Best Blender 2021 – Buyer’s Guide

Whether you want to stick to pre-set programmes or need something a bit more personalised, you can select the settings you need clearly and quickly thanks to the CT610UK’s touchscreen controls.

Auto-iQ technology lets you choose from smoothie, frozen drink or puree modes, or there are three speed settings (high, low and pulse). As it is touch screen, it is really easy to clean if there are any spills and you don’t have any difficult to reach areas, meaning it is very hygienic.

The pitcher is a generous 2.1L, so whether you want to make a personal drink or need to cater for a family, you have the space. An easy pour spout allows you to serve up without any mess, and it can be popped in the dishwasher for cleaning. The blades are also removable for more delicate hand washing.

The stacked stainless steel blades grab everything that needs to be blended, from ice to seeds and nuts. If you are ever stuck for inspiration, there is a recipe book included for you to try out some well-loved basics and something new.

Despite its relatively low price, it is very powerful and can tackle any contents quickly and smoothly. A real rival to a lot of the blenders which retail at £500+.

A 3-in-1 product, great if you want to be preparing food or whipping up healthy smoothies.

It is a blender, food processor and personal integrated blender as well, so you can pretty much make anything with it. There are eight different speeds and settings, including five Auto-iQ programmes which can give you a helping hand. Pulse, pause and blend patterns can keep you in control, too.

If you’re not quite sure just of how much you really can do with it, there is a nice little recipe book included which should mean it remains firmly on your kitchen work surface at all times. From making cookie batter and breaking down meat for meatballs, to whizzing up ice cream or the base for cocktails, it is a powerful bit of kit.

The King of blenders. Incredibly powerful, it can tackle blending several batches of whatever you are making without a struggle.

It comes with five different containers for adaptability, whether you want to make a personal smoothie for on-the-go or need to blend a massive batch of dips ready for the barbecue or soup for winter.

Simply adjust the timings and speed for the container you have selected, and it will stop automatically when it is finished, so you don’t have to keep a constant watch over it when you’re busy doing other things. The timer displays how long the cycle has been going, so you know when it will be done and how long is remaining.

The tamper pushes all the ingredients towards the blades, so you don’t have to pause the machine to scrape the sides of the container or free any stuck frozen items. When it is all done, simply give the jug a rinse and pop it in the dishwasher for ease.

The base is heavy to lift and move, but there is a reasoning behind this – even with the toughest of mixing, it won’t start travelling across your countertop.

It is on the (very) expensive side, but if you are one to use a blender almost every day for making your own soups, smoothies, hummus, butters and even ice cream, it will soon have you wondering what you ever did without it.

This blending powerhouse is a lot of blender for your money and can now be bought for less than £200!

This is the alternative to the extravagant Vitamix blenders- it offers lots of power, various settings and is currently priced for as little as £180, depending on what colour you opt for.

This five-setting blender is the real deal, it has a big glass jug with a volume of 1.8L, it comes with various accessories and you can stir your shake whilst in the process of crushing. It has an incredible 1300-watt output and will have your smoothie with you before you know it.

Merge all of your vegetable and fruit goodness with the help of their recipe book, when you purchase this blender you get a breakdown of what you need and what flavour drinks you can enjoy.

This is our favourite of the lot because it’s a reliable, powerful and great value for money blender that can do it all. It’s not a make-shift product, it is one with an engine that has been made to last you for years to come.

It has four-speed setting and you can also use the settings to crush ice, set it to smoothie, soup, desserts and more.

This is a blender equipped with all of the latest technology and settings in order to get your meal to perfection levels.

You have temperature control, so can create both hot and cold recipes. This makes it a fabulous soup maker if you also want something which can create other dishes. The 1300W motor and six stainless steel blades are what gives the smooth results, and you also have full control over just how smooth the mixtures are blended.

You also get eight automatic programmes: soup, coulis, hot sauce, compote, multigrain almond or soy milk, ice crush, green smoothie and milkshake. Each comes with its own cleaning programme which is great, as it will really concentrate on the issues which can come up from the particular mix you’ve made, such as things stuck under the blades or on the side of the jar.

To finish it off, the digital display is very intuitive and easy to manage, and the glass jar is thermo-resistant so you can whizz up a freezing cold smoothie and a hot soup straight after with no worries about either damaging the surface.

Top of the list for capacity, power and price, the KitchenAid Artisan packs a lot into its relatively compact frame.

The power is huge, almost five times most personal smoothie blenders and double many other jug blenders. It will tackle the toughest of ingredients, so if you regularly whip up kale smoothies or add a bunch of spinach, the fibrous texture won’t defeat the blades.

Pre-set programmes can adapt the settings to suit whatever you’re blending, so you get the right texture and treatment. Whether it be blitzing ice cubes into snow for a slushie, combining several items for a salad dressing or juicing fruit, you don’t have to finely tweak everything. And it takes the guesswork out of it all. There is also a cleaning programme, to save you getting your hands wet or loading up the dishwasher.

With a double layered jug, it can heat up your soups, sauces and gravies without risking it getting too hot to touch, or becoming damaged. It drops into the rubber pad, nestling into place as opposed to needing to be twisted and locked.

The price is not something we can get away without mentioning. Most KitchenAid items do sell for a lot of money as the quality is high. This item boasts that it is the “most powerful home blender on the market”, which is something we agree with.

The smoothness of liquids, accuracy of the dips and overall ease of use mean the price is justified. It is noisy when it gets going so beware, but this is genuinely the only flaw we could find so we’d say it is perfectly okay to live with.

One of the most advanced jug blenders out there by a country mile. In fact, it does a host of extra functions well beyond blending too.

An in jug heating element means you can cook and boil your ingredients, which is perfect for sauces or soups. It will reach up to 100°C, so there is no denying it works. A sensor will monitor the contents at all times, adjusting the temperature to suit.

The heat resistant jug will safely hold this, without risking cracks or burning your hands as you go to remove it. In terms of safety, the lid must be locked in place before the motor can get going so mess and splashes are a thing of the past. A removable cap will also give you the chance to release some steam if needed, or you can add extra ingredients such as a sprinkling of pepper or herbs.

Now for the actual blending. As expected, the powerful motor tackles pretty much any mixture. The six blades are strong, sharp and work at high speeds to both blend and release nutrients quickly.

Touch controls and a display screen makes operation simple, and eight automatic programmes are ready and waiting for you to get going. From soup and milkshakes to hot sauces, compotes and ice crush, just press the button and the power and time are all sorted.

An auto clean programme takes care of the least-loved part of food preparation. Because it is so versatile, it is perfect for both those who plan ahead and make everything from scratch or those who realise they either need to throw those week-old carrots away or make a soup as quickly as possible.

A huge improvement on older models, it is safe to say that this KitchenAid is just as effective, aesthetically pleasing and versatile as their other products.

The diamond design of the jug may seem like it is all for show, but it has actually been done with power in mind. When the blades are rotating, they work with the shape of the jug to create a vortex. Not only does this mean more power, but also that every little ingredient is captured and mixed if need be.

The motor features Intelli-speed control, so can adapt to the contents of the jug in order to work at its most effective and create less mess. Soft fruits need slightly different treatment than ice cubes or hard vegetables, for instance. A ‘hot food’ button lets you whizz up any warm items. It starts the process off slowly to reduce the risk of splashes.

The lid has to be locked into place for the appliance to work, but there is a little ingredient addition cup in the centre. This is tight fitting so can be a pain to fit and remove, but essentially doesn’t let any mix out. There is also a non-slip base, so it stays put when working.

We love how it isn’t a big bulky body as is commonly found on jug blenders. It feels built to last thanks to the diecast metallic material, so should be with you for ages. So while it may seem expensive, see it as a true investment.

We will say that it works best with large quantities of food though. It’s not one if you’ll be doing single batches of baby food or chopping up a carrot. These tend to get trapped under the blades.

Working at up to 35,000 RPM to blend effectively and keep in nutrients, this blender has a lot of other features and specifications which may catch your eye.

First of all, the jug is glass. If you have previous experience with plastic containers and they broke/cracked over time, you may be on the lookout for a glass option. If you’re wary of the impact of plastic on the environment or health, then you may want a glass option. Maybe you just want the strongest materials possible. Whatever your reasoning, the glass is strong and sturdy, and easy to clean.

ProBlend 3D Technology works to completely break down your ingredients into your desired consistency, even if you want a completely smooth soup. In fact, it is up to 50% more effective than some of its rivals. This fine blending not only makes it smooth but releases more nutrients from the food cells so they can be absorbed by your body.

Philips say that if you get perfect results like this time and time again, you are 80% more likely to continue consuming fruit and veg in this way – perfect for anyone on a health kick.

A choice of four blending speeds is generous enough to tackle ingredients without you spending hours fine-tuning everything. From pulsing harder vegetables, to gently mixing soft fruits and crushing ice, all you need to do is monitor the timing.

Regarding the size, it is compact enough to be compatible with the majority of kitchens out there. It feels well-made and like it will certainly last long enough to get your money’s worth. We loved the added touch of the spatula which sits in the opening in the lid, so if your mix needs stirring when blending, you don’t have to remove everything or stop mixing.

If you’re a lover of having colourful small appliances and accents which stand out amongst the black/white/stainless steel large appliances, then this Smeg blender is going to make you very happy.

There are pastel colours, pops of red and the usual black, cream and white available. The perfect combination of retro design and modern 21st Century styling. It may be aesthetically pleasing, but it doesn’t just stop there.

The powerful motor and choice of four speeds and extra pulse setting will get through so many mixtures. From salsas and dips to smoothies and soups, the 1.5L jug will accommodate anything you want to whip up. Plus, you’ll be able to cater the exact consistency and blend.

Thanks to a dial on the side of the appliance, the speeds are easy to flick through without you having to bend down at an awkward angle. It is also smooth to turn, and the change in speed is also noticeable yet smooth, so your mixture doesn’t start spinning everywhere.

Anti-slip feet and a safety lock make it safe both when it is working and when you’re removing the jug. The base is also pretty weighty which should keep it in place. A start/stop button on the dial will let you quickly halt proceedings if need be.

It is compact enough to leave out on the bench when not in use (and it looks so great that we don’t know why you wouldn’t want to), but if you don’t have the space, it should easily slot into a small cupboard space. Not the most powerful or highest capacity, but the looks do appeal, and it’ll still tackle most jobs.

Compact by name, compact by nature. This particular blender is perfect for anyone who wants the luxury of this product but doesn’t have the space to give up. Designed to chop, grind, blend and mill ingredients, the Multi Mill function and small pot with the Kenwood BLP302WH will chop your herbs and create pastes and dips just as well as the large jug will prepare smoothies.

There are two speed settings and a generous enough capacity to make enough to share. All parts are removable, including the blades, so are easy to clean and keep in top shape. Most parts are also dishwasher safe, so cleaning it all is not hard work.

The motor isn’t the most powerful, so it won’t be able to handle tons of ice or hard ingredients at once. The working capacity is 1.2L, but we would say to try and stay below this for the best results and remember it will take a bit of time.

Don’t look at this blender and think it is far too basic for your needs. Looks can indeed be deceiving.

The basic yet modern and stylish design houses a quality piece of kit. It is robust and a great option to tackle most of the common blending jobs. We’d say it is a good happy medium between a smoothie maker and a powerful jug blender if you want something which can tackle a few more recipes but isn’t as scary to use as the high-end models.

Stainless steel blades offer power, performance and endurance. The capacity is generous enough to whip up treats or drinks for the family, and there is an easy pour spout so you can transfer the contents to another glass or server with no spills or mess.

There is also a plastic jug option available which is cheaper, and which you prefer will depend on your budget and lifestyle. Glass won’t be great for busy households or accident-prone cooks but great for anyone who wants their blender to last for years.

In the instruction booklet, it does say you shouldn’t crush ice. It is okay if added to fruit to make a smoothie but not by itself, so if you want a blender which can tackle making snow, then you’ll have to look elsewhere. Try to stick to liquid mixes with this one.

On the brighter side, it does the more usual blending with ease and is compact so perfect if you’re short on storage. There are only two speeds, but this is enough, and it tackles smaller amounts of food well.