Black & Decker PowerCrush Multi-Function Blender with 6-Cup Glass Jar, 4 Speed Settings, Silver

I’ve been using the PowerCrush blender as my weekday workhorse—morning smoothies, quick sauces, the occasional frozen drink—and it’s settled into that sweet spot of “good enough for most things” without demanding much attention. It’s a simple, budget-friendly countertop blender with a glass jar, a modest motor, and straightforward controls. If you want a tank that pulverizes anything you throw at it, this isn’t it. But if you need a reliable daily driver for typical kitchen tasks, it earns its counter space.

Design and build

The glass jar is the star here. At 6 cups (48 ounces), it’s sized right for one or two people or a round of drinks, and it feels sturdy without being unwieldy. The molded pour spout on the jar is actually useful—fewer drips down the side—and the lid’s hinged cap lets you drizzle in oil or additions mid-blend without removing the entire lid. The base is lightweight plastic with a silver finish; it doesn’t scream “premium,” but it’s easy to wipe clean and compact enough (about 7.5 by 6.2 inches) to tuck in a corner. At 15.7 inches tall, it fits under my upper cabinets with room to spare.

The blade is a four-tip stainless steel design. It’s not aggressive like high-end, multi-tiered stacks, but it does create a decent vortex with the right amount of liquid. The whole jar assembly, blade, and lid are dishwasher-safe, and the blade assembly comes off for a thorough clean—useful when you’ve blitzed something fatty like pesto.

Controls and ease of use

Controls are as simple as they come: low, high, and two pulse options (low pulse and high pulse). No programs, no timer, no variable speed dial. That’s not a complaint—just know what you’re getting. The pulses engage quickly and stop on a dime, which makes it easy to “nudge” ingredients toward the blade or break up air pockets.

There’s an “Easy Clean” function in practice more than in name: add warm water and a drop of soap to the jar, run a few pulses, and most residue lifts off the glass and blade. It’s particularly effective after smoothies, less so after sticky nut pastes or dough-like mixtures, which usually require a quick disassembly.

Performance

• Smoothies: With a cup of liquid and fresh fruit, I get a smooth blend in 30–45 seconds on high. With frozen fruit, it’s more of a two-step process: a few high pulses to break up chunks, then a continuous blend. If you overload it with dense, frozen pieces and very little liquid, the blade cavitates and you’ll need to stop and scrape or add more liquid. Layering helps: liquids first, then soft items, then frozen last.

• Ice and frozen drinks: It can crush ice, but it’s happiest when ice is paired with liquid. For margaritas or slushies, I pulse the ice several times until it looks pebbly, then switch to high. It won’t give you snow-cone fluff, but it does fine for cocktails and smoothies. Avoid blending straight, large ice loads without liquid—it strains the motor and can rattle the base.

• Soups and sauces: For cooked vegetable soups, it yields a pleasingly smooth puree with a tiny bit of texture—think farmstand rustic, not restaurant-silky. I like the hinged cap for drizzling in oil when emulsifying dressings or mayo. If you’re blending hot liquids, leave the cap slightly open and cover with a towel to vent steam; the glass jar handles warmth well, but boiling-hot liquids in sealed blenders are never a great idea.

• Pesto, dips, and spreads: Pesto comes out well with a bit of texture. Hummus is good if you’re generous with olive oil or aquafaba; otherwise it can stall and require scraping down the sides. Nut butters are possible in very small batches with patience, but this isn’t the right tool if you want smooth nut butter regularly.

• Dry tasks: For bread crumbs or oat flour, it works best in short bursts and small loads. The blade can fling light ingredients up the sides; a few pulse-and-shake cycles usually do the trick.

The motor is rated at 700 watts peak and 350 watts continuous. In practice, that means it has enough punch for everyday blends but benefits from smart technique. Use the pulses to break up dense pockets, don’t cram the jar with solids, and give the motor a short rest if you notice it laboring on a thick mixture. With sensible batching and sufficient liquid, I had consistent results.

Noise and stability

It’s a blender—it’s loud—but it’s on par with other mid-range models. Ice on high is the noisiest scenario. The base is relatively light, so with hard loads like ice you’ll hear more vibration than on heavier machines. Rubber feet prevent walking, and I didn’t need to hold it down under normal use, but a firm counter makes a difference.

Cleaning and maintenance

The dishwasher-safe parts are a genuine time-saver. Most days, a quick rinse and the easy-clean pulse with soapy water are enough; I toss the jar and lid in the dishwasher a few times a week. When disassembling the blade, mind the gasket orientation so you don’t introduce leaks on reassembly—set it back exactly as it came out. The blade stays decently sharp after repeated ice crushing, but like any consumer blender, it prefers liquids and softer ingredients for longevity.

Ergonomics and everyday usability

• The handle is comfortable, and the jar’s weight helps it feel secure on the base.
• The lid seals snugly without being a wrestling match to remove.
• The pour spout is genuinely drip-light compared to straight-lip jars.
• There’s no tamper. That’s expected at this price, but it means thick blends require stop-and-scrape cycles. Don’t insert a spatula while the blade is moving; stop the motor first.

One small note: because the base is light, setting it slightly away from the counter edge reduces resonance and rattling, especially during ice crushing.

What it does well (and where it falls short)

Strengths:
- Glass jar with an effective pour spout and handy hinged cap
- Simple, reliable controls with responsive pulse options
- Solid everyday performance for smoothies, soups, sauces, and frozen drinks with proper liquid ratios
- Dishwasher-safe parts and quick “easy clean” routine
- Compact footprint and under-cabinet height

Limitations:
- Modest continuous power; not ideal for ultra-thick blends or frequent ice-only crushing
- No tamper; thicker recipes require stop-and-scrape
- Base is lightweight plastic; more vibration under heavy loads than heavier, pricier models
- No variable speed dial or presets if you like fine control or one-touch programs

Tips for best results

• Start with liquid first, soft ingredients next, frozen or hard items on top.
• Use high pulse in short bursts to break up frozen chunks before switching to continuous blending.
• For creamy smoothies, aim for a liquid-to-solid ratio around 1:1 to 1.5:1 and adjust as needed.
• For pesto and dips, scrape down the sides between short pulses to avoid channeling.
• Use warm water and a drop of dish soap right after blending to prevent residue from sticking.

Who it’s for

The PowerCrush blender is a good fit if you want a dependable, no-nonsense blender primarily for smoothies, soups, sauces, and occasional frozen drinks—and you value a glass jar and easy cleaning. If you’re making thick nut butters, silky purees for fine dining, or multiple rounds of ice-heavy drinks every day, you’ll outgrow it quickly and should look at higher-powered, heavier machines with tampers and variable speed.

Recommendation

I recommend the PowerCrush blender for value-minded home cooks who prioritize simplicity and a glass jar, and whose blending needs are everyday rather than extreme. It’s easy to live with, easy to clean, and produces reliably good results as long as you respect its power ceiling. If you need ultra-smooth textures from tough ingredients or plan to crush dense, frozen loads routinely, consider stepping up to a more powerful model with a tamper. For everyone else, this is a practical, affordable choice that handles the staples well.