Either you know already, or you have yet to find out… homemade smoothies BLOW AWAY the watered-down, expensive smoothies that you might get at that local big chain shop. Once you’ve had a real smoothie from a personal blender, crafted with love and real fruits, juices, and veggies in your own kitchen, you’ll never go back.
In addition to delicious fresh smoothies, portable blenders make lots of fun things. For example, with a personal blender at your disposal, the next time your friends come over, you’ll be able to say, “Who wants a margarita?” Yes, these little masters of mixology will enhance both your health and your party (with different ingredients, of course). Portable blenders are popular for a good reason, and you’ll no doubt be happy if you join the ongoing party of health, wellness and fun that comes with the purchase of a portable blender.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I make with a portable blender?
You can make fruit smoothies, baby food, marinades, blended soups, and protein smoothies with a portable blender. You can also make frozen drinks like daiquiris and margaritas, and even real, old-fashioned milk shakes. In addition, you can make sauces like pesto, tomato sauce, and much more. Homemade condiments, like natural ketchup and mustard, are also great things to try in your portable blender.
What’s the difference between a portable blender and a personal blender?
In general, these two terms are used interchangeably to describe small blenders that hold up to a quart or so max. Some blenders, though, are especially portable, because they may have the capability for cordless operation with a rechargeable battery. Both a portable blender and a personal blender are mini blenders that easily fit in your cupboard and can be brought out to the countertop, taking up minimal space. Due to their compact size, these blenders are easy to take with you when you travel, or bring with you anywhere for a quick smoothie on the go.
What else comes with a portable blender?
Many portable blenders come with a recipe book, and some models may come with more than one blender jar or cup. Some brands of portable blenders have a “lip ring” that can screw on the top threads where the blade mechanism goes, allowing you to drink from the blending cup in comfort and without dribble. Even more handy is the spouted flip-top lid that screws on to the cup or jar that comes with many models. In addition, some personal blenders come with other extras, like matching ice cube trays and funnels for easy pouring.
Buying Guide
You’re setting out to buy your very own portable blender. We’re excited for you! Good times and deliciousness await. But before you make your final choice, consider these important options in portable blenders:
- Purpose: Are you looking for a blender that you can throw in your gym bag to blend your smoothie at the gym, or blend baby food while you’re out and about? If so, then a cordless rechargeable blender might be your best option. On the other hand, if you envision yourself making smoothies with frozen fruit, then a blender with a more powerful motor would be a wise choice, because less powerful motors may not do well with ice and frozen fruit. Are you interested in a high-quality blender with advanced options and extras, or would you be happy with a more basic model? Your intended purpose for your portable blender should be the first thing that you think about when narrowing down your options.
- Accessories: There are different accessories that come with personal blenders. For example, many portable blenders come with a screw-on, flip-top spouted lid so that you can blend up your ingredients and head out the door. Other blenders come with extra mixing cups, recipe books, handles, straws, and more. Compare the accessories while you’re looking at different personal blender models to see what suits your lifestyle best.
- Power: Many people don’t think about the maximum power capacity of a portable blender until they find out the hard way that a weaker motor may not handle frozen fruit and ice well. If you plan to blend primarily fresh, soft ingredients, like fresh fruit or a protein smoothie after a workout, then almost any portable blender will suffice. If you’d like to stock your freezer with frozen fruit chunks for quick fruit smoothies with minimal prep time, then a more powerful motor would serve your needs well.
Since personal blending has become more and more popular in recent years, many new options in portable blenders have come on the market. It can be difficult to sort through them all, so here is the list of our top picks for the best portable blenders:
PopBabies Portable Blender
Best Overall
Rechargeable Cordless Blender
This mini blender from PopBabies is the perfect size for throwing in your bag and blending while you’re out and about.
This blender from PopBabies comes in a variety of bright, fun colors, like light aqua blue, pink, purple, yellow and more, and it’s an excellent option for truly portable blending. Its cordless operation uses a rechargeable battery, and its 14-ounce jar size and small powered base easily fit in your bag. It also comes with a matching mini ice cube tray and a funnel.
Pros:
- Compact design with cordless operation
- Blends while charging
- Dishwasher safe
- Compatible with international power outlets
Cons:
- Cumbersome with frozen fruit
- Heavy weight
Hamilton Beach Personal Blender
Most Established
From a Name You Trust
Choose your favorite color and get blending with this portable corded blender from Hamilton Beach that has a 14-oz jar.
You’ve likely heard of Hamilton Beach because of their long history of making quality small appliances and more. This corded personal blender has a 14-ounce blending jar that’s the perfect size for a quick smoothie on the go, and it also comes with a flip-open screw-on lid for taking your blended drink with you.
Pros:
- 175-watt motor for smooth blending
- Simple one-touch operation
- Includes lid with slip-open hole for sipping
- BPA-free plastic
Cons:
- May not last long term with heavy use
- Doesn’t blend certain foods well
Ninja BN401 Nutri Pro Personal Blender
Most Powerful
Strong 1100-Watt Motor
The intelligent Auto IQ technology combined with the powerful motor on this personal blender makes it reliable for all of your uses.
This powerful Ninja BN401 blender will take on anything with ease, be it hard chunky frozen fruit, or soft fresh kale. This personal blender comes with two 24-ounce cups and a screw-on spout lid, and it’s equipped with intelligent technology that customizes its action for different purposes of crushing ice or for making smoothies.
Pros:
- Strong 1100-watt peak power motor
- 2 programs – ice crushing and smoothie
- Includes a 20-recipe booklet
- Takes up minimal counter space
Cons:
- Noisy operation
- Some chunks may remain
Cincred Personal Blender
Sleekest Design
Elegant Modern Look
This personal blender from Cincred will give you delicious smoothies and protein drinks that you can take with you anywhere.
The Cincred personal blender is made with safe, BPA-free plastic and with the included flip-top lid, it’s easy to blend your smoothie and head out the door. The lid is lead-proof, too, so you can toss your blended drink in your bag with no worries.
Pros:
- Sleek modern look
- Comes with flip-top leak-proof lid
- Easy to clean
- Foam remover included
Cons:
- Cup has small capacity
- Cannot run for too many seconds straight
Simplest to Use
Push Down to Turn On
This basic personal blender has all the features you need, including easy operation, a spouted screw-on travel lid, and a strong motor.
This basic personal blender from La Reveuse has a 300-watt motor, a flip-top lid, and its jar/cup has an 18-ounce capacity. Taking up just a small amount of counter space, this little blender makes the perfect smoothies every time.
Pros:
- Easy push-down-to-start operation
- Strong 300-watt motor
- Safe BPA-free plastic
- Travel flip-top lid
Cons:
- Must be hand washed
- May have trouble with frozen fruit
