We've currently tested 13 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 only rarely come with accessories like personal jars included, but depending on the model, you can buy extra jars separately.
Updates
- 12/15/2022 Vitamix A3300 updated
- 12/15/2022 Vitamix Explorian E520 updated
- 12/08/2022 Vitamix 7500 updated
- 12/02/2022 Vitamix 5200 updated
- 09/26/2022 Vitamix Explorian E310 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 that are sold separately, including a food processor bowl. These blenders also come with a 10-year U.S. warranty, which is 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 need to use the tamper when you're 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 specific amount of time before stopping automatically.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Vitamix Blender
Multi-Purpose9.2Smoothies (Single Serving)9.3Smoothies (Multiple Servings)9.5Ice Crushing9.4Soups9.5Professional Use9.1The Vitamix A3300 is the best Vitamix blender in the upper-mid-range we've tested. This model is a good compromise if you want to spend a little less but want the extra features Vitamix equips its 'Ascent' blenders with. It looks nearly identical to the Vitamix A3500 and comes with the same jar and lid. It produces similar results when crushing ice and processing fibrous ingredients; it just takes a bit longer. It's also fantastic at processing hard ingredients like nuts into a smooth mixture, although our top pick produces a somewhat superior nut butter. Like the A3500, it has fantastic build quality and a 10-year U.S. warranty, and its jar and lid are dishwasher-safe. It lacks the A3500's metal siding, which makes it much lighter, but you may miss the more premium material at this price.
Its controls include a digital blending time indicator and a programmable timer. There's also a speed dial that offers a wide range of speed settings and a dedicated pulse mode, but unlike the A3500, it doesn't have any automatic blending programs onboard. You can access some via the companion app and can always set the programmable timer to blend for as long as you want. As an 'Ascent' blender, it's compatible with the largest variety of extra jars and attachments and has 'Self-Detect', just like the top pick.
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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 a necessity or you prefer simpler controls, you might want to start your search in the mid-range. The best Vitamix in the mid-range price category we've tested is the Vitamix 5200. Because of its relatively low price and similarly fantastic performance, it's our recommendation for the best blender for smoothies over some pricier options. Its jar is narrower than the Vitamix A3300's, and it's better for processing smaller batches of ingredients, like for a single-serve smoothie. It's also easier to use for thicker recipes like nut butter. The motor base is a little more compact than the previous picks', and its power cord is much longer at just over six feet, which is a big plus if your kitchen is short on plugs.
That said, there are some downsides compared to more expensive models. Since it's a 'Legacy' blender, it's available with a shorter 7-year U.S. warranty and isn't compatible with as many accessories. You can buy a variety of extra jars, but not a food processing bowl. It's louder than the previous picks, and its jar and lid aren't dishwasher-safe. The 2-part lid is made of solid plastic instead of clear, which is slightly worse because you can't see down into the blender while it's running. You might prefer its physical dial and switches to the touch-sensitive buttons and digital displays that 'Ascent' series blenders have. However, it lacks extra features like blending programs and a timer. The Vitamix Professional Series 750 is another 'Legacy' blender with a few blending programs on its dial. Its jar is wider, and it can make more snow-like crushed ice. However, it's more expensive and louder.
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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 on the market, 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 to use 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 quite 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 it's loud compared to the Vitamix A3300 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, and the jars sold for 'Explorian' blenders usually have a smaller capacity than the jars 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. You need to be sure your Vitamix model is compatible with the accessory you want, though.
- 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 avoid 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 is running.
- Fewer extra accessories included. Unlike other brands like Ninja, most Vitamix blenders only come with 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 they don't offer budget-level options, either.
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 very 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 listed here. 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. Unlike Vitamix, many come with 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. These blenders aren't as well-built and usually can't hot blend.
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. Uniquely, 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. They come with a 64-ounce dishwasher-safe jar and a clear plastic lid. They include features like digital displays and onboard blending programs, depending on which model you buy. They have 'Self-Detect', meaning the blender can detect which accessory you're using (like a personal jar or a bigger pitcher).
Smart System: All Ascent series blenders are 'Smart System' blenders, meaning they have 'Self Detect' and are compatible with the biggest variety of accessories, including a food processor jar. This category also includes the Vitamix Venturist 1200, which has 'Self Detect' and app support like Ascent blenders and is generally only available new at Costco (U.S.). You can also find used models on Vitamix's website and other online retailers.
Legacy series: These are 'classic' blenders, older designs that Vitamix still makes and sells new. They have analog controls with a dial and a switch for pulse mode. Their design varies from Ascent blenders, with a much longer power cord and an opaque lid. The manufacturer advertises these blenders to have a 7-year U.S. warranty, and they aren't usually dishwasher-safe. There are two types of Legacy blenders: G-series and C-series. Some accessories and additional jars are only compatible with one or the other.
Explorian series: Vitamix refers to its Explorian blenders as an 'entry' into the brand, and they're on the lower end of the price range. They have more basic controls without a digital display and have a smaller 48-ounce jar. The manufacturer advertises Explorian blenders to have a 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, as well as a less versatile performance.
Recent Updates
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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.
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Jun 07, 2022: Checked that picks represent the best recommendations and that the products are in stock.
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Apr 08, 2022: Checked that picks represent the best recommendations and that the products are available.
Conclusion
Vitamix is a blender manufacturer that makes well-built, premium-looking blenders. They're generally very versatile, meaning they're suitable for 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.
