There are blenders, and then there’s the blender. The one that crushes ice without sounding like a demolition site, turns frozen fruit into velvet and never seems to slow down — no matter how much you throw at it. For me, that blender is the Chefman Obliterator, and right now it’s down to just $79 on Amazon ahead of Memorial Day.

I’ve tested and used plenty of blenders over the years, but the Obliterator has been a standout in my kitchen for one simple reason: it delivers big-league performance without a steep price tag. With a 1,380-watt motor, stainless steel blades and a sleek, minimalist design (I’m partial to mine in the Concrete color since it’s modern without screaming look at me) — this is a tool that gets the job done and looks good doing it.

Whether I’m making smoothies, protein shakes, sauces, soups or my new favorite thing to make, pesto, the Obliterator handles it all. I’ve used it daily for weeks now and have yet to hear it complain, slow down or leave an unblended chunk behind. It even tackled nut butters and frozen margaritas with zero drama.

If, like me, you prefer the Obliterator in the Concrete color, it’s also on sale on the Chefman website for 20% off, bringing the price down to $120 from its usual $150 price tag. That’s not as much of a deal as the Midnight model on Amazon, but it’s still a decent discount. Or you can get the bundle (the one I have) that also comes with a travel jar for $130, a $30 discount from its usual $160. That’s a great price for a blender that genuinely competes with other higher-end models from brands like Vitamix and Ninja.

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Let’s talk about specs

Equipped with a 1,380-watt motor and an advanced airflow system, the Obliterator is capable of crushing ice and blending tough ingredients while operative relatively quietly. The unit includes a 48-ounce shatter-resistant Tritan jar, suitable for both cold and hot blending, though the latter requires the lid to be removed and covered with a towel to manage splatter. 

A range of manual controls, including five speed settings and a pulse function, give users precision, while built-in safety alerts such as “fix jar” and “add liquid” offer added guidance during use. An “auto blend” feature also automates consistency settings based on the ingredients, reducing the need for guesswork. To put it simply, the blender does all the work for you. You just have to stand and watch.

Whether you get the bundle or opt to just get the blender, you’ll still receive a tamper and scraper tool to assist with thicker mixtures. This especially helps when scraping down smoothies or other purees. 

While I love the other features of the Obliterator, my favorite part is the easy cleanup. In the past, I rarely used blenders because it meant handwashing five to 10 small blender pieces, and risk cutting my fingers on the blades. With Chefman’s blender, cleanup is streamlined through two methods: a self-cleaning preset or dishwasher safe accessories. Notably, the blender uses a blunt-blade design aimed at increasing safety during cleaning without compromising blending ability. 

A great Father’s Day gift (or a “gift for me” gift)

Father’s Day is coming up and if the dad in your life enjoys cooking, blending or just having powerful yet stylish tools on the countertop, this is a gift that’s both practical and fun. It’s easy to use, easy to clean (hello, dishwasher safe parts) and durable enough to last through years of use.

Or maybe you’re just tired of your current blender’s underwhelming performance. This is one of those upgrades that feels instantly worth it — the kind you notice and appreciate every time you use it. I certainly won’t judge you if you end up gifting the Obliterator to yourself. 

My final thoughts

You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to get a high performance blender that feels premium. The Chefman Obliterator punches above its weight, and at $30 off, it’s a smart buy whether you’re gifting it to a loved one or keeping it for yourself.

If you’re looking for other useful, fun gifts for your favorite host or the chef in your life, here are our favorite kitchen gifts under $50.