How to Use a Portable Blender

A few decades ago, people would have laughed at the idea of a portable blender. It is no longer a joke, as people are much more mobile and must bring kitchen essentials. 

There are numerous portable blenders available for purchase. Even though I don’t need them, I have many friends and coworkers who do. So, after discussing the various aspects of portable blenders for some time, I decided it was time to write a definitive blog guide detailing how to use a portable blender and what to look for when selecting one. 

What Features Make A Blender Portable? 

Before the introduction of USB and battery-powered blenders, the most common way for people to transport their blenders was to bring them along physically. 

You can see how this could be a problem, especially if you own a large blender like a Vitamix or another blender with a large jar. However, it was completed. People who traveled for work would carry a travel case (there were even companies that would design exceptional travel cases for giant blenders). I would mentor many of them—people with traveling sales responsibilities or management consulting expertise who traveled monthly to different corporate locations. 

However, recently there has been a surge in the number of people who want to bring their blenders along. The demo is vastly dissimilar—extremely health-conscious individuals who wish to bring their portable blenders with them and make their smoothies. 

One of the primary concerns people have when purchasing smoothies outside their usual location is that the quality of the ingredients is unknown. Some establishments offer peanut butter, but it is not organic and often contains sugar and hydrogenated oil. 

And what about the problem with organic produce? If you want to blend organic berries but are traveling for work or vacation, finding a smoothie shop that uses organic ingredients may not be easy. 

If you visit a major city such as New York, you can probably find a decent smoothie shop. Even so, it is undesirable to have to purchase a smoothie. Many individuals would instead prepare breakfast in their hotel rooms. 

The issue with making smoothies in a hotel room used to be that blenders were large, noisy, and cumbersome. Therefore, most individuals would purchase a smoothie from a local store. 

Now, however, there are small, portable smoothie blenders, some of which are USB-powered. They are small, portable, and ideal for vacationers, travelers, and college students living in dorms. 

Are Portable Blenders Safe? 

Yes, portable blenders are safe. And this is a significant difference between modern portable blenders and the old-fashioned method of making regular blenders portable. 

The significant difference is that the new portable blender is designed to be portable. Design. This is the keyword in the sentence. 

The older blenders performed flawlessly. Your most advanced Vitamix? Probably the finest blender available. A large jar Ninja blender? A great blender. However, neither is intended as a portable blender. 

The new portable blenders are designed for portability. They are more compact and have less stringent power source requirements. You’re primarily dealing with two significant feature modifications. First, the power source is changed to a battery, USB port, or small wire plug. It has changed from large blenders where you had to deal with cumbersome wires. 

The blenders themselves are also made to be smaller. That makes complete sense. It makes sense for items to be smaller when traveling to take up less luggage space. Consequently, the modern portable blender will be smaller and have an easier-to-use power source. 

How Do You Use A Portable Blender? 

Modern portable blenders are relatively straightforward and intuitive. Most people would benefit from using them to make a single-serving smoothie because portable blenders are smaller than the typical kitchen blender. 

Consider a portable blender the same as your standard blender, except it should only be used for protein shakes, berry smoothies, and possibly green smoothies with microgreens. 

You set it up, add ingredients, and blend. The devices are essentially identical. There are no distinct functions. The primary distinction is the power source. I prefer using a blender that does not require an electrical outlet. Especially if I’m staying at a private residence or Air BnB, if you are staying in a hotel, it may be easier to plug your blender into an electrical outlet. 

Another advantage of a smaller blender is that it can be carried onto an airplane as carry-on luggage when traveling (without the blade). 

Where Would A Portable Blender Be Used? 

A portable blender would primarily be used for outdoor recreation and travel. Most of those I speak with desire a portable blender for the beach, a backyard pool BBQ or party, or for travel. 

The primary applications I see for portable blenders are: 

• Backyard Parties and Pool Parties 
• Beach 
• Picnics/Parks 
• Camping 
• Travel 

Making frozen drinks is the primary reason you want to use a portable blender in these locations. Generally, I don’t think it’s a good idea to attempt to make green smoothies at the beach (they’re not particularly enjoyable, and most portable blenders that work at the beach cannot make them). 

But if you’re interested in making healthy frozen drinks or even alcoholic frozen drinks, there are some fantastic recipes you should check out. 

Battery or USB: Different Power Sources for Portable Blenders 

There are two primary methods for powering a portable blender. First, some blenders run on batteries. These are for the truly mobile individual. They do not need a plug. The second type of portable blender utilizes a USB connection. 

Let’s dive in. 

Battery Powered Portable Blenders 

Batteries do not power most portable blenders. Reread the sentence. That is correct. If you conduct an online search for portable blenders, you will find that many vendors market them as battery powered. However, when you purchase them, you will find the “short power cord” or “plug-in anywhere” in the fine print. 

Because blenders consume so much energy, it is incredibly uncommon to find a cordless blender. This is one of the reasons why I’ve never been a huge fan of portable blenders. A portable blender is not a particularly useful appliance if you intend to blend anything substantial (leafy greens, nuts, etc.). 

However, some individuals desire a cordless battery-powered blender. And for those men and women out there, I’ve got you covered! Here is a list of blenders that operate on batteries. They may have a cord for charging the blender, but that is standard for cordless appliances (drills, etc.). 

This is a genuine portable cordless blender. 

Why not a cordless stick blender? 

I will also include some cordless immersion stick blenders. These are ideal for individuals who wish to perform immersion blending. However, if you are staying in a hotel or someone’s home, I do not see the need for an immersion blender. These stick blenders are ideal for cooking and even making soap. 

Back on Track–Another Bullet-Style Cordless Blender 

This bullet-style blender is suitable for the intended purpose. The primary benefit of the blenders in this category is that they are cordless blenders in the truest sense of the term. They can function without an electrical outlet. However, they must be charged, as with most cordless appliances. 

USB Powered- Portable Blenders Using a USB Cord 

Here you will find most blenders that fall under the “portable blender” category. Although technically portable, these blenders require a power source. 

These blenders are fantastic if you are familiar with USB charging (phones, laptops, tablets, etc.) and don’t mind adding one more item to your shopping list. 

Again, they are weaker than Standalone, standard blenders that plug into the wall. But they will suffice if you need to use a blender while traveling. For example, if you want to make frozen drinks by the pool or on the beach, a small charging pack or an outlet for cell phone chargers will suffice. 

Here’s an example of a popular one: 

And one further 

Honestly, these blenders are only suitable for frozen beverages, and protein shakes. However, they are so inexpensive that losing or breaking them is not an issue. And this is significant. You should not be concerned about breaking or damaging a costly item when traveling. 

My Opinions on Battery or USB Portable Blenders 

My specific ideas are as follows: If you are going to the beach or having a pool party in your backyard and want to make frozen drinks, use a portable blender. It is the ideal application for them. 

However, if you’re traveling and want to bring a blender, keep in mind that your smoothies will be lighter. Iced beverages are one thing, but heavy blending is another. Interestingly, battery-powered blenders are superior to USB models for making smoothies. 

Overall, I would only recommend a portable blender for special occasions.