5 Best Blenders for 2015

1. Vitamix 7500 Blender

• Vitamix should take the top spot of any 'Best Blenders List'. For good reason too, the Vitamix Company offers blenders that are dependable and built to last a lifetime. No blending job will be too tough for the Vitamix 7500 Blender. Vitamix's latest blenders includes plenty of requested features, including: a wide-mouth blending jar, a 2.2 peak horsepower motor, and variable blending speeds.

Pros:

1. Durability. Vitamix is so confident in the quality of their blenders, they include a 7 year warranty. Irregardless, this blender feels like a machine fit enough to go onto the International Space Station it is so solidly built.
2. Power. No Vitamix blender is more powerful than the Vitamix 7500. Good luck finding any blender on the market able to match the power of the Vitamix.
3. Blend Anything. Green smoothies come out absolutely perfect, no chunks left at all. Frozen berry seeds will turn into liquid. Nuts can be blended into nut butter. Hot soups that are both creamy and perfectly liquid will take only a few minutes to make in the Vitamix. Any blending job you can think of, the Vitamix 7500 can handle it.

Cons:

1. Price Point. A blender costing over $500 is a serious investment, but you certainly get what you pay for: the best blender on the 2015 market.
2. Beginners. If you are new to blending, don't buy the Vitamix 7500. Go with a more beginner friendly blender, like the Nutri Ninja.
3. Wide-Mouth vs Traditional. The Vitamix community is split over which blending pitcher is superior. Wide-Mouth Blenders have their faults compared to Traditional Blending Pitchers, such as food getting caught on the side, but it is a matter of preference.

2. Nutri Ninja Pro Blender

• Blender elitists may be surprised to see a Ninja Blender listed in this list, but the Nutri Ninja is leading a revolution in the world of blending. Don't be too quick to turn your nose up at a blender costing less than $100, the Nutri Ninja delivers a darn fine blend. With only 900 Watts of power, the Nutri Ninja has the least powerful motor on this list, but it delivers results that can compete with the big boys.

Pros:

1. Under $100. The Nutri Ninja is by far the most affordable blender of our Top 5 Blenders. Even the NutriBullet fails to offer as great as savings as the Nutri Ninja.
2. Single Serve Smoothies. Makes delicious fruit smoothies for breakfast or after a workout. Bananas paired with frozen fruit and water will make for a decadent, but healthy treat.
3. Quick and Efficient. Prep time for single serve smoothies is minimal, truly on-the-go blending. Cleanup is even faster, just rinse the blending cups and the blending blades in the sink, and throw them in the dishwasher.

Cons:

1. Leafy Greens. Unfortunately the Nutri Ninja will have problems blending through leafy greens, expect little chunks to remain. Baby greens will blend well, but the best way to make green smoothies with the Ninja is to use Vitamineral Green or other leafy green powders.
2. Smoothies Only. With such a limited blending cup size, making anything beyond a single serve smoothie is impracticable. If you want to make bean dips or soups, look elsewhere.
3. Lifespan. You will get a few good years out of the Nutri Ninja, but it will wear down far faster than its competition with the Vitamix or Blendtec blenders.

3. Blendtec Total Blender

• Blendtec vs Vitamix is a classic divide in the world of blenders. I too fall on the Vitamix side, but that is not to say Blendtec blenders are bad investments. Especially considering that Vitamix blenders tend to cost more, looking into the Blendtec should be done soberly with full knowledge of its advantages and disadvantages.

Pros:

1. Best Blending Container. While there are infamous reports in faults of these containers, they are so much more efficient than traditional Vitamix containers. Square blending jars are my favorite as they are so easy to empty of their contents.
2. Digital Controls. Run automated programs for set periods of time. Essentially, all the blending jobs you will need to do can be automated, including smoothie making.
3. Fits on Countertop. Being able to keep the blending base and blending pitcher under the cabinet on the countertop is great. It makes the blender easy to access and subliminally makes you want to blend more.

Cons:

1. Shorter Life versus Vitamix. Widely reported that the Blendtec has a shorter life compared to the Vitamix. Some find this controversial, but the fact of the matter is that Vitamix blenders hardly ever burn out, but Blendtec blenders due burn out semi-frequently.
2. Needs Liquid to Blend. Making your own flour requires no liquid, but things like fruit sorbets and nut butters are best made with liquid.
3. Customer Service. Once again, the Vitamix provides the best customer service in the world. Unfortunately Blendtec falls far short. If your blender base or blending pitcher ever break, getting th eitem replaced will be a hassle.

4. Dash Chef Series Digital Blender

• Here is a true gem in the world of blenders. If you think that a powerful blender with a high-quality blending pitcher is only available for those willing to pay top dollar, prepare to be surprised. The Dash Chef Series Blender offers all those features we dream about in a Vitamix or a Blendtec, but delivers at a fraction of the price.

Pros:

1. Price Point. Dash blenders can be purchased for under $250. With features similar to Vitamix and Blendtec Blenders, saving over $100 is a great deal.
2. Power. 1400 Watts of Power + a Quality Blade Design = Fantastic Blending Capabilities.
3. Digital Control Panel. Deciding which blending program to run is actually fun. The control panel works like a sci-fi gadget where you turn a dial, hit a button, and your blender begins running on its own.

Cons:

1. Bulky. Fitting the Dash Blender and its blending pitcher under the kitchen cabinet while on the countertop will not be possible. Along with this, the motor base is heavy and difficult to move around.
2. Not Quite a Vitamix. While there is so much to love about the Dash given its price point, it is of lower quality compared to the Vitamix. Little things here and there demonstrate this blender's inferiority, but this will only bother those who are already at home with Vitamix Blenders.
3. Availability. Dash is a company that manufacturers all of their components in China. Locating these blenders can be tricky, and price swings occur on Amazon (from $170-$300).

5. Oster Versa 1400-Watt Pro Blender

• Oster Blenders are underrated on today's market. Too many of the modern blenders under the $200 price point end up using cheap parts that both look ugly and will not last long. The Oster Versa will surprise you with its sharp looks and well built parts. Smoothies will come out well thanks to the powerful motor and quality blade design.

Pros:

1. Attractive. The black blending base with a red trim makes for one of the most attractive blenders I have ever come across. Display the Oster Versa with pride on your countertop as compliment after compliment come from guests you entertain.
2. Under $200. For all the sub-$200 blenders out there that aspire to be Vitamix 'clones', the Oster Versa is the best choice you can make. Other than the Dash Chef Series Blender, the Oster Versa is one of the best Vitamix pretenders.
3. Automated Blending. Smoothies, bean dips, and soups can all be programmed to blend automatically. I don't know about you, but these are the three tasks I mainly use my blender for.

Cons:

1. Possible Design Flaws. Not as fullproof of the Vitamix, reports exist about Oster Versa blenders breaking down after only a few months.
2. Leafy Greens. Fails to fully blend leafy greens. If you spend an extra 20-30 seconds running the blender, you may blend the greens to a point of insignificance, but this is a hassle.
3. Large Blending Base. Fitting the base and the pitcher under your kitchen cabinet probably can't be done. Thus, you will likely need to store the pitcher in the cabinet when not in use.