Checklist · 11 picks · 4 categories
Links to Amazon are affiliate links. I earn a commission if you buy, at no cost to you, and it never decides a pick. How I make money
For a daily smoothie or protein shake, a personal blender is all you need: blend right in the cup, twist on a lid and go. They're small enough for a dorm or a crowded counter. A full-size blender is the nice-to-have if you make big batches, frozen drinks, or soups and sauces too. Every pick is a named pick from Serious Eats or America's Test Kitchen reviews, with budget, mid and splurge options, and each card shows the drawback the tester called out. Add enough liquid and stay under the max line, since packing a personal blender with frozen fruit can burn out the motor.
Who this is not for. Skip this if you already own a blender you like; the meal prep list has more kitchen upgrades.
Tell me what you can spend. I pick a tier for every item, essentials first, and show what is left. The first amount covers everything you need at the cheapest tier.
Pick a budget to see your plan.
Your plan lives in this link. Copy it or email it to yourself so Safari doesn't forget it.
Estimates based on typical prices, checked Oct 29, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.
means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja Blast Portable Blender | budget | $50-100 | protein shakes on the go | 1 outlet |
| Nutribullet Pro Personal Blender | mid | $50-100 | a daily smoothie for one | 1 outlet |
| Beast Mega 1200 Plus Blender | splurge | $100+ | smoothies that look good on the counter | 1 outlet |
Best personal blenderbudget pick · Portable
Best for protein shakes on the go
Serious Eats' best budget personal blender: affordable and surprisingly quiet for daily smoothies and protein shakes.
Heads up. Doesn't handle ice well, and the cup is built into the base
1 outlet. Serious Eats best budget personal blender.
$50-100
Search AmazonAffiliate link. I may earn a commission at no cost to you.
mid pick · 32 oz
Best for a daily smoothie for one
Serious Eats' best personal blender, recommended for years: add ingredients to the roomy 32-ounce cup, twist it on and blend.
Heads up. No buttons or lights to show it's on
1 outlet. Serious Eats best personal blender.
$50-100
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
splurge pick · Mini
Best for smoothies that look good on the counter
Serious Eats' best personal blender for smoothies and best mini blender: great smoothies and milkshakes, with good-looking vintage-style jars.
Heads up. Struggled with larger amounts of ice, and it's fairly big
1 outlet. Serious Eats best personal blender for smoothies.
$100+
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleanblend Commercial Blender | budget | $100+ | big-batch smoothies and frozen drinks | 1 outlet |
| Breville Fresh & Furious Blender | mid | $100+ | smoothies plus everyday blending | 1 outlet |
| Vitamix 5200 Professional-Grade Blender | splurge | $100+ | a blender that lasts for years | 1 outlet |
Best full-size blenderbudget pick · Full-size
Best for big-batch smoothies and frozen drinks
Serious Eats' best budget blender: creamy smoothies and slushy margaritas that rivaled blenders costing hundreds more.
Heads up. No presets
1 outlet. Serious Eats best budget blender.
$100+
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
mid pick · Full-size
Best for smoothies plus everyday blending
Serious Eats' best blender for smoothies: a fantastic all-around performer for smoothies, almond milk and mayonnaise.
Heads up. The loudest blender in Serious Eats' test
1 outlet. Serious Eats best blender for smoothies.
$100+
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
splurge pick · 64 oz
Best for a blender that lasts for years
Serious Eats' best blender, recommended for over a decade and owned long-term by many of its editors.
Heads up. Thick, low-liquid blends can seize up and need the tamper, and the tall jar is hard to clean
1 outlet. Serious Eats best blender.
$100+
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mueller Ultra-Stick Hand Blender | budget | $25-50 | a cheap hand blender for smoothies and soup | 1 outlet |
| Braun MultiQuick 5 Hand Blender | mid | $50-100 | smoothies in the cup and soup in the pot | 1 outlet |
| Breville Control Grip | splurge | $100+ | the smoothest soups and smoothies | 1 outlet |
Best immersion blenderbudget pick · Hand blender
Best for a cheap hand blender for smoothies and soup
America's Test Kitchen recommends it: it blended well, making smooth soup and breaking down frozen pineapple.
Heads up. Flat, disk-shaped blade guard kept food from circulating
1 outlet. America's Test Kitchen recommended immersion blender.
$25-50
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
mid pick · Hand blender
Best for smoothies in the cup and soup in the pot
America's Test Kitchen's winning immersion blender, a model it has recommended for more than a decade.
Heads up. America's Test Kitchen gives no drawback detail for this one
1 outlet. America's Test Kitchen winning immersion blender.
$50-100
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
splurge pick · Hand blender
Best for the smoothest soups and smoothies
America's Test Kitchen says it blended some of the smoothest soups and smoothies in its tests.
Heads up. A bit too heavy, and testers didn't like the speed dial
1 outlet. America's Test Kitchen recommended immersion blender.
$100+
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
Best tumblerbudget pick · 40 oz
Best for taking a smoothie to class or work
America's Test Kitchen recommends it, and was impressed with its lid design.
Heads up. Sustained some small dents and scratches when dropped
1 outlet. America's Test Kitchen recommended tumbler.
$25-50
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
mid pick · 40 oz
Best for a durable cup for smoothies on the go
America's Test Kitchen's winning tumbler, which measured up to its online fanfare.
Heads up. Like every model reviewed, it isn't designed to be fully watertight
1 outlet. America's Test Kitchen winning tumbler.
$25-50
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
A personal blender is enough for one smoothie at a time and blends right in the cup you drink from. Get a full-size blender if you make big batches, crush a lot of ice or blend soups and sauces.
Some struggle. In Serious Eats' tests the Ninja Blast didn't handle ice well, so add liquid first and use smaller ice or frozen fruit.
It is less useful if you already own a blender you like; the meal prep list has more kitchen upgrades.
No. I have not reviewed them. I read published reviews and name the outlet on the pick.
Budget is the cheaper one that still does the job. Mid is what most people should buy. Splurge is only if you will use it often.