The Magic Bullet’s 250-watt motor requires at least a half-cup of liquid to keep fibrous vegetables from stalling the blade, while the 175-watt Hamilton Beach 51172 struggles with anything thicker than protein powder and milk. If you need to grind coffee beans or whip up small batches of salsa, the Magic Bullet’s interchangeable flat blade and varied cup sizes handle the job. Grab the Hamilton Beach only if you want a lightweight base to mix a morning shake directly into a 14-ounce cup that fits your car’s console.
Best Value
9/10
The Hamilton Beach 51172 serves as a dedicated single-serve travel blender. Priced at $22.16, it mixes basic protein shakes directly in its 14-ounce travel cup.
Premium Pick
9/10
The Magic Bullet includes multiple blending cups and two blade types. Priced at $39.89, its 250-watt motor handles light vegetable blending and dry grinding.
Hamilton Beach 51172 Blender
👍 Why Choose Hamilton Beach 51172 Blender
- ✓ Fits standard car cup holders
- ✓ Blends directly in the 14-ounce travel mug
- ✓ Simple one-touch pulse operation
- ✓ Highly affordable price point
Magic Bullet Blender
👍 Why Choose Magic Bullet Blender
- ✓ Flat blade grinds coffee beans in under 10 seconds
- ✓ Includes multiple blending cup sizes
- ✓ Cross blade handles small batches of salsa
- ✓ 250-watt motor outperforms basic travel blenders
Hamilton Beach 51172 Blender
👎 Potential Downsides
- ✗ Struggles with anything thicker than protein powder
- ✗ Lacks the torque required for dry grinding
- ✗ Cannot handle large ice cubes without liquid layering
Magic Bullet Blender
👎 Potential Downsides
- ✗ Locking tabs snap if the cup is forced down at an angle
- ✗ Motor emits a burning plastic smell if stalled
- ✗ Requires at least a half-cup of liquid for vegetables
Design & Build Quality
The Hamilton Beach 51172 is essentially a motorized base attached directly to a 14-ounce travel mug. You blend your drink, flip the jar over, and walk out the door. It fits perfectly in standard car cup holders. The Magic Bullet takes up more cabinet space because it ships with multiple blending cups, a flat blade for grinding, and a cross blade for mixing. Both use lightweight plastic housings, but the Magic Bullet’s locking tabs are prone to snapping if you force the cup down at an angle.
Features & Performance
You must add at least a half-cup of water or milk to the Magic Bullet when blending vegetables, or the 250-watt motor will stall and emit a burning plastic smell. However, its interchangeable flat blade easily grinds whole coffee beans and dry spices in under ten seconds. The Hamilton Beach operates via a single pulse button and lacks the torque for dry grinding. It handles standard ice cubes and frozen berries fine, provided you layer your liquid at the bottom to keep the blades catching.
Conclusion: Our Final Verdict
Match your blender to your morning routine. Grab the Hamilton Beach 51172 for liquid-heavy protein shakes on the commute. Choose the Magic Bullet for dry grinding and thicker salsas. Click below to check current prices.
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