There are times we need a quick blend for our morning routine, but what kitchen appliance should we use? While a countertop blender is the most common tool to mix a morning smoothie, professionals on the go are starting to choose personal blenders. The best blender should be convenient and powerful, and some can replicate the speed of a personal blender. So, you might wonder what’s the difference between a personal blender vs. blender.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Personal blenders are compact, sometimes portable blenders that specialize in single-serve soups and smoothies.
- Traditional blenders have large blending containers and are great for large projects that require powerful blades.
- A personal blender is excellent for quick and small blends, but it cannot blend as well as a regular blender.
Personal Blender vs. Blender Compared
A full-size blender often seems like the only choice for powerful motors and a blender for smoothies. Still, personal blenders are becoming much more common. Both appliances offer a blender base that contains a motor base. Still, neither provide the fine grinding of a mortar and pestle. That said, picking a suitable model is more than just personal preference.
Explaining Personal Blenders
Personal blenders are powerful machines with a compact size. Some models are portable and are great for making single servings of smoothies or frozen margaritas. A high-performance model will have speed settings and blender containers that also serve as to-go cups. Most use blades, but specific recipes may require a ribbon or paddle blender.
Benefits of Personal Blenders
The main benefit of a personal blender over a regular blender is portability. In addition, portable personal blenders have a similar performance to a stick blender for icy drinks. Most personal blenders take up much less room than standard blenders, much like a handheld immersion blender.
Drawbacks of Personal Blenders
Portable personal blenders are great for frozen drinks. Still, they cannot match the watts of power you’ll find in a traditional blender. In addition, some blender cups limit the amount of food you can make. While these appliances may seem convenient, some recipes require a much larger blending jar and a strong motor.
Insider Tip
Make sure your cordless personal blender is fully charged before blending. A dead or dying blender won’t yield a smooth blend.
Explaining Blenders
The traditional blender has a large blending container and a powerful motor base. The motor spins blades in the base of the blender jar and blends ingredients fast. A high-performance full-sized blender will have multiple speed settings.
Benefits of Blenders
Full-sized blenders offer a much larger volume of hot soup or drinks than portable blenders’ blender cups. In addition, a high-performance blender can make creamy soup and even thick foods like nut butter.
Drawbacks of Blenders
Compared to a personal blender, a traditional blender has a longer blending time and isn’t as good with frozen ingredients. In addition, a blending session must take place at home. At the same time, a personal portable blender can come with you wherever you go.
Which is Better?
A personal blender might be the best choice for daily smoothie drinkers looking to make a creamy smoothie for their morning commute. That said, if you need to make multiple servings, or you want to blend tough ingredients, a traditional blender is the better option.
Warning
Personal blenders are a terrible choice for serving multiple people due to the small blending cups.
F.A.Q.
How powerful are personal blenders?
Personal blenders are powerful enough to make smoothies and puree soup.
When should I use an immersion blender vs. a personal blender?
Use an immersion blender while cooking, and save the personal blender for single-serve recipes.
Can a personal blender crush ice?
Yes, even with a compact design, personal blenders can crush ice.
STAT: More than 90% of households report owning at least one personal or full-size blender. (source)
