Smoothie Safety on the Spot: Concerns Rise Over Portable Blender Hazards

Blending your favorite smoothie shouldn’t be a high risk activity, except for the odd flavor mishap here and there, but there are growing concerns some blender models might put users in danger. 

BlendJet’s BlendJet 2 Portable Blender and a range of Ninja blenders are facing a slew of complaints that blades are prone to breaking and can cause lacerations, and faulty batteries and wiring pose fire risks. 

It’s not just consumers that have concerns. BlendJet recently recalled 4.8 million of its BlendJet 2 Portable Blender, with the Consumer Product Safety Commission saying saying “the recalled blenders can overheat or catch fire and the blender blades can break off, posing fire and laceration hazards to consumers.”

Big claims, big problems

The blenders, which retail for $50-$100, are advertised as giving users the freedom to blend from anywhere in the world “from a mountaintop to your kitchen countertop” and have “big blend performance” being able to “power through anything in 20 seconds flat: ice, frozen fruit, leafy greens & more.”

But despite those claims, a proposed class action lawsuit filed last year alleges the company was well aware the BlendJet 2 was faulty — in that its blades would get disfigured, shatter, or completely detach; its charging cables are prone to melting; and its battery makes it overheat and at times catch fire — due to the sheer number of negative reviews and complaints to CPSC.

BlendJet “markets [BlendJet 2] in a systematically misleading manner by misrepresenting the capabilities of the product, which it manufactures using substandard or inferior materials,” the lawsuit alleges.

Consumer groups share concerns

After the proposed class action lawsuit was filed, Consumer Reports whipped up their own concerns, with tests revealing smoke emissions and blade breakages. The CPSC investigation followed, which found 329 cases of the blender's blades breaking and 17 reports of the blenders overheating or catching fire, leading to $150,000 in property damage. There were additional reports of 49 minor burns and one laceration.

Then there was the recall. As the company announced the recall, it said it had improved the BlendJet 2 model with sturdier blades and a better mechanical and electrical system and said it would replace the recalled models with the new and improved version. But not all consumers were happy. 

A number of BlendJet customers took to Reddit to express frustration they were only being offered three colors in the recall, even if they had forked out extra for a limited edition BlendJet 2 with a unique design. 

“I'm super annoyed by this - I have a limited edition Lisa Frank blendjet, it's rainbow and apparently if you have one of the special colors you can't get a replacement base in the same color. Like, I paid for a rainbow base.. and you're telling me I can't get my rainbow base, in the color I paid for, replaced?” one Reddit user said. 

Concerns for other models

BlendJet isn’t alone in facing complaints about faulty blades and wiring. Ninja, which had to recall products in 2015, is also facing backlash for issues with some of its products. If you own any of the following Ninja blenders, make sure you proceed with caution:

• Ninja 4-in-1 Kitchen System
• Ninja Blast Portable Blender
• Ninja Blender Plus
• Ninja Foodi Power Nutri Duo
• Ninja Foodi Power Blender Ultimate
• Ninja Intelli-Sense Blender Duo
• Ninja Intelli-Sense Kitchen System
• Ninja Kitchen System Plus
• Ninja Nutri-Blender Plus
• Ninja Nutri-Blender Pro with Auto-iQ
• Ninja Nutri-Blender Pro with Auto-iQ Plus
• Ninja Single Serve System Plus
• Nutri Ninja 2-in-1
• Nutri Ninja Pro
• Nutri Ninja with FreshVac Technology

If you or someone close to you has experienced an injury from a BlendJet 2 or Ninja blender, you might have a claim for compensation. In addition to seeking legal recourse, it's important to report any issues with these products (or any product) to the CPSC and Consumer Reports to help protect others. Don't miss out on what you could be owed. Complete our form here for a free case review.