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iCucina Portable Bullet vs. Magic Bullet 250W Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , , and ·Updated

iCucina Portable Bullet

$33.97 from Amazon

Magic Bullet 250W

$29.49 from Amazon
iCucina Portable Bullet vs. Magic Bullet 250W

Overall Verdict

iCucina Portable Bullet and Magic Bullet 250W are both mid-range personal blenders designed for simple recipes. They share similarities, such as hands-free operation mode, compact size, and affordable price. But  when it comes to performance and capabilities, we notice some significant differences worth mentioning.

In our testing, we found that the iCucina had no difficulty grinding oats. However, the resulting drink lacked a robust flavor profile as some solid pieces of almonds and berries remained. Additionally, while the blender was able to break down all the frozen fruits in less than two minutes, the resulting smoothie lacked the desired thick, snow-like consistency.

On the other hand, the Magic Bullet performed slightly better in blending leafy vegetables and fibers, but struggled to blend through frozen fruits and nuts. As a result, the resulting drinks contained large chunks of unprocessed food, rendering them mostly undrinkable.

Additionally, both blenders experienced difficulty blending 6 ounces of ice cubes, which can be attributed to their relatively weak motor. However, after taking into consideration the overall performance, we would recommend the iCucina over the Magic Bullet.

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.
  • Easy to use, assemble, and clean. 
  • Stainless steel extractor blades are pretty solid. 
  • Three extra blending cups are included.
  • The lack of versatility. 
  • Short power cord.
  • It doesn’t allow for hands-free operation. 
  • It is not suitable for blending frozen fruits or raw nuts. 
  • Motor base jumps around while operating. 
  • Build quality is not good. 
  • Its performance is inconsistent.

Key Specs

Dimension
H13.6 x W5 inches
H12 x W4.5 inches
Weight
2.5 lbs (1.1 kg)
2.0 lbs (0.9 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
An extra blending cup, a to-go lid, a party mug, two lip rings, two resealable lids

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$40.41
$40.61
$33.97 at Amazon
$29.49 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
2.8

Protein Shake

6.0
3.9
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.
The Magic Bullet Protein Shake Video
A batch of protein shake packed with dried blueberries, oatmeal, and almonds prepared by the Magic Bullet Personal Blender is checked for smoothness by being drained through a stainless steel mesh strainer, with a smartphone displaying the total blending time (2 minutes and 11 seconds) next to it.
Scooping a spoon of solid chunks including dried blueberries and almonds that the Magic Bullet 11-Piece personal blender was unable to pulverize in the test of preparing protein shake from a stainless steel mesh strainer.
Blending Time
1 mins 50 secs
2 mins 12 secs
Result
Very Coarse
Very 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.
The Magic Bullet Frozen Fruits Smoothie Video
After finishing blending, the fruity smoothie made by the Magic Bullet MBR 1101 personal blender is spread throughout a white paper with a smartphone displaying the total blending time (2 minutes) next to it.
A spoon of fruity smoothie packed with blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and mango made by the Magic Bullet Personal Blender.
Blending Time
1 min 50 seconds
2 minutes
Result
Silky Smooth
Failed
Suction

Fibrous Greens

4.0
6.0
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.
The Magic Bullet Fibrous Greens Video
A glass of water combined with fibrous greens pulp produced by the Magic Bullet Single-Serve Blender.
A glass of water with fibrous green pulp produced by the Nutribullet Pro 900-watt Personal Blender sinking from its top to bottom.
Blending Time
20 seconds
20 seconds
Result
Very Coarse
Coarse

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.
The Magic Bullet Crushed Ice Cubes Video
A black tray of crushed ice produced by the Magic Bullet Single-Serve Blender being on a table.
The amount of unblended ice cubes (4.98 oz) of the Magic Bullet single-serve blender displayed on a scale’s screen.
Ice Fineness
Coarse
Chunky
Unblended Ice
73.5% of 6 oz
83% of 6 oz

Design

Overall Design Scoring
7.7
7.5

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.
Our Magic Bullet Blender Small Silver 11-Piece Set includes a motor base, a to-go lid, three blending cups, a party mug, two lip rings, two resealable lids, a paper carton box, and a user & recipe book guide.

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 Magic Bullet Smoothie Maker personal blender standing on a gray table, with the length of its motor base being noted to the side as 6.8 inches, and the total length and width of the unit as 12 inches and 4.5 inches, respectively.
Height
13.6" (34.5 cm)
12.0" (30.5 cm)
Width
5.0" (12.7 cm)
4.5" (11.4 cm)
Weight
2.5 lbs (1.1 kg)
2.0 lbs (0.9 kg)
Length
Shaft Length

Build Quality

7.5
7.0
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 of the Magic Bullet 11-piece personal blender lying flat on a gray table.

Blades

6.0
6.5
A close-up of the blade assembly sporting 4 stainless steel prongs of the iCucina blender
A close-up of the blade assembly sporting 4 stainless steel prongs of the Magic Bullet 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 Magic Bullet motor base standing on a gray table.
The Magic Bullet motor base standing on a gray table.
A close-up of the underside of the Magic Bullet motor base.
A close-up of the Magic Bullet motor base.
Rated Voltage
120 V
120
Rated Power
300 Watts
250
Working Time
≤ 1 minute
≤ 1 minute
Protection
No
Yes
Weight
2.0 lbs (0.9 kg)
1.6 oz (45 g)
Cord Length
NaN" (NaN cm)
2.2" (5.6 cm)
Extra Feature
Silicon feet, a cooling fan
Silicon feet

Blending Cup

10
10
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.
Three blending cups on a table, with dimension measurements written to the side. The first cup is measured 3.5x4x2.8 inches, second cup is 3.5x6.5x2.8 inches, third cup is 3.5x5.6x2.5 inches.
Three blending cups on a table, with dimension measurements written to the side. The first cup is measured 3.5x4x2.8 inches, second cup is 3.5x6.5x2.8 inches, third cup is 3.5x5.6x2.5 inches.
The blending cup of the Magic Bullet personal blender standing on a table with dimension measurements written to the side (3.5x6.5x2.8 inches).
The blending cup of the Magic Bullet personal blender standing on a table with dimension measurements written to the side (3.5x5.6x2.5 inches).
The blending cup of the Magic Bullet personal blender standing on a table with dimension measurements written to the side (3.5x4x2.8 inches).
Material
Plastic
Plastic
Capacity
28.0 fl oz (828.1 ml)
12-,16-, and 22-oz
Weight
0.4 oz (11 g)
0.18-, 0.33-, and 0.25-pound
Dishwasher Safe
Yes
Yes
Measurement
Yes
No
Suitable For
Small and Medium batches
Small and medium batches
Accessories
To-go lids
2 lid rings, 3 lids

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 Magic Bullet personal blender with the noise meter (97.8 dB).
Activation
Button
Push
Min Speed
N/A
N/A
Max Speed
19,814 RPM
22,215 RPM
Presets
No
No
Noise Level
97 dB
97 dB
Digital Display
No
No
Pulse Mode
No
No

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
9.3
6.9

Hands-Free Operation

10
5.8

Assembly

8.0
10

Cleanability

8.5
7.0