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Ninja Compact Kitchen System Blender (AMZ493BRN) vs Cuisinart SmartPower Blender Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Published

Ninja Compact Kitchen System Blender (AMZ493BRN)

$159.99 from Amazon

Cuisinart SmartPower Blender

$79.85 from Amazon
Ninja Compact Kitchen System Blender (AMZ493BRN) vs Cuisinart SmartPower Blender

Overall Verdict

Both the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower and the Ninja AMZ493BRN bring their unique qualities to the table, but it's the Ninja that takes a slight lead. 

Equipped with a 500-watt motor, the Cuisinart performs adequately in making protein shakes but struggles with more demanding processes such as blending leafy greens or crushing ice.

The Ninja AMZ493BRN, boasting a more robust 1200-watt motor, offers a moderate improvement over the Cuisinart. This enhanced power enables it to handle a wider range of ingredients more effectively than the Cuisinart, though its overall performance remains average and is not without shortcomings.

Design and build quality also distinguish these two models. The Cuisinart, prone to scratches and made with lower-grade materials, contrasts with the Ninja's more robust construction.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

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.
  • Compact size, suitable for most kitchens.
  • Glass blending container can withstand high-heat blending tasks. 
  • Detachable blade assembly for thorough cleaning.
  • Good for preparing protein shakes.
  • It struggles with even simple tasks like making green smoothies, frozen fruit smoothies, and nut butter.
  • The containers are prone to scratches
  • The lid is tricky to remove.
  • Stiff buttons reduce responsiveness. 
  • Blade assembly housing lacks firmness.

Key Specs

Dimensions
H17.25 x L6.9 x W7.9 inches
H14.6 x L8.3 x W6.7 inches
Weight
9.0 lbs (4.1 kg)
6.7 lbs (3.0 kg)
Capacity
72 oz
40 oz
Motor Power
1200 wattages
500 wattages
Various Speed Settings
No
Yes
Pulse Mode
Yes
Yes

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$143.93
$70.55
$159.99 at Amazon
$79.85 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
3.7

Smoothie

3.9
6.8
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.
Cuisinart SmartPower Blender Smoothie Video
The Cuisinart SmartPower 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 Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower smoothies blended for three minutes, 3 minute 30 seconds, and four minutes.
Blending Time
3 mins
4 mins
Result
Chunky
Smooth

Frozen Fruit Smoothie

6.3
0.0
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.
Cuisinart SmartPower Blender Frozen Smoothie Video
The Cuisinart SmartPower 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 Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender, spread on white paper.
Blending Time
4 mins 10 seconds
5 mins
Result
Smooth
Failed
Suction

Protein Shake

7.8
9.0
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.
Cuisinart SmartPower Blender Protein Shake Video
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower 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.
A mesh strainer filters a protein shake made by the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower, retaining the unblended solids that fail to pass through.
Blending Time
3 mins 40 seconds
2 mins
Result
Smooth
Smooth

Almond Butter

7.3
0.0
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.
Cuisinart SmartPower Blender Almond Butter Video
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower is beside a white plate containing almond butter with a spatula and a smartphone revealing a blending time of 4 minutes.
A sample of almond butter created with the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender is beside a smartphone and the blender’s motor.
Blending Time
6 mins
4 mins
Result
Smooth
coarse

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.
Cuisinart SmartPower Blender Ice Video
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender is beside a black tray containing its crushed ice.
The scale's screen shows 8.17 oz of uncrushed ice cubes remaining from the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender.
Ice Fineness
Very Fine
Coarse
Unblended Ice
0% of 12 oz
68% of 12 oz

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.3
6.0

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 the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender and its packaging box on a table.
Unboxing the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender

Dimensions

Illustrated dimensions of the Ninja AMZ493BRN blender showing the height, length, and width in inches
Illustrated dimensions of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower showing the height, length, and width in inches.
Height
17.3" (43.8 cm)
14.6" (37.1 cm)
Width
7.9" (20.1 cm)
6.7" (17.0 cm)
Weight
9.0 lbs (4.1 kg)
6.7 lbs (3.0 kg)
Length
6.9" (17.5 cm)
8.3" (21.1 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 Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender’s motor base and container
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower Motor Base and Container

Blades

6.0
6.5
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 Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blade assembly
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blade assembly
Cuisinart SmartPower Blender Blades 1
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 Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower motor base
Cuisinart SmartPower Blender Motor Base
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower motor base
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower motor base
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower motor base’s underside
Rated Voltage
120 Volts
120 Volts
Rated Power
1200 Wattages
500 Wattages
Working Time
N/A
N/A
Protection
Yes
No
Weight
5.5 pounds
3.0 pounds
Cord Length
3.0 ft (0.9 m)
3.8 feet
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 Cuisinart SmartPower Blender Blending Container showing the height, depth, and width across in inches
Material
Plastic
Glass
Capacity
72 oz, 40 oz, and 18 oz
40 oz
Weight
2.5 lbs, 1.9 lbs, 0.6 lb
3.6 pound
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 Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower two-part lid
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower two-part lid
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower two-part lid
Material
Plastic
Plastic
Closing Type
Lock Mechanism
Friction
Features
Pouring Spout with Cap
Lid-plug

Control Panel

9.5
5.5
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 Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower control panel
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower Control Panel
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower control panel
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender motor base on table, hand pressing digital tachometer attached to tripod, different blenders in background.
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower 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
14,000 RPM
Max Speed
19,230 RPM
21,346 RPM
Presets
Yes
Yes
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
7.1

Ease of Blend

6.0
6.0

Noise Level

7.3
6.2
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 Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender motor base on table, hand pressing digital tachometer attached to tripod, different blenders in background.
Max Level
98.6 dB
104 dB

Assembly

7.5
8.0

Cleanability

6.5
9.0