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The Ninja Blender 1200, also known as the Ninja Blender DUO with Auto-IQ, is an excellent deal for anyone looking for a personal blending machine and a large capacity countertop blender.
Duo stands for “dual purpose,” which means that you’ll have single-serve cups and as well as a 72 oz jar when you purchase this product.
It’s one of those high-performance blenders from the brand, but it’s quite an old one. Approximately it was released back in 2014. It’s still a good option today, but the brand has a newer line up of blenders.
These are their newest offerings: Ninja Foodi Hot and Cold Blender, Ninja Kitchen System, Ninja Professional Blender, and the Ninja Smoothie Blender.
Otherwise, if you really want this classic 1200-watt machine, let’s see if it’s still worth it.
PROS
- Modern design
- Comes with 3 different-sized cups
- Strong 1200-watt motor
- Not too expensive
- 5 walkaway blend settings
- Up to 64-ounce maximum liquid capacity
- 3 manual speed control with pulse
- Includes a digital timer
- Can crush ice in less than a minute
- Labeled measurements on pitcher and cups
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
- BPA-free
CONS
- It’s tall and a little bulky
- Not easy to operate in comparison to other blenders
- Not ideal for making hot soup
- A loud machine
- Old product
- 1-year warranty
Ninja Blender 1200 Watts Features
What can you make with Ninja Blender Duo?
With its powerful 2 HP or 1200-watt motor paired with the Total Crushing Blades, the Ninja Blender Duo with Auto-IQ can perform a lot of tasks apart from making shakes and smoothies.
Here are a few things you should try:
The brand advertises their Total Crushing Blades as an “ice crusher.” Well, the Ninja Blender 1200 did not disappoint. It can turn ice cubes into snow in less than a minute, making it perfect for making sorbet out of frozen fruits.
However, there are a few things that it can’t do, like making hot soups and processing dry ingredients.
If you need something that can make hot soups—check out the best cooking blenders—these can process hot AND cold items.
Or if you fancy a powerful blender that also doubles as a grain mill, it’s something that only a high-power blender can offer.
Pro tip: Use the Nutri Ninja cups (along with pro extractor blades) to achieve a finer blend.
Is Ninja BL642 easy to use?
So, how does the Ninja Blender 1200 fare in terms of usability?
First, let’s watch the video on how to assemble the pitcher and blade onto the motor base.
It’s a bit complicated in comparison to other blenders with a standard blade assembly, but after a few tries you’ll surely get used to it. By the way, you won’t have this issue when using the Nutri Ninja cups.
To answer the question directly, I would say that it’s somewhere in the middle. It’s not too difficult but it’s not easy as well.
You also need to keep in mind that the blade assembly of the Ninja Duo is not fixed. Remove the Total Crushing Blades first before pouring your smoothie or you could also use the spout instead of taking the lid off.
Thankfully, you won’t have a hard time cleaning this machine as all the detachable parts are dishwasher safe.
See the Ninja Blender Duo in Action:
Please note that this video presents the 1300-watt version (BL640) of the Ninja Blender Duo family. The only difference between the two is the wattage, all other features are the same.
The Ninja Blender Duo is a 2-in-1 deal, including a countertop blender and personal. It has a sturdy 1200-watt motor that can quickly blitz through ingredients. That, and combined with Ninja’s one-of-a-kind 6-stacked blades. More importantly, it has 3 walkaway blend settings for maximum usability.
Technology
Now, let’s talk about the Auto-IQ technology.
To put it simply, it’s just a preprogrammed settings for the most common stuff that you’ll make with your blender, and the Ninja Blender 1200—frozen drinks & smoothies, puree, blend, and ultra blend.
Those are the four buttons you’ll see in the control panel of Ninja BL642. The first two buttons are intended for the large pitcher, while the second half will only work when the Nutri Ninja cup is on.
The best part about these set-and-forget programs is that you can do other things in the kitchen while waiting for the cycle to finish.
If you prefer, the Ninja Blender 1200 also comes with manual buttons. There are three-speed levels to choose from and a nifty pulse button.
Bonus:
The travel cups are actually the highlight of the Ninja Blender Duo. Using the big pitcher and cleaning it will be too much of a hassle for a busy day. When you use the travel cups, you don’t need to clean them right away.
Besides, you can bring the cup immediately after blending. It’s also spill-proof, so you can get that daily smoothie whenever and wherever you need it.
Ninja BL642 Replacement Parts & Accessories
When you buy the Ninja Duo 1200-watt Blender, you’ll get three single-serve cups, pro extractor blades, a 72 oz pitcher, and the stacked blade assembly. All these attachments are dishwasher safe and BPA free.
If you need a replacement part, you can refer to this list.
72 oz. Pitcher
Part #: 404KKU641
If you need a replacement pitcher for your Ninja BL642, this is a compatible third-party accessory. It says 74-ounce, but the liquid portion of your recipe should not exceed the 64-ounce mark.
Total Crushing Blades
Part #: 316KKU770
The stacked blade design is unique to Ninja blenders. It’s very efficient at crushing ice, which can do the job in under a minute.
24 oz. Nutri Ninja Cups
Please note that these are 24-ounce replacement cups for your Ninja Duo. You should already have one of them when you get your blender along with 18 and 32 oz. cups.
Pro Extractor Blades
Part #: 431KKU480
These extractor blades work in tandem with your Nutri Ninja cups. Surprisingly, it produces a smoother texture than the bigger, more intimidating Total Crushing Blades.
Technical Specifications
| Type | Countertop Blender |
| Brand/Series | SharkNinja Duo Series |
| Model # | BL642 |
| Price | $$ |
| Ratings | 4.4 out of 5 |
| Speed | 3 walk-away blend settings Plus three manual speed control with pulse feature |
| Wattage | 1200 Watt |
| Blades | 6-stacked blades |
| Container capacity | Up to 64 oz (1.89 L) |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| BPA Free | Yes |
| Colors | Grey |
| Dimensions | 7 x 10 x 17.5 inches |
| Cord length | 2.5 ft. (76.2 cm) |
| Application | Home & Personal Use |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
| Related Products | Ninja Professional 1000, Ninja BL660, Ninja Professional Plus, Oster Pro 1200, Cuisinart Blender, Ninja Foodi Hot and Cold Blender, Vitamix Ascent, Vitamix Explorian |
Is Ninja Blender Duo worth it?
If you love being in the kitchen AND you’re a smoothie person? Then, I highly recommend the Ninja Blender Duo 1200 Watts. It’s an affordable option to grow your list of nutrient-rich recipes.
However, it’s quite an old product. You might want to give Ninja Kitchen System a quick spin for a more up to date alternative. It also ships with single-serve cups, plus a food processor attachment.
Note: For some reason, the product image at Amazon shows the 1500-watt model, but the product description says otherwise.
