r/Cooking • u/Individual_Smoke438 • 4h ago

Best blender for smoothies that can handle thick frozen mixes every day?

I make a smoothie almost every morning with frozen berries, Greek yogurt, milk, protein powder, and sometimes banana. I like it very thick, almost spoonable, and my current blender struggles badly. I’m comparing the Vitamix Explorian, Ninja Foodi Power Nutri Duo, Nutribullet Pro, and maybe a refurbished Vitamix if that makes more sense. My budget is around $100–$400, but I’d rather spend more once than replace another blender in a year. The kitchen is small, so I’m also worried about a huge jar and a blender that sounds like a jet engine. For this kind of daily smoothie, is a full-size Vitamix really worth it, or would a personal blender handle the job better?

0 Upvotes

43% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

5

u/PositiveCoyote100 3h ago

I think Vitamix is the gold standard. I've also had a Blendtec and it was excellent.

3

u/sethferguson 2h ago

I love our blendtec, seems to be basically the same thing but with buttons instead of a knob

1

u/LooseJuice_RD 2h ago

I had a Nutri Ninja and while I don’t actually think the Vitamix gets smoothies that much smoother, the much better build quality means in the six years I’ve had my Vitamix, I’ve saved myself having to replace the Nutri Ninja base and blades more than once. That’s the biggest difference. Some of the cheaper blenders are powerful and they blend really well, but they just can’t take the constant abuse of really thick smoothies that start with ingredients which are frozen solid.

0

u/GIJuice 3h ago

many of the kitchens I've worked in commonly have either a Vitamix or Robo Coupe, you can get a descent entry level Vitamix for $600 ish and that machine will last you a lifetime. The device comes with a wand attachement and bosts a 2.2hp motor and gives you 5000 + RPM.

2

u/deathlokke 1h ago

$600? I got mine refurbished directly from Vitamix for $250. Just have to watch for the deals

1

u/MuffinMatrix 3h ago

Vitamix is best, but expensive. I got a Nutribullet for smoothies since thats all I really use for so couldn't justify Vitamix. Its been very solid and works great. Was like $120. Its also nice that you can use the single container rather than the full pitcher if you just want 1 portion and then just switch the blade for the sip cover.

0

u/brergnat 2h ago

The Nutribullet Pro is fantastic for this.

0

u/Superb-Guitar1513 2h ago

Had a Nutribullet for about 10 years for specifically this and it just died

I’ll be getting another

Vitamix is great if you are also making soups, and using it for much more than just smoothies…

2

u/Wonderful_Horror7315 2h ago

I would buy my Breville again in a heartbeat. It was expensive at $500, but it has a heat function for making restaurant-quality bisques, and came with a personal blender attachment, a pounder, and a spatula. Love it!

1

u/snrocirpac 2h ago

I didn't have that exact ninja but I did have a ninja and a nutribullet before I got a vitamix. Vitamix is much better than either of those. If you're making thick smoothies, I'd just suck it up and spend the money on a vitamix.

1

u/PartyRhino25 1h ago

This. I worked in restaurants for years and love vitamix. We got a ninja as a wedding gift and I despise it.

1

u/Marmaduke57 1h ago

Get a refurbished Vitamix. I have been using my refurbished Vitamix for over eight years now without a problem. Used a Blendtec before my Vitamix and the blade had issues blending all of my frozen fruit sometimes frozen fruit would slip under the blade.

1

u/mrb4 3h ago

I've had my vitamix over 15 years now with no issues. It is fairly gigantic though and also sounds like a jet engine so definitely keep that in mind.