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With 10 models to choose from, it can be challenging to figure out which is the best Vitamix blender for you. Really though, no matter which you pick, you should feel confident that you've got a good blender. Vitamix is the industry standard in professional kitchens (and our go-to blender in the Bon Appétit test kitchen).
Thanks to their powerful motors and sharp, stainless-steel blades, Vitamix blenders make the absolute creamiest soups and silkiest purées. They liquify greens so you can almost forget there’s kale in your smoothie. And those coarse foods that a regular blender can’t handle? Vitamix can make easy work out of grinding nuts for nut milk, crushing chickpeas into hummus, or even turning rice into rice flour.
While you can’t go wrong with any Vitamix model, we do have our favorites in the bunch. Ahead, discover what we think are the five best Vitamix blenders. We break down features and uses to help you decide which Vitamix is right for you. Read about them all or jump to the one that piques your interest right off the bat:
- Classic choice: Vitamix 5200 Legacy Series Blender
- Best starter: Vitamix E310 Explorian Series Blender
- Techy upgrade: A2300 Ascent Series Smart Blender
- Best all-out splurge: Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Smart Blender
- Most budget-friendly: Vitamix One
- Best handheld: Vitamix Immersion Blender
Best overall: Vitamix 5200 Blender
Features:
- Capacity: 64 fl. oz.
- Blending speeds: 10
- Weight: 10 lb., 9 oz.
- Dimensions: 20.5" x 8.75" x 7.25"
- Noise level: 84 decibels
- Colors: black, red, and white
- Warranty: 7 years
The 5200 is the standard, classic model, and it’s among the most popular within Vitamix’s Legacy Series. Here’s why we love it: First, its iconic, simple three-switch control panel makes it super easy to use. Second, the tall 64-ounce container works great for large batches of pesto, soup, or whatever you’re blending. And, most importantly, its variable speed controls give users precision while blending. If you want a no-frills, premium blender that’s extremely efficient and packs a ton of power—this one’s for you.
Best starter: Vitamix Explorian Blender
Features:
- Capacity: 48 fl. oz.
- Blending speeds: 10
- Weight: 10 lb., 6 oz.
- Dimensions: 11" x 8" x 17"
- Noise level: 84 decibels
- Colors: black, red, and slate
- Warranty: 5 years
On the more affordable side, you’ve got the E310 Vitamix model. Vitamix touts it as an introduction to high-performance, professional-grade blending. While not quite as powerful, it’s a lot like the 5200 blender, with a similar control panel and a 10-degree speed dial that offers precision. It can crush ice cubes and make creamy peanut butter in a flash, and its shorter, squatter 48-ounce container size is ideal for medium and small batches. The low profile container also makes for easier storage, whether it be on the kitchen countertop or in a kitchen cabinet. Associate food editor Kendra Vaculin considers the E310 Explorian the best Vitamix blender for home cooks.
Techy upgrade: A2300 Ascent Series Smart Blender
Features:
- Capacity: 64 fl. oz.
- Blending speeds: 10
- Weight: 11 lb., 14 oz.
- Dimensions: 7.25" x 20.5" x 8.75"
- Noise level: 72 decibels
- Colors: black, red, slate, and white
- Warranty: 10 years
If you're big on tech features, you'll love the Ascent series. The Ascent series houses Vitamix's highest performance blenders with advanced features like wireless connectivity and self-detect technology. The wireless connectivity allows you to control the Ascent models via the Vitamix app. The self-detect technology allows the machine to sense the container in use (for example, the Vitamix food processor attachment, an individual smoothie cup, the 64-ounce blending jar, etc.) and automatically adjusts its blending time to fit the container. It has variable speed control for precision blending and a pulse function for quick bursts of power. The A2300 is the most affordable blender in the Ascent lineup.
Best all-out splurge: Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Smart Blender
Features:
- Capacity: 64 fl. oz.
- Blending speeds: 10
- Weight: 10 lb., 6 oz.
- Dimensions: 8" x 11" x 17"
- Noise level: 69.8 decibels
- Colors: Black, red, slate, white, brushed stainless metal, black stainless metal, and copper stainless
- Warranty: 10 years
As mentioned above, the Vitamix Ascent Series blenders get an upgrade in both design and smart technology. The A3500 model is the top of the Ascent line. It has a sleek touchscreen control panel, built-in wireless connectivity, and five preprogrammed settings (for smoothies, hot soups, dips, frozen desserts, and cleaning). It has the distinction of being the quietest Vitamix blender out there (by a smidge), as well. This is our top pick for someone who wants all of the bells and whistles. Granted, it is the most expensive Vitamix blender on the market—and it gets even more pricey when you purchase one with a stainless-steel container.
Most affordable: Vitamix One
- Capacity: 32 fl. oz.
- Blending speeds: 1
- Weight: 6 lb., 4 oz.
- Dimensions: 8.12" x 7" x 16:"
- Noise level: 85 decibels
- Colors: Black
- Warranty: 2 years
If you’re blending needs don’t extend beyond the basics (think smoothies, sauces, purées, ice cream, baby food, dressings, dips), then the Vitamix One is well worth considering. It’s an all-star at standard blending tasks and has outshined other standard personal blenders when we’ve tested them side by side. That being said, the Vitamix One is not a professional-grade blender. It has less horsepower than the above models and isn’t meant to be used for making hot soups, nut butters or grinding tough ingredients. But if you don’t need these functions and are looking for the most affordable Vitamix, this is the way to go (plus, you can often find it on sale).
Best handheld: Vitamix Immersion Blender
- Blending speeds: 5
- Weight: 2 lb., 9 oz.
- Dimensions: 18" x 3" x 3"
- Color: Stainless steel
- Warranty: 3 years
If you’re short on storage space, we recommend Vitamix’s immersion blender. While it will never be as powerful or thorough as a traditional countertop blender, it’s fine for small jobs like making salsa, liquifying a can of whole tomatoes, blending single-serving smoothies or milkshakes, or puréeing rehydrated chiles. And when it comes to hot soups, immersion blenders are actually the more convenient choice: Instead of ladling the hot soup into a blender bowl, you can stick the immersion blender right in the pot, hassle-free.
Do you need a Vitamix?
A Vitamix blender is undoubtedly powerful and versatile, but if you’re the type of cook who breaks out your blender only once in a while for relatively straightforward tasks like smoothies or salad dressings, it might not be a worthwhile investment for you. Whether you’re in the market for your first blender or thinking about upgrading your current machine, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you often find yourself not making a recipe because it calls for a blender, or, if you already have a blender, being disappointed by the results?
- If you have a blender, are you using it every day? If you don’t have one yet, do you expect to use it almost daily? Do you know no other breakfast than a morning smoothie?
- And in addition to those daily smoothies, can you see yourself using a blender for a wide range of other uses, like blitzing ice for frozen margaritas or more advanced tasks like making almond flour?
- Are you a texture perfectionist? Is a rogue lump in your butternut squash soup absolutely unwelcome?
- Do you have a food processor? Or do you need your blender to pull double duty on heavier tasks like making nut butters and veggie burgers?
If you answered “Yes, yes, a thousand times yes,” to even a couple of these questions, it’s high time to invest in a Vitamix.
How much will a Vitamix blender cost you?
Vitamix blenders have price points from $200–$600. Regardless of the model, however, each one is an incredibly durable, high-quality kitchen appliance that we would consider an “investment piece,” and most of them come with five- to 10-year warranties.
Vitamix also sells certified reconditioned Vitamix blenders with three- to five-year warranties; not only do these used machines come at a reduced price, but since you’re not buying new, they have a smaller environmental footprint too.
How do I clean my Vitamix?
Vitamix blender containers are typically not dishwasher-safe, but they are easy to clean. No special products are required—simply add a drop of dish soap and warm water to the container. If your Vitamix has a clean setting, select it. If not, run it at the machine’s lowest speed for 30–60 seconds. After that, pour it out and rinse thoroughly. Let it air-dry upside down, and you’ve got yourself a squeaky clean container.