A personal blender is the small machine that blends straight into the cup you drink from. In a Mexican home that usually means a licuado in the morning, banana and milk with a pinch of cinnamon, or papaya, or strawberry, or a single glass of agua fresca when a full pitcher would go to waste. It also earns its place for small savory jobs: a cup of salsa from cooled roasted tomatoes and chiles, a spoonful of chipotle crema, or an adobo paste for one tray of chicken.
This guide sets out eight single-serve blenders sold on Amazon, including one cordless model, with the power, cup sizes, what comes in the box and whether the maker says it crushes ice. If you need a pitcher for a crowd, our guide to the best blender covers full-size machines.
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 in a small blender, the makers’ own specifications and the details on each Amazon listing.
Quick verdict: which personal blender to buy
For most kitchens, the best personal blender is the Ninja Nutri-Blender Pro with Auto-iQ: an 1100-peak-watt base, two 24-ounce to-go cups and two one-touch programs, and Ninja says it crushes ice. If salsa and sauces matter as much as drinks, the Ninja Nutri-Plus Personal Blender lets you pulse by hand and comes with three cups and a storage lid. For blending away from an outlet, the cordless Ninja Blast Max Portable Blender charges by cable and runs three programs.
Below, the five we would shortlist side by side, then all eight in detail.
Five single-serve blenders compared
One pick for each kind of kitchen, with the power and largest cup each maker or listing states. All eight blenders are reviewed in full below.
| Personal blender | Best for | Power (stated) | Largest cup | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ninja Nutri-Blender Pro with Auto-iQBest overall
|
Licuados, frozen drinks, everyday use | 1100 peak W | 24 oz | View on Amazon |
Ninja Nutri-Plus Personal BlenderBest for salsa and sauces
|
Salsa and sauces as well as drinks | 900 peak W | 20 oz (3 cups) | View on Amazon |
NutriBullet Ultra Personal BlenderBest premium
|
A quieter, premium base | 900 peak W | 20 oz (3 cups) | View on Amazon |
Ninja Blast Max Portable BlenderBest cordless
|
Blending without an outlet | Cordless, rechargeable | 22 oz | View on Amazon |
Magic Bullet Personal BlenderBudget pick
|
Small jobs on a tight budget | 250 W | 22 oz, per listing | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Power figures are as stated by each maker or listing; Ninja quotes peak watts, which are not directly comparable with other brands. Check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best personal blender
These eight blenders run from a 14-ounce push-button model to 1200-watt bases with three cups. Each pick says who it suits, what the maker or listing states, and one honest reason to skip it.
1. Ninja Nutri-Blender Pro with Auto-iQ – Two Programs, Two Big Cups
The BN401 is the balanced choice. The base is rated at 1100 peak watts, and two Auto-iQ programs run timed patterns of pulsing, blending and pausing, so a frozen licuado or a cup of crushed ice comes out without you standing over it. Ninja’s listing says the motor “pulverizes ice to snow,” which is the job that separates a capable personal blender from a weak one.
It comes with two 24-ounce to-go cups and two spout lids, so two people can each blend a drink, or you can keep a second cup in the fridge with tomorrow’s fruit. A 20-recipe guide is included, and the listing names salsa and dips among its uses alongside smoothies. All parts are dishwasher safe, per the listing, and the cord is about 2.6 feet long.
The base is compact enough to live on the counter. As with every cup blender here, do not blend hot ingredients in a sealed cup: let roasted tomatoes and chiles cool before you make salsa. Ninja covers it with a one-year limited warranty.
Why we like it
- 1100-peak-watt base
- Two Auto-iQ programs
- Two 24-ounce cups with spout lids
- Crushes ice, per Ninja
Key specifications
| Blender | BN401 (Cloud Silver) |
|---|---|
| Power | 1100 peak W |
| Cup sizes | 24 oz |
| Cups included | 2, with 2 spout lids |
| Crushes ice (as stated) | Yes, per listing |
| Cordless? | No, corded |
| Warranty | 1-year limited |
Why we recommend it
It suits a household that blends a drink or two most mornings, likes frozen fruit and ice, and wants one-touch programs.
Skip it if you want a 32-ounce cup for bigger batches; the NutriBullet Ultra includes one.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Programs take out the guesswork
- Two cups in the box
- Dishwasher-safe parts
Cons
- Peak-watt figure is not comparable across brands
- No 32-ounce cup
- Short cord
2. Ninja Nutri-Plus Personal Blender – Pulse by Hand for Salsa
The Nutri-Plus is Ninja’s push-to-blend base: you press the cup down onto the motor and it runs only while you hold it, so you can stop the moment a salsa looks right. Ninja’s listing calls it a motor “for smoothies & sauces” and says you “manually pulse” to crush ice, seeds and frozen ingredients. There are no programs to learn.
The base is rated at 900 peak watts, per the listing. In the box are three 20-ounce to-go cups, two spout lids and one storage lid, so a batch of salsa verde from cooled, roasted tomatillos can go straight into the fridge in the cup it was blended in. Ninja says the Pro Extractor blade assembly crushes ice. This listing is the blue version of the BN301.
As with every cup blender here, do not blend hot ingredients in a sealed cup, because heat can build pressure. That matters for salsa: cool roasted ingredients first and blend in short bursts. Ninja lists the cups, lids and blade assembly as top-rack dishwasher safe.
Why we like it
- Push-to-blend pulse for chunky salsa
- 900-peak-watt base
- Three 20-ounce cups
- Storage lid included
Key specifications
| Blender | Ninja BN301BLBRN (Blue) |
|---|---|
| Power | 900 peak W |
| Cup sizes | 20 oz |
| Cups included | 3, with 2 spout lids and 1 storage lid |
| Crushes ice (as stated) | Yes |
| Cordless? | No, corded |
| Warranty | Not stated on listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who want a small blender for salsa, sauces and dressings as much as for drinks.
Skip it if you want one-touch programs or a cup bigger than 20 ounces; the Nutri-Blender Pro and NutriBullet Ultra offer those.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Pulse gives control over texture
- Three cups and a storage lid
- Blade assembly is dishwasher safe
Cons
- Warranty not stated on this listing
- 20-ounce cups are mid-sized
- No automatic programs
3. NutriBullet Ultra Personal Blender – Quieter Base, Three Cups
NutriBullet calls the 1200-watt Ultra its most powerful single-serve blender and also its quietest, with a design that produces lower-frequency sound. That counts if you blend early while the house is asleep. A ring of light shows two choices as soon as the cup meets the base: a full circle for an automatic smoothie cycle, or a pulse circle for manual control.
Retailers list three cups: a 32-ounce cup, a 24-ounce cup and a 24-ounce cup with a handle, with to-go lids. NutriBullet says the cups are made of Tritan Renew, a shatter-resistant material with recycled content, and are dishwasher safe. The Rapid Extractor blade is titanium-coated stainless steel and carries its own 5-year limited warranty, per the listing.
You pay more for the quieter motor, the light-up controls and the third cup. If noise and looks do not matter to you, the Ninja Nutri-Plus also gives you a manual pulse. As with every cup blender here, let hot ingredients cool before blending in a sealed cup.
Why we like it
- Quietest NutriBullet single-serve model, per NutriBullet
- Automatic cycle plus pulse
- Three cups, including a handled cup
- 5-year limited warranty on the blade, per the listing
Key specifications
| Blender | NB50500 (Gunmetal Gray) |
|---|---|
| Power | 1200 W |
| Cup sizes | 32 oz, 24 oz, 24 oz handled, per retailers |
| Cups included | 3, with to-go lids |
| Crushes ice (as stated) | Not stated |
| Cordless? | No, corded |
| Warranty | Limited; blade 5-year limited, per listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits early risers and anyone who blends daily and wants a quieter, nicer-looking base with three cups.
Skip it if quiet running and light-up controls do not matter to you.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Quieter design, per NutriBullet
- Automatic and pulse modes
- Three cups
Cons
- Pays for quietness and looks rather than more cups
- Ice crushing not stated
- Lid count differs between retailers
4. Ninja Blast Max Portable Blender – Cordless, Twist Off and Go
The Blast Max is for blending where there is no outlet: an office desk, a patio or a car. The rechargeable base charges by cable in about three hours, per the listing, and a battery indicator shows when it needs charging. Three Auto-iQ programs, smoothie, crush and blend, run at the touch of a button, and a separate power button prevents accidental starts.
The 22-ounce vessel twists off the motor base, so you carry only the cup, which Ninja says is 50 percent lighter than a cordless blender with the base attached. The CrushBlade is built into the vessel, and Ninja says the blender crushes frozen ingredients and ice. A sip lid with a silicone handle lets you drink straight from it.
The lid and vessel are top-rack dishwasher safe, and the blender can clean itself with water and a drop of soap. Ninja does not give a wattage for the cordless base, only an 11.1-volt battery, so we cannot compare its power with the corded picks. A word on cordless blenders: the BlendJet 2 was recalled for fire and laceration hazards, and BlendJet has since gone out of business, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The Ninja is a different product from a different maker, with no recall we could find.
Why we like it
- Cordless, USB-rechargeable base
- Vessel twists off the base to carry
- Smoothie, crush and blend programs
- Battery life indicator
Key specifications
| Blender | BC251GY (Grey) |
|---|---|
| Power | Rechargeable 11.1 V base; watts not stated |
| Cup sizes | 22 oz |
| Cups included | 1 vessel with sip lid |
| Crushes ice (as stated) | Yes, per listing |
| Cordless? | Yes |
| Warranty | 1 year, per listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits commuters, office workers and anyone who wants a fresh licuado away from the kitchen counter.
Skip it if you blend at home every day; a corded base has steady power and no charging to remember.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No cord, no outlet needed
- Light vessel to carry
- Self-clean cycle
Cons
- Power not stated in watts
- One vessel only
- Needs recharging
5. Magic Bullet Personal Blender – The Small, Simple Original
The Magic Bullet is the original compact cup blender, and its listing still pitches it for chopping “the freshest pico” and blending shakes. With a 250-watt base it is the least powerful machine here, so think of it as a small-jobs tool: a cup of salsa from cooled ingredients, a dressing, a milkshake, a quick crema with chipotle.
The 11-piece kit is generous for the size: a tall cup, a short cup and a party mug, two lip rings, two resealable lids, a to-go lid and a cross-blade. The listing title gives a 22-ounce cup; retailers list different sizes for the other cups, so check the box. The cups go on the top rack of the dishwasher, and you rinse the blade.
It blends frozen drinks, per the listing, but Magic Bullet does not claim it crushes plain ice, and 250 watts is modest for frozen fruit. The listing’s product field shows a 5-year warranty while its feature text says one-year limited; we list the shorter term.
Why we like it
- Small, light base
- Three cups and several lids
- Cross-blade suits chopping small batches
- Dishwasher-safe cups
Key specifications
| Blender | MBR-1101 (Silver) |
|---|---|
| Power | 250 W |
| Cup sizes | Largest 22 oz, per listing title |
| Cups included | 3 (tall cup, short cup, party mug) |
| Crushes ice (as stated) | Not stated; blends frozen drinks |
| Cordless? | No, corded |
| Warranty | 1-year limited, per listing text |
Why we recommend it
It suits a small kitchen or a first apartment that wants a cup blender for sauces, dressings and the odd shake.
Skip it if you blend frozen fruit or ice every morning; a 900- to 1200-watt base will cope better.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Low cost
- Lots of cups and lids
- Takes little space
Cons
- Least powerful pick
- Ice crushing not stated
- Cup sizes vary by seller
6. Beast Mini Blender Plus – Three Vessels, Counter-Ready Design
Beast makes blenders meant to stay out on the counter, and the Mini is its small model. The 600-watt base is a slim column, and the ribbed Tritan vessels help pull ingredients down into the blade, according to Beast. The Plus version on this listing includes three vessels: 640 ml (22 oz), 530 ml (18 oz) and 415 ml (14 oz), per Beast.
For drinking, you get a drinking lid with a carry cap, a straw cap and straws. Beast’s FAQ says the motor handles ice and frozen ingredients if there is enough liquid for them to move freely, and the listing mentions crushing ice and grinding coffee. Beast puts the useful blending capacity of the big vessel at 17 ounces, a little less than its full volume.
The vessels, lids and caps are top-rack dishwasher safe; Beast says to wash the blade by hand with a brush and never put the base in the dishwasher. Beast gives a two-year warranty when you buy from an authorized seller, so check who ships your order.
Why we like it
- Three vessels in three sizes
- Handles ice with enough liquid, per Beast
- Straw cap and carry cap included
- 2-year warranty from authorized sellers, per Beast
Key specifications
| Blender | Mini Blender Plus B6H-BK-US (Carbon Black) |
|---|---|
| Power | 600 W |
| Cup sizes | 22 oz, 18 oz, 14 oz |
| Cups included | 3, with drinking lid, caps and straws |
| Crushes ice (as stated) | Yes, with enough liquid, per Beast |
| Cordless? | No, corded |
| Warranty | 2 years, per Beast |
Why we recommend it
It suits a kitchen where the blender stays on show and the cook wants three sizes of cup for drinks and dressings.
Skip it if you want the most power for frozen drinks; the 1100- and 1200-watt bases here are stronger on paper.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Attractive, compact base
- Three vessel sizes
- Longer warranty than most here
Cons
- Usable capacity smaller than vessel size
- Blade washed by hand
- Warranty depends on the seller
7. Ninja Fit Compact Personal Blender – Small Base, Real Ice Crushing
The Ninja Fit is the smallest Ninja here and a sensible middle step between the Magic Bullet and the bigger bases. The 700-watt push-to-blend motor runs while you press the cup down, and Ninja’s listing says it crushes ice and frozen ingredients for frozen drinks and shakes.
Two 16-ounce cups with spout lids come in the box, which is a single licuado each. The Pro Extractor blade assembly screws onto the cup, and all parts are top-rack dishwasher safe, per the listing. There are no programs and no pulse button; you control texture by how long you press, which is fine for drinks and smooth sauces.
The small cups are the limit. A licuado for two or a big batch of salsa needs two rounds. If counter space is tight and you blend one drink at a time, that is not a problem. Ninja covers it with a one-year limited warranty.
Why we like it
- 700-watt push-to-blend base
- Crushes ice, per Ninja
- Two 16-ounce cups with spout lids
- Top-rack dishwasher-safe parts
Key specifications
| Blender | QB3001SS |
|---|---|
| Power | 700 W |
| Cup sizes | 16 oz |
| Cups included | 2, with 2 spout lids |
| Crushes ice (as stated) | Yes, per listing |
| Cordless? | No, corded |
| Warranty | 1-year limited |
Why we recommend it
It suits one-person households, dorms and small counters where a single drink at a time is the norm.
Skip it if you want bigger cups or programs; the Nutri-Blender Pro adds both.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very compact
- Stated ice crushing
- Two cups included
Cons
- Small 16-ounce cups
- No programs or pulse button
8. Hamilton Beach Blend & Go Personal Blender – One Button, Fits a Cup Holder
Hamilton Beach says it pioneered personal blending, and this is the plain, one-button version. You fill the 14-ounce travel jar, turn it onto the base and press. The listing gives 300 watts peak power and says the stainless steel blades handle ice, frozen fruit and leafy greens.
The jar doubles as a travel cup with its own lid and, Hamilton Beach says, fits most car cup holders. The jar, blades and lid are dishwasher safe. The base has a short 24-inch cord, which keeps it tidy on a small counter but limits where you can put it.
It is the smallest-capacity blender here and the least flexible, with one cup and one button. For a single licuado before work, that simplicity is the point. The listing for this black version shows a one-year warranty; some other colors are listed with longer terms.
Why we like it
- One-button operation
- 14-ounce jar doubles as a travel cup
- Handles ice, per the listing
- Dishwasher-safe jar, blades and lid
Key specifications
| Blender | 51101AG (Black) |
|---|---|
| Power | 300 W peak |
| Cup sizes | 14 oz |
| Cups included | 1, with travel lid |
| Crushes ice (as stated) | Yes, per listing |
| Cordless? | No, corded (24-inch cord) |
| Warranty | 1 year, per listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who wants one drink at a time, in a cup that goes straight into the car.
Skip it if you make salsa or sauces; one small jar and one speed give little control.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Jar fits most cup holders, per Hamilton Beach
- Small and light
Cons
- Smallest jar here
- Short cord
- No pulse or programs
How to choose a personal blender for licuados and salsa
Match the cup to the drink. A licuado for one fits in 14 to 16 ounces. If you blend for two, or want room for ice, look for a 24- or 32-ounce cup. Check how many cups come in the box; a second cup means one can sit in the fridge while the other is in use.
Read the power and the ice claim together. Frozen fruit and ice are the hardest jobs for a cup blender. The bases here run from 250 to 1200 watts as stated, and Ninja uses peak watts, which read higher. Where a maker says the blender crushes ice, we note it; where it does not, we say “not stated.”
Want salsa? Look for pulse. A pulse button or a press-to-run base lets you stop while a salsa is still a little chunky. The NutriBullet Ultra has a pulse, and the Ninja Nutri-Plus and Ninja Fit run only while you press; the Ninja Nutri-Blender Pro has programs. For a full pitcher of salsa, our guide to the best blender for salsa covers bigger machines, and molcajete vs blender explains how texture changes.
Never blend hot in a sealed cup. NutriBullet’s user guides warn that heated or carbonated ingredients can build pressure in a closed cup. Let roasted tomatoes, tomatillos and chiles cool to room temperature, and blend in short bursts. For hot soups and sauces in the pot, an immersion blender is the right tool.
Corded or cordless. A cordless blender is handy away from home but needs charging and usually holds less. If the blender lives on your counter, a corded base gives steadier power.
How we picked these eight blenders
We started from what a single-serve blender does in a Mexican kitchen: licuados and small aguas frescas, frozen fruit drinks, and small batches of salsa, crema and marinade. We then looked at personal blenders from identifiable makers sold on Amazon in the United States, from a 250-watt base to 1200-watt models and one cordless blender, and checked each one’s stock with Amazon’s product data before writing.
Power, cup sizes, contents, ice claims and warranties come from each Amazon listing and, where a listing was silent, from the makers’ own pages and named retailer listings, all recorded in our notes. We did not use these blenders ourselves. We checked the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recalls for every pick and found none covering these models. We left out the BlendJet 2, which was recalled for fire and laceration hazards, and Vitamix’s personal cup system, which needs a full-size Vitamix base and whose earlier Ascent and Venturist 8- and 20-ounce blending containers were recalled for a laceration hazard.
Personal blender questions, answered
What is the best personal blender for most people?
A base of about 1000 watts or more with at least one 24-ounce cup, such as the Ninja Nutri-Blender Pro or the NutriBullet Ultra. Both handle daily drinks; for salsa, a base you pulse by hand, like the Ninja Nutri-Plus, gives the most control.
Which personal blender brands are worth considering?
Ninja for programs and stated ice crushing, Ninja and NutriBullet for push-to-blend or pulse control, NutriBullet for large cups, Beast for design, Magic Bullet and Hamilton Beach for small budgets. Each covers a different kind of kitchen.
Can a personal blender make salsa?
Yes, in small batches. Use cooled ingredients, add a little liquid, and pulse or blend in short bursts. A cup blender is best for smooth salsas such as salsa roja; for chunky pico de gallo, a knife or a food chopper keeps the pieces whole.
Can I make horchata in a personal blender?
You can blend soaked rice and cinnamon in batches, but the cup is small and the mix needs straining. For a quicker route, our guide to the best horchata mix covers ready-made options.
Personal blender or juicer?
A blender keeps the whole fruit, pulp and all; a juicer separates the juice. For licuados and smoothies, a blender is the right tool. For clear juice, see our guide to the best juicer.
Our final pick for the morning licuado
Choose the Ninja Nutri-Blender Pro if you want one small blender that handles ice and frozen fruit with a button press. Pick the Ninja Nutri-Plus if salsa and sauces matter, the Ultra for a quieter base, the Ninja Blast Max for blending away from an outlet, and the Magic Bullet or Hamilton Beach for small, simple jobs.
More small-appliance guides: food processors, hand mixers, vegetable choppers, spice grinders, meat grinders, food dehydrators, yogurt makers, pasta makers, bread machines.
On a budget? See our guide to the best budget personal blenders.
Prefer glass? See our guide to the best small blenders with glass jars.
Related guide: Best nutribullet.
Related guide: Best blender for small apartment.
Related guide: Ninja vs nutribullet.
For the full-size jobs, a pitcher of agua fresca or a big batch of mole, see the best blender. And if you would rather someone else made the drinks, look at our drinks or call to order.