Does Wattage Really Matter?
Well, sort of. The truth is that those high commercial grade blenders typically are talking about peak wattage or horsepower. And that peak isn’t something that you’re really going to be relying upon. The operating wattage or horsepower is what matters more but most companies don’t publicize that because it’s not as pretty as the peak horsepower.
So you should take wattage with a grain of salt. And if wattage is the one thing that is the deciding factor between a $900 blender and a $100 one, you may want to go with the less expensive option.
That being said, it really shouldn’t be the one factor. There’s a lot more that should go into deciding on your blender, namely what it’s going to be used for and how other people who are using it the way you want to are seeing results.
Usually a higher wattage is required to do something like crush ice. But what’s also required is a sharper blade, like the one that the Breville Fresh and Furious advertises. Or you may want something that specifically has an ice crush setting like the Hamilton Beach Professional 1800W so you can take some of the guesswork out.
So while wattage can be somewhat of an indication of how powerful a blender is, it shouldn’t be the only way for you to decide if this blender can get the job done.
What Can I Do To Make My Existing Blender Quieter?
Maybe you’re not ready or able to invest in a new blender at this time. Or maybe you just love your blender except for the noise that it makes. That doesn’t mean that you have to live with the extra noise.
There are a few options available to you. One is to change where your blender is located. As The Kitchn reports, putting a blender in a tight space will make it seem louder than it actually is. So move your blender away from the wall and in a more open area. Another way to lessen the noise would be to place the blender on a silicone mat, which will absorb some of the noise that comes from it shaking on a counter.
You may also want to invest in your own noise-reducing shield, like the ones that Hamilton Beach and Blendtec have. Blender sound enclosures do require forking out a couple bucks, but they’re a great alternative to let you keep your favorite blender, without sacrificing your hearing. These sound enclosures can go around many of the most popular blenders on the market today, including the Vitamix and Ninja blenders. The sound-absorbing pad absorbs the vibrations that would otherwise make a ton of noise. Plus, it’s nearly a quarter inch thick, which really prevents sound from seeping out.