Updated 12 May 2017
Optimum
9400
Snapshot: The Optimum 9400 benchtop super-blender has 8 speeds and comes with a plastic (BPA-free) jug. How does it rate?
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Test results
Overall score
Ease of use
Pureeing soft food
Crushing ice
Chopping carrots
Green smoothie
Good points
- Excellent results in our soup-pureeing test.
- Excellent results in our ice-crushing test.
- Excellent results in our green smoothie test.
- Very good results in our kale test.
- Very good results in our nut butter test.
- Very good results in our sorbet test.
- OK results in our dough test.
- Controls are easy to use.
- Lightweight plastic jug.
- Jug can be placed on the unit in any position.
- Blended soup can be heated (only to a warm temperature).
But
- Just OK results in our carrot-chopping test.
- Jug can be unstable when it’s on the unit.
- Unit can jolt and vibrate when mixing a heavy load or mixing for an extended time.
- Jug is large (so can be difficult to wash in a domestic sink).
- Jug is plastic (so may stain).
- Liquid can be pushed up into lid so may drip when removing lid.
- Blade housing sits too high in jug so food can become trapped.
- Not dishwasher safe.
How we test
Overall score includes:
Pureeing, crushing, chopping, green smoothie, blending kale (60%) – regular blenders.
Pureeing, crushing, chopping, green smoothie, blending kale, nut butter, sorbet (60%) – super blenders.
Ease of use (40%)
For our tests we pureed soft frozen fruit (some older models pureed soup), crushed ice and chopped carrots. We made a green smoothie (a combination of English spinach, pear, kiwifruit, cucumber, mint, celery and water) and blended kale. For super blenders we also made nut butter, sorbet from frozen fruit, dough and almond meal, and grated parmesan. In the latest batch of super blenders we made hot soup from raw ingredients. The dough, parmesan, dry milling and soup scores don’t contribute to the overall score. We measured noise blending kale on the highest setting.
Key data
Model
Avg price
Price surveyed
Type
More test results (/10)
Blending kale
Nut butter
Sorbet
Dough
Parmesan cheese
Raw soup
Dry milling
Specifications
H x W x D (cm)
Noise (dB)
Watts (W)
Blender weight (kg)
Jug weight (kg)
Jug capacity (L)
Features
Blender construction
Jug construction
Number of speeds
Cord storage
Pulse option
Removable blade and housing
More Info
Notes
Availability
Member reviews
"Use it Everyday - Love it!"
29 Dec 2015, Cassie W.
Product use: 6 months or more
Pros:
I love this blender for my green smoothies, and adding more liquid makes a juice-like consistency with no chunks - it always blends pretty smooth.
I have also used for making mojitos etc, but would not consider using it for dough/chopping veges (have a food processor or knife/board for that!)
I thought it was pretty pricey at the time, but the 5yr warranty and the videos on the Froothie site convinced me it was worthwhile, and I'm still thrilled with it.
Cons:
Kinda noisy, but what do you expect, it's a high-speed blender... and it's only for 30 seconds or so, I can deal with that ;)
Recommend it?
Yes, I recommend this product.
"Simply the best!"
23 Dec 2015, Gerald G.
Product use: 6 months or more
Pros:
Everything about this blender is exactly as I expected (after many hours of comparing/researching) and the YouTube support is very helpful for those new to blending. Best $500 I ever spent.
Cons:
Removing the lid takes a bit of practice.
Recommend it?
Yes, I recommend this product.
"Optimum 9400"
25 Jul 2015, Lorayne K.
Product use: 3 - 6 months
Pros:
Everything! It does exactly what I bought it for. It's the 3rd machine of this type I've purchased and beats the other two products hands down. This is the second time I've written a review for this kitchen machine for Consumer. As I wrote in the last review, why is the price being listed as a thousand dollars PLUS? I paid just under $600 from the Froothie distributors online website. I think this is misleading on Consumer's part. Now let's see if this review actually gets used...the last one wasn't.
Cons:
Whilst it's true carrots, if not cut into smaller pieces, are difficult to manage, the Froothie website where I bought the Optimum, does advise NOT to put carrots in as large chunks. So it's not as though I wasn't aware carrots aren't as easy to blend as other food items.
Reply from Consumer NZ:
Hi Lorayne, thanks for your feedback. We’ve taken note from previous reviews that it’s often possible to find the Optimum 9400 on sale. However, our price guides list items at full price. Your review from 14 May is still published – to view it, use the arrows below the “Member reviews” section.
Recommend it?
Yes, I recommend this product.
"re Optimum blender"
13 Jun 2015, Desmond R.
Product use: 1 - 3 months
Pros:
I have found this product to be very easy to use, I have had no trouble blending carrots, I have had no need to put it in the sink because I rinse the jug & put water with detergent in it & push the switch & the jug washes it's self. The Optimum blender cost me $500.00NZ to buy brand new about 2months ago in New Zealand. It came with a 5 year warranty which should have been mentioned in your review The blender has a very powerful motor with a maximum noise level of 88 decibels on high speed which also should have been mentioned in your review. These points I raised should be in all your review
Cons:
The lid is a bit tight & some people might have a bit of difficulty removing it
Recommend it?
Yes, I recommend this product.
"Great blender for around $500"
02 Jun 2015, Suzanne E.
Product use: 1 month or less
Pros:
You can buy these online for around $499 which makes them far more affordable then indicated here. Other people I know love them. Easy to use.
Cons:
None
Recommend it?
Yes, I recommend this product.
"Optimum 9400"
14 May 2015, Lorayne K.
Product use: 1 month or less
Pros:
I have found this machine to be everything it claims to be...including information that carrots need to be cut into smaller pieces to achieve the desired results..
Cons:
The price displayed on the Consumer site is double the price I paid one week ago online. I purchased the 9400 from Foothie, who are the Optimum agents in N.Z. Thus far, no negatives to report on this product.
Recommend it?
Yes, I recommend this product.
