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, across a variety of sizes and shapes.
Best blenders available to buy now
Nutribullet 600 Series
Blend style and substance
Small design, mighty power and offering a very classic design - one of the top options we've tested.
Nutribullet 600 Series
Small design, mighty power and offering a very classic design - one of the top options we've tested.
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.
Vitamix S30
Impressive power
We love the timeless look of this Vitamix blender, but it also gets the job done impressively.
Vitamix S30
We love the timeless look of this Vitamix blender, but it also gets the job done impressively.
If you do want to take a step up, but don't necessarily want to abandon the principle that your blender should be relatively small, Vitamix's S30 is a great bet.
We think it's like a deluxe version of many base models from rivals, with a bit more control on the base unit. You get a chunk more power, too, in our experience, meaning that you can trust it to mince up a wider, tougher range of foods than cheaper equivalents.
That said, at full price, the S30 can be a little prohibitive — if you can find it discounted since it's been out a little while, that's the better way to pick one up. With a bigger container and a nice design, it's perhaps a little more adaptable, as well.
Hamilton Beach Power Elite Blender (58148A)
A solid option
A blending triumph for a budget price, with easy-to-clean parts and plenty of power modes.
Hamilton Beach Power Elite Blender with 12 Functions for Puree, Ice Crush, Shakes and Smoothies and 40oz BPA Free Glass Jar, Black and Stainless Steel (58148A)
Hamilton Beach has enough appliances to fill your entire counter, and the Power Elite blender should be a staple of any good home setup.
It's powerful enough to crush even ice, thanks to the 700 watts of power, and pulls the mixture down for a more even blend.
During testing, we found that the 12 blending functions and five buttons to shift between, which allows you to create everything from an icy drink to a hearty soup.
Thankfully, it's another blender that's also very easy to clean after use. The blades can be removed, and, along with the jar, can also be thrown into the dishwasher.
Ninja Professional Countertop Blender (BL610)
Good capacity
High-powered blending and a large capacity jar from an established name in the kitchen appliance game.
Ninja Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender with 1000-Watt Base and Total Crushing Technology for Smoothies, Ice and Frozen Fruit (BL610), Black
Ninja is another name that's synonymous with elite kitchen gadgets, and the BL610 fits right into that mold.
There's a huge liquid capacity to play with, and the 1000 watts of power mean it can essentially crush anything you throw at it (possibly even your dreams) - particularly excelling when it comes to preparing icy cold beverages.
You get the option to pick between low, medium and high power - as well as pulse mode - with the jar also dishwasher-friendly.
NutriBullet ZNBF30500Z Blender Combo
Simple to use
A powerful set that gives you ample control over your blending.
NutriBullet Blender Combo
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.
Magimix 1.8L Le Blender
Excellent simplicity
Simple to use, and powerful enough to be useful all the time, Magimix's blender is a great one.
Magimix Le Blender
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.
Smeg BLF01
An older classic
We love all of Smeg's appliances, pretty much, and this blender is no different.
Smeg Blender BLF01
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.
Vitamix 5200
Super-powered
If power is all you care about, this is about as much as you can get in a consumer blender.
Vitamix 5200
If power is all you care about, this is about as much as you can get in a consumer blender.
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.
KitchenAid KSB1570ER
Excellent settings
KitchenAid is another big name in the appliance world, a position it's earned with great devices like this blender.
KitchenAid 5KSB1565BOB
KitchenAid, like others on this list, knows its appliances and has a pedigree in the blending and mixing game.
This five-speed blender is a really impressive unit that isn't priced outrageously, in our view, and could handle pretty much everything we could throw at it with ease.
It also has a nice look to it, one that wouldn't seem out of place in a much older kitchen setting, or a classic American diner.
Its container has been smartly designed to funnel chunks towards the blades, and usefully has a partial-opening feature to let you add more ingredients while blending. It's dishwasher-safe, too, which is always appreciated.
Black + Decker Crush Master (BL2010BP)
Good place to start
A great entry-level blender that doesn't skimp on control.
BLACK+DECKER Crush Master 10-Speed Blender, Black, BL2010BP
The Crush Master is a bit of a dramatic name for a blender, but, still, Black + Decker's entry-level blender is a great option for beginners to try out.
There's plenty of control - 10 speeds with a Pulse mode - to allow you to find the right power from the 550-watt motor and achieve the right consistency, and we found it a very intuitive experience.
Providing you're not trying to create multiple big cups at a time - or a family-sized serving of soup - we think the 48oz jar is also more than enough for most users.
Washing up is also a breeze, since the blade component, pitcher and lid can all be thrown in the dishwasher.