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Ninja Nutri Pro Compact (BN401) vs. Hamilton Beach 51101AV Personal Blender Side-by-Side Comparison

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Ninja Nutri Pro Compact (BN401) vs. Hamilton Beach 51101AV Personal Blender

Overall Verdict

The Ninja BN401 Nutri Pro and the Hamilton Beach are two vastly different blenders with distinct advantages and disadvantages. 

The Hamilton Beach blender impressed us with its simplistic design and budget-friendly price point. However, upon closer inspection, its low-powered motor of just 175 watts proved to be woefully insufficient in handling tough ingredients like grains, frozen foods, raw nuts, and dried fruits. This makes it the only blender that failed to pass any of our tests. Its overall build quality is compromised in exchange for its low cost, as well. 

In contrast to the Hamilton Beach, the Ninja BN401 Nutri Pro delivers outstanding performance and consistent results across the board. It performed exceptionally well, fully blending even ice cubes in just a matter of seconds. Furthermore, the Ninja BN401 Nutri Pro is equipped with more advanced features, including the two Auto-iQ presets, making it a more convenient option for those who prioritize ease of use.

Overall, for those seeking high-quality blending and heavy-duty performance, the Nutri Ninja BN401 is the clear choice.

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Pros & Cons

  • This blender is an all-arounder that works without a fuss. 
  • Nearly all of its capability is outstanding—it’s very well equipped to crush ice and make smoothies. 
  • The 1000-watt motor provides heavy-duty blending performance. 
  • Smart preset programs are designed to deliver excellent consistency. 
  • There are solid design details throughout the blender.
  • Inexpensive and easy to use with one-touch blending. 
  • Blending cup features measuring lines. 
  • Compact design makes it perfect for use in small spaces. 
  • It is adequate for light blending performance.
  • The motor base is roughly the same size as a standard full-sized blender. 
  • It’s relatively noisy.
  • The low-powered motor limits its capabilities. 
  • Poorly-built quality impairs the machine’s overall performance and durability. 
  • It works inconsistently 
  • The blades are too short, which affects the blending time and final results.

Key Specs

Dimension
H14.2 x W6.4 inches
H12 x W3.8 inches
Weight
5.4 lbs (2.4 kg)
1.7 lbs (0.8 kg)
Number of speeds
4
1
Pulse/Turbo option
Yes
No
Dishwasher-safe wand
Yes
Yes
Accessories
An extra blending cup, two spout lids
A to-go lid

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$84.93
$20.48

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
9.4
1.4

Protein Shake

8.8
3.4
Ninja BN401 Personal Blender Protein Shake Test
A batch of protein shake prepared by the Ninja BN401 Nutri Pro Single-Serve Blender is checked for smoothness by being drained through a stainless steel mesh strainer, with a smartphone displaying the total blending time (1 minute) next to it.
Using a spoon to scoop a small smattering of dried blueberry chunks from a mesh strainer containing protein shake produced the Ninja BN401 Nutri Pro Blender.
Hamilton Beach 51101AV Protein Shake Video
A batch of protein shake prepared by the Hamilton Beach Single-Serve Blender is checked for smoothness by being drained through a stainless steel mesh strainer, with a smartphone displaying the total blending time (3 minutes and 45 seconds) next to it.
Using a spoon to scoop a small smattering of dried blueberry chunks from a mesh strainer containing protein shake produced the Hamilton Beach blender.
Blending Time
1 min 01 sec
3 mins 46 secs
Result
Slightly Smooth
Coarse

Frozen Fruit Smoothie

10
0.0
Ninja BN401 Personal Blender Frozen Fruit Smoothie Test
A spoon of fruity smoothie packed with blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and mango made by theNinja BN401 Nutri Pro blender with a smartphone displaying the total blending time ( 59 seconds) next to it.
To check for solid chunks, after finishing blending, the fruity smoothie made by the Ninja BN401 Nutri Pro personal blender is spread throughout a white paper.
Hamilton Beach 51101AV Frozen Fruit Smoothie Video
To check for solid chunks, after finishing blending, the fruity smoothie made by the Hamilton Beach portable blender is spread throughout a white paper.
A spoon of fruity smoothie packed with blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and mango made by the Hamilton Beach small blender.
Blending Time
1 min
2 mins
Result
Silky Smooth
Failed
Suction

Fibrous Greens

9.5
0.0
Ninja BN401 Personal Blender Fibrous Greens Test
A glass of water and fibrous greens pulp produced by the Ninja BN401 Nutri Pro Single-Serve Blender.
A glass of water with fibrous green pulp produced by the Ninja BN401 Nutri Pro Personal Blender sinking from its top to bottom.
Hamilton Beach 51101AV Fibrous Greens Video
A glass of water with fibrous greens pulp produced by the Hamilton Beach Single-Serve Blender.
Blending Time
20 seconds
20 seconds
Result
Very Fine
Failed

Crushed Ice Cubes

10
0.0
Ninja BN401 Personal Blender Crushed Ice Test
A black tray of crushed ice produced by the Ninja BN401 Nutri Pro Personal Blender being on a table.
Hamilton Beach 51101AV Crushed Ice Video
A black tray of crushed ice produced by the Hamilton Beach Blender being on a table.
The amount of unblended ice cubes (4.48 oz) of the Hamilton Beach single-serve blender displayed on a scale’s screen.
Ice Fineness
Very Fine
Faild
Unblended Ice
0% of 6 oz
75% of 6 oz

Design

Overall Design Scoring
9.6
5.0

In the Box

The Ninja BN401 Nutri Pro personal blender lying on a white table with the accessories by its side, including a blending cup with lid, a spout lid, a paper carton box, a recipe book, and owner’s manuals.
The Hamilton Beach personal blender lying on a table with a paper carton box and user guide by its sides.

Dimensions

The Ninja BN401 Nutri Pro personal blender standing on a gray table, with the length of its motor base being noted to the side as 8 inches, and the total length and width of the unit as 14.2 inches and 6.4 inches, respectively.
The Hamilton Beach 51101AV Personal Blender standing on a gray table, with the length of its motor base being noted to the side as 5.8 inches, and the total length and width of the unit as 12 inches and 3.8 inches, respectively.
Height
14.2" (36.1 cm)
12.0" (30.5 cm)
Width
6.4" (16.3 cm)
3.8" (9.7 cm)
Weight
5.4 lbs (2.4 kg)
1.7 lbs (0.8 kg)
Length
Shaft Length

Build Quality

9.5
5.0
The motor base and blending cup of the Ninja Bn401 Nutri Pro single-serve blender lying side by side on a table.
The motor base and blending cup with blade assembly permanently attached of the Hamilton Beach blender.

Blades

9.5
5.0
A close-up of the blade assembly sporting 4 stainless steel prongs of the Ninja BN401 Nutri Pro single-serve blender.
A close-up of the blade assembly featuring 4 stainless steel prongs inside the blending cup of the Hamilton Beach personal blender.
Material
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel
Type
Cross
Cross
Guard Material
Blade Count
4 blades
4 blades
Removable
Yes
No
Dishwasher Safe
Yes
Yes

Motor Base

The Ninja BN401 Nutri Pro Motor Base
The Ninja BN401 Nutri Pro Motor Base
A close-up of the Ninja BN401 Nutri Pro Motor Base
The Hamilton Beach motor base standing on a white table.
The Hamilton Beach motor base standing on a white table.
A close-up of the front interface of the Hamilton Beach motor base.
A close-up of the power cord featuring a 2-plug in the underside of the Hamilton Beach motor base.
Rated Voltage
120 V
120
Rated Power
1000 W
175
Working Time
N/A
N/A
Protection
Yes
No
Weight
4.5 lbs (2.0 kg)
1.2 lbs (0.5 kg)
Cord Length
2.6 ft (0.8 m)
2.1 ft (0.6 m)
Extra Feature
Rubber grips on the bottom, cooling fan.
Ventilation holes

Blending Cup

10
5.0
Illustrated dimensions of the Ninja BN401 Nutri Pro personal blender’s cups showing the height, depth, and width in inches
Illustrated dimensions of the Ninja BN401 Nutri Pro personal blender’s cups showing the height, depth, and width in inches
The Ninja BN 401 Nutri Pro spout lid
The Hamilton Beach blender cup standing on a table with dimension measurements written to the side (4x8.2x2.4 inches).The Hamilton Beach blender cup standing on a table with dimension measurements written to the side (4x8.2x2.4 inches).
Material
Plastic
Plastic
Capacity
24 oz
14 Oz
Weight
1 lb
0.4 oz (11 g)
Dishwasher Safe
Yes
Yes
Measurement
Yes
Yes
Suitable For
Small and Medium batches
Small batches
Accessories
Spout Lids
No

Speed and Controls

Someone is measuring the noise level of the Ninja BN401 Nutri Pro personal blender with the noise meter (101.2 dB).
Someone is measuring the noise level of the Hamilton Beach personal blender with the noise meter (98.8 dB).
Activation
Twist
Button
Min Speed
N/A
N/A
Max Speed
18,996 RPM
23,341 RPM
Presets
Yes
No
Noise Level
101 (db)
98 dB
Digital Display
Yes
No
Pulse Mode
Yes
No

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
9.7
5.7

Hands-Free Operation

10
4.6

Assembly

9.5
6.0

Cleanability

9.0
8.5