Traditionally, high-speed, high-powered blenders were only used…
…in professional kitchens, while blenders marketed…
…for home cooks had certain power and speed limitations.
The line between pro-level blenders and household blenders has begun…
…to blur in recent years, and there are no longer just a few reputable brands…
…producing blenders on a consistent basis.
A high-powered blender can process fibrous vegetables, fruits, and hard foods…
…such as nuts and ice, in a way that less powerful blenders cannot.
The result is velvety smoothies, silky nut butters, and silky sauces.
Many offer connected “smart” functions and automatic cleaning programs…
…as well as the ability to make hot soups…
…due to either a built-in heating element…
…or the friction created by high-speed blades whirring.
Our guide to the best high-powered blenders in several categories…
…will help you make sense of all the options and features.
Before we move on to the next section, Lucas has some words to share…
While I was hesitant to spend this much money on a blender, I am glad I did.
My main reason for purchasing this blender was because I wanted
to make healthy smoothies and meal replacements.
I am in college and live alone, so getting the smaller and cheaper blender made sense to me.
While it blends the same way as all the other models,
it lacks fancy extras such as a touch screen and preprogrammed settings.
This high-powered blender is a great upgrade for me,
and I will make full use of its capabilities.
Now that we’re off to a good start…
What to Look for in a High-Powered Blender
Power
Blenders with high-power motors start at around 1,000 Watts…
…and go all the way up to 1,800 Watts.
Even though you might assume that more power is better…
…wattage alone is not the most important consideration.
A blender’s overall design has a much greater impact on its performance.
However, in general, you should aim for a minimum of 1,100 to 1,200 Watts.
Blades
Generally, blenders with larger blades arranged asymmetrically…
…and more blades perform better than those with fewer…
…smaller blades mounted parallel to each other…
…which can create a space below the blades…
…where food gets trapped and is not processed.
Keep reading…
Glass vs. Plastic
Considering both materials, your preferences…
…and needs will dictate which is the best option.
Although glass jugs are heavier than plastic jugs…
…they are less likely to retain odors and stains.
Glass can shatter at high speeds, so most high-powered blenders use hefty…
…BPA-free plastic jugs, not glass.
In addition, the high speed processing of hard items (like ice)…
…over time may scratch the plastic, resulting in cloudier water…
…but that shouldn’t affect performance.
You may prefer tempered glass over anything else…
…so choose a model with further thermal shock resistance.
Additionally, tall and narrow jars tend to blend better…
…but blenders that are taller than 18 inches might not fit under many kitchen cabinets.
Tamper
With a tamper, you can safely push stubborn chunks of fruit…
…or vegetables toward the blade without removing the lid…
…when making smoothies or smooth soups.
Some blenders come with a tamper, while others sell them separately…
…as an optional accessory.
Here’s the main thing…
Our Top Picks for High-Powered Blenders
Image | Title | Price | Prime | Buy |
---|---|---|---|---|
Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender, Professional-Grade, 48 oz. Container, Black | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | ||
Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Smart Blender, Professional-Grade, 64 oz. Low-Profile Container, Graphite | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | ||
Kuvings Vacuum Sealed Auto Blender SV500S with BPA-Free Components, Quiet Blender, Virtually No Foam, Heavy Duty 1700W Motor, Silver | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | ||
Blendtec Classic 575 Blender - WildSide+ Jar (90 oz) - Professional-Grade Power - Self-Cleaning - 4 Pre-programmed Cycles - 5-Speeds - Black | Prime | Buy Now | ||
Ninja HB152 Foodi Heat-iQ Blender, 64 oz, Black | PrimeEligible | Buy Now |
Let’s go through them one by one…
Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender
- Variable Speed Control: Ten variable speeds allow you to refine every texture with culinary precision, from the smoothest purées to the heartiest soups
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As the gold standard in high-performance blenders…
…Vitamix is still the brand chosen by professional chefs…
…and restaurant kitchens for its durability, power, and design.
Despite its high price, many home cooks cannot afford it.
With the Vitamix Explorian range, the respected American brand…
…offers power for a more manageable price.
Although it’s not cheap, it’s powerful enough to handle many different tasks…
…including making smoothies, soups, and doughs…
…as well as nut butters and non-dairy milks.
There are only 10 different speeds, a pulse function…
…and no preset programs on the control panel.
The 48-ounce pitcher is made from heavy-duty…
…BPA-free plastic and is a bit smaller than some of our other picks, but dishwasher-safe.
Pros:
- Powerful
- 5-year warranty
- Comes with a cookbook
Cons:
- No presets
- Large and bulky
Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Smart Blender
- Program Settings: Five program settings (for Smoothies, Hot Soups, Dips & Spreads, Frozen Desserts, and Self-Cleaning) ensure walk-away convenience and consistent results. The A3500 pairs with the Vitamix Perfect Blend App: Unlock the Ascent Series A3500s full potential with 17 programs and 500+ recipes with the iOS + Android app.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
With this sleek, high-tech Vitamix blender…
…you can do a whole lot more than just create purees.
With touchscreen controls and built-in wireless technology…
…the base detects the size of the container being used…
…and automatically adjusts the available program settings…
…and blend time accordingly. When used with the Perfect Blend mobile app…
…(which also connects with the optional…
…Perfect Blend wireless scale, sold separately)…
…the blender can be configured to follow more than 10 preset programs…
…and hundreds of recipes.
Instead of plastic, the base of the entry-level Vitamix models is made…
…from elegant metal, while the 60-ounce pitcher is made from BPA-free…
…dishwasher-safe heavy-duty plastic.
Pros:
- The smart function is impressive.
- Super-smooth blending
- Can blend and cook
Cons:
- Expensive
- Requires compatible containers
- No app instructions provided with the documentation
“While a blender is never going to be silent, this one is surprisingly less noisy than we’d expect, given its power.”
Donna Currie – Writer
Go on…
Kuvings SV500S Vacuum Sealed Auto Blender
- NOISE REDUCTION BLENDING: Tired of your loud blender? Our blender includes a vacuum sealed container and heavily insulated motor which reduces the noise dramatically. Great for use early in the morning or apartments to avoid waking the whole house.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
If you are serious about smoothies and are willing…
…to invest in high-quality equipment…
…you should consider a blender that uses vacuum technology.
Blenders with vacuum attachments are available on some high-end models…
…while others, such as this one from Kuvings, come with it built in.
But what is a vacuum blender?
It doesn’t mean the blender also cleans your floors…
…but it prevents air from entering the container before blending…
…giving the smoothies a less frothy and foamy texture and preventing separation…
…as well as preventing oxidation and preserving flavor and nutrients.
The price of this vacuum blender is quite high…
…but it features a 1,700-Watt motor that is strong enough to make nut butters…
…as well as a noise-dampening hood.
The 40-ounce, BPA-free plastic container is smaller than most of our other picks…
…but it also comes with a vacuum-sealed tumbler…
…so you can store smoothies and other blended foods fresh.
Pros:
- Vacuum technology
- Powerful
- 7-year warranty
- Vacuum-seal storage tumbler
Cons:
- Expensive
- Large and heavy
- Smaller capacity
Blendtec Classic 575 Blender
- Elevate Your Blending Experience: High quality blender for smoothies, shakes, cocktail drinks, soups, crushed ice (snow cones, margaritas), juicer, ice cream maker, mixer, and self-cleaning. Our blenders are used in some of the largest smoothie shops around the world, and you can enjoy the same experience in the comfort of your own home. No tamper/plunger needed due to our patented technology which automatically pulls ingredients toward the blade, instead of spinning around in a circle.
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Its commercial blenders are supplied to many well-known national chains…
…by a family owned manufacturer in the United States, Blendtec.
The household model is equipped with a large 90-ounce jug…
…that can hold beverages for four to six people.
The jug is made of BPA-free plastic and can be washed in the dishwasher.
The 1,560-Watt motor is powerful enough to create hot soups using friction alone…
…and the unit features four preset cycles and five manual speeds.
There is an 8-year warranty on the blender.
Pros:
- Large-volume capacity
- Powerful and durable
- 8-year warranty
Cons:
- Limited presets
- Doesn’t come with a tamper
Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender (HB152)
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
According to some high-powered blenders…
…the friction created by their blades at high speeds can make hot soups.
However, in practice, this claim often fails…
…and you are left with soups that are at best lukewarm.
The base of this powerful 1,400-Watt blender has a heating element built into it.
The device offers an impressive array of preset programs…
…and can chop and saute ingredients before cooking…
…and blending them into a smooth or chunky soup.
You simply add some ingredients to it, press a button, walk away…
…and come back later to a ready-to-eat soup.
You can make soups, smoothies, cocktails…
…and all the other things a high-speed blender can do.
This blender comes with a self-clean function:
…Put some water and a few drops of dishwashing soap in the blender…
…and it will run at high speed for a minute to clean itself…
…though it may need it scrubbing manually with the included cleaning brush.
There is also a tamper included with the blender.
Pros:
- Versatile
- Hands-off operation
- Keep-warm function
- Comes with a tamper
Cons:
- Heavy pitcher
- Noisy
- A bit tricky to clean
- 1-year warranty
Sum Up!
The reviewed models use the latest technologies…
…and top-of-the-line materials for optimum performance and longevity.
In order to find the best blender for beginners…
…we recommend you opt for a product that looks good, is highly functional…
…and adds value to your money.
Conclusion
In terms of performance and reliability…
…the Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender is our top pick…
…but its interface and functions are quite basic.
You might like the Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Smart Blender…
…if you like high-tech machines with lots of bells and whistles.
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Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.