Cooking is an incredible skill to cultivate, but it becomes pretty inconvenient when the process gets cut short by subpar supplies. And whether your New Year's resolution is to make healthier home-cooked meals or to get much more creative in the kitchen, you may find yourself in the market for some multi-use tools that make cooking a breeze. Nothing tackles a wide range of recipes quite like a quality blender — but worry not, you don't have to shell out for an $800 iteration — the best blenders under $100 still get the job done, and keep your savings intact.
Stepping into 2019 on a major health-kick means plenty of smoothies are in your future. But there are countless other reasons (and recipes) to rationalize buying a blender to reinforce your cooking arsenal. Savory soups and sauces, salad dressings and dips — not to mention less diet-friendly food and drink reserved for cheat days — can all be created using the same bladed appliance, so it's more than deserving of a spot on your shelf. And when you can score a good one for a totally reasonable price (aka under $100), you really can't go wrong.
Especially when said affordable blenders have near-perfect reviews, practically guaranteeing that they're as good as their several-hundred dollar counterparts. Need proof? Ninja's Professional Countertop Blender, $65, has nearly 3,000 glowing reviews on Amazon — giving it an overall rating of 4.3 stars. Users say it's easy to assemble, the blades are sharp and effective, and it stands up well over time. It's ideal for smoothies, soups, and anything else that requires super-fine blending.
And if you're in search of a machine that'll make personal-sized portions, you'll find a few different options people can't stop raving about. The Magic Bullet NutriBullet Pro 900 Series, $79.99 at Target, boasts 900 watts of power (basically as much as high-powered standard-sized blenders), so you're not sacrificing strength to get a smaller size. The Magic Bullet kit includes two durable polycarbonate blending cups, and also comes with two travel lids and handles so you can take your smoothies or juices to go. If the convenience of the compact set didn't convince you, glance at over 7,500 great reviews on Target's site — that many people can't be wrong.
Other top-rated buys include blenders from iconic appliance brands like KitchenAid and Black and Decker, all bringing in reviews just shy of perfection. And with price tags coming in at well below $100 (one user-loved pick even rings in at just $40), you're getting way more than you paid for from these multifunctional must-haves. Keep scrolling to shop some of the best cheap blenders out there, below.
