Ice has proven to be one of the greatest challenges for blenders. Whether the blades of a blender can slice through solid ice is the most crucial test of its strength and durability. Determining the best blender for ice cubes requires us to consider several factors.
- What is the reported lifespan of the blades?
- What is the blender’s speed?
- Is it durable enough to stand up against frozen fruit and ice?
These questions and more were considered when building this list to name the best blender for crushing ice. The NutriBullet system leads the competition, with price and design being key factors.
Read on for a list of the best blenders for breaking up ice and more.
Our Top Picks: Best Blenders for Ice
In a hurry? Here are our top picks:
- Best Overall: NutriBullet. As our overall top pick for the best blender for crushing ice, this blender from NutriBullet is affordable and powerful. Ice cubes stand no chance.
- Best Runner-Up: Ninja Kitchen System. In second place, the Ninja Kitchen System is more than just a blender. Its durability and speed are characteristics to rave about.
- Best Budget: Oster Blender Pro 1200. Oster provides a powerful blender for those on a budget. It’s also 50% larger than other blenders from the company.
- Best Smoothie: Ninja Professional BL610. The blades are uniquely stacked in this Ninja Professional blender to assure its contents are thoroughly blended.
- Best Luxury: Vitamix 7500 Blender. If you’re looking to splurge on a new blender for pulverizing ice, this professional-grade blender from Vitamix is worth your attention.
- Best Commercial: Cleanblend Commercial Blender. Large and durable, the Cleanblend Commercial Blender is perfect for those seeking a blender that allows for large portion sizes.
- Best Personal: Hilax Personal Blender. For a portable blender that can still crush through ice, try this personal blender from Hilax. It’s compact, durable, and ideal for those on the go.
- Most Speeds: Homgeek Blender. This blender is known for its speed. With ten different speeds, it’s easy to adjust while blending to ensure excellent food and drink.
- Most Stylish: KitchenAid Diamond. KitchenAid’s Diamond blender is ideal for those looking for a powerful blender that also looks stylish and colorful sitting on their countertop.
1. NutriBullet
The best blender for crushing ice overall
Brand: NutriBullet / Watts: 1200 / Capacity: 64 oz / Dishwasher Safe: Yes / Price: 💰💰
With three precision speeds, you have the control with this blender from NutriBullet. It’s our selection for the overall best blender for crushing ice. It blends through ice without issue. However, reviewers warn against using too much ice or recommend using crushed ice if possible. It pulverizes everything from leafy greens to frozen fruit. NutriBullet’s versatility also makes it one of the best blenders for frozen fruit and ice. The blender comes with three cups total: sized large, medium, and small. According to users, it’s worth every penny.
Reviewers Like
- Made of sturdy hardware
- Easy to use, wash, and operate
- Great alternative to more expensive Vitamix
Reviewers Dislike
- Very loud
- Might need to replace blades often depending on usage
2. Ninja Kitchen System
The best blender for crushing ice runner-up
Brand: Ninja / Watts: 1500 / Capacity: 40 oz / Dishwasher Safe: Yes / Price: 💰💰💰
More than a blender, Ninja Kitchen System also contains a powerful food processor and two small travel-sized containers. Reviewers consistently remark on the durability and speed of the blades. Its powerful motor is no match for most other blenders on the market. It can cut through ice easily and qualifies as one of the best blenders for smoothies with ice. It’s less expensive than the other “premium” blenders but lacks little in power and additional features.
Reviewers Like
- Strong motor for blending ice
- Made with plastic as opposed to glass
- Large blade in the center makes a huge difference
Reviewers Dislike
- Poor warranty coverage
- Grooves near the bottom of the container that are hard to clean
3. Oster Blender Pro 1200
The best blender for crushing ice on a budget
Brand: Oster / Watts: 1200 / Capacity: 24 oz / Dishwasher Safe: Yes / Price: 💰
The Oster Blender Pro 1200 comes in at our number three spot as the best blender for those on a budget. Affordable and durable, you can trust that you’re getting an excellent product for a sliver of a top-marked blender’s price. The blades spin in alternating directions to help ensure its contents are blended smoothly. Ice cubes are no match for this blender. Compared to previous blenders from Oster, this one is 50 percent bigger, allowing you more freedom to make larger and tastier food and drinks.
Reviewers Like
- Runs quietly
- Several different speed options
- Comes with a portable smoothie cup and food processor attachment
Reviewers Dislike
- Weak food processor
- Difficult to get through to customer service
4. Ninja Professional BL610
The best ice-crushing blender for smoothies
Brand: Ninja / Watts: 1000 / Capacity: 64 oz / Dishwasher Safe: Yes / Price: 💰💰💰
The uniquely stacked blades on this blender are hard to beat. Most blenders feature blades positioned at the bottom of the unit. Ninja’s blades are staggered vertically on a bar extending from the base of the pitcher. Reviewers routinely comment on using this blender for their daily smoothies, calling it the best blender to crush ice for smoothies. It has a huge capacity, which provides users with the flexibility of making small or large batches of food or drink. For the price of the product, this blender from Ninja is a promising ice-crushing device.
Reviewers Like
- Blends quietly
- Long-lasting motor and blades
- Blender comes exactly as advertised
Reviewers Dislike
- Somewhat challenging to get blades clean
- Some users report container cracking after cleaning in a dishwasher
5. Vitamix 7500 Blender
The best luxury blender for crushing ice
Brand: Vitamix / Watts: 1500 / Capacity: 64 oz / Dishwasher Safe: No / Price: 💰💰💰💰💰
Vitamix blenders are notorious for their power, durability, and steep price. However, if you’re in the market to splurge on a new powerful blender for your kitchen, check this one out. With ten different speeds, users can blend the perfect texture into their foods and drinks. The stainless-steel blades grind through ice cubes with no trouble. Reviewers remark that users of this blender must read the instructions to know how to use their new blender properly.
Reviewers Like
- Very quiet
- Fits easily on countertops and in cupboards
- Guaranteed a completely smooth smoothie every time
Reviewers Dislike
- Very expensive blender
- Must read instructions for proper usage
6. Cleanblend Commercial Blender
The best commercial ice blender
Brand: Cleanblend / Watts: 1800 / Capacity: 64 oz / Dishwasher Safe: Yes / Price: 💰💰💰
If you’re blending ice for multiple people, a small household blender might not get the job done as seamlessly as you’d like. This commercial blender from Cleanblend remedies that with its large portion size and heavy-duty performance. An 8-blade sealed ball pulverizes the contents of this blender. It’s stainless steel blades and glass container make it one of the most durable blenders on this list. It can tackle anything from frozen fruit to celery, ice cubes to grains. When considering the purchase of this blender, keep in mind that it is much larger than other similar products on the market.
Reviewers Like
- Excellent customer service
- Incredibly powerful blender
- On par with leading brands for quality and dependability
Reviewers Dislike
- Pitcher sits loose in the motor
- Food sometimes gets trapped at base of container
7. Hilax Personal Blender
The best personal blender for crushing ice
Brand: Hilax / Watts: 1000 / Capacity: 35 oz / Dishwasher Safe: No / Price: 💰💰
If you’re searching for a portable blender powerful enough to crush through ice cubes, this personal blender from Hilax is one that you should check out. It comes equipped with two sizes of blending containers and a travel container to easily take your smoothies on the go. It’s a self-cleaning blender, meaning you only need to add water and a few drops of soap to the container then blend away. It’s perfect for taking to the gym, office, or traveling.
Reviewers Like
- Two cup sizes
- Easy to use and easy to clean
- Blends successfully and quickly
Reviewers Dislike
- Noisy for a portable blender
- Some users report the blender making rattling sounds
8. Homgeek Blender
The best ice-crushing blender with the most speeds
Brand: Homgeek / Watts: 1450 / Capacity: 70 oz / Dishwasher Safe: Yes / Price: 💰💰💰
This blender from Homgeek might be one of the most cost-effective on the list. With ten powerful speeds, this commercial blender is durable, so you can rest assured that it won’t break. As a bonus, the blender comes with a tamper to help you move its contents around to ensure maximum pulverization. One thing to keep in mind is that this blender needs time to “rest” after blending. It might smell burnt after use. The odor is due to a sharp rise in temperature because of blade use. It usually cools down in less than 30 minutes.
Reviewers Like
- High-quality product for the price
- Provides the perfect consistency every time
- Easy to adjust the power level while blending
Reviewers Dislike
- Very loud and bulky
- Can break if pushed too hard
9. KitchenAid Diamond
The most stylish blender for crushing ice
Brand: KitchenAid / Watts: 550 / Capacity: 60 oz / Dishwasher Safe: Yes / Price: 💰💰💰
If you’re looking for a powerful blender that will also look stylish while sitting on your countertop, try this KitchenAid Diamond blender. With a sturdy metal base and reliable motor, this blender can make a great addition to your kitchen. Prospective buyers should note the wattage of this blender – it comes in at a little over half the power of other blenders on our list. However, reviewers consistently note that this blender crushes through its contents well provided that you don’t overpack it.
Reviewers Like
- Very quiet operation
- Simple and powerful blender
- Dishwasher-safe for a squeaky clean finish
Reviewers Dislike
- Dishwasher might warp the lid
- Poor grip on bottom after a lot of use
What to Look for in the Best Blenders for Ice
1
Motor
The first thing to look for when it comes to selecting the best blenders for crushing ice is the motor. In order to slice through solid cubes of ice, a blender must have a powerful motor. The ideal amount of power ranges between 1000 and 1500 watts. Keep your eye out for a built-in overheat function to prevent your blender’s motor from overheating after a lot of use. It’s an additional safety measure that should be welcome in your kitchen.
1
Blades
Next, when choosing your perfect ice-crushing blender, take into consideration the blades. Are they made from durable material? How many blades are there? How are they angled in the blender to ensure maximum crushing? You generally want to purchase a blender that has blades near the bottom or sides of the jar. This design helps prevent blending contents from slipping through to the very bottom of the glass.
1
Material
After you’ve analyzed the blades and motor of your prospective blender, take a look at the material used for the jar/pitcher. The best blenders for crushing ice will push contents up the jar’s sides while simultaneously sucking down in the center. This design ensures constant motion throughout the entire blender. A blender that is too wide means contents are more likely to slip into the pitcher’s bottom. Comparatively, if the blender is too narrow, you will have to push contents down toward the blades. Choose a blender that is a medium width to prevent these two scenarios.
1
Ease of Use
Finally, we have to take into consideration the ease of use with the blender.
- Do you want a blender that is dishwasher safe?
- Do you want a blender with minimal assembly?
Ask yourself these questions prior to purchasing your blender. If you’re using a blender often, convenience is crucial.
Now it’s your turn to choose your favorite blender for crushing ice. Using this information, you can now make an informed and trustworthy decision on your purchase.
Our Process
For this guide on ice-crushing blenders, our team spent 5 hours researching the most popular options from over 20 brands and manufacturers big and small. We then read about two hundred user reviews (both positive and negative) to discover what shoppers thought about each blender. After comparing this data, we narrowed our list down to the top 9 blenders for ice on the market. You can count on this research to guide you to a mindful purchasing decision.
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