Question
What can you share about the NutriBullet blender? Can it be used as a replacement for a regular, cheap blender? I want to buy NutriBullet for now, as I can afford it, but for the same money I can buy a cheap blender too. I would like it for preparing smoothies, spreads, and sauces. Is a NutriBullet better than a regular, cheap blender? Thanks.
Svetlana
Answer
When it comes to making all kinds of smoothies, spreads, and sauces the type and quality of the blender is extremely important to consider. The right blender will make all the difference in how easy, quick, convenient, or even possible it is to make such foods. Whereas we don’t have to be too picky when choosing an appliance like a food processor, the difference between blenders out there is very significant. The best blenders on the market, like a Vitamix, are considered the ultimate blenders, as they can make the smoothest smoothies, spreads, sauces, soups, ice cream, and more. They literally can handle any ingredient and pulverize it fully and quickly. This means no motor burning out and no unblended food pieces or grittiness in your final food products. Their power and versatility is unbeatable in terms of what they can do and how quickly they can do it. This puts them up in a class all their own compared to any regular blender. The downside is their steep price tag, which ranges from about $300 to $700, depending on the model. Therefore, even though these are my top choice recommendations, their price tag will be the limiting factor for many people.
This is where a NutriBullet can be a great consideration. They have several models that are significantly cheaper than top-of-the-line blenders like the Vitamix, coming in at only around $100 or less. They are also significantly better than most regular blenders that are in that low price range. The most important thing, and the way to get the most value out of them, is to get the right model. The NutriBullet family started with the MagicBullet, which is very cheap (under $50), quite basic, and not much better than the average cheap blender. All the MagicBullet did was revolutionize blender sizes by providing the convenience of a personal-sized small blender. I definitely do not recommend this model, unless a person is only interested in making personal-sized servings of simple fruit smoothies.
The best way to go is to choose the NutriBullet Pro, which has a 900 watt motor, the NutriBullet Prime, which has a 1000 watt motor, or the NutriBullet Pro+, which has a 1200 watt motor. The regular NutriBullet, with a 600 watt motor, is not powerful enough and not worth wasting your time or money on. For just a little more money, usually around $20, you can get a much more powerful and capable unit, which in this case is extremely worth it and essential for most value and versatility. I have had the opportunity to try both the MagicBullet and NutriBullet Pro over the years, during my travels that have me staying in different kitchens, and thus also speak here from direct experience in trying to make various green smoothies and sauces in these units.
The high-powered 900-watt, 1000-watt, and 1200-watt units are really good at handling leafy greens for green smoothies, as well as blending all kinds of nuts and seeds to make various sauces. They can make small batches of bean-based hummus, but these must be made more on the runny side, and not thick, given how these units function. You may still need to stop the unit and scrape around for even blending whenever denser or drier ingredients are combined. Some of the final products may not be as “perfectly smooth” as one would get in a Vitamix, but they are still very comparable and impressive for such small and cheap appliances. Aside from that, I will also mention that these units can be prone to leaking given their inverted design. This usually happens if they are over-filled or after some time as the seals wear out. The best results will be achieved by following the instructions properly when using these units. The other thing to keep in mind is that these units are best for households that have 1 or 2 people, as they are designed to handle personal servings. Therefore, they are not a good option for multiple-person families, and in such a case I highly recommend investing in a proper Vitamix blender.
When it comes to any regular, cheap blenders, meaning those that range from the lowest possible, about $50, to about $200, I highly recommend against them. Most of these blenders are very weak, have very poor blades, and are not able to handle more than making simple fruit smoothies. They may feature glass jugs instead of plastic and try to wow the consumer with all kinds of settings, but ultimately most of them are a waste of money. They completely choke up in the presence of leafy greens, or just spin them around whole without actually being able to tackle them. Their motors commonly burn out when the mixture is too thick, as is the case when making a bean-based hummus, or they just get stuck spinning without actually being able to move the ingredients around. They are also incapable of tackling and blending most nuts and seeds for any sauces or spreads. Small chia and flax seeds are completely unchanged by these blenders, which defeats the purpose of even trying to blend them.
Therefore, if someone wants to stay in the low price range, the high-powered NutriBullet models are definitely the way to go. Another option, and very good, comparable consideration, is the Ninja Pro Personal Blender. It is very similar to the NutriBullet Pro, has an equally powerful 900 watt motor, and is often rated even better and costs even less. (Be sure to avoid the regular Ninja blenders.) Otherwise, saving up for a Vitamix is the next best option, which will offer a much longer appliance lifespan and much more meal versatility and satisfaction.