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The Best Blenders in Canada
A smoothie or two a day might sound like a healthy option, yet it cannot fulfill all your dietary needs. That is why modern, powerful blenders are designed to assist you in cooking more than just a green juice or berry acai smoothie bowl. The list of what can be done in a blender is impressively long. Start with baby purees, try a variety of sauces, salad dressings, dips, frozen desserts and even soups. Besides that, many users choose powerful blenders such as Vitamix to be able to make nut-based butter, hummus, whipped cream, and even grind coffee.
Furthermore, we will look closer into what separates professional blenders such as Vitamix Pro 750, from a compact $50 version you can find at your local Walmart. Besides tips on how to choose the best blender for your cooking needs and ideas, we prepared a list of the best blenders you could find on the market at the moment. We made sure to cover main requests that include professional blenders, blenders on the budget, top-rated blenders, best blenders for baby food, for crushing ice, smart blenders and more.
Our Top Picks
What to look for in a blender
Type of blender: To separate blenders into two groups would be countertop and personal models. The former one is typically a larger unit with over 500 watts motors to power through tough ingredients like nuts and ice cubes, and achieves a silky texture of frozen desserts, almond butter and soups in a matter of minutes.
Speaking of soups, another main difference is the ability to handle hot liquids. Those high-end countertop blenders are designed to blend through thick textures, without burning out. Meanwhile, a personal blender is a smaller device that is meant for smoothies only. Surely, you can also use it for baby food or making mayo, there are more options than just a glass of green juice.
However, if the silky texture of the final product and variety of meal options you could make is important to you, give your preference to a countertop blender. It is also easy to decide on a type of blender based on your lifestyle and diet. Go for a personal, budget-friendly blender if you only pull out the gadget from the pantry during the warmer season to make cold smoothies. At the same time, if blending is part of your lifestyle, you often crush nuts for butter, blend soups and a few years warranty is of importance to you, then give your preference to a higher-end, more powerful blender.
Jar shape/material: Powerful blenders must be able to turn kale fibers, tough nuts and frozen fruits into a smooth, creamy texture. That is why choosing the right shape of a jar is one of the most significant factors to consider. According to Wirecutter in their blender testing, they “found that tall, tapered jars with a curved bottom develop a more consistent vortex than short, wide ones with a flat bottom.”
However, a tall jar might cause one issue. Depending on how long the cabinets are in your kitchen, a fully assembled blender might not fit underneath. At the same time a wider, shorter jar might be the better fit, yet with sacrifice in performance.
Most blenders’ jars come in two materials, glass and plastic. Modern blenders made with plastic jars are made of BPA-free Tritan plastic, a very durable material. Some other blenders are made of polycarbonate, which is more rigid than Tritan, but also is a strong material. To make one remark about those materials, while they are durable enough for years of blending, it is not recommended to put them in a dishwasher.
At the same time, glass jars might look more aesthetically pleasing, yet they are heavier and harder to find. Another reason why glass was overtaken by plastic is safety issues. If, for example, a metal spoon would get into a jar by accident, the glass jar could shatter.
Motor strength: The stronger the motor, the easier it will blend thick textures. And, obviously, the higher the wattage, the stronger the motor is. However, as Wirecutter noted, “Most blender companies advertise only “peak horsepower,” a spec that’s misleading if you’re trying to determine a motor’s strength. You can get a ballpark estimate of a blender’s rated horsepower by dividing its wattage by 746 (because 746 watts equals approximately one unit of electrical horsepower). This equation doesn’t account for efficiency, but it does offer a more realistic approximation of a blender’s power output.”
Tamper: Surprisingly, such a small item as a tamper is a sign that identifies a great blender. A tamper is a small plastic bat that helps to evenly push ingredients down to the blades. The reason you want to look for a blender with a tamper is because of air pockets that tend to build around the blades in the process of blending where a bat allows you to burst through them without stopping the machine.
Usually, it perfectly fits through the hole in the lid, making it easy to push and stir blending foods. That being said, make sure to avoid any idea of using a random tamper on your device. Doing that might cause safety issues, and damage the blades. If your blender did not come with a tamper all you could do to break air pockets is stop the blender, stir the mix and only then continue blending.
Warranty: Nothing lasts forever, and a blender is not an exception. While high-end models are less likely to burn out within the first year unlike cheaper personal blenders, it is still important to double-check what kind of warranty a brand offers. (Especially if you are paying a high price.) Such brands as Vitamix, Calphalon and Oster offer warranty from five to seven years, which is a good sign. Blenders have a little motor, and despite wattage power, they still can wear out if made to do hard work every single day. Hence, if you are planning on constantly filling up the jar with nuts, ice cubes, frozen fruit chunks and more, make sure the company offers a warranty longer than one year.
Price: As a consumer, one has to realize that a $50 blender would never perform as well as a $500 one. High-priced blenders are also those that offer high performance, produce silkier texture and last longer than cheaper smaller options. It might be tempting to purchase the first blender you see with an attractively low-price tag, but think twice before you do.
How often are you going to run it? If you use it once a year to blend a smoothie on an extremely hot day, then go for it. If, however, blending is a part of your lifestyle, making soups and baby foods is something you would continue doing day after day, then it only makes sense to invest in a powerful, professional machine. After all, just like with most things out there, you get what you have paid for.
Speed control: The simpler the interface of a blender, the easier it will be to control it. The most important part is to pay attention to the number of offered speeds. Manual speed control helps to achieve the texture you want while starting at the slowest one and going faster as the texture gets smoother. While built-in presents for smoothies and sauces are a convenient feature to have, on most blenders they does not achieve the desired silkiness.
The Top Blenders
Best professional blender
Features
Vitamix Professional Series 750
With five stars on Amazon and an admirable reputation, Vitamix Professional 750 is the best blender for the money, no doubt. As a satisfied customer rightly noted, there is no better blender out there. He added, if you drink green smoothies regularly, this makes them so much more enjoyable: within one minute you have the smoothest drink, equivalent to the retail smoothie shops.
While it is an expensive appliance there is nothing this high-speed blender cannot do. “A 2016 study by Consumer Reports found that they are indeed worth the splurge: According to data from 30,000 respondents, Vitamix blenders have the lowest problem rate (6%) compared to big names like Breville and Blendtec (15% and 16%). Vitamix also placed the highest in overall satisfaction with reliability, rolling in at a near-perfect 96%” says Mashable Magazine.
The Vitamix Professional is a powerful machine with a heavy-duty 1,560-watt motor and five pre-programmed settings: user-friendly and effective because that is what we want from a blender. Speaking of power, Vitamix Pro is also the best blender for nut milk. It crushes tough ingredients with ease in a matter of seconds. The hardened stainless-steel blades can handle the toughest chunks turning them into a silky textured liquid or paste.
And if instead of nut milk you would rather make almond or peanut butter, this professional 750 model has automated settings. It means you can turn it on and do not worry about controlling the process and time while making smoothies, hot soups, frozen desserts, and purées. The right setting will ensure you get the proper, consistent texture without overbeating it.
Another benefit, according to many customers’ reports, is this blender fits comfortably under most kitchen cabinets.
Pros
- Powerful motor.
- BPA-free Titan jar (double check).
- Professional graded blender.
- Outstanding blending result.
- Can be used as food processor, baby food maker, coffee grinder and more.
- Seven years warranty.
Cons
- Expensive.
Best blender under $300
Features
Calphalon Auto-Speed Blender
We understand that not everyone is ready to spend almost $700 on a Vitamix blender. But, do not worry, there are plenty of other options that come at a lower price, yet deliver high performance. Calphalon blender is one of those appliances. Besides, it looks absolutely stunning, sleek and minimal. The blender also has a digital screen on the interface with a countdown timer. (One thing that Vitamix blenders lack.) As some customers noted, the blender feels and performs way more expensive than its original price.
To compare the power of Calphalon to the Vitamix Pro 750, it has lower wattage, yet it is still an impressive motor with a power of 1,100-watts. Thus, Calphalon Auto-Speed is designed for making more than smoothies. Go ahead and experiment with sauces, baby foods, hummus, and more. Dual-direction, 6-point stainless-steel blades can crush and blend chunks of fruits and vegetables in seconds.
At the same time with the self-adjusting speed, this blender senses the thickness of ingredients and automatically applies the appropriate amount of power (after all, it is called Auto-Speed). But if you prefer more control over the blending process, the Calphalon blender offers four presets that let you adjust the speed manually.
Pros
- 1100-watt motor.
- BPA-free Tritan jar.
- 10 speed settings.
- Includes a smoothie cup.
- Ten years warranty.
Cons
- Loud.
Calphalon Auto-Speed Blender
VIEW ON AMAZONBest blender for anything
Features
Ninja BL770 Mega Kitchen System
Glad I got the extra horsepower as this machine is amazing, said a satisfied customer.
It is a super-powerful, and easy-to-clean kitchen tool, added another one.
Overall, this Ninja BL770 attracts us by its versatility of features. Yes, officially it is a powerful blender, but in reality, it is a whole kitchen system that comes with a separate food processing bowl that can be handy in such cooking processes as mixing at least two pounds of dough. Keep that in mind if you often make pizza or cookies.
Besides the versatility of attachments, this Ninja Mega Kitchen System is an ideal blender for a large family or household that often entertains guests. The XL 72-ounce pitcher allows you to make dips, sauces, salsa, soups and more. Even If you fill it up to the brim, Total Crushing Technology has no problem mixing ice, frozen fruit chunks, or long green fibers.
The blender has four built-in functions such as blending, mixing, crushing and single-serve. Those options utilize motor power in an efficient, proper way, customizing each drink or food you make.
One of our favourite facts about this blender is that it comes with two 16-oz. Nutri Ninja Cups with lids: it makes it easy to mix up a smoothie and take it along wherever you go.
Unlike many other blenders, Ninja offers a 31-recipe guide with ideas for smoothies, frozen drinks, dips, sauces and more.
Pros
- Comes with convenient attachments.
- Recipe inspiration guide.
- Powerful motor.
- Ideal for a large family.
Cons
- Loud.
- Does not include tamper.
Best budget blender
Features
Oster 6844 12-Speed Blender
A customer, who had Oster blender twenty-five years ago, bought this 6844 model to replace the old one, thus she had a chance to compare any changes in quality that happened in over two decades. The result, this new model works just as well, she said, and the glass jar and lid are probably even better than the square-shaped older ones. She added, that they use it mostly to make smoothies. It is a powerful and problem-free machine.
To speak of Oster blenders durability the All-Metal drive system is tested to blend up to 10,000 smoothies. The brand is so convinced about the quality of their product that they offer a ten-year warranty.
We would consider this Oster blender as a middle-market priced appliance that is perfect for smoothie making and prep work like dips, sauces, salsa and more. It is not as powerful as previously discussed blenders, yet its 700-watt motor easily moves ingredients down into the blade delivering a consistent, smooth mixture. The blender offers two main setting options, high ones and low ones.
The high settings are for ice crushing, grating, grinding, mashing, shredding and making frappe drinks. The low settings are for stirring, blending, pureeing, chopping and basically anything else that does not require working through tough chunks of food.
Pros
- Twelve speeds from pulse (high) to puree (low).
- Ten years warranty.
- Dishwasher safe glass jar.
Cons
- Loud.
- Strong vibration.
- Not the most powerful motor.
Best blenders under $200
Features
Ninja BL660C Professional Countertop Blender
Here we have another Ninja blender for your attention. However, this one comes at a very attractive price. Despite the budget-friendly price tag, this blender has 1100 watts of professional performance power, three speeds and single-serve functions.
The Ninja BL660 has an XL capacity of a 72-ounce pitcher that provides enough space to create creamy frozen drinks and smoothies in seconds for a few people at the same time. Besides, the appliance comes with two Nutri Ninja cups with lids that are perfect for taking smoothies to go.
This Ninja blender model is a golden middle option if you are not into blending tough ingredients like nuts, but making smoothies, dips and sauces is a large part of your diet. The blender is good enough to fulfil those requests, but do not expect the ideal texture as you would get from the Vitamix blender.
Pros
- Powerful motor.
- Three speeds.
- Comes with two to-go cups.
- Sleek minimal design.
Cons
- As per some customers, some ingredients were not well blended and smoothies had chunks left.
Ninja BL660C Professional Countertop Blender
VIEW ON AMAZONBest blender for crushing ice
Features
K150 3 Speed Ice Crushing Blender
This is not a high-end blender, but for the price paid, it makes wonderful smoothies, and the noise level is low, noted a customer. He has used it for smoothies, salsas and soups; in all cases, it was perfect blending without leaving chunks. Also, according to other reports, it crushes ice easily and without extra noise—something to consider if many people in your house have different sleeping schedules.
Speaking of ice, the Ice-Crush setting with asymmetric blade blends at four distinct angles to pull ice into the center allowing to achieve the ideal consistency and texture of a drink.
This Kitchen Aid blender is also the best countertop blender for one reason, it looks stunning. Yes, its 650-wattage motor might not be the strongest one, yet the light blue colour, and stylish vintage inspired appearance, would look good in any kitchen.
Another feature we love about Kitchen Aid K150 3 Speed Ice Crushing Blender is a Soft Start. It is a function that starts the motor at a slower speed and then increases it as the mixture in the jar gets more consistent. But not only Soft Start feature contributes to a creamy sauce or silky smoothie. Intelli-Speed Motor Control senses contents and sets the proper speed to power through chunks of frozen fruits.
Pros
- Stylish appearance.
- Budget-friendly.
- Ice-Crush mode.
- Soft Start feature.
Cons
- According to some reviews, it depends on ingredients it gets food stuck around the blades.
- Not the strongest motor.
Best blender for baby food
Features
Duo Meal Station Food Maker – 6 in 1 Food Processor
Being a mom myself, I confess there is nothing better than Vitamix, especially if baby food is not the only thing you are blending. But, if you are looking for a machine that would solely prepare baby food, this Duo Meal Station is the right choice.
The food processor comes with two steamer baskets, and a three-speed blender: the combination that allows you to preserve nutrients, vitamins and the natural flavour of the foods, making the best purees for your baby.
Usually, moms are busy, thus preparing food in advance only makes sense. The large capacity of the food processor saves time. You can make about twenty servings of avocado, carrot, apple and more puree combinations in just a few minutes. Basically, the Duo Meal station is an all-in-one design that blends, cooks and defrosts your food. Moreover, use this cooking station as a bottle warmer or sterilizer. That alone reduces the need for separate appliances.
To make it even easier for you, there are only four cooking steps you would have to follow:
- Add water to the base. The LCD button on a display will light up whenever you need to add more water.
- Add a food tray (the food processor comes with two trays). Each tray can be used for different types of foods. Using trays allows you to cook ingredients separately keeping the nutritional value of each food.
- Select time, and wait for the alarm to notify you when it is ready.
- As soon as you take out the steamed food, place it in the mixing bowl. Blend foods using one of three-speed settings.
Pros
- User-friendly.
- Dishwasher safe.
- BPA-free components.
- Ideal for preparing in advance.
Cons
- Many parts to clean compared to a standard blender.
Duo Meal Station Food Maker – 6 in 1 Food Processor
VIEW ON AMAZONBest personal blender
Features
Mashable Magazine makes a good point by saying that “Just because fruit smoothies technically have fruit does not mean they are healthy. A lot of chain smoothie places add artificial fruit syrups to their drinks, and most of their customers probably don’t realize they just consumed a McDonald’s meal worth of sh*tty ingredients.”
Thus, if you are into adding homemade smoothing to your diet, yet are not ready to pay a fortune for a Vitamix, a personal blender like this NutriBullet NB50100C Pro 1000 is a solution. It is a user-friendly, compact device that can turn all greens in your fridge and frozen fruits into healthy drinks. Just collect ingredoents, push the button, twist, and blend.
NutriBullets are known for their ability to annihilate stubborn frozen foods by using 900 watts of power.
Besides, it is the easiest to clean blender. Just throw the BPA-free plastic cup into the dishwasher.
Pros
- Budget-friendly.
- Compact and sleek design.
- Ideal for smoothies, dressings, sauces.
- Powerful motor for such a small blender.
Cons
- Limited blending options.
- Loud.
NutriBullet NB50100C Pro 1000 Single Serve Blender
VIEW ON AMAZONBest blender for smoothies that is also best smart blender
Features
Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Smart Blender
And, we complete our list with Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Smart Blender. Except, comparing this model to the Pro 750 one, this one is a smart device. If you are looking into cooking with the help of your blender, the smart appliance with the app might be very handy.
It truly makes blending a customizable experience. It is a smart blender not only because of its compatibility with the app but because of its built-in wireless connectivity. The Ascent Blade Base detects the components, and container size, adjusts blend settings accordingly, and stops as soon as it achieves the perfect texture.
The Vitamix A3500 has five built-in settings. But it is not only that. The Perfect Blend app provides seventeen more programs and over 500 recipes including baby food, frozen desserts, soups, sauces and more. If you do not wish to use the app, the blender has variable speed control and pulse features that let you manually set the time and guide the blending process.
Another convenient thing is extra containers that can be taken on the go. Also, some customers noted they use those containers for baby food, or even grinding coffee beans. In addition, the eight-ounce blending cup comes with plastic lids.
Pros
- Sleek silhouette.
- Variable Speed Control and Pulse feature.
- Smart app compatibility.
- Programable timer.
- Powerful motor.
Cons
- Expensive.
Why trust us
We do not only write about blenders, but we use them every day. Well, as mentioned before, I own Vitamix blender myself, and could not be happier after making stacks of baby food, hummus, almond butter, soups and more. It improved my diet quite drastically. That is why this article is based on at least ten hours of thorough research into the best blenders on the market. Understanding different needs you have as a consumer, we made sure to cover them and prepare blenders that would satisfy someone who drinks smoothies daily, prepares sauces and more, and someone who only wants to occasionally mix greens and fruits.
Moreover, we made sure to include only those blender models that have at least four stars and many reports from satisfied customers. Another source we trust is buying guides. Many of them tested those blenders and confirmed their reliability and quality.
And last, we covered both sides of the budget. Understandably, many people are not ready to spend $600 on a blender, especially if blending is not part of their daily cooking routine. That is why our list has both blenders for under $100, middle-segment price and high-end. You pick!
Common questions about blenders
What is a blender?
A blender is a kitchen appliance used for crushing, mixing, blending and pureeing soft and hard ingredients, turning them into a liquid substance.
How to use a blender?
While some sources suggest locking the jar into the blender body, many people noted that it is more convenient for them to walk around the kitchen, collecting ingredients, before placing the pitcher on the stand. Whichever way you prefer, make sure the blender is clean, and then collect all ingredients. It is also suggested to start with liquid ingredients on the bottom, and the hardest ones on top.
After you have gathered and placed all ingredients in the jar, place the blender on the stand, close the lid, and start blending by either selecting a built-in mode or starting with the lowest speed and increasing it as the mixture gets smoother.
How to clean a blender?
The beauty of cleaning the blender is that it can be effortless as long as you do that right after making that smoothie or sticky nut butter. Fill the blender with water—halfway should be enough. Add soap, (you can also add half of a lemon cut into small slices), place the lid and run your blender on high. Empty the jar after stopping the machine and rinse it under the stream of water.
Where to buy a blender in Canada?
A blender is a widely used kitchen appliance, thus you can buy it at any place where, let’s say, you would buy a toaster. Think Best Buy, Costco, Canadian Tire, Walmart, Amazon, and of course official websites of the brands.
How does a blender work?
It is always interesting to know how your favourite appliances work behind the scenes. A blender transforms food ingredients into a smooth, liquid mixture by cutting them with blades first, and then by beating small chunks with air bombs.
As the blades keep spinning and air keeps circulating, a combination of compressive shearing forces and cavitation (the phenomenon of reducing the liquid’s static pressure to rip pieces apart) “causes the blender rip pieces of food into bits so small that the result is a smooth puree or a rich employee or a rich emulsion,” says Science of Force of Food Blenders.
Food processor vs blender: What’s the difference?
The main difference between a food processor and a blender is in its functions. The former one is designed to assist in preparing a variety of ingredients by chopping, mincing, and shredding while blenders are known for blending, pureeing, making sauces and overall working with liquids.
