Having seen the numerous infomercials on late night television depicting the Magic Bullet as the one kitchen tool I simply could not live without, I decided to order one for myself. At under $50 for the Magic Bullet MBR-1701, 17 piece Express Mixing Set, it didn’t seem like I had much to lose.
Like most people I have never really felt much confidence in products sold in this manner and wondered if I was setting myself up for a disappointment, or if in fact I would be delighted with my new mini-blender.
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What Comes In the Box?
Opening the box was a little like Christmas as there are so many different pieces to unwrap. You do have to be careful not to miss anything such as the lids to the various cups. Each size is color coded to help ensure you have no problem matching everything up as needed, saving both time and effort. Each piece was carefully packaged with special attention being given to the blades to help ensure you won’t cut your fingers while unpacking everything. This is a nice touch and was greatly appreciated.
After unpacking this is what you will find in the Magic Bullet MBR-1701
- 2 Blades
- 2 Cups
- 4 Mugs
- 4 Color coded comfort lip rings
- 2 Sealed lids
- 2 Vented lids
- 1 Recipe book
The cups and mugs are made from durable clear plastic that lets you keep an eye on the action. The material is microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe. The power unit has been built to meet stringent U.S. electrical safety standards. All parts appeared to be exceptionally well made and as if they might provide years of service.
What Magic Bullet Claims
According to the manufacturer, the Magic Bullet has been designed to replace your coffee grinder, food processor, and blender, all in a space on your kitchen counter no bigger than that taken up by your favorite coffee cup. The push and activate feature lets you chop, grind, whip, blend, and more without the need for any type of switch.
All you need to do is place the ingredients into the cup, twist on the appropriate blade, and place the “Bullet” on the base. Press down and in seconds, the task is completed. You can make chopped onions, grated cheeses, salsa, soups, smoothies, sauces, shakes, and so much more. Apparently, there is nothing that it can’t do. However, this remained to be seen.
What I Found
One of the best things about the Magic Bullet is that thanks to the compact size, it truly is very easy to store. Which is a good thing for those who have very little extra counter space to work with. For those who already have a microwave, coffee maker, mixer, and toaster on the counter, the small footprint is welcome. You can keep the mugs and cups tucked away in a cupboard out of the way until you need them and keep your favorite on the base for quick use.
The Magic Bullet MB-1701 could not be easier to use as the serving size is already predetermined by the size of the containers that come with it. Cleanup is simple since you are only using a single serving cup or mug instead of a large pitcher that can be messy and challenging to clean. The Bullet only has a single speed, and while this may seem like a bad idea, in reality it works very well for most of the tasks you are likely to use it for.
One thing I found was that when loading the cup, you need to put the heaviest ingredients in first and the lighter ones on top. This way when you twist the blade in place and turn it upside down to place it on the base, the heavier ingredients will blend more smoothly into the mix. If you have larger amounts items such as cheese or coffee beans, you should grind them in smaller amounts because the motor may not be up to larger quantities.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to use | Does not grind frozen fruits quickly |
| No switches to break | Will not crush ice |
| Sharp blades | Seals must be put in properly or it leaks |
| Easy to clean | Might need to shake it to chop all ingredients |
Final Thoughts – Does the Magic Bullet Live up to the Hype?
Now that I have had my Magic Bullet, 17 Piece Express Mixing Set for a few weeks, I have found that it has its uses as well as a number of tasks it simply is not up to. For example if I put too much of anything in the cup, it does not chop or grind it very well, I find it necessary to shake it to get everything to go through the blades. Having said this, as long as I am careful in how I load it, and what I put in the cup, the Magic Bullet works exceptionally well. Overall, if you need a single cup mini blender that makes good smoothies, and can chop and shred a number of items, the Bullet makes a good choice.