Amazon Basics 700W Countertop Blender review

Introduction

The Amazon Basics Powerful 700W Countertop Blender (model BL1409AM-UL) is billed as a budget-friendly, full-size blender with a glass jar, stainless-steel blades, and six pre-programmed functions. The listing highlights a 50-ounce/6-cup glass container, stainless steel "Sabre" ice blades, and a 700W motor (listed as peak power with a 500W rated figure in the product description). Owner feedback paints a mixed picture: many buyers praise the price-to-performance for smoothies and ice crushing, while a not-insignificant share report early failures and a burning-motor smell. This review pulls directly from the product specs and aggregated owner notes so you can decide if this is the right everyday blender for your kitchen.

What it is / first look

At first glance this is a straightforward, no-frills countertop blender aimed at shoppers who want a large-capacity machine without a premium price tag. Key listing facts to know up front:

• Capacity: listed as a 50-ounce (6-cup) glass blending container; the specs also list capacity as 52.79 fluid ounces.
• Motor: described on the listing as 700W peak power (500W rated); the spec sheet lists 700 watts and 230 volts AC.
• Controls & features: 6 pre-programmed functions, pulse, and push-button controls (6 speeds listed elsewhere in the specs).
• Construction: the listing shows Plastic and Stainless Steel as materials; container material is glass and blade material is stainless steel. The listing also indicates "Material Type Free: BPA Free."
• Size & weight: item dimensions are 6.65" D x 8.35" W x 14.9" H, and item weight is 6 pounds.
• Design color: Black & Silver (the listing color and images use a black-and-silver finish).

The machine is compact enough on the footprint to sit on a counter in most kitchens, but the height is something to check against your upper cabinets: owners frequently highlight size surprises (more on that in the fit/use sections).

In daily use

Owners report two distinct day-to-day patterns: many find the blender powerful and effective for shakes, smoothies, and crushing ice; a noticeable minority experience reliability problems that limit regular use.

Everyday smoothies, milkshakes, and ice

According to owners who left positive notes, the 700W motor and the listed stainless-steel ice blades handle ice and frozen fruit well. Buyers who make milkshakes and smoothies say the machine blends consistently and that the presets (the listing calls out 6 functions) are simple and effective for standard drinks. Several owners described the unit as louder than their previous blenders — expect a noticeable noise level when running at higher settings.

Batch blending and family use

The 50 oz (listed) glass jar is large enough for multiple servings — the listing uses both "6-Cup" and a 52.79 fl oz capacity figure — and owners value the larger-than-personal-blender size for family smoothies and mixing multiple portions at once. Because the jar is glass (per the listing), it gives the kind of heft and perceived durability some buyers prefer to plastic-only jars.

Common pain points owners report

• Reliability: a pattern in owner feedback is intermittent or complete motor failure after only a few uses. Multiple owners reported the blender stopping mid-blend, not restarting, or failing within weeks to months of light use.
• Burning smell / motor overheating: several owners described a burning odor and then loss of function — strong signals to treat with caution for regular high-volume or heavy-duty jobs.
• Assembly & locking: owners emphasize that the jar must be twisted and locked properly to operate. Some found this confusing at first, but those same owners framed the requirement as a safety feature once they understood it.
• Packaging and cosmetic issues: there are reports of damaged units arriving (chipped locking brackets, cracked parts), so inspect the unit carefully on delivery.

Overall daily-use impressions depend a lot on the unit you receive: many people are happily using this as an affordable workhorse for drinks and ice; others have had early failures that took the product out of service.

Materials & build quality

Stick to the listing when it comes to materials: the product page lists Plastic and Stainless Steel for overall construction, notes a Glass blending container, and states the blades are stainless steel. The listing also includes a "Material Type Free: BPA Free" field — that is presented as a listing/manufacturer claim and should be verified on the current product documentation if that matters for your household.

What owners say about build quality:

• Blade performance: owners frequently cite the blades' ability to crush ice and pulverize frozen fruit — consistent with the listing's focus on "Sabre ice blades" and the ice-crush feature.
• Jar feel and durability: the glass jar is appreciated for its weight and lack of plastic smell compared with some entry-level models. A glass jar also feels less likely to scratch than many plastic jars, per owner comments.
• Plastic components & locking hardware: while many units arrive functional, there are multiple owner reports of chipped locking brackets or damaged plastic parts from delivery or early use. That suggests the plastic trim and interlock hardware are functional but not particularly robust in some units.
• Finish & fit: the machine is described as compact and attractive for a low-cost model (listed color: Black & Silver), but owners warn that perceived dimensions vary; one buyer compared it to a significantly taller machine, which likely reflects visual scale differences across brands.

Bottom line on build quality: the design and listed materials (glass jar + stainless-steel blades) are right for the price class, but owner reports about chipped brackets and early motor failures temper confidence in long-term robustness.

Safety considerations

Safety is a mix of design features and owner-reported problems — be guided by both.

Safety features listed and reported

• Interlock / jar-lock requirement: owners repeatedly point out that the jar must be twisted and locked into place before the blender will run. Multiple buyers framed that as a safety feature because the unit won’t start unless the jar is secure.
• Glass jar vs. plastic: the listed glass container avoids some of the heat-susceptibility and warping issues associated with thin plastics. The listing gives container material as glass and blade material as stainless steel.

Safety red flags from owner feedback

• Motor failures & burning smell: several owners report a burning smell followed by total loss of function. That pattern shows up across reviews and is not limited to a single isolated complaint — treat it as a recurring reliability and potential safety concern if you plan to use the blender for heavy-duty tasks.
• Sudden stops mid-blend: owners describe the unit stopping mid-cycle and refusing to restart; that can leave partially blended contents in the jar and suggests an electrical or motor protection issue in some units.
• Damaged locking hardware: reports of chipped brackets and delivery damage could create unstable jars or poor seals; inspect the locking parts immediately and do not operate with cracked or loose safety components.

Safety recommendations based on listing and owner signals: always confirm the jar is properly locked into position before starting (owners say this is required), stop use immediately if you detect burning smells or unusual heating, and inspect the unit on arrival for packaging damage. The listing indicates a limited warranty, and some owners report a one-year warranty — verify warranty specifics in the current product documentation if warranty coverage matters to you.

Who this is for / who should skip

There are clear customer profiles where this blender makes sense and others where it’s a risky choice.

Buy this if...

• You want a budget-friendly, full-size blender with a glass jar and the basic presets needed for smoothies, shakes, and crushed-ice drinks — the listing emphasizes a 50 oz / 6-cup glass container and 6 program settings.
• You value powerful ice performance for an entry-level machine — owners repeatedly praise the blades and blending power for ice crushing and frozen fruit.
• You need a simple, push-button control layout and straightforward presets rather than a premium appliance with variable-speed dials and touchscreen menus.
• You prefer a glass jar over plastic for flavor neutrality and weight — the listing explicitly lists container material as glass.

Skip this if...

• You rely on a blender for daily, heavy-duty use (frequent nut butters, long high-speed purees, or near-continuous run times): owner reports of motor failure and burning smells suggest this model can be unreliable under heavy workloads.
• You need ironclad long-term reliability: multiple owner reports describe failure after a few uses to a few months, so if your priority is a long-lived, warranty-backed high-duty machine, a more expensive, proven model may be a better fit.
• Noise sensitivity is a deal-breaker — owners say the blender is louder than some other models.
• Counter height / cabinet clearance is tight: the listing lists height as 14.9 inches, but owners sometimes find it tall or larger than expected, so double-check the listed dimensions against your storage or under-cabinet clearance.

Verdict

The Amazon Basics Powerful 700W Countertop Blender is a classic value proposition: the listing packs the right features for a mainstream blender (a glass 50 oz jar, stainless-steel blades, 6 presets, and a 700W motor) and many buyers report good everyday performance for smoothies, shakes, and ice. But the real-owner signal is mixed — enough early motor failures, burning smells, and damaged-lock hardware reports that this is not the safest choice for heavy or professional use. If you need a cheap, glass-jar blender for occasional to regular smoothies and are willing to accept some reliability risk (or hope for a good unit and ready customer support), this model is a budget contender. If you need daily, heavy-duty reliability, opt for a model with a stronger long-term track record.

Check before you buy (quick checklist)

• Confirm listed dimensions (6.65" D x 8.35" W x 14.9" H) will fit your counter and under-cabinet space.
• Verify the listed capacity (50 oz / 6-cup; specs also list 52.79 fl oz) matches your serving needs.
• Inspect incoming packaging and the locking bracket on arrival; do not operate if parts are chipped or cracked.
• Note the listing's power spec (700W peak; 500W rated is mentioned in the product description) and the listed voltage (230V); match them to your outlet and expected use.
• Test the unit shortly after receipt to catch any early failures while warranty or return windows are active (the listing shows a limited warranty; some owners mention a one-year warranty).

Colors & finishes

The listing color and the supplied images show a Black & Silver finish. Available colors may include:

• Black & Silver

Owners refer to the product as a black-and-silver countertop piece, and the images supplied with the listing reflect that finish.