I tested the Ninja Power Duo Immersion Blender — a quick and effective tool that can tackle just about any ingredient
Ninja Power Duo Immersion Blender with Whisk: one-minute review
The Ninja Power Duo Immersion Blender with Whisk does just what you'd expect, based on the name. The device comes with two different attachments, one for blending and one for whisking. The attachments are easy and intuitive to swap out. You can use the provided container or use just about any pot, bowl, or container you'd like. Make your favorite sauces, smoothies, whipped food, and more. The Ninja Power Duo Immersion Blender with Whisk offers three power levels.
Working with an immersion blender is a bit different from a standing blender; you need a bit of coordination to get everything blended properly. You need to hold down the power button as you blend, use an up and down motion, and use another finger to toggle the speed up or down. I ended up with some tiny ice shards in some of my smoothies, but further blending probably would have taken care of that.
Cleanup couldn't be easier. The motor/handle can be wiped down with a damp cloth if needed. All other parts can be popped into the dishwasher (top rack) or hand-washed with warm soapy water. All of the parts are light and easy to stash away, freeing up valuable counter space for other appliances.
Ninja Power Duo Immersion Blender with Whisk: price and availability
- List price: $79.99 (about £60 / AU$113)
- Widely available online and in stores
The Ninja Power Duo Immersion Blender with Whisk can be found at many major retailers across the US, both online and in stores. You can purchase it at Ninja's own website or at Walmart, Target, Macy's, Amazon, and many more. There are two color options: Dark Gray, which you can see in my photos, and Deep Navy. Additional accessories available for purchase include a 3-cup Power Chopper and 4-cup Blending Pitcher.
- Value score: 4.5/5
Ninja Power Duo Immersion Blender with Whisk: specifications
|
Price |
$79.99 |
|
Power levels |
Low, medium, and high |
|
Parts included |
Power base, whisk attachment, blender attachment, 3-cup blending container and lid |
|
Container material |
Plastic |
|
Additional accessories available |
3-cup Power Chopper and 4-cup Blending Pitcher |
|
Color options |
Deep Navy and Dark Gray (as seen in my photos) |
Ninja Power Duo Immersion Blender with Whisk: design and features
- Use provided container or just about any other
- Three blending speeds
- 750-watt motor
The clever design of the Ninja Power Duo Immersion Blender with Whisk allows it to be used in a lot of different situations. From blending sauce on the stove to cottage cheese in its own container or whisking egg whites in a shallow bowl, this appliance offers a lot of flexibility. The provided 3-cup plastic container is handy and even has a lid for storing leftovers. The blending blade is surrounded by a splatter shield to minimize mess as you blend.
Other thoughtful touches include the ease with which you can swap out the blending blade and whisk. All parts that contact food are designed to be dishwasher-safe, which makes cleanup super easy. They can also be easily hand-washed if you prefer.
The power button must be held down as you use the device, which takes a bit of coordination, especially if you change speeds while blending. It does take some getting used to, but I can't fault Ninja for that choice: it is clearly a safety feature.
- Design score: 5/5
Ninja Power Duo Immersion Blender with Whisk: performance
I tested the Ninja Power Duo Immersion Blender with Whisk on a number of different foods. I blended pasta sauce, hummus, smoothies, frozen yogurt, and cottage cheese. I whisked egg whites. It handled everything well without excessive mess or noise.
I made some pasta sauce from canned whole tomatoes. I placed the immersion blender directly into the pot on the stove. In less than a minute, the tomatoes were blended into a smooth puree. I was a little nervous that I'd end up with sauce all over my stove, but that was not the case at all.
I made two different smoothies, one with frozen cherries, almond milk, and yogurt and another with frozen mangoes and fruit juice. Both came out smooth and delicious.
I also made some different "frozen yogurts," which are similar to smoothies but with frozen fruit, ice, yogurt, and no liquid, so they are a bit more challenging for blenders. I made a banana-peanut butter flavor, banana-chocolate, and cherry. The banana versions also included some hemp seeds and protein powder. All of the seeds and powders blended up smoothly. I did get the occasional ice shard; I probably could have taken more time to be sure I blended every inch.
I blended the cherry one directly in the yogurt container (which only had about a half-cup of yogurt left at the bottom.) I just added frozen cherries and blended for a super-simple and healthy dessert.
I had about half a container of cottage cheese and I blended it right in the container. Just a few seconds turned the curds into a smoother texture, which I later used to make a chia pudding.
I made an ultra-simple hummus with ingredients I had on hand: a can of chickpeas (rinsed and drained), lemon juice, olive oil, cumin, garlic, and salt. It actually came out delicious, though I suspect that the addition of tahini would have made it even better and smoother.
I've never actually whipped egg whites before, but the whisk attachment made it super easy. The pictures below speak better than words. It was kind of magic.
- Performance score: 4.5/5
Should you buy the Ninja Power Duo Immersion Blender with Whisk?
|
Attributes |
Notes |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
Value |
You can't call it cheap, but it does a good job for the price. |
4.5/5 |
|
Design |
It's well-designed to do its job; cleanup and storage are super easy. |
5/5 |
|
Performance |
It does a thorough job both blending and whisking. Even immsersing it in small containers, I rarely made a mess. |
4.5/5 |
|
Overall |
It's smallish but mighty! |
4.5/5 |
Buy it if
You need a compact, hand-held blender powerful enough to crush ice
Don't let the size fool you, this immersion blender makes quick work of smoothies, sauces, and more. It might miss a few bits of ice here and there (though maybe that's my impatience talking) but overall, it does the job.
You want cleanup to be easy
All of the parts that contact food can be popped into the dishwasher or quickly hand-washed.
You want a powerful whisk, too
Easily swap out the immersion blender arm for a whisk and you've got yourself a power whisk for frothing up eggs, cream, and more.
Don't buy it if
You want gravity to do the work
This is an immersion blender, so you'll need to hold down the power button as you move the blender up and down. Toggling between low, medium, and high speeds while you're doing that takes some coordination.
You need a higher-power blender
At 750 watts, it should be powerful enough for most things, but you may find it lacking if you want ultra-smooth and silky smoothies.
You want to purchase just one blender-type appliance
If you plan to have just one blender in your kitchen, this might not cover all of your blending needs. You might prefer a standing blender or one that comes with more attachments.
Ninja Power Duo Immersion Blender with Whisk: also consider
If the Ninja Power Duo Immersion Blender with Whisk isn't exactly what you're looking for, you might consider the following:
Vitamix A3500
I've made space on my counter for a powerful Vitamix for well over a decade. It's the ultimate for ultra-smooth smoothies and more.
Read our review of the Vitamix A3500
Breville the All in One
If you want even more than what the Ninja Power Duo Immersion Blender with Whisk has to offer, add a food processor and you'll have an idea of what the Breville All in One has to offer.
Check out our review of the Breville the All in OneView Deal
How I tested the Ninja Power Duo Immersion Blender with Whisk
- I tested both attachments and all three power levels
- I made a variety of beverages and foods
- I cleaned it after every use, both by hand and in the dishwasher
I blended pasta sauce that started with a can of whole tomatoes. I made a simple hummus with a drained and rinsed can of chickpeas, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and spices. I made several different kinds of smoothies and frozen yogurt with ice and/or frozen fruit, some of which included powders and seeds. I blended cottage cheese, right in its container. I whisked egg whites until they formed peaks.
Read more about how we test.
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