Smoothie Blender World

If you are considering buying a smoothie blender, it may be helpful to first get some feedback from one of the most popular smoothie blenders on the market: the Magic Bullet. This product was first seen on TV, but is now also sold in many stores. (Check department stores or anyplace that has a significant kitchenware department. Even some drug stores with “As Seen On TV” sections are known to carry this particular blender.)

The Magic Bullet is, of course, not your only choice. You may also be considering any number of other smoothie blenders, from the Braun PowerMax Jug to the Cuisinart Smart Power Blender, to even the Oster Classic Stand Blender or the Black and Decker Crush Master.

These are all good blenders, but let’s focus on the Magic Bullet Smoothie Blender in particular.

Pros:

The Magic Bullet is, in many ways, as magic as its creators profess on their somewhat silly commercials. This small blender packs a lot of punch. It has a very powerful motor that spins very very quickly and pulverizes ingredients with ease.

One of the best aspects of the Magic Bullet is that this smoothie blender makes individual-sized portions. You simply attach blades to one of the provided cups or mugs, turn it onto the base, and blend. Your can drink the smoothie from the very cup it was blended in (or pour it into something more attractive and not made of plastic, if you want).

The Magic Bullet smoothie blender comes with two different blade bases (one flat, one angled) and instructions for what is best blended by each blade type. One of its other main advantages is the fact that it is so small. The base itself is not much bigger than any other cup in your cupboard, so it’s very easy to store and doesn’t take up much space.

Cons:

While most people are very pleased with their Magic Bullet smoothie blender, some do report that this blender is not as effective at blending ice as its commercials imply. Some owners report disappointing blended ice drinks that have large chips of ice. But on the whole, it is a very reliable smoothie blender, especially for shakes and fruit smoothies.

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.