Bullet blenders are a fast and easy way to make your favorite shakes and smoothies without all the noise, hassle, and cleanup of a full-size countertop blender. There are plenty of great brands out there making quality products, and one of the most well-known is Nutribullet. Though when you’re shopping for your own bullet blender, it pays to consider all the options and to look at a few of the best Nutribullet alternatives as well.
Below, you’ll find our top five picks, carefully chosen for their streamlined design, quiet operation, accessories, performance, durability, and price. Each one offers something a little different, so make sure to take a close look before making your choice.
The 5 Best Nutribullet Alternatives
No matter what kind of personal blender you’re looking for, you’ll be sure to find one that meets your needs here.
Ninja BL480D
What we Liked:
- Powerful enough to crush ice
- Auto-IQ buttons are easy to operate
What we Didn’t Like:
- Difficult to clean under the rubber ring
- A bit loud
If you’re looking for a good balance of power and features, the Ninja BL480D is a personal blender worth considering. It comes equipped with a 1000-watt motor, which is powerful enough to crush ice, grind nut butter and make silky smoothies. It boasts an impressive level of versatility considering its price and size. The Auto-IQ features add to this, giving you intelligent programs that ensure consistent results every time.
Of course, like any home appliance, it comes with its downsides too. Its extra power also means it’s a bit noisier than the other options. However, it’s not extremely loud, and its extra power means you’ll be finished blending sooner. Overall, it’s a good option if you want to maximize versatility.
Ninja Personal Blender
What we Liked:
- Plastic cups are highly durable
- All components (except the motor) are dishwasher safe
What we Didn’t Like:
- Only comes with two blending cups
- The lids aren’t great for drinking
This Ninja Personal Blender has a taller and thinner design which easily fits into even the most cramped kitchens. It is overall a very low-maintenance model, with its cup, blades, and lids all dishwasher safe. Even if you prefer to wash it by hand, the rounded shape of the blending cup is easy to get clean.
One thing we didn’t like is that this Ninja blender only comes with two blending cups, which can be a problem if you want to make smoothies for a group. Though they are made of durable plastic, so you won’t have to worry about breaking them. They are topped with plastic lids that have an attractive design and are good at preventing leaks and spills, though smoothies with larger chunks may clog them.
Ninja BN401
What we Liked:
- Blends fast and evenly
- Several added blending features
What we Didn’t Like:
- Some replacement parts are expensive
- The cups have corners that are hard to clean
The Ninja BN401 is a fantastic choice for anyone who wants to prioritize power in their Ninja bullet blender. Its 1100-watt motor is the highest power output on this list and can do anything you need it to, including grinding spice and coffee. Just like the BL480, it has Auto-IQ technology, letting you take advantage of preprogrammed settings.
Just keep in mind that the blending jar itself is a little difficult to clean. It has corners on the base and around the edge, which can be a bit of a problem when washing it by hand.
Magic Bullet
What we Liked:
- Nice selection of cups
- More compact and portable
What we Didn’t Like:
- Less powerful
- Blades dull more quickly
On the opposite side of the spectrum, the Magic Bullet Blender is a more compact blender that makes up for in convenience what it lacks in power. While it isn’t great at blending dry ingredients, it handily takes care of smoothies, shakes, and other beverages. Since it doesn’t have such a bulky motor, it’s slimmer, more lightweight, compact, and quiet. This makes it a good choice for those just trying a personal blender for the first time or just want to use it occasionally.
To help with versatility, it includes a selection of different-sized blending cups. It’s a nice touch that lets you make as much or as little smoothie as you like.
Koios Personal Blender
What we Liked:
- Wide selection of add-ons
- Streamlined operation
What we Didn’t Like:
- No added features
- Cups are a bit smaller
The Koios Personal Blender is middling in terms of power and features, offering a good balance of both. Though where it really shines is in all the extra add-ons it offers. Two different blades for blending or grinding, three blending jars, a steamer lid, and two flip-top caps make it easy and fun to use for a variety of uses. Even with all these accessories, it’s still compact enough to take traveling or store away in a kitchen cabinet.
Overall, it’s a great choice for those who think they’ll take advantage of all the accessories. Though if you’re looking for a simpler experience, one of the other options may be better.
Best Nutribullet Alternative – Buyers Guide
There’s a reason why Nutribullet blenders are so popular, and it makes sense that a good Nutribullet alternative should stand up to its competition in every way. Keep all of these points in mind when making your choice.
Streamlined Design
What makes bullet blenders unique is their compact and convenient design. While there are many high-end blenders that pride themselves on a diverse range of features, these small appliances are about making smoothies quick and getting on with your day. So when choosing yours, you’ll want to look carefully at how it operates.
There is some variation here, but most bullet blenders work by filling the blending jar, attaching to the base, pushing to activate, and turning to lock. It’s a simple, straightforward design that anyone can use without unnecessary hassle. If the bullet blender you’re considering offers additional features, you’ll want to think carefully about whether these are going to make your life easier, or just offer another distraction.
Whisper-Quiet
There isn’t a blender that’s going to be literally whisper-quiet, though you can come closer than you might guess. Since bullet-style blenders are relatively small they also tend to be significantly quieter than their full-sized counterparts. This is a huge advantage not only for you, but for your loved ones sleeping through the morning.
It can be hard to tell at first glance how loud a blender is going to be without trying it for yourself. Power usage can give a clue, as a more powerful motor is going to tend to make more noise. Though this isn’t always reliable, as high-end blenders have all kinds of ways to help reduce sound output.
Ultimately, the best way to find out how loud or quiet a blender is, is to look at user reviews. It’s one of the most commonly-mentioned (or complained-about) features, so it shouldn’t be hard to find the information you’re looking for.
Accessories and Add-Ons
This is another area where it pays to consider whether a blender’s accessories are things you’re actually going to use, or just more junk to clutter up your kitchens. In our list, we tried to stay away from models that included too much unnecessary equipment. However, there are a few add-ons that can be quite useful.
One of them is extra blending cups. Since bullet blenders are relatively low-capacity, it’s hard to make enough to go around. Though if you have more than once up, you and a friend can each have your own drink to sip. It’s also a good idea to look for blenders that come with a variety of cup sizes. These let you make exactly the amount of smoothie or shake you want, and let you take it on the go without added bulk.
Compact Performance
As we’ve said above, bullet blenders are small. Though while they do tend to be less powerful than full-sized countertop blenders, the better ones can still pack quite a punch. There are a few different ways a blender’s power can affect performance.
First, higher-powered blenders result in smoother, more consistent smoothies. The reason is that smoothies require finely crushed ice to give them their texture. This requires both a sharp blade and a powerful motor. Failure to deliver either result in large ice clumps, which aren’t exactly smooth.
Second, extra power will make your blender more versatile. Are you interested in making almond butter? How about grinding spices? Or making crushed ice? Weaker blenders will tend to struggle with all of them, while more powerful ones can take on a wider variety of projects. In fact, the right bullet blender can be a great choice for grinding spices or coffee, since they’re designed to work with smaller quantities of ingredients.
Durability
When considering a blender’s durability, the main components we’re interested in are the blending jar, blade, and base.
The blending jar is usually made of plastic, though there are glass varieties available. Plastic is a good choice because it stands up better to heat (though only moderate heat) and doesn’t shatter when dropped. However, you can expect it to accumulate scratches relatively quickly. This won’t affect your blend, though it does look a bit unattractive.
The blade is maybe the most important of the three. Blades made of thick, high-quality stainless steel are best, as they keep their edge longer and won’t break on hard ingredients. However, even the best blades will dull eventually, so you’ll want to check your manufacturer’s website ahead of time to make sure they sell replacements at a relatively low cost.
The base, or more specifically the motor, should be able to stand up to sustained use without overheating. Motors that get hot quickly are also the most likely to burn out, which is a major red flag.
If you’re not sure about the durability of your blender, check to see if it comes with a warranty. This can show the manufacturer’s faith in their product’s quality.
A Price that Fits Into Your Budget
One of our favorite things about bullet blenders is that they are only a fraction of the cost of full-sized countertop blender models. They usually range between $50 and $100, making them accessible to everyone without having to sacrifice quality.
What you want to stay away from are bullet blenders in the $20 or $30 range. These may look attractive, though you have to wonder exactly where they’re cutting down on cost. Usually, it’s the motor, which will have a lower power intake and less muscle behind it. They often skimp on blades too, making them out of flimsy steel that will dull after just a few uses, forcing you to restock right away.
Our Winner
Each of the blenders listed above has its own strengths and weaknesses. The Magic Bullet blender is a great choice for those who want a less powerful but more compact option, while the Ninja BN401 is the right choice for those who want to maximize power. Though for most users, the balance found in the Ninja BL480D is the most useful, which is why we chose it as our number one best Nutribullet alternative.
It’s nearly as powerful as the Ninja BN401 while its Auto-IQ technology offers much of the same versatility as the Koios Personal Blender. While it is a little bit louder than the other options on this list, its added power means you’ll be able to blend faster, so you’ll hardly notice. Best of all, it’s available at an affordable price that will be sure to fit into your budget.
Give it a try and decide if it lives up to your expectations. Or, if any of the other options sound like a better alternative, don’t hesitate to add them to your wishlist.
