Blender Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Blender for Your Kitchen
Making morning smoothies? Blending homemade soups? Or even crushing ice for frozen drinks and cocktails? The right blender can make your food preparation quicker and easier. From powerful countertop blenders to compact smoothie makers and versatile hand blenders, different models are designed for different kitchen tasks. At Cooks Professional, our blender range includes the 1400W Digital Power Blender, 1000W NutriBlend , Heated Blender and Soup Maker, 2-in-1 Hand Blender and Electric Potato Masher, and Multifunctional Stand Mixers with Blender Attachments.
Choosing the best blender depends on what you're making, the ingredients you're using and how much you need to prepare. This blender buying guide compares different types of blenders, their features, motor power and capacities to help you find the right appliance for your kitchen.
Which blender is best for you?
Not all kitchen blenders are designed for the same purpose. A high-powered jug blender is ideal for crushing ice and preparing larger batches of smoothies, while a compact blender is better suited to individual drinks. Heated blenders can cook soup as well as blend it, and handheld stick blenders offer greater flexibility for smaller kitchen tasks.
| Blender | Power | Capacity | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooks Professional Digital Power Blender | 1400W | 1.8L | Smoothies, frozen fruit, ice crushing, milkshakes and family-sized batches |
| Cooks Professional NutriBlend Smoothie Maker | 1000W | 700ml and 500ml tumblers | Individual smoothies, protein shakes and drinks on the go |
| Cooks Professional Heated Blender & Soup Maker | Not specified | 1.75L (cold) 1.4L (hot) |
Hot soups, sauces, smoothies, frozen drinks and homemade jams |
| Cooks Professional 2-in-1 Hand Blender & Electric Potato Masher | 200W | Handheld | Mashed potatoes, blending soups and smaller portions |
| Cooks Professional 6.2L Multifunctional Stand Mixers with Blender | 1200W | 1.5L Blender Jug | Baking, mixing, blending and multifunctional food preparation |
| Cooks Professional 8L Multifunctional Stand Mixers with Blender | 1800W | 1.5L Blender Jug | Larger baking batches, smoothies, sauces and food preparation |
For frequent smoothie making and crushing ice, the Digital Power Blender is our most capable dedicated jug blender. If you're preparing individual drinks, the NutriBlend is a practical and compact alternative. For homemade soups, the Heated Blender and Soup Maker combines cooking and blending in one appliance.
What are the different types of blenders?
1. Power blenders: Smoothies, ice crushing and larger batches
A high-powered countertop blender is one of the most versatile kitchen appliances for preparing smoothies, milkshakes, sauces and frozen drinks. Our Cooks Professional 1400W Digital Power Blender is the premium model in our dedicated blender range, combining a powerful motor, stainless steel blades and a generous 1.8L jug. Designed for regular use, it features three automatic blending programmes:
- Smoothie: Blends fruit and other smoothie ingredients into a smooth, consistent drink.
- Ice Crush: Breaks down ice for chilled drinks and frozen recipes.
- Milkshake: Combines milk, ice cream and other ingredients for creamy milkshakes.
The digital display makes selecting a programme straightforward, while the 10-speed dial provides greater control when blending different ingredients. Its large 1800ml jug makes it particularly suitable for family breakfasts, batch preparation and entertaining guests.
Best for: Families, frequent smoothie makers, frozen drinks, milkshakes, ice crushing and larger quantities.
2. Compact blenders and smoothie makers: Individual drinks
Our Cooks Professional NutriBlend Smoothie Maker offers powerful blending in a space-saving design, making it a practical choice for smaller kitchens making smoothies, sauces, protein shakes and fruit-based drinks. The 1000W motor processes fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds, while the included tumblers allow you to prepare and store drinks without transferring them to another container.
The accessory set includes a 700ml tumbler, two 500ml tumblers, handles, stay-fresh lids and a blender blade.
Unlike a traditional large jug blender, a NutriBlend is particularly convenient when preparing a single serving.
Best for: Breakfast smoothies, protein shakes, fruit smoothies, smaller kitchens and drinks on the go.
3. Heated blenders and soup makers: Homemade soups
A heated blender combines the functions of a traditional jug blender and a soup maker, allowing you to cook and blend ingredients in the same appliance. Our Cooks Professional Heated Blender and Soup Maker is designed for preparing homemade soups, sauces, smoothies, jams and frozen drinks, without needing separate pans for suitable recipes.
Simply add your ingredients, select the appropriate programme and allow the machine to heat and blend automatically. The Smooth Soup and Chunky Soup settings prepare homemade soup in approximately 20–30 minutes, depending on the programme and ingredients.
Beyond soup, the appliance includes dedicated programmes for smoothies, milkshakes, frozen drinks, desserts, jams and sauces. For greater control, it offers nine blending speeds, a maximum boost setting and adjustable heating temperatures between 40°C and 100°C.
Best for: Homemade soups, smooth sauces, batch cooking, hot and cold blending, and kitchens where one appliance needs to perform several tasks.
4. Hand blenders and stick blenders: Best for soups, sauces and mashed potatoes
A hand blender, also known as a stick blender or immersion blender, is a compact handheld appliance used to blend ingredients directly in a suitable container. Unlike a countertop blender, which requires ingredients to be transferred into a jug, a stick blender allows you to blend smaller quantities in bowls, jugs and saucepans, where safe and appropriate.
Our Cooks Professional 2-in-1 Hand Blender and Electric Potato Masher combines two useful kitchen tools in one compact appliance. With a 200W motor and interchangeable attachments, it can switch between blending soups and sauces and preparing smooth mashed potatoes. The removable attachments also make cleaning and storage straightforward in compact living spaces.
Best for: Mashed potatoes, smooth soups, sauces, purées, smaller portions and compact kitchens.
5. Multifunctional stand mixers with blenders: Best for baking and food preparation
If you regularly bake as well as blend, a multifunctional stand mixer with a blender attachment can be a practical alternative to owning several separate appliances.
Our Cooks Professional Multifunctional Stand Mixers combine traditional stand mixer functions with additional food preparation accessories, including a blender attachment. Available with 6.2L and 8L mixing bowls, these appliances are designed for households that want greater versatility in the kitchen.
The 8L 1800W model features planetary mixing action, a digital control panel and interchangeable baking attachments, including a flat beater, dough hook and whisk. It also includes a glass blender jug for smoothies, soups and sauces, alongside a meat mincer and sausage-making accessories. The smaller 6.2L 1200W model provides another multifunctional option for home cooks who want to combine baking and blending in one appliance.
Best for: Home baking, dough preparation, cake mixtures, smoothies, sauces and households looking for a multifunctional kitchen appliance.
What wattage blender do I need?
Blender wattage refers to the electrical power consumed by the motor. Although higher-wattage blenders are often designed for more demanding tasks, wattage alone does not determine blending performance. Blade design, motor efficiency, blending speed and the type of ingredients all influence the final result.
| Blender wattage | Typical uses | Cooks Professional example |
|---|---|---|
| 200W | Light blending, purées and mashed potatoes | 2-in-1 Hand Blender & Electric Masher |
| 1000W | Smoothies, fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds | NutriBlend Smoothie Maker |
| 1400W | Ice crushing, frozen drinks, smoothies and larger batches | Digital Power Blender |
For everyday smoothies, a 1000W Nutriblend may be sufficient. If you regularly crush ice, blend frozen fruit or prepare larger quantities, a dedicated power blender with appropriate programmes and blades is worth considering.
Blender vs smoothie maker: What's the difference?
The main difference between a traditional jug blender and a smoothie maker is their size, capacity and intended use. A countertop blender, like the Power Blender, typically features a larger blending jug, making it suitable for preparing multiple servings. A smoothie maker uses smaller cups, making it more convenient for individual drinks and compact kitchens.
| Feature | Power Blender | NutriBlend |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 1800ml | 700ml |
| Best for | Multiple servings and varied recipes | Individual smoothies and shakes |
| Portability | Drinks usually transferred after blending | Includes portable tumblers |
| Countertop space | Larger footprint | More compact |
| Ice crushing | Dedicated programme | Small amounts pulsed |
| Ideal user | Families and frequent home cooks | Individuals and smaller households |
Our 1400W Digital Power Blender is better suited to larger batches and varied blending tasks, while the 1000W NutriBlend is designed for compact, convenient smoothie preparation.
What size blender do I need?
Blender capacity is another important consideration, particularly if you prepare drinks for more than one person. A smaller blender is convenient for individual servings, while a larger jug blender is better suited to families and batch preparation. Our Cooks Professional NutriBlend includes 500ml and 700ml tumblers, making it suitable for preparing smaller quantities.
For larger batches, the 1.8L Digital Power Blender offers greater capacity, reducing the need to blend multiple servings separately. When choosing a blender, consider how many people you're preparing food for, how frequently you'll use it and whether you have enough cupboard or worktop space to store the appliance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best blender for making smoothies?
The best blender for smoothies is our digital power blender, boasting a strong 1400W motor making light work of frozen fruits and ice. Its jug is far larger than some of our other ranges, making it suitable for batch cooking and large families. However, smaller families might favour the 1000W NutriBlend. It's ideal for individual drinks, and takes up less counter space, making it perfect for smaller households and compact kitchens.
What is the difference between a blender and a smoothie maker?
A traditional jug blender typically has a larger capacity and is suitable for a wider range of recipes, while a smoothie maker is designed for smaller servings. The Cooks Professional NutriBlend includes portable blending tumblers, making it convenient for smoothies and shakes on the go.
Is a 1000W blender powerful enough for frozen fruit?
A 1000W NutriBlend is more than capable of blending up frozen fruits into smoothies. It's important however, to be mindful of how long you are blending for. To avoid putting strain on the motor, so pulsing is advised when dealing with stubborn fruits. If the contents still won't blend, then adding more liquid can be a quick fix to turn your fruits into smoothies. For faster results and no pulsing, choose a machine with a dedicated smoothie function like the digital power blender and heated soup blender. This takes the hassle out of blending, leaving you with a perfect smoothing without the need to pulse.
What is the best blender for making soup?
A heated blender is a convenient choice for homemade soup because it can cook and blend ingredients in the same jug. Our Cooks Professional Heated Blender and Soup Maker prepares smooth or chunky soup in approximately 20–30 minutes. A traditional blender can also purée cooked soup, provided it is suitable for the temperature of the ingredients.
Are hand blenders as good as jug blenders?
Hand blenders are ideal for smaller quantities, sauces, soups and purées, particularly when you want to blend directly in a suitable container to save washing up. Jug blenders are generally better suited to larger batches, smoothies and more demanding blending tasks. The best option depends on what you prepare most often.
Can you use a stand mixer as a blender?
A stand mixer can be used for blending if it includes a compatible blender attachment. Our Cooks Professional 6.2L and 8L Multifunctional Stand Mixers feature blender attachments, allowing you to prepare smoothies and sauces alongside traditional baking tasks.
Find the best blender for your kitchen with Cooks Professional
Whether you're looking for a powerful smoothie blender, a compact smoothie maker or a heated blender for homemade soups, Cooks Professional offers a range of appliances designed to make everyday food preparation easier.
Explore the Cooks Professional Blender Collection and find the right appliance for everything from quick breakfasts to homemade family meals.