In a small apartment, a blender has two jobs. It has to blend, and it has to fit, whether that means staying out on a counter the width of a cutting board or going in a cupboard with the pots. A lot of blender advice skips the second job and recommends something 18 inches tall that weighs as much as a bag of rice.
So every pick here comes with its listed height, length and width, and we’ve ordered them by how well they solve the space problem first and blending second. None of these are single-serve bullet blenders unless they also have a real footprint advantage. If that’s the style you want, see our guide to the best personal blender.
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Quick verdict: the blender that fits
The bella Flip and Store Blender is our best blender for small apartment living: the jar flips over the base for storage, it weighs about 3 pounds, and a Domino reviewer who lives with it says it saves several inches of height, though it is loud. For the smallest full-jar frame, choose the Hamilton Beach MultiBlend. If you want a glass jar for salsas, go with the Hamilton Beach Power Elite.
Five compact blenders, by the numbers
Our five standout picks, one for each kind of buyer, with the size each listing gives. All seven blenders are reviewed in full below.
| Blender | Best for | Listed size (H x L x W) | Jar and motor | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
bella Flip and Store BlenderBest overall
|
Most small kitchens | About 14 x 8 x 7.7 in; jar stores inverted | 48 oz plastic jar; 10 speeds | View on Amazon |
Hamilton Beach MultiBlend 52400Smallest with a real jar
|
The smallest usable blender here | 12 x 6.14 x 5.08 in | 32 oz jar, grinder and 2 travel jars | View on Amazon |
Beast Mini BlenderNarrowest footprint
|
The tightest counters | 13.43 x 4.13 x 4.13 in | Tritan vessels; 600 W | View on Amazon |
Hamilton Beach Power Elite 58155Best glass jar
|
Cooks who want a glass jar | 14.69 x 8.66 x 6.5 in | 40 oz glass; 700 W peak; 12 functions | View on Amazon |
Oster Vortex Glass BlenderBest capacity
|
Cooking for more than two | 13.87 x 10.12 x 8.5 in | 54 oz glass; 800 W peak; 3 programs | View on Amazon |
Why the measurements matter more than the watts
Start with the space under your wall cabinets. A common gap between counter and wall cabinet is around 18 inches, but older apartments vary, so measure yours. A blender that fits under that gap with its jar on can stay out and ready, and a blender you can reach is one you’ll use. Remember to leave room to lift the jar straight off, or plan to slide the machine forward first.
Then look at the footprint. A 4-inch-square base and an 8-by-10-inch base are very different on a 24-inch run of counter. And think about weight if the blender will live in a cupboard. A 3-pound machine comes down off a shelf easily, while a 9-pound one with a glass jar is another matter, especially on a high shelf.
A word on those numbers: every figure on this page comes from the listing, and listings don’t always make clear whether a size is the machine alone or the boxed item. Where one looks odd, we say so. Take them as a guide, and check the product page before you commit.
Our picks for the best blender for small apartment kitchens
We start with the machines that do most to save space and work toward those that trade a bit of space for more capacity or a second function.
1. bella Flip and Store Blender – A Jar That Stores Upside Down
This is the one blender here designed around the apartment problem. Bella says the 6-cup jar flips onto the base for storage, “saving up to 50% more space,” and it names compact kitchens and dorms as the target. The listing gives 13.97 inches high by 8.03 long by 7.67 wide, and it weighs 3.22 pounds, the lightest listed weight on this page. That matters when the blender lives in a cupboard and comes out twice a week.
We could also read a real account of living with it. A reviewer at Domino wrote that “the pitcher flips upside down and rests on the base, saving us several inches of aerial space,” and that it “blends through entire cloves of garlic like a dream.” The reviewer found the plastic pitcher easier to clean than a heavy glass one, and was candid about the drawback: it is “loud enough to wake me up in the mornings.” Domino earns affiliate revenue, so weigh that, and if thin walls are your problem, weigh that noise too.
One thing doesn’t add up in the listing. The title says 520 watts while the feature list says a 450-watt motor. We quote both and wouldn’t plan on heavy jobs with either figure. The cord tucks away, the jar and lid are dishwasher safe, and the warranty is stated at two years.
Why we like it
- Jar flips onto the base for storage, per bella
- Lightest listed weight here
- Dishwasher-safe jar and lid
- Cord tuck and a two-year warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 35103 |
|---|---|
| Listed size (H x L x W) | 13.97 x 8.03 x 7.67 in; 3.22 lb |
| Jar | 48 oz (6 cups), BPA-free plastic |
| Motor | 520 W in title; 450 W in features |
| Controls | 10 speeds |
| Cleaning | Jar and lid dishwasher safe |
| Warranty | 2-year limited |
Why we recommend it
It suits a renter who has little cupboard space and makes smoothies, soups and salsas, not nut butters. It’s the pick that treats storage as the main job.
Skip it if you share walls and blend early, or want a machine for heavy jobs. For more power, see our guide to the best blender.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Purpose-built storage
- Very light
- An independent account we could read
Cons
- Loud, per Domino
- Motor figures differ in the listing
- Plastic jar
2. Hamilton Beach MultiBlend 52400 – Four Jars in the Smallest Listed Frame
Twelve inches high and just over six long, this is the shortest full-jar machine on the page. Hamilton Beach includes a 32-ounce jar with a lid, two 16-ounce travel jars with drinking lids, and an 8-ounce grinding jar. All four are described as shatterproof, which removes one worry in a cramped kitchen.
It replaces more than a blender. The small grinding jar handles nuts, spices and hard cheese, and that can save another appliance in a small home. Hamilton Beach lists 650 watts of peak power and says it can make smoothies, icy drinks, salsas and purees, with a pulse for chunkier ones.
A note on what you get: a 32-ounce jar holds a couple of smoothies, not a party. You’ll also need a shelf for four jars, so the saving is in height and footprint, not necessarily in total cupboard space. We did not read an independent test of this model, so this rests on the listing, which gives a three-year warranty.
Why we like it
- 12-inch listed height
- 32-ounce jar plus two travel jars
- 8-ounce grinder jar for nuts and spices
- Three-year warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 52400 |
|---|---|
| Listed size (H x L x W) | 12 x 6.14 x 5.08 in; 3.53 lb |
| Jar | 32 oz; 8 oz grinder; two 16 oz travel jars, all shatterproof |
| Motor | 650 W peak |
| Controls | Pulse; speeds not stated |
| Cleaning | Not stated |
| Warranty | 3 years |
Why we recommend it
It suits one person who wants a smoothie jar, a travel cup and a spice grinder in a very small frame, and whose tiny counter can’t take anything taller.
Skip it if you cook for a family; a 32-ounce jar will mean working in batches.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very small base
- Grinder included
- Three-year warranty
Cons
- Small main jar
- Four jars need storage
- No independent test read
3. Beast Mini Blender – Barely Four Inches Across
If what you lack is counter width, nothing here comes close. The listing gives 13.43 inches high and 4.13 inches square, and it names “apartments, dorms, and other small living spaces” under the heading of a small countertop footprint. Beast says you can leave it out on the counter, and at that width you plausibly can.
The trade-off is capacity. It is a vessel-style machine with extra Tritan vessels, a drinking lid, a carry cap and a straw cap, so you blend in the cup and take it with you. Beast’s 600-watt motor is said to crush ice and grind coffee as well as make smoothies, dressings and dips. The vessel capacity isn’t stated in the details we read, and that’s a gap to check.
Beast calls it the “most powerful mini blender on the market,” and that is marketing, not something we could verify. We did not read an independent test of this model. The Plus version of this blender, in Carbon Black, is on our personal blender guide; this is the plainer Mini, and the offer we saw was sold by Beast Health, the maker.
Why we like it
- 4.13-inch-square listed footprint
- Named for apartments, per Beast
- Blend and carry in the same vessel
- Sold by the maker when we checked
Key specifications
| Model | B6R-BE-US |
|---|---|
| Listed size (H x L x W) | 13.43 x 4.13 x 4.13 in |
| Jar | Tritan vessels; capacity not stated |
| Motor | 600 W |
| Controls | Not stated |
| Cleaning | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a person blending one or two drinks at a time who wants it left out on a narrow counter.
Skip it if you need to blend for more than two, or you want a pitcher that pours.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Narrowest footprint by far
- Tidy on the counter
- Travel-ready vessels
Cons
- Small batches only
- Capacity not stated
- Marketing claims we couldn’t check
4. Hamilton Beach Power Elite 58155 – Real Glass in Under 15 Inches
If you’d rather have a glass jar than plastic, this is the smallest glass-jar machine on the page. The listing gives 14.69 inches high, 8.66 long and 6.5 wide, and its 40-ounce jar is enough for dinner salsa or two smoothies. It stands a few inches below the usual 18-inch gap under a wall cabinet, so it can stay assembled on the counter.
Hamilton Beach lists 700 watts of peak power, Ice Sabre blades, its Wave Action system that pushes food down into the blades, and 12 functions that include puree and crush ice. The glass jar, lid, blades and jar collar are all removable and dishwasher safe, and the pour spout is designed to prevent drips.
Glass adds weight: at 5.78 pounds this is a machine to leave out, not to haul from a high shelf. We did not read an independent test for this page. This blue listing is the same family as the black Power Elite on our small glass-jar blender guide, and it is here because it gives the best glass-jar height on this page. The warranty is stated at three years.
Why we like it
- Glass jar under 15 inches tall
- Dishwasher-safe jar, lid, blades and collar
- Pour spout designed to prevent drips
- Three-year limited warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 58155 |
|---|---|
| Listed size (H x L x W) | 14.69 x 8.66 x 6.5 in; 5.78 lb |
| Jar | 40 oz glass |
| Motor | 700 W peak |
| Controls | 12 functions |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher-safe parts |
| Warranty | 3-year limited |
Why we recommend it
It suits a renter who cooks and wants a glass jar for salsas and sauces, and who has the counter space to keep it out.
Skip it if you’ll be lifting it down from a cupboard often; the bella is much lighter.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Glass jar
- Many functions
- Parts go in the dishwasher
Cons
- Heavier than plastic options
- Same family appears on our glass-jar guide
- No independent test read
5. Oster Vortex Glass Blender – A Bigger Jar That Still Clears a Cabinet
Most of the machines here ask you to give up jar size. The Oster Vortex holds more at a listed 13.87 inches high: a 54-ounce shatter-resistant glass jar, though the length of 10.12 inches and width of 8.5 are the largest footprint on this list, and may include the jar’s handle or the packaging. Measure your counter against those numbers before you buy.
It has an 800-peak-watt motor, a blade that spins in both directions to help prevent jams, and three iBlend programs for milkshakes, smoothies and salsa. A salsa button is a handy touch. Oster describes an all-metal drive, a removable blade and dishwasher-safe parts.
We did not read an independent test of this model for this page, so it rests on the listing, which doesn’t state a warranty in the details we read. The black version appears on our budget blender guide; this oatmilk listing is here because of the low height with a large glass jar.
Why we like it
- 54-ounce glass jar at under 14 inches
- Reversible blade to help prevent jams
- Salsa program
- Dishwasher-safe parts
Key specifications
| Model | 2255415 |
|---|---|
| Listed size (H x L x W) | 13.87 x 10.12 x 8.5 in |
| Jar | 54 oz shatter-resistant glass |
| Motor | 800 W peak |
| Controls | 3 iBlend programs |
| Cleaning | Removable blade; dishwasher-safe parts |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits two or three people sharing a small kitchen, who want the largest jar that will still clear a wall cabinet.
Skip it if your counter is shallow; check the listed length and width first.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Largest jar here
- Low listed height
- Named salsa program
Cons
- Largest listed footprint
- Warranty not stated
- Another color is on our budget guide
6. Dash Quest Blender – The Tallest Pick With a Glass Pitcher
Dash makes small appliances, and the Quest is its simple countertop blender. It has a 1.5-liter glass pitcher with a handle and pour spout, a non-slip base, and a dial with three speeds and a pulse.
At a listed 15.7 inches high, 7.7 long and 7.9 wide, and 9 pounds, it’s the tallest and heaviest on this page. That’s still under a typical wall cabinet, but this is a blender to park on the counter, not to tuck away. Dash says to wash the pitcher, lid and filler cap by hand; the blade assembly comes out for cleaning. Dash lists smoothie bowls, nut butters, soups and frozen drinks among its uses, though a 600-watt motor without a tamper is unlikely to love the thick ones.
A search for an independent test of this model turned up retail listings and aggregators, not a test we could use, so this rests on the listing. It doesn’t state a warranty term.
Why we like it
- Glass pitcher with handle and pour spout
- Three speeds and a pulse on a dial
- Non-slip base
- Blade assembly comes out for cleaning
Key specifications
| Model | DQB150GBSS02 |
|---|---|
| Listed size (H x L x W) | 15.7 x 7.7 x 7.9 in; 9 lb |
| Jar | 1.5-liter glass |
| Motor | 600 W |
| Controls | 3-speed dial with pulse |
| Cleaning | Hand wash, per listing |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who wants a plain dial and a glass pitcher, and who has counter space but not much cupboard space.
Skip it if you plan to store it away; it is the heaviest here.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Simple dial
- Glass pitcher
- Stable base, per the listing
Cons
- Tallest and heaviest here
- Hand wash, per the listing
- No independent test found
7. Cuisinart Smart Power Duet BFP-703 – A Blender and Processor on One Base
The best way to save space in a small kitchen is often to own one machine instead of two. The Duet puts a 48-ounce glass blender jar and a 3-cup food processor attachment with a slicing and shredding disc on one base. Cuisinart lists a 500-watt motor, die-cast metal housing, and a 7-speed touch pad with ice crush.
The listing gives 13.2 inches high by 7.4 by 15.5, and 10.3 pounds. A 15.5-inch dimension looks large for a blender base, and it may reflect the boxed set, so treat it as a sign that you’ll need storage for the attachment. All removable parts are dishwasher safe, and the warranty is limited three-year.
We did not read an independent test of this model. The offer we saw was sold by JADA Lifestyles, a third party, so check the seller when you order. If you want a stronger combination machine, see our blender and food processor combo guide.
Why we like it
- 48-ounce glass jar and 3-cup processor
- Slicing and shredding disc included
- Dishwasher-safe removable parts
- Limited three-year warranty
Key specifications
| Model | BFP-703BC |
|---|---|
| Listed size (H x L x W) | 13.2 x 7.4 x 15.5 in; 10.3 lb (as listed) |
| Jar | 48 oz glass; 3-cup processor |
| Motor | 500 W |
| Controls | 7 speeds with pulse and ice crush |
| Cleaning | Removable parts dishwasher safe |
| Warranty | Limited 3-year |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who wants to chop onions and blend salsa with one machine, and who would otherwise have to buy two.
Skip it if you need real power or a very small unit; this is heavy for its motor.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Saves a second appliance
- Glass jar
- Long warranty term
Cons
- Third-party seller at the time of writing
- Heavy for its motor
- Listed size looks like a boxed figure
How to choose a blender for a small space
Where it will live. Decide this first. If it stays on the counter, height under the cabinet and footprint are what count. If it goes in a cupboard, weight and storage shape count, which is where the bella’s upside-down jar helps.
What you really blend. Be honest about the job. A daily smoothie for one suits a vessel machine like the Beast. Salsa and soups for two suit a glass jar. Heavy doughs and nut butters are beyond most small machines, so if those are your plan, see our guide to the best blender for nut butter before buying a compact model.
Jar material. Plastic is lighter and harder to break, and glass resists stains and odors but adds weight. In a small kitchen with a hard floor, a dropped glass jar is a real nuisance, so think about where you’ll be lifting it. Follow each maker’s guidance on hot ingredients.
Noise. Apartments have neighbors. No listing here gives a noise rating, and a Domino reviewer found the bella loud. Assume any of these will carry through a thin wall, and blend at a sensible hour.
Doing double duty. In a small home, an appliance that replaces another earns its space. The Hamilton Beach MultiBlend adds a grinder, and the Cuisinart Duet adds a small food processor. Just remember you also need to store the extra parts.
Making a small blender work harder
Work in batches, since a small jar overfilled is a messy jar. Add liquid first and hard ingredients last, cut things smaller than you would for a larger machine, and use pulses for ice. Give the motor rests in line with the maker’s instructions. Rinse the jar right away, because a quick rinse saves sink space later.
How we chose these seven blenders
We searched Amazon for in-stock countertop blenders from identifiable makers and kept those whose listing gives dimensions and whose size suits a small kitchen. Each lead offer was new when we checked. We left out any exact listing already on another guide on this site, and allowed only two models that appear elsewhere in a different color: the Hamilton Beach Power Elite, because it is the smallest glass-jar option here, and the Oster Vortex, because it pairs a large glass jar with a low height. We read Domino’s account of the bella. A search for tests of the Dash Quest found none we could use, and the others rest on their listings, as noted. We also checked the CPSC recall database by brand. We have not used these products ourselves, and we list no prices because they change.
Small apartment blender questions, answered
What size blender fits under a kitchen cabinet?
Measure your own gap first. Many kitchens have around 18 inches between counter and wall cabinet, and every pick here is listed at under 16 inches high, but leave room to lift the jar off.
Is a personal blender enough for an apartment?
It may be if you only make drinks for one. If you want salsas, soups or anything for two people, a small jar with a pour spout will serve you better. See our guide to the best personal blender to compare.
Which is better in a small kitchen, a glass or a plastic jar?
Plastic is lighter and easier to store. Glass suits cooks who often blend salsas and sauces, though it’s heavier. Choose the one you’ll be happy to lift out often.
Can a compact blender crush ice?
Several makers here say so, including Hamilton Beach, Oster and Beast. Those are maker claims. Use pulses, add a little liquid, and don’t expect the speed of a big, high-powered machine.
How can I store a blender in a small apartment?
Keep the jar and base together on a low shelf, and tuck the cord. A jar that flips over its base, like the bella’s, takes up less room. Store the lid loosely so the jar can air out.
Our final pick for a small kitchen
Buy the bella Flip and Store if storage is your main problem, the Hamilton Beach MultiBlend if you want the smallest frame with a grinder as a bonus, and the Beast Mini if it’s counter width you lack. For glass, look at the Hamilton Beach Power Elite. Measure first, and pick the machine that fits your shelf as well as your cooking. For the wider field, see our guide to the best personal blender and our main guide to the best blender.
And when the kitchen is simply too small tonight, see our menu or call to order.