Black & Decker Countertop Blender with 5-Cup Glass Jar, 10-Speed Settings

I cleared a spot on my counter and lived with the Black+Decker blender for two weeks, using it for daily smoothies, quick sauces, and the occasional ice crush. It’s a compact, straightforward machine with a classic glass jar and a familiar row of ten buttons. It won me over in a few areas and tested my patience in others.

Design and capacity

The 40‑ounce glass jar is the star of the build. It’s clearer and more scratch‑resistant than plastic, doesn’t hold onto odors, and feels stable when you set it down. The trade-off is weight—lifting and rinsing a full jar is a two‑handed job—but I’ll take heft over haze and lingering tomato stains any day. At 13.5 inches tall, the whole unit fits under standard cabinets, and the footprint is small enough for a tight countertop.

Assembly is simple: jar, blade collar with gasket, and lid. The blade unit is removable, which makes cleaning easier, but it also means you need to pay attention to the gasket orientation and collar tightness to avoid leaks. The lid has a removable center cap for drizzling in oil or adding ingredients mid‑blend. I found the fit secure enough for normal use, though if you’re working with hot liquids or a very full jar, keep a palm on the lid.

Ten speed settings line the front, plus a pulse key. The buttons are clearly labeled and have a positive click. In practice, I used three or four speeds regularly: low for chopping and salsa, mid for purees, high for smoothies, and pulse to break up stubborn pockets. The rest are nice to have but not essential.

Power and performance

On paper, this is a modest machine (350 watts continuous, with a higher peak). In real use, that translates to competent blending for everyday tasks and some clear limits once you push into thick, frozen territory.

• Smoothies: With a base of liquid (about a cup of milk or juice), fresh fruit, and a handful of ice, the blender produced a pleasantly smooth drink in 45–60 seconds on a mid‑high speed. Swapping in fully frozen fruit and less liquid increases the blending time and strain. I had better results layering ingredients—liquid first, then soft items, then frozen—and using pulse bursts to create a vortex before running on a continuous speed. The final texture was good, not ultra‑fine; tiny berry seeds stayed detectable.

• Ice: It can crush a tray of standard cubes, but it’s a “pulse and shake” job, not a one‑button snow cone. Small batches work best. If you’re hoping for powdered ice or thick, spoonable smoothie bowls on the regular, this isn’t the ideal tool.

• Soups and sauces: This is where the blender shines. Cooked vegetables, marinara, and pureed soups came out silky. The multi‑level blade helps pull ingredients down, and the glass jar handles warm contents well. As always with hot liquids, don’t seal the lid completely—crack the center cap or cover it loosely with a towel and blend in small batches.

• Chopping and salsas: On low speeds, it does an even job with onions, tomatoes, and herbs. Pulse sparingly to avoid puree; the blade stacks up ingredients well, so you don’t get large chunks trapped under the vortex.

• Nut butters and thick dips: Expect to add oil and scrape down often. With patience, you can coax out a rough nut butter, but it’s not the blender’s comfort zone. For thick hummus, I had to add more liquid than I’d prefer to keep things moving.

The 4‑point stainless blade is sharp and easy to remove. Because it’s a multi‑level design, it catches lighter ingredients and helps prevent cavitation. Still, the motor doesn’t muscle through dense blends without help. Respect its limits and you’ll get consistent results.

Ease of use and cleaning

The workflow is friendly. The jar markings are easy to read, the handle is comfortable, and the controls are intuitive. I like the pulse button’s responsiveness; it’s precise enough to break up air pockets without over‑processing.

Cleaning is where the design pays off. Disassemble the blade unit and gasket, rinse immediately, and you’re done in under a minute. If you let things sit, the parts are dishwasher‑safe. I preferred a quick soapy rinse and occasional top‑rack runs to preserve the gasket. One tip: reassemble only when everything is fully dry to avoid any trapped moisture or odors.

Noise and stability

It’s loud, as most blenders are, but not piercing. The heavier glass jar and the weight of the base keep vibration in check, so it doesn’t skitter across the counter at high speed. I had no issues with walking or rattling.

Build quality and longevity

The base housing is plastic, and the coupling that mates the jar to the motor isn’t metal. That’s standard at this price, but it does influence how you should use it. If you regularly force the blender to churn thick frozen blends for long stretches, the coupling and motor will wear faster. Keep runs to around a minute, use pulse to get things moving, and add liquid when the motor bogs down. The manual’s troubleshooting section is actually useful here—common-sense advice that can prevent overheating and premature wear.

In my testing window, I didn’t experience leaks or motor cutouts. The lid stayed put, though filling past the 40‑ounce line with foamy blends can nudge it upward. The buttons felt solid, and the blade didn’t dull noticeably. That said, this is a budget‑minded appliance; expectations should match the materials. Treat it as a daily driver for light‑to‑medium tasks, not a high‑performance ice‑crusher.

Practical tips for better results

• Layer smart: Liquids first, then soft ingredients, then frozen or harder items on top.
• Use pulse to start: A few quick bursts help form a vortex and reduce stalling.
• Don’t overfill: Stay under the max fill line, especially with foamy or hot recipes.
• Respect duty cycles: Blend in 30–60 second intervals and rest if the motor warms.
• Check the gasket: Correct orientation and a snug collar prevent leaks.
• Pre‑prep stubborn items: Let frozen fruit thaw a few minutes or chop large pieces.

Who it’s for

• Great fit: Apartment kitchens, occasional smoothie makers, home cooks who want a reliable jar blender for soups, sauces, salad dressings, pancake batters, and lighter smoothie blends. If you value a glass jar and dishwasher‑safe parts, this ticks the boxes.

• Not ideal: Daily frozen smoothie die‑hards, anyone expecting snow‑fine ice, or users who want to make thick blends with minimal liquid. If you’re after café‑style smoothie bowls, you’ll want more power and a sturdier drive system.

Value

Given its size, glass jar, removable blade, and ten straightforward speeds, the Black+Decker blender offers solid everyday performance at an approachable price. The compromises—moderate power, a smaller 5‑cup capacity, and non‑metal coupling—are typical of this tier. If those trade-offs align with your use case, the value proposition is strong.

Recommendation

I recommend the Black+Decker blender for light to medium kitchen duty: smoothies with adequate liquid, pureed soups, sauces, salsas, and general weekday blending. It’s compact, easy to clean, and the glass jar is a meaningful step up from the plastic found on many entry‑level models. You’ll get best results by layering ingredients properly, leaning on the pulse button, and keeping blends to short intervals.

I wouldn’t recommend it if your routine centers on thick, frozen blends, frequent ice crushing, or heavy nut and seed work. In those scenarios, the modest motor and drive design will feel underpowered, and you’ll spend more time managing stalls than enjoying the results. For everyone else—especially cooks who value a glass jar and a small footprint—it’s a dependable, budget‑friendly addition to the counter.