Looking for a blender that can handle tough ingredients and make your morning smoothie prep a breeze? We recently got our hands on the Ninja Smart Screen Blender, and it’s quickly become a kitchen favorite.
This powerful 1000-watt machine crushes through ice and frozen fruits with ease. We were particularly impressed by the touchscreen display, which is not only easier to clean than traditional button panels but also more intuitive to use.
The 72-ounce pitcher (with 64-ounce liquid capacity) is perfect for making family-sized batches. We’ve made everything from smoothies to frozen drinks with no issues. The Auto-iQ Technology with four preset programs takes the guesswork out of blending – just tap the screen and let it work its magic.
One thing to note: the pitcher is made of plastic rather than glass. While this makes it lighter to handle, some users might prefer the durability of glass. The blades run the full height of the pitcher, creating a more consistent blend than other models we’ve tried.
Overview of Ninja Smart Screen Blender with 1000-Watt Base
After trying out many blenders, we’ve been impressed with how the Ninja Smart Screen performs. This powerful machine packs 1000 watts of crushing power that easily handles ice and frozen fruits.
The touchscreen display is a standout feature. It’s not just sleek – it’s actually more durable than traditional button panels and super easy to clean. No more food particles stuck in button crevices!
We love the Auto-iQ technology with its four pre-set programs. Just tap the screen to make smoothies, frozen drinks, or ice cream. The 72-oz pitcher (with 64-oz liquid capacity) is perfect for making family-sized batches.
Manual controls give us flexibility when we want to customize our recipes. The stainless steel blades run up the center of the pitcher, creating that “Total Crushing” effect Ninja is known for.
While the pitcher is plastic instead of glass, it’s BPA-free and surprisingly durable. For smoothie lovers, this Ninja hits the sweet spot between performance and price.
Touchscreen Interface
I really love the design of this touchscreen. Unlike older blenders with those plastic buttons that get gunky over time, the Ninja’s smooth display wipes clean with just one swipe. We found the screen very responsive – no need to press hard or multiple times.
The layout is simple and intuitive. The four Auto-iQ program buttons are clearly labeled, making it easy to choose the right setting for smoothies or crushing ice. We especially liked how the screen lights up, which helps when making early morning smoothies without turning on all the kitchen lights.
Manual controls are straightforward too. You can adjust speed settings with a quick tap, giving you more control when you want to experiment. The touchscreen feels sturdy and well-made – not flimsy like some other kitchen gadgets we’ve tried. After several weeks of daily use, there’s no sign of wear on the display.
Auto-iQ Technology
The smart touchscreen isn’t just for show. We found the Auto-iQ feature truly makes blending easier for everyday use. With four pre-set programs, we just tap the screen and walk away while the Ninja handles everything. These programs use timed patterns of pulsing and pausing that perfectly blend different recipes. For smoothies, it pulses to break down frozen fruit first, then runs continuously to finish. We love that we don’t have to guess when our mixture is done – the blender stops automatically when finished. For those times when we want more control, the manual settings let us adjust to our exact needs. The touchscreen is much easier to clean than traditional button blenders since there are no crevices where ingredients can get stuck. This technology has simplified our morning routine significantly.
1000 Watts of Crushing Power
The motor in this Ninja blender means business! We tested it on tough ingredients like frozen fruits and ice, and it handled everything with ease. The 1000-watt base provides serious crushing power that turns ice into snow-like consistency in seconds.
We noticed the motor stays relatively quiet despite its strength. During our smoothie-making sessions, the blender pulverized frozen berries, ice, and nuts without struggling or overheating.
The power doesn’t just help with crushing ice – it also makes smooth blending possible for tough vegetables and seeds. We made nut butters and vegetable purees that came out perfectly smooth.
One drawback: the powerful motor makes the blender a bit heavy at 8 pounds. But this extra weight helps keep it stable during operation. The blender also gets warm after extended use, but that’s expected with this much power.
72 oz Total Crushing Pitcher
The crushing power of this pitcher is seriously impressive. We tested it with ice and frozen fruits, and it pulverized everything within seconds. The large 72 oz capacity (64 oz max liquid) means we can make enough smoothies for the whole family in one go.
What we like most is how the stacked blade design creates a vortex that pulls ingredients down for consistent blending. No more stopping to push things down with a spatula! The pitcher is also BPA-free and dishwasher safe, which makes cleanup a breeze.
One small drawback is that the pitcher is quite tall when assembled on the base. We needed to make sure we had enough clearance under our kitchen cabinets. The lid locks securely in place, preventing any messes while blending, but can be a bit stiff to remove at first.
Design and Build Quality
The moment we unboxed the Ninja blender, we noticed its sleek black design that would complement any kitchen counter. The touchscreen display is a standout feature—much easier to clean than traditional button interfaces and surprisingly responsive to touch. We found the 72 oz pitcher to be lightweight yet sturdy, made from BPA-free plastic rather than glass, which makes it less likely to break if accidentally dropped.
The base feels solid and stays put during operation, even when crushing ice at full power. At just over 8 pounds, the Smart Screen isn’t too heavy to move around but has enough weight to feel substantial. The stainless steel blades run up the center post, creating what Ninja calls their “Total Crushing” technology, which worked impressively well in our tests.
Our only slight criticism is the size—the base takes up more counter space than we expected. However, the pitcher’s lid locks securely in place with satisfying clicks, giving us confidence that nothing would splash out during blending.
Pros and Cons
After several weeks of daily testing, we’ve put this Ninja Smart Screen Blender through its paces. The touchscreen feature makes a real difference in both function and cleanup compared to traditional button models.
Pros
- Powerful Performance: The 1000-watt motor easily crushes ice, frozen fruits, and tough ingredients without struggling
- Smart Touchscreen: Much easier to clean than traditional buttons and seems more durable over time
- Auto-iQ Programs: The four preset blending patterns take the guesswork out of making smoothies and other blended items
- Large Capacity: The 72 oz pitcher handles family-sized batches with no problem
- Even Blending: The blade design extends up the center shaft, ensuring ingredients don’t get stuck and everything mixes thoroughly
Cons
- Size Concerns: The base takes up more counter space than we expected
- Plastic Pitcher: While durable, the plastic construction isn’t as premium as glass and may not be ideal for dishwasher cleaning
- Noise Level: Like most powerful blenders, it’s quite loud during operation
- Safety Features: While necessary, the requirement that both the lid and pitcher must be perfectly positioned can sometimes be frustrating when you’re in a hurry
We particularly appreciate how well it handles frozen ingredients. When making smoothies, the dedicated button delivers consistently smooth results without chunks, even with tough ingredients like ginger that previous blenders struggled with.
Customer Reviews
Many users talk about how well this Ninja blender handles frozen fruits and ice. We’ve noticed that people really appreciate the “smoothie” button, which does all the work with just one touch. Several reviewers mention upgrading from cheaper blenders and being impressed with the difference in performance. The lightweight plastic pitcher (instead of glass) is seen as a plus by many, though some were initially surprised by this material choice.
A few customers mention minor complaints about the lid being difficult to clean thoroughly. However, the overwhelming majority give this Ninja high marks for creating creamy, consistent smoothies without leaving chunks behind. The powerful motor and blade design that extends up the pitcher seems to mix ingredients more evenly than other models.
We’ve found that customers who previously owned other Ninja products often report that this Smart Screen model continues the brand’s reputation for reliable performance.
Ease of Use and Cleaning
Setting up the Smart Screen Blender couldn’t be easier. We simply placed the pitcher on the base, secured the lid, and we were ready to blend. The touchscreen display is a huge improvement over buttons that can collect gunk. We just tap the screen to select one of the Auto-iQ programs, and the blender does all the work.
Cleaning this Ninja is surprisingly simple. The pitcher, lid, and blades can be rinsed quickly after making smoothies. For deeper cleaning, the parts can go in the dishwasher (top rack only for the lid). Just be sure to avoid abrasive cleaners on the touchscreen base – a damp cloth works perfectly.
We noticed that some liquid can sometimes get trapped under the lid gasket, so it’s worth taking extra care there. The pitcher’s plastic construction makes it lightweight and easy to handle, unlike heavy glass pitchers that can be unwieldy when wet.
Conclusion
This Ninja blender has seriously impressed us with its performance and ease of use. The touchscreen display makes selecting programs simple, and we found the four Auto-iQ settings handled everything from frozen fruits to ice with no problem. We appreciate how thoroughly it blends, leaving no chunks behind in our smoothies. The powerful 1000-watt motor makes quick work of tough ingredients, though it is quite loud when running. While the plastic pitcher isn’t glass, it’s lightweight and durable. The lid can be tricky to clean thoroughly, but overall maintenance is straightforward. For the price point, we think this Ninja offers excellent value compared to other high-performance blenders we’ve tried. It’s a solid kitchen investment for anyone who regularly makes smoothies, shakes, or frozen drinks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many buyers have questions when considering a new kitchen appliance, especially one with advanced features like the Smart Screen Blender. After using this machine daily for several weeks, we’ve compiled the most common questions we encountered and the answers we found through hands-on experience.
What are the distinguishing features of the CT650 model compared to other Ninja Smart Screen Blender models?
The CT650 stands out with its intuitive touchscreen display, which is both easier to clean and more durable than models with traditional button panels. In our testing, we found this touchscreen to be highly responsive and smudge-resistant. The 1000-watt motor base provides excellent power for crushing tough ingredients. The model includes 4 Auto-iQ programs that take the guesswork out of blending, unlike some basic Ninja models that lack preset options. We also appreciate the 72 oz Total Crushing Pitcher (64 oz max liquid capacity), which is larger than some other Ninja blender models on the market.
How does the performance of the Ninja Smart Screen Blender CT650 compare when used for both blending and food processing tasks?
We’ve used this blender for various tasks and found its performance impressive across the board. For smoothies, it creates perfectly smooth drinks in about 60 seconds, with no chunks of frozen fruit or ice left behind. The stacked blade design helps process ingredients evenly from top to bottom.
For food processing tasks like making hummus or salsa, it works well but isn’t quite as precise as a dedicated food processor. The powerful motor sometimes processes ingredients too quickly for fine control. However, for most home cooks, the versatility more than makes up for this minor limitation.
What improvements have been made in the Ninja CT650 Smart Screen Blender over previous models?
The biggest improvement in the CT650 is the touchscreen interface. Earlier Ninja models used physical buttons that could wear out or get food stuck around them. The touchscreen is not only more durable but also easier to wipe clean. The Auto-iQ technology has been refined to provide more consistent results, especially for smoothies and frozen drinks.
The stacked blade assembly has also been improved for more efficient blending, reaching ingredients throughout the pitcher rather than just at the bottom. We noticed this results in fewer stops to shake or stir ingredients during blending.
Are replacement parts, such as the pitcher for the Ninja CT650, readily available and easy to acquire?
Yes, replacement parts for the CT650 are easy to find. Ninja offers replacement pitchers, lids, and blade assemblies through their website and customer service. We’ve also seen these parts available on Amazon and other online retailers.
Based on our experience, the pitcher and blades are quite durable, but accidents happen. It’s good to know that if you drop the pitcher or damage a component, you won’t need to replace the entire unit.
Can the Ninja CT650 Smart Screen Blender handle heavy-duty tasks like crushing ice or making nut butter?
Absolutely! The 1000-watt motor makes quick work of ice, creating snow-like consistency in seconds. We’ve made frozen margaritas and smoothie bowls with no issues.
For nut butter, the blender performs well but requires some patience. We successfully made almond butter in about 5 minutes, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides. The manual settings are helpful here, as you can adjust the speed as needed instead of relying on presets.
What are the maintenance requirements for the Ninja Smart Screen Blender CT650 to ensure its longevity and optimal performance?
Maintenance is straightforward but important for long-term performance:
- Daily cleaning: Rinse the pitcher immediately after use to prevent residue buildup. The pitcher, lid, and blade assembly are dishwasher-safe, but hand washing extends their life.
- Base care: Wipe the touchscreen and base with a damp cloth. Never use abrasive cleaners on the touchscreen.
- Blade maintenance: Check blades occasionally for dullness. While they’re very durable, extremely hard ingredients may eventually affect sharpness.
- Storage: Store with the pitcher properly seated on the base or alongside it, keeping the cord wrapped neatly to prevent damage.
