We’ve put our trust in cheap blenders before, only to resign ourselves to chunky smoothies forever. Thankfully, the laser-cut, stainless-steel blades of the Vitamix One break down ingredients with ease (but—full disclosure—it’s not totally as indestructible as its predecessors). The 32-ounce container, which is BPA-free and equipped with an ergonomic handle, is designed to pull ingredients into the center for an even blend and creamy texture every time. The lid has a removable plug on top, so you can add more food to the blender without removing it completely. And in case your produce gets stuck, the handy mini tamper will keep things moving.
We found the blades to be pretty strong. It took us about 15 seconds to thoroughly blend a smoothie with frozen berries. Even the clunky whole strawberries got sucked down and pulverized after just a few seconds. It’s not the quietest of blenders (especially since there’s no sound enclosure), but it’s not the loudest either. We also loved that it barely shook while it operated.
That said, it may take up to a minute for the Vitamix One to blend ice. So, if you’re planning to make a batch of daquiris or piña coladas, you may need to be a bit more patient than you would with pricier models. Nevertheless, you can optimize and smoothen your blend by putting liquids (including yogurt) and dry ingredients first, then leafy greens and produce, then ice and frozen ingredients on top.