A Blender could easily be regarded as the most used item in your kitchen when it comes to meal preparation. As such, it is very important to own one that is worth having — one that will stay faithful through all those tough ingredients, through those countless days of use, and through heat and cold. You can indeed get a good blender for just under $300 that will stand up to the task in your kitchen.
The main purpose of a blender is to turn solid foods into liquid while giving you as much of the nutrients present in them as possible. When you turn on a blender, it creates a vortex that will pull ingredients towards the center and causing them to blend together. These days your blender does so much more than just blend as you will find out from these blenders under $300.
Best 6 Blenders Under $300
(Please note that prices were quoted in Canadian but may be converted to US$ based on your region)
1. Blendtec Classic Fit Blender
The Blendtec Classic Fit Blender is a sturdy powerful blending machine that will make a good addition to your kitchen. It is powered by 1560 watts of primary motor power which means you will get great blending, chopping, crushing, and mincing of whatever you put in it. Blendtec is known for having professional products with superior built. This classic fit blender is no different. The primary blade is blunt for safety and is visibly thicker than the norm. In fact, the manufacturers state that it is 80 percent thicker and 10x stronger than other blender blades. It is made of stainless steel which means it will outlast the duration of the blender itself without acquiring rust.
It comes with what you can describe as a four-sided 32-ounce capacity blending jar complete with guided measurements. Glass lovers will be happy with the fact that this jar, though not glass, is designed to blend hot foods and heating soups and drinks through the heat created during friction in its BPA- free jar. The lid closes over to grip the four sides of the jar during blending so there is no chance of it flying off and spraying your blend all over the roof.
It comes equipped with two pulse buttons — one to blend at a 30-second cycle, and the other at 10 seconds. This makes the motor work less and blends your food more consistently.
PROS
- 2-year comprehensive warranty
- Four-sided jar
- Vented gripper lid.
- Blunt safety blade
- Thicker and stronger than normal blades.
- Impact-resistant, BPA-free polyester plastic
- 1560 power watts
- Pulse feature
CONS
- Only 32 oz blending capacity
2. Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender
The Vitamix Explorian E310 is a multi-purpose 10-speed blender that’s exceptional for just about anything. It will give your smoothies a refined texture that matches those of your favorite smoothie shop. The E310 blender motor is rated at 1,380 watts which means it will perform its tasks to maximum quality.
Despite being the lowest price blender from Vitamix, the E310 will creates well-blended smoothies in under a minute and perfectly crushed ice in around 30 seconds. It’s great for making soups or coffee and will give you nicely done nut butter. The pulse feature allows it to chop and purée for a smooth finish or produce that chunky salsas or thick vegetable soups.
The blender comes with a 48-ounce container and hardened sharp stainless steel blades measuring 3-inch diameter. It is built with a radial cooling fan and thermal protection system to prevent the unit from overheating.
The blender is quite bulky but extremely sturdy. On the bright side, the blender is self-cleaning, so all you need to do is put in a drop of dish soap and warm water and turn it on. The machine will clean itself in 30 to 60 seconds.
-
Remarkably sturdy built
- 1,380 power watts
- Can be used in a professional capacity
- Exceptional at ice crushing
- Self-cleans
-
Ten-speed settings.
-
Outstanding at making smoothies and soups
-
Bulky design
- Small blending container
3. Hamilton Beach Professional (58850)
The Hamilton Beach Professional is one of the most powerful blenders made by the brand. Persons familiar and accustom to Hamilton Beach will enjoy this 1800 watt/ powerhouse, complete with its 64 oz shatterproof jar.
When put to the test the Hamilton Beach Professional blender did perform at a high standard. The 2.4 peak hp allowed it to cut through tough and frozen ingredients. It does crush ice as advertised while also able to satisfactorily grind grains, chop nuts puree and make your soup quickly and efficiently. This is made possible not just by the powerful motor it boasts but the crafted blades that work at speed of 140 mph.
Not surprisingly the blender’s pre-programmed features allow you to quickly choose and make meals without the hassle. You can add your desired food, press smoothie, puree, or ice-crush and it is prepared automatically. It also has a fourth one-touch feature that allows you to add water, press clean and the blender will clean itself for you. It also comes with a pulse feature for a more efficient and consistent blend every time.
While you blend your toughest ingredients you have no need to worry about overeating as the motor is built with thermal protection. despite the power, the blender is no louder than other blenders. It comes with a 64 oz jar pitcher that is large enough to feed your entire family or a small get-together. Even the lid on this blender serves an additional purpose. It comes with a removable filler cap that you can use as a measuring cup for things like dressing. You can even use it to taste your blend before removing it from the jar… just to see if it is missing something you may have forgot to add!
The blender comes with a tamper to help you mix around those thick stubborn ingredients. The base and jar are very sturdy and are expected to serve you for years. It is backed by a 5 year Limited.
PROS
- 1800 motor power
- 64 oz blending jar
- Thermal protection motor
- one touch clean
- 5yr warranty
- Sturdy built
- 4 pre-program features
CONS
- Big for under counter storage
4. Cleanblend Commercial blender 3HP 1800 W
The Cleanblend Commercial blender is ideal for a small business or for your home, especially if you have a family that you want to make smoothies and other cold drinks for on a regular basis. This commercial blender comes with 1800 watts of power which is equivalent to 3 horsepower. It will give you 64 ounces of smoothies, fresh juices, ice cream, milkshakes, cappuccinos, margaritas, soups, sauces, stacks, dressings, salsas, and more. In fact, it replaces up to 9 other devices in your kitchen.
It comes equipped with an 8 blade mixing system to ensure that your food is well blended at every go. In fact, it will blend your smoothies and shakes comparable to those from your local shop. It comes with a pulse function that helps sot reduce strain on the motor as it allows you to blend for just the right periods of time.
At 11 pounds the blender is heavy and you may have some issues fitting in under your counter, depending. However, it is a very effective blender that is able to cut through ice and hard fruits in seconds. It is good for families with babies as it is a big help in preparing your baby’s food. And f course, if you are a hummus lover it helps you to make your own as it handled peas and beans very well. The blender also comes with a filler cap that you can use for measuring sauces and other smaller ingredients.
This high-end blender is designed to retain as much of your nutrients as possible. It comes with a 5-year warranty and is designed to be a part o your family of years after that. It comes with a tamper for easier blending.
PROS
- functions on 3 horsepower
- 64 oz blending jar
- Multi-function
- Can make your baby’s food
- Sturdy
- Pulse feature
- 5-year warranty
- Suitable for commercial and domestic use
CONS
- Heavy
5. Nutri Ninja BL642 Blender Duo with Auto-iQ
The Nutri Ninja BL642 Blender Duo with Auto-IQ is truly a powerful blender with a number of features that have proven to be quite versatile. It indeed works all the money you will be paying for it. It comes with a 1200-watt motor and an auto iQ technology that makes it very modern and appealing. It is able to time your mixing time for you thus saving you the need to set a timer.
Its large 72 oz blender jar is definitely large enough to feed your family. It is able to turn ice into snow in seconds to give you that well-earned smoothie and frozen drinks before you can count to 30! Its iQ feature is set so that with just one touch of a button you can get frozen drink smoothies, Nutri Ninja blend, food puree, and your Nutri ninja ultra blend. One-touch will also let you operate your blender on the pulse mode.
- Removable blades can be tricky to maneuver
- A bit loud
6. KitchenAid KSB4027CU K400 Countertop Blender
The family of KitchenAid blenders is designed to make you tackle more than just smoothies and mixed drinks. It is designed to make you come together in the kitchen to try your hands at unexpected recipes and creative dishes. They are made to entice you in making a variety of soups, all kinds of nut butter, sauces, and your mixture of wild smoothies, all with the turn of a dial.
The KitchenAid KSB4027CU K400 Countertop Blender is definitely designed to inspire creativity. The large familiar dial at the front is easy to use and makes blending appealing. It comes with three preset recipe programs, five speeds, plus Intelli-Speed motor control to sense contents and set optimal speed. This blender is designed to tackle tough ingredients and will turn anything you throw into the smoothest blend. This is an easy job for a blender operating at 1.5 peak horsepower.
The three preset programs are ice crush, icy drinks, and Smoothie. Using this feature will give you a consistent outcome each time. The asymmetric blade blends at four distinct angles to pull contents into it to ensure no food put into the blender is missed. You can determine the smoothness of your blend by choosing from the five speeds available. As is common with KitchenAid blenders, the soft-start function starts the motor at a slower speed to pull the food through the blade, then increases quickly to complete the task in no time. It will break down frozen foods, skins, seeds, and ice efficiently. In fact, if you are making cashew cream there is no need to presoak your cashews before.
The KitchenAid K400 is easy to clean. Put in a little soap and water, select the self-cleaning function on the dial, give it a quick rinse and you are all done.
PROS
- 1.5 Peak HP Motor
- Preset Programs —Smoothies, Juice, Soup
- 56 oz blending jar
- Heats Soup
- Blends leafy greens nicely
CONS
- Accessories sold separately
What To Consider When Buying A Blender
When shopping for a blender it is important to take a few things into consideration before doing so. This will help you to choose the right blender that is suitable for you and that will do the things you intend for it to do. While the price tag is important when choosing a bender it is important to know more about this piece of an appliance than just the cost. Here are some things to consider when shopping for a blender.
Intended Use
If you intend to use your blender only to make your daily shakes and smoothies then you can go for a cheaper one. If you are using it just for you then a personal blender will serve that purpose. If you intend to use it for a variety of things like making soups, nut butter, crush ice, prep food, etc., then you can consider any from the list above.
However, don’t get sidetracked by the various functions of a blender unless you plan to use those functions. Otherwise, it will be a waste of your money as they usually come with a big price tag.
Size
Size is a factor to consider when deciding which size blender to go with. You should think about your storage space, how easy it will be to move around, the blending capacity, and how many glasses you want to blend in one go.
If you d not have the counter space, opt for a lightweight blender that can easily fit under the cupboard and you can easily move to the countertop when you need to use it.
When considering the capacity, think about if you need something to blend for the entire family or just for you. Blenders range from single-serve — largely meant for smoothies, and can often be enjoyed straight out of the container you blended in, to 72 oz to feed a family of 9. depending on the size of your household you can choose the size of your blending jar accordingly. Simply multiply the number of people you intend to use it for on a regular basis by 8 (8 oz per person, which is one glass full.)
Wattage
The higher the wattage, the more powerful the blender… most of the time. It’s important to take note of wattage when considering a blender especially if you intend to use it to blend tougher foods, frozen foods, and ice. If you just want to make smoothies and shakes then low wattage is ideal. But while deciding on the power wattage make sure to choose a lender that is sturdy, durable, and one you would be proud to own.
Glass vs. Plastic
Most blenders these days are made with BPA-free plastic. While these are very safe, the glass blenders have a few advantages. They are less likely to stain or hold onto odors, and better able to blend hot meals. However, unlike their plastic counterparts, they are heavy, and not always the best option if you are one of those who are prone to accidents or have young children who are. One drop and that’s that! It is surely not the best option if you need to take your blending jar with them on the go. But at the end of the day, it is up to your preference.
Conclusion
Choosing the blender that is right for you is pretty important. This can save you money after buying one with a high price tag that is fully loaded but with functions that you will never use. Or you may buy one that does less than you desire. Therefore think about our intended use, how many persons you want it to serve on a regular basis and the amount of money you wish to send. It is always good to read reviews of others who have purchased similar blenders as the one that you may think is best for you. But bear in mind, not all people will have the same experience. Some persons will write a review after human error. However, if you see a product with mostly good reviews then you may want to consider that product. The blenders above have been tested and proven to be among the best in this price range and should e a guide as you choose.
Terms To Look Out For:
Watts: The watt or wattage is the amount of power generated by the motor and will determine just what it can or cannot do. The higher the wattage the better it will be at crushing ice and blending hard foods.
Horse Power: Horsepower is used interchangeably with wattage. Therefore it is the power and speed at which the motor operates to blend your food. if you wish to convert the wattage into how much horsepower it is then multiply the number of wattage by 0.00134102.
Pulverize: This means to reduce your fruit, vegetables, ice, and other ingredients into fine particles. You will need a blender with a higher wattage motor to have your foods, especially hard foods, and ice efficiently pulverize.
Smoothies: This is a thick, smooth drink of fresh fruit pureed with milk, yogurt, or ice cream. A smoothie gives you the capability to consume whole foods and their nutrients in a liquid form and in a faster way.
Puree: The liquidation or crushing of fruits or vegetables usually by using a blender. A number of blenders give you the one-touch option of pureeing.
Leafy Greens: These are plant leaves eaten as a vegetable to gain added nutritional values. Examples of leafy greens are Kale (considered to be one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables on the planet due to its many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants), Collard greens, lettuce, spinach, cabbage, beet leaves, bok choy, turnip leaves among numerous others.
Speeds: The speed on a blender is is typically described in RPM (revolutions per minute). This refers to the exceptionally quick rotations of the tips of the blade. The speeds on a bender vary and persons can choose how fast they want their food blended. The higher speeds are usually able to cut through harder foods in seconds. Blender speed varies from 1-10 depending on which blender you choose.
Pre-Programmed: A blender with pre-programmed settings will automatically blend at the optimal set speed based on which program you choose. Some blenders come with a pre-programs setting for are Smoothies, Frozen Desserts, Purees, Ice Chop, Soups, etc. Once you put in your food and choose the setting, the blender will automatically shut off when it is done blending.
Pulse: Pulse is a momentary blending controlled by a switch that you hold. This can be described as manual blending. Just hold the pulse button down long enough to blend and mix the ingredients to the consistency you desire. The pulse button appears on a number of countertop blenders and food processors. Once you press the pulse button the blender or food processor will work at its fastest speed and will stop when you release that button.
Dishwasher Safe: You can put your mixing jar, or smoothie cups into the dishwasher for cleaning. Never wash the base of your blender as this will damage the motor and the lender will be of no use to you thereafter.