The Best Editor-Approved Power Blenders At Every Price Point

From batch-sized blenders to personal portables, we put three favourite picks through a smoothie-blending bonanza to see how they stacked up in terms of function, price and convenience.

Vitamix Explorian E310, $500

It’s no surprise that Vitamix is considered the king of blenders. There’s nothing this machine can’t blitz: It made quick work of our smoothies with both fresh and frozen ingredients, turning them into super-smooth concoctions in mere seconds. But don’t blend for too long—the powerful motor can slowly heat up the contents inside the jar. The six-cup Explorian’s user-friendly manual interface is easy to navigate, and the 10-speed dial allows you to blend gradually, going from low to high speed. One caveat: While the unit has a convenient design and size, it can take up a lot of space if it’s something you don’t use often. Overall, there’s little to dislike about this model—but all the functionalities also come with a steep price tag. (And if buying a new Vitamix isn’t in the cards, consider snagging a refurbished model.)

Ninja Blast Portable Blender, $80

This portable blender may not pack the same punch as Ninja’s countertop versions, but it more than makes up for it in convenience. A two-hour charge allows you to take it anywhere, without a cord, and use it for up to fifteen 30-second blasts. The 16-oz blend jar is perfect for a jumbo smoothie for one—in fact, we’d say smoothies are its ideal use—and the motor is relatively quiet. Ice or fibrous ingredients such as beets or kale will likely need a second blitz depending on the solid-to-liquid ratio.

Beast Blender Tonal, $265

Personal blenders are designed to make single servings of smoothies in jars that can then be removed and taken on the go—and there is none more aesthetically pleasing than Beast Health’s hourglass-shaped model. This machine comes with two wide-mouth fluted vessels—which have two- and four-cup capacities, respectively—that are designed to be screwed onto the blade attachment and then clicked into place on the body before blending. Despite its slim stature, this blender has a surprisingly powerful (and relatively quiet) motor that really delivers: Hearty vegetables are no match for the Beast. It can’t blend hot foods, and an internal heat sensor stops the unit before its contents get too warm. This blender is optimal for small spaces, and it’s one that we would proudly display on our countertops.

Ready to get blending? Here's 10 delicious breakfast smoothie recipes to get you started.