The best blender for smoothies and frozen drinks depends on what you make and how much you blend at once. A compact personal blender can be convenient for a single serving, while a full-size model offers more room and power for family batches and ice-heavy drinks. These five options range from a simple 250-watt personal blender to large-pitcher machines with dedicated ice-crushing features.
Quick Comparison
| Blender | Type | Key features | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magic Bullet Personal Blender | Personal | 250-watt motor; cups and travel lid included | Simple shakes and small servings |
| Ninja Fit Compact Personal Blender | Personal | 700-watt motor; frozen-ingredient blending; two 16-ounce cups | Single-serve smoothies with frozen fruit or ice |
| Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto-iQ | Full-size | 1,400 peak watts; 72-ounce pitcher; three Auto-iQ programs | Large batches and frozen drinks |
| Ninja Blender Pro+ with Pitcher and Cups | Full-size and personal | 1,100-watt motor; 72-ounce pitcher; two to-go cups | Households that want batch and single-serve blending |
| nutribullet Personal Blender | Personal | 700-watt motor; 21-ounce handled tumbler and 18-ounce cup | Portable daily smoothies |
Our Picks: Best Blender To Make Smoothies And Frozen Drinks reviews
Magic Bullet Personal Blender: A Compact Pick for Simple Drinks
The Magic Bullet is a small personal blender built for quick, modest portions. Its 250-watt motor base works with cups that you load and twist onto the blade assembly. The package includes a tall cup, a short cup, a party mug, lip rings, resealable lids, and a to-go lid, so you have a few ways to serve or store a drink.
Its compact footprint is a practical advantage if counter or cabinet space is limited. The simple cup-and-blade setup also keeps the routine straightforward: add ingredients, attach the blade, and place the cup on the base. The blade comes off for rinsing, and the cups are top-rack dishwasher safe.
The main trade-off is power. At 250 watts, this is a less compelling choice for frequent ice crushing or thick blends packed with frozen ingredients. It is better suited to shakes, softer fruit, and smaller everyday mixtures than to making a round of icy frozen cocktails.
Pros:
- Compact design takes up little counter space.
- Includes multiple cups and a to-go lid.
- Simple twist-on assembly and operation.
- Cups are top-rack dishwasher safe.
Cons:
- Lower wattage than the other blenders in this guide.
- Not the strongest fit for ice-heavy frozen drinks.
Verdict: Choose the Magic Bullet for basic personal smoothies and shakes when small size matters more than frozen-blending power.
Ninja Fit: A More Powerful Personal Blender for Frozen Ingredients
The Ninja Fit is a compact single-serve blender with a 700-watt motor and push-to-blend controls. It blends directly in one of the included 16-ounce cups, then you can attach a spout lid to take your drink with you. That setup makes it useful for a quick smoothie without transferring it to another container.
Unlike the lower-powered Magic Bullet, the Fit is specifically described as able to crush ice and pulverize frozen ingredients. That gives it a clearer role for frozen-fruit smoothies and personal frozen drinks. It still has cup-sized capacity, though, so it is not meant for preparing a large pitcher for several people.
The two cups and lids make it easier to prepare separate servings or keep a spare cup ready. The parts are BPA-free and top-rack dishwasher safe. As with other personal blenders, ingredients need to fit within the cup, so very large batches require blending in stages.
Pros:
- 700-watt motor is suited to frozen ingredients and ice.
- Blends in the included single-serve cups.
- Two cups and spout lids support grab-and-go use.
- Top-rack dishwasher-safe parts simplify cleanup.
Cons:
- 16-ounce cups limit batch size.
- Does not include a full-size pitcher for serving a group.
Verdict: The Ninja Fit is a strong choice if you mainly make individual smoothies and want more frozen-ingredient capability than a basic low-wattage personal blender offers.
Ninja Professional Plus: Best for Large Batches and Ice Crushing
The Ninja Professional Plus is a full-size blender designed for drinks beyond a single serving. It has a 1,400-peak-watt motor, a 72-ounce pitcher, and a stacked blade assembly. The listed pitcher capacity is 72 ounces, with a 64-ounce maximum liquid capacity, making it better suited to family smoothies or a batch of frozen drinks than a personal cup blender.
Its Total Crushing blades are designed to crush ice, and the three Auto-iQ programs use timed pulsing, blending, and pauses. Those presets can help simplify common blending tasks, while the pitcher gives ingredients more room to move than a personal cup. The included pitcher and stacked blade assembly are BPA-free and top-rack dishwasher safe.
The larger size is useful when you often serve more than one person, but it takes more storage space than a compact personal blender. It also lacks the included to-go cups found with the Ninja Fit and Ninja Pro+ package, so you will need another container if you want to take a serving along.
Pros:
- 1,400-peak-watt motor and Total Crushing blades are designed for ice.
- Large pitcher is suitable for family-size batches.
- Three Auto-iQ programs provide timed blending patterns.
- BPA-free pitcher and blade assembly are top-rack dishwasher safe.
Cons:
- Large pitcher is less convenient for a single drink than a personal cup.
- No to-go cups are included.
Verdict: Pick the Professional Plus if you regularly make large batches or frozen drinks and want a pitcher with dedicated ice-crushing features.
Ninja Blender Pro+: A Versatile Pitcher-and-Cup Set
The Ninja Blender Pro+ pairs a 1,100-watt motor and 72-ounce pitcher with two 16-ounce to-go cups. Its Total Crushing blade system is designed to crush ice, and the three manual speeds, pulse control, and single-serve function give you options for different recipes and serving sizes.
This package stands out for flexibility. Use the pitcher for a family smoothie or party batch, then use a single-serve cup when you only need one drink. The cups include spout lids, so you can blend a personal smoothie and take it with you without pouring it into a separate travel bottle.
The maximum liquid capacity for the pitcher is 64 ounces, rather than the full 72-ounce container size. The listed removable parts are BPA-free and top-rack dishwasher safe. Compared with the Professional Plus, this model has a lower stated motor wattage and manual speed controls instead of the three Auto-iQ programs.
Pros:
- Includes both a large pitcher and two personal cups.
- Total Crushing blades are designed for ice and frozen drinks.
- Three speeds, pulse, and single-serve function offer control.
- Removable parts are BPA-free and top-rack dishwasher safe.
Cons:
- Pitcher maximum liquid capacity is 64 ounces.
- Does not include the Professional Plus model’s Auto-iQ programs.
Verdict: Choose the Ninja Pro+ if you want one blender for both group-sized batches and portable single servings.
nutribullet Personal Blender: A Portable Option for Daily Smoothies
This nutribullet personal blender has a 700-watt motor base and a twist-on extractor blade. The package includes a handled 21-ounce tumbler with a to-go lid and an 18-ounce blending cup. The tumbler is described as fitting standard car cupholders, which makes it a useful option if you want a smoothie that can travel with you.
Its push-and-twist activation starts an automatic blending cycle. The product description says it can smooth most ingredients, including frozen fruit, in under a minute; that does not mean every recipe or ingredient combination will blend at the same pace. The cups and other accessories are dishwasher safe, which can make routine cleanup easier.
Like the Ninja Fit, this model is designed for personal portions rather than pitcher-sized batches. It is described as handling frozen fruit, but the supplied details do not specifically say it crushes ice. If ice-heavy frozen drinks are your main goal, consider one of the Ninja models that explicitly lists ice-crushing capability.
Pros:
- 700-watt motor is designed to handle tough ingredients and frozen fruit.
- Includes a handled 21-ounce tumbler and an 18-ounce cup.
- To-go tumbler is designed to fit standard car cupholders.
- Automatic blending cycle and dishwasher-safe accessories add convenience.
Cons:
- Small cups are not suited to large batches.
- Ice crushing is not specified in the supplied product details.
Verdict: The nutribullet is a good fit for portable, single-serve smoothies, especially if a handled tumbler is more useful to you than a second identical cup.
How to Choose a Blender for Smoothies and Frozen Drinks
Match the Blender to Your Batch Size
Think about how many servings you usually make at once. Personal blenders use smaller cups and suit individual smoothies, while a full-size pitcher is more practical for family servings, guests, or meal prep. A pitcher model can also give ingredients more room than a tightly packed personal cup.
Consider Frozen Fruit and Ice Separately
Frozen fruit and ice are not identical blending tasks. The Ninja Fit and Ninja Professional Plus explicitly list ice crushing, and the Ninja Pro+ describes its Total Crushing blades as designed to crush ice. The nutribullet is described as handling frozen fruit, but its supplied product details do not specifically mention ice crushing. The Magic Bullet’s 250-watt motor is a better match for simpler blends than frequent ice-heavy recipes.
Look at Motor Power Alongside the Blade System
Wattage can help you compare models, but it is not the only factor to consider. Blade design and the blender’s stated features also matter. In this group, the full-size Ninja models combine higher-wattage motors with blade systems described for crushing ice. For a personal blender, the Ninja Fit and nutribullet each list a 700-watt motor, while the Magic Bullet lists 250 watts.
Choose Between Presets and Manual Control
Automatic programs can simplify repeat recipes by setting a blending pattern for you. The Ninja Professional Plus includes three Auto-iQ programs that combine timed pulsing, blending, and pauses. The Ninja Pro+ instead offers three manual speeds, pulse control, and a single-serve function. Consider whether you prefer a preset or more direct control over the blend.
Check the Cups, Lids, and Serving Options
Included containers can change how convenient a blender is day to day. The Ninja Fit has two 16-ounce cups with spout lids, and the Ninja Pro+ adds two personal cups alongside its pitcher. The Magic Bullet comes with several cup styles and lids, while the nutribullet includes a handled tumbler and a separate blending cup. Match the included sizes to the portions you actually drink.
Plan for Cleanup and Storage
Top-rack dishwasher-safe parts can reduce cleanup work, but check which components are included and how much counter or cabinet space the base and pitcher need. Personal blenders are generally the more compact option among these picks. A large pitcher model takes up more room, but it can reduce the need to blend multiple rounds for a group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which blender in this guide is best for frozen drinks?
The Ninja Professional Plus is a strong choice for large batches because it has a 1,400-peak-watt motor, a 72-ounce pitcher, and Total Crushing blades described for ice. For a single serving, the Ninja Fit specifically lists ice crushing and frozen-ingredient blending.
Can a personal blender crush ice?
Some can, but check the product details rather than assuming all personal blenders are alike. The Ninja Fit specifically lists ice crushing. The nutribullet details mention frozen fruit but do not specifically state ice crushing, while the Magic Bullet’s listed motor is lower powered.
Is a personal blender enough for a family?
It can work if you are comfortable making drinks in several rounds. For a family or group, a full-size pitcher such as the Ninja Professional Plus or Ninja Pro+ is more convenient for larger batches.
What is the difference between the two full-size Ninja options?
The Professional Plus lists a 1,400-peak-watt motor and three Auto-iQ programs, but it does not include personal cups. The Ninja Pro+ lists a 1,100-watt motor, manual speeds and pulse control, and includes two to-go cups in addition to its pitcher.
Which option is easiest to take on the go?
The personal blenders are convenient for portable drinks because they include cups with lids. The Ninja Fit has two cups with spout lids, and the nutribullet includes a handled 21-ounce tumbler with a to-go lid. The Ninja Pro+ also includes two to-go cups alongside its pitcher.
Are the blender cups and pitchers dishwasher safe?
The supplied product details list the Magic Bullet cups as top-rack dishwasher safe, the Ninja Fit parts as top-rack dishwasher safe, and the Ninja pitcher parts as top-rack dishwasher safe. The nutribullet accessories are described as dishwasher safe. Follow the care instructions included with the specific model.
Final Recommendation
For the broadest range of frozen drinks and larger smoothies, the Ninja Professional Plus is the most capable pitcher-style option in this group based on its listed motor power, ice-crushing blades, and Auto-iQ programs. If you want personal servings with explicit ice-crushing capability, choose the Ninja Fit. The Ninja Pro+ is the most flexible pick if you want both a pitcher and take-along cups, while the Magic Bullet and nutribullet make more sense for smaller everyday drinks and compact storage.