Not everyone is looking for kitchen appliances that are built to withstand heavy and constant use. Sometimes, all you want is one that you can depend on here and there when you choose to take it out.
A blender could be the same way. There are definitely cutting-edge ones that could be used by passionate home chefs, which we’ve written about here.
But there are also blenders you can tuck away in your cabinet or rely on for cooking occasionally. If that sounds more your speed, read on for our list of the best blenders for occasional use.
Don’t have time to read? Here’s a quick summary of the products we recommend.
Best Blenders for Occasional Use
Oster Pro 1200
While the Oster Pro 1200 could certainly withstand rigorous use, it’s also great for less frequent blending too. It gives you a variety of pre-programmed settings to choose from if you’re not very familiar with using a blender.
Furthermore, it has a drive made entirely from metal to boost its longevity. This kind of feature would allow it to withstand intense use but will only grant it a longer lifespan on your counter if you’re only using it every so often.
When you bring it out for a smoothie or salsa, you’ll find that it can crush your ingredients without breaking a sweat. Its blades alternate, rotating backward and forwards so that food can drop into them more easily.
Pros
- It can be pretty affordable.
- Large glass jar to make batches you can store.
- Long-lasting metal drive.
- Seven speeds and three pre-programmed settings for easy use
- Smooth blending.
Cons
- Some owners have said it can be hard to find replacement parts for the Oster Pro 1200.
NutriBullet High-Speed Blender/Mixer System
When you’re considering a blender that you’ll only use occasionally, you probably want one that you can put away in between uses. Or you may want one that doesn’t take up a whole lot of counter space.
In those kinds of situations, this NutriBullet is a good choice. It’s a little bit smaller than your average blender, so you won’t need to struggle to find room for it.
You could even disassemble the top and tuck it away in a closet or cupboard if you need the extra space.
During use, you’ll find that, despite its smaller size, it’s a surprisingly powerful blender. It can handle all kinds of typically difficult ingredients like seeds or nuts.
And when you’re done, you can just twist off the top and put the cup through your dishwasher. The blades can be cleaned with a fast rinse in soap and water.
Pros
- Smaller than the standard blender for easy storage.
- Can handle tough ingredients like seeds.
- Adept at drawing nutrients out of ingredients.
- The container is dishwasher-friendly.
- It can be inexpensive.
Cons
- Since the containers are smaller, it can’t make big batches to store.
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KitchenAid 5-Speed Blender
This KitchenAid is perfect for your occasional needs. You’re also not sacrificing any durability when you choose it.
The base is made from die-cast metal. While this can mean it’s a little heavier than some other blenders, it also means the blender’s components are safely protected to last you a long time.
On the front panel, you’ll find a range of speed settings to choose from. All the options give you the tools you need to guarantee that the things you blend come out with precisely the right texture.
Pros
- Available in four striking colors.
- Sturdy die-cast metal base.
- Several different speed settings for an assortment of ingredients
- Large BPA-free pitcher.
- The soft-start feature starts the blender at a lower speed, so food will fall into it before it gets faster.
Cons
- The bottom of the container doesn’t come off, so cleaning could be a bit trickier.
Read Also: Best Blenders for Pina Coladas
Ninja Professional Countertop Blender
Regardless of how often you intend to use it, you might still want a blender that’s top-notch and versatile. In that case, take a look at the Ninja Professional Countertop Blender.
It uses a 1000-watt motor that can power through ingredients like nobody’s business. Combine that and the innovative vertical blade design, and you’ve got a blender that can help you with countless different recipes.
Because it has a large 72-ounce pitcher, it can also help you make drinks or batches of other recipes to store ahead of time. If you’re into food prepping and making foods in advance, this could be a lifesaver for you.
Pros
- The 1000-watt motor can handle your toughest ingredients.
- Vertical blade design reaches all parts of your mixture, leaving no pieces untouched.
- Huge pitcher to prepare bunches of your recipes in advance
- Convenient spout to pour mixtures out of the pitcher into any container you need.
Cons
- Some customers have reported that these blades can wear out of overtime.
- It doesn’t have any pre-programmed settings to choose from.
Recommended Article: Best Blenders for Raw Vegetables
Hamilton Beach SoundShield 3-Speed Blender
One of the things you might notice when you’re not using a blender often is just how loud some of them can be. If you haven’t gotten used to the noise, it might be a bit jarring.
If you’re the type of person who enjoys quieter environments, there are blenders like the Hamilton Beach SoundShield. Like some blenders in bars or restaurants, it comes with a shield that folds over the top of the blender during use.
With the shield on as it’s running, this Hamilton Beach is quieter than alternatives. It won’t disrupt a quiet house.
And if you’re worried the sound shield makes the blender too bulky, you have the option of removing it, too. That makes it easier to put the blender away in between uses.
Pros
- The SoundShield helps reduce the blender’s noise.
- The glass jar is both dishwasher-safe and drip-free with its spout.
- It uses stainless steel blades that are fantastic at crushing ingredients.
- It can be used to make a range of recipes like smoothies or salsa.
- They are designed to fit under counters or cabinets.
Cons
- Does not have any pre-programmed settings
Further Reading: Best Blenders for Small Quantities
Blendtec Total Classic Original Blender
If you’re willing to invest a little more in your blender, Blendtec models like this one are well-known for their quality. While it is true that this choice can be expensive, it does come with a plethora of useful features to make that cost worth it.
For instance, it’s self-cleaning, so you won’t dread maintenance each time you use it. Just add some water, drop of dish soap, and blend for 30-60 seconds.
Another great feature is its pre-programmed settings. There are six buttons with clear pictures on the panel for blending a few different foods with nothing more than the push of a button.
However, those who want a little more control over their blending will love the ten manual speeds to choose from. These will make it easy to blend any recipe you could want.
It can even make hot soup for you. With blade friction heat, it can warm up your soup in six or fewer minutes.
Pros
- Easy pre-programmed settings for effortless cooking
- Self-cleaning cycle.
- Can make hot soup or beverages.
- Blades are extremely long-lasting because they’re thicker.
- The huge jar can blend enough to serve a few people or make a batch in advance.
Cons
- It can be expensive.
You can read more about this blender on my Blendtec Total Blender review.
What to Consider When Buying a Blender to Use Occasionally
Cost
If you’re only going to be using your blender here and there, you probably don’t want to allow a considerable budget to it. After all, you most likely won’t be using it every day.
Blenders that cost more tend to have features that increase their lifespan and power. These can include things like motors with a high wattage or metal parts instead of plastic.
These things might not be as vital if you’re not using your blender often. However, it’s still a good idea to determine what you need your blender to do when you use it and find one with the features and price to match.
Maintenance
One of the things that might make you dread using your blender is how difficult it is to keep it clean. A blender that you have to take apart to scrub every time ultimately won’t be as desirable as one that can clean itself with the push of a button.
Keep in mind as you look at blenders whether or not you want something that’s particularly low-maintenance. If you do, look for ones that are self-cleaning or dishwasher-safe.
Capacity
When you use your blender, do you need it to make a lot? In that case, you’ll need one with a larger jar on top.
On the other hand, for just a single smoothie every so often, a blender with a smaller container or even a personal-sized blender should be sufficient.
Related Article: Best Blenders for Thick Smoothies
Wrap Up
While all these blenders on the list are a great choice, if we had to pick one to recommend in particular, we’d suggest the Blendtec.
It can indeed be a bit more of an investment. But the easily understandable pre-programmed buttons with pictures and the self-cleaning cycle make it the blender to beat.
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!