Last Updated on November 27, 2025 by Susanna Zuyeva
Our Top Picks
After testing all three blenders, here’s what I found:
Best Overall: Ninja BL660 Professional Compact Blender
- Best for beginners who want simple controls
- Makes smooth drinks every time
- Comes with to-go cups
Best Power: Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender
- Best for crushing ice
- Has Auto-iQ smart programs
- Largest pitcher of all three
Best for Thick Blends: Ninja SS151 TWISTi Blender DUO
- Best for smoothie bowls and nut butters
- Built-in tamper makes blending easier
- Most powerful motor
Why I Started Testing Budget Blenders
Let me tell you a story. Three years ago, I bought a cheap $30 blender from a discount store. It broke after two months.
The motor burned out. The plastic cracked. It couldn’t even crush ice properly.
I was frustrated. I didn’t want to spend $400 on a fancy blender. But I also didn’t want junk that breaks fast.
So I started testing budget blenders. I wanted to find the sweet spot. Good quality without the high price.
I tested blenders from many brands. I read reviews. I talked to other people who love smoothies.
After months of testing, I found three winners. All under $100. All from Ninja. And all really good.
What Makes a Good Budget Blender?
Before I share my test results, let me explain what I look for.
Motor Power A good blender needs at least 1000 watts. Anything less struggles with ice and frozen fruit.
Blade Quality Sharp blades made from stainless steel last longer. They blend better too.
Container Size For families, you need at least 64 ounces. For one person, smaller works fine.
Easy Cleaning If it’s hard to clean, you won’t use it. Simple as that.
Warranty Good brands stand behind their products. A one-year warranty is the minimum.
Price Budget means under $150. The best deals are around $80 to $100.
How I Test Each Blender
I don’t just read the box and write a review. I actually use these blenders.
Here’s my testing process:
Day 1-3: Smoothie Test I make the same smoothie recipe in each blender. I use frozen bananas, strawberries, spinach, and almond milk. I check for chunks and texture.
Day 4-6: Ice Crushing Test I blend two cups of ice cubes in each blender. I time how long it takes. I check if the ice is smooth like snow or chunky.
Day 7-9: Tough Ingredient Test I blend kale, carrots, and celery. These are hard to blend. This shows which motor is strongest.
Day 10-12: Cleaning Test I clean each blender by hand and in the dishwasher. I see which one is easiest.
Day 13-14: Daily Use Test I use the blender for normal daily tasks. I make sauces, dips, and drinks.
After two weeks, I know exactly how each blender performs.
1. Ninja BL660 Professional Compact Blender
This was the first blender I tested. And honestly, it surprised me.
Product Features
The Ninja BL660 comes with a 1100-watt motor. That’s plenty of power for home use.
It has a 72-ounce pitcher. The box says 72 ounces, but you can only fill it to 64 ounces with liquid. Still, that’s enough for a family.
You get two 16-ounce to-go cups with lids. These are perfect for making single smoothies.
The blender has three speeds and a pulse button. No fancy programs. Just simple controls.
All parts are BPA-free. The pitcher and cups are dishwasher safe.
It comes with a 28-recipe guide. I actually used it and found some good ideas.
What I Like
Simple Controls I love that this blender doesn’t try to be fancy. Three speeds. One pulse button. That’s it.
No confusing menus. No apps. No smart features that break.
My mom could use this blender without reading the manual. That’s how simple it is.
To-Go Cups The 16-ounce cups are genius. I blend my smoothie right in the cup. Then I put the lid on and take it with me.
No extra dishes. No pouring. Just blend and go.
The lids don’t leak either. I put one in my gym bag and it didn’t spill.
Great Price At around $80, this is the cheapest option. But it doesn’t feel cheap.
The pitcher is thick plastic. The base is heavy and stable. Nothing wobbles or shakes.
Why It’s Better
This blender beats other budget options for three reasons.
First, the motor is strong enough. Many cheap blenders have weak motors that burn out fast. This one handles daily use without problems.
Second, the to-go cups add real value. Other brands charge extra for these. Ninja includes them.
Third, it’s reliable. Ninja has been making blenders for years. They know what they’re doing.
How It Performed
Smoothie Test: A- The BL660 made smooth drinks every time. No chunks of fruit. No spinach bits.
Frozen bananas broke down in about 30 seconds. The texture was creamy and perfect.
I did notice some foam on top. Not a big deal, but worth mentioning.
Ice Crushing Test: A This blender crushed ice like a champ. Two cups of ice became snow in 20 seconds.
The ice was fine and fluffy. Perfect for frozen drinks.
The motor never stalled or struggled. It just powered through.
Tough Ingredient Test: B+ Kale and carrots took a bit longer. About 45 seconds for a smooth blend.
The final result was good. But it needed a few extra pulses to get everything smooth.
Cleaning Test: A Super easy to clean. I filled the pitcher with warm water and a drop of dish soap. Ran it on high for 30 seconds. Rinsed it out. Done.
The blade assembly comes apart for deep cleaning. Everything went in the dishwasher with no problems.
Daily Use Test: A I used this blender every morning for two weeks. It never let me down.
I made salsa, smoothies, and protein shakes. All turned out great.
The only issue was the noise. It’s loud. But all powerful blenders are loud.
How I Clean It
Cleaning this blender is easy. Here’s my routine:
Right after blending, I rinse the pitcher with hot water. This stops food from drying on.
Once a day, I do a deep clean. I fill the pitcher halfway with warm water. I add one drop of dish soap. I blend on high for 30 seconds. Then I rinse everything.
Once a week, I take the blade assembly apart. I clean each piece by hand. Then I put everything in the dishwasher.
The to-go cups are even easier. I just toss them in the dishwasher after each use.
Testing Results
After two weeks, this blender passed all my tests.
It made 28 smoothies. It crushed ice 12 times. It blended tough vegetables 8 times.
No problems. No issues. It just worked.
The motor never overheated. The pitcher didn’t crack. The blades stayed sharp.
For $80, this is an amazing blender. I recommend it for anyone starting out.
2. Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender
This is the upgraded version. More power. Smart programs. Better design.
Product Features
The BN701 has a 1400-watt motor. That’s 300 more watts than the BL660.
It has the same 72-ounce pitcher. But the design is sleeker and more modern.
The big difference is Auto-iQ technology. These are preset programs for smoothies, frozen drinks, and ice cream.
You push one button and the blender does everything. It pulses, blends, and pauses automatically.
The blender also comes with a 15-recipe guide. More ideas than the BL660.
All parts are BPA-free and dishwasher safe.
What I Like
Auto-iQ Programs These preset programs actually work. I was skeptical at first.
But the smoothie program made perfect drinks every time. The blender knew when to pulse and when to blend smooth.
The frozen drink program was great for making margaritas and daiquiris.
Extra Power The 1400-watt motor is a beast. It handles everything without slowing down.
Frozen fruit? No problem. Ice? Done in seconds. Tough vegetables? Easy.
I never heard the motor strain or struggle.
Modern Design This blender looks better than the BL660. The gray color is sleek. The buttons are easier to read.
It doesn’t look like a cheap appliance. It looks like it belongs on your counter.
Why It’s Better
The BN701 is better than basic blenders for a few reasons.
The Auto-iQ programs make blending foolproof. You don’t have to guess how long to blend.
The extra power means faster results. Everything blends in less time.
The modern design means it won’t look dated in a few years.
How It Performed
Smoothie Test: A+ The Auto-iQ smoothie program made perfect drinks. Every. Single. Time.
The blender pulsed to break up frozen fruit. Then it blended smooth. Then it pulsed again to get any chunks.
The result was the smoothest drink of all three blenders.
Ice Crushing Test: A+ This blender destroyed ice. Two cups of ice became perfect snow in just 15 seconds.
Faster than the BL660. And smoother too.
The Total Crushing blades lived up to their name.
Tough Ingredient Test: A Kale and carrots broke down in 30 seconds. Much faster than the BL660.
The extra power made a real difference. No chunks. No fiber bits. Just smooth.
Cleaning Test: A Just as easy to clean as the BL660. Same process. Same results.
The pitcher and blades are dishwasher safe.
Daily Use Test: A+ This became my favorite blender for daily use. The Auto-iQ programs saved time.
I just pushed a button and walked away. The blender did everything while I made coffee.
Perfect for busy mornings.
How I Clean It
I clean this blender the same way as the BL660.
Rinse after each use. Do a soap blend once a day. Deep clean once a week.
The pitcher is slightly taller, so it fits better in my dishwasher.
Testing Results
This blender exceeded my expectations.
It made 28 smoothies. Crushed ice 15 times. Blended tough vegetables 10 times.
Zero issues. Zero problems.
The Auto-iQ programs worked perfectly every time. The motor stayed cool even with heavy use.
For $80 on sale, this is the best value. It’s normally $120, but I found it for $80 during Black Friday.
If you can get it on sale, buy it. You won’t regret it.
3. Ninja SS151 TWISTi Blender DUO
This is the most unique blender I tested. It has a built-in tamper.
Product Features
The SS151 has a 1600-watt motor. The most powerful of all three.
It comes with a 34-ounce pitcher and two to-go cups. Smaller pitcher than the others.
The big feature is the Twist Tamper. It’s built into the lid. You twist it while blending to push ingredients down.
This solves a common problem. When blending thick ingredients, air pockets form. The tamper pushes food into the blades.
The blender has five Auto-iQ programs. More options than the BN701.
It has smartTORQUE technology. This keeps the motor running at high speed even with heavy loads.
What I Like
Twist Tamper This is brilliant. I’ve used separate tampers before. They’re annoying.
But this tamper is built in. You just twist the top and it pushes everything down.
It made smoothie bowls so much easier. No stopping. No scraping. Just twist and blend.
Most Powerful Motor The 1600-watt motor is insane. It never slowed down. Not once.
I blended frozen mangoes, ice, and kale all at once. The motor just hummed along.
Perfect for Thick Blends If you make smoothie bowls, nut butters, or thick sauces, this is your blender.
The tamper plus the power equals perfect results every time.
Why It’s Better
This blender is better for specific tasks.
If you only make regular smoothies, stick with the BL660 or BN701. They have bigger pitchers.
But if you make thick blends, this is the winner. Nothing else compares.
The tamper makes a huge difference. Other blenders leave air pockets. This one doesn’t.
How It Performed
Smoothie Test: A Regular smoothies were great. Just as good as the BN701.
The Auto-iQ programs worked perfectly.
Ice Crushing Test: A+ The most powerful motor meant the fastest ice crushing. Two cups of ice became snow in 12 seconds.
Fastest of all three blenders.
Tough Ingredient Test: A+ This is where the SS151 shined. Kale, carrots, and frozen fruit blended in 20 seconds.
Faster than both other blenders. And smoother too.
The tamper helped a lot. I twisted it a few times and everything blended perfectly.
Thick Blend Test: A++ I added this test just for the SS151. I made a smoothie bowl with frozen fruit, Greek yogurt, and protein powder.
Other blenders struggle with this. The SS151 handled it easily.
I twisted the tamper while blending. The thick mixture stayed moving. No air pockets.
The result was a perfect thick bowl. Scoopable but creamy.
Cleaning Test: B+ Slightly harder to clean than the others. The tamper adds an extra part.
But it’s still dishwasher safe. And it comes apart easily.
Daily Use Test: A Great for daily use if you make thick blends. If you only make regular smoothies, the smaller pitcher might annoy you.
I used it for two weeks and loved it. But I make smoothie bowls every day.
How I Clean It
Same basic process as the others.
Rinse after use. Soap blend daily. Deep clean weekly.
The tamper needs special attention. Food can get stuck where it connects to the lid.
I take it apart and rinse it separately. Takes an extra 30 seconds.
Testing Results
This blender is a specialist. It does one thing better than anything else: thick blends.
It made 20 smoothie bowls. Crushed ice 15 times. Blended tough vegetables 12 times.
The tamper never failed. The motor never overheated.
For $100, this is great. But only if you need the tamper feature.
If you don’t make thick blends, save money and get the BL660.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Let me break down how these blenders compare.
Price
- BL660: $80
- BN701: $80 (on sale, normally $120)
- SS151: $100
Motor Power
- BL660: 1100 watts
- BN701: 1400 watts
- SS151: 1600 watts
Pitcher Size
- BL660: 72 ounces
- BN701: 72 ounces
- SS151: 34 ounces
Special Features
- BL660: Simple controls, to-go cups
- BN701: Auto-iQ programs, modern design
- SS151: Twist tamper, smartTORQUE
Best For
- BL660: Beginners who want simplicity
- BN701: People who want preset programs
- SS151: Anyone making thick smoothie bowls
Which Blender Should You Buy?
Here’s my honest recommendation.
Buy the BL660 if:
- You’re new to blending
- You want simple controls
- You make regular smoothies
- You want to save money
Buy the BN701 if:
- You want preset programs
- You like modern design
- You can find it on sale for $80
- You want the most versatile option
Buy the SS151 if:
- You make smoothie bowls
- You blend thick ingredients
- You want the most power
- You don’t mind a smaller pitcher
Personally, I’d choose the BN701. It’s the best overall value. The Auto-iQ programs are genuinely useful. And at $80 on sale, it’s a steal.
But if you’re on a tight budget, the BL660 is excellent too. You won’t feel like you’re missing out.
And if you’re serious about smoothie bowls, the SS151 is worth every penny.
Common Problems and Solutions
Problem: Blender Won’t Crush Ice Make sure you’re using the highest speed. Add liquid first, then ice. Don’t overfill.
Problem: Smoothies Are Chunky Blend for longer. Start on low speed, then increase to high. The pulse button helps break up chunks.
Problem: Motor Smells Hot You’re overworking it. Let it cool for 10 minutes. Don’t blend for more than 60 seconds at a time.
Problem: Blades Are Dull Blades should last years with normal use. If they’re dull, contact Ninja support.
Problem: Pitcher Is Stained Blend a mixture of baking soda and water. Let it sit for an hour. Then wash normally.
Problem: Lid Won’t Stay On Make sure the lid is aligned correctly. Check for cracks or damage. Contact support if needed.
Tips for Getting the Best Results
After testing these blenders for weeks, I learned some tricks.
Add Liquid First Always put liquid in the pitcher before solid ingredients. This helps everything blend smoothly.
Use Frozen Fruit Frozen fruit makes thicker, colder smoothies. And it’s often cheaper than fresh.
Don’t Overfill Leave space at the top. Overfilling leads to leaks and poor blending.
Pulse First, Then Blend Start with a few pulses to break up big pieces. Then blend smooth.
Clean Right Away Don’t let food dry on the blades. Clean within 10 minutes of blending.
Use the Tamper (If You Have One) Don’t be afraid to twist that tamper. It’s there to help.
Maintenance Tips
These blenders will last years if you take care of them.
Weekly Maintenance
- Deep clean all parts
- Check blades for damage
- Inspect gaskets and seals
- Wipe down the motor base
Monthly Maintenance
- Blend ice to sharpen blades
- Check power cord for damage
- Tighten any loose parts
Yearly Maintenance
- Replace worn gaskets
- Check warranty status
- Consider professional cleaning
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are Ninja blenders loud? A: Yes, all three are loud. But that’s normal for powerful blenders. The noise lasts 30-60 seconds per blend.
Q: Can these blend hot soup? A: No. These are not designed for hot liquids. They can crack the plastic pitcher.
Q: How long do these blenders last? A: With normal use, expect 3-5 years. Many people report using theirs for 7+ years.
Q: Can I make nut butter? A: The SS151 with the tamper can make nut butter. The other two struggle with this task.
Q: Are replacement parts available? A: Yes. Ninja sells replacement pitchers, blades, and cups on their website and Amazon.
Q: Do these come with a warranty? A: Yes. All three come with a one-year limited warranty from Ninja.
Q: Can I use these for baby food? A: Yes. They blend steamed vegetables and fruits into smooth purees perfectly.
Final Thoughts
I spent two months testing these blenders. I made over 80 smoothies. I crushed countless cups of ice.
All three blenders are excellent. You can’t go wrong with any of them.
But my top pick is the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus. View Price on Amazon
It has the best balance of power, features, and price. The Auto-iQ programs actually work. And at $80 on sale, it’s an incredible deal.
If you’re just starting out and want to save money, get the Ninja BL660. View Price on Amazon
It’s simple, reliable, and cheap. Perfect for beginners.
And if you’re serious about smoothie bowls and thick blends, the Ninja SS151 TWISTi is worth the extra money. View Price on Amazon
The twist tamper makes a real difference.
Whatever you choose, you’re getting a quality blender that will last for years.
Stop overthinking it. Pick one and start blending. Your morning smoothie is waiting.