top blenders for crushing ice
If you’ve ever loaded your blender with ice only to end up with half-frozen chunks, you know the frustration. After weeks of kitchen testing, here are five blenders that turn ice into a fine, snow-like texture for smoothies, margaritas, and frozen coffee drinks.But, before diving in, explore our best blenders for smoothies hub — it’s the main reference for every test we conduct.

How We Tested

Each blender crushed two cups of freezer ice and blended a frozen-fruit mix. We measured texture, wattage, and ease of cleaning, referencing user feedback from Reddit and YouTube.

Ninja Professional Plus BN701 (1400 W)

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Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender, 1400 Peak Watts, 3 Functions for Smoothies, Frozen Drinks & Ice Cream with Auto IQ, 72-oz.* Total Crushing Pitcher & Lid, Dark Grey
  • MORE POWERFUL MOTOR: The Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto-iQ features a new modern design and a more powerful motor than Ninja's original...
  • POWERFUL CRUSHING: Ninja Total Crushing Blades give you perfectly crushed ice for your smoothies and frozen drinks with 1400 peak watts of...
  • 3 VERSATILE FUNCTIONS: 3 preset Auto-iQ programs allow you to create smoothies, frozen drinks, and ice cream, all at the touch of a button.

The 1400-watt motor and Total Crushing Technology pulverized ice to snow in about 12 seconds. The 72-oz BPA-free pitcher handled large batches easily, and its Auto-IQ presets simplified blending.

  • 1400 W motor pulverizes ice fast
  • Large 72-oz pitcher
  • Dishwasher-safe, easy cleanup

Cons: loud at full power; bulky base. Compare with the best Ninja blenders or check blenders under $200.

Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher 54221 (700 W)

Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender For Smoothies With 40 Oz Glass Jar and 14 Functions, Ice Sabre Blades & 700 Watts for Consistently Smooth Results, Black + Stainless Steel (54221)
  • BUILT TO LAST: This Hamilton Beach blender is built for long-lasting performance from top to bottom. The durable motor is life-tested to blend 8,000...
  • 14 FUNCTIONS FOR MAXIMUM BLENDING VERSATILITY: Easily blend everything from smoothies and icy drinks to salsa and dips with this smoothie maker...
  • ULTRA-SMOOTH RESULTS WITH PATENTED WAVE~ACTION(R) SYSTEM: As you blend, ingredients are continuously forced down into the blades and circulated around...

Its Wave-Action System continuously pulls ingredients toward the Ice Sabre blades for smooth, even results. The 40-oz glass jar remained scratch-free during tests.

  • Wave-Action design ensures even blending
  • Durable glass jar, dishwasher-safe
  • 14 preset functions

See related: best glass-jar blenders and dishwasher-safe blenders.

Hamilton Beach Power Elite 58148A (700 W)

Hamilton Beach Power Elite Wave Action Blender For Smoothies, 40 Oz Glass Jar, 12 Functions Including Puree, Crush Ice, 700 Watts - Black (58148A)
  • POWERFUL BLENDING PERFORMANCE: With 700 watts of peak blending power and stainless steel Ice Sabre blades, this protein shake blender gives you all...
  • ULTRA-SMOOTH RESULTS WITH PATENTED WAVE~ACTION(R) SYSTEM: As you blend, ingredients are continuously forced down into the blades and circulated around...
  • SERVE WITH EASE: The spout on this countertop blender lets you pour contents into your glass without spills or drips, so serving with this electric...

Compact yet capable, this 700-W model produced smooth shakes in ≈ 18 seconds. It features 12 functions and an easy-pour spout.

  • Reliable 700 W motor
  • Wave-Action system prevents chunks
  • Dishwasher-safe parts

Great for everyday shakes. See also the best blender for protein shakes.

Ninja Blender NJ601AMZ (1000 W)

Ninja Blender, For-Smoothies, Salsa, Shakes, Slush, and-Frozen Drinks, Pitcher, and-Lid, for-Kitchen, Crushes Ice, Fruit, and-Veggies, 1000-Watt, Dishwasher Safe, Black, NJ601AMZ​
  • POWERFUL MOTOR BASE: 1000 watts of professional performance power.
  • XL BLENDING CAPACITY: The 72 oz. Pitcher is great for making large batches for the whole family. 64 oz. max liquid capacity.
  • TOTAL CRUSHING TECHNOLOGY: Delivers unbeatable power with blades that pulverize and crush through ice, whole fruits, and vegetables in seconds.

Powered by a 1000-W motor, this blender handled ice and frozen fruit with ease. The Total Crushing blades gave a consistent texture.

  • Fast crushing and blending
  • Large 72-oz BPA-free pitcher
  • Simple 3-speed + pulse controls

Compare performance in our heavy-duty blender guide or this Quora discussion.

BLACK+DECKER PowerCrush (700 W)

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BLACK+DECKER PowerCrush Multi-Function Blender with 6-Cup Glass Jar, 4 Speed Settings, Silver
  • 4-Tip QuadPro Blade Technology - The 4-tip stainless steel blending blade works with the shape of the jar to create a constant flow and vortex that...
  • 4 Speeds - From smooth blending to powerful ice crushing, the four speed functions (low, hi, low pulse, hi pulse) can handle any job with ease from...
  • 6-Cup PerfectPour Glass Jar - The thick, sturdy glass jar has a classic feel with advanced performance, and the spout is molded for easy pouring

The QuadPro 4-tip blade creates a vortex for efficient ice circulation — perfect for quick smoothies or margaritas.

  • Effective ice crushing under $80
  • 6-cup glass jar with PerfectPour spout
  • Dishwasher-safe components

See alternatives in quality blenders for smoothies.

Buying Guide: What to Look For

blender selection for ice

Motor Power & Performance

Choose 1000 W or more. More watts = faster crushing. See the best commercial blenders.

Blade Design & Material

Opt for stainless-steel multi-level blades. Compare stainless-steel jar models.

Jar Size & Material

72 oz for families, 40 oz for singles. Glass-jar blenders excel in durability.

Controls & Settings

Presets and pulse improve control. See blender-processor combos.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Dishwasher-safe designs simplify upkeep. Related: dishwasher-safe blenders.

Safety & Durability

Seek locking lids and solid bases. Heavy-duty models add stability.

FAQs

Can crushing ice damage a blender?

Not if the unit offers ≥ 700 W power and a pulse mode.

Is glass better than plastic?

Tempered glass resists scratches; Tritan plastic is lighter.

Should I add liquid first?

Yes — ¼ cup liquid reduces blade strain.

More tips: hot and cold blendersblenders for margaritas.

Final Verdict

Ninja Professional Plus BN701 is our top pick for pure ice-crushing power and convenience.

Explore related guides: best blenders for smoothies, best blenders for soups, best blenders for margaritas.

Headshot of John Siracusa, Founder of Hell’s Kitchen Recipes

About the Author

John Siracusa is the founder of Hell’s Kitchen Recipes. He focuses on technique-first, reproducible home cooking and has extensive, hands-on experience testing recipes & kitchen equipment since 2016.

Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. There’s no extra cost to you, and it helps support our testing.