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A tight schedule in a busy world can often mean you're slacking on getting the nutrition you need. One way to ensure you’re getting adequate nutrients while making a filling meal substitute or treat is to whip up a delicious fruit-filled smoothie, maybe even one supplemented with protein, green powder, or any other supplement that can help the body and mind function more efficiently whether you’re short on time or simply implementing new health practices in the New Year.
Smoothies are hardly new though, and many fitness and health aficionados have relied on their ease and appetizing taste for years already to get the recommended amount of two cups of fruit and two to three cups of vegetables a day as recommended by the CDC, which is something only nine percent of American adults were doing when the topic was last studied closely in 2015. If that sounds like a lot of roughage to chew, whipping up a nutrient cheat sheet in the form of a green smoothie or dairy-based milkshake substitute could be just your answer.
“The best thing about making healthy smoothies at home is that you can do it without the need of an expensive blender. I’ve been drinking smoothies daily for seven years and I’ve tried a lot of different blenders,” explains Daniel, aka the brains behind popular Instagram account @Thesmoothieguy. He suggests a machine with at least 500 watts of power and going with something cheaper “if you’re not a hardcore user and just want to have a smoothie from time to time.”
Whether aiming for a lower price point or looking to indulge in a luxury appliance, scroll through our choices below to get a feel for what's available and what these models can do for you, then get ready to kick off a whole new age of nutritional health.
Pair your new smoothie habit with one of these fantastic at-home workouts to really kickstart a healthy routine.
You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn a commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing, expert advice and our own research. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Nutribullet
The tried-and-true classic of the bunch, Nutribullet provides the above 500W guideline suggested above and sneaks in under $50 making it a low-cost product sure to please the serious smoothie-makers and those on a limited budget alike. “Coming from somebody whose life depends on smoothies and uses their blender entirely too much,” says the kinesiologist and personal trainer behind @katescleanlife, nothing beats a Nutribullet!” The basic model is linked here, but Amazon contains a wide array of purchasing options that include different cups, attachments, and wattage levels.
NUTRiBULLET
$49.88
Thermomix
This blender’s not for the novice, nor is the price tag a friendly one, but if what you want is a premium, restaurant kitchen-level piece of machinery, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better contender than this behemoth. Far beyond the standard milkshake mixer, the Thermomix also cooks, stirs, kneads dough, steams, and basically does anything you want it to outside of eating your dinner for you. Most private kitchens will never require this level of commitment from a countertop appliance, but if you have the dough and the drive, feel free to give $1500 real American dollars to Thermomix and enjoy the luxurious culinary adventure. Lara of @lalasplate calls it a favorite, explaining it will “really help in achieving thick, creamy smoothies as you need to add minimal/no liquid!”
Thermomix
$1448.00
Vitamix
“I bought a refurbished 5300 Vitamix from Amazon,” explains New York-based food blog @guitlessguidenyc. “It works better than any blender I’ve had. Kale, ice, you name it and it will be blended smooth!” They note that particular model also includes a heated setting for preparing soup without switching to a stovetop pot, meaning the investment is a convenient one for those who love a good liquid-based meal. The Smoothie Guy (as mentioned above) also suggested the Vitamix line. “Is it worth the investment?” he asked, “Absolutely! If you’re taking your health seriously and planning to use the blender daily – go for it.” The Vitamix is pricier than the Nutribullet but still comes in variety of price points and versions, such as the professional-grade Explorian linked here. Ten speeds, aircraft-grade steel blades, and a handy self-cleaning function make for an attractive option for somewhere in the “serious but not fanatical” for smoothies range.
Vitamix
$265.95
Blendtec Go Fit
The Smoothie Guy (aka Daniel) also suggested picking up a model from Blendtec for the company’s investment-worthy quality, and the Blendtec Go Fit combines that high-powered technology with the pared-down design similar to that of a Nutribullet for those looking to stick to a relatively simple routine but do so with daily frequency. The company lauds this model as “perfect for first-time blenders beginning a fitness journey,” so take this route should you be looking to take your smoothie journey seriously.
Blendtec
$299.95
Ninja Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender with 1000-Watt Base
Ninja is a well-loved name in kitchen appliances, and it's hard to deny the draw of a machine promising "total crushing technology" that makes perfect smoothies.
The under $100 price tag makes this a wonderful budget option for those who want to make larger batches than the Nutribullet can handle, and more than 13,000 reviews with more than 90% approval ratings bode well for interested buyers. It's apparently easy to clean and blends nearly as well as a Vitamix according to the top review, by a person who claims the only downside is the lack of heating option which isn't a problem for those only seeking to blend cold foods and beverages.
Ninja
$99.99
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