Our Honest Review of the NutriBullet Flip Portable Blender

Tested by Chelsea Collier

Single-serve appliances are having a moment. From mini waffle makers and panini presses from the brand Dash to single-serve coffeemakers and small air fryers, so many appliances on the market right now are designed to simplify prepping food for one.

For the past 20 years, NutriBullet has been working to perfect its signature single-serve appliance, the personal blender. Designed for the individual, the personal bullet blender has long been the choice for those looking for an everyday blender who don't want to splurge on top-of-the-line models like the Vitamix. Their small size made them perfect for young professionals living in small spaces. NutriBullet's blenders have always been designed with portability in mind, diverging from classic blender models by using a blending cup that can be taken on the go with an included lid.

The brand has taken portability a step further with the NutriBullet Flip, a fully portable rechargeable personal blender with an insulated cup and a blending lid with a high-powered motor. The Flip is NutriBullet's answer to portable blenders from brands like Ninja and BlendJet. We put it through a series of tests to see if it was a winner.

What Is the NutriBullet Flip Portable Blender?

The NutriBullet Flip Portable Blender is the latest addition to NutriBullet's blender line, designed specifically for on-the-go smoothie making. This personal blender features a simple, one-button interface and a user-friendly design that requires four steps to make a smoothie: load the 20-ounce stainless steel cup with ingredients, screw on the motor base, flip the device and press the button to blend in 30-second intervals. The Flip is also self-cleaning — just run a blending cycle with dish soap and water. The model includes a to-go lid, straw, cleaning brush, blending cup, blade cover, USB-C charger and a motor base with a handle that doubles as a sip lid. The blending cup and plastic accessories are dishwasher-safe, but the motor base is not.

Unlike many portable blenders that use plastic blending cups, the Flip utilizes an insulated stainless steel cup made to keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours. The Flip has an alternative lower-cost plastic blending cup option with a silicone sleeve, too. The stainless steel version comes in three colors: black, white and brushed stainless.

Weighing nearly three and a half pounds, the Flip is larger and heavier than most portable blenders, but it boasts 11.1 volts of blending power — over 30 percent more than the Magic Bullet Portable Blender from NutriBullet's sister brand. The Flip also comes with a recipe booklet and user manual featuring five smoothie recipes, three cocktail recipes and tips for optimal use.

What's the Difference Between the NutriBullet Flip and the NutriBullet Personal Blender?

The NutriBullet Flip is unique compared to the brand's six other personal blender models because it is designed to be taken on the go. While traditional personal blenders are stationary and require continuous power from an outlet to function, the Flip is rechargeable for multiple cycles. The NutriBullet Flip can blend drinks while you're on the move — intended for those who want freshly blended drinks throughout the day or don't have time to blend at home in the mornings. With the Flip, there's no need for extra drinking cups to carry and insulate your smoothie because it functions as both a blender and an insulated cup. It gives you the flexibility to make smoothies anywhere at any time.

How We Tested the NutriBullet Flip Portable Blender

We tested the NutriBullet Flip to see how it handled blending various ingredients, including frozen and fresh produce, protein powder and ice. We conducted four different drink tests: a smoothie with frozen fruit, a smoothie with kale, a protein powder shake and a test to crush ice. Additionally, we ran a 24-hour insulation test and tried drinking from both lids. The blender was tested on a full battery after a two-hour charge, as recommended, even though it arrived partially charged out of the box.

Basic Smoothie Test: To begin, we blended a classic fruit smoothie with a banana, frozen strawberries and milk. After the first cycle, the smoothie was not fully combined so we used the included straw to stir it before blending again. In total, the blender needed three 30-second cycles to fully combine all the ingredients and reach a smooth texture.

Kale Smoothie Test: This tougher blend with kale, fresh strawberries, banana and milk took multiple cycles and still left some texture. The smoothie had some chucks after the first 30-second blend cycle, but by the second cycle, it had a drinkable texture. We chose to blend it three times for a smoother consistency, though even then it still had some slight texture from the kale.

Protein Powder Test: The blender handled protein powder and milk perfectly, with no clumps and a smooth consistency in a single blend cycle. The powder was fully combined and did not separate, even after multiple minutes. Like the others, this smoothie was easy to drink through both lids and using the included straw.

Ice Test: When it came to the ice test, the blender failed to crush ice effectively without liquid. We ran multiple cycles, but the ice would get stuck and not fall into the blades. It took over three cycles and some manual agitation to break down the ice when liquid was added. The Flip can crush ice but only with added liquid and multiple cycles or with very small cubes.

Insulation Test: To test the Flip's insulation, we left a frozen fruit smoothie in the stainless steel cup with the to-go lid on for 24 hours. After 12 hours, the smoothie was still very cold but no longer icy. After 24 hours, the smoothie was still cool but not super cold.

What We Loved About the NutriBullet Flip Portable Blender

User-Friendly Interface and Charging

With just one button, we found the Flip was incredibly easy to use straight out of the box. We didn't need the user manual to understand how it worked and no assembly was required. We also loved how simple charging was using a common USB-C charging cable, instead of a specialized cable that may be hard to replace in a pinch. The color indicator on the machine's single button made it easy to know whether it had full, partial or zero charge. It ran for over 14 cycles, as advertised, without problems.

Easy Cleaning

The self-cleaning method for the Flip was ideal because we didn't have to worry about cleaning sharp blades. The self-clean function is convenient for on-the-go use, which this blender is designed for. We liked that the plastic accessories are easy to throw in the dishwasher or handwash. The straw also comes with a brush, which made for easy cleanup.

Insulation

We love that the NuriBullet Flip is insulated. It kept smoothies cold for 12 hours and cool for 24, which is more than enough time to enjoy a smoothie or shake. Insulation is a feature that makes the Flip different from most other portable blenders. It's easy to take this blender anywhere without worrying about drinks spoiling.

Powerful Blend

The NuriBullet Flip has more motor power than other popular portable blenders like the BlendJet and Magic Bullet. It incorporates common smoothie and shake ingredients without a problem in under 120 seconds. Though the Flip is not able to crush ice on its own, it has the power to fully blend most things you'd take on the go, including slushie iced drinks when blended with added liquid.

What We Didn't Love About the NutriBullet Flip Portable Blender

Motor/Base Lid Can Be Tricky

It took a few tries to get the hang of screwing on the motor lid to the blending cup because it wasn't weighted evenly. The lid needed to be balanced evenly on the lip of the cup to screw on straight, which sometimes took two or three attempts. The handle on the motor base also sometimes covers the blending button when the machine is flipped, making it harder to press.

Weight

The Flip's high-power motor and stainless steel cup come with added weight. When the Flip is full with the motor base lid attached, it can be a little heavy. We preferred changing to the sip lid after blending to reduce the weight.

Bottom Line: Is the NutriBullet Flip Portable Blender Worth Buying?

If you need a blender for simple, on-the-go drinks like protein shakes or basic smoothies, the NutriBullet Flip is a solid choice. Its compact design and thoughtful accessories make it easy to take anywhere, and the rechargeable battery adds convenience. However, if you're planning to do lots of heavy-duty blending, you may find yourself frustrated.

For those who drink smoothies throughout the day or are already in the habit of using a portable blender, the NutriBullet Flip is a great upgrade. Its insulation makes sense for travel, commuting or post-workout use. If you're a dedicated smoothie or shake drinker looking to get the absolute most from your portable blender the Flip is a no-brainer. For those less committed, we still recommend the Flip, but the lower-priced, lightweight plastic model might be best for the job.

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