Ninja Professional Plus Blender Review: Power That Crushes Expectations
You know that moment when your old blender struggles with a few ice cubes, making that worrying grinding noise? Yeah, I’ve been there too. After my trusty (but let’s be honest, underpowered) blender finally gave up during a frozen fruit smoothie attempt, I decided it was time for an upgrade. I’d heard good things about Ninja blenders from friends, so I took the plunge with the Ninja Professional Plus BN701 model. After a few weeks of putting it through its paces in my kitchen, I think I’ve found my match in the blending world – though it’s not without a few quirks.
- MORE POWERFUL MOTOR: The Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto-iQ features a new modern design and a more powerful motor than Ninja's original Professional Blender. (Versus BL610, based on operating wattage.)
- POWERFUL CRUSHING: Ninja Total Crushing Blades give you perfectly crushed ice for your smoothies and frozen drinks with 1400 peak watts of professional power.
- 3 VERSATILE FUNCTIONS: 3 preset Auto-iQ programs allow you to create smoothies, frozen drinks, and ice cream, all at the touch of a button.
- AUTO-IQ TECHNOLOGY: take the guesswork out of drink making with intelligent programs that combine unique timed pulsing, blending, and pausing patterns that do the work for you.
- XL BLENDING CAPACITY: The 72-oz. Total Crushing Pitcher is great for making large batches for the whole family. (64-oz. max liquid capacity.)
Sleek Beast
The first thing that struck me about this Ninja blender was how it manages to look both professional and approachable at the same time. It’s got a substantial footprint on my counter, but not overwhelmingly so. The 72-oz pitcher (though you can only fill it with 64 oz of liquid) feels sturdy and well-made, with measurement markings that are actually readable – a small detail I appreciate. The base has a modern, somewhat industrial design with clearly labeled buttons that light up when pressed. Perhaps what I like best about the design is the pitcher handle – it’s comfortable to grip even when full, which makes pouring much less precarious than my previous blender. The stacked blade assembly is intimidating at first glance, I’ll admit, but it’s this unusual design that helps it crush ingredients so effectively.
Power That Performs
Let’s talk performance, because that’s where this blender really shines. The 1400-peak-watt motor isn’t just impressive on paper – you can actually feel the power when it’s running. I’ve made everything from smoothies to frozen margaritas, even crushed ice for snow cones for my nephew’s visit, and it handles it all without hesitation.
The Auto-iQ programs are genuinely useful, not just a gimmick. There are preset buttons for smoothies, ice cream, and crushing ice that adjust the blending pattern and timing automatically. I was skeptical at first, thinking I’d just use the manual settings, but I’ve found myself using the presets more often than not. They just work!
One thing I wasn’t expecting – this thing is LOUD. Like, “pause your conversation” loud. But I guess that’s the trade-off for having such power. And honestly, it blends things so quickly that the noise doesn’t last long anyway. My frozen fruit smoothies that used to take 45+ seconds in my old blender are done in about 20 seconds with the Ninja.
Tech Specs Breakdown
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Motor Power | 1400-peak-watt |
| Capacity | 72 oz pitcher (64 oz max liquid capacity) |
| Dimensions | 7.76 x 9.88 x 17.32 inches |
| Weight | 7.1 pounds |
| Programs | 3 Auto-iQ preset programs |
| Speed Settings | 3 manual speeds |
| Dishwasher Safe | Yes, all parts except base |
| BPA Free | Yes |
| Warranty | 1-year limited warranty |
The Good & The Not-So-Good
Pros:
- Exceptional power for crushing ice and frozen ingredients
- Auto-iQ programs take the guesswork out of blending
- Large capacity is perfect for families or entertaining
- Dishwasher-safe components make cleanup easy
- Sturdy build quality suggests longevity
- Clear measurement markings on pitcher
Cons:
- Very loud operation (definitely not a “quietly make a smoothie while everyone’s sleeping” kind of appliance)
- Stacked blade assembly requires careful handling and cleaning
- Pitcher is bulky to store in some kitchen cabinets
- Sometimes struggles with very small amounts of ingredients
- Suction cup feet can be too effective (really grips the counter!)
What Other Users Are Saying
After diving into the reviews on Amazon, it’s clear that most users share my positive impression. The Ninja Professional Plus currently holds a 4.8 out of 5-star rating from over 15,000 reviews, which is pretty remarkable.
Many reviewers specifically praise the blender’s power. One reviewer mentioned, “This blender has changed my smoothie game completely. I used to have chunks of frozen fruit, now everything is perfectly smooth in seconds.”
Another common theme in the reviews is durability. As one customer put it, “I’ve had mine for over a year now with daily use and it still works like the day I bought it.”
The most common criticism seems to align with my experience regarding noise. Several reviewers noted that it’s louder than expected, with one saying, “Great blender but wake-the-dead loud. I can’t use it in the morning without waking up my entire household.”
Who Is This Blender For?
For beginners: This is actually a great entry into the world of high-performance blenders. The preset programs make it fool-proof to get good results, and while it’s not the cheapest option out there, it’s more affordable than some premium brands while delivering similar performance.
For intermediate users: If you already know your way around a blender and make smoothies or frozen drinks regularly, you’ll appreciate the upgrade in power and efficiency. The manual settings give you enough control to customize your blends.
For advanced users: Culinary enthusiasts might find the lack of specific temperature control or more specialized programs limiting. It’s excellent at what it does, but it’s not trying to be a comprehensive food processor replacement or a professional-grade kitchen tool. If you’re looking specifically for ice crushing and smoothie making, though, it’s hard to beat.
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Ready to Transform Your Blending Experience?
After putting the Ninja Professional Plus through its paces, I’m convinced it offers exceptional value for the performance it delivers. If you’re tired of under-powered blenders that leave chunks in your smoothies, this might be the kitchen upgrade you’ve been waiting for.
- MORE POWERFUL MOTOR: The Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto-iQ features a new modern design and a more powerful motor than Ninja's original Professional Blender. (Versus BL610, based on operating wattage.)
- POWERFUL CRUSHING: Ninja Total Crushing Blades give you perfectly crushed ice for your smoothies and frozen drinks with 1400 peak watts of professional power.
- 3 VERSATILE FUNCTIONS: 3 preset Auto-iQ programs allow you to create smoothies, frozen drinks, and ice cream, all at the touch of a button.
- AUTO-IQ TECHNOLOGY: take the guesswork out of drink making with intelligent programs that combine unique timed pulsing, blending, and pausing patterns that do the work for you.
- XL BLENDING CAPACITY: The 72-oz. Total Crushing Pitcher is great for making large batches for the whole family. (64-oz. max liquid capacity.)