Best Blenders Under $100 for Smoothies (2026)

If you need to make smoothies for more than one person, or you want a blender that can handle soups, sauces, and frozen drinks in addition to smoothies, the Ninja BL610 is the best full-size option under $100. The 1000-watt motor is the most powerful on this list, and the 72oz pitcher is large enough to make smoothies for a family or batch-prep for the week. What makes Ninja's design stand out is the stacked blade system — instead of a single blade at the bottom, there are blades at multiple heights in the pitcher, which means ingredients at the top get processed just as thoroughly as those at the bottom. The result is impressively smooth blends even with tough ingredients like frozen kale or whole ice cubes. The Total Crushing technology genuinely works — ice goes from cubes to snow in seconds. Controls are simple: three speeds plus a pulse button. No unnecessary complexity. The pitcher is dishwasher safe, which makes cleanup easy. The trade-off versus the NutriBullet is size — this takes up real counter space and isn't a grab-and-go solution. But if you want versatility and power in a full-size blender under $100, the BL610 is the clear choice.

The Oster Pro 1200 is the sleeper pick on this list — it doesn't have the brand recognition of NutriBullet or Ninja, but it delivers professional-grade blending performance at a price that's hard to argue with. The 1200-watt motor is the highest wattage on this list, and Oster's All-Metal Drive system means the motor connects to the blade through a metal coupling rather than plastic, which is a significant durability advantage over most budget blenders. That metal drive is why Oster blenders tend to outlast the competition — there's no plastic gear to strip out under heavy use. The 24oz blend-n-go cup is a nice bonus, letting you blend directly into a travel cup for single-serve smoothies, while the 48oz glass jar handles larger batches. Seven speed settings plus three pre-programmed functions (smoothie, food chop, milkshake) give you more control than the simpler Ninja. The glass jar is heavier than plastic but doesn't absorb odors or stains, which matters if you blend a lot of different things. If you want a blender that will genuinely last and performs at a near-professional level for under $100, the Oster Pro 1200 is the best value on this list.

The Hamilton Beach Power Elite is the answer to "what's the cheapest blender that actually makes decent smoothies?" At around $30–$40, it undercuts everything else on this list by a wide margin while still delivering a functional blending experience for everyday smoothies. The 700-watt motor isn't going to win any power contests, but it handles soft frozen fruit, yogurt, and leafy greens without complaint. The 40oz BPA-free pitcher is a reasonable size for one or two servings, and the 12 blending functions — including ice crush and smoothie presets — give you more options than you'd expect at this price. The stainless steel blades are durable, and the dishwasher-safe pitcher and lid make cleanup easy. Where it falls short is on tougher jobs: whole ice cubes, frozen kale stems, or fibrous vegetables will challenge the motor and may leave small chunks. It's also louder than you'd want for early morning use. But if you're new to making smoothies, on a tight budget, or just need a secondary blender for a dorm room or office, the Hamilton Beach Power Elite does the job without asking much in return. It's the most accessible entry point on this list.

The Vitamix E310 Explorian sits right at the edge of our $100 budget — it frequently dips to around $250–$300 new, but regularly appears refurbished or on sale near the $100 mark, and it's worth stretching for if you can find it there. This is a professional-grade blender in every meaningful sense: the 2.0 peak horsepower motor is in a completely different league from everything else on this list, the aircraft-grade stainless steel blades never need sharpening, and the variable speed dial gives you precise control over texture that no preset button can match. Smoothies come out genuinely silky — no chunks, no fibrous bits, no gritty texture from seeds or greens. It handles ice, frozen fruit, nut butters, hot soups, and even whole-food juices without breaking a sweat. The 48oz container is the right size for one to four servings. Cleanup is the famous Vitamix self-clean: add warm water and a drop of soap, run on high for 30–60 seconds, rinse. The 5-year warranty on the Explorian is real peace of mind. If you're serious about smoothies and can catch the E310 at or near $100 — refurbished from Vitamix's certified program is a great option — it's the best blender you can own at this price point. Nothing else comes close to the blend quality.