If you want serious blending power without paying Vitamix-level prices, the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender is one of the most recommended budget-to-mid-range blenders on Amazon. It's been a bestseller for years, consistently praised for crushing ice and frozen fruit without stalling, and it regularly goes on sale well below its $119.99–$129.99 list price.

Here's a full breakdown of what it does well, where it falls short, and whether it's the right blender for your kitchen.

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What Is the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender?

The BN701 is Ninja's mid-tier "Professional Plus" blender, sitting above the brand's basic models but below its premium food-processor combo units. It's built around Ninja's Total Crushing Blade system and a 1400-peak-watt motor, paired with Auto-iQ technology — three pre-programmed cycles that automatically pulse, blend, and pause in specific patterns so you don't have to babysit the blender or guess at timing.

It's designed for people who want one reliable countertop blender that handles smoothies, frozen drinks, ice crushing, and basic food prep without a steep learning curve or a four-figure price tag.

Key Specifications

Feature

Detail

Model

Ninja BN701

Motor power

1400 peak watts

Pitcher capacity

72 oz. total (64 oz. max liquid)

Auto-iQ presets

3 (smoothies, frozen drinks, ice cream)

Blades

Total Crushing stacked-blade assembly

Material

BPA-free food-grade plastic pitcher

Cleaning

Dishwasher-safe parts

Color

Dark grey / black

Typical price

List $119.99–$129.99; frequently on sale for $70–$110

How It Performs

Crushing Ice and Frozen Ingredients

This is the blender's strongest selling point. The Total Crushing Blades and 1400-peak-watt motor consistently handle ice, frozen fruit, and thick frozen drinks without stalling out, according to multiple independent product reviews and large volumes of user feedback. If your main use case is smoothies, frozen margaritas, or protein shakes straight out of the freezer, this is exactly the kind of task the BN701 was built for.

Smoothies and Everyday Blending

For everyday smoothies, the Auto-iQ presets do most of the thinking for you. Instead of manually pulsing and adjusting speed, you select a preset and the machine runs a pre-timed sequence of blending and pausing designed to produce a consistent texture. Reviewers across multiple retail platforms frequently describe this as one of the easiest blenders they've used, specifically because it removes the guesswork for people who aren't experienced with manual blending techniques.

Capacity for Families

The 72-oz. pitcher (64 oz. usable liquid capacity) is large enough to make a full batch of smoothies for a family in one go, which comes up repeatedly in user feedback as a major plus for households that don't want to run multiple blending cycles back to back.

Noise Level

This is the most consistent criticism across reviews. Multiple sources, including professional review roundups, note that the BN701 runs loud during high-speed blending and ice crushing, which is common for blenders in this power class but worth knowing if you're blending early in the morning in a shared living space.

What Real Owners Are Saying: Pros and Cons

What People Love

  • Ice-crushing power. Repeatedly cited as the standout feature across independent reviews and user feedback.

  • Auto-iQ simplicity. The preset programs are frequently mentioned as the reason people find this blender easier to use than manual-speed-dial competitors.

  • Large batch capacity. The 72-oz. pitcher size is a common positive, especially for families or anyone who meal-preps smoothies.

  • Easy cleanup. Dishwasher-safe components come up often as a convenience factor.

  • Strong value for the price. Several reviewers directly compare it to premium blenders costing significantly more and still prefer the BN701 for everyday use, citing price as a major factor.

  • Durability. Multiple sources describe the build as sturdy enough for frequent daily use.

What People Don't Love

  • Noisy at high speed. The most frequently repeated con across review sources.

  • Countertop footprint. A number of reviewers mention it's bulkier than expected and takes up meaningful counter space, which matters in smaller kitchens.

  • Limited color options. Mostly available in dark grey/black, so it won't match every kitchen aesthetic.

  • Not for serious manual control. The preset-driven design is a plus for most buyers but can feel limiting if you're an experienced blender user who prefers manually adjusting speed and timing yourself.

Compared to the volume of positive feedback, these cons are relatively minor and show up as trade-offs of its price point and power class rather than functional defects.

Ninja BN701 vs. Higher-End Blenders

If you're comparing this to a Vitamix or Blendtec, the decision comes down to budget versus features:

  • Choose the Ninja BN701 if you want strong ice-crushing and smoothie performance at a fraction of premium blender prices, and you're fine with automated presets instead of fully manual speed control.

  • Choose a premium blender if you need commercial-grade durability, variable speed dials, or plan to make things like hot soups directly in the blender (a feature the BN701 doesn't offer).

For the average household that wants smoothies, frozen drinks, and the occasional batch of soup or sauce base, the BN701 covers the vast majority of use cases without the premium price tag.

Who Should Buy This Blender?

This blender is a strong fit for:

  • Anyone who regularly makes smoothies with frozen fruit or ice

  • Families who want a large-batch blender instead of single-serve cups

  • Buyers who want simple, preset-driven operation instead of manual dials

  • Shoppers looking for a budget-friendly alternative to premium blender brands

It's probably not ideal for:

  • Anyone blending in the early morning in an apartment with thin walls (noise is a real factor)

  • Buyers who specifically want manual speed control for precision blending

  • Very small kitchens where counter space is at a premium

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Ninja BN701 crush ice well?
Yes — this is consistently the most praised feature across both expert and user reviews. The Total Crushing Blades and 1400-peak-watt motor handle ice and frozen ingredients without stalling.

Is the Ninja BN701 loud?
It's on the louder side during high-speed blending and ice crushing, which is typical for blenders in this power category, but it's the single most repeated criticism in user feedback.

How big is the pitcher?
The pitcher holds 72 oz. total, with a 64-oz. maximum liquid fill line, which is large enough for family-sized batches.

Is it dishwasher safe?
Yes, the pitcher and related components are dishwasher-safe, making cleanup straightforward.

How much does the Ninja BN701 cost?
List price typically runs $119.99–$129.99, but it frequently goes on sale on Amazon for anywhere between $70 and $110, so it's worth checking current pricing before buying.

Final Verdict

The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender is a reliable, no-frills workhorse for anyone who wants strong ice-crushing and smoothie performance without paying premium-blender prices. The Auto-iQ presets make it approachable for beginners, the large pitcher handles family-sized batches, and the overwhelming majority of owner feedback is positive. The trade-offs — noise and counter space — are reasonable compromises for a blender that regularly sells for under $100.

If you want a dependable daily-use blender rather than a commercial-grade machine, this is one of the easiest recommendations in Ninja's lineup.

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