Good, Affordable Blender

Updated on February 25, 2014
N.R. asks from Chicago, IL
14 answers

I'd love a recommendation for a great blender to make fruit/veggie smoothies that really grinds things up but doesn't cost a fortune. We like fruit/kale green smoothies and the Cuisinart isn't really cutting it (no pun intended). The VitaMix and others like it are just so expensive. Wondering if there's something else out there that works well without the cost. I don't need it to perform miracles or have 700 functions, just blend really, really well. Thanks!

1 mom found this helpful

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S.M.

answers from Minneapolis on

I've had both Cuisinart and a Kitchen Aid in the past. Like you said they just don't cut it. Last summer I bought a Ninja kitchen complete. It works very well for making smoothies and squash soup too. The only complaint I have is it's very loud compared to the other two. I am going to try to sell this one even though it's only six months old for whatever I can get out of it and get a VitaMix. Expensive but I think it will be worth it.

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G.D.

answers from Detroit on

I ha e a ninja and paid around $50 for it from amazon. We make a lot of smoothies with it and I think it does well.
I loaned it to a friend when her SO went on a liquid diet and she's had it several months now-so she must like it too!

2 moms found this helpful
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K.R.

answers from Dallas on

I needed a new blender to make Pina Coladas for a bridal shower. I looked at the Ninja but didnt want to spend that much. I bought a Farberware from Walmart. $40, it works great. The drinks came out so smooth. I expected less from this blender but I was pleasantly surprised.

2 moms found this helpful

L.M.

answers from New York on

Just got the Ninja 1500 with the food processor and blender and single serve cups, it was $150. Love it.

2 moms found this helpful
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B.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

My Magic Bullet is my go to blender for every day. I have a Blendtec as well, but for my daily best breakfast ever, I use the bullet.

B.

2 moms found this helpful

V.B.

answers from Jacksonville on

My husband makes a smoothie almost every single day (but no kale). He uses protein powder, peanut butter, yogurt, almond milk, a banana and sometimes berries, plus ice.
I bought a Ninja pro almost 2 years ago (to make smoothies when our son first got his braces and herbst device and was extremely sore), and it still works as well as the first day, which is wonderfully well.

They cost about $100, but you can buy them at Bed Bath and Beyond with a 20% off coupon, bringing them down to $80.
---
The kids thought it was fun, when we just got it out of the box, to make snow, and pour juice over it for sno-cones. :)

2 moms found this helpful

ღ.7.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I love my Ninja and use it for EVERYTHING!
I don't like big chunks of onions or veggies in soups and stuff so I blend them first.
I also use it for smoothies and even mixing frozen and fresh fruits, they turn out great!
I also use it to grind oatmeal into flour for cookies and stuff.
I haven't had a problem with it at all and it gets used ALL the time!
They are only $40 at Wal-Mart

2 moms found this helpful

T.R.

answers from Milwaukee on

I see the Ninja systems (good quality, high power) on sale in Craigslist ads for under $100 all the time in my area (Milw).

You might even find a VitaMix used for an affordable amount!

Good luck. T.

2 moms found this helpful
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A.L.

answers from Las Vegas on

I use the nutribullet (you can get it at Target) LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!! it does in fact grind things up well, such as nuts and even lemon peel...
it costs from 60 to 90... we got it on sale once at less than 90..
if you don't like it, Target will accept it back..
anyway, it's the one they advertise on t.v. and it can make smoothies and grind things.. additionally, blends so well you don't have all that loose pulp in your drink... it ISNT a juicer, so if that's what you want like say orange juice squeezed, it doesn't do that.. but if you add orange to let's say strawberries,banana and yogurt, you ll get a really creamy smoothie..
as for green juices. I make those all the time with spinach, raspberries, chilled water and lemon... those come out nice and smooth as well.. meaning, no bits of greens swimming around..

1 mom found this helpful
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F.B.

answers from New York on

We have a french one, I think the make is brielle, it is a juicer. The pulp goes into a chute. Not sure if it is what you are after. It does a good job, and clean up is easy, but you don't get the benefit of using the whole fruit or veg. It was/is pricey, but we caught a discount at macys.

Best,
F. B.

1 mom found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

Wow, I also purchased a Ninja and love it.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.G.

answers from Houston on

I used a cheap Oster blender (I think Oster) that lasted 2 blends before it cracked. Then I got a Cuisinart (not cheap) and that lasted a few months before that cracked as well.

Someone gave us a Magic Bullet for our wedding almost 10 yrs ago and I just pulled it out and gave it a try 2 years ago and its still working as if it were brand new. I was hesitant at first because its so small but tbh it doesn't matter.

We have a KitchenAid (again not cheap) blender for bigger batches but its so dang heavy and feels like cheap plastic that I hardly use it and now that I'm thinking of it I'm kind of sick of storing it and all the blades and accessories. My Magic Bullet comes with 2 blades - that's it. I'll never go back.

1 mom found this helpful

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

N.,

What do you consider affordable?

I went to Kohl's with my girlfriend two weeks ago and she purchased the Ninja 1200 - I think - for $75 - yes, that was with Kohl's cash - on sale - I think it was $99.

It does smoothies and so much more! She's happy!! I plan on buying one when they are on sale again!

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

there are decent blenders, but nothing is going to make green smoothies well except for the bigass blenders that are built to do it. there are no bargain basement vitamixes.
i saved for a year to get my blend-tec and it was worth it. if you're going to be a green smoothie family, bite the bullet and get the right tool for the job.
khairete
S.

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