Ninja vs NutriBullet is the most common blender debate we see, and for good reason — both brands dominate the under-$100 market, both make genuinely good blenders, and both have loyal followings. But they're built for different use cases, and buying the wrong one is a real mistake you'll feel every morning.
The short version: the Ninja BL610 is a full-size, high-power blender built for families, batch blending, and crushing ice. The NutriBullet Pro 900 is a compact personal blender built for one person who wants a fast, clean smoothie and zero fuss. They're not really competing for the same buyer — but if you're trying to decide between them, this guide will make the choice obvious.
We've tested both extensively — frozen berry smoothies, green smoothies with kale and spinach, ice crushing, and daily cleanup. We also looked at long-term durability data and owner feedback across thousands of reviews. If you want the full picture on blenders at every price point, check out our best blenders guide or our best blenders under $100 roundup. And if you're building out a full kitchen setup, our best food scales guide pairs well with either of these.
⚡ Quick Verdict
- Best for solo smoothies: NutriBullet Pro 900 — compact, fast, blend-and-go convenience.
- Best for families & versatility: Ninja BL610 — 72oz pitcher, 1000W, handles everything.
- Best value overall: NutriBullet Pro 900 — lower price, lower footprint, does its job perfectly.
Ninja BL610 — The Full-Size Powerhouse
Ninja BL610 Professional Blender
The Ninja BL610 is a 1000-watt full-size blender with a 72oz BPA-free pitcher — the kind of machine that earns its counter space. What sets it apart from cheaper full-size blenders is the stacked blade system: instead of a single blade at the bottom, there are blades positioned at multiple heights inside the pitcher. This means ingredients at the top get processed just as thoroughly as those at the bottom, which eliminates the frustrating problem of chunks floating above the blade line. The result is consistently smooth blends even with tough ingredients like frozen kale, whole ice cubes, or fibrous vegetables.
The Total Crushing technology is the real headline feature — ice goes from cubes to snow in under 10 seconds, which makes it the go-to choice for frozen drinks, margaritas, and smoothie bowls. Controls are refreshingly simple: three speeds (low, medium, high) plus a pulse button. No touchscreens, no pre-programmed modes to navigate — just direct control. The 72oz pitcher is dishwasher safe, which makes cleanup straightforward. The lid locks securely and has a pour spout that actually works without dripping. At around $70–$90, it's one of the best-value full-size blenders on the market.
Pros
- 1000W motor — serious power for the price
- 72oz pitcher — ideal for families or batch blending
- Stacked blade system blends top-to-bottom evenly
- Exceptional ice crushing performance
- Dishwasher-safe pitcher and lid
- Simple, intuitive controls
Cons
- Large footprint — takes up real counter space
- Loud at high speed
- Not ideal for single-serve smoothies
- Plastic pitcher (not glass)
NutriBullet Pro 900 — The Personal Blender Champion
NutriBullet Pro 900
The NutriBullet Pro 900 has been the benchmark personal blender for years, and it's held that position by being genuinely excellent at one specific job: making a smooth, chunk-free single-serve smoothie as fast and conveniently as possible. The 900-watt motor is the most powerful in the personal blender category at this price, and the cyclonic extraction blade design pulls ingredients down into the blade rather than letting them ride up the sides. The result is a consistently smooth blend in under 60 seconds — frozen berries, spinach, kale, protein powder, all of it.
The real advantage over a full-size blender is the workflow: you load your ingredients into the 32oz cup, twist on the blade assembly, flip it onto the motor base, blend for 45 seconds, swap the blade for the to-go lid, and walk out the door. No pitcher to wash, no extra containers, no transferring. Cleanup is equally fast — add water and a drop of dish soap, blend for 10 seconds, rinse. The motor base is compact enough to live permanently on the counter without dominating it. At around $60–$80, it's also the cheaper of the two. The trade-off is capacity — 32oz is plenty for one person but not enough for two.
Pros
- 900W motor — most powerful personal blender at this price
- Blend-and-go cup eliminates extra dishes
- Consistently smooth results, no chunks
- Compact footprint — lives on the counter easily
- Fast cleanup (under 30 seconds)
- Lower price than the Ninja BL610
Cons
- Single-serve only — 32oz max capacity
- Not suitable for soups, sauces, or large batches
- Can be loud at full power
Head-to-Head: 6 Key Dimensions
Now let's get into the specifics. Here's how the Ninja BL610 and NutriBullet Pro 900 stack up across the six factors that matter most when choosing a blender.
1. Price
The NutriBullet Pro 900 typically runs $60–$80, while the Ninja BL610 comes in at $70–$90. The price gap is modest — usually $10–$20 — but the NutriBullet is consistently the cheaper option. Both go on sale regularly, especially around major shopping events. If budget is the deciding factor, the NutriBullet edges it out, but neither is going to break the bank.
~$70–$90
~$60–$80 — slight edge
2. Power & Motor Performance
On paper, the Ninja BL610 wins with 1000 watts vs the NutriBullet's 900 watts. In practice, both motors are more than capable of handling everyday smoothie ingredients. The Ninja's extra 100W shows up most clearly when crushing ice and blending large volumes — it powers through a full 72oz pitcher of frozen fruit without straining. The NutriBullet's 900W is plenty for its 32oz cup; the smaller volume means the motor is never working as hard relative to its capacity. For raw blending power at scale, Ninja wins. For power-to-cup-size efficiency, they're essentially equal.
1000W — more raw power
900W — sufficient for personal use
3. Capacity
This is the starkest difference between the two. The Ninja BL610 has a 72oz pitcher — enough for 4–6 servings. The NutriBullet Pro 900 has a 32oz cup — enough for one large smoothie. If you're making smoothies for two or more people, the NutriBullet simply can't do it in one go. The Ninja is the obvious choice for households. For solo users, the NutriBullet's 32oz is the right size — large enough for a filling smoothie, small enough to blend efficiently.
72oz — families and batch blending
32oz — single serve only
4. Noise
Both blenders are loud — that's the honest truth about any blender under $100. Neither has sound enclosure technology. That said, the Ninja BL610 is noticeably louder at full power, partly because of its larger motor and partly because the 72oz pitcher resonates more than the NutriBullet's compact cup. The NutriBullet Pro 900 is loud but runs for a shorter duration (45–60 seconds vs the Ninja's longer blend cycles for large batches), so total noise exposure is lower. If you live in an apartment or blend early in the morning, the NutriBullet is the more considerate choice — not quiet, but quicker.
Louder, longer blend cycles
Still loud, but shorter duration
5. Cleaning
The NutriBullet Pro 900 wins this category decisively. The self-clean method — add water and dish soap, blend 10 seconds, rinse — takes under 30 seconds and leaves the cup spotless. The blade assembly detaches easily and can be rinsed under the tap. The Ninja BL610's 72oz pitcher is dishwasher safe, which is convenient, but hand-washing a large pitcher with a stacked blade assembly takes more effort. The blade stack has multiple tiers that can trap food particles, and the pitcher's size makes it awkward to maneuver in a sink. For daily cleanup speed, NutriBullet is the clear winner.
Dishwasher safe, but bulky to hand-wash
Self-clean in under 30 seconds
6. Durability
Both blenders are built to a similar quality level for the price. Ninja has a strong reputation for motor longevity — the BL610's motor is rated for heavy use and the brand backs it with a 1-year warranty. The main failure point on Ninja blenders is the plastic pitcher cracking under repeated thermal stress (hot liquids followed by cold), so avoid blending hot soups. NutriBullet's Pro 900 is similarly durable for its use case; the most common failure is the blade gasket wearing out over time, but replacement parts are widely available and inexpensive. Both should last 3–5 years with regular daily use. Edge to Ninja for the more robust motor under sustained heavy loads.
Stronger motor under heavy sustained loads
Durable for daily personal use; cheap replacement parts
Side-by-Side Specs
| Feature | Ninja BL610 | NutriBullet Pro 900 |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Power | 1000W | 900W |
| Capacity | 72 oz | 32 oz |
| Type | Full-size | Personal |
| Price Range | ~$70–$90 | ~$60–$80 |
| Ice Crushing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of Cleaning | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Noise Level | High | Medium-High |
| Blend-and-Go | ✗ | ✓ |
| Dishwasher Safe | ✓ (pitcher) | ✓ (cup) |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
Final Recommendation: Which One Should You Buy?
The answer comes down to one question: are you blending for yourself, or for multiple people?
If you're a solo smoothie drinker who wants the fastest, most convenient morning routine, the NutriBullet Pro 900 is the right call. It's cheaper, easier to clean, takes up less space, and the blend-and-go workflow is genuinely better than any full-size blender for single servings. It makes excellent smoothies — consistently smooth, no chunks — and it does it in under a minute with minimal cleanup. For most people reading this, this is the one to buy.
If you're making smoothies for two or more people, want to crush ice for cocktails, or need a blender that can handle soups, sauces, and larger batches, the Ninja BL610 is the better investment. The 72oz pitcher and 1000W motor give you real versatility, and the stacked blade system delivers impressively even blends at scale. It's louder and takes more counter space, but it earns both.
Our Pick By Use Case
- Solo smoothie drinker: NutriBullet Pro 900 — the default recommendation for most people.
- Household of 2+: Ninja BL610 — 72oz pitcher handles everyone in one go.
- Ice crushing & frozen drinks: Ninja BL610 — Total Crushing technology is genuinely impressive.
- Tightest budget: NutriBullet Pro 900 — usually $10–$20 cheaper.
- Easiest cleanup: NutriBullet Pro 900 — self-clean in 30 seconds, no contest.
Want to see how both of these compare to the full blender market? Check out our best blenders guide and our best blenders under $100 roundup for the complete picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ninja or NutriBullet — which is better for smoothies?
For single-serve smoothies, the NutriBullet Pro 900 is better — it's faster, more convenient, and the blend-and-go cup means zero extra dishes. For smoothies for two or more people, the Ninja BL610 wins with its 72oz pitcher and 1000W motor. Both make genuinely smooth, chunk-free smoothies; the difference is workflow and capacity, not blend quality.
Is NutriBullet more powerful than Ninja?
No — the Ninja BL610 has a 1000W motor vs the NutriBullet Pro 900's 900W. However, the NutriBullet's 900W is more than sufficient for its 32oz cup. The power-to-capacity ratio is actually similar between the two; the Ninja's extra wattage is most useful when blending large volumes or crushing ice in bulk.
Which blender is easier to clean?
The NutriBullet Pro 900 is significantly easier to clean. The self-clean method — water, dish soap, 10-second blend, rinse — takes under 30 seconds. The Ninja BL610's pitcher is dishwasher safe, but hand-washing a large pitcher with a stacked blade assembly takes considerably more time and effort. If daily cleanup speed matters to you, NutriBullet wins this category decisively.
Can Ninja blend frozen fruit?
Yes, the Ninja BL610 handles frozen fruit exceptionally well. The stacked blade system processes ingredients at multiple heights in the pitcher, which means frozen fruit at the top gets blended just as thoroughly as ingredients near the bottom. The 1000W motor powers through frozen berries, mango chunks, and even whole ice cubes without straining. It's one of the best budget blenders for frozen ingredients.
Is NutriBullet worth the price?
Yes, for solo smoothie drinkers, the NutriBullet Pro 900 is absolutely worth the $60–$80 price. It delivers consistent, smooth results, the blend-and-go convenience is genuinely useful, and it's built to last 3–5 years with daily use. Replacement parts (blade assemblies, cups, gaskets) are widely available and inexpensive, which extends the value further. It's one of the best-value kitchen appliances in its category.