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Last updated on January 25th, 2023 at 05:05 pm
Not everyone uses their blender frequently — in fact, their blender gets used quite sparingly for some. However, if you live a plant-based lifestyle, you might find that your blender plays a more significant role in your kitchen than other appliances. In this review, we’ll list the best blenders for vegans.
One thing is for sure, because your blender takes such a central role in your day-to-day vegan food preparation, you’ll need to have a capable yet durable blender.
Related: Best Vegan Protein Powders
Why You Need a Blender for a Vegan Diet
A plant-based diet often has recipes that call for a blender to create sauces, nut butter, soups, vegan cheeses, and of course — veggie smoothies. Most of these food items are central to the vegan diet, and if you don’t have a blender (or a good one), chances are you’ll have a tough time.
If you already have a food processor, you can probably get by without a blender, but many who subscribe to the plant-based lifestyle prefer having their trusty blender by their side.
Unfortunately, plant-based diets can be pretty tough on a blender, especially if you’re a fan of making pestos and nut butter. Putting a blender to work on two cups of raw almonds can be quite taxing on a motor, and sometimes cheaper blenders can die mid-blend.
What to Look for in a Blender
Buying cheap blenders every time the old one breaks is an option, but it’s not the best for the environment (or your wallet), which is why it’s a good idea to invest in a high-quality and durable option.
But what exactly should you be looking for in a blender?
- Quality is important. As with anything, it’s essential to check the quality of a product before you commit to spending money on it. In this case, you’ll want to make sure that the blender has a durable motor that can handle the toughest ingredients. You’ll also want to look at the components, their material, and how durably built they are.
- The design can make or break a blender. Is the lid just the style you want? Does the jar have a spout? Would the blender be comfortable to use? The appearance of the blender isn’t always so necessary, but the actual product design is something to consider.
- Power, measured by wattage, can determine what kind of things you can blend. If a blender is not powerful enough, you might find yourself struggling to blend things like nuts and ice. You’ll want a high-wattage blender (1100W seems to be a sweet spot). But blender power is irrelevant if it can’t be transferred to actual blending. That’s why premium blenders perform better.
- Warranties matter and they generally fall within the one-year range, but some brands may offer you guarantees up to ten years.
Popular brand blenders are great, but not everyone can afford the cream of the crop (like Vitamix blenders, which can go for princely sums). Consider a blender within your price range that has the best possible features.
What You Can Make with a Blender
There’s no question that blenders can make a ton of things. From your favorite vegan smoothies to yummy pestos, here are a few vegan things you can make with your blender:
- Pestos
- Nut milk (almond milk, macadamia milk, soy milk, etc.)
- Almond flour (which you can make after you make almond milk)
- Butter
- Desserts, like chocolate chip cookie dough treats
- Cheese and cheese sauces
- Hummus
- Creamy soups
- Chocolate spread
- Sour cream
- Pudding
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Best Blenders for Vegans
1. Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Smart Blender
Vitamix advertises its A3500 Ascent Series Blender as their most advanced so that you can blend like a pro. Paired with compatible blending containers, you can create a personalized blender system for any purpose. This smart blender features wireless connectivity to allow use with the companion iOS or Android app, where there are also hundreds of recipes available. You can easily make vegan smoothie bowls or nut butters with this blender.
At a glance:
- 1400W
- Smart blender with wireless connectivity
- Detects attached container size and adjusts max blending times and program settings automatically
- Programmable timer
- 64 Oz. Tritan plastic jar
- Touchscreen controls with five program settings (Dips & Spreads, Hot Soups, Smoothies, Frozen Desserts, Self-Cleaning)
- Pulse, variable speed
- Friction blade heating allows hot soup to be made in under 10 minutes
Pros
- Can make just about anything
- Self-cleans
- Consistent results
- Smart blender
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- Not super quiet
- Some complaints about the smart features
2. Blendtec Designer 725
Blendtec’s Designer 725 is one of the brand’s best blenders to help elevate your blending experience. The 725 comes with Blendtec’s SmartBlend technology, which senses and diagnoses any potential issues that can prevent a perfectly smooth blend (then tells you how to fix it).
The Designer 725 features 100-speed seamless speed control using a slider, and the smart blender also tells you what speed you need for specific functions. Use it to make vegan green smoothies on the go.
At a glance:
- 1800W
- Seamless 100-speed slider
- Multi-speed pulse
- Internal sound baffling to reduce noise (although some still complain it is somewhat loud)
- Patented dull blade
- 90 Oz. BPA-free plastic jar (36 Oz. blending capacity)
- No need for a tamper/plunger
- Six pre-programmed cycles (Salsa, Smoothie, Whole Juice, Ice Cream, Hot Soup, Self-Clean)
- Grind nut butter, hummus, grains, acai, smoothie bowls, and more
Pros
- Durable build
- Sound baffling for noise reduction
- Seamless 100-speed adjustment
- Smart blender
- 8-year warranty
- Large 90 Oz. jar
Cons
- Some complaints it can still get noisy
- If not stable on the counter, it may vibrate and move around
3. Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender
The E310 Explorian is one of Vitamix’s more affordable options for vegans, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less powerful. Like all Vitamix blenders, it comes with a specially-designed tamper and is self-cleaning by blending water and a drop of dishwashing soap. The pulse feature works well with the variable speed control to help ensure smooth blends.
At a glance:
- 1380W
- 48 Oz. Tritan jar (stainless steel jar can be purchased separately)
- Self-clean
- 5-year warranty
- Variable speed control (10 speeds)
- Pulse
- Hardened aircraft-grade stainless-steel blades
- Tamper included
- Can blend nuts, smoothies, juices, dressings, sauces, baby food, and frozen treats
- Can make hot soup from blade heat friction in less than 10 minutes
Pros
- Affordable Vitamix
- Self-clean
- 5-year warranty
- Can blend practically anything
Cons
- Noisy
- Jar material is brittle and can break easily
- Some complaints about inconsistent results
4. Vitamix 5200 Blender
The 5200 is a classic and is the best-selling Vitamix to date. This product was initially designed as an industrial blender, and its 2.0 HP motor certainly lives up to its purpose. Although it doesn’t pack many features, this simple blender does the trick and offers all of the features needed to make beverages and prep all sorts of vegan food. It’s no wonder it’s found a place in many people’s homes (and restaurant kitchens) worldwide.
At a glance:
- 1500W (2 Horsepower)
- 10-speed settings, high-speed toggle
- 64 Oz. BPA-free jar
- Plunger included
- 7-year warranty
- Durable, strong build
- Can blend just about anything
- Blade friction heating can make soup in <10 minutes
- Self-cleaning (blend warm water with a drop of dish soap)
- Hardened aircraft-grade stainless-steel blades
Pros
- Simple yet effective
- Durable build
- 7-year warranty
- Self-cleaning
- Powerful motor can blend even frozen ingredients and ice
Cons
- No pulse option
- Not the cheapest
5. Blendtec Total Blender Classic
The Blendtec Total Blender Classic is a commercial-quality blender with plenty of power. Its strong motor is capable enough to crush nuts, ice, and frozen treats, making it the perfect plant-based kitchen companion. Many choose this blender for its sleek design, small countertop footprint, and durable quality. Although it’s commercial-quality, Blendtec does not recommend its use commercially (warranty will be voided).
At a glance:
- 1560W commercial blade motor
- Illuminated LCD timer display
- 75 Oz. BPA-free jar
- Heats beverages and soups through blade friction heat
- Solid build
- Self-clean
- Pulse button
- Six pre-programmed cycles
- Ten variable speeds
Pros
- No tamper or plunger needed
- Can blend just about anything
- Illuminated LCD
- Solid build and sleek look
- Has a timer
Cons
- No speed slider
- Only 2-year warranty
6. KitchenAid K150 Blender
KitchenAid is a brand that is most popularly known for its stand mixers. However, KitchenAid has a full line of appliances for the kitchen, including the K150, which works perfectly for vegans at home. This blender comes in 6 different color choices, so you can suit the one that fits your kitchen theme best. The K150 suits home use most — with its 650 Watt motor, it’s not the best for any heavy-duty blending.
At a glance:
- Available in 6 classic KitchenAid colorways/finishes
- Comes with 48 Oz. jar and two 16 Oz. personal blender jars (which convert to portable drink containers), all plastic
- Crushes half a tray of ice in <10 seconds
- Three speed settings, special ice-crushing setting
- Intelli-speed feature allows the motor to maintain optimal speed
- Accessories available for purchase separately
- Pulse option
- Self-cleans
- 1-year warranty
Pros
- Beautiful finish
- Comes with two personal blender jars for on-the-go drinking
- Dedicated ice-crushing setting
- Pulse option
- Can self-clean
- Somewhat affordable
Cons
- Only 650W
- Personal blender jar assembly doesn’t come with a blade (must be purchased separately)
- Many reports of inconsistent reports
7. Ninja Professional Countertop Blender
Ninja is known for their personal bullet blender, although they also have the Professional Countertop Blender, a full-sized countertop appliance. This blender is meant to be robust for home kitchen use and can crush ice and blend tough ingredients.
At a glance:
- 1000W
- 72 Oz. BPA-free plastic jar, 64 Oz. maximum liquid capacity
- Crushes ice and other tough-to-blend ingredients
- Four manual speeds
- Comes with a 25-recipe cookbook
- 1-year warranty
- Pulse feature
- Sleek design
- Can self-clean
Pros
- Large blending capacity
- Comes with a cookbook
- Small countertop footprint
- Very affordable
- Pulse option
Cons
- Some complaints that the blades may dull over time resulting in inconsistent blends
- Some user reports of the jar cracking
8. NutriBullet Blender Combo
NutriBullet is well known for its bullet blender product, a tiny blender with a lot of power that works great for 1-2 person kitchens. The NutriBullet Blender Combo is even more versatile — it comes with a 64 Oz. jar (with lid and tamper), a 32 Oz. cup, a 24 Oz. cup, two to-go lids, a recipe book, and the easy-twist extractor blade. It has a larger countertop footprint than the bullet, but its larger size is fully justified by its additional power and capability. The NutriBullet Blender Combo is an excellent choice for vegans on a budget.
At a glance:
- 1200W
- 1-year warranty
- BPA-free containers included – 64 Oz. jar, 32 Oz. cup, 24 Oz. cup, two to-go lids
- Pitcher and cups dishwasher safe
- Affordable compared to other products of the same power
Pros
- Powerful enough to blend nuts, ice, and other tough ingredients
- Sleek design
- Comes with different containers
- Affordable
Cons
- Not self-cleaning
- Some complaints about being loud
9. Hamilton Beach Professional Blender
Hamilton Beach is a common household name that sells small-sized kitchen appliances. The brand is reputable and provides people on a plant-based diet with an affordable blender. They even provide a 5-year warranty with this self-cleaning blender. Vegans should have no trouble making smoothie bowls or soups.
At a Glance
- 1500W
- Can crush ice and tough-to-blend ingredients
- Includes removable Quiet Shield
- Speed control from 3,000 – 18,000 RPM
- 4 programs – Ice Crush, Smoothie, Clean, and Puree
- 32-ounce shatterproof BPA-free jar with included tamper, all dishwasher safe
- Pulse function
- 5-year warranty
Pros
- 5-year warranty
- Dishwasher safe accessories
- Quiet Shield included
- 4 programs
- Strong motor
Cons
- Quiet Shield reduces blending noise, but it is still relatively loud
- Results sometimes inconsistent
- Jar can be expensive to replace
10. Oster Blender Pro with Smoothie Cup
For a more affordable option, the Oster Blender Pro with Smoothie Cup is a good option. Oster is known for its reliable blenders, and this 1200W option is no different. The Blender Pro has seven speeds, including three programs (smoothies, milkshakes, salsa/food chop). This blender is powerful enough to crush ice, and its 6-cup Boroclass glass jar is dishwasher-safe on top. A 24 Oz. to-go smoothie cup comes with your purchase. Oster backs this blender with its 10-year limited warranty.
At a glance:
- 1200W
- 7 speeds, 3 programs
- 6-cup dishwasher-safe glass jar
- 24 Oz. to-go smoothie cup
- Pulse option
- 10-year warranty
Pros
- Affordable, yet comes with accessories and 10-year warranty
- Powerful, durable motor
- Glass jar
Cons
- Reports about accessories being difficult to purchase
- No self-clean option
Conclusion
Blenders are central to the plant-based kitchen, and finding one that suits your needs best can help make food preparation a breeze. When comparing blenders, consider whether you need all the bells and whistles or if a simple yet powerful blender will do the trick. The most important thing is to look for a durable, well-built blender that can last you years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes the best blenders?
Whether vegan or not, it’s well known that Vitamix and Blendtec make the best blenders on the market. For vegans and those following a plant-based diet, these top-of-the-line products won’t just provide a smooth consistency in your food prep, but they also cut down on time which is essential when preparing vegan meals.
With perfect blending capability, even with tough vegetables and fruits, these high-quality blenders mean you always get silky smooth green smoothies or nut butter every time, saving you time and energy, and creating delicious vegan meals with ease.
So if you’re looking for a premium blender to help in vegan cooking, look no further than Vitamix and Blendtec.
Are there any blenders comparable to Vitamix?
If you are vegan or following a plant-based diet, finding a blender that can provide the nutrition and texture you need can be difficult.
However, there are several blenders on the market now that offer performance comparable to Vitamix, making it easier than ever to whip up delicious vegan meals. From brands like Blendtec, Hamilton Beach, Kitchen Aid, and Ninja, there’s sure to be something out there that meets your needs without sacrificing quality.
So if you’re looking for a higher-end vegan-friendly blender experience without breaking the bank, then definitely check out these blender options — they really deliver assured excellence.
Is Vitamix or Blendtec better?
If you’re looking for the perfect addition to your plant-based diet, a Vitamix or Blendtec blender is an excellent choice. Both are strong blenders that can make anything from smoothies and soups to plant milks and nut butters.
With either one, you’ll be able to quickly and efficiently blend your plant-based ingredients into delicious creations. However, when it comes down to which one is better, the decision ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Most people find that they prefer the quieter motor of a Vitamix, while others believe that Blendtec’s stronger blending power makes it the superior choice.
Whichever one you choose, you won’t be disappointed in helping to create plant-based meals with ease.
