Back in the day, blenders were invented for milkshakes. But over almost a century, they’ve changed a lot. They even helped Jonas Salk make the polio vaccine (but that story’s not for the faint-hearted). Nowadays, blenders do so much more than we can imagine. From smoothies to frozen drinks, soups, and baby food, they’re a kitchen must-have, right up there with toasters and coffee makers. And guess what? You don’t need to empty your wallet for a great one. Affordable blenders with lots of power can do everything you want. Today, picking the best blender under $200 might take longer than making your favorite smoothie!
Top 6 Best Blenders Under $200
1- Ninja Mega Kitchen System
The Ninja Mega Kitchen System is a powerhouse appliance designed to simplify your culinary tasks. With a robust 1500-watt motor base, it effortlessly handles blending and food processing tasks. From crushing ice to creating dough, this system offers versatility and convenience. It includes a large 72 oz. Total Crushing Pitcher for icy drinks, a precision 8-cup Food Processor Bowl, a handy 16 oz. Nutri Ninja Cup for on-the-go juices, and a selection of blades for various tasks. Its user-friendly design ensures ease of use and cleaning, with dishwasher-safe components.
Features:
- 1500-watt Motor: A powerful base capable of handling blending and food processing needs.
- Total Crushing Pitcher: A 72 oz. pitcher for quickly pulverizing ice into smooth snow for drinks and smoothies.
- Food Processor Bowl: An 8-cup Bowl for even chopping and quick dough-making (up to 2 lbs. in 30 seconds).
- Nutri Ninja Cup: A 16 oz. cup with a To-Go Lid, ideal for personalized juices and smoothies for portability.
- Dough Blade: Included for efficiently mixing dough, along with a Chopping Blade for ingredient processing.
- Dishwasher Safe: Cups, blades, and lids are safe for easy cleaning in the dishwasher.
2-Cleanblend Commercial Blender
The Cleanblend Commercial Blender is an all-in-one kitchen tool designed to support people in their journey towards better health. This versatile blender can handle a wide range of tasks, from making smoothies and fresh juices to creating ice cream, milkshakes, soups, and more. With a powerful motor and thoughtful features, Cleanblend offers convenience and functionality in one package. It’s created to make healthy eating easier by liquefying fruits and vegetables to maximize their nutritional benefits. Whether for home or commercial use, Cleanblend aims to simplify your kitchen tasks.
Features:
- Powerful motor: The Cleanblend Commercial Blender boasts a three-horsepower 1800-watt motor suitable for both home and commercial use.
- Multi-use design: It can replace up to nine different kitchen appliances, making it a versatile addition to your kitchen.
- Efficient blending: Capable of pulverizing ice, crushing hard ingredients, and even processing hot soup without pre-cooking.
- Extra-thick recipe tamper: Helps remove air bubbles from thick mixes for smoother blends.
- Easy-to-clean design: The detachable lid and additional removable lid facilitate easier cleanup.
- Quiet-running motor: Operates quietly, making it suitable for households without causing disturbances.
3-Jamba 58910 Blender – Best Overall
The Jamba 58910 Blender is a real crowd-pleaser. It’s famous for good reasons. With its strong 2.4HP motor, it can handle everything from fruits, veggies, nuts, and even ice. But here’s the cool part – it’s not huge and can fit under your cabinets. It feels really solid too, weighing about 11 lbs. People say it works just as well as blenders that cost way more. Plus, it comes with handy settings that let you start it up, walk away, and come back to a perfect smoothie. The only catch is that finding extra jars might be a bit tricky. In our book, this is hands-down the best blender you can get for under $200.
Features:
- Super strong 2.4HP motor: It crushes through all kinds of stuff.
- Set-and-forget settings: You can tell it what to do and take a break.
- 64 oz. size: It’s big but can still squeeze under your cabinets.
- Sturdy and reliable: It feels solid and dependable.
4-Ninja BL610
The Ninja BL610 Blender stands out as a powerful and cost-effective option for blending needs. With a robust 1.4 HP motor base and strong steel blades, this blender can effortlessly handle frozen fruits, vegetables, and more. Offering high-quality performance without breaking the bank, it’s a budget-friendly alternative to pricier brands like Vitamix. This model lets you experiment with textures by toggling between its 4 manual speed settings, allowing you to create either thick or thinner smoothies. The Ninja BL610 shines as the most affordable choice on our list, delivering impressive power and the largest capacity compared to its competitors.
Features:
- Powerful performance: With a 1.4 HP motor and sturdy blades, it tackles a variety of ingredients.
- Texture control: 4 manual speed options provide flexibility in achieving your preferred smoothie consistency.
- Affordable option: Offers great power without the premium price tag.
- High capacity: Holds up to 72 oz of ingredients, providing ample space for blending.
5-KitchenAid KSB1575CU Blender
The KitchenAid KSB1575CU Blender, also known as the KSB5175CU model, brings back the classic feel of your grandma’s blender. It’s a budget-friendly choice with a nostalgic design that stands out among the futuristic blenders of today. Despite its retro appearance, it comes in a whopping 20 colors, giving you plenty of options. The pitcher is made of sturdy plastic, not glass like grandma’s, but it’s solid. However, its blending power might not leave you overly impressed, as it has a 3/4HP motor. Keep in mind that this blender is a bit taller and might not fit under your upper cabinets. KitchenAid’s customer service is good, but there are some issues like motor smells and plastic parts breaking that could dampen your experience.
Features:
- Classic look: The KSB1575CU brings back the charm of old blenders.
- Lots of colors: You get to choose from a huge range of 20 colors.
- Strong plastic pitcher: Even though it’s not glass, the pitcher feels tough.
- Helpful customer service: KitchenAid is known for taking care of customers.
6- Mueller Austria 500 Watt Stick
The Mueller Austria 500 Watt Stick immersion hand blender is a great choice for those looking for a small and affordable blender. It costs around $40, making it a smart option for your wallet. Even though it’s not as strong as some other blenders, its 500-watt motor is still powerful for its size. It has nine different speeds and a turbo mode, but you should hold it with both hands when using the turbo mode because it’s quite strong.
It’s good for making things like sauces, batters, and dips like hummus. Just keep in mind that if you use it for more than a minute, it might get too hot and need a break. If you want to make really smooth food, it might take a bit longer compared to bigger blenders. If you want something quicker, a bigger blender might be better.
The part you use for blending is easy to take off and clean. But, the plastic guard around it is sharp and could scratch your pans if you’re not careful. It’s also on our list of the best blenders for vegans, so it’s quite versatile.
Features:
- Strong Blender: The blender has a 500-watt motor, which is pretty strong for its size.
- Different Speeds: You can choose from nine speeds and even a turbo mode for blending at different levels.
- Easy to Hold: It’s comfortable to hold and use because of its design.
- Easy to Clean: You can detach the blending part and clean it without a problem.
Buyers’ Guide: How to Pick the Best Blender Under $200
When comparing blenders, there are several key factors to consider before making your choice. Here’s a concise buying guide to help you navigate your options:
1. Power and Speed: Blenders are rated in wattage, RPMs, or horsepower, reflecting their strength. A conversion to horsepower can simplify comparisons. For instance, the Cleanblend Commercial Blender leads in power with an impressive 1800 watts, suited even for tough blending tasks.
2. Price: Quality blenders need not be expensive. Many affordable options offer high performance and durability. Assess your budget and prioritize features that truly benefit you. The Mueller Immersion Blender stands out as the most budget-friendly, while the Ninja BL610 offers excellent value.
3. Capacity: Blenders come in diverse sizes. Immersion blenders have flexible capacities, adapting to your chosen container. Standard blenders vary in size, and personal blenders are more compact.
4. Blade Design: Blade design affects blending effectiveness. Traditional designs create a vortex at the bottom, while modern alternatives have blades along a central post for even cutting throughout the jar’s height.
5. Effectiveness: A quality blender should easily pulverize chunks for smooth results. The aim is to avoid unwanted chunks in your blend.
6. Programmability: Modern blenders offer convenience with programmable settings. Some blenders can run autonomously, turning off when done, allowing you to multitask.
7. Clean-Up: Consider your cleaning preferences. Some blenders self-clean with water and soap, while others are dishwasher-friendly. Knowing your cleaning habits helps in choosing the right fit.
8. Tamping: Certain blenders include a tamping tool to manually move ingredients for better blending. It’s a useful addition when working with dense mixtures.
9. Glass or Plastic Jar: Blender pitchers come in glass or plastic. Glass is sturdy but heavy, and it’s a better choice for handling hot liquids. Plastic is lighter but can’t handle extreme heat as well.
Conclusion:
In the quest for the best blender under $200, considering crucial factors such as power, capacity, and features becomes paramount. The market offers a range of options that strike a balance between affordability and performance. By assessing power levels, programmability, ease of cleaning, and other attributes, you can confidently choose a blender that fits both your budget and blending needs. Armed with this guide, you’re now ready to select a top-tier blender under $200 that will elevate your culinary creations without breaking the bank.