Take it from someone who's reviewed more than 100 blenders... There are too damn many of these things on planet earth.
You can have a basic need. For example, "I just want something that makes smoothies that I can take to the office or on holiday", and the difficulty you will have working out which of all the options is actually best for you... It can make you not want a dadgum blender after all.
(Heard that word on Last Chance U and I've been dying to use it in a real sentence ever since. Win.)
That's why I wrote this post.
By the end of it, you'll know which small, portable blender is your best option, depending on what you want to make with it, and what your budget is. Sound good?
You can use the table of contents below to make a quick jump, or just keep on reading for all the details.
Table of Contents
#1 Best All-Round: Oster My Blend
For the cost of a few cocktails on a night out, you could solve your portable blending issues once and for all.
You get a 20-ounce Tritan sports bottle, which is BPA-free and dishwasher-safe. What’s more, with the Pro version, the cup is double-layered to prevent condensation, so you can put it in your bag along with your important documents. The double-layer also keeps the smoothie colder for 30% longer, so you can last for almost a whole day with a smoothie you prepared early in the morning. You even get a reusable straw and a carry clip attachment.
Using the My Blend is easy, and even the technologically-averse won’t have any trouble with the “One Touch” control. Just fill the bottle with your ingredients and twist in. When you’re done, replace the blender blade with the drinking lid and you’re good to go.
It also comes with a 3-year Satisfaction Guarantee. On the road, you’ll appreciate how quiet it is when you use it, especially when you’re in a motel room and you don’t want to wake up other guests.
Of course, with its low power, expect to have some difficulty crushing ice cubes. Just make sure you have enough space inside, and you may also want to use the on-off style of blending so you can take advantage of the stronger starting wattage. There’s a built-in fuse that automatically shuts down the motor for 15 minutes if you overheat it.
Literally, thousands of reviews attest to the quality, durability, and travel compatibility of this blender. Dollar for dollar, it's very hard for other portable blenders to compete here.
#2 Best If Price Is No Object: Vitamix S30
If you said no to My Blend in number 1, it could only be because you're intending to do something with the blender that the Oster doesn't have enough power or size for. So, I thought "Ok then, number 2 will be a blender that can do EVERYTHING". That's the Vitamix S30.
If you haven't heard of Vitamix, then a) Who are you? b) They're basically the top of the blending world and their blades use aircraft-grade steel to murder your ingredients into a delicious smoothie.
Vitamix markets the S30 as a compact and portable blender, although it does weigh a hefty 12 pounds and 6 ounces. But it’s small enough when you use the travel cup with a flip-top lid. It only becomes 15.66 inches high with the 40-ounce container that it also comes with. That’s just three pieces all in all, and the construction is quite solid.
Yet for all its compactness, its capabilities don’t fall short at all. The motor is powerful at 790 watts, and that’s backed by hardened, stainless-steel blades. You have variable settings from 1 to 10, along with the pulse setting. It’s also very versatile. You can also make frozen desserts, soups, and other blended items with no trouble at all. And after you use it, it’s very easy to clean. You even get a 5-year warranty for the S30, and that’s a very long warranty period for any blender.
As you might imagine, the S30 isn't cheap. But it will do everything you want, in the home and out, and it will keep doing it for years into the future. If you want the best, #2 is your choice.
#3 Best Mid-priced: Cuisinart CPB-300
On the face of it, putting a 15-piece blender on a list of portable blenders seems very wrong. But the CPB 300 is actually a great blender to take with you.
If you’re just going to use it for smoothies, then you can just bring 1 of the 4 16-ounce BPA-free “blend and go” cups with you. By doing so, the blender will only measure 10.1 x 15.8 x 10 inches and weigh just 4 pounds.
But the CPB 300 isn’t limited to just making single-serving cups. You can also bring the 32-ounce cup for larger servings, and you can even take along the small 8-ounce chopping cup along with the chopping blades.
Even though the CPB 300 offers just 350 watts of power, it’s certainly sufficient for on-the-go smoothies. Its ice-crushing power is fantastic, which is always a concern with personal blenders. In fact, you can think of it as a full-service blender that takes up only half as much space as your typical full-service blender. You can even make food preparations, such as chopping nuts and herbs using it.
You have High and Low settings as well as Pulse control, and the electronic touchpad comes with LED indicator lights that make it easy to use in low-light environments (like parties or very early in the morning). There’s a safety interlock, and it comes with an automatic stop feature.
And then, when you’re done, the cleanup is a snap. Some warm water and a drop of detergent in the blender will do the trick. The blades can even be taken out and cleaned manually.
We’re not the only ones who really like the Cuisinart CPB-300, either. The editors at Consumer Search regard it as the best single-serve blender on the market today.
Perhaps the main problem with the Cuisinart CPB-300 is that the cups aren’t as portable as they ought to be. It comes with an open drinking hole that’s handy for sipping and for using a straw, but there’s no way to seal it.
#4 Cheapest: Hamilton Beach Single Serve
If you looked at the number #1 Oster and thought "Nope, still more than I wanted to spend", never fear. My list has still got you covered.
The Hamilton Beach, as well as being the cheapest, is perhaps the most popular single-serve blender around. It has received thousands of reviews with most of them giving it full marks. Just about everyone thinks that it’s the best option there is for single servings.
It measures 4.8 x 4.8 x 10.3 inches and weighs just 2.2 pounds, which makes it really portable. It’s actually one of the smallest blenders in the market right now. It even comes in a variety of colors. You know that it was specifically designed as a portable bender because the designers even put in storage for the electrical cord.
Also, the 14-ounce blending jar doubles as a cup to go as it comes with a travel lid. It fits just about any cup holder in a car or on a gym machine.
According to the Hamilton Beach website, it’s dishwasher-safe, although quite a few owners disagree. That’s because the measuring markers tend to come off when you use a dishwasher to clean it.
The only reason why it’s not #1 on our list is that its motor only comes with 175 watts of power. Admittedly, that’s more than enough for smoothies on the go. In fact, you can use it to prepare baby food, cocktails, salad dressings, and marinades too.
However, you’ll need to be extra careful when you use it, and it will really help if you always have the manual with you. You can’t overuse it because you risk burning out the motor. You have to put the ingredients in the right order, and pulse correctly. And even when you do get it right, it can take almost a minute to prepare your smoothies instead of just a few seconds.
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So we come to the best portable blender on our list – the Nutri Ninja Pro. This model doesn’t have the Auto IQ feature but that’s okay, because the computerized settings may not survive a bumpy ride when you travel anyway.
What’s really exciting about the Nutri Ninja Pro is that you won’t ever have to worry about insufficient motor issues. This thing is a brute, offering a whopping 900 watts of power.
That means you don’t have to worry about hard ingredients, crushing ice, or spending too much time blending. And it’s not as noisy as other powerful blenders. Just put your ingredients inside the container, pulse it for a few seconds, and you’re done!
It’s also very durable as well, with many reviewers attesting that their Nutri Ninja Pro still works even after several years of use. On the Ninja Kitchen website, you can get this blender for $89.99 with free shipping. It’s also available on Amazon.
The Nutri Ninja Pro comes with a 24-ounce cup that can prepare 2 servings and a single 18-ounce cup. Both jars come with travel lids, so spillage isn’t a problem.
Click here for the full review of the Nutri Ninja Pro Blender.
Which Portable Blender Is Right for You?
That all depends on your personal needs and preferences. If money is no object, then, by all means, get the Vitamix S30. It offers everything you need in a personal blender. You’ve got the power, the ease of use, a compact design, and a long warranty period. The only problem with it is that it’s not as lightweight as the others on our list and it’s also very expensive.
If you like the S30 but you feel like it is too expensive and heavy, then the Nutri Ninja Pro offers the same set of advantages. It even comes with more power and less weight. It’s also easy to use and very durable.
Some feel that the Nutri Ninja Pro, for all its capabilities, is still too expensive and too heavy for a portable blender. If that’s the case for you, then the Cuisinart CPB-300 may be your best bet. It offers sufficient power at 350 watts, and it’s also easy to use.
But if you want a really affordable single serve blender with just enough power for smoothies, you’ll need to choose between the Hamilton Beach Single Serve and the Oster My Blend. Both of these blenders are the most affordable options on our list and they are also the most lightweight. They can make great smoothies every time and you won’t have to worry too much if they break down during one of your trips, given the low cost.
I hope this has helped you make an informed decision. Good luck!
Clare
I have been looking for a blender that I can take with me while I am travelling, I think I would need to go with the Oster Blender as it is much lighter than the others, but very useful list.