Smoothie blenders: types and ranking of the best
Smoothies can fully replace breakfasts. Preparation of a drink with a blender takes no more than 10 minutes, which is very convenient in the morning rush. It is important to choose a device of the right type and the required power in order to qualitatively grind and mix all the components of the smoothie.
Peculiarities
Making a smoothie involves mixing a thick drink made from fruits, vegetables, herbs, and other ingredients. It is important that all components are crushed until completely homogeneous. The smoothie may contain additional components in the form of cereals, chocolate, dried fruits, nuts.
All these products have a high density, and not any blender can handle their thorough grinding.
View overview
It is important to accurately determine the ingredients that will be used in cocktails. To make smoothies with ice, you will need a professional blender with high power. The sports drink can be mixed in a glass-type device. A blender mug will allow you to make one portion of a smoothie, it is convenient to carry it with you to the gym. A hand-held device is more compact, while a stationary one can handle a larger load. A pocket blender won't blend hard fruit until smooth, but it's enough to make light smoothies.
All devices are divided into two large groups: stationary and submersible. Each type of blender has its own characteristics of structure, operation and, therefore, use.Some types of devices come with drinking cups or glasses with sealed lids, others come with a handy bottle. This allows you to prepare a smoothie and take it with you to work or school.
It is especially convenient to transport drinks for children. And protection functions for overheating, power surges, low or high load can also be integrated.
Stationary
The lower part with blades is a stand, a mixing tank is installed on top. The design with a glass is a one-piece device. At the same time, a stationary blender allows you to prepare smoothies in a large volume, for several servings at once. Many models have high power, which allows you to quickly grind solid components to a homogeneous mass.
The big advantage of such blenders is the ease of use. It is enough to load the products - the device will do the rest. It is worth noting that it takes up quite a lot of space. However, you can choose a blender with a small bowl volume, which will make it a little more compact.
Submersible
This type is more often acquired for domestic use. A portable machine is a handle with blades at the end. Nozzles can be different, they are easy to remove and wash. When using, it is necessary to lower the blender into a container with components in order to chop and mix everything. Many models have several operating modes that allow you to process products of various densities. An immersion blender is suitable for most household tasks. The device is compact and portable. Allows you to grind a small amount of food.
The immersion blender does have its downsides. All the time grinding it must be held in the hand, and the device is not light. You will have to move it around the bowl so that small lumps do not remain in the smoothie.
If used carelessly, there is a risk of splashing the drink in the kitchen.
materials
The nozzle must be made of metal, better than stainless steel. This material is durable and easy to care for. It is important that steel nozzles do not stain or oxidize when in contact with various products. The blades must be sharpened periodically at the service center.
The body can be made of plastic or metal. The first option is more affordable, but does not withstand falls. Metal is much more reliable and durable, however, the cost of such a blender is much higher. The body of an immersion blender is usually made of plastic with non-slip inserts.
The bowl of the device can be made of glass, plastic or metal. Material features also differ.
- plastic bowls lightweight and low cost. They can be used to grind cold foods.
- Blender with glass bowl is wear resistant. The material does not scratch and allows you to work with products of any temperature. But dropping a glass bowl is not worth it, it can easily break.
- metal product the most expensive. Such a bowl allows you to process products of any temperature and is not scratched. In addition, a bowl made of metal cannot be broken. However, the walls of the container are opaque, so it will not be possible to control the grinding process from the side.
Rating of the best models
Smoothie blenders can be bought at different prices, but this is not always an indicator of quality. It is worth giving preference to manufacturers who have managed to establish themselves in the home appliance market. Popular smoothie models are produced by several well-known brands.
- Kenwood kMix HB89. 700 watt immersion blender. The set includes several nozzles and a 1 liter plastic bowl. The device allows you to work in one of 5 speed modes. An addition to the attractive design will be the nozzle for rubbing. Of the shortcomings, an impressive weight can be noted, a little more than 3 kg. This makes it a little more difficult to work with a blender.
- Bork B501. 1000 watt device. The blender received 6 modes of operation, one of which is designed exclusively for smoothies. As a nice bonus, there is a nozzle for squeezing juice from citrus fruits. A 1.5 liter bowl will allow you to prepare several servings of a drink at once.
- Bosch MMB 43G2. Universal device with a power of 700 watts. The blender has 5 speed settings, which allows you to prepare drinks both from soft fruits and with pieces of ice. The 2.3 liter glass bowl allows you to make smoothies for a large number of people at the same time. The blender has a low noise level.
There is a separate mode for grinding nuts.
- ProfiCook PC-UM 1086. A 1250 watt blender accelerates to 21,000 rpm. There are only 2 speed modes, so the device is very easy to use. Comes with a 1.5 liter bowl. The pulse mode of operation allows you to quickly crush pieces of ice for smoothies. The glass container for whipping has a spout for convenient pouring of drinks into glasses. It is worth noting that for work you need to load at least 150 g of components. Otherwise, the blender simply will not grind them.
- Kitfort KT-1327. 1300 watt blender. There is a pulse mode and a hole in the lid, which allows you to toss products during the grinding process. There is a smooth speed control and electronic control of operating modes.There is an unusual "soup cooker" function, which allows you to heat the contents of the bowl to the desired temperature. The bowl is made of heat-resistant plastic.
- Moulinex DD643132. 800 watt immersion blender. The special structure of the blades and bowl contributes to a snug fit, so splashes do not fly during use. The device received 20 speed modes and an additional pulse. The cost of the blender is affordable, and the design is attractive. Of the shortcomings, a bowl of only 500 ml can be noted.
- Philips HR1672 Avance Collection. 800 watt blender. The special structure of the triangular nozzle allows you to achieve maximum grinding and mixing of products when preparing smoothies. Knives are covered with titanium, so they are much stronger than analogues. Changing the speed modes is done with a single button and depends on the pressing force. There is a grinder for 1 liter, which allows you to quickly process any food. The whisk attachment will help to make a beautiful foam on the smoothie. Of the shortcomings, it is worth noting that the blender itself and accessories for it are expensive.
- Electrolux ESB 2450. Stationary blender with a power of 300 watts. Soft food smoothies will be easy to make, but in some cases you will need to take breaks. The model is positioned as sports. The removable 600 ml plastic bowl allows you to drink freshly prepared smoothies. There is only one mode of operation. The model is quite noisy compared to analogues.
- VES Electric M-143. 500 watt blender. Pretty budget model with a bowl capacity of 600 ml. The fitness blender has a durable body and does not require special care. The set includes 2 cocktail glasses of 600 ml with lids. The model has only one speed mode.
It should be noted that the cost of the device is quite low.
- Xiaomi Circle Kitchen CD-BL01. 250 watt blender. The company made a model with a rather attractive design and a nice price. The plastic glass has a tight lid. There is only one speed setting, so using the blender is quite simple. Aluminum nozzles are easy to clean with running water. The compact size and durable case can be attributed to the undoubted advantages of the device. It is worth noting that the blender makes a lot of noise during operation.
- Bosch MSM 67PE. 750 watt blender. The immersion model comes with a measuring cup, which simplifies the preparation process. You can use the chopper and whisk attachments, but only on one speed setting. The airtight lid allows you to take the smoothie with you on the go. The advantage is the use of quality materials in the manufacture of the device. The strong case and wearproof motor guarantee the long term of operation.
- Rawmid Dream Samurai BDS-04. A 2900 watt blender that can run at 30,000 rpm. The bowl is made of titanium and has a volume of 2 liters. This allows you to cook smoothies for the whole family at once. It should be noted that the model is positioned as a professional. Integrated 7 speed modes, which allows you to fine-tune the process of preparing a cocktail. The high-strength construction has a long service life even under heavy loads. It is noteworthy that the blender can turn products of any hardness into puree. Of the shortcomings, it is worth noting that the blender weighs 5 kg and takes up quite a lot of space.
- Unit UBI-404. Stationary model with a power of 1000 watts. The nozzle has 6 durable knives, which allows you to quickly and efficiently grind food when preparing smoothies.The 1.5 liter bowl is optimal and allows you to make a drink for the whole family. A special advantage is the affordable cost of a powerful model. The blender has 3 speed settings, which allows you to smoothly adjust the cooking process.
- Take It X4. Portable blender with 300 watts of power. The 400 ml bowl is enough to prepare a portion of a smoothie. The case is made of plastic and stainless steel, which makes it strong and durable. The quality of grinding is guaranteed by a knife with 4 blades. The built-in 5100 mAh battery allows you to prepare about 16 smoothies on a single charge. Its compact size and light weight make it easy to carry the blender with you wherever you go.
- Redmond RHB-2944. 1300 watt immersion blender. It is possible to smoothly change the speed of work. Includes 500ml bowl, measuring cup and whisk. The compact blender has a turbo function, making smoothies easier. It should be noted that the power cord is less than 1 meter in length.
How to choose?
A stand blender is best for making smoothies from hard fruits and vegetables. Compact models allow you to make sports cocktails. An immersion blender will make you tinker, but it will allow you to control the level of grinding of the components of the drink. We list the important nuances of choosing a model.
- Power. This criterion is the main one. Immersion blenders can range from 140 to 2000 watts, while stand blenders range from 250 to 1500 watts. An indicator up to 450 W is quite acceptable for making smoothies from soft foods. Power of 600-800 watts allows you to crush ice, frozen ingredients and nuts. Above 1000 W indicates that the blender can handle any product.Powerful models are multifunctional and speed up the process of grinding, whipping.
- bowl volume. It all depends on how many servings of smoothies you need to cook at the same time. The nominal volume is always 200 grams less than the one indicated by the manufacturer. This is due to the fact that it is absolutely impossible to fill the container to the very top.
- Material. For intensive use, it is better to take a blender with steel knives, a glass or metal bowl. The case of the device can be made of durable plastic. Such models are the most durable. If a plastic grinding container is used, it must be cleaned frequently and thoroughly. The material has the ability to absorb odors.
- Speed and modes of operation. Immersion models can have up to 30 programs, and stationary models up to 20. The maximum number of speeds is usually for professional blenders, which are rarely used to make smoothies. To solve everyday problems, a submersible device with 1-2 modes of operation or a stationary one with 2-4 variations is quite enough. This functionality allows you to prepare smoothies with maximum ease. Additionally, there can be a turbo mode that accelerates the blades to the maximum. It can be used at the very end to achieve complete uniformity. The pulse mode of operation allows you to prevent overheating of the motor.
- Additional nozzles. The current criterion when choosing an immersion blender. The main nozzle is used to create puree from products in any container. Additionally, there may be whisks and a grinder.
- Immersion blender power type. Most models are mains powered and have a 1.5 meter cable. This option is considered the most reliable. Some models have a battery and work wirelessly.
The disadvantage is that on a single charge you can use the device for only 20-30 minutes. This is enough to make 1-2 servings of smoothies.
Terms of use
Making smoothies with a blender is pretty easy. With proper use, the device will serve for many years. Application features directly depend on the type of structure. Here are some rules for using a stationary blender.
- Working with the device. It is necessary to place the smoothie ingredients in the blender bowl, close the lid and turn on the device. You can take out the drink after grinding. Large and hard foods must first be cut into arbitrary pieces. Bones from fruits and berries should be removed so that they do not break the knives of the nozzle. Before grinding very hard ingredients to a puree, it is recommended to add a little water or other liquid to the bowl.
- Filling the bowl. The container has marks for the minimum and maximum number of components. If you put too much food, then there will be no homogeneous mass. Additionally, this will create an extra load on the motor, which can lead to breakdown. A small amount of components in the bowl does not harm the blender itself, but it will also negatively affect the quality of grinding.
- Care after use. The bowl must be rinsed with running water, wiped dry and reinstalled. Knives should also be removed and rinsed. It is important not to install wet parts to avoid damaging the electronics. Turn off the power before cleaning.
Do not put too large or hard foods with a low water content in the bowl of a stationary blender. Grinding is only possible for those models that have an ice pick attachment. The device must not be turned on for a long time, it should be turned off and let the motor cool down. Otherwise, the blender will quickly fail.
It should be noted that stationary models can grind hot products only if their temperature does not exceed 70 ° C.
When working with immersion blenders, there are other nuances.
- Working with the device. You should take a suitable deep container and fill it with smoothie ingredients. With the help of the right nozzle, you can start grinding. It is necessary to turn on the device and immerse it inside the container. To speed up the work, turbo and pulse modes are used. It is impossible to grind in this format for a long time, because this is the maximum load on the motor.
- Care after use. Disconnect the blender from the mains and remove the attachment. You can wash the knives under the pressure of running water. The upper part with the motor is not washable, otherwise the electronics will be damaged. Maximum cleaning consists in wiping with a sponge without chemical detergents.
It is important to rinse all parts under running water and wipe dry. Otherwise, the blender can quickly fail.
Do not use high intensity modes for a long time. This leads to overload and overheating of the motor.
How to choose the right blender, see the following video.