Small Kitchen Appliances

Vitamix, Breville or Ninja? How to Choose the Best Blender

The best blender for salsas, moles, soups and aguas frescas, from the Vitamix 5200 to a budget Ninja, with what to look for before you buy.

A blender jar of pink smoothie on a kitchen counter while a woman and a boy drink from glasses behind it
A countertop blender at work in a family kitchen.

A Mexican kitchen leans on its blender more than almost any other machine. Toasted chiles, tomatoes and garlic turn into salsa roja in it; soaked rice and cinnamon become horchata; chiles, seeds, nuts and bread go in for mole; and watermelon or cucumber with lime becomes an agua fresca in under a minute. Rick Bayless, speaking to The Takeout, put it simply: blenders are the most common appliance used in Mexico, and in practice it does the job a molcajete and a metate once did, only faster.

That makes the choice worth getting right. A weak blender leaves grit in a mole and strings of chile skin in a salsa, and it struggles with a thick bean purée. A good one turns the same ingredients smooth in seconds and lasts for years. This guide covers full-size countertop blenders, from a 7-year-warranty Vitamix to a Ninja that costs a fraction of it, and explains which one suits the way you cook.

Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications and verified buyer reports.

Quick verdict: which blender to buy

For most kitchens the best blender is the Vitamix 5200: a 2 HP motor, a 64-ounce jar, a plain variable-speed dial that lets you stop at exactly the texture you want, a tamper for thick blends and a 7-year warranty. America’s Test Kitchen still names it its top blender. If that is more than you want to spend, the Breville Fresh & Furious is ATK’s midpriced pick, and the Ninja Professional Plus is the budget choice for big batches of frozen drinks and aguas frescas.

If you mainly want a blender for salsa, our separate guide to the best blender for salsa compares blenders with food processors and choppers for that one job. This page is about the everyday countertop blender that has to do everything.

A glass blender jar on a counter beside an espresso machine, white cups and a potted plant
A glass blender jar shares the counter with other small appliances.

Five blenders for five kinds of kitchen

Our five standout picks side by side, one for each kind of cook, with the motor and jar each maker or listing states. All eight blenders are reviewed in full below.

Blender Best for Motor Jar Buy on Amazon
Moles, sauces, soups and everyday blending 2 HP 64 oz Tritan, tamper included View on Amazon
Vitamix Propel Series 510 Professional-Grade Blender

Vitamix Propel 510 Blender, 48 ozBest for smaller batches
Vitamix power for a household of two to four 2 HP 48 oz, tamper included View on Amazon
Smoothies, dips and sauces at a moderate price 1100 W 50 oz Tritan View on Amazon
Big batches in an open-plan kitchen 1800 W 68 oz copolyester plus 24 oz cup View on Amazon
Frozen drinks and pitchers of agua fresca 1400 peak W 72 oz pitcher (64 oz max liquid) View on Amazon

Product images from Amazon. Motor ratings and jar sizes are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.

Our picks for the best blender

Eight countertop blenders, from high-performance machines with long warranties to budget models with glass jars. We have kept the list to full-size blenders; for blending in the pot, see our separate immersion blender guide, and for juice from whole produce, our juicer guide.

1. Vitamix 5200 Blender, 64 oz – Simple Controls, Seven-Year Warranty

Best overallVitamix 5200 Professional-Grade Blender

The Vitamix 5200 has been around for years, and it is still the blender other blenders get measured against. America’s Test Kitchen’s current blender review keeps it as the winner and says it “consistently outperforms any blender on the market.” It is a plain machine: a 2 HP motor, a dial with ten variable speeds, a High switch, and a tall 64-ounce container, according to Vitamix.

That simplicity is the point in a Mexican kitchen. Salsas and moles each want a different texture, and a variable dial lets you start low, watch the jar, and stop the moment it is right. A rough tomatillo salsa takes a few seconds at a low setting; a mole with toasted chiles, sesame and almonds wants a long run on High until it is velvety. The included tamper pushes thick mixtures, such as refried beans thinned with a little broth or a paste of soaked chiles, down into the blades without stopping the motor.

The tall, narrow container is good for small and large amounts alike, Vitamix says, and its listing says the container handles hot and cold recipes. Cleanup is a 30- to 60-second run with warm water and a drop of dish soap. Vitamix does not say the container is dishwasher safe, so plan on washing it that way or by hand. At about 20.5 inches tall on its base, Vitamix’s figure, it will not fit under most wall cabinets.

Why we like it

  • ATK’s top blender in its current review
  • Ten variable speeds plus High for exact textures
  • Tamper included for thick blends
  • 7-year limited warranty, per the listing

Key specifications

Model Vitamix 5200 (001372)
Motor (stated) 2 HP
Jar capacity & material 64 oz; BPA-free Eastman Tritan copolyester
Programs/speeds No programs; 10 variable speeds plus High
Tamper Yes
Dishwasher-safe jar Not stated; self-cleans with soap and warm water
Warranty 7-year limited

Why we recommend it

Choose it if you blend most days and want one machine for salsas, moles, bean purées, soups, horchata and frozen drinks for years to come. The manual controls are easy to learn, and the warranty is long.

Skip it if counter height is tight or you want preset programs; the 5200 has none, and at its full height it is a tall machine.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Precise variable speed control
  • Powerful enough for mole pastes
  • Long warranty
  • Tamper keeps thick blends moving

Cons

  • Tall; may not fit under cabinets
  • No preset programs or pulse button
  • Dishwasher use not stated

Check price on Amazon

2. Vitamix Propel 510 Blender, 48 oz – Vitamix Control in a Smaller Jar

Best for smaller batchesVitamix Propel Series 510 Professional-Grade Blender

The Propel 510 keeps most of what makes the 5200 good: a 2 HP motor, ten variable speeds and a tamper, according to Vitamix. The differences are a 48-ounce container instead of 64, a pulse function, three automatic programs for smoothies, hot soups and frozen desserts, and a 5-year limited warranty. We link the Slate finish. We can’t cite an America’s Test Kitchen rating for this exact model, so these details come from Vitamix’s listing.

The pulse function matters more than it sounds for Mexican cooking. Vitamix lists it for crushing ice, and short bursts also make pico-style textures that a dial alone makes harder. The smaller jar suits a household that blends a pint of salsa or a liter of agua fresca at a time rather than party-size batches.

Vitamix says the BPA-free container is dishwasher safe; like the 5200, it also cleans itself in 30 to 60 seconds with a drop of dish soap and warm water. The listing does not give a height or weight here, so measure under your cabinets if that matters.

Why we like it

  • 2 HP motor and ten variable speeds, per Vitamix
  • Pulse function for chunky textures
  • Three automatic programs
  • 5-year limited warranty

Key specifications

Model Vitamix Propel 510 (073293, Slate)
Motor (stated) 2 HP
Jar capacity & material 48 oz; BPA-free container
Programs/speeds 3 programs; 10 variable speeds plus Pulse
Tamper Yes
Dishwasher-safe jar Yes, per Vitamix
Warranty 5-year limited

Why we recommend it

Choose it if you want Vitamix power and speed control for everyday sauces and drinks, but you cook for two to four and do not need a 64-ounce jar.

Skip it if you make big batches for parties; 48 ounces fills quickly with a pitcher of horchata or a double batch of mole.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Pulse plus variable speed
  • Programs for soups and smoothies
  • Dishwasher-safe, per Vitamix

Cons

  • Smaller 48-ounce jar
  • Shorter warranty than the 5200
  • No ATK rating for this model that we can cite

Check price on Amazon

Whole red strawberries piled in the bottom of a clear glass blender jar
Fruit loaded into a blender jar, ready to blend.

3. Breville Fresh & Furious Blender, 50 oz – Serious Blending at a Middle Price

Best midpricedBreville BBL620SIL Fresh and Furious Blender for Kitchens

America’s Test Kitchen names the Fresh & Furious its best midpriced blender and says its smoothies and almond butter were “just a touch less fine-textured” than the Vitamix winner’s. For a lot of home cooks that gap is small, and the Breville costs well under a Vitamix.

It has an 1100-watt motor, five speeds and nine one-touch programs, according to the listing, along with an LCD display that counts up on manual speeds and counts down on programs. The jug holds 50 ounces and is BPA-free Tritan, Breville says, and the Assist Lid has a ring pull that makes it easier to open while sealing tight in use. An Auto Clean program handles the first wash.

In a Mexican kitchen it covers salsas, smoothies, aguas frescas, crema-based sauces and frozen drinks without fuss. Breville does not list a tamper with this model, so very thick mixtures, such as a mole paste with little liquid, may need you to stop and scrape down the sides. The listing gives a 3-year limited warranty.

Why we like it

  • ATK’s best midpriced blender
  • 1100 W motor with five speeds and nine programs, per the listing
  • Ring-pull Assist Lid seals tight
  • Auto Clean program

Key specifications

Model Breville Fresh & Furious (BBL620SIL)
Motor (stated) 1100 W
Jar capacity & material 50 oz; BPA-free Tritan copolyester
Programs/speeds 9 one-touch programs; 5 speeds
Tamper Not listed
Dishwasher-safe jar Not stated; Auto Clean program
Warranty 3-year limited

Why we recommend it

Choose it if you want a capable all-round blender with programs and a good lid, and a Vitamix is more than you want to spend.

Skip it if you often blend thick pastes and nut butters; without a tamper you will stop and scrape more often.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Strong ATK result for its price
  • Programs plus manual speeds
  • Easy-open, tight-sealing lid

Cons

  • No tamper listed
  • Slightly less fine than a Vitamix, per ATK
  • Dishwasher use not stated

Check price on Amazon

4. Breville Super Q Blender, 68 oz – Big Jar, Quieter Motor

Best quiet blenderBreville BBL920BSS Super Q Blender for Kitchens

High-powered blenders are loud, and in an open kitchen that matters. The Super Q is Breville’s answer: an 1800-watt motor with what the listing calls noise suppression technology and a cooling system that reduces operating noise. America’s Test Kitchen recommends it and calls it an “exceptionally quiet blender” that blended soft and hard ingredients quickly.

It is also the biggest jar here apart from the Ninja: 68 ounces of copolyester, plus a 24-ounce personal blending cup with its own blade system, according to the listing. There are 12 speeds and five one-touch programs, including two smoothie settings, pulse and ice crush, frozen desserts and a soup program the listing says takes ingredients from cold to hot. A tamper and a spatula come in the box.

For a family that blends a full pitcher of horchata or agua de jamaica, or a large pot’s worth of bean soup, the jar size is useful. Breville backs it with a 10-year limited warranty, per the listing, the longest on this page. The trade-off is size and cost: this is a large, premium machine.

Why we like it

  • Recommended by ATK as exceptionally quiet
  • 68 oz jar plus a 24 oz personal cup
  • 12 speeds and five programs, per the listing
  • 10-year limited warranty

Key specifications

Model Breville Super Q (BBL920BSS)
Motor (stated) 1800 W
Jar capacity & material 68 oz copolyester jug; 24 oz personal cup
Programs/speeds 5 one-touch programs; 12 speeds
Tamper Yes
Dishwasher-safe jar Not stated; auto-clean program
Warranty 10-year limited

Why we recommend it

Choose it if you blend big batches, cook in an open-plan space or early in the morning, and want a long warranty.

Skip it if you want something compact; with its large base and 68-ounce jug, it takes up serious counter space.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Quieter than typical high-power blenders, per ATK
  • Large jar plus personal cup
  • Tamper included
  • Longest warranty here

Cons

  • Large footprint
  • Premium cost
  • Dishwasher use not stated

Check price on Amazon

5. Ninja Professional Plus Blender, 72 oz – A Big Pitcher on a Budget

Best budgetNinja Professional Plus Blender

The Ninja Professional Plus is America’s Test Kitchen’s best less expensive blender. ATK notes that it struggled to make almond butter and “can be a little finicky to use,” which is a fair summary of what you give up. What you get is a lot of capacity and ice-crushing power for the money.

The listing gives a 1400-peak-watt motor, a 72-ounce pitcher with 64 ounces of maximum liquid marked on the side, and Ninja’s Total Crushing stacked blade, which runs up the middle of the jar rather than sitting only at the bottom. Three Auto-iQ presets, for smoothies, frozen drinks and ice cream, pulse and pause on their own. The pitcher and blade are dishwasher safe on the top rack.

That design suits pitchers of watermelon agua fresca, frozen margaritas and limeade with ice, which is why it is also our blender pick in margarita machine vs blender. It is less suited to fine, thick work such as mole pastes or nut-based sauces, which want a tamper and a vortex. Handle the stacked blade with care when you lift it out; it is exposed and sharp.

Why we like it

  • ATK’s best less expensive blender
  • 72 oz pitcher, 64 oz max liquid
  • Three Auto-iQ presets for drinks and ice
  • Dishwasher-safe pitcher and blade (top rack)

Key specifications

Model Ninja Professional Plus (BN701)
Motor (stated) 1400 peak W
Jar capacity & material 72 oz BPA-free pitcher (64 oz max liquid)
Programs/speeds 3 Auto-iQ programs; manual speeds not stated in the listing
Tamper No
Dishwasher-safe jar Yes, top rack
Warranty 1-year limited

Why we recommend it

Choose it for frozen drinks, smoothies and big batches of aguas frescas on a budget, especially if you want to put the jar in the dishwasher.

Skip it if you make thick pastes, nut butters or silky moles often; ATK found it weaker there, and there is no tamper.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Large pitcher
  • Strong at ice and frozen drinks
  • Dishwasher-safe parts

Cons

  • Struggled with almond butter, per ATK
  • No tamper
  • 1-year warranty
  • Exposed stacked blade needs care

Check price on Amazon

A tall glass pitcher of red tomato juice beside a basket of tomatoes on a white table
A pitcher of tomato juice next to the fresh tomatoes.

6. KitchenAid K400 Variable Speed Blender, 56 oz – Dial, Presets and a Tamper

Best mid-size all-rounderKitchenAid K400 Variable Speed Blender w/Tamper

The K400 sits between the budget blenders and the Vitamixes, and America’s Test Kitchen lists it as recommended. It pairs a five-speed variable dial with three presets, Ice Crush, Icy Drinks and Smoothie, according to the listing, and KitchenAid’s Intelli-Speed motor control, which the listing says senses the contents and holds the right speed.

The 56-ounce jar is ribbed to build a vortex, and the asymmetric blade is designed to pull food down into it, KitchenAid says. Retailers list the motor at 1.5 peak horsepower and include a tamper in the box, which makes the K400 one of the few mid-priced blenders that can work a thick bean purée or a mole base without stopping. A self-clean cycle uses water and a drop of soap.

Retailer listings describe the jar, lid and cap as dishwasher safe and give a 5-year limited warranty; KitchenAid’s Amazon listing does not state either, so check the box before you rely on them. KitchenAid also sells a 6-ounce small-batch jar separately, which is handy for a little salsa macha or a spice paste.

Why we like it

  • Recommended by ATK
  • Variable dial plus three presets
  • Tamper included
  • Optional small-batch jar for pastes

Key specifications

Model KitchenAid K400 (KSB4028)
Motor (stated) 1.5 peak HP (retailer listings)
Jar capacity & material 56 oz; BPA-free (retailer listings)
Programs/speeds 3 presets; 5-speed variable dial
Tamper Yes
Dishwasher-safe jar Yes, per retailer listings
Warranty 5-year limited (retailer listings)

Why we recommend it

Choose it if you want manual control, presets and a tamper in a good-looking mid-priced blender that fits a family kitchen.

Skip it if you need a really large jar; at 56 ounces it is mid-size, and some of its specs come from retailers rather than KitchenAid’s Amazon listing.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Dial, presets and tamper
  • Self-clean cycle
  • Small-batch jar available

Cons

  • Mid-size jar
  • Some specs only from retailers
  • Heavier base than budget models

Check price on Amazon

7. Blendtec Total Blender Classic with FourSide Jar – Blunt Blade, Six Programs

Best for preset programsBlendtec Total Blender Classic (Black) & 75oz* FourSide Jar

Blendtec is the other big name in high-performance blenders, and it takes a different approach from Vitamix. The Total Blender Classic has a 1560-watt motor, according to Blendtec, ten speeds with pulse, and six preprogrammed cycles: ice crush, smoothie, hot soup, ice cream, whole juice and batters. You press a button and walk away.

The FourSide jar is square, and Blendtec says its four angles create a vortex that pulls ingredients down, so no tamper is needed. The jar holds 75 ounces in total but has a 32-ounce blending capacity, per the listing, so for big batches it is smaller than its headline number. The blade is blunt, which Blendtec says makes it safer to clean by hand; the jar is BPA-free and dishwasher safe, per the listing.

A word of caution from the reviews: America’s Test Kitchen rated a sibling model, the Blendtec Designer 650, recommended with reservations because its square jar left almonds unevenly blended. ATK did not review this Total Classic, so treat that as a hint about thick, dry blends rather than a verdict. The warranty is 2 years for home use, per Blendtec, which is shorter than its rivals.

Why we like it

  • Six one-touch programs including hot soup
  • 1560 W motor, per Blendtec
  • Blunt blade is safer to clean
  • Dishwasher-safe jar, per the listing

Key specifications

Model Blendtec Total Blender Classic (TB-621-20)
Motor (stated) 1560 W
Jar capacity & material 75 oz total, 32 oz blending; BPA-free plastic
Programs/speeds 6 preprogrammed cycles; 10 speeds plus Pulse
Tamper No (jar designed to work without one)
Dishwasher-safe jar Yes
Warranty 2 years, residential use

Why we recommend it

Choose it if you like one-touch programs, want a dishwasher-safe jar, and mostly make drinks, soups and sauces.

Skip it if you make thick pastes and nut-based sauces often; there is no tamper, and ATK found a sibling square-jar model uneven with almonds.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Push-button programs
  • Dishwasher-safe jar
  • No tamper needed, per Blendtec

Cons

  • 32 oz blending capacity
  • No tamper
  • 2-year warranty

Check price on Amazon

8. Oster Vortex Glass Blender, 54 oz – A Glass Jar for Hot Salsas

Best glass jarOster Vortex Glass Blender

Many Mexican cooks prefer a glass blender jar, and for good reason: it does not stain orange from chile or scratch from years of ice, and it is heavy enough to sit firmly on the base. The Oster Vortex is a budget blender built around a 54-ounce shatter-resistant glass jar that the listing says stands up to extreme temperatures and resists stains and odors.

The listing gives an 800 peak-watt motor and three auto programs for milkshakes, smoothies and salsa. The stainless steel blade spins in both directions to help prevent jams, and the removable blade and other parts are listed as dishwasher safe. Oster describes an all-metal drive but the listing does not state the warranty.

This is a simple machine for salsas, licuados, aguas frescas and the occasional frozen drink. America’s Test Kitchen did not review this model; it rated a different Oster, the Texture Select, recommended with reservations. Expect a budget blender to need more liquid and more time for very thick blends than a Vitamix. If salsa is your main job, our salsa guide reviews Oster’s simpler Classic Series glass-jar blender.

Why we like it

  • 54-ounce shatter-resistant glass jar
  • Salsa, smoothie and milkshake programs
  • Blade runs in both directions
  • Dishwasher-safe parts, per the listing

Key specifications

Model Oster Vortex (2255416), Garnet
Motor (stated) 800 peak watts
Jar capacity & material 54 oz; shatter-resistant glass
Programs/speeds 3 iBlend auto programs
Tamper Not stated
Dishwasher-safe jar Yes, parts listed as dishwasher safe
Warranty Not stated

Why we recommend it

It suits a home cook who blends salsas and aguas frescas and wants a glass jar that will not stain.

Skip it if you blend thick nut butters or stiff pastes often; the Vitamix and Breville picks suit that work better.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Glass jar resists stains and odors
  • Auto program for salsa
  • Removable blade for cleaning

Cons

  • 800 watts is modest for very thick blends
  • Warranty not stated
  • Heavy glass jar

Check price on Amazon

How to choose a blender for a Mexican kitchen

Wattage on the box matters less than how a blender behaves with the thick, chunky and fibrous things Mexican cooking asks of it. These are the factors we would weigh.

1. Speed control you can actually use

Salsa wants a few seconds on low; mole wants a minute on high. A variable dial, as on the Vitamix and KitchenAid picks, lets you stop at the texture you want. Presets are useful for drinks but no help for a salsa that needs to stay a little rough. A pulse button gives you short, controlled bursts for chunky textures.

2. A tamper or a jar that keeps things moving

Thick blends, such as a paste of soaked chiles, a mole with nuts and seeds, or refried beans, tend to form an air pocket around the blade and stop moving. A tamper fixes that without stopping the motor. Blenders without one rely on jar shape and you will stop to scrape more often.

A glass bowl of smooth tomato purée topped with parsley, with fresh tomatoes and dried herbs around it
A smooth tomato purée, the kind of sauce a strong blender makes quickly.

3. Jar size and material

A 48- to 64-ounce jar covers most family cooking; 68 to 72 ounces suits pitchers for a crowd. Plastic jars are light and shatterproof but can stain from chile and cloud from ice over time. Glass resists stains and odors but is heavy. Whatever the material, follow the maker’s instructions for hot liquids, and never fill a jar to the top with hot salsa or soup.

4. Height and counter space

Tall machines such as the Vitamix 5200 will not fit under most wall cabinets. Measure the space before you buy if the blender is going to live on the counter, which is where a blender you use daily should be.

5. Cleaning and warranty

Most blenders clean themselves well enough with warm water and a drop of soap; run that as soon as you finish, before chile and masa dry on. Check whether the jar is dishwasher safe if that matters to you. Warranties range from 1 year on the Ninja to 10 years on the Breville Super Q, and a long warranty is a fair signal of how long a maker expects its motor to last.

How we chose these eight blenders

We started with the jobs a Mexican kitchen gives a blender: salsas roja and verde, mole pastes, bean purées and soups, horchata and aguas frescas, and frozen drinks. We then looked at full-size countertop blenders from identifiable makers sold on Amazon in the United States and in stock when we checked, and took motor ratings, jar sizes, programs, tampers, dishwasher guidance and warranties from the makers’ own pages and Amazon listings, noting where a figure came only from a retailer.

For performance we relied on America’s Test Kitchen’s current blender review, which named the Vitamix 5200 its winner, the Breville Fresh & Furious best midpriced and the Ninja Professional Plus best less expensive, and rated the other models we mention. We left out models ATK did not recommend, including the Hamilton Beach Power Elite and the Cuisinart Hurricane Pro, and we checked the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall notices: the Vitamix recalls we found covered Ascent and Venturist containers and an older low-profile container, none of which are picks here. We have not used these products ourselves; where we describe how one performs, we say whose findings those are.

Ripe red tomatoes in a stainless steel colander lit by a low sun
Tomatoes rinsed and ready for the blender.

Blender questions, answered

What is the best blender for home use?

For most homes, the Vitamix 5200: it handles everything from salsa to nut butter, it is simple to control and it carries a 7-year warranty. If you cook for two, the smaller Vitamix Propel 510 uses a 48-ounce jar, and the Breville Fresh & Furious is the best choice at a middle price.

Which blender brands are best?

Vitamix leads most reviewers’ lists for performance and long warranties. Breville makes strong midpriced and quiet models, Blendtec is Vitamix’s main high-performance rival, KitchenAid sits in the middle, and Ninja and Oster are the usual budget names. In ATK’s current review, Hamilton Beach’s Power Elite and Cuisinart’s Hurricane Pro were not recommended.

What does America’s Test Kitchen recommend?

ATK’s current blender review names the Vitamix 5200 its winner, the Breville Fresh & Furious best midpriced and the Ninja Professional Plus with Auto-iQ best less expensive. It also highly recommends the Vitamix E310 and Propel 750 and recommends the Breville Super Q and KitchenAid K400. We have not quoted Consumer Reports, Wirecutter, Serious Eats or the New York Times because we did not read their current blender reviews for this guide.

Is a high-powered blender worth it for everyday cooking?

If you make moles, nut-based sauces, bean purées or horchata from soaked rice, yes: a strong motor and a tamper turn them smooth faster and with less straining. If you mostly make smoothies, salsas and frozen drinks, a midpriced or budget blender will do the job.

Can I blend hot salsa or soup in a blender?

Many blenders can, but follow your maker’s instructions. Vitamix’s listing says its container handles hot and cold recipes, and Blendtec and Breville include soup programs. As a kitchen habit, fill the jar no more than halfway with hot liquid, start on low, and keep a folded towel over the lid. For soups and beans still in the pot, an immersion blender is often easier.

Do I still need a molcajete if I have a blender?

Not to make good salsa, but the two give different results: a blender cuts and purées, a molcajete crushes. Our guide to molcajete vs blender explains the difference and when each is worth reaching for.

Our final pick for blending

Buy the Vitamix 5200 if you want one blender to handle every salsa, mole, soup and agua fresca for years, or the Propel 510 if a smaller jar suits your household. The Breville Fresh & Furious is the smart middle choice, the Super Q is for big batches in a quiet kitchen, and the Ninja Professional Plus is the budget pick for drinks.

A blender is half of the horchata and agua fresca story; the other half is a good strainer. See the best fine-mesh strainer for straining rice milk and fruit pulp, what aguas frescas are for the drinks themselves, and the best horchata mix if you would rather skip the soaking. For a mole you blend from a paste, read what mole is.

For puréeing beans or soup right in the pot, see the best immersion blender; for juice rather than smoothies, the best juicer.

More specific guides: the best blenders for smoothies, the best portable blenders and the best cheap blenders.

Want one machine for both? See our guide to the best blender and food processor combos.

Want a glass jar? See our guide to the best blenders with a glass pitcher.

Making milkshakes? See our guide to the best blenders and drink mixers for milkshakes.

Set on a Vitamix? See our guide to the best Vitamix blenders.

Related guide: Best blender for frozen margaritas.

Related guide: Best commercial blender.

Related guide: Best nut milk maker.

Related guide: Best blender for nut butter

Related guide: Best ninja blender.

Related guide: Personal blender vs full size blender.

Related guide: Blender alternative.

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