Single-serve blenders

Can the NutriBullet stand up to its competitors?

There’s a kitchen gadget that’s taken the country by storm. Single-serve blenders let you whip up a smoothie in a cup and take that drink on the go with you.

What about a normal blender or a juicer?

If it’s just smoothies you want, a single-serve blender is a good option as it will usually be lighter and take up less room in the cupboard. But another factor is how much smoothie you’re wanting to make at one time. A benchtop blender would be a better option if you’re wanting to make enough for the whole family. Some single-serve blenders also come with a jug for making larger quantities.

Vs a juicer

Juicers separate the juice from the pulp so you miss out on the fibre, whereas single-serve blenders keep all of the ingredients in the drink. Juicers can be a hassle to clean while most of the single-serve blenders in our test could go in the dishwasher.

What else to look for

If there are a few people in your household who will be using the blender, look for one that comes with more than one cup.
Noise – the noisiest single-serve blender in our test put out 84dBA, which is up there with some of the petrol lawnmowers we’ve tested. You wouldn’t want to whip up a smoothie in that while your family is having a sleep-in.

Our tips

Adding cubes of ice or frozen fruit to your smoothies help keep them cool while blending.
The rubber seals around the blade assembly need to be cleaned after each use so bacteria and mould don’t grow.
Don’t store blended mixtures in a sealed container for long periods of time as sugar in the fruit and vegetables can ferment. This causes pressure to build up so it sprays out when you open it.