Soup Maker Buying Guide

If you love homemade soup but don’t love the endless chopping, stirring, and washing up, a soup maker is your new best friend. 

But with so many options on the market —from budget-friendly soup makers to high-powered blenders that do it all — how do you know which one’s right for you?

With the help of Kathryn Farrell, Cookware Buyer at Lakeland, we’ve pulled together our top 5 best tried-and-tested soup makers for 2025, plus key features to look out for so you can find the perfect match for your kitchen. You’ll also find delicious recipes and handy FAQs to help you get the most out of your new favourite gadget!

Contents

• What is a soup maker?
• How does a soup maker work?
• Soup maker benefits
• What to look for in a soup maker
• The 5 best soup makers to buy in 2025
  • Best budget soup maker: Lakeland Compact Soup Maker
  • Best soup maker with a blender: Ninja Foodi 2-in-1 Blender and Soup Maker
  • Best sauté soup maker: Lakeland Sauté Soup Maker
  • Best multifunction soup maker: Vitamix Explorian Power Blender
  • Best high-end soup maker: Vitamix Ascent Blender A3500i
• The best soup maker recipes
• Frequently asked questions

What is a soup maker?

A soup maker is a handy kitchen gadget that cooks and blends all in one, so you can enjoy homemade soup without the fuss. It looks similar to a blender but has built-in heating elements that allow it to cook ingredients while blending them to your perfect consistency.

How does a soup maker work?

A soup maker works by gently heating and blending ingredients in one jug. To use one, chop your ingredients, add them to the jug, and pour in your stock or water. Then, simply select your preferred setting and let the soup maker do the rest. 

Once switched on, the heating element warms the jug, gradually bringing the ingredients to a simmer or boil. A built-in thermostat keeps the temperature steady, ensuring everything cooks evenly.

The built-in blades then pulse, stir, or blend, depending on your chosen setting. For smooth soups, they blend at high speed towards the end of the cycle for a velvety finish, while for chunky soups, they stir gently to keep those hearty pieces intact. Some models also have a sauté function, so you can soften onions, garlic, or spices before adding liquid for extra depth of flavour.

Everything is pre-programmed and automatic, adjusting heat and blending as needed — so there’s no need to stir or check on it. Once your soup is ready, the appliance either switches off or keeps it warm, so you can enjoy a piping-hot bowl whenever you’re ready!

Soup maker benefits

You might be wondering if a soup maker is worth it — trust us, once you’ve tried one, you won’t look back. Here are just a few reasons why it’s a game-changing appliance in the kitchen:

• Less washing up — With everything cooking and blending in one jug, there’s no need for extra pots and pans or a separate blender. Many models even come with a self-clean function, so you can rinse and go with minimal effort.
• Quick and convenient — Enjoy homemade soup in as little as 20–30 minutes (perfect for busy days or quick lunches!)
• Saves energy — A soup maker uses less electricity than cooking on the hob and blending separately, making it a more energy-efficient way to prepare meals. It heats only what’s needed, reducing waste while keeping running costs low.
• Hands-free cooking — No more endless stirring, watching the pot, or adjusting the heat — just press a button, and the soup maker takes care of everything! With pre-programmed settings that control temperature and blending, you can get on with other things while your soup cooks perfectly.
• Great for batch cooking — Most soup makers have a generous capacity, allowing you to make multiple portions in one go. Ideal for meal prep, you can store leftovers in the fridge or freezer, ready for quick and easy meals later in the week.

What to look for in a soup maker

The best soup maker for you depends on what you like to cook and how you plan to use it. Whether you want silky-smooth soups, chunky broths, or even sauces and smoothies, different models come with different features to suit your needs. Here are some key things to consider:

• Smooth vs. chunky settings — Most soup makers offer multiple texture settings, so you can choose between a perfectly smooth purée or a more rustic, chunky soup. If you like variety, look for one that gives you both options.
• Blending speeds and pulse function — If you like more control over texture, look for a soup maker with adjustable blending speeds or a pulse function so you can get it just right.
• Capacity — Cooking for one or making a big batch to freeze? Soup makers come in different sizes, typically ranging from 1L to 2L, so think about how much soup you’ll need in one go.
• Sauté function — Some models let you sauté onions, garlic, and spices before adding liquid, helping to bring out richer, more complex tastes.
• Keep-warm and reheat settings — If you’re making soup ahead of time or eating in stages, a keep-warm function will stop your soup from going cold, while a reheat setting saves you from using the hob or microwave.
• Easy cleaning — Many models come with self-clean functions or non-stick jugs to make washing up easier.
• Extra features— Some soup makers go beyond soup, doubling up as smoothie makers, sauce blenders, or even hot chocolate machines. If you love experimenting in the kitchen, it might be worth looking for a multi-purpose model.

The 5 best soup makers to buy in 2025

Before we get into the details, here’s our top 5 at a glance (in no particular order):

1. Best budget soup maker: Lakeland Compact Soup Maker
2. Best soup maker with a blender: Ninja Foodi 2-in-1 Blender and Soup Maker
3. Best sauté soup maker: Lakeland Sauté Soup Maker
4. Best multifunction soup maker: Vitamix Explorian Power Blender
5. Best high-end soup maker: Vitamix Ascent Blender A3500i

1. Best budget soup maker: Lakeland Compact Soup Maker

• Capitacy: 1L
• Cost: £59.99
• Functions: Smooth soup, chunky soup, blending, auto-clean function, memory function, drinks function for smoothies and more

The Lakeland Compact Soup Maker certainly proves that great things come in small packages. If you love homemade soup but don’t need a huge batch every time, this budget-friendly option is ideal.

Kathryn says: “I love this soup maker. It’s the perfect size for smaller spaces and compact enough to tuck away in a cupboard when not in use, making kitchen organisation easy.”

“Ideal for anyone who just wants a couple of portions, it has a 1-litre capacity, making two hearty bowls or three starters, so there’s no waste — just fresh, homemade soup whenever you fancy it.”

“Despite its compact size, it’s actually packed with features. Whether you like silky smooth or chunky, rustic soups, it’s got both settings covered. It’s not just for soup either — it has a blend function, so you can whip up smoothies, sauces, and even milkshakes! It’s a great all-rounder.”

“A smooth soup is ready in just 24 minutes, chunky in 26 minutes, and the memory function means you can add ingredients mid-cycle without starting over.”

“Of course, it’s not designed for big batches, so if you love meal prepping, a larger model might suit you better. And while it doesn’t have a sauté function, a quick fry in a pan beforehand will bring out extra flavour. But for an affordable, space-saving soup maker that does more than just soup, this one’s hard to beat.”

2. Best soup maker with a blender: Ninja Foodi 2-in-1 Blender and Soup Maker

• Capacity: 1.7L
• Cost: £149.99
• Functions: Smooth soup, chunky soup, blending, sauté, jam-making, sauce-making, frozen drinks, milkshakes, desserts, auto-clean function, pre-set programmes

If you can’t decide between a soup maker and a blender, why not have both? 

Kathryn says: “If you want a soup maker and a blender but don’t want two gadgets on your kitchen counter, this is the one to go for — it does both, and so well!”

“The Ninja Foodi 2-in-1 is so versatile. It chops, it blends, it cooks, and it’s just as good for making chunky homemade soup as it is for crushing ice for smoothies. It’s great knowing you can throw in fresh ingredients and have a piping hot soup ready in 20 minutes, or switch things up and make milkshakes, sauces, or even jam.”

“The 10 Auto-iQ settings are brilliant, too. You don’t have to stand over the hob or guess the timings — it adjusts everything for you, so you get the perfect consistency whether you like silky smooth soups or something with a bit of texture.”

“But I think the best part is that it cleans itself. The dedicated cleaning programme rinses out the jug at the touch of a button — no faffing with stuck-on bits. It’s one of those gadgets you actually keep on your counter because you end up using it all the time!”

“The only downfall is that the glass jug is quite heavy, which is great for keeping soup warm, but it might be a bit tricky for some to lift and pour — especially when it’s full. But for a machine that cooks, blends, sautés, and even cleans itself, it’s a small trade-off for something so versatile.”

3. Best sauté soup maker: Lakeland Sauté Soup Maker

• Capacity: 1.75L
• Cost: £79.99
• Functions: Sauté, smooth soup, chunky soup, blending, sauces, smoothies, cold juices, memory function, auto-clean function, pre-set programmes

Kathryn says: “Not all soup makers let you sauté, and trust me, once you’ve tried one that does, you won’t go back! I love that it does everything in one place — just press the sauté button, cook off your base ingredients, then add stock and let it do the rest. No extra pans, no extra washing up — just more flavour and depth to your dish. If you’ve ever felt like your soup was missing something, it’s probably this.”

Far from being a one-trick wonder, this budget-friendly model does more than just soup. With pre-set programmes for chunky and smooth soups, sauces, smoothies, and cold juices, it’s just as handy in summer as it is in winter. The blend function makes it great for whipping up sauces and salsas, too.

“Of course, being a more affordable model, it doesn’t have the high-speed power of premium blenders,” Kathryn adds. “So if you’re after ultra-smooth nut butter or silky purées, a dedicated high-speed blender might be better. It still does a great job for everyday soups, sauces, and smoothies, though!”

The Lakeland Sauté Soup Maker is proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get great results. The sauté function alone makes it worth it, but the fact that it also blends, smooths, and whips up cold drinks? That’s just a bonus!

4. Best multifunction soup maker: Vitamix Explorian Power Blender

• Capacity: 1.4L
• Cost: £429
• Functions: Smooth soup, chunky soup, blending, chopping, emulsifying, grinding, crushing ice, frozen desserts, juices, nut butters, mixing dough, sauces, self-clean function

“The Vitamix Explorian isn’t just a soup maker — it’s a do-it-all powerhouse,” says Kathryn. “It tackles over 50 different kitchen tasks, from steaming hot soup in under 10 minutes to silky smoothies, homemade nut butter, and even frozen treats. It can even handle dough and pancake batter with the pulse function to quickly combine ingredients for a smooth, even mix. It’s one of the most versatile blenders out there, and it works fast!”

“Unlike traditional soup makers, there’s no heating element — just pure power. The 1000W motor spins the blades so fast that the friction alone heats your soup to piping hot; no pans are needed. And with 10 variable speeds, you’re in full control of texture, whether you want a silky purée, a chunky salsa, or something in between.”

“The spill-proof lid with a removable plug is a great touch too — you can add ingredients while blending or use the tamper to push everything towards the blades.”

Built to last, the hardened stainless steel blades and durable Tritan container can handle even the toughest ingredients. And when you’re done? Just add warm water and a drop of washing-up liquid, blend for 30 seconds, and it cleans itself — no need to take anything apart.

Kathryn adds: “The only thing to keep in mind is that it’s a high-powered blender first and a soup maker second. Unlike traditional soup makers with pre-set programmes, you’ll need to control the blending speed manually to get your soup just right. And while the friction heating is impressive, it won’t sauté ingredients beforehand — so if you like to start with browned onions or toasted spices, you’ll need to do that separately.”

5. Best high-end soup maker: Vitamix Ascent Blender A3500i

• Capacity: 2L
• Cost: £749
• Functions: Smooth soup, chunky soup, blending, chopping, grinding, emulsifying, frozen desserts, ice cream, crushing ice, nut butters, mixing dough and batters, sauces, self-clean function, programmable timer, 10-speed control, pulse function, self-detect technology, wireless connectivity

“It might be pricier than other options, but if you want the best of the best, the Vitamix Ascent A3500i is worth every penny,” explains Kathryn. “With state-of-the-art features, a powerful motor, and smart technology, it does far more than just blend — it heats, chops, grinds, emulsifies, and even makes ice cream in just 30 seconds.”

“I also love how it just knows what you need. The self-detect technology automatically adjusts programme settings and maximum blending times based on the container size used. No fiddling with controls or second-guessing — it does all the thinking for you.”

And if you’re prone to walking away mid-recipe, the programmable timer has you covered. Just set it to the right length, press start, and let it work its magic. No risk of over-blending, no standing around waiting — it’ll switch itself off when it’s done. That means you can get on with other things while it whizzes up the perfect soup.

Kathryn adds: “Of course, it’s an investment, and the price tag reflects that. It’s also one of the larger blenders, so you’ll need some counter space. But if you’re looking for the best high-performance blender that can handle soups, sauces, and more, this one’s hard to beat.”

The best soup maker recipes

Whether you’re after a classic winter warmer, a light and refreshing bowl, or something with a bit of a kick, we’ve got plenty of soup maker recipes that deliver big on flavour with minimal effort. Here are some of our favourites:

Minty Pea and Potato Soup with Crispy Kale and Seeds

If you think soup can’t be fresh and vibrant, this Minty Pea and Potato Soup will change your mind! It’s light, packed with flavour, and bursting with goodness — plus, it just so happens to be vegan. 

Just pop in your ingredients and let your soup maker do its thing. And with that gorgeous green colour, it’s guaranteed to impress!

Roasted Carrot, Sweet Potato and Turmeric Soup with Sriracha and Coconut Yoghurt

This Roasted Carrot, Sweet Potato and Turmeric Soup is the definition of comfort in a bowl. With its rich, warming flavours and a touch of spice from sriracha, it’s perfect for chilly days when you need something hearty, nourishing, and packed with goodness.

Cauliflower Soup with Chorizo and Croutons

This Cauliflower Soup with Chorizo and Croutons is velvety smooth, rich, and just a little bit indulgent. The creamy cauliflower base is the perfect match for the spicy chorizo and crunchy croutons, making every spoonful packed full of flavour and texture. Best served with chunky bread and a glass of red, it’s a recipe you’ll keep coming back to. 

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between a soup maker and a blender?

A soup maker cooks and blends all in one, so you can throw in your ingredients, press a button, and let it do the work. A blender just blends, so you’d need to cook your ingredients separately first. Some high-powered blenders, like Vitamix, heat soup through friction, but they don’t sauté or simmer like a soup maker.

How can I thicken soup?

If your soup’s looking a little thin, there are plenty of easy fixes! Try adding cooked potatoes, lentils, or beans before blending to give it a thicker, creamier texture, or stir in a bit of cream or yoghurt at the end. Some soup makers also let you add extra ingredients mid-cycle, so you can tweak the consistency as you go.

Can you freeze soup?

Absolutely! Once your soup has cooled completely, pour it into containers or freezer bags. Most soups will keep for up to three months, so you can make a big batch and have homemade soup ready whenever you need it. Just defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat for a quick and easy meal.

To learn more about meal prep, read our Batch Cooking Guide.

How long does homemade soup last in the fridge?

Soup usually lasts 3 to 4 days in the fridge in a sealed container. If it’s dairy-based, eat it a little sooner, and always give it a sniff before reheating — just in case!

Is soup good for weight loss?

It can be! Soup makers make it easy to whip up veg-packed, low-calorie meals that are full of flavour and naturally filling. Just watch out for creamy or cheese-laden recipes if you’re keeping an eye on calories. A hearty broth-based or blended veggie soup is a great option.

Shop soup makers at Lakeland today

With the right soup maker and a few simple ingredients, homemade soup has never been easier. At Lakeland, we’ve got a fantastic range of soup makers, plus essential cooking accessories from storage containers and freezer bags to knives and chopping boards. And if you need a little inspiration, we’ve got plenty of delicious soup recipes to get you started.

For more cooking tips, inspiration, and recipes, check out our blog — you’ll find plenty of ideas to keep your soup maker busy!