That's all you need for any recipe, but it means you stop the blender manually when it's done. The controls are simple, consisting of a speed dial and a switch for pulsing. It's very well-built and has a long seven-year warranty (depending on where you buy it). If you want a smaller jar for single-serve smoothies, you can purchase a personal-sized blending jar separately from Vitamix. This sturdy, premium blender might be overkill if you want a blender for simple smoothies, but it's worth considering if you're looking for a durable machine and the smoothest blends. It comes with a 64-ounce jar to accommodate big batches and smoothly blends difficult, fibrous ingredients like leafy greens and fruit skin. Unlike many full-size blenders, it processes small batches for single-serves just as well as bigger batches. The Vitamix 5200 is the best blender for smoothies we've tested.

We've tested over 90 blenders, and below are our recommendations for the best smoothie makers. This list focuses on the best full-size blenders for smoothies, but most personal and bullet blenders are intended for smoothie making, so you can also find some great options on our lists of the best personal blenders and best bullet blenders. Depending on your preferences, you may also want something with preset modes for simple one-press smoothie blending or even a battery-powered model so you can make a fresh drink during your lunch break.

The best blenders for smoothies make it easy to whip up a silky, delicious drink and are simple to clean afterward. Many full-size blenders come with personal-sized jars to blend single-serve smoothies. A good smoothie blender can handle large and small amounts of fibrous ingredients and help with a wider variety of kitchen chores. If a smoothie is part of your morning routine or a typical post-workout snack, you'll want a blender that makes quick work of ingredients like chunks of frozen fruit and leafy greens like kale.

Mini blender for smoothies