Best blender for smoothies
Frozen fruit, greens and ice need power and the right container. Here is how four popular blenders compare on paper.
Affiliate disclosure: PickedHouse is reader-supported. Some links on this page are affiliate links (including Amazon links), and we may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, PickedHouse earns from qualifying purchases. Commissions never decide which products we include or how we rank them. How we make money.
How this page was made: our picks are based on manufacturer specifications (product pages, manuals and spec sheets, all linked below) and aggregated owner reviews. We have not tested these products hands-on, and we do not publish invented test results, scores or star ratings. Read our methodology.
A good smoothie blender needs enough power for frozen fruit and ice, a container sized for how many people you serve, and controls you’ll actually use every morning. We compared four popular blenders on those manufacturer-published specs. Picks are based on specs plus aggregated owner reviews; we did not test them.
Quick picks
Spec comparison
| Model | Motor | Container | Presets | Height | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamix 5200 | 2 peak HP | 64 oz | None (variable speed) | 20.5 in | 10 lb 9 oz | 7 years |
| Ninja Professional Plus BN701 | 1,400 peak W | 72 oz (64 oz max liquid) | 3 Auto-iQ | 17.5 in | 8.1 lb | 1 year |
| Vitamix Explorian E310 | 2 peak HP | 48 oz | None (10 speeds + Pulse) | 18 in | 10.5 lb | 5 years |
| nutribullet Pro 900 | 900W | 32 oz cup | None (press to blend) | See nutribullet | See nutribullet* | See nutribullet |
The picks in detail
Vitamix 5200
The Vitamix 5200 pairs a 2-peak-horsepower motor with a variable-speed dial and a tamper, so you can push frozen fruit down into the blades and choose exactly how smooth the result is. Its 64 oz container covers smoothies for a family, and Vitamix backs it with a 7-year full warranty for household use.
Pros
- Variable speed for full texture control
- Tamper handles thick, frozen blends
- 7-year full warranty
- 6 ft cord
Cons
- 20.5 in tall
- No presets
- About 10.6 lb
Ninja Professional Plus BN701 (BN701)
The Ninja BN701 has Auto-iQ programs for smoothies, frozen drinks and nutrient extraction, so you press one button and walk away. It has a 1,400-peak-watt motor and a 72 oz pitcher (64 oz max liquid), and it’s the lightest full-size pick at 8.1 lb.
Pros
- Smoothie and frozen-drink presets
- Largest pitcher here
- Shorter (17.5 in) and lighter (8.1 lb)
Cons
- 1-year warranty
- Short 2.5 ft cord
- No tamper
Vitamix Explorian E310 (E310)
The Vitamix Explorian E310 uses the same 2-peak-HP rating as the 5200 with a smaller 48 oz container, 10 speeds plus Pulse, and a listed height of 18 in. It suits one to three people, and it carries a 5-year full warranty.
Pros
- Vitamix power in a smaller container
- 10 speeds plus Pulse
- 5-year full warranty
Cons
- 48 oz is small for big families
- No presets
- 10.5 lb
nutribullet Pro 900
The nutribullet Pro 900 blends straight into a 32 oz cup, so you can blend and go. It has a 900W motor base and no speed settings to choose; you press and twist the cup to blend. It suits one person making one smoothie at a time.
Pros
- Blend in the cup you drink from
- Very small footprint
- Simplest to use and clean
Cons
- One serving at a time
- Less power than full-size picks
- No speed control
Also considered
* nutribullet lists a 900W base and 32 oz cup; assembled height and weight vary by retailer and bundle, so we have left them out.
Who should buy what
- Families making big batches
The Vitamix 5200 or Ninja BN701, for 64–72 oz containers.
- People who want to press one button
The Ninja BN701, for its Auto-iQ smoothie program.
- Small households with low cabinets
The Vitamix E310 at 18 in tall, or the nutribullet Pro 900.
- One person on the go
The nutribullet Pro 900.
What matters most for smoothies
- Power: frozen fruit and ice are the hardest part of a smoothie. Full-size blenders here are rated at 2 peak HP or 1,400 peak watts.
- Tamper or presets: a tamper lets you push thick blends into the blade; presets run a timed program for you.
- Container size: match it to how many servings you make. A 32 oz cup is one large smoothie.
- Warranty: blenders take a beating. Coverage here ranges from 1 to 7 years.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Vitamix for smoothies?
No. A Ninja BN701 or a personal blender such as the nutribullet Pro 900 can make smoothies. A Vitamix adds variable speed, a tamper and a longer warranty.
What wattage do I need for frozen fruit?
Manufacturers market all four picks for smoothies. The full-size models are rated at 1,400 peak watts or 2 peak HP; the nutribullet Pro is 900W.
Which blender is easiest to clean?
A personal blender cup is the simplest to rinse. Vitamix describes a self-clean method using warm water and a drop of dish soap.
Did you test these blenders?
No. Picks are based on specs plus aggregated owner reviews. See how we research.
Sources
Specifications were checked against the manufacturer pages, manuals and spec sheets below in October 2026. Makers revise specs and sell regional variants, so confirm the exact model number before you buy. We do not list prices because they change daily; use the retailer link to see the current price.
Keep reading
Vitamix vs Ninja: 5200 vs Professional Plus BN701
A variable-speed classic with a 7-year warranty against a preset-driven Ninja with a bigger pitcher.
Read the comparison ReviewBlendersVitamix 5200 review
A manual, variable-speed blender with a tall container and one of the longest warranties in the category.
Read the comparison AlternativesBlendersBest Vitamix 5200 alternatives
Shorter, lighter, preset-driven or single-serve: three blenders that beat the 5200 on at least one spec.
Read the comparison Head to headBlendersVitamix 5200 vs Vitamix Explorian E310
Same Vitamix power rating; the choice is jar size, height and warranty.
Read the comparison