How to Pick a Frozen Fruit Blender
If you are looking for the best blender for frozen fruit, you need to be extra careful before making a final decision. Most blender models on the market can carry out basic blending tasks like making smoothies, milkshakes, and protein shakes.
But only a handful of them can work with tough ingredients like ice.
To effectively narrow down the best blender for frozen fruits, there are some important things you must consider. Below are a few of them.
Motor
The motor is the single most important part of a blender, as it determines how well it performs.
A blender with a great power isn’t going to have any problem crushing ice and other tough ingredients. However, a blender with low motor power will struggle with ice and may even overheat.
If you want a blender that can deliver near-perfect consistency when working with ice and other hard ingredients, you should opt for one with a 1.34 to 2.0 hp motor or a 1000 watt and above motor.
It may surprise you to know that many regular countertop blenders on the market come with a 0.67hp or a 500-watt motor, which clearly isn’t powerful enough to crush ice. So if you buy them, you are going to have a hard time making ice and frozen drinks.
Even worse, their motor may overheat and ultimately burn out because it wasn’t designed to work on ice.
So if you want to have a seamless experience when making delicious frozen drinks for your friends, you should purchase a blender with ice crushing capability.
The Vitamix A3500 and the Blendtec Designer are excellent examples of top tier blenders that can crush ice and other tough ingredients with ease.
High-quality blades
Many people looking to buy the best blender for ice or frozen drinks pay little or no attention to the blades that come with a blender. Some of them have the notion that all blender blades have amazing quality and can shatter ice cubes and other tough products. But, that is far from the truth.
To accurately determine if the blades fitted in a blender is of high quality, you should check the material it is made from and its design.
A quality blade on the market is made from stainless steel. What’s more, they are super thick and can effectively shatter frozen fruits and other tough ingredients with ease.
A lot of people measure the effectiveness of a blade by its sharpness. Well, it may surprise you to know that the sharpness of a blade doesn’t often determine how well it will perform.
You may be shocked to learn that top tier blenders like the Blendtec Designer come with thick blunt blades.
Keep in mind that other factors like the length and thickness can also affect the performance of a blender blade.
Blending jar
Do you know that thesize and shape of a blender jar can affect the flow of ingredients when it is switched on?
The best blenders for ice and frozen ingredients are designed to create a vortex that sucks ingredients to the base of the blending jar where they are crushed by the blades. The continuous motion of the blades forces ingredients up the sides of the container.
If you buy a blender with a tall and narrow jar, you are likely going to need a spatula to push frozen fruits and ingredients down. A blender with a wide blending jar, on the other hand, won’t deliver a better consistency, as ingredients are relatively close to the blender blades.
It is also worth considering the capacity of a blending jar, as well as the material it is made from.
If you are looking to make huge volumes of frozen drinks or frozen fruit smoothie, you should opt for a blender with a 64oz and above blending jar.
Presently, the two main materials that are used to make blending jars are glass and plastic. If you are going for a blender with a glass jar, ensure that it is impact resistant before making a purchase.
On the other hand, if you are going for a blender with a tough plastic jar, opt for one made from high-grade polycarbonate plastic, as they are dense, durable, and shatter-resistant.
Best Blenders for Frozen Fruit Smoothies Comparison
To give you a clear picture of what the various blenders reviewed in this article has to offer, we prepared a comprehensive comparison table that showcases some of their key features.
Image | PRODUCT/ Features | Rating | |
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Top Pick | Vitamix A3500Motor Power: 2.2 peak horsepower Programmable setting: 5 pre-sets, 10 speeds Container: Tritan plastic, 64oz |
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Read Full Review |
Budget Pick | HomeGeek ProfessionalMotor Power: 1450 watt Programmable setting: 8 speeds, 4 pre-sets Container: Tritan plastic, 680z |
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Read Full Review |
Popular Pick | Blendtec DesignerMotor Power: 1560 watt Programmable setting: 8 speeds, 6 pre-sets Container: 90oz BPA free container |
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Read Full Review |
Vitamix 5200Motor Power: 2 horsepower Programmable setting: 10 speeds Container: Tritan plastic, 64oz |
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Read Full Review | |
Blendtec Total ClassicMotor Power: 3 peak horsepower Programmable setting: 6 pre-sets, 10 speeds Container: 75oz BPA free container |
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Read Full Review | |
Nutribullet RX 1700WMotor Power: 1700 watt Programmable setting: 1 speed Container: Plastic, 30oz, and 33oz |
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Read Full Review | |
Cleanblend CommercialMotor Power: 1800 watt Programmable setting: 10 speeds Container: 64oz BPA free container |
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Read Full Review | |
Ninja Nutri BL480DMotor Power: 1000 watt Programmable setting: 2 speeds Container: plastic, 18oz, and 24oz |
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Read Full Review | |
NutriChef BlenderMotor Power: 1700 watt Programmable setting: 3 pre-sets, 5 speeds Container: 1.7-liter BPA free jar |
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Read Full Review | |
Ninja BL642Motor Power: 1200 watt Programmable setting: 2 presets Container: 18oz, 24oz, and 32oz BPA free containers |
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Read Full Review |
1. Vitamix A3500 (Top Pick)
The Vitamix A3500 is a commercial-grade blender with a lot of amazing features that will make your life easier. Its sleek design and brilliant finishing will definitely complement the décor of most modern kitchens.
This high-performance blender is regarded by many as one of the best for ice drinks, as it has a powerful motor that can effortlessly crush tough ingredients like ice.
Just like other top-notch Vitamix blenders on the market, the Vitamix A3500 comes with a 2.2 peak horsepower motor. The motor is durable, sturdy, and can withstand consistent use without heating up.
With this blender, you will be able to make frozen fruit smoothies, spreads, hot soup, and many more at the touch of a button. This blender has 5 pre-programmed settings and 10 variable speed that can help users get the consistency they want manually.
The 64oz BPA free jar that comes with the Vitamix A3500 is durable, lightweight, and easy to store. What’s more, it is heat and shatter-resistant.
Ensuring that this top-notch blender continues to deliver excellent results, it was fitted with premium quality stainless steel blades.
The only issue with this blender is that it is expensive.
So if you are looking for the best blender for frozen fruit smoothies, you should check out the Vitamix A3500.
+ 5 pre-programmed settings and 10 speeds
+ 10-year warranty
+ Eye-catching design
+ Durable blades
– Only one jar size is available
– Jars from previous models won’t work on it.
2. HomeGeek Professional (Budget Pick)
The HomeGeek Professional is a budget-friendly blender that is perfect for making fruit smoothies, ice or frozendrinks, and other delicious treats. Its classic design and remarkable finishing set it apart from other blenders on the market.
The 68oz jar that comes with this blender is made of BPA-free Tritan plastic. With the jar, you will be able to make large batches of delicious fruit smoothies at a go.
Unlike other blenders that fall short when it comes to performance, the HomeGeek Professional can consistently deliver near-perfect results. Thanks to the 1450w motor that is fitted in this blender, it can work with hard ingredients like ice cubes, nuts, frozen fruits, and tough veggies.
Do you like frozen fruit smoothies? If yes, you should check out this blender, as it can make near perfect smoothies at the touch of a button.
The HomeGeek Professional has 8 variable speeds, 4 presets (soup, smoothie, frozen dessert, and ice-crush), a digital display, and a pulse feature.
The high-grade stainless steel blade that comes with this blender can shatter tough ingredients with ease. Even more, they are durable, sturdy, and easy to clean.
So if you are looking for one of the best blenders for ice drinks and smoothies but are on a tight budget, the HomeGeek Professional will be perfect for you.
+ Budget-friendly
+ Self-clean feature
+ Straight forward controls
+ Versatile functions
– Bulky base
– Its jar is difficult to store.
3. Blendtec Designer (Popular Pick)
The Blendtec Designer is a top-notch frozen drink blender with a lot of intriguing features. Its catching design and brilliant finishing will definitely impress you.
This professional blender boasts of a 1560 watt motor, which is powerful enough to crushed ice, nuts, seeds, and tough vegetables.
The 90oz jar that comes with this amazing blender is durable and shatter-resistant. What’smore, it has measuring lines.
Unlike other blenders with complicated features, the Blendtec Designer is easy to use. On its control panel, you will find a digital display, a pulse soft-touch button, and 6 presets.
The stainless steel blades that are fitted in the jar of this blender are 80% thicker than others out there. Since they are super thick, they can effortlessly crush ice and frozen fruits.
To many, the Blendtec Designer is one of the best blenders for frozen drinks, but the blender isn’t perfect. Some users complained that the blender is expensive.
Another problem with this blender is that it makes a loud noise when working at full power. But of course, this takes nothing away from its performance.
So, if you are looking for a modern blender that can make ice and frozen drinks, heat up soup, and make ultra-smooth smoothies, you should check out the Blendtec Designer.
+ Thick and durable blades
+ 1560 watt motor
+ 6 pre-programmed settings
+ Easy to clean and maintain
– It is expensive
– Bulky base.
4. Vitamix 5200
The Vitamix 5200 is a modern countertop blender with a powerful motor. Its sophisticated design and extraordinary performance make it stand out from the crowd.
Just like other commercial-grade Vitamix blenders on the market, the Vitamix 5200 features a 2.2 peak horsepower motor. Ice cubes, nuts, and other solid ingredients don’t stand a chance against the motor in this blender.
To ensure that the motor keeps working efficiently, the engineers at Vitamix installed an advanced cooling system in the base unit of the blender.
If you are into green smoothies, you are going to love this blender, as it can transform the toughest vegetables into superfine liquid within seconds. No wonder a lot of people regard it as the best green smoothie blender on the market.
The 64oz high profile jar that comes with this professional blender is BPA free, easy to clean, and sturdy. Thanks to the sturdy handle of the container, users can carry it around their kitchen with relative ease.
The blades that come with this blender are made from high-grade stainless steel. The blades are durable, sturdy, and can effortlessly shatter tough ingredients.
So if you are looking for an amazing frozen fruit smoothie blender that can withstand consistent use, the Vitamix 5200 will be perfect for you.
+ Ease of use
+ Self-clean feature
+ 10 variable speed settings
+ Powerful motor and blades
– It is a bit noisy
– It has no pre-programmed settings
– Its high-profile jar is difficult to store.
5. Blendtec Total Classic
The Blendtec total classic is a heavy-duty countertop blender with a lot of amazing features that will blow your mind away. Its modern and chic design is surely going to complement the décor of most modern kitchens.
When it comes to performance, the Blendtec Total Classic doesn’t disappoint. Its 3 peak horsepower motor can do everything from making fruit smoothies and frozen drinks to heating up soup and crushing ice.
The motor can also work with tough ingredients like dough and batter, which many other blenders struggle with.
This amazing blender comes with a 75oz jar with a 32oz blending capacity. Thecontainer is sturdy, ultra-clear, and easy to clean. The jar also has measuring lines for cups and ounces that may come in handy when working with a delicate recipe.
Just like other best Blendtec blenders on the market, the Blendtec Classic has 10 speeds, a touchpad interface, a pulse feature, and 6 pre-programmed settings (hot soup, batters, ice crush, smoothies, and ice cream).
As you likely now know, this blender is awesome and has a lot of incredible features, but it falls short in some areas. Some users complained that the blender is a bit noisy. Others aired out that it is expensive, especially when compared to blenders from other brands similar to it.
So if you are looking for a high-performance blender that can make near-perfect frozen fruit, smoothies, delicious milkshakes, and soups, the Blendtec Total Classic will be perfect for you.
+ Straight forward controls
+ Powerful motor
+ 8-year warranty
+ Digital display.
– Expensive
– No tamper.
6. Nutribullet RX 1700W
The Nutribullet RX is a portable and lightweight personal blender. Its elegant design and amazing finishing set it apart from other blenders similar to it.
Since the blender is lightweight, carrying it around your kitchen, storing it, or even traveling with it won’t be a problem.
When it comes to performance, the Nutribullet RX can compete with many top-notch countertop blenders. This amazing blender comes with a 1700 watt motor. The motor can do everything from crush frozen fruits and ice cubes to heat up soup and make delicious shakes.
Unlike other portable blenders that require users to operate manually, the Nutribullet RX can start and stop on its own.
The stainless steel blades that come with this blender are powerful enough to shatter ice and frozen fruit and other tough ingredients that many portable blenders struggle with.
So, if you are looking for a high-performance portable blender that can carry out heavy-duty blending tasks like making frozen fruits smoothies, heat soup, and many more, you should check out the Nutribullet RX.
This blender comes with a30oz cup and a sturdy pitcher with a 1-liter capacity.
Needless to say, this blender is amazing and has a lot of remarkable features. But it also has a few shortcomings. First, it doesn’t have pulse features. Also, it has only one variable speed setting and no pre-programmed setting.
+ Ease of use
+ Hands-free smart technology
+ 1700watt motor
+ BPA free jars
– No digital display
– No pulse feature.
7. Cleanblend Commercial
This is a premium quality commercial grade blender with straight forward controls. Its fancy design and brilliant finishing will definitely complement the design and aesthetics of your kitchen.
The Cleanblend Commercial can make bar standard frozen drinks effortlessly. This is likely the reason why it is labeled by many as the best blender for ice cream, frozen drinks, and margarita.
This blender can deliver near-perfect frozen fruit smoothie, delicious protein shakes, and many more because it is fitted with a powerful 1800w motor. The motor is made with high grade material and can stand the test of time.
The stainless steel blades that come with this blender are perfect for crushing ice, nuts, and other tough ingredients. Since they are thick and scratch-resistant, you can be confident that they will last for a long time.
The Cleanblend Commercial comes with a 64oz jar made from BPA free material. The jar is dishwasher safe, shatter-resistant, ultra-clear, and easy to clean.
This professional blender comes with a 5-year absolute protection warranty and 30 days guarantee. So if the blender happens to develop a fault after you’ve bought it, you won’t have to spend anything to fix it.
The Cleanblend Commercial is perfect for people looking for a high-performance blender that can crush ice, frozen fruits, make ultra-smooth frozen fruit smoothies, and deliver consistent results.
+ Straight forward controls
+ BPA free blending jar
+ Durable stainless steel blades
+ Ice crushing capabilities
– It has no pre-sets
– No digital display.
8. Ninja Nutri BL480D
The Ninja Nutri BL480D is an exceptional single serve blender with features that are definitely going to wow you. This blender has an eye-catching design and a luxurious feel that will turn heads and give you loads of complement.
This top-notch blender utilizes dual-directional blade technology to extract nutrients from fruits and vegetables.What’s more, it has ice-crushing capabilities and can deliver amazing results.
This blender has functions that aren’t found on many portable blenders. The blender possesses a unique computerized IQ system that allows it to carry out different blending functions at the touch of a button.
The Nutri Ninja BL480D is versatile and can carry out heavy-duty blending tasks like crushing ice, frozen fruits, and nuts. This blender can carry out different blending tasks with ease because it has a powerful motor.
The 1000 watt motor that comes with this single-serve blender is powerful and durable.
If you buy this blender, you will get an 18oz and a 24oz container. Both Nutri ninja cups are BPA free and easy to use and clean.
The only issue with this blender is that it can’t work with hot ingredients and heat up soup.
So if you are looking for the best blender for ice or frozen drinks and other delicious treats, but don’t want something bulky and heavy, the Ninja Nutri BL480D will be perfect for you.
+ 1000 watt motor
+ 18oz and 24oz jars
+ Auto IQ technology
+ Durable blades
– Can’t work with hot ingredients
– Only suitable for personal use.
9. NutriChef Blender
This is a beautiful blender with a unique design that will stand out in your kitchen. Its near-perfect finishing and remarkable features are certainly going to impress you.
This high-performance blender can compete with many commercial-grade blenders, especially when it comes to making frozen fruit smoothies. This blender features a 1700 watt motor with ice-crushing capabilities.
This blender has 3 pre-programmed settings (vegetable, smoothies, and soup) that can help users get the consistency they want at the touch of a button.
On the control panel of this blender, you will find 3 presets, a start and stop button, two dedicated buttons to increase and decrease blending speeds, and a pulse button.
This remarkable blender has 5 blending speeds that will help users get near-perfect consistency with ease. The pulse feature is perfect for crushing ice, nuts, seeds, and other tough ingredients.
The BPA free jar that comes with this blender has a 1.7-liter capacity and a sturdy handle. The jar is made from premium Tritan plastic. It may interest you to know that the jar is stain resistant, dishwasher safe, and easy to clean.
So if you are looking for an affordable blender, which can compete with the best blender for ice or frozen drinks, the NutriChef Blender will be a good fit for you.
+ 1700 watt motor
+ 3 pre-programmed settings
+ Digital LCD display
+ Durable stainless steel blades
– Its jar is difficult to store
– Only 5 speeds.
10. Ninja BL642
The Ninja BL642is apowerful blender that has features that can help users get the results they want at the touch of a button. The chic design and illustrious finishing of this blender is clearly going to leave you amazed.
This amazing blender is the epitome of versatility, as it can do the job of a blender and a food processor. Thanks to the 2 horsepower motor that is fitted in this blender, it can effortlessly crush ice cubes and other tough ingredients.
Just like many commercial-grade blenders on the market, the Ninja BL642 have 2 presets (frozen drinks/smoothies and food puree) and 3 speeds. This blender utilizes total crushing technology to extract nutrients from fruits and vegetables.
The total crushing technology can also help users get the consistency they want when working with ice and tough seeds.
Obviously, the Ninja BL642 is an amazing blender, but it has a few issues. First, it comes with only a one-year warranty. Also, it is noisy.
So if you are looking for the best blender for frozen fruit smoothies or drinks, you should check out the Ninja BL642.
+ 2 Presets
+ Digital display
+ Sturdy blades
+ Dishwasher safe jars
– Short warranty
– Bulky base.
Blending Tips for Frozen Fruits
Below are some tips that will help you get excellent results when working with frozen fruits.
Add liquid ingredients first
Regardless of the type of recipe you are following, it is wise that you always add liquid ingredients first. Doing this will not only increase the life span of your blender blades but will also help you get better results.
So, if you are looking to make a frozen fruit smoothie, for example, you should add liquid ingredients like fruit juice first. Next, add soft fruits (unfrozen). Frozen fruit and ice should be the last thing you should add.
Crush the ice
Truth be told, not all blenders can effectively crush standard ice cubes into tiny bits. If your blender isn’t able to crushed ice, you should try crushing them into sizable chunks before adding them to your blender.
Use fresh ingredients
If you want your frozen smoothie to taste great, you should always use high quality and fresh ingredients. To ensure that your smoothie doesn’t have an off taste, you should inspect the ice cubes in your refrigerator carefully before adding them.
As you likely know, ice can absorb odors. A simple way to test it is by tasting.
FAQ on Blender for Frozen Fruit Smoothies
How Many Watts Do You Need In A Blender To Crush Ice?
A blender with a 1000 watt and above motor can easily crush ice and other frozen ingredients. Bear in mind that most blenders with motors powerful enough to crush ice and deliver near-perfect results within seconds are usually noisy.
Can all blenders crush ice or frozen fruit?
No, not all blenders on the market are designed to work with tough ingredients like ice. Many handheld and portable blenders on the market are by no means suitable for crushing ice and frozen ingredients, as their motor isn’t so powerful.
How Long Does a Frozen Fruit Blender last?
The life span of a frozen fruit blender is often determined by the way it is used and maintained. This means that if you clean it regularly and use it the right way, it will last for many years.
Why does my blender get stuck?
There are a lot of reasons why blenders get stuck during a blending operation. Below are a few of them.
● When the blending jar is overloaded
● When the blender is working with tough ingredients
● When the blender isn’t used correctly.
Final Note
Choosing the best blender for frozen fruit is by no means easy. With so many options out there, it may be difficult for you to make an informed decision. To effectively narrow down the best one for your family, you have to consider factors like your budget, the size of your kitchen, and many more. If you are looking for the best blender for crushing ice, frozen fruits, and other ingredients, you should check out the Vitamix A3500, our top pick.