What are the best blenders according to ratings and experts?

I’ve researched the most consistently top-rated blenders (less than $175) according to FoodNetwork, RealSimple, Good Housekeeping, and consumers so you don’t have to

I’m in the market for a high-quality and affordable blender and figured I should put my many hours of research to good use by sharing the data with you. I’ve read 20 of the most-viewed articles about expert-tested blenders from Food Network, Good Housekeeping, New York Magazine, Real Simple, RTings, and more. From there I narrowed down the most consistently recommended blenders for quality and value. After that, I read user reviews to check for customer consistency.

Hands-down, the Vitamix Explorian is among the most highly rated and talked-about blenders in the culinary community. The Explorian is on my list but toward the bottom because I’m also tryina build my 401k and my kid’s college savings account. For this reason, I’m focusing primarily on the best blenders that cost less than $175.

At $290, Vitamix E310 Explorian is an investment blender and among the highest-rated.

Keep in mind, I’m a recreational maker of smoothies and frozen drinks. If you’re looking for a professional-grade blender, this list isn’t the one for you. (For that, you’d…