Best Blender For Ice
Crushing ice in a blender sounds simple enough, but not all blenders have the power to handle such a touch task. Some mixers struggle and overheat, while others just don’t have the blades to handle the job.
So which blenders are best for ice? This article looks at eight of the best options in our opinion and put them to the test. We look at their key features and try to offer the essential information you’ll need to select the perfect blender for you.
- 1000-watts of power for supreme ice crushing ability
- Smart preset technology removes the guesswork from blending
- Crush Pro 6-point stainless steel blades that crush ice and frozen fruit
- Dual direction system allows for reversing the blades to free blockages
- 6-cup capacity jar for larger families
- Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.5 x 13.8
- Weight: 9.25 lbs
- 700-watts of peak power
- 14 blending functions for great results
- Patented ice saber blades that make light work of ice
- Dishwasher safe removable parts
- 40 oz maximum capacity for bigger batches
- Dimensions: 9.4 x 7 x 14.7
- Weight: 7 lbs
- 700-watts of peak ice crushing power
- 12 blending functions for a smoother outcome
- No mess pouring spout removes the chance of spillage
- Dishwasher safe glass jar
- 40 oz maximum capacity
- Dimensions: 6.8 x 9.5 x 15
- Weight: 7.5 lbs
- Intelli-speed motor control detects contents and adjusts the speed accordingly
- Soft start feature allows you to build the speed
- Pulse and crush ice modes for effecting blending
- 5-speed stainless steel blades that are super-hard
- 56 oz maximum capacity for larger batches
- Dimensions: 8.5 x 9 x 16.3
- Weight: 10 lbs
- 1200-watts of power
- Dual direction blade technology helps to crush more effectively
- 900-watts of dedicated ice crushing power
- Pulse feature to aid ice crushing
- 6-cup capacity glass jar
- Dimensions: 8.5 x 10.2 x 13.9
- Weight: 7 lbs
- 300-watts of power
- Ergonomic soft-touch grip for comfort
- Specially designed ice crushing blade
- Removable parts are dishwasher safe, including the blending arm
- Dual speed controls for better blending
- Dimensions: 4.8 x 16.7 x 4.8
- Weight: 2.3 lbs
- Variable speed controls for smoother results
- Aircraft grade stainless steel blades makes crushing ice easy
- Fast 60-second self-cleaning feature
- Heat while blending feature
- 64 oz capacity for family size batches
- Dimensions: 20.5 x 7.2 x 8.8
- Weight: 13 lbs
- 700-watts of crushing power
- 4-tip QuadPro blade technology tears up ice with ease
- Dishwasher safe parts
- Slip-resistant rubber feet for safety
- 6-cup capacity glass jar
- Dimensions: 8 x 11 x 15
- Weight: 8 lbs
This Oster blender uses reverse crush technology to deliver exceptional results. It also means that blockages are a thing of the past. It has 1000-watts of ice crushing power, and its dedicated Crush Pro 6-point blades will make blending ice and other hard foods a breeze for this model. It also comes with an impressive warranty.
Pros
- 1000-watts of power
- Crush Pro technology
- 10-year Duralast drive system warranty
- 3-year satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Very noisy during operation
- Build quality issues
This Hamilton Beach model uses wave action technology to ensure that the blend is smooth and removes the need for hand stirring. The patented Ice Saber blades make light work of ice and frozen fruit, and because it has a 40 oz capacity, all the family can enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Pros
- Wave action technology for a smoother blend
- Patented Ice Saber blades
- 700-watts of power
- Great price
Cons
- It handles smaller chunks of ice better
- The awkward contours of the jar make cleaning difficult
This is the second Hamilton Beach model on our list, and it is included because it has sold in the thousands. It employs the same wave action system as the Wave Crusher, and it also has 700-watts of power. This blender has 12 blending settings and a pulse feature to help crush stubborn bits of ice.
Pros
- 700-watts of crushing power
- Wave action technology
- 12 blending functions
- 40 oz capacity
Cons
- The lid doesn’t fit properly
- Build quality issues
- Very noisy
This KitchenAid model has intelli-speed sensors that detect the contents of the pitcher and adjust the power accordingly. It also has a dedicated pulse and ice crush mode. The jar holds a substantial 56 oz, and the stainless steel blades have 5 speed settings.
Pros
- Large capacity jar
- Smart sensor technology for a smoother blend
- Dedicated ice crush mode
- Soft start feature
Cons
- The jar leaks
- Build quality issues
This blender has 1200-watts of power and uses dual direction blade technology to avoid blockages. This dual direction feature crushes ice and can handle stubborn chunks of ice or fruit with ease. It also comes with a 6-cup glass jar.
Pros
- 900-watts of ice crushing power
- Dual direction blade system
- Comes with a glass jar
- 3-year satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- The jar leaks from the top
- Incredibly loud
This is the first immersion blender to feature on the list, but it’s worth including because it has dedicated ice crushing blades. This is also our winner of the budget category. Its 300-watts of power doesn’t sound a lot, but that’s quite a lot of muscle for a hand-held blender. This model is easy to store away, so it’s great if you have a small kitchen.
Pros
- Easy to store
- Very cheap
- Dedicated ice crushing blades
- Ergonomic soft-touch handle
Cons
- Feels flimsy, and cheaply made
- The motor gets hot after a short while
Given the Vitamix’s price point, this blender should be the one to beat. It certainly scores well on capacity, the aircraft quality stainless steel blades, and the self-cleaning feature, but the price means that you’ll be spending more than double the cost of other blenders in its class.
Pros
- 64 oz capacity jar
- Heats while blending
- Self-cleaning
- Toughened stainless steel blades
Cons
- Expensive to buy
- Can develop a burning smell from the motor
- Very noisy
This 6-cup capacity blender comes with QuadPro patented blade technology that creates a vortex, drawing the contents of the jar towards the blades for a smoother blend. These blades also crush ice with precision, and cleaning is easy because the glass jar and lid are dishwasher safe.
Pros
- Dedicated blade technology for a smoother blend
- 700-watts of peak power
- Dishwasher safe parts
- Easy, spill-free pouring spout
Cons
- The lid lets food splatter even when it’s tightly closed
- No safety lock
- The motor quits without warning
Blender for Ice Buyer’s Guide
When it comes to crushing ice, you need maximum power. With this in mind, you should look for a blender with the wattage to handle the most arduous of tasks. Also, look at the blade systems, because while the blender you want might have a powerful motor, how it transfers that power through the blades is crucial to a good outcome.
It is also important that you consider the following aspects before making your purchase:
Functions
Look for pulse features or dedicated ice-crushing modes. A soft start function is also useful, because it allows you to grind larger cubes of ice slowly and then increase the speed as they break down. This stops “pockets” forming between the blades and the contents in the jar.
Power
Wattage is crucial if you want effective ice-crushing abilities. The motor should be around 700 to 1000 watts. And distinguish between operating wattage and blending wattage, as the two are not the same.
Styling
For the sheer choice of colors, the hand-held Chefman wins on the style front. From hot pink to royal blue, they have the colors to suit any taste. The countertop blenders are all a variation on a theme. Let’s face it: there is only so much the manufacturers can do with the design.
Clever Technology
Most of the innovations in modern blenders are found in the blade systems. Black+Decker have designed QuadPro blades, while Oster utilizes reverse technology for maximum crushing ability. KitchenAid, on the other hand, has invested in an intelli-speed sensor that detects the contents of the jar and adjusts the power accordingly.
Product Warranty
Most blenders come with a 3-year limited warranty. Oster offers a 3-year satisfaction guarantee, however, and a 10-year limited warranty on their patented Duralast drive system. So, whatever the model, please feel assured that these companies have your back should anything go wrong.
Brand Loyalty
Look at the individual product reviews to see what customers really think. You can also ask friends, family, or work colleagues if they own the blender that you are considering. You will always get the brutal truth from a customer, and you might find the model you like gets rave reviews.
FAQ
Does crushing ice damage the blades?
If the blades are incredibly strong, and as long as the blender you have has the ice crushing ability, then no, it doesn’t cause any damage. Check the usage specifics first, because not all blenders have an ice crushing feature, and you wouldn’t want to burn out your motor.
Where can I buy spare parts?
There are three ways you can buy spare parts: either from the manufacturer direct, an authorized dealer that sells genuine spares, or through Amazon. Do make sure that you are buying genuine spare parts, though, as without them you could invalidate your warranty.
What do they mean by “Limited Warranty”?
Most warranties are limited. This means that, short of complete replacement, the manufacturer will repair the unit at their cost, including parts, labor, and shipping if they are satisfied that the fault is as a result of the unit failing and not through misuse. Always read the instruction manual to see what constitutes abuse. The only way you can expect the blender to be replaced is if the manufacturer cannot repair it.
Final Thoughts
Remember that your primary consideration here is the blenders ability to crush ice. Try to forget all the other stuff and focus on that. In addition, don’t think that you have to spend big to get it either. Some brands will set you back hundreds, and that’s fine if that’s what you want, but all that extra outlay doesn’t necessarily make the blender any better at crushing ice. With that in mind, our favorite model on this list is the Oster Reverse Crush Blender. It has clever technology that enables the blades to be dual directional, it has 1000-watts of power, and has dedicated Crush Pro 6-point stainless steel blades. And when you see the warranty details, this blender is a great pick.
