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Ninja Nutri Pro Compact (BN401) vs. Magic Bullet 250W Personal Blender Side-by-Side Comparison

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Ninja Nutri Pro Compact (BN401) vs. Magic Bullet 250W Personal Blender

Overall Verdict

The Magic Bullet, which is often hailed as a popular budget-friendly option, left us unimpressed in every recipe. Despite its affordable price point, its performance failed to match up to the competition, making it the most lackluster machine we tested.

During our testing, we had high expectations for the Magic Bullet and hoped it would perform well in terms of blending power, consistency, and ease of use. Unfortunately, we found that it turned out to be incapable of handling all tough ingredients, from fibrous greens to frozen fruit and raw nuts, resulting in inconsistent blends with a very gritty texture.

For those seeking a superior blending experience, we recommend investing in a higher-end personal blender like the Ninja Nutri Pro Compact (BN401). This blender was among the top performers, delivering the power and precision needed to handle a variety of ingredients. With its cutting-edge features and durable construction, the Ninja BN401 is a reliable and efficient blender that can meet even the most demanding blending needs.

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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.
  • Easy to use, assemble, and clean. 
  • Stainless steel extractor blades are pretty solid. 
  • Three extra blending cups are included.
  • The motor base is roughly the same size as a standard full-sized blender. 
  • It’s relatively noisy.
  • It doesn’t allow for hands-free operation. 
  • It is not suitable for blending frozen fruits or raw nuts. 
  • Motor base jumps around while operating. 
  • Build quality is not good. 
  • Its performance is inconsistent.

Key Specs

Dimension
H14.2 x W6.4 inches
H12 x W4.5 inches
Weight
5.4 lbs (2.4 kg)
2.0 lbs (0.9 kg)
Number of speeds
4
1
Pulse/Turbo option
Yes
No
Dishwasher-safe wand
Yes
Yes
Accessories
An extra blending cup, two spout lids
An extra blending cup, a to-go lid, a party mug, two lip rings, two resealable lids

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$84.93
$40.61

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
9.4
2.8

Protein Shake

8.8
3.9
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.
The Magic Bullet Protein Shake Video
A batch of protein shake packed with dried blueberries, oatmeal, and almonds prepared by the Magic Bullet Personal Blender is checked for smoothness by being drained through a stainless steel mesh strainer, with a smartphone displaying the total blending time (2 minutes and 11 seconds) next to it.
Scooping a spoon of solid chunks including dried blueberries and almonds that the Magic Bullet 11-Piece personal blender was unable to pulverize in the test of preparing protein shake from a stainless steel mesh strainer.
Blending Time
1 min 01 sec
2 mins 12 secs
Result
Slightly Smooth
Very 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.
The Magic Bullet Frozen Fruits Smoothie Video
After finishing blending, the fruity smoothie made by the Magic Bullet MBR 1101 personal blender is spread throughout a white paper with a smartphone displaying the total blending time (2 minutes) next to it.
A spoon of fruity smoothie packed with blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and mango made by the Magic Bullet Personal Blender.
Blending Time
1 min
2 minutes
Result
Silky Smooth
Failed
Suction

Fibrous Greens

9.5
6.0
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.
The Magic Bullet Fibrous Greens Video
A glass of water combined with fibrous greens pulp produced by the Magic Bullet Single-Serve Blender.
A glass of water with fibrous green pulp produced by the Nutribullet Pro 900-watt Personal Blender sinking from its top to bottom.
Blending Time
20 seconds
20 seconds
Result
Very Fine
Coarse

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.
The Magic Bullet Crushed Ice Cubes Video
A black tray of crushed ice produced by the Magic Bullet Single-Serve Blender being on a table.
The amount of unblended ice cubes (4.98 oz) of the Magic Bullet single-serve blender displayed on a scale’s screen.
Ice Fineness
Very Fine
Chunky
Unblended Ice
0% of 6 oz
83% of 6 oz

Design

Overall Design Scoring
9.6
7.5

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.
Our Magic Bullet Blender Small Silver 11-Piece Set includes a motor base, a to-go lid, three blending cups, a party mug, two lip rings, two resealable lids, a paper carton box, and a user & recipe book guide.

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 Magic Bullet Smoothie Maker personal blender standing on a gray table, with the length of its motor base being noted to the side as 6.8 inches, and the total length and width of the unit as 12 inches and 4.5 inches, respectively.
Height
14.2" (36.1 cm)
12.0" (30.5 cm)
Width
6.4" (16.3 cm)
4.5" (11.4 cm)
Weight
5.4 lbs (2.4 kg)
2.0 lbs (0.9 kg)
Length
Shaft Length

Build Quality

9.5
7.0
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 of the Magic Bullet 11-piece personal blender lying flat on a gray table.

Blades

9.5
6.5
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 sporting 4 stainless steel prongs of the Magic Bullet 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 Magic Bullet motor base standing on a gray table.
The Magic Bullet motor base standing on a gray table.
A close-up of the underside of the Magic Bullet motor base.
A close-up of the Magic Bullet motor base.
Rated Voltage
120 V
120
Rated Power
1000 W
250
Working Time
N/A
≤ 1 minute
Protection
Yes
Yes
Weight
4.5 lbs (2.0 kg)
1.6 oz (45 g)
Cord Length
2.6 ft (0.8 m)
2.2" (5.6 cm)
Extra Feature
Rubber grips on the bottom, cooling fan.
Silicon feet

Blending Cup

10
10
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
Three blending cups on a table, with dimension measurements written to the side. The first cup is measured 3.5x4x2.8 inches, second cup is 3.5x6.5x2.8 inches, third cup is 3.5x5.6x2.5 inches.
Three blending cups on a table, with dimension measurements written to the side. The first cup is measured 3.5x4x2.8 inches, second cup is 3.5x6.5x2.8 inches, third cup is 3.5x5.6x2.5 inches.
The blending cup of the Magic Bullet personal blender standing on a table with dimension measurements written to the side (3.5x6.5x2.8 inches).
The blending cup of the Magic Bullet personal blender standing on a table with dimension measurements written to the side (3.5x5.6x2.5 inches).
The blending cup of the Magic Bullet personal blender standing on a table with dimension measurements written to the side (3.5x4x2.8 inches).
Material
Plastic
Plastic
Capacity
24 oz
12-,16-, and 22-oz
Weight
1 lb
0.18-, 0.33-, and 0.25-pound
Dishwasher Safe
Yes
Yes
Measurement
Yes
No
Suitable For
Small and Medium batches
Small and medium batches
Accessories
Spout Lids
2 lid rings, 3 lids

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 Magic Bullet personal blender with the noise meter (97.8 dB).
Activation
Twist
Push
Min Speed
N/A
N/A
Max Speed
18,996 RPM
22,215 RPM
Presets
Yes
No
Noise Level
101 (db)
97 dB
Digital Display
Yes
No
Pulse Mode
Yes
No

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
9.7
6.9

Hands-Free Operation

10
5.8

Assembly

9.5
10

Cleanability

9.0
7.0