Ninja Bullet

A good blender is essential for any kitchen, no matter what kind of food you enjoy. Personal blenders, such as the Nutri Ninja, are becoming increasingly popular. These are designed to make one or two servings at a time. In addition, they are inexpensive and easy to use. You can make everything from healthy smoothies to delicious snacks.

Nutribullet VS Ninja Bullet: which of these two blenders is the superior? They are your two primary choices. Both of these products are available on Amazon and have a high number or reviews, and at least a 3.8-star rating. Which one provides you – the customer – with everything you need in a blender?

Features Comparison

Nutri Ninja Features

“Ninja” is actually a sub-brand under SharkNinja LLC, a company that oversees the manufacturing of other kitchen appliances, such as coffee makers and food processors.

• 900-Watts
• Frozen blending capabilities
• Smooth, even consistent crushing/blending capabilities
• BPA-free
• Single-serve blending
• Dishwasher safe
• Low-profile, compact design
• 120 V AC (volts)
• Product dimensions: 12.9 x 7.9 x 14.8 inches

Nutri Ninja Cups are available as 18-ounce and 24-ounce (capacity), with sip and seal lids. If you order from Amazon, you will also get a 30 recipe guide.

While plastic (yet BPA-free) cups come included, stainless steel Nutri Ninja cups are available as separately sold accessories.

Everything is easy to assemble. The instruction booklet gives an easy-to-understand guide on how to set everything up.

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Nutribullet – Magic Bullet Mixer

This brand, unlike its competitor, focuses entirely on the manufacture of compact blenders. The new Pro version is a major upgrade from its predecessor, the original NutriBullet.

Here is an overview of the features offered by the Pro model:

• High-torque power
• 600-Watts (The NBR-12 version)
• The ability to crack through stems and burst open seeds
• Variety of lids
• 32-oz and 24-oz cup capacities
• 7.8”x13.98”x16.34” product dimensions (WxDxH)

Note: this is available in an 8-piece set or a 12-piece set, each of which is sold separately. The most popular color is the gray version, with its sleek, contemporary design.

The plug it comes with is a US/Canadian 2-flat pin polarized plug. This means that safety is guaranteed only with the use of adapters and/or converters in these two countries.

Blending Performance & Blade Design

Both mixers are designed to blend very efficiently. As mentioned above, the NutriBullet has blades that are strong enough to completely burst seeds, mill nuts, and crack through stems and the tough outer layers of fruits, veggies, and leafy greens. There is no need to meticulously prepare ingredients before sticking them in the blender.

The Power Base of the “Magic” Bullet Mixer (NBR-12 model) is the heart of the appliance. The extractor blade is designed to break through tough skin and stems in order to access the nutrients inside. Made of stainless steel, it never needs to be re-sharpened.

The downside of the blade is that it is straighter and designed to pulverize rather than to slice. As sharp as it is, it still pales in comparison to that of the Ninja Bullet blade. As a result, the consistency of the smoothness is not guaranteed.

With the NutriBullet, there are going to be chunks left behind if you try to blend fibrous foods like celery or kale. If smoothie blending consistency is important for you, the Ninja might be the better option. Not only do the blades have sharper edges, they also have a more traditional design that allows them to blend to the top AND to the bottom.

Controls

It’s all about simplicity with the Bullet Mixer and Nutri Ninja Pro. Literally. There are no controls on either model (although there are on the new, more expensive models). This makes them both easy to use.

Accessories

The great thing about both blenders is that they come with plenty of accessories, cups, and recipes.

The Bullet Mixer comes the following:

• 2 tall 24-oz cups
• 1 32-oz. colossal cup
• 1 regular lip ring
• 2 stay-fresh reusable lids
• 130+ page recipe booklet
• 1 short cup with handle
• 1 flip-top to-go lid

The accessories that come with the Nutri Ninja Pro include:

• 1 24-oz. cup
• 1 18-oz. cup
• 2 seal and sip lids
• 30-page recipe/wellness guidebook

Keep in mind that accessories don’t necessarily mean better and that the Ninja Auto IQ comes with a lot more (although it also costs more than the Ninja 900-Watt model).

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Nutribullet vs Ninja: Pros and Cons

When reading Bullet Mixer and Nutri Ninja reviews, you’ll find that both of these come with plenty of pros. There is a lot of praise. There are a few complaints here and there, however. Which of the two tends to have the most complaints?

NutriBullet Pros

• Lightweight and compact design

It’s smaller than many other blenders of similar capacities. It doesn’t require much counter space at all in the kitchen.

• Easy to use

It comes with a helpful instruction and recipe book, and there are no complicated controls to worry about.

• Very versatile

Considering the compact size and the simplicity of use, the NutriBullet offers a great deal of versatility. You can make desserts, soups, dips, dressings, and more.

• Dishwasher-safe

The lids and cups that come with this blender can be placed in the dishwasher. Other parts can be cleaned by hand.

• Can be used multiple times a day

Since it’s so easy to use and clean, you can use the Bullet Mixer as much as you want. Using it so often makes it easy to start adding more fruits and veggies to your diet.

• Comes with a one-year warranty when ordered from Amazon

It’s not only affordable; it’s also available with a one-year warranty.

NutriBullet Cons

What are some of the cons that consumers have been complaining about?

• No milling blades

As nice as the stainless steel blade is, it’s not intended for milling.

• Problems with the motor “smoking”

There are actually some complaints on Amazon from users claiming that the motor would cause smoke. One user even complained that it caught fire!

• The cups are not plastic-free.

It’s nice that the cups are BPA-free and phthalates-free. The downside is that they are still plastic. This may or may not be a problem for you.

• Blade issues

There are some reported blade issues – especially regarding leaks. The NutriBullet blades lack the sturdy design of the Nutri Ninja. According to Consumer Report, a blade on the Pro 900 model could potentially break, causing risk of ingestion.

• Leaks

Leaking seems to be one of the biggest issues with this mixer. Not only can the blade itself “leak”, but there have been reports of smoothie oozing out of the container, all the way down through the base.

• Needs to cool down a lot

The instruction manual recommends that the motor run no more than 60 seconds at a time. To achieve the proper consistency of tough ingredients, and to keep the motor from dying, it’s essential that the Bullet be paused every 30 seconds before resuming.

Keep in mind that the positive reviews outnumber the negative. Overall, this blender gets an average of 3.8 to 4.1 out of 5 stars. If you do have problems with the blade or motor, you can take advantage of the one-year warranty.

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Ninja Bullet Pros

What are some of the good things about the Ninja Pro model? Let’s take a look:

• Auto-shutoff function

Safety is enhanced with this feature, just in case you or someone in your home ever accidentally leaves the blender on.

• Leak-proof design

There are no leaks, just as long as the jar isn’t being overfilled. When instructions are followed, the mixer performs exactly as promised.

• Powerful blending

Its blades are powerful enough to blend just about anything, from ice to chunky root vegetables. As mentioned above in the features section, there is a smooth consistency.

• Dishwasher-safe parts

All parts – including the blades – are dishwasher safe. Just stick them on the top rack and give them a couple of minutes to get cleaned.  The parts are also easy to hand wash. The only part you need to be careful with is the motor base, as it should not be submerged in water. However, it’s still easy to clean: simply wipe it with a damp cloth after every use.

You can also clean the jar by squeezing two-three drops of dish soap into it. Fill halfway with lukewarm water and “pulse” five – ten times.

• Easy to use, with fast results

Even if you use fruit that is completely frozen, you can still expect results within a few minutes. It takes no longer than 10 minutes to make a smoothie. To make a smoothie with Kale, apple, beet greens, coconut water, etc…, the process takes less than two minutes.

• Portability

The compact design of the Ninja Bullet makes it easy to transport.

• Cups are easy to care for

You can drink directly out of the same cup you use for the mix; there is no need to get two of them dirty. They are designed so that nothing sticks to them, meaning that they practically clean themselves.

• Parts are designed to last

This machine has a sleek, yet tough and durable construction. The parts don’t wear out easily, even after long-term daily use. If they do wear out, replacement parts are inexpensive and easy to install.

Ninja Bullet Cons

While this may sound like a perfect blender, the few negative Nutri Ninja reviews here and there are proof that nothing is perfect. What are some of the cons?

• Noisy operation

It’s a good thing that it works so quickly, as the operation is very noisy. It’s one of the main things users complain about. One reviewer even described it as sounding “like a Mack truck”.

• Operates only with a “Pulse” function

To activate the full blending power of this appliance, you must hold and push the cup into the base. Yes, you have to stand there holding the cup during the process. While this may sound annoying, the holding process does ensure the longevity of the motor as it prevents the motor from burning out.

• Plastic cups

Like the NutriBullet, the Ninja mixer comes with plastic cups (albeit durable ones) rather than stainless steel cups, although the latter is available.

• Not ideal for parties or family dinners.

The downside to it being so small and compact is that it is intended for single serving only. If you want to prepare smoothies for multiple people, this might not be the right blender for your needs.

• Lid design

Some consumers have a problem with the lid and integrated blade. The position of the blades is so high that it may not always be possible to fill the cup with as much fruit or vegetables as you would like. Also, the brushing where the blade spins may cause some wear and tear.

• “Cheap” gasket

The gasket in the blade section is another common complaint, as users sometimes report having problems with the gasket breaking or falling out during washing.

Like the NutriBullet, the Nutri Ninja has mostly positive reviews. The complaints are few and far between. This mixer actually has a higher overall rating of 4.5 to 4.7 out of 5 stars.

In conclusion, the Ninja Pro comes out as the winner when comparing the ratings and reviews – although the results are certainly close.

Recipes and Blending Capabilities

Another area to look into is what you can and cannot make with these mixers. Each comes with a recipe book with tons of ideas. Can they more or less mix the same foods? Let’s take a look at what they can each be used for.

NutriBullet Mixer

One of the things for which this blender is known is its ability to make “NutriBlasts”: delicious, nutrient-extracted smoothies made with fruits, veggies, and boosts (seeds, herbs, nuts, etc…). Just add a bit of water and extract the ingredients into a tasty drink. The whole process takes less than a minute.

Here are a few examples of what you can do with the NutriBullet blender:

• Fruit seeds (blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, etc…)
• Frozen fruits (although not quite as efficiently as the Ninja)
• Ice (small pieces)
• Beets (blending)
• Ginger root (although it needs to be cut up first)
• Frozen solid ice cream (it should be done very quickly so that it does not turn into liquid)
• Small batches of pumpkin (purée)
• Nut blending

An example of a recipe you will find in the recipe booklet is “The Skinny Blast”. This smoothie naturally promotes weight loss and well-being.

It calls for the following ingredients:

• 1 carrot
• 1 sliced banana
• 2 cups spinach
• 1 peeled orange
• 1/8 pumpkin seeds
• 1 tablespoon of hemp seeds

Directions:

Place all of the ingredients into the blender, and fill up to the maximum water line. Allow the ingredients to blend until the ideal amount of smooth consistency is achieved.

Additional Recipes

Some more recipes included with the NutriBullet 500 guidebook include:

• Sleepy Seeds
• Foundation of Youth
• The Hormone Helper
• The Beauty Blast
• Vitamin C to the Max
• Mango Mint Merger
• Cookies and Cream
• Broccomole
• Peanut Butter Breakfast Blast

And literally hundreds of more!

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Nutri Ninja

One of the best things about this blender is its ability to utterly crush ice – even large pieces. It’s not surprising that many of the recipes are desserts. You can even use it to make popsicles! Just scoop up some frozen yogurt mixture (recipes are included in the guidebook), stick it into ice pop molds, and let it freeze.

What are some of the things you can mix or blend with the Ninja Bullet?

• Green veggies (spinach, cucumber, kale, etc…)
• Raw vegetables (although you may need to add a bit of water)
• Ice
• Frozen fruits
• Apples
• Soup (except for meat with bone)
• Nuts and oats (pre-soaking required)
• Protein powder with milk

You can make anything from French dressing to milkshakes!

An example recipe from the 30-page booklet is the “Powerball Smoothie”. Blueberries are always a good choice for phytonutrients and antioxidants.

Ingredients are simple. You just need:

• ½ ripe banana
• 1 ½ cups of unsweetened coconut milk
• 1 teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 ½ cups of blueberries (frozen)

Just place the ingredients (in the order listed) into the 24-ounce cup and set to blend for 25 seconds. If you really want to get the most out of the fibrous ingredients, begin with short “pulses” and then run the mixer continuously for 45 seconds. When the blending process is completed, remove the blades from the cup.

Additional Recipes

Some more tasty-sounding recipes provided in the Ninja Bullet Pro booklet include:

• Eggless Mayonnaise
• Frozen Kale Cacao
• Salad on the Go
• Guilt-Free Sweet Tooth Topping
• Choc-A-Lot Frappe
• Barbeque Rub
• Green Tea Detox Tonic
• Salsa Verde
• Fresh and Easy Burgers

Choosing the Right Blender for Your Needs

If you’re still unsure of which personal blender you should buy, here are a few pointers to help you with your decision.

• If you don’t want to bother with pre-programmed controls, either of these will be ideal. They operate only on one speed by default, regardless of what you want to make. The Bullet is a good option if you simply want to blend basic shakes and smoothies. All you have to do is pulse it or lock it down, and it will run smoothly.
• On the other hand, if you want versatility, go with the Nutri Ninja. It offers more options and comes with clear instructions on how to make just about anything. There is more of a variety in the foods you can blend and mix.
• Is there a specific type of food you would like to make? The Ninja is adept at handling frozen and ice, making it the ideal choice for cold desserts. The Bullet, however, is great for making juice-based smoothies as well as soups that require substantial ingredients like carrots or broccoli.
• As far as price goes, they both fall under $100 (US) / $135 (CDN).Newer, more powerful sets cost more. Also, the price may vary from one retailer or seller to the next. There are also accessories to consider. For additional cups or stainless steel cups, be prepared to spend more money.
• How often will you be using the blender? Going by the Amazon reviews, the NutriBullet has a higher number of complaints about wear and tear. Thus, it might not be ideal if you plan on using the appliance multiple times a day.
• Power matters when it comes to blenders. The Ninja has 900-watt capabilities, and the NBR-12 has 600-watt capabilities. However, newer versions of both machines are more powerful (and also more costly). 600-watts is powerful enough to make just about anything you would want with a blender. For certain foods, you might just need to add a bit of liquid.
• The great thing about Nutri Ninja Cups is that you can drink right out of them. On the other hand, if you want to prepare desserts or snacks for others, the NutriBulllet (900-watt model) might be ideal since the containers hold more and you will be transferring the mix into other cups anyway.
• As for maintenance and cleaning, the design of the Ninja – particularly the blades and the vertical tower – makes it easy to take apart and clean. The parts are also more likely to last longer.

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Nutribullet vs Ninja: Conclusion

When comparing these two personal blenders, it seems clear that each one has strengths that could suit your specific needs. Both are affordable and easy to care for.

Since they are both so inexpensive and come with warranties, you can’t go wrong either way.

Of the two, however, the Nutri Ninja does rate better overall – especially in terms of blade design, maintenance and performance.