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The best blenders for smoothies, soups and desserts at home
Blenders are great for making smoothies, protein shakes and soups, but the best blenders are incredibly versatile devices. If you want to perform all sorts of high-powered kitchen activities, from crushing ice to making your own non-dairy milks, a blender can render your culinary ambitions a reality in a few noisy moments.
The key is choosing the right type of gadget for your needs: a bulky jug blender can whizz up big batches of soup; while smaller blenders come with transportable cups for your breakfast smoothie. Daintier options, which include Nutribullet and Ninja’s Nutri Slim, can be used for whipping up sauces and marinades, too.
I’ve tried all the latest models from the likes of Ninja, Vitamix and Nutribullet, across a range of budgets. You can find the full reviews and answers to your frequently asked questions below, but if you’re in a rush, here’s a quick look at my top five:
The best blenders: At a glance
How to choose the best blender
If you’ll be making lots of big soups for a large family, a jug blender is ideal. These can be bulky and may take up significant counter space, so choose one which suits your kitchen aesthetic. With plenty of settings and high power, they can be expensive. A KitchenAid or Vitamix should be viewed as a lifetime investment, especially if you’re a keen cook.
Dedicated smoothie makers, such as a Nutribullet, are smaller and usually come with a screw-on lid, allowing you to blend and go. Smoothie makers can also be used to make hummus, pesto, breadcrumbs and curry pastes or for blitzing up a tin of chopped tomatoes. They’re easier to clean than jug blenders.
“My husband frequently uses [a Nutribullet] for smoothies, chucking in rock-hard frozen fruit straight from the freezer,” says Silvana Franco, a food writer and stylist. “My teenage son whizzes up his protein shakes in it and I love it for a weekend frozen margarita when it effortlessly smashes ice cubes into an even snow.”
Hand blenders, sometimes called stick or immersion blenders, are handheld devices you insert into a saucepan or container if you’re, for example, making soup. These can be found for as little as £15, so are the best blenders for those on a budget. More expensive options may come with several attachments, so you can purée, whisk, chop, mash and so on.
“My stick blender is one of my most used appliances,” says Franco. “I find a quick blitz speedily solves the problem of a lumpy white or cheese sauce. It takes seconds to wash up after, too.”
