I’ve been testing the new KitchenAid Pure Power Blender, and it's more powerful—and definitely faster—than the blender we had before.
What really surprised me is the price ($129.99). For a machine that works this well, it’s about half the cost of what we paid for our last “fancy” model. It handled peanut butter in seconds during a demo with Whirlpool's Mitchell Cooper, and at home, it’s taken on smoothies and milkshakes without a glitch.
1700 watts of peak power* vs. the competition
This mixer brings serious blending energy. With 1700‑watt peak power, it rivals higher‑end models like Vitamix for power at a fraction of the price. That raw muscle means tougher ingredients like nuts, seeds, and fibrous veggies really get turned around.
During testing, it churned silky‑smooth homemade peanut butter in seconds. If you've googled “can you make peanut butter in a blender,” here’s proof: yes, and to your desired consistency, too. We used roasted peanuts, but it would do just as well with raw peanuts, salted peanuts, or even a mix if you like to experiment with flavor.
It also handled almond butter without hesitation. So if you're into different nut butters, you’ll have no trouble making your own in a high-powered blender like this.
* Laboratory measurement of peak input wattage, not the operational power at the blade; UL rated at 1200 watts.
Smart Heat‑Release Lid Keeps Things Safe
Hot soups, leftover chili, or warm sauces are fair game here. A heat‑release valve in the lid allows steam to escape safely so pressure doesn’t build up. That design means no blown lids, no mess, and no stress when blending hot items.
We tried blending warm soup straight out of the pot, and it worked without a hitch. KitchenAid thought through safety details, so you don’t have to worry about splatter or sudden releases... because I have made that error before, and I would never like it to happen again.
For thicker blends like chocolate peanut butter or even a warm blend with a dash of maple syrup, the pitcher didn’t fog or warp. It feels like it’s built to handle just about anything.
Fewer Parts, Easy Cleanup
I thought we loved that our old blender blade disconnected for easy cleaning, and KitchenAid's is fixed and non‑removable. In reality, this is better. It cuts down on parts to lose, break, or fumble with during cleanup, and you don't have to worry that it's tightened enough not to leak through the seal.
To rinse it out, KitchenAid incorporated an auto-clean setting. Just add water, hit auto‑clean, and the vortex pulses away food caught under the blade in a few seconds. Then, you can pop the jar and lid in the dishwasher; everything is dishwasher safe. It’s clean‑and‑go simplicity: fewer bits, fewer hassles, quick cleanup, and no blade fiddling.
Other specs to note:
- 1700 watt peak power motor
- Heat‑release lid for hot blends
- 64 oz shatter‑resistant BPA‑free blender pitcher with handle
- Auto‑clean, smoothie, and ice crush settings
- Dishwasher‑safe pitcher and lid
- Super smooth precision speed control for manual setting
You won’t need a food processor for many tasks once this is on your counter. It’s handled everything from nut spreads to dressings to hot purees. And it’s nice not needing to pull out two appliances for one job.
KitchenAid's High-Powered Blender vs. Vitamix
Vitamix is often top-of-mind for consumers shopping for high‑end blenders. And sure, the company makes a great product. Still, at full price they can cost twice or more than KitchenAid's Pure Power blender, and not all Vitamixes can compare in wattage. We've tested both, and found that torque and blending strength was really great with KitchenAid, and it wouldn't blow your budget, either.
If you’ve looked at a Blendtec blender or compared with immersion blenders for nut butters and sauces, you’ll find the Pure Power outpaces most of them in both speed and texture. Whether you're going for super smooth peanut butter or a chunkier version, the consistency is up to you, and easy to control.
But, is it easy to clean?
Yes. The blade doesn’t come out, and there's a built-in cleaning cycle that runs a quick, strong pulse to dislodge food stuck under the blade. In most cases, that’s all it takes.
For deeper cleaning, the pitcher and lid are both dishwasher safe. For a powerful blender, it’s refreshingly low maintenance.
