:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/faw-product-17-nutribullet-full-size-blender-rkilgore-784-1-e1555d83ed254745920f7f8bf567e992.jpeg "5 Best Affordable Blenders of 2025, Tested and Reviewed")
Blenders are multifaceted kitchen appliances that can do everything, including pulverizing fruit for a delicious smoothie, transforming roasted veggies into a cozy soup, and so much more. But you don’t have to make a massive upfront investment in a blender to find a great option that checks off every desired box. A quality blender will be one that you’ll want to leave out on the counter and reach for often, without compromising on efficiency over your budget.
From classic countertop models to personal and portable options that are ideal for smaller servings, and even handheld immersion blenders, we put them all to work to evaluate their performance. After multiple rounds and types of testing, we found the very best affordable blenders that are functional, effective, and worth your money. Read on for our top picks below.
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The Oster 1500 Watt Extreme Mix Blender is equally as easy to use as it is powerful, and all with a price tag well under $200. And it isn’t just affordable — it even took the top spot in our overall blender tests, edging out Vitamix blenders more than double the price. During our tests, it had no issues making smooth hollandaise sauce, an icy frozen drink, a well-blended smoothie, and more. It has a self-explanatory control panel, with three preset programs for smoothies, milkshakes, and salsa, which align with the three speed settings, making it ideal for beginners.
We were impressed by its unique 10-blade stack, including 4 titanium-coated blades, which can even reverse directions to avoid missing any larger pieces throughout the smoothie. The 64-ounce cup easily unscrews from the blades and can be washed in the dishwasher — just make sure to thoroughly wash the blades by hand as they are not dishwasher safe. We didn’t find this model to be difficult or overwhelming at any point in our tests, making it a beginner-friendly option that outperformed the competition.
Capacity: 64 ounces | Weight: 4 pounds | Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.2 x 16.39 inches | Power: 1,500 watts
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The Nutribullet Pro 900 is a consistent top-performer in our personal blender tests, and it always takes the top spot. With more built-in power than some full-sized models, this is a compact blender that easily turns fibrous kale, ice, and fruit into a smooth drink, ready to enjoy straight away. We appreciated that there was no learning curve during our tests, thanks to how easy it was to use, and it blended everything we threw at it with ease. We didn’t notice any chunks left behind in our smoothie, and it broke down ice in a snap. We were equally impressed by how well it did with hummus, which came out smooth and pourable (with no gritty texture).
It comes equipped with two 32-ounce cups, lip rings, a sip-top lid, and a handled ring, so your smoothies or drinks can be enjoyed however you’d like. Keep in mind that the provided cups are on the slightly bulky side, but if you’re walking, taking public transit, or have larger cupholders in the car, it shouldn’t be an issue. This model is available in a variety of color options, too, so you can find the perfect match no matter your preference or style. And don’t limit yourself to just making smoothies — you can easily blend smaller batches of creamy soups and savory pestos, or even salsas in a snap. Just push and twist the cup to activate the motor and get blending.
Capacity: 32 ounces | Weight: 4.7 pounds | Dimensions: 12.01 x 7.72 x 15.94 inches | Power: 900 watts | Includes: 2 (32-ounce) cups, 2 lip rings, 2 handled lip rings, 2 to-go lids
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For being a more budget-friendly option, the Nutribullet SmartSense blender was also the most technology-forward option we tested. In our tests, we saw that it was easy to toggle between the five speed settings and pulse option to get the ideal texture for each recipe test, including our smoothie. Plus, we love that it comes with so many extras, including a 24-ounce personal-sized cup, to customize it to your needs.
Even though it provides more speed settings and requires a bit more to learn the interface, this sleek Nutribullet was not overly complex or anything a beginner could not figure out. It also has an impressive load-sensing auto cycle that adjusts to match the ingredients in your blender pitcher, so there’s no guessing games required. For cleanup, most of the parts are dishwasher-safe, with the exception of the to-go lids and extractor blades, which should go on the top rack.
Capacity: 64 ounces | Weight: 7.94 pounds | Dimensions: 17.09 x 13.54 x 12.36 inches | Power: 1400 watts | Includes: 32-ounce cup, 24-ounce handled cup, 2 to-go lids, tamper, recipe book
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Immersion blenders are a versatile tool that can handle tasks like beating large batches of eggs, preparing fresh whipped cream, or even blending together sauces. During our tests, we especially appreciated the narrow head on this Cuisinart model, which made it easy to fit into both small and large containers with equally impressive results.
This might not be the blender you’ll want to break out for your daily morning smoothie, as it does take more effort to use compared to a typical countertop model. However, the provided whisk attachment and food processor attachment make an already versatile appliance even more multi-faceted, which we love. Plus, cleaning is a breeze! During our tests, we found it to be very sturdy while still easy to disassemble, and the blending wand and extras can be placed in the dishwasher.
Weight: 3.9 pounds | Dimensions: 2.25 x 2.25 x 15.5 inches | Power: 300 watts | Includes: Whisk attachment, 24-ounce chopper attachment, 16-ounce blending cup
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Need to prep smoothies in the office or while traveling without any cords or a bulky blender tagging along? This portable and compact option from Beautiful By Drew Barrymore could be the one for you. It is offered in a variety of muted hues, so you can pick the one that best represents you. We found that it has an impressive battery life, which can last around 30 blend cycles, but it does take around 3-5 hours to fully charge up.
We noticed that the motor is pretty quiet as well, and with just 70 watts of power, it’s not as powerful as a traditional countertop blender. However, it can still be a great addition to your kitchen tools. We like that it compensates for a lack of power with the included plastic strainer, which is a unique accessory that helps you avoid consuming any chunks or larger bits that may not have gotten fully blended.
Capacity: 16 ounces | Weight: 1.2 pounds | Dimensions: 3.26 x 3.26 x 10.64 inches | Power: 70 watts | Includes: 1 storage lid, 1 plastic filter/strainer, 1 water-resistant USB-C charging cable, rechargeable batteries
Our Favorite Affordable Blender
You really can’t beat the Oster 1500 Watt Extreme Mix Blender, especially for the price. The powerful motor made quick and thorough work of every test we ran, from kale in smoothies to assorted veggies in soup. It is functional, precise, and earned high scores across all of our categories in testing, including design and ease of cleaning.
How We Tested Affordable Blenders
To find the best affordable blenders on the market, we tested a number of models (including full-sized, personal, immersion, and portable blenders) over multiple rounds of testing. In fact, between all of our blender tests, we've tried nearly 100 blenders altogether. We assessed them on factors including design, ease of use, performance, and ease of cleaning. We also prepared a selection of recipes in each blender to determine their overall functionality and compare how well they stacked up against each other in terms of features and performance.
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- Design: We factored in the elements and construction of the blenders, including how clear the settings and functions were designed to be utilized, placement and style of the blades, possible cord storage, and overall size for storage, especially for those that included accessories or additional tools.
- Ease of Use: We evaluated how easy it was to use the blenders, keeping in mind the manufacturer’s instructions. We also examined what the process was for using different speeds and accessories, if applicable.
- Performance: We put the various blenders to work in a series of kitchen tests, preparing several dishes including hummus, smoothies, hollandaise sauce, and more, depending on the type of blender. We looked at the consistency of each dish to ensure it was smooth and free of any large pieces.
- Ease of Cleaning: With any kind of task in the kitchen, there is cleanup afterward. We took into consideration how easy it was to get a solid cleanup job done, with and/or without the use of the dishwasher.
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Factors to Consider
Type of Blender
Before you consider factors like accessories or even wattage, think about what type of blender you’d like. A full-sized countertop blender is the most common, ideal for making batches of smoothies and larger recipes. Immersion blenders, sometimes called a hand blender, have a long arm to submerge in your food so you can blend directly into a container.
Both portable and personal blenders create smaller single-serve recipes and are similarly sized. Personal blenders usually have a motor base, ideal for at-home use, with a blending cup that can be taken on the go. Portable blenders are usually battery-powered, making them the right fit for use out of the house and when traveling.
Power and Wattage
Budget blenders are offered in a variety of wattages, as we can see with our picks, which range from 70 to 1500 watts. Price doesn’t always equate to wattage, but it can be a factor to consider when making your purchase. Blenders with higher wattage will usually have an easier time blending ingredients like frozen fruit and ice, especially in larger quantities.
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Speed Settings
Depending on the blender, it may offer one preset function, like a programmed setting for smoothies, while others may have buttons for more dishes, including soups or salsas. If you are in the market for a more versatile blender, keep an eye out for options with speeds (high, medium, low, pulse) that are offered in addition to the preset settings.
Capacity
Like wattage, capacities can have a wide range depending on the type of blender, with the options we loved most ranging between 16 to 64 ounces. Nowadays, many blenders even come with multiple blender cups in various capacities so you can customize them to your needs.
Versatility and Accessories
A multi-functional blender could never be a bad thing. And these days, blenders are more versatile than ever. Aside from all the different types of blenders you can find, they are also increasingly coming with attachments and accessories that enhance their functionality even further. Some extras, like food processor attachments, make it possible for a blender to be two appliances in one. Other additions, extra blender cups, tampers, and to-go lids, make it easier to adjust the appliance depending on your use case and achieve the desired end result.
Beyond the added accessories that are potentially being included with your blender, consider the different ways you can utilize your blender that make it a more versatile kitchen appliance that you’ll reach for more frequently.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Can you find a good blender for under $100?
There are solid blenders on the market that won’t break the bank for under $100. These may have fewer features, settings, and attachments compared to less budget-friendly blenders, but they can still effectively get most blending jobs done. Our top affordable pick is around $160, but we tested a few under-$100 full-sized blenders that we thought did pretty well, even though they didn’t make our list of winners.
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Do budget blenders work as well as expensive ones?
Yes, certain budget blenders can work as well as expensive ones. However, there are some, like the options we tested that didn’t make the cut, which struggled in certain categories. The key differentiators between budget and more high-end blenders can include appearance, wattage, accessories included, capacity, and, of course, price.
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Can you use a budget blender to make smoothies?
Budget blenders can certainly be used to make smoothies. Keep in mind that blenders with lower wattage may take longer to pulverize ice or frozen fruits and veggies than higher-wattage alternatives. If you plan on primarily using your blender for smoothies, a high-wattage blender within your budget will be a better option.
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Will an affordable blender last?
As with most other appliances, your affordable blender can last just as long as a more expensive option if it is well taken care of. You can extend the life of your blender with proper use and cleaning, and not overworking it. Most blenders do offer a limited warranty of some kind if any issues arise.
Other Affordable Blenders We Tested
Strong Contenders
Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore
Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto-iQ ($97 at Amazon)
This is a lightweight option that stores easily, but we found that the locking lid and suction cup feet were hard to get used to at first if you are not accustomed to them. Also, if blending on high, the machine will automatically cut off after one minute, so without a preset for dishes like soup that will take longer, the blender had to be restarted several times.
Breville Fresh and Furious Blender ($200 at Amazon)
We appreciated how smooth the final result was when blending sauces and soups, but we found that it struggled a bit with fibrous ingredients like kale in a smoothie.
The Beast Mini Blender ($99 at Amazon)
While there is little to no learning curve when getting started with this blender, it may not be the best option for a family or for someone who enjoys preparing larger recipes like soup, due to its smaller size.
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Magic Bullet 11-Piece Blender Set ($50 at Amazon)
Our tests found this blender effective, except when blending larger and denser pieces of frozen fruit. But the volume of accessories that come with this as a set may outweigh the fact that it struggles a bit with pulsing bigger fruit pieces.
Cuisinart Soho Personal Blender ($100 at Amazon)
This blender was easy to use and visually appealing, but we had to do additional scraping during our tests due to the blades being situated in a deep well.
Nutribullet Portable Cordless Blender ($50 at Amazon)
We appreciated how easy this portable blender was to use, but we found that it struggled to maintain a charge while in use and experienced some jamming with larger ingredients.
Food & Wine / Nick Simpson
Our Expertise
- Jacqueline Weiss is a professional food writer with over eight years of experience and a lifelong passion for working in the kitchen. Her writing has appeared in Eat This Not That, EatingWell, AllRecipes, Simply Recipes, and more.
- For this article, she used insights from our editor-led tests to determine which affordable blenders are worth the investment.
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