Milkshakes are a delicious treat that can be made easily using the right tools. The ingredients are simple, but added toppings and the perfect consistency takes this dessert over the top. As we all know, the McDonalds milkshake machine is usually broken, so why not take matters into your own hands? Many people can shy away from making their own milkshakes simply because they don’t have the right tools. A low-quality blender can leave your milkshake icy and chunky, or melted and soupy. Having a high-performance blender can help you make not only the best milkshakes, but also other frozen drinks and desserts.
It can be hard to navigate through all the different models and features that the blender market has to offer. We hear things like “stainless steel”, “BPA free”, or “high-speed”, but it can be hard to choose one that works for your needs specifically. In this article, we go through some of the best blenders for milkshakes to help you find the best one for your sweet tooth cravings and more.
The Best Blenders for Milkshakes
Blendtec Classic 575 Blender – Best Overall
Cleanblend Commercial Blender – Best Overall Runner Up
Ninja Professional Countertop Blender – Best Value
Nutribullet Compact Personal Blender – Easiest to Use
Hamilton Beach Classic Mixer – Nostalgic Pick
Vitamix Explorian E320 Blender – Pro’s Pick
Best Blenders for Milkshakes – Our Reviews
Blendtec Classic 575 Blender – Best Overall
This Blendtec blender is a high quality blender that gets the job done. Not only does it perform well, but it also has added conveniences and features that make it easy to use. This milkshake blender is not only perfect for blending up milkshakes to the perfect consistency, but the stainless steel blades also slices, makes soups, and other frozen drinks. The size is compact and is lightweight to take up very little space in your kitchen. The pitcher is made from BPA-free plastic that has a capacity of 90 ounces and a 36-ounce blending capacity. This size is great for families of up to 4-6 people. It is a great tool that can be used by and for the whole family. The blade system is a thicker stainless steel blade with wings. The wings allow for a stronger and smoother blend, making it one of the best blenders for milkshakes. Not only does it crush harder substances like ice, frozen fruit, and ice cream, the thick blades are also able to chop, slice, and dice. This eliminates the time you need to prep and cut your veggies. It is a feature that most people think they do not need, but end up loving and relying on.
The blender comes with four pre-programmed blending cycles for added convenience. It also works at 5 variable speeds that let you achieve your perfect texture for smoothies and milkshakes. The easy to read LCD display shows the time remaining and gives you complete control over your blending, if you don’t trust the preset options. Another feature that adds to the convenience of this blender is the self-cleaning option. All you need to do is add a bit of soap and water and in less than a minute, the pitcher will clean itself. If you are looking for the best all-around blender with added convenience to make the best milkshakes and more, this is a great high-performance option for you.
What we like:
- easily makes smooth and chunk free drinks
- self-cleaning option for effortless cleaning
- multi-purpose blender for more than milkshakes
What we didn’t like:
- a bit loud at full power
- plastic pitcher not suitable for everyone
Cleanblend Commercial Blender – Best Overall Runner Up
The Cleanblend Commercial is another one of the best countertop blenders on the market specifically for milkshakes and smoothies. While this one does not have all the bells and whistles, the power takes this blender to the next level. With this one appliance, you are able to crush, blend, chop, grind, heat, process, puree, and liquify with its hardened stainless steel blades. The blade system has an 8-blade sealed ball bearing that allows for the blades to get through all the chunks and lumps in even the thickest of ice cream. The pitcher is BPA-free high-quality plastic that can withstand even your little ones’ clumsy hands. This blender is perfect for larger portions with its 64 oz pitcher. You can make the best milkshakes for the whole family, or keep and freeze them for yourself.
Although this blender does not come with and pre-programmed settings, it is easy to adjust the speed to your liking. The simple switches make it easy to use. It is also easy to clean since its dishwasher safe. If you are looking for a simple blender to power through anything, look no further.
What we like:
- powerful blades provide a creamy consistency
- pitcher design tapers at the bottom to blend even small amounts
What we didn’t like:
- is a bit larger in size so not the best for smaller kitchens
- loud when at full power
- may need to hold the lid on because of the power
Ninja Professional Countertop Blender – Best Value
The Ninja Professional Blender is one of the best blenders for milkshakes at a great price. The blender itself is straightforward and has a sleek design that does not sacrifice in performance. This blender features a 6 blade assembly that crushes and blends even tougher ingredients such as ice and frozen fruit for creamy and smooth treats. The patented crushing blades work with the 1000-watt motor to create the perfect milkshake consistency. Even with the lower price tag, this is a high-performance power blender that gives you controlled processing.
The blender also comes with the added convenience of 4 manual variable speeds that gives you foolproof blending. You can even turn away to tend to your kids as you blend up soups, a frozen margarita, or milkshakes with the family. The pitcher is 72 ounces, with a 64-ounce liquid capacity for multiple servings at once. The high-quality plastic pitcher is dishwasher safe convenient washing. If you are trying to find the best affordable blender for milkshakes that does not sacrifice performance, this blender is the one for you.
What we like:
- blades sharp enough create smooth consistency
- blades are removable for easier cleaning
- affordable price for high performance
What we didn’t like:
- blades will naturally dull over time
- wet items can stick to the sides
- cord can be too short for some
Nutribullet Compact Personal Blender – Easiest to Use
The Nutribullet Blender is a great personal option that still packs a punch. Milkshakes and smoothies are one push and twist away. It is a quick and easy to use blender that is great for college students and those that live alone or have limited space. The compact blender comes with a 24 ounce BPA-free plastic cup that even comes with a to-go lid for added convenience. If you’ve ever needed to take your milkshake to go, this is for you! This blender is great for personal-sized milkshakes with its powerful stainless steel extractor blades. The blade system uses high-power cyclonic action to break down ice or frozen fruit.
One downside is that there are no speed controls, but it takes the guesswork out of blending. Just blend until smooth and you are good to go. This blender is a no nonsense option that is not only hassle-free but also convenient. To wash, the blade is easily twisted off and the cups itself are dishwasher safe. If you are looking for one of the best blenders as a treat for yourself, this single serve option is easy and affordable.
What we like:
- easy and efficient blending
- great power for size
- blending pitcher is also used for drinking
What we didn’t like:
- lacks speed controls
- size can be too small for some
- plastic cup can wear over time
Hamilton Beach Classic Mixer – Nostalgic Pick
This Hamilton Beach Milkshake Blender takes you back those childhood memories of ordering a milkshake at your favorite diner. The Hamilton Beach Mixer features a classic, drugstore-soda-fountain design that is specifically designed to make milkshakes. Not only regular old milkshakes, but the thick creamy ones that are our guilty pleasure. The countertop blender has a sleek design that features professional quality blending for the perfect milkshake consistency. The blender features a tilting head that allows you to easily access your freshly blended icy goodness. The spindle on the mixer detaches easily for easier cleaning.
A great feature of this commercial blender is its 28 ounce stainless steel cup. The material of the cup adds to the icy consistency of the milkshake and keeps your milkshake cold for longer. It also makes the cup easy to clean and durable. The blender features two speeds for you to customize the consistency to your liking. Because this blender comes with a specific head made for blending ice cream, it is simply one of the best blenders for milkshakes. You are sacrificing some versatility, but if you love making milkshakes, this one gets the job done exceptionally well.
What we like:
- makes perfectly blended milkshakes
- takes you back to childhood memories with classic construction
- easy to clean and use
What we didn’t like:
- not very versatile beyond milkshakes
- motor is not as strong as commercial mixer
- cup can be easily overfilled
Vitamix Explorian E320 Blender – Pro’s Pick
This Vitamix professional-grade countertop blender comes with a higher price tag, but is able to blend nearly anything. The commercial blender features hardened steel blades that use a metal drive system powered by a powerful motor that is also cool running. This makes sure your blender does not overpower, even while blending tougher ice chunks or blending hot soups. The blade system is laser-cut and built to last through even the toughest blending materials. The blender has an impressive 10 variable speed control with an added pulse feature for maximum versatility.
With these different speeds you are able to complete a wide variety of tasks with this one kitchen appliance such as heating, chopping, grinding, blending and emulsifying. With the variable speeds, the blender is hands-free and blends to the perfect desired consistency. The blender features a 64 oz BPA free pitcher that is great for the whole family. If you are looking for the best blender for milkshakes and more, this is the holy grail.
What we like:
- works for wide variety of tasks
- large versatility with 10 variable speeds
- high-performance motor and blades gets through anything
What we didn’t like:
- expensive and unnecessary for some
- need to follow directions for optimal use
- lacks accessories
Buying Guide: How to Pick the Best Blender for Milkshakes for You
While the options we have listed above all are great, you may still not be sure what you should be thinking about when making your purchasing decision. To help you narrow your options down, here are some of the top things you may want to consider when buying a blender for milkshakes and more.
Make Sure it Packs a Punch
Since frozen ice cream can be tough to blend, a high power motor is best for making the creamiest milkshakes. While a lower power motor can definitely can through ice cream eventually, you will most likely end up with a soupy and melted consistency that is not optimal for milkshakes. A high watt blender is able to break through tougher materials quicker saving you time and giving you a creamier and cold milkshake or frozen drink. Typically a high power motor blender is more versatile and capable of blending much more than milkshakes. We recommend anything higher than 600 watts for making the best milkshakes. Even the personal blender (Nutribullet) on the list is able to deliver this power. Even though the watts do give us a good measure of how much power the blender has, there are other factors mentioned below that can also affect the quality of your milkshakes and smoothies.
Speedy Results
The speed of your blender is also extremely important, especially for making the best milkshakes. Since ice cream can melt easily, and the spinning blades add even more heat, speed is necessary to achieve your desired consistency. Speed controls also let you customize that to your liking. While some people like a thicker milkshake, some prefer something more liquid. Speed controls also help add versatility to your blender. It can be great for making smoothies, grinding coffee beans, chopping vegetables and making soups. A blender to make the perfect milkshake and frozen drinks is recommended to have anywhere from 3-9 settings to give you more control on your personal liking. Anything less can be easier, but lacks personalization. Anything more can add to the price tag and become unnecessary, especially for personal use.
Extras
Having added features is not necessary to a quality milkshake blender, but it does help in other aspects such as convenience, portability, and ease of use. Some added features of accessories that come with some of the best blenders for milkshakes include:
- Dishwasher Safe: This saves you time in scrubbing the pitcher or cutting your fingers on the blade. Some materials are not dishwasher safe, so always be sure to check before hand. Being dishwasher safe helps to make sure that the pitcher is also durable and will not break easily even if dropped.
- Pre-programming: This added feature allows you to quickly and convenient set the blender to the desired consistency. This helps with being hands-free, hassle-free and tending to other things while your blender does the job. This is great especially for ease of use. This can also take the guesswork out of reaching the perfect milkshake consistency for you. You are able to blend with one click of a button instead of having to constantly adjust the settings. A pulse feature is also useful in blending slowly to make sure you are not over blending.
- 2- year warranty: We recommend a blender with a 2-year warranty to make sure you are getting the quality you deserve. A milkshake blender can be quite the investment, so a proper warranty guarantee helps to let you blend away worry-free.
- Recipe Book: This is also a great added feature that most people do not think they need. This can be great for adding to your milkshake recipe aresnal as well as adding versatility to what you can make with your blender. Sometimes you may not know the full capabilities of your blender if there is not recipe book included.
Ease of Cleaning
This is also important to distinguishing a quality blender. Removable blades can be more convenient for cleaning and also help to keep you safe. Blenders that have a digital face are usually easier to clean, but ones with knobs are also easily wiped down. To help save time, blenders that are easy to clean are best. Self-cleaning options are the easiest option to clean. It can be hard to scrub the inside walls of your pitcher so it is a great feature if the blender has a self cleaning option. Proper care and maintenance are crucial to keep your blender running smoothly.
Sharp Blade System
A sharp blade system usually consists of blades made from stainless steel. Some blades are even hardened or specially shaped to get through even tougher materials. A sharp blade system is crucial to getting a creamy and smooth texture that are best for milkshakes. Although toppings are great to add a nice bite, most people would prefer their milkshakes to be lump free from icy ice cream chunks.
Sharing, Or All for Yourself?
Make sure to keep in mind how many people you want to serve with your blender before making a decision. Although a personal blender is more affordable. It can be a hassle to blend 6 different times for the whole family. Larger blenders can be unnecessary and more expensive if you are living by yourself. Blenders come in all different pitcher sizes and cup sizes, so you are sure to find the right one for you.
What Type of Pitcher?
The type of pitcher is important to the consistency, durability and easiness of cleaning. The common pitcher materials include glass, plastic, or stainless steel. Although glass pitchers are easy to clean and do not scratch much, they are easy to break and heavier than other options. Especially for family use, we do not recommend glass pitchers. One drop from your kiddo’s slippery hands and your blender is deemed useless. Stainless steel is a great option for milkshakes since it helps keep your drink cool for longer and is durable. It is also used in retro, fountain-styled drinks. One downside of this option is that it can be hard to check to see if you are at your desired consistency since you are not able to see through it. You may have to stop and constantly check when you are first staring to use your appliance. Plastic is the most popular option since it is easy and light. Sometimes it can pick up odors, so make sure to clean and maintain well. Also, try to look for a higher grade plastic to reduce scratching. Also make sure that it is BPA-free to ensure that it is food-quality safe.
Bang for Your Buck
Last but not least, price is a huge factor in purchasing the right machine. There are plenty of options for quality, durable machines on the market at an affordable price. There are also plenty of options for professional-grade machines at surprisingly high prices! Take the time to assess your budget and your needs before making a purchase.
Easy Milkshake Recipe
What You Will Need (per serving):
- around 1 1/2 cups of your favorite ice cream
- 1/4 cups of milk of choice
- toppings and garnish
Steps:
- Place all your ingredients in the blender.
- Mix until the desired consistency.
- Add toppings and pulse again if needed.
- Garnish and enjoy!
Tips:
- Milkshakes can also freeze easily and thaw quickly for a later treat in a pinch
- You can add your toppings in while blending for a thicker texture
- If you want to taskte the chunky toppings, mix in my hand after blended
- Make your milkshake into a malt by adding 2 tablespoons of malt powder before blending
Wrapping Up
To make the best milkshake for your needs, you need a heavy-duty blender that gets the job done. WIth all the bells and whistles the blender market has to offer, it can be a brainfreeze to really determine which one is the best kitchen appliance for you. While our guide has something that fits everyone, our top overall choice is the Blendtec Classic 575 Blender simply for its blender features, Not only is it high-performing, it is also a reasonable price that has added features that usually only come with more expensive options. For a larger capacity countertop blender, it is versatile, easy to clean, without breaking your bank. It has all the features of a professional commercial grade blender without the high price tag.
The high power motor and innovative blade system gives you the creamiest milkshake texture you can ask for. Not only is it best milkshake blender, it also excels in blending other tougher materials for optimal family use. While this milkshake blender may not be suitable to you, our guide give you an idea on what to look for when choosing the perfect one for you. We also included an easy milkshake recipe to try out once you find your perfect blender. We wish you happy milkshake blending!
