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Vitamix A2500 Blender Review

Tested using Methodology v1.0
Review updated Apr 12, 2023 at 12:46 pm
Vitamix A2500 Picture
9.0
Multi-Purpose
8.7
Smoothies (Single Serving)
9.4
Smoothies (Multiple Servings)
8.9
Ice Crushing
9.5
Soups
9.0
Professional Use

The Vitamix A2500 is very similar to other Vitamix blenders that are part of the 'Ascent' line, like the Vitamix A3500 and the Vitamix A2300. It's priced in the middle of the 'Ascent' range and has a few onboard blending programs, unlike the A2300, but lacks the A3500's programmable timer. It's a very sturdy high-end blender with an outstanding overall performance, but models like the A3500 have faster max blending speeds and a slight edge in terms of performance.

Our Verdict

9.0 Multi-Purpose

The Vitamix A2500 is superb for multi-purpose use. It does a fantastic job with most recipes using its 64-ounce jar, easily pureeing stubborn ingredients like kale and blueberries and making smooth dips and spreads like nut butter. It can hot blend and offers a wide range of speed settings for different recipes. Unlike the Vitamix A2300, its onboard controls include a few blending programs that stop the blender automatically when it's done. It's very sturdy but is on the loud side compared to other Vitamix blenders like the A3500.

Pros
  • Well-built.
  • Large capacity 64-oz main jar.
  • Dishwasher-safe.
  • Hot blends.
Cons
  • Ingredients can get stuck on the side of the jar.
  • Fairly loud.
8.7 Smoothies (Single Serving)

The Vitamix A2500 is excellent for single-serve smoothies. It easily processes ingredients like leafy greens, blueberries, and ice cubes into a silky blend. However, you may need a spatula to scrape the jar's sides when working with smaller batches, like for a single-serve smoothie. The blender is very easy to clean by hand, and its jar is dishwasher-safe.

Pros
  • Well-built.
  • Dishwasher-safe.
Cons
  • Ingredients can get stuck on the side of the jar.
  • Fairly loud.
9.4 Smoothies (Multiple Servings)

The Vitamix A2500 is fantastic for multiple servings of smoothies. It easily liquifies smoothie additions like leafy greens and fruit and easily crushes ice, so it can make a nearly perfectly smooth blend with most smoothie recipes. It's also very easy to clean by hand, and the jar and lid can go in the dishwasher.

Pros
  • Well-built.
  • Dishwasher-safe.
Cons
  • Fairly loud.
8.9 Ice Crushing

The Vitamix A2500 is excellent for crushing ice. It doesn't have a frozen drink program like the Vitamix A3500, so you need to manually pulse for the best results, but it still doesn't take long to make uniformly crushed ice for slushies or blended margaritas.

Pros
  • Well-built.
  • Dishwasher-safe.
  • Creates snow-like ice.
Cons
  • Fairly loud.
9.5 Soups

The Vitamix A2500 is incredible for soups. This blender can blend hot ingredients and has a big capacity, meaning it can make a big batch of soup at once. It makes an extremely smooth blend with fibrous vegetables like kale or broccoli, so your soup won't be grainy or unevenly blended. It has a wide range of speed settings, so you can fine-tune the blend to suit your recipe.

Pros
  • Well-built.
  • Large capacity 64-oz main jar.
  • Dishwasher-safe.
  • Hot blends.
Cons
  • Fairly loud.
9.0 Professional Use

The Vitamix A2500 is fantastic for professional use. Its 64-ounce main jar is ideal for making large batches, and the blender has a sturdy, premium feel. It does a fantastic job with all kinds of recipes, including smoothies, soups, and dips and spreads like nut butter or hummus. The jar is easy to clean by hand and dishwasher-safe.

Pros
  • Well-built.
  • Large capacity 64-oz main jar.
  • Dishwasher-safe.
  • Hot blends.
Cons
  • Fairly loud.
  • 9.0 Multi-Purpose
  • 8.7 Smoothies (Single Serving)
  • 9.4 Smoothies (Multiple Servings)
  • 8.9 Ice Crushing
  • 9.5 Soups
  • 9.0 Professional Use
  1. Updated Apr 12, 2023: Updated text to match Test Bench 1.0.
  2. Updated Feb 27, 2023: Added information about 'Smart Prep Kitchen System' variants, which come with additional containers.
  3. Updated Aug 08, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
  4. Updated Jan 26, 2021: We've updated the Speed Adjustment Based On Jar Size test in the Extra Features box.
  5. Updated Sep 17, 2020: Review published.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The Vitamix A2500 comes in four colors: Black, White, Slate, and Red. We tested the Black variant but expect the other models to perform similarly.

The Vitamix A2500 comes with a 64-ounce main jar. However, there are several other sizes of jars in the Ascent Series that you can purchase separately, including a 48-ounce container, a 48-ounce dry grains container for blending flour and other grains, a 20-ounce blending cup starter kit, and an 8-ounce blending bowl starter kit. These accessories are part of the Ascent Series, so they come with Vitamix's Self-Detect technology built into the base. According to the manufacturer, the A2500 can recognize the attachments using this technology and adjust the blend settings depending on the size of the container.

It's sometimes sold bundled with extra containers as the Vitamix A2500 Smart Prep Kitchen System or the Vitamix A2500 Ultra Smart Prep Kitchen System. If you're not using the 64-ounce pitcher, your results may vary.

Name Main Jar Other Containers
Vitamix A2500 64-ounce pitcher  
Vitamix A2500 Smart Prep Kitchen System 64-ounce pitcher 12-cup (96oz) food processor
Vitamix A2500 Ultra Smart Prep Kitchen System Bundle (Costco U.S) 64-ounce pitcher 12-cup (96oz) food processor, a 48-ounce 'Aer Disk' pitcher, 20-ounce personal jar, 8-ounce blending cup
Vitamix A2500i (Europe) 68-ounce pitcher  

Compared To Other Blenders

The Vitamix Ascent A2500 is an outstandingly versatile full-size blender with a 64-ounce main jar. Like other 'Ascent' series blenders like the Vitamix A3500, Vitamix A3300, and Vitamix A2300, you can access more blending programs in a companion app and buy a variety of extra jars and attachments for it separately from Vitamix. It offers a fantastic performance for all kinds of recipes, although the A3500 and A3300 have somewhat faster maximum blending speeds and can process ingredients more efficiently. The A2500 is also the loudest of the 'Ascent' series blenders.

If you're looking for other blenders, check out the best blenders, the best blenders for smoothies, and the best Vitamix blenders.

Vitamix A2300

The Vitamix A2500 and the Vitamix A2300 are very similarly performing blenders, and depending on your usage, you may prefer one over the other. The A2500 does a better job crushing ice, and it gets snow-quality ice in less than a minute. Both can hot blend, and they're both Bluetooth-compatible and have presets available on their companion app. They both produce smooth smoothies but struggle a bit to fully blend leafy greens, like kale. The A2500 also has three preset modes available on its speed dial, which some users may prefer.

Vitamix A3500

The Vitamix A3500 is a little better than the Vitamix A2500. The A3500 makes more snow-like crushed ice and a smoother puree with small batches of fibrous ingredients. It has more automatic blending programs and its controls include a programmable timer. It's also quieter when it's running. 

Vitamix 5200

The Vitamix A2500 has more features than the Vitamix 5200, but overall, both have a very versatile performance. The A2500 is part of Vitamix's Ascent Series, so you can get different-size jars sold separately that use Self-Detect technology to adjust the settings based on size. It also comes with a Pulse mode, preset modes, a self-clean program, and a timer, and it's Bluetooth-compatible, so you can access additional preset modes using a companion app. The A2500 crushes ice quicker than the 5200, but the 5200 does a better job blending fibrous ingredients. The 5200 also comes with 'High' and 'Variable' speed settings, unlike the A2500.

Vitamix A3300

The Vitamix A2500 and the Vitamix A3300 have similar designs and performances. The A3000 is a bit better because it makes a smoother blend with small batches of fibrous ingredients, like a single-serve smoothie with fruit or leafy greens. It's also much quieter. Its controls include a programmable timer. However, the A2500 has three automatic blending programs. The A3300 has none onboard, although you can access blending programs with a companion app.

Vitamix Venturist V1200

The Vitamix Venturist V1200 is better than the Vitamix A2500. The Venturist comes with a 20-ounce jar that makes it better suited for single-serve smoothies and offers slightly better performance for ice crushing and nut butter. Its controls include a programmable timer, so you can set it to blend for a certain amount of time and stop automatically. It's slightly sturdier too. Unfortunately, though, it's louder than the A2500.

Vitamix Explorian E310

The Vitamix A2500 is better than the Vitamix Explorian E310. The A2500 has a bigger capacity and more features, including a digital blending time indicator and automatic blending programs. It's also a bit quieter when it's running. On the other hand, the E310 is better for processing small batches of fibrous ingredients when you're making something like a single-serve smoothie.

Vitamix Professional Series 750

The Vitamix Professional Series 750 and the Vitamix A2500 have different strengths. The 750 delivers a better blending performance, since it processes ingredients more quickly, makes more uniform crushed ice, and produces smoother purees with small batches of fibrous ingredients. Its power cord is much longer, but it lacks some features that the A2500 has, like a digital blending time indicator and app connectivity. The A2500 is also much quieter and dishwasher-safe.

Vitamix 7500

The Vitamix A2500 has more features than the Vitamix 7500, but overall, they perform pretty similarly. The A2500's controls include automatic blending programs and a digital blending time indicator. Its jar is dishwasher-safe and better for processing small batches of ingredients, like for a single-serve smoothie. However, you might like the 7500's simpler controls. It's quieter and better for crushing ice.

Vitamix 5300

The Vitamix 5300 is better than the Vitamix A2500 for most purposes. The 5300 has a somewhat better performance for blending fibrous ingredients, making nut butter, and crushing ice. On the other hand, you may prefer the A2500's design, since it offers automatic blending programs and its jar is dishwasher-safe. It's also quieter at maximum speed. 

KitchenAid K400

The Vitamix A2500 is better than the KitchenAid K400. The Vitamix has a much better build quality, comes with a tamper, and is easier to clean by hand. It makes a smoother nut butter with less time and effort on your part. On the other hand, the KitchenAid K400 makes a silkier puree when you're blending small batches of fibrous ingredients, like for a single-serve smoothie. 

Wolf Gourmet Pro-Performance

The Wolf Gourmet Pro-Performance is better than the Vitamix A2500. The Wolf is quieter, easier to clean by hand, and does a better job crushing ice and processing fibrous ingredients. It comes with an 'Emulsion Cup' accessory that helps with gradually adding liquids to recipes. However, the Vitamix makes smoother nut butter and has a somewhat better build quality.

Ninja Mega Kitchen System [BL770, BL770AMZ, BL771]

The Vitamix A2500 is better than the Ninja Mega Kitchen System for most purposes. The Vitamix is better built, easier to clean, and more versatile since it can hot blend. It does a much better job of processing big batches of fibrous ingredients and makes smoother nut butter. Then again, you might prefer the Ninja if you want to use your blender for single-serve smoothies because it comes with personal jars. It also includes a food processing bowl to help with things like chopping vegetables and forming dough.

Breville The Q

The Breville The Q is better than the Vitamix A2500. It's easier to use for tough blends like ice and nut butter and does a better job of processing small batches of ingredients in its main jar. It's also quieter and easier to clean by hand. On the other hand, the Vitamix is sturdier and available with a longer warranty, depending on where you buy it.

Blendtec Designer 725

The Vitamix A2500 is a better blender than the Blendtec Designer 725 for most purposes. The Vitamix is better at blending fibrous ingredients at full capacity, so it's better-suited for multiple servings of soups and smoothies. It also produces better results with recipes like nut butter and hummus. On the other hand, the Blendtec comes with a personal jar included, and you'd need to buy one separately from Vitamix.

Breville the Fresh & Furious

The Vitamix A2500 is better than the Breville the Fresh & Furious for most purposes. It has a better build quality, a bigger capacity, and a wider range of speed settings to adapt to different recipes. It makes a smoother blend with bigger batches of fibrous ingredients and with thicker mixtures like nut butter. However, the Breville's smaller jar is better for single-serve smoothies, and it's easier to clean by hand.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Dimensions
Blender Type
Full Size Blender
Height
17.0" (43.2 cm)
Width 8.0" (20.4 cm)
Depth 11.1" (28.1 cm)
Weight
12.0 lbs (5.5 kg)
Shaft Length (Immersion Blenders)
N/A

It's a fairly bulky blender. It's tall and heavy, so you need to store it either on your kitchen counter or in a large cupboard.

9.0
Design
Build Quality

It has a fantastic build quality. Its motor base is nearly identical to the A2300's and like that model, it's made of solid plastic and metal and it has a thick cable. This blender feels very premium.

9.0
Design
Jar Capacity
Main Jar Capacity
64.0 oz (1,893 ml)
Additional Jar Capacity
N/A

The 64-ounce jar is identical to the one that comes with the Vitamix A2300 or the Vitamix A3500.

Design
Jar/Beaker Materials
Jar/Beaker Material
BPA-Free Plastic
Dishwasher Safe
Yes

The jar and lid are made of plastic and are dishwasher-safe. The clear plastic 2-part lid lets you see down into the blender while it's running, which helps you see where to aim the tamper and check if all the ingredients are being pulled into the vortex.

Design
Blades
Blade Type
Sharp
Blade Count
4
Removable
No
Dishwasher Safe
Yes

The blade assembly has four sharp blades fixed in the jar. The jar and blades are identical to other Vitamix blenders', like the Vitamix A2300. You can service them, thanks to the nut assembly, but removing the blades voids the warranty and is heavily discouraged by the manufacturer.

Design
Lid
Two-Part Lid
Yes
Lid Closing Type
Friction

The lid is identical to the one on the Vitamix A2300. It's clear, and there are clips on each side to help you get a secure seal. You can remove the middle part of the lid to add ingredients or use the tamper while blending. You can also use the removable part of the lid as a 1oz (30ml) measuring cup, which is a good size for measuring ingredients for blended cocktails like margaritas or daiquiris.

Design
Power Cord
Stow-Away Compartment
Yes
Cord Length
3.9 ft (1.2 m)

This blender has a power cord long enough to reach outlets near your counter. Unlike the Blendtec Classic 575, there's also a stowaway compartment under the blender so you can store the cable away when it's not in use.

Design
In The Box

  • Motor base
  • User manual
  • Cookbook
  • Tamper
  • 64 oz blender pitcher and lid

Performance
9.2
Performance
Fibrous Ingredients (Small Batches)
Jar Used
Main Jar
Fibrous Ingredients Processing
8.0
Fibrous Ingredients Texture
9.5

It's fantastic for processing small batches of fibrous ingredients. It doesn't take very long to blend a nearly perfectly smooth kale or blueberry smoothie. However, the wide jar causes ingredients to splash up the sides, even if you start at the lowest speed setting. The process is a bit harder than with some other Vitamix blenders, like the Vitamix 5200, because you need to remove the lid partway through and scrape down the sides of the jar with a spatula.

9.9
Performance
Fibrous Ingredients (Full Capacity)
Jar Used Main Jar
Fibrous Ingredients Processing
9.5
Fibrous Ingredients Texture
10

It's fantastic for processing fibrous ingredients at full capacity. It's an easier, quicker process than blending a smaller batch, since you don't need to worry about ingredients splashing up the sides of the jar. It completely liquifies ingredients like kale or broccoli. The A3500 has a somewhat faster maximum blending speed and can still produce the same result more quickly.

8.9
Performance
Crushed Ice
Crushed Ice Preparation
8.5
Crushed Ice Texture
9.0

It's excellent for crushing ice. It takes about a minute to make a big batch of uniformly crushed ice if you use pulse mode and speed preset 5. Once again, the Vitamix A3500 makes more snow-like crushed ice more quickly. Its 'Frozen Drinks' mode doesn't pulse, but blends constantly, mostly with preset 5. However, with the A2500, pulse mode works better than constant blending.

8.8
Performance
Nut Butter
Nut Butter Preparation
7.0
Nut Butter Texture
10

It's excellent for making nut butter. The wide range of speed settings lets you start at a low speed and gradually ramp up. Because of the wider jar, you need to stop partway through and scrape down the sides of the jar with a spatula. You can also use the tamper to guide ingredients toward the blades. Blenders like the Vitamix 5200 are easier to use for nut butter, but this model makes virtually perfect nut butter.

6.4
Performance
Noise
Noise @ Max Speed
95.9 dB

It's on the loud side for a full-size blender. The noise gets irritating more quickly than with quieter blenders, like the Wolf Gourmet Pro-Performance or the Vitamix A3500.

Performance
Blade Speed
Min Speed
1,400 RPM
Max Speed
22,500 RPM
Power
1,640 W
Speed Adjustment Based On Jar Type
Yes

It has a wide range of speed settings that let you fine-tune the speed to suit your recipe. The Vitamix A3500 has a somewhat faster maximum speed, which might help it process fibrous ingredients faster.

Ease Of Use
Ease Of Use
Controls And Programs
On/Off Switch
Yes
Speed Presets
0
Speed Dial
Yes
Hot Blending
Yes
Pulse/Turbo Mode
Yes
Programs
3
Blending Time Indicator
Yes
Programmable Timer
No

There's a dial on the motor base that lets you select the speed or select a blending program (Smoothie, Frozen Drink, and Hot Soup). There's also a pulse mode on the left side of the blender and an on/off toggle on the right side of the blender. There's also a timer that operates more like a stopwatch and indicates how long you've been blending. When blending manually, you have to watch the blender and stop it at the desired time, unlike blenders that have programmable timers like the Vitamix A3500. You can access additional presets like Spice Grinding and Baby Food via the Vitamix Perfect Blend companion app, which connects to the blender using Bluetooth.

7.5
Ease Of Use
Cleaning

The Vitamix A2500 is very easy to clean. Running the blender with soap and water in the jar cleans a lot of sticky residue from the blades and sides of the jar. You still need to scrub the 2-part lid and the inside of the jar with a sponge, but there aren't too many hard-to-clean areas, and it's a pretty quick process overall.