A portable blender is a single-serve blender with a battery in the base. You charge it by cable, load the cup with fruit, liquid and a little ice, and blend wherever you are: at a desk, in a hotel room, at the beach or on a tailgate. Most then let you drink straight from the same cup. They are small, quiet next to a countertop machine and easy to rinse, and they are genuinely handy for a licuado on the go or a cold agua fresca at a picnic.
They also have limits worth knowing before you buy. A battery motor has far less power than a wall-powered blender, so most portable models want liquid in the cup and do best with crushed rather than whole ice. And battery blenders have a recall history: in 2023 the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of about 4.8 million BlendJet 2 portable blenders for fire and laceration hazards. This guide covers battery-powered models from established makers, none of which we found on the CPSC’s recall list.
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Quick verdict: which portable blender to buy
For most people the best portable blender is the Ninja Blast: an 18-ounce cup you blend and drink from, a USB-C rechargeable base, a dishwasher-safe vessel and lid, and Reviewed names it an Editor’s Choice and its best value portable blender. If you want your drink to stay cold for hours, the nutribullet Flip blends into an insulated stainless steel tumbler. For a battery you can swap out and recharge separately, choose the KitchenAid Go Cordless Personal Blender.
This page is only about cordless, rechargeable blenders. If you will always be near an outlet, a corded single-serve machine gives you more power for the money; our guide to the best personal blender covers those, along with the Ninja Blast Max, the twist-off cordless model we have not repeated here. For a full-size machine, see the best blender.
Five portable blenders compared
Our five standout picks side by side, one for each kind of trip, with the battery and cup each maker or listing states. All eight blenders are reviewed in full below.
| Portable blender | Best for | Battery | Cup | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ninja Blast Portable Blender, 18 ozBest overall
|
Everyday smoothies at home and away | 7.4 V, USB-C | 18 oz with sip lid | View on Amazon |
nutribullet Flip Portable Blender, 20 ozBest insulated
|
Drinks that stay cold all day | 11.1 V, USB-C | 20 oz stainless steel tumbler | View on Amazon |
Beast GO Cordless Portable Blender, 22 ozBest for bigger servings
|
A larger cup and a straw lid | 11.1 V 3-cell, USB-C | 670 mL (about 22 oz) Tritan | View on Amazon |
KitchenAid Go Cordless Personal Blender, 16 ozBest removable battery
|
Kitchens already using KitchenAid Go tools | 12 V MAX removable | 16 oz jar with travel lid | View on Amazon |
| Protein shakes and soft fruit on a budget | USB rechargeable | 16 oz shatterproof jar | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Battery and cup figures are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best portable blender
Eight cordless blenders from Ninja, nutribullet, Beast, KitchenAid, Dash, Cuisinart and Hamilton Beach. We kept the list to battery-powered models with a named maker; the many unbranded USB blenders on Amazon are left out because their specifications and safety records are hard to check.
1. Ninja Blast Portable Blender, 18 oz – Blend and Sip From One Cup
The Ninja Blast does the basics of a portable blender well. Reviewed names it an Editor’s Choice and its best value portable blender, and its testers found it handled frozen fruit and ice and made smooth drinks. You blend up to 18 ounces in the vessel, flip up the sip lid and drink from it, according to the listing.
The base is a 7.4-volt rechargeable battery that charges over USB-C, and separate power and blend buttons help prevent it starting by accident in a bag. Ninja says the ribbed vessel creates a vortex while the stainless steel BlastBlade breaks up ice and frozen ingredients. A hinged handle on the lid makes it easy to carry, and the lid locks for a leakproof seal.
The lid and vessel are BPA-free and dishwasher safe, or you can add water and a drop of soap and run a 30-second self-clean cycle. Reviewed’s two complaints are worth noting: the cup stays attached to the motor base while you drink, so you carry the whole unit, and the USB-C cable ships without a wall plug. Ninja does not state how many blends a charge gives, and the warranty is one year.
Why we like it
- Reviewed’s Editor’s Choice and best value pick
- Handled frozen fruit and ice in Reviewed’s trials
- USB-C charging
- Dishwasher-safe vessel and lid
Key specifications
| Model | Ninja Blast BC151BK |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 18 oz |
| Battery (stated) | 7.4 V rechargeable base |
| Charging | USB-C cable included; no wall plug |
| Blends per charge (stated) | Not stated |
| Ice and frozen fruit (stated) | Yes, per Ninja |
| Dishwasher safe | Vessel and lid |
| Warranty | 1-year limited |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a well-reviewed, easy-to-clean portable blender for daily smoothies and shakes at home, work or the gym.
Skip it if you want to carry only the cup; the base stays attached, and the Ninja Blast Max on our personal blender page or the nutribullet Flex below let you twist it off.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Well reviewed for smooth results
- Leakproof sip lid with handle
- Self-clean cycle and dishwasher-safe parts
Cons
- Cup stays on the base while you drink
- No wall plug in the box
- Blends per charge not stated
2. nutribullet Flip Portable Blender, 20 oz – An Insulated Steel Tumbler
Most portable blenders use a plastic cup, so a smoothie made at breakfast is warm by mid-morning. The Flip blends into a stainless steel tumbler that nutribullet says keeps blends cold for up to 24 hours. For a cold drink in a Houston car, or an agua fresca carried to a park, that is the feature that sets it apart.
It also has more battery than most. nutribullet lists an 11.1-volt high-torque motor and says the battery has 50 percent more power than most standard portable blenders, with 14 or more 30-second blending cycles per full charge over USB-C. Popular Science names it its best overall portable blender and found it crushes ice, though not completely when given full cubes; it suggests two 30-second cycles for an all-frozen blend.
The trade-off is weight and size: Popular Science notes it is larger and heavier than other battery models, at about 1.3 pounds. To clean it, nutribullet says to blend dish soap and water for one cycle. The listing does not state which parts are dishwasher safe or the warranty length.
Why we like it
- Stainless tumbler keeps drinks cold up to 24 hours, per nutribullet
- 11.1 V motor, stronger than most portables
- 14+ cycles per charge, per nutribullet
- Popular Science’s best overall portable blender
Key specifications
| Model | nutribullet Flip NBPB50350AW |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 20 oz |
| Battery (stated) | 11.1 V |
| Charging | USB-C |
| Blends per charge (stated) | 14+ cycles of 30 seconds |
| Ice and frozen fruit (stated) | Ice and most frozen fruits |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated on the listing |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you blend in the morning and drink later, or carry drinks in the heat, and want the strongest battery motor here.
Skip it if weight matters; it is heavier than other portables, and full ice cubes need a second cycle.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Keeps drinks cold for hours
- More power than most battery blenders
- Good charge yield
Cons
- Heavier and larger, per Popular Science
- Full ice cubes not fully crushed in one cycle
- Dishwasher use and warranty not stated
3. Beast GO Cordless Portable Blender, 22 oz – Bigger Cup, Straw Lid
Beast is better known for its corded Mini and Mighty blenders; the GO is its cordless model. It runs on a 3-cell, 11.1-volt battery charged by USB-C, the same voltage class as the nutribullet Flip, and blends in a 670-milliliter (about 22-ounce) Tritan vessel, which ties with the nutribullet Flex for the largest cup on this page.
Operation is one button with two functions: a press for pulse, and a press-and-hold that starts a timed 30-second blending cycle, according to the listing. Beast says its vessels are twice as thick as competitors’ and use a 12-rib design to increase turbulence, with stainless steel gearing and Grade 301 stainless blades. It comes with a storage lid, a drinking lid, a carry cap and a straw cap with two straws, so you can blend, cap it and sip.
Everything but the motor base and blade goes on the top rack of the dishwasher. For the base, Beast recommends covering the charging port and rinsing under running water, then cleaning the blade with the included brush. The listing gives a 2-year warranty, longer than the Ninja’s. It does not state blends per charge, and we found no independent review of the GO that we could read in full, so its performance claims are Beast’s.
Why we like it
- 11.1 V 3-cell battery with USB-C charging
- About 22 oz Tritan vessel
- Straw cap and drinking lid included
- 2-year warranty
Key specifications
| Model | Beast GO Cordless (B3CO-BK-US) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 670 mL (about 22 oz) |
| Battery (stated) | 11.1 V, 3-cell |
| Charging | USB-C |
| Blends per charge (stated) | Not stated on the listing |
| Ice and frozen fruit (stated) | Yes, per the listing |
| Dishwasher safe | All parts except base and blade, top rack |
| Warranty | 2-year |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a larger serving, a straw lid and a longer warranty than most portable blenders offer.
Skip it if you want reviewer-confirmed performance; we could only rely on Beast’s own description.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large vessel for a portable
- Several lids, including a straw cap
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Base and blade are hand-wash only
- Blends per charge not stated
- No independent review we could cite
4. KitchenAid Go Cordless Personal Blender, 16 oz – A Battery You Can Swap
Every other blender here has its battery sealed in the base. KitchenAid’s Go blender runs on a 12-volt MAX battery that comes out, so you can charge it on its own and, if it ever wears out, replace the battery instead of the blender. KitchenAid sells this blender, and other tools in its Go cordless line such as the hand blender, both with and without a battery, which is how the battery is meant to move between them.
KitchenAid says the battery gives up to 20 minutes of continuous run time, adding that actual run time depends on the recipe and the battery’s age. The model with the battery included comes with a USB-C cable and a wall adapter, according to KitchenAid. The 16-ounce jar is shaped to fold ingredients back onto the blade, and the blade is designed for frozen ingredients, the listing says. A travel lid turns the jar into a cup.
The jar is the smallest of the branded picks here, and the listing does not say whether it is dishwasher safe. The warranty is one year. If you already own a KitchenAid Go tool with a battery, check that it is the same 12 V MAX battery and consider the version of this blender sold without one.
Why we like it
- Removable 12 V MAX battery
- Up to 20 minutes of run time, per KitchenAid
- USB-C cable and wall adapter included
- Blade designed for frozen ingredients
Key specifications
| Model | KitchenAid Go KSBR256BM (battery included) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 16 oz |
| Battery (stated) | 12 V MAX removable (10.8 V nominal) |
| Charging | USB-C cable and wall adapter |
| Blends per charge (stated) | Up to 20 minutes of continuous run time |
| Ice and frozen fruit (stated) | Frozen ingredients and icy drinks |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated |
| Warranty | 1-year limited |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a battery you can charge and replace separately, or you already use KitchenAid’s Go cordless tools.
Skip it if you want a bigger cup; 16 ounces is one modest smoothie.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Swappable, replaceable battery
- Wall adapter in the box
- Travel lid included
Cons
- Small 16 oz jar
- Dishwasher use not stated
- No independent review we could cite
5. Dash Cordless Personal Blender, 17 oz – One Twist, 30 Smoothies a Charge
Dash’s cordless blender is built around a simple routine: one twist starts an automatic blend cycle that stops on its own after about 40 seconds, and you pour the 17-ounce batch into the included travel cup with a lid, according to the listing. There is no button to hold and no timing to judge, which makes it easy for anyone in the house to use.
Its battery is the other draw. Dash says one charge blends up to 30 smoothies, the highest figure stated on this page, and the lithium-ion battery recharges on a charging stand in 2.5 hours. Like KitchenAid’s, it is removable and swaps between Dash’s cordless tools. The listing says it crushes ice and blends frozen berries, banana and protein powder.
The blending jar, blending lid, travel cup and travel lid all go on the top rack of the dishwasher; you wipe the motor unit with a damp cloth. Note that you blend in one jar and pour into a separate cup, so there are two pieces to wash. The warranty is one year, or two if you register with Dash’s rewards program, per the listing.
Why we like it
- Up to 30 smoothies per charge, per Dash
- One-twist automatic 40-second cycle
- Removable battery shared with Dash cordless tools
- Jar, lids and cup are dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | Dash DFMB10003 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 17 oz |
| Battery (stated) | Rechargeable lithium-ion, removable |
| Charging | Charging stand, 2.5 hours |
| Blends per charge (stated) | Up to 30 smoothies |
| Ice and frozen fruit (stated) | Yes, per the listing |
| Dishwasher safe | Jar, lids and travel cup, top rack |
| Warranty | 1-year; 2-year with registration |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want the longest stated battery life and a blender anyone can start with one twist.
Skip it if you want to drink from the blending jar; this one pours into a separate cup.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Highest stated blends per charge
- Automatic stop, nothing to time
- Travel cup with lid included
Cons
- Charges on its own stand
- Two pieces to wash
- No independent review we could cite
6. Cuisinart Cordless Rechargeable Portable Blender, 18 oz – Three-Year Warranty
Cuisinart’s PBL-100 is a straightforward portable blender with one notable advantage: a 3-year limited warranty, the longest on this page and three times what Ninja, KitchenAid and Hamilton Beach offer. With a battery product that is expected to wear over time, that coverage counts for something.
The listing describes two-button operation, an 18-ounce cup, a snap spout lid and a carrying loop, with a USB charger included and up to 20 blends per charge. Cuisinart does not state the battery voltage, whether it crushes ice, or which parts are dishwasher safe, so buy it for simple smoothies and shakes and add ice already crushed.
It is one of the newer cordless blenders on Amazon and we found no independent review of it to cite. If you want a reviewer-backed choice, the Ninja Blast or nutribullet Flip is the safer bet; if a long warranty matters more, this is the one.
Why we like it
- 3-year limited warranty
- Up to 20 blends per charge, per Cuisinart
- Snap spout lid and carry loop
- Simple two-button controls
Key specifications
| Model | Cuisinart PBL-100 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 18 oz |
| Battery (stated) | Rechargeable; voltage not stated |
| Charging | USB charger included |
| Blends per charge (stated) | Up to 20 |
| Ice and frozen fruit (stated) | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated |
| Warranty | 3-year limited |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a basic portable blender for shakes and soft smoothies with the longest warranty available here.
Skip it if you blend a lot of ice or frozen fruit; Cuisinart makes no claim either way.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Long warranty
- Good stated charge yield
- Easy to use
Cons
- Ice crushing not stated
- Battery voltage and cleaning not stated
- No independent review we could cite
7. nutribullet Flex Portable Blender, 22 oz – Twist Off the Base and Go
The Flex fixes the Ninja Blast’s main drawback. Once you have blended, the motor base comes off, and nutribullet says that cuts the on-the-go weight by half. You carry the 22-ounce cup with a leak-proof lid and a flexible handle, and leave the base on the counter or in your bag.
The listing describes “refined blade technology” for smoother blends, a removable, dishwasher-friendly blade and a silicone cover over the charge port to keep liquid out. That is a sensible detail on a battery appliance you will rinse every day. At 22 ounces the cup is one of the two largest here, which suits a full smoothie rather than a shake.
The Amazon listing is thin on numbers. It does not state the battery voltage, the charging cable type, blends per charge, whether it crushes ice, or the warranty, and we found no independent review of the Flex to cite. Other retailers list a 7.4-volt base charged by USB-C, but we have not confirmed that with nutribullet, so treat it as unconfirmed. This is the pick for convenience of carrying, not for proven power.
Why we like it
- Detachable base halves carry weight, per nutribullet
- 22 oz cup with leak-proof lid and handle
- Removable, dishwasher-friendly blade
- Silicone charge-port cover
Key specifications
| Model | nutribullet Flex NBPB50200 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 22 oz |
| Battery (stated) | Not stated on the listing |
| Charging | Rechargeable; cable type not stated on the listing |
| Blends per charge (stated) | Not stated |
| Ice and frozen fruit (stated) | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Blade is dishwasher-friendly; other parts not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated on the listing |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want to blend at home and carry only a light cup, with the largest serving on this page.
Skip it if you want stated power and battery figures before you buy; the listing gives almost none.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Carry the cup without the base
- Large cup
- Easy-clean removable blade
Cons
- Few specifications on the listing
- Ice crushing not stated
- No independent review we could cite
8. Hamilton Beach Blend-Now Cordless Blender, 16 oz – Charges From a Laptop or Car
Hamilton Beach’s Blend-Now is the simple, low-cost way into cordless blending. It charges from any USB port, a laptop, a power bank, a car or an RV, with the included cable, according to the listing; for a wall outlet you supply your own charging block. Hamilton Beach says a full charge blends up to 28 protein shakes.
The 16-ounce jar is shatterproof and BPA-free, and a travel lid with a sip-through cap seals for carrying. Six stainless steel blades handle protein shakes and smoothies, the listing says. It makes no claim about crushing ice, so treat it as a blender for shakes, soft fruit and already-crushed ice rather than for frozen drinks.
The listing gives a one-year warranty and does not say whether the jar is dishwasher safe. The same blender is sold in other colors as model 51182. Hamilton Beach also sells 14-ounce blenders called “portable” that are rated in watts and plug into the wall, so check that the listing says cordless before you buy.
Why we like it
- Charges from any USB port, cable included
- Up to 28 shakes per charge, per Hamilton Beach
- Shatterproof jar with leakproof travel lid
- Low cost
Key specifications
| Model | Hamilton Beach Blend-Now 51180 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 16 oz |
| Battery (stated) | Rechargeable; voltage not stated |
| Charging | USB cable included; no charging block |
| Blends per charge (stated) | Up to 28 protein shakes |
| Ice and frozen fruit (stated) | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you mostly blend protein shakes or soft-fruit smoothies and want a cheap cordless blender that charges anywhere.
Skip it if you want frozen drinks; there is no stated ice crushing.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Charges from laptops, power banks and cars
- Good stated charge yield
Cons
- No ice-crushing claim
- No wall plug included
- Dishwasher use not stated
How to choose a portable blender
With a battery blender, the specification that matters most is not on the box in watts. These are the points we would weigh.
1. Battery strength and charge yield
Makers rarely give wattage for cordless bases; they give battery voltage, and a higher voltage generally means more torque. The Flip and Beast GO list 11.1 volts and the KitchenAid 12 V MAX, against 7.4 volts on the Ninja Blast. Charge yield runs from about 14 blends on the Flip to 30 on the Dash, but every maker measures it with its own recipe, so compare loosely.
2. Ice and frozen fruit
Even good portable blenders struggle with whole ice cubes. Popular Science found the Flip crushes ice but not completely from full cubes. Put liquid in first, use crushed ice or small frozen fruit pieces, and run a second cycle if you need to. If a listing makes no ice claim, as with the Cuisinart and Hamilton Beach, assume shakes and soft fruit.
3. Cup size, lid and how you carry it
Cups run from 16 to about 22 ounces. Decide whether you want to drink from the blending cup with the base attached (Ninja Blast, Flip, Beast GO), twist the base off (nutribullet Flex), or pour into a separate travel cup (Dash). A lid that locks matters if the blender rides in a bag.
4. Charging and batteries
USB-C is the most convenient, because one cable charges your phone and your blender. Check whether a wall plug is included; several are not. Removable batteries, on the KitchenAid and Dash, let you charge separately and replace a worn battery instead of the whole blender.
5. Cleaning and safety
Blend warm water with a drop of soap right after use, and never submerge a motor base. Keep the charging port dry, and charge only with the maker’s cable or a suitable USB supply. Before you buy any battery blender, especially an unbranded one, search its name on the CPSC’s recall site.
How we chose these eight portable blenders
We limited the list to cordless, rechargeable blenders from identifiable makers, sold on Amazon in the United States and in stock when we checked. Capacities, batteries, charging, charge yield, ice claims, cleaning and warranties come from the Amazon listings and the makers’ own descriptions; where a figure was missing we wrote “not stated” rather than guess.
For performance we relied on two published reviews: Reviewed’s portable blender guide, which names the Ninja Blast its best value, and Popular Science’s portable blender guide, which names the nutribullet Flip its best overall. Several picks have no independent review we could read, and we say so in each section.
We checked the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall database for every brand here. The BlendJet 2 recall is why no BlendJet appears on this page. We found no recalls of portable blenders from Ninja, nutribullet, Beast, KitchenAid, Dash, Cuisinart or Hamilton Beach; the recalls we did find for those brands covered other products, such as a Cuisinart compact blender and juicer combo and Ninja’s BL660 countertop blender. We have not used these products ourselves; where we describe how one performs, we say whose findings those are.
Portable blender questions, answered
What is the best quality portable blender?
The Ninja Blast for an everyday all-rounder that reviewers rate well, and the nutribullet Flip if you want a stronger 11.1-volt motor and an insulated steel tumbler. We found no recall covering either.
How is a portable blender different from a personal blender?
Both blend a single serving into a cup. A personal blender plugs into the wall and is usually much more powerful; a portable blender runs on a rechargeable battery so you can use it anywhere. Our personal blender guide covers the corded models.
Can a portable blender crush ice?
Some can, with limits. Ninja, nutribullet, Beast, KitchenAid and Dash all say theirs handle ice or frozen fruit, but battery motors do best with liquid in the cup and crushed ice. For frozen margaritas or big batches of frozen drinks, a countertop blender does the job far better; see frozen vs on-the-rocks margaritas.
Are portable blenders safe after the BlendJet recall?
The 2023 recall covered BlendJet 2 blenders in a specific serial range, not portable blenders in general. Buy from an established maker, check the CPSC recall site for the model, charge it as the maker says, and stop using any blender whose base gets hot, swells or will not hold a charge.
How long does a portable blender battery last?
Per charge, makers here claim from about 14 blending cycles (nutribullet Flip) to 30 smoothies (Dash), or 20 minutes of run time (KitchenAid). Over the long term, all rechargeable batteries lose capacity, which is one reason a long warranty or a replaceable battery is worth having.
Our pick for blending on the move
Buy the Ninja Blast if you want one well-reviewed, easy-to-clean portable blender. Choose the nutribullet Flip for drinks that stay cold, the Beast GO for a bigger cup and a straw lid, and the KitchenAid Go or Dash if a removable battery appeals. The Hamilton Beach Blend-Now is the budget way to try cordless blending.
A portable blender makes a quick licuado or a single glass of agua fresca; for full pitchers, salsas and moles, go back to the best blender. For keeping drinks cold on the way, see the best tumbler and the best coolers.
And when you would rather someone else made the drinks, see our drinks or call to order.