If the supermarket smoothies are adding up a little, perhaps the best smoothie may solve your problem. Nifty, they come with a powerful performance that’ll help you get your five a day within a few minutes. Better yet, if you’re not convinced by drinking a thick, fruity elixir for your brekkie, you can even create crushed-ice cocktails and nutrient-rich smoothie bowls in a smoothie maker – including savoury soups, dips and desserts. The possibilities are, simply, endless.
Similar to a fruit juicer, the best smoothie maker will help you add some needed vitamins and minerals to your diet. Allergy season is here, and your immune system may need a boost. Plus, you may want to try a fruit that’s just come into season – like the unusual kumquat, for example. We’d recommend pairing this sweet, orange fruit with chocolate and other fruit like pears and cranberries. For more smoothie inspiration, take a peek at our favourite smoothie recipes.
Best smoothie maker at a glance
• Best smoothie maker: Ninja Smoothie Maker – view at John Lewis
• Budget smoothie maker: Philips ProBlend Plastic Jug Blender – view on Amazon UK
• Best smoothie maker for on-the-go: Salter NutriPro Portable Smoothie Maker – view on Amazon
• Best smoothie maker for versatility: Kenwood MultiPro Express 2-in-1 Food Processor with Smoothie2Go – view at Kenwood
Your new piece of kit will puree solid ingredients, whether fruit, veg or fats – such as yoghurt and avocado for a creamy texture – to a uniformly smooth drink. Not only are these energy-saving appliances great for your bills, but they’re often compact and ideal if you’re lacking in space. This is true for the to-go blender variant, which will have a lid, so you don’t have to make any mess transferring your latest concoction to a flask. Or, consider a kitchen blender-hybrid for a high-quality, nutritious drink to sip. We cover this all in our buyer’s guide – just keep scrolling.
Find a healthy breakfast routine or snack with our pick of the best smoothie maker. Enjoy the convenience of these gadgets, primed for making silky. Tasty and fibre-rich drinks, as well as savoury meals. You could even prep your kid’s favourite pasta sauce in this gadget and hide all those extra veggies they usually turn their nose up at. A good smoothie blender will handle all the ingredients you pop inside – and we’ve picked our favourite models in all price points.
Best smoothie maker
Best smoothie maker
Ninja / John Lewiswww.johnlewis.com
At a respectable price and easy set-up, it's no surprise that the Ninja Smoothie Maker is our top pick. The QB3001UKS is available to buy from good old John Lewis - and comes with a simple touch-blend functionality, which makes super smooth drinks in seconds. Though compact, this smoothie maker comes with a powerful 700-watt motor and Ninja's top-quality blades for easy blending. Perfect.
Customer review: "I bought this to make my breakfast smoothies and I am seriously impressed by it. It's quick, easy to set up and use, and packs a lot of power into a compact little machine! Excellent quality and so far sturdy. I love it!"
Pros
- Equipped with a powerful motor with Ninja's precise blades
- Easy to use - simply pulse the cup to blend for a smoothie
- Complete with two BPA-free. dishwasher-safe cups and lids
Cons
- Some customers say it can't blend nuts
Best cordless smoothie maker
Ninja, / John Lewiswww.johnlewis.com
Powerful, high-performance and portable, this Ninja Blast Cordless Food Blender is one of our favourites. Compact, quiet and cordless, you can make delicious drinks in the gym, car, work and more. With Ninja Blast technology, you can blast through frozen ingredients and ice to create smoothies, frozen slushies, cocktails and iced lattes. So versatile, it offers the freedom to blend at your leisure.
Customer review: "Very good, easy to use and a nice compact size. Just been diagnosed with AMD so am using it to make smoothies like mad. Very easy to clean too."
Pros
- Long-lasting battery with a USB-C base for convenience
- Perfect blender for on the go, at the office or in your kitchen
- Engineered for a smooth blend with a ribbed cup design
Cons
- Louder than some expected
Premium smoothie maker
ProCookwww.procook.co.uk
Experience unparalleled blending performance and versatility with the ProCook Blender and Smoothie Maker. With precision speed control and versatile operating modes, it can help you effortlessly create everything from silky smoothies to finely crushed ice. Built to last with a powerful 2000W motor and a durable Tritan plastic jug, it's your ultimate blending companion. We love this one.
Customer review: "Great product crushes ice in seconds very powerful. We compared other blenders and personally thought this one was the best in the market. It’s stylish and fits nice on the worktop."
Pros
- With ten speeds and three operating modes: ice crush, juice and pulse
- Crafted with a high-quality material durability for excellent performance
- Operates in short bursts to give you control over your ingredients
Cons
- Doesn't come with any accessories
Budget smoothie maker
Argos / PhilipsExperience effortless blending with the Philips ProBlend Plastic Jug Blender. Equipped with a powerful 450W motor and innovative blade design, it effortlessly tackles all ingredients, even crushing ice. Though simple and easy to use, you can use the NutriU app for recipes. Plus, the MTP tech sensor ensures safe usage. With a 1.9L capacity and dishwasher-safe parts, it's perfect for everyday use.
Customer review: "Great value. Works well. Bought twice once for myself and another for a friend. Easily removable jug. And, easy to use and clean."
Pros
- Delivers a smooth consistency with minimal effort, in no time at all
- A sensor has been designed to prevent the motor from overheating
- Take advantage of the NutriU app for smoothie ideas and inspiration
Cons
- Simple design
Best smoothie and juice maker
Sage / John LewisExperience the versatility of the Sage 3X Bluicer™ Pro Juicer. It's truly a marvel. It has a Kinetix® Blade and Bowl system and an 88mm wide chute and effortlessly juices whole fruits and vegetables while preserving their freshness with Cold Spin Technology. Enjoy ten speed settings, five one-touch programs, and compatibility with the Vac Q™ for enhanced blending. Smoothies, juices, it can do it all.
Customer review: "Enjoying my juicer costing me an arm and a leg in fruit and veg but don't seem to have time to cook these days so happy in the knowledge that I am at least getting some nutrients. The juice is delicious. Definitely happy with my purchase."
Pros
- Both a blender and a juicer for flexibility in creating a variety of items
- Maintains freshness and preserves nutrients with no temperature increase
- Features five one-touch programs and 10 speed settings for convenience
Cons
- Cleaning looks a little complicated
Best smoothie and soup maker
Ninjaninjakitchen.co.uk
Soups and smoothies? Sounds like a match made in heaven. The Ninja Foodi Blender + Soup Maker is a two-in-one versatile pick, boasting an easy blend, whether hot or cold. From chunky and smooth soups, pasta sauces and homemade jam to delicious desserts, frozen cocktails and smoothies. Dedicated settings chop and sauté ingredients in the jug for maximum flavour with minimum effort. Use the precision temperature controls and pre-set Auto-iQ programmes to do the hard work for you.
Customer review: "This blender is amazing. I’ve used the smoothie program the most and they’ve turned out perfectly each time and the self-cleaning process is fantastic. Very happy with my purchase so far."
Pros
- Show off both hot and cold creations with this versatile 2-in-1 appliance
- Enjoy chunky and smooth soups, fresh sauces, homemade jams and more
- Easily blend cold ingredients to enjoy ice-cool smoothies and frozen drinks
Cons
- Some customers found the jug too heavy
Best smoothie maker for on-the-go
Salter / AmazonNext, we have the Salter NutriPro Portable Smoothie Maker. Your go-to for nutritious smoothies anytime, anywhere - whether relaxing at home or in the morning rush. With its unique blade, this Salter pick maximises vitamin and nutrient release whilst effortlessly chopping and crushing ice. Smart, right? Plus, the BPA-free blending cups and easy-drink and storage lids have helped us make up our minds.
Customer review: "The Salter NutriPro 1000 Blender has transformed my kitchen experience. Its powerful 1000W motor effortlessly blends everything from protein shakes to cocktails with precision. The BPA-free blending jug and storage lid add convenience, and the one-touch operation simplifies the process. This sleek and efficient blender is a must-have for anyone seeking versatility and ease in their blending tasks."
Pros
- Unique, multifunction blade for maximum vitamin and nutrient release
- One litre and 800 ml BPA-free cups come with an easy drink and storage lid
- Six-blade lid attachment means clean-up after use is effortless and quick
Cons
- Some customers say it takes longer to blend than other brands
Best retro smoothie maker
KitchenAidwww.kitchenaid.co.uk
Ideal for country kitchens, retro homes and the cottagecore style, this KitchenAid Artisan K400 Blender is a stylish addition to this list. It comes in many colours to suit your preference, including the gorgeous Pistachio colour. To us, green is supreme - but, another colourway may pick your fancy. It handles tough ingredients with its stainless steel blade, ribbed jar, and motor. Plus, the intuitive controls, preset programs, and self-cleaning make blending a breeze. Why not add some additional accessories?
Customer review: "I’ve been wanting to get one of these for sometime, I’m so glad I finally got round to purchasing one."
Pros
- Die-cast metal construction ensures lasting strength and stability
- Achieve perfect textures and tastes with an intuitive control dial
- Available in a range of inspiring colours to complement any kitchen decor
Cons
- A personal blender jar is an additional purchase
Best smoothie maker for style
Boots / Laura Ashley / VQwww.boots.com
Another stylish pick, why not consider this Laura Ashley USB Smoothie Maker? With this gadget, you can experience intimate portability. This USB rechargeable device allows you to enjoy smoothies, juices and shakes on the go. Amazing. Its one-touch operation and powerful 25,000-rpm motor make blending easy as pie. With a decent 450ml capacity and LED indicator, it's more than perfect for your lifestyle.
Pros
- Easy to use with a simple single-button function- no more fuss
- Complete with a USB cable to be easily charged anywhere
- Enjoy lump-free smoothies with its 100 W blending power
Cons
- No customer review yet
Best smoothie maker for versatility
Amazon / KenwoodBy far the coolest pick on our list, the Kenwood MultiPro Express 2-in-1 Food Processor with Smoothie2Go can help you blend fruit and veggies effortlessly. Its Blend-Xtract 2GO feature lets you take your smoothies on the go. With precision cutting and micro-serrated blades, prep everything from fine cuts to purees. Enjoy its compact design, versatile attachments, and easy cleaning.
Customer review: "Only had this a couple of weeks but it seems a good machine. Powerful motor works very quickly. The liquidiser is smallish, OK for smoothies but not good for soups. Made some nice biscuits which only took a couple of minutes to do."
Pros
- With a 1000W motor and patented system for professional results
- Large 3-litre bowl and 1.5-litre working capacity for larger quantities
- 2-in-1 baking tool to help with dough prep for hassle-free bakes
Cons
- You may need to make some extra room in your cupboards
Verdict: Which is the best?
Our top pick is the Ninja Smoothie Maker. It's simple, fast and budget-friendly, too.
Buyers Guide
With the help of Charles Cadman, Buyer at Salter, we've got some advice to help you choose:
Blade - comes first. Stainless steels are "durable and efficient when pulverising a variety of ingredients," says Charles. Stainless steel will do a good job - and will help your smoothie maker last longer, too.
Capacity - is also an important factor, depending on whether you want to "make single servings or larger batches," adds Charles. Above, in our round-up, we have chosen smoothie makers in various sizes.
Portability - may be important to you - if you're a person who is constantly on the go and likes to take your smoothie with you to work or the gym. Most of our picks come with a travel cup or drink lid.
Size - should be on your list. Some of our picks are bulkier and packed with features, destined to take a spot on your kitchen side. Or, consider a compact, lightweight blender to suit smaller kitchen spaces.
Speed and programs - come next. Though you may only have one-speed option available in most smoothie makers, a "Pulse" function is common in some models, for a controlled use of your blender.
Other features - come into play. Though some of our picks above are destined to make you a single-serving smoothie, some pricier models double as food processors, soup makers and juicers.
Budget - is our last option. For this, we recommend setting a budget, taking into account all of our advice. Browse customer reviews and evaluate if a model is of good value for your needs and lifestyle.
FAQs
What is the difference between a blender and a smoothie maker?
Though blenders come in all shapes and sizes, their purpose is typically the same, says Charles from Salter. These are: "blending fruits, juices, and soft ingredients to make smoothies, shakes, dips, and sauces". As you may imagine, there are plenty of types on the market for your specific needs - from the lowly countertop blender to help with batch cooking or high-performance models for heavy-duty tasks.
A smoothie maker is one of many of these variants, Charles confirms. It's set apart from an ordinary blender by its "compact size and often including portable blending bottles." So, with this type of blender, you can blend fruit straight into your drinking cup - for quick smoothie prep and easy portability.
Read our review of the Sage The Super Q Blender, if you fancy.
I have a blender – do I need a smoothie maker?
Maybe - but, this will depend on your needs and lifestyle. If you require a quick smoothie. When you're rushing out the door for the school run, a smoothie maker can come in handy for that easy snap-on lid. But, that's not all smoothie makers are good for. They can help you make soups, sauces and dips.
All in all, this kitchen appliance is ideal for smaller households or single portions.
Piper Huxley is a Homes, Garden and Wellness Product Writer for Yours, an all-rounder who will write on anything from décor to wellness. When not scouring the net for the best home bargains, Piper is listening to a musical soundtrack and tending to her houseplants.