The best budget blenders, according to Consumer Reports
A $100 blender can still crush ice with ease. Consumer Reports tested dozens of models for performance and reliability to find five budget picks
Andrea Niosi / Unsplash
Blenders turn smoothies, soups and salsas into simple weeknight tasks, and the most powerful models often carry the highest price tags. That price jump isn't always necessary, since several models under $100 blend, crush and purée just as well as blenders that cost hundreds more.
Consumer Reports tested full-sized blenders for puréeing, icy drinks, durability and noise, and found five affordable options worth a look before your next upgrade.
1 / 5
Chefman Obliterator RJ27-T1-TJ
Credit: Amazon
The Chefman Obliterator RJ27-T1-TJ costs $66.99 at Best Buy $BBY. Consumer Reports found it excelled at crushing ice and blending smooth purées during lab testing. CR also praised the blender's durability and ease of use, citing controls and jar markings that were simple to read during pouring and cleaning. It comes with a tamper and scraper and carries a five-year warranty, rounding out a strong value at this price.
2 / 5
Hamilton Beach 58600
Credit: Walmart
Consumer Reports' member surveys found Hamilton Beach blenders were less prone than many rivals to break down within four years of purchase. The Hamilton Beach 58600 costs $76.99 at Lowe's $LOW and holds ingredients in a glass jar instead of the plastic used on many rival models. CR's lab tests rated the 58600 among the strongest performers for puréeing, praised its icy drinks results, and found its noise level on the higher side. The glass jar appeals to shoppers hoping to cut down on plastic in the kitchen, though it adds weight, bringing the jar, lid and base to nine pounds versus roughly four pounds for some plastic models.
3 / 5
Ninja BN701 Professional Plus With Auto iQ
Credit: Amazon
Powered by a 1,400-watt motor, the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus with Auto iQ costs $99.99 on Amazon $AMZN. Consumer Reports rated it highly for durability and ease of use and gave it a top score in puréeing, so it could whip up smooth soups without much effort. CR found mixed results in its icy drinks and noise tests, though that was a fair trade-off given the Ninja's price and power. The Ninja adds seven speeds, a removable blade and a nine-cup jar to its feature set, giving it roughly twice the capacity of some rivals here.
4 / 5
Oster 2127004 One Touch
Credit: Amazon
At $54.98 at Walmart $WMT, the Oster 2127004 One Touch comes with a glass jar and a removable blade for easier cleaning. Consumer Reports found it aced tests for durability and icy drinks, powering through piña coladas and other frozen drinks with ease. Its purée performance was underwhelming in CR's tests, sometimes leaving a slightly chunky texture instead of a smooth blend. CR also rated the ice crush test as middling, though testers found the Oster very easy to operate overall.
5 / 5
PowerXL Smart Pro BL6018-1BP
Credit: Amazon
Despite falling close to the $100 ceiling for this list, the PowerXL Smart Pro BL6018-1BP costs $94.99 on Amazon $AMZN and runs on a powerful 1,800-watt motor. Consumer Reports found it powered through raw ingredients in purée testing and held up as an unusually durable performer overall. CR also found the PowerXL impressive in icy drinks testing but weaker at crushing ice cubes without added water. The blender includes multiple speed settings and a pulse function, though it runs loud at its highest setting.
