What to Consider Before Buying a New Blender

Modern blenders are incredibly versatile. And, because of the many options, deciding which to buy can be easier said than done. Yet, that needn’t be the case. However, consumers need to consider a small number of crucial considerations. With that in mind, and from budget and application to durability and extended appliance warranty provisions, here are four all-important things to consider before splashing out.

Blender Budget

Entry-level blenders can cost as little as $20. At the other end of the market, it’s possible to blow the budget and spend $700 or even more. For the most part, it may be a good idea to ignore the very cheapest options. Unless a blender will only see very occasional use, it’s invariably a good idea to spend a little more.

Mid-Range Blenders

Mid-range options from brands like Braun, Breville, Cuisinart, Hamilton Beach, and KitchenAid, as well as Ninja or NutriBullet, are all popular choices, and with good reason. Generally offering excellent value for money, they should last for many years to come, too. By contrast, an extremely cheap blender may need replacing after just a few months or even sooner.

Range-Topping Blenders

So, why should someone spend more? Range-topping blenders from manufacturers like those above, plus KitchenAid, Vitamix, and others, also have a very valid place in the market. Sometimes, a blender needs to fulfill various purposes, including tough tasks where power, for example, is very important.
More powerful blenders are typically more expensive. And while most people don’t need massive amounts of power, others do. It’s blenders in the $500-$700+ price range, then, that cater to such buyers. However, unless there’s a specific need to budget for a top-of-the-range option, it’s rarely necessary to splash out to such an extent.

Blender Uses

Lots of blenders will handle many of the same uses. However, most have an emphasis on a particular task or set of tasks. For example, some are very focused on making smoothies. Meanwhile, others are more cooking-focused, designed to handle soups and nut butters better. Example applications include:
  • Mixing
  • Chopping
  • Crushing
  • Pureeing
  • Grinding
Look for a blender that meets your requirements in terms of both application and budget. Taking this approach should help to whittle down the huge array of available options to a more manageable number, wherein it’s easier to make a decision.
It may also help to shop specifically within a given range of blenders. For example, conventional, high-performance, personal, and handheld or immersion models only.

Blender Durability

Like use, blender durability is another important consideration. Contrary to what many people may believe, the most feature-packed blenders aren’t necessarily the most durable.
Some of the most expensive and cutting-edge blenders focus on producing smoothies. With that, they aren’t meant to tackle blitzing nuts and other non-smoothie ingredients. At the same time, some cheaper and more basic blenders, such as those designed for pulverizing things like nuts, may not be great at making smoothies.

Finding a Balance

When it comes to durability, find the balance. Be sure to select a blender that’s suitably durable, but avoid the urge to splash out unnecessarily. Also, bigger and more powerful doesn’t always mean better.
Bigger, more robust, and primarily cooking-focused blenders may lack the finesse necessary to whip up smooth smoothies. On the other hand, cheaper smoothie-making blenders may not be durable enough to handle other kitchen tasks. Accordingly, be sure to look for one that’s marketed as suitable specifically for tackling the main task or tasks at hand.

Performance Across the Board

Many blenders will perform well across the board, so it’s vital to shop around. That’s unless, of course, you’re purchasing a blender for a very specific task. In which case, durability more generally is likely to be less important. What’s crucial in this case is that a particular blender can do what’s needed of it to an excellent standard.

Blender Warranty Provisions

All blenders sold in the U.S. will include at least a 12-month manufacturer warranty. Costlier top-of-the-range examples may offer a longer warranty, but this is less common than one might expect. That’s because manufacturers are under no obligation to provide any more than 12 months of standard warranty coverage.

Manufacturer Warranty Limits

Limited warranties protect against issues stemming from manufacturing defects. Anyone seeking a greater level of coverage may be invited to purchase an extended manufacturer warranty. Similar options are also sometimes available from retailers like Walmart and Target.
Both tend to be prohibitively costly in many cases. Most will also come with a long list of terms, conditions, exclusions, and more. What this means is that they may not be as comprehensive as they appear, leaving consumers unprotected in the event of issues such as mechanical faults and other failures down the line.

Upsie Appliance Warranties

Thankfully, superior coverage is available from Upsie. Upsie works directly with the consumer. This means that, despite being comparable or superior to even the best manufacturer or retailer extended warranties, Upsie’s prices are up to 70 percent lower.
The benefits of choosing one of Upsie’s extended small appliance warranties for any blender include 24/7 access to claims services, a $0 deductible, and complete peace of mind for up to three years. Best of all, Upsie customers can make unlimited claims up to the purchase price of the device. Customers can purchase an Upsie warranty for small appliances bought in the last 60 days.
For the best protection at the best price, choose Upsie.

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* This article is over 6 months old and may or may not be updated.