By Maria Yagoda, a writer and editor who covers food, travel, and culture. She has over a decade of experience in food media and is a frequent contributor to Wine Enthusiast and Travel & Leisure. Her latest book is Laid and Confused: Why We Tolerate Bad Sex and How to Stop.
For quick, ultra-creamy shakes and smoothies that are pretty impossible to mess up, consider a personal size blender that comes with to-go cups. One of our favorites is the Ninja Nutri-Blender Pro, which Lance Bass says is the "easiest, smoothest" blender he's ever used, and it's currently just $60 at Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and ninja.com. (Fitness writer Jeremy Rellosa uses it for all his protein shakes, too.)
We appreciate that the powerful, compact blender, which is mercifully dishwasher safe, comes with two 24 oz. to-go cups and spout lids, and that it doesn't overcomplicate things with too many settings. The two "Auto-iQ" preset programs -- one for smoothies and one for crushed ice -- get the job done exceptionally well.
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