So, you’re serious about upgrading your health and you’re in the market for a blender. Perhaps you can’t decide between a Vitamix, Blendtec or NutriBullet? As a nutritionist who often recommends blending for one reason or the other, I’m often asked for my opinion. Here’s the lowdown based on a mix of feedback from clients, friends and various online reviews, along with my own personal and professional experience. Naturally I do have a favourite – scroll to the end if you’re not interested in the finer points -but you make your own mind up!

Vitamix:

The oldest and arguably the most respected of the three (experience counts!).

1,380 watts of super power completely breaks down just about anything you throw into it – large chunks of food are no problem (neither are nuts, seeds, frozen cubes of spinach and notoriously bothersome ginger root).

The tamper (included) allows you to push the food onto the blades (so you don’t have the annoyance of stopping, pushing down and restarting several times).

No ‘heater’, but the friction created by blades rotating 240 mph generates sufficient heat for sauces, soups and dips (don’t worry – not enough to damage precious nutrients).

Not programmable (like the Blendtec) – just very straightforward. Two settings and you just crank it up to the desired blending speed. Basically this means you have an unlimited amount of speed settings that you control yourself.

Expensive – Upwards of €650 ($650 in the States – and considerably less at Costco, but for those of us in Europe, it’s not worth worrying about adaptability/warranty issues).

Susan says: I use my Vitamix between three and five times daily and can’t imagine how I’d get much done in the kitchen without it. Customer service is brilliant. Some time ago I managed to break the pitcher (extremely difficult to do) and thanks to the 7-year warranty a replacement was in the mail within days – no questions asked.

Blendtec

1,560 watts of super power – even more than Vitamix (but doesn’t really translate into any practical difference).

Doesn’t offer the same amount of speed control as Vitamix.

No tamper (so you need to ‘prep’ food first – more cutting and dicing into smaller pieces). Blades spin if you don’t have enough food in the pitcher.

The pitcher has a broader bottom (Vitamix is tapered) so nothing gets stuck under the blades, making it slightly easier to clean.

Much louder than the Vitamix (not great for when people are sleeping!).

Cheaper than the Vitamix, but still expensive ($400 Stateside).

NutriBullet:

The new improved version of the MagicBullet (a company that has had its problems in the past).

Much smaller than either the Vitamix or the Blendtec – making it ideal for smaller quantities (think individual smoothies), but not appropriate for larger quantities (like soup for the whole family).

‘Only’ 600 watts – much less power than either the Vitamix or the Blendtec.

However, MUCH cheaper than either of the above ($140 in the US).

The bottom line:

You get what you pay for. If you’re only interested in making smoothies and not much more then go for the Nutribullet. Otherwise, invest in a Vitamix. You won’t regret it – guaranteed!