There’s nothing more frustrating than a blender that just…doesn’t blend. I can confirm: I’ve shaken my fair share of blender bases when a stubborn chunk of frozen fruit refuses to shred. The same goes for the classic remove-the-pitcher-completely-and-gently-bang-it-against-the-counter move.
Enter: Ninja blenders. Known for their powerful motors, smart design, and versatility, they’re some of the best in the game for home cooks who want pro-level blending at a reasonable price. But with a wide range of models with all sorts of preset programs and attachments, what are the best Ninja blenders your money can buy.
Bon Apétit's top picks for Ninja blenders
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As a commerce writer and relatively decent home chef, I went on a quest to find the best Ninja blenders that stand out for their power, ease of use, and special features. Whether you need a compact option for single-serve smoothies or a high-capacity model that can handle thick soup and nut butter, there’s a pick for you.
I am a no-frills kinda gal. I often avoid getting specialty gadgets altogether because I get overwhelmed when there are too many things (case in point: it took 10 years to convince me to swap my $20 Mr. Coffee drip maker to a luxury espresso machine—I like my things simple!). The Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto-iQ wins “best overall” because it’s uncomplicated: It does exactly what I need it to, when I need to do it, without all the extra stuff.
With a powerful 1400-watt motor and a large 72-ounce pitcher, it blends everything from frozen drinks to creamy nut butters with ease—no pounding, no stirring, no cursing at an uncooperative smoothie. There are four manual options if you want to customize your blend to your exact liking, but I tend to use one of the three Auto-IQ presets: Ice Crush, Nutrient Extraction, and Smoothie. This eliminates all the guesswork and gives you a perfect blend every time, depending on what you’re making.
I particularly love the tall, stacked blades on the main blender that go up into the pitcher itself. Most other blenders I’ve used have blades that lie at the bottom of the pitcher, causing ingredients to get stuck. Not the case with this Ninja! The tall, spaced-out blades fan out through ingredients and seemingly circulate food from top to bottom to give you a smooth, even mix. Each machine also comes with a separate “nutrient-extraction blade” that allegedly extracts vitamins from pulpy fruits and leafy greens. Does it actually give you more nutrients? Unclear (I’m a writer, not a scientist). But it does liquify dense ingredients and makes them taste great in the process!
Best of all, everything is dishwasher safe. Once I’m done making a smoothie, I can pop everything straight into my dishwasher, saving me time otherwise spent on precious handwashing. All in all, the Professional Plus Blender DUO with Auto-IQ is straightforward, reliable, and powerful—everything a blender should be.
Despite the minimalist settings, the Professional Plus DUO comes with some additional accessories (the separate blades, two 24-ounce blending cups, and two spout lids) that can be annoying to find space in your cabinets for. Also, the Nutrition Extract blade is only compatible with the single-serve cups, which can be annoying for making large batches at a time. Finally, if you’re short on counter space, the large base and pitcher might feel like a commitment. But for the power and simplicity it delivers, I’m willing to deal with it on my counter.
If you’re the kind of home chef who sees a blender as more than just a smoothie machine, the Ninja Detect Kitchen System is the ultimate upgrade. It has the same strong 1400-watt motor as our “best overall” pick, only this one comes with multiple attachments, including a food processor and a dough blade (dough in a blender—who knew!).
Despite my immediate intimidation by all its settings and accessories, this blender won me over with its ability to do just about everything. Whether I’m meal prepping or just whipping up a post-workout shake, this system makes it happen without the luxury price tag. And, lucky for me, it’s way easier to use than it looks.
Each Detect System comes with four different blades: the same classic Stacked Blade and the Pro Extractor Blade as the aforementioned device, plus a Chopping Blade for quickly mincing nuts and veggies, and a Dough Blade for mixing cookie dough, bread dough, and more. There’s an Auto-IQ setting for each of the blades, too, so you can press a button and let it work its magic. I’m not much of a baker, so I truthfully haven’t used the “Dough” mode a ton, but the chopper has become my new favorite cooking companion; I love that I can use the attachment to chop veggies, nuts, or herbs with precision. It’s great for prepping mirepoix or chunky salsas without turning everything to mush. And it saves me time from digging out a separate machine. The most I have to do is swap pitchers, it’s so easy.
This model also comes with two single-serve cups and spout lids if you want to take your smoothie to go. I’d say if you’re looking for a device that does it all and doesn’t break the bank, this is your best bet from the Ninja lineup.
There are so. many. accessories. You better have a big kitchen and ample cabinet space to have this machine—there are four blades alone! Not to mention two to-go cups, two spout lids, two different pitchers and with matching tops—it’s a lot. And it’s kinda heavy! At 8.8 pounds, this machine definitely has some heft to it, so if you plan on stuffing it away in a drawer or pantry, be prepared to do some lifting when you want to use it.
First things first—this blender is pretty! The cute, small shape! The pastel colors! The sleek cordless body! If I were a blender, I would personally want to look as chic as this one. Looks aside, this thing is very convenient. This was actually my very first experience with a portable blender and, while I was skeptical at first, I now get the appeal.
My kitchen is very limited on counter space, and I often don’t want to lug my blender and all its accessories out to make a single serving of protein shake. The Max Blast Cordless Portable Blender is my solution for days when I want something quick and easy (or, more quick and easy than normal).
The base is rechargeable and takes about two hours to charge completely. When it’s fully powered, you can take it anywhere for a speedy blend. There are three settings total: Smoothie, Crush, and Blend. Even though it’s compact, this blender packs a surprisingly strong punch that can crush small ice cubes, fresh fruit, veggies, and more. Best of all, you can drink your smoothie straight out of the 22-ounce cup—just flip open the cap, sip, and enjoy.
Because it’s built for portability, the Blast Max has a smaller capacity and isn’t designed for heavy-duty recipes. Don’t overload it with large chunks of ice, crunchy almonds, or fibrous, leafy greens—it just doesn’t have the horsepower. But for quick, easy smoothies on the go (or in your kitchen when you’re like me and don’t want to dig out a heavy machine), it’s easy breezy.
What to consider when shopping for a Ninja blender
Blender power is measured in watts, and Ninja models range from 900W for personal blenders to 1600W for professional-grade options. If you’re making smoothies with frozen fruit, go for at least 1000W. For nut butters, dough, or heavy-duty blending, a 1200W+ model is best.
Think about how much you’ll be blending at once. Are you planning on feeding soups and smoothies to an entire family? Or are you making a quick protein shake for yourself? Larger pitchers (64-72 ounces) are better for larger servings, while compact models are great for smaller servings.
Most Ninja blenders have dishwasher-safe parts, but some models with multiple attachments can be trickier to clean. Look for models with easy-to-remove blades and dishwasher-safe components if you want to cut down on cleanup time.
Preset programs vs. manual control
Some Ninja blenders feature Auto-iQ technology, which means they have pre-programmed settings for smoothies, frozen drinks, purees, and more. If you prefer a hands-off approach, these are great. If you like more control over blending speeds, opt for a model with manual settings.
Other Ninja blenders we tested
While not our favorites of the bunch, these blenders may better suit your specific needs.
I was actually gifted this blender a few years ago, and it was my very first encounter with Ninja blenders overall. Compared to the other Ninja models I’ve tested, I would recommend it to folks who like to make thick recipes. Think: creamy homemade nut butters, frosty sorbets, and borderline un-suckable milkshakes. What makes it stand out is the built-in Twist Tamper, which lets you push ingredients down toward the blades as you blend to avoid stopping and scraping the sides.
Combined with a 1600-watt motor, it’s one of the most powerful Ninja blenders the brand offers. Like the others, it also comes equipped with Auto-iQ preset programs for smoothies, spreads, and frozen drinks, so you don’t have to guess at blending times. Plus, its compact design makes it easier to store than some of the bulkier models. The lid also features a drizzle cap, aka a flip-top that allows you to add more flavor as you blend without completely taking the lid off.
The downsides? It’s very powerful, so it’s pretty loud. The 34-ounce capacity isn’t great for big batches, so if you’re blending for a crowd, you might need to do multiple rounds. Also, it’s really designed for thicker textures, so if you’re not into that, you might want to go with a different model.
The Ninja Blast Portable Blender and the Ninja Blast Max are both great for single-serve smoothies, but the Max version packs more power and capacity. The OG Ninja Blast has a 16-ounce capacity, six ounces less than the Max. Despite its smaller size, it’s light, very portable, and is excellent at making minimal, single-serve smoothies on the go. It’s very aesthetic too, and comes in a rainbow of colors (and is significantly cheaper than its slightly larger cousin).
Frequently asked questions about Ninja blenders
Are Ninja blenders good for crushing ice?
Yes! Take it from me—you can make resort-quality tropical drinks with your Ninja blender. Models with at least 1000 watts of power and Total Crushing Blades (the tall ones that go all the way up the pitcher) are best for frozen drinks and smoothies. Tiny umbrellas not included.
Are Ninja blenders dishwasher safe?
Most Ninja blender pitchers, lids, and blades are top-rack dishwasher safe. Of course, always check the manual for specifics on your model (you don’t want to end up with a melted pitcher), but most don’t require handwashing.
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