In short, not everyone needs a cordless blender, but for some it can be an indispensable item. 

Why is the Cuisinart EvolutionX the best portable blender? 

The Cuisinart EvolutionX was the most reliable, indestructible, and easy-to-use portable blender I tried. It blends frozen fruit and ice as well as my Nutribullet and almost as well as a Vitamix. It charges quickly and easily via USB cord (under two hours for a full charge), and provides 20 minutes of continuous blending per charge. That may not sound like a lot, but consider that most smoothies take 10 seconds max to blend. Also, if for some reason you did try to run the EvolutionX for the full 20 minutes of battery life, it would automatically shut off before it overheats. The EvolutionX is also the quietest blender I’ve ever used, including both personal and full-size. 

The single-button control is dead simple, and there are three LED lights along the base, which indicate the battery level so you’re never stuck with a dead blender. And even if that happens, you can quick-charge the unit for 15 minutes and get enough juice for one or two smoothies. 

At just over two pounds and with a compact design, the EvolutionX came with me on two airplanes and multiple road trips, and it survived being dropped on the floor at least once. Meanwhile its closest competitor, the BlenderX (which weighs twice as much) came on all those journeys too and stopped charging after a few weeks of use. 

I also like that, unlike other portable blenders like PopBabies, the EvolutionX’s blade can separate from the cup for easy cleaning. And the 16-ounce, dishwasher safe blender cup is ample compared to other single-serve cups and comes with a travel lid for mess-free transport. 

Can the Cuisinart EvolutionX portable blender replace my traditional blender?

When it comes to blenders, more power = more effective crushing and blending. And because cordless portable blenders run on rechargeable batteries, they’ll never have as much wattage as corded ones. For reference, your kitchen’s power outlets supply 120 volts, while even the most powerful cordless blender I tried supplied only 24. 

That said, I tested the Cuisinart EvolutionX on a six-week trip, and it worked beautifully for my needs. I used it daily for protein shakes (milk, protein powder, frozen banana, and frozen spinach) and once or twice a week for salad dressings and simple sauces. What’s more, I only had to pull out the charger once. I never had to stir or scrape down the sides, and I didn’t notice a difference in efficiency between the Cuisinart and my Nutribullet Pro. Neither can compete with my Vitamix in terms of smooth, even texture, but the EvolutionX comes pretty close. 

The Cuisinart EvolutionX has now replaced my Nutribullet. I keep it on my kitchen island, which isn’t close to power, and charge it monthly. But if you’re using your blender for things other than fruit smoothies, soups, or baby food purées (e.g. crushing large quantities of ice cubes or pulverizing fibrous vegetables) or if you need to blend in bulk, a portable blender won’t replace your full-size blender. 

Are there any downsides to the Cuisinart EvolutionX Cordless Blender?

As I mentioned above, the battery-powered EvolutionX doesn’t quite reach the textural standards of a high-quality, full-size blender. There are no measurements on the side of the blending cup, which is typical for personal-size blenders and annoying if you’re following a recipe. It also won’t turn on while the USB port is in use. Lastly, at around $75 to $80, it’s more expensive than most competitors, but after experiencing frequent glitches and poor blending with other portable blenders, I can safely say the effectiveness, longevity, and versatility of the EvolutionX makes it worth the price.