Skip to main content

NutriBullet Blender Combo review: Smoothie king

NutriBullet Blender Combo is a great choice for smoothie lovers

nutribullet blender combo review press 7
NutriBullet Blender Combo review: Smoothie king
MSRP $139.99
“Just as advertised, the Extract button made a great smoothie.”
Pros
  • Easy-to-use control panel
  • Single-serving blender cup
  • Extract button for perfect smoothies
Cons
  • Not as powerful as competitors
  • Loud

NutriBullet is looking to leave behind its past as an “As Seen on TV” product and trying to become a health-conscious lifestyle brand. As part of the rebranding, it has introduced its first full-size blender, the NutriBullet Blender Combo ($140). The company is positioning the new blender as a rival for top-of-the-line blenders, like those from Vitamix, at a much lower price point.

The Magic Bullet NutriBullet is our favorite personal blender, but we wondered how its big brother would stand up to some of the other big competitors in the blender market. So, we put it through some rigorous testing to see exactly how well the NutriBullet Blender Combo compares.

First impressions

The NutriBullet Blender Combo’s wide base occupies the same space as a regular blender, and then some since it has two cups, one for 32-ounce single servings and another 64-ounce. pitcher. I know you can’t really hold that against it since it’s a 2-in-1 product, but it’s something to consider if you have limited room.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The modern, stainless steel body looks a lot like more expensive blenders on the market, and is heavy. The heft is a good feature because lighter bases tend to be unstable and bounce around during heavy-duty jobs. It also has suction cups on the bottom to keep it firmly attached to the counter, no matter how wild the blending action becomes.

The buttons are low-profile, almost flush with the base’s surface, which means cleaning up spills is a cinch. No need to break out the cotton swabs to coax food bits from nooks and crannies on the control panel.

The modern, stainless steel body looks a lot like more expensive blenders on the market, and is pretty heavy.

The controls are also easy to use right out of the box. Unlike the BlendTec Designer 725, which has 100 different speed settings, the Combo only has five. For most people, extract, low, high, medium, and pulse are all you’re going to need anyway.

Features and design

A few other nifty features make it stand out from the crowd. One of the first features you may notice is the Extract button. This programmed button is used to take smoothie ingredients, including whole fruit and ice cubes, and turn them into a smoothie with just one touch. When it’s done with the smoothie making, it turns off automatically.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

While the NutriBullet Blender Combo seems to center around smoothie making, with its mini blender cup and Extract button, it doesn’t forget about hot foods. The full-size blender vessel includes a vented lid that allows you to blend piping-hot foods. The lid is particularly exciting for me, since I blend hot soups more than anything else in my kitchen. Just be sure not to try this trick with the smaller single-serve blender cup.

The-1200 watt motor base is a big step up from the Magic Bullet NutriBullet’s 600-watt motor, but it still falls short when compared to our favorite full-size blenders, which have 1,500- to 1,725-watt motors.

Just as advertised, it can produce a pretty darn good smoothie with its Extract programming function.

Performance and use

Since the NutriBullet Blender Combo has a button especially for making smoothies, that’s the first thing I tested. Just as advertised, the Extract button took the machine through a series of speeds and produced a pretty darn good smoothie.  The ice was finely chopped and the pitted peach I threw in was blended down nicely. There were no peel chunks in the smoothie, which can be an issue with other blenders.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Next, I tried a hot food. Hot potato chunks and liquid blended into a super smooth potato soup. The only issue is the blender jumped around a lot, even with the suction cups stuck to my counter.

While it works great, its can be ear-splittingly loud.

While it works great, I can’t help but notice how ear-splittingly loud it sounds. I thought that the suction cups would help to dampen some of the noise, but no luck. If that’s a concern for you, then you may want to go with the Breville Super Q Blender, which is our pick for the quietest blender.

Our take

Overall, the NutriBullet Blender Combo is a great choice for smoothie enthusiasts and home cooks alike, so don’t be afraid to buy this one. The ease of use, modern design, and low price point makes it a good choice for those seeking a quality machine on a budget.

How long will it last?

The Combo’s sturdy design seems to suggest that it will go the distance, even though it only has a 1-year warranty.

Should you buy it?

Yes. Though not as powerful as some of its competitors, the NutriBullet Blender Combo works well enough for most people’s needs, especially if you want to make a killer smoothie. If you want more power and less noise, go with the Breville Super Q Blender.

Editors' Recommendations

Alina Bradford
Alina Bradford has been a tech, lifestyle and science writer for more than 20 years. Her work is read by millions each month…
Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra vs. Roborock S8 Pro Ultra: Which is the best robot vacuum?
The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra placed in its dock.

The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra share a lot of similarities -- the least of which is their brand name. Along with the capacity to vacuum and mop in a single cleaning cycle, the two robots can automatically empty their dustbins and clean their dirty mops once the cycle is complete. That alone makes them two of the best robot vacuums on the market.

But while there are plenty of similarities between the S8 MaxV Ultra and S8 Pro Ultra, there are a few key differences that could make one better for your home than the other. From pricing and vacuuming power to navigational skills and more, here's a comprehensive look at the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra.
Pricing and availability

Read more
How to fix a Ring doorbell that won’t chime
Person installing Ring video doorbell

While Ring does make some of the best video doorbells, they aren't immune to issues with their chime. This issue is, after all, at the top of the list when it comes to video doorbell problems. But, if your Ring won't ring what should you do? We break down the procedure to get your Ring video doorbell back in action, with a step-by-step approach to troubleshooting this issue.

Read more
Ring sale: Up to 44% off video doorbells and security cameras
The Ring Video Doorbell 3 installed near a door.

Buying a video doorbell or a security camera are among the easiest ways of improving your home's security, and Ring is one of the most trusted names if you're planning to get either or both of these devices. If you're interested, there's an ongoing Ring sale on Amazon so that you wouldn't have to pay full price. The available Ring deals include standalone security gadgets and bundles, and you can get as much as 44% off their sticker prices, but only if you hurry because there's no telling how much time is remaining on these offers.

What to buy in Amazon's Ring sale
Ring is a mainstay in our lists of the best video doorbells and best home security cameras because of the helpful features that they'll provide, including 24/7 live streaming through the Ring app, two-way audio to talk to visitors outside your front door or family members inside, customizable mobile alerts, and compatibility with smart home devices that are powered by Amazon's Alexa, among many others.

Read more