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Ninja Compact Kitchen System Blender (AMZ493BRN) vs Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto-iQ (BN701) Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Published

Ninja Compact Kitchen System Blender (AMZ493BRN)

$129.99 from Amazon

Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto-iQ (BN701)

$87.94 from Amazon
Ninja Compact Kitchen System Blender (AMZ493BRN) vs Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto-iQ (BN701)

Overall Verdict

Despite the difference in motor power,  the Ninja AMZ493BRN and BN701 Professional Plus are closely matched in terms of performance. They both can crush ice with ease yet fall short in liquifying fibrous green and blending frozen fruits. In tasks like making nut butter and preparing protein shakes, they perform reasonably well, though not flawlessly. 

This parallel in performance, however, diverges when considering build quality. We found the BN701's container is prone to scratches, and more notably, its motor began emitting a high-pitched whine, suggestive of wear or internal malfunction, after just a few uses. In contrast, the AMZ493BRN maintains consistent operation throughout extended testing. A wider range of accessories also give it an edge in terms of versatility over the BN701.

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.
  • Modern aesthetic design
  • Intuitive interface
  • Great for ice and nuts
  • It struggles with even simple tasks like making green smoothies, frozen fruit smoothies, and nut butter.
  • The containers are prone to scratches
  • Green smoothies a challenge
  • Subpar build quality

Key Specs

Dimensions
H17.25 x L6.9 x W7.9 inches
H17 x L6.6 x W9.3 inches
Weight
9.0 lbs (4.1 kg)
8.0 lbs (3.6 kg)
Capacity
72 oz
72 oz
Motor Power
1200 wattages
1400 watts
Various Speed Settings
No
Yes
Pulse Mode
Yes
Yes

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$143.93
$100.38
$129.99 at Amazon
$87.94 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
6.6

Smoothie

3.9
4.6
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.
Ninja Professional Plus Blender BN701 Smoothie Video
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus 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 BN701 Professional Plus Blender smoothies blended for 2 minutes and 30 seconds, 3 minutes, 3 minutes and 30 seconds, and 4 minutes.
Blending Time
3 mins
3 mins
Result
Chunky
Chunky

Frozen Fruit Smoothie

6.3
6.5
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.
Ninja Professional Plus Blender BN701 Frozen Smoothie Video
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender 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 3 minutes and 59 seconds.
A sample of frozen fruit smoothie created with the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender, spread on white paper.
Blending Time
4 mins 10 seconds
4 mins
Result
Smooth
Silky Smooth
Suction

Protein Shake

7.8
7.6
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.
Ninja Professional Plus Blender BN701 Protein Shakes Video
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus 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 49 seconds.
A mesh strainer filters a protein shake made by theNinja BN701 Professional Plus, retaining the unblended solids that fail to pass through.
Blending Time
3 mins 40 seconds
4 mins
Result
Smooth
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.
Ninja Professional Plus Blender BN701 Almond Butter Video
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus is beside a white plate containing almond butter with a spatula, blend assembly, and a smartphone revealing a blending time of 5 minutes.
A sample of almond butter created with the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender, spread on white paper.
Blending Time
6 mins
5 mins
Result
Smooth
Smooth

Crushed Ice

10
10
Ninja Compact Kitchen System Blender Crushed Ice Video
The Ninja AMZ493BRN blender is beside a black tray containing ice it crushed.
Ninja Professional Plus Blender BN701 Crushed Ice Video
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender is beside a black tray containing its crushed ice.
Ice Fineness
Very Fine
Very Fine
Unblended Ice
0% of 12 oz
0% of 12 oz

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.3
6.1

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 Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender blender and its accessories, including the user manual and a carton box, on a table.
Unboxing the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender

Dimensions

Illustrated dimensions of the Ninja AMZ493BRN blender showing the height, length, and width in inches
Illustrated dimensions of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender showing the height, length, and width in inches
Height
17.3" (43.8 cm)
17.0" (43.2 cm)
Width
7.9" (20.1 cm)
9.3" (23.6 cm)
Weight
9.0 lbs (4.1 kg)
8.0 lbs (3.6 kg)
Length
6.9" (17.5 cm)
6.6" (16.8 cm)
Shaft Length

Build Quality

9.0
5.5
A closeup of the NinjaAMZ493BRN blender motor base and container
The Ninja AMZ493BRN Motor Base and Container
A closeup of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender motor base and container
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender Motor Base and Container

Blades

6.0
6.0
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 closeup of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender stacked blade assembly
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender Stacked Blade Assembly
A closeup of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender stacked blade assembly
A closeup of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender stacked blade assembly
A closeup of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s container, stacked blade assembly, and lid.
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
6 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 Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s motor
A close-up of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s motor
A close-up of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s motor
A close-up of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s motor
Rated Voltage
120 Volts
120 Volts
Rated Power
1200 Wattages
1400 Wattages
Working Time
N/A
N/A
Protection
Yes
Yes
Weight
5.5 pounds
5.3 pounds
Cord Length
3.0 ft (0.9 m)
2.8 ft (0.9 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 Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender container showing the height and diameter in inches.
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender’s Container
Material
Plastic
Plastic
Capacity
72 oz, 40 oz, and 18 oz
72 oz
Weight
2.5 lbs, 1.9 lbs, 0.6 lb
2.7 pounds
Dishwasher Safe
Yes
Yes
Measurement
Yes
Yes
Suitable For
Small to large batches
Large 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 Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s lid
A close-up of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s lid
A close-up of the damage caused by blade assembly misalignment
Material
Plastic
Plastic
Closing Type
Lock Mechanism
Lock Mechanism
Features
Pouring Spout with Cap
Pouring Spout with Cap

Control Panel

9.5
8.5
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 Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s control panel
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender’s Control Panel
A close-up of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s control panel
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Min Speed
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Max Speed
Activation
Press-button
Touch button
Min Speed
15,157 RPM
4,269 RPM
Max Speed
19,230 RPM
5,101 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
6.7

Ease of Blend

6.0
6.0

Noise Level

7.3
7.1
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 Ninja BN701 Professional Plus 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 Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender in Our Noise Level Test
Max Level
98.6 dB
99.3 dB

Assembly

7.5
8.5

Cleanability

6.5
6.5