Blenders for crushing ice are capable of efficiently crushing ice cubes and frozen fruits. These machines can produce a consistent blend and eliminate clumps and chunks of ice. If not blended properly, the ice can turn out lumpy or grainy and spoil the texture of the beverage it is used for – a cocktail or a smoothie. A blender for crushing ice that lacks power will fail to crush the ice cubes or the spinning of the cubes will get the pitcher cracked.
Finding the best blender for crushing ice is challenging with so many brands to choose from. There is NutriBullet, Ninja, Vitamix, Blendtec, Oster, Sboly, PopBabies, and others. The advantages and disadvantages of each brand should be considered before making a purchase.
To find the best blender for crushing ice, it is important to analyze factors such as motor power, blades, assembly, jar, capacity, speed control and options, noise, and more. This blender for crushing ice buying guide includes all these factors.
The best blenders for crushing ice are listed below:
- NutriBullet NBR-1201 12-Piece High-Speed Blender/Mixer System
- Ninja BL456 Blenders – Countertop, 24 oz, Silver/Black
- Vitamix 5200 Blender Professional-Grade
- Blendtec Total Classic Original Blender with FourSide Jar
- Oster BLSTPB-WBL My Blend 250-Watt Blender
- Hamilton Beach 51131 Single Serve Blender
- PopBabies Personal Portable Rechargeable USB Blender
Best Blender For Crushing Ice Comparison Chart
| PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | NutriBullet NBR-1201 12-Piece High-Speed Blender/Mixer System |
| View On Amazon |
 | Ninja BL456 Blenders – Countertop, 24 oz, Silver/Black |
| View On Amazon |
 | Vitamix 5200 Blender Professional-Grade |
| View On Amazon |
 | Blendtec Total Classic Original Blender with FourSide Jar |
| View On Amazon |
 | Oster BLSTPB-WBL My Blend 250-Watt Blender |
| View On Amazon |
 | Hamilton Beach 51131 Single Serve Blender |
| View On Amazon |
 | PopBabies Personal Portable Rechargeable USB Blender |
| View On Amazon |
Best Blender For Crushing Ice Reviews (Updated List)
1. NutriBullet NBR-1201 12-Piece High-Speed Blender/Mixer System
The NutriBullet NBR-1201 blender for crushing ice is a simple, easy to use, beginner-friendly unit. This blender for crushing ice also works with whole foods such as nuts, spinach, and berries.
The NutriBullet NBR-1201 blender for crushing ice is equipped with a 600-watt motor that crushes ice cubes in seconds. This blender for crushing ice uses cyclonic action technology to extract maximum nutrients from fresh ingredients and blends them with ice within 60 seconds.
The NutriBullet NBR-1201 blender for crushing ice is priced at around $60.
NutriBullet provides a 1-year limited warranty on the NBR-1201 blender for crushing ice.
The NutriBullet NBR-1201 blender for crushing ice is made of plastic. The cups are made of BPA-free durable plastic. The extractor blades are made of stainless steel.
The NutriBullet NBR-1201 blender for crushing ice should be cleaned with soap and water. The blades and cups should be twisted off, rinsed, and left to dry fully.
The NutriBullet NBR-1201 blender for crushing ice comes with a 24oz handled cup and a regular 18oz cup.
The advantages of NutriBullet NBR-1201 blender for crushing ice are as follows:
- The NutriBullet NBR-1201 blender for crushing ice uses cyclonic action to crush ice, pulverize fresh ingredients, and extracts and preserves all the nutrients.
- The NutriBullet NBR-1201 blender for crushing ice is equipped with twist extractor blades that effortlessly crush ice.
- The NutriBullet NBR-1201 blender for crushing ice has a simple and intuitive design. Once the cup is filled with ice and other ingredients and pushed down, the NutriBullet NBR-1201 blender for crushing ice will start crushing, twisting, and blending them immediately.
The disadvantages of NutriBullet NBR-1201 blender for crushing ice are as follows:
- The NutriBullet NBR-1201 blender for crushing ice is unlikely to last longer than 1 to 2 years.
2. Ninja BL456 Blenders – Countertop, 24 oz, Silver/Black
The Ninja BL456 blender for crushing ice is a powerful station for crushing ice that also pulverizes fresh ingredients – fruits and vegetables. This blender for crushing ice blends all the ingredients, extracts perfectly textured juices and smoothies, and minimizes waste.
The Ninja BL456 blender for crushing ice is equipped with a 900watt motor that easily breaks down chunks of ice, ice cubes, and other ingredients. The manual pulse feature allows controlling the ice crushing process, as well as crushing seeds, stems, and skins, and ensures a smooth and even consistency.
The Ninja BL456 blender for crushing ice is priced at $66 to $170, depending on the cup size and the number of cups chosen.
The Ninja BL456 blender for crushing ice is backed up with a 12-months warranty.
The Ninja BL456 blender for crushing ice is made of durable, tough plastic while the blade is made of sharp stainless steel. All parts are BPA-free, which makes the Ninja BL456 blender for crushing safe to use.
The Ninja BL456 blender for crushing ice requires little to no maintenance. All of the parts are dishwasher-safe, although each can be rinsed with soap and water as well.
The Ninja BL456 blender for crushing ice has 2 cup sizes – 16 and 24oz.
The advantages of Ninja BL456 blender for crushing ice are as follows:
- The Ninja BL456 blender for crushing ice ensures excellent ice crushing and maximum vitamin extraction performance.
- The Ninja BL456 blender for crushing ice is made of BPA-free materials, which means that using it doesn’t cause any health issues.
- The Ninja BL456 blender for crushing ice has a manual program and a pulse function that allow controlling the blending speed.
The disadvantages of Ninja BL456 blender for crushing ice are as follows:
- The Ninja BL456 blender for crushing ice is noisy.
3. Vitamix 5200 Blender Professional-Grade
The Vitamix 5200 blender for crushing ice is a large capacity professional-grade unit ideal for making vitamin-packed drinks. This blender can be used for making frozen desserts, smoothies, purees, and nut butter. The Vitamix 5200 blender for crushing ice is used in both restaurants and home kitchens.
The Vitamix 5200 blender for crushing ice provides a high degree of control over the ice crushing/food blending process. The variable speed control and pule feature make it effortless to achieve the desired drink texture. The Vitamix 5200 blender for crushing ice can keep ingredients cool or create friction heat and warm them up in less than 6 minutes. This blender is equipped with a thermal protection system and a radial cooling fan that ensure its durability and prevent the motor from overheating.
The Vitamix 5200 blender for crushing ice is priced at around $430.
The Vitamix 5200 blender for crushing ice is backed up with a 7-year full warranty.
The Vitamix 5200 blender for crushing ice comes with a plastic container and aircraft-grade stainless steel blades. The hardened steel blades are meant to handle ice and other frozen ingredients easily without getting dull over time.
The Vitamix 5200 blender for crushing ice is a self-cleaning machine. Once the container is filled with warm water and a drop of dish soap is added, the self-cleaning button should be pressed. The Vitamix 5200 blender for crushing ice will clean itself in less than 1 minute.
The Vitamix 5200 blender for crushing ice can blend medium to large – up to 64oz batches.
The advantages of Vitamix 5200 blender for crushing ice are as follows:
- The Vitamix 5200 blender for crushing ice can be used as a universal machine for making ice creams, frozen sorbets, fruit sorbets, juices, dough, etc.
- The Vitamix 5200 blender for crushing ice allows adjusting the speed during the blend and switching from variable to high setting at a change of a switch.
- The Vitamix 5200 blender for crushing ice is equipped with a cool running motor that never overheats, which ensures retaining the nutritional value of all fresh ingredients used.
The disadvantages of Vitamix 5200 blender for crushing ice are as follows:
- The Vitamix 5200 blender for crushing ice is very loud when it is set to the highest speed.
4. Blendtec Total Classic Original Blender with FourSide Jar
The Blendtec Total blender for crushing ice is a high-quality unit designed for making crushed ice for snow cones and margaritas, ice cream, cocktails, smoothies, and shakes. This blender for crushing ice requires no plunger to be used as it automatically pushes ingredients towards the blade that crushes them in seconds.
The Blendtec Total blender for crushing ice is equipped with a commercial-grade motor that runs at 1,570watts, which ensures all the ingredients are fully crushed and blended. The Blendtec Total blender for crushing ice has 10 manual controls, a pulse feature, and 6 pre-programmed blending cycles.
The Blendtec Total blender for crushing ice is priced at around $600, while its discount price is around $325. When a 4-sided jar is included, the Blendtec Total blender for crushing ice comes at a price of around $700 or $440 at a discount. If a GO cup or twisted jar is included in the package, the price of the Blendtec Total blender for crushing ice is priced at around $440.
The Blendtec Total blender for crushing ice is backed up with a 2-year warranty.
The Blendtec Total blender for crushing ice is made of BPA-free plastic and stainless steel. The forget stainless steel blades are 10 times stronger than regular blender blades, which ensures maximum drink consistency.
The Blendtec Total blender for crushing ice has a built-in self-cleaning option. The jar should be filled with soap and water. Pressing any of the buttons will trigger the cleaning cycle that lasts up to 1 minute.
The Blendtec Total blender for crushing ice has 32oz blending capacity while the jar has 75oz volume.
The advantages of Blendtec Total blender for crushing ice are as follows:
- The Blendtec Total blender for crushing ice provides the utmost control over the blending process. Speeds can be switched at a press of a button on the display when blending larger ice cubes or frozen fruits.
- The Blendtec Total blender for crushing ice has a large capacity and can prepare 3-4 drinks in one batch.
- The Blendtec Total blender for crushing ice doesn’t use a tamper but comes with a dull stainless steel blade, which reduces spills and the need for cleaning.
The disadvantages of Blendtec Total blender for crushing ice are as follows:
- The Blendtec Total blender for crushing ice is very expensive unless it is bought at a discount price.
5. Oster BLSTPB-WBL My Blend 250-Watt Blender
The Oster BLSTPB-WBL blender for crushing ice is a compact unit designed for preparing one drink at a time. This blender for crushing ice can be used for making smoothies, frozen desserts, and protein shakes.
The Oster BLSTPB-WBL blender for crushing ice is equipped with a 400watt motor that easily crushes standard ice cubes and frozen fruits. This blender for crushing ice features a one-touch operation and starts blending ingredients as soon as the blending container is placed on the unit’s base. The built-in resettable fuse ensures the motor doesn’t overheat and extends the blender’s life.
The Oster BLSTPB-WBL blender for crushing ice is priced between $25 and $135, depending on the color.
The Oster BLSTPB-WBL blender for crushing ice is backed up with a 1-year limited warranty and a 3-year satisfaction warranty.
The Oster BLSTPB-WBL blender for crushing ice is made of plastic and stainless steel. The container, which can be used as a sports bottle as well, is made of BPA-free materials while the blade is made of stainless steel.
The Oster BLSTPB-WBL blender for crushing ice is dishwasher-safe. Both the container and the blades can be removed and rinsed with water. The outside of the blender should be cleaned with wet and dry cloths.
The Oster BLSTPB-WBL blender for crushing ice can produce 20oz of liquid per batch.
The advantages of Oster BLSTPB-WBL blender for crushing ice are as follows:
- The Oster BLSTPB-WBL blender for crushing ice revives 15 minutes after the motor overheats thanks to the resettable fuse.
- The Oster BLSTPB-WBL blender for crushing ice comes with a multi-functional container and a drinking lid.
- The Oster BLSTPB-WBL blender for crushing ice is made of BPA-free materials, which means that smoothies and desserts it produces are safe to use and don’t contain harmful chemicals.
The disadvantages of Oster BLSTPB-WBL blender for crushing ice are as follows:
- The Oster BLSTPB-WBL blender for crushing ice is not meant to be used with vegetables such as spinach, unlike other, similar blenders on the list.
6. Hamilton Beach 51131 Single Serve Blender
The Hamilton Beach 51131 blender for crushing ice is a single-serve unit equipped with a travel lid. This blender for crushing ice is lightweight and portable and it can be used at home, in the office, gym, or when traveling.
The Hamilton Beach 51131 blender for crushing ice is a one-touch type of unit. This blender starts the blending process once the jar is placed on the base and the on button is pressed. The blending jar can be used as a travel cup. The 175watts motor provides a quiet yet powerful operation needed to process ice cubes and frozen fruits.
The Hamilton Beach 51131 blender for crushing ice is priced between $19 and $23, depending on the type of jar chosen.
The Hamilton Beach 51131 blender for crushing ice is backed up with a 3-year warranty.
The Hamilton Beach 51131 blender for crushing ice is made of BPA-free materials – plastic and stainless steel. The stainless steel blade features a great ice crushing power and ensures drink consistency and smoothness.
The Hamilton Beach 51131 blender for crushing ice can be washed in the dishwasher as both blades, jar, and lid are dishwasher-safe.
The Hamilton Beach 51131 blender for crushing ice has a 14oz jar capacity.
The advantages of Hamilton Beach 51131 blender for crushing ice are as follows:
- The Hamilton Beach 51131 blender for crushing ice features one-touch blending and doesn’t make noise while crushing ice and blending it with other ingredients.
- The Hamilton Beach 51131 blender for crushing ice can be easily cleaned and washed in the dishwasher.
- The Hamilton Beach 51131 blender for crushing ice can be used as a travel cup once the jar is removed from the base. The drinking lid is included in the package.
The disadvantages of Hamilton Beach 51131 blender for crushing ice are as follows:
- The Hamilton Beach 51131 blender for crushing ice can handle mini ice cubes and not larger ice cubes of chunks of ice.
7. PopBabies Personal Portable Rechargeable USB Blender
The PopBabies personal blender for crushing ice is a portable unit that can be used for making frozen desserts and smoothies anywhere. This blender for crushing ice comes in petite size and can be used for trips, in the office, or at home.
The PopBabies personal blender for crushing ice is equipped with a 175watt motor that can blend smaller ice cubes, seeds, and frozen fruits without making noise. This blender charges via a USB cable and can provide 20 blended drinks per one charge, and it can blend while charging. An ice tray and a funnel are included in the package with the PopBabies personal blender for crushing ice.
The PopBabies personal blender for crushing ice is priced around $37.
The PopBabies personal blender for crushing ice is covered by a 1-year warranty.
The PopBabies personal blender for crushing ice is made of food-grade materials and it is TSA and children-safe. The BPA-free bottle is detachable and can be used for drinking.
The PopBabies personal blender for crushing ice can be washed in the dishwasher or rinsed with water.
The PopBabies personal blender for crushing ice has a 14oz container capacity, which is enough liquid for one serving.
The advantages of the PopBabies personal blender for crushing ice are as follows:
- The PopBabies personal blender for crushing ice is made of BPA-free food-grade materials that make it safe for both adults and kids.
- The PopBabies personal blender for crushing ice doesn’t generate noise while blending ingredients, unlike most similar products.
- The PopBabies personal blender for crushing ice is rechargeable using a USB cable while up to 20 batches can be produced per one charge that lasts 3-5 hours.
The disadvantages of the PopBabies personal blender for crushing ice are as follows:
- The PopBabies personal blender for crushing ice should be recharged every 2 days to remain functional.
What Can Be Done With an Ice Crusher Blender?
An ice crusher blender can be used for making crushed ice, and similarly to shaved ice machines, for making slushies, milkshakes, Pina Coladas, margaritas, and other iced drinks. An ice crushing blender is a multipurpose machine used for making smoothies, although it is different from a smoothie maker.
Which Blenders Can Handle Ice?
Blenders that are made of sturdy plastic or tempered glass can withstand vibrations and units with powerful motors that can crush hard ice and have high-quality sturdy and thick blades can handle ice. Blenders for crushing ice and undercounter ice makers can handle ice.
Ice Blender Buying Guide
When buying a blender for crushing ice, factors such as motor power, blades, jar, speed control, and noise should be considered, all of which are listed below.
1. Motor Power
Crushing ice with a blender requires a powerful motor of at least 400 Watts. Blenders for crushing ice can have wattage between 100 and 2,000 Watts while models that run at 700 Watts can overheat and should have built-in overheating prevention systems.
2. Blades
The material, sharpness, and the assembly of the blades should be considered when buying a blender for crushing ice.
2.1. Material
A blender for crushing ice should have stainless steel blades that are sturdy enough to crush ice and resistant to rust so they are able to withstand abrasive force when crushing ice.
2.2. Sharp or blunt blades
Blenders for crushing ice can come with sharp or blunt blades. Sharp blades are most suitable for chopping vegetables and fruits for making yogurt, parfait, or pudding. Long and sharp blades can cut small pieces and achieve a smooth blend within minutes. Crushing large ice cubes can make the blades dull so they will have to be sharpened or replaced.
Blunt blades are more suitable for crushing ice since they have more brute force that can crush it immediately instead of cutting it to smaller pieces. Blunt blades make any blender for crushing ice safer and easier to clean.
Some blenders for crushing ice have both sharp and blunt blades that make the machine more versatile.
2.3. Assembly
Most blades are set at a slight angle or positioned flat, which makes the ingredients on the bottom of the jar better processed while ingredients at the top stay uncut, which results in an uneven feed. Some blenders for crushing ice have blades that are reaching upwards and set at an angle or set one atop another so all the ingredients are evenly cut.
3. The Jar
A blender for crushing ice should have a high-quality, thick, and resilient blending jar with at least 20 oz capacity.
3.1. Material and shape
A blender for crushing ice should come with a jar with sturdy walls that can withstand high speeds and hard ice. The best ice crusher blender jars are made of solid BPA-free plastic and tempered glass. Square-shaped jars are liable but prone to bursting while pitcher-style jars are most reliable. Some ice crusher have multipurpose jars that can be used as sports bottle, too.
3.2. Capacity
The size of a ice crusher jar is not the same as its functional capacity. A blender for crushing ice spins the ingredients and the blades crush them while there should be more space for the whole ingredients. A blender for crushing ice’s jar should never be filled to the brim but to half the capacity, otherwise, it can spill liquid or explode. Large jars with capacity of 64 oz are most suitable for serving margaritas and daiquiris at commercial settings while there are jars with smaller capacity of 20 oz.
4. Speed Control and Options
Blenders for crushing ice can have only an off-on button while other models have variable speeds and reverse functions.
4.1. Variable speed
Most blenders for crushing ice have several speed settings that contribute to higher control and an even blend. Some blenders for crushing ice come with pre-programmed speed settings for various recipes.
4.2. Reverse option
Some blenders for crushing ice come with a reverse function that spins the blades in the opposite direction than how they normally move. The reverse option ensures all ingredients are processed top to bottom and prevents jamming and uneven blending.
5. Noise
Blenders for crushing ice generate noise when crushing big ice cubes or when the ice is hitting the wall of the jar at high speed. Some blenders for crushing ice are less noisy while there are options to make any blender quieter.
Tips for Blending Frozen Drinks
Tips for blending frozen drinks using a blender for crushing ice are listed below:
1. Choose the Right Ingredients
High quality ingredients – ice and fruit should be used for making the best frozen drinks in a blender for crushing ice.
1.1. Ice
Ice used for making frozen drinks should be fresh, clean, and odor-free. Ice made in a specialized ice machine is the safest option since it is clean and fresh and doesn’t contain bacteria that can be found on plastic ice trays.
1.2. Fruit
Fresh or frozen fruit can be used for making frozen drinks. When making frozen drinks with frozen fruit, less ice should be used to avoid watering the drink down. Using fresh fruit for making frozen drinks results in a stronger and sweeter flavor and more ice should be used for keeping the drink cool.
2. Avoid Huge Ice Cubes
To protect the motor of the blender for crushing ice, smaller ice cubes or ice nuggets should be used or large ice cubes should be broken down using a mallet and a bag so the machine can process them easier.
3. Measure Your Ice
Equal parts of ice and other ingredients should be mixed when making margaritas in a blender for crushing ice. The amount of ice needed for making slushies is twice the amount of other ingredients while less ice is needed for making a smoothie in a blender for crushing ice.
4. Don’t Overfill
A blender for crushing ice should be filled with ingredients to the brim and not fully, otherwise, the built-up pressure can make the jar burst or the liquid to start flowing out.
5. Don’t Crank It Up Straight Away
A blender for crushing ice should be set at a lower speed at the beginning of the ice crushing process or the reverse function should be activated so that ingredients are chopped before they are blended. The speed of the blender for crushing ice should be gradually increased to crush and blend remaining pieces, prevent clumps, and prevent blades from getting dull.
FAQ About Blenders for Crushing Ice
1. Can any blender crush ice?
No, not all blenders can crush ice. Blenders of at least 400 Watts should be used for crushing ice, including frozen fruits and vegetables.
2. Can I use an immersion blender to crush ice?
No, an immersion blender can’t crush ice since its blades aren’t sturdy and its motor isn’t powerful enough and it could overheat.
3. How do I keep my blender for crushing ice clean?
If a blender for crushing ice is dishwasher-safe, it can be kept clean by washing its removable parts – jars and the lids in the dishwasher. The jar and lids can be also rinsed with clean water or regular dish soap. The base of the blender for ice crushing should never be cleaned with water since the motor is built in the base.
4. How do I clean my personal blender for crushing ice if it’s not dishwasher safe?
A blender for crushing ice that is not dishwasher safe should be rinsed with fresh water or water and dish soap after each use to remove big pieces of food. The jar can be filled with water and dish soap, closed, attached to the blender for crushing ice, one cleaning cycle should be ran, then the jar should be rinsed away with clear water.
5. How do I battle old or stubborn stains or odor in my blender for crushing ice?
Rinsing the blender for crushing ice after each use is the best way to prevent stains and odors. To prevent stains, a blender for crushing ice can be filled with baking soda and water, then ran for a minute at the lowest setting, then rinsed with water. To prevent odors, a blender for crushing ice can be disinfected with vinegar and water in ratio 1:20, then rinsed with fresh water.
6. How do I clean the base of my blender for crushing ice?
The base of a blender for crushing ice should be unplugged from the power socket and cleaned with a moist rug and/or a drop of dish soap.
7. Why is my blender for ice not crushing ice?
A blender for crushing ice won’t crush ice if the blades are dull or if its motor can’t provide sufficient power.
