TLDR Review: Hamilton Beach Portable Blender 51172
Pros
- •Blends ingredients quickly and efficiently despite its compact 14 oz size, especially for protein powders and soft fruits.
- •Designed with permanently attached blades inside the cup, making cleaning very simple and hasslree with no need to disassemble parts or handle gaskets.
- •Made from thick, sturdy BPree plastic, providing durability and safety for daily use.
- •Compact and portable, perfect for travel and small kitchens, saving plenty of countertop space.
- •Plugs directly into a wall outlet, so no need to worry about charging batteries, ensuring consistent power.
- •Travel lid allows blending and drinking from the same cup, making it convenient for ohe-go use.
- •Motor tends to be durable and outlasts other components, providing dependable blending performance.
- •Ideal for making shakes, smoothies, and light blending tasks like salsa or small batches of batter.
Cons
- •Not powerful enough to crush ice or blend harder ingredients like frozen fruit or hummus properly without adding extra liquid or assistance.
- •The lid fits somewhat loosely, requiring you to hold it during blending to avoid spills.
- •Motor can heat up quickly with continuous use, indicating it's best suited for short blending cycles.
- •Durability issues arise over time, with reports that the container may crack or split after about two years and blades might detach.
- •Cord storage is less convenient compared to previous models, with unclear instructions on how to wrap it properly.
- •Carrying the blender cup with blades attached can feel odd and less secure, despite the travel lid.
- •Some users need to push down ingredients manually during blending to achieve smoother results.
Bottom Line
The Hamilton Beach Portable Blender (model 51172) is a solid, affordable choice for anyone seeking an easy-to-clean, travel-friendly personal blender mainly for shakes, smoothies, and light blending tasks. It shines with quick blending for powders and soft fruits but falls short when faced with tougher ingredients like ice or frozen fruit without added liquid. The compact size and plug-in design offer reliable everyday convenience, though you should be prepared for some durability wear after a couple of years and occasional lid or motor quirks. If you want a blender that handles ice crushing or thicker blends better, you might want to explore higher-powered models, but for straightforward shakes and smoothies on the go, this one fits the bill nicely.
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