Investing in a high-quality blender, such as one of the renowned Vitamix blenders, is a direct investment in your health. There’s no debate about it. A powerful blender is essential in any kitchen today, enhancing your culinary creations and overall well-being.
Why Choose Vitamix?
Vitamix blenders are known for their powerful performance and durability. I can’t imagine a day without my Vitamix, which has been my kitchen companion for over a decade. From my morning smoothie to my lunchtime soup, evening guacamole, and weekend desserts, my Vitamix blender is an integral part of my daily routine. It’s become a staple in my kitchen, and I even take it on vacations. Yes, my husband does complain about the lack of space in the suitcase, but in the end, the Vitamix always comes with us.
The Bottom Line: My Top Choice
For those who don’t have the time or energy to read the entire article, I’ll get straight to the point: my top choice is the classic Vitamix TNC 5200. This model offers the best value for money. While it’s still a premium blender (since we’re talking about Vitamix blenders), it’s not among the most expensive models, making it incredibly economical. It provides the most user-friendly and straightforward experience while maintaining outstanding performance. There’s no need to fuss with digital features we don’t always need – after all, we have our phones for that. We’re just here to make delicious, nutritious food. It delivers on all fronts. Its most significant advantage is that it has stood the test of time.
Decided to Buy a Vitamix – What's Next?
So, you’ve made the blessed decision that will completely change your life: purchasing a Vitamix blender. And I’m not exaggerating – this is a massive step towards a healthier lifestyle and more intelligent nutrition with minimal effort and maximum quality. The “small” point about purchasing a Vitamix is that this is just the beginning 😊.
Vitamix offers various highly successful models, each with unique features and benefits, from the classic C-Series, which includes the TNC 5200, to the more advanced Ascent series, like the A3500 – currently the most expensive model. The big question is, which model should you buy? It’s like searching for a needle in a haystack, especially if this is your first Vitamix blender. But don’t worry, that’s precisely why I’m here. After reading this article, you’ll be much wiser in choosing the right model from all the Vitamix blenders out there.
Best Vitamix Blenders: Top Three Models Reviewed!
Today, I’ve highlighted three standout Vitamix blenders with different price points and features. One is digital, while the other two are mechanical (manual). It’s important to note that my recommendations are not final. Your choice of model depends largely on your personal needs and what you require in the kitchen. For example, someone running healthy nutrition workshops or organizing kids’ camps may need a different model than buying a Vitamix for family use. Just because I prefer one model doesn’t mean the others are inferior. Another point to consider: you don’t want to spend much money on the most advanced model, only to find you’re using just half of its functions, which would be a waste of money!
How did I test the Vitamix blenders?
For testing the Vitamix blenders, I used five recipes (yes, I worked hard for you! Well… don’t worry, not too hard – after all, I make these recipes all the time as part of my daily routine 😉) and tested each one across all the Vitamix models. For every recipe, I assessed the speed and blade power—whether I needed to use the tamper and how much—along with the Vitamix’s noise level, the texture achieved, and the final results, such as whether the soup was hot enough. I also factored in ease of use, particularly with the digital model’s programmable settings, to see how simple it was to select and customize blending programs.
Shall we get started? Absolutely!
Here are the recipes I tested:
Fruit Smoothie
I began with a classic fruit smoothie, which included one cup of celery (stalks and leaves), a frozen banana, half of a frozen mango, half a cup of fresh pineapple, a handful of nuts, chia seeds, and half a cup of almond milk.
Fruit Ice Cream
I made fruit ice cream using three frozen fruits: half a cup of mango, half a cup of pineapple, a banana, eight Medjool dates, 1/2 cup of raw cashews, 1/2 cup of water, and ice (about 300 grams).
Indonesian Soup
This soup was made from tomatoes, cashews, carrots, onions, leafy greens, and more.
Cashew Butter
I used two cups of cashews, a bit of salt, water, garlic, and dill for the cashew butter.
Oat Milk
The oat milk was made from two cups of oats and water – nothing else!
Vitamix C5200 – Mechanical Model:
Fruit Smoothie: This Vitamix blender handled the smoothie very well with manual control over speed and power. I set it to the highest speed and power, including the turbo setting (this model has three separate knobs, all of which I turned to maximum). The tamper was necessary for a longer time at the beginning and midway through. The entire blending process took about a minute. The noise level was slightly higher than the A3500, but the texture was smooth, pleasant, and lumps-free.
Fruit Ice Cream: This recipe required significantly more manual intervention than the smoothie to push the ingredients toward the blades. However, the result was fantastic once assisted—a creamy ice cream with a great texture. The noise level was relatively high.
Hot Indonesian Soup: I gradually increased the speed and power to the highest levels, just like with the smoothie—turning all the knobs to the maximum, including the turbo button. The soup was hot and thoroughly blended in about 6 minutes. I left it for an additional 30 seconds to ensure it was well-heated. Although the process required more attention, the results were similar to the A3500. When I opened the Vitamix lid, the soup had a velvety, hot texture, almost like it had been heated on the stove.
Cashew Butter: The preparation was straightforward but required consistent use of the tamper. The powerful motor and sharp blades produced creamy butter with the tamper, but the process was quite noisy. The manual control allowed for precise blending, and I was satisfied with the result.
Oat Milk: The blending process was simple. After setting all the knobs to maximum, I achieved smooth, lump-free oat milk without using the tamper. The process was efficient and quick, and I didn’t notice any difference from the process with the A3500.
Pros:
- Powerful motor and durable construction
- Versatile with variable speed control
- Large container suitable for big batches
Cons:
- No preset programs
- It can get loud during operation
- Not dishwasher safe
Vitamix G7500 – Mechanical Model:
Fruit Smoothie: The quieter motor of the G7500 easily blended the smoothie. The variable speed control was simple to use, and the tamper helped achieve a smooth texture. The noise level was lower than that of the C5200, making the experience more pleasant.
Fruit Ice Cream: The G7500 Vitamix blender handled the task well. The low-profile container required frequent use of the tamper, but the final texture was smooth and creamy. The noise level was moderate, and the blending process was efficient.
Hot Indonesian Soup: The G7500 required manual speed adjustments to make soup. The motor heated the soup to a comfortable temperature, and the texture was smooth. The process was straightforward, though it lacked the convenience of a dedicated soup setting.
Cashew Butter: Making cashew butter with the G7500 Vitamix blender was effective. Like the previous model, I had to use the tamper throughout most of the process, but the result was smooth butter. The noise level was lower than that of the C5200, making the experience more enjoyable.
Oat Milk: The G7500 blended the oats into smooth milk, and the low-profile container helped in the process. The noise level was moderate, and the final product was creamy after straining.
Pros:
- Robust performance with tough ingredients
- Self-cleaning feature
Cons:
- No digital controls or presets
- Still relatively expensive
Vitamix A3500 – Digital Model:
Fruit Smoothie: I placed all the ingredients in the Vitamix blender and selected the smoothie program on the A3500, which runs for 50 seconds. The Vitamix blended everything quickly and efficiently, and I didn’t need to use the tamper at all. The smoothie came out smooth and creamy, and the noise level was lower than with the two other mechanical models.
Pros:
- Self-detect technology
- Pairs with Vitamix app
Cons:
- Loud while grinding ingredients
- The self-cleaning function doesn’t fully work on nut butter
Fruit Ice Cream: I placed all the ingredients in the Vitamix and selected the ice cream program on the A3500, which runs for 55 seconds. The Vitamix quickly blended the fruits, but… yes, I did use the tamper to achieve the final creamy texture I was aiming for, without adding any extra time to the program. The ice cream came out smooth, cold, and delicious. The noise level was quite similar to the smoothie preparation.
Hot Indonesian Soup: For the hot Indonesian soup, I entirely relied on the soup program, which heated the soup perfectly in 5 minutes and 45 seconds—the duration of the hot soup program on this model. The blades generated enough friction to heat the soup, and the final result was steaming hot. The texture was terrific—a frothy, airy consistency, just like restaurant soups.
Cashew Butter: I chose the spread program, which runs for 60 seconds. I had to use the tamper to push the cashews toward the blades and ended up adding another minute and a half to the program. It required some extra effort, but the result was smooth, lump-free cashew butter. However, the process was a bit noisier compared to the previous recipes.
Oat Milk: I placed all the ingredients in the Vitamix and selected the smoothie program, which also worked wonderfully for making oat milk. In 50 seconds, I had beautifully textured milk (which, of course, was strained) without needing the tamper and with very little noise.
A Detailed Breakdown of Value and Performance Across Three Top Models!
| Criteria | Vitamix C5200 | Vitamix G7500 | Vitamix A3500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit Smoothie | 9/10 | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Fruit Ice Cream | 8/10 | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Indonesian Soup | 9/10 | 8/10 | 10/10 |
| Cashew Butter | 8/10 | 8/10 | 10/10 |
| Oat Milk | 10/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Noise Level | 7/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Ease of Use | 9/10 | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Value for Money | 10/10 | 8/10 | 5/10 |
| Price | $455 | $599 | $700 |
Final Score:
- Vitamix C5200: 70/80
- Vitamix G7500: 65/80
- Vitamix A3500: 69/80
The Vitamix C5200 offers the best value in terms of price and performance, making it the recommended choice for those looking for a powerful and reliable machine at a more accessible price.
A Comprehensive Side-by-Side Comparison
After extensive use of each model, beyond the ratings I provided based on recipe preparation and price, I’ve gathered additional insights regarding these 3 Vitamix blenders. To make your comparison even more accessible, I’ve laid them out side by side, allowing you to see their strengths and weaknesses at a glance clearly. This way, you can quickly identify the most important features and select the best model for your needs from the 3 Vitamix blenders I reviewed.
Vitamix A3500 vs. Vitamix C5200
Summary of Differences
Program Settings: The A3500 has five preset programs, whereas the 5200 does not have any presets.
Controls: The A3500 features touchscreen controls and a programmable timer, while the 5200 has a manual dial and no timer.
Connectivity: The A3500 has built-in wireless connectivity and self-detect technology for container recognition, which the 5200 lacks.
Wattage: The A3500 is slightly more powerful with 1500 watts compared to the 5200’s 1380 watts.
Weight: The A3500 is heavier at 14.92 pounds versus the 5200’s 10.56 pounds.
Ease of Cleaning: The A3500 is dishwasher safe, while the 5200 is not.
Conclusion
The Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Smart Blender is more advanced with preset programs, touchscreen controls, wireless connectivity, and a programmable timer, making it a better choice for those looking for convenience and cutting-edge technology. The Vitamix 5200 Blender, while lacking these advanced features, offers robust performance and durability at a lower price point, making it a great value option for those seeking a high-quality Vitamix blender without the additional bells and whistles.
Vitamix G7500 Blender vs. Vitamix C5200 Blender
Performance:
Both the 7500 and 5200 are highly rated for their blending performance. The 7500 has a slightly higher rating on Amazon.
Features:
Both models have variable speed control and self-cleaning features.
The 7500 has a pulse feature for added texture control, which the 5200 lacks.
The 7500 has a low-profile container, making it easier to store under kitchen cabinets, whereas the 5200 has a taller container that might not fit under all cabinets.
Type:
Both models are mechanical and do not have digital controls or presets.
Price:
The 7500 is more expensive than the 5200, reflecting its additional features and newer design.
Conclusion
The Vitamix 7500 offers a few enhancements over the 5200, such as the pulse feature and a low-profile container, which may justify its higher price. If you prefer a Vitamix blender with these additional features and can afford the higher cost, the 7500 might be a better choice. However, the 5200 is still an excellent blender, especially if you are looking for a more budget-friendly option that doesn’t compromise on performance
Why Are Low Profile Blenders Better and More Expensive?
The low-profile design of the Vitamix 7500 and similar models is considered better and often more expensive for several reasons:
- Storage and Convenience:
Fits Under Cabinets: The low-profile container is designed to fit under most kitchen cabinets, making it more convenient to store on your countertop without needing to move it for use or storage. This advantage is significant for those with limited kitchen space or lower cabinets.
Easier Handling: Its lower height makes it easier to handle, especially when pouring or cleaning, as it is less cumbersome than taller containers.
- Design and Aesthetics:
Modern Appearance: The low-profile design tends to have a sleeker, more contemporary appearance, which can be a selling point for stylish kitchen appliances.
Ergonomics: The wider base makes the container more stable and less prone to tipping, enhancing its usability and safety during operation.
- Performance:
Improved Blending Efficiency: The wider base allows ingredients to circulate more easily, potentially resulting in more efficient blending. This can be particularly useful for larger batches of thick mixtures like doughs and nut butter.
Enhanced Blade Performance: The design can help ensure that the blades reach all ingredients effectively, reducing the need for a tamper and improving consistency in the blend.
- Cost Factors:
Newer Design: The low-profile container is part of newer Vitamix models, which often come with other upgraded features and technology, contributing to the higher price.
Material and Engineering: Producing low-profile containers might involve more advanced materials and engineering techniques, which would increase the cost.
Comparison with Tall Containers:
Tall Containers:
Pros: It can handle smaller batches better and is generally cheaper.
Cons: Taller height can make them harder to store, may require more effort to blend thicker ingredients at the bottom, and can be cumbersome.
Low-Profile Containers:
Pros: Easier to store and handle, potentially better-blending performance for larger batches, modern design.
Cons: Typically, it is more expensive and might not blend very small quantities as effectively as taller containers.
In summary, the Vitamix 7500’s low-profile design is considered better due to its improved usability, storage convenience, blending efficiency, and modern aesthetic, which collectively justify the higher price tag.
To conclude....
No matter which model you choose, you really can’t go wrong with any of the Vitamix blenders in the market. So what are you waiting for? Start blending! 🙂
