If you’re a smoothie junkie, a countertop blender is probably your best friend in the kitchen. It makes preparing smooth and nutritious smoothies from vegetables and fruits easy, quick, and convenient. Some can even be used to blend hot drinks.
But countertop blenders can be big and bulky. You can’t lug one to the gym or on a camping trip. Fortunately, there are now portable blenders that are slim enough for the gym bag.
Lightweight and often stylishly designed, these are single-serving blenders that are equipped with lithium batteries. Most are rechargeable, either by USB or through a wall socket. Some models easily convert into handheld sports bottles; some are small enough to fit purses.
Designwise, they’re basically tall cups that are attached to a stainless steel base that houses the motor. Because they’re smaller than standard-sized blender jars, they have narrow mouths that require you to chop your ingredients beforehand so that you can add them in small quantities.
The most common type is the rechargeable ones which usually take 3-5 hours to fully charge via USB. These blenders need to be charged on a weekly basis so that you can use them for blending your daily smoothies. These are more popular than the wall socket types because you can just charge them anywhere, even through a laptop.
Convenience is the key consideration in the design of these blenders. That’s why a general feature common to this type of appliance is a single button that's programmed with preset blending times ranging from 20-45 seconds. All one needs to do is turn it on and blend.
Tritan plastic is commonly used for these blenders. They’re BPA-free and are food-grade quality. You might find a few that use glass but in general, Tritan is used because it's lighter and more durable. Glass needs to be thick in order to be heat and shatter-resistant and that adds weight to the blender.
In terms of functionality, don’t expect a portable blender to do the same things a countertop does. If you need a blender to crush coffee beans, ice, or seeds, then this is not for you. A portable blender is more suited for smoothies, shakes, and soft food.
This is why products like these don’t come with the usual interchangeable accessories. Because they’re designed for one purpose, you won't have to worry what part to use in order to make it work. But if you want to maximize their usefulness, here's a tip: the best ones can be also used to make small batches of sauces and dressings.
So should you get one?
If you need an easy and convenient way to get your daily healthy smoothie or protein shake fix, sure go ahead. Think of it as a necessary complement to your countertop blender. Save the countertop for prepping big meals and use the portable blender for your personal servings.
Here are my top choices for the best portable blenders in the market.
Best Portable Blenders
- BlenderX CORDLESS HOME, PORTABLE & TRAVEL Blender
- Portable Blender (USB Rechargeable)
- Portable Blender with Magnetic Charging
- LaHuko Blender Portable Blender Personal Size Blender
- OBERLY Portable Blender
1. BlenderX CORDLESS HOME, PORTABLE & TRAVEL Blender
This portable blender doesn’t scrimp in its capacity. Unlike most portable blenders that come in single-serve containers, this one has a large 20 oz jar that can make multiple drinks per blend.
It is 6x more powerful than a regular USB blender. Its motor can crush and blend regular-sized ice cubes and hard fruits. It is capable of making 20 to 30 blends per full charge.
The jug is made from BPA-free Tritan Plastic,while the motor base and its blades are made from stainless steel. It is also ETL certified.
Pros
- Not heavy and easily fits in the luggage
- Comes with a dual voltage charger for 110V to 240V
Cons
- For AC (wall socket) charging only, not for USB charging
- Not for hot liquids
2. Portable Blender (USB Rechargeable)
Stylishly designed, this is an 8-oz single-serve portable blender that has a high speed blending motor system for making smoothies, protein drinks, or even baby food.
It is USB rechargeable and comes with a charging cord. It runs on a 4000 mAh rechargeable built-in battery which can be fully charged in 5 hours. That’s enough power to produce 20 cups of juice.
The jar is made from BPA-free Tritan plastic, and has four stainless steel blades to crush and chop your ingredients into the perfect smoothie. The blades have two high rotation speeds (22000 & 16800rpm) which is enough to blend almost anything.
It also comes with lid that’s made from food-grade silicone. It also has an LED charging indicator to remind you when it needs charging.
It has a self-cleaning mode which makes it easy to clean. It is also FDA, CE, FCC, and LFGB certified. It is also less noisy than most portable blenders.
Pros
- Fast charging
- Lightweight
Cons
- Tiny blender; good only for small quantities
- Only good for soft fruits; for harder fruits, you need to cut them to smaller pieces first
3. Portable Blender with Magnetic Charging
This portable blender has a jug that’s about the size of a water bottle. At 12 oz, it’s just the perfect size for making smoothies anywhere you go.
It has a 1600mAh lithium battery that charges through magnetic suction. You can charge it through a USB interface such as a power bank or a car adaptor.
The blender cup is made from BPA-free Tritan Copolyester and its blades are 301 stainless steel. It also has a lanyard so that it’s easy to carry anywhere outdoors. This blender comes with a recharging cable and a 2-year warranty policy.
Pros
- Can crush ice, good for warm liquids not higher than 70C
- Suitable for elderly use
Cons
- Doesn’t seem to be dishwasher friendly
4. FOCHEA Smoothie Blender
This personal blender is powered by a heavy-duty 500W motor that can reach speeds of 24000 RPMs. It has 4 stainless steel blades that can crush ice and hard fruits. This makes it versatile enough for making any smoothies, shakes, and even baby food.
It has a One-Stop Operation and comes with a Safety Lock feature. It won’t start unless the blending jug is twisted properly into the Lock position. It also has a leak-proof sealing lid, prevent-ejection locking blades, non-slip sucker feet, and a bottom that’s designed to dissipate heat efficiently.
This blender comes with 2 portable 20 oz Tritan sport bottles that are easy to clean.
Pros
- Powerful motor; blends efficiently in just 5-6 seconds
- Easy to use and clean
Cons
- Needs to be plugged to an outlet
- Replacement cups are not readily available
5. OBERLY Portable Blender
This blender is powered by a rechargable 2000mAh lithium battery that runs a 3.7V motor. A full charge of 2-3 hours can produce 10-12 cups.
It has a single button for easy operation. Its 13-oz blender cup is made from food-grade ABS material and has a durable 6-point 304 stainless steel blender blade that is capable of making a smoothie in just 90 seconds.
Safety features include a safety lock and an anti-overheating function. Accessories include a micro USB charging cable and an ice tray.
Pros
- Can be used as a water cup
- Very quiet
Cons
- Does not work with regular-sized ice cubes (though it shaves smaller ice quite nicely), and it doesn't blend grocery-packed frozen fruit
- Doesn't have a waterproof base; there are some complaints about how difficult it is to clean
Buyers Guide to Picking the Best Portable Blender
Size and weight are not the only things to consider when choosing the right portable blender to bring to the office or gym. You also need to check these factors:
Power Charge
Because they run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, it makes sense to check out how long the power charge will last. Most brands tend to describe it in the number of blends per charge. For instance, a blender that is capable of providing 10-20 blends from a single full charge will ideally give you 20 days of single-use, or fewer days if you use it more than once daily.
Check the motor too. While a typical portable blender is less powerful than a countertop ( which is why it's only used for blending), some brands have relatively powerful motors that can crush cubes of ice.
The blender’s size can also be a significant factor. In order to keep it lightweight, the blender might have a smaller motor.
Blade Design
Stainless steel is the standard material used for portable blender blades because they’re easy to clean and safe to use. What you need to look out more is whether the blades are designed to have maximum exposure to the food ingredients.
Brands have different catchy names for their blade designs. Look out for one that will chop hard fruits and vegetables as easily and efficiently as soft ones. If you want something easy to clean, then pick a blender whose blade design reduces food capture at the bottom so that you won’t have to tediously clean the bigger bits left at the base.
Accessories
Because a portable blender is designed for a single serving, it only has a single cup that has a capacity that varies from 12oz upwards. But there are brands that include a spare cup which is useful for making smoothies for you and a partner.
Warranty
The best ones are those that have at least a 2-year warranty. Since you’re going to be using this portable blender on a daily basis, it just makes sense to pick a brand that guarantees durability from extended use.
And as always, check out their after-sales service. If your blender broke down, you’d want a manufacturer that will quickly replace your item asap so that you can go on having your daily smoothie during the gym or after a hike.
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