Ninja BlendBoss Review (DB351): Noise, Ice, Liquid Limits

Ninja BlendBoss DB351 review from published measurements: 92 dB, 13-second ice crush, a 6 oz liquid minimum, and wattage figures that disagree.

By Maksud · Published Oct 4, 2026

The short Ninja BlendBoss review: the DB351 is a 26 oz tumbler blender with three Auto-iQ programs, and Tom’s Guide, CNET and TechRadar, the three outlets I read whose reviewers used it, all recommend it for single-serve smoothies and ice. The catches: Tom’s Guide and CNET each measured about 92 dB, TechRadar says it needs at least 6 oz of liquid, and you get one tumbler and a one-year warranty.

Nobody at Kitchen Watcher used this blender. Everything below comes from published reviews, SharkNinja’s own listing and CPSC data, each credited where it appears (how we research). It’s one of six models ranked in our best blenders guide, where it sits as the personal-blender pick.

Ninja BlendBoss specs and published measurements

Here is every number I could find, who published it, and where the sources disagree. “Manufacturer spec” means SharkNinja’s DB351PK2 product listing.

Ninja BlendBoss wattage: 1,100, 1,200 or 1,400?

Four figures are in circulation, and only one looks wrong. SharkNinja’s listing advertises a 1200-peak-watt motor base. Tom’s Guide’s spec table squares it: 1200 peak watts with an 1100-watt motor base. CNET lists 1,100 W, and TechRadar’s review says 1,200 W.

The most likely reading is about 1,100 W running and 1,200 W at peak, which is how Tom’s Guide prints it. TechRadar’s buying guide says 1,400 watts twice, contradicting TechRadar’s own review, and no other source I read backs it, so I treat it as an error. For why peak and running watts differ, see blender wattage explained.

How loud is the Ninja BlendBoss? Two 92 dB readings

Two reviewers measured it, using different methods, and got the same number. Tom’s Guide’s SoundMeter app read 92 dB while the blender crushed frozen ingredients, which it says matches the Vitamix Ascent X2 (93 dB max on its list). CNET placed a phone decibel app six inches from each blender in a quiet kitchen, ran each on high during its smoothie test, and recorded the highest reading: 92 dB.

TechRadar gives no number. Its reviewer wrote that it isn’t louder than other blenders she has used. One wrinkle: CNET’s results table heads the column “average decibels” while its method describes a highest reading, so treat 92 dB as a peak.

It isn’t the loudest on these lists. CNET measured the Ninja Twisti and NutriBullet Power Core XL at 94 dB and the Ninja Professional at 87 dB. The noise also doesn’t last long: TechRadar lists the programs at 50 to 60 seconds.

Ice, frozen fruit and smoothies: what reviewers found

Ice is where the measurements are strongest. CNET put 2 cups of ice in each personal blender, and the BlendBoss crushed it in 13 seconds on Ice Crush with no chunks left. That and the Ninja Professional’s 7-second result were the performances CNET says put both on its list. TechRadar’s reviewer says the ice in an iced lemonade came out as “slushy snow.” For how other blenders compare, see can a blender crush ice.

Reviewers report smooth smoothies, with small caveats. CNET timed a green smoothie at 55 seconds. Tom’s Guide made a frozen berry, oat and milk smoothie that was thick and lump-free, but noted some seeds and slight oat grittiness compared with a Vitamix. TechRadar says spinach and frozen blueberries blended with no visible bits of skin or leaf.

The BlendBoss liquid minimum and thick blends

TechRadar reports two markings on the tumbler that matter. The 6 oz line is the minimum liquid, and the max fill line sits at the 24 oz mark, leaving room at the top for toppings. That may explain why a 26 oz tumbler shows up as 24 oz in Tom’s Guide’s buying guide and review, though TechRadar itself says the tumbler holds up to 26 oz.

The minimum is real. TechRadar tried smoothies with less than 6 oz of liquid and had to stop mid-cycle, take off the blade lid and stir. TechRadar’s review and buying guide both call the BlendBoss a gravity blender and say to skip it if you like super-thick smoothies. Tom’s Guide calls a Vitamix creamier but says it costs six times as much.

Dips, nut butter and soup: where sources disagree

The reviewers don’t agree on anything thicker than a smoothie. Tom’s Guide made hummus with no stirring, because the Auto-iQ program pulsed the dry mix on its own, and it lists “can even blitz dips and dry ingredients” as a pro. CNET says to look elsewhere if you want large batches of “soups, almond butter or dips.” SharkNinja markets the blades for single-serve portions of dips, soups and purees, and TechRadar lists sauces, soups and batters among things it can make with enough liquid.

Hot liquids are a separate question. I could not open a primary copy of the DB351 owner’s guide, so this page gives no hot-liquid rule; read the warning in the guide that comes in the box before blending anything warm. The general safety picture is in can you put hot liquid in a blender.

BlendBoss design, cleaning and what’s in the box

Per SharkNinja, the box holds one 26 oz tumbler, a chug and straw lid, the CrushBlade assembly and the motor base, with a one-year limited warranty. SharkNinja calls the flip cap 100% leakproof, with a footnote: “Leakproof when in locked position.” SharkNinja also says the lid “locks shut”; Tom’s Guide found nothing spilled with the bottle upside down but still lists the lack of a lid lock as a con.

Tom’s Guide says the tumbler, lid and blade assembly are dishwasher safe. When it reviewed the blender in February 2026, extra tumblers cost $39 and were sold out on SharkNinja’s site. TechRadar says to wipe the base with a damp cloth and counts two suction cups underneath, though TechRadar’s buying guide says three. CNET and TechRadar both say the tapered tumbler fits most car cupholders. Cleaning steps are in how to clean a blender and is a blender jar dishwasher safe.

Ninja BlendBoss problems owners report, and recall status

Evidence from owners is thin, so I’m saying so up front. SharkNinja’s DB351PK2 page carries two different numbers in its code: a hidden “3.3 out of 5” rating label and structured data giving 4.29 out of 5 from 112 reviews, so I don’t lean on either. I haven’t yet read the Best Buy or Amazon review summaries, so I’m not quoting a retailer rating.

The drawbacks reviewers flag are noise (Tom’s Guide, CNET), the liquid minimum (TechRadar) and a single vessel (Tom’s Guide). If the lights blink and it won’t start, see Ninja blender blinking lights and blender won’t turn on.

I found no BlendBoss recall. On October 4, 2026, a CPSC recall API search of titles containing “blender” returned 16 recalls; the only Ninja one is 16-034 from November 2015, for BL660-series professional blenders over a laceration risk, with new warnings and instructions as the remedy. CPSC product-name searches for BlendBoss and DB351 returned nothing. To check any blender yourself, see blender recall check.

Ninja BlendBoss vs NutriBullet personal blenders

Tom’s Guide replaced the NutriBullet Pro 900W with the BlendBoss as its best budget blender. It says the BlendBoss costs about $20 more and is worth it for the preset programs and better handling of dry and frozen ingredients. In its review, Tom’s Guide also notes that NutriBullet blenders usually come with at least two cups and several lids, where the BlendBoss has one tumbler.

No independent source I found has measured both on the same test, so there is no head-to-head data. CNET’s 94 dB reading is for the NutriBullet Power Core XL, a full-size model, not a personal one. For the category question, see personal vs full-size blender; for full-size jars, see NutriBullet NBF50500 vs Ninja BN701.

Who should buy the BlendBoss, and who should skip it

Buy it if you mostly make single-serve smoothies and frozen drinks and want to carry them out the door in the same cup. That’s the use all three reviewers recommend it for.

Skip it if you blend for a family, like thick smoothie bowls with little liquid, or want large batches of soup, which CNET says it isn’t built for. TechRadar also says less powerful portable blenders are smaller and cheaper if you don’t need to blend tough ingredients. For batches, a full-size jar such as the Ninja Professional BL610 suits better; CNET timed the Ninja Professional (BL610) crushing 4 cups of ice in 7 seconds. See Ninja BL610 vs BN701 and the full ranking in best blenders.

More on the BlendBoss and other blenders

• Best blenders, ranked by weight of evidence
• Personal vs full-size blender
• Blender wattage explained
• Can a blender crush ice
• Blender recall check
• How we research