Ninja BL610 Professional Blender In-depth Review

The Ninja BL610 is a popular choice for a reason. It’s reasonably priced, delivers strong power for a countertop blender, and is built to handle a variety of tasks.

However, that combination doesn’t always ensure it fits every kitchen or every routine. We've put it through a course of hands-on tests, and some parts of the experience impressed us, while others left much to be desired.

But in general, nothing about it was a total dealbreaker. At the same time, it wasn’t flawless either. And to help you set the right expectations, in this review, we’ll walk you through what it does well, where it feels limited, and who it’s best suited for.

7.1 Performance

We tested the blender in five different ways, from easy blends to more challenging ones. It passed every test, with results ranging from okay to very good. And across these tests, it’s surprisingly fast at crushing ice. It doesn’t struggle much with frozen fruit either. There is a noticeable limitation with leafy greens, and we’ll explain in the next sections why that’s a fair trade-off. For now, just know the result is still drinkable and generally free of large chunks.

5.3 Smoothie

For this test, we used kale, bananas, apples, pineapples, and milk. The Ninja BL610 performed well with soft fruits, but its results were less consistent with kale. 

After three minutes of blending, the greens were still only partially broken down, making the smoothie come out a little grainy.

Meanwhile, in our comparison testing, the NutriBullet achieved a smoother result much faster, delivering a near-silky mixture in about one minute. This gap is likely related to the Ninja's blade design. 

In fact, the blade spun fast and cut aggressively. However, that cutting action somehow threw the ingredients outward instead of pulling them down. And since kale is thin and airy, it got pushed to the container's walls and just stuck there. 

Even when it did drop back into the blade, it still didn't become fully liquified because the vortex created by the blender was pretty weak and didn't steady. And that's why the greens didn't stay in the cutting zone long enough. They only passed through the blades a few times instead of being recirculated repeatedly.

Still, for many people, this won’t be a big issue. As long as there are no big chunks, it’s fine to drink. We’re mainly noting it for anyone who’s picky about green smoothies.

7.0 Frozen Fruit Smoothie

For test two, we blended frozen fruits with milk, and despite the fruit's toughness, the blender started off strong. It chopped through all the ingredients quickly, and we didn’t have to do anything extra at that time. However, as the process continued and the fruits became smaller, easier to move around, the force of the spinning blades pushed them outward, causing them to stick to the pitcher's walls. 

From then, the texture improved very slowly. The blender kept running, but it was mainly blending on the center portion while the clung parts weren't getting pulled back into the blades. To get an even blend, we had to stop blending now and then for some quick scrape-downs. But honestly, we didn’t feel it was too much extra work, considering how smooth and creamy the smoothies turned out.

Overall, it took the blender 3 minutes and 30 seconds to complete the test. Some blenders could do it faster, such as the Vitamix E310, but we’ve also seen slower performance. It's also worth noting that there were a few tiny bits of strawberry skin and seeds left behind, but they were too small to really notice when drinking. So, if you don’t mind giving it a little help along the way, we think this blender's definitely not a bad choice for frozen drinks.

8.3 Protein Shake

Next up, we tested a thicker shake using oats, dried blueberries, almonds, and milk. Again, these ingredients were blended fast without much struggle, but after a bit, the usual Ninja's behavior just showed up repeatedly. This means some of the mix needs a little help getting back into the blade path. It wasn’t hard, but we’re pointing it out so you know what to expect.

And after a little babysitting, the blend finally evened out and turned into a drinkable shake. The total blend time was 2 minutes and 30 seconds. It wasn’t the fastest, but we still found it fine for this type of blend. The oats blended down nicely and gave the drink a creamy feel.  A few small bits of almond and blueberry skin remained, but most people won’t mind them because they were minor and only added a slight texture if you pay attention.

8.0 Almond Butter

To make almond butter properly, the blender needs to blend the nuts down completely and keep working until they release oil and turn into a smooth paste. The BL610 handled the first part well, with its 1000-watt motor powerful enough to grind the nuts into crumbs in a matter of seconds. 

That said, once the mixture turned dry and thick, things did slow down a little bit. That was when we had to pause every minute or so to help it along. Luckily, after enough grinding, the almonds finally released oil for the mixture to clump together and gradually turn into a thick paste. Blending also became smoother and more consistent from that moment. 

In the end, we got a batch of really good almond butter in about 4 minutes. And we liked that it had a rich texture with a natural oily sheen, similar to the butter we’ve gotten from the famous Vitamix 5200. So if you’re looking for a home blender that can take nuts all the way to a creamy, spreadable consistency, you won't go wrong with this blender.

10 Crushed Ice

Finally, we focused on ice crushing, and this is where the Ninja BL610 surprised us the most. 

We’ve tested a lot of blenders on ice, and most of them either take a while or leave uneven pieces behind. This blender is different. Unlike the previous tests, its “multi-level cutting” design became an advantage here.

The lower blades crushed and cracked the cubes, and the upper blades caught pieces as they bounced upward. So instead of the ice just spinning around, it got chopped and re-chopped until it turned into a fine texture.

Before we could even think about scraping the sides, the ice was already fully crushed in under 20 seconds. What stood out even more was how fluffy the ice was. It looked like shaved ice, perfect for any iced drink, from frappes to snow cones.

8.3 Design

This blender isn’t fancy or high-end. It looks simple, but it still has a bit of personality, so it fits most kitchens and does not fade into the background. We also like that it doesn't look messy on display, and the better part is, when we tested it for longer runs, its motor is solid enough to keep things steady. There was no annoying vibration and no heat building up.

In the Box

• Motor base
• 72-ounce blending container with lid 
• Stacked blade assembly
• User manual 

Inside the box, there is the motor base along with a 72-ounce container and lid, a stacked blade assembly, and a user manual to cover the basics. Everything is arranged neatly, so the unboxing feels quick and tidy.

Dimensions

Our BL610 doesn't take up much countertop space, and at about 16 inches tall, it is around the same height as most standard blenders, so it slides under our upper cabinets without trouble. That said, we still need a bit of extra space above it to lift the lid or pour in ingredients. So even if it technically fits under a cabinet, using it there can feel a little cramped. An open spot, like on a kitchen island or table, is usually more comfortable.

8.0 Build Quality

The construction is well-built for the price, with parts fitting together cleanly and a finish that looks glossy on the counter. Even though it's mostly made of plastic, it doesn't give off a flimsy, bargain feel. It doesn't feel like something we need to handle carefully, either. With use, the surface can pick up light marks and fine scratches, and the shine may soften slightly over time. However, that is pretty common with everyday appliances, especially ones that get washed and handled often. And most importantly, it doesn't take away from the blender’s overall appearance unless you are extremely picky about keeping it spotless. Of course, its blending performance also remains the same.

8.5 Blades

The blade assembly uses a stacked layout with six prongs, and each blade sits at a different height along a central column. This means it can cut and pull ingredients from different levels instead of only working at the bottom. We usually only see this style in Ninja’s best-selling lineup, and honestly, it is hard to find a similarly solid blade system at this price.

In our hands, it feels impressively solid. The metal is thick, the blades are sharp, and the whole piece seems built to last. Even when we pushed it with rock-hard ice cubes, it stayed sturdy, with no signs of bending or cracking.

Motor Base

The motor base is designed with safety and long-term use in mind. It won’t run unless everything is secured properly, and that helps remove the risk of starting the blender with a loose setup, which then possibly leads to dangerous accidents. 

It also includes overload protection, which is a big plus for enhancing the blender's durability. If the unit gets too warm, a thermal switch can trigger an automatic shutdown, giving it a chance to cool down instead of forcing it to keep running and "burning" at the end. 

Furthermore, with four non-slip feet underneath, it sits stably and doesn't slide around, even on smooth counters. That makes the whole setup feel more secure and controlled.

Blending Container

The pitcher holds 72 ounces, so it gives you plenty of room for big smoothie batches or party-style drinks. Besides that, it has a built-in pour spout that makes pouring mess-free and controlled. It also includes measurement lines on the side, which means you can add liquids and ingredients more accurately without extra tools.

Lid

Our blender comes with a durable hard-plastic lid that’s really easy to use. To lock it in, you just press the handle down until it clicks, and the quick-release button makes it easy to remove. It also works as a built-in safety feature, since the machine won’t run unless the lid is securely locked in place. We also truly appreciate the pouring spout, which makes it easy to pour without making a mess.

9.5 Control Panel

The panel doesn’t feel cluttered at all. Everything is laid out in a clear, simple way, and the labels are easy to read so you can choose a setting without guessing.

Just be aware, these buttons aren’t soft-touch, but they do have a nice, firm press to them. They also respond well and consistently, which is what matters most. In short, the overall experience still feels reliable and manageable.

Extra Accessory: No

8.4 Usability

Using the Ninja BL610 takes a bit of effort. You can’t really just turn it on and walk away, meaning it works better when you keep an eye on it and adjust as needed depending on what you’re blending. But the good thing is that it’s easy to adjust, so it doesn’t feel stressful every time you use it. And if you enjoy cooking or like having control over the texture, the process can feel pretty normal and even slightly enjoyable.

8.5 Ease of Blend

If you’re looking for a fully hands-free blender, this Ninja isn’t that kind of machine. But if you don’t mind being a little involved, it doesn’t take much extra time and the results are usually worth the effort. Sometimes it’s as simple as a quick scrape, and other times, taking out the blade assembly and mixing everything first helps the ingredients spread out so the blender can catch everything better when you start again. And after a few uses, these extra steps become pretty normal.

Just keep in mind that the blade assembly doesn’t lock in place. So before pouring, you’ll want to lift it out first, and it helps to have a clean spot ready to set it down since it's sharp and messy.

7.6 Noise Level

With ice cubes and water in the jar, the BL610 averaged around 99.7 dB. That is loud enough to make you pause a conversation. The good news is that the sound isn't sharp or squeaky. It isn't as irritating as you might expect because the pitch stays relatively mellow.

9.0 Assembly

Connecting the container to the motor base and locking the lid feels pretty straightforward. The symbols on each part are clear, so it’s hard to mess up. Taking the lid off is just as easy. Just press the release button, the handle pops up, and you can lift it off easily.

The only thing is there’s a little resistance when you twist the container off the base. You might need to use a bit of force, especially when it’s full, but that just makes it feel more stable and locked in. It’s not too tricky as long as you use two hands.

Just so you know the blade assembly can still spin even if it’s not properly attached. There aren’t any warnings or sounds to confirm it’s in the right position, so you need to double-check before blending. We actually had this issue before with the Ninja BN701, and the lid ended up getting permanently damaged because the blade wasn’t aligned properly.

8.5 Cleanability

Cleaning is pretty easy, especially when the container can go straight into the dishwasher, and the motor’s surface is smooth so you can wipe it down in seconds and it looks fresh again for the next batch.

The part that needs more attention is the blade assembly. It’s sharp and has a lot of small angles, so you really don’t want to rush it. We’d honestly suggest wearing gloves if you’re washing it by hand.

Also, there’s a small recessed area in the blade piece (the coupling) where food likes to hide. A quick rinse won’t always get it out, so you may need a small brush to scrub that spot properly.

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