Is it easy to clean?
Most are: blend warm water and a drop of dish soap for 30 to 60 seconds, then rinse. On personal cups, pull the gasket under the blade now and then.
30 to 60 s Vitamix self-clean time, per listing
Smoothie blender accessories that actually fit
Which one should you buy?
Replace the parts that wear first: gaskets, cups and blades. Match the model number on the bottom of your base before you buy, because cups and tampers are not universal. A long bottle brush, freezer molds and a slider mat for under-cabinet blenders fix the most common daily annoyances.
What buyers actually worry about
Can it make a thick acai or smoothie bowl?
Only with a tamper or a bowl maker; otherwise the blades spin in an air pocket. ATK notes a tamper goes through the lid while running and is too short to reach the blades.
14 oz bowl maker with built-in tamper on the Ninja SS101, per listing
Will it fit under my kitchen cabinets?
Measure the gap first; standard uppers leave about 18 inches. The tall classic Vitamix jar won’t fit, while low-profile jars and most combo blenders will.
20.25 in vs 17.5 in Vitamix 5200 (ATK) vs low-profile Vitamix 7500 (Vitamix spec sheet)
Spare parts that wear out
Spare part
NutriBullet Pro 900 Gaskets (6-pack)
What to look for: Lip-style rings for Pro 900W blades. Replace when you see cracks or smell old smoothie. Not for Magic Bullet, RX or Nutri Ninja.
Check price
Spare part
24 oz Cups for Ninja (3-pack)
What to look for: Fits BN401, BL450, BN751, BN801, SS101 and SS151. Check the model on the bottom of your base.
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Spare part
Classic Tamper for Vitamix 64 oz (2-pack)
What to look for: 12.6 inches long, made for the 64 oz classic tall jar on the 5200, 5000, 6300, 760 and VX1. Not for low-profile or 48 oz jars.
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Spare part
32 oz Cups for NutriBullet 600W and Pro 900 (2-pack)
What to look for: Two 32 oz cups and two to-go lids. Check that your base is a 600W or Pro 900.
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Spare part
Extractor Blade for NutriBullet 600W/900W
What to look for: Fits Original 600W and Pro 900 series; not Pro+ 1200, RX or Magic Bullet. Seat the O-ring before use.
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Spare part
Vitamix 64 oz Classic Container
What to look for: Fits full-size Classic C-Series bases like the 5200. Not for Ascent or Venturist. A second jar means one for greens, one for sauces.
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Spare part
72 oz Replacement Pitcher for Ninja BL610
What to look for: Third-party pitcher for BL610 and BL710 bases with the extended rim. Lid not included.
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Spare part
Smoothie Bowl Maker for Ninja Foodi
What to look for: Lists SS101 and SS151 among compatible bases. The listing mixes 14 oz and 18 oz, so match the size of your old bowl.
Check priceSmall tools that fix common problems
Cleaning
17-Inch Bottle Brush (2-pack)
What to look for: Long enough to reach the bottom of a tall jar or tumbler without your hand near the blades.
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Counter
Appliance Slider Mats (2-pack)
What to look for: Lets you slide a heavy blender out from under cabinets without lifting it. Pick a size bigger than your base.
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Freezer
Souper Cubes 1-Cup Freezer Molds
What to look for: Half-cup and one-cup lines make even pucks of yogurt, banana or leftover smoothie that blend faster than a solid bag of fruit.
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Freezer
Reusable Silicone Freezer Bags (12-pack)
What to look for: Freezer and dishwasher safe. Pack a week of smoothie kits on Sunday.
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Texture
Fine-Mesh Strainer Set
What to look for: For seedy raspberry or blackberry smoothies when your blender can’t grind the seeds.
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To go
Simple Modern 24 oz Insulated Tumbler
What to look for: Double-wall steel with a straw lid that fits cupholders. Wide straws handle thick smoothies better.
Check priceCompanions people buy alongside
Companion
Braun MultiQuick 5 Hand Blender
What to look for: America’s Test Kitchen’s immersion blender winner. Good for quick shakes and soup in the pot.
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Companion
Protein Shaker Bottles (6-pack)
What to look for: For powder-and-milk shakes when you don’t need a blender at all.
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Companion
Ninja Blast Portable Blender (BC151)
What to look for: For smoothies away from an outlet. Check the CPSC recall list before buying any portable blender.
Check priceAccessories: questions, answered
Are third-party blender cups safe to use?
They work if they match your model. Many third-party listings say outright they are not original parts, and some exclude certain bases; read the compatibility list.
How often should I replace my blender gasket?
When it cracks, stretches, leaks or holds a smell after washing.
Can I use a Vitamix tamper on any container?
No. The classic tamper is 12.6 in long for the 64 oz classic tall jar and is not for low-profile or 48 oz jars.
What is the best way to freeze fruit for smoothies?
Freeze it in flat bags or portion molds so it breaks up easily, rather than in one solid block.
How do I clean under the blender blade?
Twist off the blade, pull the gasket, scrub both with a long brush and let them dry before reassembling.
Do I need a strainer for smoothies?
Only for seedy berries in a blender that can’t grind them.