If you make smoothies every morning, this Ninja BN701 review is exactly what you need. I spent weeks using this exact blender in my own kitchen to see how it handles real life. It has a massive motor and crazy sharp blades, but it is not perfect.
Here is what it is actually like to use it every single day. I tested multiple ingredients, cleaned it constantly, and noticed all the small quirks. Let’s dive right into the details.
| Category | Verdict |
| Best For | Daily cold drinks and crushing large amounts of ice |
| Not Ideal For | Quiet mornings and hot soups |
| Biggest Strength | Massive motor power rips through frozen fruit fast |
| Biggest Weakness | It is incredibly loud during the blend cycle |
| Overall Rating | 4.2 out of 5 stars |
Unboxing & First Impressions
Pulling it out of the box, the first thing I noticed was the size. The motor base is heavy and takes up quite a bit of countertop space. The BPA-free jar feels thick and clear, though it did have a slight plastic smell right out of the plastic wrap.
The blade assembly is tall and extremely sharp, so you have to be careful handling it. I quickly learned that the lid lock mechanism is strict. If you forget to lock the lid before blending, the display just flashes at you. It will not run at all until everything clicks.
Blending Performance
This is where the rubber meets the road. I threw everything from soft fruit to rock-hard ice into this thing to test the real blending performance.
Frozen fruit smoothie
The frozen fruit smoothie came out silky in about 45 seconds on high speed. I got zero chunks, and the smoothie texture was perfect. However, I did have to pulse it a few times to get the big frozen strawberries to drop down and catch on the blades.
Crushing ice
Crushing ice is this machine’s best party trick. You hit the pulse function, and it turns full ice cubes into soft snow in seconds. Just be careful, because some small ice chunks can hide at the very top if you fill the pitcher too full.
Hot soup or sauce
I tried making a warm tomato soup, and things got very messy. The lid popping off mid-blend from the steam pressure was a real shock. I ended up with hot splatter marks on the counter after opening the lid too fast.
Nut butter or thick blend
Making peanut butter took patience and scraped sides. The motor power is huge, but fibrous ingredients and any thick blend tend to stick to the walls. It got quite warm after running it for a few minutes straight.
Real-Life Daily Use Experience
My morning routine changed a bit once I started using this. I quickly realized I had to rinse the blender jar right away so the sticky fruit residue did not dry on the sharp blades. The variable speed control is nice, but I mostly just use the auto buttons so I can walk away while it runs.
One small annoyance is the smell. The gasket actually started smelling a bit funky after blending a garlicky salsa one night. You really need to scrub the leak-proof lid well to get those odors out. Still, pouring my morning shake is easy, and the spout rarely drips on the counter.
Design & Build Quality
The machine looks sleek on the counter, but it is mostly plastic. It feels sturdy, but the dark grey finish does show fingerprints easily.
| Feature | Detail |
| Base Material | Hard dark plastic |
| Blender Pitcher | 72 oz BPA-free plastic |
| Controls | Rubberized buttons |
The base has suction cups on the bottom, so it stays locked to the counter during heavy blends. The buttons respond well, even with wet hands. However, the sheer height of the blender means it barely fits under my standard upper cabinets.
Noise Level
I am not going to sugarcoat this fact. This blender is very loud. When the motor spins up to full speed, you absolutely cannot have a normal conversation in the same room.
The noise level is intense. Crushing ice or using the pulse function sounds like a lawnmower starting up in your kitchen. It is so loud that it actually woke up my family early one morning. If you live in an apartment with thin walls, your neighbors will hear it.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Cleaning this unit is a mixed bag. The self-clean cycle works great with just warm water and a drop of dish soap.
| Part | Cleaning Method |
| Blender Jar | Dishwasher safe, top rack |
| Blade Assembly | Hand wash very carefully |
| Motor Base | Wipe with a damp cloth |
Taking out the blade assembly makes deep cleaning easy, but you must respect those sharp edges. I noticed the jar slightly discoloring after blending fresh turmeric root. Also, check the bottom blade seal sometimes. I had a tiny bit of smoothie leaking from the bottom blade seal once when I did not tighten it enough.
Pros and Cons
Here is a quick look at what I loved and what I hated. It is a powerful beast, but it has some real quirks.
| Pros | Cons |
| Great ice crushing power | Very loud motor |
| Huge capacity blender jar | Hard to clean blades safely |
| Auto programs save time | Jar can stain from spices |
| Base stays firmly planted | Handles hot liquids poorly |
Comparison With Similar Blenders
It helps to see how this stacks up against the competition. I previously used a classic Vitamix, and the differences are pretty clear.
Ninja BN701 vs Vitamix E310
The Vitamix costs way more, but it handles hot soups much better. The Ninja easily wins on raw ice-crushing speed and upfront value.
| Feature | Ninja BN701 | Vitamix E310 |
| Motor Power | 1200 Watts | 1400 Watts |
| Pitcher Size | 72 ounces | 48 ounces |
| Best For | Iced drinks | Hot purees |
Who Should Buy This Blender?
This blender is not for everyone. You need to know your daily habits before buying it.
Buy This If:
- You make large batches of frozen drinks.
- You want power without spending huge money.
- You need auto programs that do the work for you.
Avoid This If:
- You hate loud kitchen appliances.
- You want to blend hot soups regularly.
- You have very low kitchen cabinets.
Long-Term Durability
After weeks of daily use, the blades are still very sharp. However, the clear plastic jar is already showing tiny scratches from crushing all that hard ice. I can see the jar getting a bit cloudy over the next year. The rubber gasket still seals well, but I worry it might degrade if I keep putting it in the hot dishwasher. Treat it nicely, and it should last a few years.
Energy Efficiency
This machine pulls 1200 watts, which is a lot of power for a quick morning run. It is highly efficient for large batches, but it feels like overkill if you just want a small drink. I noticed some heat buildup from the motor base during long, thick blends. Thankfully, it has an auto shut-off feature that stops it before it actually burns out.
Final Verdict: Ninja BN701 Review
At the end of the day, my experience with the Ninja BN701 is mostly positive. It gives you raw power and a massive pitcher for a very fair price. The blend speed is fantastic for icy treats and quick breakfasts.
You just have to accept that it sounds like a jet engine and does not like hot liquids at all. If you want a giant, fast, and aggressive machine for your daily cold drinks, this is a solid buy. I genuinely plan to keep it on my counter for a long time.