Does the Magic Bullet work as well as NutriBullet?
Blenders have become an essential appliance in many kitchens. They provide a quick and easy way to make smoothies, shakes, and other blended drinks. Two of the most popular compact blenders are the Magic Bullet and the NutriBullet. But which one performs better?
Magic Bullet Overview
The Magic Bullet is a compact blender that uses a chopper attachment to blend ingredients. It was introduced in 2003 through an infomercial that promoted its versatility and convenience. The Magic Bullet chopper has a 250 watt motor and comes with several attachments including:
- Cross blade
- Flat blade
- Tall cup
- Short cup
- Flip top to-go lids
- Shaker tops
The Magic Bullet is designed for quick jobs like making single servings of smoothies, sauces, dips and more. It’s not intended for heavy duty blending tasks.
NutriBullet Overview
The NutriBullet is a compact blender that uses bullet-shaped containers to blend ingredients. It was introduced in 2012 and is marketed for making superfood smoothies and nutritious drinks. The NutriBullet has a 600 watt motor and comes with:
- Extractor blade
- Tall cup
- Short cup
- Flip top lids
- Pocket nutritionist guide
The NutriBullet is designed to extract nutrients and break down tough ingredients like seeds and stems. The powerful motor pulverizes everything placed into the bullet-shaped cup.
Motor Power
One of the biggest differences between the two blenders is the motor power. The NutriBullet has a 600 watt motor while the Magic Bullet only has 250 watts. The NutriBullet’s higher wattage gives it more blending power.
| Blender | Motor Power |
|---|---|
| Magic Bullet | 250 Watts |
| NutriBullet | 600 Watts |
With nearly 3 times more power, the NutriBullet is better equipped to pulverize tough ingredients, seeds, ice, etc. The Magic Bullet may struggle with thicker blends.
Blade Design
The type of blade each blender uses also impacts performance. The NutriBullet has an extractor blade designed to break down stems, seeds and skins. It pulls ingredients down onto the blades to pulverize them.
The Magic Bullet uses a basic 4-prong blade that spins ingredients around the cup. It lacks the extractor blade’s pulling motion to break down tough ingredients.
Capacity
Both blenders come with travel cups for individual blending needs. Here is how their capacities compare:
| Container | Magic Bullet Capacity | NutriBullet Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Small cup | 12 oz | 18 oz |
| Large cup | 18 oz | 24 oz |
The NutriBullet cups hold 50% more capacity than the Magic Bullet cups. For larger blending tasks, the NutriBullet cups give you more room to blend additional ingredients.
Ease of Use
Both blenders are easy to use with simple operation. Here is how they compare:
- Magic Bullet: Twist on blade attachment, fill cup with ingredients, twist on crossblade, place cup on base and press down to start.
- NutriBullet: Fill cup with ingredients, twist on extractor blade, place cup on base and press down to start.
The Magic Bullet requires an extra step of attaching the crossblade before blending. For quicker operation, the NutriBullet is slightly faster to use.
Cleaning
Keeping your blender clean is essential. Here is how the Magic Bullet and NutriBullet compare for cleaning:
- Magic Bullet: Crossblade, cups, lids, and rings are all dishwasher safe. The base is wipe-clean only.
- NutriBullet: Cups, lids, and rings are top-rack dishwasher safe. The extractor blade and base are hand wash only.
The Magic Bullet offers more dishwasher safe parts for easy cleaning. The NutriBullet requires more hand washing for maintenance.
Noise Level
Blender noise can be an issue, especially for early morning smoothie making. Here is how the noise levels compare:
- Magic Bullet: Operates at around 70-75 decibels.
- NutriBullet: Operates at around 80-85 decibels.
The NutriBullet is noticeably louder than the Magic Bullet. If lower noise is important, the Magic Bullet has a slight edge.
Price
Price can also be a deciding factor when purchasing a blender. Here is how the two blenders compare:
| Blender | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Magic Bullet | $30-$50 |
| NutriBullet | $90-$120 |
The Magic Bullet is more affordable, typically costing about 1/3 the price of a NutriBullet. The lower price makes it easier for buyers on a budget.
Warranty
The warranty coverage also differs between the two blenders:
- Magic Bullet: Limited 1-year warranty
- NutriBullet: Limited 1-year warranty plus additional limited 6-year warranty for the motor.
The NutriBullet offers better warranty coverage with 6 extra years for the motor. The Magic Bullet’s standard 1-year warranty provides less coverage.
Blending Performance
Ultimately, blending performance is the most important factor. Here is how the two blenders compare for common blending tasks:
| Task | Magic Bullet | NutriBullet |
|---|---|---|
| Smoothies | Good | Excellent |
| Frozen drinks/ice | Fair | Excellent |
| Nut milk | Good | Excellent |
| Nut butter | Fair | Good |
| Soups | Fair | Good |
| Dips/salsa | Good | Excellent |
Overall, the NutriBullet outperforms the Magic Bullet for most blending tasks. The NutriBullet’s extra motor power enables it to blend smoothies, frozen drinks, nut milks, dips and more with excellent results. The Magic Bullet’s lower power shows limitations with thicker ingredients and ice.
Conclusion
When comparing the Magic Bullet vs NutriBullet, the NutriBullet emerges as the better performer. With its more powerful 600 watt motor, specialized extractor blade, and larger capacity cups, the NutriBullet blends ingredients more efficiently and thoroughly. It delivers creamier, smoother results across the board.
The Magic Bullet, while more affordable, shows limitations for tougher ingredients due to its 250 watt motor and crossblade design. For light blending tasks or single servings, it can perform decently. But avid smoothie makers are better off investing in the NutriBullet for maximum blending capabilities.
In summary:
- NutriBullet has more motor power
- NutriBullet has a superior blade design
- NutriBullet has larger capacity cups
- NutriBullet blends most ingredients better
For those seeking the best performance in a compact blender, the NutriBullet delivers the most advanced blending capabilities over the Magic Bullet.
