Blenders are extremely versatile small kitchen appliances. They can puree, chop, liquefy, crush ice and more. You may want a blender to make smoothies or milkshakes, but those are just the beginning of your functional options. Pesto, dressings, soups, nut butter, puddings, pizza sauce, pureed vegetables, almond milk, applesauce, and baby food can all be prepared with a food blender.

If you plan on using a blender mixer for soups or large quantities, make sure you opt for one with a large pitcher that has varying blade heights. Meanwhile, a small blender can make it easy to whip up a morning smoothie as part of a healthy eating routine. Unlike a  food processor that needs separate attachments to switch modes, a blender is often an all-in-one device that has adjustable settings to move from one blending method to another.

Kitchen blenders have a wide range of prices that reflect their abilities — usually the strength, speed, and durability of their motors. Professional blenders are high-performance machines with powerful motors and the option of advanced speed settings. If you are frequently placing ice or nuts into your blender, you may benefit from this leveled-up performance. If you use your blender for smoothies or as a food blender for soft vegetables and fruits, the best blender for you might fall in the medium price range. And if you think you will only use a blender very occasionally, you can probably make do with a more budget-friendly option.

Hand blenders, also called immersion blenders, are also an excellent option for blending foods that are already in a bowl or pot. This way you don’t have to remove them and create more dirty dishes for the dishwasher. Immersion blenders can serve well for making mashed potatoes or other whipped dishes. Whether you’re looking for a small blender or a larger model, we can help you find the best blender for you at Best Buy.