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If, like me, you have a favourite oversized travel cup or flask that goes everywhere with you, then you’re probably going to like Ninja’s latest ‘portable’ blender – the BlendBOSS.
However, if you find viral Gen-Z trends like Labubu’s, Stanley mugs and even eating fried eggs on Ryvita a bit silly, you might want to look away now.
That’s because the Ninja BlendBOSS tumbler blender seeks to cash in on the popularity of the Stanley mug with Gen-Zers.
Following the huge success of the viral Creami with under 30s, this new stanley-eque blender unit is also your cup. Not a new phenomenon by any means – but where it differs is that it has a really sturdy carry handle and an optional straw – much like the trendy tumblers popularised by Gen-Z.
When this slightly awkward looking blender landed on my desk I was a tad skeptical, but after giving it a whirl over a couple of weeks, it has somewhat surpassed my expectations.
Perfect for smoothies, protein shakes or crushing ice for drinks, this nifty little blender is a great addition to the kitchen that won’t take up too much space.
Ninja BlendBOSS Tumbler Blender
Product Specs
- Capacity650ml
- Number of attachments2 (lid and straw)
- Colour variationsCyberspace, Stone, Blue, Lavender, Watermelon
What we love
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Easy to useTap one button and go
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Lightweight designNo lugging around a heavy cup
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Ice crushingBlends in just a few seconds
What could be better
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NoiseVery loud, even for a blender
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CapacitySingle serve only
Our Verdict
While the Ninja BlendBOSS doesn’t do anything majorly out of the ordinary, it’s a well designed bit of kit that makes on the go drinks just that little bit easier. The lightweight blending jug doubles as a drinking tumbler that can be used with or without a straw and the compact design makes it idea for any sized kitchen.
I also like that it comes in a variety of colours. Colourful appliances are seriously in demand nowadays and being able to find a product that perfectly compliments your living space is important. People want more than the classic greys, blacks and stainless steels of yesteryear.
Most importantly, though, it offers the perfect balance between performance and design. It had no trouble crushing smaller amount of ice or making XL smoothies, though if you overdo the ice, the blending does suffer.
It’s a great one-person blender, so if you’re making smoothies for one, I can highly recommend. Those who need to blend for more than one person though might want to look elsewhere, as the Ninja BlendBOSS’s limited capacity means there’s only so much it can do.
How we test
When testing kitchen appliances such as blenders and smoothie makers, I’m always looking at a couple of key things. The first is how well it blends tough or thick ingredients like ice and seedy fruits and does the blender need a lot of liquid to produce a smooth drink.
The next is how quickly is does this. A good blender should be high powered and be able to whip up a smoothie in just a couple of minutes. To test this, I made a variety of ice-based drinks in the BlendBoss and used all four of its functions to see how well they worked.
I also take into consideration design (very important in you plan of having this out on your counter) and of course, value for money.
Ninja BlendBOSS Tumbler Blender review
Design and features
Even after using it for a couple of weeks, I’m still not entirely sure if I like the design of the BlendBOSS blender. It’s not ugly but it’s also not what I’m used to. The bulbous design certainly makes it stand out and I like that there are plenty of colour options, but I’m not sure it’s for everyone.
Shape-aside, it’s a very sturdy bit of kit. The base is well made, feels premium and has suction cups on the bottom to keep it from moving around. The blade attaches to the cup itself, which can then be locked into the base, making the whole thing super-secure and easy to use.
The cup is shaped like a tumbler with a decent handle and optional straw. It’s very Stanley mug-eque but is also practical rather than just for show – for example, it’s quite lightweight, meaning it won’t break your wrists if you’re carrying it around all day.
There are four buttons on the front of the machine for the varying functions, which include Blend, Smoothie and Ice Crush IQ – automatic settings that blend and churn for the perfect amount of time, as well as a manual Pulse mode for when you want a bit more control over your creations.
Performance
Ninja claims the BlendBOSS can crush ice into a powdery snow texture in seconds. This is true for the most part, but I found that when making smoothie you have to be careful not to overfill the vessel. You also get a better crush if you put the ice in first, so it’s closest to the blade.
If you’re making an ice heavy smoothie, it’s also important to ensure there is enough liquid in the jub so that the ingredients are properly moved around the tumbler for the smoothest blend.
I made a variety of smoothies during my time testing the BlendBoss including frozen berry slushies, creamy banana smoothies, green smoothies and even protein shakes. I found that after a couple of trial and error attempts, I was crushing ice and blending without any issues whatsoever.
As long as you don’t overfill it, you’ll get a near perfect drink every time.
Value for money
Like most Ninja products, the BlendBoss isn’t exactly a budget buy but it’s not painfully expensive either, unlike some of the air fryers. It typically retails for £130 but at the time of writing it’s reduced to £99.99 and I’m sure we’ll see this on sale throughout the year during various seasonal deals events.
You’re not getting a lot for your money here in terms of features, but the build quality is very good and it’s a fun, powerful and importantly portable tumbler blender that differentiates itself from cheaper models.
Ninja BlendBOSS Tumbler Blender
How does it compare to similar products
The Ninja BlendBOSS is on the expensive side for a single serve blender, especially when compared to Ninja’s own Ninja Blast cordless blender. However, the Blast isn’t well suited to crushing ice, nor does it have as large a capacity, so if this is a priority for you, the BlendBOSS might still be a better option.
The Nutribullet 900 series has similar ice-crushing and blending power with a smaller £90 price tag. However, it has a smaller capacity and a slightly more awkward cup design. If pure power is your biggest concern though, the Nutribullet is a good alternative to consider.
How does it rate online
At the time of writing the Ninja BlendBOSS blender has a respectable 4.8/5 rating on the SharkNinja website. Early users have praised its ability to quickly crush ice and blend tougher fruits, while negative reviews seem to centre around the blenders noise level, while others have had issues with water getting trapped in the lid after washing.
Why trust us
Danielle, along with a team of expert reviewers, has been testing kitchen, home and garden products for close to a decade. Whether it’s cooking in the latest air fryers, whizzing around the house with a new vacuum or making pizza alfresco, her experience in the homes section ensures every product tested gets a thorough and more importantly, honest, review.
FAQs
Which blender brand is best?
Brands like Magimix and Vitamix are the go-to for those who want premium features with a price tag to match. Ninja, Tefal and Nutribullet are best suited to those who are looking for a better balance between value and functionality.
Can the BlendBOSS crush ice?
Yes the BlendBOSS can crush a small amount ice in just a few seconds making it ideal for icy smoothies and blended drinks in the summer. It’s also good for making crushed ice for drinks.
