Vita-Mix or Blendtec?

[John]

When talking to folks about blenders one of the most common questions we hear is:

"Which is better, Vita-Mix or Blendtec?".

We have put both blenders through hundreds of cycles and like both of them - in short I believe both are excellent products. Each one has its purpose in our kitchen and I am blessed to be able to have them both.

See our Blendtec vs Vitamix Review for more details.


I am most interested in hearing others' thoughts about the Vita-Mix versus Blendtec debate.

Questions? Opinions?

[green smoothie junkie]

Wow - a great review of the blenders. I don't have experience with a Blendtec but I love my Vitamix.

I chose Vitamix because of the reputation and 7 year warranty - it does make green smoothies super smooth

[John]

Blendtec has just updated the color options available for their Total Blender:

   You can now purchase your Blendtec in Red or Coffee for the same price as the Black and White colors.

   Also, Blendtec now offers a 3 quart container (96 ounces)!

[apple25]

I've had a Vita-Mix and use it several times a day for many years and am now seriously considering getting a Blend-Tec.  I like the square shape and the fact that it is not narrow at the bottom like the Vita-Mix.  I find it difficult to remove all the food using a rubber spatula.   I do know that I will get it at a road show where the warranty will be 7 years, just like the Vita-Mix, so that'll help.

[John]

Yes apple25,
indeed the square shape and the less-narrow bottom does make it easier to remove food with a spatula in a Blendtec, but even more so because the blendtec only has 2 blades (versus the Vita-mix 4 blades). That is definitely a selling point for many people. You will love having both!

I wasn't aware that you could get a 7 year warranty for a Blendtec - do you have to pay extra for that?

[apple25]

I wasn't aware that you could get a 7 year warranty for a Blendtec - do you have to pay extra for that?

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you, John.  No, you don't have to pay extra.  They offer this 7 year warranty when/if you purchase the Blendtec at a food demonstration held at either Sam's Club or Costco.   The Blendtec people have a contract with these stores and offer this benefit as an incentive.  It puzzles me as to why Blendtec goes this route as I would have purchased it already, but that extra warranty is important to me.  

[nmetkarujitgotgreen]

Hello,
I'm new here. I want to buy either Vitamix 5200 or Blendtec total blender but am indecisive. For those whom use both please share information with me which one is better for making soup? My main use will be for soup and smoothies.

My criteria is:
- Warranty
- Space limit
- I like technology  but want blender with less noise.
- Will make a lot of soup.

There will be a live demo for both blenders in my area soon. So I want to buy one at the live demo.

PLEASE HELP!

[John]

Hello,
I'm new here. I want to buy either Vitamix 5200 or Blendtec total blender but am indecisive. For those whom use both please share information with me which one is better for making soup? My main use will be for soup and smoothies.

My criteria is:
- Warranty
- Space limit
- I like technology  but want blender with less noise.
- Will make a lot of soup.

There will be a live demo for both blenders in my area soon. So I want to buy one at the live demo.

PLEASE HELP!

Welcome!

Looks like you are stuck in the middle.

Warranty:
- Vita-mix 5200 has the 7 yr (the above post was the first I've heard of a 7 yr Blendtec warranty)

Space Limit:
- Blendtec is smaller and is shorter by about 5 inches

Technology:
- I don't think there is any real difference but the Blendtec does have programmed cycles and digital readout

Noise:
- Vita-Mix is not as loud

Soup:
- both do soup well

I hope this helps.

[nmetkarujitgotgreen]

Thank you for your comment, John,

If both blenders perform very well and I could get a Blendtec with less money and the same 7 years warranty at Costco, would it be better to get the Blendtec?. I need a machine that makes soup quickly but doesn't have to be super smooth. My concerns about the Vita-mix are the 20" height and difficulty to clean.

[John]

Thank you for your comment, John,

If both blenders perform very well and I could get a Blendtec with less money and the same 7 years warranty at Costco, would it be better to get the Blendtec?. I need a machine that makes soup quickly but doesn't have to be super smooth. My concerns about the Vita-mix are the 20" height and difficulty to clean.

I wouldn't consider the cleaning a big issue.

Size does matter. If you are space restricted you can't shrink the Vita-mix.

[greenie]

Hi all,

Sound it the most important issue to me; I have a son with a neurological disorder, and he can't handle loud high-pitched sounds.  (and, of course, more green smoothies for him is better!)  The boards here seem quite clear that the vitamix is not as loud...I *really* need to know for sure which is quieter from someone who has run both side by side because it's a big issue in being able for us to be abke to use the machine at all.  

As it is now, we turn it on our $20 oster to the lowest setting and run out of the room, no kidding. Obviously I am not blending whole carrots or anything, but I'd like to  (but I can get greens managable).  

Can I run the vitamix at the lower speed for longer and acheive good results?  In other words, if I run it at the lowest (and I assume quietest) speed, for longer what can I expect?   It also helps to put everything in pretty much at once and leave, so we don't have to go in and out of the room as many times and expose my son to the noise as much.  Sounds kooky, I know, but this is my life  

Help, please...

[John]

Hi all,

Sound it the most important issue to me; I have a son with a neurological disorder, and he can't handle loud high-pitched sounds.  (and, of course, more green smoothies for him is better!)  The boards here seem quite clear that the vitamix is not as loud...I *really* need to know for sure which is quieter from someone who has run both side by side because it's a big issue in being able for us to be abke to use the machine at all.  

As it is now, we turn it on our $20 oster to the lowest setting and run out of the room, no kidding. Obviously I am not blending whole carrots or anything, but I'd like to  (but I can get greens managable).  

Can I run the vitamix at the lower speed for longer and acheive good results?  In other words, if I run it at the lowest (and I assume quietest) speed, for longer what can I expect?   It also helps to put everything in pretty much at once and leave, so we don't have to go in and out of the room as many times and expose my son to the noise as much.  Sounds kooky, I know, but this is my life  

Help, please...

Hello greenie!

Let's face it, these are powerful blenders so they both make noise. I have run them both side by side and the Blendtec is louder. I personally have not measured the noise levels but have searched for data on it. I have found that the Blendtec is rated at 95 dB to 105 dB but I have not found anything yet on the Vita-Mix. The noise comparisons are independent of what you blend - louder is louder based upon the blender itself.

You can purchase sound enclosures for either blender to reduce the level of noise.

You can run the Vita-Mix at lower speeds to achieve good results for some things but not for most - especially green smoothies. You really must run these blenders at or near max to get the benefits of having a high performance blender (to make things smooth and to break down cell-walls).

All the best.

[CrystalN]

Hi! 

I need some advice on the Vita-Mix vs the Blendtec.   I have been eyeing the Vita-Mix for 2 years now (the Costco demo gets me everytime ) but wasn't able to afford it.   I finally can this year but Costco is promoting the Blendtec instead.

Costco offers a 7 year warrenty so that is not an issue.  Size is also no concern for me as it will be stored on top of the frige when not in use regardless of which blend I buy. 

The Blendtec is about $100 less though Costco then buying a Vita-Mix from the Vita-Mix site.   

I want to make smoothies and soups primiarly.  Anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks!!

[John]

Hi!  

I need some advice on the Vita-Mix vs the Blendtec.   I have been eyeing the Vita-Mix for 2 years now (the Costco demo gets me everytime ) but wasn't able to afford it.   I finally can this year but Costco is promoting the Blendtec instead.

Costco offers a 7 year warrenty so that is not an issue.  Size is also no concern for me as it will be stored on top of the frige when not in use regardless of which blend I buy.  

The Blendtec is about $100 less though Costco then buying a Vita-Mix from the Vita-Mix site.  

I want to make smoothies and soups primiarly.  Anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks!!

It sounds like it comes down to a preference in design. If you like your blender digitally controlled by push buttons then I'd recommend the Blendtec. If you prefer switches and manual dial then go Vita-Mix.

[green smoothie junkie]

Let's face it, these are powerful blenders so they both make noise. I have run them both side by side and the Blendtec is without a doubt louder...

A brief experience with a Blendtec:

A friend of mine just bought a Blendtec and wanted to show me that it was at least as good as a Vitamix. Honestly, it was louder than my 5200.

We made a green smoothie together with the "smoothie" program button. When it stopped running, the smoothie was more of a chunky soup so I had to use the manual speed button to finish it up. In the end, it made a great smoothie but I was only able to make this one smoothie due to time and I didn't use any frozen fruit.

I'm hoping to have the opportunity to spend more time with the Blendtec to see how good it really is.