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Good to know: For an upgrade of $80, consider the Nutribullet Ultra Plus+ Compact Kitchen System, which includes a motor base, two blending cups with lids for on-the-go convenience, a coffee/spice grinder attachment (ideal for spices; a burr grinder is recommended for coffee), and a mini food processor attachment.
The Nutribullet Ultra seamlessly prepares pesto, showcasing its efficiency in blending tasks.
Power: 1,200 watts
Capacity: 24 or 32 oz.
Warranty: 1-year limited (5-year limited for blade)
Included: 32-oz. cup, 24-oz. cup, 24-oz. handled cup, 2 to-go lids
The Best Budget Personal Blender: Zwilling Enfinigy Personal Blender
Zwilling Enfinigy Personal Blender
Pros
- Powerful
- Aesthetic appeal
- Dedicated smoothie setting
Cons
- Blending jar size is limited
What we love: The Zwilling Enfinigy Personal Blender stands out as an affordable alternative for those looking to create delicious smoothies without breaking the bank. Priced at roughly two-thirds of the Nutribullet Ultra, this model is less powerful at 500 watts but still demonstrates impressive performance in blending.
Its sleek design features a well-built base and an easy-to-use knob-controlled interface, complemented by a stylish fluted blending cup. Users can select between two modes: an automatic smoothie setting activated by turning the control knob right and a manual blend/pulse mode initiated by pressing it left.
In practical tests, the Zwilling blender successfully crafted a creamy green smoothie within two 40-second automatic cycles and efficiently produced a smooth pesto in about a minute. Although it didn’t reach the blending prowess of the Ultra, it effectively handled tough ingredients like kale and effortlessly mixed garlic and basil without leaving chunks behind.
While the Zwilling comes with only one blending cup, it does include a convenient flip-top travel lid, making it easy to take smoothies on the go.
What we’d leave: A downside to this model is the limited capacity of the single blending cup, which holds 20 ounces. For larger batches, an additional blending cup is sold separately with a lid and vacuum-sealed cap for $40, but including more than one cup in the initial package would have improved its value.
The Zwilling Enfinigy effectively creates a flavorful batch of pesto.
Power: 500 watts
Capacity: 20 oz.
Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
Included: 20-oz. cup, to-go lid
How We Tested Personal Blenders
To assess personal blenders, we began by using them to prepare green smoothies filled with fibrous kale (including the stems), alongside frozen blueberries, frozen mango, and a dash of almond milk. Next, we tested each blender’s ability to make classic pesto, which required blending leafy basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, and cheese.
Evaluation criteria included:
- Consistency of smoothies and pesto
- User-friendly control panel and the usefulness of special features
- Inclusion of helpful accessories such as extra cups or to-go lids, enhancing versatility
- Compact size for counter use while remaining lightweight enough for easy storage
- Ease of cleaning, favoring models with dishwasher-safe components
Other Personal Blenders We Tried
Despite my enthusiasm for the new Beast model, which features attractive ribbed cups and various size options, its performance was underwhelming. While it has a compact base and includes several useful lids (one with a straw), it required multiple attempts to achieve proper blending, leading to excessive heat generation during the process. Given its 850-watt motor, this was unexpected. The blender performed slightly better in making pesto but still needed extra cycles to blend thoroughly. Unless aesthetics are a priority, I would recommend considering other choices, especially with a price tag of $140.
The Nutribullet Pro is essentially a scaled-back version of the Nutribullet Ultra, featuring a robust 1000-watt motor, two blender cups, and secure suction feet. However, its twist-to-blend operation was less appealing compared to the touchscreen controls of the Ultra; although it fared well in the pesto test, its smoothie output was chunkier than expected.
Ninja Foodi Personal Blender
Ninja Foodi Personal Blender
This blender comes with two cups for smoothies and sauces, plus a “nutri-bowl.” The bowl has a “power paddle” meant for hand-assisted blending while the machine operates, but it didn’t prove very effective during testing. While capable of making a decent smoothie, it was challenging to monitor the blending time for pesto and was noted for its particularly loud motor.
Comparatively, the Magic Bullet—a variant by Nutribullet—did not meet expectations; its lower 250-watt motor struggled to produce the smooth consistency desired in our tests.
We also experimented with the Black+Decker FusionBlade, which has since been discontinued.
What about rechargeable portable blenders?
We have evaluated several cordless blenders popular on social media (see them in action here), and the reality is that they typically lack sufficient power to succeed in our tests. While they suffice for simple protein shakes, they are generally not advisable for broader uses.
What To Make In A Personal Blender
While smoothies are the most common use, personal blenders can also tackle a variety of tasks. They’re great for whipping up tangy salsa verde, lump-free crepe batter, salad dressings, hummus, small batches of summer gazpacho, or even homemade baby food.
Other Blenders We Love
Source
www.bonappetit.com