From smoothies to soups, these are the hot and cold blenders that do it all

If you’re looking for a blender that can do it all, your search stops here with the Ninja Foodi. This single appliance is fitted with a high-speed crushing blade that can turn ice into snow in mere seconds. It also comes with 10 pre-set Auto-IQ smart programs that allow you to create smoothies, frozen drinks, extractions, soups, sauces, infusions, ice cream and so much more — all at the touch of a button.

One of its most innovative features has to be its ability to cook raw ingredients (think: meats, plant-based proteins and vegetables) and boil soup and jam in as little as 30 minutes.

To make things even easier for you, it also has a heated self-cleaning program, which allows the device to literally clean itself at the touch of a button.

“As someone who always used (and broke as I am a bit careless) cheap blenders, I was dubious about this purchase,” one of the hundreds of five-star reviewers wrote on the Shark Ninja website. “However, three days in and I believe it has paid for itself. I’m ill at the moment and normally making soup to make myself better is a trial and something I can’t be bothered to do, but managed to make a vitamin-packed soup with minimum effort and without feeling sorry for myself. It also self cleans so I didn’t have to expend energy on that either. I have tried the ice cream-making mode as well and managed to make a passable dessert.”

Capacity: 1.8L glass pitcher

Power: 1000W base, 800W heating element

Key features:

• 10 Auto-IQ programs
• 800w precision heating element cooks raw food
• High-speed blade
• Heated self-cleaning program
• 12 intelligent programs
• Dishwasher-safe components
• BPA-free
• Non-slip feet
• Cleaning brush included
• Comes with a recipe guide
• Two-year warranty

Available at:

• $289, Bing Lee
• $285, Appliances Online
• $299, The Good Guys
• $299.95 (usually $399.99), Kitchen Warehouse
• $339.15 (usually $399), Myer

Whether you want to make a big batch of soup or a single-serving smoothie, this versatile blender comes with all the extra cups and accessories to make whipping up meals a breeze. The touchscreen display lights up with custom intelligent programs to deliver the perfect blend of all sizes at the touch of a button. It also flaunts an incredibly sleek body that you’ll want to keep out on display for all to see.

“Absolutely recommend,” one five-star reviewer wrote. “I have purchased two of these machines for different purposes (personal and commercial use) and I can’t fault it. Easy to use, blends/purees/soups/smoothies perfectly.”

Capacity: 1.9L pitcher

Power: 1500W base

Key features:

• Extra large 1.9L vented pitcher
• Intuitive touchscreen display
• Comes with a 900ml cup, 590ml travel cup and two flip-top lids
• One-year manufacturer warranty

Available at:

• $329, Appliances Online
• $318, Brosa
• $318, Kogan

Although on the pricier side of blenders, you’ll quickly realise why this Vitamix is worth every cent. Hundreds of users have boasted about the durability and the power of this machine, and especially love its 10 variable speeds and pulse function that can blend, chop, grind, emulsify and heat practically any solid or liquid. The self-cleaning function will also take the glass pitcher from dirty to sparkling clean in 60 seconds.

“Love this Vitamix, I use it almost everyday making soups, smoothies, nut milk, salsa – the list goes on,” one five-star Amazon reviewer wrote. “Don’t know how I lived without it.”

A second person added: “It will blend anything you throw at it within reason…obviously don’t throw concrete in there…it seems to be incredibly well built compared to its plastic competitors.”

Capacity: 1.4L glass pitcher

Power: 220 kW

Key features:

• 10 variable speeds
• Laser-cut hardened stainless steel blades
• Thermal protection system
• 60-second self-cleaning function
• Pulse feature
• Five-year manufacture warranty

Available at:

• $549, The Good Guys
• $597, Appliances Online
• $559, Minimax

Featuring four cold and six hot automatic programs, this powerful blender is driven by a 1400W motor for smoother results up to 30 per cent faster. Once you’re finished using the appliance, simply select the automatic deep-clean program, which will clean the appliance for you and kill 99.99 per cent of bacteria.

This model also comes with a handy healthy steaming basket accessory that allows you to transform the blender into a steamer for perfectly cooked fish, vegetables and even baby food.

“I can’t fault it. I’ve had it for about 6 months or so now,” one five-star Amazon user admitted. “I love it. Highly recommend going with this one and don’t be tempted by cheaper brands, this one is a quality product and gets used multiple times per day for shakes, sauces and soups.”

Capacity: 1.75L glass pitcher

Power: 1400W

Key features:

• 10 automatic programs
• Six high-performance blades
• Intuitive touchscreen controls
• Automatic self-cleaning program kills 99.99 per cent of bacteria
• Included basket accessory turns the blender into a steamer
• 10-year repairability

This monster machine is built with a 240 watt motor (the highest possible motor rating) with 300km/h blade tip speed under load for super quick results. But despite its power, it operates whisper quietly thanks to noise suppression technology, a unique cooling system that reduces operating noise.

The five one-touch programs feature optimised time/speeds so you can make frozen desserts, hot soups or smoothies at the touch of a button. It also has 12 speed settings, so basically, no texture is off limits.

“It is definitely super quiet, unbelievably so. It’s so fast and just so easy to use,” one happy customer wrote. “I have used it to blend soups and dips and I even used the recipe Ebook which it comes with to make yummy chocolate cookies as well as a delicious chimichurri. Even the kids were able to help. It is so easy to clean at the end too. I won’t look back after using this blender, it is everything it is advertised to be and more.”

Capacity: 2L glass pitcher

Power: 1520W

Key features:

• 300km/h blade tip speed for quick results
• Five one-touch programs
• 12 speed settings
• Noise suppression technology
• Pitcher recongition
• Included 700ml on-the-go cup
• Comes with a recipe e-book, tamper and spatula
• 10 year limited product warrant

Available at:

• $849, The Good Guys
• $849, Breville

With a 1.2L durable glass pitcher that’s capable of mixing both hot and cold liquids, this compact blender is the perfect size for catering two to three people.

But even though it’s more petite in size than the others in our guide, it doesn’t compromise power even in the slightest. It’s equipped with a mighty BlenderMix system that blends ingredients at the perfect temperature and speed, ensuring no nutrients are lost during the process. It also has five high-performance automatic programs, including an auto-clean function, so you can effortlessly prepare smoothies, soups, desserts, cocktails and more with the touch of a button.

“An excellent product that has performed well with everything I have tried blending in it so far over the two weeks I have used it,” one five-star reviewer confirmed. “Looks quite stylish too!”

Capacity: 1.2L glass pitcher

Power: 1000W

Key features:

• Thermal shock-resistant borosilicate glass jug
• Four speed settings with turbo pulse function
• Cold mix maintains temperature so no nutrients are lost
• Unique Magimix BlenderMix system for a finer blend
• Comes with a recipe book, spatula and measuring cup with a watertight lid
• 30-year motor guarantee
• Three year gaurantee for parts and accessories

Available at:

• $279 (usually $349), David Jones
• $319 (usually $349), Minimax
• $410.51, Amazon