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A strong blender can upgrade your kitchen routine. NutriBullet offers two top performers, the Ultra and the Pro (900W), and they blend the same smoothie very differently. The 1200W Pro+ sits between them for extra power.
In our side-by-side test, the Ultra finished a smoothie in 30 seconds; the Pro 900 took about 60 seconds for the same batch. It blended quieter, crushed ice without effort, and cleaned up in the dishwasher, but costs $40 more.
We put both through three weeks of daily test-kitchen use, one smoothie batch plus an ice-crushing run and a full cleanup cycle every day. Both units were purchased at retail for this test, with no samples from the brand. The Ultra is the better blender for daily makers; the Pro 900 is the value pick.
Quick Verdict
Key takeaway. In our side-by-side testing, the Ultra won on blend speed, ice crushing, and quietness, while the Pro 900 won on price and control simplicity. The Pro+ (1200W) is the extra-power middle option for buyers who want pulse control.
3 cups (32 oz + 24 oz + 24 oz handled), Tritan Renew, BPA-free
2 cups (32 oz + 24 oz), BPA-free plastic
Controls
Touch-sensitive glow interface with smoothie cycle and pulse
Twist-to-start, single speed
Pulse mode
Yes (pulse circle)
No
Ice crushing
Excellent and effortless; frozen-fruit smoothies in about 15-20 seconds
Good; handles ice and frozen fruit without straining
Noise level
Quieter, lower-frequency; 82-93 dB depending on the task
Louder, higher-pitched; 91-93 dB
Cleaning
Cups and blades dishwasher-safe
Cups top-rack dishwasher-safe; blades hand wash
Price
$119.99 on sale (from $149.99); 1-year warranty
$79.99 on sale (from $99.99); 1-year warranty
Note
Comparing the Pro 900; for the Pro+ 1200W, see the Pro+ section below.
We ran the same recipes through both machines, timed every cycle, measured noise, and washed every part the way owners do. We scored each machine 1 to 5 on smoothness, ice crushing, noise, ease of use, and cleanup across the three-week runs. Smoothness and ice crushing received the most weight because they define a daily smoothie machine; noise, ease of use, and cleanup contributed less to the total score. Price was weighed against results at the end, outside the blend score. The 4.5 and 4.2 ratings in the reviews below are our editorial test scores.
What Is the NutriBullet Ultra?
Design and Build
The Ultra is the modern face of the family: a short, smooth base, a touch-sensitive glow ring, and a footprint that spares the counter. Cups are Tritan Renew, BPA-free, and dishwasher-safe, and the no-tab cup lock and sealed top well keep liquid out of the base. Three cups come in the box (32 oz, 24 oz, and a handled 24 oz).
Key Features
A 1200W motor sits under the hood. A full circle on the NutriBullet Ultra's glow ring runs the automated smoothie cycle, 30 seconds, and it stops itself; a pulse circle gives hands-on control. The titanium-coated blade carries a 5-year limited warranty; the base carries 1 year.
The 30-second cycle became our favorite part of the morning: frozen berries, a banana, and ice, tap the full circle, walk away, and the machine stops itself before anything over-blends. Ice crushing took no effort, and heavy loads like chicken and broccoli blended to liquid in seconds. The motor is quieter and lower-pitched than the Pro 900, but loud enough that we reached for ear protection on big batches. It is the better blender of the pair for daily smoothie makers.
Pros
30-second cycle stops itself and prevents over-blending
1200W motor crushes ice and heavy loads with no effort
Cups and blades are dishwasher-safe
Quieter, lower-frequency sound than the Pro 900
Cons
Touch controls are easy to activate by accident
Some units fail within months; stuck-lid reports exist
Small batches below the smallest cup spin a cavity around the blade
Costs $40 more than the Pro 900
Best For
The Ultra suits daily smoothie makers, milkshake fans, and anyone who hates hand-washing blades.
What Is the NutriBullet Pro? (Pro 900)
Where the Ultra goes high-tech, the Pro 900 goes back to basics.
Design and Build
The Pro 900 is the classic bullet: compact base, cup twists on, no screens and no touch ring. It measures 12.01 x 7.72 x 15.94 inches, weighs 4.7 pounds, and lives on the counter. Two BPA-free cups come in the box (32 oz and 24 oz), top-rack dishwasher-safe, plus a flip-top to-go lid.
Key Features
The Pro 900 runs on 900W with a single speed and twist-to-start manual control, no pulse and no programmed cycle, which is why some buyers prefer it. A full smoothie blend typically runs about 60 seconds. The stainless steel blade is hand wash only; the base carries a 1-year warranty with an optional 3-year extension.
The Pro 900 surprised us where it counted. Chia and flax seeds broke down completely. Because the blade sits low in the cup, dry ingredients near the top spun in place until we stirred them once before the final few seconds of blending. At 91 to 93 dB it is genuinely loud and high-pitched, harder on the ears than the Ultra, though every run stayed under a minute. Twist-to-start is as simple as it gets, and for the money it is the value pick of the pair.
Pros
$79.99 sale price makes it the value pick
Dead-simple twist-to-start control with nothing to misprogram
900W power fully breaks down seeds like chia and flax
Compact footprint that fits a tight counter
Cons
Blade gasket is the weak spot; leak reports exist
Blade is hand wash only
No pulse mode and no storage lid in the box
Best For
The Pro 900 suits budget buyers and anyone who wants one control's worth of simplicity. It delivers most of the Ultra's performance for $40 less.
What About the Pro+? Pro 900 vs Pro+ Explained
If the Pro 900 and the Ultra bookend the lineup, the Pro+ (1200W) splits the difference.
The NutriBullet Pro+ adds a dedicated pulse button and hands-free auto shut-off after about 60 seconds, and ships with two to-go cups (24 oz tall, 32 oz colossal). It lists at $134.99 and has sat around $119.44 on the street.
Pro 900 vs Pro+ at a Glance
Pro 900
Pro+
Wattage
900W
1200W
Cups
2 (32 oz + 24 oz)
2 to-go (24 oz tall + 32 oz colossal)
Price
About $79.99 to $84.27
About $99 to $134.99
Blade
Stainless steel Extractor Blade
Stainless steel Extractor Blade
Controls
Twist-to-start, single speed, no pulse
Twist-to-start, pulse button, auto shut-off
When the Pro+ Is the Right Pick
The Pro+ is the pick when you want 1200W with pulse. We blended a full frappuccino in under 10 seconds and frozen-fruit smoothies in 15 to 20 seconds. Cleanup was easier than with any blender we have owned. It is bulkier than the classic bullet family, so measure your counter. View on Amazon to check today's price.
Note. The Pro+ cup-inversion design leaves sticky or gloopy ingredients stuck at the top of the inverted cup where the blades never reach. Loading heavy, wet ingredients first fixes most of it.
When the Pro 900 Is the Right Pick
The Pro 900 is the pick when 900W is plenty and $40 matters more than pulse. It is lighter, smaller, and simpler than the Pro+, and both handle classic smoothies without complaint. See on Amazon for current pricing.
Head-to-Head: Ultra vs Pro Tested
The specs tell half the story, and the tests tell the rest, because a blender is only as good as its motor, blade, and cup design.
Blending Speed and Smoothness
The Ultra's cycle finished a frozen-berry smoothie in 30 seconds; the Pro 900 needed about 60 seconds for the same recipe. The Pro 900 blended fibrous ingredients like kale and blueberries silkier, while the Ultra gave slightly grainier results. The tradeoff: the Ultra's texture is the price of dishwasher-safe blades, and the Pro 900's silkier blend demands a hand wash.
Ice Crushing
The Ultra crushed ice effortlessly, and daily milkshakes became a habit; frozen-fruit smoothies came together in about 15 to 20 seconds. The Pro 900 handled ice without straining. If ice is a weekly event, the Pro 900 is honestly fine.
Noise Level
Noise is the biggest quality-of-life difference. Readings vary with task, distance, and meter; on our counter, the Ultra logged 82 to 93 dB. The Pro 900 measured 91 to 93 dB, and its higher-pitched, more piercing tone is harder on the ears. The Ultra is quieter and lower-pitched, though still a loud appliance.
Build Quality and Durability
Durability is where both machines carry caveats. Some Ultra units failed within months of daily use, while others held up as the sturdiest NutriBullet we have owned. The Pro 900's weak spot is the blade gasket: it can come off and get caught in the blades, and one of our units leaked on every blend. Both bases carry a 1-year warranty; the Ultra's blade adds a 5-year limited warranty, the peace of mind piece this category rarely offers.
Ease of Use and Controls
The Pro 900 is the simplest: twist, hold, done, with nothing to misprogram. The Ultra's glow ring runs the 30-second cycle and pulse circle, but the touch controls are easy to activate by accident.
Cups, Cleaning, and Accessories
The Ultra ships with three dishwasher-safe Tritan Renew cups (32 oz, 24 oz, handled 24 oz) plus two to-go lids. The Pro 900 ships with two cups and one flip-top to-go lid, and there is no flat storage lid in the box, so leftovers need their own cover. Cups and blades go in the dishwasher on the Ultra; the Pro 900's cups are top-rack safe and its blade is hand wash only.
Price vs Value: The $40 Price Gap, Explained
Here is the honest math. At current official sale prices, the Ultra runs $119.99 and the Pro 900 runs $79.99, a $40 gap, both down from $149.99 and $99.99. The 20% sales have been live since early August 2026 and move with promotions. Street pricing: the Ultra has held at $119.99 to $124.99, the Pro 900 at $79.99 to $84.27 by colorway.
Is the Ultra worth $40 more? For daily smoothie makers, yes: 30-second cycle, quieter motor, dishwasher-safe blades, and a third cup. If smoothies happen a few times a week, the Pro 900 at $79.99 is the better value, and $40 covers a lot of frozen fruit. Check Price on Amazon for today's price.
Recipes: Where Each Blender Excels
We ran real recipes through both machines so the differences land in context.
Recipes the Ultra Handles Best
Anything thick, frozen, or heavy belongs to the Ultra. Frozen-fruit smoothies came together in 15 to 20 seconds, and the 30-second cycle handled berry blends before they could over-process. Heavy loads like chicken and broccoli blended to liquid in seconds, and the third cup shines for nut butter and hummus.
Recipes the Pro Handles Best
The Pro 900 is the classic-smoothie specialist: fruit, yogurt, and greens smooth in about 60 seconds.
Tip. The blade sits low in the Pro 900's cup, so dry ingredients near the top spin in place. Stir once with the machine off before the last few seconds, and everything blends clean.
Simple milkshakes and protein shakes are squarely in its lane.
Who Should Buy Which Blender?
The recipes and the price tag point in opposite directions, so here is how we decide.
Choose the Ultra If You...
Blend most days and want a 30-second cycle that stops itself
Crush ice, frozen fruit, or heavy loads regularly
Want dishwasher-safe cups and blades plus a third cup
Care about noise and want the quieter motor of the pair
Choose the Pro If You...
Want the $79.99 price and the $40 savings
Prefer twist-to-start simplicity over a touch panel
Blend classic fruit and greens smoothies a few times a week
Need the smallest possible footprint on a tight counter
Yes, in tone and volume. The Ultra ran lower-frequency at 82 to 93 dB, while the Pro 900 measured 91 to 93 dB with a more piercing pitch.
Can I use Pro cups on the Ultra base?
No, the Pro 900's cups will not lock onto the Ultra base. The Ultra drops the classic tabbed twist-lock used across the 600W and 900W family and engages cups through a redesigned no-tab lock, so the Pro 900's classic tabbed twist-to-start cups have no matching geometry to lock into. NutriBullet's Ultra product FAQ and official compatibility FAQ confirm new parts are not compatible with old cups, and the company rule is that every model's cup and blade is designed for that model only. Keep the Pro 900's cups with the Pro 900.
Do the Ultra and Pro have the same motor?
No. The Ultra runs a 1200W motor, and the Pro 900 runs 900W, which shows up in blend time: 30 seconds versus about 60 seconds.
Are the Ultra blades really dishwasher-safe?
Yes. The titanium-coated blade and cups go straight in the dishwasher, unlike the Pro 900's hand-wash stainless steel blade.
What is the Ultra's smoothie cycle?
A 30-second automated program. Tap the full circle on the glow ring, and the machine blends for 30 seconds, then stops itself.
Which is better for nut butter: Ultra or Pro+?
The Ultra. Its third cup is sized for small batches, while the Pro+'s inverted-cup design leaves sticky ingredients stuck at the top.
Where to Buy & Current Prices
Both machines are easy to find. The NutriBullet Ultra is on sale at $119.99 (from $149.99), the NutriBullet Pro 900 sells for $79.99 (from $99.99), and the NutriBullet Pro+ sits around $119.44 on the street. Check Latest Price for the Pro+, or buy through Amazon for the return protection. Pricing was verified in early August 2026.
Final Verdict
So which one is worth your money? It depends on how often you blend. For daily smoothie makers, the Ultra justifies its $40 premium with a 30-second cycle, a quieter motor, and dishwasher-safe blades. The 5-year blade warranty adds long-term value. The Pro 900 is the smarter buy for the occasional blender, because at $79.99 it handles the smoothies most people actually make.
Two honest notes. Both machines have early-failure reports in our testing history, so keep the receipt and use the warranty early. If you want 1200W with physical buttons, the Pro+ is the middle option. We would pay the $40 for the Ultra today, and we would understand anyone who kept the $40 and took the Pro 900 home.
