Best Blender for Crushing Ice & Frozen Fruit in 2023

There’s nothing more appealing than an ice-cold smoothie, especially in the hot summer months. And what better way to achieve this than to add ice to your blender?

Adding frozen fruits is another way to ensure you get the thick, creamy texture you’re looking for – and it’s much more convenient and cost-effective to add produce straight from your freezer than using fresh produce.

Not all blenders are made equally, and some aren’t strong enough to handle frozen items. If you’re planning to up your smoothie game this year, I’ve created a guide that’s just for you. The blenders featured in this list are ideally suited for crushing ice and frozen fruit. I’ve also shared useful information in my blender buyer’s guide about buying the best blender for ice.

Best Blenders for Smoothies and Ice

• Ninja BL610
• Blendtec Classic 575
• Vitamix 7500
• Hamilton Beach 54220
• Oster Reverse Crush Blender
• Cleanblend Commercial Blender

Blender	Details
Blendtec Classic 575	Power: 120 volts Capacity: 90 ounces Warranty: 8 years Dimensions: 8 x 7 x 15 inches	See price on Amazon
Ninja BL610	Power: 1,000 watts Capacity: 72 ounces Warranty: 1 year Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.5 x 17 inches	See price on Amazon
Vitamix 7500	Power: 1,440 watts Capacity: 64 ounces Warranty: 7 years Dimensions: 17.5 x 7.7 x 9.4 inches	See price on Amazon
Hamilton Beach 54220	Power: 700 watts Capacity: 40 ounces Warranty: 3 years Dimensions: 9.45 x 6.98 x 14.69 inches	See price on Amazon
Oster Reverse Crush Blender	Power: 600 watts Capacity: 48 ounces Warranty: 10 years Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.5 x 13.8 inches	See price on Amazon
Cleanblend Commercial Blender	Power: 1,800 watts Capacity: 64 ounces Warranty: 5 years Dimensions: 18 x 15 x 13 inches	See price on Amazon

Best Blender Ice Reviews 2023

Blendtec Classic 575

If you’re looking for a blender that can do it all and more, you’ll like the sound of the Blendtec Classic. This 90-ounce blender has a generous 36-ounce capacity and is designed to make blending as simple as possible, whether you’re looking to crush ice cubes, whip up a batch of frozen drinks, or make dips and sauces.

The touch-button pre-programmed settings let you select your favorite blending cycle without having to manually program each time, but if you fancy being a bit more hands-on, there are 5 speeds of manual control for you to achieve your desired texture every time. The LCD control screen lets you know how much blending time remains when you’re using one of the pre-programmed settings, so you know exactly how long the job will take.

With a powerful 3 peak horsepower motor, the Blendtec Classic can crush ice cubes in no time at all. The blending jar is made from BPS and BPA-free plastic, and the sharp stainless steel patented blades are 80% thicker than other blender blades (according to Blendtec!), making them 10x stronger than their competitors.

There’s no need to chop your ingredients before adding them to the Blendtec, and even clumps of ice cubes are no match for this machine’s powerful motor. With this machine being self-cleaning, you simply need to add some water and a little soap to the jar and switch it on – the Blendtec will clean itself in less than a minute. The jar and blades are also dishwasher safe.

If you need extra reassurance that this blender is designed to last, you’ll be happy to hear that it has an impressive 7-year warranty that covers the whole machine, including the jar.

Ninja BL610

One of the most capable ice crushing blender models on this list is the Ninja Professional BL610. This full-size blender has a powerful 1,000-watt motor and has a pretty decent maximum capacity of 64 liquid ounces.

Using the brand’s own total crushing blade design, the Ninja Professional is on hand to offer the most effective ice crushing you could hope to come across. But that’s not all this blender is capable of doing – it can also be used as a food processer, and can blend, puree, crush ice and frozen fruits and much more.

With a 72 ounce blender jar, you won’t need to go by halves with this blender. You can make large batches of your favorite drinks for your whole family in a matter of minutes. Whether you’re simply looking for a blender that can blast ice into snow, or you’re interested in making dips and sauces like salsa as well as smoothies, the Ninja BL610 is a fantastic choice all-round.

Like some of the most capable blenders on this list, this machine has a 6-point stainless steel blade assembly, ensuring the fastest blending no matter what ingredients you’re adding. There are 4 manual speeds to choose from, so you can make sure you’re using the right setting for the frozen drinks you’re making.

When you’ve finished blending, cleanup couldn’t be simpler, as you can put the blending jug and blade straight in the dishwasher. The base simply requires wiping down with a damp cloth. All materials used in the Ninja’s construction are BPA-free, and the machine comes with a standard limited 1-year warranty.

Vitamix 7500

The Vitamix 7500 is one of the best blenders on the market when it comes to versatility. This high-power machine is easy to use when blending ingredients of all textures, like crushed ice cubes, chunky veg and frozen fruit. Aside from blending ice, you can also use the Vitamix to make dips, sauces, soups and frozen drinks of your choice.

There are an impressive 10 variable speeds to choose from with this Vitamix blender, as well as a pulse feature to create a finer texture before blending with the rest of your ingredients. The Vitamix 64-ounce container is ideal for making batches of juice for the whole family, but the Vitamix machine is short enough to fit underneath most kitchen cabinets in storage. The 6-foot cord means you’re not forced to position the Vitamix blender right next to a power socket if that isn’t convenient for you.

You can guarantee strength and durability with this Vitamix ice crushing blender thanks to its aircraft-grade stainless steel blades. These blades can handle even the toughest of ingredients, so you can rest assured that the Vitamix machine is ideal for ice crush jobs – and the 1,400-watt motor offers extra proof of strength if you need it.

With the Vitamix being self-cleaning, you simply add soap and water, and it’ll self-clean between 30 and 60 seconds. This blender comes with a full 7-year warranty, so you’re covered by Vitamix if the machine fails during this time.

Related: Vitamix 7500 & 5200 compared

Hamilton Beach 54220

The Hamilton Beach blender, best for smoothies and shakes, is the perfect companion to any frozen drinks enthusiast. There’s a lot going for this blender – it can rip through difficult ingredients like ice, frozen fruit and dry produce, producing crushed ice in seconds with its patented wave action system, which forces ingredients towards the blades without the need for constant scraping or stirring.

Priced below $100, the Hamilton Beach is one of the best-value ice crush blenders available today. It has 700 watts of power, so while it’s not the most powerful option on this list, you can use it to make smoothie recipes of your choice with no fuss.

You can use this blender to make single-serve or full-size drinks for your whole family, and the drip-free spout on the lid makes it easy to pour your finished product into a glass. The 14 blender settings make sure your every blending or food processor need is covered, offering top quality performance without the high-end price.

With a durable motor, this blender is backed by a 3-year warranty. The heat-resistant glass blending container, blades and lid are dishwasher safe, and all plastic elements of the machine are BPA-free. The generous handle makes it easy to lift the jar when full, and the blades are powerful enough to get the job done in minutes, no matter what frozen drink you’re whipping up.

Oster Reverse Crush Blender

Boasting useful blending features and a high-power 1,000-watt motor, the Oster Reverse Crush blender is one of the most impressive offerings if you’re looking for the best blender for smoothies with ice.

With a 6-point blade assembly, this BPA-free blender can produce crushed ice faster than a standard 4-point blade. It’s ideal for beginners, too, with a couple of pre-programmed settings to take the guesswork out of making smoothies and other frozen drinks. Conveniently, the blade has a reverse function to prevent jamming, so there’s never any reason to delay your smoothie preparation.

The blade, lid, sealing ring and blender jar are all dishwasher safe- it’s recommended to wash the jar and ring on your bottom shelf and the lid and blade on the top shelf. There’s an impressive 10-year warranty on this smoothie blender, which should give you peace of mind that the components used in the machine are to last.

There are 7 speeds to choose from, so you’ll like having so many options when it comes to power. You can select the speed setting you like most, or the one that works best for the particular smoothie you’re making. There’s also a 2-ounce filler cap to simplify prep, with built-in measurement markings that you can use when measuring ingredients to add to your smoothie.

Cleanblend Commercial Blender

For commercial quality at the fraction of the price, your best option is the Cleanblend smoothie blender. This high-performance blender is capable of running at an impressive 1,800 watts of power, offering one of the most outstanding blender performances on the market.

You can use this blender to easily make smoothie recipes with the peace of mind that all components are BPA-free, so they won’t add anything nasty to your creations. There’s so much that you can do with the Cleanblend, from crushing to blending, chopping, grinding, heating, processing, pureeing and liquefying. If you fancy a break from smoothies, you can use this machine to make dips, blended iced coffee, sauces or alcoholic cocktails.

If you’re looking for something larger than a single-serve blender, the Cleanblend will suit you well. You can use it for commercial jobs, producing large batches (up to 64 ounces) in just minutes. You don’t have to be a professional to use this machine, though, as its easy programming options make it ideal for anyone, beginner or not.

While no blenders are truly quiet, the Cleanblend is about as quiet as it gets, thanks to its sound-muffling technology. Though you probably couldn’t make a smoothie in the middle of the night without waking your neighbors, you at least won’t feel the need to cover your ears when blending with this machine.

The Cleanblend store is so confident in its juicer’s abilities that it offers both a 5-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee – meaning if you don’t like the blender within your first 30 days of use, you can return it for a full refund.

Buyer’s Guide- Selecting a Blender for Ice and Frozen Fruit

It goes without saying that the best blender for ice needs to have a powerful motor and strong, sturdy blades. But there’s more to buying an ice blender than durability alone. You’ll find it much simpler to choose the best blender for smoothies and ice after reading this helpful buyer’s guide.

What Makes a Blender Ideal for Crushing Ice?

Blenders are incredibly powerful, because they’re intended to serve the purpose of chopping and combining foods at a fast, efficient pace. In general, blenders are better at cutting ice than, say, a knife (not to mention a lot safer), because they’re entirely machine-powered. They slice into ice and frozen produce with a high force, while simultaneously mixing and combining, ensuring that all ice is crushed to an equal standard.

The blenders on this list are considered the best blenders of all for ice because they’re backed by plenty of power (at least 1,000 watts in most cases). Blenders with high power capabilities are designed to cut through ice, which may jam a less powerful blender and kill the motor. Strong and sharp blades are also an essential feature in a blender for ice and frozen fruit. Stainless steel blades are designed to withstand a lot of force, and the more blades included, the higher the chopping action.

Things to Consider Before Choosing a Blender for Crushing Ice & Frozen Fruit

Finding the best blender for ice and frozen fruit doesn’t have to be difficult. Make the following considerations, and you’ll be able to easily walk away with the best product.

Physical Size and Weight

Bulky, heavy blenders aren’t easy to move about between uses, and take up a lot of side and storage space. Most blenders reach the height of around two-and-a-half tall glasses, and this means you can fit more in them – but it does mean you’ll need more room in your kitchen. You can buy smaller blenders if you’re after something that won’t dominate your kitchen counter so much.

The newer blenders are a lot more lightweight than the older models, so if you plan to take your blender on road trips or to the office, you won’t have to struggle with something that’s too heavy to carry.

Power of Motor

The motor power of a blender is a good determiner for how capable it is of crushing ice and frozen fruit. The best blender for ice crushing will have at least a 1,000-watt motor, and most blenders today have a 1, 500 watts motor on average. A strong motor is essential for ice crushing, as a motor that’s too weak wouldn’t be able to cope with the force of the frozen items, and would most likely jam and/or die.

Adjustable Speeds

When a blender has a variable speed setting, you have the control to blend your favorite foods using your preferred power. If you’re adding leafy greens to your smoothie, for example, you’ll be better off blending the greens at a slower speed with less power before adding ice and switching to a higher power setting, which will ensure the greens are thoroughly shredded without a chunky output. Three adjustable speeds is standard for any blender, but some come with up to 10 different speed settings.

Blades

The blades fitted inside a blender for ice need to be sharp and strong. The best blender for smoothies with ice should have stainless steel blades, which are tough and durable, while also being safe to use to prepare foods. The more blades, the more contact there is during the blending process, and the more efficient the job. Most blenders come with at least 4 blades, but 6 blades or more is best.

Jar Capacity

The blending jar needs to be made from thick, durable material. Size is also something to consider here, as not all blenders are sized equally. If your idea is to make bulk-batches of frozen smoothies or make juices for multiple members of your family, a larger jar capacity will be important to you. But if you’re only making smoothies for yourself, size is less of a matter to consider – and, in fact, you might find a smaller blender at a lower cost that suits you just fine.

Price Point

There’s no benchmark price you need to pay for a good blender for crushing ice and frozen fruit. Cost varies from $80 to $400 – going lower than $80 is risky as considerably cheap products likely haven’t been made with the highest-quality materials. The price of a blender reflects its features and capabilities, with the higher-priced blenders boasting the most enviable offerings for every blending need. That’s not to say that a more budget-friendly blender wouldn’t suit you just fine if you’re not necessarily looking for versatility.

Features & Additional Accessories

What do you want to use a blender for? If you only have one idea in mind, fancy settings and features probably aren’t important to you. But if you’re looking for the best blender for crushing ice and frozen fruit and other uses, certain features may interest you. Some blenders have buttons you can press to crush ice or make frozen smoothies, so instead of playing around with speeds, you can simply put the blender on its designated setting and leave it to it. Auto-reversing blade features can also ensure a quicker cleanup after blending and prevent jamming or clogging.

As well as extra features, some blenders may come free with a few handy accessories, like multiple jars in different sizes and carry cups for taking smoothies on the go. Some blenders may also provide a food processor bowl for chopping, shredding and grinding ingredients for cooking – you’re not only limited to smoothies! It’s common for blenders to come with a recipe book, too, so if you’re new to smoothie making, you don’t have to look far for inspiration.

Durability

Price and durability usually go hand-in-hand, too. The more expensive the blender, the more expensive the components that have been used in its construction. Materials are usually priced on their strength and endurance, so blenders with a higher price point are generally better equipped to handle high-speed blending over their years of use. You can never be one-hundred percent sure of the durability of a blender until you buy it, however, so check a product’s customer reviews to learn more about how a blender performed for customers like you.

Warranty

The average blender warranty ranges from 3 to 10 years; most warranties sit around the 5-year mark. It’s important to buy a blender with a warranty as it gives you peace of mind that should you be sold a defective item, you can return it for a replacement or a refund hassle-free. The longer the warranty, the longer you can expect a blender to last – but be aware that extra-long warranties often come with terms and conditions that are worth looking into before you purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I assemble a blender?

Though all ice crushing blenders are slightly different, they generally require a similar assembly process. Check your user manual for more in-depth instructions, but assembly usually goes a little like this:

Take everything out of the box and turn your blender jar upside down, placing it on a solid work surface.

Place the sealing ring over the opening of the jar, then place the circular blade plate onto the jar. Some sealing rings are designed to fit onto the outside of the blade plate before placing over the jar opening. Finally, place the threaded jar skirt over the blade plate and screw it in place onto the jar.

All that’s left to do now is turn the jar the right way around and slot it onto your blender base. Most blenders have safety locking, so you’ll need to press down and twist left or right to click the jar in place.

Is it difficult to clean a blender?

Not normally, no. Blenders only come with a few parts – the blade plate, the sealing ring, the jar, and the lid. You should be able to quickly rinse these out after use, and many blender jars are also dishwasher friendly for even more convenience.

How do I crush ice in a blender?

Blending or crushing ice or frozen fruit in a blender is often very simple. Once you’ve built your blender and set it up for use, simply add your ice and fruit to the blender, place the lid over the top, and switch it on. The best setting for ice crushing tends to be the highest speed setting, as ice is pretty solid and the blades need enough motor power to slice through. If you have a specific ice crushing setting on your blender, you can simply select that option and leave the blender to it.

Are ice blenders noisy?

Yes. If you’re ice crushing with a blender, you have to expect that it’ll make a lot of noise, no matter which of the best blenders on this list you opt for. But some blenders have better muffling abilities than others, which mostly comes down to the design of the jar and lid. Blenders each have their own pitch, and some pitches are more annoying than others. Look for YouTube videos showing your preferred blender in operation to get an idea of pitch before you buy.

What can you make with an ice blender?

You can make a variety of drinks with an ice blender- frozen smoothies are just the beginning! Mixed cocktails and coffee-based drinks are quick and easy to whip up in a blender that can crush ice. Not only does making your own favorite drinks give you control over exactly what ingredients you use, but you’ll also save money because you won’t be heading to a coffee shop or bar to get your fix.