The best soup maker is the one that makes the batch you actually want. Compare the Morphy Richards Compact 501021 for a smaller jug, the Salter EK5118V2 for straightforward soup programmes, and the Ninja HB150UK when you also want a heated blender with a sauté function. Their capacity figures need different checks before you buy.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Links labelled “Search” open Amazon UK results and are affiliate links. Results may include other models, accessories and sellers: check the exact UK model, current price and availability. Manufacturer links are sources and do not earn us commission. How affiliate links work.
Product information checked: 17 October 2026. This is a researched comparison of manufacturer specifications and instructions. We have not tested soup texture, noise, cooking performance or durability. The choices below explain who each design may suit; they are not a scored performance ranking.
Table of Contents
Three soup makers to compare
On a small screen, swipe or scroll the table to see all columns.
| Model and reason to shortlist | Capacity and main trade-off | Shop |
|---|---|---|
| Morphy Richards Compact 501021 A smaller jug for modest batches |
1L maximum; also observe the marked minimum One litre is not permission to make a single bowl below MIN |
Search 501021 on Amazon UK |
| Salter Digital EK5118V2 A simple option to compare when shopping on a budget |
1.3–1.6L total mixture in the linked manual The minimum batch can leave unwanted extra portions |
Search EK5118V2 on Amazon UK |
| Ninja Foodi HB150UK Hot and cold blending, plus sauté |
1.4L maximum for hot blends; 1.7L is the cold limit The larger headline jug capacity does not apply to hot soup |
Search HB150UK on Amazon UK |
Capacity means the complete mixture, not stock alone. For a small household, compare the permitted minimum with your usual meal before choosing a large jug. Our soup-maker capacity and small-portions guide explains that decision with worked examples.
Morphy Richards Compact 501021: a smaller jug
Morphy Richards lists a 1L capacity, smooth and chunky soup programmes, a drinks setting and a countdown display. This is the first of these three models to investigate if your main frustration is making more soup than you want.
The useful distinction: a smaller maximum can make the appliance easier to match to modest batches. The trade-off: it still has a minimum fill mark. We have not verified a numerical minimum for this model, so do not assume it can make one small serving. Ask the manufacturer to confirm your intended batch if that is the deciding factor.
The 501021 manual says the appliance is not dishwasher safe and the electrical lid and jug must not be immersed. Its soup programmes are intended for making soup from ingredients, rather than reheating ready-made soup. Those limits matter if you want a machine that replaces every soup-related kitchen job.
Source and direct shop: Morphy Richards Compact 501021.
Salter EK5118V2: compare the basics before paying for extras
The current UK stainless-steel model is EK5118V2. Salter lists Smooth, Chunky, Drinks, Keep Warm and Blend/Clean settings, a 1.6L capacity and a design that is not dishwasher safe. The product page links to the EK5118 instruction booklet; check the version supplied with your purchase.
This is a useful shortlist entry if you mainly want ordinary smooth or chunky soup. When comparing a cheap soup maker with a more elaborate machine, ask which extra function would actually change your lunch routine. A larger programme count has little value if you would use the same setting every time.
The main compromise is batch size. Check the working range in the table against your appetite and leftover plans. Two people wanting different soups may find that more restrictive than a household sharing one flavour. Also allow for hand cleaning: a Blend/Clean button does not remove the need to inspect and clean the accessible food-contact areas.
Source and direct shop: Salter Digital Soup Maker EK5118V2. Capacity source: the instruction booklet linked by Salter, page 8.
Ninja Foodi HB150UK: for soup and other blending jobs
Ninja’s HB150UK combines a heated glass jug with hot and cold blending programmes. Its listed functions include Smooth Soup, Chunky Soup, Sauté, Jam and Sauce, alongside cold-drink options. It is worth comparing when those additional jobs would save you regularly changing appliances.
Check the hot limit: the cold-blending allowance is larger than the soup allowance, as the table shows. Do not choose this on a 1.7L headline if your normal hot batch needs that much space. We have not independently measured its smallest successful batch or compared the texture it produces against the other machines.
A sauté stage is useful only if you want to use it. If your usual recipe already starts in a saucepan, consider whether transferring to a soup maker really simplifies the job. Our guide to soup makers with sauté explains what to look for.
Source and direct shop: Ninja Foodi Blender & Soup Maker HB150UK. Check live availability and the exact colour/model suffix; we do not promise stock or a current offer.
How to choose without buying more than you need
Start with the amount you serve
Measure your usual bowl once and multiply by the number of people eating. For example, two 400ml portions total 800ml. That arithmetic describes the meal you want; it does not establish that any machine can safely run that batch. Compare it with the model’s permitted range and a suitable recipe. If you dislike leftovers, minimum capacity may matter more than extra functions.
Compare the complete price
Compare the delivered cost of the exact model, including anything you would need to buy separately. Check the seller and return terms, especially where search results mix new appliances, used items and accessories. We have not named a permanent “cheapest” option because prices change. A lower price is useful only when the machine fits your portions and routine.
Check the cleaning job before ordering
Look at how you lift the lid, reach the jug and keep electrical connections dry. Read the supplied cleaning procedure rather than copying another model’s detergent or soaking instructions. Our soup-maker cleaning guide helps you identify the parts and questions that matter.
Questions worth settling before you buy
Do smooth and chunky settings make the same soup?
Choose the setting around the result and recipe you want. Our smooth versus chunky programme guide explains the distinction. A recipe written for one programme is not automatically interchangeable with another.
Can I use frozen vegetables?
Check the ingredient instructions for the exact model before planning meals around frozen packs. Our frozen-vegetables guide explains why appliance permissions need to be checked separately from packet directions.
Do I need a new machine if mine keeps stopping?
Start with the symptom and the manufacturer’s support advice. Our soup maker cutting-out guide helps you record useful information and distinguish a support issue from a purchasing decision.
If your shortlist also includes the Tefal Easy Soup or Morphy Richards Total Control, our Easy Soup versus Total Control comparison looks at those exact UK models. Compare the documented programmes, working range and cleaning routine alongside the options above.
Which one belongs on your shortlist?
Start with the Morphy Richards 501021 when the smaller jug is the attraction, compare the Salter EK5118V2 for straightforward soup functions, and investigate the Ninja HB150UK when hot and cold blending and sauté are recurring needs. Choose only after the batch range and cleaning routine make sense for your kitchen.
How this guide was prepared: UK manufacturer product pages and the linked Morphy Richards and Salter instructions were checked on 17 October 2026. We selected contrasting designs and explained their documented limits. We have not conducted hands-on comparisons, validated recipes or measured running-cost savings. Product, seller and stock details can change.