If you are in a hurry and just want to know what the best blenders for milkshakes is, then we recommend Hamilton Beach DrinkMaster Classic Drink Mixer as our top pick.
There are a bajillion blenders on the market right now. Well, not really, but you know what we mean. It can be overwhelming, right? So, what makes the best blender for milkshakes? Well, it depends on you and your ingredients. If you’re plant-based, are you using frozen bananas? Or are you making a traditional milkshake using dairy or non-dairy milk and ice cream? And are you going to use the blender for more than shakes? What you use and how you plan to use it will determine what type of mixer is best for you. Below, we’ll help you find the milkshake blender that’s right for you.
Here are the milkshake blenders we will be reviewing:
- Hamilton Beach DrinkMaster Classic Drink Mixer
- Waring Commercial Single Head Drink Mixer
- Zoku Slush and Shake Maker
- Hamilton Beach Classic All-Metal Smoothie and Drink Stand Mixer
- Vitamix Ascent A3500 Blender
- Blender by CleanBlend
- Blendtec Professional 800 Blender with Wildside Jar
- Hamilton Beach Professional Quiet Shield Blender
- Ninja Professional Countertop Blender
- Magic Bullet Blender
Things to Keep in Mind
Power
Power Blender motors usually go anywhere between 300 to 1200 watts. Retro-style diner milkshake machines go as low as 70 watts. These lower capacity machines will do the trick, though, if you only plan on only making milkshakes.
But what if you want to use frozen bananas instead of ice cream for the base of your milkshake? Then, you’ll need to whip out the big guns. You need power. From personal experience, it makes a HUGE difference.
Blenders that create the smoothest texture have durable blades and high wattage. For example, to crush ice, the blender should have over at least 500 watts of power. For frozen fruits, you want to look for something over 20,000 RPMs.
What’s great about the high-powered blenders is they are multitaskers. They can handle more than shakes and banana ice cream. They can pulverize nuts into butter or make sorbets, baby food, hot soups, and a bunch of other cool stuff.
Warranty
When you’re looking for a new blender, you want to make sure it comes with a warranty. Most high-end blenders offer generous warranties that’ll protect your investment. They can range anywhere from 1 to 9 years.
Cleaning
Cleaning a blender can be a pain in the butt. You want to check if parts are dishwasher safe or if you’ll need to wash it by hand. You may also want to think about buying a blender with removable blades to get in those nooks and crannies. Having a self-cleaning feature can make the whole process much more convenient. Some models, like the Vitamix, offer a self-cleaning feature. You just need to do add some soap and flip on the self-cleaning cycle~easy peasy.
Sound
Another thing to think about is sound. Blenders are loud. A standard blender can reach up to 88 decibels or higher. So what does that mean? Well, that’s about 25 decibels louder than your alarm clock. Who wants to listen to that?
Blenders that offer sound shields can have a much lower decibel rating. They whisper instead of shout. Some can reach as little as 65 decibels. Try looking for something with a shield and see what kind of difference it makes to your ears. We’ll check out some high-end as well as affordable options below.
Types of Milkshake Blenders
Milkshake blenders can be broken down into five primary species: High Performance, Conventional, Personal, Immersion, and Milkshake Machines. Let’s take a gander at each and see which one is right for you.
High Performance
These high-performance models are the mightiest and most versatile of all blenders species. Though expensive, they easily outperform conventional blenders. From personal experience, the difference is night and day. These types of blenders will have at least a two horsepower motor.
They can handle frozen fruits like bananas or strawberries with ease. Not only will they pulverize them but transform them into a silky smooth ice cream texture. No grit or chunks left behind. As mentioned before, these are versatile and can do more than milkshakes. For instance, they can turn cashews into sour cream or almonds into almond butter. Some models also offer some pretty cool features like touchpads and Bluetooth connectivity. They can also come with special attachments. These attachments morph your blender into a food processor or even a dough kneading machine.
Conventional
This blender is a traditional blender that you will see in almost any home. They are great for making smoothies and milkshakes but can do little else. They are suitable for general use as well as affordable.
Personal
This is a small blender made to make one to two servings. It can blend a large variety of fruits and vegetables but may have difficulties with some ingredients. Some mixers offer a hybrid of both standard-sized jars as well as personal-sized cups.
Milkshake Machines
If you are a serious milkshake maker, this is what you want. It looks like the old-fashioned milkshake machine you’d see in a retro 1950s diner. These mixers are crafted to make the perfect milkshake that isn’t thin or watery.
They give you more control over your shake than a blender. They’re usually made out of durable die-cast metal and have a spindle and aeration discs instead of blades. A milkshake machine is the best blender for milkshakes. The spindle and aeration discs fluff the ice cream and milk by adding air into the mixture, giving you that perfect thickness and consistency. These machines are also versatile. They can froth up egg whites, frappes, or even batters. These milkshake blenders also are user-friendly with a couple of controls and a few speeds.
How Can I Make a Milkshake Without a Blender?
Don’t want to fool with a milkshake blender or a milkshake machine? Worry not! You don’t have to have one. Follow these simple steps found on Bakingmischief.com to make the perfect milkshake without a blender:
- First, scoop some ice cream in a microwave-safe mason jar or any container that has a lid. Tip: Try running your ice cream scooper under hot water.
- Put the container, sans lid, in the microwave for 15-20 seconds until it gets soft. If you don’t want to place it in the microwave, then just let it sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes.
- After your ice cream is nice and melty, add in your non-dairy/dairy milk. You want to shoot for a 3:1 ration of ice cream to milk. Lightly whisk the ingredients with a fork. Now attach the lid and shake it like you mean it. Do this for about a minute. If you do it too long, your milkshake will be watery.
- Finally, pop the lid off, pour into a glass, and enjoy!
What’s the Best Blender for Milkshakes? Our Top 10 Picks
Hamilton Beach DrinkMaster Classic Drink Mixer
This 50s style mixer is too stinkin cute. It’s retro-style invokes nostalgia. It takes you to the old days of malts and soda fountains. This milkshake blender comes with a 28 oz mixing cup, spindle, and the 730C mixer.
It can make milkshakes, beat eggs, and fluff up pancake batters. Cleaning is easy. The spindle is removable and dishwasher safe. You can also tilt the head to clean all the nooks and crannies. One downside is the 70-watt motor, but if you are only mixing milkshakes and batters, this shouldn’t be a problem. The 28-ounce cup is on the small side compared to blending jars. But if you’re only making a couple of servings, it should be okay.
Pros:
- Retro design
- Designed for milkshakes
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Not as versatile as a blender
- Small 28 ounce cup
Waring Commercial Single Head Drink Mixer
If you’re looking for something for commercial use, then the Waring Heavy Duty Drink Mixer is something you need to check out. This is a sophisticated commercial milkshake blender made up of long-lasting, durable die-cast metal. Equipped with a 1 HP motor, it can blast through h ice cream with ease.
How about softer ice creams? No problem! It has a butterfly agitator. It’s easy to use with a three-speed rocker switch, ranging from 16,000, 20,000, and 24,000 RPMs, as well as a pulse switch. This allows you to have full control. Also, it comes with sealed ball bearings that have been lubed for life, so you don’t have to ever worry about replacing them. And don’t worry about spilling anything. It’s designed with an increased cup clearance. It’s also approved by cULus and has NSF certification. The unit is also designed to prevent overheating. It also comes with a sleek 28-ounce cup.
Pros:
- 1 HP
- Butterfly agitator
- Three-speed settings
Cons:
- Loud
Zoku Slush and Shake Maker
This shake maker is a great little find. It’s designed to make single-serving milkshakes or slushies in as little as 7 minutes. You don’t even need electricity. How cool is that? And it’s easy to store as it’s no bigger than an 8-ounce cup.
There is some prep work involved, though. You’ll need to freeze the cup’s inner core for about 8 hours before using it. You throw anything from juice, coffee, to chocolate soy milk in it, and it will create a frozen treat. It comes with a protective outer cup, an 8-ounce inner core, and a slushie spoon. Components are BPA and phthalate-free. You can even use it to make frozen cocktails. To clean, you rinse it with soap and warm water.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Versatile
- Easy to store
- No electricity required
Cons:
- Have to freeze the core for 8+ hours before use
Hamilton Beach Classic All-Metal Smoothie and Drink Stand Mixer
You can’t go wrong with the Hamilton Beach Drink Mixer line. They know what they are doing. Their drink mixer line has been around and perfected since 1911. If you are looking for restaurant-quality milkshakes, this might be the milkshake blender for you.
This mixer is a step up from the Hamilton Beach Classic DrinkMaster. It’s made of die-cast aluminum and includes a commercial grade spindle. It has two agitation settings that can tackle even the hardest ice cream. This mixer also includes a 28 oz stainless steel dishwasher-safe cup. There’s also a cup rest and support that holds the cup in place for hands-free mixing. The machine also offers a tiltable head allowing for easy cup removal and cleanup.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Die-cast aluminum body
- Commercial grade spindle
- Two agitators
Cons:
- Not as versatile as a blender
Vitamix Ascent A3500 Blender
This blender is our top pick for our plant-based milkshake makers. More likely than not, you’ll be working with frozen bananas instead of ice cream. This blender will do that and more with ease. The Vitamix Ascent A3500 Blender is part of the Vitamix Smart System blender line.
In our humble opinion, it’s their best model. It pretty cool high-tech features that automatically update. It’s blending power is unmatched. It can morph any frozen fruits into a silky smooth sorbet or ice cream. You can even use it to make hot soups. Depending on what you’re making, it can run up 23000 RPMs.
There is a 2.2 HP ball-bearing motor. It hooks up to Wifi, which allows you to have control over the blender while you’re in another room. This blender comes with a 64 ounce, low-profile container to fit under cupboards. The Vitamix A3500 also has a clear lid so you can get a bird’s eye view in your blender. There are 5 programmable settings, including one for Frozen Deserts. There is also a thermal override safety system. This prevents over-heating. And, of course, there’s the tamper. It’s handy for those times when you need to get in there and push down food that gets stuck.
Pros:
- Versatile
- Powerful
- Smart technology
- Durable
- Auto-cleaning feature
Cons:
- Too many features if you are only making milkshakes
- Expensive
Blender by CleanBlend
Cleanblend is a great Vitamix alternative. This blender is a budget-friendly option if you want high-end performance.
With its 3HP motor, it can do most of the same things as its high-end counterparts. The blades are made of serrated stainless steel. It can blend frozen fruits and ice cubes with ease. A tamper is also included to help mix ingredients.
Pros:
- Great value
- Simple operation
- Lots of power with 3HP motor
Cons:
- Cleaning takes time to disassemble and handwash
- Large
Blendtec Professional 800 Blender with Wildside Jar
You’ve probably spotted this blender in coffee shops. Why? Because it’s powerful but quiet. With an 1800-watt motor and 3.8 HP, this is a serious blender with serious capabilities. Blendtec touts that this blender has tougher blades.
They say it’s better than 80% of the mixers on the market. Its blunt blades are very durable and easy to clean. They can pulverize frozen fruit, even bananas, making them the perfect commercial milkshake blender. You’ll always get rich, creamy ice cream or shakes. With its noise barrier, this blender is less noisy compared to its competitors. It’s equipped with an LCD pad and touch n’ go blending options. It also comes with a WildSide Jar+. The container is designed to pull ingredients into the jar so that you won’t need a tamper.
Pros:
- Powerful, 3.8 horsepower
- 1800-watt motor
- 360-degree sound barrier enclosure
Cons:
- Heavy
- Expensive
Hamilton Beach Professional Quiet Shield Blender
This blender, too, has a sound shield and offers a 1500-watt motor. This will allow you to create a creamy milkshake or whip up a kale smoothie. It comes with a tamper and a 32-ounce jar.
There are four program settings, which include crush, puree, clean, and smoothie. It also offers ten speeds to provide a high level of control. Speed can go as low as 3,000 RPMs to as high as 18,000 RPMs. The blades can be removed from the base for easy cleaning. Parts are also dishwasher safe.
Pros:
- 1500-watt motor
- Ten-speed settings
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Not as versatile as high-end counterparts
Ninja Professional Countertop Blender
Are you usually making a milkshake for yourself? Then you might want to consider the Ninja Professional Blender. This blender is a hybrid between a blender and a personal blender.
If you have to make more, worry not! It also comes with a 72-ounce container that can feed a crowd. There are also two single-serving cups for individual use. Cups are made of Tritan plastic and fit into most cup-holders. All cups and lids are dishwasher safe and BPA free. The Ninja Pro might be tiny, but it is powerful at 1100 watts. There three speeds and a pulse function. You can throw your ingredients into the single-serve cup and whip up a milkshake in no time. All you have to do is press the single-serve option button.
Pros:
- Dishwasher safe
- Powerful motor
- Single-serve cups and a 72-ounce cup
Cons:
- The motor can get hot
- No preset programs
- Loud
Magic Bullet Blender
The Magic Bullet Blender is one of the best budget-friendly personal blenders. At 250 watts, this is a small blender that can still handle a lot, especially milkshakes. You’ll get a short and tall cup as well as a party mug.
Parts are dishwasher safe and BPA free. It has a simple design and is easy to use. It is also surprisingly versatile. You can make anything from milkshakes to salsa. Thanks to its small motor, it’s also very quiet compared to other blenders.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Quiet
- Easy to operate
Cons:
- The motor is not as powerful
- Can’t handle larger chunks of frozen fruit
Conclusion
So, what’s the best blender for milkshakes? In our opinion, it has to be the Hamilton Beach DrinkMaster Classic Drink Mixer. I mean, come on! How cute is this thing!?!?! How perfect will it look on your kitchen counter!!! It’s retro-style is not only takes you back, but it is designed explicitly for milkshakes. Not only that, the brand stood the test of time. The Hamilton Drink Mixer line has been around since the 1900s. With its design, warranty, and functionality, you can’t go wrong with this milkshake machine. In our opinion, it’s easily one of the best milkshake makers on the market.
