Of all the ingredients someone might want to throw inside their blender, ice has to be the most problematic. This is because ice is pretty tough to break down and blend into a drinkable mixture, which would require a blender with specific qualities to be able to handle the task and be crowned the best blender for ice in 2021.
If you’re not sure what to look for or how to choose the best blender for ice and frozen ingredients, here’s a list that I’ve made especially to showcase the best blenders for ice as well as provide you with a help section to clarify the important aspects at the end.
Comparison Table
The 7 Best Blenders for Ice in 2021
It isn’t a list of the best blenders if it doesn’t have a Ninja option on it, is it? The BL610 made it to the top of the list with its versatility, ample durability, and affordable price point.
Coming with a 1000-watt motor, Ninja’s proprietary “Total Crushing Technology,” and a 6-blade assembly, it’s an ideal option and one of the best blenders for crushing ice and chopping frozen ingredients.
The blender comes with a 72-ounce pitcher, but the maximum capacity is 64 ounces to make sure there’s plenty of space for your tough ingredients to flow in the container and get well-blended.
However, it’s worth mentioning that the pitcher wasn’t particularly durable. It actually feels a little cheap, and some users have made complaints about chips and cracks that appeared too early.
If you have a large family, throw a lot of parties, or like to make huge amounts of smoothies at once and save them for later, the Ninja Pro BL610 is one of the best blenders for ice, and a perfect choice for you.
At the base, you’ll find three speed options (low, medium, high) and a pulse button that give you great control over your blender’s functionality. What’s more, it has built-in safety features where the blender won’t turn on unless you lock both the lid and pitcher into place securely.
I’d say this is because Ninja is aware of their sharp Total Crushing blade assembly that could very well cause huge injury if not handled with care. This, as well as convenience, is also why this blender comes with dishwasher-safe parts that you don’t have to bother yourself cleaning.
Pros:
Equipped with Total Crushing technology
Built with ice frozen ingredients in mind
Lightweight
Reasonable price
Capacious pitcher
Powerful motor
Cons:
The pitcher isn’t very durable
Blades turn dull quicker than usual
Comes with only a year’s warranty
Tall design makes it hard to store
Another option manufactured by Ninja is the Professional BL660. This one is even more powerful than the last with its 1100-watt motor, so you can throw chunks of ice at it, and it’ll handle the task no matter how large.
It’s even equipped with Total Crushing Technology, a feature specifically designed to pulverize ice in just a matter of seconds which makes this one of the best blenders for crushing ice. This is backed up by the 6-blade assembly, with blades made especially to crush ice and make frozen drinks.
They’re really sharp, so you have to be a little extra careful when handling them. But you shouldn’t worry about that because the parts of this blender are dishwasher-safe, so you can throw them in the dishwasher instead of hand washing them yourself.
Moreover, this blender comes with a 72-ounce pitcher and two 16-ounce cups that you can use with the “Single Serve” option and take on-the-go. Apart from the single-serve option, the BL660 comes with three different speed settings as well as a pulse one.
The BL660 is a very affordable option when comparing it to the Blendtec or Vitamix counterparts as it comes at less than $100, whereas they cost $400 or more. I’d recommend this one as a mid-range option with an average price and decent features.
Unfortunately, the Ninja Professional BL660 comes with only a year’s warranty, so it’s not as reassuring as other brands. But, in all honesty, there is no reason to doubt its quality and durability.
Pros:
Capacious pitcher
Comes with practical serving cups
Super powerful 1100-watt motor
Cons:
Doesn’t perform well with leafy greens
Cleaning is a hassle
Warranty is limited to 1 year
If you’re looking for a compact blender that you can use to make cold smoothies and green drinks quickly and effortlessly, the Oster Pro 1200 is a good option for you, measuring just 8.5 x 10.15 x 13.9 inches.
With a 1200-watt motor, you can expect smooth and effortless crushing and blending of ice and frozen fruits. You can also use the blender and food processor interchangeably.
I’d recommend it for smaller doses like single servings; it’s much more convenient to use the to-go cup that comes with the package. The best part about that one is that you don’t have to move the product to a different container after you blend it. You can still enjoy its 6-cup jar that’s made from Boroclass, which can withstand thermal shock without cracking or chipping.
Moreover, the Oster Pro comes with plenty of smart settings, including a Green/Frozen Smoothies option, a Food Chop/Salsa option, and a Milkshakes option. However, I think the latter’s quality isn’t the best, and it needs a good while to get green smoothies to a suitable consistency.
It also has three speed settings (low, medium, high) as well as a pulse setting. You can even stop your blender mid-operation to check or add ingredients, which isn’t an option that many blenders come with.
While the pitcher, blade assembly, and lid are dishwasher-safe, it would have been even more convenient and time-saving if Oster had made their blender self-cleaning. Instead, you have to hand wash any residues or remaining liquids. But that’s no deal-breaker when you consider the versatility and functionality that it has to offer.
Pros:
Very powerful motor
Components are dishwasher-safe
Incredible 10-year warranty
Three pre-programmed settings
Cons:
Noisy operation
The “Milkshake” option is substandard
Doesn’t self-clean
Here’s another Ninja option – we just can’t get enough of them. This one is also a compact option like the Oster Blender, but it’s even smaller as it measures 6 x 6 x 14 inches. And despite its small size, it packs a powerful 900-watt motor that enables it to spin at 21,000 RPM and is one of the best small blenders to crush ice as well as chop frozen ingredients with no issue.
The base has no buttons, and that’s why it’s dishwasher-safe. However, the downside to that is that the BL456 comes with only one manual setting, which doesn’t leave much room for versatility. The way it operates is by pressing the container down to the blades, and that gets the blades spinning to blend your ingredients.
The BL456 comes with pro extractor blades that dig through any fruits, seeds, skins, and even tough stems like stalks. And the best part is that it does an incredible job when it comes to taste-retention, which is an indication that it also retains nutrients and vitamins.
Moreover, the Ninja Nutri Pro BL456 comes with 24-ounce cups that are equipped with sip and seal lids. This means that you can grab your drink on-the-go and enjoy a drink on the way to wherever you’re going.
Finally, the BL456 comes with BPA-free components that are dishwasher-safe, which means that you can throw them in a dishwasher without going through the hassle of manual washing.
Pros:
Powerful motor
Compact design
Excellent crushing capability
Consistent smoothies
Relatively affordable
Cons:
Noisy operation
Doesn’t suit larger drink volumes
The Blendtec Total Classic is a real beast and work machine. With its 3 HP motor of 1560 watts and robust 2-prong blades that spin at 29,000 RPM, it’s the most powerful option on our list. The blender can crush ice in a matter of seconds, no matter how bulky or big the size of the cube this makes it one of the best blenders for ice.
Its blade is a patented one that’s 80% thicker than what competitors offer. Combine that with being stainless steel forged and being winged, and you’ll get an incredible capability to crush ice and chop frozen ingredients.
The blender comes with six different pre-programmed settings, a pulse option, and ten speeds that you can manually control to get just the right texture and consistency for yourself. Then, you can keep your produce in the 75-ounce jar or the 32-ounce one. It’s worth mentioning that both are suitable for either dry or wet blending.
To be as convenient as could be, the blender is self-cleaning and can do so in less than a minute. All you have to do is add a little soap and water, then leave it to mix them and clean itself. Moreover, it comes with an automatic shutdown feature that switches it off whenever it’s done blending your ingredients or cleaning itself.
And while it’s fundamentally one of the best blenders for crushing ice, it can still work with hotter drinks! It can make you warm soup in under 6 minutes thanks to the blade friction heat it produces.
With the Blendtec, you can be sure that you’ll be making a worthy investment in a durable unit, especially thanks to the long 8-year warranty it comes with.
Pros:
Lightweight and simple design
Super powerful motor
Incredibly versatile with multiple settings
Sturdy blade and robust jar
Self-cleaning
Doesn’t need tamping
8-year warranty
Automatically shuts down
Cons:
The design isn’t very sleek
Expensive
Gaskets aren’t of high quality
Sleek and tall, this blender’s design is quite appealing, but it’s not only skin deep. The Cuisinart CPB-300 is a pretty versatile option that’s good for making baby foods, smoothies, and crushing ice. However, you shouldn’t throw huge cubes at it as its 350-watt motor is more suitable for handling cubes of smaller sizes, so unfortunately it’s not one of the best blenders for ice.
For starters, the Cuisinart CPB-300 comes with an interlock standby mode and an auto-stop feature that saves energy and puts your mind at ease.
Additionally, its blades and chopping system are made from patented sharp stainless steel of top-notch quality, and that’s why they’re so efficient and smooth. They enable you to grind, chop, and blend without any hesitation.
You can control the unit through the touchpad that comes with three functions and an LED indicator light that makes reading and using the blender a lot easier for you.
Moreover, the Cuisinart CPB-300 comes with four 16-ounce cups that are BPA-free, which makes them safe. They’re also shatter-resistant and dishwasher-safe, which only adds to how convenient the unit is to use. Alternatively, you can use the 32-ounce BPA-free blending jar with the easy-grip to blend larger amounts or the 8-ounce BPA-free lidded travel cups to make drinks on-the-go. The latter option is a life-saver for gym rats and people with busy mornings.
To give the unit more stability, its feet come with slip-proofing that protects it from accidental falls and keeps the countertop or table unscratched. However, it doesn’t really help with how noisy the Cuisinart CPB-300 is.
Pros:
Portable design
Dishwasher-safe
Easy to move around and store
Touchpad control makes it easy to use
3-year warranty
Cons:
Doesn’t suit larger pieces of ice
Pretty loud
Cups are of subpar quality
I’d recommend the Sboly for people who are looking for a compact and affordable blender that packs ample power, but nothing too grand.
Its 300-watt motor doesn’t give you plenty of space to work with bigger ice cubes and chunks, but it comes with a tray to produce just the right size it can handle, so you don’t have to do any math here. Not only that, but it also comes with a bottle brush, which makes it quite an integrated purchase.
The Sboly comes with four ultra-sharp stainless steel blades that are small, easy to clean, and easy to store.
To make a nice shake or smoothie with incredible nutrient-retention and smoothness, the Sboly only takes around 10 seconds, which is pretty quick. But with frozen ingredients, you might want to blend at 1-minute intervals for optimum results and not to overheat your unit.
Measuring 4 x 4 x 14.7 inches, the Sboly is quite compact, and you can easily tuck it under any cabinet or kitchen cupboard, so storage is no issue with this unit.
Moreover, all the parts of this blender, including the 20-ounce Tritan cup, are dishwasher-safe, except for the base. They’re also PBA-free and FDA-certified, so you can have your drink without any worries about safety.
Also, the Sboly blender only works when you have the bottle installed tightly and adequately locked in place. Not only that, but it also comes with automatic recovery function and overheating protection. So, in terms of safety and security, it’s really hard to beat this one.
It also comes with a 2-year warranty and a 90-day quality assurance, which speaks volumes of how sure the manufacturers are of what they have to offer.
Pros:
Easy to clean
Compact design
An extra silicone ice cube tray included with the package
Comes with a cleaning bottle brush
Simple operation
Extremely affordable
Cons:
Relatively low power
Doesn’t suit big chunks of ice
How to Choose a Blender for Ice
If you’re buying a blender specifically for crushing ice, there are a couple of aspects that you’d have to pay close attention to, as the task is a little specific and needs a reliable unit. So, what makes a reliable ice-crushing blender? Let’s delve into it.
Motor Power
It’s essential to get a blender with a strong enough motor to crush ice, which includes making sure that the unit has enough “punch.” While there isn’t a standard, it really depends on the size of the ice you intend to crush.
If you want a unit that would tackle anything you throw its way, you should get something between 700 and 1500 watts.
Blenders with lower powers would work well with smaller cube sizes, and that’s why some of them come with their own ice cube trays. However, they probably wouldn’t be the best blenders for ice, and able to tackle larger pieces.
You might also want to look into advanced technology like cooling features and overheat functions that keep the motor running without issues for extended periods and turn it off to let it cool down if it’s overworked.
Not only does that protect your blender’s motor from burning out, but it also keeps you safe and secure from any electric hitched.
Robust Blades
If you’re expecting your blender to be the best at crushing ice, you have to get one with strong and robust blades. The blades are probably the most crucial component to keep in mind in this case as they make all the difference when it comes to crushing frozen ingredients when you’re blending cold smoothies.
To perform well, your blades must be made from high-quality and robust material, like stainless steel. They should also have a suitable design that enables them to catch the frozen ingredients or the ice that you throw their way.
I’d highly recommend any blender whose blades are positioned close to the jar’s bottom or sides as these prevent any ingredients from passing through without being chopped and blended.
Pitcher (Container)
The pitcher’s design is a major factor that contributes to how efficient your blender would be at crushing ice and chopping frozen ingredients. You want to opt for something that keeps the ice and ingredients moving while pushing them down to the blades.
The wider the pitcher is, the easier and faster it would be for the ingredients to be pushed toward the blades, which speeds up the blending process and facilitates it. However, a narrow jar would probably require you to use a spatula to push the ingredients down.
Moreover, you should get a pitcher that’s large enough for the amounts you’ll be making. A good average would be 32 ounces, but you can opt for less if you’re not going to be making massive amounts. More than 32 will be overkill if you’re not going to use really large ingredients or professionally use the unit.
Also, it’s worth mentioning that the pitcher’s material also makes a difference when it comes to the blending process. A dense polycarbonate material would be excellent. You can also opt for impact-resistant glass. You just have to make sure that the material you choose would work well with the situation you have at hand.
Convenience and Ease of Use
Blenders have some complexity to them, especially when it comes to their cleaning and maintenance, and that’s why you want to find an option that doesn’t cause you too much hassle. In terms of cleaning, you might want to look for a unit with dishwasher-safe parts instead of having to handwash the parts after each use.
Also, you want to opt for a blender with clear commands. After all, it would be better to get one with a button or two rather than one with buttons whose functions seem vague or unimportant. Some blenders come with specific buttons for tasks like ice-crushing or making smoothies, which would be an excellent addition in this case.
Price
Of course, at the end of the day, price is one of the most important aspects to check when you’re shopping for any product. A good average would be around $70, which would be good enough for a personal blender.
Of course, you can find more budget-friendly options at less than $50, but those would probably be less powerful and only suit smaller cube sizes. Contrarily, you’ll find options that are above the $100 mark, sometimes reaching even $300, but those would be suitable for professional-grade work and would be an overkill for everyday use if you ask me.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most blenders come with a 1-3-year warranty, depending on the model you choose. I’d recommend going for the longest warranty that your budget could grant to make sure that you’re making the right investment.
Undoubtedly, all the features make a difference and have an impact on the ice-crushing process, but I’d recommend getting reliable blades while keeping a close eye on the motor power.
The strength of the blades makes all the difference when it comes to how efficiently the blender would crush your ice, but without a powerful motor to back them up, they wouldn’t be as reliable.
If your blender doesn’t come with dishwasher-safe parts, you’ll have to fill up the jar with warm water, add a few drops of cleaning soap, and run it for a while. You might want to increase the speed gradually to get rid of persistent stains or residues. Also, don’t forget to give the motor and entire base a clean as well.
Final Thoughts
Now that we’re done with our review for the best blenders for ice, I hope we’ve made it a little easier for you to decide on which one suits your needs. If you’re still not sure, here’s a quick recap.
If you’re looking for an affordable unit that doesn’t occupy much space, comes with a capacious pitcher, and can crush ice with grace, you should opt for the Ninja Professional BL610.
However, if you’re looking for the best crushing action with incredible power, you should go for the Blendtec Total Classic Countertop Blender. This one suits professional-grade work, especially with its 75-ounce pitcher and six pre-programmed functions, which explains its high price point.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a blender that suits personal use, is super compact, and comes at a super affordable price, you should pick the budget-friendly Sboly Smoothie Personal Blender.
What if you want something that combines just a little bit of all of those? If that’s the case, opt for the Oster Blender Pro 1200. This unit comes at a reasonable price, has three pre-programmed settings, 3-speed settings, a pulse option, and a pitcher of ample size, giving it incredible value for the money.