Oster 6706 6-Cup 450-Watt Review: A Plastic Jar Blender
The Oster 6706 6-Cup 450-Watt is a countertop blender built around a 450-watt motor, a 6-cup plastic jar, and ten speed settings that include a pulse. The listing is upfront about it: the jar is break-resistant plastic, BPA free, and the materials line says plainly “PLASTIC.” Everything else about this machine — the motor, the blade, the drive — is metal or steel where it counts.
Here’s my answer. Buy it if you want a straightforward blender for smoothies, shakes, and crushed ice, and you’re fine with a plastic jar that won’t shatter if it gets knocked off the counter. Skip it if you’ve already decided you want a glass jar, because nothing in this listing will change your mind, and you’ll resent the plastic every time you use it. Consider instead a blender that ships with a glass container if that’s your line in the sand — expect to give up some of the ice-crushing confidence this one claims, since glass jars on budget motors tend to be paired with drives that struggle with ice.
What you’re really buying here is the All Metal Drive and the stainless steel Ice Crusher blade. Those two parts are the reason this machine exists in the form it does. The plastic jar is the compromise that keeps the whole thing light enough to lift with one hand and tough enough to survive a drop. Whether that trade works for you is the entire question.
| Preview |  |
|---|---|
| Product | Oster 6706 6-Cup 450-Watt |
| Brand | Oster |
| The listing says | 450 watt motor with 10 speeds and pulse 6 cup break-resistant plastic jar, BPA free |
| More information | Check Latest Price on Amazon |
Does the 450-watt motor and All Metal Drive actually crush ice?
This is the attribute that decides the purchase, and the listing leads with it: a 450-watt motor described as having “ice crushing power,” paired with a stainless steel blade the manufacturer calls an “Ice Crusher” blade, and an “All Metal Drive” for lasting durability. Three separate claims stacked on top of each other, all pointing at the same job.
What does 450 watts mean in real use? The listing describes it as ice crushing power, and that’s the claim to go on. The listing says “perfectly crushed ice every time,” which is the manufacturer’s wording, not a measured result. Treat that as the design goal, not a guarantee.
The All Metal Drive is the part I’d pay attention to. On blenders, the drive is the coupling between the motor and the blade assembly — the piece that takes the torque every time you hit pulse. A metal drive is the manufacturer’s answer to the most common failure point on a blender. That’s a durability claim, and it’s the kind of claim that matters more than speed count.
Who does this suit? Someone who makes frozen drinks, protein shakes with ice, or crushed-ice cocktails a few times a week. Ten speeds including pulse gives you a slow stir for liquids and a fast burst for ice, which is the range you actually need. Who should look elsewhere? Anyone blending hot soup in volume or grinding dry grains — the listing makes no claim about either, so don’t assume.
Who is the Oster 6706 really for?
Three situations where this is the right buy. First, you make frozen drinks or shakes with ice several times a week and you’re tired of motors that bog down. The motor’s power and the Ice Crusher blade are aimed squarely at that job. Second, you’ve got limited counter space and you want something compact — the 6-cup jar is the size the listing gives. Third, you’ve broken a glass blender jar before and you don’t want to do it again. Break-resistant plastic is the listing’s own wording, and it’s the reason this machine exists in this form.
One situation where it’s clearly not for you: you’ve already decided you want a glass jar. If you want to see your smoothie through the side of the pitcher, or you don’t like the idea of blending in plastic at all, this isn’t the machine. No amount of motor quality fixes that for you.
Also worth naming: if you’re blending for a crowd. Six cups is a household size, not a party size, and you’ll be running batches.
Oster 6706 specs at a glance
The listing is short and specific. Here’s everything it states, in one place.
| # | What Amazon lists |
|---|---|
| 1 | Powerful 450 watt motor of ice crushing power with 10 speeds including pulse |
| 2 | 6 Cup break-resistant plastic jar is BPA free; Oster All Metal Drive for lasting durability |
| 3 | Removable filler cap for easy and convienent filling and measuring |
| 4 | Stainless steel “Ice Crusher” blade for perfectly crushed ice every time |
| 5 | MATERIAL – PLASTIC. |
Is 6 cups enough for a family?
Six cups is the number the listing gives, and it’s the number that matters most after the motor. The listing gives no serving guidance, so how many drinks that translates to depends on your portions — and you’ll leave headroom rather than filling it to the top. It’s not a pitcher you fill to the top and blend; you’ll leave headroom so the contents can move.
For whom is that enough? A couple, a small family, or one person who blends a large shake and drinks it over the course of a morning. It’s also fine if you’re mostly making sauces, dressings, or single-serve protein shakes, because you’ll never approach the limit.
For whom is it not enough? Anyone blending for four or more people at once, or anyone who wants to make a big batch of soup or a full pitcher of margaritas without running the machine twice. You’ll be doing it in rounds, and that’s a real friction point if it’s a frequent job.
One thing the listing doesn’t state is the jar’s height or footprint, so if your cabinets are low or your counter is tight, measure the space you have before ordering rather than assuming. The 6-cup figure tells you capacity, not dimensions.
Ten speeds and a pulse — easy to run or fiddly?
That’s the whole interface. There’s no programming, no preset buttons to memorize, no app.
Who finds this easy? Anyone who’s used a blender before. You turn it on, pick a speed, and go. Pulse is the setting you’ll use most for ice, because short bursts give you control and let the blade reset between hits. Ten speeds sounds like a lot, but in practice you’ll settle on two or three — a low one for liquids and a high one for ice and frozen fruit — and ignore the rest. That’s not a flaw; it’s how blenders work.
Who finds it fiddly? Someone who wants one-button results. If you’d rather press “smoothie” and walk away, this isn’t that machine, and the listing doesn’t claim otherwise. You’re doing the speed selection yourself.
The removable filler cap is the detail worth noting here. It lets you add liquid or ingredients mid-blend without pulling the whole lid off, which is the difference between a smooth process and a mess. The listing calls it “easy and convenient filling and measuring,” which is the manufacturer’s phrasing for the same idea.
Cleaning and upkeep: what does it actually ask of you?
The jar is plastic and the listing says it’s break-resistant and BPA free, which matters for how you clean it. Plastic blender jars don’t like abrasive scrubbers or very hot water, so the routine is warm water, mild soap, and a soft sponge. Many people just fill the jar partway with warm water and a drop of soap and run it on a low speed, then rinse. That’s the everyday version.
The blade assembly is the part to handle carefully. It’s stainless steel and it’s sharp by design — the listing calls it an “Ice Crusher” blade, and blades that crush ice are not blunt. Wash around it, not into it.
What has to be renewed or replaced? The listing doesn’t say. It mentions no filters, no gaskets for sale, no replacement parts, and no cleaning accessories in the box. That silence matters if long-term part availability is important to you, so it’s worth asking the seller directly.
The good news: there’s nothing to charge, nothing to refill, and no consumable that runs out. This machine asks for a rinse and a wipe, and that’s the whole ongoing commitment. No descaling, no cartridges, no maintenance schedule.
Build and materials: what’s metal and what’s plastic?
The listing is unusually clear here, which I appreciate. The jar is plastic — break-resistant, BPA free, and the materials line simply says “PLASTIC.” The blade is stainless steel. The drive is described as “All Metal Drive” for lasting durability. The motor housing color is black.
So the honest picture is a mixed build: the parts that take the stress — the drive coupling and the blade — are metal, and the part you look through and pour from is plastic. That’s a deliberate split, and it’s how the machine pairs durability where it counts with a break-resistant jar.
The trade-off the listing supports: plastic scratches. A scratched jar is a cosmetic issue, not a functional one, but it’s the visible downside of choosing break-resistant plastic over glass. If a clear, unmarked pitcher matters to you over years of use, that’s the honest trade-off here.
The listing states no weight and no dimensions, so I won’t invent them. If lifting weight or cabinet clearance is a concern, check those figures with the seller before ordering.
How long will the Oster 6706 last?
The durability story here rests on one listed feature: the All Metal Drive. That’s the manufacturer’s answer to the part that usually fails first on a blender — the coupling between motor and blade. A metal drive is a claim about the long haul, and it’s the single most reassuring line in the listing.
What gives out first otherwise? The listing makes no claim about which part wears first, so treat the jar as the part to watch. The listing calls it break-resistant, which is a claim about impact, not about years of service. Treat the jar as the part to watch.
What upkeep changes that? Rinsing promptly instead of letting residue dry in the jar, and not overtightening the base, both extend the jar’s life. The blade itself is stainless steel and the listing makes no claim about it needing replacement.
The listing states no warranty period, so I can’t tell you how long you’re covered — that’s worth confirming with the seller, because it’s the number that actually defines your risk. Replacements: the listing states no spare jars or parts for sale.
Setting up the Oster 6706 for the first time
Setup is minimal, which is one of the quiet advantages of a machine with no electronics. Out of the box you have the base, the jar, the lid, and the blade assembly, which is part of the jar unit. There’s no pairing, no registration, no app, no charging.
The steps are: wash the jar, lid, and filler cap in warm soapy water before first use, since anything that touches food should be cleaned after shipping. Set the jar on the base and twist until it seats. Put your ingredients in, cap the lid, and drop the removable filler cap into place. Then pick a speed.
How much of this does the listing document? Honestly, not much. The listing describes the filler cap’s function and the blade and motor, but it doesn’t walk through assembly. If you’ve owned a blender, you’ll have it running in a couple of minutes without instructions. If you haven’t, the process is intuitive enough that the lack of a documented walkthrough won’t stop you.
The one thing worth doing before you blend ice: read whatever instructions come in the box about maximum fill and speed for ice, because overfilling is the fastest way to stress any blender motor.
How the Oster 6706 compares to your other options
A simpler option in this category gives up the metal drive. Blenders at the entry level often pair a plastic coupling with the motor, and that coupling is the part that strips when you push ice through it. What you get here that a simpler machine doesn’t claim is the All Metal Drive and a blade the manufacturer specifically names for ice. If you rarely blend ice, that advantage is worth less to you.
A more elaborate option adds capacity and control. You’d be looking at machines with larger jars, more powerful motors, and often glass containers — which solves the plastic objection directly. What you give up is the light weight and the drop resistance, and you take on a bigger footprint on the counter.
The honest case for buying nothing: if your blending is occasional — a sauce here, a dressing there — a whisk, a knife, and a bowl handle most of it, and you already own those. A blender earns its counter space when ice and frozen fruit are regular jobs. If they’re not, don’t buy one.
Pros and cons of the Oster 6706
Pros
- 450-watt motor rated for ice crushing power
- All Metal Drive addresses the usual failure point
- Stainless steel Ice Crusher blade for frozen work
- Ten speeds including pulse for control
- 6-cup BPA-free break-resistant plastic jar
- Removable filler cap for adding mid-blend
Cons
- Jar is plastic, not glass, by the listing’s own materials line
- Listing states no jar dimensions or machine weight
What the listing does not tell you
Before you order, put these questions to the seller or the manufacturer’s own product page. Each one changes whether this machine fits your kitchen.
What are the jar’s height and the base’s footprint? The listing gives capacity but no dimensions, and if your upper cabinets are low or your counter is shallow, you need those numbers before the box arrives.
What warranty covers this blender, and for how long? The listing states no warranty period at all. That’s the single biggest unknown here, because the All Metal Drive claim is only as good as the cover behind it.
Are replacement jars or blade assemblies available to buy separately? The listing states no spare parts. If the jar is the wear item — and on a plastic jar it usually is — knowing whether you can replace just the jar matters for how long this machine stays useful.
Does the box include anything beyond the base, jar, lid, and filler cap? The listing describes those parts but doesn’t enumerate the contents, so confirm nothing you’re expecting is missing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Oster 6706 crush ice without damaging the blade?
Yes, that’s its stated purpose. The listing describes a stainless steel “Ice Crusher” blade and a motor built for ice crushing power, and says it produces perfectly crushed ice every time. Use the pulse setting in short bursts and don’t overfill the jar, since loading beyond capacity is what stresses any blender motor and blade.
What do I have to replace to keep using it?
Nothing in the listing is described as a consumable. There’s no filter, no cartridge, and nothing to charge. The listing doesn’t identify any part as a wear item, and it doesn’t offer replacement jars or parts for sale, so ask the seller whether spares are available before you rely on that.
Is the 6-cup jar big enough for two people?
Yes, comfortably. Six cups covers two large smoothies or three medium ones, and it’s a standard household pitcher size. You’ll leave headroom rather than filling it to the top, so the usable amount is a little less than the full figure. For four or more servings at once, you’ll be blending in batches instead.
What comes in the box with the blender?
The listing describes the base, the 6-cup BPA-free plastic jar, the stainless steel blade assembly, the lid, and a removable filler cap. It doesn’t formally list box contents, so if you need certainty about what’s included, confirm with the seller. There’s no mention of extra jars, accessories, or a cleaning brush.
Is a plastic jar a problem for everyday blending?
Not functionally. The listing calls it break-resistant and BPA free, so it’s built for daily use and it survives drops that would shatter glass. The honest trade-off is appearance: the listing makes no claim about how the plastic holds up, so the jar may not stay clear forever. If a glass pitcher matters to you, this machine isn’t the right pick.
Is a blender like this worth owning at all?
It depends on whether ice and frozen fruit are regular jobs in your kitchen. If they are, the powerful motor, the All Metal Drive, and the Ice Crusher blade are aimed at exactly that work, and the machine earns its counter space. If your blending is occasional sauces and dressings, a bowl and a whisk already do the job, and you don’t need this.
The verdict on the Oster 6706
For the frozen-drink household, this is a buy. If you make smoothies, shakes, or crushed-ice drinks several times a week, the combination of a motor built for ice, a stainless steel blade the manufacturer names for ice, and an All Metal Drive is aimed directly at your job. The plastic jar is the compromise, and it buys you a machine you can lift easily and won’t shatter on the floor. That’s a reasonable trade for a daily ice user.
For the glass-jar-or-nothing buyer, this is a skip. The listing says plastic, and no feature here overrides that. Look for a blender that ships with a glass container, and accept the extra weight and footprint that comes with it.
For the occasional user, this is probably a skip too. If your blending is a few sauces a month, you already own tools that handle it, and the counter space is better spent elsewhere. Buy this when ice is a routine, not a rarity.
