Salter Kuro Actifusion Blender review: portable smoothie heaven and leak-proof too

T3's Salter Kuro Actifusion Blender review in a sentence: Portable blending with plenty of performance and an affordable price tag make this model a winner.

I recently got to review the Nutribullet Portable Blender, which was a very pleasant surprise. For something designed to blend fruit and veg while I’m on my travels, it turned out to have impressive performance and was affordable too. The new Salter Kuro Actifusion Blender is similarly impressive, with a design that’s also compact and made for folks who like to keep blending, no matter where they happen to be. 

These two aren’t the only contenders in this marketplace though, as our best blender guide reveals. However, these newer models are smarter and more efficient than ever. Better still, portable blenders are very affordable too, with this model making sense for anyone who wants to take it with them on their travels. There’s also the benefit of the brand name, which will be familiar to pretty anyone in the UK and beyond.

Salter Kuro Actifusion Blender review: price and availability

The Salter Kuro Actifusion Blender & Sports Bottles Set, to give it the full product description, is available direct from the Salter website. It currently has a retail price of £34.99 and comes complete with two BPA-Free 600ml sports bottles as well as a pair of 400ml sports bottles. All feature leak-proof lids, which seems logical as this is more of an on-the-go style blender.

Salter Kuro Actifusion Blender review: what is it?

The Salter Kuro Actifusion Blender Set package is based around a portable blending appliance, which has been designed specifically for people who want to blend on-the-go. It’s got a simple-but-effective design, with no-nonsense lines that allow it to be packed in a backpack or suitcase with ease. It features 350 Watts of power, can be used for multi-purpose blending tasks using a variety of ingredients and has a capacity of 400ml and 600ml depending on your requirements.

Although this is a portable blender, the Salter Kuro Actifusion has been designed to do everything expected from such an appliance. There are stainless steel blades, which mean it can chop and blend all sorts of ingredients. These should also be durable over time, especially for something that will likely be used in all sorts of surroundings. The other bonus is the simplicity of its construction, with a one-touch power button that means there’s very little effort needed to get it operational.

Salter Kuro Actifusion Blender review: is it any good?

The brilliant thing about this Salter Kuro Actifusion Blender Set is that it comes with four containers, all of which are leak-proof and designed specifically for anyone wanting to start the day with a blended drink and then take another one or two with them. It’s very practical too, with two 600ml sports bottles supplemented by a pair of 400ml sports bottles, which means that it can cover all bases if you’re travelling with family or friends who also want to get their daily fix of nutrition.

I can also vouch for their leak-proof appeal as the seals on the containers are very good. There have been so many instances when I’ve read leak-proof on product packaging only to find the contents of my drinks have leaked out inside a bag. So far, at least, I’ve experienced not even the slightest leak from these containers, although it’s always worth remembering that seals can become less effective over time and as they’re used more frequently. So far, so good.

Salter Kuro Actifusion Blender review: performance

It’s easy to be sceptical about the performance of a portable blender, but this appliance is more than capable. It’s got the 350 Watts of power, but the stainless-steel blade is very effective too. Using this combination, via the one-touch power button, allowed me scythe through obvious candidates like strawberries with ease. However, I was also pleased with the way it handled small cored apples too, which means it can also be used to make healthy but chunky cereal toppings.

The Salter Kuro Actifusion Blender does need a three pin mains power supply though, so bear in mind this isn’t an appliance that can work from a USB power port for charging. Having the mains power source means its use can be unlimited though and I found it more than able to much its way through a variety of fruit and vegetables. In that respect, it’s good for making smoothies, juices, protein shakes and milkshakes. Adding to the appeal is it can also be used for chunky things, such as dips and dressings.

Salter Kuro Actifusion Blender review: verdict

I’ve been impressed with the Salter Kuro Actifusion Blender. It’s got the benefit of mains power and 350 Watts, which means it’s more than able to make the likes of dips and dressings alongside smoothies and milkshakes. In that respect, it’s a solid choice if you’re a family that travels with kids who have picky drink requests. 

The range of leak-proof containers adds to that appeal plus there’s the ease of clean-up, which was a doddle because it’s such a compact and simple design. It took me mere minutes to get up and running and that included the initial washing and drying of components (other than the power unit) prior to my first blend. Overall, this is one of the best portable blender options out there and excellent value for money too.

Salter Kuro Actifusion Blender review: Alternatives to consider

As I mentioned at the start, there's the performance and power of the Nutribullet Portable Blender, which makes that one a good bet if you're already a fan of the brand. However, if you have no need for a mobile solution then head in the direction of a countertop model, like the Smeg BLC02WHMUK High Performance Blender, which is excellent. 

A great alternative to that is the full-sized blender option, the Smeg BLF01. Its 800W motor cuts through frozen food and ice admirably and its Tritan jug holds an impressive 1.5-litres. It also comes with a 600ml bottle for drinks on the move.

Want something more compact? Try the Nutribullet 600 Series, which comes recommended. It's small, efficient and is about half the price of something like the Smeg PBF01 Personal Blender.