From whizzing up smoothies and cocktails to blitzing sauces and soups, blenders are one of the most indispensable kitchen appliances when it comes to making popular everyday recipes.
Whether you’re looking for a timesaving gadget to make breakfast smoothies for all the family, or a nifty portable blender for whizzing up slushies on a summer holiday or picnic, blenders come in all manner of shapes, sizes and budgets.
To save you time and to help you find the best model for your needs, I’ve put more than 40 blenders to the test in recent years, from premium models from the likes of Sage and KitchenAid to portable intuitive pieces of kit from Ninja and Nutribullet. If it’s specifically a portable blender that you’re after, you can read our full review on best portable blenders here.
The latest additions were tested and reviewed by Annie Collyer.
Best blenders at a glance
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How I tested blenders
I tested nearly 60 blenders overall, from the basic and budget to the high-tech, using the same smoothie concoction (1 beetroot, â…“ carrot, handful kale and 500ml water) to test the blenders’ ability to handle tough and fibrous ingredients.
- Blade strength: Could the blade easily blend our smoothie mix without struggling?
- Speed of blitzing: How quickly and efficiently did the smoothie blend?
- Ease of use: Was the blender easy to set up, put together, take apart and clean? Was it straightforward?
- The jug: How heavy and durable was the jug? Was it shatter-resistant? Plastic or glass? If plastic, was it BPA-free?
- Safety: Does it come with a safety lock? How tightly does the lid fit?
- Loudness: All blenders generate noise, but were there any that were quieter or louder than others?
- Functions: How many speed settings? On top of blending, are there any other functions, such as pulse, crushing ice etc? Any pre-set functions to make things such as soups and smoothies? Auto-clean?
- Results: How well blended was the smoothie? Any lumpy bits leftover, or was it completely smooth?
- Design and aesthetic: Is it well designed or bulky? How much space does it take up on the counter? Does it justify its size? Does it pack away easily in a cupboard?
- Packaging: Is it well-packed, or does it come with excess packaging etc?
Find out more about how testing works at Good Food by heading over to our how we test page.
Best blenders to buy in 2026
Ninja Detect 3-in-1 Power blender and food processor
Available from Currys (£239.99), Ninja (£239.99), Argos (£239.99)
Best high-tech blender
Pros:
- Powerful
- Automatic setting for blending
- Dishwasher safe except the base
- Three to-go cups
- Liquid detection warning
Cons:
- Noisy
- Difficult to get into the dishwasher
Star rating: 5/5
Wattage: 1200W
The Detect 3-in-1 Power blender from Ninja, a renowned brand well-known for its technology, is powerful and well built.
It is sturdily built and boasts numerous features – I particularly liked the BlendSense function, a relatively recent innovation from Ninja that senses and automatically adjusts the blending speed and time in the jug.
It’s able to determine whether you’re using fresh or frozen ingredients and enough liquid; if not, a warning appears on the screen. But once it is happy, off it goes. If you prefer more control, there are manual and pulse functions too.
Although the machine is noisy, blending the smoothie using Blendsense was incredibly fast and thorough with superb results, so I forgave the noise. I used the pulse function for the sauce as I wanted some texture, and again, it was brilliant.
The blender also comes with a food processor, several different blades, a grating and slicing disc and three single-serve lidded cups for smoothies on the go. I think it is well worth the price.
Available from:
Tefal Lightmix
Available from Amazon (£23), John Lewis and Partners (£23), Tefal (£34.99)
Best quiet portable blender
Pros:
- Stylish design
- Portable and perfect for one
- Quieter than most
- Dishwasher-safe cup
- Anti-slip grip
- Compact
Cons:
- Heavy for a portable model
- Small capacity
Star rating: 5/5
Wattage: 50W
A common gripe with blenders is how noisy they can be. The Tefal Lightmix might not be silent, as advertised, but it’s among the quietest we’ve tested. This and the compact, stylish design, with a grippy soft green silicon shell and handle, makes it perfect for taking out and about or for a smoothie for one at home.
The accompanying USB lead connects firmly with the magnetic clasp, with a two-hour charge providing up to eleven sessions. Two clicks of a button and the 40-second cycle blends up a frozen berry smoothie with relative ease as you flip the cup up and down while it works away. I had to stop it once to give it a stir, but the final results were lump-free and creamy.
Made from Tritan plastic, the cup is durable and BPA-free with a 300ml capacity that is just right for one. It’s a size that’s best suited to drinks, however, it whizzed up a super smooth pizza sauce with such ease, you could use it for small portions of sauces or dips.
The blade and mechanism are concealed in the lid, which makes it fairly weighty – around 500g – to carry about in your bag empty. A separate lid would be a bonus addition, however, at this price point we can forgive that.
Available from:
KitchenAid K400 blender
Available from KitchenAid (£319)
Best blender for keeping on the countertop
Pros:
- Glass blender jug
- Self-clean setting
- Jug hand loads for left- and right-handed people
Cons:
- Heavy to manoeuvre
- Confusing pause before starting its speed settings
- Short flex cord
Star rating: 5/5
Wattage: 1200W
This 1500ml KitchenAid is one for the countertop, elegantly rounded with non-slip feet and a good deal of heft that frankly, makes it impractical to move every time, so this would be a permanent addition to your countertop. This is in part down to the weighty glass jug that lifts on and off and as a nice touch, the handle can be set on the left or right depending which works best for you.
The jug is also notched with helpful ml and oz measurements for weighing directly into the jug to save on washing-up. It’s also dishwasher-safe on the top shelf and, and in test, didn’t hold any colour or smell of tomato after blending sauce. The blades are ready-loaded and secured, which is a pro from a safety perspective.
Read our full KitchenAid K400 blender review.
Cuisinart Blast & Go Portable Blender
Available from Amazon (£39.99), Cuisinart (£69.99), Lakeland (£69.99)
Best compact and portable blender
Pros:
- Compact and cordless
- Eco-conscious packaging
- Portable and travel-friendly
- Three-year guarantee
- Impressive results
- Simple and straightforward
Cons:
- Needs fully charging before first use
- Limited cup capacity
- Two settings
Star rating: 5/5
Wattage: 10W
There is much to be said for simple, straightforward design that delivers what it promises. The Cuisinart Blast & Go Portable Blender is exactly that.
After an initial two-hour charge with the USB-C lead, the blender has enough power to whizz through around 20 sessions. After that, you can use it with or without the lead. It’s so lightweight, compact and portable, I could imagine taking this camping or on a self-catering holiday.
The two clearly marked pre-settings, smoothie or blender, blitz through frozen and fresh ingredients in 33 seconds with ease, leaving sauces puréed, and smoothies, super smooth. It was much quieter than others on test, too. The measuring lines on the cup are handy for following recipes, and when you’re finished you can pop that and the lid into the dishwasher.
The 500ml capacity is better suited to drinks and smaller portions of sauces and dips, rather than attempting to whizz up a family soup. Bonus points for the eco-conscious packaging and the three-year guarantee.
Available from:
Sage the Super Q blender
Available from Harts Of Stur (£498.95), Sage (£499.95), Amazon (£499.95)
Best blowout blender
Pros:
- High tech functions
- Superb results
Cons:
Star rating: 5/5
Wattage: 2400W
This Sage blender’s USP is its extra-quiet credentials, with the brand going so far as to patent the technology. Sage specialises in this kind of pioneering functionality, and I felt the Super Q lives up to expectations.
It has all the makings of a professional-level piece of kit, but has been designed with the home user in mind: simple pre-set functions, an in-built timer, handy tools for scraping down the jug, a personal blending cup attachment and more. Most importantly, the blitzing results were excellent.
Read our full Sage The Super Q blender review.
Ninja Blast
Available at Amazon (£39), Ninja (£44.99), Currys (£44.99)
Best portable blender overall
Pros:
- Easy to transport
- Cordless
- Good-looking
- Produces smooth results
- Runs quietly
Cons:
- Very short charging cable
- No plug included
Star rating: 5/5
Wattage: 14.4W
This powerful cordless gadget makes light work of blitzing and blending on the go. Included in the box is a USB-C rechargeable motor base and charging cord, a 530ml blending cup, a sip lid with a handle, a cup cover, and a blade cover. The cup and lid are also dishwasher-safe.
It needs to be charged for at least two hours before first use, and you’ll need your own USB plug or a multi-port hub to connect it to the mains. I’d advise holding on to the manual, as it contains key information on what each colour means (a flashing orange light around the start/stop button, for instance, means the blades are blocked).
It has an automatic run time of 30 seconds, and in test the results were smooth and consistent. The sip lid is designed to be leak-proof, too, so you can pop it in your bag without worry.
KitchenAid Pure Power blender
Available from Currys (£116.95), Amazon (£148.99), KitchenAid (£149)
Best blender for under £150
Pros:
- Four colourways
- Very easy to clean – thanks to its clean mode
- Versatile
- Can be used to blend hot ingredients
- Safety setting means it won’t work unless lid is attached
Cons:
- Struggled a little when blending frozen fruits
- Cord isn’t super long at 80cm
- Not the best for making just one portion
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 1200W
A great size family blender that deserves a spot on any worktop, the KitchenAid Pure Power is aptly named as what it lacks in price it offers in power.
Available in four colourways, I used this blender to make easy work of both a berry smoothie and a hot pizza sauce, thanks to its specially-designed vented lid. With two modes – smoothie and ice crush – plus a cleaning mode, it’s super easy to use. Otherwise, it has a speed dial for manual use, with 10 options plus a pulse mode.
I did note that it found it tricky to blend frozen fruits and it did get stuck, but with a shake of the jug it managed to create a deliciously thick drink for two. While blitzing pizza sauce, I noted that it’s not the best option for smaller portions – it struggled to blend pizza sauce for six as it wasn’t enough liquid for the jug.
Its max capacity is 2000ml, making it ideal for making smoothies for two or more people. After use, it has a special clean mode – simply fill halfway with water and some dish soap and press this cycle on. After, just give it a rinse and it’s ready for next use. Its jug and lid are also dishwasher-safe, too. Safety-wise, I loved that it wouldn’t turn on without its lid being securely fit to the machine. Do bear in mind too that its cord isn’t very long at just 80cm.
Available from:
Nutribullet Triple Prep System
Available from Nutribullet (£179.99)
Best blender for doing it all
Pros:
- Clear illuminated touchscreen display
- Intelligent pre-settings
- Very easy to use
- Multifunctional and versatile
- Excellent blending results
- Powerful
Cons:
- It is very noisy
- Requires ample storage
- Excessive packaging
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 1500W
If you’re looking for a kitchen appliance that, almost, does it all, then the nutribullet Triple Prep System is for you. Packed inside the big box is a single-serve cup, a family-sized pitcher and a food processor for whizzing up all manner of smoothie, sauce, soup, dip or dough.
The base unit comes alive with a sleek touchscreen digital display that cleverly detects the attachment you have clicked on and shows the relevant pre-settings for each one, making it a cinch to get started.
On test, it powerfully and quickly delivered a super smooth frozen berry drink and a lump-free puréed sauce for pizza, and it was easy to clean up after by hand.
Most components will also go in the dishwasher, though the pitcher was too large to squeeze into my slimline one. There’s just one drawback: it’s so very noisy. If you can live with that and have the storage, this is a worthwhile investment.
Available from:
Nutribullet Ultra
Available from Nutribullet (£109.99), Argos (£109.99)
Best all-round blender
Pros:
- Modern and sophisticated design
- Easy to set up and use
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Intuitive controls
- Well-written manual
Cons:
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 1200W
This small but mighty blender has got it all. With its matt grey finish, it would look good resting on any countertop, while additional parts can conveniently be stowed away with ease. As well as being aesthetically pleasing, it’s also intuitive, simple to use and versatile.
With its 1200 wattage, it’s a powerful model that would suit busy households or families looking to whip up everything from fruit-filled smoothies to pasta sauces in seconds – I found it took on both with ease. It’s intuitively designed, with just two light-up control buttons (one for blend and one for pulse).
The only drawback is the noise – there’s no hiding the fact it’s a very loud blender. But equally it’s also so efficient that only one or two blitzes were needed to make the sauces and smoothies tested. It’s at the pricier end of the scale for a Nutribullet blender, but given that it’s hard to find fault with it, it’s well worth the price in my opinion.
ProCook Food Blender and Smoothie Maker
Available from ProCook (£149)
Best blender for batch cookers
Pros:
- Large 2-litre capacity
- Powerful motor
- Handy pushing rod included
- Good safety features
Cons:
- Larger and heavier than some models
- Lid can be awkward to clip in place
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 2000W
Blitzing ice for cocktails, creating silky soups or whizzing ingredients for Good Food’s homemade tomato sauce recipe, this ProCook blender made light work of whatever I tried.
Batch cooks will love this model, as the generous 2-litre capacity jug gives you the space to blend family-size recipes without fear of overspill. Turn the dial for increased power, 0-10, or use special ‘ice’, ‘juice’ or ‘pulse’ buttons that vary the strength and frequency of blending bursts. Even at full capacity, the noise level on this model was good.
Although this choice features a Tritan BPA-free plastic jug, it’s of such good quality I’d expect it to withstand heavy use. Unusually, it’s also square, which means you don’t have to twist it on or off – simply place it on the motorised base. However, one small gripe was that the lid had to be positioned in a certain way, with parts aligning – a manoeuvre some round-jugged models don’t require.
Once in place, though, I liked the added safety clips to hold the lid firmly and the suction feet did a great job of keeping this heavy blender steady. With further safety in mind, this blender has both overheat and overcurrent protection, and will pause if overloaded or the blade becomes blocked.
Smeg BLC02 high-performance blender
Available from Amazon (£249.99)
Best smoothie blender
Pros:
- Attractive design
- Robust 1.5-litre jug
- Comes with specific presets
- Bright, intuitive digital display
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Heavy
- Expensive
- Excessive non-recyclable packaging
- Limited information on recycling or spare parts
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 1400W
A touch more modern than some of Smeg’s other appliances, this blender is boxy but sleek. There are buttons across the top and a large dial on the front, which lights up brightly and allows you to control the speed (on a scale of one to nine).
You can run it manually, but to guarantee the best results there are also four presets: smoothie, green smoothie, frozen dessert or ice crush, plus single-serve and family-serve (three portions) – each of which determines how many seconds the blender runs for. There are extra accessories, too, including a vacuum pump, (to preserve nutrients, colours and flavours), a tamper, spatula, and cleaning brush.
Where this blender scored lowest was sustainability – there was a lot of plastic packaging, and I struggled to find any details on spare parts or recycling in the manual. I also found it very noisy in use, but it did achieve impressively smooth results.
Russell Hobbs Desire jug blender
Available from Argos (£49.99), Hughes (£49.99), Very (£51), Amazon (£59.99)
Best budget blender
Pros:
Cons:
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 650W
What this sleek-looking blender lacks in multiple functions it makes up for in solid performance and ease of use. It functions as well as more expensive models on the market, so much so it blitzed my tester smoothie so thoroughly you could be forgiven for thinking the drink had been made in a juicer, rather than a blender. It is compact, sturdy, leak-proof and gets a big thumbs-up on the value for money front.
Read our full Russell Hobbs Desire blender review.
Good Food in partnership with Tower jug blender
Available from Amazon (£72), Tower (£79.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30
This sleek jug blender combines power, precision and ease of use. With a 1200W motor, 10 speed settings and three pre-set functions, it tackles everything from crushed ice to fruity smoothies. The 1.5L glass jug is ideal for sharing, while the digital control panel and ergonomic handle make blending and pouring effortless.
Available from:
Other blenders tested and rated
- Vitamix Ascent review, £669
- Nutribullet blender review, £99.99
- Magimix 1.8L Le Blender review, £289.24
- Ninja 2-in-1 blender with Auto-IQ review, £134.52
- Kenwood Blend-X Fresh Blender review, £66.99
- Tefal Perfectmix blender review, £95
- Kenwood MultiPro OneTouch food processor and blender, £149.99
- Nutribullet Magic Bullet Blender, £39.99
- Zwilling Enfinigy table blender, £129
- Nutribullet SmartSense Blender Combo, £129.99
- Haier I-Master Series 5 Glass Jug Blender, £135.15
How to choose the best blender
What is a blender?
Stand blenders come in all different shapes and sizes with a range of specifications and price points, so it’s best to evaluate the overall demands of your lifestyle and kitchen, and also the space you have available. Some of the more advanced machines tend to be bulkier and heavier, with larger jugs and stands.
What to look for in a blender
- Pulse function
- Variety of speed settings
- BPA-free plastic or glass jug
- Measurement notches on the jug
- Self-clean function
- Auto shut-off in case of overheating
- Plunger
- Pouring spout
- Individual smoothie cup with a sealed lid
What can you use a blender for?
It’s worth identifying whether you need a straightforward blender, purely for the sake of blending smoothies and soups, or whether you’d like additional functions such as ice crushing, the ability to blend hot ingredients, or the power to pulse ingredients such as nuts and seeds.
Finally, if you’re short on time, and looking to save on the washing-up, it may be worth looking for a device that comes with its own to-go cup which you can blend smoothies directly into – you can find these at different price points, depending on your budget.
How to clean your blender
Clean out obvious debris as soon as you can after use – skinny spatulas are great for tricky corners. Many models come with dishwasher-friendly components, so pop the jug on the bottom dishwasher drawer with the lid and place any inserts on higher trays or the cutlery basket.
Please don’t plunge your hands into soapy water to scrub at the blade attachments – they’re razor sharp, rotate and can be at peculiar angles. Safety first: fill the blender jug halfway with hot water and the tiniest squirt of washing-up liquid. Now ‘blend’ the mix on full power for a minute or so and rinse thoroughly before leaving upturned on the drainer to dry.
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Do you use a blender? We’d love to hear your product suggestions – leave a comment below.
