Best blenders for smoothies, soups and dips: tried and tested

The best blenders blitz ingredients to a smooth consistency in seconds – whether it's a quick smoothie to go or a warming bowl of soup.

We've tested food blenders from Breville, KitchenAid, Ninja, Nutribullet, Vitamix and more to find out which give silky-smooth results and are easy to use.

Our tests focus on mini blenders and jug blenders with prices ranging from under £30 to more than £300. 

Three were good enough to receive our Best Buy recommendation. We've also named two Great Value blenders – one is the cheapest mini blender on test.

Short on space? See our pick of the best hand blenders.

The blenders we tested

The biggest brands and most popular 11 blenders are listed below.

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All the blenders we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the best blenders from our tests.

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Breville Active VBL246 Blender

Type Mini blender

Jug capacity (max fill) 0.6 litres

Number of settings 1

Running cost per hour (max speed) Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal our results

Need to know 350W, can crush ice, dimensions of base and jug (HxWxD): 33.5 x 10 x 10cm, weight of base and jug: 0.7kg, cord length 87cm, 30 second maximum run time, comes with two bottles and two to-go lids, do not blend hot or boiling liquid, components are dishwasher safe, one-year warranty, other colours available

KitchenAid K400 Artisan blender

Type Jug blender

Jug capacity (max fill) 1.4 litres

Number of settings 5 plus automatic programs (ice crush, icy drink, smoothie and self-clean)

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Need to know 1,200W, can crush ice, dimensions of base and jug (HxWxD): 40 x 20 x 23.5cm, weight of base and jug: 7.05kg, cord length 82cm, three minutes maximum run time, comes with one glass jug, components are dishwasher safe, five-year guarantee, other colours available, jug also available in plastic

Ninja Blast BC151UK portable blender

Type Mini blender

Jug capacity (max fill) 0.475 litres

Number of settings 1

Running cost per hour (max speed) Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal our results

Need to know Battery-powered, takes approximately two hours to charge, lasts at least 10 blends on a single charge, can crush ice, dimensions of base and jug (HxWxD): 27 x 10 x 10cm, weight of base and jug: 0.8kg, cordless, 30 seconds maximum run time, comes with jug and USB-C cable (no plug), do not blend hot or boiling liquid, components are dishwasher safe, base is water resistant, one-year warranty, other colours available

Ninja BN750UK 2-in-1 blender with Auto-IQ

Type Jug blender

Jug capacity (max fill) 1.9 litres

Number of settings 3 plus automatic programs (blend, max blend and crush)

Running cost per hour (max speed) Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal our results

Need to know 1,200W, can crush ice, dimensions of base and jug (HxWxD): 46 x 22 x 27cm, weight of base and jug: 4.05kg, cord length 85cm, no stated maximum run time, comes with jug, single serve cup (max fill 0.6L) and lid and pro-extractor blade assembly, do not blend hot or boiling liquid, components are dishwasher safe, one-year warranty

Nutribullet Blender Combo

Type Jug blender

Jug capacity (max fill) 1.8L

Number of settings 3 plus automatic program (extract)

Running cost per hour (max speed) Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal our results

Need to know 1,200W, can't crush ice, dimensions of base and jug (HxWxD): 43 x 25 x 20cm, weight of base and jug: 3.2kg, cord length 72cm, one-minute maximum run time, comes with jug, 900ml cup (max fill 700ml), 700ml cup (max fill 550ml), 500ml cup (max fill 425ml), two lids, tamper stick and extractor blades for use with the cups, do not blend hot or boiling liquid, components are dishwasher safe, one-year warranty

Make smoothies, fruit juices and shakes with the best juicers 

Nutribullet The Magic Bullet

Type Mini blender

Jug capacity (max fill) 0.425 litres

Number of settings 1

Running cost per hour (max speed) Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal our results

Need to know 200W, can crush ice, dimensions of base and jug (HxWxD): 30 x 11.5 x 13cm, weight of base and jug: 1.3kg, cord length 58cm, one-minute maximum run time, comes with tall cup (max fill 425ml), short cup (max fill 100ml), smoothie mug, three lids (one steamer, one to-go), do not blend hot or boiling liquid, components are dishwasher safe, one-year warranty

Nutribullet Pro 900

Type Mini blender

Jug capacity (max fill) 0.7 litres

Number of settings 1

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Need to know 900W, can't crush ice, dimensions of base and jug (HxWxD): 37 x 13.5 x 13.5cm, weight of base and jug: 2.1kg, cord length 72cm, one-minute maximum run time, comes with 900ml cup (max fill 700ml), 700ml cup with handle (max fill 550ml), additional handle attachment, two lids, do not blend hot or boiling liquid, components are dishwasher safe, one-year warranty

Philips Series 3000 HR2041/01Blender

Type Jug blender

Jug capacity (max fill) 1.0L

Number of settings 1

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Need to know 450W, can crush ice, dimensions of base and jug (HxWxD): 37.5 x 19.5 x 16.5cm, weight of base and jug: 1.45kg, cord length 85cm, two-minute maximum run time, comes with jug, do not blend hot or boiling liquid, components are dishwasher safe, two-year warranty

Sage The Fresh & Furious SBL620

Type Jug blender

Jug capacity (max fill) 1.5 litres

Number of settings 5 plus automatic programs (green smoothie, ice crush, smoothie and auto-clean)

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Need to know 1,300W, can crush ice, dimensions of base and jug (HxWxD): 45 x 18.5 x 25cm, weight of base and jug: 4.1kg, cord length 96cm, two-minute maximum run time, comes with Tritan jug, do not blend hot or boiling liquid, components are dishwasher safe, two-year guarantee

Tefal BL420840 Blendforce II

Type Jug blender

Jug capacity (max fill) 1.25 litres

Number of settings 2

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Need to know 600W, can crush ice, dimensions of base and jug (HxWxD): 38x19.3x22cm, weight of base and jug: 1.75kg, cord length 93cm, three-minute maximum run time, comes with jug, do not blend hot or boiling liquid, components are dishwasher safe, two-year warranty, jug also available in glass

Vitamix E310 Explorian blender

Type Jug blender

Jug capacity (max fill) 1.4 litres

Number of settings 10

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Need to know 1,200W, can crush ice, dimensions of base and jug (HxWxD): 45.5 x 20 x 30cm, weight of base and jug: 5.2kg, cord length 121cm, no stated maximum run time, comes with jug and tamper stick, do not blend hot or boiling liquid, components are dishwasher safe, five-year warranty, other colours available 

The Nutribullets, mini blenders and portable blenders we tested

Mini (or personal) blenders are smaller than traditional blenders and designed to be a quick and convenient way to whip up single portions of smoothies, drinks and soups.

They use smaller cups (rather than a large jug) which you screw onto the blades when using. You can screw a lid onto this to convert into a drinking mug.

Nutribullet is a popular mini blender brand, so much so that its brand name has become colloquially synonymous with mini blenders. Its blenders have bullet-shaped cups that you press down onto the base to pulse blend, or down and twist to lock in place for continuous blending.

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How we test blenders

We buy the bestselling blenders and put them through our tough tests. We don't accept freebies from product manufacturers or retailers. 

We regularly revisit the blenders on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing. When we find them, we do.

Blending performance

• We blend fruit and veg smoothies and soup, then sieve each mix to inspect for chunks, stringy bits of celery and unblended fruit. When they say they can, we crush ice in the blenders as well.
• We also make peanut butter, pausing at every minute to inspect the progress and ensure no blender overheats.
• The best blenders can make smooth peanut butter in under two minutes; the worst still haven't made a consistent butter after five minutes - just a mess with lots of unblended nuts. 

Ease of use

• Every blender is rated for how clear the instructions are, how easy the jug is to attach and remove, and how intuitive the controls are.
• We also measure how much each blender vibrates and the amount of noise it makes while running.
• The top-rated blenders are simple and easy to use and don't vibrate so much that they move around the counter.

Cleaning

• We hand-wash every blender, seeing how easy it is to get into the corners and thoroughly clean each part of the blender.
• We also run each blender with warm soapy water and compare it to blenders with auto-clean programs to see if the automatic programs actually do a better job.
• The best blenders have detachable blades that make the jug easier to clean. Auto-clean programs that vary the speed of the blender also do a commendable job.

Energy use

• We measure how much energy each blender uses while running at its fastest speed.
• The cheapest blender we've tested costs 5p per hour to run, while the priciest costs 22p.

Find out more about how Which? isn't influenced by product manufacturers or retailers and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent

Food processor vs blender: what's the difference?

At first glance a food processor and a blender seem very similar – and in many ways they are. They are both kitchen appliances with spinning blades that chop up food, and there are a lot of jobs that both can do well. However, there are differences:

• A blender is geared more towards blitzing and combining all the ingredients into a smooth consistency. Its specialty is in making liquid blends such as dips, soups, purées and smoothies. They can also be cheaper and more compact, but typically don't have options to chop, slice or whisk food.
• Food processors usually come with a range of accessories to tackle multiple jobs. These include slicing, grating, chopping, mixing, whipping, whisking and more. Food processors can tackle a range of tasks – but can be pricier and larger. 

After a kitchen appliance that can chop, grate and shred? Check out our food processor reviews.

Which type of blender is best for smoothies, soups and dips?

Jug blender pros and cons

Pros

• They have large jugs so are ideal for whipping up soup for a family or batch-cooking sessions.
• Often have two or more speed settings, giving you better control over the final texture of your blends.
• Some have intelligent automatic programs to make smoothies, crush ice and clean themselves, taking the guesswork out of how long to blend and at which speed.

Cons

• Can struggle to blend small portions, especially if the jug is big. Some come with smaller cups to do one-person sized blends, though.
• Are bigger and heavier than mini blenders and hand blenders, so are likely to be a permanent feature on your kitchen countertop.
• Some jug blenders cannot easily remove the blades from the base of the jug, which can make cleaning around the blades trickier.

Mini blender pros and cons

Pros

• Are lighter and smaller than jug blenders, so easier to store away in a kitchen cupboard.
• You can use the blending cup as a travel mug, making them quick to use and meaning less washing up.
• Are ideal smoothie makers, or to use as a personal blender to quickly blend up a single portion of soup.  

Cons

• Aren't suitable for bigger batches.
• Some can struggle with tougher ingredients – they are best suited for blends with a good amount of liquid.
• Often only have one speed setting, which can make controlling the final texture of your blends trickier, though this arguably makes them easier to use than jug blenders. 

Compare our test results or read our mini blenders reviews to reveal our recommendations.

Health? or Hype?

Make the right choice with recommendations you can trust, backed by expert testing.

Explore health recommendations

Hand blender pros and cons

Pros

• Ideal for blending up different-sized batches, and small enough to fit in a drawer when not in use.
• A lot of jugs and mini blenders can't do hot liquid (to avoid steam and pressure build-up in the jug), but with a hand blender you can blend up soup in the pan without waiting for it to cool.
• Can come with accessories, such as mini choppers, whisks and potato mashers, making them a versatile piece of kit.

Cons

• More effort to use compared to blenders and soup makers – after all, you have to do the blending yourself.
• Can be difficult to know if you've blended all the ingredients, especially if you're hand blending large batches.
• If a blender comes with lots of accessories, it can be a pain to find a place to store all the extra bits.

Looking for a blender that doesn't take up much space? See our hand blender reviews instead

Soup maker pros and cons

Pros

• Cook and blend in one go, saving time and leaving you with fewer pots to wash up.
• Most can make other things such as smoothies. Some models even do desserts, jams and sauces.
• A good one will heat the soup up to just the right temperature to serve (around 75-80ºC).

Cons

• If you don't make soup regularly, other appliances, such as a blender or hand blender, will also get the job done.
• Storage space – if you're limited perhaps a more versatile kitchen appliance (a multi cooker or jug blender) would be a more worthwhile investment.

Check out the best soup makers to see which models make a scrumptious bowlful

Best blender features

Automatic programs Typically on jug blenders, rather than personal blenders. Blenders can have programs for smoothies, ice crushing, frozen drinks and even auto-cleaning. They adjust the speed of the blender to tackle both tough and soft ingredients in the same blend. In theory, you can set the blender running and walk away. We've tried all smoothie and ice crushing auto programs on the blenders we've tested.

Ice crushing Advanced blenders that can crush ice will turn cubes into a fine snow, perfect for smoothies, cocktails and frozen drinks. We recommend you only crush ice if the manufacturer says the blender can. If your blender isn't suitable, it can blunt the blades.

Speed settings Variable speeds give more control over your blends and more flexibility in the final texture of what you make. Jug blenders typically have two or more speeds, while we've found most mini blenders have just one speed setting.

Jug materials Plastic jugs are lighter but can absorb odours and get scratched over time. Glass jugs look more upmarket and can often handle hot liquids, but can be very heavy when full. Some plastic blenders are made of BPA-free Tritan, which is extra strong and light.

Jug lids Some blenders have a lid that incorporates a strainer to filter out any remaining lumps when you pour. Most jug blenders have removable inserts in the lid, so you can add ingredients as you go for fiddlier recipes like homemade mayonnaise.

Cups and lids Jug blenders have larger capacity jugs, while mini blenders have smaller cups. Some jug blenders also come with the smaller cups, ideal if you want to just blend up a 'drink for one' before the gym. Look out for blenders that come with extra cups to serve up bigger batches of smoothies, and 'to-go' lids that transform the cups into travel mugs (useful for taking the drink on your travels).

Dishwasher-safe parts Most blender jugs, cups and accessories are dishwasher-safe, letting you avoid laborious hand washing. Look out for blenders where the blade is removable, so it can be separated from the base and jug and thoroughly cleaned.

Milling/grinding blades Some blenders have an extra jug and blades for drier jobs, such as grinding coffee beans, nuts or spices.

Tamper A stick used to safely push ingredients towards the blades when stuck. They're useful for thicker mixes, but the best blenders shouldn't need manual intervention.

How many watts should a good blender have?

Blenders have a variety of power ratings (measured in watts), ranging from as little as 200W to more than 1,000W.

Blenders with a higher power should, in theory, handle tougher ingredients and produce smooth blends faster. We found the 200W or less blenders did OK at blending, but didn't blow us away.

Our testing found the wattage needed to produce the best blends. Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal our results.

Do blenders use a lot of electricity?

High-power blenders can use a lot of electricity, but as they're on for only a few minutes at a time, you won't really notice them racking up your energy bill. 

We did find a difference between the blenders we've tested, though. The most energy-hungry blender costs five times as much to run on its fastest setting compared to the least.

Our reviews reveal which cost the most and the least to run. Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal our results.