If you want smooth, creamy smoothies (no icy chunks) and a blender that can crush ice fast without becoming a pain to clean, the best choices usually come down to three things: power (watts / RPM), blade design, and jar shape (how well it circulates frozen ingredients). Below are the best under-$100 options, with a clear “best overall” pick at the end.
Prices can change, but all of these are commonly found under $100.
Quick Picks
- Best Overall for smoothies + ice: Ninja Professional Blender 1000W (BL610)
- Best Budget Full-Size Value: Blender, 68Oz. Countertop Blenders with 20Oz. Grinder, 28000 RPM
- Best for Single-Serve Smoothies (portable cups): 12-Piece Smoothie Blender Maker 25,000 RPM Personal Blender
- Best if you want a timer + more control: Blender for Smoothies with 68Oz. Pitcher and 20Oz. Grinder, 28000 RPM (Timing Setting)
1. 12-Piece Smoothie Blender Maker 25,000 RPM Personal Blender (Portable Cups)
Best for: single-serve smoothies, protein shakes, grab-and-go
What stands out
- Personal blender style (designed for smaller batches)
- Includes multiple portable cups (23oz / 32oz / 37oz) for quick drinks
- Comes with two 6-leaf stainless steel blade assemblies
Smoothies & ice performance
Personal blenders like this can do a great job on smoothies when you use enough liquid and add frozen items gradually. For ice, they typically handle small-to-medium ice loads best—perfect for smoothie texture, less ideal for huge pitchers of crushed ice.
Cleanup
This is where it shines: smaller cups usually rinse quickly, and you’re not washing a giant pitcher.
Pros
- Great for fast daily smoothies
- Easy storage + minimal cleanup
- Multiple cups = convenient meal prep
Cons
- Not ideal for large family batches
- You’ll get best results by blending in stages (liquid first, frozen last)
2. Blender, Blender for Smoothies with 68Oz. Pitcher and 20Oz. Grinder, 28000 RPM (Timing Setting)
Best for: big smoothies, frozen fruit, more control (timer + speed)
What stands out
- 68oz pitcher for large batches
- 20oz grinder cup (nice bonus for dry ingredients)
- 28000 RPM, adjustable speed, plus timing setting
Smoothies & ice performance
A large pitcher + high RPM is a strong combo for family smoothies, frozen fruit blends, and frequent ice use. The timer is useful if you like consistent routines (ex: “45 seconds for smoothies”).
Cleanup
Pitcher blenders take a bit more effort than single-serve cups, but using a quick “blend warm water + a drop of soap” rinse after you’re done can make it much easier.
Pros
- Big capacity for families and meal prep
- Timer + adjustable speed helps consistency
- Grinder cup adds versatility
Cons
- Bigger footprint
- Best blending happens when you don’t overload the pitcher with frozen ingredients all at once
3. Blender, 68Oz. Countertop Blenders with 20Oz. Grinder, 28000 RPM (Self-Cleaning)
Best for: best full-size value under $100 (big capacity + easier cleaning)
What stands out
- 68oz pitcher + 20oz grinder
- 28000 RPM
- Mentions self-cleaning (usually a built-in cleaning mode or recommended cleaning method)
Smoothies & ice performance
This is the “value pick” if you want a full-size blender for smoothies and ice without paying extra for brand name. The pitcher size is great for multiple servings, and the high RPM spec suggests it’s built for frozen ingredients.
Cleanup
If you care about easy cleanup but still want a full-size pitcher, this one has the edge thanks to the self-cleaning feature (in practice, it typically means you can rinse it quickly by blending soapy water).
Pros
- Excellent feature set for the money
- Large pitcher + grinder cup
- Easier day-to-day cleanup than many big blenders
Cons
- Like most large blenders, it performs best when you follow good loading order (liquid first)
4. Ninja Professional Blender 1000W, Total Crushing Technology, 72-oz. Pitcher (BL610)
Best for: the safest “buy once, use forever” pick for smoothies + ice
What stands out
- 1000W motor (power is a big deal for ice)
- 72-oz pitcher (great for families)
- “Total Crushing” style blade setup built for ice and frozen fruit
Smoothies & ice performance
This is the most dependable choice here for ice crushing consistency and smooth frozen drinks. The power rating (1000W) is a strong sign it won’t struggle as easily when you’re using heavier ingredients like ice + frozen fruit together.
Cleanup
The pitcher is large, but the design is straightforward. If you rinse immediately after blending, cleanup is usually quick.
Pros
- Strong power for ice + frozen fruit
- Large capacity for batch blending
- Reliable all-around performance for smoothies
Cons
- Not as compact as personal blenders
- Overkill if you only make one small smoothie per day
Side-by-Side: Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Ninja Professional Blender 1000W (BL610) if…
You want the most reliable option for crushing ice and making smooth frozen blends with fewer hiccups.
Choose the Blender, 68Oz. Countertop Blenders… (Self-Cleaning) if…
You want the best value full-size blender under $100, plus a cleaning-friendly routine.
Choose the Blender for Smoothies… (Timing Setting) if…
You like a bit more control with a timer + adjustable speeds, and you often blend larger batches.
Choose the 12-Piece Smoothie Blender Maker 25,000 RPM Personal Blender if…
You mostly make single-serve smoothies and want quick cleanup + portable cups.
My Optimal Pick
Ninja Professional Blender 1000W (BL610) = Best Overall
For the widest range of smoothie styles and the most confident ice crushing, the 1000W Ninja BL610 is the strongest “overall” choice. It’s the one I’d pick if you want smooth results, fast blending, and fewer “stalls” with frozen ingredients.
Smoothie + Ice Crushing Tips (So Any Blender Works Better)
- Always start with liquid (milk/water/juice) before frozen fruit and ice.
- Don’t overpack the pitcher—airflow/circulation matters more than people think.
- For extra smooth texture: blend 10–15 seconds, pause, then blend again.
- If you want “slush” texture, use pulse instead of nonstop blending.
- Clean immediately: warm water + a drop of dish soap, blend for 10 seconds, rinse.
