How many people can the Ninja BN301 make smoothies for at once?
It comes with three 20 oz. To-Go Cups, two Spout Lids and one Storage Lid, enough to blend three individual smoothies back to back without washing a cup in between, or to serve two now and keep a third in the fridge under the Storage Lid. It is still a single-serve blender, though: you blend one cup at a time on the shared base, not a shared jug.
Does the BN301 have speed settings or presets?
No dial, screen or preset buttons. It uses push-to-blend: the motor runs only while you press the cup down onto the base and stops when you let go. You control texture by pulsing, with short presses to crush ice, seeds and frozen ingredients and a longer hold to smooth everything out. It is very easy to use, and the trade-off is that you do the timing yourself.
What size cups does it use, and are they dishwasher safe?
Each cup holds 20 oz., and Ninja says the cups, lids and blade assembly are all dishwasher safe on the top rack. The cups are BPA-free plastic with measurements printed on them. It is easy to clean, and rinsing the cup soon after blending keeps it that way.
Is the Ninja BN301 loud when blending frozen ingredients?
Opinions differ. It can seem pleasantly quiet for a blender, not silent but nowhere near as loud as most full-size models, while for others the noise is a drawback. A compact motor crushing ice is never quiet, so if you blend early in a small home with light sleepers, expect some noise for the short time it runs.
What's included in the box with the BN301?
The 900-peak-watt motor base, the Pro Extractor Blades Assembly, three 20 oz. To-Go Cups, two Spout Lids and one Storage Lid. The unit is silver, made from BPA-free plastic with stainless steel blades, weighs 5.3 pounds and measures 4.7 inches wide and deep by 13.8 inches tall. It runs on 120V corded power and carries a 1-year limited warranty from Ninja; the model number is BN301, which is worth knowing if you ever order a replacement part.
Is the BN301 good value?
Yes. Value for money is one of its strengths, alongside power, speed and easy cleaning, and it easily becomes something you use every day. The value comes from the three cups and lids in the box and from a compact base that does the daily smoothie job without fuss. If you need big batches or preset programs, a full-size blender will serve you better.
