Just don’t get a Hamilton Beach. The motor on my old Osterizer finally went and I replaced it with the HB because it was on sale and looked cool (stainless steel). It sucks. Hard to clean and doesn’t blend all that well. It still works ok so I don’t want to just chuck it, but eventually I’ll probably replace it with a Ninja.

Ninja. I have been using mine for a little over 4 years no with no problems. I would absolutely buy it again.

They have the person size ones for around $60 and a few full size one for around $100.

Get a Ninja. It is a workhorse blender and can handle anything you want it for.

Try thrift stores. Depends what they're like in your area, but the ones near me have some great stuff come in pretty regularly.

ATK recommends Nutribullet, the price maxes out your budget though... https://www.costco.com/nutribullet-blender-combo.product.100601243.html https://www.nutribullet.com/shop/blenders/nutribullet-blender/

Get a vitamix from a restaurant supply store or a refurbished one that’s probably only ever been used to make samples at Costco and still comes with complete warranty.

I made the mistake of getting crappy blenders that cost less and they all fail. I had to replace so many times I coulda bought a vitamix the first time and saved money.

I have a 20-year-old Osterizer 12-speed blender. The one I have originally had a plastic carafe that I replaced about 10 years ago with a glass one. This seems to be the modern equivalent: https://www.amazon.com/Oster-6684-12-Speed-Blender-Black/dp/B0006ABOCW?th=1

From everything I've heard, Ninja is the discount Vitamix

I know you said no vitamix but I’d really recommend it, I got mine for 300 on prime day and it’s worth it.

>some kind of easy-cleaning or self-cleaning functionality

There are no "self-cleaning" blenders. But just so you know, with any blender, you can rinse out after blending, then put in a bit of hot water and some dish soap and blend that. Gets the blade clean at the same time. Just make sure to do it promptly after blending rather than wait and let the food dry onto it.

Crush what exactly? Ice? Nuts? Frozen fruit and berries?Because that is very much the culprit to the price. The more power the blender has to rounds per minute the pricier it gets. The easy stuff like soft fruit and protein powder mixed with liquids, that's what pretty much every blender should be able to do

How many servings are you making at a time? If you’re making multiple smoothies and shakes per go or if you’re prepping several in advance, I have had no problems with Oster. It’s been a while since I owned a large blender so I don’t have a specific model to recommend, but they’re sturdy and really easy to take apart and clean.

If you’re throwing single-serving stuff together I really love the Ninja bullet blender. Damned near indestructible, you can grab and go the containers, and they’re great for making salad dressing too. https://www.target.com/p/ninja-fit-single-serve-blender-with-two-16oz-cups-qb3001ss/-/A-50017295?sid=1964S&TCID=PDS-414437569&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=414437569&gbraid=0AAAAAD-5dfYSMDeiAkba0E7JGYl8G-yds&gclid=CjwKCAjw6NrBBhB6EiwAvnT_rlgJHqIF-pPoiqFgsGFs-Elv-oKugKaKs5YRzCxsXeZ8av6l2MbuqRoCHcIQAvD_BwE

I have no recommendations for a blender itself, but just wondering if it's worth checking around any second hand stores near you to see if you could find a higher end one for less money? I live in a mecca for second hand stores, so there are always stores to pop into near me, but I know that isn't the case everywhere.

It's not a substitute for a Vitamix/etc but IME the Ninja line is a pretty good step up from cheapo blenders. Have had one (I think the Professional?) for about 5 years with no issues and it does well with smoothies, blended soups/sauces, etc. If you want a really smooth puree it's probably not going to get you 100% there but likely closer than what you have.

I don't have either of these but ATK recommends the Nutribullet ZNBF30400Z or Black & Decker BL1400DG-P in this price range.

I like my ni ha twisti for smoothies

We got a Ninja Professional BL610 a few months ago, delighted with how well it works, quieter, very easy to assemble. About $85. The old glass style with a narrow bottom and blades only on the bottom always had troubles mixing. This newer arrangement fixed all that.

Think about an immersion blender. You can use one to make smoothies and nut based sauces just like a blender. Another advantage is that you take the immersion blender to the food. This is great if you want to blend hot soups or sauces. Buy one with a beaker included. You can find an excellent choice for under 50$.

America’s Test Kitchen ranks the Breville Fresh and Furious as the top middle tier blender—I just received it as a gift but haven’t gotten to use it yet.

As a side note, Vitamix sells refurbished blenders on their website for cheaper and from what I’ve heard no one has ever had any issues and they’re just like new!

Check thrift stores for an elderly Oster with the glass jar. I've had mine since 1978 and it. Just. Will. Not. Die.

I use the Ninja for the same reasons and love it!!

I might only think it's good because it's the only blender I've ever had, but the Hamilton Beach (51101AV) model has impressed me quite a bit, got it new for under $20 on Amazon.

I've used it to blend ice, frozen fruits (pretty hard ones, like whole strawberries), frozen cucumbers, kiwis in their skin, and made frozen banana "nice cream" with only maybe 2 ounces of liquid

Other blenders might be a lot better, I might not know what a truly good blender is, but this one definitely pleases me. I've used it regularly for at least a couple months, and it's never failed me.

Only complaint I really have is that the plastic cup can get scratched, probably caused by the corners of ice cubes. Nothing that really affects the functioning of it as far as I can tell, but it definitely doesn't get any prettier than it was brand new.

I have a Ninja as well. I have no complaints here. I think I bought mine for under $100.

I just bought the nutribullet pro +, costs 95$ on their website. Haven’t tried it yet but it’s supposed to blend ice and frozen fruits well!

I have a shite blender as well. It helps if you pre-crush the ice and frozen fruit with a roller something.

I just bought a Ninja BN401 and I’ve used it every day for 3 weeks now with no issues (I know that’s not a very long time but it’s been demolishing ice and frozen fruit extremely easily). It’s $80, but it is a personal sized blender so it might not be what you’re looking for if you want something bigger. But I love it so far and thought I’d share!

Buy second hand?

Got one through my wife’s company as a years of service gift and it’s wonderful. Most of my blending is done through immersion so the little we use the blender or processor it’s been wholly worth it. I couldn’t justify a vitamix price for our usage

I got mine refurbished as well. It came from that store that used to be in outlet malls and was cheaper than Costco. I went through so many blenders before I got my Vitamix.

For those that don't know, Vitamix offers a 30 day trial and if you don't want it, you send it back and they replace everything but the blade.

The biggest issue with the ninja is that while it calls itself a blender it's a good processor in blenders clothing. The hallmark of a blender is semi dull blades that pull food into a vortex that funnels the food to be chopped and crushed towards the blades facilitating further crushing and shredding.

The ninja has a central column of sharp blades that slice the food and that's it. This is the action of a food processor, it is moderate at best with ice crushing and is not well outfitted for producing nut butters either. It is fine for most people but it's in a different league entirely compared to vitamin or blendtec

Vitamix 5200 is the old standby. I’ve had mine for years and worked in plenty of professional kitchens that use them way more than any home cook.

I like the ninja too, but I don't love the blade. I accidentally cut my hand a few times while washing it. That's why I gave up the ninja and bought the vitamix. But I still have the ninja with the food processor and the drink cup that came with it. Still use it.

The Vitamix of your choice is the best to buy right now and has been for quite a while, imo.

I'll echo what everyone else is saying....a Vitamix is the way to go. There is no blender like it, not even the ninja, and it will last forever. It is absolutely worth every penny.

My wife has had 2 Vitamixes, I only use the Nutribullet.

I’ve been using a NutriBullet daily for almost 5 years and it shows no sign of slowing down or failing. They sell their top of the line model for $99 on their website but check Facebook marketplace / Nextdoor and you’ll probably find a mint condition one for less than $30.

NutriBullet. I'm traveling right now so using someone's full size blender and miss my NutriBullet! Very different from Magic Bullet, keep in mind.

Ninjas all day

I bought a little blender few months ago for under $35 came with three blending cups and lids. Ganiza blender it's called. I blend frozen strawberries,fresh bananas, spinach,kale,frozen berries. Bunch of stuff. Blends very very well. 

For smoothies, sauces and salsa nothing is easier than a handheld stick blender. Drop the ingredients in the container, blend, then all you have to clean up is the blade part of the blender. Run it under hot water and you're done.

I have a basic Oster from Target that works better than a Cuisinart version I had before. It was under $40. Make sure you unplug it or remove the blade end from the handle when cleaning, I accidentally started it while rinsing and it scared the crap out of me!

Ninja CT610 is the best blender I've had so far.

I got this Ninja countertop blender and I really like it. I’m linking this one, despite it being out of stock, so you’ll know what it looks like

I bought mine for cheaper at a Sams Club so it ended up being cheaper than what it’s listed for here. It’s pretty reliable, a little bulky, but I can overlook it for the travel cups it comes with. The blades are v sharp so be careful with cleaning them. I’d actually recommend just sticking them in the dish washer bc you will cut yourself. Everything is easy to clean, too. It doesn’t heat up food like the fancier blenders do, but it does everything else well.

Vitamix XL maybe a little on the pricey side though!!

I love my Krups blender. Glass container, invincible motor. Don’t get one of those cheap, plastic Kitchenside or Cuisinart ones. They don’t last & are underpowered. You’ll be sorry.