The best blenders in 2024 for smoothies, soups, sauces and desserts

The best blenders are easy to use, sturdy and blitz effortlessly – with each offering a good mix of performance and programs. We’ve selected and tested models at a range of price points to give you a better idea of which ones are worth the space in your kitchen. All of these can make light work of crushing ice, emulsifying sauces, and blitzing smoothies and soups.

If you're looking for an appliance that performs a wider variety of food preparation tasks - such as grinding and mixing up coarser ingredients - you might want to see our guide to the best food processors, although several high-end blenders can also easily assume the role of a food processor.

To test the best blenders on the market, we used them to create everything from icy cocktails to vegetable-packed soups and even pancake batter. We looked at how quickly each model blended, how smooth the finished product was, and what kind of functions they had to make the task even easier. 

Below are 13 of the best blenders to buy right now, ranging from budget-friendly smoothie machines to premium models with an abundance of functions and exciting accessories. We have included both the best classic jug blenders that are suitable for a range of tasks, as well as including a smaller round-up of our favourite 'personal' blenders at the end of this list, each of which is ideal for whizzing up smaller amounts. 

Our top 6 picks

The best quality blender

If money was no object this is the blender we would buy. Although it's a pricey model it's well made, quiet and blends like a dream. 

Magimix is a brand renowned for its great quality, and this blender is no exception. We tested the Magimix Blender Power 4 which has a 1.8-litre capacity. This would be a good size for most households. Magimix also makes a model with a smaller 1.2 litre as well as one with a larger 2-litre capacity.

The design is minimal and the blender is of fantastic quality. The jug is made from sturdy glass.

The great thing about this blender is straight out of the box it’s clear how to use it. The dial turned to the right controls the intensity or to the left to select a preset program (Clean, Ice, Smoothie, Soups, Desserts). The three buttons start to pulse and stop the machine. 

It comes with a clear instruction manual and a hardbound recipe book for inspiration. The jug neatly clicks onto the base and can be used to blend hot or cold ingredients. Although, unlike the Tefal model, this blender does not heat.

The Magimix Blender Power 4 doesn't come with any accessories as standard, although accessories such as a smoothie cup, mill attachment, and citrus press are available to buy separately. 

This model stood out as it was the most satisfying to use, and even when blending at max was much quieter than the other models that we tested. Inspired by the recipe book that comes with this blender was tested it first by making a crepe batter. It was incredibly smooth and very easy to make. After using the cleaning setting, which was also very effective we tested making a smoothie using the smoothie program. 

Unfortunately, this wasn’t as smooth as it was in other blenders that we tested and had a slightly grainy texture. But the blender did easily break down ice and for an extra smooth smoothie, we found running the program twice worked well. If you are looking for a good quality blender that you’ll probably have for years to come then this would be a reliable model to choose. The guarantee is valid for 30 years, much longer than most over models.

The best versatile blender

Another great option at the pricey end of the scale. The Vitamix A2500i is one of the most powerful blenders that we tested. It has a 1200-1400W motor that made light work of whatever we threw at it. 

However all that power has to have a payoff, and that’s a bulky and weighty base. Together with the jug this blender weighs 6.93kg but it is still quite easy to move thanks to some well-positioned grooves on the side. It looks sleek from the front, but the base is 25cm deep, something to consider if you have limited worktop space available.

When using this blender you have ultimate control as there are ten speed settings as well as three preset settings. But despite the options, we found that the results were less smooth than some other models. 

When making carrot, orange and ginger juice we followed the suggested amounts and method from the included cookbook but found the resulting juice to be grainy. This blender really excelled when making drinks with the addition of ice, so would be excellent for blitzing up a batch of blended cocktails. The A2500i crushed ice effortlessly, breaking it down before it melted, so the resulting drinks were thick and smooth.

The jug has a large two-litre capacity and blends evenly even when full to the limit. It is also possible to blend hot food, such as soup, using the lowest speed.

The Vitamix A2500i is very easy to use. One feature that we particularly like is the ease at which the jug fits onto the base. It slides on in any orientation (ideal if you’ve already had a few of those frozen cocktails!). However, we did find the lid a bit tricky to take off: it’s made of plastic and feels fragile, but if you were using this blender regularly you would find the knack. The benefit of the jug being made of plastic is that it’s lightweight and easy to clean. The blade can not be removed, so we found it helpful to whizz a solution of washing up liquid and water before rinsing it.

We previously tested the Vitamix Ascent A2300i, which is the older version of the A2500i. They are very similar although the newer A2500i has three preset settings and a slightly higher price tag. They both come in four colour options (black, red, grey and white).

The best luxury blender

Sage is known for offering a range of the very best coffee machines on the market, and they have a stellar blender in their collection too. One of the priciest in our guide, the ultra-powerful two-litre 2400W Super Q justifies its cost by blitzing quickly and using noise-suppression technology. It's far from whisper-quiet, but the sounds it makes are less obtrusive than many other blenders with a larger motor. 

The LCD display is a notable feature, allowing you to easily see what speed you’ve selected, set a timer or keep an eye on how long a program will be running for. The Super Q performed well on all our blending tasks, producing fibre-free smoothies, efficiently crushing ice, and blending soup that was heated to hot—if not quite as hot as in the Vitamix above. 

Our Sage the Super Q blender review has the full details.

Best value blender

The Tefal Perfectmix Cook Blender is great at blitzing up a smoothie, but it can also do so much more. The base conceals a heating element, so whizzing up a soup using this blender is a breeze! The heating function can also be utilized to steam foods and for the cleaning preset. 

The Tefal blender has eight preset cooking functions and ten programs in total, which is more than any of the other blenders that we have tested. But despite the additional functionality, it’s not drastically more expensive than other models. This is why we awarded this blender the "Best value multifunctional blender".

We tested this blender first by making a soup: we simply added peeled and roughly chopped vegetables with a stock cube and liquid to the jug. Selected one of the preset soup functions and the machine did the rest. Half an hour later the blender automatically stopped the program and beeped to alert us that the soup was hot and ready to eat. The cooking time can also be manually adjusted.

We also tested the smoothie program. It was extremely effective at blitzing fruit and ice to make a velvety smooth smoothie. It was as good as the Ninja blender at creating a wonderfully smooth drink in no time.

Cleaning this blender is a little harder than others as the base of the jug can not be submerged in water, and the majority of parts are not dishwasher safe. However, it does have a cleaning setting. And for deep cleaning, the jug can be disassembled and the blades can be removed and cleaned with the cleaning brush that comes included. 

If you frequently make soup this blender would be a valuable addition to your kitchen. We were really impressed with how easy it was to use. After the initial preparation of the ingredients, you can walk away while the machine works its magic. The capacity is large too (it can make up to 1400ml of soup or blend up to 1750ml of cold things at a time) enough soup to fill four bowls.

This blender is sturdy and well-made. But this also means it’s rather chunky and heavy, so if you’re not planning on using the heating capability we would suggest a more compact model.

The best blender to give as a gift

Having a KitchenAid mixer has become something of a status symbol, but if you don't have much use for their stand mixer, you can still buy into the brand with the Artisan K400 blender. It’s available in a range of glossy colours and looks impressive, which means it's one of the best engagement gifts or the best wedding gifts you could give to a couple that loves cooking. 

Beyond its good looks, this blender performs well too, delivering smooth smoothies and evenly crushed ice in seconds. It also offers a whole host of functions and speeds so you can make soups, sauces, doughs, and frozen desserts. While the weighty glass jug is more limited in capacity than some (it's 1.6 litres), this 1200W machine can be easily accessorized with extra containers, one of which is a lighter plastic jug. 

The heavier jug can be tricky to clean by hand, but there’s a self-cleaning program on the dial. Overall, this blender works hard and looks fabulous in any kitchen. It is on the pricey side but there are often KitchenAid deals to be found.

Our KitchenAid Artisan K400 blender review has the full details.

The fastest blender

You get a lot of bang for your buck with this blender from Ninja. The Ninja 2-in-1 Blender with Auto-IQ comes with a large jug with a 1.9-litre capacity as well as a smaller cup blender with a 700ml capacity. Both tops work on the same base.

We found this blender to be extremely effective and fast at blending. As with many Ninja appliances, this blender is slightly unconventional, but in a great way! Whereas most traditional blenders have one set of blades in the base of the jug, this model has three sets of blades at different levels. This helps to move the ingredients so everything is blended at the same time. We put an onion into the blender to see if it was possible to chop it and were impressed to find that in just a few seconds the blender was able to blitz it into even-sized pieces.

The entire blade column can also be removed, and all the attachments are dishwasher-safe, making cleaning a breeze.

The jug and lid are plastic and lightweight, meaning that it’s easy to clean and manoeuvre. However, it also means that it can not be used to blend hot liquids. The lid is very secure, and there is no risk of liquids splattering everywhere.

The preset settings are effective and stop automatically. It comes with a recipe book that was helpful for knowing which settings to choose. We made pasta sauce. After blitzing on HIGH for 30 seconds the sauce was very smooth. 

We tested the single-serve cup attachment by making a smoothie. We included carrots, ginger, and ice with fruit and orange juice. The auto program pulses the ingredients and the result is a perfectly smooth drink. There are three Auto IQ programs that stop automatically. On the manual setting, you can't set a timer, but the seconds count up on the digital display so you can see how long the blender has been running.

Best blender for a modern kitchen

Unlike other models we tested, the Zwilling Enfinigy power blender only has two blades. These stainless steel blades are specially designed with serrated piranha-like teeth to enable optimized blending. Despite only having two blades, we thought the results were some of the best.

It is one of the most powerful blenders we tested at 1600W but this also meant that while on the maximum speed setting it was rather loud. The extra power and noise come with capacity, though - this model has one of the largest capacity jugs at 1.8 litres which is good if you often make more than two servings. 

The settings for ice, cocktails, ice creams, smoothies, and cleaning are programmed with pre-calculated timings which are shown on the digital display which was a unique and useful feature compared to other models - we found the smoothie setting, in particular, especially effective. 

When the jug is on the base it stands 42.6cm (16.8in) tall, around 2cm (0.8in) taller than the KitchenAid K400, which might be an issue for those with low kitchen cabinets on the wall. We thought the design was very attractive and loved the matte black base and the illuminated dial. This also meant it was easier to clean as there is only one button on the base. 

Twinned with a cleaning setting that worked perfectly, this machine is a great choice for those who like to keep a clean and tidy kitchen. It had minimal branding which we thought looked premium and would blend in very well with modern, chic kitchen trends.

Unlike other models, the blender comes with a stamper which is useful to help safely move ingredients around in the jug, although questionably this is an expectation, given the price point.

The best blender for soup

If you love your soup maker but want to save cupboard space, then find yourself a Ninja, which is one of the best hot and cold blenders. While many blenders can't cope with hot vegetables when cooking soup, this one has a built-in heating element so you can make all your favourite recipes without the worry that it will crack or overheat. Add your ingredients along with your choice of liquid and at the click of a button, your soup will be ready in minutes. 

While some like to use the best hand blenders when cooking soup, we loved being able to do everything in one big jug. This made the silkiest soup we've ever cooked, despite having a top-of-the-range soup maker in our repertoire of kitchen essentials. And this is just one of its tricks. 

There are several different programs that let us whizz up smoothies and cocktails (with a load of ice) in seconds. We even chopped up some onions and carrots using the Chop setting, following up with the Sauté program to start our cooking off. In addition, there's a frozen dessert section where you can make ice cream alternatives. 

But possibly our favourite part of this blender (other than the self-cleaning function), is the way that it just sits on top of the base without the need for any awkward twisting or clicking in.

And, if you love a Ninja blender, it's worth looking to find out where you can get Ninja blenders on sale throughout the year too.

The best retro-style blender

There are kitchen appliances that come with all the technical bells and whistles and then there are the ones that make your space look smart. While the bells and whistles can be fun to play around with, most of us usually end up falling back on the basic functions our blender offers. Which makes this fancy Smeg offering well worth your attention. 

This retro-style offering is one of the best blenders for crushing ice in seconds with its specialized function, while the smoothie function gave us the kind of silky drinks we'd expect from a Californian wellness bar. It only has four speeds but it still packs in a heap of power, though maybe not as much as the Vitamix option. 

We also found the pulse function handy for chopping up veg. Our only niggle is that the jug has a slightly smaller capacity than we're used to with other models, however, this means it's lightweight but still sturdy, which makes it more comfortable to use than some of the other blenders we've tested. 

It's a beautiful, compact package available in a number of lovely shades including, black, cream, and a trio of pastels: pink, blue, and green. 

Best blender for crushing ice

Compact enough to tuck into a corner of a tiny kitchen, the Kenwood Blend-X Fresh is a neat, nimble blender that can handle everyday tasks, such as batter and milkshakes without any issues. There aren’t any pre-set programs, but this model has some tricks up its sleeve. The ice-crush button works well, turning cubes to snow, and detachable blades mean it’s easy to wash by hand. 

As the jug is tall, the capacity hasn’t been reduced too much despite its smaller footprint – there’s still 1.5 litres of working space in the 2-litre pitcher. However, its 650W motor can be limited, meaning you’ll need to spend a bit more time chopping food into smaller pieces to circulate correctly. We also found it to be quite noisy, even when operating at lower speeds. 

Our Kenwood Blend-X Fresh blender review has the full details.

Best looking personal blender

This blender has a sleek and stylish modern design so would look attractive left out on a worktop. Alternatively, if you prefer to store it out of sight it’s a compact model that wouldn’t take up much cupboard space. We found the Beast Health Blender straightforward to operate and fantastic at blitzing fruit and vegetables into smooth drinks.

The base comes with two compatible blending vessels, one with a 500ml and the other with a 1 litre capacity, the larger of which can blend up to 700ml of liquid. It also comes with a screw-on lid, so these vessels can double up as storage containers. The capacity is smaller than others that we tested, although it’s excellent for whizzing up drinks, sauces and crushing ice. However, if you plan on blending larger amounts you may wish to consider a blender with a larger jug like the ones above. The model that we tested also came with the Beast Hydration System. This is a glass bottle with a metal chamber for infusing fruit with water.

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The Beast Health Blender would be a good model for those who make smoothies and blended drinks regularly and are looking for a blender to integrate into their routine. The mechanism is quite and sturdy so would stand up to a daily blend. The blending programme stops automatically after a minute, so you can walk away and come back to a perfectly smooth blitzed drink. 

We tested this blender by making a variety of drinks, including a banana and strawberry milkshake, a carrot and ginger drink and a smoothie with ice. We found one minute was ample time for blitzing ingredients until smooth. Whereas the pulse function is better for coarsely chopping ingredients. The Beast is a real pocket rocket, it is small in size but very powerful. We pulsed ice and it was pulverised to snow in a matter of seconds.

We found the smooth minimal design was easy to clean by hand, and for a deeper clean, some of the elements can be put into the top rack of the dishwasher.

Best wireless personal blender

A blender for one, this model has a small capacity and is only able to blend the contents of the single-serve jug. The Cuisinart Cordless On The Go Blender has a small blade and a single blending setting. If you're looking for an all-purpose blender then this probably isn't the model for you, however, if you are looking for a blender to regularly make drinks then this is a fab option.

The main benefit of this blender is that it's cordless and rechargeable so you can blitz up a smoothie wherever you fancy: at your desk, after the gym. It also comes with a lid so the blending chamber doubles up as a drinking bottle. We find that homemade smoothies split when left to sit, so being able to make a fresh smoothie with your own selection of ingredients is great. It's lightweight and could fit into a gym bag.

We put this model through its paces by making a drink containing harder-to-break-down ingredients, carrots, ginger, and ice. We were impressed that it made a smooth drink. This compact model would also be useful for making sauces or baby food. However we found it was less effective when chopping small amounts of dry ingredients, such as toasted nuts. As there are no holes for steam this model shouldn't be used for hot liquids.

The rechargeable base is compatible with any USB as well as other Cuisineart chargers, such as the one that comes with the Cuisinart 1.9L Easy Pres Pro cordless food processor and the Cuisinart Power Hand Mixer, making it simple to recharge.

For the US market, Cuisinart also makes a range of larger capacity blenders, but these are not currently available in the UK. Comes with a blade cover.

The best budget personal blender

The NutriBullet Blender Combo delivers a lot in terms of value. It's got a full-sized 1.8 litre blender that can handle hot liquids; three cups that can be used for blending and storing; a tamper for making frozen desserts and a powerful 1200W motor. It’s louder than some other models but delivered consistently in our tests, producing evenly blended smoothies, chunk-free soup and snowy ice which was perfect for cocktails. 

For everything this NutriBullet is capable of making, you can rest easy knowing all components are dishwasher-safe, making for an easy kitchen clean-up. In an ideal world, it would have more choice of speeds or programs, but as an affordable all-rounder, you’d be hard-pressed to find one that ticks as many boxes. If you're debating a NutriBullet vs Vitamix, price is an important consideration. And if you opt for a NutriBullet, make the most of it by checking out our guide on how to use a NutriBullet.

Our NutriBullet Blender Combo review has the full details.

How we tested these blenders

Our team of experts has personally tested each of the blenders below, all within the last few months to ensure they are the best models on the market. To judge each of the blenders we compared how each model tackled blending ice and frozen and fresh fruit. We also looked at how smooth the final results were for smoothies and sauces and how long each model took.

These were the areas we looked at in particular:

• Ease of use: How simple were they to set up and put together? We also looked at how easy each machine was to pack down and clean.
• Functions: Pricier models tend to come with more attachments and modes. We evaluated how useful they actually were and whether or not they justified the higher price point.
• Performance: Most importantly, we assessed how well each blender performed at blending brittle, hard ice, as well as soft fruits and smoothies, both in terms of the time taken and the final product. In addition, we looked at how noisy they were.
• Value for money: We tested a range of blenders, spanning a range of price points. We examined whether or not the more expensive models were worth it.
• Design: We looked at how much space the blenders required in the kitchen and how they actually looked.

FAQs

Why buy a blender over a hand blender?

A countertop blender is a good option if you often make soup or smoothies for more than one person and you’ve got the kitchen storage space.

The best hand blenders are convenient if you prefer minimal washing up. However, they often only have one setting and speed so those seeking silky perfection might be left disappointed. 

The benefit of a stand blender is that many models have several useful settings like the Vitamix Ascent A2300i which can heat soup, blend nuts, ice, and much more - so if you need it for multiple functions and will use it regularly, it could be a sage investment.

What to consider when buying a blender

There are various things you’ll want to take into account before investing in a blender.

• Programs and speeds: A few basic speeds are fine for most, but more expensive options will have more. Decide whether these are necessary for you. Some blenders have programs like a pulse mode, a puree mode, a soup mode, and a smoothie mode: dedicated programs provide convenience for these specific tasks, so can be very handy.
• Capacity: Larger jugs are useful in family households, or for those who batch-cook, while smaller models are ideal for compact kitchens. As a specific guide, a 2-litre jug should be more than enough for all uses. The compact sizes available are also one of the reasons why the best blenders win in the food processors vs blenders debate, as food processors are less likely to be offered in smaller sizes.
• Cleaning capabilities: Many (but not all) blenders come with self-cleaning functions - although learning how to clean a blender isn't too difficult without them. These self-cleaning functions use a high-speed mechanism to whisk away stubborn debris (when filled with water and washing-up liquid). Similarly, some blenders have dishwasher-safe parts, whereas others don't.
• Power: Generally, the higher the wattage the better—it’ll provide faster blending and reduce your food prep time. Do note, however, that while higher wattage gives a rough idea as to how powerful the motor is, it doesn’t always equate to a blender being a better all-around model. 500 watts is generally powerful enough for a blender that's expected to do the typical tasks.
• Blender material: Glass blenders are generally more scratch-resistant, and are less likely to become dulled or hold odors. However, they can be heavy to lift, and of course, more likely to break if dropped or knocked. Most good plastic blenders will use high-quality BPA-free plastic.
• Any extras: Some come with additional accessories, such as cups, a tamper, or a feeder cap in the lid. Just like food processor attachments, these are all helpful extras for a blender so it's good to work if which, if any, are essential for you. 

How much should I spend on a blender?

Your budget will depend on what you intend to use your blender for. If you need something quick and easy for smoothies or shakes, a budget model that costs £50 or below may suffice. However, these less expensive models don't always have the strongest motors or the most precise blades, so your smoothies or soups may not always have the consistency you want.

For more heavy-duty usage - like making soups, dips and cocktails for parties - consider graduating to a mid-range model starting from £100. Blenders in this range will usually have more powerful motors, more speeds and perhaps a few nifty presets. They'll also provide a greater capacity than most cheaper blenders so you can make large batches for friends and family to enjoy.

Consider a premium blender (like a Vitamix) if you'll be frequently making big quantities and/or working with dry ingredients like grains, coffee beans or spices. Top-of-the-line models feature the most powerful motors, excellent build quality (to drown out the noise of said motors), and an array of pre-programmed features. But unless you plan to use your blender regularly for a multitude of tasks, there's no reason to spend a lot of money on one.

Fortunately, major shopping holidays like Prime Day and Black Friday boast plenty of deals on small appliances, including blenders. If you have your eye on a top-tier blender, taking advantage of one of those sales could help you save a good chunk of change.

Are glass blenders better than plastic?

When it comes to glass versus plastic, it's all a matter of preference. Plastic blenders tend to be cheaper, so they're the budget-friendly choice. They're also more lightweight so if you like to take your smoothies with you to the office or gym, a plastic blender will be your best bet.

Nowadays, most plastic blenders are BPA-free so they're not as harmful to your body or the environment. 

Glass blenders are pricier and give off that "high-end" aesthetic. Since glass is heavier than plastic, glass blenders won't always be the easiest to handle — especially when it comes to cleaning. (And let's not forget how easily glass can shatter!) But glass blenders won't retain odours or stains as easily as their plastic counterparts. And if you intend to make soups, glass is the way to go since it's heat-resistant.

Which blender is best for smoothies?

We think the best blender for making smoothies is the NutriBullet Personal Blender since it has a high-speed blend function plus sturdy blades that allow it to liquefy frozen fruits and veggies with relative ease. We're also fans of the Sage Super Q Blender for its efficient yet powerful ice crush program and dedicated green smoothie button that removes any trace of fibre and spinach specks.

Generally speaking, you'll want to find a smoothie blender with blades that can pulverize ice and frozen fruits and veg into silky smooth liquids with minimal grit. Also, seek a model with a travel cup and lid so you can take your drinks on the go. In the case of personal blenders, you should be able to remove the cup right from the base as soon as you're done blending. For larger-scale models, seek a container that doubles as a pitcher so you can pour your drinks straight away.

Need some inspiration for your healthy drinks? Here are some easy smoothie recipes that you can make in no time.