The best smoothie blenders, according to Consumer Reports

A smoothie is only as good as the blender that makes it, since a weak motor leaves chunks of ice and frozen fruit floating in an otherwise drinkable cup. Capacity and durability matter too, since a blender that struggles under daily use won't stay reliable for long.

Consumer Reports tested full-sized blenders for icy drinks, pureeing and durability, so shoppers can find one that keeps up with daily smoothies.

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The Chefman Obliterator RJ27-T1-TJ sits at the budget end of this lineup and lives up to its name, according to Consumer Reports, handily pulverizing rock-solid frozen fruit into a smooth drink. CR rated it very good at crushing ice and excellent at pureeing, covering the two tasks that matter for a daily smoothie routine. At just 6 cups, CR noted its capacity runs smaller than every other blender in this lineup, though that smaller footprint also means it takes up less counter space than many models tested. That strong icy-drink performance paired with a compact size makes it a practical pick for smaller kitchens.

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The Cuisinart Hurricane Pro 3.5 Peak HP $HPQ CBT-2000 sits in the mid-range price tier for this lineup and earned an excellent rating from Consumer Reports in icy-drinks testing. CR rated its ice-crushing strong as well, describing the resulting texture as similar to a snow cone, and found it a standout at pureeing too. The blender holds 8 cups, more capacity than the budget-friendly Chefman tested alongside it. Cuisinart's full-sized blenders scored well above average for predicted reliability in CR member surveys, though owner satisfaction came back only middling.

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The 9-cup Ninja Professional Plus Kitchen System BN801 sits at the budget end of this lineup yet performs like a top-tier machine across the board, according to Consumer Reports. CR rated it excellent at both icy drinks and pureeing, and highlighted a pulse function that makes quick work of tasks like whipping up mayonnaise or pancake batter. That strong performance paired with an accessible price stands out in this lineup. Ninja's full-sized blenders earned favorable scores for both reliability and owner satisfaction in the most recent surveys CR conducted among its members.

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The NutriBullet Smart Touch NBF50420 sits at the budget end of this lineup and delivers standout performance for the price, according to Consumer Reports. CR gave this 8-cup machine a top score in its icy-drinks test and found it also aced pureeing, durability and convenience trials. It ships with a tamper for pushing thick mixtures toward the blades plus a booklet of recipes to try, and CR noted the touchscreen controls clean up easily after use. That mix of strong scores across categories makes it a standout budget option in this lineup.

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The Vitamix Ascent X4 sits at the premium end of this lineup, one of seven full-sized Vitamix blenders in Consumer Reports' ratings, all of which score highly. CR found it easily produces smooth smoothies and ice with a snow-like texture, powered by a 1,500-watt motor well above the 500- to 800-watt range typical of many blenders. The 8-cup blender excelled at pureeing and showed impressive durability in testing, though its ice-crushing came back merely average despite the machine's power. Vitamix earned CR's top rating for both predicted reliability and owner satisfaction among the brands it tracks.

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The Vitamix Propel 750 sits at the premium end of this lineup and topped Consumer Reports' overall blender ratings. The 8-cup machine comes with a seven-year warranty, longer coverage than CR found on other blenders in this category. CR noted its fast-spinning blades generate enough friction to turn out hot soup in addition to smoothies, expanding its use well beyond cold drinks. The blender also earned excellent scores for pureeing and durability, rounding out its position at the top of CR's ratings.