On the more affordable side, you’ve got the E310 Vitamix model, which is currently the only blender in the Explorian Series. 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-oz. 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 is the best Vitamix blender for home cooks.
Features:
- Capacity: 64 fl. oz.
- Blending speeds: 10
- Weight: 10 lb., 6 oz.
- Noise level: 69.8 decibels
- Colors: Black, red, slate, white, brushed stainless metal, black stainless metal, and copper stainless
- Warranty: 10 years
Vitamix Ascent Series blenders get an upgrade in both design and smart technology. With a sleek touchscreen control panel, built-in wireless connectivity, and five preprogrammed settings (for smoothies, hot soups, dips, frozen desserts, and cleaning), the A3500 Ascent model is the most expensive Vitamix blender on the market—and it gets even more pricey when you purchase one with a stainless-steel container. This is our top pick for someone who wants all of the bells and whistles.
- Capacity: 32 fl. oz.
- Blending speeds: 1
- Weight: 6 lb., 4 oz.
- 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, etc.), 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).
- Blending speeds: 5
- Weight: 2 lb., 9 oz.
- 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 fast 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: