Best Blender Reviews

Blenders have been an essential kitchen appliance for years, serving countless needs for the home cook. But with hundreds of blenders on the market in a very wide price range, the decision can be daunting. If you are looking to buy a new blender or to replace an older model, you will need to consider your needs in the kitchen and decide what you want your blender to do for you.

Types of blenders

Traditional blenders have a base, which provides the power and the control panel, and the glass or plastic container that sits in the base, sometimes called a carafe. The container usually has a plastic lid to prevent contents from splashing while the blender is in use.

But as kitchens have modernized, so have blenders. A contemporary kitchen classic, considered by many cooks to be indispensable, is an immersion blender -- a hand-held metal shaft with blades on the end, made to be immersed in a pot, bowl or pitcher to blend soups, sauces and beverages. Many immersion blenders come with multiple attachments, allowing you to chop vegetables or whisk batters as well. 

There are many other blender variations on the market, including cordless blenders, food processors, and smaller blenders for single use. Blenders also vary in power; cordless blenders and immersion blenders may be too weak for crushing ice, but heavy-duty traditional blenders and food processors can quickly liquefy ingredients, like vegetables for soup.

Price

When you're considering the price of your blender, think about how much you'll use a blender and what you want it to do. If you want to make smoothies and blend soups, you may not need a pricey, high-powered model. Lower-priced blenders will be adequate for most basic kitchen tasks; a hand-held blender like the Braun MR 400 may suit your needs and runs about $50. If you do a fair amount of cooking and want to be able to mix thick frozen drinks, pulverize your vegetables or finely mince meat, you may need a blender with more options and better performance, like the Vitamix TurboBlend 4500, which one consumer reports is able to crush chicken bones without slowing down.

You can buy a blender from as little as $30 to around $500. Obviously, the better the power and performance, the higher the price. You can find a complete selection of blenders by price at wize.com/blenders.

Design

Blenders vary greatly in design and color, so you should have no problem finding a blender that fits on your counter or in your cupboards and looks good in your kitchen. Remember that some of the more powerful blenders have heavy bases, so consider weight as well as style, size and performance. You may also want to think about ease of cleaning when selecting the blender that's right for you.

Technical Specifications

Simple blenders are generally easy to use, with one blade and a handful of speeds. Higher-priced, high-performance models may be more complex. Speeds can range from 1 to 24 on some of these blenders, and of course, wattage will be higher. Basic blenders generally have from 300 to 600 watts of power. The most powerful blenders can have up to 1300 watts. Some blenders have multiple interchangeable blades or a “pulse” feature, meaning that you can start and stop the blending operation in short bursts, giving you greater control.

Where to Shop

It is always best when you are able to see and feel an appliance you want to purchase. However, browsing online first to get a sense of blender performance and price is smart shopping. Jot down your favorite items and then visit a retail store to see them up-close and in-person. Once you know what you want, comparison shop online to make sure you get the best buy.