Asking for a friend. 
Also for me.
Looking for recommendations (or what to avoid) in a blended drink maker. Something other than a blender. Something not as pricey as a Vitamix (I’m not going to get one!).
Something that cleans up easy - this is important! - and is the size to provide 1-2 servings of a smoothie or blended drink at a time.
Take away cup is fine but not necessary.
Please share approximate cost and what you like or don’t like about it.
I recently got a small Nutri Ninja. The front says Auto IQ 1000W. It’s perfect for one or two servings, and comes with the takeaway cup, though that wasn’t a deciding factor for us either.
I had been looking at Vitamix because the kids make smoothies everyday, but they were too pricey!
The one we bought I found by chance when I was birthday shopping at Kohl’s. It had an original price of about $120 and was on sale. Then the check out guy gave us 30% off coupon. I think the final cost was about $60.
The kids use it everyday. They mostly use fruit (fresh and frozen), kale, and ice. Everything blends smoothly. It’s much better than our regular blender that way. H even blended goji berries. We’re very happy with it.
The only downside so far is that it’s very loud.
The reviews we read about it have been accurate.
I bought fresh beets yesterday and I’m curious to try them out in the Ninja. My friend with the Vitamix raves about how it handles beets. We’ll see…
I just saw Aldi had something similar in their flyer. I would have tried it if I didn’t get the super deal on the Ninja at Kohl’s.
Been using the nutra bullet for a couple of years. Simple.
I love my Breville blender. It is a full size blender though. It used to have a separate blade assembly and “bowl”, but now it’s one piece and it’s more convenient that way.
If you see them at a store, pick one up and out of its base and look at the size of the interlocking cog. On mine it’s about 3/4" and solid metal. On most it is smaller and plastic.
I got mine at BBB on sale and with a coupon. I think they are about $120 - $250 depending on the model.
We love our Nutri Bullet. Got it on sale arbBB&beyond and then used a 20% coupon for even more savings.
How do you clean your NutriBullet? By hand? Flushing with a blend of soap, water on the unit? Dishwasher??
Is this the one you have/use?? https://www.amazon.com/NutriBullet-12-Piece-High-Speed-Blender-System/dp/B007TIE0GQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1521645312&sr=1-3&keywords=nutribullet
@abasket That’s the one. Since we use it everyday, we usually clean it with soap and water with one of those sponge handle thingys. If you do it right after you use it, before everything drys, it’s easy. Once a week, it will hit the dishwasher.
I adore my Rocket. I’ve had it for years, and it still works great for a smoothie. I even bought a 2nd when I saw them on sale, figuring it might not last forever because it isn’t very expensive. But the 2nd one is just sitting in the box… I use it a few times a week. $24.99 at JC Penney right now.
I will say, I resisted the vitamix, and totally regretted that wasted time and money of junkers once I actually got one.
Like @Sybylla I resisted getting a vitamix. I’m so happy I finally decided I didn’t care what my H thought I wanted one. I bought mine at Costco when it was on sale and used my rebate for part of the cost. Prior to that we used a Magic Bullet. I still use the bullet for salad dressing but otherwise I found that after awhile the blades get dull. They can’t be replaced and if you want it to work on a smoothie you need to get a new one.
I clean my Citamix bu filling it part way with water and a bit of soap and blending for a minute. I clean my bullet blades and cups in the dishwasher.
My brother who is a weight lifter has a Blendtec and he is very happy with it. Less expensive but not made in USA.
Ninja Professional blender (BL660) It has a large capacity blender which we use when the whole family wants a shake or smoothie. Also use to blend soup. It has 2 to go cups for single use.
Believe it or not…my Cuisenart Immersion Blender does a great job blending smoothies.