Blenders
We pushed each blender through frozen fruit, leafy greens, and nut butters to find the models that deliver a truly smooth blend and last for years.
The gap between a great blender and a mediocre one shows up the moment you add kale, frozen berries, or ice. Motor power, jar shape, and blade design decide whether you get a silky drink or a gritty, half-blended mess.
Here are our 2026 picks, scored on blend smoothness, durability, noise, and ease of cleaning.
A relentless 2-peak-HP motor pulverizes anything you throw in and can even heat soup through friction alone. The tall jar and variable dial give total control, and the 7-year warranty backs a machine built to outlast everything else on your counter.
All the blending muscle of the 5200 with five program presets, a touch interface, and a self-clean cycle. The shorter, wider jar fits under cabinets, and the build quality is flawless. The blender to buy if budget is no object.
Strong crushing power, helpful Auto-iQ programs, and a big 72-ounce pitcher at a fraction of premium prices. It won't quite match a Vitamix on the silkiest blends, but for everyday smoothies and frozen drinks it's outstanding value.
A compact single-serve blender that makes a smoothie and doubles as your to-go cup. It's quick, easy to clean, and ideal for one or two people who want grab-and-go drinks without a full-size machine taking over the counter.
A blunt, durable blade and a powerful motor blast through ice and fibrous greens with ease. One-touch cycles do the thinking for you, and the wide jar is easy to pour and clean. A serious Vitamix rival with its own loyal following.
Power and jar design matter most, but the right blender also depends on what you make and how many people you feed.
For frozen fruit, ice, and leafy greens, look for a motor rated around 1,000 watts or two horsepower. Lower-powered blenders are fine for soft fruit and protein shakes but will struggle and leave a gritty texture with tougher ingredients.
A full-size pitcher blender handles soups, big-batch smoothies, and family use. A personal blender like the NutriBullet Pro is cheaper, quicker to clean, and blends straight into a travel cup — perfect for solo daily drinks.
Self-clean cycles and dishwasher-safe jars save real time. High-powered blenders are loud by nature, so if you blend early or in an open kitchen, check noise levels — a few quieter models exist, and we factor it into every rating.
Build a complete prep station with one of our best chef's knives, or upgrade your morning coffee with a top espresso machine. Cooking for a crowd? See our cookware set picks.
One short email a week: the best kitchen sales, new reviews, and cooking tips. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Join thousands of home cooks shopping smarter.