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To test performance, we blended numerous smoothies with these portable blenders, evaluating each model's ability to slice up ice, vegetables, berries, and other commonly blended foods. We consider ease of use from setup to blending to clean-up.
After an intensive testing period, we deemed The Original Magic Bullet as our favorite portable blender. This model blends well and includes several blending cups of different sizes.
Another favorite was the Cuisinart EvolutionX Compact. This model offers quality construction and great blending performance similar to the Magic Bullet, but it typically costs a bit more.
When it comes to a balance of functionality and size, the The Original Magic Bullet is a strong contender. While not the smallest blender on the market, it's compact enough for kitchen countertops of all sizes. The unit comes with multiple cups and lids, offering versatility for your needs at home and on the go. The Original Magic Bullet impressed us with its blending speed, whipping up smoothies and shakes in a breeze. Furthermore, the cups proved to be impressively durable, exhibiting no signs of damage or leakage after our extensive testing period.
Despite its many benefits, the Original Magic Bullet still has some limitations. While it is compact for a kitchen appliance, it might not be the first choice for travel due to its slightly larger size relative to the competition. Also, while it performs well with softer ingredients and liquids, it may require a bit more time and effort to fully pulverize harder ingredients. But these are minor issues for those who value quick, versatile blending at home. Overall, the Original Magic Bullet is a reliable option that delivers a commendable performance at a very reasonable price point. If ultra portability is what you're after, check out the Hotsch Personal. It's the most compact blender we tested and very inexpensive, making it an attractive option for those looking for their next portable blender.
The compact, simply-designed Magic Bullet easily fits on a countertop, always ready to use.
The sleek design of the Cuisinart EvolutionX Compact is much akin to a bullet blender, with two exceptions. It features a push start button and offers the opportunity for cordless blending. With the installation of the flip-top lid, the cup goes from blender to travel cup — the option to leave the motor base behind is a perk for anyone who wants to eliminate extra bulk and weight. Compared to most portable blenders, this is the closest you'll get to standard blender performance, with a powerful motor that crushes ice and pulverizes spinach.
The EvolutionX is best for those who want to skip the hassle of tediously slicing up frozen fruit and plan on leaving the motor base behind. But the tradeoff for powerful blending performance is space — the blending cup combined with the motor base takes up some real estate. If you want to blend at home and take your cup to go, then this model is a great choice. But if you want to travel regularly with the entire unit, consider a more compact option. For those who require a blender they can take on travels and outings, the PopBabies Portable is a true portable blender capable of blending in almost any scenario when away from home. A long battery life and solid blending performance make it a worthy alternative for those on the go.
Pulverizing frozen fruit, bananas, and spinach is no problem with the high-quality EvolutionX blender.
For those searching for a compact blender that doesn't compromise on power, the NutriBullet 600W is an ideal pick. This blender is among the most efficient models we've tested, excelling at crushing frozen ingredients and smoothly blending a range of produce. The generous capacity of the blending cup is perfect for those who enjoy sizable servings of their favorite beverages.
The primary drawbacks lie in its weight and price tag. You could find other compact blenders at a lower price point, but most won't deliver the same blending power. While it is heavier and slightly larger than some personal blenders we tested, its overall performance and durability justify these minor inconveniences. The NutriBullet 600W is a stellar choice for those who don't mind spending a bit more on a compact blender that performs reliably and efficiently.
Slightly larger than the similarly designed Magic Bullet, the NutriBullet packs an even greater punch.
Credit: Jacob Clark
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Enjoy a smoothie on the go, wherever you go.
Credit: Carissa Stanz
How We Test Portable Blenders
We devised our evaluation plan with product functionality at its core. We tested these portable blenders based on important parameters like portability, blending performance, durability, ease of use, and ease of cleaning. We subjected every model to a battery of tests, including blending ice, processing frozen fruit, and mixing protein powder. Additionally, we examined their packing abilities, resilience against drops, compatibility with cup holders, and any pivotal features that set some options apart from the crowd.
Our portable blender evaluation breaks down into five rating metrics:
Portability (25% of overall score weighting)
Blending Performance (25% weighting)
Durability (20% weighting)
Ease of Use (15% weighting)
Ease of Cleaning (15% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
Our portable blender assessment was conducted under the leadership of our culinary testing expert Carissa Stanz. A specialist in food journalism and product testing for many years, she spends her leisure time inventing new recipes. Her experience preparing and serving delectable beverages — ranging from rejuvenating smoothies to creamy lattes — for nearly a decade at local coffee shops makes her an apt tester for this critique. Adding his expertise to this review is Jacob Clark, an experienced reviewer of tech gear whose diverse background helps him bring a unique analytical perspective to product reviews.
Many of these portable blenders have easy to push buttons, making it possible to blend one-handed.
We used these blenders for less common tasks, too, like blending coffee in the morning.
Most portable blenders can only crush very tiny ice cubes, but the BlenderX had no problem handling average sized ice cubes.
Analysis and Test Results
Our journey began with meticulous research, scrutinizing the top portable blenders on the market before narrowing down our selection to test the best of the best side-by-side. We assessed their abilities with real-world testing: crushing ice, grinding coffee, making protein shakes, and consuming more smoothies than what might otherwise be considered healthy. We measured them, cleaned them repeatedly, and even took them for test runs in the car and on hikes. We tracked all of the data, and after recording our results, a few models stand out for superior performance and value.
What's the Best Value?
The Cuisinart EvolutionX and NutriBullet 600W are your go-to options if you seek the functionality of a standard blender. Although these options aren't the least expensive in the lineup, they have powerful motors that can process fruit without excessive chopping. For those who want a top-tier blender and are still mindful of their budget, the award-winning and ultra-classic Magic Bullet is our first choice for a portable blender.
Portability
The foremost difference between a top-notch portable blender and a classic blender is, quite simply, portability. We gauged portability by measuring, weighing, and packing each of these more transportable options. We studied how the blenders fit into a daypack, took them on short hikes, and tested their fit in a vehicle's cup holder. While all of these blenders offer a degree of portability, some certainly stand out in this regard.
The NutriBullet stands out for the exceptional portability and compact size of its detachable cup. The EvolutionX, with its practical quick-grab handle and strong compatibility with car cup holders, is one of our favorite travel cups. However, the cup of EvolutionX tended to be bulkier than directly comparable models.
We tested each option to see how it rested in a cupholder and the PopBabies fit like a dream.
Credit: Carissa Stanz
The secure lid of the PopBabies Portable blender gave us confidence that the drink would not spill during transit. We also liked its slim design, which fits well in the water bottle pocket of our daypack and our vehicle's cup holder. The smaller and even lightweight Hotsch blender is by far the most compact model we tested — and thus the most portable — but this minute blender ultimately suffers when it comes to blending performance.
To test portability, we determined how well each one fit in the side water bottle pouch of a daypack.
Credit: Carissa Stanz
Blending Performance
A powerful, compact blender capable of slicing through a variety of ingredients might even eliminate the need for owning a conventional blender. To assess blending performance, we carried out a four-part series of tests: ice crushing, smoothie making, protein shake whipping, and coffee grinding. Subsequently, we examined the end product for consistency, evenness, and any remaining residue. Blending cycle durations and the number of blends per battery charge were also factored into our assessments.
The Cuisinart EvolutionX excelled at our blending tests, reducing spinach to liquid and efficiently crushing ice while remaining remarkably quiet. It only required one minute-long blending cycle to produce a perfectly creamy smoothie consistency.
The performance of the NutriBullet and Magic Bullett are also quite reliable. These compact appliances churned out surprisingly high-quality smoothies when tasked with blending frozen fruit alone. In particular, the more powerful NutriBullet handled some ice-heavy recipes that many other blenders struggled with. However, we occasionally noticed that, with low-volume water drinks in particular, it had a harder time thoroughly mixing softer ingredients like bananas.
Testing the chopping power of the petite PopBabies blender by running it with just ice cubes.
Credit: Jacob Clark
The PopBabies blender produced a tasty smoothie, but it typically required multiple blending cycles.
Blending power seems to correlate directly with the size of the motor and base, with the NutriBullet (far right) being one of the most powerful models we tested.
Credit: Jacob Clark
Durability
Since portable blenders are designed for use on the go, durability is another important factor. We examined the construction and materials of each blender to test durability, packed each one in a daypack, and dropped them to simulate everyday wear and tear. Following this, we meticulously re-examined all components and performed an additional blending test. While very few blenders failed the drop test, variations in construction made us suspect that some may have a longer lifespan than others.
The NutriBullet and Magic Bullet come from a well-known brand that produces top-rated bullet blenders with quite a fanbase. Those who have used their other blenders can expect the same level of quality from these — the blending cup is durable, and we expect the motor base to outlast similar-priced competitors.
Like the NutriBullet, the Cuisinart EvolutionX comes from a reputable brand known for high-quality craftsmanship. Both the powerful motor base and blending cup felt sturdy and held up well to regular use. Its premium design and corresponding price tag leave very little doubt about its quality.
Though we appreciate the sturdy construction of the EvolutionX, the glass blending bottle raises some concerns about potential cracking during travel. Moreover, it failed the drop test — surprisingly, not the glass bottle, but instead, a red flashing light indicated that the blender was malfunctioning. While it managed a few more full cycles after that durability test, the blending function started malfunctioning frequently soon afterward.
A good durable blender has a quality blade that can slice through ingredients, again and again.
Credit: Carissa Stanz
The plastic blending bottle of the PopBabies blender feels sturdy enough for daily use and fits well in the base. We did note that the tiny plastic cover for the charging port fell off at some point during our tests, which made washing more difficult. Based on our experience, we question the long-term effects of repetitive use on some of the more budget-friendly options, like the Hamilton Beach Personal Creations blender.
Ease of Use
We scrutinized every aspect of the user experience in our portable blenders, from charging and operation to drinking smoothies on the go. We focused on simplicity of use and overall user-friendliness based on regular use. Although most portable blenders are quite straightforward to use, certain models include extra features that make them easier to handle.
The NutriBullet and EvolutionX stood out regarding user-friendliness. From filling to blending, the NutriBullet is extremely intuitive and doesn't require a steady, flat surface to work. It's even possible to blend while holding the unit in your hand, though we don't recommend it. Operating the EvolutionX is equally straightforward and feels much like using a standard bullet blender. Its wider mouth also makes it easy to add ingredients without making a mess, and a stable base offers 'no-hands' blending.
The PopBabies blender is the only one with bold measurement markings in both ounces and milliliters. Its funnel accessory makes it easier to add ingredients, and the on/off push button is easy to operate. However, without the funnel — which could easily be lost in a cluttered kitchen drawer — the blender's small mouth makes it difficult to add liquids without spilling.
The fill lines on the plastic bottle of the Popbabies blender are also very easy to read, making it even easier to fill.
Credit: Carissa Stanz
Ease of Cleaning
Lastly, we assessed how easy each blender was to clean. This involved evaluating the ease of disassembly and hand washing of all components, with special emphasis on the blades. All the blenders proved fairly easy to hand wash, but the EvolutionX particularly impressed us with a detachable blade plate that was especially easy to clean.
Cleaning the Nutribullet and Magic Bullet was fairly straightforward. However, these designs do not include a detachable blade, which makes it impossible to avoid potentially damaging the motor base while washing.
The PopBabies blender was our least favorite to clean. A fixed blade at the bottom of the bottle was hard to reach, and the process was further complicated by the need for a brush to clean the interior. However, rinsing immediately after use always reduces the need for strenuous scrubbing.
Most of the cleaning is as simple as running the blender with soap and water, then rinsing.
Credit: Carissa Stanz
Conclusion
Portable blenders are an excellent tool for creating a variety of refreshing beverages on the go. However, they're not all created equal. We conducted comprehensive side-by-side tests to illuminate the various features of each blender, aiming to assist you in making an informed purchasing decision. Hopefully, with this information, you can now choose the one that suits you best.
While considering the best portable blenders, it is worth your while to also take a look at other similar types of blenders. Although they don't all offer the same convenient on-the-go cups, the best bullet blenders tend to offer a bit more power. If you are looking for something a bit more utilitarian, you may be interested in scoping our selection of the best hand blenders, ultra-versatile tools that can be used for a variety of kitchen tasks — including whipping up fresh smoothies and blending soup right in the pot.
