1 of 5 pagesThe right blender could become your best friend. Frozen cocktails and green smoothies in summer, wholesome soups and comforting cake mixes in winter; there's really not much a blender can't tackle. But there are many blender types available. How does a cheap and cheerful $40 benchtop model compare against a hardy, high-speed super blender that could set you back a cool $1500? And how do you make sure you're getting the one that best suits your needs? Ready to make some smoothies and soup? Compare brands and models in our and . A blender is most used for making smoothies, soups and milkshakes, but they can also create delicious meals from scratch – some are capable of grinding pastes like pesto and nut butters while others allow you to emulsify mayonnaise and make aioli. Some blenders can even be used for mixing batters. Benchtop or stick blender? While it's great to think you'll be using a blender for a myriad of new culinary adventures, if the truth is you're only going to end up using it occasionally for fruit smoothies and shakes, a stick blender will do the job and cost you less.

But if you're blending often and with ingredients like hard fruit, seeds, vegetables and ice, you'll need the grunt only a benchtop blender can offer. When is a blender not a blender? Traditional benchtop blenders are evolving into completely different beasts than they were just a few years ago. parts for oster blender model 6812The current superfood and juicing crazes mean that manufacturers are giving their blenders more oomph, and making more health claims. bamix immersion blender whiskYou'll see loads of buzzwords like "high velocity", "pulverise" "whole food juice" and "improved mouthfeel".blendtec blender won't turn on Our reports cut through all this hype, but there's no denying the difference between a blender that can only crush a few ice cubes, compared with one that'll mill corn kernels. blendtec professional series blender - black

Our reports categorise benchtop blenders into traditional blenders and the 'super blenders' that mill and make nut butters. Many of the mid-priced blenders, in the $300–500 price bracket, can do more than cheaper blenders and may suit your needs, but you'll need to take a closer look at the available features and differences. breville vbl058 damson blenderIf you're thinking only of juicing, you may want to check out our dedicated juicer buying guide.dualit 88815 hand blender gift pack If you're into heavy-duty blending you can't go past a super blender. dualit hand blender 88821They offer more versatility than what you can get from a regular blender and they're extra powerful too, tackling a whole range of tasks.dualit 83820 profi mixer/blender chrom

These high-speed super blenders can be compared to all-in-one machines in that they can do things like: chop or crush wet and dry ingredients (some models have heavy duty 'dry' jugs available so you don't have to wreck your regular jug with abrasive and hard foods, or you can buy a separate jug just for dry tasks)hamilton beach 12 speed blender 53657 crush large amounts of ice into a snow-like appearancehamilton beach wave crusher 8 speed blender 5842r create hot soup (above 70°C) in around five minutes from completely raw ingredients, using blade friction aloneninja professional blender bl t660 turn tough vegetables like kale into a silky-smooth consistency (with the help of a little water).oster blender 6812-27 reviews

The force generated by super blenders means they create more air and heat than a regular blender. In our test, we found super blender green smoothie temperatures rose by as much as 7°C (regular blenders rose up to 2°C). To bring a luke-warm smoothie back down to a thirst-quenching temperature, simply add ice.waring rb70u signature blender It's like a scene from a movie: you're happily blending away when your smoothie explodes all over your kitchen. waring pb20cxu 'waterfall' blenderThis has happened in our own kitchen lab – the lid was off a blender and the pulse button was accidentally activated.waring pb20cxu 'waterfall' blender review An incident like this can easily happen, and unfortunately with the recent reports of erupting Thermomixes it's important to take extra safety precautions:nova hand blender hc592 price

Be mindful of where the controls are positioned and how they work. Don't blend hot soup – wait for it to cool first. Keep the lid on when removing the jug. Turn the appliance off at the power point first. Take care when handling removable blades. For more on super blenders, see our super blender reviews.waring pro pb20cxu waterfall blender Manufacturers have also created a category of inexpensive 'single-serve' blenders that let you blend ingredients and drink from the same bottle. oster blstmp a15 8 speed 6 cup blenderThese are increasingly popular, and handy for busy people heading for work in the mornings (some fit into your car's drink holder) or teenagers needing an energy boost after school.waring pro pb20cxu stainless steel 'waterfall' blender

The disadvantage of these blenders is that they aren't as powerful as traditional blenders, and typically operate on a pulse function. You can't use one for more than a minute at a time and you need to add liquid to the fruit and vegetables first. Here are some things to consider if you're going to buy a single-serve blender:blender kitchenaid costkill Multiple cups/jugs Handy if you want to prepare a single-serve smoothie each for a few people.breville vhb096 400w hand blender Cleaning If the bottle is narrow you may need to use a bottle brush to thoroughly clean it.birla hand blender bel180 On/off switch Better than a push-and-twist type, which may put more wear and tear on the blender.bestron blender dts807r review

Rubber seal One that sits on the outside of the blade assembly instead of under the blade will be easier to remove. The rubber seal should also sit firmly within the blade assembly – seals can become loose over time from removing and cause leaks. Blade assembly Should have adequate grip as after processing some become tighter and can be difficult to remove. blender et robot cuisinart bfp 703 ce chromeThe threading around the blade assembly and the cup/bottle should be smooth and easy to screw on firmly to prevent leaks.breville vhb065 3-in-1 variable speed hand blender Exit hole Helpful inside the shaft area for draining any spills.breville vhb065 variable speed hand blender

Other things to consider when buying a blender Capacity: How many servings do you need? Blender jug capacity can vary from a tiny 600mL single-serve blender to a family-friendly 2L. Keep in mind that some jugs can be heavy to lift and move, especially when full. Material: Glass jugs are heavier and prone to breaking if dropped. hamilton beach food processor 702-6Plastic jugs are more common than glass but more likely to become stained with certain foods like turmeric.hamilton beach food processor 702-6 parts Shape: Jugs can be square or round. kitchenaid kpcb348pnp pro line chef's blender with polycarbonate jar nickel pearlManufacturers design them in a way that lets ingredients be effectively distributed around the blender, but there are other factors like the blades and turning force (torque) that affect performance.kitchenaid 5kfpm775bc artisan food processor review

Measurement gradings: On the side of the jug, these can be a useful cooking tool, and indicate just how much the blender can cope with. Some models look good enough to display on your bench, but they can take up a lot of room. If you plan to keep it in your cupboard, check you have the space for it and remember that heavy blenders can be a strain to lift out of awkward places.kitchenaid 5kfpm775bac artisan food processor - almond cream Ease of use and cleaningblack variable speed hand blender vhb065 A model with removable blades can help to make cleaning around the bottom of the jug easier. cuisinart csb-76grslt smartstick 200-watt immersion hand blender parsley

Jugs with built-in blades are still OK if the jug has a wider base so it's easier to remove and unprocessed chunks sitting underneath them. A handy tip is to put warm water into the jug with a drop of detergent and turn it on for a few seconds. It's also good idea to get a jug that's dishwasher safe, but check that the jug will fit in your dishwasher.hamilton beach dual wave 52147h - blender - 1 kw - silver Lids can be a hassle to clean, especially if seals need to be removed first and if lots of ingredients get splashed into the lid.kitchenaid artisan ksm150bpm stand mixer pearl metallic General comfort is important, such as whether it's easy to lock the jug in place and scrape ingredients from the sides of the blender.general electric blender 22bl2

Blenders need at least three speed settings to be effective – high, low and pulse. Many blenders offer a graduated start-up feature that slowly brings the blades to the desired speed, keeping ingredients at the bottom of the jug and reducing splash-back. Some models can also do the thinking for you, thanks to pre-programmed functions like soup, green smoothie or sorbet.betty crocker blender bcf1350 replacement parts The pulse setting gives a short burst of power and is useful for small quantities of foods, particularly dry foods, to help distribute the load and encourage an even consistency.breville antony worrall thompson hm5 triple beater hand mixer Controls can be push-button, adjustable dials or touch pads. breville antony worrall thompson hm5 hand mixer

Touch pads are the easiest to clean but look for controls that are sealed well, so food can't get into any crevices around them. A solid, heavy base with non-slip grip is handy so the blender stays steady on the bench. A larger chute will allow you to add ingredients while the blender is on, but keep in mind that you might have some splash if you're adding liquid.betty crocker blender bcf1350 parts Some also have push sticks or tampers that let you safely move ingredients around inside the jar while the blender is running. review turbitwin blenderTampers are handy if you're making nut butters and need to push ingredients down towards the blade, or blending awkwardly-shaped vegetables when making smoothies.breville powermax blender - bbl200