If you’re looking for a new way to get creative in the kitchen, there’s no better option than a blender. They’re a great way to simplify dieting, with protein shakes, green smoothies, and all sorts of frozen drinks. Though in reality, they can do more than most people realize. The best blenders for nuts and seeds can even whip up peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, and other types of nut butter in a flash.
However, with all the products available today, finding the right option may take a bit of time and effort. That’s why we’ve put together this guide, which factors in power, performance, durability, and price to narrow down your search. Review all the top models and decide for yourself which is best.
The 5 Best Blenders for Nuts and Seeds
These 5 blenders were hand-picked from hundreds of models for their superior quality and features. You can learn more about our selection criteria in the Buyer’s Guide section below.
Ninja BL610
What we liked:
- Blades remove easily for cleaning
- The plastic jar feels solid and durable
- Works very quickly
What we didn’t like:
- Relies on sharp blades to blend effectively
- Shows wear faster than other models
What makes Ninja blenders stand out is their high level of quality at a surprisingly affordable cost. The Ninja BL610 is no exception to this rule and can produce silky smooth nut butter, even when similarly-priced blenders struggle to do so.
The thing to understand about Ninja blenders is that they rely on the sharpness of their blades to get a smooth blend. This is in contrast to other brands that come equipped with more powerful motors that can produce higher speeds. The upshot is Ninja blenders tend to be a bit more affordable, but you’ll find yourself having to replace the blade after a few months. It’s not a bad tradeoff, but one that’s worth being aware of.
Because of their reliance on sharp blades, the 1000 watt motor is plenty of power, even when blending nuts and seeds. It’s made even easier with the Total Crushing pitcher, which uses a blade-lined column for an even blend. Best of all, it’s much simpler to clean than the standard countertop blender blade.
Vitamix E310
What we liked:
- Durable blades don’t dull easily
- Doesn’t struggle with tough foods
- Solid, reliable design
What we didn’t like:
- Overheats easily
- Quite loud
Blending smooth nut butter requires a blender that can tear through tough material, which means power is a priority. The Vitamix E310 delivers in this area with a 1400-watt motor that won’t struggle with even the thickest mixes. When paired with laser-cut stainless steel blades, you have an appliance that seems custom-built for blending seeds and nuts.
However, this Vitamix blender’s power does come at a cost. It works reasonably quietly on low and medium settings, though if you plan on using the higher speeds, you might want to buy earplugs. The high-power motor makes quite a bit of noise, which makes it unappealing to those who want to use it as part of the wake-up routine.
The smaller size is a nice change of pace, especially for smaller batches of peanut or almond butter. The 48 oz pitcher is still large enough for smoothies and shakes, though the shape is also well geared to working with smaller quantities of nut butter and still getting a small blend.
Cleanblend Commercial Blender
What we liked:
- Lightweight pitcher
- Fast and responsive customer service
- Increased power blends faster and smoother
What we didn’t like:
- The bottom of the jar wears more easily
- Isn’t as well suited to lower speeds
With a full 1800 watts of power, this Cleanblend Commercial Blender is well equipped for crushing ice, ripping through stalky vegetables, and of course, blending delicious nut butter. While less powerful personal blenders are able to make nut butter, they often leave you with an end product that contains a few leftover chunks. That’s fine if you like chunky peanut butter, but for those who want a smooth blend, maximizing power is key.
Though a powerful motor isn’t the only advantage this model has under the hood. It’s extremely durable and is made to stand up to tough use, even after years. The manufacturer even offers a 5-year warranty for those who are skeptical.
One downside to keep in mind is that the blender struggles a bit with lower speeds, and actually can’t blend as slow as many other options. While this might not sound like a problem, it’s not ideal if you want to make chopped or pulverized nuts, rather than smooth nut butter.
Blendtec Total Classic
What we liked:
- The self-cleaning function works especially well
- Sleek, compact size
- Good selection of presets
What we didn’t like:
- The lid is a bit leaky
- Doesn’t include a tamper
Blendtec products are all about professional power in a sleek package. In fact, their products work so well, they’re used in common chains like Baskin Robbins and Jamba Juice. The Blendtec Total Classic lives up to its manufacturer’s sterling reputation, with a compact design that fits well into any home kitchen and is perfectly suited to large and small batches of nut butter.
One quirk you might notice is that the blade of this personal blender doesn’t have the sharp edge you’d expect. That’s because it blends by creating many small air pockets that smoothy and evenly tears ingredients apart. The advantage of this is that you don’t have to worry about the blade dulling, and you’ll always have perfectly smooth results.
The flat, dull blade is also ideal for dry ingredients like seeds and nuts. The shape and size are similar to the milling blades found in coffee grinders and nut grinders.
Aside from the high price tag, the disadvantages of this countertop blender are relatively small. The lid is a bit leaky, so you’ll want to keep a firm grip on it when blending large quantities of food.
Vitamix 7500
What we liked:
- Highly durable
- Simple controls
- Powerful enough to blend nut butter
What we didn’t like:
- Pricier than other blenders
- As noisy as other Vitamix models
The Vitamix 7500 is another entry in the long line of quality products put out by this manufacturer. Just like the E310 above, its durability and power are well suited to blending nuts and seeds. Not only can it handle tough ingredients, but it can do so for years without showing excessive wear. While the price may seem a bit high at first glance, it’s a long-term investment that’s worth making.
This model is slightly larger with a 64 oz pitcher. That means it’s a good choice for those who plan on making larger batches of nut butter at a time. Just be mindful it might struggle to get an even blend for batches smaller than one cup.
It has simple, pared-down controls, though don’t think that means it lacks versatility. With variable speed control, it is perfectly suited to everything from frozen drinks, to nut butter, to freshly ground coffee.
Best Blender for Nuts and Seeds–Buyer’s Guide
The first step toward choosing the best blender for nuts and seeds is to arm yourself with the information you need to make the call. Keep all of these criteria in mind when picking your favorite.
Balancing Power and Performance
A blender’s power is measured the same as your car’s–in horsepower. However, rather than working in the 150 to 200 hp range, most blenders are between 1 and 2. The horsepower determines the blender’s top speed as well as its ability to chew through tough, fibrous ingredients without slowing down. This is especially important when making nut butter.
However, don’t be fooled. Many manufacturers list a blender’s peak horsepower rather than the actual operating power. For this reason, watts are often a better measure of an appliance’s performance. 1,200 to 1,500 watts is usually a good range when blending nuts and seeds.
But don’t forget that horsepower isn’t the whole story when it comes to a blender’s performance. There’s actually a lot of science behind your home blender, which makes it important to consider other factors like blade type and size.
The Right Blade for the Job
If you’ve never looked closely at a blender, you might think that they’re all basically the same design. However, the fact is that every part of your blender is specially designed with a purpose in mind. This is especially true for the blade, whose shape and size can have a dramatic impact on the finished product.
The typical blender blade includes multiple edges arranged at different angles and heights. This design maximizes the contact with the food, creating many small air pockets which further break it down. When spinning at a high speed, it also creates a vortex that circulates ingredients for an even blend.
However, while this works well for wet ingredients, dry foods like nuts and seeds work a bit differently. These ingredients actually benefit from a more flat design, called a milling blade. This helps create a smooth and consistent texture without the presence of liquid in the blending jar.
Can you use a regular countertop blender blade for grinding dry ingredients? Sure, but you’re not going to get as much bang for your buck, which results in longer blending times, and can strain on your appliance in the long term.
Bigger isn’t Always Better
It’s tempting to splurge on a blender with the biggest jar, since it’s always better when you can make bigger batches of smoothies and nut butter. Right? Actually, smaller blender jars have their advantages, especially when blending dry ingredients. Bigger jars, in the 60 to 72 oz range, often have trouble blending less than a cup of food. So if you think you’re going to want to make small batches, a less bulky option might be better.
To get the best of both worlds, look for a blender that includes multiple blending jars of different sizes. Since the jars usually aren’t compatible with other brands or models, you’ll want to make sure you buy everything you need upfront.
However, more than size, it’s the shape of the blender that affects your cooking. Tall, narrow blender jars have the advantage of collecting ingredients in a smaller space, letting you blend smaller quantities than in a wider jar. Though wider designs usually result in a smoother blend and are often easier to clean.
Cleaning and Maintenance
It may not be the first factor you consider when choosing a blender though it will certainly be the last, once it’s time for cleanup. Nut butter can take some serious time to clean out of the inside of a blender jar, so you want to make sure you choose a model that’s relatively hassle-free. Most of all, make sure that the blender you choose is dishwasher safe. This can save loads of time, especially if you’re using your blender on a daily basis.
Many blenders today advertise an “auto-cleaning” setting. In reality, all this means is that you have the ability to add soap and water into your blender and turn it on. This will remove lighter material from the jar, but not if it’s dried and caked on. Still, it’s a nice trick to keep in mind, and best to remember that it works better with some models than others.
Today, most blender jars are made of plastic. The reason is that their durable and heat resistant. However, the disadvantage of plastic blender jars is that they are more likely to show wear, and may show scratches after just a few uses. This is especially true when working with harder ingredients like nuts and seeds. It’s a good idea to check and see if the manufacturer sells replacement jars, in case yours breaks. This goes for blades and other parts as well.
Quality Without Breaking Your Budget
The last and most important factor to consider when choosing your blender is the price. Just like with any high-end product, quality generally scales with price, and there’s a big difference between a $30 blender and a $300 one, no matter what the ads tell you. However, that doesn’t mean you need to blow your budget to find the right blender for your needs as there are plenty of good middle-range options.
If you’re the type of buyer who plans on using their blender once every few weeks for the occasional batch of nut butter, you may not need to spend as much as the die-hard smoothie addict. Often. Products in the $100 to $150 range can offer the power, durability, and performance that you need.
On the other hand, if you are the type that wants to grind your daily cup of coffee, it’s worth considering investing a bit more. Even quality blenders wear out over time, and choosing a quality option will end up saving you money in the long run.
Our Top Pick
In the end, any of these products are well suited to grinding nuts and seeds at home, however, there’s one contender that stands above the rest. Taking power, performance, durability, and price into consideration, we choose the Blendtec Total Classic as our top pick as it offers a good balance of features at a price that even new blending enthusiasts can afford.
It offers plenty of power to grind nuts and seeds, as well as other tough blends like kale and crushed ice. Its wide, square pitcher is easier to clean and is big enough for most kitchen projects without being too large to store easily.
Though where it really shines is its blade. Unlike the other options on this list, this blender features a flat, dull blade, similar to those found in dedicated coffee grinders. This milling blade makes it the best blender for nuts and seeds while staying versatile enough for shakes, smoothies, and anything else. Check it out here on Amazon!
