We've currently tested 15 Vitamix blenders. This manufacturer specializes in full-size blenders that fall on the higher end of the price range for blenders. They're consistently some of the best-built blenders we've tested, and most are available with a U.S. warranty that lasts between five and ten years, compared to the more typical one-year warranty for blenders.
Most full-size Vitamix blenders can hot blend and offer great overall performance, so which is best depends on what design and features you prefer. Some models are dishwasher-safe and offer extras like app connectivity and blending programs, while others have a simpler design with just a speed dial and a switch for pulse mode. They rarely come with accessories like personal jars included, but depending on the model, you can buy extra jars separately.
Updates
- 05/09/2023 Vitamix Propel 510 reviewed
- 05/05/2023 Vitamix Propel 750 reviewed
- 04/12/2023 Vitamix A2500 updated
- 03/20/2023 Vitamix ONE updated
- 02/23/2023 Vitamix A2300 updated
Best Vitamix Blenders
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Best Vitamix Blender
Multi-Purpose9.3Smoothies (Single Serving)9.4Smoothies (Multiple Servings)9.6Ice Crushing9.6Soups9.5Professional Use9.1The Vitamix A3500 is the best Vitamix blender that we've tested. It's among the most expensive blenders from the manufacturer, and it's probably only worth considering if you're interested in a blender with all the bells and whistles. It's part of the 'Ascent' series, so it works with more accessories sold separately, including a food processor bowl. These blenders also come with a 10-year U.S. warranty, the longest Vitamix offers, although it depends on where you buy your blender. The 64-ounce jar, lid, and tamper are dishwasher-safe, which isn't the case for every type of Vitamix.
This model does an outstanding job of processing fibrous ingredients, which is important for silky-smooth kale smoothies or pureed broccoli soup. You can use it for hot blending, and it has no issue crushing ice cubes into snow-like ice. Some Vitamix blenders we've tested are easier to use for thicker recipes. You have to use the tamper when making something like nut butter or hummus, but it's still a decently easy process. Its controls include a speed dial, five automatic blending programs, and a button for pulse mode. There's also a programmable timer, which not many blenders have, that lets you set the blender to run for a set time before stopping automatically.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Vitamix Blender
Multi-Purpose9.4Smoothies (Single Serving)9.1Smoothies (Multiple Servings)9.0Ice Crushing8.9Soups8.8Professional Use9.0The best upper mid-range Vitamix blender is the Vitamix Propel 510. This cheaper blender isn't as quiet as the Vitamix A3500 and has a smaller 48oz capacity. However, you might prefer its simpler, more classic-looking controls, which consist of a speed dial and switches for on/off and pulse mode. It has three blending programs selectable on the dial, so you can still step away from the blender while your smoothie or soup blends. It's very well-built and has an unusually long power cable, which is nice if your kitchen is short on outlets.
It performs similarly overall, easily liquifying fibrous fruits and veggies like kale or blueberries and making snow-like crushed ice. It's outstanding for recipes like nut butter and hummus. The smaller jar helps keep all the ingredients close to the blades, and you don't need to use the tamper to make smooth, spreadable nut butter. However, compared to the A3500, it has fewer extra features. It lacks a display to show the blending time and doesn't have a programmable timer. The lid is made of opaque plastic instead of clear, which is a slightly worse design because you can't see down into the blender as easy to check on the vortex.
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Best Mid-Range Vitamix Blender
Multi-Purpose9.2Smoothies (Single Serving)9.0Smoothies (Multiple Servings)9.5Ice Crushing8.9Soups9.5Professional Use9.2If extra features like blending programs aren't necessary or you prefer simpler controls, you might want to start your search in the mid-range with the Vitamix 5200. Because of its relatively low price and fantastic overall blending performance, it's our pick for the best smoothie blender over some pricier options. It stands out from other Vitamix blenders because it has a narrower main pitcher, which helps it process small batches of fibrous ingredients, like when making single-serve smoothies or protein shakes. It's also easier to use for recipes like nut butter.
However, there are some downsides compared to pricier models. It's part of the 'Legacy' series of blenders and isn't compatible with as many accessories and extra jars as 'Ascent' blenders. For example, it doesn't work with Vitamix's food processing bowl or newly-released multi-colored blending jars. This model is also louder than the previous picks. Its controls consist of a speed dial, a power switch, and a pulse switch, with no blending programs or digital display.
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Best Budget Vitamix ฮlender
Multi-Purpose9.2Smoothies (Single Serving)9.1Smoothies (Multiple Servings)8.8Ice Crushing8.4Soups8.8Professional Use8.8If you don't want to spend as much, the Vitamix Explorian E310 is a great choice. Vitamix doesn't sell any blenders that are truly 'budget' options, but the Explorian E310 is a good choice if you want the brand's sturdy build quality at the lowest possible price. While Vitamix has a cheaper full-size offering in the Vitamix ONE, it's not great compared to similarly-priced models, especially because it's not very well-built or versatile. The Explorian E310 is more expensive, but it offers fantastic build quality and a very versatile performance since it's just as good as the other picks at producing a smooth puree of fibrous ingredients and processing hard ingredients like nuts. Like all the picks on this list, it's safe for hot blending.
The jar and lid are dishwasher-safe, unlike the Vitamix 5200, but the jar has a smaller 48-ounce capacity. It's also not as good at ice-crushing since the results aren't as snow-like as most other Vitamix blenders. This model's five-year U.S. warranty is shorter than the other picks and is loud compared to the Vitamix Propel 510 and Vitamix A3500. As an 'Explorian' series blender, it's compatible with fewer extra jars and accessories sold by Vitamix. For example, extras like small blending cups for tiny batches and the food processor bowl aren't compatible. Also, the jars sold for 'Explorian' blenders usually have a smaller capacity than the ones sold for Ascent series blenders.
Compared to other brands
- Incredible build quality. Vitamix blenders have a premium build with materials that feel solid and durable. Some models have U.S. warranties of up to 10 years.
- Additional jars available. You can buy additional jars, like personal jars for smoothies, for many Vitamix blenders. Be sure your Vitamix model is compatible with the accessory you want.
- Lots of speed settings. Vitamix blenders have a dial that gives you lots of control over the blender's speed. You can start at a low speed and ramp up to avoid splatters or when you want to prevent over-blending.
- Two-part lid and tamper included. Vitamix blenders usually come with a 2-part lid, so you can add ingredients or use the tamper to stir your recipe while the machine runs.
- Fewer extra accessories included. Unlike other brands like Ninja, most Vitamix blenders only have a main pitcher, lid, and tamper. Most are compatible with accessories like personal jars that you can buy separately.
- More expensive. Vitamix blenders are generally more expensive than other blenders on the market, and there aren't any budget-level options.
Vitamix vs Blendtec
Βlendtec is another maker of high-end full-size blenders. The models we've tested aren't as well-built as Vitamix blenders and don't perform as well overall, particularly for recipes like nut butter or hummus. They usually come with a 90-ounce pitcher, while most Vitamix models come with a 64-ounce pitcher. They also have blunt blades that make them easy to clean by hand.
Vitamix vs Wolf Gourmet
Wolf Gourmet is a kitchen appliance manufacturer that makes a few high-end blenders. The Wolf Gourmet Pro-Performance isn't as good at processing thick mixtures like nut butter as the Vitamix models in this article. It's not as well-built. Still, its performance is comparable, and it's quiet for a blender.
Vitamix vs Ninja
Ninja makes a wide variety of full-size blenders that are usually cheaper. They generally don't perform as well as Vitamix models if you're using the main pitcher. They aren't as well-built and usually can't hot blend. However, unlike Vitamix, many have extra jars and attachments included, like single-serve jars and food processors. If you don't mind using different jars for different purposes, some can produce similar results to Vitamix blenders. If you want to see what the brand offers, check out the best Ninja blenders.
Vitamix vs KitchenAid
KitchenAid makes a small range of full-size blenders, including high-end, premium, and commercial options. The higher-end KitchenAid K400 offers comparable performance to Vitamix blenders for making smoothies, soups, and crushed ice. It's less expensive than the Vitamix Explorian E310 but isn't as well-built. It doesn't come with a tamper and is much harder to use for recipes like nut butter. The blade design also makes it harder to clean by hand.
Vitamix makes full-size blenders that are very well-built and versatile in their overall performance. They have a wide range of speed settings, so you can easily adjust the speed based on what you're blending. Some of their blenders are Bluetooth-compatible, so you can use the Vitamix Perfect Blend app to access additional preset modes like 'Smoothies', 'Baby Food', 'Spice Grinding', and 'Acai Bowls'.
Lineup
Vitamix divides its full-size blenders into a few categories that offer different controls and features, different warranties, and are compatible with different accessories.
Ascent series: These are the most expensive blenders from Vitamix. Vitamix advertises a 10-year U.S. warranty. Depending on which model you buy, they include features like digital displays and onboard blending programs. They have 'Self-Detect', meaning the blender can detect which accessory you're using.
Smart System: All Ascent series blenders, plus some other models like the Vitamix Venturist 1200, are 'Smart System' blenders, meaning they have 'Self Detect' and are compatible with the biggest variety of accessories, including a food processor jar.
Legacy series: These are 'classic' blenders, older designs that Vitamix still makes and sells new. They have analog controls, a longer power cord, and an opaque lid. The manufacturer offers a seven-year U.S. warranty. The jars aren't dishwasher-safe, unlike Ascent models. There are G-series and C-series Legacy blenders. Some accessories and additional jars are only compatible with one series or the other.
Propel series: Vitamix's newest line of blenders, which uses classic design features. These blenders lack digital displays and don't work with 'Self-Detect' accessories. They share Legacy blenders' seven-year U.S. warranty, longer power cord, and lid design. However, unlike real Legacy models, they have blending programs and come with dishwasher-safe jars.
Explorian series: Vitamix refers to its Explorian blenders as an 'entry' into the brand. They're less expensive, have more basic controls, and have a shorter five-year U.S. warranty.
Other blenders: Vitamix mainly makes full-size blenders, but they also sell the Vitamix Immersion Βlender, meant for blending hot ingredients in a pot or pan, and the Vitamix ONE, which is a smaller full-size model meant for smoothies. It has a very different design from other Vitamixes and a less versatile performance.
Recent Updates
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May 15, 2023: Replaced the Vitamix A3300 with the Vitamix Propel 510 as the 'Best Upper Mid-Range' pick.
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Mar 17, 2023: Added a comparison between Vitamix and KitchenAid.
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Jan 17, 2023: Made minor updates to the text and checked that the products are available.
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Nov 18, 2022: Replaced the Vitamix 5300 with the Vitamix 5200 because it's much quieter and may be easier to find available.
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Sep 19, 2022: Restructured article to make it easier to find what you're looking for and added the Vitamix A3500, the Vitamix A3300, and the Vitamix 5300.
Conclusion
Vitamix is a blender manufacturer that makes well-built, premium-looking blenders. They're generally very versatile, which suits many different users. They usually come with a speed dial and some preset modes and can hot blend. However, most of their blenders don't have many extra features or accessories.