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When you look at consumer reviews the two biggest complaints by consumers about blenders are first size and second price.
While brands like Vitamix and Blendtec no-doubt produces top-notched blenders, the sheer size and hefty price tag turn away some potential buyers.
Ninja was smart in manufacturing something that will cater for buyers who look for:
- A compact machine that will not take a lot of space and
- Something that will not burn a hole on your wallet
This particular model is so popular that it has taken the number 1 slot in Amazon’s highly competitive blender category.
Related: Looking for a great blender deal? Check out this page to get the best blender deals in Amazon just in time for Christmas!
One of the first questions that popped up in my mind with is machine is quality.
Has Ninja compromised on the quality to produce such an affordable blender? How will it perform with smoothies and salad dressings? Let’s find out in this review.
Features at a glance:
- Powered by a 400 watt motor (an optional 450 watt variant is also available for about $13 more)
- Comes with a 16 ounce chopper bowl and a larger 48 ounce pitcher
- Has two attachments – the 4-blade (for smoothies) and 6-blade system (for food processing)
- Both containers come with an anti-spill splash guard and a no slip base
- Both containers are BPA free and dishwasher safe
- 16 ounce chopper bowl to mince, dice, chop, blend and puree
- One year warranty
Pros
- Small and compact will fit in any kitchen
- Super cheap
- Easy to clean and store away
- More than just a blender – it can also chop, dice and mince
- Both jugs has a cover so you can use it as storage containers
Cons
- Weak 400 watt motor can bog down when you put too much
- Some safety concerns about cleaning the sharp blades (keep this out of the reach of children!)
- Short warranty
- On has the pulse function, you need to hold it so the motor runs
What to expect from this compact Ninja?
Out of the box, you’ll get 2 containers – a 16 ounce “chopper” bowl and a larger 48 ounce jug for making smoothies.
Other stuff you’ll get are:
- 4 piece bade set
- 6 piece blade set
Use the 4 piece set for smoothies and the 6 piece set for processing food.
In essence you’re getting two products in one here – a smoothie maker and a food processor though a very small food processor at that.
These blades aren’t interchangeable so you’ll have to use the small container as the food processor. But this blender costs just $30 so it’s a great deal.
Here’s a short review on what’s inside the box, making hummus and a smoothie…
The blades are removable so it’s easier to clean. But remember to twist it after attaching it on the bowl so it locks in place. And it won’t dislodge and damage the bowl.
You can also use the container as a dipping dish and it has a sealed cover so the container can also be used a storage container. It did leaf a piece of leafy but overall it did a good job chopping and mincing all the ingredients.
Take note that the blades are very sharp and this can be an issue when cleaning it. Make sure to keep your fingers away from the sharp edges.
What can this make?
Despite the small size of this machine, it is very versatile. Basically it’s buying two products – a blender and food processor.
The decent sized blender can make up to 48 ounces of smoothies which is slightly bigger than the Nutri Ninja and NutriBullet that costs at least $70 bucks more. No wonder this is a bestseller.
Let’s start with the smoothie making capabilities…
Here’s a recipe that includes tomato, celery, carrots, strawberry, apples, banana, orange, lemon and kiwi…
How about a green smoothie – carrots, green pepper, parsley, alfalfa sprouts, mix greens, cucumber, Brussel sprouts and celery.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbfXGnj0Mv4
Now this recipe looks to me to fit better on a salad bowl than a cup and it was a bit chunky, not as smooth as I’d like it to be in my opinion.
The blade design may play a factor here as it is sharp and looks like more like a pureed mixture rather than a smoothie.
Here’s a demo of how it chops onions, garlic and basil…
Now it turned out very well and it saved a lot of time in terms of chopping.
Is it easy to clean?
The compact size of the jugs and the small blades make this very easy to clean. A short note on the blades, since this machine uses a sharp blade design from a food processor – please be very careful when cleaning this.
One consumer has sent a photo of him cutting his finger while cleaning it.
Obviously he gave a 1 star rating because of it. So this is just a heads up for you of the possible dangers if you are not careful. Of course keep the blades away from children.
Warranty
Ninja will give a 1 year warranty for this product.
Product Specification
| Model | Ninja Master Prep (QB900B) |
| Motor | 400 Watts |
| Jug capacity | 1 - 48 ounce (for blending) 1 - 16 ounce chopping bowl (for food processing) |
| Blade Type | one 6-blade set one 4-blade set |
| Max RPM | N/A |
| Preset blending cycles | None |
| Tamper/Plunger |  |
| Crush ice? |  |
| Smoothies | |
| Juice | |
| Process Foods | |
| Warranty | 1 year |
What do consumers think?
If you look at the sheer volume of reviews alone which is over 4,000 and counting – you’ll know that this is a very popular product. Add to that the high rating that it got not only in Amazon but in other shops like Walmart.
First let’s look at the reasons why consumers love this product.
The compact size of this blender is a major factor why consumers love this, unlike the Vitamix or other full sized blenders that are either too bulky or too heavy. This one is compact enough to fit inside cup boards or cabinets.
One thing to note is the position of the power button located on top. But that’s a shallow learning curve.
The two containers in the package are plastic so it isn’t as heavy.
Cleaning the container is easy and safe with the blades easily removed. There is less risk of injuries with the sharp blade out of the way.
There is one consumer however who complained about the sharp blades and he posted a photo about it in his review.
But you still have to be careful with the sharp blades that protrudes.
Blending performance was satisfactory according to consumers and resulted in a pretty smooth drink. But there will be some chunks here and there particularly if you blend leafy greens.
Blades are also strong enough to crush frozen fruits or ice so having a cold smoothie should not be a problem.
However there are some complaints with regards to the consistency. Some say it didn’t have a great consistency and there were some chunks here and there.
The inclusion of a mini food processor is what makes this product special. A lot of consumers really liked how it chopped and diced stuff like carrots, onions and avocado. It made food prep a lot easier. Even though it lacked sized it still performed well.
Overall, despite the complaints (by the minority) about the plastic cracking, safety issues, chunky smoothies and poor aftersales service.
The Master Prep still got a lot of positive reviews because of the low price, compact size and the versatility. It is package that is hard to beat.
Price
The best price so far is in Amazon where you can buy this for just a little over $30. An optional 450 watt option is available for just under $45.
To Wrap Up
In terms of price and footprint, it is hard to beat the Ninja Master Prep Pro Blender.
It is this combination that has catapulted it to the number 1 slot in the very competitive blender category in Amazon. If you’re looking for a compact machine that blends and processes food this is one of the best options out there.
In terms of blending, it may not have the same smooth consistency as more expensive blenders out there because of the blade design.
So if you’re particular with this stay away from this machine but if you don’t mind it at all – then this is a no-brainer choice.
It also comes with a mini food processor that will chop, dice and puree vegetables and fruit. A great addition to any health buff’s arsenal.