Buying a blender can seem easy at first, but then once you get to the store everything is so confusing.You may not need a heavy duty model unless you are doing some serious "blending", but if you enjoy whipping up a breakfast shake or adult cocktail, they are nice to have around.
Follow these instructions to learn how to buy the right blender.
Know the type of blender to buy.
| | Countertop blenders Along with mixing, puréeing and chopping, crushing ice for drinks is a key attribute shoppers look for in a countertop blender, manufacturers say. Containers are made of glass, plastic, or stainless steel, and have a capacity of about 4 to 8 cups. A glass container is heavier and more stable. Glass is also easier to keep clean. |
| | Handheld/immersion blenders Handheld, or immersion, blenders are long, thin appliances that you hold in your hand and submerge in the food or drink you're preparing. Immersion blenders are also handy for mixing smoothies, milkshakes, and powdered drinks (although you do have to hold down a switch to keep the blades running, which can be tedious). Handheld blenders are great for small tasks, typically include an assortment of blades and attachments and can fit in a drawer. |
Know the blender features to use
| Wattage Blenders generally range from 300 to 1,000 watts. Manufacturers claim that higher wattage translates into better performance, but in our tests, lower-wattage models have outperformed some more powerful ones.Power has made more of a difference with immersion blenders than with countertop models. | |
| Controls Touchpad controls are easiest to clean, and some touchpad units have programmable controls to eliminate guesswork. But you have to press the button twice: once for on, once for off.Push buttons easily change from one speed to another with a single touch but are more difficult to clean. | |
| Number of speeds Three to 16 speeds are the norm, but more are not necessarily better. Three well-differentiated speeds are adequate; a dozen or more that are hard to distinguish from one another may be too many. | |
| Pulse setting This helps you to fine-tune blending time. There's no lag time between when you push the button and when the blender starts or stops. | |
Find a store in your location.
Finding a store is the next step. Most blenders are sold at department, specialty, or through online stores. Stores like Target, Walmart, Best Buy, or Amazon.com have the widest variety of styles, brands, and colors. Ordering a blender over the phone or through other retailers can be a bit expensive and delivery takes some time.
Written by Nicolas Yang
