frozen drink in a plastic cup

Are you looking for the best blender for frozen drinks or perhaps crushing ice? Let’s say you want a dependable machine for making slushies, cocktails, and other icy drinks, or on the healthier end, a blender that can take on frozen fruits?

Unfortunately, not all blending machines are created equal; some aren’t built for crushing ice, especially those low-quality models. However, there are cheap blenders that will do just fine, and that is what this guide is all about.

We’ve already reviewed over a hundred blending machines, and we know which ones can effortlessly turn ice cubes into snow.

So, without further delay, here are the best blenders for crushing ice and frozen drinks.

Best Blender for Frozen Drinks: KitchenAid K400

Best Cheap Blender for Frozen Drinks: Ninja Professional Blender 1000

Best Blender for Crushing Ice: Vitamix 750

Best Small Blender for Frozen Drinks: Ninja Fit

Best Blender for Smoothies: Ninja TWISTi

Best Professional Blender for Frozen Drinks: Vitamix The Quiet One

Best Blender for Frozen Fruits: Nutribullet Pro

Best Blender for Margaritas: Blendtec Total Classic

That’s the quick overview of this guide. Feel free to click the links above to read the in-depth review of each product. Otherwise, let’s talk more about your choices below.

Top 6 Best Blenders for Frozen Drinks & Crushing Ice

By default, I would recommend a Vitamix blender right away. That might be a little biased, but they are really on top of the game in terms of blend quality. However, I also understand that majority of consumers can’t afford the brand’s hefty price tag.

Here are some fantastic blenders that aren’t Vitamix, well, except for two.

#1 KitchenAid K400 – Best Blender for Frozen Drinks

KitchenAid K400 Variable Speed Blender - KSB4027
£534.36
Pros:
  • Retro appeal
  • Multiple color options
  • 5 variable speed control (with pulse)
  • 3 walkaway blending programs
  • Doubles as a citrus juicer and personal blender
  • Up to 56-ounce max capacity
  • Powerful 1200-watt motor
  • Features self-clean cycle and dishwasher safe
  • Die cast metal base
  • BPA-free
  • 5-year warranty
Cons:
  • Great product with mid-range price point
  • Bulky
  • Quite loud
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02/18/2024 10:36 am GMT

Even though Vitamix is really the best blender brand, KitchenAid is number one on this list because it is effective and affordable.

KitchenAid is one of the biggest kitchen appliance manufacturers, and the K400 model is their flagship blender. It’s not that cheap, but it’s more than half the price of a competing Vitamix product.

KitchenAid’s design language is something that I admire. I like the blend of classic and retro aesthetics. Not only is it a head-turner, but it’s also a powerful blending machine with a 1.5 HP motor.

It’s not a high-powered blender by any means. However, it’s one of the best blenders for crushing ice and frozen drinks. With 56 oz (1.65 L) in capacity, you sure have plenty of room to keep your guests hydrated.

It also has four walkaway functions—self-clean, crushed ice, smoothie, and of course frozen/icy drink.

In any case, the best part about it is the color finishes, which is as KitchenAid as it can get. You can have it in matte black, contour silver, passion red, pistachio, blue velvet, or white.

You can expand the use of your KitchenAid K400 Blender by adding the Citrus Press accessory, which will allow you to make fresh lime and orange juice for your frozen drinks.

The only downside to this blender is that, while it’s great for frozen drinks and some basic food processing functions, it doesn’t make hot soups or blend dry ingredients like some of the models on this list.

#2 Ninja Professional 1000 – Best Cheap Blender for Frozen Drinks

Ninja Professional Blender 1000
4.0
$89.99
Pros:
  • Sleek minimalist design
  • Highly affordable
  • 72-ounce capacity for large servings
  • 3-speed levels with pulse
  • 1000-watt powered motor
  • Labeled measurements on the pitcher
  • Great for crushing ice
  • Awesome safety features
  • Dishwasher safe
  • BPA-free
Cons:
  • Too tall, may not fit some countertop spaces
  • It’s a bit complicated to use
  • A little outdated
  • Loud machine
  • Not ideal for making hot soups
  • No compatible accessories (no single-serve cups)
  • 1-year warranty
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02/18/2024 09:52 pm GMT

What’s unique about the brand is the three levels of the blade assembly, or as they call it, the “Total Crushing Blades.” This blade design is highly efficient at crushing ice without the need for a tamper.

Here’s why the Ninja Professional 1000 is the best cheap blender for frozen drinks:

If you only need a blender that can crush ice and make frozen drinks, any Ninja blender with a triple stacked blade system would be a dependable frozen margarita or daiquiri maker.

The Ninja Professional 1000 model doesn’t have preset programs. It has just 5 buttons, four speeds and a pulse function.

The best part, however, is the Ninja blender lineup is rock bottom cheap. Plus, testing at just 72 decibels, it’s one of the quietest blenders on this list.

#3 Vitamix 750 – Best Blender for Crushing Ice

Vitamix, Pearl Grey, Series 750 Blender, Professional-Grade
$629.95 $577.99

The Vitamix 750 is both a professional and home blender. It features a powerful 2.2 peak HP motor that can heat soup to 165.2°F (74°C) with just friction. The Vitamix Pro 750 highlights 5 automatic blend settings, including a self-clean option. Despite its age, or maybe because of it, its minimal buttons make it one of the easiest blenders to use.

Pros:
  • Classic design
  • Five pre-programmed settings
  • 10-speed variable with pulse control
  • 64 oz (1.89 L) low-profile, BPA-free container
  • 2.2 HP motor, capable of making hot soups
  • Long-lasting stainless steel blades
  • Easy to clean
  • 7-year warranty
Cons:
  • More expensive than (some) newer models
  • Classic switches tend to trap food particles
  • No high-tech features
  • Not dishwasher safe
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02/18/2024 08:58 pm GMT

There is no doubt that Vitamix blenders are the most powerful out there, but they do have some drawbacks, including the price tag. Still, the best blender for crushing ice is, without a doubt a Vitamix blender.

The Vitamix 750 Heritage Blender is almost the cheapest of the offerings from Vitamix, and that’s why we chose it over other models. However, any Vitamix blender will crush ice into fine snow.

The Vitamix 750 is capable of so much more than just crushing ice. You’ll use this blender often in your kitchen if you’re a home cook. You can even make hot soups in it because it heats ingredients through friction to up to 175 degrees.

If you get a Vitamix blender, you can replace your food processor for everything from grinding grains to making salad dressings. However, some accessories may be needed depending on what you want to do with the blender other than crushing ice.

The biggest downside to Vitamix blenders is that they are quite loud. However, the Vitamix 750 is one of the quieter ones. It’s noise level tests at around 89 decibels, which is lower than the KitchenAid that is number one on our list.

#4 Ninja Fit – Best Small Blender for Frozen Drinks

Ninja QB3001SS Ninja Fit Compact Personal Blender
$59.99 ($59.99 / count)
Pros:
  • Affordable single-serve blender
  • Slim profile, ultra compact and highly portable
  • Easy to use
  • With pulse feature
  • Comes with a pair of 16-ounce cups
  • BPA-free
  • Dishwasher safe
  • 1-year warranty
Cons:
  • One speed only
  • Not designed for making hot soups
  • It's loud
  • Old product
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02/18/2024 04:37 am GMT

The Ninja Fit is your best choice if you’re looking for a personal blender to make frozen drinks for just yourself or one or two people.

The Ninja Fit Personal Blender is just that – it has just a 16 ounce capacity for one frozen drink. However, it is a pretty powerful little blender for that capacity. It runs at just under 1 horsepower, but can still crush ice and mix frozen drinks with ease.

To blend, push the blending cup down. Also, there is only one speed. However, if you’re just making frozen drinks, that one speed is all you need.

The Ninja Fit is your best bet if you want a personal blender capable of crushing ice into frozen drinks. But, if you want to do more than frozen drinks and smoothies with frozen fruit, you should look to one of the other blenders on this list instead.

#5 Ninja TWISTi – Best Blender for Smoothies

Ninja TWISTi Blender DUO
5.0
$119.99

A great device for making smoothies, smoothie bowls, frozen drinks, and nut butters. Drizzle cap is great for blending up your own mayonnaise, nut butters, and salad dressings. The built-in tamper on the large pitcher ensures everything is blended perfectly smooth.


The Bottom Line

While not the largest or most versatile blenders, it works extremely well for what it does. It also comes in at a good price point. If you primarily need a blender for smoothies and nut butters, you'll be very happy with this device!

Model #: SS151
Pros:
  • 34oz, 24oz, & 18oz pitchers/cups included
  • Best smoothie bowl maker at its price range
  • Most powerful Ninja blender
  • Great performance for the price
Cons:
  • Loud (100 decibels)
  • No 64oz pitcher available for this model
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02/18/2024 09:16 pm GMT

Our top pick for smoothies is the Ninja TWISTi blender. Other blenders on this list also have a smoothie program, but the Ninja TWISTi’s design makes it outperform them all.

What makes the Ninja TWISTi so special is it’s built in Twist Tamper and Drizzle Cap in the lid. The tamper has two spatula-style blades that turn and push ingredients to the Total Crushing Blades that are standard with most Ninja blenders.

The Drizzle Cap also allows you to add liquid to make the perfect blend. Ninja TWISTi can also handle smoothie bowls and spreads, so you can do very thick blends in this blender.

The biggest downside to the Ninja TWISTi is the noise level. When operating at its peak horsepower, the blender tests at as much as 100 decibels.

#6 Vitamix The Quiet One – Best Professional Blender for Frozen Drinks

Vitamix The Quiet One Blender 48 oz, Black
Pros:
  • Noise reduction technology
  • Used by popular businesses around the world, e.g. Starbucks
  • 34 quick-blend settings
  • 6 shortcut buttons
  • Easy-pour large capacity container
  • Robust Motor
  • Can be installed built-in on your countertop
  • Can cook or heat soups
  • BPA-free
Cons:
  • High-quality commercial blender with a premium price tag
  • Short warranty coverage
  • The company doesn't recommend running any of the parts in the dishwasher
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This Vitamix Blender is the quietest on our list, coming in at just 64 decibels. That’s thanks to its Quiet One enclosure system.

Otherwise, this is a very functional professional blender. It is the only commercial blender on this list and comes with a commercial price tag. But if you’re going to be making frozen drinks as part of a business or during frequent parties, this blender is worth it.

This blender doesn’t have all of the same capabilities of the Vitamix 750. It doesn’t make hot soups, and it isn’t for food processing. The Vitamix The Quiet One blender is just good for frozen drinks, smoothies, and other thin blends.

One of the other downsides to the Vitamix The Quiet One is that it can be complicated to use. It has 34 possible programs with just 6 preset buttons. See the full review for more.

The warranty coverage for this Vitamix blender is a bit different than others. The motor base is covered for 3 years, but the blades, container, and accessories are only covered for one year.

#7 Nutribullet Pro – Best Blender for Frozen Fruit

NutriBullet Pro 1000 Personal Blender, 32-Ounce
4.0
$89.99 $79.77

Although not as powerful as its competitor, the Nutri Ninja, it is still a capable blender. If you want one of the best blenders for protein shakes, but are frequently on the go, give this device a good look!

Model #: ZNB30100Z
Pros:
  • Lightweight, Affordable, & a Small footprint
  • NEW Easy twist extraction blade (prevents leaks and blends better)
  • NEW Cup design (no more unnecessary lip ring accessory)
  • BPA-free
  • Cups are dishwasher safe
Cons:
  • Not designed to make thicker blends
  • Blade assembly is not dishwasher safe
  • Not as powerful as its competitors
  • Single speed
  • Loud
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02/18/2024 03:51 pm GMT

The Nutribullet Pro 1000 happens to be the best portable blender in the market. It has a robust 1000-watt motor that can take on smoothies and ice with no problem. Better yet, this blender is the most straightforward to use with just a simple push and twist, no buttons.

Here’s why it’s one of best blenders for smoothies and ice:

  • It’s compact
  • It blends incredibly smooth
  • It has a powerful 1000-watt motor

If you’re considering using it as a portable ice crusher, personal blenders aren’t built for that purpose. Without any added liquid, it will struggle.

The Nutribullet Pro 1000 includes 2 cups—32 ounces (946 ml) and 24 ounces (709 ml). By having so, you can choose whether to make two servings or just for yourself.

#8 Blendtec Total Classic – Best Frozen Margarita Maker

Blendtec Total Classic Original Blender - Professional-Grade Power - 6 Pre-programmed Cycles - 10-speeds - Black
$399.95
Pros:
  • One of Blendtec’s cheapest choices
  • This is an updated version of the total blender
  • Classic small design to match and fit your countertop
  • Pulverize anything or even heat soup with its powerful motor
  • 10 variable speeds
  • 6 programmed settings
  • 90-ounce jar
  • Exceptional container design
  • LCD timer display
  • Self-cleaning and dishwasher safe
  • BPA-free
  • 8-year warranty
Cons:
  • Only 2 buttons for adjusting speed; you won't know if you're at #5 or #10
  • Louder than newer models (probably the loudest)
  • The jar is highly durable but not ideal for thick blends
  • Outdated design
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02/18/2024 06:13 am GMT

The Blendtec Total is a “totally” awesome blender. Making icy drinks is like a walk in the park with this blending machine. You see, it has a high-powered 1560-watt motor, which is robust enough to heat soup with just friction.

In other words, it’s not just for frozen drinks. Instead, it covers many applications, from easy smoothies to hard-to-blend thick smoothie bowls. It can even grind fine flour for baking.

Here’s more:

This blender features 6 pre-programmed settings to remove the guesswork from the equation. In other words, its usability—including the cleanup—is so simple.

One of the most important things to mention about Blendtec is that they have high-quality standards. In addition to having an 8-year warranty period (the most extended warranty of all blenders in this review), they are an American-based company with prize-winning customer service and technical support.

Comparing the Best Blenders for Frozen Drinks

I know that was a lot of information in one place. It can be hard to choose a blender with so many options. Here is a quick comparison chart of the most essential information for each of these blenders so that you can make a choice.

I also highly encourage you to check out the full review for any blenders you are considering.

Kitchen Aid K400Ninja Pro 1000Vitamix 750Ninja Fit
Speed5 speeds + pulse4 speeds + pulse10 speeds + pulse1 speed / pulse
Wattage120010001400700
Motor1.5 HP2.5 HP2.2 HP>1 HP
Max Capacity56 oz64 oz64 oz16 oz
Noise Level94.8 dB72 dB89 dB98 dB
Dishwasher Safeyesyesnoyes
Programs4none5none
Warranty5 years1 year7 years1 year
StrengthsPowerful and efficientInexpensive ice crusherOne of the most powerful blenders with lots of added capabilityPerfect for blending personal frozen drinks with Total Crushing blades
WeaknessesLoud, no food processing functionsShort warranty, few added featuresExpensive and loudShort warranty and small capacity, no added functions
Ninja TWISTiVitamix Quiet OneNutribullet ProBlendtec Total
Speed10 speeds + pulse10 speeds + pulse1 speed / pulse10 speeds + pulse
Wattage1600223710001560
Motor1.5 HP3 HP2 HP3 HP
Max Capacity34 oz48 oz32 oz90 oz
Noise Level100 dB64 dB97 dB94.4 dB
Dishwasher Safeyesnoyesyes
Programs56/34none6
Warranty1 year3 years motor, 1 year blades and container1 year8 years
StrengthsGreat for thick blends Very powerful for frozen drinks and quietestPowerful no fuss blender powerful enough to crush frozen fruitsPowerful professional style blender that makes slushies of ice
WeaknessesThe loudest on this listPriciest option listed here, no added capabilitiesNo programs or added capability, low capacityYou have to buy accessory jars for full capability

What makes the best blender for frozen drinks?

Luckily, this isn’t complicated. The majority of blenders can make frozen drinks, so there are only a few considerations for weeding out the bad apples.

Budget and Power

Here’s the deal:

Powerful blenders have various excellent uses. However, for frozen drinks, you don’t need a crazy amount of wattage or (Horse Power) HP rating. Even the magic bullet mini can make cocktails, albeit with limitations.

This is why you can never go wrong, even with the cheapest blender on this list.

However, when it comes to the consistency of crushed ice (or frozen fruit) in your drink, it’s a different story. High-powered blenders yield fine, smoother blends, whereas weaker blenders will leave rice grain-sized constituents.

Size and Capacity

When it comes to the size and capacity of the blender, it will largely depend on you. 

Will it be just for yourself and your partner? If that’s the case, a personal blender like the Nutribullet Pro will be more than enough.

On a slightly different note:

When you’re usually the host or hostess of parties, a countertop blender is ideal. In the top 7, the product with the most significant capacity is the Blendtec Total Blender.

Over to You

Now that we’ve talked about everything you need to know when picking a blender that works well for frozen fruits, crushing ice, or simply for making smoothies, it’s your turn.

That being said, let me leave you with the best blender for frozen drinksKitchenAid K400, or the best blender for crushing iceNinja BN701 Professional Plus Blender with Auto-iQ.

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