The Best Blenders for Smoothies, According to a Dietitian Menu Verywell Fit Nutrition Weight Management Nutrition Facts Nutrition Basics Diets Meal Plans Meal Delivery Services View All News Fitness and Nutrition What to Buy How We Test Products Fitness Gear Nutrition Products Tools Recipe Nutrition Calculator Weight Loss Calorie Goal BMI Calculator Body Fat Percentage Calculator Calories Burned by Activity Daily Calories Burned Pace Calculator About Us Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Search Nutrition Products The Best Blenders for Smoothies, According to a Dietitian The Ninja Nutri-Blender Pro with Auto-IQ is powerful, durable, and easy to use By Allison Knott MS, RDN, CSSD, CDN Allison Knott MS, RDN, CSSD, CDN Allison Knott, MS, RDN, CSSD is a freelance writer, nutrition consultant, registered dietitian nutritionist and board certified specialist in sports dietetics. Learn about our editorial process Updated on August 23, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and nutrition and exercise healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Ayana Habtemariam, MSW, RDN, LDN Medically reviewed by Ayana Habtemariam, MSW, RDN, LDN Ayana Habtemariam, MSW, RDN, LDN, is a registered dietitian, nutrition therapist, certified intuitive eating counselor, and macro social worker. Learn about our Medical Review Board Fact checked Verywell Fit content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Autumn Rauchwerk, MS, RDN, RYT Fact checked by Autumn Rauchwerk, MS, RDN, RYT Autumn is an editor, dietitian, registered yoga teacher, and certified intuitive eating counselor who specializes in myth-busting and providing a nuanced, wellbeing-centered perspective on nutrition, movement, mindfulness, and dietary supplements. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. Learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Verywell Fit / Lecia Landis Smoothies are a quick and easy way to increase your daily servings of fruits and veggies. They offer many health benefits, including decreased mortality risk and reduced risk of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease. When made with a combination of produce, protein, and fat, smoothies offer a boost of fiber and essential nutrients that can be enjoyed on the go, but, without a reliable, easy-to-use blender, you’re unlikely to make smoothies a part of your routine. That’s why we’ve done the hard work for you by reviewing the market’s top blenders for smoothies. Verywell Fit Approved Blenders for Smoothies The Ninja Nutri-Blender Pro with Auto-IQ is our top pick, because it’s a high-powered blender with a simple, compact design and is easy to clean and store. If you’re a more serious home cook, we recommend the Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender, since it's both durable and versatile. Laura Geraty, MS, RDN, LDN, and culinary dietitian says, “When choosing a blender, keep in mind your budget, what you’ll be using it for, and the amount of storage space you have to house it.” It also helps to know what to avoid when looking for a home blender. “Most blenders come with multiple settings like smoothie, soup, or puree. Don’t be fooled. All you really need is a low setting to get things started and a high setting to finish the work.” Our dietitian, who has extensive experience working in the culinary field, reviewed blenders that are the best for smoothies. While some have additional features that may appeal to those who are looking for a multifunctional blender, the majority listed are based solely on their ability to easily blend a creamy smoothie at home. Deciding how you plan to use your blender can help you make the best choice. These are the best smoothie blenders on the market today. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Ninja Nutri-Blender Pro at Amazon Jump to Review Best Splurge: Vitamix Explorian Blender at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Hamilton Beach Personal Blender at Amazon Jump to Review Best Compact: Ninja Blender at Amazon Jump to Review Best With Travel Cups: Magic Bullet Blender at Amazon Jump to Review Best Versatile: Ninja Mega Kitchen System at Amazon Jump to Review Best Single Serve: Nutribullet 600W Personal Blender at Amazon Jump to Review Best Portable: Cuisinart Cordless Compact Blender at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look For Why Trust Verywell Fit Best Overall: Ninja BL480D Nutri-Blender Pro with Auto-IQ 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Home Depot Pros High power and compact design Multiple cup sizes Easily crushes ice and chunks of frozen produce Cons Loud Removable seal may be difficult to clean The Ninja Nutri-Blender Pro is a compact countertop blender that tops our list for best smoothie blender. It comes with an 18-ounce and a 24-ounce to-go cup as well as two travel lids. The blender’s base includes a high-power motor with 1100 watts of peak power that can easily handle ice and frozen chunks of fruit or vegetables. To make a smoothie, add ingredients to the to-go cup, and screw the blender blade to the top of the cup. Then, insert the cup into the blender base. Because the cup needs to be filled with your smoothie ingredients and then flipped upside down to blend, it’s best to start with softer ingredients, followed by ingredients that are more difficult to blend, like ice and large pieces of frozen produce. As a general guideline, the items that are the most difficult to blend should be closest to the blade. The compact design of the Ninja Nutri-Blender Pro makes it easy to store on a countertop or in a cabinet. All parts except the motorized base are dishwasher safe, but it may be more difficult to clean the removable seal that attaches to the blade. This blender is loud, so it’s best to use when you (and anyone else in your home) don’t mind the extra noise. Weight: 6.28 pounds Power: 1100-watt motor Volume: 18 oz and 24 oz to-go cups Dimensions: 6.89 x 5.98 x 14.29 inches Best Splurge: Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Abt.com View On Best Buy Pros Durable High-powered Easily blends ice and frozen food Cons Loud Heavy Expensive The Vitamix 310 Explorian blender is a high-power, large-capacity blender with 10 speed settings and a pulse feature. This unit is different from the personal-size smoothie blenders on this list, as it can be used for smoothies, sauces, soups, dips, and more. It’s our top pick for those who are looking to invest in a professional blender. The 48-ounce container is not dishwasher safe but can be self-cleaned by adding soap and water to the container to blend for 60 seconds. Take note that the blade is not detachable, which makes it more challenging to clean stuck-on food. Vitamix is known for its power, durability, and versatility, but the drawback of these features is that, similar to the Ninja, it can make a lot of noise. It’s also bulkier and heavier than other blenders on our list, making it better for use in kitchens with the extra space. Still, Vitamix owners are big fans of these blenders and consider them to be worth the investment. Geraty says, “If budget is no issue, 10 out of 10 times I’d recommend a Vitamix. It whips whatever you throw in the blender into the smoothest, creamiest consistency without actually using any cream, and it is so high-powered that it can make a slushy from straight ice.” Weight: 10.5 pounds Power: 1400 Watts Volume: 48 oz Dimensions: 11 x 8 x 18 inches Best Budget: Hamilton Beach Personal Blender with Travel Lid 4 Walmart View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Hamiltonbeach.com Pros Inexpensive and compact design Easy to use Comes with travel cup and lid Cons Low power and may lack durability Small cup size Difficult to clean The Hamilton Beach Shakes and Smoothies Personal Blender is a compact, single-serve blender. It has a single button that can be used to blend continuously or use as a pulse feature. It comes with a 14-ounce travel cup that fits in most cup holders and includes a travel-friendly lid. The inexpensive price point and user-friendly functionality make it our top budget pick. This blender differs from many other smoothie blenders as the blade is not removable from the travel cup. That may make it more difficult to clean, since the blade remains attached. One plus is that the lid and cup, including the blade, are dishwasher safe. The motorized base of the blender includes a wraparound cord for easy storage, and the compact design allows for countertop or cabinet storage. While this blender is functional and easy to use, it may not be as durable as other options. Weight: 2.07 pounds Power: 175 watts Volume: 14 oz Dimensions: 11.8 x 3.94 x 3.94 inches Best Compact: Ninja Fit Personal Blender Walmart View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Best Buy Pros Compact design No-slip base High power Cons Tendency to leak Small cup size The Ninja Fit Compact Personal Blender is our number-one pick for the best compact smoothie blender. It has a 700-watt motor with a buttonless blending functionality that easily crushes ice and frozen produce. To use, fill the cup with the smoothie ingredients and attach the blade to the top of the cup, which is then inserted into the base. Pressing down on the cup starts the motor and blends the contents. The blade attachment separates from the travel cup, and all parts except the motorized base are dishwasher safe, making it easy to clean. You may find that the blender sometimes leaks into the base when blending, which can make cleaning the base more challenging. The Ninja Fit Compact also comes with a 16-ounce cup and travel lid for taking drinks on the go. Weight: 4.63 pounds Power: 700 Watts Volume: 16 oz Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 13 inches The 9 Best Smoothie Ingredients, According to a Dietitian Best With Travel Cups: Magic Bullet Blender, 11-Piece Set 3.6 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Home Depot Pros Compact design Comes with multiple travel cup sizes and lids Dishwasher safe Cons Difficulty blending ice Lower power The Magic Bullet Blender is a buttonless, compact, countertop blender with a 250-watt motor. It comes with multiple accessories, including two cups, one 12-ounce and one 22-ounce, multiple travel lids and lip rings, plus one stay-fresh lid. This variety of to-go cups paired with the easy-to-use design makes it our top pick for a blender with the best travel cups. We also love that it’s easy to clean—all parts are dishwasher safe, except for the motorized base. The Magic Bullet Blender has the same functionality for blending as other personal blenders on the list. After attaching the cup to the motorized base, simply push down to start blending. Despite the 250-watt power, the blender may have more difficulty crushing ice and other large pieces of food than some of our other options. Additionally, packing the blender with too much food may make it impossible to start the blender. If that happens, remove some of your ingredients, and try blending in two batches. Weight: 3.27 pounds Power: 250 Watts Volume: 12 oz and 22 oz cup Dimensions: 13.19 x 6.93 x 10.63 inches The 12 Best Healthy Kitchen Gadgets, According to a Dietitian Best Versatile: Ninja BL770 Mega Kitchen System Amazon View On Amazon View On Best Buy View On Home Depot Pros Multifunctional Easy to clean Efficient blending with a unique blade design Cons Loud Bulky May be less durable than other options Most smoothie blenders are limited in their functionality outside of blending your favorite combination of fruits and vegetables, but that’s not the case with the Ninja Mega Kitchen System, which tops our list for the most versatile blender. This product is a multi-component blending system that includes a food processor, a full-size blender, and a single-serve blender option. This high-powered appliance is perfect if you are looking to streamline the number of pieces of equipment in your kitchen without losing the single-serve smoothie option. All blades are removable, and the containers are dishwasher safe, making them easy to clean. This appliance may not be as durable as other blender options, but to help compensate, Ninja offers multiple warranty options to those who purchase from an authorized retailer. Weight: 8.8 pounds Power: 1500 watts Volume: 16 oz to-go cups, 64 oz processor bowl, 72 oz blender pitcher Dimensions: 9.5 x 8.25 x 17.75 inches Best Single Serve: Nutribullet 600W Personal Blender Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Bed Bath & Beyond Pros Compact and easy to use High power Large to-go cup size Cons Tendency to leak Loud Our number-one pick for the best single-serve blender is the Nutribullet Personal Blender. It’s a buttonless blender with a 600-watt motor base, and, like other smoothie blenders, it blends when you lock the cup into the base and press down. The blender comes with one 24-ounce travel cup, a single travel lid, and a single lip ring. Its high-powered motor makes it easy to blend ice and other large pieces of food, but many people report that it is loud when blending. All parts of the Nutribullet Personal Blender are dishwasher safe, excluding the motorized base and removable blade, but despite the easy cleaning of most parts, the blender may leak, making it difficult to properly clean the base. Weight: 6.04 pounds Power: 600 watts Volume: 24 oz Dimensions: 11.61 x 6.85 x 12.28 inches Best Portable: Cuisinart EvolutionX Cordless Compact Blender RPB-100 Overstock View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Kohls.com Pros Compact Lightweight Cordless Cons Short battery life Low power The Cuisinart EvolutionX is a cordless travel blender that can be recharged using a USB cord. Its compact size, which is lightweight and easy to carry, makes it our top pick for a portable blender. The blender stays charged for up to 20 minutes of continuous blending and requires two hours to reach full charge. All parts are dishwasher safe, except for the motorized base. Don’t be fooled by its lightweight design—the Cuisinart EvolutionX is powerful enough to blend ice and large pieces of food easily. Keep in mind, though, that you can only make a limited number of smoothies before the battery needs to be recharged. Overall, this choice tops our list for the best portable blender due to its compact, portable design and ability to blend ice and frozen fruit easily. Weight: 2.35 pounds Power: 5 watts Volume: 16 oz Dimensions: 4.25 x 3.75 x 12 inches The 10 Best Juicers of 2022 Final Verdict For a high-powered blender that quickly crushes ice and frozen chunks of your favorite fruits and vegetables, the Ninja Nutri-Blender Pro is the best pick. This blender is compact enough to sit on your counter for everyday use and is simple to clean, making it ideal for daily smoothie drinkers. If you’re looking for a more professional-quality blender, we recommend the Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender. What to Look for in a Blender for Smoothies Functionality and Power Blenders are versatile appliances, so knowing what functionality you’re likely to use regularly can help you make the best decision. If you want a blender to do the job of multiple appliances, opt for a professional-grade blender that can handle hot and cold liquids, such as the Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender. If you simply need a blender to make your favorite smoothie daily, the versatility is probably less important, and you should look for a high-powered blender that can handle large chunks of frozen produce and ice. Size and Weight Size and weight are important considerations, depending on the size of your kitchen, the number of appliances you already own, and your ability to easily move a heavier appliance from storage to countertop. If you already have multiple appliances in your kitchen, then you may be looking for a smaller blender that can do the job of one of the large, professional-grade blenders. If so, a personal, high-powered smoothie blender like the Ninja Nutri-Blender Pro is the best pick. However, if you’re looking to streamline your appliances and don’t mind the bulkier design of a larger appliance, it may be best to opt for a versatile blender like the Ninja Mega Kitchen System or the Vitamix E310 Explorian. Ease of Cleaning The ideal smoothie blender is one that you can easily clean so that prepping smoothies daily doesn’t take up too much time. Look for dishwasher-safe parts and an easy-to-clean blade. Alternatively, the self-cleaning option found on some blenders can be advantageous for anyone who wants to avoid removing the blade when cleaning. Frequently Asked Questions How do I make a fruit smoothie? A fruit smoothie can be made using a combination of your favorite fruits plus additional ingredients to add protein and fat, which can contribute to satiety, helping you feel content with your meal and stay full. Registered dietitian and culinary nutritionist Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, says, “For the best texture, it is important to use frozen produce or a mix of frozen and fresh.” Keep in mind that the water content of the fruits and vegetables you choose will affect how much liquid you need to add to your smoothie. “Lower water content produce, such as mangos, bananas, [and] avocados, may require more liquid, whereas higher water content produce, such as citrus, berries, and leafy greens or celery, will require less additional liquid,” says Del Coro. How do I make a smoothie bowl? Think of a smoothie bowl as an ultra-thick smoothie that can be eaten with a spoon. Often, smoothie bowls are topped with nutritious foods that provide texture, such as nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or whole grain cereal. “To make a smoothie bowl, make an extra-thick smoothie (less liquid than a basic smoothie), and then scoop into a bowl. Serve immediately with toppings of your choice,” says Del Coro. How do I make a smoothie thicker? The thickness of your smoothie depends on the liquid-to-solid ratio. If you use produce that has a high water content, then you’ll need to either cut back on the liquid added to the smoothie or add an ingredient to thicken it. Del Coro says, “My go-to ingredients for thickening smoothies are Greek-style yogurt, bananas, rolled oats, chia seeds (keep in mind chia seeds take about 15 minutes to absorb the liquid so the thickening effect is delayed), nut butters, silken tofu, or ripe avocado.” You can also consider adding ingredients like cauliflower or beans, which add extra nutrients without changing the flavor. Beans may be a surprising addition to a smoothie, but this ingredient can offer double benefits—increasing thickness and upping the nutrient-density of your smoothie. Beans are an excellent source of fiber and plant-based protein, which contribute to satiety and may benefit cardiovascular health when eaten as part of a balanced, plant-based diet. How do I make a smoothie more nutritious? Smoothies are versatile frozen drinks that vary widely in their nutrient profile, depending on the primary ingredients used. Del Coro recommends choosing ingredients that offer a mix of fiber, fat, protein, and complex carbs and using a liquid that doesn’t have excess sugar. Nutrient-dense milk (dairy or non-dairy) or an antioxidant-packed juice like pomegranate or tart cherry juice mixed with water and ice are all great liquid choices, according to Del Coro. “For extra nutritional boosts, there are also add-ins, such as hemp seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, kelp cubes, spirulina, and collagen, that all blend well in smoothies,” she says. For a nutrient-packed, tasty, creative smoothie that includes chia seeds, try this peanut butter banana blueberry acai smoothie. Can you freeze smoothies? Yes, you can freeze smoothies. Del Coro says, “It is easiest to freeze single servings of smoothies in a freezer-safe container with a tight-fitting lid, but since liquids expand as they freeze, leave some extra room (about 1/2 inch of space) from the rim. When ready to drink, remove the frozen smoothie a few hours before you actually plan on drinking it, or transfer to the fridge the night before, and it will gradually thaw.” Why Trust Verywell Fit Allison Knott, MS, RDN, CSSD is a registered dietitian and board-certified specialist in sports dietetics who has extensive experience working in the culinary field. She knows the importance of preparing delicious food, including smoothies, at home and understands how a reliable kitchen appliance can make all the difference in one’s commitment to preparing healthy food. The 10 Best Blenders for Protein Shakes of 2022 4 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Volpe, SL. Fruit and vegetable intake and prevention of chronic disease. ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal. 23(3):30-31. doi:10.1249/FIT.0000000000000474 Wang DD, Li Y, Bhupathiraju SN, Rosner BA, Sun Q, Giovannucci EL, Rimm EB, Manson JE, Willett WC, Stampfer MJ, Hu FB. Fruit and vegetable intake and mortality: Results from 2 prospective cohort studies of US men and women and a meta-analysis of 26 cohort studies. Circulation. 2021;143(17):1642-1654. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.120.048996 Goyal RK, Guo Y, Mashimo H. Advances in the physiology of gastric emptying. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2019;31(4):e13546. doi:10.1111/nmo.13546 Mullins AP, Arjmandi BH. Health benefits of plant-based nutrition: Focus on beans in cardiometabolic diseases. Nutrients. 2021;13(2):519. doi:10.3390/nu13020519 See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? 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