Which Blender Deserves a Spot on Your Countertop?
If you run a busy kitchen (smoothies, soups, crushed-ice drinks, sauces), the three blenders below hit very different needs and budgets. This review compares Ninja BL610 (1000W), Magic Bullet 11-Piece (250W), and Ninja BL660 (1100W).
Quick Comparison Table
| Model | Power | Jar / Capacity | Personal Cups | Controls & Programs | Stand-out Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja BL610 | 1000 W | 72-oz pitcher (≈ 64-oz max liquid), dishwasher-safe | — | 3 speeds + Pulse | Total Crushing blades for ice | Large batches, frozen drinks on a budget (Home Depot) |
| Magic Bullet 11-Piece (Small, Silver) | 250 W | Compact cups (tall/short/party mug) | ✔ (cups + to-go lid) | Single-speed + Pulse (press-and-twist) | Very compact; lots of cup accessories | Single servings, dips, quick smoothies (Amazon) |
| Ninja BL660 | 1100 W | 72-oz pitcher (family size) | 2 × 16-oz to-go cups with lids | 3 functions + Pulse (single-serve option) | Big power + personal cups in the box | Families who also want grab-and-go shakes (Amazon) |
1) Ninja Professional BL610 — Big Pitcher, Big Value
Why it’s popular: a 1000-watt motor plus a 72-oz pitcher that’s ideal for family smoothies and party frozen drinks. The BL610 uses Total Crushing blade stacks and offers 3 speeds + Pulse; parts are dishwasher-safe. Many retailers list ≈64-oz max liquid inside the 72-oz jar, which is standard for Ninja’s XL pitchers. (Home Depot)
Real-world performance
- Ice & frozen fruit: blasts ice quickly into snow-like granules; great for slushies and margaritas.
- Large batches: the 72-oz pitcher means fewer rounds when blending for guests.
- Cleanup: pitcher and lid go on the top rack of the dishwasher.
Pros
- Big capacity + strong motor for the price.
- Simple controls; easy to teach the whole family.
- Dishwasher-safe parts.
Cons
- No personal cups included.
- Loud at full power (normal in this class).
- Fewer speed options/programs than newer “Auto-iQ” Ninjas.
- PROFESSIONAL POWER: 1000 watts of professional power can crush ice and breakdown any tough ingredient.Power source : Cor…
- XL CAPACITY: The 72 oz professional blender pitcher is excellent for making frozen drinks and creamy smoothies for the e…
- INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY: Total Crushing Technology delivers unbeatable power with blades that pulverize and crush through…
2) Magic Bullet Blender (Small, Silver, 11-Piece) — Ultra-Compact Single-Serve
What you get: a 250-watt base with cups and accessories: tall cup, short cup, party mug, lip rings, resealable lids, a to-go lid, and a quick recipe guide—all in a tiny footprint.
Real-world performance
- Smoothies & shakes: perfect for single portions with soft/frozen fruit, yogurt, milk.
- Meal prep: excels at salsas, dips, dressings, spice grinding, small chopping.
- Speed & control: push-down pulse action; no multi-speed dial (that’s the trade-off for simplicity).
Pros
- Small & light; sets up and cleans in minutes.
- Great accessory bundle at the price (cups + to-go lid).
- Ideal for dorms, small kitchens, and quick snacks.
Cons
- 250W: not built for heavy ice crushing, thick nut butters, or big batches.
- Plastic cups can scuff/retain odors with spicy ingredients over time.
- Included: (1) 250W motor base, (1) cross-blade, (1) tall cup, (1) short cup, (1) party mug, (2) lip rings, (2) Stay-Fres…
- The magic bullet chops, mixes, blends, whips, grinds and more. Cups are made out of high-impact plastic.
- Effortlessly create your favorite meals and snacks like smoothies, omelets, sauces and dips. 250 watts high-torque power…
3) Ninja Professional BL660 — Family Pitcher + Personal Cups
The BL660 steps up to 1100 watts and keeps the 72-oz family pitcher but also adds two 16-oz to-go cups with spout lids. It offers 3 functions (frozen drinks, smoothies, etc.) plus Pulse, and a single-serve mode that blends directly into the personal cups—very convenient on busy mornings.
Real-world performance
- Power: more muscle than BL610—better for dense frozen mixes and nut-butter-adjacent tasks.
- Versatility: make a big jug for the family or blend a quick protein shake in the 16-oz cup without washing the pitcher.
- Cleanup: pitcher/cups/lids are designed to be dishwasher-friendly.
Pros
- 1100W motor + personal cups in the box.
- Great balance of batch blending and grab-and-go convenience.
Cons
- Bulkier and louder than a compact single-serve unit.
- Costs more than BL610; you’re paying for power + cup set.
- Powerful 1100-Watt Motor for Ice Crushing & Smooth Blending: Crush ice to snow in seconds and blend tough ingredients wi…
- Versatile Functions: Enjoy 3 manual speeds, pulse control and a dedicated single-serve function for personalized blends …
- XL 72-oz Pitcher for Family Recipes: Blend large batches in the Total Crushing pitcher- ideal for parties, meal prep and…
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose Ninja BL610 if you want the biggest capacity per dollar and mainly blend family smoothies, soups, and crushed-ice drinks. It’s the value pick with simple controls and a large jar.
Choose Magic Bullet 11-Piece if you live in a small space or only make single-serve recipes (smoothies, dips, dressings). It’s tiny, fast to clean, and ships with plenty of cups and lids.
Choose Ninja BL660 if you want power + flexibility: full-size pitcher for family batches and personal cups for on-the-go shakes in the same box. It’s the do-everything choice for busy households.
Hands-On Notes & Buying Tips
- Noise: all full-size high-power blenders get loud; expect more noise from the two Ninjas than from the Magic Bullet.
- Hot liquids: use caution. Most large Ninja pitchers list a max liquid line (~64-oz within the 72-oz jar) and recommend letting very hot mixtures cool slightly before blending; follow the manual.
- Counter space: BL610/BL660 are tall; check the space under your cabinets. (BL610 is ~17″ tall.)
- Dishwasher: all three are designed with dishwasher-safe parts for easy cleanup (always top-rack and see the manual). (Target)
Pros & Cons Snapshot
Ninja BL610
+ Great price-to-capacity; strong ice-crushing; simple to use.
– No personal cups; fewer features than BL660.
Magic Bullet 11-Piece
+ Tiny footprint; accessories galore; perfect for 1-person blends.
– 250W limits; not for heavy ice or thick nut butters.
Ninja BL660
+ 1100W power; pitcher + 2×16-oz cups; single-serve mode.
– Pricier and louder; bigger to store.
Affiliate & Accuracy Notes
- “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”
- Specs (wattage, capacities, accessories) referenced from product listings and brand/retailer pages at the time of writing. Always check the live listing for any updates.