The best blenders aren't just for making smoothies. We believe they're an essential bit of kit to level up your training as they can unlock new protein-based drinks and snacks that you can make from the comfort of your own home.
While the best juicers focus on creating light and refreshing drinks, blenders mix all their contents together, leaving no nutrients behind. So, if you're after a calorie-dense protein shake, a blender has you covered.
If this sounds like the device for you, then our list of top picks should help kick-start your search. Based on the price, reviews, and features, we've rounded up the very best right here.
Features-wise, we've picked out blenders with powerful motors and multiple speed settings to tackle a variety of different ingredients, even the thickness of some of the best protein powders, with ease.
So, whether you're after something powerful, like this KitchenAid High Performance Blender, or something a little cheaper, like this Ninja Nutri Slim Blender featured in our list of the best budget blenders, then our list has you covered.
We've also answered a few of the most commonly asked questions surrounding blenders to help you decide on the right device for you and your kitchen. So, without further delay, let's get into it...
Best blender
- Vitamix A3500
- NURTiBULLET 1200 Series
- Ninja Nutri Slim Blender
- Oster My Blend
- KitchenAid High Performance Blender
click to enlarge1. Vitamix A3500
Best all-round blender
Vitamix has been manufacturing blenders for consumers, restaurants, and hospitality settings for 100 years, and its A3500 is one of the most advanced machines in its collection.
It features an impressive 10 variable speed settings, a pulse function, and 5 programs with predefined speeds and duration for different types of blends, for example, smoothies and dips.
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Moreover, this blender comes with an adjustable timer which you can set to automatically turn the device off once the time is up.
All in all, if you're looking to create smooth shakes using your favourite protein, then this blender could be your answer.
click to enlarge2. NUTRiBULLET 1200 Series
Best blender for protein shakes
If you're searching for a blender to create the perfect protein shake, then this NURTiBULLET 1200 Series may be for you.
It comes with pre-programmed, hands-free Autoburst Cycles which, according to NURTiBULLET, know exactly when to speed up and when to slow down to ensure all of the nutrients for your fruit and vegetables are extracted.
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In terms of power, this blender boasts a 1200W motor that can turn the blades at 25,000 RPM which should be quick enough to mix all your supplements without leaving any clumps.
It's also worth mentioning that the 1200 Series comes with a 930ml handled cup as well as an 820ml stainless steel mug which makes it ideal for travelling with.
click to enlarge3. Ninja Nutri Slim Blender
Best budget blender
While some bigger blenders come with bigger price tags, this Nutri Slim personal blender is on the cheaper end of the scale.
Despite its lower price, it still comes with a handy 700W motor that should crush ice, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and seeds with ease to help you make delicious and nutritious smoothies.
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It also comes with two 470ml serving cups with on-the-go lids so you can make yourself a protein shake in the morning, and take it with you to drink before your workout.
Ultimately, if you're in need of a relatively inexpensive blender for personal use, then we feel this Nutri Slim device is well worth considering.
click to enlarge4. Oster My Blend
Best personal blender
With this Oster My Blend, you can mix drinks directly into the BPA-free, plastic sports bottle, making it ideal for picking up and taking with you on your way to work for example.
It is also incredibly compact, measuring at just 17cm wide and 37.8cm tall, so it should fit perfectly in your kitchen, regardless of its size.
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It is also worth noting that Oster has included some recipes for you to try in the instruction manual so, if you're struggling with ideas, the My Blend manual is there to help.
On the whole, this compact blender should definitely be one to consider if you're in need of something quick and easy to use every day.
click to enlarge5. KitchenAid High-Performance Blender
Best powerful blender
In terms of speed and power, you probably won't find much better than this KitchenAid Blender.
It comes with a hugely impressive 1800W motor designed predominately for cooking, but should also be more than suitable for making a killer protein shake.
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It also has 9 adjustable speeds so you can set the KitchenAid to a speed of your choice and watch it mix your ingredients together into one smooth blend. The 2.6l jug is BPA-free and dishwasher safe so, not only is it extremely big, but it will likely be easy to clean once you've finished using it as well.
All in all, this powerful blender should mix everything it's asked to with ease and therefore earns a spot on our list.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
With so many different types to choose from, you probably have a few queries about blenders, but we're here to clear up some of the most common questions.
What can you make with a blender?
As touched on in this list, you can make a number of things with a blender such as smoothies and protein shakes, but that's not all...
Blenders can also be used for mixing different types of butter, eggs, cream, condiments such as mayonnaise, and even coffee.
In reality, anything you can think of that needs blending, a powerful machine should be able to mix it.
What's the difference between a blender and a juicer?
As mentioned in our comparison of juicers and blenders, the simple answer is yes.
Juicers separate only the juice from the fruit or vegetables and the leftover pulp and other fibers remain behind.
By contrast, a blender combines whole fruit or vegetable which helps to create a thicker and more nutritious beverage.
How do you maintain a blender?
Generally speaking, the majority of blenders are pretty easy to clean as the containers, lids, and blades can usually be washed in the dishwasher, however, make sure you check in the manual first.
Also, avoid getting the motor or the machine itself wet as this can cause your blender to break. To clean these areas, it's probably best to just use a cloth.
It is worth noting that you can also clean each of the components by hand, but be careful when handling the blades as they tend to be incredibly sharp.
What does the pulse function do?
Some blenders come with a pulse button which is used when you need short bursts of power at the optimum speed.
You're in complete control with this function as you decide how many pulses are required to fully blend your ingredients.
This is designed to prevent over-blending, for example, you can add an extra burst of blending at the end of a mix to smooth the mixture a little more.