The 5 Best Blenders - Fall 2020
Reviews

The Vitamix A2500 is the best full-size blender that we've tested. This outstandingly well-built model has a large 64-oz jar, which can process a lot of food in one go. It's also Bluetooth-compatible, so when you use its companion app, you can access even more preset modes.

It can make sticky almond butter and silky smoothies in about a few minutes. It can also make snow-like ice in under a minute. Since it has a speed dial, you can choose between ten different speed settings. There are also three preset modes, which are handy if you want to make a smoothie or hot soup without having to guess an appropriate speed. It's also very easy to clean as most of its parts are dishwasher-safe.

Unfortunately, it doesn't automatically stop when finished, so you need to watch to know when to stop it. Ingredients can also cling to the side of the jar, but luckily it comes with a tamper, which can help push food back into the vortex. Overall, it offers versatile performance, making it one of the best blenders that we've tested.

The best personal blender that we've tested is the Breville Boss To Go Sport. This fairly compact option comes with one 23-ounce jar and a smaller, insulated 15-ounce jar for keeping your blends hot or cold. Its jars also come with two to-go lids, so you can take your smoothies or purees with you wherever you go.

In about a couple of minutes, the main jar makes outstanding smoothies with a silky feel. It doesn't have a problem with fibrous fruits and veggies like kale, and if you like to make nut butter, it can also make a sticky-textured almond butter that's easily spreadable. It can make bar-quality ice in about three minutes, which is good if you like to make mixed drinks. Using the blender is very easy, too, as it only has a single speed, and its jars, blade assembly, and lids are all dishwasher-safe, so clean up shouldn't take too long.

Unfortunately, due to its simple design, it doesn't have any extra features. While its smaller jar can hold hot food, this blender isn't recommended for hot blends, which is a bit disappointing. However, if you're looking for a small option to quickly make your morning smoothie or protein shake, it does a great job of making small-quantity blends.

The Bamix Mono M133 is the best immersion blender that we've tested. It can easily blend hot ingredients right in your dutch oven or pan. Clean-up is easy, too, since its blades can be submerged in soapy water for a quick clean.

While it's weakest when blending raw ingredients like kale and bananas for a smoothie or almonds into nut butter, it can take simmered foods like stewed tomatoes and turn them into a chunky soup. It also comes with a whisk and a beater attachment, which are handy if you want to make meringue or whipped cream. However, we don't currently test these attachments. Thanks to its small size, it can also be stored away in a kitchen drawer when not in use.

Unfortunately, although its blades can be removed to swap attachments, they aren't dishwasher-safe. It also struggles to fully process fibrous fruits and vegetables like kale, which can result in a leafy blend. While it isn't designed to be versatile, it can be a suitable choice if you make a lot of soups or whips.

The best budget blender that we've tested is the Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto-iQ. If you're shopping on a budget, this full-sized option has a large 72-oz jar perfect for serving several people at a time. It also has a robust build quality, which feels solid and durable.

It's well-built and comes with a few preset modes and speeds that make it simple to blend. It can make snow-like crushed ice in under a minute, which is great for slushy drinks. It's also outstandingly easy to clean as its jar, blade assembly, and lid are all dishwasher-safe. Although it's a bit bulky, it has a stowaway compartment for its power cable, which makes it a bit easier to store.

Unfortunately, it takes a bit of time to make almond butter and the result is a dry blend with a lot of unprocessed nuts. Its smoothie performance is better, but it also struggles to blend leafy or fibrous food like kale. It can't hot blend either, so you can't make soup. That said, if you're on a smaller budget, it does an alright job.