To prepare smoothies, fruit and vegetable drinks, and sweet and savory dishes, let’s see which are the best quality/price blenders and how to choose which one to buy according to your needs.
A blender is an ultra-versatile appliance that allows you to range from sweet to savory without forgetting smoothies and juices you can make according to your tastes.
Moreover, with a few simple steps in summer, making fruit-based ice lollies and ice creams will become straightforward. Finally, for those who love to make everything at home, the blender is the object that will make it possible to prepare mayonnaise, pesto, and even a hazelnut cream that will immediately make you think of Nutella.
The best blenders on the market have a similar structure: a machine body on which a jug with a lid is arranged.
The bowl is functional for blending food directly inside, which is not feasible with an immersion blender, and preserving the product once processed. This way, you won’t need to get any other accessories.
The choice of a blender with a built-in jug allows you to have a compact product that does not take up too much space, compared to the more cumbersome kitchen robot, for example, with which you can carry out numerous preparations.
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How to choose a Blender
Choosing the blender that best suits your needs is important to know which characteristics to consider when buying. In particular, when evaluating the blender for home use, it is important to consider the capacity of the jug and the power, depending on whether you want to work in large or small quantities.
These elements affect the amount of food placed in the appliance and the food processing. When choosing the blender, another important factor is the quality of the materials, which determines the appliance’s performance.
The best blender models also offer several accessory settings that make the product even more versatile.
Carafe: Materials and Capacity
A fundamental aspect to consider when choosing the blender to buy is the capacity of the jug and the material from which it is made. Usually, all blenders have a graduated container with a spout and an ergonomic handle, which helps pour what has been made into the appropriate containers.
Carafe material
As for the material with which the jugs are made, there are two main types:
- Plastic jug: this model is convenient and light, easy to clean, and does not require special maintenance; the disadvantage represented by this material is given by the fact that it is not particularly resistant and tends to scratch easily, especially in cases in which foods with a hard consistency are processed.
- Tempered glass carafe: tempered glass is undoubtedly durable and ensures a long service life. The processing of this material requires that the glass is subjected to a heat treatment at about 700 degrees followed by rapid cooling; this causes the glass to increase its resistance to mechanical stress. In the event of breakage, it fragments into non-dangerous pieces. Compared to plastic jugs, those made of tempered glass are heavier.
The choice of the material in which the jug is built also affects the functions and possible preparations made with the blender.
Unless the absence of BPA or bisphenol-A is specified on the technical datasheet, it is not advisable to introduce hot food inside the plastic jug.
This material, in contact with hot preparations, can release toxins harmful to health. On the other hand, Tempered glass is a choice that always guarantees absolute health safety.
The capacity of the carafe
Generally, blenders have a 1 L or 2 L jug, but models offer a kit with different capacities.
These containers are convenient and comfortable because they are designed to be stored in a bag or backpack and taken to the office or gym. This way, it will be possible to always have a healthy and tasty smoothie with you.
You must bear in mind that the capacity of the jug has a significant impact on the number of ingredients that can process simultaneously, and it is important to evaluate what your needs and requirements are.
In the presence of a family consisting of 4 or more people, it will be important to opt for an appliance with a high capacity; if, on the other hand, you are looking for a blender with which to make drinks only for yourself and at most for another person, the models with transportable mini jugs are the ideal choice.
Blades
One element that greatly affects the performance of the blender is the blades. This is a decisive factor in the quality and effectiveness of the work of this appliance.
The evaluation of the characteristics of the blades must take into account two main aspects:
- A number of blades: the number of blades can vary from a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 6. Depending on the preparations, it will be important to consider that the greater the number of blades, the greater the effectiveness of the blender’s action, especially on solid ingredients such as nuts or vegetables.
- Design and position of the blades: How the blades are arranged affects the blender’s performance. Usually, the blades are positioned with different inclinations to be able to reach the food in the best possible way; if the model is equipped with several blades, the ideal would be that they all have different profiles (smooth, serrated, ‘hammer’) to grind any food optimally.
The number and type of blades can also determine the ice crusher’s function.
Some blenders have this practical option to make fresh cocktails enjoyed during a hot and sultry summer day, blend frozen fruit pieces, and make healthy and natural ice cream directly in your kitchen.
Power and engine
Power is one of the main characteristics to distinguish the various blender models; depending on the motor the appliance is equipped with, it will be designed to ensure the performance of a certain type.
It is essential to carefully evaluate this aspect by relating it to one’s needs and requirements. For example, suppose the blender is equipped with a motor with too low power compared to what you are doing. In that case, you risk excessively stressing the product and causing it to overheat with the consequent appliance inefficiency.
To ensure the product with the most suitable performance for your needs, it is essential to know the types of a motor of a blender:
- DC motor: the acronym CC stands for direct current; this engine requires special attention to avoid overheating. The blenders with DC motors are ideal for short and intermittent preparations; taking a break at least every 3-4 minutes is advisable.
- AC motor: the blender with an alternating current motor is a household appliance capable of responding to mechanical stresses that can be prolonged over time; they are professional blenders that can withstand even long sessions, always ensuring high performance.
Absorption capacity
The blender’s power and absorption capacity are closely related to the type of motor. Usually, the datasheet indicates the model’s power, expressed in Watts. This indicates how much energy is drawn from the appliance directly from the electrical socket to which it is connected.
High power is synonymous with high performance, a high rotation speed of the blades, and excellent results in mincing the ingredients.
However, some differences, even significant ones, are conditioned by the type of motor that mounts the blender: the direct current models require a much higher absorption power than the alternating current ones.
This means that the DC motors will require more time to obtain the desired result and greater energy expenditure for the same quantity and type of ingredient chosen.
Functions
Depending on the power and capacity of the jug, the blender models differ in a series of functions that can be extremely useful and decisive for the versatility of the appliance:
- Pulse function: This allows you to manually control the blades, giving you a short and quick impulse to the mincing and chopping of the ingredients.
- Speed selection: some models allow you to select the rotation speed of the blades. In this way, it is possible to adapt the processing power of the ingredients from time to time.
- Ice crusher function: ideal for crushing ice cubes to complete cocktails or make delicious granitas.
- Cleaning program: by adding water and detergent, it is possible to operate the blender, which will perform a series of revolutions dedicated exclusively to washing the blades and jug.
- Smoothie or smoothie program: programs specifically designed to make excellent drinks based on fresh fruit.
In addition to working on the ingredients, some models offer beneficial solutions to ensure the appliance’s safety.
In particular, practical rubber pads positioned under the machine body ensure the appliance’s seal and stability during operation.
Another essential safety system is the blades’ locking; some models are made so that the blender does not start working if the blades have not been positioned correctly.
The best blenders to buy
Our best quality/price blenders are chosen in the $30/$170 price range and listed with relative technical characteristics and prices to cover all needs and types of use.
- POWERFUL CRUSHING: The 72-oz. Total Crushing Pitcher pulverizes ice to snow in seconds for...
- FOOD PROCESSING: 8-cup food processor bowl provides perfect, even chopping and makes up to...
- 4 VERSATILE FUNCTIONS: All 4 functions – Blend, Mix, Crush, and Single-Serve – utilize...
- MORE POWERFUL MOTOR: The Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto-iQ features a new...
- POWERFUL CRUSHING: Ninja Total Crushing Blades give you perfectly crushed ice for your...
- 3 VERSATILE FUNCTIONS: 3 preset Auto-iQ programs allow you to create smoothies, frozen...
- 12 SPEED SETTINGS WITH PULSE: Find the right consistency for everything you make with a...
- 6-CUP GLASS JAR: Easy to handle with a PerfectPour spout that eliminates drips and spills
- REMOVABLE FUSIONBLADE: The 4-Point multi-level removable stainless steel blade blends at...
- 900 PEAK WATT BASE: The intuitive 900-peak-watt push-to-blend motor base powers through...
- PRO EXTRACTOR BLADES ASSEMBLY: easily crushes ice and breaks down whole fruits and veggies...
- BLEND TO-GO: Blend directly in one of the three included 20 oz. Ninja To-Go Cups and then...
- Included: (1) 250W motor base, (1) cross-blade, (1) tall cup, (1) short cup, (1) party...
- The magic bullet chops, mixes, blends, whips, grinds and more. Cups are made out of...
- Effortlessly create your favorite meals and snacks like smoothies, omelets, sauces and...
- ULTIMATE POWER: 1100-watt motor powers through the toughest ingredients and pulverizes ice...
- VERSITILE FUNCTIONS: Professional performance with 3 manual speeds, pulse, and the single...
- XL CAPACITY: 72-oz. Total Crushing Pitcher is perfect for creating creamy frozen drinks...
- POWERFUL BLENDING PERFORMANCE: With 700 watts of peak blending power and stainless steel...
- ULTRA-SMOOTH RESULTS WITH PATENTED WAVE ACTION SYSTEM: As you blend, ingredients are...
- SERVE WITH EASE: The spout on this electric blender lets you pour contents into your glass...
- The original nutribullet has everything you need to take that first step toward a...
- NUTRITION IN NO TIME: Effortlessly blend fruits, vegetables, liquids and so much more into...
- POWER: 600 watts of power in the original nutribullet blender turns anything from...
- A 600-Watt power base makes this our most powerful magic bullet ever, supplying major...
- A heavy-duty pitcher lid with removeable cap keeps it all under control. Detach the cap to...
- A personal blending cup attachment makes smoothies, shakes, and other tasty treats for...
- Powerful 900W Motor, Pulse Technology: Peak Power 900W smoothie blender for shakes with...
- Upgraded Stainless Steel Detachable 6-leaf Blade: This small blender has a 304 stainless...
- Larger Capacity, Portable Design: The personal blender features two 22oz blender cups and...
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