Here at BA, we take our product testing pretty seriously. We design each test to determine just how well (or how poorly) a given model can perform its essential tasks and special functions. Each new model we test goes through the same series of assessments as the ones tried before it, and only the models that excel win a spot on our list of recommendations.
Which is why, when the Beast Mighty 850 blender failed both of our standard personal blender tests, I wrote it off as a classic example of style over substance. Until I brought it home, that is.
The two tests we use to assess personal blenders are challenging (most blenders fail at least one). We make a smoothie that’s about 50% kale, stems and all, and a full batch of pesto using basil, grated cheese, whole cloves of garlic, pine nuts, and olive oil. They show off how powerful (or not) the motor is and whether it, combined with the design of the blade and shape of the container, is able to effectively blend the toughest ingredients into a smooth mixture. And while I stand by the idea that the very best personal blenders should be able to ace these tests, here’s the thing: When I’m on my own time I don’t need to liquify a wad of kale stems. My own daily smoothie is a handful of frozen strawberries, half a frozen banana, some almond milk, and a scoop of protein powder.
When I tested the Beast blender, it took 10(!) blend cycles to complete the kale smoothie test—after which the smoothie in question was warm due to the friction. But despite its failing grade in our official product tests, I had a hunch the Beast might work for my own purposes. And if it did work out, I thought some of the other design features—like a lid with a straw hole and multiple sizes of blending containers—would make it super useful for my morning smoothie habit. So I brought it home.
It turns out I was right: The Beast Mighty is the perfect little gadget for those of us who turn to our personal blenders for basic smoothies and purées (as long as they involve a decent amount of liquid). Is it as powerful as the Nutribullet Ultra that wins our product test? No. But it’s more compact and more lightweight, and it has attachments that make taking smoothies on the go more convenient—plus it looks quite chic on a countertop.
That straw top I mentioned might seem like a small addition, but the Beast’s is truly well-designed. It screws onto the drinking lid and features a spill-proof seal that keeps the straw in place and prevents any leakage. To clean it, just unscrew the parts and stick them on the top rack of the dishwasher (in fact, all parts of the Beast blender besides the motor base are top rack dishwasher-safe, including the blade).
For an extra $25 you can get the Beast Mighty Plus, which comes with three different sized blending containers (785 ml, 640 ml, 415 ml). I use the two tall ones for my smoothies interchangeably depending on which one is in the dishwasher at a given time. The smaller one is perfect as a storage container for my packed lunches. I’ve found it pretty leakproof no matter how haphazardly I toss the jar in my bag.
This is not the thing to get if you dream of making your own nut butters or need to whiz root vegetables and leafy greens, but if you’re a regular old smoothie person, the Beast is a great choice. After months of using it multiple times a week, I’d consider myself fully converted.