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iCucina Portable Bullet vs Hamilton Beach 51101AV Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , , and ·Updated

iCucina Portable Bullet

$35.97 from Amazon

Hamilton Beach 51101AV

$17.35 from Amazon
iCucina Portable Bullet vs. Hamilton Beach 51101AV

Overall Verdict

In the smoothie test, the Hamilton Beach had a longer blending time than average, taking twice as long as the others to produce a protein shake and still ending up with a slightly coarse texture. While the texture was deemed acceptable, the prolonged blending time could cause the motor to overheat, even tiring or numbing the user’s hand. The blender struggled with breaking down high-fiber food, resulting in a considerable amount of pulp and mediocre extraction.

In comparison, the iCucina blender performed slightly better than the Hamilton Beach in most tests and was able to grind frozen fruits pretty well, although it did compromise on time and texture. Still, we don’t consider it a suitable option for preparing a complex workout drink— something that involves raw nuts and dried fruits— or for incorporating fiber-rich ingredients into your diet.

Overall, if you have to choose between the Hamilton Beach and the iCucina, we’d recommend the latter.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • It’s good for simple plant-based blends.
  • Built quality is mediocre but fine for the price.
  • Simple design allows for straightforward use, cleaning, and storage. 
  • It stands stably, rather than jumping around, while working.
  • Inexpensive and easy to use with one-touch blending. 
  • Blending cup features measuring lines. 
  • Compact design makes it perfect for use in small spaces. 
  • It is adequate for light blending performance.
  • The lack of versatility. 
  • Short power cord.
  • The low-powered motor limits its capabilities. 
  • Poorly-built quality impairs the machine’s overall performance and durability. 
  • It works inconsistently 
  • The blades are too short, which affects the blending time and final results.

Key Specs

Dimension
H13.6 x W5 inches
H12 x W3.8 inches
Weight
2.5 lbs (1.1 kg)
1.7 lbs (0.8 kg)
Number of speeds
1
1
Pulse/Turbo option
No
No
Dishwasher-safe wand
Yes
Yes
Accessories
An extra blending cup, two to-go lids
A to-go lid

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$40.41
$20.48
$35.97 at Amazon
$17.35 at Amazon

*You help support Shouldit's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners.

Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
4.7
1.4

Protein Shake

6.0
3.4
iCucina Portable Bullet Blender Protein Shake Test
A batch of protein shake packed with dried blueberries, oatmeal, and almonds prepared by the iCucina Personal Blender is checked for smoothness by being drained through a stainless steel mesh strainer, with a smartphone displaying the total blending time (1 minute and 49 seconds) next to it.
Scooping a spoon of solid chunks including dried blueberries and almonds that the iCucina personal blender was unable to pulverize in the test of preparing protein shake from a stainless steel mesh strainer.
Hamilton Beach 51101AV Protein Shake Video
A batch of protein shake prepared by the Hamilton Beach Single-Serve Blender is checked for smoothness by being drained through a stainless steel mesh strainer, with a smartphone displaying the total blending time (3 minutes and 45 seconds) next to it.
Using a spoon to scoop a small smattering of dried blueberry chunks from a mesh strainer containing protein shake produced the Hamilton Beach blender.
Blending Time
1 mins 50 secs
3 mins 46 secs
Result
Very Coarse
Coarse

Frozen Fruit Smoothie

5.0
0.0
iCucina Portable Bullet Blender Frozen Fruit Smoothie Test
Scoping a spoon of fruity smoothie from a plastic cup that is standing between the iCucina personal blender and a smartphone displaying the blending time (1 minute and 50 seconds)
After finishing blending, the fruity smoothie made by the iCucina personal blender is spread throughout a white paper.
Hamilton Beach 51101AV Frozen Fruit Smoothie Video
To check for solid chunks, after finishing blending, the fruity smoothie made by the Hamilton Beach portable blender is spread throughout a white paper.
A spoon of fruity smoothie packed with blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and mango made by the Hamilton Beach small blender.
Blending Time
1 min 50 seconds
2 mins
Result
Silky Smooth
Failed
Suction

Fibrous Greens

4.0
0.0
iCucina Portable Bullet Blender Fibrous Greens Test
A glass of water combined with fibrous greens pulp produced by the iCucina Single-Serve Blender.
A glass of water with fibrous green pulp produced by the iCucina Personal Blender sinking from its top to bottom.
Hamilton Beach 51101AV Fibrous Greens Video
A glass of water with fibrous greens pulp produced by the Hamilton Beach Single-Serve Blender.
Blending Time
20 seconds
20 seconds
Result
Very Coarse
Failed

Crushed Ice Cubes

0.0
0.0
iCucina Portable Bullet Blender Crushed Ice Test
A black tray of crushed ice produced by the iCucina Single-Serve Blender being on a table.
The amount of unblended ice cubes (4.41 oz) of the iCucina single-serve blender displayed on a scale’s screen.
Hamilton Beach 51101AV Crushed Ice Video
A black tray of crushed ice produced by the Hamilton Beach Blender being on a table.
The amount of unblended ice cubes (4.48 oz) of the Hamilton Beach single-serve blender displayed on a scale’s screen.
Ice Fineness
Coarse
Faild
Unblended Ice
73.5% of 6 oz
75% of 6 oz

Design

Overall Design Scoring
7.7
5.0

In the Box

The iCucina Personal Blender with a motor base and blending cup attached lying on a table with a to-go lid, a blending cup with lid, a paper carton box, and a user guide by its sides.
The Hamilton Beach personal blender lying on a table with a paper carton box and user guide by its sides.

Dimensions

The iCucina personal blender standing on a gray table, with the length of its motor base being noted to the side as 5.7 inches, and the total length and width of the unit as 13.6 inches and 5.0 inches, respectively.
The Hamilton Beach 51101AV Personal Blender standing on a gray table, with the length of its motor base being noted to the side as 5.8 inches, and the total length and width of the unit as 12 inches and 3.8 inches, respectively.
Height
13.6" (34.5 cm)
12.0" (30.5 cm)
Width
5.0" (12.7 cm)
3.8" (9.7 cm)
Weight
2.5 lbs (1.1 kg)
1.7 lbs (0.8 kg)
Length
Shaft Length

Build Quality

7.5
5.0
The motor base and cup assembly of the iCucina single-serve blender lying side by side on a table.
The motor base and blending cup with blade assembly permanently attached of the Hamilton Beach blender.

Blades

6.0
5.0
A close-up of the blade assembly sporting 4 stainless steel prongs of the iCucina blender
A close-up of the blade assembly featuring 4 stainless steel prongs inside the blending cup of the Hamilton Beach personal blender.
Material
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel
Type
Cross
Cross
Guard Material
Blade Count
4 blades
4 blades
Removable
No
No
Dishwasher Safe
Yes
Yes

Motor Base

iCucina Portable Bullet Blender Motor Base
iCucina Portable Bullet Blender Motor Base
A close-up of the iCucina Motor Base
The Hamilton Beach motor base standing on a white table.
The Hamilton Beach motor base standing on a white table.
A close-up of the front interface of the Hamilton Beach motor base.
A close-up of the power cord featuring a 2-plug in the underside of the Hamilton Beach motor base.
Rated Voltage
120 V
120
Rated Power
300 Watts
175
Working Time
≤ 1 minute
N/A
Protection
No
No
Weight
2.0 lbs (0.9 kg)
1.2 lbs (0.5 kg)
Cord Length
NaN" (NaN cm)
2.1 ft (0.6 m)
Extra Feature
Silicon feet, a cooling fan
Ventilation holes

Blending Cup

10
5.0
Two blending cups of the iCucina personal blender standing on a table, with the width of their top and bottom being noted to the side as 2.8 inches, and the total length of the unit as 8.6 inches.
The Hamilton Beach blender cup standing on a table with dimension measurements written to the side (4x8.2x2.4 inches).The Hamilton Beach blender cup standing on a table with dimension measurements written to the side (4x8.2x2.4 inches).
Material
Plastic
Plastic
Capacity
28.0 fl oz (828.1 ml)
14 Oz
Weight
0.4 oz (11 g)
0.4 oz (11 g)
Dishwasher Safe
Yes
Yes
Measurement
Yes
Yes
Suitable For
Small and Medium batches
Small batches
Accessories
To-go lids
No

Speed and Controls

Someone is measuring the noise level of the Icucina personal blender with the noise meter (97 dB).
Someone is measuring the noise level of the Hamilton Beach personal blender with the noise meter (98.8 dB).
Activation
Button
Button
Min Speed
N/A
N/A
Max Speed
19,814 RPM
23,341 RPM
Presets
No
No
Noise Level
97 dB
98 dB
Digital Display
No
No
Pulse Mode
No
No

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
9.3
5.7

Hands-Free Operation

10
4.6

Assembly

8.0
6.0

Cleanability

8.5
8.5