How do I make a fruit smoothie?

A fruit smoothie can be made using a combination of your favorite fruits plus additional ingredients to add protein and fat, which can contribute to satiety, helping you feel content with your meal and stay full. Registered dietitian and culinary nutritionist Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, says, “For the best texture, it is important to use frozen produce or a mix of frozen and fresh.” Keep in mind that the water content of the fruits and vegetables you choose will affect how much liquid you need to add to your smoothie. “Lower water content produce, such as mangos, bananas, [and] avocados, may require more liquid, whereas higher water content produce, such as citrus, berries, and leafy greens or celery, will require less additional liquid,” says Del Coro.

How do I make a smoothie bowl?

Think of a smoothie bowl as an ultra-thick smoothie that can be eaten with a spoon. Often, smoothie bowls are topped with nutritious foods that provide texture, such as nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or whole grain cereal . “To make a smoothie bowl, make an extra-thick smoothie (less liquid than a basic smoothie), and then scoop into a bowl. Serve immediately with toppings of your choice,” says Del Coro.

How do I make a smoothie thicker?

The thickness of your smoothie depends on the liquid-to-solid ratio. If you use produce that has a high water content, then you’ll need to either cut back on the liquid added to the smoothie or add an ingredient to thicken it. Del Coro says, “My go-to ingredients for thickening smoothies are Greek-style yogurt , bananas, rolled oats, chia seeds (keep in mind chia seeds take about 15 minutes to absorb the liquid so the thickening effect is delayed), nut butters, silken tofu, or ripe avocado.” You can also consider adding ingredients like cauliflower or beans, which add extra nutrients without changing the flavor. Beans may be a surprising addition to a smoothie, but this ingredient can offer double benefits—increasing thickness and upping the nutrient-density of your smoothie. Beans are an excellent source of fiber and plant-based protein, which contribute to satiety and may benefit cardiovascular health when eaten as part of a balanced, plant-based diet.

How do I make a smoothie more nutritious?

Smoothies are versatile frozen drinks that vary widely in their nutrient profile, depending on the primary ingredients used. Del Coro recommends choosing ingredients that offer a mix of fiber, fat, protein, and complex carbs and using a liquid that doesn’t have excess sugar. Nutrient-dense milk (dairy or non-dairy) or an antioxidant-packed juice like pomegranate or tart cherry juice mixed with water and ice are all great liquid choices, according to Del Coro. “For extra nutritional boosts, there are also add-ins, such as hemp seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, kelp cubes, spirulina, and collagen, that all blend well in smoothies,” she says. For a nutrient-packed, tasty, creative smoothie that includes chia seeds, try this peanut butter banana blueberry acai smoothie . Whether your fitness regime involves strength training or exercising on treadmills and elliptical machines , protein-rich smoothies are a great way to refuel after a workout.

Can you freeze smoothies?

Yes, you can freeze smoothies. Del Coro says, “It is easiest to freeze single servings of smoothies in a freezer-safe container with a tight-fitting lid, but since liquids expand as they freeze, leave some extra room (about 1/2 inch of space) from the rim. When ready to drink, remove the frozen smoothie a few hours before you actually plan on drinking it, or transfer to the fridge the night before, and it will gradually thaw.”

The Best Blenders for Smoothies, According to a Dietitian

Smoothies are a quick and easy way to boost your nutritional intake, and a great option for a meal or snack on-the-go. When made with a combination of fruits, vegetables, protein, and healthy fats, smoothies offer essential vitamins and minerals, macronutrients, and fiber, to help support a healthy diet. We've reviewed the market’s top blenders, to find reliable and easy-to-use options, so you can make smoothies a part of your regular routine.

Laura Geraty, MS, RDN, LDN, and culinary dietitian says, “When choosing a blender, keep in mind your budget, what you’ll be using it for, and the amount of storage space you have to house it.” It also helps to know what to avoid when looking for a home blender. “Most blenders come with multiple settings like smoothie, soup, or puree. Don’t be fooled. All you really need is a low setting to get things started and a high setting to finish the work.”

Our dietitian, who has extensive experience working in the culinary field, reviewed blenders that are the best for smoothies. While some have additional features that may appeal to those who are looking for a multifunctional blender, the majority listed are based solely on their ability to easily blend a creamy smoothie at home. Deciding how you plan to use your blender can help you make the best choice.

These are the best smoothie blenders on the market.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Ninja BL480D Nutri-Blender Pro with Auto-IQ at Amazon

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Best Splurge:

Vitamix Explorian Blender at Amazon

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Best Budget:

Hamilton Beach Personal Blender with Travel Lid at Amazon

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Best Compact:

Ninja Blender at Amazon

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Best With Travel Cups:

Magic Bullet Blender at Amazon

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Best Versatile:

Ninja Mega Kitchen System at Amazon

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Best Single Serve:

NutriBullet Personal Blender at Amazon

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Best Portable:

Cuisinart Cordless Compact Blender at Amazon

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Best Sleek Design:

Beast Blender at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
How We Selected
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Verywell Fit

4.2

Amazon

Pros

High power and compact design
Multiple cup sizes
Easily crushes ice and chunks of frozen produce

Cons

Loud
Removable seal may be difficult to clean

The Ninja Nutri-Blender Pro is a compact countertop blender that tops our list for best smoothie blender. It comes with an 18-ounce and a 24-ounce to-go cup as well as two travel lids. The blender’s base includes a high-power motor with 1100 watts of peak power that can easily handle ice and frozen chunks of fruit or vegetables.

To make a smoothie, add ingredients to the to-go cup, and screw the blender blade to the top of the cup. Then, insert the cup into the blender base. Because the cup needs to be filled with your smoothie ingredients and then flipped upside down to blend, it’s best to start with softer ingredients, followed by ingredients that are more difficult to blend, like ice and large pieces of frozen produce. As a general guideline, the items that are the most difficult to blend should be closest to the blade.

The compact design of the Ninja Nutri-Blender Pro makes it easy to store on a countertop or in a cabinet. All parts except the motorized base are dishwasher safe, but it may be more difficult to clean the removable seal that attaches to the blade. This blender is loud, so it’s best to use when you (and anyone else in your home) don’t mind the extra noise.

Price at time of publication: $80

^{Key Specs:
Weight: 6.28 pounds | Power: 1100-watt motor | Volume: 18 oz and 24 oz to-go cups | Dimensions: 6.89 x 5.98 x 14.29 inches}

4.8

Amazon

Pros

Durable
High-powered
Easily blends ice and frozen food

Cons

Loud
Heavy
Expensive

The Vitamix 310 Explorian blender is a high-power, large-capacity blender with 10 speed settings and a pulse feature. This unit is different from the personal-size smoothie blenders on this list, as it can be used for smoothies, sauces, soups, dips, and more. It’s our top pick for those who are looking to invest in a professional blender.

The 48-ounce container is not dishwasher safe but can be self-cleaned by adding soap and water to the container to blend for 60 seconds. Take note that the blade is not detachable, which makes it more challenging to clean stuck-on food.

Vitamix is known for its power, durability, and versatility, but the drawback of these features is that, similar to the Ninja, it can make a lot of noise. It’s also bulkier and heavier than other blenders on our list, making it better for use in kitchens with the extra space.

Still, Vitamix owners are big fans of these blenders and consider them to be worth the investment. Geraty says, “If budget is no issue, 10 out of 10 times I’d recommend a Vitamix. It whips whatever you throw in the blender into the smoothest, creamiest consistency without actually using any cream, and it is so high-powered that it can make a slushy from straight ice.”

Price at time of publication: $350

^{Key Specs:
Weight: 10.5 pounds | Power: 1400 watts | Volume: 48 oz | Dimensions: 11 x 8 x 18 inches}

4.2

Amazon

Pros

Inexpensive and compact design
Easy to use
Comes with travel cup and lid

Cons

Low power and may lack durability
Small cup size
Difficult to clean

The Hamilton Beach Shakes and Smoothies Personal Blender is a compact, single-serve blender. It has a single button that can be used to blend continuously or use as a pulse feature. It comes with a 14-ounce travel cup that fits in most cup holders and includes a travel-friendly lid. The inexpensive price point and user-friendly functionality make it our top budget pick.

This blender differs from many other smoothie blenders as the blade is not removable from the travel cup. That may make it more difficult to clean, since the blade remains attached. One plus is that the lid and cup, including the blade, are dishwasher safe.

The motorized base of the blender includes a wraparound cord for easy storage, and the compact design allows for countertop or cabinet storage. While this blender is functional and easy to use, it may not be as durable as other options.

Price at time of publication: $23

^{Key Specs:
Weight: 2.07 pounds | Power: 175 watts | Volume: 14 oz | Dimensions: 11.8 x 3.94 x 3.94 inches}

Pros

Compact design
No-slip base
High power

Cons

Tendency to leak
Small cup size

The Ninja Fit Compact Personal Blender is our number-one pick for the best compact smoothie blender. It has a 700-watt motor with a buttonless blending functionality that easily crushes ice and frozen produce. To use, fill the cup with the smoothie ingredients and attach the blade to the top of the cup, which is then inserted into the base. Pressing down on the cup starts the motor and blends the contents.

The blade attachment separates from the travel cup, and all parts except the motorized base are dishwasher safe, making it easy to clean. You may find that the blender sometimes leaks into the base when blending, which can make cleaning the base more challenging. The Ninja Fit Compact also comes with a 16-ounce cup and travel lid for taking drinks on the go.

Price at time of publication: $60

^{Key Specs:
Weight: 4.63 pounds | Power: 700 watts | Volume: 16 oz | Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 13 inches}

4.2

Amazon

Pros

Compact design
Comes with multiple travel cup sizes and lids
Dishwasher safe

Cons

Difficulty blending ice
Lower power

The Magic Bullet Blender is a buttonless, compact, countertop blender with a 250-watt motor. It comes with multiple accessories, including two cups, one 12-ounce and one 22-ounce, multiple travel lids and lip rings, plus one stay-fresh lid. This variety of to-go cups paired with the easy-to-use design makes it our top pick for a blender with the best travel cups. We also love that it’s easy to clean—all parts are dishwasher safe, except for the motorized base.

The Magic Bullet Blender has the same functionality for blending as other personal blenders on the list. After attaching the cup to the motorized base, simply push down to start blending. Despite the 250-watt power, the blender may have more difficulty crushing ice and other large pieces of food than some of our other options. Additionally, packing the blender with too much food may make it impossible to start the blender. If that happens, remove some of your ingredients, and try blending in two batches.

Price at time of publication: $48

^{Key Specs:
Weight: 3.27 pounds | Power: 250 watts | Volume: 12 oz and 22 oz cup | Dimensions: 13.19 x 6.93 x 10.63 inches}

Amazon

Pros

Multifunctional
Easy to clean
Efficient blending with a unique blade design

Cons

Loud
Bulky
May be less durable than other options

Most smoothie blenders are limited in their functionality outside of blending your favorite combination of fruits and vegetables, but that’s not the case with the Ninja Mega Kitchen System, which tops our list for the most versatile blender.

This product is a multi-component blending system that includes a food processor, a full-size blender, and a single-serve blender option. This high-powered appliance is perfect if you are looking to streamline the number of pieces of equipment in your kitchen without losing the single-serve smoothie option.

All blades are removable, and the containers are dishwasher safe, making them easy to clean. This appliance may not be as durable as other blender options, but to help compensate, Ninja offers multiple warranty options to those who purchase from an authorized retailer.

Price at time of publication: $160

^{Key Specs:
Weight: 8.8 pounds | Power: 1500 watts | Volume: 16 oz to-go cups, 64 oz processor bowl, 72 oz blender pitcher | Dimensions: 9.5 x 8.25 x 17.75 inches}

4.2

Amazon

Pros

Compact and easy to use
High power
Large to-go cup size

Cons

Tendency to leak
Loud

Our number-one pick for the best single-serve blender is the Nutribullet Personal Blender. It’s a buttonless blender with a 600-watt motor base, and, like other smoothie blenders, it blends when you lock the cup into the base and press down.

The blender comes with one 24-ounce travel cup, a single travel lid, and a single lip ring. Its high-powered motor makes it easy to blend ice and other large pieces of food, but many people report that it is loud when blending.

All parts of the Nutribullet Personal Blender are dishwasher safe, excluding the motorized base and removable blade, but despite the easy cleaning of most parts, the blender may leak, making it difficult to properly clean the base.

Price at time of publication: $56

^{Key Specs:
Weight: 6.04 pounds | Power: 600 watts | Volume: 24 oz | Dimensions: 11.61 x 6.85 x 12.28 inches}

4.2

Overstock

Pros

Compact
Lightweight
Cordless

Cons

Short battery life
Low power

The Cuisinart EvolutionX is a cordless travel blender that can be recharged using a USB cord. Its compact size, which is lightweight and easy to carry, makes it our top pick for a portable blender.

The blender stays charged for up to 20 minutes of continuous blending and requires two hours to reach full charge. All parts are dishwasher safe, except for the motorized base.

Don’t be fooled by its lightweight design—the Cuisinart EvolutionX is powerful enough to blend ice and large pieces of food easily. Keep in mind, though, that you can only make a limited number of smoothies before the battery needs to be recharged. Overall, this choice tops our list for the best portable blender due to its compact, portable design and ability to blend ice and frozen fruit easily.

Price at time of publication: $80

^{Key Specs:
Weight: 2.35 pounds | Power: 5 watts | Volume: 16 oz | Dimensions: 4.25 x 3.75 x 12 inches}

4.2

Beast

Pros

Portable blending containers
Sleek design and takes up minimal counter space
High speed motor that automatically adjusts for an evenly blended, smooth smoothie

Cons

Additional blending containers are sold separately

We love the sleek design, easy-to-use functionality, and high powered motor of the Beast Blender. This product takes up minimal space and looks great on your kitchen countertop. It offers a 1000 watt, high-speed motor, that automatically adjusts the speed of the blades based on the contents of the smoothie to maintain optimal speed and torque. All you have to do is add the ingredients and press one button for a preset, timed blend.

It comes with a 1000 milliliter (33.8 ounce) container, but you can also purchase 800 milliliter and 500 milliliter containers, which are all dish-washer safe. The containers come with a lid, making it a perfect option for blending up a smoothie to take on-the-go. This thoughtfully designed product was also made to reduce vibrations and overall noise when blending.

Price at time of publication: $165

^{Key Specs:

Weight: 10.36 pounds | Power: 1000 watts | Volume: 33.8 oz | Dimensions: 4.92 x 4.92 x 15.75 inches}

How We Selected

When picking the best blender for smoothies, we looked at a variety of products and considered size, volume and power. We chose products that are easy to use and also took price into consideration.

We also consulted with Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, LDN, a registered dietitian and culinary nutritionist in Maine, and Laura Geraty, MS, RDN, LDN, a culinary dietitian in New York City.

What to Look for in a Blender for Smoothies

Functionality and Power

Blenders are versatile appliances, so knowing what functionality you’re likely to use regularly can help you make the best decision. If you want a blender to do the job of multiple appliances, opt for a professional-grade blender that can handle hot and cold liquids, such as the Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender. If you simply need a blender to make your favorite smoothie daily, the versatility is probably less important, and you should look for a high-powered blender that can handle large chunks of frozen produce and ice.

Size and Weight

Size and weight are important considerations, depending on the size of your kitchen, the number of appliances you already own, and your ability to easily move a heavier appliance from storage to countertop.

If you already have multiple appliances in your kitchen, then you may be looking for a smaller blender that can do the job of one of the large, professional-grade blenders. If so, a personal, high-powered smoothie blender like the Ninja Nutri-Blender Pro is the best pick. However, if you’re looking to streamline your appliances and don’t mind the bulkier design of a larger appliance, it may be best to opt for a versatile blender like the Ninja Mega Kitchen System or the Vitamix E310 Explorian.

Ease of Cleaning

The ideal smoothie blender is one that you can easily clean so that prepping smoothies daily doesn’t take up too much time. Look for dishwasher-safe parts and an easy-to-clean blade. Alternatively, the self-cleaning option found on some blenders can be advantageous for anyone who wants to avoid removing the blade when cleaning.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make a fruit smoothie?

A fruit smoothie can be made using a combination of your favorite fruits plus additional ingredients to add protein and fat, which can contribute to satiety, helping you feel content with your meal and stay full. Registered dietitian and culinary nutritionist Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, says, “For the best texture, it is important to use frozen produce or a mix of frozen and fresh.”
Keep in mind that the water content of the fruits and vegetables you choose will affect how much liquid you need to add to your smoothie. “Lower water content produce, such as mangos, bananas, [and] avocados, may require more liquid, whereas higher water content produce, such as citrus, berries, and leafy greens or celery, will require less additional liquid,” says Del Coro.
How do I make a smoothie bowl?

Think of a smoothie bowl as an ultra-thick smoothie that can be eaten with a spoon. Often, smoothie bowls are topped with nutritious foods that provide texture, such as nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or whole grain cereal. “To make a smoothie bowl, make an extra-thick smoothie (less liquid than a basic smoothie), and then scoop into a bowl. Serve immediately with toppings of your choice,” says Del Coro.
How do I make a smoothie thicker?

The thickness of your smoothie depends on the liquid-to-solid ratio. If you use produce that has a high water content, then you’ll need to either cut back on the liquid added to the smoothie or add an ingredient to thicken it. Del Coro says, “My go-to ingredients for thickening smoothies are Greek-style yogurt, bananas, rolled oats, chia seeds (keep in mind chia seeds take about 15 minutes to absorb the liquid so the thickening effect is delayed), nut butters, silken tofu, or ripe avocado.”
You can also consider adding ingredients like cauliflower or beans, which add extra nutrients without changing the flavor. Beans may be a surprising addition to a smoothie, but this ingredient can offer double benefits—increasing thickness and upping the nutrient-density of your smoothie. Beans are an excellent source of fiber and plant-based protein, which contribute to satiety and may benefit cardiovascular health when eaten as part of a balanced, plant-based diet.
How do I make a smoothie more nutritious?

Smoothies are versatile frozen drinks that vary widely in their nutrient profile, depending on the primary ingredients used. Del Coro recommends choosing ingredients that offer a mix of fiber, fat, protein, and complex carbs and using a liquid that doesn’t have excess sugar. Nutrient-dense milk (dairy or non-dairy) or an antioxidant-packed juice like pomegranate or tart cherry juice mixed with water and ice are all great liquid choices, according to Del Coro.
“For extra nutritional boosts, there are also add-ins, such as hemp seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, kelp cubes, spirulina, and collagen, that all blend well in smoothies,” she says. For a nutrient-packed, tasty, creative smoothie that includes chia seeds, try this peanut butter banana blueberry acai smoothie. Whether your fitness regime involves strength training or exercising on treadmills and elliptical machines, protein-rich smoothies are a great way to refuel after a workout.
Can you freeze smoothies?

Yes, you can freeze smoothies. Del Coro says, “It is easiest to freeze single servings of smoothies in a freezer-safe container with a tight-fitting lid, but since liquids expand as they freeze, leave some extra room (about 1/2 inch of space) from the rim. When ready to drink, remove the frozen smoothie a few hours before you actually plan on drinking it, or transfer to the fridge the night before, and it will gradually thaw.”

Why Trust Verywell Fit

Allison Knott, MS, RDN, CSSD is a registered dietitian and board-certified specialist in sports dietetics who has extensive experience working in the culinary field. She knows the importance of preparing delicious food, including smoothies, at home and understands how a reliable kitchen appliance can make all the difference in one’s commitment to preparing healthy food.

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