The Best Blender for Smoothie Bowls: JTC OmniBlend V

Are you tired of lumpy, uneven smoothies that leave you feeling like you’re chewing your drink? Keep reading because the answer to your blending woes lies in the powerful hands of a high-power blender.

Think of these blenders as the superheroes of the blending world. It’s like having your own chef on hand, ready to create the perfect smoothie or smoothie bowl every time.

Ready to upgrade to a high-powered blender but not sure where to start? In this article, we’ll explore what features to look for in a high-performance blender, such as motor power, blade quality, and design.

We’ll also highlight some top-performing models and review our personal favorites. By the end of this article, you’ll better understand the benefits of investing in a high-power blender and be equipped with the knowledge to choose the perfect model for your needs.

Let’s get blending!

What is the Best Blender for Smoothie Bowls?

A powerful blender has numerous key attributes. It needs a motor that’s powerful enough to blend the frozen ingredients to a smooth, creamy consistency. The blender jar should be a good size and made from material that can withstand heat. It needs multiple settings (slow, fast, pulse, etc.) and removable stainless steel blades to make cleaning easy.

Some of the best blenders include the OmniBlend, Vitamix, Blendtec, and NutriBullet. Each of these models has the necessary motor power and crazy-sharp blades to crush ice and blend frozen fruit easily.

In addition, they offer a range of pre-programmed settings to help you achieve the perfect consistency for your smoothies or smoothie bowls. When choosing the best blender for your needs, you need to take into account your budget, the size of the blender, and the overall durability of the machine.

Do You Need a Special Smoothie Bowl Blender?

What if you’re not a fan of the kitchen? Maybe all you want is a healthy breakfast and nothing else. Do you really need a special blender to make a smoothie bowl?

It depends on the ingredients you’re using and how fussy you are. A regular countertop blender won’t give you the signature smooth, creamy consistency that smoothie bowls are known for.

Depending on the blender you’re using, it probably won’t have the capacity to handle chunks of frozen fruit. You’ll also have to blend in stages rather than dumping all the ingredients in and hitting go, which you can easily do in most high-end blenders.

That being said, when Sporty and I first embarked on our blending journey we’d make our smoothies with a cheap immersion blender. What they lacked in texture, they (mostly) made up for in taste.

Read all about our blending journey in our Juicer vs. Blender article.

If you don’t have the budget for a high-speed blender or aren’t ready to commit, a mid-range immersion blender is a better option than a Walmart budget blender.

We had one when we lived in Canada a gazillion moons ago, and it wasn’t very robust at all. If I recall correctly, it could barely blend milk and protein powder to make even the most rudimentary milkshakes. I might just as well have bought a shaker.

3 High-Power Blender Options (Plus, Our Top Pick)

With so many good blenders on the market, knowing which one to choose can be overwhelming. These are some of the best high-power blender options to consider. some are more expensive than others, but you should be able to find one that fits both your budget and your needs.

Whether you’re looking for a good acai bowl blender, a kitchen countertop blender with variable speed settings, or a high-performance blender with built-in tamper blades and mega blending power, you’ll find it in this list.

Maybe you’re in the market for a beginner-friendly blender the entire family can use. Perhaps you’d prefer something smaller and more cost-effective for your single on-the-go lifestyle. I’ve got you covered, too.

5 Top Benefits and Features of the JTC OmniBlend V

Blendobi (yes, we named him) quickly became part of the family. He’s remained a constant through all our moves. We even took him with us when we untethered ourselves for a few months.

In fact, Blendobi is so integral to our Mostly Mindful team that he was included in our new logo design. Our astute designer did this on her own accord after hearing us blather on about what an amazing blender he is.

We were delighted.

1. Well Made and Reliable

We’ve had Blendobi for six and a half years now, and in all that time, we’ve had to replace his blade once. Other than that, he’s run like a workhorse without so much as a peep from his motor.

We put him through his paces, too. Aside from our month-long stint house-sitting an off-the-grid permaculture farm, we’ve used him pretty much on a daily basis. A lot of times, we’ll use him more than once a day.

Being a blender in our family ain’t no picnic.

We had to replace the tamper a year after buying our Omniblend, but I’m embarrassed to admit that that was entirely my fault. I decided it would be easier to use it without the lid. ‘Nuff said.

The jug shows obvious signs of use: it’s slightly stained and scratched, but I see it as a sign of something being well-loved. (Kind of like the Velveteen Rabbit.)

The black base is in surprisingly good nick. Not that we’re prone to tossing Blendobi around or anything, but like I said, he earns his keep.

Except for the power switch (the plastic cover has cracked down the one side), the sealed control buttons are all as good as new.

2. Super Powerful Motor

Like the other OmniBlend models, the JTC OmniBlend V has a 3HP motor with 2238W peak performance. With this much power, crushing ice or whole frozen strawberries is a breeze.

Be sure to watch the video further down to see how the OmniBlend tears through a soda can. It’s quite something to behold, but definitely not an experiment we plan on replicating at home.

The motor features automatic overload protection with a built-in thermal shut-off. It’s also designed to be energy efficient, drawing only the wattage required to blend the ingredients. 

Uniquely designed for many years of use with built-in protection features, such as a state-of-the-art cooling system to keep things cool during heavy use and an automatic overload protection mechanism and reset button. 

With all that under the hood, it’s easy to see why the OmniBlend is billed as the ultimate commercial-grade kitchen blender. We couldn’t agree more. Blendobi is the consummate professional blender.

Biased? Maybe. Exaggerating. Not in the slightest.

3. Nice Big Blender Jug and Kick-Ass Stainless Steel Blades

Blendobi came with a 2-litre blender jug, but that was quite some time ago. It looks like The JTC OmniBlend V now comes standard with a 1.5-litre jug, which is still a really decent size. It also fits in the sound cover, which the 2-litre does not.

Made from BPA-free plastic, the jug’s tapered design quickly creates a vortex and pulls ingredients into the stainless steel blades for maximum blending. This is key!

Our friends also have an OmniBlend (not sure which model) and their jug is much wider at the bottom. I find it tiresome to make smoothies in it as you have to add the ingredients a bit at a time, rather than all at once like we can in Blendobi.

The jug is also heat resistant up to 120 Celsius (248 F). Remember to open the tamper hole to let the hot air escape, or things will go pear-shaped fast. Fortunately, this wasn’t something I learned the hard way. 

The JTC OmniBlend V is built to emulsify fruits and veggies into delicious smoothies. The specially designed blades break down the cell walls of green leafy vegetables with ease, releasing valuable nutrients in an easy-to-digest form.

The stainless steel blades feature sharp knife-like cutting edges rather than serrated edges which can crack. With six blades, blending grains, nuts, frozen fruit and veg, coffee beans and, as you’ll see in the video below, soda cans, is a breeze.

4. An Impressive Warranty

OmniBlend South Africa offers a 3-year warranty on the JTC OmniBlend V. However, the blade warranty is reduced to a year for commercial use. 

If you live in the United States, you’ll be pleased to know that OmniBlend USA now offers a full 5-year domestic warranty, which covers the whole machine, including the motor base and container.

OmniBlend Australia offers a limited 7-year warranty out of the box. In real-world terms, this means they warranty the appliance to perform satisfactorily in household use for a period of 7 years for the motor and 2 years for the full machine.

5. Durability, Parts and Accessories

Like I said earlier, these high-end blenders are built to last, and we’ve definitely experienced that firsthand with Blendobi.

We’re talking stainless steel parts (socket and bearing), a replaceable blade assembly, motor overload protection, an alert to prevent overheating of the motor (burnout), and more.

You won’t need a new blender anytime soon, that’s for sure. However, it’s also good to know that replacement parts and accessories are freely available should the need arise—like when you ‘accidentally’ stick the tamper in without the lid on. 

JTC OmniBlend V Pros and Cons

The JTC OmniBlend V is designed to deliver smooth and consistent blending results. It has a powerful motor, variable speed control, and a durable blender jar that can withstand the rigours of everyday use. However, like any product, it does have one or two negatives.

“Downsides” is too strong a word, in my opinion, but I’m doing my best not to be too biased.

Who Created the JTC OmniBlend V?

JTC is a top producer of commercial blenders based in Zhongshan, Guangdong, China. Their parent company, Taiwan Star Industrial Inc., is renowned for creating telephone sets and PCB controllers – essential components for controlling small appliances.

JTC PCB controllers are widely used in home appliances, including the brands De’Longhi (Italy), Holmes and Honeywell (USA), and Sanyo and National (Japan). Their excellent reputation has earned them the nickname ‘JTC Inside.’

As part of its commitment to excellence, JTC does almost everything on-site. This is by far one of their biggest advantages. Producing over 90% of their own products enables them to keep a really close eye on quality and save on costs.

The ability to mass produce allows them to keep up with customer demand without compromising quality or increasing costs, ensuring they stay competitive. Additionally, they are constantly improving to stay ahead of the competition.

Our Experience Using the JTC OmniBlend V

Choosing one can be tough with so many good quality and powerful blenders on the market. We’ve narrowed it down to the JTC Omniblend V. Watch our video (and then keep reading) to find out why.

Vitamix is probably one of the most well-known high-power blenders. Sporty and I would likely have purchased one if we had been able to afford one at the time.

We were taking our cues from Soaringfree Superfoods duo Beryn and Peter Daniel, who raved about theirs. Seeing it in action, it was easy to understand why. However, the hefty price tag caused our bank account to whimper, and we quickly shelved the idea.

Instead, we decided to buy an Oscar juicer, thinking we’d drink our way back to good health. We soon doubted our decision. While extremely robust, slow masticating juicers are, well, slow. There’s also nothing exciting about drinking green juice first thing in the morning.

Healthy, yes. Fun, not so much.

Six months later, we sold Oscar and bought a high-speed blender more in keeping with our price range. The JTC Omniblend V had good reviews and was marked down. We were sold.

It’s still one of the best investments we’ve ever made. Not once have we regretted buying it, and we have never considered selling it during one of our many downsizing and lifestyle experiments.

With us, that says a lot.

Blendobi has remained a firm part of our family even when we reduced our belongings to what we could fit into two duffel bags and a couple of backpacks. As minimalists, there are very few things we’ve remained attached to over the long haul, but Blendobi is certainly one of them.

Some Things We’ve Used Our Blender For

• Smoothies and smoothie bowls
• Soup
• Salad dressing
• Sauces
• Hot chocolate (if you blend it for long enough, it actually gets hot)
• Whizzing soaked oats to a smooth consistency
• Buckwheat porridge
• Nice cream, aka banana ice cream
• Blitzing nuts and dates/raisins to make chocolate
• Milling coffee beans, flax seeds, etc.
• Muffin and pancake batter

Weirdly, we’ve yet to try making nut butter in Blendobi. We’ll have to get on that!

JTC OmniBlend vs. Other High Power Blenders

Sporty and I can’t comment on this debate because, other than the Nutribullet, we haven’t had the pleasure of using any of the blenders featured above.

We loved our NutriBullet blender, but I don’t think it’s fair to compare it to Blendobi. It’s not an apples-to-apples comparison.

If I’m honest, there’s a chance we’d have gone with the Vitamix if we’d had the money. Fortunately, our budget steered us to the JTC OmniBlend V, and we’ve never looked back.

Are Vitamix blenders all they’re cracked up to be? I found this Vitamix review from Minimalist Baker. Overall, they rated it highly, but here’s something that surprised me.

They said the motor overheats quite easily. While they do point out that they found a way to work around the issue, it seems crazy to have to deal with that when you’ve paid so much money.

For the record, Blendobi has never come close to overheating. 

Now that I’ve convinced you which blender to buy, it’s time to discuss smoothie bowls. After all, that’s the main reason you’re looking for a good blender, right?

Smoothie Bowls (Breakfast of Champions)

Blended meals are fun. You might make one or two that don’t taste great, but the more you practice, the better you’ll get at it. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try blending different ingredients, and remember to add some toppings as well.

Granola, goji berries, coconut (desiccated or flakes), crushed almonds, hemp seeds, and coconut yogurt (our personal fave) all make great additions to your breakfast creation.

If you need to eat on the go, just add more liquid to make it drinkable. These reusable smoothie cups come with a stainless straw and brush for cleaning, but a cup with a flip-top lid works fine, too.

Consistency is a question that newbie smoothie bowl connoisseurs often ask. The rule of thumb here is less is more. Add the liquid in small increments, blending as you go. 

Are Smoothie Bowls Healthy?

It depends. When we make them, they’re 100% healthy. We pack them with leafy greens, avocados, blueberries, superfoods, and plant-based protein.

Like most things, you can make them nutritious or fun. The ones we make are nutritious and delicious, and we’re careful not to introduce anything too unfun to the mix.

Celery in my morning smoothie? Um, no thanks.

Because I never follow a recipe (I’m all about eyeballing everything, much to Sporty’s chagrin), breakfast can sometimes taste a little garden-ish. Meaning, I’ve been a tad heavy-handed with the spinach or spirulina.

We don’t care (too much), though, because it means we’re getting in additional goodness. I’d rather deal with that than have a smoothie bowl heavy on fun and light on nutrition.

Key Ingredients for Smoothies and Smoothie Bowls 

While I enjoy flying by the seat of my pants, most people prefer having a recipe to work from. I get that. Guidelines are super useful when you’re first embarking on your smoothie bowl journey.

I’ve included some recipes further down, but let’s look at the basic ingredients you need to make a delicious, nutritious, flavourful, creamy smoothie bowl.

Is that enough adjectives for you?

1. Leafy Greens

In our house, a smoothie bowl is not a smoothie bowl unless it contains at least a handful of spinach or chard. Provided you don’t use too much, you won’t even taste it, so why not use the opportunity to get in some extra goodness?

2. Frozen Bananas

All hail the mighty frozen banana. Adding one or two to your smoothie bowl guarantees it will be a party in your mouth. 

It gives it a creaminess and sweetness that’s just sublime. Seriously, you don’t even need to use milk. You can if you want, but most of the time, Sporty and I just default to water, and it’s still crazy delicious.

3. Avocado

Avocado was never on our list of smoothie bowl ingredients. Don’t get me wrong—we love avocados—but we always save them for salad. It never occurred to me to use them in our smoothies.

At the beginning of the year, our doctor suggested Sporty and I go on an anti-inflammatory diet (for different reasons), and bananas are a big no-no.

On the other hand, avocados are available in as many varieties as you like. I was initially daunted by the prospect of making a smoothie bowl without my favorite ingredient, but I quickly came around after trying one with avocado.

While not as sweet, the smoothie bowl was still super creamy and tasty. We use vanilla protein powder, which helps boost the flavor nicely. 

4. Gluten-Free Rolled Oats

One of my all-time favorite smoothie bowl combos is oats, strawberries, frozen bananas, vanilla protein powder, and almond milk. However, this recipe had to be shelved because it won’t work without the banana. 

Maybe someday.

5. Frozen Berries

Blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries form an integral part of brekkie for us, as we’re all about getting in as many antioxidants as possible. Plus, the new diet has limited options when it comes to fruit.

We must steer clear of everything high in sugar, i.e., almost all fruit except berries, lemons, and grapefruit. I don’t know about you, but I think lemon and grapefruit in a smoothie sounds horrible.

6. Protein Powder

In our opinion, throwing in a couple of scoops of protein powder is another non-negotiable. We love Phyto Pro. The brainchild of our functional medicine doctor, it’s 100% vegan, produced locally, and full of goodness.

It comes in chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla, and while they’re all tasty, we stick with vanilla because it plays nicely with other ingredients. The other two flavors tend to limit our options.

7. Superfoods

I’m also pretty free and easy about using superfoods. The more goodness I can pack in, the happier I am. Sporty and I prefer to supplement with food rather than tablets whenever possible and superfoods do that nicely.

We buy ours from Soaring Free Superfoods because it’s a local company and Peter and Beryn are super (pun intended) mindful about sourcing and packaging their goods.

Our current superfood arsenal consists of spirulina, moringa, baobab, chaga mushroom, cacao, and maca. Not all at the same time, obviously. Sometimes, I’ll leave the cacao out. 

When superfoods became popular, everyone jumped on the bandwagon, but some were more above board than others. I only realized this (because I’m naive) after listening to Rich Roll’s conversation with Darin Olien.

You can find superfoods on Amazon, but do your due diligence before purchasing. Check out the company’s website to learn more about its sustainability practices. 

8. Water or Milk

When blending, I generally pour in a little water if I need additional liquid. Most folks use milk and so do I when we have it. But since we’re focused on saving money and avoiding unnecessary packaging, it’s not something we often have on hand.

We don’t feel like water dilutes our smoothie bowls, but Sporty and I are definitely not chefy. For us, taste is secondary to goodness. You might feel like you absolutely have to have milk. Cool. You do you.

Very occasionally, we’ll splurge on a tin of coconut milk (we’re wild like that) and use that in place of water. I don’t have to tell you how yummy that is, especially when you include mango in the equation. 

Oh my word. Heaven in a bowl.

Smoothie Bowl Recipes You Should Definitely Try

YouTube and Google are awash with smoothie bowl recipes. With so much to choose from, it’s easy to get lost down the internetz rabbit hole. That’s not fun or helpful, because you’ll just end up with a bad case of choice overwhelm.

Olga from Fablunch has made it easy with these five must-try smoothie bowl recipes. In the video, she walks you through the basics, and on her website, she includes a printable with the recipes.

When you’re feeling more adventurous, take a look at this recipe roundup from Dana at Minimalist Baker. Her options include a creamy dragonfruit and super green smoothie bowl and a creamy zucchini blueberry smoothie.

Side note: Dragon fruit makes some people super queasy.

Our plant-based breakfast ideas roundup also includes a smoothie recipe, so be sure to check that out.

Final Thoughts: Should You Invest in a Good Quality High-Speed Blender?

The notion of planned obsolescence has yet to infiltrate the high-end blender market. These machines are built to last. Amortize your initial outlay over four or five years, and you’ll quickly see how cost-effective it is to shell out for one of these babies.

They’re so much fun to use that there’s no way you’ll stop at smoothie bowls. Before you know it, you’ll be grinding grains, whipping up salad dressings and pasta sauces, making nut butter, ice cream, plant milk, and more. 

But even if you only use it to make your morning smoothie bowl, investing in a good quality high-speed blender is still a good idea. 

Unless you’re planning to move entirely off-grid or relocate to another country with a different voltage output, go for it. You won’t be sorry.

Photo by Julia Topp on Unsplash