NutriBullet Blender: the one for super-sized smoothies?

When NutriBullet first launched its button-free, compact bullet blender - the NutriBullet 600 - it was a move away from traditional blender design. But now the brand has come full circle and launched a full-sized jug blender with manual controls.

With a 1.6-litre container and 1,000W motor, it's a mid-range product aimed squarely at those looking to whip up larger portions of smoothies, ice creams, soups, dips and other blended treats.

The vented lid means it can safely handle hot liquids too, something that the smaller bullet-style models can't do.

It's currently only available at highstreettv.com and amazon.co.uk but will be more widely available in the coming months. At just under £100, it's quite an investment, even for a big blender. So is it worth it?

NutriBullet Blender - how does it compare with the rest of the range?

This is new territory for NutriBullet, which look to be responding to the trend towards larger capacity jug blenders after years of mini blenders ruling the roost.

Despite its size, the new blender is actually cheaper than some of the smaller NutriBullet models, such as the NutriBullet Rx,1200 and Balance.

NutriBullet has previously prided itself on its button-free 'push-and-go' design, but this model has a simple control panel where you can select low, high, and pulse settings - giving you more control over the blending process.

The NutriBullet Blender can also crush ice and blend hot liquids, adding to its versatility.

The jug is dishwasher safe too, which may be handy as the blades are built-in, which can make cleaning underneath tricky.

For less liquidy mixes, such as dips, the included tamper will help to push any rogue ingredients towards the blades safely, so you (hopefully) don't get any unmixed lumps.

Head to the NutriBullet Blender first look review to see if it's effective.

NutriBullet Blender vs other jug blenders

There are loads of jug blenders to choose from these days, with prices ranging from £30 to more than £500 and an array of special features, from vacuum blending to tilted jug designs and extra juicing or food processing accessories.

Here are three slightly pricier rivals and a quick rundown of their features:

• Nutri Ninja Smart Screen CT600UKV blender, £120 - this blender has both a jug and a personal blending cup with travel drinking lid, for maximum versatility. It also has a vacuum blending function so you can suck the air out of the cup before blending, which is claimed to result in smoother blends (by preventing oxidisation during blending).
• AEG Gourmet 7 Pro Health Blender, £180 - has a novel tilted design which is claimed to improve blending and a juice-making attachment.
• Sage Fresh & Furious blender, £199 - has a 1,300W motor, LCD control display and pre-set programs for ice crushing, self-cleaning, regular smoothies and green smoothies, as well as five speed settings.

The new NutriBullet Blender is a bit cheaper and sticks to the essentials. It doesn't have extra attachments, but it does have a large capacity and can handle a range of everyday blending jobs.

It could be the ideal choice if you aren't fussed about lots of extras but want a decent-sized blender. We've currently got 12 Best Buy jug blenders we recommend though, so the competition's stiff.

What to consider when buying a new blender

Here are the key things you'll need to think about to narrow down your search:

• Price - blenders vary enormously in price. There are some excellent cheaper models around, but you may not be able to run them for as long, or do jobs such as crushing ice, so think about what features are essential for you.
• Type - you'll mainly be choosing between jug blenders or models with a smaller personal blending cup. Some models include both for extra versatility.
• Capacity - are you looking to dole out family-sized servings or do you just need to blend for yourself? Larger blenders may not be optimised for blitzing small servings, so if you just want to make the odd quick smoothie, a mini blender may be a better bet.
• Versatility - if you want to crush ice, make thicker mixers like ice cream and dips, or also chop, grind and juice ingredients, look out for a blender with extra accessories.

If you want a blender that really lasts, it's also worth checking our guide to the best and most reliable blender brands.

Luckily, there's a lot of choice around, although you may find some popular models out of stock due to supply problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

We've found brilliant blenders at all price points, from the cheap and cheerful to the premium, multi-feature models, so check our blender reviews to browse the best for your budget.

For more advice and insight on key features, head to our full blender buying guide.

Prices and availability correct as of 24 June 2020.

The NutriBullet Blender is currently temporarily out of stock but we checked with Nutribullet who told us it should be back in stock and more widely available in high street retailers by August. Keep an eye on the Nutribullet website for up to date information.

NutriBullet have also announced theBlender Combo for £150 which comes out in August. This comes with some extra features, including a medium speed button and a pre-programmed “extraction” cycle button to make smoothies in a minute. In addition to the large jug, the Combo comes with 900ml, 700ml, and 500ml cups to provide bullet blending for smaller portions you can take on the go. Finally, it's a 1,200W machine, so it packs a bit more of a punch.