The blenders that make the best smoothies

Knowing that smoothies and frozen drinks are among the most common blender recipes, Consumer Reports modified its test method to better measure those key competencies. As a result, some models have risen in our blender Ratings, while others saw their scores slip. Paying top dollar will get you top performance, but some less expensive models also measure up. 

In the past, our sensory panelists tasted each virgin pina colada we blended for smoothness and consistency. Working closely with these experts, we developed a new test in which the frozen concoctions are poured through metal sieves. Lots of icy chunks trapped on the mesh result in a subpar score and lower rank in our Ratings. This new test allows us to look at the entire blended drink, not just the portion our testers see and taste. It also allows us to better cover the changing marketplace, which features more high-powered blenders designed to handle a variety of recipes, from smoothies to soups to whole-fruit juices.

And the winner is. Vitamix, the original uber blender, fared especially well in our new Ratings. The Vitamix Professional Series 750, $650, claims the top spot, cranking out superb frozen drinks and purees. It also aced our tough ice crush and durability tests, meaning it should hold up over time. For good measure, it's backed by a generous 7-year warranty. The Vitamix 7500 and the Vitamix Professional Series 300 should perform similarly, based on our evaluations, and they're priced a bit lower, at $530. That's still a lot to pay for a blender, but we've been very impressed by Vitamix's versatility, whether it's cranking out smoothies, whole-fruit juices, or hot soup.  

Other notables. The Blendtec Designer 725, $650, also gets high marks in our new Ratings, and it features several innovations, including preprogrammed settings that are very intuitive. The machine will even record how many completed recipes you make in it, then display a code that can be redeemed on the Blendtec website for kitchen utensils, recipe books, and other gifts.

One caveat: two other Blendtec blenders struggled in our durability test, a stress test in which we crush seven large ice cubes 45 times to simulate rigorous use. With the Blendtec Designer Series Wildside, $460, one of two containers leaked due to a failure involving the blade assembly's bearing and seal—where the spinning shaft passes through the container. With the Blendtec Total Blender TB-621-20, both samples we tested failed for the same reason. We did not experience this issue with the Blendtec Designer 725, but its blade assembly is similarly designed. We will continue to monitor user reviews closely for any related issues.              

Good options for less. If you're looking to spend less on a top-rated blender, consider the $200 Dash Chef Series Digital blender, which was excellent in our smoothie and puree tests. It comes in bright red and green finishes, along with the standard black or white, in case you want to add a pop of color to your countertop. 

One low-priced blender that we used to recommend, the $60 Ninja Master Prep Professional QB1004, struggled in our new tests. It's still a good machine, but you're better off with its slightly higher-priced brand mate, the $100 Ninja Professional NJ600. Though it narrowly missed our recommended list, it performed very well overall, especially when it comes to smoothies and convenience.

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter)