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Blenders are useful appliances to have around; they save a lot of time when it comes to food prep and help preserve nutritional content. Honestly, they’re pretty fun to use too. If you don’t have one, chances are the main reason is that they can get fairly pricey. The good news is you don’t have to break the bank just to get a great blender. Check out these budget blenders that are all high performing, high-quality picks.
According to our tests, the best blender under $100 is the Ninja Professional Countertop Blender. It is a high powered, effective blender that will last for years.
1) Ninja Professional Countertop Blender
This Ninja blender combines the perfect mix of high power and high capacity. It can hold up to an impressive 72 ounces. So you if you’re getting a group of friends together, you’ll be able to serve everyone. Since you shouldn’t have to sacrifice good nutrition to keep on schedule, it even includes the Nutri Ninja to-go cups and lids for a mess-free treat. As an added bonus, this Ninja blender is really easy to clean up too since it’s all dishwasher safe.
2) Oster Pro 1200
You’ll love all the smart settings this Ostro blender comes with. It’s easier than ever to create the custom drink you’ve been dreaming of with 7 different speeds and 3 preset modes. This Ostro Pro creates even smoother blends than you could expect, thanks to the high powered 1200 watt motor, extra wide blades and dual direction functioning. If you want your creation to take along on-the-go, just use the smoothie cup when blending. Then, simply grab and go!
3) Black+Decker Countertop Blender
This is one of the best blenders for people that love variety and want to have plenty of different choice in their beverages and blended food. Whether you like a morning smoothie or a good bowl of guacamole for game night, this blender can handle it all.
The jar is conveniently designed to eliminate spills and drips when you’re pouring out your creations. Even better, you can choose between 10 different speed blender settings, so you know it’s right on target every time.
4) KitchenAid 5-Speed Blender
This KitchenAid is an amazingly easy blender to use. One of the winning features it comes with is the Intelli-speed motor. What this innovative feature does is sense the contents of the blending pitcher and adjusts the blending speeds according to the best levels for what you put in.
In addition to that, you have 5 different settings so you can do everything from chopping to liquifying. You’ll love how quiet it is, especially compared to other blenders you’ve used before.
Are there Decent Blenders Available for Under $100?
There are many different blenders that you can find for under $100 that may perform better than more expensive models. Expensive does not always equal better, so it would be a better choice to find an affordable blender that will be able to fulfill all of your needs rather than waste your money on pricey blenders. You should not let the price determine how good the blender is, but rather, what qualities they offer.
Qualities of a Good Blender: Buying Guide
It is possible to find a decent blender for under $100 but it is important to know what to look for in a blender. Just because the blender is less expensive does not mean you should make compromises on its abilities.
Power and Blades
The power of the blender you are looking for is a key feature of any decent blender. Your blender must be capable of making smoothies, having strong blades for cutting and being durable through multiple different uses. You will even be able to find some blenders that can crush ice and have good quality blades.
For example, the Oster Pro is capable of using 1,200 watts of power when blending and 900 watts of power when crushing ice. The Ninja Pro countertop blender also uses 900 watts of power to make delicious smoothies whenever you want.
Most blenders come with stainless steel blades – a good material for any type of blender blade. The stainless steel blade should be able to be as durable as possible and have the capability to chop any ingredients you place in the blender. Even when the blender is under $100, it should still be able to be powerful enough to make any type of smoothie, shake or purée you want.
Versatile
Try to go for a blender that has multiple uses. The materials that the blender is made of may affect how versatile it is because some materials are more fragile, which limits its capabilities. The plastic version may be your best option for the highest level of versatility as it’s less fragile than a glass one. A plastic one usually still has blades that are powerful enough to cut through any type of ingredient.
Jar
As mentioned, what your jar is made of can affect its usage. Some materials can’t handle very high temperatures. Some materials are a lot more fragile and will break easily. Look out for jars that are tough, sturdy, durable and even breakproof.
Cleaning
You can eliminate the hassle of cleaning your blender by making sure that it is dishwasher safe. In fact, being dishwasher safe is quite a common trait these days so this shouldn’t be hard to look for.
Easy to Use
Any blender you end up buying should be easy to use, maintain and clean. The lid should fit just right onto the blender and the base should be safe and secure. The blender should be dishwasher safe. If anything happens to compromise its usability, it should be easy to fix or replace.
How to Maintain Your Blender
Most of the maintenance process for any blender involves cleaning. Along with that, there are many other important steps to take to maintain it so that it stays durable through many years of use. Here are some tips on how to maintain your blender so it will not wear down too quickly.
Cleaning
First, you must make sure that the blender is unplugged and all of the accessories have been removed before starting the cleaning process. If the cord or plug of the blender is damaged, then the blender should be replaced.
There are different ways to clean different types of blenders and materials.
To clean a plastic pitcher and blade, fill half of the plastic pitcher with warm water and add liquid dish soap into the water. Place the lid back on top of the blender and run the pitcher on the blender base for up to 15 seconds to clean the blade and pitcher simultaneously.
To clean a glass pitcher and blade, carefully remove the blade, collar, and gasket and wash the glass pitcher in your dishwasher. Everything else will be cleaned entirely by hand. Once those parts dry and the pitcher has run its course in the dishwasher, you will be able to place the parts back into the pitcher.
Finally, for the base and lid, wipe the base down with a soft cloth, soap, and warm water. Never place the base directly into the water. Get the soap off of the base and towel dry every part of the base. Take apart the lid and wash that with dish soap and warm water as well. Give it some time to dry before you put the lid back together again.
Ventilation and Safety
When you are not planning on using your blender for an extended period, make sure that it stays properly ventilated to keep it functioning correctly. Make sure to handle the blades very carefully to prevent accidental injuries. Do not place the base or any cords into the water and keep the blender unplugged when you are not using it.
Prevent Overloading
Overloading the blender can cause a tremendous amount of damage to the blades and to the entire blender itself. Only fill it up to the maximum fill line and nothing more.
Storage
Always store the blender in a dry area when it is not in use. Make sure to clean your blender thoroughly after every use to keep it in excellent working condition. Clean all the moisture from the blender before putting it back in its normal storage space.
Final Thoughts
There are many options available for blenders that are sold for under $100. Some may even work better than the more expensive name-brand blenders. Remember, a product that is expensive does not always mean that it will be a better-quality product.
Focus on finding a blender with the qualities you need so you can make the most out of it. Take proper steps to maintain it and be safe when you are handling the blades and any other pieces while cleaning. As long as you take good care of your blender, it will remain durable and be a worthwhile investment for many years.