We check each blender to see what it's like to assemble and use, including fitting the jug or cup to the base, putting on or pulling off the lid, how heavy the jug is and the control panel.

Blend silky smoothies, milkshakes, crushed-ice cocktails, light dips and dressings in the Power Nutri Cup and add the spout lid to take a drink on-the-go. Ninja’s trademark Auto iQ programs are developed to make one-touch blending easy, but do they produce great results without a hassle? We like the way it works out the right amount of time and speed for your recipe – this never failed – and that you have options like “crush” and “powermix” for tougher ingredients (such as those ice cubes). You needn’t limit yourself to fruity things either – we made a tasty guacamole and blended a veg soup just as we would with any other blender. Adding to the coconut flakes, I put in pineapple chunks (including the core), mint leaves, yoghurt and coconut milk.Carefully place the lid or Hybrid Edge Blades Assembly on the top of the cup/bowl and align the threads so the lid/blade assembly sits flat on the cup/bowl. For best blending results using the Power Nutri Bowl, twist the Power Paddle anti-clockwise continuously during blending. If you like a creamy thick smoothie or shake, use banana, avocado or cashew nuts mixed with fruit or vegetables to thicken.

Thanks to the built in power paddle, ingredients are pushed towards the blade so there’s no need to scrape or shake thick mixtures.For these people, the Ninja Foodi Power Nutri Blender 2-in-1 CB100UK could well be the right choice.

Oats and seeds in a smoothie or sprinkled on top not only add texture but help you feel fuller for longer. Forget about having to scrape down the sides or manually mix your concoctions up, because the Ninja blender has a clever “pull-down” mechanism, and will choose to pulse the mix instead of going full throttle.

From light and silky to thick and spreadable, create sumptuously thick smoothie bowls and nut butters, silky drinks, dips and dressings and more – exactly as you like them.

A good appliance can whizz up all manner of fruit and veg, from antioxidant-rich berries to convenient frozen fruit and fibre-rich leafy greens, with the best of the blending bunch delivering a perfectly smooth fitness drink, free from off-putting fibres or unpleasant grainy textures. Five stars will be better for early morning smoothies, when people are still sleeping, while one star will wake up the house. As you’ll see later, this doesn’t make much difference in practice – the less powerful motor is fine since you’ll only ever be working with smaller volumes of food.Designed for use with less liquid, the Smart Torque motor maintains a high speed to deliver uninterrupted power and performance.