From slushies to smoothies, salad dressings to soups, personal blenders are a blessing for those who love to mix it up (literally) in the kitchen. Easy to use and efficient, these compact mini-machines are designed to blend food thoroughly with no time wasted.
If you are unsure as to which blender to buy, before you purchase one that makes shoddy smoothies and shakes full of lumps and clumps, a quick read-thru of our in depth comparison will lead you towards a smoother solution.
Table of Contents
Introduction to Bullet Blenders
Blenders have been kitchen staples for decades. But as technology has evolved, the smaller, the better, especially in terms of the practicality of personal blenders. For smaller quantities and quicker results, these small-scale, countertop-convenient appliances are so much more manageable, producing purees in a pinch and smoothies in seconds. Many are relatively inexpensive as compared to high-end larger models, which are not only cumbersome, but harder to clean and costlier. The best things come from (and out of) small packages, indeed.
Not only are personal blenders helpful and handy, but they’re geared toward good health too. Sure, you can whip up a double chocolate milkshake as fast as a “green” juice for your post-holiday cleanse, but for the health-conscious, blenders are their best friend in terms of sticking to a diet that is nutrient-rich and waist-line friendly. Blending allows for packing in volumes of veggies, a focus on fruit, and all the soy, seeds, and “superfoods” one can squeeze into a serving. As for the milkshakes? We all deserve a “cheat day,” no?
Why We Chose Magic Bullet and NutriBullet
There are plenty of quality (and not-so-quality) personal blenders on the market, but for our review purposes, we wanted to compare two of the most popular personal blenders at decent price points. With raving reviews floating around for both the Magic Bullet and NutriBullet (both designed by the same company, ‘Magic Bullet’, by the way), these two stood out as the “gold standards” of the premier personal blenders to “go to battle,” so to speak.
In terms of value, both the Magic Bullet and NutriBullet are affordable – NutriBullet being the higher-priced (though not by much) of the two. And since they are both made by ‘Magic Bullet’, a comparison between these two particular blenders would be based on merits, not just money. What sets these apart and why is NutriBullet a notch-up in price? Is it worth the extra money or is the company just trying to convince us to cough up more cash? Our testing techniques would answer these questions and more as we mixed and mashed our way to a conclusion.
- Included: (1) 250W motor base, (1) cross-blade, (1) tall cup, (1) short cup, (1) party mug, (2) lip rings, (2) Stay-Fresh resealable lids, (1) to-go lid and 10-second recipe guide
- The magic bullet chops, mixes, blends, whips, grinds and more. Cups are made out of high-impact plastic
- Effortlessly create your favorite meals and snacks like smoothies, omelets, sauces and dips. 250 watts high-torque power base
- The Nutribullet is the fastest, easiest solution for making nutrient- packed smoothies. Load it up with your favorite whole foods like nuts, berries and spinach, then push, twist and blend your way to a healthier lifestyle.
- Powerful 600-watt motor and refined nutrient-extraction blades blend whole foods into liquid fuel for your body - in seconds.
- Included: (1) 600W motor base, (1) Extractor blade, (1) milling blade, (1) Handled cup, (1) 24 oz cup, (1) 18 oz cup, (1) cup ring, (1) cup ring with handle, (2) Stay-Fresh re-sealable lids and recipe book o Powerful stainless steel Extractor blades use Cyclonic action to break down tough ingredients. High-performance, BPA-free plastic cups are long lasting and Durable
Magic Bullet and NutriBullet Specifications
| Magic Bullet | NutriBullet | |
| Motor Size | 250 Watt Motor | 600 Watt Motor |
| Weight and Size | 2.3 lbs. / 6.5 in. high | 3.6 lbs. / 8 in. high (please confirm these metrics – I found online) |
| Accessories | • 3 blender cups w/ lids • Four-blade lid |
• 3 blender cups w/ lids • Four-blade lid • Two-blade lid for fine milling |
| Pricing | $35-$40 | $50-$60 |
How to Use Magic Bullet and NutriBullet Blenders
Both of these personal blenders function similarly and simply. No muss, no fuss, with a no-brainer method that takes mere moments to manage. All you do is place your choice of ingredients inside one of the blender’s cups, tightly twist one of the blade lids onto the cup of choice, insert the closed cup onto the blender’s sturdy base, click in (to lock in place, if desired), and push down to get the motor moving. It could not be easier, neater, or quicker. No tricky settings or speeds to select, just a one-step straightforward solution.
How We Tested
We would love to say we spent endless hours sipping frothy iced half-caf mocha frappes and frozen pineapple daiquiris, but we are far more professional than that. We had to put these two machines to the test to determine their strengths and shortcomings. With three comparative tests, each with their own outcome potential, we were able to assess which blender was better at the task at hand.
Test 1: Ice Blending Test
Crushing ice and getting it to that slushy state is a testament to a top-notch personal blender. We put the blenders to the test by placing 10 ice cubes in each and blending for three seconds, then again for an additional seven seconds, for a total of 10 seconds.
Results:
| Magic Bullet | NutriBullet | |
| 3 seconds | Not all ice cubes broken; 67% ice, 33% slush | All ice cubes broken; 50% ice, 50% slush |
| 10 seconds | 50% ice, 50% slush | 10% ice, 90% slush |
Winner: NutriBullet. In just a few more seconds, the entire cup would have been slush with this blender. NutriBullet has a more robust motor, so this result came to no surprise. For shaved ice, frozen veggies, and hard/dense ingredients, NutriBullet is by far the better blender.
Test 2: Protein Acai Bowl/Smoothie Test
For those who use their personal blender to boost their nutrition, prepping a healthful protein acai bowl or smoothie is essential for good eating. We gave the blenders the challenge of creaming up good-for-you ingredients to see which would be crowned winner. We put ½ of a frozen grocery store-bough acai packet, five frozen strawberries, a cup of milk, and ½ scoop chocolate protein powder into each blender’s cup and blended first for 12 seconds then an additional eight and measured the outcome.
Results:
| Magic Bullet | NutriBullet | |
| 12 seconds | All ingredients were fully blended | 80% blended w/ several unblended frozen strawberries |
| 20 seconds | (already blended at 12 seconds) | All ingredients were fully blended |
Winner: Magic Bullet. Due to the narrower diameter of the Magic Bullet’s cup, we believe this enabled the Magic Bullet to outperform the NutriBullet in this particular test. Ingredients gathered in the middle of the wider NutriBullet cup, causing a slowdown in total smoothness during the 12 second portion of the test. For silky smooth shakes, smoothies, acai bowls, and the like, Magic Bullet has the magic touch.
Test 3: Almond Powder Test
Superfine almond powder can be hard to perfect, so we thought we’d see if these personal blenders had the power to make powder. We placed 25 whole roasted almonds into each blender’s cup and blended for 15 seconds to see what we’d find.
Results:
| Magic Bullet | NutriBullet | |
| 15 seconds | 90% almond powder, some chunks left unblended | 100% almond powder |
Winner: NutriBullet. In a fast 15 seconds flat, NutriBullet pulverized those roasted almonds into ash. For blending dry ingredients into powders, NutriBullet is #1.
The Best Personal Blender
The verdict is in. While both personal blenders exceeded our expectations, based on most users’ needs and savings strategies, Magic Bullet is the perfect pick. Why?…
NutriBullet is simply not worth the extra cost. Why spend more when Magic Bullet does the job? For instance, smaller shakes and smoothies came out better in the Magic Bullet. Unless you are serving smoothies to the Brady Bunch, a smaller batch is sufficient. And for the most part, making smoothies, shakes, soups, and such are what personal blenders are best for. Additionally, Magic Bullet did a fine job in the slush department, the size is more suitable for small spaces, and it’s cheaper. All around, Magic Bullet is the better blender. You can finally bite the bullet and go out and buy one.
- Included: (1) 250W motor base, (1) cross-blade, (1) tall cup, (1) short cup, (1) party mug, (2) lip rings, (2) Stay-Fresh resealable lids, (1) to-go lid and 10-second recipe guide
- The magic bullet chops, mixes, blends, whips, grinds and more. Cups are made out of high-impact plastic
- Effortlessly create your favorite meals and snacks like smoothies, omelets, sauces and dips. 250 watts high-torque power base
Smoothie and Shake Health Tips
Make your smoothies and shakes delicious and nutritious with some tasty tips that won’t tip the scale. As you can see, whipping up these thick drinks is quick and easy, so making the choice to cut calories and fill up on freshness is now on the menu. No more excuses to eat poorly when you’ve got smoothies and shakes to pour.
Use Bananas to Sweeten
Add extra vitamins and cool creaminess to your smoothies and shakes while simultaneously sweetening by swapping sugar for a ripe (and frozen) banana. (Cut in chunks pre-freezing). The end results are more delicious and so much better for you. Even the brownest of bananas are perfectly fine once they’re blended up into oblivion.
Sneak in Veggies
Chopped spinach, kale, cucumbers, and even broccoli will blend up beyond belief and add tons of vitamins and nutrients to your smoothies and shakes. Although they may turn out green in color, when you add other ingredients like fruits, protein powder, and yogurt, your smoothie won’t taste like the front lawn…we promise. This technique/trick is great for kids who refuse to eat their Brussels sprouts. They won’t even know they’re drinking something that’s good for them.
No Time for Breakfast? Not Anymore
When you are in a mad rush to get to work or school, a belly-filling blend will get you out the door with a simple and satisfying smoothie to go. The smoothie can be kept in the blender cup with a lid, or in an insulated water bottle so it stays cool longer. You will be far less tempted by the fattening and sugar-loaded meeting room donuts when you have a diet-friendly drink in hand. Your co-workers will be jealous.
Soup-er for Soups
When you have leftover cooked veggies you would normally toss in the trash, blend ‘em up instead then heat on the stovetop or in the microwave. You can make pasta sauces this way too. Don’t forget to freeze these blends for lunches or dinners in a pinch.
Feed Your Baby The Best Way You Can
With the aid of a personal blender, you can make your own pureed baby food that’s totally natural and fresh as can be. You will know exactly what’s in every spoonful and your baby will benefit. And you will save money by making your own baby food at home too. This works best for fruit- and veggie-based baby foods like carrots, peaches, pears, and peas. Cook these foods first to soften, then let them cool before blending. For perfectly pureed baby food, the NutriBullet is a blender and food processer in one, so in this case, if you’re choosing your personal blender solely for baby, NutriBullet is your best bet.
Mix-and-Match
With a personal blender, the options and combos are endless. You’ll never get bored of the same old smoothies and shakes when you can blend up something different daily. One day use Greek yogurt, the next try cottage cheese. Swap soy milk for skim and protein powder for peanut powder. You’re more likely to stick to a healthy diet when you don’t have that “been there, done that” feeling of “menu monotony.”
Final Thoughts
For basic blending in smaller batches, personal blenders are a bright idea. The uses are nearly unlimited and the blenders last a long time. Clean up is a snap, convenience is a bonus, and the cost won’t do a wallop on your wallet. Make the right choice and pick up a Magic Bullet Personal Blender today!
- Included: (1) 250W motor base, (1) cross-blade, (1) tall cup, (1) short cup, (1) party mug, (2) lip rings, (2) Stay-Fresh resealable lids, (1) to-go lid and 10-second recipe guide
- The magic bullet chops, mixes, blends, whips, grinds and more. Cups are made out of high-impact plastic
- Effortlessly create your favorite meals and snacks like smoothies, omelets, sauces and dips. 250 watts high-torque power base