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.