Ninja BL660 Review: A Powerful Blender or Just Hype?

Ever bought a blender that just couldn’t handle ice or frozen fruit? You toss in a few ingredients, hit the power button, and instead of a smooth drink, you get a half-blended mess with chunky bits floating on top. Frustrating, right?

That’s why the Ninja BL660 has caught the attention of so many buyers. Marketed as a professional-grade blender, it promises to crush ice, blend smoothies, and handle all sorts of kitchen tasks without breaking the bank. But is it really as good as it sounds?

I’ve tested this blender extensively, researched real user experiences, and compared it to other models. If you’re considering the BL660, this review will give you a straightforward, no-nonsense breakdown of what to expect—both the good and the bad.

Unboxing and First Impressions

Pulling the Ninja BL660 out of the box, the first thing that stands out is its sleek yet practical design. It has a sturdy build, but it’s not excessively heavy, making it easy to move around the kitchen when needed. The motor base has a matte black finish, giving it a modern look that fits well with most kitchen styles.

What’s Inside the Box?

Everything needed to get started is included:

• 72-ounce pitcher – A large-capacity container, great for blending big batches.
• Two 16-ounce Nutri Ninja cups with lids – Perfect for quick, single-serve smoothies.
• Total Crushing® blade assembly – A six-blade system designed for efficient blending.
• 1100-watt motor base – Features three speed settings, a pulse function, and a single-serve mode.

Build Quality and Design

The plastic pitcher feels durable, though some may prefer a glass container. While plastic is lighter and easier to handle, it’s also more prone to scratches over time. The lid locks securely into place, and there’s a pour spout with a flip-top that helps minimize messes.

The blade system is unique compared to traditional blenders. Instead of sitting at the bottom, the six-blade tower extends upwards, ensuring more even blending. However, these blades are extremely sharp, so handling them with care is essential.

Ease of Setup

Getting started takes just a few minutes. The pitcher clicks into place easily, and the lid locks down firmly. There’s also a safety feature that prevents the motor from running unless everything is securely attached. The control panel is simple—three speeds, a pulse button, and a dedicated single-serve mode.

Specifications and Features

After getting a feel for the Ninja BL660’s build and setup, it’s time to break down its specifications and core features. This blender isn’t just about looks—it’s packed with powerful components and functional design choices that impact performance.

Technical Specifications

Here’s what the Ninja BL660 offers in terms of raw power and capacity:

• Motor Power: 1100 watts
• Pitcher Capacity: 72 ounces (ideal for large batches)
• Single-Serve Cups: Two 16-ounce cups with to-go lids
• Blade System: Total Crushing® six-blade assembly
• Control Panel: Three speeds, pulse function, and single-serve mode
• Material: BPA-free plastic pitcher and cups
• Dimensions: Approx. 8 x 6 x 17 inches
• Weight: Around 7.6 pounds

Key Features

1. 1100-Watt Motor – Power Meets Efficiency

The 1100-watt motor is strong enough to crush ice, frozen fruits, and tough ingredients with ease. Many budget blenders struggle with frozen foods, but the BL660 doesn’t flinch. Whether making smoothies, soups, or sauces, the motor provides consistent blending performance.

2. Total Crushing® Blade System

Instead of the traditional bottom-mounted blade, the BL660 uses a six-blade tower design. This allows it to chop, crush, and blend from top to bottom, ensuring even consistency. However, these blades are extremely sharp, so they require careful handling during cleaning.

3. Three Speed Settings + Pulse Mode

Unlike some high-end blenders with digital touch screens and dozens of settings, the BL660 keeps it simple:

• Low (1): Best for softer ingredients and light mixing.
• Medium (2): Works well for blending fruits and softer vegetables.
• High (3): Designed for crushing ice, frozen foods, and tougher ingredients.
• Pulse: Gives quick bursts of power for precise chopping or breaking down chunks.
• Single-Serve Mode: Adjusts the power when using the 16-ounce Nutri Ninja cups.

4. Large 72-Ounce Pitcher for Big Batches

This is perfect for making family-sized smoothies, soups, or frozen drinks in one go. The pour spout on the lid makes serving easier without making a mess. However, the pitcher is plastic, which means it may develop scratches over time.

5. Single-Serve Blending for On-the-Go Drinks

The two 16-ounce Nutri Ninja cups make it easy to blend a quick smoothie and take it on the road. Just attach the special single-serve blade, blend, and screw on the to-go lid—no need to transfer drinks to another cup.

6. Dishwasher-Safe and Easy to Clean

All removable parts—including the pitcher, cups, lids, and blades—are dishwasher-safe. For a quick rinse, filling the pitcher with warm water and a drop of dish soap, then blending on high for a few seconds, works well. The only downside is that the blades are sharp, so manual cleaning should be done carefully.

Performance Test: Does It Deliver?

Specifications and features sound great on paper, but real-world performance is what matters. To see how well the Ninja BL660 holds up, it was tested with a variety of ingredients—ice, frozen fruit, leafy greens, nuts, and even hot liquids—to evaluate its blending power, consistency, and ease of use.

1. Ice Crushing – Is It Really That Powerful?

The Total Crushing® blades are marketed as being able to turn ice into snow in seconds. Putting this to the test, a full tray of ice cubes was tossed into the 72-ounce pitcher and blended on high. Within five seconds, the ice was already breaking down, and by the 10-second mark, it was a fine, snow-like texture—perfect for slushies or frozen cocktails.

Verdict: Yes, it crushes ice effortlessly, making it ideal for cold drinks, but it’s loud while doing so.

2. Smoothie Test – Can It Handle Frozen Fruit and Leafy Greens?

A smoothie was made using frozen strawberries, bananas, spinach, and almond milk. On medium speed, the frozen fruit was pulverized within 15 seconds. However, some larger chunks remained, so switching to high speed for another 10 seconds made the smoothie completely smooth.

When blending leafy greens, like kale or spinach, some small flecks remained unless blended for at least 30 seconds on high. Using the single-serve cup produced a smoother texture compared to the large pitcher, likely due to the smaller blending space forcing everything into the blades more efficiently.

Verdict: Great for smoothies, but tougher greens may require extra blending time for a completely smooth consistency.

3. Nut Butter Test – Can It Make Homemade Peanut Butter?

To test its ability to handle thick, dense ingredients, a batch of homemade peanut butter was attempted. Using 2 cups of dry roasted peanuts, blending started on low speed, then moved up to high speed after 30 seconds.

The first minute required stopping and scraping down the sides a few times, but after two minutes, the nuts started forming a creamy consistency. By three minutes, it was smooth and spreadable. However, because this blender lacks a tamper (like those found in high-end blenders), making nut butter requires patience.

Verdict: Yes, it can make nut butter, but it takes longer and requires manual scraping.

4. Hot Soup Test – Can It Handle Hot Liquids?

Unlike high-end blenders that generate heat through friction, the Ninja BL660 does not have a heating function. However, it can blend already hot liquids, so a test was done using steamed butternut squash and vegetable broth.

Blending hot liquids requires caution since steam buildup can cause pressure inside the pitcher. After removing the center cap from the lid to allow ventilation, the soup blended into a smooth, velvety consistency in less than 30 seconds.

Verdict: It blends hot liquids well, but extra care is needed to avoid pressure buildup.

5. Dough and Batter Test – Can It Mix?

The last test involved mixing pancake batter using flour, eggs, milk, and baking powder. On low speed, it combined everything evenly in about 10 seconds. However, the blade design isn’t ideal for kneading dough, so it’s not the best for heavy mixing tasks.

Verdict: Great for batters, not ideal for dough.

Overall Performance Rating

• Power: ★★★★★ (Crushes ice and blends tough ingredients with ease)
• Smoothie Quality: ★★★★☆ (Handles most ingredients well, but leafy greens may need extra time)
• Nut Butter Ability: ★★★★☆ (Works, but requires patience and scraping)
• Hot Liquids: ★★★★☆ (Can blend them, but needs careful handling)
• Mixing and Dough: ★★★☆☆ (Good for batter, but not for dough kneading)

Ninja BL660 Review Pros and Cons: What You Need to Know

No blender is perfect, and the Ninja BL660 is no exception. While it packs powerful blending capabilities, it also has a few trade-offs. Here’s a balanced breakdown of its strengths and weaknesses.

Pros: What Makes It Stand Out?

1. Powerful 1100-Watt Motor for Tough Ingredients

The high-wattage motor gives this blender an edge over weaker models, making it capable of crushing ice, frozen fruits, and even nuts with ease. Whether you’re making smoothies, frozen drinks, or nut butter, it delivers consistent results without struggling.

2. Large 72-Ounce Pitcher for Family-Sized Blends

This extra-large capacity makes it perfect for preparing multiple servings at once. Whether you’re blending a batch of smoothies, making frozen margaritas, or prepping soup, you won’t need multiple blending rounds.

3. Single-Serve Cups for On-the-Go Convenience

The two 16-ounce Nutri Ninja cups allow for quick, single-serve blending without using the big pitcher. Simply attach the cup to the blender, blend, and take it with you—no need for extra pouring or cleanup.

4. Total Crushing® Blade for Ice and Frozen Foods

Unlike traditional bottom-mounted blades, the six-blade tower design effectively chops and crushes ingredients from top to bottom. It turns ice into snow-like texture in seconds, making it ideal for frozen drinks and smoothies.

5. Easy to Clean and Dishwasher-Safe

All removable parts (pitcher, cups, lids, and blades) are dishwasher-safe, making cleanup simple. For a quick clean, just blend warm water with a little soap, and it’s ready to go.

6. Affordable Compared to High-End Blenders

Compared to premium brands like Vitamix and Blendtec, the Ninja BL660 offers similar power at a much lower price. If you want strong blending performance without spending hundreds of dollars, this is a great value.

Cons: What Could Be Better?

1. Noisy Operation—It’s Loud!

With 1100 watts of power, this blender is far from quiet. Crushing ice or blending frozen fruits at high speed produces a loud, high-pitched sound, which might be disruptive early in the morning.

2. Plastic Pitcher May Scratch Over Time

While BPA-free and durable, the plastic pitcher isn’t as scratch-resistant as glass. Over time, frequent use (especially with ice and frozen ingredients) may cause minor scratches on the inside.

3. No Tamper for Thick Mixtures

Unlike some high-end blenders, the Ninja BL660 doesn’t include a tamper. This means for thick blends like nut butter or hummus, you’ll need to stop and scrape down the sides manually.

4. Not Ideal for Hot Blending

Although it can blend warm ingredients, it doesn’t generate heat through friction like some premium blenders. If you’re looking to make hot soups directly in the blender, this might not be the best option.

5. Tall Design May Not Fit Under Cabinets

Standing at about 17 inches tall, this blender might not fit under standard kitchen cabinets when fully assembled. If you have limited counter space, you may need to store the pitcher separately.

Who Is This Blender Best For?

✅ Great for:

• People who need a powerful blender for smoothies, frozen drinks, and ice crushing
• Families or meal preppers who want large-capacity blending
• Those who want affordable high performance without spending on a premium brand
• Busy individuals who need quick, single-serve blending options

❌ Not ideal for:

• Those looking for a quiet blender
• People who regularly make hot soups in their blender
• Those who need a blender with a tamper for thick recipes

User Experience and Real Customer Feedback

Reviews from real users provide insight into how the Ninja BL660 performs in everyday use. After analyzing hundreds of customer reviews, a clear pattern emerges regarding what people love and what frustrates them.

What Users Like

1. Excellent for Smoothies and Frozen Drinks

Many users highlight how quickly and efficiently this blender makes smoothies. Frozen fruit and ice blend without struggle, producing a smooth, well-mixed consistency. The single-serve cups are a favorite for those who prefer quick, no-mess blending.

2. Strong Ice-Crushing Ability

A common theme in reviews is how well the BL660 crushes ice. Users frequently mention using it for margaritas, slushies, and other frozen drinks, noting that it delivers a fine, snow-like texture without large chunks.

3. Easy to Clean and Maintain

Many appreciate that the blades, pitcher, and cups are dishwasher-safe. Some mention that a quick rinse with warm water and soap removes most residue.

4. Affordable Compared to Premium Brands

Users who have owned more expensive blenders note that the BL660 delivers similar performance at a fraction of the cost. They see it as a budget-friendly alternative that doesn’t compromise much on power.

What Users Dislike

1. Loud Operation

The biggest complaint is the noise level. Many users mention that the blender is extremely loud, especially when crushing ice or blending frozen ingredients. Some compare it to a power tool or lawnmower in terms of volume.

2. Plastic Pitcher Feels Less Durable

Some users report that the plastic scratches over time, especially when blending hard ingredients like ice. Others mention that it can crack if dropped or exposed to extreme temperature changes.

3. Requires Manual Scraping for Thick Blends

Several users note that thicker blends like nut butter or hummus require stopping the blender multiple times to scrape the sides. The lack of a tamper makes processing thick mixtures less convenient.

4. Blades Are Extremely Sharp

While the sharp blades contribute to fast and efficient blending, some users mention accidentally cutting themselves during cleaning. Extra care is needed when handling or washing the blade assembly.

Common User Ratings Breakdown

• Power and Performance: ★★★★★
• Smoothie Quality: ★★★★☆
• Noise Level: ★★★☆☆
• Ease of Cleaning: ★★★★☆
• Durability: ★★★☆☆

How It Compares to Other Blenders

The Ninja BL660 sits in a competitive category, facing off against both budget-friendly and premium blenders. Here’s how it stacks up against some of its biggest rivals.

Ninja BL660 vs. Ninja BN701 (Another Ninja Alternative)

Key takeaway: The BN701 has more power, but the BL660 includes single-serve cups, making it more versatile for those who want both large and personal-sized blends.

Ninja BL660 vs. Vitamix 5200 (Premium Upgrade)

Key takeaway: The Vitamix 5200 is a higher-end investment with features like hot blending and longer durability but at a significantly higher cost. If you’re blending mostly smoothies, frozen drinks, and simple recipes, the BL660 delivers strong performance at a lower price.

Ninja BL660 vs. NutriBullet Blender Combo (Budget Pick)

Key takeaway: The NutriBullet is more compact and slightly quieter, but the Ninja BL660 crushes ice better and handles tougher ingredients.

Is the Ninja BL660 Worth It?

Deciding whether the Ninja BL660 is the right blender depends on what you need most in a blender. Here’s a breakdown to help you determine if it’s worth the investment.

Who Should Buy the Ninja BL660?

✅ You want a powerful blender without breaking the bank.
The 1100-watt motor delivers strong blending performance at a fraction of the cost of high-end brands like Vitamix.

✅ You make smoothies, frozen drinks, or protein shakes often.
It blends frozen fruit, ice, and tough ingredients quickly and consistently, making it ideal for smoothies and slushies.

✅ You need both large and single-serve options.
The included 72-ounce pitcher is great for family-sized batches, while the 16-ounce cups let you blend personal portions on the go.

✅ You want easy cleanup.
With dishwasher-safe parts and a simple design, cleaning the BL660 is quick and hassle-free.

Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere?

❌ You need a quieter blender.
The BL660 is loud, especially when blending ice or frozen ingredients. If noise is a concern, consider a quieter model like the NutriBullet Combo.

❌ You blend thick mixtures like nut butter frequently.
This blender works well for smoothies and shakes, but thick blends may require frequent scraping since it doesn’t include a tamper. If you make nut butters or hummus often, a Vitamix may be a better option.

❌ You want long-term durability.
The plastic pitcher is durable for most uses but may scratch or crack over time. Higher-end models with stainless steel blades and more robust construction will last longer.

Cost vs. Value: Is It a Smart Purchase?

Considering its power, versatility, and price, the Ninja BL660 offers great value for the money. It outperforms most blenders in its price range, making it a smart choice for those who need strong blending power without the high-end price tag.

Final Thoughts: Should You Buy It?

Of course, the Ninja BL660 is a powerful, budget-friendly blender that excels at making smoothies, frozen drinks, and sauces. It delivers strong ice-crushing performance, comes with multiple blending options, and is easy to clean.

That said, it’s not perfect. The noise level is high, the plastic pitcher can show wear over time, and it struggles with thicker blends like nut butters without manual scraping. However, for the price, it’s one of the best blenders available for everyday use.

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy It?

✔️ Best for: Smoothie lovers, families, and anyone looking for a powerful yet affordable blender.
❌ Not ideal for: Those needing a quieter blender, long-term durability, or frequent thick blending.

If your main priority is a strong, versatile blender that won’t break the bank, the Ninja BL660 is a solid choice.

Feel free to also consider our collection of the Best Ninja models.