Blender

Before you read: I work with Waring Commercial as a consultant, and the blender I pick is a Waring. When you buy through my links I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. So you can judge for yourself, I've also suggested two good alternatives at lower prices.

Which one should you buy?

For most home kitchens, a sturdy blender with a tall jar and a genuinely slow first speed will do everything you need. You don't have to spend hundreds. Here's what I'd point you to:

A weak blender leaves bits in your smoothie and grit in your soup. A good one turns out something silky in under a minute. It's one of the hardest-working machines in the kitchen: soups, sauces, dressings, nut butters, frozen drinks, even breadcrumbs.

If you're going to spend serious money, it's also worth knowing the Vitamix 5200. It has been a home kitchen favourite for many years, and at about $475 it costs a little less than the Waring.

Why power isn't everything

When the blade spins, it does two jobs. It chops, and it creates a whirlpool, a vortex, that pulls food down from the top of the jar onto the blade and throws it back up the sides. A smooth result depends on that circulation as much as on raw power.

Power does matter up to a point. Below about 750 watts, blenders tend to struggle with nut butters and leave purées a bit coarse. Above that, more power doesn't make things noticeably smoother. A huge "peak horsepower" figure on the box is not a promise of a better smoothie.

Jar shape matters too. A tall, fairly narrow jar keeps food close to the blade and makes it creamier. A wide jar lets food fling about, adds air and makes smoothies frothy. And a genuinely slow first speed matters for anything delicate, like mayonnaise, or for hot soup.

Waring MX1200XTX at a glance

Waring rates it for 75 or more blending cycles a day, which tells you how it's built: for busy bars and restaurant kitchens.

What to look for in a blender

• Enough power, not the most power. Around 750 watts and up handles almost anything. Beyond that the extra is mostly bragging rights.

• A tall, narrow jar. Smoother, less frothy results.

• A truly slow first speed. For mayonnaise, hot soup and anything that might splash.

• Height. Many wall cabinets sit about 18 inches above the counter. Measure before you buy.

• Noise. Big blenders are loud. If you blend at 6am with a sleeping house, think about it.

• Skip the preset buttons. "Soup" and "smoothie" programs rarely beat your own eye and a speed dial.

Measured against that, the Waring has plenty of power, a simple dial with a properly slow start and a tough jar. But at 18.5 inches it may not fit under your cabinets with the jar on, and it costs more than the Vitamix 5200.

Who it suits, and who should skip it

Good for you if

• You blend every day: frozen smoothies, big batches of soup, nut butters

• You like a simple dial rather than buttons and programs

• You want a jar that will survive being knocked about

Skip it if

• You blend now and then: the Breville or Ninja will do the job for far less

• You have less than about 19 inches under your cabinets

• You want the long-proven home option at this price: look at the Vitamix 5200

• You live with light sleepers

How to get the best from it

Load it the right way

Liquids first, then soft things, then frozen fruit or ice on top. The liquid gets the vortex going and pulls everything else down.

Start low, finish high

Start on the lowest speed and turn it up slowly. Jumping straight to high can trap an air pocket round the blade, and then it just spins.

Hot soup, safely

Never fill the jar more than halfway with hot liquid. Take out the centre cap and cover the hole with a folded tea towel so steam can escape, hold the lid down, and start on the lowest speed. Hot liquid expands and steam can blow the lid off. For soup in the pot, an immersion blender is easier still.

Mayonnaise and dressings

Put everything but the oil in the jar, run on low and pour the oil slowly through the centre cap hole. A slow speed is what makes it emulsify rather than split.

Cleaning and safety

• Quick clean: half-fill the jar with warm water and a drop of washing-up liquid, run it for 30 seconds, then rinse.

• Jar and pad can go in the dishwasher. Wipe the base with a damp cloth; never put it in water.

• Never put a hand or spoon in the jar while it's on the base. Unplug before you touch the blade.

• Don't run it empty, or for long stretches on high with very thick mixtures. Give the motor a rest.

The one rule

Hot soup: half full, cap out, towel on, start low. Every single time.

Questions people ask

How many watts does a good blender need?

Around 750 watts and up handles nut butters and smooth purées. More than that makes little difference you can taste.

Can you put hot soup in a blender?

Yes, with care: no more than half full, vent the lid, cover it with a towel, and start on low.

Is a Vitamix worth it?

If you blend every day, a high-end blender pays for itself in smooth results and long life. If you blend a few times a week, a $200 blender is plenty.

Why are my smoothies frothy?

Wide jars and very high speeds whip in air. A tall, narrow jar and a little less time on high help.

Will a blender fit under my kitchen cabinets?

Measure first. Many cabinets sit about 18 inches above the counter, and big blenders are often taller than that with the jar on.

Cook with it first

A smooth soup from my Soup recipes, or a frozen drink from my Cocktails.

Updated October 2026. Prices change often, so check before you buy.