It’s no surprise that smoothies, protein shakes, and green juices continue to be popular. So it makes sense that there’s healthy competition to create the ultimate affordable, powerful, cordless portable blender that will satisfy the needs of time-poor smoothie consumers.
Ninja has come out with their latest release, asserting that it’s one of the best cordless portable blenders “with the power to crush ice to snow”.
Our Ninja Blast Max review puts the brand’s claims to the test, while raising the stakes to include turning blanched almonds and sun-dried tomatoes into Sixpenny‘s famed pesto alla Trapanese.
Ninja Blast Max: our expert verdict on the portable blender
OUR RATING: 8/10
Pros
- Compact and sleek looking on and off the bench
- Super easy set-up and portability
- Detachable jug feels sturdy and durable
Cons
- More expensive than comparable-quality portable blenders
- May need to adjust recipes that content little to no liquid
What gives the Ninja Blast Max Cordless Portable Blender a cutting edge?
This isn’t Ninja’s first rodeo when it comes to high-powered, ice-crushing, fruit-blitzing blenders. However, it is their first rechargeable, cordless, portable blender featuring six precision blades with the power to slice through chunks of ice using its patented Ninja Powerblast technology, previously only available in the brand’s corded blenders.
Ninja Blast Max specs and product features (what you need to know)
Capacity: 650ml capacity removable and leak-proof vessel
Material: BPA-free plastic vessel and stainless steel 6-blade configuration
Power: 11.1V rechargeable motor base (UN3481 Lithium Ion Battery)
Dimensions: 11.6 W x 9.1 D x 31 H
Weight: 1.11kg
Price: $129.99
Warranty: 2 years
Auto IQ Presets: Smoothie, Crush, Blend
Colours available: Deep Navy, Cool Grey, Platinum Silver, Lavender, Sea Glass, Ivory Cream, Dusty Pink
How to use the Ninja Blast Max
1 Charge to the max
- First, wash all removable parts (vessel and lid) in warm, soapy water.
- Ensure the device is fully charged using the provided USB-C cable (this can take about 3 hours).
2 Secure the blending vessel
- Twist the blending vessel and blade onto the motor base, then click into place.
3 Power on
- Press the Power button to activate the machine.
4 Add your ingredients
- Fill the blending vessel with your chosen ingredients, only adding up to the maximum fill line.
- The included instructions indicate a specific order of ingredients for popular smoothies and juices.
5 Choose the preset
- Choose from three presets: Smoothie, Crush and Blend.
6 Twist and go
Once blended to your chosen consistency, simply twist the blending vessel to detach it from the motor base.
7 Easy to clean
- After use, the lid and the blending vessel (including the built-in blades) can be placed on the top-rack of a dishwasher. You can also use the blend cycle to clean the blending vessel by adding water and a drop of dishwashing liquid.
Results from our Ninja Blast Max test run
When choosing a recipe to whip up in the Ninja Blast Max, we decided to bypass the requisite smoothie and really put this portable blender through its paces on the Blend function. We wanted to see how it would handle something a little more challenging, and that you might consider using for a quick sauce, such as rendang curry paste or pesto, rather than getting out any larger piece of kitchen kit.
When it comes to portability, we loved the idea of having a pesto whizzed up and ready to transport (leak-free) to a friend’s place to toss through freshly cooked pasta with a smidge of that liquid gold pasta cooking water to help the pesto loosen up and coat the pasta strands.
With the Blender charged, ingredients prepped and added to the blender vessel, the ice-crushing time of truth was here. The blades whipped through the layers sun-dried tomatoes, blanched almonds, garlic, breadcrumbs, but it quickly hit a bit of resistance and slowed to a stop. A quick check freed a stuck almond and we were back in action only to stutter to another stop. The instructions suggested adding some extra liquid to help thin out the ingredients, so we put in a few good squeezes of lemon, a slug or two of olive oil and a dash of water, and the pesto was ready to go again. All it took was another twist of the base.
Overall, is the Ninja Blast Max worth it?
If smoothies and juices are a staple in your daily routine — and you’re always on the move — this is one of the better portable blenders on the market in terms of power and quality. However, it is also one of the most expensive. For creating recipes that contain little-to-no liquid, you may need to slightly modify the recipe to achieve optimal consistency.
Where to buy the Ninja Blast Max
- Ninja Kitchen Australia, $129.99
- Harvey Norman, $149.99
- Kitchen Warehouse, from $139.99
This content was created in partnership with Ninja. Gourmet Traveller retains editorial independence in all reviews.
