Blenders for fruit smoothies

[QuarterMillionMan]

Does anyone have recommendations on a reasonably priced blender to make fruit smoothies? I'm looking to buy a blender from Target or Walmart. By reasonably priced I'm talking in the range of $50 to $80. A good VitaMix blender can run $500 but no way will I pay that much for a blender so that would be out of the question. Oster, Hamilton Beach or Black & Decker would be just fine. Does anyone use the MagicBullet or the Ninja? The one caveat that I would like in a blender is its ability to crush ice. I could buy a cheap $30 blender (that doesn't crush ice) but then I would then need to buy a separate ice crushing machine which might add another $50 to $80 to the cost. I would just like to buy one blender that can perform all these features in and of itself.

[MonkeyMama]

I would just check reviews at somewhere like Amazon.

We bought a Back to Basics Smoothie Elite, about a decade ago. It was just a fairly cheap thing and I don't remember seeing much reviews back then. But very happy with it and is still going. The one we have has basically two settings - more of a "mix" setting which is really great for ice and frozen fruit. & then a "smooth" setting that gets all the little chunks out. (Our regular blender doesn't do either of these functions as well).

{Admittedly, this thing is on its last legs, but we paid about $30 for it and abused it much. I am beyond happy with the purchase}.

I saw this one which had fairly good reviews.

http://www.amazon.com/Back-Basics-SE3000-Smoothie-Lifestyle/dp/B0036WS2TA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388628662&sr=8-1&keywords=back+to+basics+smoothie+elite

Hamilton Beach also has some good reviews (better) in same price range. I saw the Ninja at the top of the amazon list as far as reviews ($80).

[cardtrick]

MagicBullet and Ninja are terrible. Go for the Vitamix. See if you can find a used one for around $200. It's totally worth it.

[snafu]

I won an expensive juicer [liquifies fiber] but family totally baulked on drinking healthy combinations based on it's colour. Replaced it with a cheapy Magic Bullet set which crushes ice and frozen fruit for terrific smoothies and slushes. Also excellent for making home made sauces and rescuing soup, sauce or gravy that got lumpy. Check yard sales and local on-line Buy 'n Sell availability for $ 5. Not much lost if it turns out to be a short term family fad. If it's successful you will feel more comfortable buying an expensive appliance.

[cschin4]

I have a plain old Oster blender from years ago. And, it crushes ice just fine.

[cschin4]

BTW, how often do you really make smoothies? Before you lay out $200, why not just buy a cheap blender that works fine and use it for awhile and see if you really are going to make them as much as you think.

[disneysteve]

BTW, how often do you really make smoothies? Before you lay out $200, why not just buy a cheap blender that works fine and use it for awhile and see if you really are going to make them as much as you think.

The problem with this is the cheap blenders can't make smoothies so going that route won't help figure out if they need a better blender.

We have a KitchenAid and we make smoothies pretty often. We always have a stock of frozen fruit in the freezer ready to go. I think they run about $125 and are well worth it.

[cschin4]

You can buy an Ice blade for an Oster Blender. I have a basic blender and make smoothies without any problem. If someone wants to buy a $200 blender, then fine. But, I don't think it is necessary unless you just want to spend that kind of money. Here is the ice blade:

[disneysteve]

You can buy an Ice blade for an Oster Blender.

That's cool. If there is a special attachment that lets the cheaper blender make smoothies, that's great. Most of them can't. The blades aren't able to crush ice and the motors aren't strong enough to handle the strain. They might work for a while but they'll burn out prematurely. More costly blenders aren't just more expensive. They also have different blades and more powerful motors.

[cschin4]

I know. But, I think this is a good inexpensive option. And, how many smoothies are we talking? One or two a day? I think the basic blender with the ice crushing blade will do fine. I have had the same Oster blender for 20 yrs. And, so what if it does burn out eventually? You would have to burn out a lot of them to even equal the cost of some of these high priced blenders. I have learned over the years to try to only buy what I really need and not overspend on "upgrades" that in reality I never use. So, something to consider anyway.

[disneysteve]

I have had the same Oster blender for 20 yrs.

Unfortunately, they don't build them like that anymore. The cheaper ones today have a lot of plastic parts that used to be metal or cheaper thinner metal that just doesn't hold up.

[riverwed070707]

I agree with DS. Cheap doesn't do smoothies. I have something basic (thuthfully don't even know the brand) and even with an ice blade it doesn't crush ice. Comes out with big chuncks of ice cubes and frozen strawberries.

I don't have any recs. I have a magic bullet and its good for smoothies with no ice but not with. It also got leaky pretty quick and replacing the seals didn't help. I mostly use my juicer these days, which I got free from work.

[disneysteve]

I agree with DS. Cheap doesn't do smoothies. I have something basic (thuthfully don't even know the brand) and even with an ice blade it doesn't crush ice. Comes out with big chuncks of ice cubes and frozen strawberries.

I think we should clarify what we mean by "smoothies" because I'm sure not everyone uses the same ingredients.

We use no ice but all frozen fruit: strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, mango, banana, kiwi, peaches.... When you fill your blender with rock-hard frozen fruit, you need good power to chop it all so that it is fine enough to suck through a straw. If you are using fresh fruit and a few ice cubes, lesser blenders can probably handle that okay.

[creditcardfree]

I have a plain old Oster blender from years ago. And, it crushes ice just fine.

I have the same brand. There is a switch for crushing ice. I'm always amazed at how well it actually blends. I got it as a gift easily 8+ years ago. It still works great. It has a glass pitcher, which I prefer over plastic. I bet this one was in the $25-30 range.

We rarely use ice, but greens, frozen fruit and fresh fruit. I put items in one at a time, rather than everything all at once.

[thomasdan]

we have a vitamix. TRUST me, you will not regret it.

My wife and i have been making Green smoothie everyday for the last 3 years for breakfast. we went through 3 blenders before we just caved in and spend the money. I was like no way we are spending 500 dollars on a blender.. but once after we made our first smoothie in the vitamix.. you can tell the difference in the quality of the finish product.. the smoothie is just silky smooth. Plus, you can make so many different meals in it. It comes with a recipe book.