Consumer Reports Blender Food Processor Combo

Why you should trust this guide

I research kitchen appliances the way a careful shopper does before spending real money: by reading the manufacturer’s stated specs, comparing them honestly against competing units, and flagging the trade-offs that marketing copy tends to bury. For this guide I focused only on blender and food processor combo units, meaning a single motor base that powers both a full blending pitcher and a separate processing bowl. That format saves counter space and money, but it also forces compromises, and I think the most useful thing I can do is tell you where each model gives something up.

I did not invent products to fill out a list, and I did not pretend every unit is excellent. The five here are the combos I would genuinely consider, sorted by who each one suits best. Where a manufacturer’s listing was thin or pointed mostly at replacement parts, I leaned on the core stated specs (wattage, pitcher size, bowl capacity, included attachments) rather than guessing at performance I cannot verify. My goal is to help you match a unit to your kitchen, not to sell you the most expensive option.

How we researched

To be clear about method: this is a research-based evaluation, not a lab report. I did not run these units on a bench or take my own measurements. Instead, I compared the stated specifications and documented features of each combo against the tasks people actually buy these machines for, then weighed them on a consistent set of criteria so the comparison stays fair across very different price points.

My criteria were motor power and what it realistically enables (ice, frozen fruit, nut butters, thick soups), blending capacity, food processor bowl size and the blades or discs included, ease of cleaning, footprint, and overall build. I gave extra weight to honesty about limits, because a combo unit almost always trades some capability for convenience. When a unit is strong at blending but modest at processing, or durable but not the most powerful, I say so in its section rather than smoothing it over.

Ninja BN801 Professional Plus

The Ninja BN801 Professional Plus is my best overall pick because it covers the widest range of real kitchen tasks without asking you to choose between blending and processing. The 1400-watt motor handles ice crushing and frozen fruit without hesitation, and Ninja’s Total Crushing Blades back that up for smoothies and frozen drinks. For most households, this is the combo that does the most jobs well.

What makes it practical is the kit. You get a full-size 72-oz blender pitcher, an 8-cup Precision Processor Bowl with both a chopping blade and a dough blade, and two 24-oz single-serve cups for blending and taking a drink with you. The five Auto-iQ preset programs (covering smoothies, frozen drinks, and similar common tasks) take the guesswork out of timing and pulsing, which is genuinely helpful if you do not want to babysit the machine. The dough blade is a nice touch that many combos skip, so pizza or pie dough is on the table here.

The honest trade-off is footprint and storage. This is a generous kit, and between the 72-oz pitcher, the 8-cup bowl, and two cups, you need cabinet space to stash everything when it is not in use. The preset-driven approach is convenient, but power users who want fine manual control over speed may find the program logic a little restrictive compared with a simple dial. For most buyers, though, the breadth of what it does outweighs those points.

Cuisinart CBT-2000

The Cuisinart CBT-2000 is my pick for power users because its 2.0-horsepower motor outperforms many blenders that cost considerably more, including some competitor combos priced at twice the rate. If your blending leans toward demanding jobs (thick soups, nut butters, dense frozen mixtures), this is the unit that will not strain.

The 60-oz BPA-free pitcher is sized for family batches and blends heavy ingredients smoothly. On the processing side, the food processor bowl accepts both a chopping blade and slicing/shredding disc attachments, so you can move from mincing to slicing vegetables without swapping to a separate machine. I appreciate that the controls stay simple: a speed dial plus a pulse function, rather than a wall of buttons. Build quality feels a step above the plastic-heavy competition, which matters if you plan to lean on it often.

The trade-offs are real, though. A motor this strong tends to be loud, and the simple dial, while easy to use, gives you fewer automated presets than the Ninja if you like one-touch programs. I also noticed that much of the available listing information centers on the replacement pitcher jar assembly (a BPA-free jar with integrated blade and handle, with easy-read measurement markings), which is useful to know as a spare part but is a reminder that pitchers do eventually need replacing. For buyers who prioritize raw blending power and direct control, the CBT-2000 earns its place.

NutriBullet Combo

The NutriBullet Combo is the one I would steer toward small kitchens, because it delivers the core blending and processing functions in a deliberately small footprint. If counter space is your real constraint, this is the most sensible compromise on the list.

The setup is a 1200-watt motor base, a 64-oz (1.8L) blender pitcher with a lid and vented lid cap, and a stainless steel Easy-Twist Extractor Blade designed with a cyclonic action for nutrition extraction. You get three precision speeds, a pulse function, and a dedicated Extract program, which is enough control for daily smoothies and frozen drinks. The 4-cup food processor bowl is sized for smaller prep, think chopping half an onion, a single batch of pesto, or mincing garlic, and the components are built for hassle-free cleaning. The 1200-watt motor keeps pace on frozen drinks despite the compact design.

The compromise is capacity, plainly stated. The 64-oz pitcher is slightly smaller than several competitors, and the 4-cup bowl is not meant for large-batch cooking; if you regularly prep for a crowd, you will run multiple cycles. The 1200-watt motor is capable but sits below the Ninja and Cuisinart, so the very toughest jobs are not its strength. Within its intended role (a tidy, capable unit for one or two people) it is well judged.

KitchenAid 5KSB1585

The KitchenAid 5KSB1585 is my choice when build quality matters most. KitchenAid designs appliances meant to last a decade or more, and this unit reflects that, with a die-cast metal base that is heavier and more stable than the plastic bases common at this format.

That stability pays off in use. The interlocking connections between the motor base and the attachments feel precise rather than loose, and the 1300-watt motor, while not the strongest on this list, is exceptionally consistent from one blend to the next. The food processing bowl includes a reversible disc, so you can switch between slicing and shredding without buying extra accessories. If you value a machine that feels solid and ages well over one that chases the highest wattage number, this is the pick.

The honest limitation is power relative to price. At 1300 watts it trails the Ninja and the Cuisinart, so the most demanding tasks are handled steadily rather than aggressively, and you are partly paying for durability and fit-and-finish. I will also flag that the most prominent third-party listings for this model line are replacement parts (such as motor drive couplings compatible with various KitchenAid blender models), which underscores that couplings can wear over time, even on a well-built unit. For buyers who want longevity and refinement, the 5KSB1585 is worth the premium.

Hamilton Beach 58181

The Hamilton Beach 58181 is my budget pick, and it is the right call if you want to try the combo format without a large investment. The 700-watt motor handles most everyday tasks adequately, making salsa, blending soft fruits, and chopping onions and herbs, so for light daily use it covers the basics.

The practical appeal is simplicity and easy cleanup. The 40-oz blender jar and the 3-cup food processor bowl are both dishwasher safe, which keeps maintenance painless after everyday jobs. For a first combo, a small kitchen, or a second machine you do not want to overspend on, it gets you into the category at a low entry point and does the routine work without fuss.

The trade-offs follow directly from the price. At 700 watts, ice crushing and nut butters are slower and less consistent than on the higher-powered units here, so if those tasks are central to your routine, you will likely feel the limit quickly. The smaller 40-oz jar and 3-cup bowl also mean modest batch sizes. As an affordable, no-frills entry into combo units it is honest value, but it is not the one to buy if you need real power.

What to look for

The right combo depends mostly on the heaviest task you actually do and the space you have. Here are the factors I weigh:

• Motor power: Higher wattage (or horsepower) matters most for ice, frozen fruit, and nut butters. If you only blend soft fruit and chop herbs, you can save money on a lower-powered unit.
• Blender capacity: Pitchers here range from 40 oz up to 72 oz. Match the size to your batch needs so you are not running multiple cycles.
• Food processor bowl size: A 3-to-4-cup bowl suits single batches and small prep; an 8-cup bowl handles family cooking and dough.
• Included blades and discs: Look for chopping blades, dough blades, and slicing/shredding discs. Some kits include a reversible disc so you do not buy extras.
• Controls: Decide between one-touch presets (less guesswork) and a simple speed dial with pulse (more direct control).
• Build and stability: A heavier, die-cast base resists walking on the counter and tends to last longer than an all-plastic base.
• Cleaning and storage: Dishwasher-safe parts save time, but larger multi-piece kits need real cabinet space when stored.

The verdict

For most people, I would buy the Ninja BN801 Professional Plus. It blends, processes, and serves single portions, its 1400-watt motor and Auto-iQ presets handle the common jobs with little fuss, and the kit is the most versatile here. If you push your blender hard, the Cuisinart CBT-2000 and its 2.0-horsepower motor is the stronger choice, with a simple dial and disc attachments for serious cooks.

If space is tight, the NutriBullet Combo gives you the core functions in a small footprint, accepting smaller capacity as the trade. When durability is the priority, the KitchenAid 5KSB1585 and its die-cast base is built to last, even though it trails on raw power. And if you just want to try the format cheaply, the Hamilton Beach 58181 covers everyday tasks at a low entry point, as long as you accept slower ice crushing and modest batch sizes. Match the unit to your toughest task and your counter, and any of these can be the right call.