Buying a product costing almost $500 is no joke. When you spend big you expect to get big results! Therefore, spending that much money on a blender is certainly no different and you are now expecting a product that will last close to 10 years or beyond.
In this price range, you should expect a multipurpose heavy-duty commercial blender that not only does several tasks, but that does it almost perfectly. Therefore, you should expect top-of-the-line smoothies, shakes, ice cream, dough, nut butter, smooth green juice, soups, crush ice, etc.
Since we know that there are hundreds of blenders out there claiming to be top performers, and just as many selling for prices that may not be worth your money, we decided to make the decision easier for you by looking at some of the top performers on the market that you can choose from.
Best Blenders Under $500
(Please note that prices are quoted in Canadian dollars but may be converted to US$ based on your region)
1. Cuisinart CBT-2000 3.5 Peak Hurricane Pro Blender, Gun Metal
The Cuisinart hurricane pro blender is one of the most powerful blenders on the market that you can rely on for either your home or your business as it is equipped with commercial quality features. It is made with a super powerful motor of 3.5 horsepower, or an equivalent of 2,600 watts.
It gives you 10 different speeds to choose from by the simple turning of a dial. Thus making it very easy and quick to use. On the front of the speed dial, you will find a pulse button. Above the dial, you will find a digital control screen with six buttons. These buttons are for start and stop, turbo, clean, and three preset functions buttons —smoothie, ice crush, and soup. By pressing the turbo button, your Cuisinart hurricane pro 3.5 blenders can blend up to 30,000 RPM finishing your blending task in seconds.
There is also a digital timer that will let you know when your blender completes its given task. To the sides of the timer screen, you will find the up or down arrows that will allow you to adjust the timer clock for hands-off blending. Once you adjust any present time the memory feature will remember that time until you decide to change it.
The soup feature allows you to prepare hot soups in approximately six minutes. This function is designed in such a way that it has enough power to turn raw ingredients into really hot soup. Something that not all blenders — even in this price range can do.
The Cuisinart hurricane pro blender comes with a large 64-ounce BPA-free jar made of Tritan Plastic. The size makes it large enough for a family of 8. It also comes with a tight-fitting lid boasting a measuring cup and a soft-grip handle. The 6 prongs stainless steel blade is very efficient in crushing hard foods into smooth textures in seconds. The blender’s base also has a removable rubber base dampening pad that allows the blender to stay firmly on the counter despite the high speed being blended at.
This blender comes with an overheat sensor and BlendLogic smart technology. This operating technology is an exclusive feature that senses a load and adjusts speed for even, uninterrupted blending. It will encourage you to adjust the ingredients that you are using to prepare your meal.
This kitchen appliance comes with a 10-year motor warranty and 3-years limited warranty
PROS
- Comes with powerful commercial-grade 3.5 peak Horsepower
- Commercial grade
- 64-ounce pitcher
- Soft grip pitcher handle
- BlendLogix operating technology
- Automatic load sensing feature
- Turbo Boost to 30,000 RPM for maximum blending power
- Memory function
- It has a 10-year Motor Warranty and a 3-year Limited Warranty
- Can prepare hot soup
- Easy to clean
- LCD with countdown timer
- Buttons are covered with plastic protection
- Secure lid
- Loud
- Replacement parts are not readily available
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2. Blendtec Total Classic Original Blender
The Blendtec Total Classic Original Blender is a professional powerhouse 10-speed blender with 1560 watts of power. It is one of the best blenders you will come across on the market. It is a multiple-function blender that can give you the best of smoothies, soups, salad dressings, juices, sauces, cappuccinos, shakes, ice cream, and many more. It is very easy to use once you get familiar with the various symbols on the touch screen.
The blender comes with 6 pre-programmed cycles — dips/batters, smoothies, frozen treats, whole juice, mixed drinks, and hot soups. The 10-speed manual control gives you control over the textures that you prefer for your various blends. The soup feature is friction-operated to give you hot soups in less than 6 minutes that you can enjoy straight from the bender without having to add further heat via stove or microwave. If you are a pizza lover this blender will work well for you as it can knead thick pizza and bread doughs as well as mix cake and pancake batters.
It comes with a 90 oz jar and a 34 oz jar, allowing you to blend both large and small amounts depending on the size of your family or what amount you are in the mood to prepare. Despite the size of the jar, the blender is designed in such a way that it can be stored easily under your counter or in your cupboard space.
It is backed by a 3-year warranty on the motor, a 1-year warranty of the container, and a lifespan warranty on the blade.
- Makes thick pizza dough
- Comes with large and small blending jars
- Makes hot soups
- 1560 watts of power
- makes frozen treats
- Only 3-years warranty on motor
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3. Vitamix 5200 Blender Professional-Grade
When it comes to Vitamix blenders, you definitely cannot go wrong. These are some of the most reliable and sturdy blenders on the market that takes the guesswork out of blending. You do not have to question if you have overspent on this one — because you haven’t. So if you are looking for a study blender that is worth every penny, then the Vitamix 5200 is a good choice. Also known as the Vitamix Total Nutrition Center this blender can handle any food you put in it, including seeds.
This 2-peak horsepower blender is quite easy to use as it comes with 10 speeds that you can control. This means you can adjust the speed as you wish even during the blending process to achieve the texture that you wish. This is controlled by a dial that can be rotated at any point so you have complete control of the final product.
The 64-ounce jar can serve 8 persons — family or friends! They can all enjoy Starbuck and Jugo Juice quality style smoothies by a pro — you! This classic vortex-shaped container is compatible with all the blenders in the C-Series or Classic Series so you can switch jars if you choose.
The Vitamix 5200 Blender Professional-Grade has a radial cooling fan and a thermal protection system which means there is no chance of overheating even when it is under severe pressure. If you are a soup lover who loves making your own soup, then this blender can get it done for you from scratch. The blades are designed to rotate so fast that it creates friction heat that will turn your cold ingredients into steaming hot in an average time of six minutes. So whether you want steaming hot or freezing cold your Vitamix will do it both! The included tamper comes in quite handy when dealing with thick or frozen mixtures as you can help the process along. The tamper allows you to circulate the food in the blender and prevent the formation of air pockets. It is BPA-free and top-rack dishwasher safe.
Another well-loved feature of this blender is its self-cleaning capability. By just adding dish soap and warm water you can turn your Vitamix machine on and it will clean itself in less than a minute.
Not only is this blender very sturdy but it is backed by a 7-year warranty so you are protected for quite a while!
PROS
- Variable Speed Control
- 64 Oz container
- Strong Blades – Aircraft Grade
- 2-peak horsepower
- Makes hot soups
- Self Cleaning
- Durable
- Radial cooling fan and thermal protection system
CONS
- Noisy (which is not unusual for most blenders)
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4. Omega Juicers OM6560S Blender
The Omega Juicers OM6560S Blender is another great buy when it comes to blenders that you can trust. In 2016 the Omega brand introduced 3 horsepower blenders, which are some of the quietest high-powered blenders on the market with Omega Juicers OM6560S Blender being one of them.
This blender comes packed with 3 Peak HP which makes it more than capable of blending any food you put in it whole or chopped. Butter and seeds are easy prey for its stainless steel blades that will turn them into what you desire in seconds. It has 11 speeds with LED light indicating what speed you are at, while the toggle switch helps you to maneuver high and low speeds, on and off. along with the pulse function. Its 64-ounce BPA-free container comes with a removable cap and clear measurement markings that you can use for the measurement of smaller ingredients. This design has become a common feature with the Omega blenders.
One of the best things about this blender is the noise reduction feature that makes it somewhat quieter than many blenders and definitely quiet for a bender boasting 3 horsepowers. It is designed with a rubber pad on top of the motor housing and under the container to lessen not only the noise factor but the vibration as blenders tend to vibrate a lot, especially during high-speed blending. Along with this is the 4 gripper feet under the motor to make it more stable. The blender comes with a tamper to help you monitor and circulate thick foods that sometimes want to stick to the sides of the container while you blend.
PROS
- 3 peak horsepower
- 64-ounce BPA-free container
- Noise reduction feature
- Measuring cup lid
- Stability feature
- 11 speeds
- easy to use control dial
- 10-year warranty
CONS
- Customer service for warranty claim not very good
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5. Breville BBL920BSS Super Q Countertop Blender
The Breville BBL920BSS Super Q Countertop Blender is one of the quietest blenders you will encounter when compared to others. This is due to Breville’s noise suppression technology that is built into its high-end blenders. Despite its powerful motor of 2.4 horsepower /1,800 watts, the blender still remains quieter than even blenders of much lesser watts.
The Super Q means the blender is Quiet and Quick with the capability of vacuum blending. Vacuum blending refers to a blender that creates a particularly tight seal when creating smoothies, allowing users to activate a vacuum pump accessory (either hand-pumped or electric, with some models including both options). The vacuum pump removes air from the blended mix. This results in smooth textured smoothies. With this capability along with the quietness it offers, you are sure to enjoy this blender, especially if you live in an apartment.
This super Q blender is especially recommended for a health-conscious family as its unique design of vacuum pump blending makes blending take place without oxidation of the contents. Thus retaining most of the nutrients you put in. So if you are looking to boost your metabolism, improve digestion, ease arthritis pain, reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s, maintain healthy blood pressure, control diabetes, and feel energetic and alert, then this blender is for you. Because of its quick operation, you will also save time to get on with your other daily activities.
The Breville BBL920BSS Super Q Countertop Blender has 12 different settings for you to choose from, including one-touch buttons for ice crush, smoothie, green smoothie, frozen dessert, and soup. You also have the option to manually adjust the speed with the convenient turn dial. You can blend in larger amounts in the 68-ounce pitcher convenient for the family or just for you in the included 24-ounce blender cup made for smaller portions.
PROS
- Quick and Quiet
- Vacuum blending
- 2.4 horsepower
- Noise suppression technology
- Large and small blending jars
- 12 settings
- Makes hot soups
- Ice Crush feature
- 10-year warranty
CONS
- Personal cup blend time is 30 seconds
- No vortex action to process ingredients evenly
What To Consider When Buying A Blender
Please note that the blenders above do not appear in any particular order. With that being said, 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 your family, 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. When you are spending almost $500 for a blender you want the peace of mind to know you are getting the best. Here are some things to consider when shopping for your perfect 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 blender 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.