There are so many blenders available on the market that selecting the best one might look impossible. To make the decision even more challenging, most of the blenders are almost equal if we're looking at the technical side.
However some of them have more smoothie-friendly properties then others. That's why I have written this article to help you pick the blender that will be perfect for your needs as well as budget.
My Top Blender Is Vitamix
Vitamix is my favorite.
Their blenders are very quiet compared to other ones in the high-performance category and can puree everything that I have tried.
The Vitamix that I have gives me lovely rich and smooth smoothies (no bits of frozen berries, leafy greens or grainy seeds). Plus, it comes with a 7-year warranty! So, you can be sure that it will be blending for many years to come.
A Vitamix blenders will probably perform better and last longer than all the other blenders that I have included in this article.
The following four Vitamix models are the ones that I suggest (but there are many others too).
Vitamix 5200
This is the model that I have used for more than five years now. It is my all-time favorite!
Plus, it is one the most affordable Vitamix blenders. Its starting price is about $450 and includes a seven-year warranty.
Vitamiz 5300
The Certified Reconditioned VItamix 5300 is almost like the 5200. Apart from it being a newer model, its motor is a bit more powerful and it boasts the new, shorter 64-once pitcher. You can get this model for about $360 with a 5-year warranty included.
Vitamix Professional Series 750
This model comes with a 2.2 horsepower motor and boasts five pre-programmed settings. Just like the Vitamix 5300, it has the new, shorter pitcher.
It is available in brushed stainless steel, copper and standard black. You can expect to pay anything from $600 plus. If that is a bit too much, there are Certifiied Reconditioned models available for as little as $520.
Vitamix 780
I recently bought this new model. It is Vitamix's ultimate blender for non-commercial use. It has a touch interface and better designed pitcher that you can use without a tamper when you blend your green smoothies.
The Second Prize Goes To Blendtec
Blendtec's blenders are similar to those made by Vitamix. They also boast high-performance models (usually 1500-watt or more), but their ones come with an eight-year warranty. Before I got my Vitamix blender, I relied on the Blendtec Total Blender for a few years to blend me my velvety smooth green smoothies. Their “Designer” series also has some great blenders, having put them to the test myself.
Though, after using both Blendtec and Vitamix, I prefer Vitamix. Blendtec is not as versatile and quite louder. What I can say is that there is not much difference in the end result as both create deliscious smoothies.
Top Mid Range Blenders ($250 And Less)
I can vouch that both Vitamix and Blendtec offer perks. These two brands are made in America and as they are first-class, they will last you for many, many years. If you are sold on getting a Vitamix or Blendtec but simply can't afford one, their factory reconditioned blenders are significantly cheaper. I would not think twice about getting a reconditioned one myself.
Though, if you really can't fork out that much to buy these top-end models, I can recommend the following four:
This Blendtec Total Blender boasts more than five pre-programmed cycles, a WildSide pitcher and 1560-watt motor. Plus, it comes with a three-year warranty.
This model is one of the newer and better models. You can get one for as little as $234 (with a coupon). It might be cheaper, but my smoothies are just as creamy and smooth as the ones my Vitamix makes.
The BlendWorks Pro-Series comes with a 1500-watt motor, pitcher that can hold 70 ounces, a smaller cup (ideal for travelling) and a spatula (made from silicon).
Just look on Amazon.com and you will see that nine out of ten buyers have given it an impressive five-star review.
You can get one for less than $260 (shipping included). The Vitamix and Blendtec models are only slightly more powerful. However, with this model you will still get to enjoy silky smooth smoothies, just blend it for about 15 seconds longer. Just like the Vitamix, this model also boasts a seven-year warranty. I know two relatives who are completely happy with their JTC OmniBlend for a few years now.
This name might sound familiar to you. It boasts a 2.4 horsepower motor, five-year warranty, pulse mode, speed dial, 64-ounce jar and four preprogrammed settings.
You can expect to pay about $250.
Top Blenders For Under $150
When you can only afford to pay $150 or less, you should note that you might not successfully liquify things such as raw carrot, kale or frozen strawberries. Plus, you will get pieces of raspberry seeds and your chia seeds won't be completely crushed.
Although these models are not as high-quality as the Vitamix ones, they will still create tasty, wholesome green smoothies.
The following are a few of the best blenders that cost less than $150:
This model featuers a 1.6 horsepower motor, 32-ounce pitcher and five-year warranty. Thanks to the sound enclosure, it is less noisy. You can expect to pay anything between $125 and $140. If you can afford to pay a bit more, a 20-ounce blending cup will be thrown into the mix.
More than 100 customers have awarded it four or more stars on Amazon.com.
The Oster Pro 1200 Blender boasts a 1200-watt motor, glass pitcher and a three-year satisfaction guarantee. It usually costs between $55 to $70.
Almost 80% of the customers who have bought this model have given it four or more stars on Amazon. According to these reviews, it is particularly good if you want to blend ingredients such as kale.
I take the 600-watt NutriBullet along whenever I travel. I just love how portable it is (though the 24-ounce container is perhaps a bit too small for preparing your green smoothie that you want to use as a meal replacement).
The NutriBullet Pro 900 is the newer model and boasts a 900-watt motor. However, it does not work just as great as my Vitamix model (then again no blender that costs less than $150 will).
You can get a Certified Reconditioned NutriBullet Pro 900 for about $75 (one-year warranty included). Although the standard NutriBullet 600-watt models sell for about the same price, I suggest you go for the 900-watt one as the standard model has a difficult time with carrots, frozen strawberries and kale.
Top Blenders For Less Than $50
I'll be honest, I do not suggest that you pay $50 (or even less) when purchasing a blender to blend your green smoothies. If you can, rather save money and get a top-end or mid range model. I say this because in the long run you will actually pay less. You see a blender that costs only $50 will not last if you use it every day which means that you will end up having to replace it frequently. Not only does the high-quality blenders come with at least a five-year warrany, these models will also make your smoothies more nutritious, smoother, and tastier.
If your budget just can't afford paying more or saving for a more expensive blender, I suggest that you get one of the following three:
This model comes with a 600-watt motor and glass pitcher.
Although it is less than $30, it only has a 450-watt motor.
This model usually costs more than $100, but you can get a certified refurbished one for as little as $40 (including a one-year warranty).
If you don't mind getting one that has been refurbished, I can recommend a certified refurbished NutriBullet (Amazon at times has ones selling for about $50).
At the end of the day, the blender that enables you to enjoy a green smoothie every single day is your best bet. If you can't afford a Vitamix (yet), rest assured the only thing that really matters is trying out all the different tasty green smoothie recipes (something you can actually do with any blender).
