Blenders are one of those bits of kitchen kit that doesn't feel essential until you've got one.
Whether it's to help you get into a daily smoothie routine, you're hoping to make more soups or if milkshakes particularly float your boat, there are myriad reasons to pick up a blender.
There are countless blenders on the market, though, ranging from slim fruit-only options to full-on food processing beasts.
We've rounded up some of the best options available right now for you, across a variety of sizes and shapes.
Nutribullet sort of came out of nowhere this century to dominate in the blender game, with its quick and easy stylings and smoothie-ready machines.
This is super-affordable and impressively powerful for its size and price.
The machine is small enough that it's easily stored, but also won't eat up space if you want to leave it out on the counter.
More importantly, its 600-watt motor will make mincemeat of fruit and most vegetables, and can be a useful aid for souping and more adventurous cooking.
Still, the tougher the processing job, the more you'll want to consider a heftier blender.
Simple to use
We wouldn't necessarily recommend this set for those who just want to try out the blender life, but seasoned users looking for something a little more on the advanced end should certainly consider this NutriBullet offering.
There are three speeds, a pulse mode and an extract program to give you complete control over your blend, with a whopping 1200 watts of peak power, too.
Once you're all done, the pitcher and cups can be placed in the dishwasher, while the extractable blades with soap and water.
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Excellent simplicity
With a classic, no-nonsense look, Le Blender from Magimix is a straightforward option if you want a countertop blender.
It's got an easy-to-use power dial and three buttons to control the blender itself, and well-designed blends make for an even chopping and blending action.
One of its really nice features we discovered during testing was that it's not too loud, compared to most competitors. This something that you'll appreciate if you've owned other blenders, we're sure.
Plus, a clever cleaning setting lets you relatively easily blast away any grime left after a particular blend.
An older classic
Smeg's kitchen appliances are immediately identifiable by their iconic design and distinctive colours, and the BLF01 is no different.
You can pick it up without breaking the bank, with some patience, and we think it's the best fit for those who want a blender they're not ashamed to leave out.
Whether you want to blitz ice, fruit or cooked vegetables, the BLF01 is capable of it, and has a nice measuring jug container for pouring out when you're done. It's solidly built and has some smart touches, making it a real contender.
Super-powered
This pick won't really be a sensible choice for most people — the lower-powered, consumer blenders featured elsewhere on this list are adaptable, and easy-to-use enough for almost anyone.
If you're dead serious about your blending, though, and need huge power to back it up, this Vitamix will sort you out.
It's got a massively powerful motor, with high-speed modes that will absolutely blitz most obstacles, and on its highest settings even heated up our soup up as it was blending.
That said, the likelihood that you actually need this much power, with the noise that comes with it, is probably fairly low. An option for the enthusiasts, this one.
About the Author
Max joined Pocket-lint after work for Wareable. He is an avid gamer, but writes about whatever is newsworthy, and works across buyer’s guides, features, news and more for the site
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