Buying kitchen devices can be a fun venture because there are lots of gadgets that you can buy for whatever purpose in your house. But sometimes not all buys are essential and sometimes some pieces we purchase end up in charity boxes even before use, and others you even wonder how you ever bought them in the first place.
When it comes to blenders, these devices are timeless kitchen appliances that will always be a workhorse and never be outdated. We are going to discuss the best inexpensive blenders for smoothies that can be helpful if you are a smoothie lover and looking for blenders at an affordable price.
Before buying a blender, you need to understand how you want to use it because there are different types of blenders for different uses. Though I recommend you always get a super-versatile blender that can be used to chop or grind ingredients, mix and crush ice, blend ice cream, sweet sauces, and milk, or puree roasted veggies sometimes it is important to have one blender dedicated to one task.
If you love smoothies, you will appreciate the fact that there are blenders designed specifically for making these eternal drinks.
Think about it, a personal blender just for making smoothies!
Top 5 Best Inexpensive Blenders for Smoothies in 2023
In this article, we are going to review the top 5 best inexpensive blenders for smoothies from notable brands including Hamilton Beach Power Elite among many others.
A summary of 5 Best Inexpensive Blenders for Smoothies in 2023
- Ninja BL660 Professional Countertop Blender
- Ninja BL610 Professional 72 OZ Countertop Blender
- Ninja Fit Compact Personal Blender
- Oster Blender Pro 1200 with Glass Jar
- Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender
1. Ninja BL660 Professional Countertop Blender
The Ninja Professional Blender is the leading personal blender for making smoothies thanks to its 1100 watts of power. Its blade ensures it is ideal for crushing ice while its XL 72 ounces jar means you can prepare large batches of smoothies once.
When it comes to ice crushing, this blender’s 6-blade design allows you to crush ice to snow in a matter of seconds. With its 1100-watt motor, it is extremely easier to pulverize even the toughest ingredients in your kitchen.
It is BPA free and since it is an immersion blender, it can break down whole vegetables and fruits for stimulating, highly nutrient juice.
Blend your beloved frozen fruits into the cup directly, and then just twist on the lid to enjoy refreshing smoothies on the go.
But here is the thing; the Ninja BL660 is quite an old model, having been released almost a decade ago, so the design is not that pleasing.
Nevertheless, this is a pretty capable machine despite its age and it is also budget-friendly. It is a personal blender that is ideal for smoothies, meaning you will not be able to make other food types such as hot soups.
While it is not as powerful as the blender Hamilton Beach makes, it can process just about any dry ingredient.
In terms of packaging, the Ninja BL660 includes the base unit, user manual, 72-ounce jar with pouring spout and blade tool, two 16 ounces single-serve pitchers, and a blade assembly for a 16-ounce cup, 1 sipping lid, and cup measure.
The blade assemblies are easy to wash since they are dishwasher safe, while the blender itself comes in one color.
2. Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Ounce Countertop Blender
While the Ninja BL610 Professional may seem like just another personal blender from SharkNinja, it is worth considering a model for individuals looking for a competitively priced blender to make smoothies.
This model stands out from the competition with its Total Crushing Technology and industry-grade power.
Just as the name suggests, this countertop blender has a performance power of up to 100 watts, meaning it can easily crush through even the toughest frozen foods and ingredients in just seconds.
It offers just the same versatility and performance as the likes of Hamilton Beach Power Elite and other high-priced models.
For budding health aficionados, this personal blender is worth considering to help master your skills in blending and juicing before upgrading to more complex and expensive ones.
In terms of design, the Ninja BL610 features a sleek design, unlike the BL660 model. This means it will look great on your kitchen countertop. But it may not fit under your kitchen cabinets because of its height.
However, if you intend to use it daily, this will not be a major problem. The motor base features easy-to-read buttons and the top comes with pulse and power buttons. You will find three-speed buttons along the bottom of the base but with sufficient spaces between them to make it easier to operate.
There is a built-in cord keeper in the base that allows you to wrap the cord when you are not using the unit.
With a total of 6 blades, which are made from stainless steel and are anti-corrosive, this countertop blender can easily pulverize any ingredient – hard or tender.
The control panel features 3-speed settings including Low, Medium, and High. The low-speed setting is for blending thin batters, gravies, marinades, and so on, while the Medium-speed setting is for beating dips, grating hard cheeses, mixing sauces and spreads, grinding nuts, as well as through chopping.
The High setting is meant for mixing smoothies, blending whole fruits and veggies, and softening thick mixtures.
Additionally, there is also a Plus feature for processing and chopping ingredients. Under this feature, you can spin the 6 blades by just pushing the button.
3. Ninja Fit Compact Personal Blender
Another product from Ninja brand, this entry-level countertop blender can easily blitz nuts, fruits, and ice in seconds. It is an easy-to-use personal blender that pulverizes nuts and fruits smoothly as well as deals with hard ingredients such as ice and nuts.
A personal blender that allows you to blitz fruits and vegetables in their containers into a refreshing drink is a must-have in the kitchen.
The Ninja Personal Blender is the brand’s notable entry-level personal blender featuring 16fl ounces/470ml single-serve cups for convenience. Just put your ingredients in the cup, tighten the blade assembly, turn the cup upside down, and then insert the motor base. By pushing down the cup, the blade will start spinning, blending your ingredients.
Ninja produces some of the best personal blenders on the market in addition to other kitchen appliances such as juicers and air fryers.
It is designed specifically to fit your lifestyle. The 700 watts motor has enough pack to break down tough ingredients and whole fruits like nuts, greens, and seeds to produce nutrient extractions you can have on the go.
It is dishwasher safe – the lids, cups, and blade assembly can all be tossed in a dishwasher for easy cleaning.
What I like about this unit is its slim design, which makes it easy to store in your kitchen countertop or cabinets after use.
This 2-in-1 immersion blender has extraction technology that ensures all your nutrients and vitamins are not lost.
4. Oster Blender Pro 1200 with Glass Jar
If you are looking for the best budget personal blender, consider the Oster Pro 1200 model. It has up to 7-speed settings with 3 settings for smoothies, salsa, and milkshakes.
The extra-wide blades with reverse and forward motion offer 900 watts and 1200 watts of crushing ice power for easier juicing.
Its jar ensures zero stains in addition to being dishwasher safe. The blender also features 24-ounce plastic cup in case you want your smoothie to go.
We recommend hand washing the blender to increase its longevity. However, if you dismantle the jar to clean, make sure you put it back together correctly otherwise it will leak.
But the decisive selling point is its price. While some brands charge you for an extra cup, this is included with the package for free. It also features the Oster Pro 12000 XL, a food processor attachment.
Even with this additional food processor, your bill will still not increase.
Another stand-out feature is the glass pitcher. Most blenders on the market have a container made of plastic, which is fragile and heavy. But glass is a strong non-reactive material.
To top it all off, the blender comes with a 3-year warranty, which is great considering how affordable this blender is as well as the fact that most brands offer a one-year standard warranty.
5. Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender with Auto-IQ
The Ninja BN701 is a full-size personal blender with 1 72-ounce main pitcher. Costing around $100, this blender is one of the most popular on the market and is glorified in numerous infomercials by notable people.
It is easy to use, and the only complicated thing is the placement of the lid and pitcher. But even that doesn’t have a steep learning curve and you will figure it out sooner. But the complexity is meant to add an extra layer of safety.
But one thing to keep in mind is that when pouring your juice, you want to take out the blades first.
What we found impressive about the Ninja BN701 Professional blender is the Auto-IQ presets that allow you to make virtually all common recipes.
It comes with three settings – for crushing ice, smoothie, and frozen treats.
In addition to the Auto-IQ programs, users can also resort to the manual speed settings – low, medium, and high as well as a pulse button in case you need it.
Last but not least, all the components of this blender are dishwasher safe, making it easier to clean. And let’s all agree here, washing a blender is not an exciting task.
If we could advise you when it comes to washing, better wash your unit right away after using. Otherwise, fill the blender halfway with lukewarm water and a couple of drops of dishwashing soap to loosen up hardened debris.
This unit is an incredible entry-level countertop blender that is extremely functional and cost-effective. If cost is your major concern, this might be on top of your list.
Best Inexpensive Blenders for Smoothies: Buying Guide
How do you choose the best cheap blenders for smoothies? That is what we are going to cover in the next section of this review. A better blender should be versatile, have better functionality, be low-maintenance, and provide high performance.
The material of the blade is also among the main considerations because a stainless steel blade can not only help pulverize your ingredients in minutes but will also increase durability.
Here are what to look for in an ice-crushing blender:
1. Blenders’ Price
Since you are after inexpensive blenders for making smoothies, you need to understand how high and how low you should go in terms of the price. Luckily there are plenty of units to choose from in terms of quality, durability, and functionality at a competitive price.
A low price might mean a basic blender with very few features, while a high price doesn’t always mean high quality.
2. Blenders’ Speed and power
A blender for making smoothies should not have hundreds of features and a state-of-the-art interface. Just a simple yet powerful machine can do the trick.
In terms of speed, a juicing blender for simple drinks should have 3 to 10-speed settings.
Anything below that will not give you sufficient control and anything more than 10 settings might not be necessary. A pulse button can also be enough.
Last but not least, a blender for making smoothies should have a minimum of 500 watts, which is enough to blitz most ingredients for blending smoothies and making milkshakes.
3. Special attachments
Another important thing to look for in a blender is special attachments. If you are living in a small apartment where there isn’t much room to spare, it can help to double up on gadgets and appliances so you have fewer items to store in your kitchen.
So, when buying a smoothie blender, consider special components such as:
Mixing/chopping bowls: Stainless steel blades can help your unit do double-duty as a blender and as a food processor.
Personal cups: A blender should have a personalize-size cup(s) so that you can take your drink on the go.
Coffee grinder: Choose a blender that has a coffee grinder that can grind and even store coffee beans and spices.
4. Storage Space
Some units are easier to store in the kitchen counters and cabinets than others, which can be a problem if you are working with a small space. Thanks to their compact design, most immersion blenders can tuck easily into your kitchen drawer, but they can’t replace a countertop blender.
Still, on the subject of storage, you should also consider personal blenders, which are usually super-compact.
If you want a full-size blender and intend to store it on the countertop, consider buying a unit that is 17 inches tall or less to help you save countertop space by fitting below the kitchen cabinet when you are not using it.
Note that the standard height between the bottom of most cabinets and countertops is around 22 inches, so make sure you have enough space to take off the unit or remove and insert the pitcher.
Look out for the number of accessories and attachments that come with the blender because they can take up plenty of storage space.
5. Size of the blender
Blenders come in a variety of sizes from 3 cups to 14 cups. Therefore, it is crucial to choose the right size, particularly if storage space is a big concern. For one or two people, consider choosing a single-serve device, but for individuals who prefer to prepare meals in advance or cook for a large group of people, you should consider going for larger size blenders.
6. Immersion blenders
Immersion or hand blenders usually come with a range of other attachments and add-ons, making them extremely versatile and can do a variety of tasks from smoothies and soup to mayonnaise and marinades.
They tend to have a compact size that makes them highly portable and an ideal option for outdoor activities.
Additionally, they are quite easier to store and carry around compared to huge blenders and food processors.
Since they have fewer components, immersion blenders are pretty easier to wash and clean and most units are dishwasher-safe.
The downside of immersion blenders is perhaps the noise they produce when using. They are also not good when it comes to handling leafy and tough greens and also, tend to have problems handling huge amounts of ingredients.
7. Countertop blenders
An alternative to an immersion blender is a countertop blender, which as the name suggests is designed to sit conveniently on your kitchen counter. They tend to be more powerful compared to hand blenders, but can also be noisy and take up more space.
FAQs About Best Inexpensive Blenders for Smoothies
Learn Frequently Asked Questions and answers about the best inexpensive blenders for smoothies:
What is the best inexpensive blender for smoothies?
From our review, the best affordable blender for smoothies is the Oster Blender | Pro 1200 with Glass Jar. Despite being inexpensive, the unit has some of the best features that you want in a blender.
What is a good inexpensive blender?
The best alternative to Oster Blender is the Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Ounce Countertop Blender, which comes with three-speed settings and features a sleek design.
What is the difference between a smoothie maker and a blender?
The main difference between the two is that a smoothie maker is designed for making smoothies and a blender is meant to be versatile.
What is the best blender in 2023?
The best overall blender in 2023 is Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender with Auto-IQ, which is extremely popular among users and professional chefs. It is easy to clean, BPA-free, and very powerful.