Do you get excited over new kitchen gadgets? Personally, I’m all about them.
Would you be interested in knowing about the best cheap smoothie blenders?
You would?
Great!
Then read on for the best guide to budget blenders…
One year…
…this high-end blender was at the top of my wish list.
It wasn’t the best of the best, mind you, but it was still firmly in the three-figure range.
I did a happy dance when I opened it on my birthday that year.
I couldn’t wait to use it!
The next morning, after washing and assembling, I began loading all of my goodies into it.
Mango, banana, hemp hearts, cinnamon, nut milk, and of course, lots and lots of greens.
The results were underwhelming.
It worked faster than my old, cheaper blender, but there were still some visible bits of chard in it.
The smoothie wasn’t any better than usual.
No matter the method, I couldn’t make it outperform my old machine.
It was then and there that I was done with high-priced, all-hype blenders.
Never again!
Today, we’re tackling the best cheap smoothie blenders.
If you want the best blender for the money…
…keep reading.
What a Blender Can Do
I know what you’re thinking:
“A blender blends, of course!”
Needless to say, many consumers start shopping without a clear understanding of what such a machine can and can’t do.
For starters, here are a few things you should not expect to put in your blender:
To go through with it anyway is, again, not good for the blades or the finished product.
You also shouldn’t rely on a blender to do a food processor’s job.
Do you hope to make the items on the list below regularly?
If so, you either need a higher-quality blender, or a food processor – view on Amazon in addition to your budget blender:
- Nut butter
- Pesto
- Hummus and other dips
- Custom flours, such as from oats or almonds
- Baby food
- Doughs and fillings
- Chopped veggies
Finally, there’s juicing.
If you’re craving juice, pulverizing fruits in a blender isn’t going to get you where you want to go. That said, there are always exceptions.
For example, you can make a killer watermelon juice with a regular blender and a sieve or cheesecloth.
However, you’ll have no luck making a green juice; you need a juicer – view on Amazon for that.
In my opinion, I think the fiber in smoothies make them healthier, but in the end, it’s up to you.
Blender Features
If you look at blenders closely, they’re not as similar as you think.
For instance, what does the wattage of a blender mean to you?
Because from blender to blender, this varies a lot.
How many watts a blender has refers to the power of the motor.
A 1,000 watt blender is always going to be better at crushing ice and greens than a 350-watt blender.
This is why I was after that more expensive blender!
But the truth is, even budget-friendly options can have high wattage.
In the end, you don’t have to pay more for more watts.
Especially if the rest of the blender doesn’t offer you what you need!
The best smoothie blenders will have the following features.
Before we look at specific blenders, identify which qualities are must haves for you:
What’s on my must-have list?
I want the watts, the weight, and the ability to clean it well.
If you haven’t yet decided what’s most important to you, then check out my picks for the best cheap smoothie blenders.
The Best Smoothie Blenders for Your Budget
You’ll see this one crop up again and again as you research for multiple reasons.
While Oster updates the Beehive pretty regularly, it’s a model they’ve kept around for decades.
I’m almost certain it’s the model my parents used to make margaritas way back when.
The Good: At eight pounds total, it’s a good weight that backs up 600 watts. The blending cup is made of heavy glass, but you’re not stuck with it.
Because Oster is a leader in budget blenders, finding compatible replacement parts is never a concern.
The washable parts are all dishwasher safe, too.
It has but one button (or switch) to operate, making it very straightforward to use. It seems to handle ice and frozen fruits well, making a very decent smoothie.
The Not-So-Good: It’s notoriously loud. It’s not an ideal pick for young parents who worry about waking the baby, or anyone who needs to keep quiet.
The lid can be a little leaky as well, so I would think twice about trying any tricks with hot liquids.
The Bottom Line: If you like a vintage look, ease of use and cleaning, and power you can hear, it’s great.
Currently, it goes for around $70 on both Amazon and the manufacturer’s website. Click here to View on Amazon
2. The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher
A lot of people who prioritize price find they get much more than what they paid for with this blender.
The Good: It sports decent wattage, much better than other blenders at this price point.
The base is a mixture of plastic and steel, and the unit does have a decent weight.
The glass blending cup is dishwasher safe, and the lid features a handy pouring spout.
The Not-So-Good: Despite the 700 “peak wattage”, if you like a thick smoothie, this won’t last.
The same goes if you were planning on making some nice cream.
Many users report that it doesn’t do so well with tough veggies and ice in general.
The Bottom Line: If you want to make basic protein shakes, or drinks using fresh, easily blended ingredients, this is a good buy.
It’s perfect for people who are just starting out with smoothies, or only make a few per week.
There are a lot of buttons on this thing, but it won’t lose any points for that.
Why?
It definitely puts the “cheap” in “best cheap smoothie blenders”, coming in at around 30 dollars! Click here to View on Amazon
3. The Black and Decker FusionBlade
Here is where we start to hit the higher end of a low budget. Is it worth it to approach the 100-dollar mark?
The Good: This blender is a solid 700 watts, and has a good weight with a sturdy-looking base.
The FusionBlade is a digital model, and is markedly quieter than other options.
Its “buttons” sit flush with the base.
This means that cleaning the exterior will be uncomplicated.
All removable components (except for the base, of course) are dishwasher safe.
The blender cup is glass, although the set does come with a plastic travel container for smoothies on the go.
The Not-So-Good: So, how smooth will your smoothie be?
Reviews are a little mixed here.
It can definitely crush ice well, but any nuts will have to soak first.
Like many other blenders, filling the cup to near-capacity can mean chunks.
Also like many others, the base where the cup fits on is plastic.
Therefore, you have to be careful not to crack it.
Once you start spending money, you want something to really last.
The Bottom Line: Like the Ninja Pro, this model is a lower-priced, “introductory” style counterpart to more expensive versions in their line.
In this case, I think the $160 version featured here is a better buy.
It has more removable parts and a glass jar.
There’s also nothing which guarantees it won’t hold out as long as pricier FusionBlades. Click here to View on Amazon
4. The NutriBullet
I’m going to be honest here:
I’m not a huge fan of infomercials.
However, the NutriBullet has been a bestseller for years.
Is it persistent advertising, or real merit?
The Good: Unlike some other budget blenders unnamed here, I believe the Nutribullet can sustain the 600 watts it claims.
Furthermore, because you are blending in smaller cups, there are fewer chunks.
In recent years, there have been improvements made to the NutriBullet.
Instead of a removable rubber gasket, the seal is built into the blade unit, which screws onto the cup. It’s more reliable and less messy this way.
Replacing the blades is also pretty cheap and easy.
By the way, the blades do a great job at pulverizing greens.
Ice can be tricky, but tough, fibrous fruits and veggies are a breeze.
The Not-So-Good: This is not a blender for large batches.
It comes with three plastic cups: one large and two smaller.
Unfortunately, replacing them costs more than a third of the price of the unit itself.
Given that you can’t operate the blender without specific NutriBullet cups, this can be a deal breaker for some.
The Bottom Line: Personally, you should ignore those infomercial claims about superior nutrient extraction.
What lies beneath that marketing tactic is a great little blender.
If you just want smoothies, often made a single serving at a time, this is your guy.
It takes up very little space and can be had for $60.
Click here to View on Amazon
Here is a Bonus tip for you…
Should You Buy a Refurbished Blender?
We’re all here because we have some misgivings about shelling out for a Blendtec or Vitamix.
If you really have your heart set on one of these, consider buying a refurbished model – view on Amazon.
This way, you can save hundreds of dollars on the exact blender you want.
The truth is, not all of these blenders were used by consumers.
They’re often floor models, or demonstration models.
In any case, they’re restored to factory condition by the company who made it.
Many key parts are replaced with new ones. Best of all, they come with a warranty.
It’s a perfectly viable option if you want to spend more, but avoid paying full price.
Okay…
That’s all I got today on…
Best Cheap Smoothie Blenders
Expensive blenders do have their positive attributes, they are easier to service, therefore lasting longer, and are more versatile.
But if your demands are basically just a morning smoothie, the best cheap smoothie blenders will fit the bill. Check out the video below on the Black and Decker Fusionblade – view on Amazon.
Getting the best blender for the money is all about what features are most important to you.
These include:
- How many watts it has
- What kind of materials it’s made of
- How easy it is to keep clean
Paying more will mean you might not have to spring for a food processor.
But a good smoothie blender for under 100 bucks is easy to find.
What kind of blender do you use, and was it worth the money?
Would you recommend it to others?
Share below, and I’ll be back with more soon.