When I first came across the Ninja Blast portable blender, my first thought was: how can I put this to use? I have to admit, the idea of a portable, cordless blender seemed kind of unnecessary but after chatting with friends, we realised there are so many reasons a blender should be mobile:
- For gym rats that want their protein shake asap
- For busy parents who only have time to eat their brekkie in the car after school drop off
- For smoothie lovers
- For anyone who has a teeny, tiny kitchen (like I do!), and not enough counter space for another appliance
- For iced-coffee addicts
- For travellers who just have to have the option of a juice or smoothie
- For anyone who loves making their own dips and salsas
Honestly, the list is endless. For me, it’s the limited space in my kitchen that was the catalyst for trying it out myself.
After taking home the Ninja Blast portable blender and getting a few ‘What could you possibly need that for?’ questions from my housemates, I started to test it out. I chose to make a mandarin syrup cake (mainly due to a surplus of mandarins) for an after-dinner treat.
And, after all the speculation, it has officially become one of my favourite kitchen tools.
Ninja Blast portable blender verdict
Our rating: 8.2/10
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed using this kitchen appliance – I don’t often get that excited by a regular blender, so why is this one so enticing? I think that the portability aspect makes for a fun tool, kind of like how everyone dotes on their robot vacuum like a pet.
Not only is a portable blender a fun concept, but it’s also ridiculously functional. For my tiny sharehouse kitchen, the lack of bench space means that having a toaster, electric mixers, and blenders is not that realistic. However, this one can be used anywhere in the house! I made my mandarin cake from the comfort of my dining room, and everyone has loved chopping up their fruit and having a smoothie made right in front of them while they watch TV.
It’s an 8.2/10 for portability, ease of use, and quick cleaning – the only real downside for me is being unable to blend hot ingredients. I can’t make a quick soup in it, which brings it down slightly from a 10/10.
Pros
- Amazing portability – great for taking out and about
- Works well with chunky ingredients – no need to shake or turn upside down
- Dishwasher safe and easy to clean by hand
Cons
- The blade is not removable when drinking
- The charging cable is quite short, making it difficult to use in small-space homes
- Not suitable for hot ingredients (no one-person serving of pumpkin soup for me!)
How I found using the Ninja Blast
My mandarin cake was a bit of a Frankenstein – I kind of just threw all the ingredients in and hoped for the best. In terms of size, it fit my mandrins, skins and all in perfectly (although I did chop them up a bit smaller for easier blending).
In terms of the blend itself, I tried out both the crush and the blend functions, with great success. The mandarins were blitzed perfectly, even with their skins on, and mixed very well with the caster sugar I popped on top. The blender blends for 30-second stints, and I found that it only took 3 rounds for my cake batter.
After using it, I gave it a good rinse under the tap and found it to be extremely easy to clean. Since I don’t have a dishwasher, I did it all by hand, and even the blade proved to be simple to wash and dry.
The only qualm I had with the blender is the charging cable – it’s a bit short, which makes it hard to place on the table when it needs a charge.
What’s so special about the Ninja Blast portable blender?
The best thing about the Ninja Blast blender is the portability. For small kitchens, you won’t have to plug in a blender monstrosity into the wall – instead, like me, you can use it at the dining table without any hanging cords. Of course, the other great thing about being portable is that it can be used on the go. My housemates love taking this baby out for a spin – to the gym, for smoothies in the car, you name it!
Features of the Ninja Blast
This blender is around 1kg in weight, which makes it perfect for a quick trip to the gym, but probably a bit too heavy for a hike.
It’s big enough for 1 full smoothie, or in my case, 4 small mandarins (chopped up) and 1 cup of caster sugar.
Here are the main features of the Ninja Blast portable blender:
- The Ninja Blast Max includes an 11.1V rechargeable motor base that features three Auto IQ® preset functions for smoothies, crushing, and blending.
- It comes with a 650mL Twist & Go vessel that has a built-in CrushBlade for efficient blending.
- The blender features an Easy-Open Sip Lid with an integrated carrying handle for portability and convenience.
- A charging cable is included to keep the rechargeable motor base powered up.
- The package includes a 5-recipe Inspiration Guide to help you get started with creative blending ideas.
Is it worth buying a portable blender?
I would say a definite yes! If you’ve got a small kitchen or you’re a fiend for a smoothie at work, then this is the ideal product for you. The price is a bit lower than the usual cost for a premium blender, yet it works just as well (albeit a tiny bit smaller in capacity).
Where to buy the Ninja Blast portable blender
- Ninja Kitchen, $109.99 (usually $129.99)
- Amazon, $175.12
- The Good Guys, $109
