Smoothie Blender World

Buying a smoothie blender is a fun, but somewhat overwhelming, process. There really are more blenders to choose from than you’d probably imagine before you head out. Do you want a big one or small one? What type of blades are best? How powerful of a motor, with how many speeds, should you get? And how much should you be prepared to pay?

Here’s a breakdown of the different aspects of smoothie blenders, to help you figure out a focus for what you’re looking for before you head out to make your purchase.

• Size. Decide how much counter top (or cabinet) space you can devote to your smoothie blender. Also think about whether you plan to make large batches (like for a party) or small batches (for yourself or one other person), then buy your smoothie blender accordingly.
• Purpose. Do you want a blender just for smoothies, or would you like it to blend other things as well? Smoothie-specific blenders and general blenders are both available.
• Ice? If you want to blend ice so it’s as smooth as when you buy a margarita at a restaurant, make sure you get a smoothie blender that has the motor power and blade strength to do so, and to do so well. Many claim to, but don’t stack up, so look around and ask your friends if you’re really interested in blending ice.
• Other blade use. Some smaller blenders come with different blade attachments so you can do other things, such as grind coffee beans or spices. Read up on blade styles so you can choose a smoothie blender that does more than just smoothies, if that’s what you’re looking for.
• Smoothie-specific features. A recent development is smoothie blenders is the addition of an easy-serve spout. Rather than remove the pitcher and lid and try to pour into a small glass, you simply flick the tap on the side and use gravity to serve directly into a cup. This is especially good for parties and other times when you want to serve many people from the same smoothie blender.
• Price. Not all smoothie blenders are created equal, nor are they priced that way. For the casual smoothie drinker, the $30-$40 price range is usually sufficient. If you’re looking for something a little nicer, go $50-$100. If you want something more expensive, then you probably already know what you’re looking for and know what you’re willing to spend.