Best Reviewed
Blenders
- Best general-use blender KitchenAid KSB560 *Est. $90
- Budget blender Hamilton Beach 54615 Wave Station Express *Est. $20
- Multifunction blender Vita-Mix 5200 *Est. $500
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- Powerful motor
- Excellent ice-crushing ability
- Durability
- Expensive
- Extremely loud
Experts say the Blendtec Total Blender does a great job making smoothies, pulverizing whole fruits and veggies, and crushing ice. The downside? Reviewers report that it's just about the noisiest blender you can buy. Owners say that if your choice is between the Blendtec Total Blender and the Vita-Mix 5200 (*Est. $500) , you should note that the Blendtec is lighter and more compact. If space is not a concern, the Vita-Mix 5200 does a slightly better job with icy drinks. Like the Vita-Mix 5200, the Blendtec Total Blender can do more than make smoothies -- it can also make ice cream, grind wheat berries and coffee beans, and make soup. But the Vita-Mix 5200 is preferred among most experts and owners, which is why we chose it over the Blendtec Total Blender as a Best Reviewed blender.
The Blendtec Total Blender is included in comparison tests in two professional reviews. We also found a short review at Wired and another at Popular Mechanics. We did find enough owner-written reviews on the Blendtec Total Blender to make a good determination about overall owner satisfaction. Amazon.com has the largest collection of reviews.
| Blendtec Total Blender Four Side, Black | |
(227 reviews) In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping |
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Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org editors include the Blendtec Total Blender in regular testing and performance comparisons with other models, but they also give it special consideration in this preview. Its ability to go beyond normal blender duties is assessed and compared with its main competitor, the Vita-Mix 5000 (now the Vita-Mix 5200).
Review: First Look: Blendtec Total Blender, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, Aug. 2007
2. Good HousekeepingDetails/Subscribe
The editors of Good Housekeeping test, review and grade nearly 40 of the most popular blenders on the market. The Blendtec Total Blender is tested. The model receives an "A" grade, with editors praising the blender for its high power and ability to blend smooth drinks.
Review: Bendtec Total Blender, Editors of Good Housekeeping
3. Amazon.com
More than 170 owners award the Blendtec Total Blender an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Owners say that this is a powerful, heavy-duty blender that can handle any vegetable or fruit, no matter how fibrous. Owners also report that the Blendtec is extremely noisy.
Review: Blendtec Home The Professional's Choice 1560-Watt Hp3a Blender, Contributors to Amazon.com
4. Epinions.com
There are reviews of several different Blendtec models here. According to Blendtec, the HP3A model has a menu button that allows you to access a screen with more speed selections, while the Blendtec TB-621-20 model has nine buttons, one for each available speed. The blenders are otherwise the same. Owners say that the Blendtec Total Blender is powerful and easy to clean, but they also say it's noisy.
Review: Blendtec, Contributors to Epinions.com
The editors of PerfectSmoothie.com evaluate several blenders, although their methods aren't detailed. In the High End Blenders category, they praise both the Vita-Mix 5200 and the Blendtec Total Blender but choose Vita-Mix as a top pick.
Review: The Best Blenders for Making Smoothies, Editors of PerfectSmoothie.com
The editor of GreenSmoothieGirl.com compares the Blendtec Total Blender and the Vita-Mix 5200, noting the differences in features between the two. The reviewer says she's had to send her Vita-Mix 5200 back to the manufacturer several times but not so with the Blendtec.
Review: The Best Blender, Editor of GreenSmoothieGirl.com, Not Dated
7. PopularMechanics.comDetails/Subscribe
The editors of Popular Mechanics put five blenders through the tough tests of blending whole fruit (bananas, apples and oranges) and ice. The Blendtec Total Blender is one of five machines tested. The machine does a fine job on ice but requires more than a cup of liquid to get it going. Plus, while the blender generally excels, there are some issues that one wouldn't expect of a blender in this price range.
Review: 5 Blender Show-Down: Abusive Lab Test, S.E. Kramer, Oct. 1, 2009
Writer Daniel Dumas provides a brief but insightful review of the Blendtec Total Blender. The machine is touted for its power, but the reviewer isn't thrilled with the price, the small capacity or the "dinky" container.
Review: Review: Blendtec Total Blender -- Whippin' it Good, Daniel Dumas, July 11, 2007
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