Overview of NutriBullet Blenders
NutriBullet is one of the most popular personal blender brands on the market, made famous largely thanks to an infomercial campaign touting its nutrients extracting capabilities. The brand promises to break down fruits, vegetables, and seeds better than a typical blender to unlock more nutrition.
But does NutriBullet really live up to the hype? I put several models to the test to find out. Here are the key things I analyzed:
- Blending performance – smoothness, ice crushing ability, seed breakdown
- Versatility for tasks beyond smoothies – grinding, food prep, heating, etc.
- Design and build quality
- Ease of use and cleaning
- Noise level
- Accessories included
- Price and value
Keep reading for my full analysis on some of NutriBullet‘s most popular blender models.
NutriBullet Pro 900 Series
The NutriBullet Pro 900 is one of the brand‘s higher-powered personal blenders with a 900 watt motor. It costs around $110. Here were my key findings after extensive testing:
- Exceptionally smooth green smoothies, nut milks, and shakes. The blades pulverized seeds and ice cubes with no chunks left behind.
- Struggled slightly with thicker mixtures like nut butters and batters – an issue seen among most personal blenders.
- Sturdy build quality but cups can leak around the blade assembly if not fully tightened.
- Quicker and easier to clean than a regular blender but rubber gasket requires some scrubbing to fully clean.
- Can be loud, especially when crushing ice.
For daily green smoothies and protein shakes, the NutriBullet Pro 900 is one of the best personal blenders you can buy. While not as versatile for food prep tasks as a Vitamix, its smaller footprint and lower price make it far more affordable.
NutriBullet Rx Blender
Stepping up in both power and price, the NutriBullet Rx has a whopping 1700 watt motor and will set you back around $180. Here is how it matched up in testing:
- Took down kale, berries, nuts, and ice like a champ. Produced the smoothest results out of the models tested.
- Heating feature nicely purees and warms soups hands-free.
- Struggled with thicker mixtures like nut butter and dough.
- Well-designed vented lid for heating soups.
- Over 7 minutes to clean by hand with so many parts.
The Rx is overkill if you‘re just making the occasional smoothie. But for hardcore smoothie enthusiasts or those wanting to also make hot soups and sauces, it does perform better than the less expensive NutriBullet models.
NutriBullet Blender Combo
For larger batches, the 1200 watt Blender Combo comes with both personal and full-size blender jars for $150 MSRP. Here were the test findings:
- Smooth results for green smoothies and ice blending in both small and large batches
- Pitcher struggles with thicker mixtures like nut butter and batters
- Suction cup feet keep it stable during use
- Relatively loud, especially with ice
The Blender Combo is a great pick if you want the convenience of NutriBullet‘s cup and blade system but also need the capacity to make larger portions. While not a true food processor replacement, it handles most typical blender tasks well for the price.
How NutriBullet Compares to Other Brands
Stacking NutriBullet up against Vitamix and Ninja, it certainly holds its own for smoothie-making despite lower wattages. NutriBullet excels at breaking down tough ingredients for smooth, lump-free drinks consistently.
However, the blades do seem to dull faster than Vitamix, requiring replacement every 6 months to a year depending on usage. And the plastic cups have more crevices that require scrubbing compared to a Vitamix pitcher that can often go right in the dishwasher.
Compared to Ninja personal blenders, NutriBullet crushes through ice and seeds noticeably better in my testing. But Ninja cups feature useful measurement markings while NutriBullet cups do not.
No matter which NutriBullet you choose, they are all substantially more affordable than a premium $400+ Vitamix making them a great entry point for smoothie enthusiasts. However, serious home cooks may still prefer a Vitamix for the longer warranty, commercial-grade power, and metal drive system that allows it to churn thicker mixtures with ease.
Top NutriBullet Accessories
NutriBullet offers a variety of cups, blades, pitchers, lids, and other accessories you can purchase separately to expand your system. But are they actually useful? Here is my take:
Must Have
- Replacement Cups – Extra blending vessels so you don‘t have to wash mid-blend. Around $10 each.
- Replacement Blades – Good to have on hand when blades eventually wear out. $15 for 2.
Nice to Have
- Lip Ring Kit – Cup attachments provide an easier-to-drink spout. $9 for a 2-pack.
- Spatula – Helps scrape down container walls. $3 individually.
Not Worth It
- Specialty Cups – Odd shaped vessels don‘t offer much real utility. Save your money.
Before you checkout with a bunch of addons, audit what you really need. Stick to the basics above to keep costs down while ensuring you have necessary spares.
Tips and Tricks
Through many smoothies, here are my top tips for getting the most out of your NutriBullet:
- Pulse first, then blend ingredients – this helps pull everything towards the blades initially.
- Stop and scrape down sides with a spatula if needed.
- Be cautious with hot liquids – heat can build up and pressurize blenders.
- Clean rubber gasket thoroughly after each use.
- Lubricate rubber gasket periodically using food-grade lube to maintain tight seal.
- Replace blades every 6-12 months depending on wear.
Following these best practices will give you better blending results and extend the life of your machine.
My Favorite NutriBullet Recipes
While NutriBullet recipes tend to focus heavily on fruit-based smoothies, don‘t be afraid to get creative with your appliance! Here are 5 of my favorite unique and tasty recipes:
- Golden Turmeric Milkshake – With turmeric, honey, ginger, cinnamon – anti-inflammatory benefits!
- Mojito Mixer – Refreshing lime mint slushy cocktail.
- Bean and Bacon Soup – Hearty pureed white bean soup topped with bacon.
- Black Forest Smoothie – Dark cherry, chocolate, and coconut cream flavors.
- Pumpkin Spice Smoothie – Creamy and sweet, tastes like Thanksgiving.
While smoothies and shakes tend to be NutriBullet‘s "sweet spot", don‘t limit yourself. With some creative recipes like above, you can craft all kinds of delicious soups, dips, desserts, and more.
Where To Buy NutriBullet
You can find NutriBullet blenders and accessories just about anywhere these days – Amazon, Target, Walmart included. However, NutriBullet‘s website usually has the largest selection of bundle options and colors.
The brand also runs limited time promotions more frequently direct through their site versus retailers. For example, I spotted a refurbished NutriBullet Pro 900 bundle with extra cups and lip rings for just $69.99 – a great value for a gently used model.
The Final Verdict
At the end of my extensive testing, would I say NutriBullet blenders are worth investing in? The answer is yes – with some caveats.
If your primary goal is smoothies, shakes, and juices, NutriBullet delivers exceptional results every time at a price far lower than premium competitors. The blades thoroughly pulverize fruits, veggies, ice, nuts, and seeds for lump-free smoothness.
However, the plastic cups can be a bit messy to clean. And the blenders struggle to cream thicker mixtures you‘d need for tasks like nut butter and batter. For maximum versatility in the kitchen, a classic countertop blender or Vitamix are better suited for those types of recipes.
But for the average smoothie addict who wants quality results without overspending? You truly can‘t go wrong with a NutriBullet. Despite some shortcomings, these little blenders pack an incredible smoothie-making punch.
I hope this comprehensive review helps summarize everything you need to confidently decide if NutriBullet is the right fit for your kitchen! Let me know if you have any other questions.
