In the search for a great blender, chances are good you have come across Breville appliances. Breville is a trusted maker of everything from coffee makers to toaster ovens, and this quality extends to countertop blenders, too.
Most people are looking for a compact blender that can handle anything they throw at it. For its sleek design and easy-to-use performance, the Breville the Q Countertop Blender is a good option.
What to know before you buy a Breville blender
Power
A blender’s power is measured in watts. While smaller personal blenders may only have 300 watts or so, Breville countertop blenders range between 1,000-1,500 watts. At this level of power, crushing ice and making a smooth puree out of tough root vegetables is easy.
Speed
A powerful motor is just the first consideration. You’ll need to think about how many speed settings are optimal for you. At the very least, your Breville blender will have three speeds, but at a higher price point and for more sophisticated preparations, some blenders have as many as 12 speeds. In general, the more power and speed you have the more expensive the blender. Consider what speeds you will actually use and don’t pay more for what you don’t need.
Functions
In addition to considering how many speeds you’d like your blender to have, think about which functions you typically use. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a preprogrammed button for those? Breville offers a variety of blenders that have built-in settings for things like smoothies or green juices.
Breville blender features
BPA-free plastic pitchers
Breville blenders with plastic pitchers use BPA-free, food-safe materials. These are dishwasher safe and will not leach any chemicals into what you’re blending.
Clear measurements
At the very least, you’ll need measurements on your blending pitcher and cups, but some Breville blenders add milliliters and ounces to the mix. This eliminates the need for measuring cups and allows you to easily create recipes with nonstandard measurements.
Useful presets
This is where many Breville blenders shine. They have a standard button for simple mixing but also feature settings to liquefy, which are good for juicing. Additional presets include:
Auto ice crush
Smoothie
Green smoothie (good for pulverizing tough greens)
Puree/icy drink
Mix/milkshake
Auto-clean function
Blenders are not difficult to clean, but Breville makes it even easier with a simple preset. Add water and a few drops of dish soap and press the button to make the blades and pitcher spotless.
Accessories
Some Breville blenders come with one or more travel cups with lids. These are great for taking a breakfast smoothie on the go.
Breville blender cost
Breville blenders are pricey compared to other brands. Depending on the speed, power and features, expect to spend $100-$550.
Breville blender FAQ
What can you make with a Breville blender?
A. Blenders are for more than smoothie making. Consider the following culinary projects:
Homemade butter: Blend cream and salt until butter forms.
Nut butter: Fresh nut butter is a treat you can have every day. Toast the nuts to deepen their flavor, then blend until smooth and creamy. Add salt to taste.
Jams: Puree your favorite fruits and sweeten to taste.
Dips: Homemade hummus and other types of dips are easier with a blender. For hummus, blend a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas with lemon, garlic, tahini, salt and olive oil.
Salsa: Chop everything for salsa without dirtying a single knife. Add tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, garlic and jalapeños into the pitcher, then use the chop setting until you reach the texture you prefer.
Grind coffee: You don’t need a coffee grinder to create delicious freshly ground beans every morning.
Homemade mayonnaise: Combine one egg yolk, lemon juice, salt and Dijon mustard in the blender. Open the center of your Breville blender’s lid, and with the blender running at the slowest speed, add 1 cup of oil in a thin stream until the mixture emulsifies.
You can also whip cream, beat eggs and easily prepare pancake or waffle batter without wearing out your arm or dirtying a bowl.
How do you clean a blender?
A. Some Breville blenders have an auto-clean feature. Simply place a few drops of detergent and the recommended amount of water into the blender and press the auto-clean button.
If you choose a blender without this feature, most blenders can be washed in the dishwasher, but check with the manufacturer to be sure.
Which Breville blender should I get?
Best of the best Breville blender
Breville the Q Countertop Blender: available at Amazon and Wayfair
Our take: With 1,800 watts and four powerful presets, this high-performance blender is efficient and versatile.
What we like: The lid features a removable center to release steam and prevent splatters. The five speed settings let you customize the texture of your final product. It’s compatible with the Vac-Q system that removes air from the blender before blending.
What we dislike: You may need to scrape down the sides to thoroughly incorporate all ingredients.
Best bang for your buck Breville blender
Breville the Fresh and Furious Countertop Blender: available at Amazon and Wayfair
Our take: It is a simple and powerful machine that is easy to use.
What we like: It has 1,100 watts of power and useful presets for things like green smoothies, crushed ice and smoothies. The display is LCD and provides a countdown for when your blending will be done. Preset speeds stop automatically, and this blender has an auto-clean function.
What we dislike: Some users found that the pitcher did not sit firmly into the blender’s base.
Honorable mention Breville blender
Breville Super Q Countertop Blender: available at Amazon and Wayfair
Our take: This tops the list of Breville blenders, but its price tag is hefty.
What we like: It has 12 speeds, 1,800 watts of power, and five presets. Its cooling system is quiet and efficient. The pitcher holds 68 ounces, and the package includes a 24-ounce travel cup. Best of all, this comes with a 10-year warranty.
What we dislike: The only issue is the price tag. But the quality of this blender (and the warranty) is worth the price.
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Suzannah Kolbeck is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.