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Advertisements for fancy blenders always get me excited about what I can make in the kitchen – until I look them up and realize how expensive they are. Even though there are some pricey blenders out there, it’s still possible to get a great blender at a great price. You don’t need to spend a lot of money if you want to finish your workout with a blended protein shake, or make a homemade chunky salsa dip for when you have guests over. Below is a curated list of the best blenders under $100 for anyone looking to add some diversity in their kitchen. We’ll go over some phenomenal blenders and talk about the nitty gritty of what makes a blender perfect for you.
Best Blenders Under $100
Ninja Professional Plus Blender – Most Versatile
Ninja BL480D – Best for Smoothies
NutriBullet NBR-0601 – Easiest to Use
Hamilton Beach Power Elite – Budget Pick
Hamilton Beach Personal Blender – On the Go Pick
Best Blender Under $100 – Our Reviews
Ninja Professional Plus Blender – Most Versatile
The first on our list of best blenders under $100 is the Ninja Professional Plus Blender. It’s a great value blender that is versatile, powerful, and sturdy. For its price, it truly does feel like a professional blender and can handle large batches with its 64 oz pitcher. It’s on the higher end with its 1400 watt motor, so it can handle tougher foods like frozen fruits or harder veggies while still being easy to use and clean. I love it for at home use if you live with family or friends and want to make a nice treat for the whole family.
It comes with 3 preset settings and various speeds, so you certainly have options in terms of settings to get your desired consistency. All things considered, this is a very professional blender that can handle ice and frozen fruits and vegetables. I do warn that it is a fairly loud blender and larger than the other blenders on this list, so if you’re looking for a blender for making single servings of things then this blender under $100 may not be the one for you (not a bad problem to have, of course). If you don’t have to worry about waking your partner or roommates, your kitchen counter space, and see yourself preparing meals for multiple people, then I would say this blender is definitely a great fit. It’s dishwasher safe and very easy to clean so you don’t need to worry about taking a lot of time to clean up after.
What we liked:
- Modern design with different speed settings
- Versatile countertop blender
- Powerful motor and can used as a food processor
What we didn’t like:
- Suction from the lid makes it hard to pull off
- Noisy
Ninja BL480D – Best for Smoothies
Next on our list of blenders under $100 is another Ninja product, the Ninja BL480D. It’s much smaller than its sibling blender with the option for either an 18 or 24 oz pitcher. For it’s smaller size, however, it is still pretty strong with 1000 watts of power. The powerful motor makes it on the higher end in terms of strength. I definitely loved this blender for making my morning smoothies and even taking it on the go. It still cuts through the frozen fruit and ice, but a smoother texture will require some defrosting.
This blender is not as versatile since it is lacking in size and in high end blender power, but it works perfectly if you want something smaller and high quality. This blender works best for smoothies since it cuts through the fruit well and gets it done in no time. You can then drink your smoothie right out of the container, which cuts down on dishes. It’s easy to use, dishwasher safe, and has clean stainless steel blades so you can put it in your dishwasher without worry. The included lids also allow for easy travel for anyone who wants to take their smoothie on the go. I used to own one before I upgraded and I have to say that it got me to stick to a morning smoothie routine and opened the doors to the world of blenders. Its’ a great beginner to intermediate product for those newer to the world of blending.
What we liked:
- Different sized pitchers included
- To-go lid for easy sipping
- Different speed settings give you options
- Easy to clean
What we didn’t like:
- Loud
- Not very versatile
NutriBullet NBR-0601 – Easiest to Use
A pretty popular brand for beginners or college students, NutriBullet makes great personal blenders and the NBR-0601 is no exception. It’s compact, easy to use, and still functions like a professional blender. You will love it for making simple recipes like acai bowls, smoothies, and even soups. It may not be as powerful as a high end blender, but not everyone is looking for power as a purchasing factor. For a blender under $100, it’s still practical and effective.
It may not be the most intuitive blender at first, since most of us have probably been exposed to blenders with multiple settings and speeds. This one, you simply throw the ingredients in, push down on the pitcher to activate the blades, and viola! You have your drink ready to go. This model in particular comes with a sipping lid, so it’s great to take on the go before you head to class or work. If you are a beginner, want something for the short term, or want something convenient, this little blender is a great start. It’s dishwasher safe and and one of the best personal blenders on the market right now.
What we liked:
- Great for beginners and easy to use
- Portable for those who tend to be on the go
- Small so it’s easy to store
What we didn’t like:
- No speed settings to choose from
- May need to change pitchers yearly as the pitcher cracks over time
Hamilton Beach Power Elite – Budget Pick
The next blender on our list of best blenders under $100 is the Hamilton Beach Power Elite blender. This is a glass blender with blades made of stainless steel for a clean looking professional blender. It’s large, has a powerful motor, and makes a great countertop blender. It’s not the strongest on the market in terms of power, but the other features make up for the strength. I grew up with glass pitcher blender at home and I just love how secure and long lasting they feel. A big con is the danger of breaking such a big glass, but being cautious in the kitchen has always paid off!
The spout is also conveniently placed in the middle, making pouring mess free. It does an okay job in chopping your foods. Your smoothies may still have chunks of frozen fruit and pieces of spinach or kale. Let’s just say you should check your teeth for spinach before you go out of the house! It’s a good blender that works well for weekly use and is great for anyone looking for a large, budget friendly blender.
What we liked:
- Strong and long lasting pitchers
- Several speed settings to choose from
- 3 year limited warranty
What we didn’t like:
- Can leave chunks depending on what you are making
- Not great for leafy greens
- Lacks power
Hamilton Beach Personal Blender – On the Go Pick
Lastly, we have another Hamilton Beach brand blender, the Hamilton Beach Personal Blender. It has “personal” in the name, so you can guess that it’s made with the idea of serving an individual. Though we have other “on the go” blenders, I really like the compact size of this one and is my pick for the best blender for those seeking convenience. The base is small enough to keep on the kitchen counter, and the pitcher is small enough to fit in a bag or keep in your car cup holder.
That said, I would take caution as to not overload this blender since it is not too powerful and only comes with one speed. If you want to use it for crushing ice, try to pulse things instead of just letting the speed go. It’s a great choice for making morning drinks or for a quick protein shake after the gym. It’s on the cheaper side so it’s great for those on a budget. It is dishwasher safe but with the size it is easy just to hand wash which will preserve its quality. If you are looking for a single serve blender, then this is a great blender to have.
What we liked:
- Great for on the go
- Small pitcher that fits in a cup holder
- Affordable
What we didn’t like:
- Low wattage, not too powerful
- Can burnout if overused
How to Pick the Blender Under $100 for You
So now that we got to review these budget friendly products, let’s talk about the features they offer and what makes a quality blender. The ideal blender under $100 for you will be one that easily fits into your lifestyle, rather than what others might be saying about it. Here are a couple factors to consider:
Power
The blenders above have different watt motors. Those specifics can be important if you are shopping for something affordable, but still want a powerful motor. A general rule of thumb I like to follow is that a blender for at home use should be over 500 watts. Some run lower, so you need to be careful with those. They aren’t terrible, but don’t expect low watt motor blenders to last you past a year or 2 unless you rarely use it. If you want to maintain a budget of under $100 but still want something powerful, you are probably going to spend closer to $100. For people who want a blender to make recipes for several people, an ideal blender should have at least 800 watts of power. If you take a look at the Ninja Professional Plus Blender, it is the priciest product from our reviews, but it has an excellent motor that can crush ice. In general: the stronger the motor, the pricier it gets.
Pitcher Size
For some, you may want something for personal use or maybe to use once in a while. For others, you will be making new treats for the whole family on a routine basis. A larger pitcher, like a 72 oz. pitcher, is more ideal for the family than something that only makes single servings. In this case, it’s best to get a countertop blender with a higher watt motor as mentioned above. If you’re just blending for yourself, something a bit smaller will do the trick.
Best Blender Material
Besides looking at the pitcher size, you should also take into consideration the material it’s made from. Is it made of BPA free plastic, metal, or glass? BPA free plastic just means that the plastic is made without BPA, which is a chemical that is sometimes used in the plastics manufacturing process.
I didn’t mention a metal or stainless steel pitcher here, because these can get quite pricey. Just know that they are great for temperature regulations. For that reason, we are mostly looking at BPA free plastic and glass. Both of these options will ensure that your pitcher is dishwasher safe, and make cleanup easy for you.
Glass
For glass, they are usually pretty darn heavy and can break, but they do not feel cheap. My last blender lasted me for years and was made of glass. I did not see one crack or scratch on it. They hold up really well; they are just bulky and not meant for mobility.
BPA-Free Plastic
Not all plastic is the same. Some blenders, like the Ninja Professional Plus Blender, have a strong durable BPA free plastic, while others similar to that of the Hamilton Beach Personal Blender feels a bit weaker and lighter. That is probably by design since the personal blender is best for on the go, and it is BPA free, so you don’t have to worry about leaving the pitcher in the car. Material can drive the cost up and down, so it’s a great area to consider when buying a new blender. If you’re looking for a plastic blender, make sure it’s BPA free.
Blades
Another note on materials is that you should strive to buy a blender with a stainless steel blade or blades, to ensure the longevity of your blender. This ensures that it is going to be dishwasher safe and can cut through the ice and frozen fruits and vegetables that you want to blend without too much trouble.
Versatility
The last factor to consider before we get into our picks is versatility. Maybe you have a clear vision of what you will use your new blender for, or maybe you just want something to use in case a new recipe calls for it. If you want to use it for something specific like smoothies, then you may not need to worry about all the different settings some blenders come with. If you want to make a variety of things like smoothies, soups, purees, and other desserts, your checklist may look a bit different. For example if you want to make salsa with your new blender, a pulse function would be a good thing to have. Typically the more versatile a blender is, the more expensive it will be. A more versatile blender is typically a better buy since you have more possibilities, but if you know you will have a narrow blending focus (like only making smoothies) it’s not a big deal.
Now that we got past some of the most important factors, let’s get to our picks for the blender under $100 for different lifestyles.
Our Best Blender Picks
Most Versatile
Let us start with our “most versatile pick,” which happened to be the Ninja Professional Plus Blender. It’s great for those who have their own space and want to make different recipes for the whole family. For the cost, it is efficient and powerful. In fact it is the strongest one on the list. It comes with multiple settings so you can get the texture you want from your smoothies, to your shaved ice, or any frozen drink. This powerful blender can handle it all and is dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. Great for the home and definitely cost effective.
Best Blender for Smoothies
If you need consistency in making your morning smoothie, then this blender might do the trick. The Ninja BL480D was our “best for smoothies” pick because of the personalized settings for making the perfect smoothie. It has the pulse function, which I like to use when chopping up ice or frozen fruits. It’s great if you want to just make a drink for yourself or for you and a friend. It comes with different sized pitchers so you can take either on the go, or enjoy a nice drink at home.
Best Blender for Beginners
For you newbies out there looking to spice up your kitchen, the NutriBullet NBR-0601 was our “easiest to use” pick. You may be confused by the lack of buttons, but that is also the beauty of this blender. You don’t need to worry about those fancy features, you just go straight into your recipe. Just be mindful that it only comes in one speed, so if a recipe is giving very specific instructions, you may not get your desired outcome. Overall this is the best blender for beginners and is great for a few years use and for introducing you to the world of possibilities a blender has to offer.
Best Budget Blender
You are here to look for a blender below $100 in the first space, so why not tell you our best “budget” pick. The Hamilton Beach Power Elite is different from most of our blenders for its heaviness and glass pitcher. It has decent power, multiple settings, and a 40 oz pitcher to make goods for you and your friends. If you are moving out with friends and love cooking together, this is a great shared blender that works for larger groups. You will love the 3 year limited warranty since it now feels like a safer investment. Though not the fanciest blender out there, it has the capabilities that other more costly blenders have for a fraction of the price.
Best on-the-go Blender
Last but not least, the Hamilton Beach Personal Blender was our “on-the-go” pick for its pitcher size and for its convenience. It’s definitely on the smaller side with a 14 oz. pitcher, but it feels so lightweight and easy to carry. It is very affordable, but where they cut costs they also cut in power. It only has a 175 watt motor, so be sure not to overwhelm the blender with what you throw inside. I like making juices and slowly adding ice inside to ensure the ice doesn’t stop the motor. It’s the best blender for someone who just casually wants to make a mixed drink on the weekends or a smoothie bowl once in a while.
Wrapping Up
You came here looking for something under $100 and we hope you discovered that you don’t always need that $400 blender advertised on TV. You can definitely get creative with how you jazz up your recipes with a blender under $100. Overall blenders are a great addition to any kitchen, especially if you’re someone who likes to get creative cooking for yourself or entertain large groups of people. Despite the budget that you’re working with, your options are not limited and you can surely find something that will work for you. We hope your morning routines and cooking process becomes more fun with the addition of a blender to your kitchen!
