerful and comes with a large jar, four programs, and a variable speed dial which will support you through many cooking occasions—smoothies and beyond. This is a solid unit (larger than most others on this list), which means it's best suited to those with the kitchen space to accommodate its size.

Price at time of publication: $180Product Details:

Amazon

Why We Like It: This blender is BPA-free, sleek, and is from a high-quality brand. It's Worth Noting: Some users noted that 500 watts were not enough blending power. According to Sass, "Even a simple personal-sized blender may work for a person who only makes one smoothie a day or less and doesn't want to spend a lot of money." There are many great options in this category, but Zwilling is a trusted German knife brand, so you know you can expect high-quality blades to go with its programmable functions.

This blender includes a cup available in multiple sizes and doubles as a portable jar if you pop the travel lid on it. It's one of the chicest designs on the list, so it works just as well on your kitchen counter as it does in the cupboard. However, because its wattage is on the lower end of the spectrum, it may be hard to fully blend hardy ingredients. If you’re hoping to blend many tough foods, we recommend opting for another product on this list.

Price at time of publication: $170+Product Details:

Amazon

Why We Like It: This is a top-of-the-line option built to last.

It's Worth Noting: Its size is ideal for larger kitchens and perhaps not as practical for apartments. Vitamix is a brand that dieticians consistently suggest because this American-owned family brand is known for its durable products that deliver what they promise.

This blender is powerful enough to handle all the recipes needed to keep a family full and happy.

Smoothies, in particular, are great for children and adults alike. When building a healthful smoothie, Sass says there are a few things to consider. "I see clients who make smoothie missteps. These may include: blending in an excess amount of added sugar (like agave syrup); making more of a milkshake or dessert rather than a smoothie (like adding ice cream or sugary chocolate syrup); making a smoothie with an excessive amount of carbohydrates, fat, or protein that is out of balance with your body's needs (like using more fruit or nut butter than you would eat/drink at one time).

So, just because this blender can fit a lot of additional ingredients, that doesn't mean it should always be filled to the brim. Consider how many servings you make for you or your family and add ingredients according to the desired outcome.

Price at time of publication: $350

Product Details:

Amazon

Why We Like It: Its unique blending style pushes ingredients down into the blade rather than spinning them around the glass.

It's Worth Noting: It does not include portable drinking cups or accessories.

With 14 blending options and 700 watts of power, this is a great mid-range option to keep in your kitchen when you need to crush ice, puree, blend, and chop. It has a big jar that doesn't come with a tamper, but the Wave Crusher's unique blending style removes the need for one. The blender is designed to push ingredients down into the blade, making for effective blending.

The price point for this blender makes it a great value option especially given the large jar size and relatively powerful wattage. The fact that it's a glass jar means that, over time, you’re less likely to see cracks, and the jar is less likely to absorb smells from previous blending times.

Price at time of publication: $50

Product Details:

Amazon

Why We Like It: The Ninja Mega Kitchen System includes versatile add-ons like a food processor bowl, portable cups, and a dough blade.It's Worth Noting: You can't put hot liquids in this blender.

Turoff says, "If you're on the go a lot or find yourself in meetings all day, smoothies can be a great way to get nutrition without needing to break out a sandwich during a meeting or on the subway." However, if you’re home and want your smoothie blender to do more than blend smoothies—like grind food to make dips—Ninja's Mega Kitchen System is a great option.

This blender combines power, portability and multiple-blending programs to take you from breakfast to dinner. Ninja is a favorite among nutritionists and dieticians because it's powerful and suits various blending and kitchen needs. However, keep in mind that this isn't a small blender. If you’re limited for space, it may not be the best option for you.

Price at time of publication: $200 Product Details:

The Health team spoke to expert dieticians about what makes a quality smoothie blender, including:

We then researched the best blenders on the market and narrowed them down based on wattage, features, and capacity to help you find a smoothie blender that supports your lifestyle, family, kitchen size and health goals.

Turoff suggests making your purchase based on your needs. Do you have the space for a large device? Do you want to have the option of multiple cup sizes to make different-sized smoothies? Do you plan on adding ice to your smoothies?

"Like many clients, I use a personal-sized blender that makes just one smoothie at a time. Some people like to travel with a blender they can pack in a carry-on. Others prefer a top-of-the-line powerful blender with high-powered blades. With this blender, you can add ingredients like whole nuts and not be left with nut sediment at the bottom of your smoothie, which may not be the case with a less-expensive blender. High-powered blenders are also great for people who love to cook and will use the blender to make other dishes, like sauces, soups, and homemade plant milk," says Sass.

According to Sass, it's best to approach this question with a little common sense. "I think this goes back to your goals. Choose a blender that doesn't have barriers that prevent you from using it. For example, I have clients who never make smoothies even though they love them because their blender is hard to clean. Think through exactly how you’ll use a blender, how it needs to be cleaned and cared for, and what makes the most sense with your lifestyle."

For some, the size of the blender as well as household storage capabilities can make a difference to their purchase choice. "Someone who lives in an NYC apartment might want to prioritize a smaller/single serving blender and someone with a family who is going to be making large batches of smoothies would need something bigger," says Turoff.

Blenders have a wide range of price, and our experts agree that "budget is a big consideration when choosing a blender" as they can range in price from $15 to over $1,000. However, you can easily snag a quality blender for around $200 or less.

Our expert dieticians suggest Vitamix as a standout brand. According to Sass, "Vitamix is the top of the line for those who enjoy cooking and want to invest in a blender they can use multiple ways." The iconic American-owned company is tried and true and offers a comprehensive warranty with every machine sold. Meanwhile, when it comes to affordability Sass adds that "Nutribullet has great high quality, everyday blenders with lots of options in size, power, and portability. Even a simple personal sized Hamilton Beach may work for a person who only makes one smoothie a day or less and doesn't want to spend a lot of money."

The best thing about smoothies is that there's no hard and fast way to make one. "They can be appropriate for anyone because they're so customizable," says Sass. She adds that "a few people who might benefit more specifically from smoothies are people who have trouble getting fruits and veggies into their day and want to sneak them in or potentially mask the taste. This is especially good for picky eaters like kids." Of course, they’re also a really practical and convenient option for anyone with swallowing issues or disorders.

Isabella has 10 years of research and writing experience that includes covering how to shop for the best personal products online. Her curiosity about the world feeds her keen interest in helping people reduce the shopping noise and simply make better decisions.