The NutriBullet ZNB30400Z blender may not be quite as feature heavy as past models made by this manufacturer, but it is a great blender for green smoothies and it comes loaded with the type of power and durable design that’s needed in order to handle leafy green veggies. Because it doesn’t have presets, users will need to manually control the speed settings and the length of time food is blended. But what this model lacks in flash it makes up for in power. The high-powered motor makes blending ingredients into a silky-smooth texture a breeze, and you won’t have to deal with overheating or blades that freeze. But considering the lack of features, is this model really beginner friendly? Let’s find out.
Our Verdict: It’s not the most feature-packed model from NutriBullet to date, but it’s quality all the way. You’ll appreciate this blender’s powerful motor, simple controls, and overall durability. The large capacity pitcher is made out of thick plastic that’s BPA-free. It’s dishwasher safe and its larger size will allow you to prepare drinks for up to nine people per batch. The motor is designed to withstand heavy-duty use. The included blades are designed to easily shred, puree, dice, and pulverize ingredients, without the blades stalling due to stuck on food. This model doesn’t come with any blending presets or a self-cleaning mode but considering the type of power it offers and the simple, smooth performance, it’s definitely a steal for the price.
Table of Contents
Overview and Features
The benefits of drinking a smoothie are almost endless, especially if you make a low sugar green smoothie. But finding a blender that can handle making this type of smoothie can be a challenge. That’s where the Nutribullet comes in. This manufacturer often produces higher priced models that are loaded with extra features that are designed to make it easy to whip up a smoothie, shake, or your favorite dip or salsa. But this model is one of their more moderately priced blenders. So, instead of focusing on extra features the manufacturer has produced a pretty basic model, however, they have still included a more powerful motor, and in my opinion, that’s what really matters the most.
This model doesn’t come with a wide range of blending programs, which you’d typically find on competing models. Instead, you’ll need to choose from a few speed settings and control how long the food will be blended for. For some people, this may be a drawback, while those with blending experience won’t give it a second thought. For most, what really matter is how durable and powerful the blender is, and this model in particular, offers plenty.
Speed Settings
Unlike competing models, this blender comes with just three speed settings. For some, the lack of speed options may be a bit limiting. The speed settings include low, medium, and high. You’ll choose the appropriate speed setting based on the type of ingredients you’re blending. As an example, for tough root veggies or leafy green veggies, you’ll choose a higher speed setting. If you’re trying out the latest banana smoothie recipe, then you can get by with a low or medium speed setting. Since this model doesn’t come with any preset blending programs, not only will you have to choose the correct speed level, but you will also need to choose the duration that the food will be blended for.
Like many traditional blenders, this model also comes with a pulse feature, which is perfect if you’re cutting up produce for a chunky salsa or you’re dealing with some tough veggies.
Power
This model offers twelve hundred watts of power, which is better than average for a model in this price bracket. This type of power will allow you to easily make nut butters, nut milk, sauces, soups, milkshakes, and smoothies. Low-powered models in this price bracket will often overheat or simply die when you try to blend leafy green veggies, ice, or tough fruits and veggies. Since this model is packing power, you’ll find the blending process fast and efficient, which is a huge selling point for any buyer.
Pitcher
The pitcher is made out of BPA-free plastic and has a capacity of sixty-four ounces, so you can prepare enough smoothies for nine people, with a single batch. The higher capacity pitcher is a big selling point for people who are tired of preparing multiple batches in order to make enough smoothies for the entire family. The pitcher is also incredibly durable and can be placed in the dishwasher along with the lid and blades, for simple cleanup.
Blade
The blades are made out of tough stainless steel and feature cyclonic action, which is not only powerful, but able to prevent food from getting caught in the blades. The tough blade design will easily tear up and contents in the pitcher, so you can puree, blend, and chop up soft and tougher fruits and veggies, easily, without the food getting caught in the blades.
Warranty
The blender is covered by a one-year product warranty. Most models in this price range will not come with a warranty, so this is a big plus for this blender.
Maintenance
With high priced models, you’ll often find a self-cleaning mode that allows you to fill up the pitcher, hit a button, and the blender will automatically start the cleaning process.
Since this model doesn’t come with a self-cleaning mode, it must be washed by hand or placed in the dishwasher. When washing by hand, you’ll need to use a gentle cleanser and a soft sponge.
Performance
While it may lack the flash that many of the Nutribullet appliances are known for, it does still offer a powerful performance and can make short work of any root veggies or leafy greens. Because it doesn’t come with any presets, you’ll be in charge of the speed level and how long the food will be blended for. The pitcher is made out of thick plastic that’s BPA-free and it features a high capacity, which is a huge plus for anyone who needs a model that can handle making smoothies for up to nine people per batch. The lid, blades, and the pitcher are all dishwasher safe, so cleanup is fast and simple. The motor itself is very powerful, so you won’t notice it struggling while you’re blending up tougher ingredients such as sweet potatoes or ice. In terms of ease of use, while you do have to manually choose the speed and blending time, overall, this model is fairly simple to use and it’s a great option for someone looking for a model that’s more budget friendly.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Pros of Nutribullet
- Dishwasher safe
- Powerful motor
- Tough blade design
- Low price
- One-year warranty
Cons of Nutribullet
- Does not include any preset blending programs
- No self-cleaning mode
NutriBullet Blender Versus Cuisinart CBT-2000 Hurricane Pro Blender
The competing model, the Cuisinart CBT 2000 blender is pro-quality and it’s available at a reasonable price. This model comes with the same size pitcher as the Ninja, coming in at sixty-four ounces. It’s also made out of heavy-duty BPA-free plastic and includes a soft-grip handle for improved user comfort. Additionally, it offers a choice of three speed levels, so you can choose the speed based on the ingredients you’re blending. However, unlike the Ninja, this model features a memory function, which allows you to adjust a preset and save these adjustments for future use. This model also comes with a couple of smoothie specific settings. You can choose between the preset for fruit or green veggies. These custom blending programs will allow even beginners to enjoy a pro-quality smoothie with the press of a button. However, this model features power that’s similar to the NutriBullets, coming in at 1200 watts compared to the Nutribullet’s 1200. Overall, this competing model offers more by way of flashy extra features that will make it easier on beginners. In terms of power, these two models remain neck and neck. If you’re on a budget, stick with this model by Nutribullet, which is priced much more affordably than the model by Cuisinart.
Conclusion and Rating of Blender ZNBF30400Z
Our Rating:
While it’s not feature-packed, it offers the type of power you need if you enjoy blending green smoothies, making your own nut butter, or if you’re simply tired of using a model that overheats on you when you’re in the middle of making fresh salsa. The blender offers a few speed settings to choose from, which should be sufficient for most types of cold drinks, sauces, dips, and salsa. There’s no self-cleaning mode, but this model is also dishwasher friendly, so the lack of a self-cleaning feature is no big loss. Overall, this appliance offers a solid performance, provides plenty of power and comes equipped with a larger pitcher so you can make smoothies for family and friends in one shot. This model earned a rating of four and a half out of five stars.