My Dad Used This Meal-Prep Tool Every Day for 15 Years — It Just Got an Upgrade

Fifteen years ago, my parents bought the house they live in now. Naturally, they also bought a bunch of new stuff for the house, but the thing that excited me most was the nutribullet blender my dad brought home. I had insisted he buy one so I could make smoothies every day, but, as it turned out, he ended up using the blender way more than I did. Every day until a few months ago, he would make his morning smoothies for work and post-gym protein shakes using the nutribullet.

But when I last visited my parents, I found that his trusty blender looked pretty beat-up. And by that, I mean the rubbery part around the extractor blade was literally crumbling into little black pieces. And because that part essentially sealed the cup when blending, I experienced a couple of smoothie explosions when trying to use the old bullet.

“Why don’t you get a new blender?” I asked my dad. “You could get a pitcher style, like a Vitamix.” But he insisted that he only wanted his nutribullet, so that’s what he got … again. Now, he’s just as in love with his new nutribullet Ultra as he was with the old model — except this one is way better.  

The Ultra blender basically takes the classic nutribullet and improves it with some key features. It comes with the standard motor base, extractor blade, two to-go lids, and three cups (a 32-ounce cup and two 24-ounce cups, one of which has a handle). You also get a handy recipe guide when you buy the standard bundle. (The deluxe version has a silver base instead of one of the standard colors and comes with an extra lid and stainless steel straws for $23 more.) Additionally, the Ultra model’s blades are designed to be more durable than those of previous models, but even my dad’s OG nutribullet blades lasted 15 years without becoming dull. 

The blender uses 1,200 watts of power to seamlessly liquify any blend, even if you use ice or fibrous fruits and vegetables. Its cups are made from Tritan Renew, a durable material that’s BPA-free, shatter-resistant, and dishwasher-safe. You’ll also be happy to learn that this version of the nutribullet was designed to have a quieter motor, which is definitely a step up from my dad’s noisy old blender.

One thing that my entire family has always loved about the nutribullet is its sleek design. Our old model took up minimal counter space when in use, and when one of us finished using it, we would stow it away in a kitchen cabinet with our other cups and water bottles. The nutribullet Ultra is the same; it features a small footprint and sleek, futuristic design. Its 29.5-inch cord is the perfect length because it reaches the outlets in my parents’ kitchen no matter which counter they place it on, but it doesn’t tangle or snake around the entire surface. 

What made an immediate impression on my dad, though, was the blender’s light-up interface, which only activates when you press the cup to the power base. “I was confused about why there was no power button or settings display,” my dad said. “But when I inserted the cup and everything lit up, I was like, ‘That’s so cool.’” Once illuminated, the interface lets you choose between two blending modes — a smoothie cycle, and pulse mode — so you can customize just how smooth and blended you want your drink to be. “It’s super powerful,” my dad added.

His other favorite thing about the Ultra is how quiet it is. As someone who used to be woken up at 7 a.m. by my dad using the old nutribullet, I can appreciate this feature, too. And because he takes his smoothies to work, my dad also loves the leakproof lids, which give him peace of mind that the cup will never spill in his car.

If your own blender could use a swap, you can’t go wrong with the nutribullet Ultra — take it from my whole family. Using and storing it daily is effortless, and it’s perfect for big and small kitchens alike. Plus, it’s bound to last you well over a decade, based on our experience.