Looking for the best affordable blender for smoothies?
This is the perfect guide for you!
We checked out a varied array of models, from the most portable units to fully-featured contraptions that should cost many times more than they do.
All offering varying degrees of power and versatility, one of these could very well be the ideal blender for you.
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What’s the Best Choice in an Affordable Blender?
It wasn’t easy to come to a decision, but our two top picks for best affordable blenders are the Magic Bullet NutriBullet Rx and the Oster Reverse Crush Counterforms Blender for smoothies. With so many fine blenders available on the market (who knew?), these two managed to beat out all the rest with their outstanding features, versatility, and yes, sheer power.
The Magic Bullet NutriBullet Rx is an especially impressive piece of blending technology that delivers consistently excellent results. It is also amazingly powerful, given its 1700-watt motor that delivers performance equivalent to that of a 2.3 horsepower engine. Even priced higher than the competition, the NutriBullet Rx is an excellent buy that you won’t regret.
With a 600-watt motor, Oster’s Reverse Crush Counterforms Blender isn’t quite as powerful as the NutriBullet Rx. But it certainly is capable of similarly impressive performance.
What it lacks in sheer crushing power is more than made up for by the Duralast All-Metal Drive, which is designed to go the distance. Rated at 10,000 uses, this drive will continue to keep churning out smoothies and pulverizing ice long after other models have given up the ghost.
The Oster also features reversing blade technology, which processes food stuff forward and backward. Under this bidirectional onslaught, even the toughest ingredients don’t stand a chance. A very affordable blender that punches well above its weight, the Oster Reverse Crush Counterforms Blender is an excellent starter unit that will continue to serve you for a long time to come.
NutriBullet Rx Demo
Oster Reverse Crush Demo
Best Affordable Blenders for Smoothies
Here are some more choices for you to consider.
Nutri Ninja BL482D Personal Blender
Nutri Ninja’s BL482D for smoothies is an innovative blender that simplifies the process of making beverages. Featuring the company’s advanced Auto-iQ technology, the blender aims to eliminate the guesswork associated with preparing drinks.
With its array of hi-tech features and solid build, the BL482D can handle even the most challenging blending tasks with ease. One-touch Intelligence ensures flawless operation, and the powerful components make short work of processing almost any type of fruit, vegetable, or grain. It even crushes ice and grinds seeds like a champ, making it one of the most versatile all-in-one blenders you can purchase.
Specs, Design, Usability
Nutri Ninja’s much-touted Auto-iQ technology provides a variety of intelligent programs that handle the blending process automatically. Each program combines different blending and pausing patterns with timed pulses. You select the program you need depending on the food to be processed and your desired result. You may also choose between two manual speeds.
The BL482D is equipped with a digital timer. When an Auto-iQ program is selected, the timer shows how much time is left until the program runs its course. On the two manual settings, the program shows how much time has lapsed.
The blender’s Pro Extractor blades effectively chop up fruits, vegetables, and even ice. This system ensures efficient extraction of nutrients, and it is largely what makes the BL482D such an effective blender.
What others are saying
Reviews of the Nutri Ninja BL482D are generally positive, with many users impressed by the unit’s power and performance. It has proven to be powerful enough for most tasks, and most users relied heavily on it for their daily blending tasks.
Interestingly enough, the Auto-iQ feature–presumably the BL480D’s main selling point–was considered more of a bonus than an essential. Most users seemed satisfied to simply use the pulse setting, instead of any one of the Auto-iQ’s preset programs.
Some users did complain about the blade cap seal, which supposedly couldn’t be removed for cleaning. This didn’t prove to be an issue for other users however, and a simple pick tool was the only implement needed to remove the seal for cleaning.
Read customer reviews @ Amazon
Bottom-line
The Nutri Ninja’s BL482D makes blending so easy that anyone can do it. The Auto-iQ makes simple work of processing anything, and consistently good results can easily be achieved. Even if you prefer to manually pulse your foods, Auto-iQ is still a nice feature to have. At the price the BL482D goes for, you could certainly do a lot worse.
KitchenAid KHB2351CU Hand Blender
The KitchenAid Hand Blender for smoothies is a 3-speed blender that performs more than just basic blending tasks. It can also chop, crush, and puree a variety of foods and ingredients with ease, making it quite handy and versatile kitchen tool.
Operating the unit is as simple as setting the appropriate speed depending on the food to be processed. It comes with a few different attachments, including a chopper that effectively pulverizes nuts and hard cheeses, and a whisk for whipping cream or egg whites. The blender is in fact so versatile that it can even be used to make vinaigrettes and mayonnaise.
Specs, Design, Usability
The KitchenAid KHB2351CU comes with an 8-inch removable blending arm equipped with a fixed blade. This mechanism locks securely into the motor, ensuring safe and efficient operation.
The actual blending is done by an S-shaped fixed design blade that cuts and minces a variety of ingredients quickly and easily. Most anything you put in is processed in a matter of seconds, resulting in smooth and consistent smoothies, shakes, and even baby food.
The chopper attachment is especially impressive, making crumbs of even hard food and ingredients. It can even make mince out of cooked meat, and chop up herbs to perfection.
What others are saying
The KitchenAid KHB2351CU’s reliability and functionality make it highly-regarded among home users. One user reported purchasing it after several models of a popular brand broke down on him in succession. Priced similarly, the KHB2351CU proved to be a much more reliable unit.
Efficient performance was also a major selling point for many users, with many citing the blender’s ability to handle a wide variety of foods and ingredients. The inclusion of useful attachments further enhanced the versatility of the unit for many users.
One criticism of the KHB2351CU had to do with the lip design, which sometimes made pouring a messy affair.
Read customer reviews @ Amazon
Bottom-line
The KitchenAid KHB2351CU provides pretty impressive performance for the price. You could easily spend a lot more for a high-priced unit that has the same functionality, and still not get the same level of performance. A surprisingly versatile unit that delivers more than its price would suggest, the KHB2351CU is a good starter blender that you could rely on for years.
Ninja Personal Blender
The Ninja Personal Blender for smoothies is billed as a “Personal Solution for Nutrient and Vitamin Extraction”. Extremely effective at extracting vitamins and nutrients from fruits, vegetables, and a variety of other foods, it even derives nutrients from vegetable matter that most people would normally discard. Place practically anything into the blender, and what you get is a smooth and nutrient-rich beverage.
In operation, the Ninja Personal Blender is as simple and straightforward as they come. Drinks can be whipped up in seconds, and the unit itself is designed for easy assembly and cleanup. With the Ninja, blending is so easy that you will be encouraged to use it every day.
Specs, Design, Usability
Key to the effectiveness of the Ninja Personal Blender is the powerful 700-watt power pod. Featuring what the company calls “Pulse Technology”, it is what enables the unit to process and blend a variety of ingredients with a minimum of effort. From pureeing fruits and vegetables to crushing ice, the Ninja Personal Blender can handle it all with consistent results.
The Ninja has a sleek and modern design that takes up very little counter space. Its portability makes it a great choice for taking to the gym, or on trips where you would like to have a capable blender handy.
What others are saying
Users of the Ninja Personal Blender are especially impressed with the way it can handle such a wide variety of ingredients without fuss. For many users, it has a cost-performance ratio that surpasses that of much higher-priced models.
The individual components frequently get special mention in user reviews. The blades are fast and efficient, and capable of clean results. Users also appreciate how much thicker the cups are as compared to other blenders.
The meager 2-cup capacity is a bit of letdown for some users. For quick blending and single-use applications however, this is more than sufficient for most users.
Read customer reviews @ Amazon
Bottom-line
The Ninja Personal Blender is a simple and easy to use unit that delivers reliable performance. Although it doesn’t pack a lot of bells and whistles, it will hold you over until you are able to afford a more fully-featured model.
Magic Bullet NutriBullet Rx
The Magic Bullet NutriBullet Rx for smoothies is marketed as the “Original Superfood Nutrition Extractor”, which offers a hint of its outstanding features and capabilities. Powered by a 1700-watt motor, it utilizes SMART technology that regulates the speed and length of time at which the blender operates. With this system, consistent results are achievable, even with ingredients that are too hard for most other blenders.
The Magic Bullet NutriBullet Rx in fact goes well beyond the capabilities of other blenders. It can even be used to make soups and sauces that are warm and ready to serve right out of the cup.
Specs, Design, Usability
The NutriBullet’s 1700-watt motor has power equivalent to that of a 2.3 horsepower engine. This is in fact the brand’s most powerful machine, giving it the ability to handle fruits, grains, and vegetable matter that would make other blenders buckle.
This impressive power is harnessed by revolutionary SMART Technology. This processes ingredients at the precise speed and length of time necessary to extract their full nutritional content.
One feature that really sets the NutriBullet Rx apart from other high performance blenders is the Soup-Making Mode. Activated by pressing a front panel button, this heating cycle enables you to make fresh and hot soups and beverages in as little as seven minutes.
What others are saying
A common thread in most reviews of the Magic Bullet NutriBullet Rx is how fast and easy it is to use. Typical tasks such as making shakes or smoothies can be done in less than five minutes, which includes prep time.
Only a couple of extra minutes are needed to make piping hot soup from fresh ingredients. In fact, the ability to make ready-to-serve soup from a blender is one of the NutriBullet Rx’s most impressive qualities.
Most users also mention the unit’s durability and solid performance. Along with the easy cleanup and small form factor, these qualities seem to be what have impressed users the most.
Read customer reviews @ Amazon
Bottom-line
The NutriBullet Rx packs tremendous power and versatility in a very cost-effective unit. Although it isn’t the cheapest blender in this lineup, it is still priced quite affordably. Furthermore, you definitely get your money’s worth in terms of features and performance. If you want a blender that can do more than just whip fruits and vegetables into smoothies, the NutriBullet Rx is a serious contender.
Oster Reverse Crush Counterforms Blender
Oster Reverse Crush Counterforms Blender for smoothies is only one of the company’s varied arrays of kitchen equipment. Boasting of the superior build quality that has characterized the Oster brand for years, this particular model is powered by the company’s own innovative Duralast All-Metal Drive.
Consisting of two interconnecting pieces, the drive is made entirely of metal as opposed to plastic. This gives the mechanism outstanding durability, with performance you can count on for many years.
Other features such as the Reversing Blade and Smart Settings technology make this blender a versatile and surprisingly capable unit. Even with its superb capabilities, the Counterforms blender remains very easy-to-use.
Specs, Design, Usability
At the heart of the Counterforms’ superior performance is the Duralast All-Metal Drive, which gives this blender unparalleled durability and reliability. Designed to go the distance, the All-Metal Drive is good for up to 10,000 smoothies.
Also responsible for the Counterforms’ excellence is the Reversing Blade Technology, which is driven by a 600-watt motor. The blade itself is made of high-grade stainless steel, and operates both backward and forward. This serves to extract the maximum nutrients from food, and ensures smooth blends every time.
Seven speed options are provided, and you could even choose from “high” and “low” pulse modes. And with a clear and easy to read display, you always know what is going on when you blend.
What others are saying
For many users, the Oster Reverse Crush Counterforms Blender provides more than enough power to impress. Even the toughest to blend ingredients can be processed into mush within seconds.
The blender seems especially suited for processing large cuts of vegetable and fruit. Even without chopping or cutting the food into more manageable pieces, one user reported getting the job done without so much as a hiccup.
Other users praised the strength and durability of the individual components. The glass decanter is especially robust, as seen by its ability to withstand the action of the powerful blending mechanism.
Some users did mention the loudness of the unit, especially when set to “high”. This is to be expected from powerful blenders of course, and the Counterforms definitely fits into that category.
Read customer reviews @ Amazon
Bottom-line
The only thing more impressive about the Counterforms’ combination of power, features, durability, and performance is the price. Try as you might, you simply won’t find another blender that delivers the same value in this price range. For that reason, the Oster Reverse Crush Counterforms Blender makes it as one of our two top picks in this affordable blenders roundup.
Oster 2-Speed Beehive Blender
Like the Reverse Crush Counterforms Blender, the Oster 2-Speed Beehive Blender for smoothies aims to offer the same Oster reliability and solid performance in an affordable package. Priced similarly, the 2-speed has the same power and robust construction, with most components built of the same durable material. Although it does come with fewer features and options than the Counterforms, it more than holds its own in the affordable blender arena.
The Beehive Blender’s glass jar can hold as much as five cups of your favorite beverage. The glass is tested for thermal ability, so you could safely use it to whip up a frosty smoothie within seconds after taking it out of a steaming hot dishwasher.
Specs, Design, Usability
The Beehive’s two speeds deliver up to 600 watts of power–enough to pulverize chunks of ice into snow. The Ice Crusher blade made of high-grade stainless steel is equally suitable for a variety of other crushing and blending tasks, even those that other blenders would struggle to accomplish.
Also responsible for the Beehive’s flawless performance is the All-Metal Drive that ensures consistency and reliability over the long term. We’ve already gone over the most salient features of this innovative blending mechanism in the Counterforms review. Suffice it to say that this is a large part of what makes the 2-Speed Beehive Blender such a capable unit.
What others are saying
Many users are delighted at the sheer amount of power that the Beehive is able to deliver at such an affordable price. One user compared it favorably to other popular high-end models, citing the Beehive’s ability to provide similar results at 20% of the cost.
The jar’s cloverleaf interior design is an especially-appreciated touch. For one user, this is the key to the effectiveness of the Beehive, ensuring consistently smooth and even results.
Among the criticisms leveled at the Beehive, the most common are its loudness during operation (which–again–is to be expected with a high-powered blender) and the lip design. One user noted the tendency of contents to run down the front of the jar when pouring. To the Beehive’s credit however, this is more a minor annoyance than a serious flaw.
Read customer reviews @ Amazon
Bottom-line
Given the similarities between the Beehive Blender and the Counterforms, the choice will likely boil down to which features you need. The Counterforms is undeniably the more capable unit, but the Beehive is no slouch either. If you prefer a simple and straightforward blender–and you can live without the Counterforms’ different settings–the 2-Speed Beehive Blender is a great option at roughly the same price.
Oster 7-Speed Fusion Blender
Yet another offering from Oster, the Oster 7-Speed Fusion Blender for smoothies features the same dual-action blending action as the Reverse Crush Counterforms Blender. It can also be set to any one of seven speeds, each of which provides consistently smooth results with tasks for which it is intended.
The 7-Speed Fusion Blender comes with an ice-crushing blending attachment with four individual blades. It also has a food processing attachment that has two equally reliable blades. Between these two blade mechanisms, you could pretty much make a smoothie out of any food or ingredient you can find in your fridge or cupboard.
Specs, Design, Usability
Like the Counterforms Blender and the Beehive Blender, the Fusion has a heavy-duty Duralast All-Metal Drive that is rough and ready to handle all comers. Oster claims that this drive can churn out as many as 10,000 smoothies throughout its lifespan. Given its apparent durability, we have no doubt that it can produce a couple of thousand more without showing any sign of distress.
Another of the Counterforms’ features that make an appearance in the Fusion is the Reversing Blade technology, which provides bidirectional blending action. This system is quite a bit more efficient than single-action blending, ensuring that anything you put into the jar comes out virtually unrecognizable. And as far as blending goes, this is definitely a good thing.
What others are saying
User reviews of the Oster 7-Speed Fusion Blender are almost unanimous in their praise of the unit. Based on many reviews, the blender seems to be best suited for pureeing tasks wherein a smooth and even consistency is desired.
One user did write that the device was less suitable for chopping, even if it does have a specific “chop” setting. This particular user seemed satisfied with his purchase however, citing the near-total absence of chunks and large pieces of fruit matter in his smoothies.
Another user complained about the tendency of the blade mechanism to clear out a space in the middle of the mixture being blended. As a result, some of the fruit bits were simply pushed to the sides and remained unprocessed.
Read customer reviews @ Amazon
Bottom-line
The 7-Speed Fusion Blender is priced even lower than the Reverse Crush Counterforms Blender and the 2-Speed Beehive Blender. Considering that it offers pretty much the same capabilities as the Counterforms, the Fusion is pretty hard to fault. For the price, you really can’t go wrong with this model.
Ninja Smart Screen Blender
The Ninja Smart Screen Blender for smoothies is yet another in the wide array of “Smart” blenders that have inundated the marketplace over the past several years. Designed to make blending fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients as easy as possible, this particular model has four Auto-iQ programs, each developed by a professional chef.
With these four automatic settings, you could easily make smoothies, frozen drinks, sauces, purees, and more. There is sufficient power to whip ice and other ingredients into a smooth and creamy consistency, so the Smart Screen Blender can even serve as a quick and easy ice cream maker.
Specs, Design, Usability
The Smart Screen that is the blender’s most intriguing feature is actually a smart touchscreen that provides single-touch control over the machine’s functions. For most blending and pureeing tasks, any one of the four settings will likely get you the results you want with a minimum of fuss and bother.
Those with more specific blending requirements will be glad to know that the touchscreen also provides manual control over the various functions. Used in this manner, the blender remains intuitive and easy to use.
If power is your primary concern, the Smart Screen Blender’s 1000-watt motor should lay all these to rest. Able to crush ice into a smooth and consistent mush, the motor is more than powerful enough to satisfy even the most demanding user.
What others are saying
Sheer power is what seems to impress users of the Ninja Smart Screen the most, and many are quite taken by its relentless blending ability. Even blocks of ice are no match for its powerful crushing force, and many users report being totally satisfied on this point alone.
Many users were gratified to note that the reliability issues that have plagued Ninja blenders in the past seem to be non-existent in this particular model. It appears that Ninja–having realized the powerful performance of their blenders–have seen fit to equip this one with more durable parts and accessories.
Read customer reviews @ Amazon
Bottom-line
The Ninja Smart Screen Blender is one of the more powerful blenders you could buy in this price range. You would probably have to spend a couple of hundred dollars more for a unit that is capable of similar performance. As it is, the Ninja Smart Screen is a whole lot of blender for the money.
Oster Kitchen Center Beehive Blender
Yet another entry under the Oster brand, the Oster Kitchen Center Beehive Blender for smoothies is priced a bit more than the three other models already reviewed. Like the 2-speed model, this one is part of the company’s Beehive line, as could be gleaned from its chrome base exterior.
Other similarities can be seen under the hood. Kitchen Center is also equipped with the same Duralast All-Metal Drive that gives many Osters their impressive power and capability. More than just sheer power however, this drive is also built to last, and it provides the units with the versatility to handle most any blending-related task.
Specs, Design, Usability
You already know what the Duralast All-Metal Drive is capable of, so we won’t repeat ourselves. Suffice it to say that this is a truly awesome example of blender technology, and it gives the Beehive Blender enough grunt to handle even the most challenging jobs.
Other features–such as the 1000-watt motor and the ice-crushing blade–further suggest that this could be one of the most efficient blenders on the home front.
Oster’s claim of this being a Kitchen Center is supported by the inclusion of a varied array of jar and accessories. There is a 5-cup blending jar made of Boroclass glass, a 3-cup jar made of hardy BPA-free plastic, and a 5-cup stainless steel jar. There is even a single-serve cup for making baby food, or smaller portions of whatever you desire.
What others are saying
The Kitchen Center seems to find favor among those that are attracted to the 2-speed Beehive Blender, but are in need of a bit more functionality. Able to compete with higher-priced units from other brands, this one seems to satisfy those that have gone through a few blenders and have since decided to upgrade.
Although durability is one of the selling points of Oster blenders, one user expressed appreciation at the ready availability of replacement parts and additional containers. This particular user also gladly noted that aftermarket replacements and add-ons were priced very reasonably.
Read customer reviews @ Amazon
Bottom-line
The Oster Kitchen Center Beehive Blender costs a bit more than the other Oster models previously reviewed, but you probably wouldn’t begrudge the slightly high price. Offering the same durability as the other Oster models, this one comes with a good range of accessories that make it an even better deal.
Epica Personal Blender
The Epica Personal Blender for smoothies is the cheapest blender reviewed here. In fact, it could very well be one of the cheapest blenders you will come across, if not THE cheapest. Despite its low price tag, it nevertheless conceals surprisingly decent power and performance underneath its futuristic exterior.
The Epica is powered by a 300-watt motor, which is pretty modest as compared to the other blenders reviewed thus far. Even so, this model is capable of handling most basic tasks, and the lower spec’d motor undoubtedly adds to its portability.
Specs, Design, Usability
You’re not gonna find a grocery list of hi-tech features or sheer brute force here. The Epica is by no means a blending powerhouse. So if awesome crushing power is what you are looking for, you might be better off with one of the high-powered models reviewed previously.
What the Epica does, it does pretty well. Featuring one-touch operation, it only works at one speed. But the 300-watt motor spinning at 23,000 RPM is surprisingly effective, able to make slush out of a wide variety of ingredients.
The single 20 ounce “mug” comes with a sealable lid, which further indicates that this blender is designed for convenience rather than power.
What others are saying
As expected, most reviews of the Epica make mention of its portability and convenience above all other aspects. Users seem to especially enjoy the convenience of being able to blend their ingredients and drink the resulting concoction right out of the same vessel. For blender users that aren’t too thrilled about having to cleanup afterwards, the Epica is a godsend.
The unit seems to hold up well to regular use. Despite its somewhat less-than-robust construction, the Epica Personal Blender is a solid and reliable performer that has made true believers out of its users.
Read customer reviews @ Amazon
Bottom-line
The Epica is hardly the be-all end-all of modern blender technology. In fact, it’s safe to say that this hovers pretty close to the lower limits of acceptability as far as low-cost blenders are concerned.
And yet, the unit is so capable and effective that it’s hard to find fault with it. Even if you purchase the Epica with the goal of replacing it down the line, you might find yourself getting a lot more use out of it than you expect.