Vitamix is probably the most ubiquitous blender model within the meals trade. It’s often called “the Cadillac of blenders,” and I’ve noticed them in eating places, smoothie bars, check kitchens, and the properties of many trade professionals. With over 100 years of historical past—and numerous cooks, cooks, and meals writers singing their praises—it’s no shock that Vitamix blenders have develop into probably the most coveted kitchen home equipment.
It’s additionally no shock that they arrive with an infinite price ticket in comparison with different blenders. Costlier doesn’t at all times imply larger high quality in relation to kitchen gear, however shopping for a Vitamix actually is a superb funding. No blender I’ve ever used has ever come near the extent of efficiency I get from my Vitamix, and Andy Lisnoff, sous chef at Delicacies Options, agrees. “I’ve been in the hospitality industry for 30 years and I have yet to see one come to the end of its lifecycle. That’s the reason I purchased a Vitamix,” he says.
Reading: Which vitamix blender is the best
If shopping for a Vitamix is a certain guess, navigating the number of fashions obtainable will be overwhelming. So I ran every blender via the identical sequence of exams (excluding the ONE and the Immersion Blender, each of which I’ll clarify under), from making smoothies and processing nut butter to turning uncooked elements into scorching soup. Every ingredient used was weighed to the gram to assist eradicate variables, and the outcomes had been sampled by blind style check with a give attention to consistency and texture. Throughout testing, I paid consideration to how loud every gadget was, in addition to how simple it was to function. Lastly, I checked out whether or not the absolutely assembled blender match on the counter, beneath the cupboards, or whether or not it must be saved elsewhere.
- Finest General: Vitamix 5200
- Finest Worth: Vitamix Explorian E310
- Finest for Small Kitchens: Vitamix ONE
- Finest Improve: Vitamix Skilled Sequence 750
- Finest Bells and Whistles: Vitamix Ascent A3500
- Finest Immersion Blender: Vitamix Immersion Blender
Table of Contents
Options to Maintain in Thoughts
Capability and Dimension
Most Vitamix blenders include a 64 oz capability mixing bowl, which, on some fashions, could make it tough to mix small parts, like a smoothie for one. Luckily, Vitamix does provide adapters that mean you can mix smaller quantities. Though most fashions include the identical capability mixing bowls, some favor a taller, slimmer bowl which may be tough to retailer beneath customary cupboards, whereas others characteristic a shorter, wider bowl with the identical capability.
Controls
Any blender must be easy and intuitive to make use of, irrespective of how versatile it’s. Vitamix blender controls vary from easy switches and knobs to digital contact screens with presets for a wide range of features.
Energy
Vitamix motors are identified for being so highly effective that you could mix uncooked elements into silky clean, piping scorching soup in 5 minutes. However this sturdy motor isn’t simply nice for the same old blender fare, like smoothies and sauces. Many Vitamix blenders provide the power to course of do-it-yourself nut butters and grind grains into flour.
Guarantee
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With their hefty value tags, you must really feel assured that Vitamix blenders are constructed to final. Any points that come up from regular put on and tear might be coated for years to come back. Vitamix affords warranties on all of their machines, various by mannequin from two to 10 years. These warranties cowl components, labor, and two-way transport.
Our Prime Picks
Finest General: Vitamix 5200
The 5200 is definitely probably the most extremely beneficial mannequin Vitamix makes. After testing one out for a few weeks and talking with recipe developer and meals author Sohla El-Waylly, it’s very clear why. Regardless of its highly effective, 2 HP motor, the 5200 was the quietest one, even because it obliterated frozen elements to make thick, creamy smoothies. “I’m sure every Vitamix can get the job done, but I have had the most experience with this model, so every other model feels wrong to me,” says El-Waylly. “My parents have this model in their ice cream store for smoothies and shakes, while every restaurant I’ve worked in had it as well.”
The easy interface has a single dial and two switches: an influence change, and a change that means that you can alternate between utilizing the variable velocity dial or crank the blender as much as its highest velocity. Of all of the batches of almond butter I made, the 5200 produced the smoothest one, regardless of the Professional 750 and A3500 having stronger motors. As a result of the mixing container is taller and narrower, almonds hardly ever received trapped beneath the blades, leading to a extra homogenous mix. The one con about this in any other case excellent blender is that, at about 20-inches tall, it doesn’t slot in the usual 18-inch area between my counter and higher cupboards. If that’s not a priority for you, I can’t advocate this blender sufficient. I completely love my A3500, however I do really feel the tiniest tinge of remorse for not choosing the 5200. This mannequin comes with a seven yr guarantee.
Finest Worth: Vitamix Explorian E310
This blender, which Vitamix calls their entry to excessive efficiency mixing, is a full $100 lower than the Vitamix 5200 and performs duties like making smoothies, sauces, and soups simply as effectively. The foremost variations? It has a 48 oz container, fairly than the usual 64 oz one, and it’s about three inches shorter than the 5200, making it simpler to retailer on most counter tops when not in use. The Explorian can also be noticeably louder than the 5200, regardless of having the identical horsepower. It additionally has a shorter guarantee of simply 5 years, in comparison with the 5200’s seven yr guarantee.
Finest for Small Kitchens: Vitamix ONE
This little 1.2 HP motor blender is sort of pretty much as good as its Vitamix siblings at mixing smoothies, shakes, and sauces. It’s the smallest of the blenders I examined, with a 32-oz capability pitcher. It matches just about all over the place in my tiny kitchen, making it a superb possibility for folk with restricted counter area. It’s additionally the only to function, with only a single dial to change on the machine and management the motor’s energy stage. In exams, I used to be capable of make single servings of smoothies that had been almost as clean and creamy as those made within the 5200 and A3500. Sadly, this mannequin just isn’t meant for processing nut butters, grinding grains, or mixing uncooked elements to create scorching soup. The truth is, doing so will void its two yr guarantee. Whereas this can be a nice alternative in the event you’re restricted by area in your kitchen, I like to recommend spending the additional $100 on our price choose above for the larger versatility in the event you plan on making something thicker than a milkshake.
Finest Improve: Vitamix Skilled Sequence 750
This blender was a pleasure to check. It has a extra highly effective motor than the 5200 (2.2 HP!), so it blends smoothies and soups smoother and sooner. “When I was trying to determine which one would suit my home needs, my first instinct was to buy the E310 since it’s the one I’ve used my entire career,” says Lisnoff. “But being a family of four that occasionally hosts small gatherings, I opted for the Pro 750 with its larger pitcher.”
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I did discover this mannequin had some problem mixing smaller quantities, like single serving smoothies. Lisnoff seen this, too, nevertheless it wasn’t a dealbreaker for him. “While the larger capacity requires more product to be used in order to get the proper results, I find that it isn’t that much more,” he says. “I also like the preset functionality of the Pro750. Want a smoothie? Set it to the smoothie setting. Hot soup? It can do that too.” Throughout testing, the Professional 750 outperformed the 5200 on most duties, although I did discover that the almond butter it made was a bit chunkier, as a result of almonds stored getting caught beneath the blades. Just like the 5200, this mannequin comes with a seven yr guarantee.
Finest Bells and Whistles: Vitamix A3500
That is the primary Vitamix I purchased, and whereas my eyes have now wandered to the 5200, I nonetheless find it irresistible. It has the identical 2.2 HP motor because the Professional Sequence 750, so it performs simply as effectively, although it’s a bit louder than each the 5200 and 750. What I like about it are the preset features, together with ones for dealing with smoothies, scorching soup, nut butter, and self-cleaning with the contact of a button. You’ll be able to simply carry out these duties manually on different fashions, however I’ve to confess that I’ve develop into a bit depending on having the ability to simply dump in elements, hit a few buttons, and let it go. It has a good looking digital touchscreen, and is available in a number of colours and finishes. Comfort and aesthetics do come at a value, although. The A3500 is tied for costliest Vitamix blender, together with the Professional 750. Due to the broader, low-profile mixing container, this mannequin had the identical points with mixing almond butter. It additionally has the longest guarantee interval of all of the blenders examined: a whopping 10 years!
Finest Immersion Blender: Vitamix Immersion Blender
This mannequin wins this class by default, admittedly, because it’s the one immersion blender Vitamix affords. Nevertheless, of the entire immersion blenders I’ve utilized in professional kitchens and at house over the previous decade, it’s the very best one I’ve ever used. For starters, it has probably the most comfy deal with and sturdiest locking mechanism I’ve seen. The place some fashions really feel a bit wobbly, even after locking the mixing wand to the deal with, the Vitamix immersion blender seems like one stable unit. The mixing wand is slender, becoming properly into wide-mouth mason jars, or any vessel with a 3” huge mouth. It makes fast work of even probably the most fibrous of frozen fruits (taking a look at you, frozen pineapple!) and veggies. The 2-button controls are actually intuitive: one powers the machine on, and the opposite is a pressure-sensitive variable velocity button that will increase mixing energy the tougher you press it. Just like the ONE, I couldn’t carry out the entire similar exams with it, like processing nut butter or utilizing it to cook dinner soup. It’s, nevertheless, the very best immersion blender I’ve used, and effectively value the associated fee. This mannequin comes with a 3 yr guarantee.
Ask the Specialists
Is it costly to restore my Vitamix blender?
Vitamix’s guarantee ought to cowl any repairs, but when your guarantee has lapsed prefer it has for El-Waylly, you could possibly restore it your self. “Depends on what’s wrong with it,” says El-Waylly. “If you’re just changing a gear or the blade and you have a guy (or are the guy) it’s about 40 bucks. If it’s something more serious with the motor, I recommend buying a new one (but that’s very very rare).”
Can I exploit my Vitamix blender as a meals processor?
Whereas you are able to do some meals processor duties along with your Vitamix, like making nut butter, it’s finest to keep away from issues like making pie dough or chopping veggies. You should buy adapters and particular mixing cups for meals processing with sure fashions, however what about simply utilizing the mixing cup that comes customary along with your mannequin? “No, please don’t,” warns El-Waylly. “The blades are too small, the canister isn’t shaped for that kind of action, and you’ll likely burn out the motor.”
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