Head-to-head
Ninja Professional Plus BN701 vs Ninja Detect Power Blender Pro: is the smart one worth $80 more?
Both are full-size Ninjas with a 72-ounce pitcher, and they're only about $80 apart — so is the newer, smarter one worth it? The Professional Plus BN701 is the budget workhorse: a strong 1,400-watt motor, Total Crushing blades, and three Auto-iQ presets for about $100. The Detect Power Blender Pro adds a more powerful motor, BlendSense auto-detection that sets speed and time for you, and 10 variable speeds. Same brand, same format — the question is how much you value power and smarts over price.
 Ninja Professional Plus BN701 Ninja |  Ninja Detect Power Blender Pro Ninja | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.3 | 8.7 |
| Price | $99.99 | $179 |
| Verdict | The value pick for full-size capacity and real ice-crushing muscle: Auto-iQ presets and a 72-oz pitcher blitz smoothies, frozen drinks, and margaritas. It's loud, and greens and nut butter come out a little gritty — buy it for frozen drinks and family shakes, not silky soup. | The smart-value pick. An 1,800-watt motor powers through ice and frozen fruit, and a Detect dial senses fresh-vs-frozen and sets speed and time for you. The plastic jar is loud and it won't outlast a Vitamix, but for premium-grade blending on a budget, it's the standout. |
| Best for | you want full-size capacity and strong ice-crushing for frozen drinks and family smoothies on about a $100 budget | Families and everyday smoothie drinkers who want a full-size blender with good power and capacity without paying Vitamix prices. |
| Avoid if | you mainly make silky green smoothies, nut butter, or hot soup, or you need a quiet, compact machine | you want the most durable premium blender, the smoothest texture control, or a compact single-serve machine. |
| Score breakdown | ||
| value | 9.5 | 9.4 |
| blend power | 8.0 | 8.5 |
| jar capacity | 9.0 | 8.8 |
| use case fit | 8.2 | 8.9 |
| controls noise | 7.3 | 8.0 |
| cleanup storage | 8.0 | 8.2 |
| Specs | ||
| type | Budget full-size blender | Value full-size blender |
| motor | 1,400 peak watts | 1,800 peak watts |
| noise | ~95 dB at full speed | — |
| blades | Stacked 6-blade Total Crushing assembly | — |
| cleanup | Dishwasher-safe pitcher, lid, and blades | Removable blades; top-rack dishwasher-safe |
| pitcher | 72 oz Total Crushing Pitcher (64 oz max liquid) | — |
| controls | 3 speeds + pulse; 3 Auto-iQ presets (Smoothies, Frozen Drinks, Ice Cream) | 10 variable speeds + one-touch chop/process modes |
| warranty | 1-year limited | — |
| dimensions | 17.5 x 9 x 6.75 in; ~8 lb | — |
| jars | — | 72-oz pitcher + personal single-serve cup |
| price | — | ~$179 |
| smart | — | BlendSense auto-detect (speed/time); Liquid Detect |
| height | — | ~17.5 inches |
| Buy → | Buy → | |
Final verdict
Get the Ninja Professional Plus BN701 if you want the most blender for the least money — it crushes ice and handles family smoothies just fine for around $100, and it takes the value round. Get the Ninja Detect Power Blender Pro if you'll use the upgrades: more power for greens and thick blends, smoother results, quieter operation, and the auto-detect dial that does the thinking. It wins on power, everyday versatility, controls, and cleanup; the BN701 wins on price. If ice and frozen drinks are the whole job, save the money; if you want the better all-rounder, the Detect is worth the step up.
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