Just about every modern kitchen these days have a blender. Deciding to buy a blender is easy. But deciding on which brand can be confusing, as there are many manufacturers and each one seems to have a very long lineup of blenders to offer. All the blenders have their own sets of pros and cons, and so you’ll need to be very careful about your choice. That’s not always easy when you’re choosing between two respected brands, such as Blendtec and Ninja.
Feel free to use the table of contents below to quickly navigate through the article:
To make it a fair and straightforward comparison, we’ve chosen one model from each of these brands which have the closest price points – the Blendtec Classic 475 and the Ninja Mega Kitchen System 1500 (BL773CO).
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Price
Let’s talk about the price first, because this is one factor that can disqualify both of these excellent blenders if you have a limited budget.
From what I've seen, the Blendtec Classic 475 is usually more expensive than the Ninja system on Amazon. Unfortunately, I can't give you an exact number right now simply because Amazon's prices change all the time.
Since prices on Amazon change daily, your best option would be to check the 2 listings on any given day.
Once you're there, just keep in mind you need to consider how many accessories you get with the Ninja System compared to the Blendtec.
Motor
Both blenders have motors that will get the job done easily. In fact, these two blender models are both well-known for their ability to crush just about anything you use as an ingredient. That means if you’re going to use large ice cubes and frozen fruits regularly, then either of the two will suffice.
However, the Ninja BL773CO does edge out the Blendtec 475 slightly. The Blendtec gives you a formidable 1,475 watts of power from its 3HP motor. The Ninja offers 1,500 watts of power from its 2Hp motor. In real-life terms, these two power levels are just about tied.
Blades
Here’s another key difference in the designs. With the Ninja, you get the Nutri Ninja blade along with the chopping blade and the dough blade. And they’re very sharp. So while you can expect the blades to cut through anything, that means it is also very likely to cut your fingers if you mishandle them. Also, you will eventually experience some dulling of the sharp edges over time.
Blendtec uses a different philosophy. Since the power is more than sufficient, the blades are already blunt, to begin with. That’s because they are 80% thicker than other blender blades, and up to 10 times stronger. You don’t need them to be sharp at all, and so you get a more consistent level of performance over time. In addition, you’re also more protected from accidental lacerations when you handle the blade.
Versatility of Use
Here is where the Ninja demonstrates its superior versatility. It is designed specifically to work like 4 different appliances. You can blend frozen treats and smoothies. You can use it as a juice extractor. It can also be used as a food processor. Finally, it can mix the dough with no problem, as it can mix 2 pounds of dough in just 30 seconds. With its slicing and shredding abilities, it seems like you can do just about anything with it.
In addition, with the Ninja, you can make a single-serve juice or smoothie and head on out right away. The drink you make goes to a special portable cup that you can bring with you throughout the day.
The Blendtec is primarily a blender only. It can make bread crumbs, sauces, and soups, but its express function is to give you the perfect smoothies you want each and every time.
So here the Ninja surges ahead, as you can save a lot of money when you’re in need of all 4 different kitchen appliances.
Ease of Use
Both blenders are very easy to use. On the Blendtec, you just push a single button for your smoothies. And you can also pick between 3 manual settings (low, medium, or high) and you get a pulse setting too.
For the Ninja, you get a single button control for each function. There’s a single button for handling dough, another button for blending, another for crushing, and a button for a single-serve. You can also use the pulse setting as well.
Accessories
You do get lots of accessories with the Ninja. It’s a very long list actually, as you get:
- 72-ounce blender pitcher
- an 8-cup food processor bowl
- 3 Nutri Ninja cups (16 oz)
- 3 Ninja to Go lids
You also get an instruction book, a quick start guide, and an “inspiration guide”.
In contrast, you only get a 32-ounce jar for the Blendtec. You won’t be able to make larger batches of smoothies, nor can you make single-serve smoothies that can go directly into your portable cups. You do get a “Blending 101” quick start guide with recipes included.
Space Considerations
Since you get a lot of accessories with the Ninja, you’re going to need a lot of space to store and put them all in. That can be a problem for very cramped dorms and small apartments, where space is at a premium. It will also be a challenge to move them from one home to another.
Meanwhile, the basic Blendtec is very easy when it comes to portability and to storage. It’s just a single piece, and not very big at all. You only need a 7-inch by 8-inch space on your countertop, and when you need to store it away the height of the blended is only 15 inches tall.
Aesthetics
This aspect is, of course, highly subjective. But in general, people do consider the look of the Blendtec as plain and inoffensive. On the other hand, the full handle of the Ninja as well as the large array of components seem impressive when left on the countertop.
In other words, it seems like the Ninja will make your kitchen look better, but that may be just my opinion. And you better have the space for the Ninja components, or else your kitchen may look cramped and disorganized.
Cleanup
Both are very easy to clean up. The Ninja does have very sharp blades so you will have to be very careful. But it’s dishwasher safe.
On the other hand, the Blendtec is even much easier and safer to clean. The blades are blunt so you won’t need to fear any possible lacerations. In fact, you can clean the blender by just putting in a jar of water and a single drop of dish soap. Turn it on and put it in the high setting, and you’re done.
Durability
The main problem with inexpensive blenders is that they’re often made with materials that don’t last a very long time. That’s the problem with the Ninja, as it only offers a 1-year warranty for its Ninja Mega Kitchen System. That’s because it comes with too many pieces, so more things can go wrong with them.
On the other hand, the single unit Blendtec is extremely well made. Even its drive socket is made from metal instead of plastic, so you won’t have to replace it. The blades are tougher and thicker as well. So you get an astounding 8-year warranty from Blendtec.
So...Which Is Better?
The better question is: which one is better for you? Both blenders offer powerful motors and blades that can crush ice and hard ingredients in a very short amount of time. But each one also offers different benefits and drawbacks, so it will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
If you’re going for greater variety, then the Ninja Mega Kitchen System is truly a good choice. Buying it is like buying 4 different kitchen appliances at once. And the portable cups make for an easy getaway in the morning.
On the other hand, the impressive warranty on the Blendtec means that you won’t ever have to be afraid of needing to buy another blender for close to the next decade. It really is that tough. The lack of extraneous parts and accessories means that there are fewer things that can go wrong. Its use of stronger materials for its most important parts also means that it really is designed for long term use.
So here’s the verdict in a nutshell. Do you define “value” as getting a lot of flexibility and variety? If so, get the Ninja. But if your definition of value is getting a blender that will last for many years then, get the Blendtec.
Hopefully, this review has helped you in making the right choice!
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Here's a nice video showing them both in action:
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