What’s the best portable blender to take out on the road?
It’s a simple question when taken at face value, but it has a surprisingly complicated answer.
Does portable mean small to you, but you’ll still have access to a power supply at your destination?
Does it need to be rechargeable, so you can fire it up at base camp and then take it out on a hike?
Do you need extra cups and lids for making drinks for more than one person?
Because this is such a tricky question to answer, I’ve reviewed five of the best portable blenders designed for very different circumstances.
I’ve kicked things off with a summary list so you can dive right in. After that you can read more detailed reviews of the individual blenders. Finally, I’ve produced a buying guide and then answered some of your most common questions.
(If you want to explore more of my blending and juicing guides, have a look through the archive I’ve put together.)
Summary
As I said in the intro, “portable” is going to mean a lot of different things to different people.
Before I move on to the individual reviews, here’s a quick look at my top picks in each category.
Best Portable Blender Set – Magic Bullet 11 Piece Set
“The Magic Bullet isn’t just infomercial marketing hype. This is one of the best portable blenders on the market, although you will need continued access to mains power. This blender’s particularly useful if you want to make more than one serving – either to store for later or to serve more than one person. I’m a big fan!”
- Included: (1) 250W motor base, (1) cross-blade, (1) tall cup, (1) short cup, (1) party mug, (2) lip rings, (2) Stay-Fresh...
- The magic bullet chops, mixes, blends, whips, grinds and more. Cups are made out of high-impact plastic.
- Effortlessly create your favorite meals and snacks like smoothies, omelets, sauces and dips. 250 watts high-torque power base.
- Included recipe book gets you started making quick, easy, and delicious dishes from appetizers to desserts. Add 1/2 cup water for...
(This article includes affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.)
Best Budget – Hamilton Beach Personal Blender
“If you need to keep a really close eye on your budget, this Hamilton Beach appliance will be the best portable blender for you. It’s about the best balance between price and performance, but the motor is a little weaker than others I’ve reviewed. If you’re working with soft fruits and vegetables – and very little ice – I think it’s good enough.”
- THE ORIGINAL BLEND & GO PERSONAL BLENDER: Bring home the excellent blending performance you expect with the historic Hamilton...
- POWERFUL CORDED BLENDING PERFORMANCE: With durable stainless steel blades and 300 watts of peak blending power, this corded...
- QUICK AND EASY CLEANUP: This travel blender comes with a jar, blades and travel lid that are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
- DURABLE AND COMPACT: This portable personal blender is perfect for home, office, travel, dorms and more. It fits most cup holders,...
- EASY ONE-TOUCH BLENDING: Quickly prepare smoothies, shakes, icy drinks, baby food, salad dressings and more by pressing one...
Best USB Portable Blender – PopBabies Smoothie Blender
“The PopBabies blender is probably the truest definition of a portable blender. It completes a full charge over USB in under five hours, and you can use it while it’s still charging too. Once powered up, you simply throw it in your bag and blitz your ingredients whenever the occasion calls for a smoothie. It’s not a well-known manufacturer, but this blender’s proved very popular for a reason.”
- BLEND AND GO PORTABLE BLENDER: blend & drink from the 14 oz. Jar wherever you would like!
- COMPACT DESIGN PERSONAL BLENDER: the petite size makes it the perfect blender for home, office, or travel.
- SAFE AND VERSATILE SMOOTHIE BLENDER: dishwasher safe to-go cups (Food Grade Material), Perfect for shake and smoothies, protein...
- UNIQUE FUNCTION AND GIFT: blending while charging.
- POWERFUL AND WORLDWIDE TRAVEL BLENDER: strong enough to crush ice cubes, frozen fruits and seeds. No worry plug issues when travel...
Most Powerful Portable Blender – BlenderX Portable Blender
“The BlenderX pushes the definition of “portable” somewhat. That said, it is the best portable blender for events like picnics, barbecues, camping trips. You can carry it just fine, but it is quite bulky – the kind of thing you’d like to add to your car boot. It’s surprisingly powerful though, and a great option for making iced drinks away from home on a sunny day.”
- 💪SUPERIOR PORTABLE POWER: (i) 6x more powerful than most USB blenders, (ii) STANDS ALONE blending: (1) chunks of hard or frozen...
- 🏕️WHO SHOULD BUY: (i) SMOOTHIE & SHAKE LOVERS looking for healthier better tasting options using WHOLE FOODS such as hard...
- 🍎BETTER, HEALTHIER SMOOTHIES & SHAKES: (i) COLDER, THICKER, CREAMIER - use frozen fruit & vegetables, or standard ice cubes...
- 🎗️TOP CHOICE AWARDS: Best Portable Blender 2023 – People, Best Portable Blender 2022 – Rolling Stone, Best for Camping...
- 💲Additional Features: (i) Comes w/ blender base, (1) blade assembly with cover, (1) jar with Travel lid, wall charger, and...
Best Manual Shaker Blender – BlenderBottle Classic
“Although this is more of a mixer than a blender, I really wanted to include the BlenderBottle in my guide. It’s mainly designed to tackle jobs like protein shakes and supplement drinks. It doesn’t feature any blending blades as such. Instead it includes a very clever stainless steel whisk. Drop this in and it does an impressive job of mixing powders into a very pleasantly drinkable concoction. No power at all? No problem!”
- BlenderBottle Classic V2 Protein Shaker Bottle for Protein Shakes, Smoothies, Pre Workout, and Drink Mixes - Drink Mixer for...
- Perfectly Sized: The BlenderBottle Classic V2 protein shaker bottle has a 28-ounce capacity (Note: measurement markings only go to...
- Powerful Mixing System: BlenderBottle's powerful mixing system uses 316 surgical-grade stainless steel BlenderBall wire whisk...
- Simple to Use: The wide mouth design makes it easy to add mix scoops and liquids, and embossed markings measure ounces and...
- Leak Proof Design: Screw-on lid creates leak-proof seal, and secure flip cap with SpoutGuard keeps the mouthpiece clean; wide loop...
Reviews
Those are my top picks for each type of travel blender. Next, you can read a detailed review on each of these five blenders.
Magic Bullet Blender 11 Piece Set
If you’re something of a night owl then you’ll no doubt be familiar with the Magic Bullet, thanks to those endless infomercials.
It’s not just marketing buzz though. The Magic Bullet brand really kicked off the idea of small form factor blending, and the product’s been refined over the years too.
It’s not got the power of a countertop blender, but it still works well as a smoothie maker or baby food blender. You can even grind coffee beans from time to time, but I recommend a dedicated grinder if you’re going down that route.
- Included: (1) 250W motor base, (1) cross-blade, (1) tall cup, (1) short cup, (1) party mug, (2) lip rings, (2) Stay-Fresh...
- The magic bullet chops, mixes, blends, whips, grinds and more. Cups are made out of high-impact plastic.
- Effortlessly create your favorite meals and snacks like smoothies, omelets, sauces and dips. 250 watts high-torque power base.
- Included recipe book gets you started making quick, easy, and delicious dishes from appetizers to desserts. Add 1/2 cup water for...
This 11 piece set is the best option if you want to be able to make many servings for more than one person, and with the minimum of prep time.
It’s mains-powered, and so is only portable in the sense that you’ll still need access to a power point.
Assuming that fits the bill, you get a selection of different cup sizes with this unit. There are different lids and blades units to suit each cup as well.
You’ll find this really useful when you want to prepare a number of drinks to take on the road.
As long as you have the space to pack the items, this set gives you a really versatile but small travel blender.
Alternatively, if you’re staying at a hotel, you can keep a few drinks in the mini fridge and just grab one when you need a pick me up.
Magic Bullet blenders are made of sturdy stuff as well. The BPA free plastic design can withstand plenty of impact, so you don’t need to worry about cracks and spills while the containers are in your bag.
It’s one of the more powerful portable blenders as well, with a 250 Watt motor power rating. It’ll still take a little time to crush ice cubes, but it’s more than up to the job of tackling tougher vegetables.
(A personal tip: if you’re working with lots of vegetables, add a decent amount of liquid to the mix. It’ll produce much better drinks!)
Finally, the Magic Bullet also comes with a recipe book. It’s not hugely detailed, but it provides some nice inspiration for getting more out of your purchase.
Pros
- Extra containers make this a very versatile traveling set.
- A well-trusted brand and a high quality personal blender.
- Recipe book is a nice little extra to help you get more from the Magic Bullet.
- Very cost-effective for what you get in terms of performance and versatility.
Cons
- Needs to be run in bursts rather than continuous mode, to avoid burning out the motor.
- Will tackle smaller ice cubes, but a little prep to cut the size down will help.
- A lack of measurement lines on the containers is a rather glaring omission.
- Moves around quite a bit when handling tougher ingredients.
(You can read my detailed Magic Bullet blender review if you’d like more insight into how this miniature miracle works!)
Hamilton Beach Personal Blender
You’ll need mains power for the Hamilton Beach Personal Blender, but it’s my top pick for a budget-oriented portable blender.
The 14 ounce blender jar that comes with the base is made from BPA free plastic, and is supplied with a lid too.
It’s a very easy to use. Just add your fruit and vegetables to the container, screw it onto the base, blend, and then add the lid to go.
- THE ORIGINAL BLEND & GO PERSONAL BLENDER: Bring home the excellent blending performance you expect with the historic Hamilton...
- POWERFUL CORDED BLENDING PERFORMANCE: With durable stainless steel blades and 300 watts of peak blending power, this corded...
- QUICK AND EASY CLEANUP: This travel blender comes with a jar, blades and travel lid that are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
- DURABLE AND COMPACT: This portable personal blender is perfect for home, office, travel, dorms and more. It fits most cup holders,...
- EASY ONE-TOUCH BLENDING: Quickly prepare smoothies, shakes, icy drinks, baby food, salad dressings and more by pressing one...
There are no presets here, just a single button that you hold down to keep the motor going.
That does mean a little trial and error when it comes to getting the blend just right, and depending on the ingredients you’re using. If you’re working with a few favorites all the time though, you’ll get a feel for things quite quickly.
It is rather weak because of its 175 Watt motor. That’s enough to handle soft produce (and it will crush a little ice), but you shouldn’t expect to blitz anything too demanding.
It’s also available in a number of different colors, so you get a little bit of personalization with this model. The available colors (at the time of publishing) are:
- Black
- Blue
- Raspberry
- Red
- White
If you want to prepare more than a single serving, you can grab the Hamilton Beach portable blender in a 2 Jar bundle.
Unfortunately, this more than doubles the cost. That seems a bit excessive when you consider the most expensive part – the motor base – has already been accounted for.
If you’re going down this route, I think you might be better served by the Magic Bullet set I reviewed further up the page.
You get more accessories, as well as a more powerful motor base, and for only a little more money than the Hamilton Beach set.
If you need a single jar portable blender on a shoestring budget though, this is a pretty dependable option. Just don’t expect to be able to work it super-hard!
Pros
- Lots of color options to choose from.
- An extremely affordable – and compact – portable blender.
- One touch operation makes it very easy to use.
- A decently sized, 14 ounce single serve blender cup.
- Long power cord, which is handy for those annoyingly positioned hotel sockets.
Cons
- The motor is a little on the weak side, limiting the produce you can blend.
- I wouldn’t recommend investing in the two-jar pack when better options are available.
- Not as sturdy as other personal blenders, but that’s to be expected at this price.
- Just a single speed setting to play with.
- Fiddly to clean out seeds in particular.
PopBabies Personal Smoothie Blender
Don’t be put off by the name of the PopBabies Personal Smoothie Blender. This is a portable blender model that’s become extremely popular in recent years.
The container’s a little smaller than others in this guide, weighing in at 14 ounces. That helps keep the overall size of the unit down considerably though. Overall it’s light, compact, and very easy to throw in a bag.
The power comes from a USB cable connection, and the charge completes in around five hours. How long it lasts will depend on course on how much strain you put it through on any given drink.
- BLEND AND GO PORTABLE BLENDER: blend & drink from the 14 oz. Jar wherever you would like!
- COMPACT DESIGN PERSONAL BLENDER: the petite size makes it the perfect blender for home, office, or travel.
- SAFE AND VERSATILE SMOOTHIE BLENDER: dishwasher safe to-go cups (Food Grade Material), Perfect for shake and smoothies, protein...
- UNIQUE FUNCTION AND GIFT: blending while charging.
- POWERFUL AND WORLDWIDE TRAVEL BLENDER: strong enough to crush ice cubes, frozen fruits and seeds. No worry plug issues when travel...
This is one of the best truly portable blenders you can buy, but you obviously have to remember to keep the thing charged before you head out!
If you do find yourself running out of juice, you can always use the USB port to transfer a little power from another device. That’s assuming you’ve brought other tech out with you on your adventures.
The blender will operate while it’s charging as well, so it’s not as though you have to wait around for an entire charge to complete.
PopBabies also include an ice cube tray with its portable travel blender. The cubes are quite small but it certainly saves on breaking down bigger cubes for a good blend.
Pros
- A truly portable, pre-charge personal blender that’s a compact as it gets.
- You can use it while charging from a connected device or mains socket.
- Ice cube tray produces cubes that are just the right size for this sort of personal blender.
- A really fun but elegant design, with a handful of color options to choose from.
Cons
- A rather small container, but that’s part and parcel of the compact design.
- I highly recommend a little prep work to make the ingredients as small as possible before blending.
- The neck of the bottle is quite small, which can make cleaning up tricky.
- Materials aren’t all that durable. Be careful not to drop the container!
- I know some owners have had problems with the jar leaking over time.
BlenderBottle Shaker Travel Blender
The BlenderBottle is stretching the definition of “portable blender” somewhat, as there isn’t a motor or blade unit as such.
This is an entirely manually operated shaker bottle. It features a clever little wire whisk which sits inside the blender with your ingredients.
As you – vigorously – shake the bottle, this whisk breaks up and mixes the ingredients until you have a smooth drink.
- BlenderBottle Classic V2 Protein Shaker Bottle for Protein Shakes, Smoothies, Pre Workout, and Drink Mixes - Drink Mixer for...
- Perfectly Sized: The BlenderBottle Classic V2 protein shaker bottle has a 28-ounce capacity (Note: measurement markings only go to...
- Powerful Mixing System: BlenderBottle's powerful mixing system uses 316 surgical-grade stainless steel BlenderBall wire whisk...
- Simple to Use: The wide mouth design makes it easy to add mix scoops and liquids, and embossed markings measure ounces and...
- Leak Proof Design: Screw-on lid creates leak-proof seal, and secure flip cap with SpoutGuard keeps the mouthpiece clean; wide loop...
It’s best suited for things like protein shakes and supplement smoothies, and it does a really good job of mixing these to just the right consistency.
It goes without saying you’re not going to be making iced drinks with this one! At least you’ll never have to worry about having access to a power outlet, or the rechargeable batteries running out.
It has quite a generous capacity at 28 ounces. That’s more than enough for single serve shakes and protein mixes.
There are also measurement markings up to 22 ounces, which is helpful for getting the right mix of powders and liquids.
As well as having a generous capacity, the mouth is also very wide. That’s really useful when you’re using powdered scoops, where that scoop is typically quite wide.
The shaker jar is topped off with a lid that screws on tightly for safe packing. It also includes BlenderBottle’s patented SpoutGuard technology.
That protects the contents of the bottle from germs. That’s obviously a good thing if you’re throwing dirty clothes in your backpack…
The material used is BPA free plastic, and it’s dishwasher safe as well
Now, you’re not likely to have access to a dishwasher on the road, but that wide mouth means cleaning by hand is much easier than most blending cups.
Finally, and like the Hamilton Beach portable blender, there’s a big collection of colors to choose from. There are too many to list here, so take a look at the Amazon listing if you want to see what’s available.
Overall. this is not a traditional portable blender by any means. I do think it’s a clever piece of kit though if you’re looking to blend a very specific sort of drink while you’re traveling.
Pros
- A sturdy, BPA free manual blender.
- Wide mouth makes preparation and cleaning much easier than other blending jars.
- The BlenderBall steel whisk does a great job of mixing suitable ingredients.
- A large capacity container, and clear markings for ounces and millimeters.
- Clear measurement markings for preparation.
Cons
- You’re limited to mixing things like protein shakes and supplement drinks.
BlenderX Portable Blender
The BlenderX Portable Blender earns its spot in my guide because of the exceptional power it offers. That power’s backed up by a battery that really lasts in the real world.
It’s not a small portable blender by any means though, and so I think it’s best suited to events away from home such as picnics, barbecues and camping trips.
It’s not that you couldn’t carry it yourself, but it’s quite bulky and so it’s the kind of appliance you’d rather throw in the boot of your car.
- 💪SUPERIOR PORTABLE POWER: (i) 6x more powerful than most USB blenders, (ii) STANDS ALONE blending: (1) chunks of hard or frozen...
- 🏕️WHO SHOULD BUY: (i) SMOOTHIE & SHAKE LOVERS looking for healthier better tasting options using WHOLE FOODS such as hard...
- 🍎BETTER, HEALTHIER SMOOTHIES & SHAKES: (i) COLDER, THICKER, CREAMIER - use frozen fruit & vegetables, or standard ice cubes...
- 🎗️TOP CHOICE AWARDS: Best Portable Blender 2023 – People, Best Portable Blender 2022 – Rolling Stone, Best for Camping...
- 💲Additional Features: (i) Comes w/ blender base, (1) blade assembly with cover, (1) jar with Travel lid, wall charger, and...
What I really like about the power of the BlenderX is its ability to tackle ice and frozen fruit. You can’t beat a frosty cocktail at a picnic, and this is one of the few portable blenders that’s actually up to the job.
The 20 ounce container is made from hard-wearing BPA free plastic, and comes with a lid that seals the liquid in nice and tightly. The stainless steel blades are sharp enough to tackle very tough produce too.
The motor base is sturdy and similarly constructed from stainless steel. It also features rubber feet, so it doesn’t move around much when it’s going at full tilt.
The BlenderX also comes with a handy, water-resistant travel bag with a shoulder strap for easy carrying.
Although I think the BlenderX has a very specific purpose as a portable blender, it’s as close as you can get to the performance of a kitchen blender while you’re away from home.
Pros
- The most powerful travel blender I’ve reviewed.
- Rubber feet on the motor unit keeps the blender in place at high speed.
- Water-resistant bag is easy to carry and keeps the blender well-protected.
- Great customer service if you run into any problems.
Cons
- A bulky portable blender, but the pay off for this is found in the performance.
- One of the more expensive travel blenders in this guide.
What I Look For In A Portable Blender
The portable blenders I’ve reviewed for this guide are all the best in their specific class.
If you want to carry on with your own buying research though, these are the things I urge you to think about when looking at individual travel blenders.
How Will You Power Or Charge It?
In its basic form, a portable blender should work like a lighter, more compact version of a countertop blender.
They can be broadly split into the following different types:
Mains Powered – These still require access to a power socket, but are good for things like kitting out your RV, or plugging in at a hotel. If you’re traveling abroad though, make sure you have an adaptor that can account for different voltage levels.
Battery Operated – A truly portable device, limited only by the amount of charge the battery can store. You’ll need to make sure you either give this enough juice before heading out, or have the ability to top it up while you’re away from home. If you’re out in the wild for several days, you can’t expect even the best portable blender to keep up using a single charge.
USB – USB blenders can be charged using any USB power supply, or via a USB-supported plug. Keep in mind that if you need to top the portable blender up using another battery operated, USB-compatible device, you’re going to reduce the charge on it.
Shakers – Stretching the definition of “portable blender” here, but there are some really cool shaker cups on the market. If you can stomach the powdered food life, these are great for whipping up a quick protein drink on the road, for example.
What you’ll be able to actually achieve with any of these power types will vary.
They’ll all be able to create a variety of basic soups, juices and smoothies, but tougher ingredients will work weaker batteries harder.
So, the amount of time you’ll get from a charge will depend a great deal on how much strain you put the motor under. Plan what you’ll use it for carefully.
Check The Dimensions & Weight Carefully
Depending on your circumstances, you’ll need to think carefully about how big and how heavy the portable blender you’re looking at is.
Extra weight adds up fast, and adding a collection of convenient appliances to your backpack might prove more annoying than it’s worth.
In general, the smaller and lighter your personal blender is, the better. The flipside is that a smaller portable blender will likely have less power, and you won’t be able to make drinks for friends or family as easily.
Further on in this guide I’ve answered a question about travel restrictions on planes.
Briefly though, you won’t be able to pack any kind of carry-on blade in your hand luggage, so don’t try!
At best you’ll end up having to hand your appliance over to a TSA agent before embarking.
Different Ingredients = Different Demands
You need to be realistic about what a low-charge portable blender is going to be able to achieve on the road.
If there’s the option to use mains power, you’ll still be limited by the power rating of the motor.
You can get good results out of these things, but you’ll never get the same performance that you would from a traditional kitchen, countertop blender.
As a general rule of thumb, the softer the ingredients you work with, the better results you’re going to get. The more liquid you can add to the mix, the more pleasant the results will be as well.
If you’ve access to a multi-tool, you’ll also benefit from cutting the produce into the smallest possible chunks. Yes it’s a bit of a pain, but a little bit of prep work can have a dramatic effect on the final result.
You can crush ice occasionally with a low-power motor, but it’s not something you’ll want to make a habit of. You’ll stress the motor, and drain the battery faster than you can blink.
How Many Cups & Containers Do You Need?
If you want to be able to make a number of portable servings, it’s worth investing in a set that comes with a number of cups.
The main benefit of this is that you can focus on producing a number of servings in one sitting, and then chill the individual cups.
This will be most relevant to you if you’re looking for a portable blender that you take to a hotel or on a RV camping trip.
You’ll often have access to a small fridge in this case. You can just grab some local produce, blitz it, then get a few days’ servings ready to go.
Is There A Filter On The Lid?
Even the best portable blender will struggle with tougher ingredients. For this reason, many manufacturers will include a filter on the lid.
This stops any stubborn chunks or pulp from getting in the drink when you’re glugging from the container.
It’s not a nice sensation! If the lid includes a filter, then you can consider that a helpful bonus, and something worth looking out for.
Can You Clean It Quickly And Easily?
The one thing you won’t want to do while you’re out on your adventures is waste a load of time cleaning your appliances.
Look for a personal blender that you can disassemble quickly so that it’s easy to clean.
Some also have a sort of “self-clean” setting built-in. The good news is that you can replicate that very easily with a little bit of warm water and dish soap. Just blitz it for a while, empty, rinse and air dry.
The Length Of The Warranty
These appliances are typically quite low-cost, and for that reason you shouldn’t expect much in the way of warranty protection.
By design, a portable blender is also more likely to suffer wear and tear while out on the road. It’s not surprising, then, that manufacturers don’t provide a huge amount of protection.
Expect the standard one year warranty, and don’t stress if you can’t find much in the way of support.
If you do find a longer warranty period consider it a bonus, but don’t let it override the more important buying considerations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Finally, I wanted to wrap this buying guide up with answers to some of the common questions people have about portable blenders.
Can A Portable Blender Crush Ice?
The simple answers to this question is “Yes, a portable blender can crush ice!”
As always though, the devil is in the detail.
The lower the power output of the personal blender, the more strain that crushing ice will put on the motor.
The motor has to work harder, and for longer, in order to blitz the ice to the consistency you desire.
That will inevitably have an impact on the lifespan of the appliance.
If you’re planning on crushing ice regularly, I would choose a portable blender with a power rating of at least 250 Watts.
More than that is better – both for performance and durability – but once you’re over 500 Watts it’s largely a case of getting the same job done faster.
How Do I Clean A Portable Blender?
Check the owner’s manual that comes with your portable blender to see if the material is dishwasher safe.
If the jar is made of BPA free plastic (which most are), then it’s almost certainly dishwasher safe.
Obviously, you won’t be able to put the motor base through the dishwasher, and so you’ll need a portable blender with a detachable container.
That motor base is easy to clean up using a damp dish cloth though. Get into the habit of giving it a wipe down after each use, as this will prevent muck from clogging up the buttons over time.
There’s another easy way to clean any blender, portable or otherwise.
Fill it to around the halfway mark with warm water, then add a few splashes of standard kitchen soap.
Blitz the contents for around 30 seconds, and you’ll get 90% of the food off the blades and the sides of the container jar.
Let everything dry on a rack, and don’t reassemble it until all the moisture’s gone. Sealing up any moisture provides a great breeding ground for bacteria, which obviously isn’t ideal.
Can You Take A Portable Blender On A Plane?
You’ll need to check the restrictions of your local carrier. You almost certainly won’t be able to take the sharpened blade unit in your carry-on luggage though.
The TSA has some useful guidance on traveling with this sort of appliance which is worth reading up on. Here’s what they have to say about blenders in general:
“[Portable] Blenders are allowed in carry-on bags if the blade has been removed.
“Any sharp objects in checked bags should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors.”
If the blade unit is permanently fixed to the inside of the blender, you won’t be able to take it in your carry-on luggage. The blender can go in the cargo hold if the blades are protected though.
That’s the answer for the United States at least, but it’s reasonable to assume there’s a similar answer for the rest of the world too.
No one likes dealing with more hassle than they have to at an airport. For that reason, I would recommend checking directly with the airline before heading to the airport.
What’s The Most Powerful Portable Blender?
The most powerful portable blender that I’m aware of is the BlenderX Cordless Portable Blender.
There’s no doubt that it puts out a mighty performance, but it does stretch the definition of “portable” because of its size. Perhaps it’s fairer to say it’s portable under certain circumstances.
- 💪SUPERIOR PORTABLE POWER: (i) 6x more powerful than most USB blenders, (ii) STANDS ALONE blending: (1) chunks of hard or frozen...
- 🏕️WHO SHOULD BUY: (i) SMOOTHIE & SHAKE LOVERS looking for healthier better tasting options using WHOLE FOODS such as hard...
- 🍎BETTER, HEALTHIER SMOOTHIES & SHAKES: (i) COLDER, THICKER, CREAMIER - use frozen fruit & vegetables, or standard ice cubes...
- 🎗️TOP CHOICE AWARDS: Best Portable Blender 2023 – People, Best Portable Blender 2022 – Rolling Stone, Best for Camping...
- 💲Additional Features: (i) Comes w/ blender base, (1) blade assembly with cover, (1) jar with Travel lid, wall charger, and...
I would say this is most suitable for camping or outdoor events like picnics. It’s not the sort of thing you can easily throw in a bag and carry around. Still, it’s powerful enough to tackle even tough blends.
Can I Put My Portable Blender In The Fridge?
The answer to this is yes, with two caveats:
- You should only store the container jar at low temperatures. Don’t put the motor in there!
- Double-check the owner’s manual, but most BPA free plastic containers can go in the refrigerator.
As a general rule of thumb, you shouldn’t store pre-blended drinks in the refrigerator for more than 72 hours. That’s just a good rule of thumb for food safety.
If you’re thinking of making big batches of juice or smoothies to store in the refrigerator, consider buying something like the Magic Bullet set.
- Included: (1) 250W motor base, (1) cross-blade, (1) tall cup, (1) short cup, (1) party mug, (2) lip rings, (2) Stay-Fresh...
- The magic bullet chops, mixes, blends, whips, grinds and more. Cups are made out of high-impact plastic.
- Effortlessly create your favorite meals and snacks like smoothies, omelets, sauces and dips. 250 watts high-torque power base.
- Included recipe book gets you started making quick, easy, and delicious dishes from appetizers to desserts. Add 1/2 cup water for...
This comes with a selection of containers that act as individual blending jars. Add the ingredients, blitz the contents, then just store the containers in the fridge.
I like to work in big batches where I can, so this is a nice and easy way of preparing things ahead of time. It’s also very useful when you’re trying to develop the juicing habit!
Why Do You Need A Portable Blender?
There are a few good reasons to pick up a portable blender.
Traveling Light: The obvious one! It’s easy to let our better habits slip when we’re away from home and our creature comforts. A small, portable blender in your luggage means you’re more likely to keep up your five a day while you’re on the road. The smallest ones will also fit in your gym bag.
Small Portions: You don’t have to be on-the-go to get good use from one of these things. If you’re only making the occasional smoothie or juice for yourself, there’s really no reason to buy an all-singing, all-dancing countertop blender. A portable blender will get the same job done, in a more discrete appliance that can be tucked neatly away in a cupboard or drawer when it’s not in use.
Living in Your Home From Home: Similarly, a portable blender is a great addition for your RV. You likely have less space to play with here, and you can use a decent micro blender to make soups, sauces, smoothies and other small-scale blending jobs. Grab a battery powered blender (and make sure it’s charged), and you can even take it camping where you’re entirely without power.
Any Last Tips For Using A Portable Blender?
Whichever travel blender you choose in the end, I wanted to wrap things up with a few final tips for getting the most out of your portable personal blender:
Add Ingredients In A Specific Order
You’ll get a much better blend if you add your liquid ingredients first, then your softer fruits and vegetables, and then your leafy greens. That’s as true for a portable blender as it is for a home countertop blender!
Shake During Stubborn Blends
The tougher the ingredients you use, the harder your portable blender will have to work.
If you’re struggling to get an even blend, give the container a good shake (with the lid completely sealed!) halfway through.
That’ll move sticky stuff off the sides of the container and help it achieve more contact with the blades during the second stage.
Less Is Often More With A Portable Blender
Resist the urge to fill the container as far as you can before starting the blend.
Your ingredients (including any liquids) should not fill more than around two-thirds of the container.
That gives the ingredients room to move around, and will ensure you get a smoother drink or soup at the end of the process.
It’s Almost Certainly Not Microwave Safe
Check the owner’s manual of your own model, but I am not aware of any personal blender that is compatible with microwave heating.
Even if the container detaches from the base, the plastic won’t play nicely with your microwave. It goes without saying that putting a fixed metal blade unit in there won’t be a good thing either!
If you want to make a quick soup and then heat it, do the blend first, then transfer the liquid to a microwave safe container.
Yes it’s an extra big of work you’d like to avoid from a convenience appliance. It’s the only safe way to go though.
Mark’s a lifelong food fanatic and spent ten years working as an entertainment journalist. He now combines his love of food, drink and writing as the founder and editor of Viva Flavor. Read more