I Put 10 Portable Blenders to the Test and 4 Crushed the Competition
These top-performing compact, cordless appliances can blend more than just protein powder.
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
When I first heard about portable blenders, I was a bit skeptical. How could a compact, cordless blender handle my favorite smoothies — with kale? And why would I ever need to prepare frozen drinks outside my kitchen? After extensive testing of 10 portable blenders, I can confidently say that a quality portable blender is a convenient, space-saving and cost-effective tool. It's perfect for those with limited access to a power source but still want to maintain a healthy lifestyle or enjoy their favorite frozen or cold beverages on the go — whether you're confined to your cubicle, on a road trip or in the middle of the woods camping. Just keep in mind that most portable blenders aren't suitable for hot beverages or soups, as heat can create pressure, risking leaks, damage or accidents when the lid is removed.
As a kitchen appliance reviews analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, I've tested almost 100 blender models in the last three and a half years — including full-size blenders, blender food processor combos, immersion blenders and personal blenders. And it wasn't until I tested 10 different portable blenders side by side that I realized some portable blenders are worth the hype, while others fall short in both performance and ease of use. I especially appreciated powerful models that featured a removable blending cup for a more lightweight and convenient drinking experience, as well as easy-to-sip lids for added usability. Read on to find out which crushed the competition.
Ninja Blast Max
Pros
- The control panel includes three modes: Blend, Crush and Smoothie.
- Seven different colorways
- Blending jar can be easily twisted off the base
Cons
- Had some difficulty breaking down tough kale
Weight: 2.6 lbs | Dimensions: 4.6" x 3.6" x 12.8" | Jar capacity: 22 oz | Battery life: Not provided | Charge time: 3 hours | Included parts: Power base, blending jar with travel lid and charging cord
The Ninja Blast Max offers cordless blending with its rechargeable battery, and its 22-ounce blending jar features a convenient flip-top lid that feels very comfortable to drink from, as well as a comfortable carrying handle. The control panel includes three modes: Blend, Crush and Smoothie. The dishwasher-safe jar can be easily twisted off the base for added portability. It also comes in seven different metallic colorways to choose from.
"I never thought I'd like using portable blenders until I used this one; it's perfect for blending my protein shakes when I'm trying to hurry out the door in the morning," says Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou. "I like that it snaps closed and has a large handle."
How it performed in our tests: Although slightly heavier, this model's blending jar can be easily twisted off the sturdy base, allowing you to drink directly from it, unlike others that must remain attached. You can also throw the entire blending cup with blade and lid into the dishwasher, unlike other models where the blade connects to the battery. Out of the 10 portable blenders I tested in the Lab, this one stood out as the top performer. It excelled at crushing hard ice for a creamy margarita and grinding oily coffee beans effectively. However, it had some difficulty breaking down curly kale during our tests.
NutriBullet Flip Portable Blender
Pros
- Stainless steel blending jar
- Flip-top lid
- Nicely blended up protein powder
Cons
- Heavy for a portable blender
Weight: 3.45 lbs | Dimensions: 3.87" x 4.25" x 9.12" | Jar capacity: 20 oz | Battery life: Not provided | Charge time: 2 hours | Included parts: Power base, blending cup, charging block and cable, blade cover, lid with handle, 2 straws and cleaning brush
This stainless steel portable blender from NutriBullet provides excellent insulation to keep your frozen drinks cold while on the go, providing great value. The blending jar is also larger than many other models I tested (at 20 ounces) and comes in seven colors. The power base can also be flipped right-side up (like in this photo) and features a flip-top lid for sipping. Alternatively, you can remove the power base and replace it with the included lid, which has a handle. Keep in mind that this is one of the heaviest portable blenders we tested, and I didn't find it as easy to sip from due to its smaller spout.
How it performed in our tests: In our tests, we found that if you put too many ice cubes inside this blender it might not fully blend all of them. However, it nicely blended protein powder and, after two rounds of blends, was able to cut through frozen berries and leafy greens.
KitchenAid Go Cordless Personal Blender
Pros
- Similar design to a portable blender, but cordless
- Rechargeable, removable battery
- Produced a great smoothie and milkshake in Lab tests
Cons
- Can only handle blending a small amount of ice cubes at a time
Weight: 2.65 lbs | Dimensions: 5.09" x 4.81" x 11.84" | Jar capacity: 16 oz | Battery life: 20 minutes | Charge time: Not provided | Included parts: Power base and blending jar with travel lid (battery is sometimes included or sold separately depending on retailer)
The KitchenAid Go Cordless Personal Blender is sold separately but is a part of the KitchenAid Go Cordless System, which includes a hand mixer, hand blender, kitchen vacuum and more. Unlike other cordless blenders I tested, it operates with a 12v MAX removable battery. So, if you wanted to, you could have two batteries and swap them out while one is charging.
Its design resembles personal blenders I've tested more closely than portable versions, and it boasts a lot of power for a cordless option. You can easily twist off the drinking vessel from the power base and swap the blade with a travel lid for on-the-go use. I liked the chug cap design of the lid, which made for easy sipping, as well as the twist-top lid.
How it performed in our tests: This cordless blender was a top performer; it produced a great green smoothie that was fully blended and a smooth and fluffy milkshake. However, it couldn't thoroughly blend all the ice cubes in the frozen margarita.
Pros
- Lightweight build
- Similar design and performance to other Beast blenders
- Power base is compatible with other Beast blending cups
Cons
- Not ideal for making frozen margaritas
Weight: 2 lbs | Dimensions: 3.4" x 3.4" x 9" | Jar capacity: 17 oz | Battery life: 15 blend cycles | Charge time: Not provided | Included parts: Power base, blending jar, storage lid, drinking lid, carry cap, straw cap, 2 straws and cleaning brushes
This is the fifth blender I've tested from Beast, and it's their latest cordless model. It features a design similar to their other models, with the same range of muted colorways and a lightweight build. This portable personal blender delivers great performance, similar to its corded counterparts. If you already have a Beast Mini or Mighty blender, you can buy the Beast GO Cordless Motor Base, as the cups are compatible.
One drawback is that the blade is attached to the power base, and when you're ready to sip from the cup, you have to flip it over and attach the drinking lid (I like the design of Beast's drinking lid; it's comfortable to sip from, but you can attach a straw as well). Beast also sells the easy-fill blender vessel with two open sides, so you can drink from the blender while it's still attached to the power base.
How it performed in our tests: This model performed particularly well when blending a smoothie, milkshake and protein shake. It produced a smoothie that was totally smooth, uniform and thick. We attempted our frozen margarita test on this blender a few times, and the appliance wouldn't run each time.
Others we tested
There has been considerable innovation in portable blenders since they first entered the market. However, there are still many models that aren't powerful enough (can only handle protein powder) and are messy and clunky to drink from with the power base attached. Out of the ten portable blenders that I tested, I can only confidently recommend the four picks listed in this story.
How test portable blenders
The Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab has tested over a hundred blenders, including 10 portable ones, in the last decade. We test each with the same standardized recipes to see how they stand out. When we test portable blenders, we adjust the recipes accordingly.
✔️ Simulating home use: To mimic how a typical home consumer might use a blender, we blend smoothies, vanilla milkshakes, frozen margaritas and protein shakes, and we grind coffee beans. This variety ensures tests cover different blending textures and challenges. While all portable blenders could handle a protein shake in our tests, the other recipes revealed significant differences in their performance.
✔️ Performance testing: During Lab testing, we control as many variables as we can and evaluate performance by:
- Testing hard ingredients: We test a variety of ingredients, including ones that are notoriously hard to blend, like stringy kale, frozen strawberries, ice and oily coffee beans.
- Straining products: We strain the final product through a mesh sieve to confirm all ingredients are thoroughly blended and that the texture is uniform.
- Weighing blends: The final product is weighed to assess efficiency and output.
- Tasting recipes: We taste each recipe to see if the texture and flavor are consistent.
✔️ Usability and operation evaluation: We evaluate every machine for:
- Ease of use: The assembly of blade parts, proper positioning of the jar on the base, simple and intuitive use of controls, and clear, visible markings on the jar are all key factors.
- Portability: Since portable blenders are specifically designed for portability, we also evaluate the handle, heft and ease of use while on the go.
- Cleaning: We evaluate the blenders to see how easy they are to clean, including dishwasher performance (if the model is dishwasher-safe).
- Noise levels: We measure how loud each blender is during operation.
- Manual: We read each user manual for clarity, helpfulness and manufacturer contact information.
What to consider when shopping for a portable blender
✔️ Battery and charging: The unique thing about portable blenders is that they are all operated by rechargeable batteries. Most have a battery inside the blender's base and must be plugged in to charge. However, the KitchenAid model on this list has a battery that can be removed from the blender and charged on a charging dock. Most take about two to three hours to charge and then can be used for around 20 minutes of continuous blending.
✔️ Cup style: If portability is important to you, assess cup style. Is it slim and easy to hold? Does it fit into your vehicle's cup holders? Does it have a lid that seals well? Does it have a spout or sports lid?
✔️Capacity: Portable blender jar capacities vary in size from around 16 to 22 ounces. We prefer a larger capacity to blend a larger serving easily, but the more compact blending jars are easier to transport and throw into your bag.
✔️ Weight: Some heft is helpful to keep your portable blender in place while using it. But you'll still want it to be light enough to transport easily.
✔️ Settings: Portable blenders used to have only one setting — you just pushed a button to blend — but newer models have a few settings, and some even have pulse features, which help break down tough ingredients or coarsely chop a salsa.
What's the difference between a portable and personal blender?
While all portable blenders are considered personal, not all personal blenders are portable. Both types are compact, but personal blenders may require plugging into an electrical outlet for power. In comparison, portable blenders are cordless and designed to operate without an outlet, offering greater portability and convenience. However, portable blenders rely on a rechargeable battery and aren't as powerful as traditional blenders that draw power directly from an electrical source.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Eva Bleyer has professionally tested all kinds of kitchen equipment, from oven ranges to juicers, kitchen scales and blenders. Eva has rigorously tested almost 100 blenders (10 portable models) in the Good Housekeeping Institute in the past three and a half years. As a trained chef from the Natural Gourmet Institute with a background in health-supportive cooking, she has extensive experience using blenders. Eva was once very skeptical of portable blenders, but after testing almost a dozen, she has found the value of a high-quality portable blender.
Eva (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she tests kitchen gear, home appliances and culinary innovations. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor of science in food studies, nutrition and public health and is a trained chef through the Natural Gourmet Institute. Eva has more than 10 years of experience in the food industry, working as a food stylist, personal chef and marketing manager.
The Best Eye Creams
The Best Ice Cream Makers
7 Mini Flat Irons for Travel and Touchups
The Best Shapewear Swimsuits
