Blenders: Ratings of Sources
Total of 29 Sources
For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.
Blenders that Beat the Competition
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Our AssessmentFor this report, ConsumerReports.org' team of professional testers spend hours crushing ice, preparing frozen drinks, blending smoothies and pureeing vegetables in more than four dozen blenders. Editors conclude that high wattage and multiple speeds don't add functionality, although only one bargain blender makes their recommended list.
Best Blenders: Reviews and Ratings
by Editors of Good Housekeeping
Our AssessmentGood Housekeeping editors test 38 blenders, considering ease of use, customer service, user-friendly design and performance in grinding, chopping and smoothie-making. They discover that more complex controls, high wattages and price tags don't always correlate with blending performance. For each blender, they list the pros and cons and give the blender a letter grade. The Oster Beehive Blender comes out on top in performance and user friendliness, although editors also have positive things to say about the Vita-Mix 5000 Professional Series -- which is very similar to the more-often discussed Vita-Mix 5200.
Blenders
by Editors of Cook's Illustrated magazine
Our AssessmentAmerica's Test Kitchen and Cook Illustrated editors put 10 blenders through a variety of tests ranging from ice crushing to smoothie-making. The models are also rated on speed and sound level. The KitchenAid 5-Speed Blender earns the top score, with editors praising its lump-free hummus and smoothies and its ice-pulverizing ability.This article is more than two years old, and many of these blenders have been replaced by newer versions.
Upscale Blenders
by Editors of Cook's Illustrated magazine
Our AssessmentCook's Illustrated testers crush ice and prepare fruit smoothies and hummus to compare the basic functions of two upscale blenders with those of a highly rated, moderately priced one. Editors recommend one upscale model for people who use their blender constantly but add that most users will be satisfied with cheaper models.
Blenders
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Our AssessmentAmazon.com is an excellent source for owner-written ratings of blenders. Because many blenders get hundreds of reviews, Amazon.com can be a better, more updated source than ConsumerReports.org. Owners here favor the KitchenAid 5-Speed KSB560 and the Waring PBB25 Professional Bar Blender. The Oster Classic Behive 4093 receives high ratings and is still available. The Margaritaville Bahamas Frozen Concoction Maker also receives stellar feedback, thanks to its ice crushing abilities.
Top 10 Blenders, Food Processors & Mixers
by Alexandra Guarnaschelli
Our AssessmentAlexandra Guarnaschelli, who is the executive chef at Butter Restaurant in New York City, lists her favorite blenders, food processors and mixers. She likes the Vita-Prep, the commercial version of the Vita-Mix 5200, as well as the Blendtec ABC Commercial Smoothie Margarita Blender, for home consumers willing to spend the money.
5 Blender Show-Down: Abusive Lab Test
by S.E. Kramer
Our AssessmentThe editors of Popular Mechanics put five blenders through the tough tests of blending whole fruit (bananas, apples and oranges) and ice. Of the five machines tested, editors say that the Kitchen Aid 5-Speed Blender is by far the best value, coming in cheaper and out-performing all but the Vita-Mix 5200
Blenders: Work Top
by Contributors to Epinions.com
Our AssessmentEpinions.com is another good place for reading owner-written reviews of blenders. Most blenders here receive mixed reviews. Two Oster models (the 6642 and 4093) consistently get the best reviews, as does the KitchenAid KSB560. The Waring 7011S/7011G 2-Speed Blender has about a dozen reviews, all rating it 5 stars out of 5. There are many models here and only a handful of owner-written reviews for each of them, and ratings should be considered with that in mind.
Tips, Tools & Ingredients: Blender
by Editors of BonAppetit.com
Our AssessmentThis short piece lists Bon Appetit editors' picks for top regular blender and top immersion blender, but it doesn't say how they came to their conclusions. They pick the Waring Pro Stainless Steel Blender.
Electrolux's 'Silent' Blender Mixes Muted Margaritas
by Charlie Sorrel
Our AssessmentWired features several one-off reviews of various household appliances, including blenders. Here, the Electrolux Powermix Silent is reviewed by Charlie Sorrel. The blender receives decent feedback, but the reviewer notes that while the brand touts the "silence" of this appliance, it still makes as much noise as, say, an electric shaver.
You've Got Ice. But Will it Blend? Oster Ice-Shaving Blender Review
by Aaron Rowe
Our AssessmentThis brief review from Wired magazine discusses the Oster Ice-Shaving Blender. The reviewer notes that while this blender shaves ice to perfection, it can't do smoothies and is very loud.
Bar Blender Blasts Out Drinks With 500-Watt Electric Assist
by Michael S. Lasky
Our AssessmentMichael S. Lasky tests and reviews the Waring Professional Bar Blender WPB80, giving it an overall rating of 7 out of 10 points. Lasky says that the blender is powerful enough to recreate any drink made in restaurants or bars and can crush ice with ease. The carafe doesn't lock into the base, however, and must be held firmly in place by the user while operating.
Thermomix Competitor: Cuisinart Soup Maker & Blender
by Kristen Lubbe
Our AssessmentThe Cuisinart Soup Maker & Blender receives a detailed review from writer Kristen Lubbe of TheKitchn.com. She considers only the performance of this one product, and there is no comparison to other blender models.
Product Review: The Magic Bullet Blender
by Faith Durand
Our AssessmentThis review is thorough, but it only considers the features and performance of one blender: the Magic Bullet. Durand finds that the Magic Bullet whips through ice easily, creating a fine-textured drink. She also appreciates its compact footprint.
Best Blender: Professional Series Vita-Mix
by Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan
Our AssessmentThe author sings the praises of the Vita-Mix, which makes "ice cream, whole fruit and vegetable juices, breads, cakes, hot stuff (without it exploding all over the kitchen) and cold stuff." Her only criticism is that the pour spout drips a little bit after pouring.
Blender Reviews
by Colleen Graham
Our AssessmentColleen Graham, About.com's guide to cocktails, tests the blenders listed in these reviews. The Waring Pro Bar Blender is tested in the context of making drinks. For that purpose, she says it's a champ, but with only two speed options, it isn't really appropriate for general use. The TailGator blender is also recommended. The Margaritaville Explorer Cordless Frozen Concoction Maker is a portable option, which she says easily mixes cocktails. It is, however, quite large for a portable option. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
JTC OmniBlend V 3 Horsepower Blender Review
by Davy Russell
Our AssessmentDavy Russell of IncredibleSmoothies.com provides a detailed review of the JTC OmniBlend V 3 Horsepower Blender. At just $250, this is nearly half the price of other high-quality blenders such as Vita-Mix or Blendtec. Russell says it is a stellar option for those looking for a more budget-friendly high-end blender.
The Best Blender Comparison: Vita-Mix vs Blendtec
by Davy Russell
Our AssessmentThis is a detailed comparison of the features of the two major top-of-the-line blenders, the Vita-Mix and the Blendtec. Russell compares the blenders on form, function and features as well as warranty and online support. Russell says he owns a Blendtec, but that you can't go wrong with either blender.
The Best Blenders for Making Smoothies
by Editors of PerfectSmoothie.com
Our AssessmentThe editors of PerfectSmoothie.com like the Vita-Mix 5200 best, but they have praise for their other three choices as well. The Magic Bullet, they say, has the advantage of compact size and inexpensive price. The Blendtec and Oster Beehive are also recommended.
The Best Blender
by Editor of GreenSmoothieGirl.com
Our AssessmentThis is another comparison of the Blendtec and Vita-Mix blenders by a whole-foods enthusiast who owns both. She lists the ways they differ but doesn't draw a conclusion about which is better overall.
Crush Ice Without Burnout
by Louise Chu
Our AssessmentLouise Chu says the Blendtec Total Blender (which she likes except for the square-ish jar shape) and Thermomix are two high-end blenders she didn't consider in her review. She likes the Braun PowerMax because it's "relatively powerful," yet inexpensive. She finds that the KitchenAid 5-Speed Blender performs consistently, and the Vita-Prep 3 is a "proven, durable workhorse" in professional kitchens.
Test Kitchen Essential Tool, Part 3
by Grace Parisi
Our AssessmentThis short blog post discusses the Blendtec blender, which is the editors' choice for use in their test kitchen, after having gone through a dozen Hamilton Beach blenders because of the rigors of testing recipes. Grace Parisi notes that her goal in the test kitchen is to use "residential" equipment, not industrial, with the exception of the Blendtec. She also notes that Blendtec now has a line of residential blenders.
Magic Bullet Party Mixer Review
by "Pen"
Our AssessmentThis anonymous blogger likes the lightweight, easy-to-handle size of the Magic Bullet but says it is cheaply made and that the blades wear out quickly. It also doesn't chop or mix consistently, leaving chunks in some places and liquidized food in others.
Blenders
by Contributors to Cooking.com
Our AssessmentOwners posting to this site give blenders mostly favorable reviews. However, the feedback offered could be helpful when you have narrowed down your blender choices. Most users are cooking enthusiasts. The Waring MBB518/520, Vita-Mix 1710 and KitchenAid KSB560 get the most reviews. There aren't as many reviews here as there are at Amazon.com.
The Best Blenders
by Kristin Donnelly
Our AssessmentFood & Wine tested 76 countertop appliances in nine categories ranging from espresso makers to rice cookers. Four blenders are selected as top picks, though it is unclear how many blenders were tested overall. The high-end Breville Die Cast Hemisphere is selected as the overall winner, thanks to its excellent performance. This review is more than three years old, however, and most of the appliances included in the reviews are discontinued.
Blender
by Contributors to ExpoTV.com
Our AssessmentExpoTV.com is a consumer-review site where owners post video reviews instead of text. A query turned up a handful of owner-posted reviews for several different models. Seeing the blender in action can be especially helpful as far as performance; for example, one owner gives a demonstration of the KitchenAid 5-Speed Blender's ice-crushing ability. Several owners post positive video reviews of their Osterizer blenders as well.
Blender Reviews
by Contributors to Buzzillions.com
Our AssessmentBuzzillions.com aggregates consumer reviews from a variety of top online retailers like Macy's, BestBuy.com and HSN. A nice feature is the ability to filter the reviews by top-rated, pros, price, best uses, etc. For blenders, there are only a handful of reviews for several models, and immersion blenders and specialty machines such as "margarita makers" are mixed in with full-sized blenders. Most of the models here get good ratings, but the Jarden Margaritaville Fiji Frozen Concoction Maker, KitchenAid 56-oz. Bar Blender KSB560 and Breville Ikon Die Cast Blender are reviewed most often.
Kitchen Appliances: Blenders
by Contributors to Target.com
Our AssessmentWith a wide array of models here and owner-written reviews for most of them, Target.com can be useful once you have some choices in mind. However, the reviews tend to be short, and there are often only a handful of reviews for each model.
Blenders
by Editors of Consumer Guide
Our AssessmentConsumerGuide.com's recent reviews offer detailed descriptions of features. Editors seem to have tried the blenders, and they offer some comments on and criticisms of how they function. However, 20 of the 32 blenders are named Best Buys, and the reviews are almost entirely positive. Interestingly, it appears that no updates have been made to this database for more than a year.