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Ninja Compact Kitchen System Blender (AMZ493BRN) vs Black and Decker 10-Speed Blender Side-by-Side Comparison

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Ninja Compact Kitchen System Blender (AMZ493BRN)

$159.99 from Amazon

Black and Decker 10-Speed Blender

$35.95 from Amazon
Ninja Compact Kitchen System Blender (AMZ493BRN) vs Black and Decker 10-Speed Blender

Overall Verdict

In our tests, neither the Ninja AMZ493BRN nor the Black+Decker Crush Master proved to be the ultimate all-purpose blender. However, if a choice must be made, the Ninja AMZ493BRN slightly edges out its competitor in terms of both performance and build quality. Equipped with a higher-powered 1200-watt motor, more robust construction, and a set of additional accessories, this blender ensures greater efficiency, particularly in heavy-duty tasks like ice crushing and frozen fruits blending.

The Black+Decker Crush Master’s 550-watt motor is only suited for simpler concoctions. Nonetheless, its simplicity and compactness make it a proper fit for small kitchens or for individuals who value straightforward functionality over a wide range of features.

Ranking by
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Pros & Cons

  • The blender's robust build promises a stable and reliable performance.
  • It excels at crushing ice, making it an ideal choice for preparing chilled beverages.
  • The provided set of accessories enhances the blender's versatility, allowing it to accommodate a wider range of tasks.
  • The user-friendly control panel makes operation simple and straightforward.
  • Removal blade assembly for thorough cleaning 
  • Priced affordably, while still providing sufficient power for basic tasks
  • Compact and portable footprint
  • It struggles with even simple tasks like making green smoothies, frozen fruit smoothies, and nut butter.
  • The containers are prone to scratches
  • Difficulty in removing the lid 
  • Stiff control buttons 
  • Noticeable smell of burning plastic

Key Specs

Dimensions
H17.25 x L6.9 x W7.9 inches
H15.8 x L8.3 x W6.3 inches
Weight
9.0 lbs (4.1 kg)
6.7 lbs (3.0 kg)
Capacity
72 oz
48 oz
Motor Power
1200 wattages
550 watts
Various Speed Settings
No
Yes
Pulse Mode
Yes
Yes

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$143.93
$33.47
$159.99 at Amazon
$35.95 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
6.3
6.4

Smoothie

3.9
7.8
Ninja Compact Kitchen System Blender Smoothie Video
The AMZ493BRN blender’s motor base and its container stand on a table, accompanied by a glass filled with a green smoothie. Next to it, a white paper features three distinct smoothie samples while a smartphone showcases the blending time of 4 minutes.
A white paper displays three smoothie samples, showcasing the consistency of the Ninja AMZ493BRN smoothies blended for 2 minutes and 30 seconds, 3 minutes, 3 minutes and 30 seconds, and 4 minutes.
Black and Decker 10 Speed Blender Smoothie Video
The Black+Decker Crush Master blender motor base and its container stand on a table, accompanied by a glass filled with a green smoothie. Next to it, a white paper features three distinct smoothie samples while a smartphone showcases the blending time of 4 minutes.
A white paper displays three smoothie samples, showcasing the consistency of the Black+Decker smoothies blended for 2 minutes 30 seconds, three minutes, 3 minute 30 seconds, and four minutes.
Blending Time
3 mins
3 mins 30 seconds
Result
Chunky
Silky Smooth

Frozen Fruit Smoothie

6.3
4.5
Ninja Compact Kitchen System Blender Frozen Smoothie Video
The Ninja AMZ493BRN motor base stands beside a glass bowl containing a portion of blended smoothie. Next to it, a smartphone displays a blending time of 4 minutes and 10 seconds.
A sample of frozen fruit smoothie created with the Ninja AMZ493BRN blender, spread on white paper.
Black and Decker 10 Speed Blender Frozen Smoothie Video
The Black+Decker Crush Master motor base stands beside a glass bowl which contains a portion of the smoothie it produced. Next to it, a smartphone displays a blending time of 5 minutes.
A sample of frozen fruit smoothie created with the Black+Decker Crush Master blender, spread on white paper.
Blending Time
4 mins 10 seconds
5 mins
Result
Smooth
Chunky
Suction

Protein Shake

7.8
8.2
Ninja Compact Kitchen System Blender Protein Shakes Video
The Ninja AMZ493BRN blender motor base stands beside the container. Next to it, a protein shake has been strained through a metal mesh strainer while a smartphone displays a blending time of 3 minutes 40 seconds.
A mesh strainer filters a protein shake made by the Ninja AMZ493BRN, retaining the unblended solids that fail to pass through.
Black and Decker 10 Speed Blender Protein Shakes Video
The Black+Decker Crush Master motor base stands beside the container. Next to it, a protein shake has been strained through a metal mesh strainer while a smartphone displays a blending time of 2 minutes 30 seconds.
A mesh strainer filters a protein shake made by the Black+Decker Crush Master, retaining the unblended solids that fail to pass through.
Blending Time
3 mins 40 seconds
2 mins 30 seconds
Result
Smooth
Slightly smooth

Almond Butter

7.3
7.8
Ninja Compact Kitchen System Blender Almond Butter Video
The Ninja AMZ493BRN is beside a white plate containing almond butter with a spatula, blend assembly, and a smartphone revealing a blending time of 6 minutes.
A sample of almond butter created with the Ninja AMZ493BRN blender, spread on white paper.
Black and Decker 10 Speed Blender Almond Butter Video
The Black+Decker Crush Master is beside a white plate containing almond butter with a spatula and a smartphone revealing a blending time of 3 minutes and a half.
A sample of almond butter created with the Black+Decker Crush Master blender, spread on white paper.
Blending Time
6 mins
3 mins 30 seconds
Result
Smooth
Smooth

Crushed Ice

10
0.0
Ninja Compact Kitchen System Blender Crushed Ice Video
The Ninja AMZ493BRN blender is beside a black tray containing ice it crushed.
Black and Decker 10 Speed Blender Crush Ice Video
The BLACK+DECKER blender is beside a black tray containing its crushed ice.
The BLACK+DECKER blender is beside a black tray containing its crushed ice.
Ice Fineness
Very Fine
Coarse
Unblended Ice
0% of 12 oz
79% of 12 oz

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.3
6.3

In the Box

A display of the Ninja Compact Kitchen System Blender and its accessories, including the 40-ounce processor bowl, dough blade assembly, pro extractor blades assembly, 18-ounce single serve cup, user manual, and carton box, on a table.
The Ninja AMZ493BRN Unboxing
A display of theBlack+Decker Crush Master blender and its packaging box on a table.
Unboxing theBlack+Decker Crush MasterBlender

Dimensions

Illustrated dimensions of the Ninja AMZ493BRN blender showing the height, length, and width in inches
Illustrated dimensions of the Black+Decker Crush Master showing the height, length, and width in inches.
Height
17.3" (43.8 cm)
15.8" (40.1 cm)
Width
7.9" (20.1 cm)
6.3" (16.0 cm)
Weight
9.0 lbs (4.1 kg)
6.7 lbs (3.0 kg)
Length
6.9" (17.5 cm)
8.3" (21.0 cm)
Shaft Length

Build Quality

9.0
6.0
A closeup of the NinjaAMZ493BRN blender motor base and container
The Ninja AMZ493BRN Motor Base and Container
A closeup of the Black+Decker Crush Master blender’s motor base and container
The Black+Decker Crush Master Motor Base and Container

Blades

6.0
7.0
A close-up of the Ninja AMZ493BRN’s blade assemblies
The Ninja AMZ493BRN’s Stackable Blade Assemblies
A close-up of the Ninja AMZ493BRN’s blade assemblies
A close-up of the Ninja AMZ493BRN’s blade assembly.
A close-up of the Black+Decker blender’s blade assembly
The Black+Decker Blade Assembly
A close-up of the Black+Decker blender’s blade assembly
A close-up of the Black+Decker blender’s blade assembly
Material
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel
Type
Cross and Stacked
Cross
Guard Material
Blade Count
(1) 6 sharp stacked blades, (2) 4 sharp stacked blades, (3) 3 dull stacked blades, (4) 4 sharp cross blade
4 sharp blades
Removable
Yes
Yes
Dishwasher Safe
Yes
Yes

Motor Base

A close-up of the Ninja AMZ493BRN blender’s motor
A close-up of the Ninja AMZ493BRN blender’s motor
A close-up of the underside of the Ninja AMZ493BRN blender’s motor base
A close-up of the Black+Decker blender’s motor base
The Black+Decker Motor Base
A close-up of the Black+Decker blender’s motor base
A close-up of the underside of the Black+Decker blender’s motor base
Rated Voltage
120 Volts
120 Volts
Rated Power
1200 Wattages
550 Wattages
Working Time
N/A
N/A
Protection
Yes
No
Weight
5.5 pounds
2.5 pounds
Cord Length
3.0 ft (0.9 m)
NaN ft (NaN m)
Extra Feature

Blending Container

Illustrated dimensions of the Ninja AMZ493BRN containers showing the height and diameter in inches.
Illustrated dimensions of the Ninja AMZ493BRN containers showing the height and diameter in inches.
Illustrated dimensions of the Ninja AMZ493BRN 72-ounce containers showing the height and diameter in inches.
Illustrated dimensions of the Ninja AMZ493BRN 40-ounce processor bowl showing the height and diameter in inches.
Illustrated dimensions of the Ninja AMZ493BRN 18-ounce single-serve cup showing the height and diameter in inches.
Illustrated dimensions of the Black+Decker Crush Master showing the height, depth, and width in inches
Black and Decker 10-Speed Blender Blending Container
Illustrated dimensions of the Black+Decker Crush Master showing the height, depth, and width in inches
The blending container, blade assembly, lid, and lid-plug of the Black+Decker Crush Master blender on a table.
Material
Plastic
Glass
Capacity
72 oz, 40 oz, and 18 oz
48 oz
Weight
2.5 lbs, 1.9 lbs, 0.6 lb
3,5 pounds
Dishwasher Safe
Yes
Yes
Measurement
Yes
Yes
Suitable For
Small to large batches
Small to medium batches

Lid

A close-up of the Ninja AMZ493BRN’s lid
The 72-Ounce Container’s Lid
A close-up of the Ninja AMZ493BRN’s lid
A close-up of the Ninja AMZ493BRN’s lid
A close-up of the Black+Decker two-part lid
The Black+Decker Two-Part Lid
Material
Plastic
 Plastic
Closing Type
Lock Mechanism
Friction
Features
Pouring Spout with Cap
Lid-plug

Control Panel

9.5
6.0
A close-up of the Ninja AMZ493BRN’s control panel
The Ninja AMZ493BRN’s Control Panel
A close-up of the Ninja AMZ493BRN’s control panel
The Ninja AMZ493BRN motor base on a table with a hand pressing a digital tachometer on a tripod. Different blenders are in the background.
The Ninja AMZ493BRN motor base on a table with a hand pressing a digital tachometer on a tripod. Different blenders are in the background.
A close-up of the Black+Decker control panel
The Black+Decker Control Panel
A close-up of the Black+Decker control panel
the Black+Decker blender motor base on table, hand pressing digital tachometer attached to tripod, different blenders in background.
the Black+Decker blender motor base on table, hand pressing digital tachometer attached to tripod, different blenders in background.
Activation
Press-button
Press-button
Min Speed
15,157 RPM
13,003 RPM
Max Speed
19,230 RPM
18,373 RPM
Presets
Yes
No
Digital Display
Yes
No
Built-in Timer
Yes
No
Pulse Mode
Yes
Yes

Extra Accessory

Material
N/A
N/A
Dishwasher Safe
N/A
N/A
Removable
N/A
N/A

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
6.6
7.0

Ease of Blend

6.0
7.0

Noise Level

7.3
6.5
The Ninja Compact Kitchen System Blender is on a table, accompanied by a sound level meter displaying its recorded noise level. In the background, other blenders that we tested sit on a nearby shelf.
The Black+Decker blender is on a table, accompanied by a sound level meter displaying its noise level nearby. In the background, other blenders that we tested sit on a nearby shelf.
Max Level
98.6 dB
102.5 dB

Assembly

7.5
6.0

Cleanability

6.5
8.0