Best Smoothie Maker Reviews: Top Smoothie Blenders

Ready to trade in your burger and fries and join the smoothie revolution? Not only are smoothies incredibly quick and easy to make, but they give you complete control over what you put in them, allowing you to enjoy a deliciously healthy glass full of essential vitamins and nutrients anytime you like.

watermelon and smoothie

In order to make a good smoothie, you need a good smoothie maker. While there are more than few smoothie maker reviews with their own opinion on which is the best smoothie machine around, you often get what you pay for when it comes to smoothie makers. If you’re looking for the best of the best, regardless of your budget, keep reading to find the best smoothie maker for you.

Our Top 10 Recommended Smoothie Blenders Comparison Table

ImageDescriptionManufacturerReviewPrice
Vitamix 1709 CIA Professional Series1. Vitamix CIA Professional Series
** Best Professional Smoothie Maker **
VitamixOur Review

Check Price

Ninja BL660 Professional2. Ninja BL660 Professional
** Best Value Smoothie Maker **
NinjaOur Review

Check Price

Blendtec FourSide Total3. Blendtec FourSide TotalBlendtecOur Review

Check Price

Blendtec Designer Series WildSide4. Blendtec Designer Series WildSideBlendtecOur Review

Check Price

Margaritaville DM0500 Bahamas Frozen Concoction Maker5. Margaritaville DM0500 Bahamas Frozen Concoction MakerMargaritavilleOur Review

Check Price

Oster Versa 1400-Watt Professional Performance6. Oster Versa 1400-Watt Professional PerformanceOsterOur Review

Check Price

Breville BBL605XL Hemisphere Control7. Breville BBL605XL Hemisphere ControlBrevilleOur Review

Check Price

Waring Pro MX1000R Professional8. Waring Pro MX1000R ProfessionalWaringOur Review

Check Price

Omega BL630W 3-HP Variable Speed9. Omega BL630W 3-HP Variable SpeedOmegaOur Review

Check Price

Back To Basics Blender Express10. Back To Basics Blender ExpressBack To BasicsOur Review

Check Price

Top 10 Smoothie Maker Reviews

Choosing the perfect smoothie maker can be a real headache without a helping hand from an experienced, unbiased person like me. After all, there are hundreds of various smoothie makers out there all vying for the number one spot. Lucky for you, I’ve just about tried and tested every smoothie maker ever made, and you’re about to discover 10 of my absolute favorites.

1. Vitamix 1709 CIA Professional Series Blender

** Best Professional Smoothie Maker **

Vitamix 1709 CIA Professional Series

Ask any smoothie expert and they’ll tell you there’s very little debate when it comes to the topic of the best rated smoothie maker on the market today. Vitamix smoothie makers have been widely regarded as the best in the business for quite some time. However, the brand decided to take their smoothie prowess up a notch by partnering with the Culinary Institute of America to create arguably the best machine to make smoothies on the planet. The result was the Vitamix 1709 CIA Professional Series Blender.

While expensive, if you consider yourself a culinary pro or smoothie savant, you’ll be blown away by the smart design features and effortless performance of the CIA Professional Series. With a powerful motor that churns out 2+ horsepower and generates blades speeds up to 250 mph, this smoothie maker effortlessly creates the perfect smoothies time and time again.

Pros:
  • High-speed motor can chop, crush, and blend pretty much anything with ease
  • A respected brand used in professional kitchens around the globe
  • Adjustable speed functions
  • Very easy to clean
  • As durable and reliable as blenders get
Cons:
  • Expensive compared to other smoothie makers
  • Works great but could look a little better sitting on the countertop

Needless to say, the Vitamix 1709 CIA Professional Series Blender is my favorite smoothie maker and definitely gets the most use in my house. If you don’t mind spending a little more for the best, then you should join the thousands of professional chefs and everyday folks that already own this amazing smoothie making machine. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did.


2. Ninja BL660 Professional Blender

** Best Value Smoothie Maker **

Ninja Professional Blender BL660

If you would like a little “Ninjanuity” and want a more affordable smoothie maker that can crush ice and blend a wide variety of smoothie ingredients, the Ninja BL660 Professional Blender is a worthy option worth considering. This well-priced and extremely popular smoothie maker has all of the power and features you need to create a plethora of healthy and delicious smoothie concoctions.

While cheaper, poorly made smoothie makers come equipped with sub-par blades that can barely blend a slushie let alone a tasty creamy smoothie, the competitively priced Ninja BL660 Professional Blender delivers 1,100 watts of blending power, six-blade technology for optimal blending action, a vitamin and nutrient extraction mode, and many other first-class features typically found on smoothie blenders costing twice as much.

Pros:
  • Dependable 1,100-watt motor
  • Six-blade technology for optimal blending
  • Affordably priced
  • Looks better than some much more expensive models
  • Creates incedibly fine blends
  • Very popular
Cons:
  • Motor isn’t as powerful as the Vitamix, Oster, or Blendtec
With thousands of undeniably positive reviews from Amazon alone, it’s safe to say this Ninja will not disappoint. I like it so much, I bought one for my oldest daughter when she went off to college. As much as I love smoothies and smoothie makers, that’s saying a lot!


3. Blendtec FourSide Total Blender

Blendtec Total Blender FourSide

I like my Vitamix, but the Blendtec FourSide Total Blender is one of the only smoothie blenders that can honestly give it a run for its money. According to reviews, a number of others like Blendtecs as well and are more than happy with their performance. In fact, most say they do just as well blending up difficult ingredients into creamy smoothie concoctions as Vitamix models.

Unlike Vitamix smoothie makers, however, the Blendtec FourSide Total Blender is designed with consumers in mind. While it utilizes a slim and sleek design, it’s made to easily fit under countertops. Plus, it features a powerful three-horsepower direct drive motor that makes short work of ice and the toughest of fruits and vegetables.

Pros:
  • Very popular
  • Powerful motor helps create an extremely smooth smoothie
  • Unique tamper-free design
  • Wider base makes it extremely stabile and easy to use
  • Unique tamper-free design
  • Less tall than a Vitamix, allowing it to fit on countertops and in cabinets easier
Cons:
  • Not the best looking smoothie blender on the market
  • Less than a Vitamix but still a little pricey
  • Loud on high speed

With a digital touchpad display, a variety of pre-programmed blending options, and heavy-duty cold forged blades that spin up to 29,000 rpm as well, it’s easy to see why this Blendtec is mentioned in nearly all legitimate smoothie machine reviews.


4. Blendtec Designer Series WildSide Blender

Blendtec Designer Series WildSide Blender

In many ways, the Blendtec Designer Series WildSide Blender is quite similar to the Blendtec above. For example, it features the same 1,560-watt direct drive motor that produces up to three horsepower, which I know will impress the guys out there. Trust me though ladies, the results speak for themselves as this smoothie maker will turn you into the “Betty Crocker” of smoothies in no time at all.

Like all Blendtecs, in addition to having a strong, high-performance motor and top-of-the-line blades, the Designer Series WildSide Blender also provides certain “smart” features, such as the ability to self-monitor and adjust its power usage to consistently deliver the right speed for every job.

Pros:
  • Powerful 1,560-watt motor
  • Top-quality cold-forged stainless steel blades
  • Multiple speed and control settings
  • Very stable and easy to use
Cons:
  • A bit pricey compared to other smoothie makers
  • Looks rather utilitarian, especially for the price

You can watch this video that compares containers of FourSide Blendtec blender and WildSide Blendtec blender:

There are a ton of other great features of this Blendtec smoothie maker, which you can discover in one of the more detailed individual reviews I’ve put together for you. However, for now just know that it’s in my top three for a reason!


5. Margaritaville DM0500 Bahamas Frozen Concoction Maker

Margaritaville DM0500 Bahamas

It may seem obvious given its name, but the Margaritaville DM0500 Bahamas Frozen Concoction Maker is made for, well, frozen concoctions. Therefore, if you’re looking for an excellent all-around smoothie maker that can be used for a variety of smoothies and other things with or without ice, you’re definitely better off going with the Vitamix or one of the Blendtecs above.

On the other hand, if it’s always “Five O’clock Somewhere” in your home or you simply prefer frozen smoothies over non-frozen varieties, the Margaritaville Bahamas Frozen Concoction Maker is without a doubt for you. In addition to its undeniably cool and fun looks that scream “It’s party time,” this frozen smoothie maker perfectly shaves ice to create the most velvety smooth frozen smoothies and cocktails.

Pros:
  • Looks great
  • A real party starter
  • Excellent for frozen smoothies and drinks
  • Easy to use
  • A great value for the money
Cons:
  • Only designed for frozen concoctions
You don’t have to spend thousands on a Caribbean vacation. For half the price of the smoothie makers above, you can enjoy paradise year-round with the Margaritaville Bahamas Frozen Concoction Maker.


6. Oster Versa 1400-Watt Professional Performance Blender

Oster BLSTPB-WBL My Blend 250-Watt

Designed to look like a Vitamix and pretty much work like it too, the Oster Versa 1400-Watt Professional Performance Blender is a great option for half the price. Similar to more expensive professional-grade smoothie makers, the Oster Versa comes with a powerful 1400-watt motor, capable of turning its stainless steel blades up to 250 mph to easily blend and handle recipes most blenders wouldn’t dare attempt to tackle.

Well-constructed and thoughtfully designed, the Versa Professional Performance Blender has a durable all-metal drive system and three pre-programmed settings as well, allowing you to effortlessly create all of your favorite smoothies, salsas, dips, and so much more.

Pros:
  • Powerful motor that rivals a Vitamix
  • Pulse function and pre-programmed settings
  • Variable speed dial
  • Full color recipe book included
  • Competitive price
Cons:
  • None really come to mind
If you don’t want to spend the money for a Vitamix or Blendtec but want to enjoy the same level of versatility, durability, and performance, get this Oster today. Backed by a seven-year warranty, you really can’t go wrong.


7. Breville BBL605XL Hemisphere Control Blender

Breville BBL605XL Hemisphere

The Breville BBL605XL Hemisphere Control Blender proves that you don’t have to pay top dollar for a great looking smoothie maker that blends just as well, if not better, than more expensive Vitamix and Blendtec models. While it’s not the best rated smoothie maker on the market and it’s rarely mentioned in other smoothie machine reviews, this Breville is arguably the cream of the smoothie maker crop.

In addition to its sleek, modern looks, the mid-priced Breville BBL605XL Hemisphere Control Blender features advanced blade technology to make blending incredibly easy and create a perfectly even blend time and time again. Speaking of incredibly easy, it’s also equipped with a digital LCD timer and display with a variety of speed and pre-programmed control settings.

Pros:
  • Arguably the best looking blender on the market
  • Priced well but works like a champ
  • Advanced blade technology for perfect blends
  • LCD timer and display
Cons:
  • Narrow base looks good but could be sturdier
  • Less power than some similarly priced models
With stunning good looks and an equally thoughtful design, it’s easy to see why the Breville BBL605XL was recently named by a leading consumer products rater as one of the best blenders around. Regardless of what you stuff in it, it will consistently create evenly blended smoothie masterpieces you can’t help but enjoy.


8. Waring Pro MX1000R Professional Blender

Waring Pro MX1000R Professional Blender

No fuss, no frills performance; that’s what pretty much sums up the Waring Pro MXR1000R Professional Blender. Designed to take a beating and crank out professional-quality smothies day in and day out, it’s the best smoothie blender a smoothie maniac could ask for!

Seriously, if you’re looking for the best personal blender for smoothies, you can stop looking right here, right now with this Waring. Sure, it lacks the buzz and mass appeal of Vitamix or Blendtec smoothie makers, but the Pro MX1000R is designed for one thing only: to turn ice into super-soft snow and pulverize the toughest of ingredients in a few seconds flat.

Pros:
  • Powerful 3.5-horsepower motor
  • Integrated blade technology for robust blending performance
  • Produces ultra-smooth, professional-quality smoothies
  • Very durable
Cons:
  • Lack of control functions
  • A little expensive for novice smoothie folks
With only two simple switches to pulse and control the speed of its brutish 3.5-horsepower motor, this Waring wasn’t made to win any design competitions. Although it’s unapologetically loud and basic in design, it blends with the best of them and is perfect for anyone serious about their smoothies.


9. Omega BL630W 3-HP Variable Speed Blender

Omega BL630W 3-HP Variable

If you can’t tell by now, there are quite a few powerful and well-made smoothie makers out there to choose from. However, if you’re searching for top rated smoothie blenders to take your daily smoothie experiences to new heights, the Omega BL630W 3-HP Variable Speed Blender deserves your consideration as well.

On sale for virtually the same price as the Vitamix, Blendtec, and the other top-of-the-line smoothie makers on the list, this commercial-quality smoothie blender certainly isn’t for you if you’re looking for the best budget blender on the block. With a powerful three-horsepower motor, variable timer and speed functions, automatic shutoff, a unique infinity function, an unbreakable co-polyester container, and much more, the Omega BL630W 3-HP Variable Speed Blender can help you create deliciously fast and fresh smoothie fusions featuring all of your favorite ingredients.

Pros:
  • Powerful commercial-grade motor
  • Variable timer and speed functions
  • Automatic shutoff
  • Industry-leading 10-year warranty
Cons:
  • More expensive than some of the other quality smoothie makers out there
  • Looks rather pedestrian (but looks can be deceiving)
Best of all, thanks to its variable speed design, there’s no need for a tamper, which is pretty cool if I do say so myself. Of course, the industry-leading 10-year warranty is awesome as well and goes to show just how tough, durable, and ready to blend this Omega is.


10. Back To Basics Blender Express

Back To Basics Blender Express

Since not everyone has hundreds of dollars to spend on the absolute best smoothie maker imaginable, it’s only fitting to round out the list with arguably the best affordable blender available today, the Back to Basics Blender Express.

As its name suggests, it’s a basic smoothie blender that’s ideal for traveling and quick on-the-go smoothie enjoyment. In fact, you can even drink right from the perfectly sized blender cup, making it not only one of the most affordable quality smoothie blenders out there but perhaps the best small smoothie maker as well.

Pros:
  • Very affordable and portable
  • Easy to use
  • Can drink directly from the smoothie container as it doubles as a cup
  • Works well for the price
Cons:
  • Not very powerful
  • Only designed to make single-serving smoothies
Similar to the NutriBullet but much more affordable, the Back to Basics Blender Express gets my vote for the best personal smoothie maker for under $30. It truly is the perfect tool to jumpstart your diet.

 

What is a Smoothie Maker and What is it Used For?

a smoothieSmoothies are blended drinks typically made with yogurt, juice, fresh fruit, and ice. These ingredients, plus veggies and whatever else you decide for your smoothie concoctions, are mixed and blended in a traditional blender or smoothie maker, resulting in a smooth and creamy drink similar to a milkshake.

Traditional blenders and modern smoothie makers are quite similar in style and generally have many of the same components, but smoothie makers have a more specialized purpose. While they’re still capable of cutting and chopping foods, smoothie makers work best with liquids or semi-liquids and sometimes come with a convenient pour spout. An example of this type of smoothie maker is the Margaritaville Bahamas Frozen Concoction Maker.

Many smoothie maker reviews talk about the merits of different smoothie makers but don’t actually compare the differences between them and their blender cousins. Smoothie makers are simply specialized blenders that come in different designs and shapes to allow for easier blending of ingredients and crushing of ice.

Traditional blenders are designed for large items and have up to 16 speeds as well as blades meant for cutting, chopping, and mixing large and dense food items. Smoothie makers and the top blenders for smoothies, however, usually only have up to five speeds, since heavy chopping and cutting are generally not needed.

If you’re searching for the best smoothie machine, it’s also important to know that smoothie machines have more cone-like pitchers, which allow ice to settle on top of the blades for optimal crushing. With a quality smoothie maker, you’ll be able to quickly create and enjoy the smoothest, creamiest, healthiest, and most refreshing smoothies whenever you like!

The Benefits of Having a Personal Smoothie Maker

milkshakes

Smoothies are not only refreshing and delicious, but they also allow you to enjoy all of the essential vitamins and nutrients of natural and raw foods. Smoothies are packed full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, providing you with a tasty drink that truly does your body good.

While you can spend up to $10 a day or more buying smoothies from a smoothie shop on your way to and from work each day, having the best personal blender for smoothies can save you a considerable sum in no time at all. Whether you get an inexpensive small smoothie maker or the best rated smoothie maker money can buy, having your own personal smoothie maker is definitely the way to go.

You don’t need to be a professional chef or smoothie guru to create healthy and delicious smoothies. Today, the top blenders for smoothies make creating awesome smoothies easy as can be. Simply toss in the fruits or veggies you like along with any other ingredients, press a button, and you’re good to go.

pear smoothieSince smoothies have been proven to promote good health and assist with weight loss, a personal smoothie maker can help you get rid of body fat and achieve your fitness goals. Simply follow a healthy diet, exercise, and drink a healthy smoothie or two a day, and you’ll watch the pounds melt away in no time. Armed with the best blender for green smoothies, you’ll be a fat-burning machine!

Smoothies can also help you detoxify your body. From the air we breathe to the foods we eat, the world we live in full of contaminants. Thankfully, smoothies can help you rid these toxins from your system, prevent diseases, and improve your overall health.

Weight loss and detoxification are excellent benefits in their own right, but any smoothie lover will tell you that smoothies can provide you with an energy boost as well. With the best blender for smoothies in your kitchen, you’ll have the energy you need to make the most of each day.

The health benefits of smoothies are hard to deny. In fact, they’re great for combating heart disease, boosting your immune system, preventing diabetes, and even fighting certain types of cancer. The fact that all of these health benefits can come from a simple homemade drink is just amazing.

To recap, here’s a list of all of the benefits of having your very own personal smoothie maker:

  • Saves time and money
  • Healthy and packed full of vitamins, nutrients, and minerals
  • Great for losing weight
  • Help detox the body
  • Prevent heart disease and diabetes
  • Boosts your immune system
  • Refreshing and delicious

Best Smoothie Maker Brands

Unless you want to waste your hard-earned money on inferior smoothie makers like I did when I first ventured into the conveniently healthy and delicious world of smoothies, it’s a good idea to get to a little background info on all of the top smoothie blender brands.

From expensive brands known for making the best smoothie makers on the market today to lesser known brands with quality products and lower price tags, let’s take a look at some of today’s leading smoothie maker brands.

Vitamix

Vitamix is arguably the most trusted name in the blending industry and makes some of the best blenders and smoothie makers on the market today. Family-owned and operated for nearly 100 years and counting, the Cleveland-based brand can be found in kitchens, cafes, and smoothie shops around the world.

As is the case with other smoothie maker brands, there are several Vitamix models available to choose from. Of all of the Vitamix smoothie makers, however, the Vitamix CIA Professional Series is without out a doubt one of the best. As part of the Culinary Institute of America line of blenders, it has all of the power and features you need to whip up a never-ending variety of smoothie creations.

If you have a little more to spend and don’t mind its less refined looks, the Vitamix Professional Series 750 is another solid option worth considering. In fact, it’s probably my favorite and receives the most use in my home. There are plenty of other Vitamix smoothie makers out there with different features and price tags as well. With a reputation for being the best, you can’t go wrong with a Vitamix.

Ninja

If you’re looking for a good smoothie blender brand, Ninja never disappoints. Known for their “Ninjanuity,” Ninja smoothie makers are powerful, affordable, and versatile, allowing you to create virtually anything with the right ingredients.

Powered by patented Ninja technology, Ninja smoothie blenders feature powerfully efficient motors capable of turning chopped vegetables, fruit, and ice into creamy and delicious smoothies in mere seconds. With access to hundreds of tasty smoothie recipes, which come with each smoothie maker and are available on their website, a Ninja smoothie maker is the perfect choice if you’re just beginning your smoothie adventures.

Like Vitamix, there are many different wonderful Ninja smoothie blenders available. However, with thousands of overwhelmingly positive reviews, the Ninja Professional Blender is by far one of the most popular. If you’re a single guy or gal and don’t see a need for an oversized 72-ounce pitcher or 1,000 watts of power, the Nutri Ninja Pro may be a better option. It’s small, lightweight, and perfect for single use.

Blendtec

Proudly made in the USA, Blendtec smoothie blenders are well-known for their durability and blending abilities. In fact, most of their products even come with an industry-leading 8-year warranty. They even have a YouTube channel with videos showing their products “blending” up marbles, cell phones, and just about everything else you can imagine. Less expensive than Vitamix models, Blendtec smoothie blenders are great all-around options for everyone who appreciates high-quality products at a good value.

While you’ll be hard-pressed to find any faults with any Blendtec product, my favorite Blendtec smoothie maker is the brand’s Professional 750 model. It features a direct-drive 1,560-watt motor, 10 speeds, pre-programmed cycles, and illuminated push-button interface, and much more. The Blendtec Classic 575 is another solid choice. Like the Professional 750, it has all of the power, features, and design elements you need to create healthy and delicious smoothies with ease.

Waring

Waring got its start in 1937 when the Miracle Mixer first hit the market. It later became known simply as the “Waring Blender” and the upstart brand has been manufacturing high-quality blenders ever since. As a result of its continued quest to provide restaurants, bars, smoothie shops, and everyday folks like you and me with the latest technologically innovative designs, Waring has become a leading name in many food preparation equipment categories.

Nonetheless, the company has remembered its roots and continues to make some of the best smoothie blenders around. If you demand the best, you can’t go wrong with the Waring MegaMix Commercial Blender. A professional workhorse featuring a full extra horsepower of blending action, it allows you to make shakes, smoothies, and your favorite adult beverages in record time.

The Waring Pro MX1000R Professional 3.5-Horsepower Blender is another great choice. Designed to mish, crush, chop, and blend with the best of them, you’ll be whipping up smoothies like a pro with this smoothie maker in your kitchen equipment arsenal.

Cuisinart

James Beard and Julia Child are famous in their support for Cuisinart products. In fact, they were some of the first chefs and culinary experts to praise the brand’s food processor when it first reached America in the early 1970s. Owned by the Conair Corporation for the past 25 years, Cuisinart has upheld its legacy well, becoming a universally recognized brand endorsed by Hubert Keller, Jacques Pepin, and several other top culinary connoisseurs.

That being said, famous TV personalities and professional chefs aren’t the only ones to praise Cuisinart blenders as they can be found in millions of homes across the globe. Like other smoothie maker brands, Cuisinart makes several types of blenders and smoothie makers, but the CBT-1000 is by far its most popular. Designed for performance and versatility, it’s a solid appliance for under $200 and more than capable of providing you with years of smoothie-making fun.

The CPB-300 is also quite nice. In addition to looking great when sitting out on the counter, it’s a portable and efficient smoothie maker that’s perfect for personal-sized drinks. With a bevy of great reviews and a #1 ranking from Consumer Reports for blenders under $100, it deserves a spot in almost every kitchen.

Magic Bullet

People have known about the health benefits of smoothies for quite some time, but many fail to take advantage of them because they don’t want to be bothered with dealing with a big heavy blender every time they want a single drink. Well, say hello to Magic Bullet!

In addition to being lightweight, compact, and easy to operate, Magic Bullet smoothie makers work surprisingly well and blend up smoothies just as fast, if not faster, than smoothie makers from much more expensive brands.

Like other brands, however, there are many different types of Magic Bullet smoothie makers available to choose from. My personal favorite is the Magic Bullet NutriBullet 12-Piece High-Speed Blender/Mixer System. Designed for the average, everyday guy or gal, it’s affordable and works like a champ. Don’t take my word for it, however. With thousands of rave reviews, there are obviously plenty of others who like it just as much as I do.

If you want to take your smoothie making up a notch, the Magic Bullet NutriBullet Pro 900 Series Blender/Mixer System is an excellent choice as well. Regardless of which Magic Bullet you choose, you’re sure to enjoy plenty of delicious and healthy on-the-go smoothies for years to come.

Oster

Whether you’re looking to enjoy quick on-the-go smoothies or take your time and get creative with your smoothie concoctions, Oster is certain to have a blender or smoothie maker that matches your needs. The Oster line of blenders are known for their affordable price tags and ability to turn chunks of ice into fine snow, making them a go-to option for many of today’s smoothie drinkers.

As one of the most popular smoothie blender brands out there, it’s not surprising that Oster makes a wide variety of smoothie makers. One of the brand’s most popular, however, is the Oster BVCB07-Z Counterforms 6-Cup Glass Jar 7-Speed Blender. Although it lacks a catchy name like the NutriBullet, this quality, affordable smoothie maker is arguably one of the best around.

For increased portability and ease of use but even less money, the Oster BLSTPB-WBL My Blend 250-Watt Blender with Travel Sport Bottle is another great option. It won’t whip up a batch of healthy smoothies for the whole family, but this mighty little sport blender is perfect for anyone in need of a quick nutrient boost before or after hitting the gym. It’s receives regular use in my home, and that says a lot!

Hamilton Beach

Whether you’re heading off to work, running out your door to the gym, or making up a large batch of delicious smoothies for your whole family to enjoy, Hamilton beach has a blender or smoothie maker for you. Travel a lot and want a slim and portable model? If so, then give the Hamilton Beach 51101BA Personal Blender with Travel Lid a try.

Throwing a party perhaps? Make it a real fiesta and enjoy a round of smoothies with the one-of-a-kind Hamilton Beach Wave Station Express. Thanks to its dispensing spout, your guests can easily pour their own tasty smoothies with no hassle or mess to deal with. Regardless of your lifestyle, there’s definitely a Hamilton Beach smoothie maker out there for you.

If you’re new to smoothies and want a smoothie maker that won’t break the bank, the Hamilton Beach 58148 Power Elite Multi-Function Smoothie Blender is a great choice as well. It’s an excellent basic smoothie maker that’s perfect for anyone experimenting with smoothies for the first time.

Margaritaville

When you think of smoothies, do you think of Tahiti, Fiji, the Bahamas, or Key West? If so, you’re in luck! Thanks to Margaritaville’s top-of-the-line smoothie makers, each of which is named after a unique tropical paradise by the way, you don’t have to buy a plane ticket to travel to the islands.

Margaritaville smoothie makers are some of the best in the business at mixing up refreshingly tasty alcoholic drinks, but they can make some awesome smoothies as well. Just add some ice, fruit, and, well just about anything you want really, and you’ll have a wickedly good smoothie to enjoy. Yeah, they’re that good.

Any Margaritaville smoothie maker is sure to be an instant hit in your home, but one of my favorites is the brand’s Key West Frozen Concoction Maker. With a super cool design and the ability to crank out irresistibly good smoothies with ease, it’s great for parties and the island-hopping Jimmy Buffet lovers in all of us.

While it doesn’t top the Key West, the Margaritaville Fiji Premium Frozen Concoction Maker is also a wonderfully refreshing option. Regardless of which tropical paradise suits you best, Margaritaville smoothie makers have you covered.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Smoothie Maker

Pricing

dollar in tvWhen shopping for anything, price is generally a major consideration. No matter how much you want to get your smoothie on, you can only spend what you can afford to spend. You may want the best blender for smoothie and realize top rated smoothie blenders are investments worth their weight in gold, but you want to choose one you can afford. After all, what good is having the best smoothie blender if you can’t actually experiment with ingredients and enjoy using it once you have it?

That being said, you should definitely get the best rated smoothie maker for your budget. Although you can find inexpensive blenders for $15 or so, you should really spend a little extra for a quality smoothie maker that will work like it should and last for more than a few months.

When thinking about pricing and costs, you should also take power consumption into consideration. The top rated smoothie blenders mentioned in all of the smoothie blender reviews typically utilize larger motors that require more power in order to perform as well as they do.

Mid-range smoothie makers, on the other hand, have smaller motors that use less power. Unfortunately, they often don’t perform quite as well. I must say, however, that unless you plan on drinking 10 smoothies a day, power consumption will be negligible and not worth worrying about.

Warranty

anchorAny quality smoothie maker should come with at least a five-year warranty. Why is five the magic number you ask? Well, based on my experiences and research, blenders with warranties under five years are much more likely to break down when regularly used to make smoothies and other concoctions.

Unfortunately, many people opt for the cheaper route and choose an inexpensive smoothie maker with an extremely limited warranty, rather than the best blender for smoothies their budget can afford. Most of them complain that their smoothie maker just stops working several weeks later, but there’s nothing they can do about it.

Therefore, I only recommend blenders with warranties of at least five years or longer. It’s plain and simple, the longer the warranty, the more confident the manufacturer is in the quality and durability of its product.

Quality Craftsmanship

berry smoothiePrice, power, and quality are all related when it comes to smoothie makers. A powerful, well-made smoothie blender will cost much more than a basic 500-watt model with a plastic pitcher, but many kitchens wouldn’t be the same without one.

In addition to price and quality, you should also consider the manufacturer when shopping for the best smoothie machine. Some companies have better reputations than others or specialize in making specific types of smoothie blenders that are better for certain types of ingredients. Therefore, you should research a number of different manufacturers prior to hitting the buy button.

Features

raspberries and smoothieMany blenders are designed with similar components, but they often differ in the features, power settings, and speeds they provide. Some smoothie blenders only offer a couple of speeds, while others provide up to 16 speeds for finer blends and tackling any ingredients.

While the right speed usually depends on the purpose at hand, having a smoothie maker with multiple speeds will provide you with precise control over the blending of fine ingredients. Whether you’re looking for the best blender for green smoothies or one that can mix your frozen concoctions just right, the more options the better as far as I’m concerned.

Safety

LockSafety is another important consideration when shopping for the best personal smoothie maker for you and your family. Many lower-grade smoothie makers feature cheap plastic containers that can easily crack, and many others come equipped with glass containers.

Although glass smoothie containers are usually quite thick and durable, they are glass after all and can chip or shatter under stress. More expensive top-of-the-line smoothie makers, on the other hand, feature copolyethylene containers, which are virtually indestructible and safe as can be.

The blades, assembly and disassembly process, and other features like auto-shutoff functions are also all important safety factors to keep in mind when shopping for the best machine to make smoothies for your home.

Reliability

two bottles with smoothieAs mentioned, the containers of smoothie blenders are made from a variety of materials. Meanwhile, the bases of smoothie blenders are usually made from stainless steel, plastic, or a durable polymer compound. Inside each base lies the motor, which helps circulate and blend. Finally, a gasket or O-ring helps create a seal to keep the contents of the container inside of it where they belong.

When shopping for the best personal blender for smoothies, it’s important to know that the base components of blenders vary just like everything else. Some blenders have durable stainless steel parts, while others have plastic parts that tend to wear out more quickly. If you have the budget, you definitely want to shop for top rated smoothie blenders with as few cheap plastic parts as possible.

Design

smoothie with flowersMost smoothie blenders are similar in design. They all feature a container made of clear glass or plastic that rests on a base featuring various controls. Although the containers vary, the most noticeable design differences in smoothie blenders occur at the base.

If you prefer a more traditional look, smoothie makers with white, black, and stainless steel bases are widely available regardless of your budget. If you prefer a sleek and modern look, there are smoothie blenders with illuminating buttons, LCD screens, and more. The Margaritaville line of smoothie blenders even come with different colored bases and other unique elements that take smoothie maker design to the next level.

Ease of Use

Last but not least, the best blender for smoothies needs to be easy to use. Let’s face it, if you can barely figure out how to use your smoothie maker or the process takes much longer than it should, you’re not going to get the most out of it and enjoy nearly as many healthy and delicious smoothies.

What is the Best Personal Blender for Smoothies?

cocktail smoothie

Personal smoothie blenders are a lot like their larger cousins and are the best ones are able to whip up delicious single-serve smoothies in seconds. Although they usually don’t have as many speed settings and control functions as standard smoothie blenders, they’re much smaller and easier to use, making them perfect for a single guy or gal.

Like larger traditional smoothie blenders, there are many differences between the various personal smoothie blender varieties. By recognizing these differences and knowing which materials, features, and design elements are better than others, you’ll be able to immediately spot the best small blender for smoothies out of a lineup and begin enjoying these healthy and delicious drinks the way they were meant to be enjoyed.

If you’ve read this far, you’re probably a smoothie maker expert by now. However, since you’re here with one thing in mind, which is to find the best top rated personal blender for smoothies, it’s only fitting to recommend a few of the most popular and well-liked personal smoothie blenders being made today.

The Best Blender for Green Smoothies

green smoothie

You can’t go anywhere these days without hearing or reading about green smoothies, and for good reason. In addition to being incredibly healthy, green smoothies provide a number of wonderful overall benefits.

In fact, according to a recently published study in the New England Journal of Medicine, men suffering from a diet low in calcium are twice as likely to develop kidney stones than men who eat a high-calcium diet, and the results for women were nearly as bad.

Sure, you could drink a gallon of milk or eat a block of cheese each day, but that wouldn’t be great for your figure, would it? The solution: green smoothies of course!

Kale, which has low oxalate levels as well, is a green smoothie favorite with plenty of calcium that the human body absorbs much better than milk-based calcium. While we’re on the subject of calcium, of you’re feeling constipated, a green fiber-rich smoothie will also help your digestive system. This in turn allows toxins to leave your body and results in smoother, more radiant skin. What’s not to like about that?

Even if you think the green smoothie trend is all hype, the simple psychological factor that green smoothies are supposedly “healthy” will have a positive effect on how you feel about yourself. In other words, drinking green smoothies will give you the psychological boost you need to also shed pounds and boost your fitness.

When shopping for the best blender for green smoothies, especially if you plan on drinking them daily, power, ease of use, and reliability are some of the most important features to look for.

Since green smoothies can be made with a variety of fresh whole vegetables and just about whatever else you choose, you need an easy to use smoothie machine with enough power to get the job done and make the finest blends day in and day out. Here’s a look at a few green smoothie machines that can do just that:

Smoothie Maker FAQ

What exactly can I put in a smoothie maker?

Nearly all fruits and vegetables can be perfectly blended in a good smoothie maker. However, apples and other harder fruits may need to be cut up into pieces in order for them to easily blend. In addition to nuts, dried fruits can be blended into smoothies as well, but I recommend soaking them in a little water before blending.

What is a pulse function?

You already know that smoothie blenders, regardless of whether you choose the best smoothie maker or the worst, have different speeds for different ingredients and stages of blending. However, many also come with a pulse function as well. This function provides short bursts of power to chop through harder and chunkier ingredients during the beginning stages of the smoothie making process. It can also be used to help you avoid over-processing.

Which smoothie maker provides the best bang for the buck?

If you have a budget like most of us and want to find the best smoothie machine for your hard-earned buck, the Breville BBL605XL Hemisphere Control Blender, Ninja BL660 Professional Blender, or Oster Versa. All of these mid-priced models are very comparable to one another and are great options worth considering.

How many speeds do I need?

As you know, smoothie blenders come with a wide variety of speeds. More expensive models typically come with eight speeds or more, allowing you to finely blend virtually any fruit, vegetables, and other ingredients with ease. Less expensive blenders often have fewer speeds. While you don’t need a gazillion different speeds, my mantra is always the more speeds the better.

Watch a video about how to make a healthy smoothie using smoothie maker:

Tips on Choosing the Best Smoothie Maker

smoothie with berriesIf you’re a smoothie fan, then you either get it from a shop or make them at home yourself, which is almost always the healthiest and cheapest option. However, you need a quality blender to make a quality smoothie.

Fortunately, if you’ve been scouring through smoothie blender reviews in search of the top blenders for smoothies, you can rest assured you don’t need to shell out $400 or more for a commercial-grade monster of a smoothie maker as quality models are available for much less.

The key is quality. Since a quality blender is an absolute must for your smoothie enjoyment, here are some tips to help you choose the best smoothie machine for you:

  • Choose Quality Over Price – If you love smoothies as much as I do and intend on making them daily for the inevitable future, then you need to choose a durable, well-built smoothie maker. The good news is there are many smoothie makers that fit this description available anywhere from $60 to $140, so you don’t have to break the bank to satisfy your healthy smoothie habit.
  • A Powerful Motor is a Must – The best blender for smoothie should always have at least a 500-watt motor. Anything less than 500 watts, unless it’s a smaller personal smoothie blender, and it won’t be able to adequately blend fruits, veggies, and ice to the right consistency. Luckily, there are plenty of powerful smoothie machines out there to choose from.
  • Don’t Overlook the Base – Whether you’re looking for the best small blender for smoothies or a bigger, more powerful model, it’s important to choose one that’s solidly constructed with a sturdy base. After all, there’s nothing worse than making a delicious smoothie only to bump the blender and spill it everywhere. Also, try to avoid smoothie makers with buttons that smoothie liquids can seep into and cause to malfunction.
  • Consider the Manufacturer – It may go without saying, but you should only purchase a smoothie blender made by a top-quality manufacturer, such as Vitamix, Blendtec, Oster, Waring, Brevile, and any of the other brands recommended above. By doing so, you’ll be able to enjoy years of deliciously healthy homemade smoothies.
If you’re still unsure of which smoothie maker is the right one for you, check out my in-depth reviews to see my top recommendations. Pretty much all of the smoothie blenders I review and recommend can be used to make great tasting smoothies for years to come. However, for the best chopping, blending, and liquification, you’ll want to choose a model with great blades, a powerful motor, and plenty of speeds, such as a Vitamix, Blendtec, or Ninja.

Where Can I Buy a Smoothie Blender?

There are many places where you can find quality smoothie blenders for sale, but unbiased smoothie machine reviews like this one are a great place to get pointed in the right direction.

Sure, you can spend your precious time reading the labels of smoothie machines at your local big box or bed and bath store, but it’s much easier to find the right one and purchase it online from Amazon or a manufacturer’s website. With steep discounts often available and the ability to receive your new blender right to your front door within a day, Amazon is definitely the way to go!

There are hundreds of smoothie makers for sale on Amazon at amazing prices. So, whether you want the best cheap smoothie maker in the world or simply want a good cheap smoothie blender that will do what you need and nothing more, Amazon is the place to get it.

Making the Decision

If you’ve managed to make it this far, then you can rest assured you now know more about smoothie makers than the average Joe. All you have to do now is decide which smoothie maker is best for you and hit the “buy” button.

With weather getting warmer and warmer and your waistline getting bigger and bigger, there’s no time like now to invest in yourself and purchase the best blender for smoothies your money can buy.

So, dig deeper in the site, weigh your options, and go ahead and treat yourself by purchasing a quality smoothie blender that will keep you cool and fit for years to come!

best smoothie maker