Tefal Blend Up Mini Blender review: small, silent and super versatile

T3's Tefal Blend Up Mini Blender review in a sentence: a compact design made all the better thanks to eight automatic programs and a silence button!

Some may argue that the conventional blender has been done to death, and that there isn’t much that can be added to make it any more appealing. However, the Tefal Blend Up Mini Blender is a neat new variation on the theme. Sure, it’ll blend with the best of them, but this compact model also packs in 8 automatic programs that offer a host of culinary options.

So, while something like the Nutribullet Portable Blender is good for whizzing up fruit smoothies and the like, the Tefal Blend Up Mini Blender adds on the ability to make sauces and dips too. This is made possible with lots of power via a 1000 watt motor and those automatic program options. Combined with the svelte design lines, the Tefal Blend Up Mini Blender is a great addition to the ranks of kitchen appliances.

There’s a lot of competition as our best blender guide reveals. Nevertheless, anyone wanting a compact blender that can do a lot more than just a basic smoothie will find this new model mighty handy. I’ve been giving it a whizz over the last few days and, so far at least, it has to be one of the best blenders I’ve tried in a while. Something made all the more impressive thanks to Tefal’s strong brand identity.

Tefal Blend Up Mini Blender review: price and availability

The Tefal Blend Up Mini Blender is available now and can be purchased directly from Tefal or from Amazon in the UK for just £99.99, which I think makes it very keenly priced. Considering it’s a little more versatile than many similarly priced models is central to the appeal.

Unfortunately, this model doesn’t currently appear to be available for the US market.

Tefal Blend Up Mini Blender review: what is it?

The Tefal Blend Up Mini Blender is a compact blender that does a little bit more than a standard issue model. This is because it also packs in eight automatic programs, which include Smoothie, Ice Crush, Sauce, Dips, Plant Milk and Cold Soup plus convenience options Auto Clean, Pulse and Silence. The latter program is meant to offer the same blending experience but quieter than usual, which is an interesting twist on blender design thinking.

This model is certainly compact, with dimensions of 14.5 x 18.5 x 35 cm and a weight of 4.1kg. This makes the Tefal Blend Up Mini Blender suitable for kitchens that are tight on space, and it’ll probably work well if you desperately need to take it with you on your travels. There’s a 0.85 litre capacity blending jug and the cutting is done by six Powelix stainless steel blades that Tefal reckons are a step up from other models in their range, the BL15 model, in particular.

In terms of power, the Tefal Blend Up Mini Blender boasts a 11000-Watt motor, which is more than capable of handling all sorts. This includes breaking up ice, which turns the unit into an excellent machine for producing all manner of drinks. There’s a safety lock and the touch control panel on the front is also home to the Start/Stop button. Some of the components are also dishwasher safe for added convenience.

Tefal Blend Up Mini Blender review: is it any good?

There are some definite plus points about the Tefal Blend Up Mini Blender that give it the edge over similarly priced models. The suction feet are a great idea that means there’s no chance of the appliance vibrating its way of the edge of a countertop. This is also handy if you’re taking in on your travels and might need to use it somewhere that doesn’t actually have a countertop. A neat inclusion.

Another bonus is the 400 and 700 millilitre Tritan On-The-Go plastic bottles that come with this model. They’ll be perfect for users who want to mix a smoothie, for example, before work and take it on their journey. I found the leakproof seals worked as expected, which is always a majorly important point, especially if liquids are being covered in a bag or placed in the car somewhere.

Overall, the Tefal Blend Up Mini Blender seems well engineered, nicely made and lives up to what I expect from this brand.

Tefal Blend Up Mini Blender review: performance

I was a little curious about the Silent mode. After all, if it’s possible to produce one silent mode, then why not make all of the modes the same. Seriously though, Tefal Blend Up Mini Blender isn’t as daft as it sounds as it is markedly quieter than the other power options and is therefore a boon in the morning or late at night if you don’t want to wake up other people in your household.

That side of the Tefal Blend Up Mini Blender is impressive as are the other automatic programs, which take the effort out of kitchen chores. The cold soup option is handy for summertime although the unit does struggle a little bit when it comes to pulverising ice. I did wonder if this was because the container is relatively small, so there’s not a whole lot of space for contents to be bashed around. The secret seemed to be not to put too much in.

Tefal Blend Up Mini Blender review: verdict

My main body of my test appliance came in a fetching Boreal Blue finish, which looks like it’s anodised aluminium but is actually plastic. However, the overall quality plus the fit and finish of parts for the Tefal Blend Up Mini Blender is excellent.

I’m impressed with its overall performance, although it’s vital to not overload this model, especially where ice is concerned as the small volume containers turn things into hard work for the appliance. Nevertheless, eight automatic modes including that excellent ‘Silence’ option and those funky suction feet make it a hit with me.

Tefal Blend Up Mini Blender review: Alternatives to consider

It's hard to beat the performance and power of the Nutribullet Portable Blender, which makes that one a good bet if you're already a fan of the brand. However, if you have no need for a mobile solution, then head in the direction of a countertop model, like the Smeg BLC02WHMUK High Performance Blender, which is excellent.

A great alternative to that is the full-sized blender option, the Smeg BLF01. Its 800W motor cuts through frozen food and ice admirably and its Tritan jug holds an impressive 1.5-litres. It also comes with a 600ml bottle for drinks on the move.

Want something more compact? Try the Nutribullet 600 Series, which comes recommended. It's small, efficient and is about half the price of something like the Smeg PBF01 Personal Blender.