Which Vitamix Blender Should You Buy? I Compared (Almost) All of Them

If you’re researching Vitamix blenders, chances are you’re overwhelmed. There are lots of different models, and it’s not always clear what the differences are between them. (Is the X5 a lot better than the X2? Does wattage matter? Why is the Vitamix I have out of stock? How big should the blender jar be?) One thing’s for sure: Vitamix makes great blenders. In fact, three of the six best in our blenders review—which I wrote after testing a great lineup—are from Vitamix.

My team at Serious Eats has been testing Vitamix blenders for years, including newer models, like the Vitamix X series. We also regularly retest and conduct long-term tests on old favorites to ensure our recommendations stand the test of time. Here’s every Vitamix blender we’ve tested, reviewed, and currently recommend. 

Things to Look For

Should You Buy a Vitamix with Presets?

Having variable speeds is the most important feature in a good blender. It means you can ramp your way up to full throttle while the blender is running—no stopping and starting, just smooth cruising. Every Vitamix blender has at least 10 variable speeds, so by that standard, they’re all worth it. Time and again, our tests have shown that having 10 speeds is more important than presets because, with a little patience, you can achieve equally good results. That’s all a preset does, anyway: switch between different speeds.

That said, I do recommend blenders with presets to many people. And I prefer using presets in my own kitchen. A blender with lots of presets—or at least, presets that you find useful—takes the guesswork out of blending. Every morning, I add fruit, milk, and protein powder to my Vitamix X5, toggle the smoothie preset, press start, and walk away. The X5 chooses how slow to start and when to take it into the next gear. A blender with presets can be a timesaver and more enjoyable to use for some cooks.

Cost Vs. Value

Vitamix blenders are pricey, but I’ve included some more affordable options on this list. Why are they so expensive? For one, you’re getting a great warranty. Every traditional blender in this review has at least a five-year warranty, with some offering 10-year warranties. (The Vitamix immersion blender has a three-year warranty.) The motors are powerful, and the blades are constructed to last. Generally, the more features and presets a Vitamix has, the more it costs. If you just want a simple, powerful blender that’ll get the job done, check out the Explorian E310.

Vitamix Blade Design

Vitamix blades are blunt by design. They’re meant to pulverize food, rather than slice through it. It’s a smart feature because as soon as a sharp blade meets a frozen piece of fruit, it’ll begin to dull and lose its power. If you want a blender that lasts and churns out silky-smooth purées for years, get a Vitamix—or at least one without sharp or serrated blades.

Our Favorite Vitamix Blenders

The Best Vitamix Blender

Vitamix 5200 Professional-Grade Blender

$484

$350 at Amazon

$441

$439 at Walmart View on Vitamix.com

What we liked: This was my first blender, and I bought it long before I worked at Serious Eats. I had heard it was the all-around best blender Vitamix made, and quickly learned that the word on the street was true. It’s a chef’s blender, without any fancy features, presets, or shiny screens. It has an on/off button and a switch for variable speed, which allows the user to start slowly and smoothly get up to full speed at any time during the blending cycle. There are 10 speeds, plus a high speed, which are satisfactory for any blending job. Most of Vitamix’s blenders now feature short, wide jars (and many are 48 ounces), but the 5200 has a tall, tapered 64-ounce jar. The narrow bottom helps create turbulence, which results in a vortex that cycles ingredients up through the blades. Like all Vitamix blenders, the 5200 features blunt blades that won’t get dull with use. Many Serious Eats editors recommend this blender, and it’s topped our review for over a decade. It really is that good.

Challenges or shortcomings: With the jar sitting on the base, this blender can be tough to store. If you want presets, this isn’t the blender for you.

Key Specs

• Stated capacity: 64 ounces
• Speeds: 10
• Presets: None
• Weight (base and jar): 10 pounds, 9 ounces
• Warranty: 7 years

A Powerful Vitamix Blender with a Shorter Jar

Vitamix 7500 Blender

$600 at Amazon View on Vitamix.com

What we liked: While similar to the 5200, the Vitamix 7500 doesn’t have a high-speed option. Instead, there’s a toggle switch for pulsing—handy if you use your blender to coarsely chop foods or create a textured sauce, like pesto. It has the same reliable 10 speeds and no-fuss, manual interface.

Challenges or shortcomings: The jar, while still 64 ounces, is short with a wider base. That’s a pro for some cooks, especially ones who want to keep the blender on a counter. But it does mean that emulsifying ingredients is more difficult. 

Key Specs

• Stated capacity: 64 ounces
• Speeds: 10
• Presets: None
• Weight: 7 years
• Warranty: 12 pounds, 8 ounces

A Great Vitamix Blender with Presets

Vitamix Propel 510

$500

$290 at Amazon View on Vitamix.com

What we liked: I recently named this blender a winner in our blenders review. It’s a lesser-known model and one of the sleeper hits in Vitamix’s lineup. At the time of writing, it costs the same as the Vitamix 5200 and includes three useful presets. If you’re familiar with the 5200’s interface, the Propel 510 will be easy to use. Actually, it’s easy to use no matter what. It has the same toggle switches and a speed dial in the center (which is also where the presets can be found). This is the blender to buy if you want presets but don’t want to deal with a digital display. 

Challenges or shortcomings: The warranty is two years shorter than the 5200’s. Alas, the blending jar is 48 ounces. (For most people, that’s more than enough capacity; I’m just greedy.)

Key Specs

• Stated capacity: 48 ounces
• Speeds: 10
• Presets: Three (smoothie, hot soup, frozen dessert)
• Weight: 9 pounds, 9 ounces
• Warranty: 5 years

The Best Budget Vitamix Blender

Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender

$380

$300 at Amazon View on Williams Sonoma $380 at Target

What we liked: The Explorian E310 is $120 less than the Propel 510. It doesn’t have presets, but it’s on par with it in every other aspect. It’s a great little blender, and the one I recommend to friends and family who want a basic blender that won’t quit on them after six months of use, like many of Vitamix’s cheaper competitors. 

Challenges or shortcomings: Like I said, there are no presets. But maybe that’s what you’re looking for?

Key Specs

• Stated capacity: 48 ounces
• Speeds: 10
• Presets: None
• Weight: 10 pounds, 8 ounces
• Warranty: 5 years

A Good Value Smart Vitamix Blender

Vitamix Ascent X2 Blender

$550

$500 at Amazon

$550

$500 at Williams Sonoma $550 at Target

Best For: This is a newer offering from Vitamix. The Ascent X Series replaces the Ascent A series as Vitamix’s most premium line. It features a Self-Detect base, which identifies the jar type (blender or food processor) and adjusts the controls accordingly. The Ascent X2 has a manual interface and a digital timer. Run one of the three presets, and it’ll count down the amount of time left in that blending cycle. Run manually, and it’ll count up. The X series also has a self-cleaning cycle that works surprisingly well—it made a convert out of me, a former clean-the-blender-by-hand devotee. The X series comes with a generous 10-year warranty.

Challenges or shortcomings: The X2 is the entry-level blender in the X series. Compared to the X5, the X2 seems a little lackluster, but I still think it’s worth buying for the food processor compatibility. Important to know: It only works with the Vitamix food processor jar! If you’re shopping in the X lineup, I recommend either the X2 (save a little) or the X5 (splash out). The differences in the X3 and X4 are marginal. 

Key Specs

• Stated capacity: 48 ounces
• Speeds: 3
• Presets: 3 (smoothie, soup, frozen dessert); self clean
• Weight: 13 pounds, 9 ounces
• Warranty: 10 years

The Best Splurge Vitamix Blender

Vitamix Ascent X5 Blender

$750

$700 at Amazon View on Williams Sonoma View on Vitamix.com

What we liked: This is the blender I own and use every day. I love it because I love fancy, techy things. It’s also an outstanding appliance that brings a lot of versatility to the blender game. It has 10 presets, and they push the boundaries of what a blender can do. When I tested the Vitamix X5, I was duly impressed by the range of programs. Sure, you expect a blender to make smoothies and soup, but the X5 has presets for blending spices, making frozen coffee, and nondairy milks. It aims to—and is largely successful in—replacing a handful of other appliances. When I tested it, it struggled a bit with turning large ice cubes into a creamy drink, but that was its only subpar performance. Its digital display looks sleek and is easy to navigate: I enjoy toggling through the pictures to find the preset I’m looking for. A removable tamper holder can be attached to the base; it holds the tamper vertically, so you don’t have to chase it all over your counter. And while you’re blending, the display prompts you to use that tamper when necessary. Very cool! You can also add 15 seconds to any of the presets if you think it needs a little more time. This is truly a premium blender that’s worth purchasing… if you plan on making use of all it can do.

Challenges or shortcomings: It is $750. 

Key Specs

• Stated capacity: 48 ounces
• Speeds: 10 
• Presets: 10 (smoothies, frozen desserts, soups, frozen cocktails, dips and spread, smoothie bowl, frappé, nut butters, non-dairy milks, spice grinding); self-clean
• Weight: 14 pounds, 4 ounces
• Warranty: 10 years

The Best Vitamix Immersion Blender

Vitamix Immersion Blender

$170

$143 at Amazon View on Williams Sonoma $170 at Target

What we liked: My colleagues named this blender a winner in our immersion blenders review. I love that the buttons can be easily pressed with your thumb, so you can operate it one-handed. The big side vents on the blade guard help create that all-important vortex that Vitamix blenders are known for. It has five speeds, and the top level is wickedly powerful. In our tests, it was able to blend an entire pot of soup quickly, without the need to separate it into batches. Although no immersion blender can replace a traditional blender, this one comes close. It can make mayonnaise, crush ice, and whip cream.

Challenges or shortcomings: It’s maybe too powerful? Blending liquids caused it to sputter at times, although that problem is solved by blending larger batches. The holes in the blender head get clogged when blending fibrous foods.

Key Specs

• Wattage: 625
• Speeds: 5
• Presets: None
• Weight: 2 pounds, 8 ounces
• Warranty: 3 years

Discontinued Vitamix Blenders We Still Recommend

Vitamix recently made some changes to its portfolio of blenders and is phasing out a handful of models. I spoke with a representative from Vitamix, and they confirmed that the following blenders—all of which we’ve previously recommended—are no longer in production. Some are still available for purchase because Vitamix has them in inventory. But if a link shows the product is sold out, it’s sold out for good. Vitamix will honor all warranties on discontinued products.

A note on compatibility: The Vitamix food processor attachment was originally launched to work with the Ascent and Venturist bases. The Ascent’s blender and food processor jars both work with the new X series of bases.

• Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Professional Grade Smart Blender
  This Smart blender no doubt inspired the even techier X series. It has five presets (including smoothie and hot soup), and an LED touchscreen display. It’s one of the prettier Vitamix blenders, because the base was available in many different retailer-exclusive finishes, including a sage green with gold accents.
• Vitamix A3300 Ascent Series Blender
  The A3300 is similar to the A3500. It retailed for about $100 less and doesn’t have any presets. Like the A3500, it has a wide, 64-ounce jar and is compatible with the food processor attachment.
• Vitamix Ascent Series A2300
  The A2300 features a mix of digital and manual options on its display. The on/off and pulse buttons are switch toggles, and the speed can be controlled with a dial. A count-up timer helps you keep track of how long you’ve been blending. It boasts 1,500 watts.
• Vitamix Ascent Series A2500
  The A2500 shares the same interface and wattage as the A2300, but includes three presets on the speed dial (smoothie, hot soup, and frozen dessert).
• Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender
  The 750 was part of Vitamix’s Professional Series line, which has been discontinued. This blender has entirely analog controls along with five presets. Like many of the discontinued models, this one’s jar is 64 ounces with a wide bottom.
• Vitamix 5300 Blender
  The 5300’s base has a design reminiscent of our favorite 5200, although there’s also a pulse feature and a blue light that indicates whether the blender is on. The base is shorter and wider than that of the 5200.

FAQs

Are Vitamix blenders dishwasher-safe?

That depends. Vitamix says the 20- and 40-ounce jars in the S series are dishwasher-safe (you can remove the blade component first), but none of its other blender jars are. To clean a blender jar, add water and a drop of dish soap. Run the machine on high or, in newer models, run the self-clean cycle. Rinse thoroughly and let dry before storing. 

Can you grind coffee in a Vitamix?

I don’t recommend it. Even the most tricked-out Vitamix model, the X5, doesn’t have a coffee grinding setting. For better results, use a burr grinder.

Are refurbished Vitamix blenders worth it?

Yes. Vitamix sells reconditioned blenders that have been thoroughly cleaned, inspected, and tested. To ensure you’re getting a Vitamix-approved refurbished blender, buy one directly from the brand.

What are the different sizes of Vitamix jars?

Vitamix makes three different jars. The 64-ounce tall jar, as found on the 5200, has a tapered base that’s ideal for emulsifying ingredients. The 64-ounce low-profile jar has a shorter profile and a wider base that’s easier to clean. Vitamix also sells blenders with short, slightly tapered 48-ounce jars. 

Why We’re the Experts

• Rochelle Bilow is an editor at Serious Eats. She’s reviewed hundreds of kitchen tools and wrote our overall best blenders review.
• For this article, Rochelle interviewed a Vitamix representative and compiled data from all the Vitamix blenders she and our team have tested over the years.