Best countertop blenders

Top pick: Vitamix 5200. The one to buy if you want a blender for a decade: variable speed, a 64 oz jar, and the motor that made Vitamix the benchmark for silky smoothies, nut butters and hot soup. It's the most expensive here, and worth it if you blend daily.

Who the others suit:

• Vitamix Ascent X4 — same brand, smaller 48 oz jar and newer controls; pick it if counter space is tight.
• Ninja Professional Plus with Auto-iQ — preset programs and a big 72 oz jar for a fraction of the price; the easy everyday choice.
• Ninja BL660 — single-serve cups plus a full pitcher, for one-person mornings.
• Chefman Obliterator — high wattage and ice-crush/clean presets on a budget.
• Beast Mini 600 Plus — tiny footprint, personal-size blending only.
• Hamilton Beach Power Elite — glass jar, basic but honest, for light use.
• Heavy Duty BA375 — simple mechanical controls, built for volume.

Skip the Vevor and the generic stainless model if you want a name-brand warranty.