In these current times, Amazon is not exactly the best place to order most things. But Vitamix’s direct prices match Amazon’s on the refurbished Vitamix model that I have, AND you get free shipping if you shop through links on my site. So, I’m giving this post (originally published in 2014) a fresh bump to get the new info out.
Those of you with eagle eyes have seen a Vitamix show up in some of my kitchen pictures.
I haven’t posted about it, but it is true: I finally forked over the cash for one.
I waited until now to review it because I wanted to be able to give an experienced opinion, rather than a just-out-of-the-box opinion.
As many of you know, I hemmed and hawed over a blender purchase for several years.
The blender I had before the Vitamix was a $40 blender which had a pretty major design flaw…the teeth on the bottom gears were made of plastic.
(Seriously????)
I replaced the bottom part of the blender eventually, but the new teeth started to break off too.
Plus, that blender had some struggles when I loaded it up with frozen fruit, so I was starting to get kind of annoyed.
My main goal in buying a blender was to purchase one that would last.
I really, really hate buying things that will need to be replaced in short order, and I try to apply the, “Could this be an heirloom?” mindset whenever I’m faced with a purchase.
I use a blender to make smoothies multiple times a week (sometimes daily in the summer!) so I needed something that could stand up to more than just occasional usage.
So, I pretty much wrote off the whole lineup of cheap blenders, which meant I was left looking at Blendtec and Vitamix blenders.
Vitamix vs. Blendtec
Honestly, I think the two blenders are both pretty great pieces of machinery and I’d probably have been totally happy with either option. A couple of things tipped me slightly toward the Vitamix, though, despite its higher cost.
-Cook’s Illustrated liked the Vitamix better.
They tested the two side by side and said the Vitamix did a better job of crushing ice and complained that the Blendtec design created air pockets (which kept things from being blended evenly).
-The Vitamix comes with a tamper.
If you put tons of frozen stuff into a blender, it’s easy for it to get sort of stuck (especially if you make the mistake of leaving liquid and frozen fruit in the blender for a few minutes before turning it on!).
To solve this problem, the Vitamix has a great tamper which allows you to push on the blender contents without removing the lid.
The tamper is designed so that it’s impossible to jam it into the blades, as long as you use it through the opening in the lid.
-The Vitamix design is less complicated.
Mine just has a dial and an on/off lever, whereas the Blendtec has fancier pre-programmed settings.
I’m not saying those would be awful to have (!), but I feel fairly sure that a basic design will last longer. There are just fewer things that can go wrong when you have a simple design.
-The Vitamix warranty is a little bit better.
The Blendtec warranty is a limited warranty, whereas the Vitamix warranty covers full use of the machine. This gives me a little bit more confidence in the build quality of the Vitamix.
How is the performance?
Upsides
- The Vitamix powers through frozen fruit and ice with no problems at all and it blends up greens for green smoothies far better than my old blender. The old blender always left small flecks of spinach in my smoothies, but with the Vitamix, my smoothies are, well, smooth.So, thumbs up for that!
- I love love love love love the tamper tool. It sits on the lid of the Vitamix and has a lip that prevents you from inserting it too far, which means you can tamp away with no fear of reaching the blade.
Downsides
- The Vitamix is really noisy, but it’s not like I generally make smoothies while someone in the house is sleeping, so this is not a big deal to me.
- The jar I have is very tall, which means I have to store the base and the jar separately. Again, not a huge deal to me personally, but if you were wanting to keep this out on the counter underneath your cabinets, this might be a problem for you. Vitamix does make a newer model with a shorter jar, but I’ve read that it doesn’t work as well as the model with the taller jar.
Note: The Vitamix is marketed as a grain grinder, a hot soup maker, and several other things, but I bought it to use as a blender and that’s pretty much it. In my experience, when appliances try to multitask beyond their main purpose, they don’t actually do an awesome job.
I have a grain grinder, and it’s super easy to heat up soup on the stove, so I don’t really need to use my Vitamix for these non-blending tasks.
Is it worth the price?
I paid a little over $300 for my Vitamix at Costco, and if it lasts me even 15 years, it will cost me $23 a year, which seems completely reasonable to me.
A $40 blender replaced every three years would cost me $13 a year. ‘
Or a $100 blender replaced every five years would put my annual rate at $20, which is almost the same as the Vitamix!
I’d really rather buy one awesome blender that will last a long time so that I don’t have to keep throwing away cheap blenders.
Also, I will not be at all surprised if my Vitamix lasts longer than 15 years, and in that case, the annual cost will be even more reasonable. As of the year 2020, I’m already almost at year 8.
Could I buy a cheaper blender that would last a long time?
It’s theoretically possible, but I wanted to be SURE that what I bought would last, and the fact that I see these in smoothie shops made me feel pretty confident about their performance and staying power.
Where to Buy
Refurbished Vitamixes
You can buy straight from Vitamix, and at the time of this writing, you can get a refurbed 5200 for $329.
This is a really good price, and since Amazon is a little slow right now, this is probably the fastest way to get a Vitamix.
Plus, you get free shipping when you buy from Vitamix through the links in this post.
(albeit slow!)
You can find Vitamix 5200s on eBay
, although the price of them obviously varies, depending on what listings are up at the moment. Check prices there and compare to Amazon and Vitamix to make sure you’re not overpaying.
Brand New
Straight from Vitamix, the brand new 5200 is selling for $379, which is a pretty good price, and you get free shipping through that link.
On Amazon, the Vitamix 5200 Series Blender
is currently selling for the same price as the Vitamix manufacturer.
So, the refurbished model will save you about $70, which is nothing to sneeze at.
Costco
Sadly, Costco does not currently carry the 5200 online or in stores. They have the newer, shorter model, but I’d hesitate to buy that one based on what I’ve read.
________________
Phew! I think that’s quite enough talk from me about my blender for one day.
Are any of you Vitamix owners? Or do you have a Blendtec or another blender that you love?
________________
P.S. I bought the blender with my own money and this post is not sponsored.
P.P.S. Are you trying to decide if a Ninja or a Vitamix is better? I wrote a Ninja vs. Vitamix post, with photos of the designs of both.
Devin says
DONT BUY VITAMIX! I just bought a Vitamix A3500 and in two days its stopped blending anything. In total I successfully made like 4 smoothies before it refused to blend anything. As soon as I put anything in (simple stuff like some frozen strawberries and bananas) the motor runs its ass off but the blade doesn’t spin at all. Its broken internally. So my take is I would never buy a Vitamix again, its a huge hassle and waste of time, now I have to return it to Williams Sonoma. Plus I wasted a bunch of organic food. Its a lot of hype and marketing around a poor quality product.
Frank says
I just bought a Vitamix E 10 2/21. Tried one recipe
Banana Bread. It could not mix it. Tried tamping — no luck.
Dumped it out smashed banana with potato masher, dumped it
back in no luck no mixing. Poured it out put water in.
The blade is not turning. Product will be returned. Piece of junk
with ZERO QUALITY CONTROL!!
Devin says
Dude me too! Like literally the same thing! I just posted right above you!
Alan says
I bought a Vitamin 5200 brand new. After a few times of use, it started to smell of ozone (that burnt electrical smell from hot electrical components.) The motor started cutting out on the built in overload. Finally it was just unusable. I called the company and the lady on the phone was rather rude. She asked “did you watch the dvd that came with it?” I’m like, “No, not many people use dvd’s anymore, even my computer doesn’t have a slot for one.” (They could easily just print some directions like every other company on Earth does.) She informed me that you can’t leave the blender on the variable speed because the motor would overheat, and that the fan only kicks on at high speed. I’m thinking, then why put this option on there in the first place? What if you don’t want to completely puree something?” They did put a new motor in under warranty. I’ve used the new motor about 10 times, making smoothies each time. I followed their directions, turning it to high speed right away. However, the same problem is starting again, the thermal overload turned off the motor. Now you’re waiting a half an hour for it to reset. I’m thinking that if you drop $500 on a blender, you should be able to run it on “low” or “variable” speed all day long and not have a problem. When it finally completely dies, which will be in about another 5 uses, it’s just going into the garbage, I’m not fixing it again, it’s just not worth the hassle. I have no idea what I’m going to replace it with. Caveat emptor folks.
Ratsamy says
I brought Vitamix 5200 from EBay for a base motor for $60 and new tamper, container and blade jar for only $30 and including shipping and handling and I love it!!!. It’s a second hand and it’s work very good still and I can’t complaint . I got this few years ago. ❤️❤️❤️
Kathleen Moore says
I bought one 2 years ago. Paid a ton for it not because a cheap blender wouldn’t work but because I wanted it to last. The only thing I’ve ever used it for was a smoothie. It did not overheat. It just died.
Karen says
I’ve been searching for a Vitamix when I came across your very informative review. In the article it said if you go directly to Vitamix you can buy the 5200 for $399.00 brand new. I tapped the link provided and could not see it for that price. Is this an old article?
Kristen says
I wrote this in May of this year, but Vitamix is probably having supply issues due to Covid. I do see this one for $379, though: https://www.vitamix.com/us/en_us/Shop/Certified-Reconditioned-Standard-Programs?referer_st=standard&sc=site
Julie Cook says
I did tons of research on so many things before I ended up buying my Vitamix, & now that I have, I super, super, super , love it. Yes, to the point about the loudness, It goes on high and it’s loud, but it’s a machine, but it turns a fan on so that it doesn’t blow the motor. Genius! So totally OK with me. They do however have the commercial line where you could get one that has a a built on cover to eliminate the noise. They carry a line that’s programmable & automatic, it’s called the ASCENT line, which is what I have, and I love it. They did make a new lid, and although I like the old little better in a way, there was insight in developing the new lid where it snaps into place and you’re sure it’s on tight and right! And yes it does make grains and soups, which I wouldn’t normally need to do in a blender but because it’s so efficient it does it beautifully and smoothly just like it does smoothies. It also makes the best whip cream you’ll ever taste. It now too has interchangeable pieces that are smaller. A few 8oz cups & a 20 smoothie size to go cup, that actually can sit on the blender, on a power blade so no having to switch containers on your way out. And the warranty is on EVERY part of the blender, for a FULL 10 YEARS! Now this is a company that didn’t make junk & that stands behind its products! Oh, and if you buy directly from Vitamix, you get points to buy other fun new things like the new FOOD PROCESSOR, and soon to be the IMMERSION BLENDER, coming out in October 2020. So it’s worth every penny.
Truly. The best blender/machine/purchase I have ever made. I wish Vitamix made other things, cars, beds, computer’s…seems they would do it right!! And if I haven’t said it yet…I LOVE MY VITAMIX!
Wendy says
The Vitamix is the best …..Its a joy in the kitchen.
I LOVE MINE. Best buy ever.
Rockin' Kat says
I have a blendtec that my parents bought sometime around 2007. I will never ever buy one of their products.
This unit was not a super frequent use item. Every blendtec shows the number of uses at boot up. This thing has 284 uses for all that time.
I went to use it a few weeks ago to find that the jar had developed a leak. So I looked online, Blendtec jars are rather expensive so I decided to email them asking about parts for the existing jar. What I got back was a message that the new jars won’t even fit my older model blender and an offer to trade in my existing blendtec home blender for $70 off a new one(an offer that often won’t be as good as just buying a unit off Amazon)
My reaction was to dig deep into the cabinets and dig out my parents’ old Avocado green Osterizer Imperial that they had shelved because ooh, the blendtec can make hot soups, whoopie. While it’s never needed any new parts, I can get a new jar for $18 but I can also get new blade with gasket for $7.
If I ever decide to buy a new premium branded blender, it sure won’t be a Blendtec as I expect better parts service on something that expensive.
Honestly though, I’ll probably just go back on the secondhand market and buy something old instead.
Blendtec says
Hello Rockin’ Kat’
BLENDTEC has the longest and best warranties in the industry.
For over 20 years Blendtec warranties range from 8 years to 10 years. Vita mix warranty’s for the last 20 years have been seven years on most models but recently went to 10 years on a high-end model. Our blades and couplings have a lifetime warranty. Vita mix has a history of broken blade recalls.
All you need to do is share your serial number with BLENDTEC customer service and they will send you the very latest wild side jar, the same that used in Jamba Juice and other commercial establishments. The wild side jar design is the one that vita mix copied from BLENDTEC because they could not compete commercially. Vita mix made the wild side jar only to fit on commercial blenders, not residential.
Vita mix had to use a plunger which wouldn’t go over too well with Häagen-Dazs Ben & Jerry’s, Baskin Robbins, Starbucks, Jamba Juice and other accounts that BLENDTEC had. By stealing my invention vita mix was able to grow into over 100 countries around the world and do hundreds of millions of dollars in sales using my wild side jar invention.
A federal court judge and jury found vita mix guilty of willful patent infringement and awarded Blendtec over $24 million and enjoined vita mix from using the wild side jar design. Blendtec was the first to use sound enclosures, program cycle, unbreakable blunt blades, ball bearings in blender jars and Motors and soon to introduce vacuum blending systems that will use the wild side jar and be adaptable to both Vitamix and BLENDTEC blenders. BLENDTEC has the quietest (Stealth), most reliable, most efficient and easiest to clean blenders in the world. Unlike vita mix Chinese made Motors, BLENDTEC motors are made in the USA and Account for 14% of the Chinese high-end market where no other Blender including Vitamix even has 5% of the Chinese market.
Anyone who truly does the research will come to the conclusion that BLENDTEC is the best value in both home and commercial blenders.
Vita mix is the best marketing company, BLENDTEC is the best engineering company.
All the best,
Tom Dickson
CEO BLENDTEC
J says
I have a blenteck it sucks, needs better blades
Love the vitamix
Tony says
I used to sell Vitamix’s when I owned a vitamin store. I bought one for myself about 25 years ago (the Total Nutrition Center) and use it pretty much every day for my super smoothie. Still running fine. I’m thinking of buying a second used one as a back-up just in case this one every stops working – don’t want to miss out on those smoothies! On occasion I have used it as a juicer – you just need a strainer bag (they used to sell those).
Bob says
Hi Tony .
I own a vita mix 5000 nutrition center as well.For twenty-four year’s I have made smoothies with it four days per week.
In addition , I have worn out two 64 oz. containers.
I have since found out that the current replacement container price is 149.95 ( part #060865 ) ( the blade assembly is no longer sold alone by the manufacturers) I would like to save a few dollars by replacing the blade assembly instead if I can find a replacement) Have you ever replaced the blade assembly and if you have can you please share the part number and supply source ?
‘Thanks,
Bob
John Grey says
I have lost a ‘Foot’ on my blender AND the tamper when I moved …. I contacted Vita Mix and they replaced BOTH parts for free !!!! But they also knew I was responsible for a lot of sales , so they worked with me . Good luck , John
John Grey says
Thank you for this wonderful site . Like you , I am frugal with my hard earned cash and had said I wouldn’t pay $300.00 for a new refrigerator and so needless to say considering the vita mix was a stretch but I sprung for it and Never looked back !!! 20 years later and it’s still kicking but I am ready for a trade it .THAT to say , the Vita Mix blender is the best thing that has happened to me , I do raw vegetable juicing weekly and no doubt attributes to my excellent health . Thank you for your research on this product .
Elizabeth says
I love my vitamix and miss it so much. It needs a new socket driver. I have purchased 2 from Amazon. They did NOT fit. I tried Vitamix replacement parts. All they deal in is commericial mixers. What the hack? Where can I purchase socket driver that will work in my vitamix 5200???
Kristen says
Boy, I’m not sure! I’d give Vitamix’s customer service number a call to see what they recommend.
Tony says
You should be able to Google that. I think a place named Katom sells them. So that they last longer don’t start the Vitamix on high speed. Since I stopped doing that, the socket drive has lasted a very long time. Big difference.
Hi There! says
There are advantages to the wider, shorter container. As long as you are using enough ingredients it will tend to do a slightly better job busting up ingredients quicker than the models with the shorter blades. 4 inch blades mean more cutting surface and faster blade velocity at the edges vs the 3 inch blades. See the apple test.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsb55w_n1dU
Sohid says
After reading your review I bought a vitamix blender. This blender is really nice.
EngineerMom says
Just a note on soups – I’ve found my Vitamix to be very helpful when blending soups, like sweet potato or pumpkin-peanut soup. I have a really good stick blender that I usually use for blending soup, but when I want a really silky-smooth texture, cleaning out the Vitamix afterwards is completely worth it.
However, I’ve struggled with the blending for smoothies – mine seems to leave one or two large chunks of whatever the frozen thing was (frozen fruit, ice, etc.). I think I have the shorter/squatter jar, though.
Kristen says
Do you the the tamper with your Vitamix? That really helps me.
Also, I try to put the non-frozen ingredients in first (yogurt, a banana, etc.) and get that blended up before I add chunks of frozen fruit. That seems to help things not get stuck.
I’ve never tried the shorter jar, though…so maybe that is the issue?
Debbie says
I’d love to know what model stick blender you have. Thanks!
Macy says
I just placed an order for a refurbished 5200. Thanks for the free shipping!
Kristen says
Yay! I hope you love yours.
Alissa says
I totally agree with everything you said. You bought the exact model I’d recommend to people too if they want the best vitamix for the most budget conscious price. I was gifted one so I can’t complain. I have the shorter wider blending container and there are all sorts of “programs.” You can do all the same things with yours! I get unblended chunks in my smoothies due to the wide container, I’ve combated that a bit with pulsing a few times (I can’t use the smoothie program…). My biggest beef with the wide container is that it doesn’t do small quantities well, it needs to be 2+cups. My must have feature is the variable speed. I love the really low speed for chopping things like roasted salsa. I have tried grinding wheat but it’s coarse, stick with the primary function the device was designed for!
Kristen says
Yep, that’s what I’ve heard about the wider container…it’s not as good for small quantities. I can blend really small amounts of stuff in mine because the base is so tiny.
But hey, you were gifted a Vitamix and that is awesome. I wouldn’t worry about the wider container either if I were you.
Amy B. says
I have the shorter Vitamix and I love it! Don’t notice any problems with blending, but I also haven’t ever owned the tall one, so can’t compare.
Linda says
I thought you always had a Vitamix blender??? What were you using that fooled me all these years?
Kristen says
I bought mine some years ago; I wrote the original post about 1.5 years after purchasing it. I just updated the post with fresh links from Vitamin; you can see the italicized words at the top of the post explaining that it’s a refreshed post.
I wanted people to have the updated purchasing options from Vitamix, along with the free shipping offer.
dawn says
Tip for your dairy free girl… we make banana ice cream in our vitamix- use cut up frozen bananas and blend away. We like to add peanuts for peanutbutter banana. I’ve also done combo of banana and strawberry. Just frozen fruit. Need the tamper and it’s a work out. But worth it. Yumm. (1/2 to 2/3 full is the max i like to fill the container when doing this.)
Kristen says
Oh yes, I love banana ice cream. So yummy!
Unfortunately….Sonia is allergic to bananas.
This is why I keep running into trouble trying to feed her, because so many times the subs for an allergenic food just involved another allergenic food for her.
For instance, a lot of subs for dairy involve nuts, but Sonia is allergic to nuts.
I am very lucky that she is not allergic to coconut, so that has given us a lot more options to replace dairy with!
Melanie says
My parents bought a silver (I don’t know the model) VitaMix from the fair in the mid 70s. My brother made a lot of shakes and smoothies as we grew up. My mom still has it.
I found a VitaMix 5000 at Goodwill in 2014 for $20. I ordered a tamper for $10 on eBay.
One of my best thrift store treasures!
Kristen says
My goodness, what an amazing Goodwill find!
Gretchen Weaver says
I tried the Vita Mixer more than 40 years ago. I don’t remember what I had in the mixer but when my husband came in the house, he asked if I had a hammer mill in there, the mixer was so loud! I couldn’t stand the noise, I boxed that thing up and sent it back.
20+ years ago, I purchased a Bosch mixer that had a blender with it. I love this blender, metal parts and I love the mixer too. I’ve never regretted sending the Vita Mixer back.
Kristen says
Haha, that’s amazing. I wonder if the newer ones are quieter; it would be interesting to compare.
Randi Macdonald says
I bought the same vitamix you have in 2010 from QVC. I lost the tamper( I think a housekeeper threw it out) and recently bought a generic tamper on Amazon. I love the vitamix. I remember the first smoothie I made in it, I threw a piece of broccoli in it. My spouse took one sniff and smelled it right away. She refused to drink it. LOL.
Kristen says
So did the broccoli actually taste bad? I throw spinach in mine and it’s fine, but broccoli is so strong!
Jenni says
My Vitamix is one of the best purchases I’ve made. Yes, it was expensive. Yes, it’s excellent quality and will last a long time. Yes, it blends ice like nothing. Totally worth it.
Christina @ BargainBlog says
Ooh la la! The beautiful Vitamix. We used to sell these at the posh kitchen store I used to work at. No one EVER was disappointed in their purchase. It’s pricey for sure, but well worth each and every penny invested. It’s not like a regular blender at all, it’s just so much more powerful.
I got to bring one home to try. It efficiently ground brown rice into brown rice flour!! (Which was awesome for me, since I eat gluten free and use rice flour in baking.) And, you could pop whole fruits into a smoothie, and it just pulverized it. I was pretty amazed by it.
Sarah Gadow says
I received a vitamix about 10 years ago. We still use it regularly (weekly) and it still works great! We use it for smoothies, crushed ice, making soups and oat flour multiple times. I’ve also made peanut butter, but I found that my food processor works better for this. I always recommend a vitimix (if within budget) because it’s the only blender we’ve had that’s lasted for more than 1 year.
Stephanie says
DROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL. I have wanted a Vitamix for SO long- I’ve researched and have come to the same conclusions as you, it’s the superior brand- but it’s just not been in the budget, so I will continue to live vicariously through posts like this!
Karen says
We bought a refurbished Vitamix 6 years ago – it was STILL very pricey. My husband makes smoothies every day for breakfast, I make hummus (the smoothest I have ever made), I’ve made sorbet and, yes, even a potato soup. I was against this purchase due to the cost (even refurbished they are expensive) but this has definitely been worth it!
Rose says
I use a 1957 blender for my blending needs, but I’ve been thinking about a Thermomix.
Harriet says
Are you in Australia? I’ve read about Thermomix on cooking blogs. Fascinating, do-all machines. I wonder why they haven’t been introduced here.
Heather says
They have come here but they are VERY expensive and I’ve heard very mixed reviews. They sell like Tupperware, through home parties and home-based reps. I know they were opening a few brick-and-mortar stores a couple of years ago, but not sure if they did. I used to work for Vitamix, and am therefore a bit biased (even though my position was eliminated, my love for the product lives on forever!), but I would still recommend a Vitamix blender over any other if you will use it for its multifunctionality. If you only want to make smoothies, you can get cheaper machines but they will likely need to be replaced way before a Vitamix.
Nan says
How apropos! About a week ago I told my daughter to order herself a Vitamix on me. She makes smoothies daily. and her wedding gift blender was leaking. She ordered and I paid $300 snd change. Yesterday she called and told me she made frozen yogurt with it. My pleasure- I still work at age 72+ and like to treat my kids and grands. I have no desire for one myself but I knew she’d appreciate it and not spend the money herself.
WilliamB says
I wanted to provide an update to my 2014 post about my Breville blender. TL; DNR: held up reasonably well and great customer service when it didn’t.
The Breville blender started losing power after a couple of years. Given the nature of the problem, I could either pay for a fix or buy a new one. After some conversation with a helpful CS rep, I paid the $70 and sent them my base (they told me to keep the jar). In return I got a reburbished Breville, another blender jar, and the warranty was extended another few years. When that one had some problems, Breville sent me a new, upgraded blender. Since my old blender jars didn’t fit the new base, Breville sent me an extra jar as well. That one has held up great for about 4 years and counting.
So for $70, I got a new, upgraded blender and extra jar. The jar alone cost about $70.
PS: the upgraded model comes with a tamper as well.
Lindsey says
Thank you for such a comprehensive report!
Kaitlin says
We are owners of a vitamix and use it daily, initally for green smoothies, then for making baby food, and now for pureeing foods to a perfectly smooth consistency for my son’s g-tube. We have the same model as Kristen, and after 8 years it doesn’t seem like it has aged at all.
We have made soup, sorbet, sauces, and confectioner’s sugar from granulated sugar without any problem at all. We’ve milled pearl barley with it just fine. We tried grinding our own peanuts for peanut butter, and I think that was a bit much for the machine possibly because we didn’t add much, if any, oil.
The only downside is the volume, but the power that causes the volume is worth the nuisance (I honestly don’t know what we’d do without it considering it helps us to feed our son without having to deal with chunky food plugging the tube and the resulting misery of having to shot water forceably through the tube to unplug it). That said, we require our children to leave the room when we use it because of a recommendation from an audiologist saying that repeated exposure to that amount of noise can cause ear damage, and we already have hearing problems in 2/3 of our kids.
Blendtec wasn’t an option where we lived when we bought the blender, so we can’t compare with that. Overall we love our Vitamix and don’t plan on giving it up for any reason.
Lee Oliphant says
I bought a Vitamix 5200 three or four years ago and I use it regularly. Recently I was looking at it and I noticed a couple of cracks in the blade base. I phoned Vitamix and the woman I spoke to got me to do a couple of tests on the machine and she said, “send it back”. She e-mailed me a packing label, told me what to pack and said I would have it back in around 15 days and she wasn’t kidding. I got it back in the allotted time and it is like new. What great customer service, thank you Vitamix!!
Kristi Hawes says
This is truly a ripoff by Vitamix and the lawyers. They sent me a notice for me to choose between the blade or a $70 gift card for Vitamix products telling me there was nothing harmful about the blade. Only after it was too late to do anything about it was I told you could only use the card for a new blender or container, both costing many times more than the $70 gift card. Why do I need something I already have? I then told them I wanted the blade instead but they refused so I told them I wanted a full refund for the faulty blender or the info to contact the court or judge to tell them Vitamix and lawyers were not standing up to their side of the agreement and they have refused to give me the info after many requests. I will never buy another Vitamix product and will tell everyone I know what a ripoff company they are.
Michelle says
I also have a vintage Osterizer that my grandparents gave to me 30 years ago. They had it since the early 70’s. It has 8 speeds on it, and weighs a ton, but it had eventualy started to decline in power a few years ago, so I went through 2 $30-$40 blenders that I purchased at Walmart, each only aggravatingly lasting only a few months, and not ever having the power that the Osterizer had, so I knew I had to cough of the money for a high end blender, and after much research, was eying the Vitamix. I made the score of all scores at Sam’s club last year, when they were changing out their display model. It was only missing the box and the tamper, but had it’s book and registration cards. I scored it for $198, and I bought he tamper on Amazon for $10!!! I am a very happy camper now!
Eddie says
We still have the cheap Oster blender we bought at Sears about, oh 10 years ago, maybe longer. I don’t remember what it costs, but I’m sure it was less than $30 and probably less than $20 knowing me. I’m sure it was on sale. It works great and jar is made of real thick glass. We use it mostly for pureeing soups and sauces (and it works fantastic for that), not so much for smoothies, but it’s always manged to work good no matter what we’ve thrown at it.
I could not in good conscious ever imagine paying $300-$500 for a blender, I cannot imagine why someone would through away that kind of money like that unless you own a restaurant and it’s helping you make money. Then again some people pay $150 for a Snap-On ratchet instead of a $12 one that is made as good and will last as long. People are strange like that. More power to them…
SoCalif MBA says
I got us a Vitamix 7500 (low profile) on QVC for Christmas this year (2017) and took advantage of the 6 pay option. It included the 64 ounce wet container & 32 ouz dry container (all for $399). So far, it works great! I even bought a 32 ounce wet container off Amazon Warehouse Deals (saved me $30 going through AWD).
The other plus with Vitamix is that it is still made in the U.S.! Still family owned & operated.
I don’t know where Blendtec is made.
I never had a Vitamix before, nor did my family when I was growing up. I do remember seeing their commercials & magazine ads, but I knew they were expensive and I just couldn’t fit it into my budget. At the time, I also didn’t fully understand the importance of “whole food”, like I do know.
Interesting thing there,
This month, after using our 7500 for a couple of weeks, I was looking on amazon & ebay for accessories, recipe binders, etc and stumbled upon a brand new, unused vintage Vitamix 3600 on ebay…still in the original box! (the seller took it out of the box for photos).
It had just been listed on ebay and it was a buy it now. I couldn’t resist…I had to get it. It was just over $200, which is about 1/2 of what it was when it originally sold…in the late 70’s – 80’s.
Very used Vitamix machines were going for near that amount on ebay.
I’m waiting for it to arrive.
Donna Kudzman says
I never use a food processor, the chopping is not even enough I find, and I really can’t find any other use for it. Small Tupperware manual chopper for a quick onion etc if not hand chopping. LOVE my immersion blender for everything in container like soups, hand mixer and that’s my main tools. I do have a Ninja blender for smoothies, very difficult to clean, so thinking of Vitamix for that. My Amex points are almost there for a free one.
Brian says
This is the most overhyped, overpriced, useless appliance since the iPhone, and obviously inspires the same cultlike devotion as Apple products. I bought this specifically to use with Dr. Fuhrman’s recipes, and almost none of them work in it in the quantities he specifies. Trying to puree lentils, make hummus, etc., most of the food winds up packed under the blades, the remainder turns to dust. Ditto for nut butters. It’s a 64-ounce carafe, and I’m told by Vitamix I need to fill it halfway to make anything work in it. Well, that’s great for a family of five, but I live alone, and I really don’t need to make a half-gallon of peanut butter at a time. This thing not only takes up acres of valuable cabinet and counter space in my small kitchen, but like most blenders it’s a royal pain to clean; I have to spend twenty minutes digging gunk out from around the blades enough to get it to clean itself with a half-gallon of water and soap. Because of this trouble, I never use it. My $7 crockpot and $80 Instant Pot get used every other day.
Oh, and I called Vitamix to try to return it within 30 days of receiving it – but just after 30 days from ordering it. They adamantly refused to accept a return.
This is going straight to Craigslist, and I can only hope I find some deluded Vitamix groupie to reimburse me for it’s ridiculous price.
Harriet says
Consider buying a Ninja. Well, several companies now make high-powered, “personal” sized blenders. I rarely use my Blendtec now that I live alone.
Chris says
I’ve had theVitamix 5200 for 10 years now. It is well worth the cost. The difference between this blender and other mid-high end is that it truly blends and purees. When making smoothies or soups, I’m able to include seeds, skins, etc. and every bit is pureed. As mentioned before it really does make beautiful hummus and dices well. Takes a few time to figure out how to dice instead of smash and puree. Clean up is easier than any other appliances. This will be going with our son to college next year for clean and healthy smoothies, soups and protein mixes he can use to make uncooked fruit/nut bars. I have so many other appliances that I’ve given away over the years. When this one goes to college…I’ll buy another.
Gary Stamey says
We’ve been using the same VitaMix for nearly 25 years, it’s bulletproof and ALWAYS does a great job.
We live on two green smoothies per day, then eat a HIGH FAT/LOW CARB meal for either lunch or dinner, depending on what we want to eat that day.
We’ve BOTH lost 50+lbs and kept it off for the last FIVE years!
We’ll never quit eating/drinking our green smoothies, going Keto and using our VitaMix!
Jason says
We’ve been using our Vitamix blender for about 10 years now and it’s still going strong, Kristen — they’re workhorses and are definitely a solid investment.
I’m not sure if you knew this or not, but the company now offers interest-free financing which is awesome for people who want to break up the initial hit to the pocketbook (and it’s a far more frugal option than sticking it on a credit card and making payments).
Happy blending!
J says
Seeing as vitamix is from 1921 and blendtec from 1976, who copied who Craig…..
Jane Grates says
Hi there,
Recently, Vitamix joined forces with the Culinary Institute of America to create the CIA Professional Series. And these blenders are actually one of the only blenders that is trusted by the CIA to train the next generation of professional chefs. Though prices might be hefty but I think its all worth every cents we pay.
Janna says
Hey guys, Vitamix has the new ascent series out. I decided to go with that series because in my opinion its the best bang for your buck. Obviously, they are so new that no one can attest to their durability but I’m willing to take the chance. They are the newest technology, longest warranty, and more cost conscious than some of the older models. Anyway, I was able to pre-order one from JLHufford with a 5% discount, free shipping, and no sales tax. They should get them in next week for shipment. Super excited to receive mine!
Ann says
Thanks to your article and the many comments. I’m sold of finding the right Vitamix for me and my family. I have a juicer and love the consistency of the juice but it strips the skin off, taking a lot of fiber found in the skin of some fruit and veggies away. I prefer not to chew my smoothies. Does the Vitamix grind the skin of fruit and veggies well enough for a juice consistency?
Kristen says
Yep, the Vitamix will liquefy things like apple peels, peach peels, orange pith, and so on.
Craig says
I recently bought the blendtec and would never look back. It replaced a cheap oster that I’d had for a few years. One of the things that’s great about Blendtec is that you don’t NEED a tamper. The blender just easily devours everything you put into it. All I do is hit a button and walk away, and my smoothie is done, so hailing the tamper as a great feature seems a little bizarre to me.
I also think that Blendtec as a company is an innovator, whereas Vitamix has done nothing but copy them for years. They even got caught for it in 2006, and lost a $24MM patent infringement case. Isn’t it also ironic that some of the things that were shortcomings of the Vitamix (IE, being WAY too tall, and not having automated controls), were alleviated as time went on, AFTER they’d already been present on the blendtec models.
J says
I would find it very difficult to believe that vitamx always copying blendtec as vitamix has been in business since 1921, blendtec since 1976.. so exactly who copied who ???? One lawsuit does not justify such a blasphemous statement due to you loving your blendtec.
Manny H. says
We recently purchased a refurbished 5300 Vitamix from the manufacturer, paid the extra 75.00 dollars to extend the warranty an additional 3 years making the total coverage 8 years. My wife and I love this blender and couldnt imagine ourselves without it. No more Jamba Juice for our family we can make it ourselves, without the juice concentrate. Loved your article keep up the good work oh and FYI I share your information with my wife and it makes me sound more knowledgeable then I really am so a big THANK YOU.
Kristen says
Yay! So glad you love it.
Barb says
My friend has a Vitamix and told me to try making applesauce with hers bc they fell in love with the new taste. I did and I’m hooked!!! Super easy. It’s incredibly smooth and delightful. Add apples and sugar (if needed) and blend 2 quarts at a time. The neat thing is you only core them, so all the nutrients in the peelings stay in the sauce. I’m definitely interested in one…
Kathy in TX says
I’m a little late to this party, but glad I found this discussion. Thanks for all the comments on the Vitamix and some of the competitors.
I bought a Blendtec at Costco during a roadshow demo. I was determined to like it because it was less expensive (still not cheap) than the Vitamix. After a week, I returned it. Without the tamper feature, it was just too frustrating to use.
We’re almost finished building a new home – our last, we’re old – and I want appliances that will last. I bought a KitchenAid stand mixer a year or so ago and will buy a Vitamix. For just the two of us, I will buy the 5200 because it seems better for small batches. Costco demos seem to be planned for the newer 5300 with the shorter container so I guess I won’t be getting a deal, but I’ll be fine with that.
I’ve watched dozens of videos on Vitamix and a couple of helpful hints I’ve found are…..
To clean the container, add warm water to the bottom of the handle and a drop of dish soap. This amount works the best to spin the soapy water up into the top of the lid.
Store the base on the counter with the lid sitting on it. Store the container in whatever cabinet works for you. That way it’s not “out of sight, out of mind”, but simple to pull out when you need it.
To prevent water spots on the container (if that’s a problem) wipe it dry with a microfiber cloth instead of air-drying.
Mike Simpson says
You made a wise purchase.
I’ve had a Vitamix for over twenty years.
I recently bought a new one directly from Vitamix and got a $100 trade-in on the old base.
The new one (7500) is both quieter and more powerful than my old one.
I’m old enough now that this Vitamix will probably go to my heirs.
Yvonne says
I got my VM 6300 at a Costco demo / sale last year, very cheap because they were discontinuing the 6300 in favor of a newer and cheaper model. I got the extra / optional grain jar at the same time. This purchase has changed my life so much! I now have a smoothie each morning that combines equally fruits and vegetables and is delicious! To top it off, I include a couple of spoons of raw oats and nuts and play around with herbs like rosemary or ginger or…. I use fresh ones in season and frozen ones when not. (Leftovers go into popsicles for unexpected grandkids’ visits — they lovethem!) Since I live alone and don’t always have the urge to prepare complete healthy meals on a regular basis, this is the answer for me because by the time I’ve finished breakfast, I have fulfilled my daily needs for nearly all vitamins and minerals. I usually make enough for a second (and sometimes a third) day and store those glasses in the fridge. Adding to this primary use would be soups, made from whatever I have in the fridge, either fresh or pre-cooked, blended with broth. You don’t have to cook the veggies first, but I prefer my onions a bit “caramelized” so I usually cook the onions unless I have them already in something I’m adding. Really endless possibilities, all fast and often things I might otherwise have chucked. This past year I’ve had NO colds or illnesses of any kind. Bonuses are in whipping cream (unbelievably fast!), custard sauces (which can also be turned into the best ice cream you can imagine!), olive tapenade,… I could go on. I’ve looked into buying one for kids but they’re pricey so I’ve looked at alternatives like reconditioned ones. They seem to be perhaps the most economical, but I don’t know about the warranties and easy of repair / replacement if there are problems and would want to know that since there are occasionally some problems I’ve read about even with new ones. Costco will stand behind practically anything for a long time and I know that it’s easy to simply take this (or anything) there if there’s a problem. I assume that Sam’s Club would be similar, although Costco’s return policy is better. Undercounter storage could be a problem, but I have one place on my counter where it fits and therefore I don’t hesitate to use it — sometimes as many times a day as 3. Clean-up is much easier than my old Cuisinart or cooking pots, and it gets really clean just by following the instructions to “blend” it clean, and drain. Spent a month in Europe this winter without my VitaMix and really felt its absence! My landlord loaned me his blender and it helped, but was not close to a VM — don’t think I could go back! Suggest seeing when the Costco demos are near you and going to watch one (and resist if you can!).
Jenny Schae says
Thank you for your wonderful trustworthy article, I have been on the internet looking for a review I could trust. I came up with the Vitamix blender after reading reviews and noting the 7 year warranty but you confirmed it. Just one question can I put whole fruits and vegetables in without so much cutting and chopping, this is why I don’t juice as much as I would like to. Please reply. Thank you!
Kristen says
Yep, you can put them in whole. You just have to peel things like oranges or lemons, of course.
It’s SO much easier than juicing. I sold my juice after I got my Vitamix!
TinaC says
We’ve used our Vitamix every day for over 17 years now, still running strong. Soon after the 10 year warranty ran out we had to replace the drive shaft, which was only $12 with shipping and easy to do. I just had to order a replacement pitcher which was pretty pricey, but that is probably my fault, I often stick my pitcher in the freezer with leftover smoothies and such and that is a no no, makes the seal leak and the pitcher more prone to cracks. Ooops! But it lasted 17 years even with me doing that. I bought it with a grain grinder pitcher and that lasted for about 15 years of consistent use before the blades got dull and I had to replace the blade assembly. To me it’s really been worth the money, I burnt out 2 $100 blenders before we decided to spent the money on this one.
kati says
You have try hot chocolate in it: a bag of chocolate chips and however much milk you want. Let it run, and it heats it to frothy perfection.
Luda says
We bought a Vitamix 5200 blender, I can’t remember exactly but it lasted about approximately 3-4 years before it broke. Luckily, Costco (where we bought it from) allowed us to return it.
Kristen says
Oh, wow! I wonder what went wrong. That’s super unusual for Vitamixes.
Mike Simpson says
Luda —
Vitamix comes with a 7-year warranty.
If you had contacted them, they would have replaced it with a new one.
Ruth Tang says
Good morning:
I bought a Vitamix 5200 from Costco, and it works great. But I have a question:
Can I decouple the blade from the container to clean? If it is possible, please tell me how to do it, and do I need a special tool to decouple? If it is impossible to decouple, please say so.
Thank you very much, and have a pleasant day.
Ruth
Kristen says
Nope, the blade is permanently attached to the container.
To clean it, rinse it out right after you use it, fill it with a little bit of hot water and some dish soap, and then run the blender. That should rinse it out very nicely, blade included.
kay43026 says
I made the mistake of buying a Ninja blender. For a couple more hundred $$ I could have gotten a Vitamix. The Ninja is okay…just not great. The single serve container works much better than the bigger one.
I’m thinking it’s time to give my younger son a (aka…my) blender!!!
THANKS for the side-by-side features for the Vitamix & Blentec…I wasn’t sure which I’d prefer…and you’ve convinced me to get the Vitamix.
You are SOOO right about quality appliances!! Hubs got me a Kitchen Aid mixer the year after we were married when my (cheap) hand mixer died with the first batch of Christmas cookies I was making. Our older son now has that Kitchen Aid (harvest gold color) after I inherited my MIL’s (white)…and it’s 40 years old!! Several years ago when our younger son bought a house, I gave him that white K/A and I bought myself a Kitchen Aid Pro model. The first Christmas out of college our daughter’s Christmas list only had a Kitchen Aid mixer on it!! Same goes with food processors. I am sold on Cuisinart.
Cory says
I see this post is over a year old & I hope that you’ve explored your vitamix’ s full potential. In terms of being frugal this machine saves $$$ by using up most of the fruits & veggies. I get fresh pineapple & I can even use the pineapple core in smoothies!
Have you gone beyond smoothies into soups, sauces or dips? *It makes an unbelievable hummus my friend hulls her chickpeas for a smoother texture while I blend an extra few seconds for an extra creamy texture.. Using dried soaked, and cooked chickpeas which are a frugal girls dream! From 1 bag of beans I can make 3-4 different varieties!
I make a beautiful & loaded roasted Vegetable pasta sauce that looks like a jarred sauce to the untrained eye (my kids). Surprise! It’s loaded with carrots, onions, mushrooms,celery, peppers all roasted with garlic! Toss everything into the vitamix & blend a few minutes till it’s hot! Ready to serve!
It makes frozen fruit sorbets, and ice cream creations. I made eggnog ice cream for the holidays and it was awesome.. *Add rum and have a boozy shake! I toss in the entire washed strawberry top & all! No waste!!!
I took a couple scrubbed, roasted sugar pumpkins & pureed them with the skins into a beautiful orange filling for homemade pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. “Look Ma, no CANS!” My MIL said, “oh real pumpkin doesn’t taste good in pumpkin pies” *I believe she heard that from the LIBBYS company so she actually had to eat her words! Very simple whole food ingredients! I’ve made a beautiful cranberry applesauce and delicious homemade honey roasted peanut butter. No more SKIPPY/JIFF it’s good & I know exactly what’s in it.. Honey roasted peanuts that’s IT!
I also make a whole fruit pina colada with homemade coconut milk and frozen pineapple- alcoholic and healthy.. YEAH!
I’m getting the hang of soups and have been perfecting sauces, marinades & dips. I no longer buy expensive processed bottles of dressings, marinades etc.. I simply use what I have on hand in the fridge and pantry. I use up my oils, and seasonings & spices instead of throwing them away. So, I hope that in the year+ since you’ve purchased your VM you have tried more than smoothies. It’s worth the investment- I also have a kitchen aid mixer, cuisinart food processor that gets used too.. Kindest Regards.. *Those that may be on the fence The ninja doesn’t even come close…
Baja betty says
My vita mixer is thirty plus years old! Every time I see the new pretty colored vita mix at Costco I think ooh so pretty and new! But I then ask myself why would I fork out the money when this dinosaur of mine is still such a great work horse machine? I honestly think this vita mix will outlive me! I am now on a raw vegan diet and I can do everything with my vita mix to hopefully outlive my machine. I cannot think of another appliance that could ever be as great as my vita mix. The inventor was so far ahead of his time…a genius! My vita mix is my absolute favorite appliance. I want to be buried with it. 8-))
Leslie says
I’m still using my 21-year-old Vitamix every day. I’m not getting a new one until this one finally gives out.
Jennifer says
I just took the plunge and invested – the VM is an amazing technology and already feels like my best friend!! For anyone who is deliberating – buy one sooner so as to start receiving the benefits.
As regards frugality, I find I use more of the produce eg stems and small pieces left over from grating and spiral slicer. Its fast to whip up soups and sauces with produce that is about to spoil, it really is win win, esp as the machines hold their value – just take a look on ebay.
Eric says
Another suggestion for investing in a blender, in case it hasn’t already been mentioned: buy a low-mileage vintage blender off of eBay. They may last longer than a new one, cost about the same, and I have heard they are easier to repair than newer blenders. I am soon to demo a Vitamix, but if it doesn’t seem worth it will stick with a vintage Osterizer beehive blender.
Jess says
Hi! I came across this post because I was, of course, researching the perfect blender. When I read this line, “I really, really hate buying things that will need to be replaced in short order…” I immediately wanted to be friends. LOL That is exactly how I operate.
Thank you for the review! It is very helpful!
Kristen says
Yes! It’s so frustrating to plunk down money and then end up with a useless item months later. It’s such a waste of money and physical resources.
Lynn says
Can you take your vitamix to Mexico and use it there?would power surges be a problem? Thanks…please let me know…we will be there for six months..
Tini says
The USA Vitamix’s are all 120 voltage; if you end up needing to use a power adapter, make sure you get a nicer one rather than a cheaper one, or else it might burn out. I know a lot of people who have brought their Vitamix overseas without any problems!
Ashley Berry says
Hi Kristin,
My birthday is coming up this weekend and my parents are going to get me a high powered blender as a gift since I cook a lot and make smoothies pretty much daily. I have been eyeing the vitamix but was a little concerned because I usually make single serving smoothies and some people have mentioned that the vitamix doesn’t work well for single serving sizes. Have you tried it for single servings and if so, what was your experience? Any info you could share would be greatly appreciated!
Very best,
Ashley Berry
Kristen says
Hmm. I do usually make multiple servings of smoothie, but I also use my Vitamix for smaller things like making salad dressing. I think the amount of salad dressing I make is equivalent to a single smoothie, and I haven’t had any difficulties.
Have you seen the newer Vitamix model, with the shorter pitcher? I wonder if that model might be particularly good for single servings.
Tini says
Hi! I’m a Vitamix demonstrator who runs http://www.blenderbrain.com, and just happened to find this review
Just wanted to let you know that the taller, narrow containers of the Classic model are better for making smaller amounts. Since the tamper reaches down so low to the blade, it makes it easy to push things down for personal sized amounts (as little as 6 oz). Costco now sells the Vitamix with the new design, and the container is still 64 oz, just shorter and wider, and it is NOT as good for making small amounts because of the wider bottom. However, even though you can’t make as little as 6 oz in the short, wide style container, you can still make smaller amounts like 2 cups, which is appropriate for one person to drink. Hope that helps 
Also, right now the Vitamix website lists the reconditioned models for $329, and as a demonstrator, I am able to sell them to others for the price listed in your post, and with a payment plan for the budget-cautious!
LS says
You can get a smaller container. There is a 48oz wet as well as a 32oz wet container which have the smaller base (like the tall container has) and will blend the single sized servings you are interested in making.. You can check out the blender lady website as she is a show demonstrator and sells them at a lower price than what you can get on the Vitamix site. http://www.blenderlady.com
She also has lots of information on comparisons on the different models so that you can make an informed decision. She is very prompt in answering your emailed questions (as long as she is not out demonstrating the equipment).
Mimi says
Can you share how you purchased the demo at costco? Did you have to talk to the person giving the presentation or arrange it with personnel at Costco?
Kristen says
During a scheduled demo at Costco, the Vitamixes are just available for purchase…no arrangement is necessary! Just check the Vitamix demo schedule to see when they’ll be in your area.
Becca says
My grandparents have had their Vitamix for over 50 years and they STILL use it to make their morning smoothies!
Barbe says
Thanks for the info. If your mom likes it, I will give it a try.
Barbe says
What do you think of the Ninja?
Kristen says
I’ve never personally tried one. My mom has one and I know she likes it, though.
Natalie says
I also purchased my Vitamix at Costco, the combo pack with the dry blender which I use as a grain grinder. I had always wondered whether I would have been happier with a Blendtec, until I read your article. Yes, the tamper is very useful. I’m perfectly satisfied with both the wet and dry blenders, but you are right…they are loud. I use hearing protection earmuffs every time I use this blender, and I encourage all Vitamix users to do the same. Our ears are worth protecting!
lisaG says
I wanted to put in my two cents for my awesome Osterizer Classic blender. It is a total workhorse for under $40 at Target (if it is still there as I’ve had mine for at least 5+ years). The blades are metal and the container is glass. It has one switch. Up for blend and down for pulsing. I make super smooth smoothies with ice and frozen fruit all the time and there are no ice chunks like in other blenders. It looks great on the counter b/c it looks retro. One warning though: It is crazy noisy. Over the years, I have replaced the glass container because I have dropped it and broken it. I have also had to replace the rubber washer but parts are not expensive. I’m eyeing the Vitamix so I went to this site. If you can’t afford it, give the Osterizer a try.
jeri Carroll says
My Vita- mixer has to be 15 years or older…it was dropped by my then 12 year old…but still continued to work till this day… an amazing machine…If you have an older machine they will credit you 100 dollars toward a refurbished model…now I think it is time..my container is now leaking and it will be cheaper to send the old one in and get the refurbished one with a 5 year warranty….Love Vita-mixers
Got Greens says
Wow what a great review of Vitamix. You paint an accurate picture of what you get for the cost.
If you are gonna truly use the Vitamix for what it’s made for then it is worth the cost.
A Frugal Family's Journey says
When shopping for things that our family uses often, we also search for quality over price. Additionally, we use and trust consumer reports advice on products. We never buy anything over $100 without first checking with the consumer report on the item we are buying. So far, we’ve had mostly good experiences with their recommended buys.
kim says
I’ve been using mine for almost 24 years.. My grandmother had one of the very first models that she used for many, many years, then passed on to my brother who has been using it for almost 20 now!
I have replaced the blade twice though, which adds to the yearly cost breakdown!
Carla says
We’ve had a Vitamix for about 3 years now and we use it almost every day, sometimes more than once a day. We make smoothies, but also lots of other things, it’s saved us a lot of money by allowing us to make products at home, with high-quality, store-bought like results. FG, I don’t think you should be worried about multitasking: the machine is doing the same thing every time you run it, you are just doing different things with the fast moving blades. So it is not actually multitasking if that makes sense
– almond butter or any nut butter or seed butter – roast nuts, tamp them down, let it run for a couple of minutes to let the nuts release the oils before deciding if you need extra, if nuts are fresh, you’ll need no additional oil, otherwise one teaspoon at a time. Pumpkin seed butter for example is stupid expensive at the store, but much more affordable done at home this way
– almond milk – soak nuts in fridge overnight, blend with water, strain. yum!
– ice cream – 1 frozen banana per person, a few frozen strawberries, a woosh of coconut milk and a splash of banana, tamp it down and you can scoop it onto cones! or experiment with fruit of your choice
– hummus, bean dips – tamp down and you get super smooth quality
– green smoothies as you know, with absolutely no fiber left, so good
– When I’ve canned salsa, I also chop the vegetables in the smallest setting, add onion, etc, tamp it down while it’s running slowly, saves me a ton of work
I encourage you to try new things, you’ll be amazed at what it can do.
– when a recipe calls for oat flour, I’ll use the grain jar to grind oats with the vitamix, I also use it to grind coffee, seeds.
After we got the vitamix, we got rid of the plunge blender, the food processor, and never looked back.
Tonya says
You know, I got the vitamin (and I love it!) but opted for the shorter canister. I wish I had not. It still doesn’t fit under my cabinet and it holds less because instead of being 62 oz it is 48 oz.
I think the canisters are available for purchase separately for about $100. Or, perhaps you can find someone like me you could trade with!
I do love my vitamix. We used to only have smoothies as special occasions because my Magic Bullet would only make one at a time and it took forever (with me shaking the machine) to make a smoothie. Vitamix is expensive but worth the cost.
David says
We have aVitaMix and have used it virtually every day for more than 20 years. Love it, love it. It will crush ice like they were marshmallows! We make smoothies every day. In summer I make tomato ice cream – really! It is FAR superior to any other blender that I have used.
Susanna says
I still just can’t decide.
I’ve never done smoothies regularly but mostly because I hate the blenders I’ve gotten – I’m now on blender #4 (or #6 if you count 2 fried magic bullets) I don’t like the plastic cups but usually the motor is shot – oops make that #5 or #7 since a Cuisinart I returned when it fried the 2nd usage (and only had 2 little frozen strawberries with the smoothie mix and milk…) I would like to do some green smoothies but do NOT want yucky green floatie things mixed in – yuck. 2 big concerns for me are storage- I would have to have the blender out on the counter in order to use it – I’m not the type to reach under cabinets on a daily basis – it needs to be out and in plain view to remind me – at least until the habit sets in. I also would be making smoothies for just myself and I like them made ‘fresh’ – I was reading some comments on a forum and one person mentioned one of the vitamix blenders wasn’t good with single servings because of the broad base. I’m wondering if it would be worth it to look for a refurbished model of the space saving version they’ve come out with. I also think the older ones from 30 yrs ago are like the ktchen aid mixers from that same era – made much much better than the stuff today. hopefully that’s not true but so manythings break.
Saundra says
Great post! I love to hear people’s reviews of the Vitamix. It would have been the blender that I bought, had it not been for the steep price. Although part of me wishes I had just gone ahead and made the investment. However, I am happy with the blender that I bought a few months ago, the Oster Versa Performance Blender. It is supposedly the more affordable version of the Vitamix, and it performs to my satisfaction. From what I’ve seen in various reviews and video demonstrations the Vitamix is still the ultimate blender sold on the market today, but the Oster Versa is a really top-notch blender for less money.
carla says
Great post! I debated between the two and settled on a Blendtec (the version with the Wildside jar) when they were on super sale at Costco.com. I actually bought it because it *didn’t* need the tamper! The shape of the Wildside jar makes it so that the tamper is unnecessary. I also love that it fits under my counter without a problem, as I realize I tend to use appliances less (such as my Kitchenaid mixer) when I have to physically haul it up from one of my lower cabinets. But of course, I recognize that this is absolutely a first world problem!
I also second the use of a stick blender — they can be very affordable. I’ve had my Cuisinart version for 10 years, and I rely on it to puree soups, make hummus, and I use the whisk attachment when making meringue.
April says
Can you tell me what is a stick blender? I’m hearing so much about it
Sarah T says
I’m looking for a high quality blender that isn’t loud! My kids and I all think our $60 blender is way too loud, so we never use it.
Cheryl says
I had been using swagbucks and saving for a vitamix for over a year, when I happened upon a deal at Sam’s Club. It was for a Dash blender, normally $200, on special for $99. I called my husband and had him look up reviews on it, and all the reviews were good. It uses the same pitcher as the vitamix, and it has a lifetime warranty on the motor. I decided to try it, knowing that if I didn’t love it, I could return it. So far, I am loving it!!! It has many of the same features as the vitamix, such as making soup, and even ice cream, but I will mostly use it for smoothies. It is a luxury to be able to make large quantities at once, since I had been using a magic bullet before.
I am so happy that I was able to find such high quality at such a reasonable price!
Mishele says
I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Vitamix! I agree if you’re only doing smoothies, you could get by with something cheaper but the thing does turn thick, fibrous kale into smooth liquid. I also use it regularly to make my own peanut butter from nothing but peanuts. You can do other nut butters as well but some of the drier nuts like almonds require adding a bit of oil. I buy locally sourced organic hard white wheat berries that I grind into flour via the Vitamix, and since it is not much more than a good grain mill and has multiple use, I consider it a very good buy. It really makes the best hummus texture too. I could go on and on. I obviously use it quite often so I think it is worth every single penny it cost. It will also last forever so even though you may not use it ofter, over the course of a lifetime it might be well worth it.
Tonya says
Oh, I never thought about hummus in there! Does it get it creamy? I make hummus at home but am never happy with the texture.
Mishele says
Yes! Completely smooth.
Sarah G. says
I have a friend whose Vitamix is from the 80’s and still going strong. They are awesome machines. We bought ours a couple years ago, a refurbished model for $375. It is great and we are very pleased with the purchase. I can’t believe how it powers through anything. I swear, it could liquefy rocks. We don’t use it for grain grinding or pureeing soups though. I have a stick blender (free with my swagbucks!) and I much prefer that to blending it in a blender… The fewer dishes to wash, the better… I’d much rather rinse off the stick blender than wash the entire blender pitcher.
Sarah G. says
I think my comment was vague… the only thing I don’t Luke using the Vitamix for is pureeing soups… for everything else, I love it!!
Jan says
Thank you for this review. I have a $40 blender currently and I am mulling a vitamix too, since I have smoothies for breakfast everyday. I do have one question for you and other readers. Are you able to put it into the dishwasher? With my cheap blender, I don’t care much and put it into the dishwasher everyday.
Kristen says
They actually recommend filling it with a little hot water and a little dish soap and running it on high to clean it. I do also wash it by hand sometimes if I’ve accidentally let anything dry on it.
Albert Franklin says
http://joyofblending.com/cheaper-alternatives-to-vitamix-and-blendtec/ This article is a bit dated, but you may also want to join the JoyofBlending newsletter.
Yankeegal says
I purchased a Vitamix last year when we remodeled our kitchen ( I actually planned it as part of the budget) and I love it. I use it every day. I make smoothies, almond milk, soups, dressings, you name it. Definitely worth the cost for me!
Vicki F says
I was super lucky, and found a Vitamix at an estate sale. I talked them into taking $25 for it, and I have had it 8 or 9 years now. I love it. I used to go through my Oster blenders every few years, the blades always start to freeze up on me. When my kids were home, I frequently used frozen fruit and some half and half to make soft serve ice cream, which we loved. It is a powerful blender, and it blends better than my cheap blender ever did. If it were to break, I would buy another one.
Trina says
Kristen, I know of a woman who makes her own cornmeal with her vitamix. She can control how course or fine the result is and doesn’t have to buy a whole bag of a particular type when she only needs a small amount. Also, a friend fairly regularly makes hot soup in his. I haven’t tried soup in mine (I have one that must be at least 30 years old – maybe more. I can remember my mom buying it at a state fair!) It does seem rather noisy to let run long enough to make soup, but my friend seems to really like it.
Connie says
I have a cheapie $40 blender, but I rarely blend things. I want to start regularly making green smoothies and such, and have been looking at the Vitamix for quite some time. When the Blendtec came out, I considered that. Either way, the price of them makes it a luxury item in my book so I need to save up for it. However, from a friend’s mom, the Vitamix is worth every penny in her book. She purchased one to make smoothies for her son 15 years ago because that was all he could reasonably eat while he was battling a childhood cancer. It has been 14 years since that happened, both son and Vitamix are running strong.
Ash says
I bought my Vitamix over a year ago. LOVE it. I honestly don’t know how I ever lived without it! I use it at least once a day. When people ask how much it cost, most are shocked I would spend that much $ on a blender. They just don’t understand, it’s my best friend! The 7 year warranty is one of the things that sold me on it and that it’s made in the USA. I also purchased mine at Costco for $400. I knew I was going to buy one eventually and was looking around for a few months. I found Costco had the best price. Definitely an investment but you will never be disappointed if you purchase one. Thanks for the review. Love your blog
sheila (former ugly bread lady) says
So glad you got one of these. I bought one and love it. I choked on the price but you make me feel so much better. I thought since I asked you about yours so long ago that maybe you returned yours. I like that it is an American made product too. Because the warranty is so good it makes me not afraid of using for lots of the things it suggest.
Lucinda says
Glad you are enjoying it. I bought mine 2 1/2 years ago from Costco and I love it. It came with a voucher for a free dry blade and I use that frequently to grind gluten-free grains since I have Celiac. It saves me a lot of money. I was glad to hear your comparisons to the Blendtec as I was unaware of it before I bought mine.
Lili@creativesavv says
Our blender is ancient by your standards, I’m sure. It’s an Osterizer that I was given 33 years ago! And it still works great! The old Osterizers were built to last decades, with good care, and occasional replacement parts (still available online). Unfortunately, newer cheap blenders just don’t hold up like these old ones did. (My parents had their Osterizer from 1957 to 1995, when they finally decided they wanted more than the one setting, on/off.)
I would have to say that my blender is not as powerful as a Vitamix or Blendtec. And after over 3 decades of use, it’s not nearly as pretty as a new model. But it’s what I have, it works great for me, and I’d rather keep it than chuck it.
Have fun with your Vitamix. I do like having good kitchen “tools”, too!
Shasta says
Lili, I also have a vintage Oster, most likely from the 1950s (it was my grandmother’s). When the dial started getting hard to turn and I had to unplug it to shut it off, I began investigating blenders. I gulped at though thought of spending $300+ on a Vitamix, but it seemed to be the best choice. Much to my relief, three drops of sewing machine oil loosened the dial, and she’s as good as new! One day we might end up getting a Vitamix as – honestly – it will do a better job of blending, but at least there is time to save up (or look for a screaming deal that happens to pop up at an estate sale or thrift shop!)
Tiffani Jane Klausing says
Funny my dad, who’s 79 gave me his Osterizer about 8-9yrs ago.I have no idea how long he had it??
It still works great! Crushes ice and frozen fruit just fine…I’ve actually tried over doing it so I could justify getting a Vitamix, but it’s still going strong..
Debbie says
I’ve had my refurbished vitamix with the extra dry blender/container for 8 or 9 years now. Had a few problems, and they were very good when it was still under warranty about replacing things. We’ve used it tonnes, especially when our youngest was on a special diet. We made things like our own brown rice flour, for instance, and homemade mayonnaise. We still use our blender often. Only problem now is – and no longer under warranty, I think (can’t find the paperwork since our last move) is that the “wet” blender started to leak. So I just switched out the blades between the wet and the dry containers, and use it that way. So imperfectly still going strong, I guess!
Sydney says
Hubs bought me a refurbished Vitamix for our anniversary last year. I LOVE it! I had previously purchased a $10 Wal-Mart blender that did a poor job crushing ice and blending things evenly. So the Vitamix was a huge improvement. I don’t own a grain mill, so I was very thankful Hubs splurged and bought me both the wet and dry canisters for my Vitamix. It does as good a job of milling grain as my mother-in-law’s huge, loud electric grain mill (which she sweetly let me borrow for two years before I got a Vitamix). I agree with Kristen’s cons, though I don’t think any of those overpower the value of having a decent blender (which for me also saves kitchen space by not having to store a huge grain mill as well). The only other perplexing problem I have with my Vitamix is that I’m not always confident I’ve cleaned the blades well because they aren’t removable. Just a thought.
Holly says
Good for you, Kristen! I don’t have one yet, but good friends of mine have one they have owned since — brace yourself — 1976! They still use it daily! You made a good choice!
Hanna says
The Vita-Mix was once a great company back then. It has since fallen into greedy hands. There was a family dispute and half the family was ousted from the company. Since then the quality has gone down hill in persuit for greater profits.
Felicia says
We’ve had our vita-mix for 9 years. It gets daily use, sometimes 2x day. I mostly make smoothies but I have used it to grind nuts, coffee, and make soup and hummus. If it ever breaks I will be out buying a new one that very day!
Lydia says
LOVE our Vitamix!!! It was a gift many years ago when we were new parents. It’s pulverized everything from grains to baby food. Most recently it is a daily player in my consumption of smoothies and veggie-juices. Loving it. You won’t regret shelling out the cash for it. It’s unmatched. Don’t be afraid to amp it up and use those high power settings – ha ha. And, whenever you have a chance, splurge for the dry mixer. It’s a great addition to the Vitamix powerhouse.
Glad you’re enjoying your new toy!
April says
Hello, what is the dry mixer? What does it do? You stated it’s a great addition to the Vitamix
Linda says
I have the Blendtec. I debated over the 2 but thought the vitamix was too tall and kinda ugly (just my opinion). I rarely leave any appliances out on my countertop but if I’m on a smoothie making I might leave it tucked under the counter for a couple of weeks. I also liked that it didn’t need a tamper…never had any issues with it not grinding everything up.
All in all I think they are both great blenders so whichever one you go with is all a matter of taste.
I bought mine at Bed Bath and Beyond-they have a killer warrantee that I had no idea about until I bought it. Used a 20 percent off coupon and ordered a red one online and had it shipped for free to my house. If you are going to spend these big bucks on an appliance there are only 3 stores that I recommend you buy from because of great return policies. Williams and Sonoma, Costco and Bed Bath and Beyond.
Angela says
Do you only use yours for smoothies ? I am looking into getting a vitamix, my parents have had one for years & I loved using it. I didn’t know until now if any comparable blenders have tampers or not which is huge to me, and not usually for smoothies, but more for thicker &/or dryer things like ice cream/frozen fruit with yogurt, nuts ( you can just wait & keep chopping but then too many get too fine) .
Michelle says
We got a Vitamix this year as a Christmas present from my parents (so generous!!) and love it! We previously went through three mid-range blenders in about a 4 year time span, so we had really been wanting to break free from the 1 year and broken cycle. We love it so far!
WilliamB says
Too many reviews compare the Vitamix to no blender at all, which is not a good comparison. So I’m glad to see you comparing the Vitamix to another blender.
It’s clear that the Vitamix is a fantastic machine. My issue with it is whether it’s overkill – and therefore overpriced – for most people. If you don’t need to puree a gallon of ice cubes then it’s foolish to pay for that capacity.
Out of curiosity, did you consider the Breville? It’s very highly rated by Consumers Reports; I don’t remember if CI reviewed it. That’s what I bought about 8 months ago and I think it’s great. Like the Vitamix, it has a strong warranty which – as the good FG says – is a sign of a strong product.
Both orgs also liked the Ninja and it’s a best buy at under $100 list, but the jar felt flimsy to me so I didn’t buy it.
Kristen says
I don’t remember look at that one, no. My friend has one thought (she won it at a party!) and she really likes it.
The Ninja made me nervous too, obviously. I mean, I’m sure it works great, but I was feeling a little iffy about how long it would last.
Battra92 says
My wife’s friend had a Ninja and it broke. She bought another. She’s now 2/3rd of the way to a Refurbed Vitamix. :-/ It’s in that weird price point where it’s not cheap but not really the quality of the expensive stuff.
JJ says
Unfortunately my Breville bit the dust after 6 months. It just couldn’t handle my frozen fruit smoothies and home-made hummus for longer than that.
Jan says
I purchased a refurbished Vitamix Next Generation Professional Series blender from the Vitamix website and I think it is incredible. Like Kristen, I decided to go with the Vitamix because of the simpler design and the tamper. And the next generation is short enough to fit under my cabinets so it can stay out for easy use. Everything my Bosch blender could do, it can do better in less time and with larger quantities. I don’t regret making the big investment.
Tammy says
When I was growing up, my dad bought a used Vitamix – one with the square stainless steel blend jars! I think it is possible they still have it, LOL. My $60 blender bit the dust and I replaced it (for the time being) with a stick blender I got used for $10. I would love to have a Vitamix, maybe one day!
Valerie says
I had to buy a new blender a couple of years ago and I use mine almost exclusively for smoothies and couldnt justify the $300+ price tag for a glorified smoothie maker. I got a ninja for about $80 and so far I’m happy with it no problems 3 yrs in. I really like the single serve cup. I just make my daily peanut butter banana smoothie in it and go on with my day. I see that vitamix has a single serve mixer now but it looks like it only does the single serve size not sure I understand why they just didnt make a single serve cup rather than come out with a whole new machine.
Battra92 says
I’m a big fan of purchasing and using commercial quality “Buy it for Life” items. So far we haven’t made the plunge into blender territory because quite frankly, we just don’t have the use for one very often. We have a Magic Bullet that works well as a blender, spice/coffee grinder etc. and a Braun stick blender I bought at Goodwill. I also own a nice Cuisinart Food Processor so a Vitamix is probably overkill for my situation.
What gets me is on America’s Test Kitchen they will ladle a soup into a Vitamix to blend it when a $20 stick blender would do the job with less cleanup but they never seem to worry about dirtying dishes or the cost of something.
Kristen says
I don’t have a stick blender, so I have to ladle mine into my Vitamix. Maybe I should look into one…
Josie says
call the company direct see if they could help…blessings..my friend has one got it from parents who used it..25 years..she had it for 20 years…the company spruced it up ..where happy to do it…blessings..
Linda says
YOU MUST GET A STICK BLENDER! They are the bomb. Get a good one and you can blend almost 100% smooth soup right in the pot. Got a Cuisinart model at Costco for Christmas for $19.99+tax. Love it! Don’t use it often, but for $20, you don’t need to.
Kristen says
I really should get one. They probably don’t take up that much space either.
Lisa says
Personally, I don’t care for the stick blenders. I’ve tried 2 and it doesn’t make my soups smooth at all. Love the idea, but don’t find it to function how I’d like. I currently use a cuisinart food processor for soups- still want smoother, so coveting a Vitamix.
WilliamB says
A new stick blender runs $20-$50. I love mine. I puree so many soups in the pot with that easy-to-clean stick, rather than hauling out the blender for 10 sec work, then having to clean that thing. And a stick blender doesn’t take up much space.
I’ve long said that no one needs a standing mixer, a blender, *and* a food processor. Somehow, though, over the years I ended up with all three and a stick blender to boot. And when I haul out the KitchenAid to beat two egg whites I think longingly of a hand-held mixer as well. So maybe I’m not the person to ask about this. ;- >
Battra92 says
My stick blender was $2.29 at Goodwill (I left the sticker on because I’m proud I guess.) but the Kalorik that ATK recommended was under $20 (though it’s since been discontinued and apparently replaced with a new model for $25)
I have a Kitchenaid mixer which I use weekly, a food processor (that you can pry out of my cold dead hands) the Magic Bullet (which was a wedding gift but is really something of a coffee/spice grinder) and the stick blender. I also married a woman who brought a cheap hand mixer into the relationship (which gets maybe 5 minutes of use every few months.)
If I had to beat two egg whites, I’d either use the stand mixer (it’s on the counter anyway) or just a whisk.
WB says
My stick blender has the whisk attachment so that’s what I use for egg whites. It’s also got the chopper attachments so I almost never have to drag out (or clean) the food processor. I really love my stand mixer but if I had to choose one of these it would absolutely be the stick blender with attachments. That said, I wouldn’t buy the cheapest one out there.
Jewlz says
The great thing about the Vitamix that I have (and you can probably do with yours) is that you don’t NEED to ladle it in. If you want to saute the whole veggies and then add them plus liquid, that’s what you do or you can put the items in raw and let it run on the soup setting. I think if you don’t have the new one for the hot soup, you just have to time it. And as for clean up… some warm water and a drop of soap isn’t time intensive or hard. It’s the easiest thing in my kitchen to clean! I use mine mostly for smoothies, but when I want soup or have veggies about to go bad I make soup and freeze it for later.
Now I want a smoothie for lunch! LOL
Brian says
Don’t get lured into a reconditioned model! Ordered the 780 model advertised on their website at what I thought was a great price They said 6-8 days delivery,fine as it was going to be a present. Vitamix emailed me a week later after paying for it saying they were out of this model and they could offer me a lower model at the same price. Didn’t sound like a good replacement. Called customer service Not helpful at all! Funny thing they still had it advertised on their website. Called back and they claim you can’t order them now. Their customer service is not helpful and very aggressive! Their advertising department needs help too!
Jackie says
My parents have had their Vitamix for over 30 years and it still works perfectly. Definitely a smart buy.
Kristen says
Ooh, 30 years? That would make my annual cost $11.
JULIO says
I WENT THRU 2 KENMORE BLENDERZâ—BOTH BROKE AFTER A FEW USESâ—I BOUGHT A VITAMIX 4 635â—DA 750 SERIEZ KOPPER KOLORâ—AWESOME MACHINEâ—U GETT WHAT U PAY 4 â—
Joy Clark says
Im lucky enough to own a Thermomix which is absolutely awesome but incredibly expensive and I don’t think it is available in the USA at present.
J x
Gladys (The Pinay Mom) says
It’s my first time to see a blender with tamper tool.I like it. Ours is the cheapest one I could find at Walmart, (worth $15-something), I bought it last Christmas as a gift to myself,so far, it’s working good for us and maybe will start saving money for this one just in case it breaks.