7 Best Blenders for Smoothies and Soups: Tested and Reviewed

Choosing the best kitchen blender requires considering factors such as smoothies, soups, and ice crushing, with recent testing from theguardian.com evaluating top models. While countertop blenders are classically associated with morning health drinks, modern appliances function as multi-purpose kitchen workhorses capable of producing pestos, pureed soups, nut butters, and frozen beverages.

Breville Fresh And Furious Priced At 150 Dollars Offers Budget Ice Crushing

The Breville Fresh & Furious is priced at $150 on Amazon, down from its original $200 price tag, theguardian.com reported. It stands out as one of only three tested blenders capable of crushing ice without requiring a tamper or added water. The appliance features blades designed for a mix of blending and food processing, though testing showed it shreds carrots rather than chopping them neatly.

The device whips up bright-green pesto quickly, coming close to the silkiness of a Vitamix model. Its smoothie output carries slightly more texture than higher-priced competitors, but the tradeoff is acceptable at nearly a third of the cost. Additional features include a tight-fitting lid with a pull loop, and availability in seven colors ranging from red velvet cake to olive tapenade.

Vitamix 5200 Delivers Luxury Blending At 413 Dollars

The Vitamix 5200 is priced at $413 at Walmart and $480 on Amazon, consistently producing the smoothest results across multiple testing rounds. It creates luscious, vibrant soups and smoothies while preventing green and purple blends from turning muddy in color. The machine transforms chunky soup into a puree in under a minute, whereas competing models require 90 seconds or more.

The control panel features an on/off switch alongside a variable speed switch, paired with a central dial that ranges from zero to 10. The device also includes a pulse function for chunkier preparations like salsa, a physical tamper for thick mixtures such as peanut butter, and a seven-year warranty. Downside factors include its loud operation and its 20-inch height, which prevents it from fitting under certain kitchen cupboards.

KitchenAid Pure Power Blender Brings Glass Jar Construction To 170 Dollars

The KitchenAid Pure Power Blender with Glass Jar costs $170 at Nordstrom, Kohl’s, and KitchenAid, providing a plastic-free jug alternative for consumers. Among glass-jar blenders tested by theguardian.com, this model delivered the smoothest performance. While its soups and smoothies lack the extreme silkiness achieved by Vitamix or Blendtec devices, they outperform every other glass-container appliance evaluated in the lineup.