Credit:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi
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Credit:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi
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This powerful cordless blender makes excellent smoothies, is easy to use, and light enough to take on the go. Read More
A portable blender lets you whip up a smoothie or a protein shake at the gym, office, picnic site, or anywhere else. These cordless wonders can cost as little as the price of a pizza or as much as a countertop blender. We tested top models at a range of prices to learn whether more money buys you a smoother drink.
This cordless blender has a lightweight design, is very easy to use, and makes fully blended smoothies.
We blended up seven different drinks in each blender, then tasted and strained them to see how well they blended.
We tested each blender by making seven different drinks of increasing difficulty. The first test was a basic strawberry-banana smoothie without frozen ingredients.
Next, we stepped up to a green smoothie that included fibrous spinach and kale, then a protein shake containing peanut butter. To further test the power of the blender, we whipped up a protein shake with whole almonds.
At that point, we moved on to frozen ingredients: first, a smoothie with frozen fruit, then one with frozen fruit and ice cubes. Finally, we made a piña colada with frozen pineapple and ice.
We tasted each drink to determine its consistency and to evaluate the experience of sipping from the cup. Then we poured each one through a sieve. This let us assess its thickness based on how quickly it ran through. It also helped us determine whether any ingredients remained unblended.
We take into consideration how easy it is to use the jar. We give points for a helpful owner’s manual. We check whether the parts can go in the dishwasher. We also try washing each by hand to see how easy it is to clean manually.
In the lab, we measured how loud each blender was during blending. We also calculate the battery life of a single charge. This translates to how many drinks you can blend before needing to recharge.
There's a lot to consider when deciding which on-the-go blender is right for you.
Portable blenders are small and easy to operate. It’s got a single control button. It’s design runs automatically in short spurts.
Unlike full-size models, it doesn’t need to plug into an outlet. Rather, they charge ahead of time, often with a USB cable. That means if you’re on a road trip or at the beach without access to electricity, you can charge them in the car.
To use a cordless blender away from home, you have to carry your ingredients with you. Anything that’s perishable, like yogurt or fruit, should stay cold. If you want to incorporate ice or frozen fruit, you’ll have to travel with a well-insulated cooler.
As with any kitchen appliance, there’s a bit of food prep required. When you’re on the go, your best bet is to measure and cut your ingredients and fill the blender jar at home. That way, you don’t need to bring utensils like a paring knife or spatula to your office or gym. Just be sure to tuck a few ice packs around the blender so you’re not drinking a lukewarm smoothie.
On many models, you remove the lid to drink your beverage. Unfortunately, the sipping experience is less than optimal. The blade is still at the bottom of the jar, and there are threads around the rim. (You do of course have the option of using a straw.)
On other models, you use a blending lid containing the blade to process your drink. Then you can replace that with a sipping lid, turning the jar into a travel mug. Some also come with a protective cover for the blade so you don’t have a messy lid with a sharp blade to contend with.
In our tests, we find that blenders boasting power to handle nuts, frozen fruits, and ice meet the challenge. Be sure to check that any blender you’re considering claims it can pulverize them.
Portable blenders are a great middle ground between a family-sized appliance and the compact personal blender space. They’re versatile, and great for a variety of situations away from home. As long as the model you buy is powerful enough for your needs, a portable blender is a fantastic option.
Sharon Franke
Contributor
Sharon has tested and reviewed kitchen equipment for over 30 years. Before becoming a cooking tools maven, she worked as a professional chef in New York City restaurants.
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