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I got this blender for my wife for Christmas. She always hated how our cheap, $50 blender couldn't handle ice when making smoothies. I didn't know anything about the Ninja, but it seemed to be gaining a lot of popularity so I decided to look into it. The thing that really sold me on this blender was simply the fact that it could handle ice like it's nothing at all (it can quite literally turn ice into snow in a matter of seconds) and even though I wanted a Vitamix, I just couldn't justify spending $400+ if this blender could do what we wanted it to do.
I also liked that it came with the single serve option, because not only can we get rid of our Magic Bullet, but sometimes blending is a hassle because we don't feel like cleaning the pitcher. But with the single serve, it is a lot less hassle to clean, plus there isn't anything wasted because we can make just the right amount. Basically it has all the same benefits that the Magic Bullet does. And yes, even the single serve pitcher has no problem with blending ice.
This blender is by far the best blender I have ever used. You can *easily* tell the difference between this blender and regular, non-high end blenders. But I also noticed that a lot of people seem to be comparing this to a Vitamix or Blendtec, and I'll say it's just not going to stack up compared to those blenders (there is a reason those blenders cost more than 3x the amount this blender does). So if you've got your heart set on a Vitamix or Blendtec, and for you having the absolute smoothest drinks are worth that kind of money, then you might as well take the plunge and get what you want. But if you're like me and simply wanted to have great smoothies, but you're not expecting Jamba Juice level quality, then this is a really great blender.
A few things need to be said though:
-The six blade technology seems great on paper, and has its advantages. But one downside is it makes it so you cannot fit as much into the pitcher as it takes up some room. That is probably why Europro gave this thing an extra large pitcher. But on the plus side, I've noticed a lot of cheaper blenders have problems with the contents getting stuck at the bottom near the blades while everything else above it doesn't get blended. That's usually because the cheaper blenders simply don't have the power to make a powerful enough vortex like the Vitamix does. Also, because of the Ninja's blades being shaped more like a food processor's blades, it makes it easier to make things like salsa using the pulse option. A regular blender tends to blend too much, even when using the pulse option.
-The description is wrong, this unit is 1100W, not 1000W.
-It makes AWESOME fruit smoothies. But I tried a green drink that was nothing but spinach, carrots, apples, and a cucumber. Aside from the fact that it was the nastiest drink ever, it was too pulpy to drink. I'm not sure how a Vitamix would have handled this disgusting concoction, but I've heard a lot of complaints that the Ninja doesn't handle green drinks very well. But I have found that if I essentially make a fruit smoothie, made of things like banana, strawberries, or blueberries, and then throw in a handful of leafy greens, it handles it very well.
I'd recommend this blender to anyone who wants to have a good, heavy duty blender, but cannot afford to spend $400+ on a Vitamix. It's stylish, it makes the best smoothies I've had from a home blender around this price, and it's got a lot of power for a reasonable price.
UPDATE 2/8/2013: My wife and I have been using this blender just about every single day, two to three times a day since getting it. So far it is still doing very well and working as good as new. But with more experience with it, I just wanted to give a little more details.
If you're reading this review and wondering whether or not you should get this model of the Ninja or the regular $99 Ninja Pro without the single serve, I would say you should really get this Ninja. Because one problem I have found with the big pitcher is that it cannot grind flax seeds because the blade sits about an inch from the bottom of the pitcher. This means that if you put flax seeds (or some other grains) into the pitcher the blades will spin above the seeds and they won't get get ground. The only way around this is to put in enough flax seeds so that they can reach the blades. Or a better way is to use the single serve cups. The single serve cups have a more traditional blender blade set up that sits at the bottom of the cups and this makes grinding flax seeds a breeze.
Also, there has been concerns with the Ninja making green smoothies. In general, fruit smoothies turn out very smooth in the Ninja blender. Green smoothies can also be done. However, it partly depends on what you consider a good smoothie. The Ninja can blend green smoothies to a drinkable consistency, and you'll never have a "chunk" to chew if you let it blend long enough (at least for a minute or two on speed 3) but it will often be gritty. However, the single serve cups are the key to make the green smoothies into a "Vitamix-like" consistency. In general the single serve cups make better smoothies than the big pitcher does. Also please see the comments on this review where I give a link to the basics of making a green smoothie. I think it can help people out a lot, as it really helped me.
So what is the big pitcher good for aside from the obvious (more volume)? It can make great fruit smoothies, it can make drinkable green smoothies (but not as good as the single serve cups) and I use it to make homemade peanut butter! I just go to Winco and buy some dirt-cheap bulk peanuts and put them into the blender. Then I blend it on 3 for a few minutes and before I know it, I have a real, home-made peanut butter. Also, as I said before, because of the big pitcher's food processor-like blades, it does a really good job of chopping food without blending them. I use it all the time to "shred" cabbage for coleslaw, or chop onions. And of course, if I want a large volume of smoothies (even green ones) I'll use the big pitcher.
Overall, if not for the single serve cups, I would probably give this blender a 4 out of 5 stars. But the single serve cups make up for the deficiencies of the pitcher. The main point is that the single serve cups can make fantastic smoothies while the big pitcher can only make great smoothies. But the big pitcher is good when used as a food processor, which the small cups cannot do. And the small cups are better for grinding grains like flax seeds.
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Quick update/note: the price seems to have increased here. Check out Bed Bath & Beyond. Last I checked, they had it for $129, less their 20% coupons, that's $103.
We got this several months ago and have used consistently it for at least two smoothies per day. Ingredients range from really tough (ice) to leafy and insubstantial (kale), and of course a plethora of fruit, and it blends it all down to tiny, consistent pieces within seconds. I think ten seconds on this blender with the small cup is overkill. It is very fast and very strong. Flavor is important to me, so if I could taste or had to chew on the kale, I wouldn't include it.
Before this, I had the Bella Cucina (a knock off of the magic bullet). I loved it until its untimely death but the contrast in quality is stark. The cups are much thicker and clearer, their lids taller and more useful, and they are worlds apart on their blending capabilities. Every piece in this thing just feels like great quality and makes the Bella cucina look worse than ever by comparison.
I LOVE having the option of the large pitcher or two two smaller cups. I wanted another small-cup blender like the magic bullet but also need a bigger one occasionally, and who has room for two appliances that do the same thing? The fact that every piece is dishwasher safe is a huge bonus and a must for me. The instructions say "top rack preferred" but the huge large blender cup is way too tall for the top rack.
I just wish there were more cup attachments/cup blades sold separately. As of now (late 2012/early 2013), they're not. This comes with two cups but only one blade that fits the cups. That's certainly not enough for me to knock down a star, though. ***UPDATE: EXTRA CUPS/PITCHER NOW SOLD SEPARATELY AND AVAILABLE AT BED BATH AND BEYOND.
We fill the cups with the ingredients the night before, then fill them up with juice in the morning, blend, and we each have a healthy breakfast in under ten seconds. We both have experienced a lasting energy boost from the smoothies.
Update: I've now had this blender for six months and I can't imagine living without it. Actually, I'm pretty sure I'd be on my way to an early grave without it. This thing is a godsend, and so is kale. After discussing superfoods with a knowledgeable Whole Foods employee, I started adding acai berry powder, chia seeds/psyllium husk, wheatgrass, and some protein powder. This is the perfect way to get a huge portion of your daily nutrients, antioxidants, and cancer-fighting goodness in a delicious smoothie. I feel better than I have since I was a kid!
Tips for green smoothies: with this ninja, the kale is easy chopped into such tiny pieces you really won't taste it. However, if adding other greens with a stronger flavor, a bit of green apple/green apple juice or a whole kiwi will wipe that flavor right out. Orange juice also helps a lot if you use it as your base. I've found the best, though, to be a very ripe banana.
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I must have researched a dozen different blenders before finally deciding. If money was NOT an issue I def would have gone for the vitamix. But since money is an issue I needed a lower priced blender. I saw this in walmart and thought it looked perfect for my needs (daily smoothie and occasional cooking). I was very pleasantly surprised by this blender!! The small individual serving blender is perfect for my daily smoothies with soooo much less clean up. The power is amazing! I crush and blend ice, frozen fruit, and protein mixes with the individual. I use the big one for mixes and larger jobs. Ive had the blender now for about 2 months and I still love it. I highly recommend this for fruit smoothies. I havent tried green smoothies yet...(My body isnt ready for that)..but if/when I do I will update review.
Honest reviews on Ninja BL660 Professional Style Blender with Single Serve
Had some hesitancy in purchasing this product after reading the mixed Amazon reviews. But after my Oster $30 blender finally kicked the bucket and in need for my daily smoothie, I decided to purchase the Ninja. While some reviews complained at how noisy it is, I was pleasantly surprised at how much quieter it was over the Oster (maybe 40% reduction). In terms of blending, wow, no comparison what so ever to the Oster. While the Oster really struggled to blend frozen fruit, ground flax seed, Greek yogurt, and some V-8 juice, the Ninja blended it without any effort in only three pulses (and I really don't understand how some reviewers faulted the Ninja for not blending smoothies perfectly)! The Ninja is an impressive piece of engineering that is the epitome of thoughtful consumer design. The machine is hefty, the pitcher made of quality and durable polycarbonate, and I expect this blender to last way beyond the two to three years I get out of a typical $30 blender. I haven't crushed ice yet for margaritas, but I expect it will handle that task given how powerful the motor is and the sharpness (and number of blades). But, as others have warned, the blades are unbelievably sharp. Despite knowing this fact, I still managed to slice my index finger severely (should have had 3-4 stitches-but I am stubborn, just rubbed some dirt in it) while trying to extract the last bit of smoothie from the pitcher (warning, do no turn upside down without the lid locked firmly in place-the blade apparatus slides out very easily). While some might fault the Ninja for my injury, it was operator error all the way. So do not underestimate the blades, and in fact, I clean it by a few drops of Dawn, hot water, a couple of pulses, rinse and then done. Don't even try to take out blade assembly out and wash, too much chance for error. I also love the suction cups that keeps the Ninja firmly on the counter, it doesn't move like the Oster did when blending (though some might complain that moving the Ninja from the counter-top to a cabinet might find the suction cups annoying). Finally, after comparing the reviews between the Ninja Professional vs. the entry level Ninja, I decided to go with the Professional because of the single serve options. Haven't used them yet but I can see the utility of having them (not to mention, it seems the Professional is a bit more heavy duty than the entry level Ninja). If you are wondering if the Ninja price tag, more three times of a bottom end blender is worth it, I will attest that the Ninja Professional is worth the extra cost.
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It does everything that it is advertised to do.. Very easy to use and clean afterwards. I highly recommend this item for health conscience people.
