What are the features that make the best blender for milkshakes? It starts with a durable blending jar and quality materials. Second, these appliances should have pre-programmed features and be easy to clean to make whipping up your favorite milkshake recipe a breeze.
Of course, most people use their blender for more than just a creamy milkshake. Variable speed settings and other program features open up additional cooking possibilities. If you’re thinking of a new milkshake blender to serve up frozen treats at your kid’s next birthday party, we favored models with BPA-free plastic blending jars for their tendency to resist shattering if dropped. If you prefer glass, though, some high-end, professional blender models still include glass blending jars for a more polished look.
Keep reading our buyer’s guide to learn more about what to look for in the best blenders for milkshakes.
Top Blenders for Milkshakes
#1 Hamilton Beach 58148A 40 Oz Blender
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: This blender features numerous presets that allow easy touch-button operation. Users who regularly prepare milkshakes will love the dedicated button. The large capacity is ideal for families.
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- Intuitive 12-preset design
- Ice crushing blades
- Glass jar
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- Frozen fruits sometimes get stuck under the blades
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The Hamilton Beach 58148A 40 Oz blender runs on a powerful 700W motor, which has adequate power to pulverize various fruits and nuts. It uses a Wave Action system to progressively draw components to the blades for fast results. This device has an intuitive five-button control panel for simple operation. We love the Ice Sabre blades, which are ideal for crushing ice and frozen fruits. However, frozen fruits and ice particles sometimes get stuck below the blades.
This Hamilton Beach 58148A 40-Oz blender is a high-quality glass blender. The base has a stainless steel finish that complements other kitchen appliances. With an incredible 12 presets, this device processes a variety of juices, purees, and smoothies. A dedicated function for shakes helps users save time when making milkshakes. Several parts of this blender, including the jar, lid, and blades are dishwasher-safe for hassle-free cleaning.
#2 Cincred MC-BL619 13.5 Oz Blender
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: This compact blender fits easily in a gym bag or backpack, allowing users to take this device with them wherever life takes them. Its jar doubles as a container for juice or shakes.
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- Incredibly portable design
- Very powerful blades
- Cup doubles as a container
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- Not very effective with hard nuts
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The Cincred MC-BL619 13.5 oz blender excels at creating smoothies and shakes. This appliance doubles as a juicer, providing an all-in-one fruit processing system. It is compact and lightweight, so it’s ideal for users who travel regularly. With powerful stainless steel blades, this device crushes everything from soft fruits to vegetables and nuts. However, the blades are not very effective on very hard ingredients such as nuts.
This Cincred MC-BL619 13.5 oz blender has a mixer system that is effective at making juices, smoothies, and shakes. Equipped with high-quality Silica Gel rings on the lid attachment, this device provides a tight fit that protects ingredients from spilling during blending. Its nutrient extraction system effectively breaks down the cell walls of fibrous plants, delivering nutritious smoothies. The cup can be removed easily for cleaning, and it doubles as a container for shakes, juice, or milkshakes after processing.
#3 Ninja QB3001SS 16 Oz Blender
Award: BEST FOR CHILLED TREATS
WHY WE LIKE IT: This compact blender has a powerful motor for making vegetable concoctions and milkshakes. It’s effective at crushing chilled fruits and ice. We love that the containers can be used as travel cups.
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- Outstanding blade power
- Removable cups
- Compact design
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- Included cups are challenging to clean
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The Ninja QB3001SS 16 oz blender runs on a 700W motor, which works with the powerful blades to generate milkshakes and smoothies at speed. It has a long 3-foot power cord that provides flexibility on the kitchen counter. This blender comes with containers that can be used as travel cups for milkshakes and juice. Its dishwasher-safe cups, blades, and lids to enable easy cleanup. However, the included cups are difficult to hand-clean.
This Ninja QB3001SS 16 oz blender has an extraction system for unlocking nutrients. The powerful blades on this model effectively crush ice and frozen fruits, so users don’t have to melt frozen items before processing them in the blender. An included 30-recipe guide will give users a selection of healthful treats and provide inspiration for their own unique formulas for smoothies and shakes. With its compact design, this appliance is easy to transport.
#4 ELenest 20 Oz Blender
Award: BEST FOR FAMILIES
WHY WE LIKE IT: This compact blender has straightforward controls with just two speeds, making it easy to operate. It has a plastic jar that doubles as a travel container for your drinks.
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- Amazingly simple operation
- Removable jar doubles as a travel container
- Safety features
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- The blender heats up after elongated use
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The ELenest 20 oz blender features a 250W motor that provides adequate power for making juice and milkshakes. This motor spins at a speed of 20,000 rpm, pulverizing items ranging from fruits and vegetables with ease. In addition to the pulse function that sets the blender at the highest motor speed, this appliance has two manual motor speeds for customization. However, this blender heats up after long periods of use.
This ELenest 20 Oz blender has a classic design with a pastel blue color scheme to bring a pop of color to any kitchen counter. Its minimalistic design supports simple operation. It features a food-grade plastic jar that can double as a travel cup for carrying beverages on journeys. The blades are made of 304 stainless steel for lasting durability. A built-in safety feature prevents the blades from rotating before the jar is securely installed.
#5 Nutribullet NBR-0601 24 Oz Blender
Award: BEST FOR MULTI-INGREDIENT CONCOCTIONS
WHY WE LIKE IT: This blender has a very powerful motor and strong stainless steel blades that effectively break down dairy products, nuts, and fruits to make very smooth end products. With its grey base, this blender complements kitchen cabinets and appliances.
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- Insanely powerful motor and blades
- Stylish appearance
- Relatively large jar
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- The gasket sometimes falls out when processing frozen fruits
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The Nutribullet NBR-0601 24 oz blender has a neat gray appearance that complements other appliances in the kitchen. Equipped with a 600W motor, the device has adequate power for crushing various fruits and vegetables. Its powerful stainless steel blades use a cyclonic system to unlock ingredients from the fruits and dairy products. The jar easily installs via a simple twisting mechanism. However, the gasket on this device sometimes falls off when working with ice and frozen fruits.
The jar of this Nutribullet NBR-0601 24 oz blender is large, so it’s ideal for people who want large milkshake portions. It comes with a recipe book to enable making healthy beverages. This blender has BPA-free plastic cups that are safe and durable. We like that the blades break down softer fruits and dairy products into very fine mixtures. Additionally, they are also effective with harder ingredients, making this appliance a good choice for making complex shakes with various components.
#6 Hotch YE-01 13.5 Oz Blender
Award: BEST FOR TRIPS
WHY WE LIKE IT: This Hotch blender has a built-in 4000 mAh battery that enables operation on the go. It has a compact design that easily fits into purses and backpacks for hassle-free transportation.
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- Excellent built-in battery
- Stylish design
- Compact for easy transport
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- Too small for families
- Not ideal for frozen fruits
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The Hotch YE-01 13.5 oz blender is a portable model designed primarily for use on the go. Made of BPA-free materials, this appliance doesn’t leak chemicals. We love its suite of safety features. The blades on this model automatically stop when the jar is open. Additionally, it’s equipped with a moderately sized jar that doubles as a travel cup for shakes and juice. However, this blender is small and will not suit families.
This Hotch YE-01 13.5 oz blender has a built-in 4000 mAh battery, so it runs even when it’s not plugged in. Its battery charges easily via a USB connector, and it can easily be powered by a power bank. The 150W motor on this appliance delivers adequate power for making beverages for individual consumption. Its stainless steel blades that spin at 24,000 times per minute effectively crush fruits and nuts, generating smoothies. Thanks to a non-slip base, this device absorbs shocks for stability.
Beginner’s Guide to Blenders for Milkshakes
What Are Blenders for Milkshakes?
A blender for milkshakes isn’t much different from other blenders. Like other units, a milkshake blender will have pre-programmed settings, durable pitchers and blades, and ideally is easy to clean. These appliances are used to create the smooth, creamy consistency found in the perfect milkshake without the hassle of running the blending process multiple times.
Many blenders geared towards milkshakes have at least a 24-ounce jar capacity, program settings specifically for smoothies or milkshakes, and durable pitcher materials. Not only will this help you create milkshakes for the entire family, but you won’t have to worry about your appliance breaking down quickly.
Blenders for Milkshakes vs. Standard Blenders
The key difference between a regular blender and an appliance designed for a perfect milkshake is the settings, jar capacity, and motor strength. The minimum motor strength should be at least 500-watts for blending ice cream, milk, frozen berries, and other ingredients.
However, unlike standard blenders that can easily increase to 1500-watts or greater, you don’t need a powerful blender to achieve the perfect milkshake. Of course, if you want more versatility in your appliance, higher watts of power is an important feature to look for in something like the best blender for margaritas.
Since you don’t need a mega, high-powered blender, you can get away with glass or stainless steel jars. Not only will these keep your milkshakes colder compared to plastic, but they are very durable. Glass jars usually aren’t advised when using high-speeds to pulverize tough ingredients, so most brands with ultra-powerful motors only offer durable, BPA-free plastic. Additionally, stainless steel blenders are more expensive and usually made for commercial use.
Standard blenders range in size from a personal blender (around 16 to 20-ounces) to upwards of 72-ounces. The smallest milkshake size is usually around 16-ounces, which means you need at least a 24-ounce jar capacity for one to two people. If you are looking at hosting parties or adding to your shake shack business, a larger jar or commercial blender might be beneficial.
How Blenders for Milkshakes Work
A blender designed for milkshakes will function in a similar manner as any household blender. First, you’ll connect the pitcher securely onto the base before loading your ingredients and plugging the power cord into an outlet. Then, firmly place the lid on and select either the pre-programmed setting or use a manual speed feature.
The blender’s blades create a vortex, drawing the ingredients down towards the base with high-velocity movements to produce a frothy, creamy texture.
Why Should You Buy a Blender for Milkshakes
Whether you’re looking for a tasty treat or opening a local shake shack to help residents beat the summer heat, then you need a quality blender that won’t disappoint when creating the perfect milkshake. If you purchase a high-quality unit, other automatic features can let you broaden your menu and are ideal for the best blender for nut butter.
Is a Blender for Milkshakes Worth Buying?
- You Want User-Friendly Features: A high-quality blender often sports smart technology designed with pre-programmed features, LCD screens, and countdown timers. This takes the guesswork out of trying to figure out the blending process by simply selecting a program and stepping away. Be sure to look for a smoothie feature for a creamy milkshake blend.
- You Need Durable Materials: Most blender pitcher materials are durable, BPA-free plastic made from Tritan polycarbonate. While this is optimal for high-velocity speeds and pulverizes the toughest ingredients, don’t neglect glass or stainless steel options, which are usually sturdier and less prone to scratches. For commercial use, most suggest stainless steel blenders; not only is it just as durable as glass, but you will keep your mixtures ice cold.
- You Want Multi-Use Functions: Milkshakes are very similar to smoothies and other delicious frozen drinks. Luckily, a quality blender can adapt to multiple needs. Purchasing a unit with programs and automatic features will let you mix plenty of other concoctions such as hot soup, chopping vegetables, and mixing dough.
- You Want Something Easy to Clean: Depending on the pitcher material you’ve purchased, most are dishwasher friendly. Make sure you opt for stainless steel blades to avoid building up rust and make clean-up easier. Self-clean features are becoming more popular with expensive models and help the cleaning process become even smoother. However, keep in mind that most brands suggest washing your blender by hand after every use to maintain its durability.
Why a Blender for Milkshakes Might Not Be For You
- You’re Worried About Space: Most full-sized blenders range from approximately 14 inches to just under 18 inches tall. If you are hard-pressed for cabinet space, you can look into a professional countertop blender or a self-serve option. While a self-serve blender can make a milkshake in a pinch, it is not ideal for long-term use based on its limited settings and small jar capacities. If neither of those work for you, immersion blenders are compact and easy to store; they utilize a hand-held cylindrical shape that you simply place in the blending jar and mix to your liking. Additionally, some are as small as approximately 6 inches, which allows for much easier storage.
- You Want Low-Cost Options: Quality blenders, including immersion blenders, can have starting prices of around $100. If you are looking at commercial blenders or adding on glass or stainless steel pitchers, then your cost is going to increase substantially, sometimes as much as $1,000. Cheap blenders are usually a single-serving use and aren’t equipped with durable materials to handle repetitive use, making them more prone to breaking down.
How Long Will a Blender for Milkshakes Last?
Cheap blenders might only last one to three years, whereas high-quality and durable units are expected to last up to ten years or longer, depending on use. How you care for your blender plays a large role in its longevity and performance. While stainless steel blades are less prone to damage, the blades or pitchers are usually one of the first items to break down. In fact, the experts at Nutribullet suggest replacing your dull blades every six months and washing them by hand to avoid the excessive heat of a dishwasher.
Carefully selecting certain materials, such as durable plastic or glass, will also help prevent damage. In general, plastic pitchers can crack more easily and retain odors, although cleaning your blender after every use will help with the wear and tear.
The easiest way to clean your blender is to use its self-cleaning function if it has one. Alternatively, put a drop of dish soap with warm water into the jar and select the pulse setting. This helps prevent food and liquids from hardening at the base and in difficult-to-reach places. You’ll also help prevent odors from building up.
How to Choose the Best Blender for Milkshakes
In addition to the information noted above, you should consider a few other factors before purchasing a blender for milkshakes. Keep reading to learn more.
Key Factors to Consider for a Blender for Milkshakes
1. Are You Using It For More Than Milkshakes?
Immersion blenders are becoming popular additions to kitchen appliances. If you are looking at only making milkshakes and are pressed for storage space, then this is the ideal blender for you. However, if you want to create more than just a milkshake, then a high-quality blender is the perfect kitchen appliance for replacing food processors, making protein shakes, salsa, and mixing your hardest ingredients.
If you want even more versatility, look at purchasing additional attachments like dough blades and tampers. Keep in mind, the higher-quality the blender the more you’ll pay upfront, but it should pay off in the long run if you spend a lot of time in the kitchen.
2. What Size Pitcher Do You Need?
If you want to create a delicious milkshake blend for one to two people, then you should be able to get away with a 24 to 48-ounce container. If you’re hosting a party or are using it for a new business idea, you’ll definitely want to splurge on a larger blending jar. In this case, look at purchasing a 64 to 72-ounce pitcher, and you’ll be sure to have plenty of drinks to go around.
3. Do You Want Pre-Programmed Settings?
Some people prefer to adjust speeds manually for the perfect texture. However, most people like user-friendly features that require a single click of a button. Advanced technology has progressed to the point where many blenders now have countdown timers and automatic shut-off features. Check out options with a milkshake or smoothie feature for the best results, although you can always use the pulse setting in a pinch. In addition, pre-programmed settings can include a self-clean feature that makes after-care much easier.
