Buying guide for Best KitchenAid blenders
From making nutrient-packed smoothies and nut butters from scratch to mixing up cake batters and ice cream milkshakes, KitchenAid blenders truly work wonders. If you love to cook, you need a blender, and KitchenAid models are known for their durability, versatility, and overall exceptional performance. KitchenAid makes a wide range of blenders, however, so choosing the right one can be a challenge.
First of all, you'll need to decide whether you want a high-performance blender, a standard upright blender, or an immersion blender. Next, think about what kind of capacity you need, how important horsepower is to you, and what kind of control you prefer. Of course, you'll also need to decide which one of those classic KitchenAid colors you like best.
To learn more, check out our detailed guide, which can help you answer any questions you might have. Not sure which KitchenAid blender is best? Take a look at our top recommendations.
Key considerations
Types of KitchenAid blenders
KitchenAid blenders generally fit into one of the following three categories:
- High-performance blenders: High-performance KitchenAid blenders have powerful motors and are designed to blend basically anything edible. If you want to blend thick batters, make creamy nut butters (even without oil), or knead doughs, these are the models for you. The only real downside to KitchenAid's high-performance models is that they have a high price tag to match.
- Standard upright blenders: Sure, they're not as powerful as high-performance models, but the majority of KitchenAid's standard upright blenders still pack an impressive punch. If you're more likely to use your blender to make soups, smoothies, dips, and sauces than grind your own gluten-free flours or make almond butter, a standard upright blender will do the job well. It's worth noting, however, that not all models are equally effective, so you should compare a few different models.
- Immersion blenders: Also known as stick blenders or hand blenders, immersion blenders are handheld models. They're generally cheaper than other KitchenAid blenders (though you can find some pricey professional-grade models) and can come with handy extras, such as choppers and whisks. They're also great for blending soups and sauces straight in the pan. The downside is they're the least powerful of all KitchenAid blenders.
Expert TIp
Before you buy a KitchenAid blender, think about what you cook most, how you like to eat, and how you’ll use it. You might want to whip cold soups up in summer, make cashew cheeses, or create pestos, tapenades, and dips. Is a stick blender or countertop blender better? Do you need high power?
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert
Horsepower
If you check the product description of a KitchenAid blender, you'll often find the motor power listed in horsepower (HP). The majority of high-performance KitchenAid blenders run at about 3.5 HP, whereas standard upright blenders run at about 0.5 to 1 HP. It's worth noting that this is the peak horsepower — the standard HP while the motor is running continuously will be lower.
Capacity
Think about what kind of capacity you need for your blender. Do you generally make huge batches of soups or sauces, or are you more likely to make one or two portions of something? The volume of a KitchenAid blender's jug is generally listed in ounces and can range between 50 and 90 ounces. Keep in mind that 80 ounces of liquid is about half a gallon. Immersion blenders don't have a jug, so you can choose to blend within as large or small a container as you like — you don't need to use the included blending cup unless you want to.
Expert TIp
Always stop any countertop blender before stirring or poking down your mixture with a wooden spoon or another tool. No one wants pieces of a wooden spoon in their margarita.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert
Features
Color
KitchenAid products are known for coming in a range of colors, both subtle and bold, and KitchenAid blenders are no exception. The exact amount of color options vary — some models are only available in four or five different shades, whereas others let you pick between 15 hues or more. Pick a color to match your other KitchenAid appliances or simply choose the one you like best.
Controls
Different KitchenAid blenders have different types of controls. Some have buttons, some have dials, and some have touchpads. You might have a preference for which type of control you like best, but we haven't found issues with any of them. The majority of KitchenAid blenders have multiple speed settings and a handful of feature preset programs.
Heating function
Blenders with a heating function can cook soups and sauces, as well as blend them, so there's no need to find your saucepan or turn on the stove. Only one KitchenAid blender currently on the market has a heating function.
Jug shape
KitchenAid blenders can either have classic round jugs, square jugs, or diamond-shaped jugs. It might not seem like this would make a difference to performance, but square and diamond jugs are better at creating a vortex to draw the ingredients toward the blades for smoother results.
KitchenAid blender prices
The cost of a KitchenAid blender can vary from less than $50 to over $500, depending on which model you opt for.
KitchenAid immersion blenders range from $35 for basic models to as much as $350 for high-powered professional models with a wide range of attachments. Mid-range options generally cost between $100 and $150.
Standard upright KitchenAid blenders are generally priced between $100 and $200, depending on the HP and overall performance.
High-performance KitchenAid blenders cost from around $300 for home-quality models to almost $600 for commercial-grade options.
Expert Tip
Wipe down the body of the blender every time you wash the blades and containers. The body can accumulate splatter, drips, and dust, making it a gunky health hazard if you don't clean it.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert
Tips
- Check whether any accessories are included with your KitchenAid blender. Upright KitchenAid blenders tend to include tampers. Hand blenders may have a wider range of accessories, including whisks, mini choppers, and storage bags.
- Consider the overall size of your chosen KitchenAid blender. Check that you have enough room for it, whether you'll store it in a cabinet or leave it out on the counter.
- Think about how often you'll use your KitchenAid blender. You might fall in love with a high-performance model but a blender that costs more than $300 is overkill if you only use it to blend the occasional smoothie or batch of soup.
- Decide whether you want a model that can chop as well as blend. Although blenders generally puree and liquify, some KitchenAid blenders have slower speed settings that let them chop and mix, too.
FAQ
Q. What can I make with my KitchenAid blender?
A. You can make a wide range of foods in your KitchenAid blender, including soups, smoothies, milkshakes, and dips. That said, some foods and drinks, such as nut butter and frozen drinks, are much easier to make with a high-performance KitchenAid blender.
Q. Why choose a KitchenAid blender over other brands?
A. KitchenAid is a well-known and highly regarded brand, so you can rest assured you're choosing a quality product when you buy a KitchenAid blender. What's more, KitchenAid blenders generally have excellent warranties should anything go wrong. Some buyers simply love the look of KitchenAid blenders and the range of colors they're available in.
Q. Do KitchenAid blenders have dishwasher-safe parts?
A. Although it varies between models, the majority of KitchenAid blenders have dishwasher-safe jugs, blades, and accessories to make cleanup easier.
