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9 November 2026 · My Store Admin

Ninja Blast vs Nutri Ninja 700W: which blender for smoothies?

Last updated 9 November 2026. Written by the Clean Smile Home team. We sell both of the blenders in this guide, so we've tried to be upfront about where each one falls short. We don't run our own lab tests: performance findings come from the independent reviewers named in the sources at the end, and specifications come from Ninja's own pages and manuals.

The short answer

Buy the Nutri Ninja 700W (QB3001UKS) if you make smoothies at home with frozen fruit, ice, nuts or leafy greens and want the smoothest result in one go. Buy the Ninja Blast (BC151UK) if you want a smoothie away from a plug, at the gym or the office, and can live with softer ingredients, smaller batches and a slightly grainier finish.

Ninja Blast vs Nutri Ninja 700W at a glance

Ninja Blast BC151UK Nutri Ninja 700W QB3001UKS
Type Cordless, rechargeable personal blender Mains-powered personal blender
Power Not stated by Ninja (7.4 V battery) 700 W, 18,000 RPM, one speed
Cup One 530 ml cup, 470 ml max fill 470 ml cups (our listing includes two, each with a spout lid)
Blade Stainless steel BlastBlade, fixed in the base Pro Extractor Blades that screw onto the cup
How you start it One button, 30-second cycle per press Push down on the cup to blend or pulse
Battery Up to 15 blends per charge (Ninja UK), about 2 hours to charge by USB-C None, needs a socket
Ice and frozen fruit Copes with ice, can struggle with big frozen chunks Ninja says it blends whole fruit, seeds, nuts and ice
Drink from it? Yes, leak-proof sip lid with carry handle Yes, spout lids
Dishwasher Cup and lid only, never the motor base Cups, lids and blade assembly, top rack only
Warranty 2 years, plus 2 years on the battery, when registered with Ninja 2 years when registered with Ninja
Our price £40.48 £43.24

Prices were correct when we published this guide and do change, especially around Black Friday. Ninja's own store listed the Blast at £39.99 (reduced from £49.99) and the Nutri Ninja 700W at £59.99 when we checked, so it's always worth comparing.

Two blenders that solve different problems

On paper these look like rivals. Both are single-serve Ninja blenders, both cost around £40, and both let you blend in the cup and drink from it. In practice they answer different questions.

The Nutri Ninja 700W answers "how do I get a properly smooth smoothie with the least fuss?" It sits on the worktop, plugs in, and puts 700 W behind a set of extractor blades. You fill the cup, screw on the blade, flip it onto the motor and press down.

The Ninja Blast answers "how do I make a smoothie when I'm nowhere near a kitchen?" The motor and blade live in the base, the battery charges by USB-C, and the lid has a sip spout and a handle so you can throw it in a gym bag. It is built for convenience first and blending power second.

If you keep that difference in mind, most of the choice makes itself. The rest of this guide is about the details that might tip you one way or the other.

Blending performance: what reviewers found

Smoothness with fruit and greens

The Nutri Ninja has the more convincing record here. TechRadar's Carrie-Ann Skinner found that a banana, pineapple and spinach smoothie was still slightly grainy at 25 seconds but smooth at about 45 seconds, and that the blender "pulverized" leafy spinach and fibrous pineapple. That's the sort of result most people want from a personal blender.

The Blast is more mixed. Rachel Ogden at Expert Reviews found that apple and pear skins left flecks and that the smoothest drinks often needed two cycles. TechRadar's Josephine Watson rated it "great at breaking down fibrous fruits and vegetables", but still saw small bits in a spinach smoothie. Homes and Gardens, testing what appears to be the US model, said it was great with leafy greens. So greens are fine, but expect to run it twice for a silky finish.

Ice and frozen fruit

This is where reviewers disagree most about the Blast. Expert Reviews said "ice was no problem" and that the blades are sharp enough. Homes and Gardens called it remarkably good at crushing ice for its size. TechRadar, on the other hand, found crushed ice still chunky, and T3's Bethan Morgan said it occasionally struggled with frozen ingredients and bigger chunks. Homes and Gardens specifically mentioned larger frozen pieces of mango or papaya as a problem.

Our reading of that: the Blast handles a few ice cubes and small frozen berries well, but big frozen chunks need to be smaller, fewer, or slightly thawed. Ninja's own UK page talks about "frozen drinks" but makes no specific ice claim for the Blast.

The Nutri Ninja has fewer caveats. TechRadar found it crushed ice evenly in under 10 seconds and ground whole hazelnuts in under 10 seconds too. Ninja's manual does ask you not to use ice that has started to melt and to use short pulses first to break up big pieces.

Seeds and nuts

If you add flaxseed, chia or nuts to your smoothies, the Nutri Ninja is the safer pick. Expert Reviews found flaxseed stuck to the sides of the Blast or was only partly blended, and Homes and Gardens said bluntly that it "doesn't blend seeds". The Nutri Ninja's hazelnut result above suggests it has the power for nut butters in small amounts, though it isn't designed as a nut-butter machine and the manual's 30-second limit still applies.

Our take on performance

If smoothness matters most, the 700 W mains model wins clearly. The Blast is a good portable blender, not a replacement for a corded one. Several reviewers liked it a lot, T3 included, but nobody claimed it out-blends a 700 W machine.

Battery life on the Ninja Blast

Battery life is the Blast's biggest selling point and also the most confusing number around it.

  • Ninja's UK product page says up to 15 blends per full charge, and its spec table lists 6.5 minutes of battery life. At 30 seconds per cycle, 6.5 minutes works out at 13 cycles, which roughly lines up.
  • Our own product page says 10 or more blends per charge, which is also the figure Expert Reviews quoted from Ninja.
  • Expert Reviews got about twice as many cycles as the "around ten" claim in testing.
  • TechRadar got 5 to 6 smoothies per charge.
  • T3 found it managed about two smoothies before needing a recharge.

Why such a wide spread? Our guess, and it is a guess, is that thick, frozen smoothies that need two or three cycles each drain the battery far faster than a thin protein shake. A "blend" in Ninja's figure is one 30-second cycle, not one finished drink. If you make one smoothie a day with frozen fruit, plan to charge it every few days rather than once a fortnight.

Charging takes about 2 hours through USB-C. Ninja's manual says to use the supplied cable with a 5 V, 3 A supply. The box includes a cable but no plug, as T3 pointed out, and Expert Reviews found the cable only 45 cm long. A solid red light means it needs charging, and the lights turn green when it's full.

Capacity and batch size

Neither is a family blender. The Blast's cup is 530 ml, but the max fill line is 470 ml. The Nutri Ninja's cups are 470 ml. In practice that's one generous smoothie each.

The Nutri Ninja has one advantage: our listing comes with two cups and two spout lids, so you can blend two drinks back to back without washing up in between, or keep one cup in the fridge. Note that Ninja's own site describes one bundle with a single cup, so check the box contents on any listing you compare.

If you regularly make smoothies for two or more people at once, neither is ideal. A full-size jug blender would be a better fit, and we don't currently sell one.

Noise

Here the Blast wins comfortably. T3 described it as "quick and quiet", and Homes and Gardens said it was probably about as loud as an electric toothbrush. Nobody we read published a decibel figure for it.

The Nutri Ninja is loud. TechRadar measured 87.6 dB when blending smoothies and 102 dB with ice and nuts, and called it one of the loudest blenders it had tested. For context, Which? notes that every 10 dB increase roughly doubles how loud something sounds to us. If you blend at 6am in a flat with thin walls, that difference is worth thinking about. Blending only takes 30 to 45 seconds, but it will wake someone.

Design, size and everyday handling

Ninja Blast

Ninja gives the Blast's size as 27 x 9 x 8.5 cm and its weight as 790 g. It is a sealed cylinder with a carry handle on the lid, a sip spout, and one button. A light shows its status: solid purple when it's ready, flashing white if the cup isn't lined up, flashing orange if the blades are blocked, and a moving orange pattern if it needs a 15-minute cool-down.

The criticisms are practical ones. Expert Reviews noted there is no pulse function and that it runs without the lid secured, and found the flexible handle less robust than it would like. T3 found it heavy for some bags and found thick smoothies hard to sip through the spout. In its first test, T3's smoothie spilled after the base was unscrewed, so carry it with the base attached.

The Blast does have an interlock: Ninja's manual says the cup must be lined up and fitted properly on the base before it will run.

Nutri Ninja 700W

Ninja lists the motor base at 30 x 10 x 10 cm and 1.168 kg. It has non-slip feet and no buttons at all: you push down on the cup to blend and release to stop. That makes pulsing easy, which helps with ice.

TechRadar's complaints were that you can't add ingredients mid-blend, the cups have no pouring lip so drinks can drip, and there's only one speed. It also had no leaks even when filled to the max line. The manual includes a thermal safety system: if the motor overheats, unplug it and leave it to cool for about 30 minutes.

Cleaning and looking after them

Cleaning is one of the biggest differences in daily life, and it isn't obvious from the box.

On the Nutri Ninja, the blade unscrews from the cup. Ninja's manual says cups, lids and the blade assembly can go in the top rack of the dishwasher. The motor base just needs a wipe. Handle the blade by its outer edge, never by the blades.

On the Blast, the blade is built into the motor base, which can't go in water or the dishwasher. Only the cup and lid are dishwasher safe. Ninja's quick start guide gives a quick self-clean: fill with warm water to the MIN LIQUID line (175 ml), add a small drop of washing-up liquid, run a cycle, then rinse. Homes and Gardens found that this soapy blend left some residue and that the base needed a long-handled brush. TechRadar also flagged that the blades don't come out and that the base isn't fully waterproof.

Our advice for the Blast: rinse it straight after drinking. A protein shake left in a gym bag for six hours is far harder to shift than one rinsed within ten minutes.

Safety and the rules Ninja gives you

  • No hot liquids in either. Ninja's manuals say not to blend hot liquids. The Blast's manual adds fizzy and carbonated drinks to the list, because gas builds pressure in a sealed cup.
  • 30 seconds at a time. The Blast runs one 30-second cycle per press. The Nutri Ninja's manual gives a maximum on time of 30 seconds under load.
  • Respect the max fill line. Both have one. Overfilling is the most common cause of leaks and poor blends.
  • Don't defeat the interlock on the Blast, and never sharpen the Nutri Ninja's blades.
  • Register the warranty. Ninja's 2-year warranty on both depends on registering with Ninja. The Nutri Ninja manual says to register within 28 days.

Three-year running cost

Electricity is a small part of the cost of either blender, but here are the sums so you don't have to guess. We've used the Ofgem price cap electricity rate for 1 October to 31 December 2026 of 26.32p per kWh. Your rate may be different.

Nutri Ninja 700W

  • 700 W for 30 seconds is about 0.0058 kWh per blend.
  • Say one smoothie a day needing two 30-second blends: 0.0117 kWh a day.
  • Over three years (1,095 days) that's about 12.8 kWh, or roughly £3.36.

Ninja Blast

  • Ninja doesn't publish the battery capacity, so we've worked out an upper limit instead. Charging from a 5 V, 3 A supply for two hours uses at most 0.03 kWh.
  • If you charge it twice a week, that's no more than about 9.4 kWh over three years, or around £2.46. The real figure is likely lower, because USB-C chargers rarely run flat out for the full two hours.

The real cost

Three-year estimate Ninja Blast Nutri Ninja 700W
Price at Clean Smile Home £40.48 £43.24
Electricity (estimate above) about £2.46 or less about £3.36
Total about £42.94 about £46.60

The difference is a few pounds over three years, so don't choose on running cost. The bigger long-term question is the Blast's battery. Ninja covers it for two years when you register, and after that a worn battery may mean a replacement unit. The Nutri Ninja has no battery to wear out. We don't have reliable figures on Blast battery lifespan, so we won't guess at one.

Who should buy which

You blend at home every morning with frozen fruit: Nutri Ninja 700W

This is the clearest case. More power, better reviews for ice and frozen fruit, smoother results in one go, and the blade comes off for the dishwasher. Accept the noise and you'll be happy.

You want a shake straight after the gym: Ninja Blast

Take the powder and milk or water in the cup, blend in the changing room, drink from the sip lid. That's exactly what the Blast is for. Protein shakes are thin and easy to blend, which is where the battery stretches furthest.

You work in an office without a kitchen: Ninja Blast

No socket hunting, no noise complaints from colleagues, and nothing to leave on a shared worktop. Pack fruit that's already chopped small.

You add seeds, nuts or oats: Nutri Ninja 700W

Two reviewers found the Blast poor with seeds. The 700 W model ground whole hazelnuts in under ten seconds in TechRadar's test.

You live with light sleepers: Ninja Blast

Reviewers consistently described it as quiet. The Nutri Ninja measured over 100 dB with ice in TechRadar's test.

You camp, caravan or travel: Ninja Blast

It charges from any USB-C power source that can supply enough current, including many power banks and car chargers. Check your power bank can deliver 5 V, 3 A, which is what Ninja specifies.

You're buying for two people: Nutri Ninja 700W

With two cups and two spout lids in our listing, you can make two drinks back to back.

You want something bigger than a personal blender: neither

Both max out around 470 ml per blend. For family batches, soups or crushed ice for a jug of drinks, a full-size blender makes more sense.

Tips for better smoothies in either blender

  1. Liquid first, frozen last. Ninja's Blast manual says to add liquid up to the MIN LIQUID line, then soft solids, then ice or frozen ingredients on top. The same order helps the Nutri Ninja, which you fill upside down before flipping it onto the motor.
  2. Cut frozen fruit small. Several reviewers found big frozen chunks the Blast's weak spot. Frozen berries and small mango cubes work better than whole frozen banana halves.
  3. Let frozen fruit sit for five minutes. A few minutes in the liquid softens it enough to blend more evenly. This matters more on the Blast.
  4. Run a second cycle rather than overfilling. Two short cycles beat one overloaded one, and they're kinder to the motor.
  5. Shake the Blast between cycles. TechRadar found shaking it between cycles helped a frozen berry blend come out "silky smooth".
  6. Pulse ice on the Nutri Ninja. Short presses break big pieces before a longer blend, as the manual suggests.
  7. Grind seeds separately or use ground ones. Pre-ground flaxseed saves a lot of frustration in the Blast.
  8. Keep it cold. Neither is for hot drinks or soup. Use chilled liquid and frozen fruit rather than adding lots of ice, which waters things down.

Common problems and fixes

The Blast flashes white and won't start

The cup isn't lined up with the base. Ninja's manual says to match the arrows on the cup and base. The interlock stops it running until they line up.

The Blast flashes orange

The blades are blocked. Stop, take some ingredients out or add more liquid, shake, and try again. Big frozen chunks are the usual cause.

The Blast shows a moving orange light

It needs to cool down. Ninja's manual says to wait 15 minutes.

The Blast leaked in my bag

Check the sip lid is fully closed and the base is screwed on. T3's test spill happened after the base was unscrewed. Don't overfill past 470 ml.

The Nutri Ninja stopped mid-blend

The thermal safety system has probably tripped. Unplug it and let it cool for about 30 minutes, as the manual says. Next time, add more liquid and use shorter bursts.

The Nutri Ninja drips when I pour

TechRadar noticed the cups have no pouring lip. Drink from the spout lid instead, or pour slowly over the sink.

Bits of seed or skin in the smoothie

Use ground seeds, peel apples and pears, and run another cycle. On the Blast, shaking between cycles helps.

Our verdict

For most people making smoothies at home, the Nutri Ninja 700W is the better blender. It handles frozen fruit, ice, greens and nuts more reliably, the blade comes off for cleaning, and it costs only a few pounds more than the Blast at our current prices. Its real downside is noise.

The Ninja Blast earns its place if portability is the point. As a gym, office or travel blender it's quiet, simple and easy to carry, and for protein shakes and soft fruit it does the job well. We'd steer you away from it if you want restaurant-smooth frozen smoothies every morning, because you'll be running two or three cycles and charging more often than the box suggests.

If you're still unsure, ask yourself where you'll be standing when you blend. At the kitchen counter, get the Nutri Ninja. Anywhere else, get the Blast.

For more on each, read our guides to smoothies on the go with the Ninja Blast and getting started with the Nutri Ninja QB3001UKS, or browse our Ninja brand guide. If you need chopping rather than blending, the Ninja Professional Stackable Chopper is covered in our post on seven quick jobs for a mini chopper.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Ninja Blast as powerful as the Nutri Ninja 700W?

No. Ninja doesn't publish a wattage for the Ninja Blast, but independent reviewers found it weaker with large frozen chunks and seeds than mains blenders. The Nutri Ninja 700W has a 700 W motor and TechRadar found it crushed ice and whole hazelnuts in under 10 seconds.

Can the Ninja Blast crush ice?

Mostly, yes. Expert Reviews said ice was no problem and Homes and Gardens found it good at crushing ice for its size, but TechRadar found the crushed ice still chunky. Add ice last, on top of the liquid, and use a few cubes rather than a cupful.

How many smoothies does the Ninja Blast make per charge?

Ninja's UK page says up to 15 blends per charge, where a blend is one 30-second cycle. Reviewers got very different results: about two smoothies for T3, five to six for TechRadar, and roughly twice Ninja's "around ten" for Expert Reviews. Thick frozen smoothies use more cycles and drain it faster.

How long does the Ninja Blast take to charge?

About two hours by USB-C, according to Ninja. The manual recommends the supplied cable with a 5 V, 3 A power supply. A plug isn't included in the box, so you'll need a USB-C wall adapter or a suitable USB port.

Can you put the Ninja Blast in the dishwasher?

Only the cup and lid. The motor base contains the blade and the battery, so it must never go in the dishwasher or be submerged. Ninja suggests a quick self-clean with warm water to the MIN LIQUID line and a drop of washing-up liquid, then rinsing.

Is the Nutri Ninja 700W loud?

Yes. TechRadar measured 87.6 dB when blending smoothies and 102 dB when crushing ice and nuts, and called it one of the loudest blenders it had tested. Each blend only lasts up to 30 seconds, but it is noticeably louder than the cordless Ninja Blast.

Can I blend hot soup in a Nutri Ninja or Ninja Blast?

No. Ninja's manuals for both models say not to blend hot liquids, and the Ninja Blast manual also rules out fizzy and carbonated drinks. Both blend in sealed cups where steam or gas could build pressure. Let food cool fully before blending.

Can the Nutri Ninja 700W blend frozen fruit?

Yes. Ninja says its Pro Extractor Blades handle whole fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds and ice, and TechRadar found it produced smooth results with fibrous fruit and spinach. Ninja's manual suggests using short pulses first to break up large frozen or ice pieces.

Which Ninja blender is best for protein shakes?

For shakes after the gym, the Ninja Blast is the more practical choice because it's cordless, quiet and has a leak-proof sip lid. Protein shakes are thin, so they blend easily and use less battery. If you add frozen banana, oats or nut butter at home, the Nutri Ninja 700W will give a smoother result.

What's the difference between the Ninja Blast and the Ninja Blast Max?

The Blast Max (BC251UK) is Ninja's newer and pricier portable model. Ninja lists a 570 ml cup with a 490 ml max fill, up to 25 blends per charge, a four-hour charge and a separate crush programme. We don't currently sell the Blast Max, and this guide covers the original Blast BC151UK.

How long is the warranty on Ninja blenders?

Ninja gives two years on both the Ninja Blast and the Nutri Ninja 700W when you register the product with Ninja. The Ninja Blast also has a two-year battery warranty. The Nutri Ninja manual asks you to register within 28 days of purchase.

Why has my Nutri Ninja stopped working mid-blend?

The Nutri Ninja 700W has a thermal safety system that cuts the motor if it overheats, usually from a thick, overloaded blend. Ninja's manual says to unplug it and leave it to cool for about 30 minutes. Add more liquid and blend in shorter bursts next time.

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