Some links on this page are monetized by affiliate programs - see disclosure for details.
Smoothies have become all of the rage in recent years for a number of reasons. Smoothies, when made with the right ingredients, can be very healthy full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. These drinks can be used to replace a meal if you’re watching your weight, or they can be added into another healthy diet plan.
When using the right combination of ingredients, you can get more energy and feel better just by drinking a smoothie when you wake up in the morning. However, if you’ve been to your local smoothie bar, you may notice a few things. The drinks can be very expensive, costing $5 to $10 for just one cup. You also may not know this, but many smoothies are loaded with unnecessary calories which can really throw your diet off track if you’re watching what you consume. Some may have sugar and other ingredients added that you try to avoid, and in some cases, you may not even know exactly what goes into your drink.
Quit spending hundreds of dollars a month on your daily smoothie and know exactly what ingredients have been added by making your own at home with a household smoothie maker.
What is a Smoothie Maker?
Contents
As you would expect from the name, this type of small kitchen appliance allows you to make homemade smoothies right in your own kitchen. All you have to do is toss in your favorite fruits, veggies, and other ingredients, add ice, and in no time at all, you’ll be able to enjoy a frozen and healthy drink that you’ve made yourself with little effort.
These machines effectively chop up everything you toss in it to leave you with a smooth and delicious drink that is perfect for a kick start to your day, a cool down after work, or anytime.
What are the different types of Smoothie Makers?
Once you’ve made up your mind that you’re tired of paying for overpriced drinks that you can make at home or you want to integrate smoothies into your diet, it’s time to consider what type of machine you’ll purchase for your kitchen. Before you get overwhelmed by brands and features, know what types are on the market to narrow down your options before you really start shopping.
• Individual – These have smaller containers that are used to make individual servings. These are great if just one person in your household drinks smoothies. These are smaller, so they take up less counter space when in use, and they also do not take up much storage space in your cabinets.
• Multi-serving – If you and someone else in your household drink smoothies and you don’t want to make them one at a time, these have a larger capacity that allows you to create multiple servings all at once.
What are the Advantages of Owning a Smoothie Maker?
There are several advantages to owning one of these kitchen tools. The first is that you no longer have to spend a fortune at local juice and smoothie bars, and you can save money over time by making your own at home. You also know exactly what goes into your drink, so you don’t have to worry about added ingredients that you’re trying to avoid.
You can customize your own drinks for any purpose, whether it’s to give you a boost of energy or to incorporate more healthy vitamins and minerals into your diet. Unlike regular blenders, these are designed to crush easily through ice and other ingredients, providing you with a drink that has the perfect consistency.
Who are the contenders for Best Smoothie Maker?
Oster BLSTPB-WBL My Blend 250-Watt Blender with Travel Sport Bottle – Cut out the clean up and mess with this great blender, which comes with a price tag everyone can appreciate. With this machine, you can blend your smoothie right in a travel sports bottle, so it’s ready to go with you without the hassle of cleaning a large container. You can mix and blend all of your favorite ingredients with this machine, which is equipped with a powerful 250-watt motor. Operation is easy as can be, and you can enjoy your smoothie in no time at all with just the touch of a button.
Magic Bullet NutriBullet 12-Piece High-Speed Blender/Mixer System – Get the most out of your smoothie maker by purchasing one that goes the extra mile, like this model from Magic Bullet. You’ll get all of the nutrients from your favorite fruits and vegetables in an ice cold smoothie that’s blended to perfection in just seconds. You can also use this device, which comes with a total of 12 pieces and accessories, to make protein shakes. You can even use it to blend up your favorite soups and dips.
Cuisinart Blending/Chopping System CPB-300 – Chop and blend with ease with this great appliance from Cuisinart. It comes with everything you need to get started, including travel cups for enjoying your smoothies instantly on the go. It has an electronic touchpad that makes it easy to personalize your favorite recipes, or you can try something new. The sleek stainless steel design looks great in any modern kitchen, and it comes backed with one of the best warranties in the business.
Considerations for Choosing the Right Smoothie Machine for Your Kitchen
Now that you know a little bit more about these small appliances, you may have made up your mind that you want to purchase one for your home. Before you just spend all of your money on the first model you find, make sure you purchase one that’s right for you. The biggest, most expensive and modern machine may be perfect for your home, or you may be better-suited for a better model. Before you make that decision, decide what is most important for you, and consider the following four features before you open your wallet.
Price
These machines cost anywhere from around $30 to several hundred dollars depending upon the quality, motor speed, and included accessories. If you’re on a budget, you want to narrow down the most important features that you can’t live without. If you don’t have a set budget, you can splurge on a model that comes with loads of great accessories and performs other functions.
Warranty
No one wants to buy a bad product, but sometimes, we get stuck with something that doesn’t work as it should. While misuse and dropping or damaging it isn’t covered by a warranty, parts that fail because of a manufacturer’s defect entitle you to a repair or replacement.
Included Accessories
If you want an all-in-one machine, look for one that has travel cups that you can instantly take with you, various blades for performing different functions, and different sizes of containers to make individual smoothies, as well as a batch for the whole crew.
Functions
If you just want a machine that makes great smoothies, you don’t need anything fancy. However, many of these machines perform different functions for kitchen prep, including chopping or cutting. Be aware, though, that multi-function machines generally cost more than basic machines.
Price
Oster BLSTPB-WBL My Blend 250-Watt Blender
This is one of the most affordable machines you’ll find.
Magic Bullet NutriBullet 12-Piece High-Speed Blender/Mixer System
The retail price of this machine is in the mid-priced range when compared to other machines.
Cuisinart Blending/Chopping System CPB-300
This machine is the most expensive on the list, but it is a real steal when you consider how many pieces are included.
Warranty
Oster BLSTPB-WBL My Blend 250-Watt Blender
This comes with a 1-year warranty and a 3-year satisfaction guarantee.
Magic Bullet NutriBullet 12-Piece High-Speed Blender/Mixer System
A 1-year limited warranty protects your purchase.
Cuisinart Blending/Chopping System CPB-300
You can rest assured in the quality of this product, which comes protected with a 3-year limited warranty.
Included Accessories
Oster BLSTPB-WBL My Blend 250-Watt Blender
This model comes with a 20-ounce travel sport bottle and an instruction book that has new recipes for you to try.
Magic Bullet NutriBullet 12-Piece High-Speed Blender/Mixer System
This set comes with 12 different pieces including the power base, one tall cup, two short cups, a flat blade, an emulsifying blade, two lids, two lip rings, a recipe book, and a pocket nutritionist.
Cuisinart Blending/Chopping System CPB-300
This comes with the housing, a 32-ounce blending jar, an 8-ounce chopping cup, four travel cups, a blending blade, a chopping blade, and a recipe book.
Functions
Oster BLSTPB-WBL My Blend 250-Watt Blender
This model is used just for blending and creating your favorite smoothies and other frozen drinks.
Magic Bullet NutriBullet 12-Piece High-Speed Blender/Mixer System
You can blend your favorite smoothies and other recipes, and it also comes with a milling blade for seeds, spices, and more.
Cuisinart Blending/Chopping System CPB-300
This versatile model can be used for blending as well as chopping.
Conclusion: Our Smoothie Maker Reviews
Oster BLSTPB-WBL My Blend 250-Watt Blender – Best Cheap Smoothie Maker
Grab your morning smoothie and go with this great machine, which comes with one of the best price tags you’ll find on the market. This is a superb machine that allows you to create perfectly blended smoothies with just the touch of a button. This blender is very easy to use, and it’s small enough to keep on your countertop.
Instead of fussing with a large container, your smoothie is blended right in a travel cup. Once you’re done enjoying your drink, just pop your cup in the dishwasher for easy cleanup. It comes in five great colors, including Blue, Green, Orange, Pink, and Dark Blue. You can create your own favorite recipes or try something new with the included recipe book.
Pros:
It is very affordable. It is backed with a great warranty. Everything can be blended right in the travel bottle. The bottle has a lid with a loop for easy carrying. It has a powerful motor. The stainless steel blades are very durable. It’s dishwasher-safe. It has a resettable fuse to prevent damage from overheating.
Cons:
It can be a bit difficult to drink from the lid of the cup. It is difficult to remove the cup from the base. The blades may not last as long as those found on high-end blenders.
Magic Bullet NutriBullet 12-Piece High-Speed Blender/Mixer System – Best Smoothie Maker for the Money
Load your diet with vitamins and minerals right in a delicious smoothie with this great machine, which pulverizes ice, fruits, and veggies. You can use this not just for your smoothies, but also for soups, dips, protein shakes, and other tasty recipes. Not sure where to begin? Don’t worry – it comes with a recipe book.
Use the tall cup to create several servings or one of the smaller cups for smaller batches. All cups are BPA-free, so you know they’re safe. The powerful 600-watt motor cuts through stems, leaves, and tough skins, so you can reap all of the nutritional benefits of your favorite ingredients. It comes backed with a warranty, the cups and blades are dishwasher-safe, and it’s extremely easy to use.
Pros:
It comes with many accessories. It’s easy to use. It’s very powerful. It cuts, chops, blends, and performs other basic kitchen functions. It can be used for seeds and nuts. It extracts vitamins and minerals from various foods. It has a very small size, perfect for keeping on your countertop or storing in your cabinet.
Cons:
It cannot be used for induction cooking. The lid handle gets very hot. It is quite heavy.
Cuisinart Blending/Chopping System CPB-300 – Best Smoothie Maker Overall
This model from Cuisinart is the perfect blend of performance and style. The sleek stainless steel housing looks great in your kitchen, but it isn’t just about looks – it also performs like you wouldn’t believe.
You can easily choose from High, Low, and Pulse settings for all of your favorite recipes. It also comes with two different blades that can be used for blending , chopping, or grinding. It’s easy to control, too, boasting an LED touchpad that makes it easy to change settings with just the touch of a button.
This model comes with multiple cups, including travel cups with lids. All cups are BPA-free for your safety, and they can easily be washed in the dishwasher. It’s very portable, has cord storage to keep everything neat on your countertop, and has non-slip feet so it doesn’t move while it’s in use.
Pros:
It has a strong 350-watt motor. It comes with six different cups, including travel cups with lids. It is very easy to use. It looks very modern. It performs multiple functions. It has a great warranty. It is easy to clean. It comes with multiple blades. It has various settings. It crushes and blends very quickly. It’s dishwasher-safe.
Cons:
It is priced more expensively than other machines. After making one batch, some time is needed to allow the machine to cool down.
If you’re still spending hundreds of dollars on smoothies every month, save yourself time and money by investing in your own smoothie machine that fits right on your kitchen counter. If you want a very versatile small appliance that does more than just make your favorite smoothie, the Cuisinart CPB-300 has everything you’re looking for. Even though it’s more expensive than other models on the market, it can replace other kitchen appliances, so you save money and counter space with this one sleek, modern machine.