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For years, home cooks have faced a frustrating choice: buy a small “bullet” style blender for quick morning smoothies, or buy a massive countertop pitcher for soups and sauces. Usually, you end up with two machines cluttering your counters, or you try to make a large batch of margaritas in a tiny cup, which never ends well.
The Nutribullet Full-Size Blender Combo 1200W (NBF50500) attempts to solve this identity crisis. It combines the massive power base of a pro-style blender with the convenience of the grab-and-go cups that made the brand famous. But does it actually perform well as a full-size blender, or is it just a glorified smoothie maker with a bigger jar? I spent a week blending everything from frozen fruit to hot vegetable soup to see if this hybrid machine is the ultimate kitchen space-saver.
What Makes the NBF50500 Different?
Nutribullet is synonymous with single-serve blending, but this model is a significant step up in terms of hardware. Here is what separates it from the standard little silver bullet you might have in your cupboard:
- 1200 Watts of Power: This is serious power. For context, many standard kitchen blenders hover around 600-900 watts. 1200 watts puts this in the territory of “pulverizing” rather than just “mixing.”
- The Combo System: The base recognizes what you attach to it. You can snap on the 64oz pitcher for family meals or the 32oz/24oz cups for personal drinks. It’s seamless.
- The “Extract” Button: This is a pre-programmed cycle designed specifically for smoothies. It pulses and blends at varying speeds to break down fibrous greens like kale without you needing to stand there and toggle switches.
- Vented Pitcher Lid: Unlike the sealed cups, the large pitcher has a vented lid, meaning you can blend hot liquids (like soups) without pressure building up and causing an explosion.
Hands-On Experience
I put the Nutribullet Combo through a “Day in the Life” stress test to see how it handled different textures and temperatures.
The Morning Smoothie Test
I started with the 24oz handled cup. I loaded it with frozen berries, spinach, protein powder, and almond milk. I screwed on the Easy-Twist Extractor Blade (which feels much sturdier than older models) and hit the “Extract” button. The machine roared to life—and yes, it is loud—but in 60 seconds, it shut off automatically. The result? Perfectly smooth. No chunks of frozen strawberry, and the spinach was completely liquefied.
The Hot Soup Test
This is where standard Nutribullets fail. You cannot put hot liquid in a sealed bullet cup. However, the 64oz pitcher on this Combo model handles it fine. I roasted some butternut squash and threw it in with hot broth. Using the “Low” setting initially and ramping up to “High,” I had a silky soup in about 30 seconds. The vented lid allowed steam to escape safely.
The Peanut Butter Test
Making nut butter requires sustained torque. I used the included tamper (a plastic stick that fits through the lid) to push peanuts down into the blades. The 1200W motor got warm, but it powered through. It wasn’t as effortless as a $500 Vitamix, but for a mid-range blender, it did an impressive job of creating a creamy spread.
Pros and Cons
After heavy usage, here is the honest breakdown of the good and the bad.
| What I Loved (Pros) | What Could Be Better (Cons) |
|---|---|
| Versatility: Switching from a single cup to a full pitcher takes seconds. It truly replaces two appliances. | Noise Level: 1200 Watts is loud. It’s not a “quiet morning” machine. |
| Suction Feet: The base has suction cups that stick to the counter, so it doesn’t walk away while blending tough ingredients. | Plastic Pitcher: The pitcher is durable BPA-free plastic, but it can scratch or cloud over time compared to glass. |
| Smart Interface: The buttons light up only when the container is attached, which looks sleek and modern. | Bulky Base: The motor base is wide. It takes up a fair amount of counter real estate. |
| Dishwasher Safe: Everything except the motor base goes in the dishwasher. |
Comparison: Which Blender Fits Your Kitchen?
Here is how the Nutribullet Combo stacks up against its main rival and a high-end option.
| Feature | Nutribullet Combo (This Review) | Ninja Professional Plus | Vitamix E310 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blade Style ⚔️ | Bottom Vortex (Smooth) | Stacked Tower (Chops) | Bottom Vortex (Smooth) |
| Power ⚡ | 1200 Watts | 1400 Watts | 1380 Watts |
| Containers 🥤 | Pitcher + 2 Cups | Pitcher only (usually) | Pitcher only |
| Hot Liquids 🍲 | Yes (Pitcher) | No (Usually not safe) | Yes |
| Price 💰 | Mid-Range | Mid-Range | Premium |
Verdict: Should You Buy It?
The Nutribullet Full-Size Blender Combo 1200W is the best choice for households that are divided on their blending needs. If you want a quick smoothie before the gym, use the cup. If you need to make salsa or soup for dinner, use the pitcher.
It outperforms the Ninja system when it comes to smooth textures (green smoothies are much silkier here), and while it lacks the 10-year durability of a Vitamix, it costs a fraction of the price. If you have limited counter space and need one machine to do it all, this is a fantastic investment.
