Commercial Blenders: The Ultimate Buying Guide

You’re in need of a blender that performs better than your expectations.

Commercial grade blenders are always tested to see if they work correctly in public areas. Areas such as bars, restaurants, and gyms use commercial blenders because of their speed and reliability. In this article, we want to point you in the right direction by reviewing the top 5 commercial blenders in the market.

We include customer reviews and reports to ensure that you receive the correct information. Buying a commercial blender is an involved process that we want to help simplify. By the end of this article, you’ll have enough confidence to know which blender works best for you.

Here is a quick overview of the topics we will discuss throughout this buyer’s guide:

  • What is a Commercial Blender?
  • Commercial vs Residential Blenders
  • Commercial Blenders Advantages
  • The Bottom Line
  • Review Section
  • Buying Advice

 

What is a Commercial Blender?

Commercial blenders are designed to be used in high-volume restaurants and service kitchens. They are reliable blenders that are suitable for consistent usage. By getting a commercial blender, you gain a high-powered tool that gets the job done.

Small commercial blenders are useful for light blending applications. Most blenders of this size hold up to at least 54oz of food. Don’t assume that its size is a disadvantage. Small commercial blenders have the capability to blend heavy foods such as chocolate chips, almonds, and carrots.

Some blenders store up to 100oz and are used for large scale operations. While they do have a large capacity, they are quite bulky and harder to clean.

All you need is a small commercial grade blender because they are mobile and delivers the same result as large blenders. Each of the blenders on this review are lightweight enough to be used in any location without fail.

 

Commercial vs Residential Blenders

Most consumers assume that residential blenders have the same properties as commercial blenders. However, this is a myth. Residential blenders might have the same appearance and structure as commercial blenders, but it comes with this set of flaws:

  • More Safety Issues
  • Lack of consistency
  • Constant replacements
  • Doesn’t meet health requirements

You save yourself time and money when investing in a commercial-grade blender. These blenders offer more efficiency than their residential counterparts and last longer. We suggest getting a commercial blender if you are serious about making high-quality drinks that can be served to clients, customers, and friends.

 

Commercial Blenders Advantages

Your commercial blender provides more benefits than cheaper options. Below are a few advantages you should look into when buying one.

 

Consistent Usage

Understand that a consistent blender is a valuable one.

Think of your average kitchen. Things must be blended frequently in order to get the most out of the meal. Unlike residential blenders, commercial blenders can be used multiple times. Commercial blenders can withstand a lot of punishment without paying too much money for replacements.

If your current blender is in constant need of repair, chances are it’s a residential blender. You might want to consider switching the consumer blender for a more reliable commercial blender.

 

Faster Cutting Speed

Commercial blenders operate such a high-speed that even the most powerful home blender can’t compete. On average, a commercial blender takes at least 20 seconds to make a great tasting and thick smoothie.

Your blender’s cutting speed is measured in RPM (rotations per minute). The higher the RPM, the faster your blender is at mixing and blending your food. On average, commercial blenders can run up to speeds from 1,000-20,000 RPM.

Also, horsepower plays a part in your motor’s cutting speed. The higher the horsepower, the more useful your blender will be at chopping up food compartments. In the buying advice section, we have created a table to help you find which speed is right for you.

 

Increased Wattage

Most home blenders have a power of 300-600 wattage. On the other hand, commercial blenders usually run at 1,000 watts. The higher the wattage, the more power your blender uses during its operation. This also means that commercial blenders are better at chopping your food into minuscule parts.

Remember, wattage is not always an accurate depiction of how your blender will work. Factors such as the frequency of usage and the food being blended should also be taken into consideration when looking for a commercial blender.

 

The Bottom Line

You need a blender that’s consistent, durable, and maintains its quality after extended use. Commercial blenders provide these perks, while also having safety features to protect the user. You can’t go wrong with a commercial blender in your kitchen.

 

 

Review Section

As we proceed with the review, we’ll discuss which commercial blenders are great within each price range. Affordable blenders provide professional performance that exceeds its low price. Higher end blenders are expensive, but allow you to maximize your blending efforts.

 

Best Blender within $100 Range

The Hamilton Beach blender is the most inexpensive commercial blender on this list. It has enough power to operate basic and complex applications. In fact, the blender has two adjustable speeds that have a maximum speed of 5,000 RPM.

It’s currently priced at a lower $100. Get this product if you want an easy to use blender that won’t make a huge impact on your budget.

 

Best Blender within $200 Range

Nutri Ninja’s Blender System costs just about $200. You’ll receive a versatile blender that uses its Auto-IQ technology to work for you. Also, its blade is strong enough to turn ice into snow in a manner of seconds. You’ll like this if you are looking for a mid-level commercial blender.

 

Best Blender within $400 Range

The Vitamix 5086 Commercial Blender is a respected choice amongst the food and beverage industry. It comes with 6 programmable settings that blend the food for you. You’ll like this blender if you’re in need of a high-end tool that can handle complex blending recipes. You can usually purchase this blender at not more than $500.

Buying this blender gives you the benefit of a safe, yet efficient commercial blender that lasts for up to 5 years. If you are a serious blending aficionado, then this high-end blender will be a perfect choice for you.

 

Product 1– Waring (MX1000XTX) Commercial Blender

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Technical Specs

  • 5 Horsepower
  • Dishwasher Safe Container
  • 1,500-20,000 RPM Blending Speed
  • Stainless Steel

Overview

Starting off our list is the Waring 64 oz. Commercial Blender.

This model consists of a high-performance 3.5 horsepower motor. The motor is powerful enough to chop up berries, seeds, nuts, carrots without any delay. On average, it takes only 3 seconds for the machine can grind up ice. Buy this product if you want a commercial grade blender that can make smoothies, soups, and mixed drinks with ease.

Another thing to consider is the blender’s wide bottom container. Due to its width, it is not difficult for food to reach the blades to be blended properly naturally. Food such as hummus will flow to the sides than the middle of the blade in a vortex manner. Thus, its wide container offers the advantages such as a perfect mix and easy cleanup.

Blender owner praised this product because of its pulse control. The blender comes with two speeds that the user controls with just a press of a button. It has a maximum speed of 20,000 RPM, making it an excellent choice for those needing to create quick and quality drinks in a short period.

There are a few consumer reports about the blender’s noise. When using the device, we measured its sound to be at about a range of 100 decibels. It’s a loud piece of equipment that might prove to be an issue for shoppers with sensitive ears.

We like the Waring Commercial Blender because of its versatility. It is able to easily make soups, shakes, and smoothies with this blender. Buying this product grants you a high-quality blender that can compete with higher end brands such as Blendtec and Vitamix.

 

Product 2 – Hamilton Beach Commercial Grade Blender

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Technical Specs

  • 5 Max Horsepower
  • Creates a 16-oz. Margarita in 25 seconds
  • Toggle Switch
  • Robber Clutch
  • 44-ounce polycarbonate jar

Overview

Second is the Hamilton Beach Commercial Grade Blender.

It’s the most affordable commercial grade blender on this list with a maximum HP of 0.5. Also, it takes up to 30 seconds to deliver a thick, and tasty smoothie. You’ll like this product if you need a simple blender to create high-quality bar drinks.

This blender is great for drink preparation. For instance, the drink has precise measurement marks that are easy for the user to read. It’s a useful blender that will help you create complex recipes and high-quality smoothies.

Shoppers like this blender because of its durability. It’s made from polycarbonate, meaning that it’s break-resistant when used. Use this product when you need something sturdy enough to handle simple blending operations.

However, the blender’s blade isn’t strong enough for heavier items. We suggest purchasing a replacement blade to ensure that the cutter unit works correctly. 

Overall, the Hamilton Beach Commercial Grade Blender is an excellent entry-level blender. It’s simple to operate and is durable enough to keep everything stabilized when it’s in use. Buy this blender if you are on a budget and need something for general blending purposes.

 

Product 3 – Blendtec Pro 800 with Wildside Jar

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Technical Specs

  • 11 Speed Touch Slider
  • Silent Engine
  • Illuminated Touch Interface
  • 6 Pre-programmed Cycles
  • 8 Horsepower Engine

Overview

Third on the list is the Blendtec Pro 800 Blender.

Its main feature is its stealth operated engine. The blender can stay quiet without losing any power. It has a 360-degree sound enclosure that dampens the air intake sound coming from the machine. You’ll like this product if you want something that will remain quiet through your blending operations.

Another feature that consumers like is its illuminated touch screen. The blender comes with a Smart-Touch Technology that allows users to press a button and walk away. Also, it shows cycles and blending times to let you see what’s going on when the blender is in operation.

The Wildside Jar is Blendtec’s most popular jar container. It holds up to 96 fluid ounces which is one of the largest fluid capacity on this list. Also, it has a 4-inch blade that helps when cutting up heavy items. You’ll like this product if you want a dense container that can store your ingredients and has the power to make a healthy snack.

Consumers across the board found fault with the machine’s complicated cleanup process. You might want to invest in a tampering stick to aid in cleaning up this blender.

We think the Blendtec Pro 800 is a great high-end blender. While it’s the most expensive blender on this list, you’ll have a myriad of features and a reliable product that will last up to 10 years.

 

Product 4 – Vitamix 5086 Commercial Blender

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Technical Specs

  • 2 Horsepower Motor
  • Overheat Resistant System
  • 6 Optimized Settings
  • Automatic Shutoff

Overview

Next up is the Vitamix 5086 Commercial Blender.

Vitamix is known for making high powered blenders for residential and commercial use. And this blender is no different. This fourth blender on our list features a 2-peak horsepower motor that has a max speed of 37,000 RPMS. It’s a great blender if you need something to utilize your culinary efforts.

One thing that places this machine above its competitors is the quality of its internal parts. Competing brands are known for using cheap plastic parts that are made in China. The Vitamix doesn’t follow this trend.

It works 10X better than others because it contains metal parts that are made in the US. This is a huge advantage because it’s powerful enough to blend your ingredients without the food not getting caught in the blade. We suggest using this blender for professional usage in areas such as bars and restaurants. 

This commercial blender has an active cooling system. It has an automatic shutoff system that triggers once the blender is used for an extended period. This saves your blender from overheating and helps it last longer than other blending machines.

After about a few months of usage, the blade can turn a bit dull. You might want to replace the blade every three months.

The Vitamix 5086 Commercial Blender is a great choice amongst professionals. Based on its performance, the blender does well in comparison to competing brands. You’ll like this product if you want something that’s consistent and resistant to issues such as overheating.

 

Product 5 – Nutri Ninja Blender System

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Technical Specs

  • Auto-IQ Technology
  • 2 HP Motor
  • XL Crushing Blender Blade
  • 64 oz. Food Processing Bowl
  • 1500 Watts of Power

Overview

Last on our list is the Nutri Ninja Blender System. Inside the box, you’ll see the main blender and three Nutri Ninja cups (18oz, 24oz, 32oz) that can be used for personalized drinks. It’s an excellent choice if you need a commercial blender that’s proficient at making drinks on the go.

This blender’s main feature is the Auto-IQ Technology. It’s a digital timer that combines blending, pulsing, and pausing patterns to work for you. Since it’s automatic, it makes the blending process easier and is good for beginners.

Nutri Ninja created this blender with powerful blades. This allows it to chop up heavy food components that would remain stuck on other machines. Purchase this product if you want your food to be chopped with the utmost precision.

Plus, the product comes with a food processor. The food processor allows the user to process raw meats, fish, and bread to be blended by the machine. Users like this product because it helps them prepare and process their food with desirable results.

On rare occasions, the product acquires black mold under its seal. Clean the seal at least twice a week to ensure that black mold doesn’t build up inside the blender. 

Still, this is a great mid-grade commercial blender. It has the properties to chop your food accurately, but needs a bit of maintenance to keep it working very well constantly. Shoppers love this product because it performs blending operations at a professional level.

 

Buying Advice

When you have finally found a blender you’re interested in purchasing, take some time to look at a few aspects before buying.

Blender Capacity

You’ll want to know how much your blender can store. Most blenders come with varying sizes that can hold from 30oz to 72oz of food.

If you’re planning on using a blender for commercial use, try to get one that can store up to 64 to 72oz. This ensures that you’ll have enough capacity to serve drinks to your customers quickly.

For home usage, a 30oz blender provides ample amount of space to make small drinks. Also, you’ll want a smaller capacity because it’s easier to store in your kitchen. Overall, keep the blender capacity in mind when planning on buying a product from this list.

Blender Settings

When users chose the right blender setting, they find it easier to make recipes. This is because the blender does the job of chopping food components into their necessary portion sizes and mixes the recipes with ease.

Setting

Recommended Food Based on Blender Setting

Stir

When making sweet treats such as a smoothie or a milkshake, this is the most recommended setting. It will thoroughly blend the recipe while leaving a thick texture.

Mix

The mix setting works when trying to combine ingredients such as salad and tuna. Raw meats are easily mixed with machines at a horsepower of 3.5.

Liquefy

Use this setting when you want to make your smoothies more drinkable.

Chop

If you need smaller portions of vegetables or fruits, then you should select this setting.

Puree

This setting is used for blending soups while also eliminating vegetable chunks

 
 
Controls

It’s important to know your blender’s control settings. Knowing them make it easier to utilize and get the most out of your blender. Here’s a list of the most common blender settings.

  • Push-buttons: Push buttons allow the user to quickly change speeds at the touch of a button. However, these controls are harder to clean in comparison to other settings.
  • Toggle Switch: This is the simplest control setting. But, you are limited to only two speeds and a pulse setting.
  • Rotary Dial Switch: Rotary dial switches are the easiest to clean, but it will take a while to get the blender setting you desire.
  • Touchpad Controls: Most high-end commercial blenders have this setting. It’s easy to clean and is often comes with programmable controls for easy blending and the elimination of guesswork.
 
 
Motor Horsepower
 

Motor (HP)

Blender Power Recommendations

.5 – 1

Blenders at this speed can chop up most food thoroughly.

2

If users are planning to buy a blender for smoothies, this is the recommended speed.

3+

When you need to chop up items into miniscule granules, plan on getting a blender at this speed. For instance, a high-powered blender can effectively chop coffee beans into fine grounds. This eliminates the need of a coffee grinder.

Make sure to get a blender whose motor is strong enough for what you’re planning to do. If you’re trying to make small shakes, then a motor speed at .5 – 1 is great for you. However, you’re better off getting a commercial blender that runs at either 2 or 3 horsepower.

All of the blenders, with an exception for the Hamilton Beach Blender, have a horsepower within the 2-3 range. This gives the user more options on what they need to blend and is more reliable than residential blenders.

 

Conclusion

We believe that the Waring (MX1000XTX) Commercial Blender is the winner.

This blender can make up to 75 mixed drinks daily without signs of losing its quality. While there are a few issues with the noise, the blender makes up for it with its professional grade performance. No matter if it’s used for residential or commercial purposes, this blender will provide you the most utility. 

Do you have any experiences using any of the blenders on this list?

Tell us your opinions on the comment section.