Ninja is a manufacturer that makes home appliances, including blenders and ovens. Generally, their blenders have impressive build quality, and although they're mostly plastic, they feel solid and durable. Most of their jars, lids, and blade assemblies can go right into the dishwasher for an easy clean. Many Ninja blenders combine food processors and blenders or come with personal jars for smoothies along with a bigger main pitcher. These accessories can help a lot with certain recipes, but Ninja also makes more conventional full-size blenders without extras, which you might prefer if you're looking for a simple multi-purpose blender without a lot of jars and lids to keep track of.
If you don't find what you're looking for here, our recommendations for the best blenders might help your search. Our list of the best bullet blenders is a good place to start if you want a blender for small batches, or check out the best budget blenders for more money-saving options.
Updates
- 08/07/2024 Ninja SMOOTHIEiQ reviewed
- 06/13/2024 Ninja Deluxe Kitchen System reviewed
- 03/22/2024 Ninja TWISTi High-Speed Blender DUO updated
- 03/13/2024 Ninja Detect Kitchen System Power Blender reviewed
- 12/20/2023 Ninja Detect Power Blender Pro reviewed
Best Ninja Blenders
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Best Ninja Blender
Multi-Purpose8.5Smoothies (Single Serving)8.4Smoothies (Multiple Servings)8.5Ice Crushing9.6Soups9.1Professional Use8.6The best Ninja blender we've tested is the Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender. This full-size blender's design isn't different from most other Ninja blenders, which has a few advantages. It's one of the few Ninja full-size blenders that can hot blend and heat up ingredients, making it a better option for dedicated home cooks than most models from this manufacturer. The 56oz jar has a heating element built into it that allows it to heat and cook ingredients. The jar is made of glass, which is less prone to scratches and discoloration than plastic. There are various blending programs like 'Saute' and 'Smooth Soup,' as well as manual 'Blend' and 'Cook' modes, making it a good choice if you like to multitask while your blender runs.
Despite only including one jar, it's fantastic for processing small batches of fibrous ingredients in recipes like single-serve smoothies and bigger batches for soup or sauce. It has no problem crushing ice and is fairly easy to use for dips and spreads like nut butter. Unlike most Ninja blenders, it comes with a two-part lid and tamper, which makes it easier to adjust your recipe as it blends. Also, instead of a very sharp blade stack, it has more conventional blender blades. However, it's still not the easiest blender to clean since the heating element means you can't immerse it in water or put it in the dishwasher.
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Best Mid-Range Ninja Blender
Multi-Purpose7.0Smoothies (Single Serving)8.7Smoothies (Multiple Servings)8.3Ice Crushing9.7Soups5.0Professional Use7.5Many Ninja blenders come with additional jars included, so the brand is a good place to look if you want smaller jars for smoothies or a blender that doubles as a food processor at an affordable price. The Ninja Mega Kitchen System is the best mid-range Ninja blender we've tested. It can't be used for hot blending, unlike the Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender, but its various accessories make it quite versatile. It comes with a 72oz main jar, a pair of 16oz personal jars for single-serves, and a 64oz food processor bowl. It makes a very smooth blend with fibrous ingredients in the personal jars, which helps make it one of the best Ninja blenders for smoothies. The main jar produces a grainier blend with fibrous ingredients but can still make a great smoothie with something like blueberries or kale, and it easily crushes big batches of ice cubes.
The food processor bowl comes with its own chopping blade and dough blade, so you can use it to form dough or for food prep jobs like slicing vegetables. However, it's more difficult to clean than the Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender because of the main jar's blade design. You have to handle them very carefully to avoid cutting yourself. It's also an older model with only one automatic blending program. The Ninja Detect Kitchen System Power Blender is a newer blender with similar accessories but has more blending program options and a blending time indicator, so you know how much time is left in a blending cycle. You might prefer the design of its personal jars' lids since they are completely sealable. That said, it's more expensive and doesn't feel quite as sturdy.
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Best Budget Ninja Blender
Multi-Purpose6.5Smoothies (Single Serving)7.3Smoothies (Multiple Servings)7.8Ice Crushing9.5Soups4.8Professional Use7.2The Ninja Professional Blender 1000 is a good option if you want a simple, budget-friendly blender for recipes like smoothies or blended cocktails. It's a straightforward blender compared to the Mega Kitchen System, but it's well-built and performs well. It only comes with basic accessories: a 72-ounce main jar, blades, and a lid with a spout for pouring. While it can't blend hot ingredients, it's just as good as any Ninja blender we've tested for ice crushing, so it can quickly and easily make snow-like crushed ice for cocktails or drinks like slushies. It can also produce fantastic, smooth nut butter, although it's not the easiest process, partly because you need to remove the lid and stir thicker mixtures.
Although it doesn't come with personal jars, it does a good job of processing small batches of fibrous ingredients like kale, meaning it can produce a well-blended single-serve smoothie. Unfortunately, it doesn't perform as well with bigger batches. If you fill the jar to capacity for multiple servings of fruit smoothies, you end up with a grainy blend. If you want a simple blender that performs better for big batches of smoothies, you might prefer the Ninja Detect Power Blender Pro. This blender is more expensive and louder but makes a smoother blend with ingredients like kale and fruit, and its controls include automatic blending programs.
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Best Personal Ninja Blender
Multi-Purpose7.8Smoothies (Single Serving)9.2Smoothies (Multiple Servings)8.0Ice Crushing7.3Soups3.7Professional Use6.8If you generally blend for one and you're looking for a personal blender, the Ninja Foodi Power Nutri DUO offers solid multi-purpose performance in a small package. It's arguably the best Ninja blender for smoothies since it quickly blends silky smoothies in its 24oz jars, even if your recipe is packed with ice cubes or fibrous ingredients like leafy greens. Resealable lids are included for each of the personal jars, so you don't need to transfer your smoothie into a separate travel cup.
This blender also comes with a 'Smoothie Bowl Maker' jar, which has rotating arms inside, making it very easy to use for small batches of nut butter, hummus, and other thicker dips and spreads. Unlike many personal blenders, it has buttons for automatic blending programs, so you don't need to watch the machine while your smoothie blends. Its components are dishwasher-safe, and its compact design makes it easy to store on your counter or a shelf. However, despite its small size, it's the loudest blender recommended here.
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Best Ninja Immersion Blender
Multi-Purpose7.3Smoothies (Single Serving)7.1Smoothies (Multiple Servings)8.0Ice Crushing5.2Soups9.4Professional Use8.0The Ninja Foodi Power Mixer System is the best Ninja immersion blender by default since it's the only one they make. Still, it's worth mentioning because it takes the top spot on our list of the best immersion blenders. It's very well-built and makes a smoother blend with fibrous ingredients than most hand blenders we've tested, so it's good for soups and sauces with vegetables like kale and broccoli or smoothies with fruit. You can use it to blend directly in a pot or pan, so you don't need to worry about pouring hot ingredients into a blending jar. It comes with a 24oz beaker for blending drinks or smaller batches of a sauce or dip. The beaker is also useful for making whipped cream or salad dressing with the whisk attachment.
Aside from its good blending performance, it stands out because it converts into a hand mixer to help with making batter. Switching configurations is easy, and all the blender's components are dishwasher-safe. However, the size and shape of the blade guard make it difficult for the blades to reach the ice cubes or bigger chunks of frozen fruit. It's heavy for a hand blender, so blending a big pot of soup can get tiring.
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Best Ninja Portable Blender
Multi-Purpose5.7Smoothies (Single Serving)7.0Smoothies (Multiple Servings)5.5Ice Crushing4.7Soups2.6Professional Use4.8The best portable Ninja blender we've tested is the Ninja Blast. This battery-powered Ninja blender is meant for blending drinks like smoothies and shakes on the go, like when you're outdoors, or anywhere else you can't plug in a blender. Its light, portable design means you can carry around the whole blender like a travel cup, and its resealable lid opens with the push of a button, so it's easy to drink from when driving or walking around.
While it lacks the power of most conventional blenders and doesn't make a completely smooth blend with fibrous ingredients like kale, it does a decent job of processing those ingredients, so your drink won't have big, leafy pieces in it. Similarly, it's not good for making crushed ice or recipes like slushies, but it can break up ice cubes, and ice is easier to process with liquid in the jar. This blender's main downside versus other portable blenders is that it can be difficult to clean. You can't put the blades in the dishwasher because they're fixed to the motor base, and it can be difficult to reach some spots. However, that's a bigger issue if you're working with something sticky, and overall, the blender is better suited for more liquid smoothie and protein shake recipes.
![Ninja Mega Kitchen System [BL770, BL770AMZ, BL771] Design Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/1Io0GV6m/ninja-mega-kitchen-system-bl770-bl770amz-bl771/design-small.jpg?format=auto)
![Ninja Mega Kitchen System [BL770, BL770AMZ, BL771] In-Test Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/XbPtrN30/ninja-mega-kitchen-system-bl770-bl770amz-bl771/in-test-small.jpg?format=auto)
![Ninja Mega Kitchen System [BL770, BL770AMZ, BL771] Bundle Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/yX7dk0rJ/ninja-mega-kitchen-system-bl770-bl770amz-bl771/in-the-box-small.jpg?format=auto)
![Ninja Mega Kitchen System [BL770, BL770AMZ, BL771] Crushed Ice Photo](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/koNdRbuN/ninja-mega-kitchen-system-bl770-bl770amz-bl771/crushed-ice-photo-small.jpg?format=auto)
![Ninja Mega Kitchen System [BL770, BL770AMZ, BL771] Fibrous Ingredients (Small Batches) Photo](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/dtYfLokA/ninja-mega-kitchen-system-bl770-bl770amz-bl771/fibrous-small-photo-small.jpg?format=auto)
Compared To Other Brands
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Great build quality.
Most Ninja blenders have a great build that feels sturdy, even though they have plastic transmissions. Thanks to their design, you can easily clean most of them by putting the jar, lid, and blade assembly into the dishwasher. -
Often come with extra jars and attachments.
Many Ninja blenders come with additional attachments that help improve their versatility in the kitchen. These attachments can range from a dough blade to a food processor bowl and lid. Some even have dedicated modes for a specific attachment. -
Fantastic for ice crushing.
Most full-size Ninjas we've tested are fantastic ice crushers with big 72-ounce pitchers ideal for big batches of margaritas or slushies.
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Few speed settings.
Unfortunately, you can't fine-tune most Ninja blenders' speed because they don't have many speed presets. -
No hot blending.
Most Ninja blenders can't hot blend, so you can't puree hot food into soup. -
Very sharp blades.
Most of Ninja's full-size blenders have a distinctive spiral blade assembly with very sharp blades. Unfortunately, it makes them difficult to clean because you need to be careful not to cut yourself. This design also means you can't use a tamper (which most Ninja models don't include).
Ninja vs Vitamix
Vitamix makes a variety of higher-end full-size blenders. Their best blenders are usually more versatile than comparable blenders from Ninja but also more expensive. Many Ninja blenders can't hot blend, don't come with a two-part lid, and have limited speed settings, so they aren't ideal for soups or home cooks who want a lot of control over their blend. However, Ninja blenders are cheaper and more likely to come with accessories like food processors or personal jars for smoothies.
Ninja vs nutribullet
NutriBullet and Ninja make various personal blenders intended for single-serve drinks like smoothies. The best NutriBullet blenders are quieter than Ninja's best personal blenders. However, unlike NutriBullet blenders, most Ninja models can crush ice without liquid in the jar. NutriBullet's blade assemblies aren't usually dishwasher-safe, but most Ninja models come with dishwasher-safe jars, lids, and blades. If you're unsure which brand is best for you, check out our more detailed comparison of Ninja and NutriBullet.
Ninja produces a few full-size and personal blenders that excel at making silky smoothies. Most models tend to offer smaller additional jars, so you can easily take them on the go. Some of them also have unique attachments like a dough blade or a micro-juicer for more versatility, which sets them apart from most other blenders. However, they have limited speed settings, and most can't hot blend, which is disappointing if you like to make purees or soups.
Lineup
Ninja separates its blenders into 'Systems,' which usually come with food processors and personal jars, conventional full-size blenders, and 'single-serve' or personal blenders. They use some naming conventions that can indicate the type of product and what features are included.
Foodi: A line of Ninja products that includes blenders as well as other products like pots and pans aimed at home cooks. Most full-size 'Foodi' blenders come with a dough blade that you can use to form dough. The brand's only immersion blender, which converts into a hand mixer, is also part of the collection.
System: Blenders that include food processing accessories, personal jars for smoothies, and a full-size blender base and pitcher.
Auto-iQ: Blenders with Ninja's 'auto-iQ' feature can detect the size of the jar you're using (personal or full-size), sometimes changing what automatic blending programs you can use. 'Auto-iQ' blending programs automatically alternate between pulsing and regular blending.
Nutri: Personal blenders meant for single-serves.
Duo: Blenders that come with different types of jars. Usually full-size blenders with personal jars.
The blender names can give you an idea of what kind of blender you're looking at, but some products have unique names, like the Ninja Twisti (a small full-size blender) or the Ninja Chef (a full-size blender that only comes with a main pitcher).
FAQ
How much is a Ninja blender?
Ninja makes budget-friendly and mid-range blenders. Their most expensive models are still much cheaper than high-end brands' like Vitamix, Blendtec, and Wolf. The full-size Ninja blenders we've tested are priced between about $100 and $300 USD.
Are Ninja blenders dishwasher-safe?
Yes, mostly. It depends on the model, so you must always check your blender's manual. However, most Ninja blenders are fully dishwasher-safe, including blades, jars, lids, and accessories. This is one big difference between Ninja and NutriBullet since most NutriBullet blenders' blades are not dishwasher-safe, even if the jars and lids are.
How do you clean a Ninja blender?
Like other blenders, you can run the blender with soap and water in the jar for a quick clean and use a sponge or brush to clean away any leftover residue. The blades of most models can be removed from the jar, which isn't the case for many full-size blenders, including Vitamix and KitchenAid-brand blenders. However, most full-size Ninja blenders don't score very well for cleaning because they have very sharp blades, and it's easy to cut yourself.
Can I put ice in my Ninja blender?
Most Ninja blenders are great for ice-crushing, excluding portable and immersion blenders. If you need a blender that can handle a big batch of ice cubes and make snow-like ice, a Ninja blender could be what you're looking for.
Can I use my Ninja blender as a food processor?
Some recipes, like nut butter and hummus, can be made in either a food processor or a blender. However, a food processor is better for chopping and slicing ingredients like carrots or onions, or you might end up with a puree instead of chopped ingredients. Ninja makes a variety of combo food processors/blenders. The Ninja Mega Kitchen System comes with a separate food processing bowl, while models like the Ninja Foodi Power Blender Ultimate System have additional blades and other accessories that fit into the blending jar. However, we don't know how they stack up against dedicated food processors for purposes like chopping, grating, and shredding.
Recent Updates
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We've added the Ninja Detect Power Blender Pro as an alternative to the Ninja Professional 1000 since it offers better smoothie performance but isn't as budget-friendly.
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Aug 20, 2024: We've made minor updates to the text and checked that the products are in stock, but there hasn't been a change to our recommendations.
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May 29, 2024: Added the Ninja Detect Kitchen System Power Blender as an alternative to the Ninja Mega Kitchen System because it's a newer model with similar features.
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Apr 05, 2024: We've made minor updates to the text and checked that the products are in stock.
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Feb 05, 2024: Made the Ninja Mega Kitchen System the 'Best Mid-Range' pick because the Ninja Foodi Power Pitcher System's cost has increased above that price point.
Conclusion
Ninja manufactures a variety of full-size and personal blenders that feel well-built and sturdy. Most come with an additional jar to take your smoothies or other blends with you on the go. Some also come with unique attachments or accessories that give you more versatility when processing food. However, they tend to favor preset speeds rather than a speed dial. Most Ninja blenders can't hot blend, either.