10 Best Blenders for Frozen Drinks in 2022 (Ninja, Vitamix, and More)
Do you want to keep yourself cool throughout the hot summer months with some homemade frozen drinks? A refreshing smoothie in the morning or a margarita in the evening can be easily made at home if you have the right blender. There are many blender options available for making frozen drinks, whether you prefer yours with alcohol or not!
Choosing the best blender can be a difficult task, but we've done the research for you. We chose the Professional Countertop Blender by Ninja as our top pick because it isn't loud, crushes ice easily, and even comes with a recipe book. We’ve also put together a top 10 list for you to consider and created a handy buying guide to help you make your choice!
Quick List - Top Blenders For Frozen Drinks
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How to Choose Blenders For Frozen Drinks
Before buying a blender for frozen drinks, there are a few points you should take into consideration, such as wattage, speed, and capacity. To help you with this, we’ve put together this handy buying guide!
Make Sure the Blender Has Enough Power
When making a frozen drink, you need to make sure that your blender is strong enough to power through blending all of your ingredients.
Look At the Wattage of the Blender
One of the easiest signs of the strength of a blender is the wattage. Frozen drink blenders need to have a decent level of power because they’re regularly expected to blend ice or other frozen ingredients.
They can range from around 300 watts at the lower end to well over 1,000 watts at the upper, and we recommend looking at blenders that are at least 500 watts. These should be suitable to blend drinks from smaller ice cubes or fresh fruit.
If you usually make your frozen drinks with chunkier ice cubes and solidly frozen fruit, however, you may want to look at blenders closer to 1,000 watts.
The Number and Style of the Blades Are Important
It doesn’t matter how powerful your blender is if it doesn’t have decent blades. It’s the blades that do the actual cutting, and the number and shape of the blades will have a large influence on how effective the blender is.
Most blenders have two or four blades, and they’re often angled in different ways to make the most of their cutting surfaces and move ingredients around. You may even find some blenders that have six blades!
Blades that curve up instead of lying flat are often the most effective at blending ingredients. Stainless steel is the most durable material, and we advise looking for blenders with larger blades.
If you’re only going to be using the blender for frozen drinks, then blenders with blunt-edged blades are a good choice, as this style is very effective when crushing ice. If you’re looking for a frozen drink blender that can also be used in other circumstances, then sharp-edged blades are more versatile.
Get the Right Blender Material
The pitcher of a blender is typically made of one of two materials: plastic, or glass. They both have their own advantages.
Glass Is Durable and Will Last
As long as you don’t drop your blender on the floor, glass is a very sturdy and durable material. It won’t get scratched easily and no matter what concoction you make inside, glass doesn’t hold onto any odors. Glass is a heavier material, however, so blenders with a glass pitcher will be heavier than plastic ones.
Plastic Is Light but Strong
As just noted, blenders with plastic pitchers are lighter, and this may be worth considering as they can be heavy to lift when full of liquid and ice. Plastic can get scratched, however, and is more likely to hold onto odors than glass. In general, the plastic used in blenders is food-grade and safe.
Stainless Steel Is Much Rarer
There is a third material that we should mention, but it is far less common than glass and plastic, especially in modern blenders. Stainless steel is the most durable of the three materials but has the major flaw of not being see-through.
With glass and plastic, you can always easily see how your blending is progressing, but as stainless steel is opaque, you will need to either peer down the lid or stop the blender.
Look At What Capacity You Need
Blender pitchers come in several different capacities. You should consider how many drinks you want to make at once before you decide on the capacity. As a general rule, the average cocktail or margarita glass has a capacity of around nine ounces, and highball glasses are around 14 ounces.
If you only want to make a couple of drinks at a time, then a blender with a capacity of around 30 ounces would be sufficient. However, for larger households or parties, you can go higher. A blender with a 70-ounce pitcher would be able to make enough drinks to fill five average highball glasses or seven margarita glasses!
Multiple Speeds and Programs Give You More Control
Most blenders have various options when it comes to how they blend. It’s very rare to see a frozen drink blender that simply has a stop-start button! That doesn’t mean that the blender has to be complicated if you don’t want it to be, however.
Many blenders allow you to switch between levels of power, such as low, medium, and high; and using the right speed is the key to getting the smoothest drinks. Other blenders have different presets depending on the type of drink you’re looking to make. For example, there will be one setting for smoothies and another for milkshakes.
How you intend to use the blender will dictate which settings you want to look for. One setting that you should look for is a pulse option. This will give you a short and sharp blast of intense blending and is ideal for chopping hard ice.
Check That the Blender Is Easy to Clean
You will need to frequently clean your blender, and it can be tricky to get things like fruit chunks from around the blades. A blender with removable blades is easier to clean than one with fixed blades, and they’re also safer, as you don't need to put your hand in the blender to clean it.
We would advise looking for blenders that can be easily taken apart. Not just the blades, but also check that the pitcher can be easily removed from the base and that the lid is fully removable. All of this will make the blender easier to clean. The pitcher and lid may even be dishwasher-safe.
There are also some blenders that have a self-cleaning function! You fill the pitcher with soapy water and then switch the blender on. However the blender is cleaned, make sure that you read the instructions and follow them.
Get a Blender That Is Non-Slip
The motion of the blades as they spin can cause your blender to move around on your counter or even fall over. This can be avoided if the blender has a non-slip base. Look for rubber bottoms or grips to ensure that your blender doesn’t move as it blends.
You should also ensure that the blender has a secure seal at the top of the pitcher. We’ve all seen scenes in movies or TV shows where someone switches on a blender and all of the contents shoot out of the top. It may be funny when it happens to someone else, but it’s not as funny if it happens to you!
If you’re not entirely sure how the blender will perform from the product description, then check out the reviews. If the blender spills or slips, then previous purchasers will have commented on this.
10 Best Blenders For Frozen Drinks Ranking
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ninja Professional Countertop Blender｜BL610 | | Crushes Ice Well and Comes With a Recipe Book | |
2 | Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender｜1957 | | Take It Easy With Pre-Programmed Settings | |
3 | Margaritaville Bahamas Frozen Concoction Maker｜DM0700-000-000 | | Quickly Make Professional Margaritas | |
4 | Ninja Professional Plus Blender｜BN701 | | A Blender With 6 Stacked Blades | |
5 | Oster Pro 1200 Blender | | Also Includes a Small Smoothie Cup | |
6 | Dash Chef Series Blender | | Powerful Blender With a Retro Design | |
7 | Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender｜58163 | | A 3-in-1 Blender With a Food Processor Attachment | |
8 | PopBabies Portable Blender | | Take Your Blender on the Move With You | |
9 | Cleanblend Commercial Blender | | Comes With a 5-Year Warranty | |
10 | Colzer Professional Countertop Blender | | Take Complete Control Of the Blender's Speed |
Crushes Ice Well and Comes With a Recipe Book
With three speed options and a pulse feature, this blender should make short work of any ice. The 72-ounce pitcher is dishwasher-safe to ensure easy clean-up and can hold up to 64 ounces of liquid. The blender also comes with a recipe book to help you make delicious drinks and dishes.
There are reports of the plastic pitcher cracking after a few uses. However, reviewers confirm that it can crush ice well and say that it isn't too loud when it blends. They like how powerful it is and say that it is easy to clean.
Take It Easy With Pre-Programmed Settings
This blender from Vitamix has five pre-programmed settings that cover a range of options, such as making smoothies and even heating soup! It also has a variable speed dial, giving you complete control over the speed of your blender. It can self-clean, and the stainless steel blades remain sharp.
Some reviewers found that this blender struggled with some frozen ingredients and that they would clump around the blades instead of being blended. However, many other reviewers had no issues and say the blender was quick and efficient. They like how simple it is to use the pre-programmed settings and that it self-cleans.
MargaritavilleBahamas Frozen Concoction Maker ｜ DM0700-000-000
Quickly Make Professional Margaritas
Designed specifically for making frozen cocktails, this blender is ideal for the serious margarita maker. The included mixer jug has easy-to-follow guidelines printed on it for mixing drinks, and the reservoir behind the pitcher will crush all the ice you need. The pitcher also has an easy-pour spout to make every aspect of making drinks a breeze.
The green base of the pitcher cracked for a few reviewers, and they found it difficult to source a replacement. But they say it blends ice and crushes it wonderfully, and this means it can make great frozen drinks easily and quickly. They also praise the machine for being easy to clean.
A Blender With 6 Stacked Blades
This powerful blender has six blades that rotate around a central pillar to ensure that everything in the pitcher is smoothly blended. The blender has not only three speeds and a pulse function, but also three preset options for ice cream, smoothies, and crushing ice. The pitcher is dishwasher-safe and the blender comes with a recipe book.
Several reviewers report cracked pitchers and bases and aren't impressed with the plastic materials used. The sharp blades ensure that the blender can power through ingredients and ice easily, however, and reviewers say it is great for making frozen drinks. They also praise the blender for being easy to take apart and clean.
Also Includes a Small Smoothie Cup
The brushed nickel finish of this blender will ensure it looks stylish in many kitchens. It has several speeds and programs, and the button layout on the base makes it easy to choose the right functions. The blender has a 42-ounce glass pitcher and also comes with a 24-ounce smoothie cup that can be used directly for blending.
There are a few comments regarding leaks, and some reviews say it didn't blend milkshakes very well. However, many reviewers had no issues making their smoothies or frozen drinks and say the blender is very easy to use. They praise it for being easy to clean and most reviewers agree that it isn't too loud.
Powerful Blender With a Retro Design
This blender would look perfect in your kitchen alongside other retro appliances. It has eight different presets to cover everything from blending ice to heating soup, and also has a self-cleaning function. The blades are Japanese stainless steel and have serrated edges to keep them razor sharp.
According to reviewers, this blender is very loud. A few reviewers also report that the motor burned out after roughly a year of use. The pre-programmed functions are greatly praised by reviewers, however, as is how quick and powerful the blender is. They say that it blends smoothly and doesn't leave any chunks behind.
A 3-in-1 Blender With a Food Processor Attachment
If you're looking for a blender for more than just frozen drinks, this may be the one for you. You have a choice of either 40- or 52-ounce pitchers, but the blender also comes with a single-serving-sized cup and a food processor attachment. The blender has a variety of speeds and programs for each use.
Some reviewers struggled to get this blender to evenly blend their ingredients and say it left chunks of fruit or ice in their drinks. However, many reviewers praise the blender for how easy it is to use and clean. There are lots of comments from reviewers who have used this versatile blender set daily without any problems.
Take Your Blender on the Move With You
This blender may be small, but it makes up for it by being portable. It comes with an ice cube tray since you can't use regular-sized ice with it. It also includes a funnel and can be charged through the micro USB port on the back. It's dishwasher-safe and can also blend while being charged.
Some reviewers say that the blender stopped working after a few uses and wouldn't hold a charge. Many reviews love this little blender, though, and say that it blends well as long as the ingredients are kept small. Reviewers report that it can blend several drinks from one charge and isn't very loud.
Comes With a 5-Year Warranty
You can control the speed of this blender with the variable speed dial and add an extra kick with the pulse function. It has eight stainless-steel blades, making it perfect for creating your favorite frozen drinks. The blender also comes with a five-year warranty to cover any broken or malfunctioning parts.
Some reviewers report inconsistency when it comes to blending ingredients. They say that the blades don't seem to reach all of the ice. Reviewers say that the blender is easy to clean, though, and they like the size of the pitcher. Several reviewers comment that they have used this blender for many different purposes with great success.
Take Complete Control Of the Blender's Speed
This blender has the highest wattage of any on this list. The base has four suction cups on the bottom to ensure it will stay in place despite its power. It has six angled stainless steel blades, and you have great control over their speed due to the variable speed control dial. The blender also has a self-clean function and a timer.
The blender is a little more complicated than some reviewers expected, and there are also comments regarding it breaking after a few uses. The power of the blender is commended by reviewers, though, as they say it can blend frozen fruit smoothly and quickly. The ability to control the speed and power so intricately is also praised.
7 Blended Cocktail Recipes to Try
Here are some boozy drinks to get you started on your frozen drink blending journey! While they're made for a more portable size, it should be easy enough to double or triple the recipes to accommodate a full-size blender.
More Essentials for That Perfect Drink
It takes more than just a blender to make a great frozen drink. That's why we have some more products to recommend to you!
Top 5 Blenders For Frozen Drinks
No. 1: Ninja｜Professional Countertop Blender｜BL610
No. 2: Vitamix｜Professional Series 750 Blender｜1957
No. 3: Margaritaville｜Bahamas Frozen Concoction Maker｜DM0700-000-000
No. 4: Ninja｜Professional Plus Blender｜BN701
No. 5: Oster｜Pro 1200 Blender
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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