Why we tested the Ninja Professional Plus BN701
Every year someone asks us whether a $100 blender can truly replace a $400+ Vitamix. The Ninja BN701 is the most credible answer we have seen at this price point, with a 1400W motor that matches or exceeds wattage on some commercial machines. We ran it through eight weeks of daily use alongside the Vitamix 5200 to find out exactly where the $350 gap does - and does not - matter.
How we tested
We used the same six-test protocol applied to all blenders in this round-up: frozen smoothie, ice crush, nut butter, green juice, hot soup, and cleaning cycle. Each test was run three times and averaged. We also ran 40 consecutive daily smoothie cycles to evaluate long-term durability under normal household conditions.
Noise measurements were taken at 3 feet with a calibrated sound level meter. We used the Auto-iQ Smoothie program for smoothie tests and the Auto-iQ Ice Crush program for the ice test.
Performance
Frozen smoothie: The Auto-iQ Smoothie program ran for 68 seconds and delivered a smooth, creamy result. There were small detectable fibers from the kale in our green version of the test - a step below the Vitamix 5200’s perfectly silky output - but for a fruit-only smoothie, the BN701 was flawless. Texture was comparable to a juice-bar smoothie.
Ice crush: The Auto-iQ Ice Crush program processed 2 cups of ice in 14 seconds, producing a slightly coarser texture than the Vitamix 5200’s 8-second result. Snow-cone consistency? Yes. Ultra-fine powder like the Vitamix? Not quite. For frozen cocktails and slushies, it is more than adequate.
Nut butter: This is where the price gap becomes tangible. The BN701 took 2 minutes 15 seconds to produce peanut butter from 2 cups of dry-roasted peanuts. We stopped every 20 seconds to scrape the sides. The final result was creamy but required 3 tablespoons of added oil to become truly pourable - the Vitamix needed no oil at all.
Green juice: Kale-cucumber-apple blend was smooth in 52 seconds, leaving about 4 tablespoons of pulp in a fine strainer. Perfectly drinkable without straining; the fiber is just present if you strain it. Fine for daily green smoothies.
Hot soup: The BN701 is not designed for friction-heating like the Vitamix, and it showed. After 4 minutes on high, the soup reached only 118°F - warm but not serving temperature. We pre-heated the ingredients on the stove before blending for the best results.
Noise: 94 dB at 3 feet during ice crush - the loudest blender in our test. The high-frequency pitch is particularly sharp, more annoying than the Vitamix’s lower rumble. Not ideal for households with sleeping babies or thin walls.
Cleaning: The pitcher is dishwasher-safe top rack, which is its greatest cleaning advantage over the Vitamix. The 30-second self-clean rinse also works well. After a nut butter test, the dishwasher cleared it completely with zero residue.
Who should buy this
The Ninja BN701 is the right call for households that make daily smoothies on a budget, students and young families who need a capable all-rounder without a $400 commitment, and anyone who primarily blends soft fruits and ice rather than dry ingredients. It is also excellent if you value the dishwasher-safe container over manual cleaning.
Skip it if you make nut butter regularly (the Vitamix 5200 is worth the premium), if you want to friction-heat soups without a stove, or if noise is a serious concern in your kitchen.
Ninja Professional Plus Blender BN701 vs. the competition
| Product | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Vitamix 5200 | Upgrade - noticeably smoother nut butter and green juice results; worth it if you blend daily and care about texture. |
| Oster Pro 1200 | Skip - the Ninja's 1400W motor and Auto-iQ programs justify the extra $30; Oster's 1200W stalls on thick frozen blends. |
Full specifications
| Motor | 1400 watts |
| Capacity | 72 oz |
| Speeds | 3 speeds + Auto-iQ + pulse |
| Dimensions | 6.69 x 6.69 x 17.72 inches |
| Weight | 7.8 lbs |
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Should you buy the Ninja Professional Plus Blender BN701?
For $100, the Ninja BN701 is almost absurdly capable - the 1400W motor crushes ice and blends frozen fruit as well as blenders costing three times as much. Build quality and noise are the trade-offs, but for everyday smoothie and soup duty this is the best dollar-for-dollar blender you can buy in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Can the Ninja BN701 make nut butter?+
Yes, but it requires patience. Blending 2 cups of dry peanuts took 2 minutes 15 seconds and needed frequent stops to scrape the sides, compared to 58 seconds in the Vitamix. The result is creamy but slightly oilier from the extended blend time. Use roasted nuts - raw nuts are too dense for reliable results.
How long does the Ninja BN701 last with daily use?+
Based on owner reports and our accelerated wear testing, expect 3-5 years of daily use before the motor starts losing power or the gasket fails. Vitamix lasts twice as long, but you are paying 4.5x the price. For most households, 3-5 years at $100 is excellent value.
📅 Update log
- May 27, 2026Initial review published.
