The Vitamix 5200 is a full-size blender with a 64-ounce main jar, a 2-part lid, and a tamper. It has a speed dial with a wide range of speed settings, and you can use it for hot blending. However, it's pretty straightforward and doesn't have a dedicated pulse mode or any blending programs. It also isn't dishwasher-safe, although it's easy to clean by hand.
Our Verdict
The Vitamix 5200 is outstanding for multi-purpose use. This well-built, premium-looking blender has a versatile performance. It's fantastic for recipes with fibrous ingredients like smoothies and pureed soups, easily makes smooth nut butter, and is an excellent ice crusher ice well. It can also blend hot ingredients. It has a wide range of speed settings, meaning you can adjust the blending speed for different recipes. On the downside, it's on the louder side, and the jar isn't dishwasher-safe, although it's easy to clean by hand.
- Hot blends.
- Very well-built.
- Easily blends fibrous ingredients.
- Large capacity main jar.
- Quite loud at max speed.
- Not dishwasher-safe.
The Vitamix 5200 is incredible for single-serve smoothies. Although it only comes with a big 64-ounce jar, it's very well-suited for processing small batches of ingredients for a single-serve smoothie or shake. It makes a very smooth blend, meaning you won't end up with bits of kale or blueberry skin stuck in your teeth. It's also an excellent ice crusher. However, some blenders can process fibrous ingredients faster, and you may have to scrape the jar with a spatula for the best results. You can't put the jar in your dishwasher, but it's easy to clean by hand.
- Very well-built.
- Easily blends fibrous ingredients.
- Makes snow-like crushed ice.
- Quite loud at max speed.
- Not dishwasher-safe.
The Vitamix 5200 is fantastic for making multiple servings of smoothies. Even if you fill the 64-ounce jar to its full capacity, it can completely liquify fibrous ingredients, so smoothies turn out nearly completely smooth. It's an excellent ice crusher, meaning you can add ice cubes or chunks of frozen fruit. The blender is very well-built. It's not dishwasher-safe, but it's easy to clean by hand.
- Very well-built.
- Easily blends fibrous ingredients.
- Makes snow-like crushed ice.
- Large capacity main jar.
- Quite loud at max speed.
The Vitamix 5200 is amazing for crushing ice. You can simulate a Pulse mode by switching the blender on and off while set to the 'High' speed setting, which makes snow-like crushed ice in about two minutes. You can only put in around six ice cubes at a time to ensure there aren't any chunks in the mix.
- Very well-built.
- Makes snow-like crushed ice.
- Quite loud at max speed.
The Vitamix 5200 is incredible for soups. It can hot blend, and its large capacity, 64-ounce main jar is suitable for large batches of soups and sauces. It can easily blend more fibrous ingredients like kale, so you don't end up with a grainy or chunky blend. While this blender isn't dishwasher-safe, it's easy to clean with soap and hot water.
- Hot blends.
- Very well-built.
- Easily blends fibrous ingredients.
- Large capacity main jar.
- Quite loud at max speed.
- Not dishwasher-safe.
The Vitamix 5200 is fantastic for professional use. It's very well-built, and you can use the 64-ounce main jar for large batches. It can easily make smooth smoothies and pureed soups, nut butter, and snow-like crushed ice, although it can handle fewer ice cubes than most full-size blenders. You can use it to hot blend. Unfortunately, it isn't dishwasher-safe, but it's still easy to clean by hand.
- Hot blends.
- Very well-built.
- Easily blends fibrous ingredients.
- Large capacity main jar.
- Quite loud at max speed.
- Not dishwasher-safe.
Changelog
- Updated Sep 19, 2024: We've updated the results to more accurately reflect the blender's performance. The score for Fibrous Ingredients (Small Batches) processing changed from 9 to 6.5 because of the blending time and the need to use a spatula. The score for Fibrous Ingredients (Full Capacity) processing changed from 10 to 7 because of the long blending time.
- Updated May 10, 2024: Compared its controls and programs to the Vitamix Venturist Pro's.
- Updated Mar 20, 2024: Compared its design to the Blendtec Total Blender Classic's in cleaning.
- Updated Dec 02, 2022: Revised text to match Test Bench 1.0 results.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Vitamix 5200 comes in three different color variants: Red, White, and Black. We tested the Black variant, but we expect the other models to have a similar performance.
This blender is compatible with other containers in Vitamix's C-Series line of products. For example, you can purchase a 48-ounce container, a 32-ounce container, a 32-ounce Dry Grains container for blending flour and other grains, a 20-ounce cup container, and a scraper attachment, all sold separately. As these containers are different sizes, they may perform differently.
If you encounter another variant, let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.
Popular Blender Comparisons
The Vitamix 5200 is a straightforward full-size blender with a very versatile performance. It has a speed dial with a wide range of speed settings and a switch that lets you easily blend at the highest speed. If you want a blender with extra features like blending programs or a digital timer, you may prefer the Vitamix A2300 and the Vitamix A3500, which can process fibrous ingredients more quickly. This model isn't dishwasher-safe, although it's easy to clean by hand.
If you're looking for other options, check out our recommendations for the best blenders for smoothies, the best blenders, and the best Vitamix blenders.
The Vitamix 5200 is a little better than the Vitamix Explorian E310. They perform similarly, but the 5200 has a bigger capacity. It's a bit quieter when it's running and has a much longer power cord. However, its jar and lid are not dishwasher-safe, unlike the Explorian's. The Explorian can also process fibrous ingredients faster.
The Vitamix 5200 is a little better than the Vitamix 7500. The 5200 blends small batches of fibrous ingredients faster and more easily, making it better for single-serve smoothies. It's easier to use for nut butter and is also lighter. On the other hand, the 7500 is quieter and makes more uniformly crushed ice.
The Vitamix Alta Pro and the Vitamix 5200 are closely matched blenders with distinct trade-offs. They both have 64-ounce jars, but the 5200's narrower design keeps ingredients closer to the blades, making it the better choice if you often make small batches and thick spreads. The Alta Pro offers three automatic blending programs, which is convenient if you like preset options, while the 5200 keeps it simple with just a speed dial. The 5200 also has a much longer power cord with storage underneath the base, and it's easier to clean overall, though it's not dishwasher-safe. Choose the 5200 if you value simplicity and often blend smaller amounts, or opt for the Alta Pro if you prefer automated presets.
The Vitamix 5200 and the Vitamix 5300 are very similar blenders. The 5300 is more suitable for crushing ice for recipes like slushies or snow cones, and the 5200 is better for processing small batches of fibrous ingredients, like when you're making a single-serve smoothie or shake. The 5200 is also quieter when it's running.
Test Results
It's a large, heavy blender. It's tall, so you may need to store it on your kitchen counter or in a large cupboard, though you can remove the main jar from the base for easier storage.
It's remarkably well-built. Like the Vitamix 7500, it's mostly made of metal and plastic, which feels very solid and sturdy. The power cable is long and thick, too. Overall, this blender feels premium and high-end.
It comes with a 64-ounce pitcher.
The jar and lid are made of plastic. Unfortunately, no part of the blender is dishwasher-safe.
The blade assembly is made up of four sharp blades that aren't meant to be removed. It can be serviced thanks to its nut assembly but removing the blades likely voids the warranty. They can also only be hand-washed.
This two-part lid seals into place when you push it down on top of the main jar. There are two ears on the sides that help hold it into place. The middle part of the lid is removable, allowing you to add ingredients or use the tamper while blending. Like the jar, the lid isn't dishwasher-safe and can only be hand-washed.
This blender comes with a long, thick power cord that can reach most outlets. It can also be stored away when not in use.
It's fantastic for processing small batches of fibrous ingredients. It makes silky puree with no leftover grains, which is great for recipes like a single-serve smoothie with leafy greens or fruit. Some blenders can do it faster, and you may need to use a spatula to push down ingredients that splash up the sides of the jar, but it's still reasonably easy to use for small batches.
It does a fantastic job of processing fibrous ingredients at full capacity. It processes big batches of ingredients like kale or broccoli into a nearly perfectly smooth blend. Some blenders are faster, but if you're making a big batch, you don't need to use the spatula since the ingredients won't splash up the jar's walls if it's full.
It's excellent for making crushed ice. It's not as good for ice crushing as wider-jarred models like the Vitamix Explorian E310, but if you work with six ice cubes at once, it easily crushes them into snow-like crushed ice. It's a little inconvenient if you want to make a lot of crushed ice since you need to work in batches.
It's fantastic for making almond butter. If you start at a low speed and slowly ramp up to max speed while guiding ingredients towards the blades with the tamper, it takes around 3 minutes to make extremely smooth, spreadable nut butter.
The Vitamix 5200 is quite loud. The majority of blenders are pretty loud, but you can find quieter full-size blenders if the noise level is a priority for you, including the Wolf Gourmet Pro-Performance and the Vitamix A3500.
It offers a wide range of blending speeds, so you can make small adjustments to the blending speed to get the consistency you want.
There's a speed dial without set increments, so you can make small adjustments rather than choosing from a set number of speed presets. You can flip the switch from 'Variable' to 'High' to blend at the maximum speed. There's no dedicated pulse mode, but you can use the switch to simulate pulses. It also lacks a digital display, so if you want a way of knowing how long you've been blending, you might prefer the Vitamix Venturist Pro.
This blender is easy to clean. It isn't dishwasher-safe, but you can easily clean up messes like smoothies and almond butter using hot water and soap. With stickier food like almond butter, you may need to use a brush to clean around the nut assembly of the blades, but the residue still comes off easily. If you want a very easy-to-clean blend, Blendtec models like the Blendtec Total Blender Classic have blunt blades that make clean-up even easier.