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Portable blenders are the miniature, take-with-you kitchen crushers that offer convenience, a quick mill of your produce and, above all else, an easy-to-store design.
Much like your traditional blenders (and possibly food processors), portable blenders come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, with some including various attachments.
“Portable blenders are very versatile in that they can allow many blended recipes to be made on the go,” Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, NJ-based dietitian, diabetes educator and author of “2 Day Diabetes Diet” and “Belly Fat Diet for Dummies,” told the New York Post. “Depending on the portable blender you choose, the strength and speed may vary, which can impact what recipes you can make.”
Palinksi-Wade said all portable blenders can easily blend protein shakes. “Some can also chop fruits, vegetables and ice to make smoothies, flavored coffee drinks, milkshakes, dressings, soups and batter for pancakes and muffins.”
To help make your shopping experience that much easier, we tested units from all the top portable blender brands, from Hamilton Beach to Nutribullet. If they weren’t secure, they didn’t make the cut (and, if they weren’t easy to use, they ventured off this list). Rest assured these are the top five options you can order online.
Check out our comparison table highlighting our top brands, along with an in-depth FAQ section featuring our registered dietitian’s top tips for shopping for and using portable blenders.
How we tested
Before testing each blender at least twice (hello, morning smoothies), this is the testing criteria we observed when using each miniature kitchen appliance:
- Ease of use: Listen, I just want to have my smoothie (or puree, or pesto sauce) and be finished. That said, using a portable blender shouldn’t have a learning curve — or else I’d resort to a traditionally sized model.
- Weight: Depending on whether you’d like to bring your portable blender on the go, weight matters. I took note of how heavy or lightweight each model was before using.
- Capacity: Smaller portable blenders are better suited for one-cup smoothies or quick marinades, while larger options are meant to double as your traditional blender while saving you precious cabinet space. This factor was surely taken into account.
Our Top Brands at a Glance
| Brand: | Why it’s worth it: | Price: |
|---|---|---|
| BlendJet | Easiest to use with a wonderful value; Multiple color options available | $$ |
| Beast | Aesthetically pleasing design; Helpful blending timer and temperature-regulation settings | $$$$ |
| Hamilton Beach | Budget-friendly price point; Excellent precision and quick operation | $ |
| Ninja | Fair price point from a trusted brand; Offered at plenty of online retailers | $$ |
| Nutribullet | Comes with included drinkware, making this portable blender more of a set; Runs on a next-generation, powerful 1000-watt motor | $$$ |
Pros:
- Easiest to use with a wonderful value
- Multiple color options available
Cons:
- May not be spacious enough for some users
First things first — I’ve been wanting to try the BlendJet 2 Portable Blender for a while (I mean, it’s just so trendy). Numerous fun colors aside, it’s by far the fairest price and the easiest to use — allowing it to earn the “best overall” ranking effortlessly.
Portable blenders come in many different shapes and sizes, but this one is the most on-the-go-friendly. It even has a carrying strap that allows it to double as drinkware if you so choose, and letting you blend shakes, baby food and more in an instant.
“The newer Blendjet 2 offers a more powerful motor. The website states it’s five times more powerful than the original version, [and] that it can blend through ice, fruit and vegetables in just 20 seconds,” Palinski-Wade told The Post. “I love that the charge lasts through 15 blends and that the blender essentially cleans itself by adding water, soap and hitting the blend button.”
Additionally, it’s the definition of small but mighty: a less-than-$75 kitchen appliance that does the job (and does it well).
Pros:
- Aesthetically pleasing design
- Helpful blending timer and temperature-regulation settings
Cons:
- This model is heavier than others we tested, though not a dealbreaker
- Higher price point than most
The Beast Health Blender is the most heavy-duty portable blender I tested, but one that surely deserves a placement on this list. Why? It’s incredibly chic, ultra-efficient and looks stunning on your counter.
That said, it’s not as much of an on-the-go option as others, though you can certainly stash it in the back seat of your car if you’re headed someplace else. It also monitors its internal temperature to avoid overheating, especially when blending of hot liquids, which comes in handy when you’re making sauces.
What I appreciated most about this blender is how the blade cycled through a one-minute, well-timed blend — just the right amount for most smoothies, drinks and crushed-up purees.
Beast offers two different versions online; if yours comes with the drinking lid and carry cap, that’s a more transportable way to bring your churned-up creations on the go.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly price point
- Excellent precision and quick operation
Cons:
- May not be spacious enough for some users
The Hamilton Beach Blend Now Portable Cordless Blender is the most miniature out of all blenders I tested, but one with sharp, powerful blades that slice through fruits and vegetables *perfectly.* Simply put, I can’t believe it’s only $30, and it’s an option that’s perhaps the easiest to store when not in use.
“This portable blender is a bit smaller than some, at 16 ounces, which is great for single serving portions,” Palinski Wade said. “The smaller size makes it easy to transport. It can even fit into most cup holders!”
All the parts are dishwasher safe, which made cleaning up even easier. It’s probably going to be my most-used from here on out, especially since I typically use portable blenders for smoothies — and it’s ultra-quick and easy to use from start to finish.
Pros:
- Fair price point from a trusted brand
- Offered at plenty of online retailers
Cons:
- May not be spacious enough for some users
Listen, I’ve reviewed the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Oven (a game-changer, if I’ve ever seen one), so I had high hopes for the brand’s Blast Portable Blender. The brand surpassed my expectations with flying colors, largely due to its well-made design.
A standout feature of this blender is its leakproof, secure lid. Some blenders I tested (that didn’t make the cut) didn’t have an easy, lockable lid, which is a big no-no for both safety and ease of operation. This dishwasher-safe, rechargeable option is wonderful to stash in your travel bag, too.
The best part? The blender can also clean itself with a 30-second blend cycle with water and a drop of dish soap. It’s comparable to the Blendjet — ranked as the best overall — although is slightly heavier and doesn’t come fully charged out of the box. These aren’t dealbreakers, though; I recommend this to others if they don’t mind spending a teeny bit more.
Pros:
- Comes with included drinkware, making this portable blender more of a set
- Runs on a next-generation, powerful 1000-watt motor
Cons:
- The model is heavier than others tested, though not a dealbreaker
For a complete portable blender system, the Nutribullet Pro 1000 Personal Blender is your best bet. Disclaimer: it’s heavy, so it’s not a truly portable option if you wish to use it on the go. However, its included attachments, which you can drink out of, are portable, so the high-efficiency and stellar design is enough to make it worth your money.
“This powerful portable blender states it can blend and chop everything from frozen product to nuts and seeds, making it a great option for everything from smoothies to baby food and even soups,” Palinski-Wade said. “The cup is also dishwasher safe for easy clean up.”
An FAQ on Portable Blenders
Palinksi-Wade shared the 411 on portable blenders, including their benefits, how they differ from other kitchen essentials and more.
What is a portable blender?
First things first, let’s define what a portable blender is to dial down why these trusty miniatures may be worth your next purchase.
According to Palinski-Wade, a portable blender, or a travel blender, is a “lightweight, cordless and smaller blender that can be carried with you on the go.” These blenders are generally used for single-serving shakes and smoothies.
What are the benefits of using a portable blender?
“These small blenders can be carried with you to allow you to make smoothies, shakes and other blended recipes on the go or outside of a traditional kitchen setting,” Palinski-Wade said. “Since these blenders often make one serving at a time, they are ideal for individual usage and single-member households.”
Nutritious foods to make with a portable blender, per a dietitian
Palinski-Wade shared some recipe ideas to inspire your portable blender purchase.
“Protein snacks can be an easy way to boost the protein content of your meal or snack,” she said. “A portable blender can allow you to make a protein shake on its own or with added nutrients from chopped fruit and vegetables.”
You can also blend a variety of fruits and vegetables to significantly increase the antioxidant and fiber content of your diet. “Chopped and soft fruit and vegetables work best in these blenders, along with protein mix-ins such as cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, nut butters and protein powder,” she said.
Small portable blenders can also be used to mix ingredients for making small batches of muffins or pancakes. More powerful portable blenders may also allow you to make small batches of soup and even dressings for salad.
How do portable blenders differ from regular blenders?
The biggest difference, of course, is portability. “These blenders are typically cordless and can be easily carried and transported with you on the go,” Palinski-Wade said. “This can allow you to blend up shakes and smoothies in the car, at work, when traveling or even outside.”
What’s more, these blenders are usually smaller than a traditional blender, making them better for single-serving portions (and great for individuals). “The one down side is that many of these blenders are less powerful than traditional blenders, so they may not be able to blend or chop large pieces of fruits, vegetables or ice,” she said.
Depending on your intended use, be sure to seek out a portable blender with a size and strength that matches your needs.
How do portable blenders differ from food processors?
Both appliances are designed to chop food into small pieces; however, they serve different purposes.
“Portable blenders are typically used for blending liquids and creating smoothies, soups and protein shakes,” Palinski-Wade said, “whereas food processors are used for more labor-intensive tasks like mixing dough, slicing vegetables and shredding cheese.”
Additionally, the shape and function vary as well. “Blenders typically are tall jars with one blade, designed to handle wetter recipes, while food processors have multiple blades and wider bowls to handle tougher and harder foods,” she said.
How do portable blenders differ from juicers?
“A portable blender blends the ingredients together, which retains the pulp, skin and seeds, resulting in a thicker consistency, such as a smoothie,” Palinski-Wade said. “This also boosts the nutrition and fiber of the recipe as well.”
On the other hand, a juicer extracts the juice from fruits and vegetables, separating the pulp, skin and seeds, and discarding them, leaving behind a thinner juice without the fiber.
What features do portable blenders typically have?
“The features of portable blenders can vary from brand to brand. Some include a compact and lightweight design, making them easy to carry and store; a motor that can blend ingredients, the power can vary from brand to brand from being able to mix liquids to being able to chop ice; cordless with a rechargeable battery or USB cable; and a tight seal to prevent leaks when blending,” Palinski-Wade said.
Most varieties have a single-speed motor as well, but some may offer additional settings such as multiple speeds, pulse functions and detachable blades for easy cleaning.
Check out the New York Post Shopping section for more content.
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