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Ninja Compact Kitchen System Blender (AMZ493BRN) vs Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender Side-by-Side Comparison

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Ninja Compact Kitchen System Blender (AMZ493BRN)

Check Price on Amazon

Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender

$44.99 from Amazon
Ninja Compact Kitchen System Blender (AMZ493BRN) vs Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender

Overall Verdict

The Hamilton Beach shows earnest effort but lacks finesse. In our tests, it did a fair job with simple blends but was easily overwhelmed when pushed beyond basic smoothies and shakes. Its 700-watt motor struggled dramatically with challenging ingredients like fibrous greens, frozen fruits, almond butter, and ice cubes. The lower price tag also reflects a compromise in quality; the blender's container is prone to scratches, and the overall construction doesn't inspire confidence in its longevity.

The Ninja, on the other hand, steps up slightly in efficiency. It can manage a broader range of tasks, from crushing ice to blending smoother mixtures, yet it's still far from the powerhouse blender one might desire for perfect quality blends. Its sturdier build and additional accessories give it an edge, though it's more about managing expectations than exceeding them.

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.
  • Moderate nut and dried berry blending
  • Ease of clean
  • It struggles with even simple tasks like making green smoothies, frozen fruit smoothies, and nut butter.
  • The containers are prone to scratches
  • Inability to process greens and frozen ingredients
  • Subpar build quality 
  • Hard-to-remove lid 
  • Unintuitive control panel

Key Specs

Dimensions
H17.25 x L6.9 x W7.9 inches
H14.5 x L6 x W8 inches
Weight
9.0 lbs (4.1 kg)
6.6 lbs (3.0 kg)
Capacity
72 oz
40 oz
Motor Power
1200 wattages
700 wattages
Various Speed Settings
No
Yes
Pulse Mode
Yes
Yes

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$143.93
$45.53
Check Price on Amazon
$44.99 at Amazon

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
6.3
1.0

Smoothie

3.9
0.0
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.
Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender Green Smoothie Video
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender motor base and its container filled with apple, banana, and kale, stand on a table. Next to it, a smartphone showcases the blending time of 4 minutes.
Blending Time
3 mins
4 mins
Result
Chunky
Failed

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.
Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender Frozen Smoothie Video
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher 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 Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender, spread on white paper.
Blending Time
4 mins 10 seconds
5 mins
Result
Smooth
Failed
Suction

Protein Shake

7.8
6.7
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.
Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender Protein Shakes Video
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher 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 4 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
4 mins 30 seconds
Result
Smooth
Coarse

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.
Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender Almond Butter Video
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher is beside a white plate containing almond with a spatula and a smartphone revealing a blending time of 4 minutes.
A sample of ground almond created with the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender.
Blending Time
6 mins
4 mins
Result
Smooth
Failed

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.
Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender Crushed Ice Video
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender is beside a black tray containing its crushed ice.
The scale's screen shows 9.48 oz of uncrushed ice cubes remaining from the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender.
Ice Fineness
Very Fine
Failed
Unblended Ice
0% of 12 oz
79% of 12 oz

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.3
4.7

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 Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender, along with the user manual and carton box, arranged on a table.
Unboxing the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender

Dimensions

Illustrated dimensions of the Ninja AMZ493BRN blender showing the height, length, and width in inches
Illustrated dimensions of the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender blender showing the height, length, and width in inches.
Height
17.3" (43.8 cm)
14.5" (36.8 cm)
Width
7.9" (20.1 cm)
8.0" (20.3 cm)
Weight
9.0 lbs (4.1 kg)
6.6 lbs (3.0 kg)
Length
6.9" (17.5 cm)
6.0" (15.2 cm)
Shaft Length

Build Quality

9.0
5.0
A closeup of the NinjaAMZ493BRN blender motor base and container
The Ninja AMZ493BRN Motor Base and Container
A closeup of the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender blender’s motor base and container.
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender Motor Base and Container

Blades

6.0
4.5
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 Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender’s blade assembly
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Assembly
A close-up of the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender’s blade assembly
A close-up of the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender’s blade assembly
Material
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel
Type
Cross and Stacked
Stacked
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 Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender’s motor base
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Motor Base
A close-up of the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender’s motor base
A close-up of the underside of the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender’s motor base
Rated Voltage
120 Volts
120 Volts
Rated Power
1200 Wattages
700 Wattages
Working Time
N/A
N/A
Protection
Yes
No
Weight
5.5 pounds
3 pounds
Cord Length
3.0 ft (0.9 m)
2.2 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 the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher showing the height, depth, and width 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
3.5 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 Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher two-part lid
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Two-Part Lid
Material
Plastic
Plastic
Closing Type
Lock Mechanism
Friction
Features
Pouring Spout with Cap
Slot

Control Panel

9.5
4.0
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 Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender control panel
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender Control Panel
A close-up of the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender control panel
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender motor base on table, hand pressing digital tachometer attached to tripod, different blenders in background.
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher 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
16,103 RPM
Max Speed
19,230 RPM
19,966 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
6.5

Ease of Blend

6.0
5.0

Noise Level

7.3
7.7
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 hamilton beach wave crusher blender 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.
Max Level
98.6 dB
96.3 dB

Assembly

7.5
6.5

Cleanability

6.5
8.0