Introduction
There’s a meaningful gap between a blender that can technically crush ice and one that’s genuinely built to handle demanding blending tasks on a repeated, everyday basis without the user needing to babysit every cycle. The Ninja Professional Plus Blender BN701 sits firmly on the more capable end of that spectrum, combining a substantial 1400-peak-watt motor with Auto-iQ programmed presets and a 72-ounce pitcher, aiming to deliver both raw blending power and a degree of hands-off convenience that a purely manual, dial-based blender can’t quite match.
What sets this model apart from a more basic high-powered blender isn’t just the motor size, it’s the Auto-iQ system layered on top of it. Rather than requiring the user to manually control blending speed and duration throughout an entire cycle, Auto-iQ offers three specific programmed presets tailored to particular outcomes: smoothies, frozen drinks, and ice cream. Each preset automatically cycles through a specific pattern of pulsing, blending, and pausing designed to achieve a smooth, consistent result for that particular type of preparation, without the user needing to guess at timing or manually pulse the blender at the right moments. Paired with Total Crushing blades built to handle ice and tough ingredients, and dishwasher-safe components for easier cleanup, the BN701 positions itself as a genuinely capable, semi-automated option for households that blend frequently and want consistent results without constant manual oversight. In this article, we’ll walk through what this blender actually offers, the range of everyday and occasional tasks it tends to handle, who benefits most from this combination of power and programmed presets, what’s worth thinking through before buying, how it compares to more basic blenders and other full-size options, and answers to the questions people most commonly ask about it.
Key Features
The Ninja Professional Plus Blender BN701 combines substantial raw power with programmed automation, aiming to deliver consistent results without requiring constant manual control throughout each blending cycle.
1400-Peak-Watt Motor This blender is built around a genuinely substantial 1400-peak-watt motor, giving it more than enough power to handle demanding blending tasks, including crushing ice, processing frozen fruit, and breaking down fibrous ingredients, without straining or requiring multiple passes to achieve a smooth result.
Auto-iQ Technology Rather than requiring constant manual control, this blender includes Auto-iQ programming, which automates specific patterns of pulsing, blending, and pausing throughout a cycle to achieve a particular texture or consistency, removing much of the guesswork involved in manually timing a blend.
Three Auto-iQ Presets Specifically, this model includes three dedicated presets: smoothies, frozen drinks, and ice cream. Each preset is calibrated to the specific blending pattern appropriate for that outcome, so a smoothie preset might pulse and blend differently than a frozen drink or ice cream preset, without the user needing to manually replicate that pattern themselves.
Total Crushing Blades The blade design is specifically engineered to handle tough blending tasks like crushing ice and processing frozen ingredients, working in tandem with the powerful motor to pull ingredients down into the blades consistently throughout a cycle rather than leaving pockets of unprocessed material near the top of the pitcher.
72-Ounce Pitcher A large 72-ounce pitcher capacity supports family-sized batches, allowing multiple servings of a smoothie, frozen drink, or other blended preparation to be made in a single cycle rather than needing to run several smaller batches back to back.
Dishwasher-Safe Components The pitcher, lid, and blade assembly are generally dishwasher safe, simplifying cleanup considerably compared to needing to hand-wash every component after each use, which matters for an appliance likely to see frequent, regular use.
Combination of Manual and Automated Control While the Auto-iQ presets offer automated blending patterns for specific outcomes, the blender generally retains manual control options as well, allowing users to choose between programmed convenience and more direct, hands-on control depending on the specific task at hand.
Full-Size Countertop Design As a full-size blender built around a large pitcher and powerful motor, the BN701 has a more substantial footprint than compact personal blenders, reflecting its focus on larger batch capacity and more demanding blending tasks rather than prioritizing a minimal counter presence.
How It Can Be Used
Given its combination of power and programmed presets, the BN701 fits naturally into a wide range of both everyday and more specialized blending tasks.
Family-Sized Smoothies with Consistent Results Using the smoothie preset, a full batch of smoothies can be prepared for multiple people at once, with Auto-iQ handling the specific blending pattern needed to achieve a consistently smooth result without requiring manual pulsing or guesswork.
Frozen Drinks and Slushies The dedicated frozen drink preset is specifically calibrated for icy beverages like margaritas or slushies, automating the blending pattern needed to thoroughly crush ice and achieve a smooth, consistent frozen texture rather than leaving behind unprocessed chunks.
Homemade Ice Cream The ice cream preset offers a way to prepare a frozen, ice-cream-like dessert directly in the blender, using the automated blending pattern specifically designed to achieve that particular texture from a frozen base or other appropriate ingredients.
Big-Batch Sauces and Dressings Beyond the specific Auto-iQ presets, the powerful motor and large pitcher make this blender well suited to preparing bigger batches of sauces, dressings, or dips using manual control, particularly useful for meal prepping or preparing food for a larger gathering.
Soups For those who like to blend soups directly, whether pureeing a finished soup or building one from raw ingredients, the 72-ounce capacity allows for a substantial batch to be prepared in a single blending session.
Meal Prepping in Bulk Given its large capacity and consistent, automated presets, this blender lends itself well to meal prep sessions where multiple servings of a smoothie or other blended preparation are made at once and then portioned out for the week ahead.
Entertaining and Hosting For gatherings, the 72-ounce pitcher combined with the frozen drink preset allows for a substantial batch of a crowd-pleasing frozen beverage to be prepared in a single cycle, without needing to manually manage the blending process throughout an event.
Everyday Versatile Kitchen Use Beyond the specific presets, this blender’s combination of power and capacity makes it a versatile everyday kitchen tool, capable of handling a wide range of manual blending needs beyond just the three automated preset categories.
Who It May Be Suitable For
Given its combination of substantial power and programmed automation, the BN701 tends to appeal most strongly to certain kinds of households and blending habits.
Larger Families Given its 72-ounce capacity, this blender is particularly well suited to families or households with several people who want smoothies or other blended preparations made from a single batch rather than needing multiple blending cycles.
Those Who Want Consistent Results Without Guesswork For anyone who has struggled with unevenly blended smoothies or frozen drinks using a manual blender, the Auto-iQ presets offer a way to achieve consistently smooth results without needing to develop a feel for manual pulsing and timing.
Fans of Frozen Drinks and Homemade Ice Cream Those who specifically enjoy preparing frozen beverages or homemade ice cream on a regular basis are likely to get particular value from the dedicated presets built specifically for those outcomes.
Meal Preppers Those who like to prepare food in bulk for the week ahead may find the combination of large pitcher capacity and consistent, automated blending particularly useful for batch-preparing smoothies or other blended items in a single session.
Hosts and Entertainers Anyone who regularly prepares blended drinks for guests, whether smoothies or frozen cocktails, is likely to appreciate being able to prepare a large, consistently blended batch using an automated preset rather than manually managing the process throughout an event.
Those Wanting Both Automation and Manual Control For households wanting the option to use programmed convenience for common tasks while still retaining manual control for more specialized or unusual blending needs, this blender’s combination of both approaches offers genuine flexibility.
Those Upgrading from a Weaker or More Basic Blender Existing blender owners who have found a less powerful or purely manual blender struggling with ice, frozen fruit, or achieving consistent results may find this blender’s combination of power and automation a meaningful upgrade.
That said, individuals or smaller households who primarily blend single servings, or who don’t have a particular need for automated presets, may find this blender’s larger pitcher capacity and programmed features more than necessary for their typical use, and might be better served by a more compact or simpler blender.
Important Things to Consider
There are several practical points worth thinking through before adding a full-size, high-power blender with programmed presets like this one to a kitchen.
Counter and Storage Space Given its full-size format and large 72-ounce pitcher, this blender requires a reasonable amount of counter or storage space, worth factoring in for kitchens with more limited available room.
Capacity for Smaller Households While the large pitcher is an advantage for bigger batches, individuals or couples with more modest blending needs may find themselves preparing more than they actually want in a single cycle, or may need to consider whether a smaller blender would better match their typical usage.
Learning the Auto-iQ Presets While designed to simplify the blending process, there may be a brief adjustment period while getting familiar with which preset is appropriate for which task, and how those automated presets differ from simply using manual control.
Noise During Operation Given its substantial 1400-peak-watt motor, this blender is likely to be quite loud during operation, particularly when crushing ice or running through an Auto-iQ preset cycle, worth keeping in mind for early morning use in shared living spaces.
Weight and Handling A full 72-ounce pitcher, especially one filled close to capacity, can be fairly heavy and require careful handling when pouring or transporting from the base to a serving location.
Cleaning Beyond the Dishwasher-Safe Parts While the pitcher, lid, and blade assembly are generally dishwasher safe, the motor base itself typically needs to be wiped down separately rather than submerged in water, worth factoring into the overall cleaning routine.
Cost Relative to More Basic Blenders Given its larger capacity, more powerful motor, and added Auto-iQ programming, this blender is likely to come at a higher price point than simpler, manual-only blenders, worth weighing against how much the added automation and power will realistically be used.
Pitcher Size for Storage Beyond counter space during use, the 72-ounce pitcher itself requires a reasonable amount of cabinet or shelf space when not in use, worth considering for kitchens with more limited storage.
Comparison
Compared to more basic manual blenders, the BN701 offers considerably more automation through its Auto-iQ presets, removing much of the guesswork involved in achieving consistent results for smoothies, frozen drinks, and ice cream, though a simpler manual blender may appeal to those who prefer direct, hands-on control over every aspect of the blending process.
When compared to other full-size blenders in the broader Ninja lineup, such as the standard Professional Blender BL610, this model’s added Auto-iQ programming and higher 1400-peak-watt motor represent a meaningful step up in both power and automated convenience, though the BL610’s simpler, more straightforward operation may still appeal to those who don’t specifically want programmed presets.
Against personal or single-serve blenders, this full-size model offers considerably more capacity and power, making it much better suited to family batches or larger quantities, though personal blenders generally offer more convenience and a smaller footprint for those who primarily blend single servings.
Compared to higher-end specialty blenders with even more extensive programming or app connectivity, this model keeps its automation relatively focused with just three specific presets, which may appeal to those who want meaningful convenience without an overwhelming number of programmed options to navigate.
Overall, the BN701 occupies a genuinely compelling niche within the broader blender category: a full-size, powerful appliance that combines serious raw blending capability with just enough automation to meaningfully simplify common tasks like smoothies, frozen drinks, and ice cream, without overcomplicating the overall experience.
FAQ
What does Auto-iQ actually do? Auto-iQ automates specific patterns of pulsing, blending, and pausing throughout a cycle, tailored to a particular outcome like smoothies, frozen drinks, or ice cream, removing the need to manually time or pulse the blender to achieve a consistent result.
How many Auto-iQ presets does this blender include? It includes three presets: smoothies, frozen drinks, and ice cream, each calibrated to the specific blending pattern appropriate for that outcome.
How much does the pitcher hold? The pitcher has a 72-ounce capacity, generally suited to family-sized batches or larger quantities of blended drinks, sauces, or soups.
Can this blender make ice cream directly? Yes, the dedicated ice cream preset is specifically designed to help achieve a frozen, ice-cream-like texture from an appropriate base or frozen ingredients.
How powerful is the motor? This blender is powered by a 1400-peak-watt motor, providing substantial power for demanding blending tasks like crushing ice and processing frozen or fibrous ingredients.
Are the parts dishwasher safe? The pitcher, lid, and blade assembly are generally dishwasher safe, though the motor base typically needs to be wiped down separately rather than submerged in water.
Can I still use this blender manually instead of the presets? Yes, the blender generally retains manual control options in addition to the Auto-iQ presets, allowing for direct, hands-on operation when a specific preset isn’t needed.
Is this blender too large for a smaller household? It can be, depending on needs. The 72-ounce capacity is primarily designed for larger households or those who regularly blend in bulk, so individuals or couples with lighter blending needs might consider a more compact blender instead.
Conclusion
The Ninja Professional Plus Blender BN701 combines substantial raw blending power with genuinely useful automation, offering a 1400-peak-watt motor and Total Crushing blades alongside three Auto-iQ presets specifically designed for smoothies, frozen drinks, and ice cream. This combination allows the blender to handle demanding tasks like crushing ice and processing frozen ingredients while also removing much of the manual guesswork involved in achieving consistently smooth results. With its generous 72-ounce pitcher supporting family-sized batches and dishwasher-safe components simplifying cleanup, this blender is well suited to households that blend frequently and want both serious power and a degree of hands-off convenience. While its larger footprint and higher price point may be more than smaller households need, for families, frequent hosts, or anyone who wants consistent, repeatable results without manually managing every blending cycle, the BN701 offers a compelling combination of capability and convenience.