I wanted a full-size blender for smoothies, ice, and frozen drinks. I spent time with the Ninja Professional Plus Blender BN701 to see how it fits daily use. The large pitcher and strong motor make it a good choice for family drinks. My quick take: it is best for cold blends, ice, and big batches.
Ninja Professional Plus Blender Reviews
The Ninja Professional Plus Blender BN701 is a full-size blender for home kitchens. It has a 72-ounce pitcher with a 64-ounce max liquid fill. I like this size when I need to make more than one drink at a time.
The motor is rated at 1,400 peak watts. That gives the blender plenty of force for ice and frozen foods. I found this most useful when making cold drinks.
The pitcher uses Ninja Total Crushing blades. The blade tower has six sharp blades that work through the food as it moves around the pitcher. This setup is one reason the blender does well with ice.
I also like the Auto-iQ controls. There are three preset programs for smoothies, frozen drinks, and ice cream. Each program runs on its own timed cycle.
The buttons are simple to read. I do not need to spend much time learning how to use the panel. I can choose a setting and let the blender do the work.
The pitcher is made for large batches. I can make drinks for my family without making several small rounds. This saves time when everyone wants the same drink.
The BN701 has a dark gray look that works well in a modern kitchen. It is not a small blender, though. The full setup is about 17 inches tall, so I would check cabinet space before buying.
The pitcher and blade parts are dishwasher safe on the top rack. I like this after making sticky or thick drinks. It cuts down the time I spend washing by hand.
The blade tower is very sharp. I always handle it with care when taking it out of the pitcher. I would not treat the blade like a normal loose kitchen tool.
This blender is made for a standard US 120-volt outlet. That makes it a simple fit for most American kitchens.
One thing I would keep in mind is the noise. This is not a quiet blender. The strong motor makes a loud sound while it runs.
I also would not use this model for hot soup. It is made for cold food and drinks, so I would choose a different blender if hot blending was a key need.
What I Like
- Large pitcher: I can make a full batch without stopping to add more food.
- Strong ice work: Ice is one of the jobs this blender handles very well.
- Auto-iQ programs: I like having preset cycles for common drinks.
- Simple control panel: The buttons are easy to see and use.
- Easy cleanup: The removable parts are dishwasher safe on the top rack.
What Could Be Better
- It is loud: I notice the sound most when blending ice or frozen food.
- Tall design: The full setup can be hard to fit under low cabinets.
- Sharp blade tower: I need to be careful when removing and washing the blade unit.
My Personal Experience with Ninja Professional Plus Blender
I use a full-size blender when I want more than one serving. The BN701 gives me enough room to make a family batch in one go. This is much easier than using a small personal cup.
For my morning smoothie, I like the extra space in the pitcher. I can add fruit, yogurt, liquid, and ice without filling the jar too close to the top. The large size gives the food room to move.
Frozen berries are another good match. I often use fruit straight from the freezer. The strong motor helps break down the cold pieces without making me wait too long.
I also tested the blender with ice for cold drinks. This is where I think the BN701 shines most. The Total Crushing blade setup is made for this kind of work.
When I make drinks for guests, the large pitcher saves me time. I can prepare one large batch instead of making each glass on its own. This makes the blender useful for weekends and small get-togethers.
The Auto-iQ buttons are helpful when I am busy. I can select the drink type and let the set cycle run. I do not have to keep checking the time.
For a work-from-home morning, I like being able to make a large smoothie before I start work. I can pour one serving and keep the rest for later. That gives me less kitchen work during the day.
I also tried using the blender for frozen drinks. The large pitcher works well when I want a cold drink for several people. I would choose this model over a small personal blender for that job.
The size does have a downside. The pitcher takes up more room than a small cup. I would keep that in mind if my kitchen had very little storage space.
The noise is also clear during use. I would not run it early in the morning if someone nearby was still sleeping. The motor is strong, but it is not quiet.
Cleaning is fairly easy after use. I like that the pitcher and blade assembly can go on the top rack of the dishwasher. That helps after I make thick smoothies or frozen drinks.
I take extra care with the blade tower. It is sharp and has several cutting edges. I remove it slowly and keep my fingers away from the blades.
I would not make this my first choice for hot soup. This blender is better suited to cold recipes. If hot food was a major part of my cooking, I would look for another model.
My main takeaway is simple: I like the BN701 most for large smoothies, ice, frozen drinks, and family-size batches.
Comparing With Other Brands
I would compare the Ninja Professional Plus with brands such as Vitamix and NutriBullet before buying. The best choice depends on how much food I blend and what kind of control I want.
Ninja vs Other Brands: Quick Comparison
For comfort, I like the simple button layout on the Ninja. The controls are clear, so I can start a blend without a long setup.
For batch size, the Ninja has a clear benefit. Its 72-ounce pitcher gives me more room than most small personal blenders. This makes it a better fit for families.
For ice crushing, I would put the Ninja high on my list. Its blade design and strong motor are made for hard, cold foods.
For control, I would look at a higher-end blender if I wanted many speed choices. The BN701 keeps things simple with preset programs and basic manual control.
For cleaning, the Ninja is easy to manage. The dishwasher-safe parts save time after daily use.
For storage, a smaller blender may be easier. The Ninja’s large pitcher is useful during blending but takes more room when I put it away.
Recommendation
I would recommend the Ninja Professional Plus Blender BN701 to people who want a large blender for smoothies, ice, frozen drinks, and family batches. Its big pitcher makes it a good fit for busy homes.
I think it is less useful for someone who only makes one small drink each day. A personal blender would take up less room and may be easier for that type of use.
I would also do more research if I needed hot blending or very fine control. The BN701 has a clear focus, and I think it works best when used for the jobs it was made to do.
For a US home, the 120-volt setup is a normal fit. I would also check the current price before buying because the value can change with the price.
My final pick is the BN701 for people who want a simple full-size blender with strong ice and frozen drink skills.
FAQs for Ninja Professional Plus Blender Reviews
Is the Ninja Professional Plus Blender good for smoothies?
Yes, I think it is a good choice for large smoothies. The big pitcher gives me enough room for several servings. It also handles frozen fruit and ice well.
Can the Ninja BN701 crush ice?
Yes. Ice is one of its best uses. The Total Crushing blade system is made to break down ice for frozen drinks and other cold blends.
How big is the Ninja Professional Plus Blender pitcher?
The pitcher has a 72-ounce total capacity. The max liquid fill is 64 ounces. That gives me plenty of space for a large family batch.
Is the Ninja Professional Plus Blender dishwasher safe?
Yes. The pitcher, lid, and blade assembly are dishwasher safe on the top rack. I still handle the sharp blade with care when removing it.
Is the Ninja BN701 loud?
Yes, it can be loud while running. I notice the sound more when crushing ice or blending frozen food. This is normal for a strong full-size blender, but it is worth knowing before buying.
Can I make hot soup in the Ninja Professional Plus Blender?
I would not use this model for hot soup. It is designed mainly for cold food and drinks. A blender made for hot blending would be a better choice for that job.
Is the Ninja Professional Plus Blender worth buying?
I think it is worth considering if I need a large blender for smoothies, ice, frozen drinks, and family-size batches. I would look at other models if I needed hot blending, quiet use, or more advanced control.
Conclusion
After using the Ninja Professional Plus Blender BN701, I think its biggest strengths are the large pitcher, strong motor, and simple Auto-iQ programs. I like it most for smoothies, ice, frozen drinks, and large batches. The noise, tall design, and sharp blade are the main things I would keep in mind. For a US home that needs a full-size blender for cold drinks, this Ninja is a solid option.