What Is The Best Commercial Blender For Smoothies & Milkshakes? (Our Top Picks!)

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On the hunt for the best heavy-duty commercial (aka professional) blender for your milkshakes and smoothies? NP – We got you!

Over 2 months of research went into making this post so we could make sure we picked the best, the most versatile, and the longest-lasting blenders on the market today. We compared, contrasted, and co-mingled features of over 30 different models before narrowing it down to our top heavy-duty blender favorites, and we’re confident that no matter which one you choose, you’ll be more than happy with your purchase.

Picture this: you wake up early in the morning, open your bedroom curtains, gaze at a bright blue sky, and walk straight to the kitchen to make your usual green smoothie. You add a few pineapple chunks and some leafy greens to the blender, and everything seems to be humming along until you realize that the blender doesn’t turn on… Oh no, your trusty old Oster just doesn’t cut it anymore!

Given this dreadful predicament, you rush out to buy a new one almost immediately, but you’ve already scoured all the appliance stores and websites you know and haven’t been able to find the blender you need. We know that feeling — especially since our 2-year-old blender died; we’re still not quite over that loss —, and that’s why we decided to look for a better alternative to the conventional countertop blenders: commercial blenders.

Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, a barista, a chef, a mixologist, or just a green smoothie fan, these heavy-duty professional blenders can be a great addition to any kitchen arsenal. So without further ado, let’s see what is the best heavy-duty commercial blender for smoothies and milkshakes! Trust us, after reading this post. You’ll definitely wonder why you didn’t get one sooner.

What Is A Commercial Food Blender Used For?

Long story short, commercial blenders are like countertop blenders, but on steroids. They are designed for intensive and repeated use, such as mixing smooth smoothies and thick milkshakes in a coffee shop, blending frozen cocktails in a bar, preparing creamy soups in a restaurant, or doing all of those things — but from home.

While commercial blenders are the perfect fit for high-volume restaurants and such, they are also the perfect fit for someone who uses their blender constantly — several times a day — and always seems to be putting it under too much stress, such as blending frozen fruit or chopping up extra-dense ingredients. Plus, because these types of blenders are remarkably sturdy, efficient, and powerful, they can become a family heirloom. Seriously, we’ve seen heavy-duty blenders being passed down from generation to generation.

What To Look For When Buying A Professional Commercial Blender For Shakes

Now that you have a better idea of what a commercial blender is used for, you should know that there are several factors to consider before you log on to Amazon and purchase the first blender labeled as “commercial”. The most important ones are:

1. Jar size and material: Commercial blenders are usually used for large amounts of food, so it’s key that you choose one with enough space to blend all the ingredients you have in mind. You can find them in different sizes, 20, 32, 40, 64, 75, or even 90 ounces, and made of different materials, such as plastic or glass. Remember that this type of blender is intended to blend a wide range of liquids and ingredients, so make sure the jar is sturdy!

2. Blades: This is one of the main aspects to consider when choosing a professional commercial blender, as its blending capacity depends on them. Stainless steel will always be the best material for the blades, and if the blender offers other types of blades besides the standard one — such as a chopping blade —, even better.

3. Power and speed: It is just as important to know the power of the motor as it is to know anything else, so always check the watts, or in its absence, the horsepower offered by the motor. Also, verify if the blender has a pulsing knob or variable speed from 1 to 5 or from 1 to 10.

4. Extra functions: Does the blender keep soup hot? Is it quiet? Does it crush ice? Does it have a specific setting for smoothies? All these extra functions are not indispensable — but they can be pretty useful!

5. Cost: This is the most important factor for some buyers, and that’s because blenders could start as low as $30 to as high as $1,000. In the case of commercial blenders, these are on the higher end of the price spectrum, so be prepared to see multi-digit figures.

P.S: Although heavy-duty blenders tend to cost a bit more than standard blenders, don’t panic! Later in the post, we’ll give you cheaper — but oh-so-good — alternatives if you’re on a budget, so keep scrolling!

Best All-Around Heavy-Duty Professional Commercial Smoothie & Milkshake Blender 

Don’t have time to read? Choosing the best heavy-duty professional blender depends a lot on the needs of each person. However, right off the bat, we can safely say that for us, the best all-around blender comes from a highly well-known brand: Vitamix.

Some brands fight for the title of “best blender brand,” and within each brand, there are several models that just aren’t worth it, but this Vitamix one is definitely worth it.

Shhh… It’s The Quiet One

Look, there’s a reason why Vitamix is the king of all blenders, and that’s because they’re just too good. Don’t believe us? Try The Quiet One. When we made our first smoothie with it, we instantly fell in love. It does the job beautifully, noiselessly, and without fuss. Plus, we’re not the only ones who were charmed by it. There are a couple of ultra-famous beverage stores that also fell in love with it — which we’ll talk about in the FAQ section.

However, this is not the only good option. There are many other excellent blenders that we 100% recommend — some with lower prices and equally good —, so don’t close this tab!

Best Professional Blenders For Making Smoothies With Ice

Who doesn’t love a creamy and velvety smoothie? It’s one of the best ways to start the day, especially if it’s cold! Nevertheless, in order to enjoy a good and refreshing smoothie, you need a good blender that can crush ice without collapsing in the attempt.

Blendtec Stealth 885

Pros:

• 1800 Watt motor
• Sound enclosure
• USB programmability
• 42 pre-programmed blend cycles + pulse function
• 90 oz BPA-Free jar
• Tactile interface

Cons:

• Pricey

If you have been on YouTube since 2006, you may have stumbled upon several videos with the title “Will It Blend?“, uploaded by Blendtec. These videos showed the founder of the brand placing various objects — tennis balls, car keys, even phones — inside a seemingly indestructible blender to see if they would blend, and oh boy… They sure did!

Of course, we don’t suggest you put your phone in the Blendtec Stealth 885, but we do suggest you fill it with plenty of ice, fruits, and vegetables, as its 1800 Watt motor, 42 preprogrammed blend cycles, and pulse function are the perfect combo for making cold smoothies. Plus, it’s really quiet! This is a key feature that makes it worthy of being one of the best professional blenders on the market.

Vitamix The Quiet One

Pros:

• 1800 Watt motor
• 34 preprogrammed blend cycles
• BPA-Free jar
• Easy to clean
•  Superb sound dampening

Cons:

• Pricey

Do you want your smoothies to be extra smooth? If your answer is “yes!”, we only need to tell you three words: The Quiet One.

This Vitamix blender is everything that’s right about blenders — it has 1800 Watts of power, 34 preprogrammed blend cycles, ultra-easy cleanup, a BPA-free jar, and a sleek look. However, without a doubt, its best feature has nothing to do with its power or its looks, but with how quiet it is. In fact, it is the quietest blender on the market — a reputation it earned thanks to its thick sound enclosure and rubber feet, which dampen sound and vibrations and allow the user to carry on a conversation.

Many other models — even smaller ones — can be a headache due to how noisy they are, which is terrible for those handling it and can also lead to some problems for those who want to make a morning smoothie when everyone else is still asleep. Fortunately, The Quiet One goes beyond any noise concern, all while keeping its sturdy blades in perfect condition even when used for long periods several times a day. This beast will have no problem blending your smoothies with ice, frozen fruit, or even nut butters, and all without blasting your eardrums!

Blendtec Total Classic 

Pros:

• 1560 Watt motor
• 6 Pre-Programmed Cycles
• 10-Speeds
• 75 oz BPA-Free jar

Cons:

• No sound enclosure included

Another one from Blendtec? Another one from Blendtec! If the signature sound of almost all blenders doesn’t bother you, but blenders that take up a lot of space do, the Blendtec Total Classic is for you.

As its name suggests, this blender is designed to save space in the kitchen but without sacrificing strength. It may be slightly smaller in size than what some people are looking for, but with that size comes an incredible amount of blending power! Its 1800 Watt motor and blunt blade ensure that the ice for your smoothies will be pulverized, meaning you don’t have to worry about big, annoying chunks of ice.

Best Affordable Heavy-Duty Commercial Shake Blenders

When it comes to a sweet treat, you can’t go wrong with a good ol’ milkshake. That thick, creamy, usually chocolatey drink is one of life’s greatest pleasures, but going to your nearest Steak ‘n Shake to get one can often be a drag. That’s why having a blender at home that can handle frozen scoops of ice cream, chunks of Hershey’s, and any other sweet additions is one of the best investments you can make — especially if it’s affordable!

Waring Commercial TBB145 TORQ

Pros:

• Easy to use, just 2 powerful settings and a pulse switch
• BPA-Free jar
• Budget-friendly

Cons:

• No sound enclosure included

If the previous blenders we mentioned fall outside of your budget, give the Waring Commercial TBB145 TORQ a try. It is a budget-friendly and highly milkshake-friendly option — one you’ll definitely want to add to your “best commercial blenders for milkshakes” top list.

This blender’s highlights are its 1,492 watts motor, its clear 48 oz BPA-free jar, and its user-friendly toggle switches. There are no fancy settings, buttons, screens, or anything that overcomplicates the learning experience, just 3 intuitive settings: high, low, and off, and a pulse switch. This machine is one that you can use right out of the box without reading manuals or looking for videos — you just need to plug it in, add ice cream and other ingredients, turn it on, and voila! Milkshake in no time.

Vitamix 62828 Drink Machine Two-Speed

Pros:

• Very easy to use, just 2 powerful settings
• BPA-Free jar
• Budget-friendly
• Includes tamper

Cons:

• No sound enclosure included
• No pulse button included

Making milkshakes is a piece of cake for the Vitamix 62828, thanks to a 2.3 HP motor, a 64 oz BPA-Free jar, and sturdy blades, but don’t expect all the bells and whistles that other models have from this blender… It’s so simple it’s great!

This Vitamix only has two blending settings which, although they may make some folks feel restricted, is all the blender needs. It’s very powerful, easy to use, and highly durable, and if you don’t believe us, check out the reviews on Amazon… Some people have been using this blender for over 20+ years! If that’s not impressive, we don’t know what is. Oh, and it also includes a handy tamper — perfect for pushing the ingredients toward the blender blades.

Waring Commercial WDM120TX

Pros:

• Easy to use
• 375 Watt motor
• LCD screen
• Includes 2 different agitators

Cons:

• Only makes milkshakes

As a bonus, we decided to add the Waring Commercial WDM120TX, for those who require a specific machine just for making milkshakes. It’s not as cheap as the other blenders above, but hey, it’s a lot cheaper than many other heavy-duty blenders, and definitely one of the best shake makers out there.

It features a 375 Watt motor, an LCD screen, 3-speed controls, a pulse control — in case the ice cream is as cold as snow —, and 2 different types of agitators. However, the feature we like the most about this shake maker is that you can set a timer to blend for a certain amount of time while you do something else. Pretty cool, isn’t it?

Best Multipurpose Commercial Blenders

What if you want to blend other things besides smoothies and milkshakes? No blender for you? Wrong! We do have other options that will suit your needs. It doesn’t matter if you want to blend fruits for a colorful açaí bowl, oil for a delicious homemade mayonnaise, or almonds for silky smooth almond butter — any of these commercial blenders will do the job, and they’ll do it very well.

Hamilton Beach EXPEDITOR™ 510

Pros:

• BPA-Free jar
• Budget-friendly
• Includes dosing cup
• Low-profile

Cons:

• No sound enclosure included

Don’t let the low profile of this blender fool you! The Hamilton Beach EXPEDITOR 510 delivers a strong performance hand-in-hand with a 2.4 HP motor, a 48 oz BPA-Free jar, a 4 oz dosing cup, and easy-to-use buttons that unleash its full power.

Speaking of its buttons, it only has 3: an adjustable variable speed dial to switch between 10 speeds, a pulse and chop switch, and a switch to turn it off and on. Honestly, all those functions encapsulated in so few buttons make it the perfect blender if you want an even, consistent mix in all your preparations. 

By the way, on Hamilton Beach Commercial’s website, they have a guide to know which EXPEDITOR series blender is the right fit for each type of person depending on the features they are looking for, and that’s a huge plus for us.

Vitamix 62826 Vita-Prep 3

Pros:

• 3 HP motor
• BPA-Free jar
• Includes tamper

Cons:

• No sound enclosure included

The Vitamix Vita-Prep 3‘s 3 HP motor speaks for itself. It goes through beverages, soups, spreadables, purees, and almost anything without struggling or skipping a beat. It features a simple on/off switch, as well as a knob that lets you navigate between 10 different speeds, a 64 oz BPA-Free jar, and drum roll, please… A tamper! If only all blenders included one, it’s such a useful accessory.

Back to its power, all you need to do with the Vita-Prep 3 is flip a switch, and you’ll instantly get the drink you want, even though it’s not as big as others on the list. Thanks to its simple design, it looks good in any kitchen, and if you choose to place it in yours, you’re sure to notice that.

Waring Commercial CB15

Pros:

• 1800 Watt motor
• 1-gallon stainless steel jar
• User-friendly controls

Cons:

• Pricey
• Really heavy
• No sound enclosure included

This is the most expensive blender in the entire post, but for a good reason — it’s a totally different beast.

Want a gallon of… Anything? The Waring Commercial CB15 can effortlessly hand it to you. It literally features a 1-gallon jug made entirely of stainless steel, which allows you to make a huge batch at once. That may not be a big deal to some, but it’s perfect if you have a crowded household or are hosting a party. Just pop it all in and save it for later!

In addition to its giant jar, it has 6 electronic keypad controls — power, stop, pulse, low, mid, and high —, and a whopping 1800 Watt motor — that extra punch of power makes it pulverize all your ingredients in a matter of seconds. And if that’s not enough, get ready for this: some people have had this ultra-heavy-duty blender for over 10 years, and it’s still going strong. Simply amazing.

Best Commercial Immersion Blender For Milk Or Protein Shakes

Immersion blenders — a.k.a. hand blenders —, the little sisters of the countertop blenders, are the perfect tool for when you want to make small batches of salsa, soups, or a single glass of Oreo or protein shake. They are easy to operate and convenient to store in any cabinet, so let’s take a look at the best and most professional options.

Bamix G200 Gastro Pro-2

Pros:

• Heat-resistant nylon and brass
• Includes 4 interchangeable blades

Cons:

Still finding one…

We just had to put it at the top of the list: Introducing the Bamix G200 Gastro Pro-2, the go-to hand blender for most pro chefs.

This heavy-duty immersion blender comes from Bamix, the company where the world’s first immersion blender came from, which helps explain why this one is so well-done. It has a 10.6″ stainless-steel rod, heat-resistant nylon and brass, a 200-watt motor, 2 speeds, and a button control for continuous or pulse blending. This compact thing can whip almost anything to the perfect consistency, and that’s why for many, this is one of the best shake, salsa, puree, and dip mixers ever. It’s compact, powerful, and sturdy, and it comes with 4 interchangeable blades, making it the “Swiss Army knife” of any kitchen — a fantastic tool for people who enjoy versatility.

Fun-Fact: Gordon Ramsey teamed up with Bamix over a decade ago to manufacture his own immersion blender, but unfortunately, that specific model is now discontinued.

Dynamic MX070 MiniPro

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Budget-friendly
• Includes 4 interchangeable blades

Cons:

• It may be too small for some

Compact and lightweight, the Dynamic MX070 MiniPro is small but powerful. People say that when it comes to immersion blenders, the longer the rod, the better… But not everyone needs or wants that extra length.

This blender featuring a 6.5″ rod stood out for its design, lightweight, ease of use, and affordability, and despite its size, it can blend just about anything you stick it in. Although many smaller blenders of this type are not capable of handling thick shakes, the MiniPro’s 200-watt motor leaves nothing to be desired, and if we add its 4 interchangeable blades, it definitely becomes a must-have alternative!

Waring Commercial WSB33X Quik Stik

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Budget-friendly

Cons:

• It may not be as powerful to some

Waring Commercial has been around for decades, making some of the best commercial blenders any restaurant owner can get their hands on, but they don’t just stick to the countertop blender department. They also make immersion blenders — and just as good.

The Waring Commercial WSB33X Quik Stik hits the spot thanks to its 100-watt motor and 7″ rod, making it easy to whip up good amounts of liquids in no time. And if we talk about shakes… Oh boy, it gives them THE fluffiest mouthfeel! This hand blender is in a different league.

Commercial Blender FAQs

Investing In A Heavy-Duty Commercial Blender Is Worth It If You Make Smoothies, Protein Shakes, Or Milkshakes At Home On A Regular Basis

Whether you are looking for the best blender to mix milkshakes for your kids or for blending your healthy green smoothies, everyone deserves a machine that meets all their expectations — and that’s where commercial blenders enter the picture. They all serve 3 basic purposes: to last for years, to deal with all kinds of liquids — or food —, and to save time, and c’mon, who doesn’t want all that in their lives?

Although a regular countertop blender is a cheap option, a good, reliable, and durable, heavy-duty commercial blender should be a part of everyone’s kitchen essentials. Sure, to have one in your kitchen, you’ll have to pay a little more, but there is a suitable model out there for any budget, and it’s totally worth it. Seriously, once you try your first smoothie made by one of the blenders listed above, your life will change forever.

We hope that after reading this post about what is the best blender for smoothies and milkshakes, you have found the one that best suits you and your kitchen, but now it’s your turn: do you have any other professional blenders we missed? If so, let us know in the comments! We are always happy to add new products to our countertops.

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