Vitamix vs Blendtec – the Ultimate Comparison
4.9 (227,088 reader ratings)
Which is the Best blender? In our, THE ORIGINAL, Vitamix vs Blendtec comparison we reveal the detailed similarities & differences between these top performance blenders. Our complete 2022 UPDATED review is based on over 15 years of performance blender education experience.
Blendtec vs Vitamix Overview
We use Blendtec and Vitamix blenders on a daily basis. We also give workshops on improving your health with better nutrition and how to get the most out of your blender investment. Worth every penny, the high cost for either blender is pretty much the same. Both are great but which is the best blender for YOU?
See our » Complete Vitamix Review
Want the skinny on different Blendtec blender comparison?
Read our » Complete Blendtec Review
Buy the RIGHT blender for YOU.
If at any time you have more questions or need more help please ask below in the comments or contact us directly, we are at your service.
Blendtec vs Vitamix Blending Performance
In Blendtec Vitamix comparisons, consumers report both are incredibly powerful blenders. They both can easily crush ice, make hot soup, blend nut butters, grind seeds, puree fruit and a whole lot more. They are also the best blenders for making green smoothies.
Which blender has more power? Blendtec makes blenders with more power. The newer Vitamix models, such as the 7500, 750, and Smart System Series are their most powerful at 12 amps, while the Vitamix classic models, such as the 5200, draw less power at 11.5 amps/1380 watts. This versus Blendtec’s Designer models with power up to 15 amps/1725 watts
We choose to NOT put much weight on advertised horsepower of these blender for a couple of reasons.
1) Manufacturers advertise “peak horsepower” which is not a true indication of blending power. Peak horsepower is a measurement of a single instance of power output under a certain condition resulting in the highest power output possible.
2) Horsepower can be measured and reported using different methods and is therefore not a good value for comparison.
3) True blending performance is dependent upon more factors than just raw power output. Compared to other blenders, both Vitamix and Blendtec have more power and torque to effectively break-down cell walls and blend any food product. For the most part differences in their power are negligible.
Speed: Vitamix variable speed control has a range of 500 to 37,000 Revolutions per Minute (RPM), allowing for more control at slower speeds. Most Blendtec blenders come with preset speeds, 6 to 10 depending upon the model; the Designer 725 has a 100-speed touch slider.
Chopping: Neither blender is designed specifically to be a good chopper. Although, in comparing Blendtec to Vitamix, the low speed variable control of the Vitamix does allow for better chopping results. The Blendtec 725 comes real close with its 100 speeds. Practice with the pulse feature can result in very satisfying results with any model you choose.
With power comes noise…
both blenders are loud. Some models are louder than others. As for which one is “louder”, it all depends upon the specific model as sound level can vary a lot. The » Blendtec Pro 800 is the absolute quietest.
Warranty and Durability
Both of these blender brands are built to last and have the best warranty of all household blenders to back it up. They go far beyond the typical 90-day or 1-year warranty of regular blenders that so commonly fail shortly after the warrant expires. Vitamix set the standard in the industry around 1999 with their 7-Year Full Use warranty. Blendtec’s warranty changed in 2014 to a full 8-year warranty (10-year for the Pro models), thereby becoming the best warranty in the industry. The new Vitamix Smart System blenders now have a 10-year warranty to match. Extended warranties are available direct from both companies at an additional cost and on occasion club stores such as Costco and Sam’s Club offer warranty extensions as a promotion.
The Vita-mix Corporation has been making performance blenders for over 80 years and Blendtec has been making blenders for the home for over 30 years. These blenders are made to last and it is not uncommon to learn about customers that have been using their blender for 10+ years without an issue. Both companies are US based and have the majority of their product manufactured and assembled in the USA.
Both Vitamix and Blendtec companies are known for excellent customer service and honoring their warranties without hassle.
Vitamix Containers & Blendtec Jars – Volume and Blades
Containers: All current blending containers from both companies are BPA-Free copolyester plastic with volume measurement marks. These containers are light-weight, very strong and quite difficult to break. Glass blending jars are NOT an option with these blenders. This is primarily due to safety; the power and force generated by these blenders could easily break glass, and for their size, glass containers would be extremely heavy.
Blendtec GO JAR SALE! – get it » HERE!
Vitamix container options include:
Blendtec jar options include:
The Standard packages for each blender comes with a “64oz” volume container or in some cases a 48oz container. Both companies offer other options and packages. Blendtec boasts a one blade does it all, both “wet” and “dry” blending in a single container. There is a 32oz Vitamix “dry grains” container available. Think you need a separate container to grind grains? You don’t necessarily, see our » Dry Blending Comparison
In addition to the dry grains container, Vitamix offers a 48oz container as well as a 32oz wet jar. The 64oz container that comes with the Vitamix Classic Series is 13.4 inches tall. The biggest complaint about Vitamix tends to be that this container is too tall to store the blender on counter-tops. Vitamix addressed this issue with the 48-oz container and a low-profile 64oz container that comes standard since the release of the Next Generation G-Series blenders. This new container is shorter (~10 inches) with a wider base that the tall 64-oz so it fits under most, but not all, cabinets.
All Vitamix containers are available for both classic and smart system models. The classic containers, with the black lid are compatible with the classic models such as the 5200,7500,750 & Explorian while the smart system containers are compatible with the Ascent and Venturist Series.
The Ascent Series and G-Series come with the more efficient low-profile 64 oz container. See our » Vitamix 7500 Review for more information.
Blendtec’s most popular blending jar offered is their Wildside+ jar with a fifth side added to their square jar design and a 4 inch blade. Also offered is the small Blendtec Twister jar. The Twister jar is by far Blendtec’s greatest improvement allowing for small volume blends. See more about the Twister jar.
Container volume:
While both blenders’ standard containers are advertised as “2 qt”, there is a notable difference. All Vitamix blending containers are UL rated to blend at capacity – their 64 oz container can blend a full container’s worth of food. The Blendtec jar can have difficulties operating at full capacity (WildSide Jar ~90 oz); Blendtec recommends filling their containers 1/2 full for optimum efficiency. Vita-Mix states you can fill them to the maximum volume and blend without issue, although it really depends on what you are blending. We have been successful running Blendtec with nearly full containers, with the WildSide that holds ~90 ounces that equates to about 64 ounces.
Blades: Blendtec blenders have a 2-prong, dull Stainless Steel blade. Vitamix blenders have a 4-prong Stainless Steel, 2 dull hammermill blades and 2 cutting blades. Both of these blades are engineered so they will not need replacing when used as recommended.
Lids:
Vitamix containers, except for Self-Detect containers, come with a rubber spill-proof vented lid with a center plug that can be removed to add ingredients while the machine is running and to make use of the tamper. (The new Smart System Self-Detect container lids no longer are rubber, they are clear plastic.) These lids have a “locking tap” that snaps on the lip to keep the lid on securely for blending. Blendtec blending jars come with a square vented Gripper lid that presses in place. It also has a center plug for adding ingredients. A minor “flaw” in the Blendtec lid design is that it doesn’t stay on as securely. Some customers have complained that the lid pops off when blending if left unattended. This occurs most often when filling the jar too full.
Every Vitamix container comes with a tamper. Blendtec containers do not come with tampers – their claim is that “they don’t need them”. For more information see tamper details.
Usability and Ease of Use
Both Vitamix and Blendtec are easy to use but their controls make the difference. Operation is different depending upon which blender you choose.
Vitamix C-Series Controls
Vitamix G-Series Controls
Vitamix Ascent Controls
Speed Control:
Vitamix offers manual control over your blending pleasure with its variable speed dial vs Blendtec’s buttons, or slider, to cycle through their multiple speeds as needed (available speeds now vary with most every new Blendtec model – see our Blendtec Model Comparison). Blendtec is a microprocessor controlled machine with digital display to keep track of blending times and cycles.
Blendtec Classic Control Buttons
Blendtec Designer Controls
Blending Programs:
Blendtec is best know for its Smart-Touch Tec-nology™. This allows you to “push a button and walk away” to have the blender run through a hands free automatic program cycle that stops when completed. (We don’t recommend actually walking away from the blender). While the Blendtec program cycles are very handy for some applications, we sometimes find the need to continue blending after the program completes to finish the job to our satisfaction or the cycle runs longer than what is needed to do the job. All Blendtec blenders also offer manual control as well for complete control. Higher cost Vitamix models such as the 750, and Ascent Series add program cycles to their operation. We find that the Vitamix program cycles are not as effective as Blendtec’s.
Your Vitamix will continue to run until manually shut off, when a cycle ends, or until the thermal protection kicks in to prevent overheating. Blendtec will automatically shut off after a maximum of 90 seconds of continuous blending (or when the chosen program cycle ends whichever is less).
Tamper:
For such a small part of the blender, the tamper has created a lot of discussion and debate regarding Blendtec vs Vitamix. Every Vitamix blender comes with a tamper to assist in blending solid and whole (uncut) foods without stopping the blender. The tamper is generally not needed for most applications but can be extremely helpful when chopping, making frozen entrees, nut butters and thick puddings. With the Blendtec blenders, sometimes additional liquid is needed to blend completely without stopping the blender to adjust the ingredients.
The introduction of the Blendtec Twister Jar gives Blendtec owners the ability tmake thick purees and small volume dishes with ease. With its unique “twister lid and tines”, that function similar to the Vitamix tamper, food can somewhat be directed into the blades while blending.
Dry Blending. Grain Grinding and Making Flour
Which blender makes flour and does dry blending? Do you need a Vitamix Dry Grains Container?
In our blender reviews and demonstrations we get a lot of questions about what the difference is in how these two blenders grind grain and make flour. We have done a lot of seed and grain grinding using all blending containers (Blendtec Fourside/WildSide, Vitamix standard “wet-blade” and Vitamix “dry-grains” container) to find how they truly compare.
Blendtec and the Vitamix Standard container can blend dry ingredients.
Dry Blending REVIEW RESULTS:
Both blenders have no issue with grinding large amounts of nuts or seeds, such as flax or sesame, although we generally prefer our dedicated coffee grinder for those tasks.
The Blendtec jars and Vitamix standard “wet blade” containers can grind wheat berries pretty well. The flour appears identical in texture and consistency. Our tests reveals that it takes slightly less time to grind the berries with the Blendtec if you are blending more than 2 cups at a time and the temperature of the flour is lower. Also, sifting the flour will reveal that the Blendtec does grind the flour slightly finer.
The Vitamix Dry Grains container appears to do a better job of grinding. In a shorter amount of time the flour is a little finer with a more consistent texture, and did not clump in the corners like it does with the Vitamix standard container. The Vitamix dry-blade is designed to produce an “opposite vortex” which evenly pushes the flour up the sides as it grinds, rather than pull ingredients down to the center.
Conclusion: it doesn’t matter which blender you choose, no additional container or blade is required for either blender. If your plans include occasional grain grinding, both the Blendtec and Vitamix Standard will do a great job. But, if you plan on doing a significant amount of grain grinding then the Vitamix dry grains container would be a wise investment, or having dedicated Blendtec Fourside container for flour is a good idea.
Or… as Blendtec recommends:
“To get a very fine grind and to keep the nutrients, always use the Kitchen Mill.”
The Blendtec Kitchen Mill is designed specifically for grain processing and does a superior job compared to any blender we have experienced.
Over time blending containers become cloudy and more opaque from grain grinding. Both Blendtec and Vitamix recommend a dedicated jar for grains for this reason, because of aesthetics.
Smoothie Making
Which one makes the best smoothie? Both blenders do an excellent job at turning out delicious fruit and vegetable smoothies. There is no question about that. In the great Vitamix/Blendtec debate, there is no need to be concerned whether or not either blender can perform.
We’ve used our Blendtec blenders thousands of times (they include a digital usage counter) and have found the program cycles alone do not always complete the blending to our satisfaction – but fear not, as every Blendtec offers manual speed control over your blending desires. For common blends and fruit smoothies the Blendtec program cycles are a great advantage. For specialty blends and green smoothies packed with greens it is sometimes necessary to do additional blending after running the Whole Juice cycle. We found the same results, even more so, with the Vitamix Professional Series program cycles. They work okay for simple smoothies but they tend to run too long and do not have a satisfying result with green smoothies.
With manual control, Vitamix (both the 5200 and 7500) consistently makes creamy, super smooth green smoothies without the need of the tamper no matter how much greens we pack in the container, but it takes practice. Blendtec’s newer models do a much improved job of creating super-smooth green smoothies as compared to their older models.
Both the Blendtec and the Vitamix process food sufficiently to break down plant cell walls. This makes more nutrients available for use in your body.
Juicing with a Blendtec or Vitamix
A common question by many is “can it juice?“. While both blenders make incredible smoothies, it is important to note that they are not “juicers”. What they do make is what we call “wholefood juice“. The important difference is that Juicers extract the liquid from ingredients by removing all the fiber and blenders do not remove anything from the whole food so you get all the natural fiber – thus a “wholefood juice”.
If you truly want to make juice without the fiber in your Vitamix or Blendtec, you need to take an extra step after blending. You have to strain the wholefood juice to remove the fiber and pulp. While not as effective as a juicer, you can accomplish this using cheesecloth or a nut milk bag.
If you plan on juicing a lot then you should consider a quality juicer – see the juicers we recommend.
Clean Up
Unlike general kitchen blenders, neither the Blendtec nor Vitamix have an easy option to remove the bottom blade housing to access the jar for cleaning. They both are easy to clean but Blendtec is easier.
The 2 prong blade and smooth square design of the Blendtec jars make it easier to remove your blended goodness and clean than the more narrow, 4 prong blade Vitamix design. The Vitamix New Generation low-profile container is wider and results in easier access than the taller containers but is still not as easy to clean down near the blades as Blendtec jars.
Clean up is easy by putting in some hot water with soap and blending. A little hand washing can finish up the job if necessary. The most important factor for easy clean up is to wash your container immediately after use. Blend, wash, and done.
*Dishwasher machine use: some readers have shared that they put their containers in the dishwasher to clean. Blendtec states that it is okay to put their jar in the dishwasher while Vitamix states that you should not. We recommend that you don’t put either Blendtec or Vitamix containers in the dishwasher – continual dishwasher use will compromise the seal and bearings of the blade housing over time due to extreme temperatures and detergents If you have older containers that are not BPA-Free they will out-gas. We have had Blendtec customers tell us that their dishwasher had damaged their containers, which is NOT covered under warranty. If you risk it, place them on the top rack.
Comparison Chart
| Vitamix Classic & E320 | Vitamix Ascent Series | Blendtec Total & Designer | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 20.5" x 7.25" x 8.75" 17.5" x 7.7" x 9.4" |
11" x 8" x 17" | 15.5" x 7" x 8" | |||
| Height | 20.5 inches high 17.25 (with Compact container) |
17.5 inches tall | 15.5 inches high | |||
| Speed Controls | High/Low and Variable Speed 0 to 5 Pre-programs |
Variable Speed and Pulse 0 to 5 Pre-programs |
8 to 100 speeds (plus Pulse) 4 to 6 Pre-programs |
|||
| RPMs | ~500 – ~37,000 RPMs | ? | ~ 4,080 – ~28,000 RPMs | |||
| Green Smoothies | Super Smooth | Super Smooth | Super Smooth | |||
| Power | 1380 watts 11-12 AMPS (2.1 – 2.2 HP) |
2.2 HP 12 AMPS |
1560 – 1725 watts 13 – 15 AMPS (3.0 – 3.8 HP) |
|||
| Containers Available |
64 oz. Short 64 oz. 48 oz 32 oz |
SELF-DETECT Technology Short 64 oz. |
75 oz. FourSide 90 oz. WildSide 37 oz. Twister Mini WildSide |
|||
| Grains | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| Blade | 4 prong Stainless Steel | 4 prong Stainless Steel | 2 prong Stainless Steel | |||
| User Control |
Switches Variable Speed Dial Program Buttons |
Switches and Buttons Variable Speed Dial Timer Program Buttons |
One-Touch Buttons Pre-program cycles |
|||
| Warranty | 5 to 7-year | 10-year | 8 to 10-years | |||
| Colors Available |
Black, White, Red, Blue, Expresso, Brushed Stainless or Platinum |
Black, White, Red, Brushed Stainless or Platinum | MANY Black, White, Red, Steel, Green, Blue, Purple… |
|||
| Reconditioned | Yes | No | Yes | |||
| Starting Price | » $300 | » $450 | » $280 |
Bottom Line – Which blender is better for YOU?
- you prefer high-tech computer controlled – digital display blenders
- you like to push a button and have your blender control your blends
- you are space limited and need a shorter blender
- easier clean up is important
- you travel a lot with your blender
Vitamix may serve you better if:
- you prefer total control over the speed and time of blending
- you like a more solid, industrial feel blender
- you prefer simple mechanical buttons and dials
- you blend small volumes and thick purees
No matter which brand you chose to buy – you will own a top quality blender!
Best Buys for your Blendtec or Vitamix
FREE Shipping & Best Prices
» Click here to order your Vitamix
» Click here to order your Blendtec Direct
Total Blender • Classic • Designer • Pro 800 • 725
BEST price with FREE Shipping
View all our exclusive » Blendtec Discounts
Shop Wayfair
Comment below or Contact us.
Which blender do you Choose? BLENDTEC or VITAMIX – Why?
Please LIKE, and Share your experience with our guide.
4.9 (227,088 reader ratings)
I am trying to choose between the Blendtec 800 and a comparable Vitamix model (maybe the Ascent 3500), and there are a few factors that I’m most curious about.
One is that I do a lot of cooking and backing, so being able to make both creamy batter and thick creamy soups is important to me. I had read that the Vitamix might do this better. Do you agree, and if so, could this be remedied by getting the off-brand tamper for the Blendtec?
I also want to have great customer service, and while there are always horror stories out there, I tend to see more bad customer service experiences with Vitamix. Do you have a sense of which one is better in that regard?
Finally, I really like the idea of ‘quiet’ with the Blendtec 800, but I don’t want to sacrifice any versatility. I’ve looked at all the gadgets/jars that each brand has, and I’m having trouble figuring out if I’ll miss out on any major versatility with Blendtec vs. Vitamix. Vitamix makes the Aero-disc jar, for example, but folks in the reviews say its dysfunctional. So this is another area where I need some help considering. …Thank you!
Hello Corina,
Both the Blendtec 800 and the Vitamix 3500 are fantastic options. Both can make creamy batters and thick creamy soup equally without issue.
In our opinion, the tamper will not make much difference once you get used to using either blender – the tamper can be helpful when making frozen blends and thick blends with little to no liquid (like nut butters). For most blending I have never had a need for a tamper. For those blends, like nut butters, with a Blendtec I use the Blendtec Twister Jar, which is great for the volume of the jar, every bit as good as a tamper.
The main difference is the sound enclosure of the Pro 800 – it makes a huge difference in sound level. If sound level is a big factor for you then I’d suggest going for the 800.
As for customer service, we rate both Blendtec and Vitamix as equal; they both have fantastic service. As you mentioned, there are always some shared horror stories but we find that the most common valid complaint is wait times to talk to a representative and that can be an issue on occasion with both companies.
I don’t believe you will be sacrificing any significant versatility with either choice; the big difference, beyond the sound enclosure, is truly personal preference.
Let us know if we can be of further service.
I have a blendtec, and have had it for years, I just found out that blendtec also has teflon specks, tested it and sure enough, there were black specs. Me and my family have been using it for years, this is very concerning.
Bought a Blendtec 350 10 years ago. Since then 2 jars went bad when burning smell came off the bottom of the jar and began to leak. Blendtec sent replacement jars for free and eventually a jar with better design has last up to this day. I always thought I will better go to the better side of the Vitamix fence and hate being stuck with my EVER LASTING basic Blendtec. It just keep running strong giving me smooth smoothies day after day. After reading so many comments on this site, I would certainly think twice when I come to buying another blender.
Thank you for your feedback Billy!
Blendtec has made some great improvements to their Jars in the last 10 years. Since reducing the gasket size and adding more metal connection to the jars around 2015, the leaks and “burning” smell has pretty much disappeared.
Keep on blending!
I am in the process of buying a blender, right now it is between the vitamix 750 professional model or the blentec 800 model. Which one would you recommend. I will be doing green and fruit smoothies on a daily basis plus grinding and cooking ….
Gisele,
Both the Blendtec Professional 800 and Vitamix 750 are great blenders and will perform very well doing fruit and green smoothies as well as grinding and other tasks. The 800 is a more powerful, comes with a 10-year warranty (3 more than the 750) and includes Stealth Technology making it the quietest, most powerful, performance blender for home use. The Pro 750 is Vitamix’s finest classic offering, has great manual control with a few decent blending programs.
Choosing between the two is difficult though I would recommend the pro 800 model over the 750, especially if you see yourself making use of the blend cycles. Once you experience the sound dampening of the enclosure and stealth design you will be very pleased.
Do you remember the old TV sets that had a dial for tuning. “If you don’t ask you parents.” The dial was easy to break and you were always adjusting to get the exact frequency for the channel if not set just so it was fuzzy. Solid state digital TV’s were the solution. Can you imagine trying to get all of the Cable channels we have now with a dial?
Vitamix = Dial
Blendtec = Solid state digital.
Interesting analogy… though it doesn’t really work. There is no frequency involved in a variable speed. It’s always “tuned in” at whatever power/speed it is set to – virtually unlimited speeds to a point.
Hi,
I have owned a vitamix for 8 years and used two to three times daily in that time. The bearings are beginning to fail and as I live in Canada it is probably cost prohibitive to ship it away.
With this in mind I am looking to get another blender and will keep the vitamix as a standby
I was in bed bath and beyong a couple of days ago and noticed a dramatic drop in the quality feel of the dials and switches on the new vitamix and not really all that interested in the ascent models.
I don’t do anything special green smoothie wise but I do pack in the greens and fruit and my completed smoothies are literally at the very top of the 64 ounce jug
Now I’m getting to my question 🙂
I am looking at the blendtec 800 professional as a replacement .
Do you think the large wild side will explode on me as I will be packing it with plenty of good stuff or have they improved on this since your review.
Frank,
I’m sorry to hear your Vitamix is wearing out. It must have seen a lot of good use to wear out. I’m guessing you have either a 5000 or 5200? An 8 year old has passed its warranty length but I do want to let you know about a couple of options to consider.
You wouldn’t necessarily need to send it to the US as Vitamix does have a warehouse/shipping center in Canada. Also, Vitamix does have a trade-in program where you could get $150 for your old Vitamix on a new purchase. More info here. I hear you that you don’t care for the Ascent Series but have you seen the 7500 or 750?
Blendtec blenders have come a long way. The Professional 800 is an excellent choice. It has become our most used blender in our kitchen, mainly because of the sound enclosure (love the nearly silent volume by comparison). Their WildSide+ Jar with its ridges and improved gasket can handle pretty much anything. The total volume of the Jar is 90 ounces and we personally have had no issues getting 4 pints (64 ounces) of green smoothie out of it. Any more than that and it can become difficult to blend, not because of power but because of cavitation (air pockets) with thick or frozen blends.
I trust that answers your question. Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Thanks
Ordered a blendtec 800 today. Thanks for the vitamix Canada info. I’ll simply put it in the cupboard as a spare/travel option
Nice site btw
I would like to compare the vitamin 7500 vs blendtec 675. Unless you have a better recommendation. My needs are 1-20-24oz green smoothie, low cupboards,( I can get it under without the lid on.) grains and pastes,
Which one tends to have less problems.
Thank you for your help. I find it all very helpful. It takes alot of hard earned money to be healthy.
Hello Gigi,
You have chosen two great models. Either one would be a great choice to meet your needs. The main difference is that the Blendtec 675 has pre-program cycles which can be very helpful (and is currently on sale now ). The one thing that may make the difference is getting it under your cupboards. The Blendtec total height is 15.6 inches while the Vitamix is 17.5 inches; depending upon the space below your cupboards that ~2 inches could make a difference.
Let us know if you have any further questions
Let us know if we can be of further service.
We will never buy another Vitamix and I truly regret recommending to so many family and friends who ended up purchasing Vitamix blenders over the years. I’m actually getting ready to go to the store and buy a Blendtec when I am done writing this post.
We bought a Vitamix 9 years ago and loved it. We made smoothies regularly and it always did the job. Early on we had a minor problem with the container and Vitamix shipped a brand new one, quickly. It was nice to see a company standing behind its product and being considerate of its customers time and efforts. After that, 2-3 more years of smoothies and many more recommendations to friends and family.
Unfortunately, as we approached the end of the warranty period we started having some real problems with the motor. We contacted support and shipped it to Vitamix. It was returned to us unchanged. When we contacted them to arrange for a second return for repair we were told that the blender was fixed when it left the factory (i.e. “You must have broken it” or “We don’t believe it is broken”) At that point we were out of warranty and out of luck.
Despite the experience we decided to pick up a new 310 model from Costco. It was a total piece of junk. No exaggeration it bogged down quickerthan the magic bullet set we use for protein shakes. Still giving Vitamix the benefit of the doubt we went to Costco and exchanged the blender and unfortunately did not see any change in performance.
I would recommend a blender other than Vitamix if my experiences are truly representative of the wider support experience and product mix.
Thank you for your feedback Damian.
Sorry to hear of your challenges with repair. Generally speaking Vitamix tends to go above and beyond to repair real issues with their blenders. While the Vitamix E320 & E310 is their entry level model, in our experience it is a superior blender to the Magic Bullet and one shouldn’t have any issues with protein shakes.
I got a Vitamix a2500 and im not too impressed with it, the smoothie is smoothe but is grainy texture is poor, im not sure should I get the Blendtec 675 instead
Hello Jenrola,
I sorry to hear about you experience with your A2500. Sometimes it takes a little practice but you should not have any issues getting your smoothie smooth. How much are you making at one time? If can be difficult to blend less than 16-20 oz at one time in the 64ox container. Also see our texture tips for some additional help.
If you really want to try the Blendtec 675, now is the perfect time. Right now, for a limited time, you can get it HERE for only $300 (an additional $200 off with free shipping) use code MIDSUMMER when checking out.
Let us know if we can be of further service.
MIDSUMMER didn’t work
Clinton, the “MIDSUMMER” offer is expired.
Hello,
I’m looking for a blender that will blend frozen fruit and ice without adding a ton of liquid.
My blender now is a nutri bullet and it is okay but it leaves a lot of chunks which is not great for my daily smoothie bowls.
I don’t want to spend a fortune but I would love a blender that will be long lasting. Help!
Hello Tia,
Both Vitamix and Blendtec will handle frozen fruit and ice without adding a lot of liquid without any problems – and won’t leave lots of chunks.
If cost is a major concern then I suggest you consider Reconditioned Vitamix or Blendtec. Right now the Vitamix Explorian is on sale for $219 with free shipping while they last. A great value!!
If you would like further assistance please let us know.
Thank you for providing such thorough information and open discussion about these blenders!
I’d like to share my experiences with both Blendtec (the older, original model) and the Vitamix Professional 300 I purchased late 2016 and returned a few weeks later. Maybe this info will help someone else who is researching these products.
My original Blendtec was loud but excellent in every other way. It produced smooth almond milks made from unsoaked almonds and water. Most blenders don’t do this well enough so you don’t find occasional pieces of almonds in your nut milk.
Several years later, I ended up selling the Blendtec (unrelated to its performance) but regretted it later and purchased another. This time I opted to buy from a retailer who was offering it at a lower price. I am 100% sure that most who sell these blenders are fair and provide the best service for their customers, but I think this unit was refurbished and not well because it never performed up to the original. (I don’t think the seller is in business anymore!)
A few years ago, I had enough money to invest in a better blender than the “refurbished” one and researched the newer models.
When I spoke with Blendtec Customer Service, I was told that their blenders are designed to be used daily, and if you don’t use them regularly, the seals start to break down, and you can end up with manufacturing grease in your blended foods.
I won’t use a blender daily, so this was a concern for me. If I have multiple jars (for grinding nuts, seeds, legumes in addition to liquids), I might use the motor unit frequently, but from what I understand, the concern is with the base of the jar, not the motor.
After some more research, I decided to try the Vitamix Professional 300. It worked well for basic smoothies, but I didn’t use it for long. I decided to make hummus by blending hot, not boiling, just-cooked chickpeas with the other ingredients. Before I even started to blend, the liquid seeped out from the base of the jar.
Vitamix claims you can make hot soup in their blender jars. On many cooking shows you can see chefs pouring boiling hot liquid into a blender to make sauces or purees. So I figured maybe there was something wrong with my blender jar.
When I contacted Vitamix, here’s what their customer service rep wrote:
“The Vitamix makes hot soup by blending on high speed for 5-6 minutes and it heats up from the friction of the blades. Hot liquids should not be added to the container since it can cause damage.”
There is no little between the two. Either way, you end up with hot liquid in the blender jar!
I was disappointed both in the Vitamix blender and in their response, but, to their credit, they did give me a full refund.
So I’m back to considering a Blendtec. Maybe I just need to add liquid to each jar and blend for 10 seconds every day? Does anyone know anything more about this?
Thank you!
Deb
Hello Deb,
Thank you for sharing your experience! I must admit I have not heard of a “requirement” to use your Blendtec Jar “regularly”.
A couple of years ago Blendtec made major improvements to their seals. We have many jars and we certainly don’t use them all regularly but they are all used in rotation. We’ve only ever had one issue with a Jar and that was about 7 years ago when the gasket froze, the gears would not turn. Blendtec replaced it free. Other than that no issues with the 15 or so Jars over 10 years.
I hope that helps.
How does the Blendtec Total at costco compare to the Blendtec Professional 750?
Hello Jennifer, the Blendtec Total Blender and Professional 750 are very similar in power and function. The main difference is that the 750 has the unique option to install it directly in-counter so only the controls and blending jar appear above your counter. So by comparison, it’s mostly about design/look and if you want to install your blender in-counter.
See our complete Blendtec Guide for additional info and let us know if we can answer any other questions.
Your comparison is so helpful and complete. Everyone kept telling me Vitamix is the best but I just bought a Blendtec Professional 800. I really don’t think there is any better blender. Thanks so much!
Congratulations Arnie!
You made a great choice, we love our Blendtec Pro 800 and know it is a great blender.
Happy Blending!
I bought Blendtec Professional Series 750. Reading manual and checking online I was not able find any cycle selection for grinding wheat to very fine course. It talks about all different cycle but does not tell me which cycle I select.
Hello Kanu,
There is no pre-set cycle for grinding flour in a Blendtec blender. To grind wheat berries to a fine flour blend in a WildSide Jar: place 3 cups in the Jar and blend for 50 seconds on speed 9 or high. This should yield ~4 cups flour. If you are using a FourSide Jar then blend 2 cups of wheat berries for 50 secs on speed 9 or high.
Let us know how that goes for you.
I have Classic 570 model….I make smoothies often, my problem is I have to add so much liquid if not the food items gets stuck in the bottom and do not blend. Adding more liquid takes away from the flavour and unused smoothie. This is where I wish Blentec came out with a tamper. What’s your advice?
Cathy,
the 570 should have no issues with blending a smoothie smooth. Are you using the smoothie preprogrammed blend cycle? Perhaps for your particular recipe that cycle doesn’t blend long enough. What volume are you blending? For consistent smooth results in the WildSide Jar you will need to blend at lease 16 ounces at a time and we recommend more if possible for smoother results. Also, you can check out our smoothie texture tips for making smoothies smoother.
I am a single person looking to make smoothies and soups in small quantities. Over XMAS Costco had a Vitamix show and it looked pretty interesting so I dumped the model 5300 into my cart and bought it. I got home and did some research finding that the model 5300 container is not well suited to making small quantities and recommending the purchase of a 32oz wet container for an additional $100+. My first question is how does this 32oz container perform making soups and smoothies given its different blade configuration and size?
I next noticed that this month Costco has a Blendtec Total Blender for the same $359 price including an additional Twister jar. How does this “Total Blender” perform relative to the models 625 and 725? Does the Twister jar perform sufficiently for use in small quantities making smoothies and soups or is it just for thick items?
Hello Bill,
Before I answer your questions, first I would like to suggest that you use your 5300. Go ahead and make some smoothies and soups in the quantities that you want. See how the results are for the actual recipes and volume you want to make. That is ultimately the best way to know if it can do what you want. Costco will accept the return if it doesn’t perform to your expectations.
The 32 ounce container makes great smoothies in small quantities and it can also do a good job at soups. The difference in blade size and configuration is negligible – its benefit is better efficiency with smaller quantities.
The Total Blender performance is comparable to the 625 & 725. It is just an older model. It doesn’t have the new design with some of the sound reducing features and the programs are different, but you can count on it to perform as well.
The Twister jar is fantastic for all small blends. It is not only limited to thick items. We make smoothies, ice-cream, dressings, and sauces all the time in the Twister.
My recommendation Bill, go pick up the Total Blender and try it side by side with the Vitamix 5300. If Costco has the 32-ounce get that too. The great benefit of Costco is that you can return them if not satisfied. Also, if the 625 draws your attention it is available refurbished direct from Blendtec for $399
I hope that is helpful. Let us know if you have any other questions.
John
I’m having a rough time deciding what to do. I use my Vitamix each and every day. 3 months ago my 12 year old dropped the plastic container and cracked it–totally not a Vitamix problem. I bought a new container and installed the old blade in it. Now it’s 3 months out of warranty and the metal blade assembly is somehow locked up. I’ve contacted Vitamix, they want me to buy a whole new container for $164. I am not gong to do that so I’ve ordered a blade only assembly but I’m wondering if I shouldn’t just sell my blender base and 3 month old container and buy something new. I really would like one that fits under the counter. When vitamix says “full use warranty” vs blendtec’s warranty what is the difference? I want something fully covered for everything. When I bought this Vitamix from Costco the box is stamped 5 year warranty. Now I see 7.
fabularburb, you didn’t say which model you have but considering your comment that you “would really like on that fits under the counter”, I think you have an classic C-Series with the tall 64oz container. If you are wanting a Vitamix to fit under the counter, then a G-Series (7500, 750, 300) would be your best choice. Not only a shorter height for under the counter (not quite as short as Blendtec though) but you also gain the additional advantage of a quieter blender. Of course it comes with a price so it may not be in your budget to upgrade unless you consider a refurbished.
Regarding warranty, Vitamix and Blendtec have essentially the same policy with their warranties – they are equally great & extensive, and while Vitamix uses the term “full”, Blendtec’s coverage is the same (one year longer than Vitamix when buying new). If you purchased from Costco there are a few things to consider, some of their models do come with a 5 year warranty versus a 7-year of other models. Costco continues to have an amazing return policy and in most cases you can return your Vitamix to Costco, even past the manufacturer warranty. Check with your specific Costco to see if they will honer your return.
Let us know if we can be of further assistance.
Someone above said they agreed that the vitamix did a better job on smoothies. I may have over read where you stated that. Is either blender able to break down the cell walls better than the other for better absorption? We have been struggling for months to buy the best machine that has the most abilities, but they seem so close. I would say Im looking for the one that breaks cell walls down the best. As a 100% disabled veteran, and my VA nurse saying that my 8.0 AICs as a diabetic is good, its obvious they arent going to help me get better. If you can give thoughts on the blendtec extreme, and if its really any better than any of the others. From what Ive researched I think my options are down to vitamix 750, or 780 g series to avoid the black specs, or blentec 725, 800 or extreme. In the last 2 years alone Ive had to go though 3 surgeries from an artificial knee to reconstructed elbows. I just am not bouncing back anymore. I do not just have money to give, but a few hundred dollars difference isnt something that bothers me anymore, I would just like to have a chance to live with better nutrition. Please advise accordingly like this was your father fighting for his life, thank you.
Billy, in the past when the Vitamix 5200 and the Blendtec Total Blender 4-side were the newest models, it was evident to us, and others, that the 5200 made smoother green smoothies (smoothies without greens didn’t differ). Once Blendtec introduced the WildSide Jar, and improved their blend cycles, their blending efficiency dramatically improved for green smoothies. As time went on and they improved their engineering and design with the WildSide+ jar and the designer series forward, the smoothness of the green smoothies between the Vitamix and Blendtec become indistinguishable.
The Blendtec Extreme is a beast of a blender. When released in 2009, it was truly a new generation of blender power & performance for home use and today, it still remains the only home blender that requires a 20 amp circuit. Nowadays it isn’t that much better than the top Blendtec blenders and in fact, the Professional 800 has essentially the same power with more advanced features. The blender we use the most without a doubt is our 800 – we love the power, ease of use, and especially the sound box.
As we say, these blenders are all fantastic and it’s ultimately about the features you desire. All will perform better than your “standard” kitchen blender. From what you’ve stated, it seems that power, performance and ease of use is important. If sound also matters, then I would recommend the Blendtec 800. But you can’t go wrong with any of the models you have listed as options.
Let us know if we can be of further assistance.
To your health!
what about the teflon in vitamix.. as of may 2016? very disconcerting. excellent info and review. thank you! best on the web. for my needs, i’d choose vitamix, but very concerned re: the teflon and how they’ve handled it… knowing since 2013…. not addressing til 2015… from what i’ve read.
shana, it is our pleasure to provide information and assistance.
The “teflon issue” has been a big one (see the many comments in this article). In August 2015, Vitamix announced they had solved the problem and that all new containers would not have the “black flecks” issue. Since then there have been a few recent reports that new purchases had black flecks.
Hello, I purchased a Blendtec a few years ago and have never gotten into the habit of using it regularly (or at all), my daughter was home recently and she happily made daily smoothies. Today, I went shopping at Costco and was enthralled (inspired) by a wonderful Vitamix representative/demo and purchased the C series 6500 as well as the smaller grain receptacle (for another $99- that i might return) as well as kale, spinach, beets, carrots, mangos, pineapple, bananas, blackberries, protein powder…! Can you tell me anything about this particular model ? Im thinking of giving the Blendtec to my daughter (I also have an unused Magic Bullet someone gave me!).
Hello Cat,
How blessed you are to have the opportunity to experience both amazing blenders. The 6500 is a Costco exclusive new hybrid model to replace the 6300 (pro 500). It is essentially the same blender as the Classic 6300/pro 500 with a stronger, louder motor to accommodate the low-profile 64-oz container. It is a good option for those who want the advantage of the shorter container and a few (3) program cycles but can’t pay the extra for the much quieter 750 G-Series with additional program cycles.
I would like to buy the Vitamix since a lot of feedback seem to lean towards being the best blender but I am scared about the Teflon issue… how do you feel comfortable with thatY
Geneviève, it comes down to personal choice. Choosing between these great blenders can be difficult. Many have decided against the purchase of a Vitamix because of this issue while others still make their purchase knowing. Ultimately, you need to consider your options and determine your comfort.
I get it. I was ready to buy a Vitamix until I learned about their Teflon thing. I decided on a Blendtec 625 and am extremely happy! Excellent blender and no Teflon worries 🙂
~Tess
Question and comments:This site is excellent, thank you.
I tried the Pro 500/6300 Vitamix machine (told those two models are the same machines depending on where you buy it from) and was very upset by my containers both the tall 64 oz and 48oz wet containers presenting with the black specks. Unfortunately I wasn’t made aware of this flakey problem until one year later realizing that I and my family consumed a lot of those little critters in the many smoothies I made once or twice a day. I was not a happy camper no matter what Vitamix said about it not being harmful in any way and their containers approved by the FDA.
Teflon is NOT safe to injest. One just has to read all the reliable posts on it!
Yes, they did replace them for free. Of course they would have to.
Better than all the law suits that might ensue!
Also I wasn’t happy with the presets that model had given one still had to blend smoothies further by using the variable speed dial to complete the drink as a “smoothie” My daughter took it off my hands.
I still wanted a Vitamix just one that lived up to its reputation. So I then decided after researching once again, purchasing the newer G series model 7500 that does not have the 3 presets.
It is a newer generation model with the wider/shorter 64 oz container.
Unfortunately it stil doesn’t fit under my kitchen counter!
I already had the 48oz wet container and Vitamix staff told me it would work well with the 7500 model. However, the tall 64 oz wet container would not albeit other demonstrators who know Vitamix machines told me it definitely would work well with the newer 7500 machine.. Jury’s out on that one. Still not sure??
Well, I find the 7500 that has a stronger quieter motor (quieter?) and wider 64 oz container not very efficient.
I use a lot of ice making my smoothies and it just doesn’t smooth blend very well. I find small pieces of ice, fruit etc. after blending for quite a long time and of course using my tamper constantly.
Also you have to make an awful big smoothie so that 64 oz wider container is not appropriate for a one person smoothie.
When using the 48 oz wet container it too didn’t seem to work as well as the Pro 500.
I am wondering if I am imagining this or in fact others who have this model too feels it doesn’t do what it claims to do or takes much longer to do it.
Confusing to me especially its costly price and having a stronger motor!
If possible I would like some feedback. Thank you once again.
Glad I found your site.
Deena, thank you for your feedback, it is our pleasure to provide you with information.
It sounds like you might need a little more time getting used to your new Vitamix 7500. It really should blend as well, or better, than the 500. The one caveat is with small volumes less than ~3 cups; the low-profile container does not do such small volumes as well as the taller 64-oz containers although your 48-oz container should perform just as well on your 7500 – even with small volumes.
Regarding using the tall 64-oz container with your 7500, Vitamix does not recommend using it although we have found that it does work. But if you have the 48-oz and the low-profile 64-oz then you have the best of both worlds.
Please let us know if we can be of further service,
Shawna
I just thoughtlessly returned my less than 1 year old Blendtec to Costco. It was brand new and I tries to blend 8 oz shredded coconut in 4 oz of water and I got an overload message. I stopped, and left it alone for a week. Yesterday I tried to prepare a smoothie and smelled burning rubber. 🙁
Sandra, it sounds like your Blendtec may have an issue. You should call Customer Service to confirm if there is an issue.
Had a Vitamix for years and enjoyed it. We now have a Blendtec designer series and can not believe how much better it performs! Like it so much we bought one for all of kids.
How awesome for you AND your family mjb.
Enjoy!
Where is the best store to purchase either a Vitamix or Blendtec? This will be my first blender and I can’t afford to spend over $450…what do you recommend?
Connie, there are many options to purchase Blendtec and Vitamix. There are some authorized retail stores, online merchants, as well as direct from Vitamix or Blendtec.
If you are wanting to spend no more than $450, for Blendtec you have the option of any new classic or some refurbished. I would recommend the refurbished 625 for $399.99. As for Vitamix, your only option new would be a 2-speed turbo-blend (possibly the 5200 but that is $449 before tax) or refurbished blender. You can purchase refurbished direct or from Amazon.
I hope that helps – let us know if we can be of further service.
You can get an excellent Blendtec at Costco for about $350. (This is as of November.) It comes with 2 jars. It’s a Great deal!
What would be the best blender to make almond milk? I don’t necessarily care about the smoothies, dips, ice cream etc. but as raw, organic almonds are really expensive, I would like to get a good blender to extract most of the nutrients/milk.
If not Vitamix or Blendtec, which brand and model is recommended?
Blendtec and Vitamix make fabulous almond milk and process the almonds better than other blenders.
Most other blenders will preform pretty much the same making nut milks. I would recommend you look at a Cuisinart SmartPower, Cuisinart ReMix, Omega BL360, or KitchenAid 5-Speed RKSB157 – all around $100.
Shawna
Absolutely loved this comparison, thank you.
I think I have decided on a blendtec 725 but am worried about the noise. It looks so much nicer and seems to be more modern than the vitamix. Am I making a mistake getting a blendtec because it is so much louder?
Happy to help Jencee, thank you for your feedback.
Both these blenders are loud, that’s simply because they are so powerful. In the past, Blendtec blenders were noticeably louder. but with their recent updates and innovations with their new Designer models, there isn’t a notable difference. If you choose a Blendtec 725 over a Vitamix because of the features it has and you prefer its design then don’t let noise level be a single factor to make your decision. If noise level is a major factor, you might want to consider the Blendtec 800 as it comes with Stealth technology making it the quietest performance blender made for the home.
I hope that helps. Let us know if we can be of further service.
John
What has your research on Teflon in the vitamix revealed. I am considering the vitamix but am concerned about the Teflon as it has been shown to be hazardous.
Do you know what the Blendtech uses as a “seal”?
Also, any reason these companies do not do a stainless steel container instead of plastic for those with these concerns (although plastics are proclaimed “”safe” evidence shows they really are not). Thank you
John, the black flecks are from a seal used in containers made of “a common non-stick composite material –PTFE –”. Vitamix released a statement that their “seal supplier and the FDA, other regulatory agencies such as the European Food Safety Authority, French Food Safety Agency (ANSES), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have taken the position that this non-stick material is safe for its intended use”. Vitamix also claimed that as of August 11, 2015, all full-size Vitamix containers produced contain a new seal that addresses the “black flecks” issue. There have also been reports from users that Blendtec has black flecks, although I am unaware of any official statement from Blendtec.
Since 2008 Vitamix products have been made with BPA-free Eastman Tritan™ Copolyester, Blendtec also currently uses the same. The industry considers this the safest food-grade plastic. I am not sure why they do not use stainless steel containers – I imagine it is due to cost factor and not being able to see into the container.
Let us know if you have any further questions.
John
I bought the Blendtec and within a year the rubber gasket at the bottom of the jug deteriorated so that the jug leaked and was not useable. Blendtec refused to honour the warranty, first citing that since I’d bought the blender in the UK and now was in Ireland, the warranty was void, and then when I provided them a UK address to send a replacement jug refused, claiming that the vendor on Amazon I had bought the Blendtec from was an ‘unauthorized dealer.’ It’s the kind of runaround that you really don’t expect from a company from Blendtec. When you spend that kind of money on a product, you expect the company to stand behind their warranty and not try and wriggle out of it. ‘Sorry for any inconvenience,’ they said. I don’t call 100 euros for a replacement jug an inconvenience, I call that a week’s grocery money. Go with Vitamix, the customer service can’t be worse.
I’m sorry to hear about your experience B N. Blendtec customer service is generally incredible.
The one thing they are tough on is unauthorized sales (Vitamix as well). This is why we always recommend buying direct or from a confirmed authorized dealer. If you are not sure about a dealer, you can call Blendtec to verify the seller.
HA! Go ahead and try Vitamix customer service. Be on hold for an hour – who has time to wait an hour to talk to someone? Email them and wait a week or two… At least you got response.
I have both the Blendtec 725 and the Vitamix 5000 and they are both great blender. It is very hard to chose which is better. They both perform and the results are always great.
Was set to buy one or the other but I m so confused now. One has black Teflon specks in the food and the other doesn’t make small batches but can not be filled up half way. Think I’ll buy an Oster or Hamilton Beach and spend the rest of the money elsewhere
We have had 2 Vita Mix Blenders over the past 20 years (Total Nutrition Center and then the 5000) and enjoyed them very much. We use it mostly for smoothies which means frozen high viscosity of ingredients. The one gripe which I have not seen discussed here is that the blades push the ingredients up which almost always creates an air pocket around the blades resulting in having to try to push the ingredients back down. I often have to stop the machine completely and then push the product down, sometimes having to take the pitcher off the base and tap it on the counter a few times to get the ingredients to settle back into the blades. It often takes 5 or 6 times for just one batch.
I was in Costco yesterday and there was a rep from Blendtec selling the 575 Classic. His main selling point was that the blades on the Blendtec pull the ingredients down into the blades whereas the blades on the Vitamix push the ingredients up away from the blades and that is the reason you have to keep pushing the ingredients down. That really resonated with me because of my experience of over 20 years described above.
I was so impressed by that selling point that I bought a Blendtec on the spot even though our Vitamix is working fine.
I’m surprised you do not address this issue and now that I have read your review am wondering if I should take the Blendtec back. We have not used it as yet.
Do you have any input?
Thanks.
20 years in the Vitamix family, how awesome Michael! I am happy to offer some input.
The Vitamix blades, the same as Blendtec blades, in all standard containers create a powerful vortex that pulls ingredients down into the center (the dry grains container is the only exception to this). What you have been experiencing is cavitation. Generally speaking you should not be experiencing this in a Vitamix when making smoothies with some liquid or ingredients that are not all frozen. (When making an all frozen blend like sorbet or ice-cream then use of the tamper is recommended – with the tamper you never have a need to stop the machine to push ingredients down.)
If you are experiencing cavitation while making smoothies one likely reason could be that you are turning your Vitamix to a high speed too quickly. Quickly turning your Vitamix to maximum speed can cause ingredients in the bottom at the blades to blend smooth very quickly thereby creating the air-pocket and inhibiting the vortex formation. How your blender is filled and the size of the ingredients can also effect it.
One thing to try in order to reduce and avoid cavitation is to use the variable speed dial to ramp up the speed. Slowly turn the dial to increase the speed to 4 or 5. Once you see the vortex begin you can continue to maximum speed. If you observe an air pocket beginning you can turn the speed down, but not off, then up again repeating as necessary – this will help to process more of the ingredients together to create the vortex. All of these steps should take about 2-6 seconds to get the vortex going.
Experiment some with using the variable speed dial as described above and let us know how it goes.
Bought Blendtec 570 from Costco 2 weeks back, mainly for almond butter. Also got the twister jar. The twister jar did make the almond butter, but got quite heated up, which concerned me. I let it cool for a while and then turned it on again. Also had to add spoonfulls of almond butter to make a smooth paste. Now, I am wondering if vita mix will do a better job or it will be the same. As of smoothies, my old Oscar was making very satisfying smoothies, for much less cost. Should I return the Blendtec?
Hello prakash, congratulations on your 570 purchase. The twister jar does a great job of creating nut butters. While it will get warm when blending, it shouldn’t be getting “hot”. Go here for more information on the twister jar and making nut butters.
Vitamix also does a great job of making nut butters – this is one task where the tamper is very helpful. You will find that your Blendtec will make your smoothies smoother and more efficiently than your previous blender. I suggest you keep working with your Blendtec and feel free to call customer service for some assistance before returning it.
With the Blendtech Pro 800 are you paying the high price for the housing to lessen the noise or is it a more optimal blender or is one of the designer series just as good. As far as Vitamix vs Blendtech goes I am divided. I’ve seen negative reviews for both, especially how they relate to black specs from bad seals to motor quitting after several uses. Can you enlighten me?
Ann, the additional cost for the Pro 800 is mostly in the enclosure and base design to reduce the sound and it comes with a 10-year warranty.
It is basically a more powerful designer that is significantly quieter with a different control panel. We love ours and it has become our go-to for our regular blends simply because it is so much quieter than our Vitamix 750. If having a quieter Blendtec is really important to you then I believe the extra cost over a designer is worth it, otherwise the designer is a good choice.
You will always find negative reviews even for the absolute best products. The most important thing is: how does the company respond to the customer? Essentially both Blendtec and Vitamix have great customer service and repair/replace any of their warrantied products without issue.
Let us know if you have any other specific questions.
“It is not recognized as a standard for measurement in the International System of Units (SI). Therefore HP does not give a confident, comparable measurement.”
Neither is degres Fahrenheit. Does that mean degree F doesn’t give confident comparable measurement?
Kevin, I believe you are missing the point…
There is not one universally accepted definition of horsepower and no regulation of electrical horsepower claims. Most common formula is 1 horsepower=746 watts. But when looking at reported power of blenders this number is not used since 2 HP would be 1492 watts and 3HP would be 2238 watts (Vitamix claiming 1380 watts as 2+ horsepower and Blendtec claiming 1560 watts as 3 horsepower). For more info see horsepower
Got Greens,
Thank you for responding to me.
The point is not lost upon me. This section regarding power is well intentioned but misleading, especially to the consumer/reader who may already be overwhelmed by the wealth of technical specifications that exists in the market place. Some of the facts upon which you draw your conclusions are not facts. Here, I will address them point by point:
“We choose to ignore advertised horsepower of these blender for a couple of reasons.”
“1) Horsepower can be measured and reported using many different methods and is therefore not a good value for comparison.”
Horsepower is a quantitative, objective measurement. Manufacturers report “peak” horsepower instead of “continuous” horsepower. Peak horsepower is the electrical power that can be drawn, albeit for an instant, when the motor is started. It is not a lie, it IS what is being drawn. Checking the Vitamix and Blendtec websites, they are explicit in labeling this power draw as “peak”. The information is all there for the consumer.
This is akin to automobile manufacturers that report peak horsepower and torque ratings. These ratings correspond to a certain engine speed. Certainly, they do not claim that the engine can achieve this output across the entire power band.
Caveat emptor.
“2) It is not recognized as a standard for measurement in the International System of Units (SI). Therefore HP does not give a confident, comparable measurement.”
Just because the unit of measure for HP is English/Standard instead of SI does not make it invalid! Feet, Fahrenheit, and Pounds are all English units of measure. They, like HP, are quantitative measurements. You risk belittling the life’s work of thousands of American scientists and engineers with this statement!
“3) True blending performance is dependent upon more factors than raw power consumed. Compared to other blenders, both Vitamix and Blendtec have more power and torque to effectively break-down cell walls and blend any food product.”
I agree that true blending performance is dependent on more than just power consumed. Motor power is one factor among many that characterizes the performance of an individual blender. However, it is a logical fallacy that just because HP is not the sole contributor to performance, it should be neglected, since if this was true; 1) kW would be neglected as well (however, this section only serves to discount HP) and more importantly, 2) ALL OTHER factors would be irrelevant since NONE of them are the sole contributor to performance.
Again, your point is not missed. I believe that the message you intend to send is that the often advertised “peak horsepower” is misrepresented to the consumer as a measure of blending power, and therefore, blending performance. However, this is not the case, since there are many factors that contribute to blending performance, power being one among many (blade design, jar design, blade speed, etc.) and even more that contribute to how happy one would be with his/her choice (ergonomics/user interface, aesthetics, etc.)
Kevin, thank you for your input.
Indeed, you are correct, the consumer is overwhelmed by a wealth of technical information in the market place and the point is that advertised peak horsepower does nothing to bring clarity to the consumer when comparing blenders.
I believe you understand the goal is to help consumers to not be swayed by or mislead by advertised numbers that do not accurately represent a fair comparison. The HP information is not “all there for the consumer” – no methodology and no data, just a number. (As an aside for illustration, there is a different competing blender company who divulged that their advertised “3 HP 950 watt” blender was measured when their blender spiked to 2238 watts at the moment it shut down due to overload.)
It is our opinion that the “ours is bigger HP” marketing argument in the case of blenders is detrimental to the consumer trying to make an informed decision. If they were to use “quantitative, objective measurement” then there would be data included to support the HP claims and an explanation why advertised HP does not appear to follow the understood objective standard conversion of 1 HP = 746 W.
Ultimately, I am grateful for the relevant feedback you provided and have updated the presented information to be more helpful. Thank you.
I have observed the Costco Vitamx demonstrating on many occasions, and love the versatility of the Vitamix. The Vitamix uses all still blade construction, but I don’t know if you missed to inform what the Blendtec blade is constructed of. I have definitely a Vitamix fan, and will be purchasing the automatic speed version as soon as possible. Plus Vitamix is an American made product. Vitamix all the way!
Aqeel, both Vitamix and Blendtec blades are made of hardened stainless steel. Thank you for your feedback.
Several of my friends have or had vitamixs. On a whim I picked up a Blendtec instead. I’ve since got almost all my friends to switch. When you use them side by side the Blendtec pretty much wins every time for the most common uses.
Glad to know you are enjoying your Blendtec Jake. Please do share why you feel Blendtec pretty much wins every time; in what ways does it win – which common uses did the Vitamix do better for you?
I have the Vitamix 5000 and it still works beautifully.
Janice, the 5000 is an excellent blender. May it continue to work beautifully for you for many many years to come.
Hello again! I am updating my question. I discovered that the Blendtec 800 is really a commercial product and that it is too costly for my budget. So my question is about the distinction between the Vitamix 750 and the 7500. I see that the 750 has presets which is good, in part because it allows one to leave the room while the blender is going (in case the noise is too much). Do you know if the 750 is less or more noisy than the 7500? Thanks again.
The 7500 and the 750 are both G-Series models and therefore are built with the same motor technology. In essence, they produce equal amounts of noise.
Greetings and thank you for your thorough review and comparison. I have a question about noise as it is a big factor and has made us lean toward the Vitamix 7500 or 750. My partner has tinnitus and cannot tolerate high pitched noise. We bought a Blendtec Classic 570 at Costco for a good price but I was very surprised by the noise level. It gets super high pitched and loud toward the end of the blending of a smoothie. You mention that if less noise is important then Vitamix is a better choice. However, you also say “the Vitamix 7500 is the quieter but the Blendtec Pro 800 is the absolute quietest.” So, is the Blendtec Pro 800 quieter than the Vitamix 7500, or the Vitamin 750? If so, I am puzzled by why you say in your summary comparison that if less noise is important then choose Vitamix. Thank you for your clarification on this. Best Regards!!
Avery, you are welcome, it is our pleasure to asist. In general, Vitamix models are not as loud as Blendtec when in operation. The G-Series models, inclusive of the 7500, are noticeably quieter than other models. The Blendtec Pro 800 is the “absolute quietest” because it is the only residential model that comes with a sound enclosure. The enclosure of course adds to its cost but is very effective at reducing noise significantly. So, yes the Blendtec 800 is much quieter than the Vitamix 7500 or 750, but for a higher price.
excellent, unbiased, researched, and intelligent review. I posted it on Facebook’s Vitamix “support group” page, called “Vitamix Enthusiasts” and asked readers to comment on their experiences with both machines, and which they found best. I’m a VM owner and fan, but I can see how Blendtec is trying their best to compete.
Thank you for your feedback kathy. I am happy to know our review was helpful.
Blendtec is AWFUL. The plastic ring chipped off into our drink TWICE. They replaced the container but it didn’t solve the problem. And talking to the rep it seemed that we weren’t the only ones experiencing this as he went through a pattern of questions that seemed almost robotic. I felt awful giving my 2 yr old a drink that had bits of plastic in it as you don’t notice it until after cleaning. Perhaps a class action lawsuit might be around the corner for this company? Returned the unit to Costco and am happily switching over to a VITAMIX! Soo worth the extra money.
Yes now you can enjoy Teflon instead. LOL
I went to Costco today and they had a roadshow for the vitamix. This was the new 6300 model. It was on sale for 499 and I bought the grinder attachment for an extra $50. Have not used it yet, but curious is this a good decision as compared to blendtech. Most we will plan on using it for soups, juices, smoothies. I like that this has the three separate settings, I was debating between spending $350 for the reefer model, but then buying brand-new from Cosco technically cost me only $50 extra considering the discounted price of both the blender and the additional attachment.
How does the 6300 model compare to blendtec? I spent a total of $550.
Hello Bilal,
Congratulations on your decision to try a Vitamix. The 6300 is a re-branded version of the Pro 500 for Costco stores. It is a C-Series classic blender which is essentially their 5200 with a 3 pre-program blend cycles. The comparison above covers how it compares to Blendtec in general. Blendtec blenders have up to 6 pre-program cycles depending upon which model you choose, compared to the 6300, three cycles.
The reconditioned 6300, Reconditioned Standard Programs, available in 6 colors sells for $349 (the Reconditioned Standard is only $299).
Ultimately, the 6300 is an excellent choice if you know you are going to make use of the pre-programmed blend cycles, and if you are going to be doing a significant amount of grain grinding the xtra $50 is a great deal on the dry-grains container. The most important thing to look at when comparing models and price is a major consideration is whether or not you are really going to use the extra features you are paying more for.
I don’t think this review is biased at all. If you put aside your personal attachment to one particular brand – this review is the best, most complete and accurate on the internet. I find it so thorough and unbiased that I still can’t decide which one to choose because it didn’t say “this one is better, get it”. At least now I feel that I am well educated and clearly understand how they compare. Thank you!
Thank you Tracy. We are happy to know our review has been helpful. Please let us know if you have any further questions..
This review is definitely biased towards the Vitamix. Notice how they talk more about the benefits and advantages of one over the other. The author is obviously more well versed about the features and benefits of the vitamix.
Here are mistakes i saw.
The Blendtec’s longest blending cycle is 90 seconds not 50. ITS ON THE BOX!
The Vitamix do need blade replacements. Thats why have a service centers that will change them for you free of charge.
He compares vitamix’s company history at 70 years vs only the 7 years of blendtecs home machines. Blendtec has been making blenders for 30+ years. Guess what blender Jamba Juice started with?
And notice how he has a special “promotion code for the vitamix and not the blendtec? Hmm! Something to think about!
jester,
Thank you for taking the time to read our review and to share your opinion.
It’s great to see you so passionate about Blendtec – we understand why, we LOVE our Blendtec blenders too!
After more than 80,000 blends, 7 years and 8 models we feel as though we are well versed in the features and benefits of Blendtec. You are correct, 90 seconds is the longest blending cycle on most Blendtec blenders. Vitamix blenders do not need blade replacements. You are correct that if there are any issues with a blade they will replace it free of charge.
Blendtec has not been making blenders 30+ years. Tom began making the Kitchen Mill, a grain grinder, around the mid 70’s under Ktec. It wasn’t until the mid 90’s that he made the Mix n Blend (a mixer/blender combo) and shortly thereafter began renting blenders to Zuka juice, which later became Jamba. “About 17 years” is more accurate than 30+ years, but it looks like we haven’t updated the number for a while – thank you for bringing it to our attention.
We offer discounts and free shipping when purchasing a Blendtec *OR* Vitamix. They are different companies and have different systems in place for applying the discounts. Vitamix attaches a promotion code to the offer while Blendtec applies it without the need of a code.
I hope that helps to clear things up for you. Please let us know if you have any further questions.
Shawna
Love love love this review!!! Finally, one that tells it all. It is exactly what I needed to decide between these two blenders. I’ve decided to go with the Blendtec 725. I’m so excited to get it!! Thank you!
I am so happy for you Krista. Enjoy your 725 – it is an amazing machine!
I’m in cross shopping mode now, therefore I’d like to see a nice, comprehensive comparo on the Blendtec Wildside+ vs. the Vitamix 750 WITH the Blendtec Wildside+ Rebel VM jar.
Which would be more effective? Clockwise vs. counter clockwise? How does the Blendtec VM jar perform with the higher RPMs of the VM? How does the new 64 oz VM jar compare to the Blendtec WS+ VM?
Bence, I don’t believe there is any difference between Clockwise vs Counter Clockwise performance.
Again, it really comes down to personal preference in how you like to use your blender, any differences in performance or results with “jar mixing” will be negligible if even discernible to the user. But is sure is nice to have the option to use a WildSide on your Vitamix. We will soon be doing a complete review of the 2 Vitamix compatible, WildSide Rebel and XR WildSide, jars.
With the new Blendtec Designer 725 blender and its 100-speed touch slider, does this basically give you as much as much speed control as you would have with the Vitamix? Also, do you know the RPM range with the new Designer 725?
The Blendtec 725 certainly does offer the best speed control of any previous model. Again, it ultimately comes down to personally preference; moving your finger along a capacitive touch surface is a different experience than turning a dial with your fingers. I feel there is better speed control and response with the Vitamix dial. The beauty and benefit of the Blendtec 725 over a Vitamix is the intelligent pre-sets and feedback that it offers.
Blendtec has not published the 725 RPM range although they state that with an empty jar, running at maximum speed, it is 29512 RPM. We are still waiting to hear back from them regarding a range.
Excellent unbiased review. I prefer the vitamix . What is the best way to make almond butter with the vitamix? ty. panamakaz
James, I’m happy to know that our review was helpful.
Almond butter is easy in the Vitamix. We have found a great way to make it is by doing 3 cups at a time, increase the variable speed slowly to high then use the tamper to push the nuts into the blades until you reach your desired smoothness.
I puree food for my son and need something that will puree meats. I like to puree roast beef, hamburgers, chicken, etc and make it close to the texture of pudding. Which of these do you recommend. Thanks Karen
Hello Karen. I used my Vitamix 5000 for pureeing meat without any problems. It wasn’t the main function of the blender but it did an amazing job making pâtés. Shopping for a new blender now – I think I’m going to stick with the ultimate control I have in the Vitamix.
Yes Karen, as Jessica said Vitamix can easily puree meat. The Blendtec also can puree meats but we have found that you need a larger volume to get it smooth.
Thanks – One of the better, unbiased reviews I’ve seen. I bought both the Vitamix and Blendtec to do my own comparison. I’m keeping the Vitamix and sending the Blendtec back. It blends OK, but feels less substantial than the Vitamix and actually vibrates all around the counter, especially with ice or frozen fruit. what good are preset programs if I have to stand there and hold it in place. The Vitamix just powers through whatever I put in it and doesn’t bounce around at all. I also agree that the Vitamix makes smoothies and green juice smoother than the Blendtec. The Vitamix still doesn’t fit under my counter (even with the shorter 64oz jar), but that’s OK. Maybe Vitamix will come out with a low profile lid.
Thanks so much for your feedback Tom! Enjoy your Vitamix!
Wow, you could have at least posted the models you bought for your own home comparison. People often buy 1 of each product but not equal models.
Hello Billy, we’ve been educating about blenders for about 10 years now and have tested/compared most consumer Vitamix and Blendtec models.
The Vitamix models include: 3600, Total Nutrition Center, 5000, 5200/CIA/200, TurboBlend/4500, 500/6300, Creations, Creations GC, 6000, 7500/300, 750, 5300, S-30, and S-55. As for Blendtec, models include: Total Blender, HPA3A, Designer Series, Professional, Extreme, Signature, Express, 475, 560, 570, 575, 625, 725, and professional 800.
Let us know if we can help with any additional questions.
Thanks for the comparison articles.
You have great information. I bought my Vitamix some time ago(used it 3 times but want to use it more now- I have specific requirements that keep me from using almost any recipe I have seen and I am not one to experiment) from QVC and now I know I have to watch which products are compatible with it. Thanks again! You provide a great service and I will check your site first when I am looking to purchase anything. I thank all reviewers as I learn a lot from them since many give extra details.
Thanks for the awesome review. I checked some other comparison sites couldn’t find an answer on grain grinding. asked a question about it and they never responded. But your comparison review answered my question. Thank you so much.
Billie, you are welcome, it is our pleasure to help. Thank you for the feedback.
Great review! Are there any options for glass containers in these 2 brands of blenders? Trying to stay away from all plastics.
Thanks
Tam
Tam, neither Blendtec nor Vitamix offer glass blending containers. Both companies assert the reason is due to glass designs failing to meet safety and performance requirements. Supposedly, because of the speed and power generated by these blenders, glass would not be safe.
I’m happy to know that you enjoyed the review – thank you for your feedback.
A clear and concise review, thank you!
Question: Which series, or model, of Vitamix is best for commercial use in my busy coffee shop? It was mentioned as being excellent for home/personal blending but not otherwise.
Now, I have had much use with both the Blendtec and Vitamix; professionally the Vitamix is most consistent, not as loud, and more durable. If you ask me, those are the defining factors for any appliance. Quality has its price!
Thanks for answering my question. Heids
Heids, thank you for your input. This comparison is specifically for Blendtec and Vitamix residential models. For commercial use, the same principles apply, the model best for you would depend upon budget and your intended use. In general, for drinks and food prep consider the Vita-Prep or XL. If your use is almost exclusively drinks then consider the Drink Machine, Quiet One or the Blending Station.
I read a review by a woman who made the comment that when making nut butters, hummus, etc. — things that didn’t automatically slide out of the blender container easily on their own, that she found that it was hard to remove all of the nut butter or hummus and had had to purchase a special spatula to use to get it out with and lost about 1/4 of what she had made because she couldn’t get it out of the blender container. Did you find this a problem like she did?
Lauri, it is more challenging to get thick blends out of blending containers – as the saying goes, “it’s the nature of the beast” and it’s true, they won’t slide out. While a spatula is quite helpful, any long, narrow one works and you should not have any problems getting almost all of your creation out.
One thing we do when making nut butters in order to capture every bit of the creation is to immediately blend a smoothie after scraping out the nut butter.
I have the Vitamix, and want to make almond milk. Is the wet blade okay to grind nuts?
Yes, Linda, absolutely. The standard wet-blade container can grind nuts for making nut milks – that is the container we use.
I have owned both Blendtec and Vitamix for years. Hands down for me is the Vitamix. I much prefer the tamper and total control over my blending. Just my opinion…….
the first thing I would make in my blender would be a great smoothie.
If I had the Blendtec blender, I would start off with making a margarita
I often do small amounts of nuts and water to make sauces. I suspect that I would have to do larger quantities in the Blendtec because of the larger base, is this accurate?
Yes, Dawn, that is accurate. In general if you want to do small amounts in a Blendtec you would need to add water or more ingredients UNLESS you have the smaller Twister jar.
On August 23, 2013 we saw a demonstration of Vitamix at Costco. We were very impressed and bought it. Our only regret was that a smaller container was an additional $100 on top of the base price being more than we wanted to spend. We used it every day for a week. On September 8, 2013 we saw a demonstration of a Blendtec at a home show. It seemed to at least equal the Vitamix and included a smaller container in addition to the large container – for a lower price. Using it for a few days revealed that while it is an excellent unit, it is not equal to the Vitamix. The Vitamix is heavier and quieter. Neither would be a deal breaker. We have, however, decided to keep the Vitamix and return the Blendtec. Deciding factor – the Vitamix made smoother smoothies. The Blendtec left small pieces unprocessed. Tomorrow it will be returned. Next month we may order a small container. Suggestion, buy both and keep the best performer.
Thank you Larry and Brenda for sharing your experience. We agree – if at all possible, you have the means to have both Blendtec and Vitamix to try side by side it would be best. Enjoy your Vitamix!
Nice review and I was fortunate to have had both products and for me I kept the Vitamix due to noise levels. Both did what they say they can do, but the Blendtec was very loud to be smaller in size and that didn’t sit well with my wife.
Thank you for your review Paul! Indeed it is fortunate to have both blenders in order to compare the noise as well as which one works best for you.
I was told that the Blendtec blades were better because they were blunt, not sharp or razor like… and therefore smashed apart the food instead of cutting the food and in doing so, making the food more bio-available to the body for absorption. Is there any truth to that?
Thank you,
That’s got to be the most ridculous thing I’ve ever heard. Who told you that?
David, while it is true that the Blendtec blades are blunt, there is no evidence to support that they are able to make food more bio-available because of it. Also, you should note that the Vitamix has 2 blades that are blunt as well, in addition to sharper blades (not razor sharp, more like a butter knife that is not serrated).
Vitamix has introduced the Professional Series 750 machine which has a compact jar and five of the most popular preset programs. This machine offers the best of both worlds as to having a tech savvy pre-programmed option or a manual control. It is excellent and is much quieter than the other Vitamix machines and a total difference from the Blendtec.
want to make my own nut flour and nut butters. Which one will be the most fine/smooth? Need no pieces or chunks of nuts. Also, does the smoothness depend on the type of nut? (peanut, almond, cashew)
Both blenders can make smooth nut butters and flour without chunks. If you go with the Blendtec, the Twister jar is best for making butters.
The smoothness doesn’t necessarily depend upon the type of nut but what does make a difference in the result is how much oil the nut contains and whether or not the nuts you use are raw or roasted.
I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH LARGE HIGH SPEED MOTORS FOR OVER 14 YEARS, SAME PRINCIPLES APPLY TO SMALLER HIGH SPEED MOTORS SUCH AS THE ONES IN THESE BLENDERS. BASED ON THAT I BOUGHT MY WIFE THE VITAMIX 7500. WHY? WELL ITS SIMPLE WATCH SOME OR MOST OF THE COMPARISON VIDEOS ON THE WEB AND THEY ALL SHOW HOW THE BLENDTEC SPINS WILDLY OUT OF CONTROL (VERY UNSTABLE) WHEN OPERATING AT HIGH SPEEDS. THIS IS DETRIMENTAL TO THE OVERALL WORKINGS AND LONG TERM RELIABILTY OF THE MACHINE (BLENDER). THAT IS DUE TO THE HIGH RPMS OF THE MOTOR IN REGARDS TO THE DESIGN AND WEIGHT OF THE BASE. IMAGINE HOW LONG YOUR CAR WOULD LAST IF ITS MOTOR WOULD OPERATE (SHAKE) LIKE THAT UNDER THE HOOD. YOUR CAR WOULD BEGIN TO FALL APART VERY QUICKLY. BASICALLY YOU NEED A STABLE AND STRONG BASE FOR THE MOTOR TO OPERATE CORRECTLY (AND LAST A LONG TIME). AND VERY IMPORTANT BUY AMERICAN.
Thank you for sharing your experience and expertise BP!
This is a great review and comparison of the 2 blenders.
Would be also possible to let consumers know where Blendtec is manufactured? Desinged and assembled in US what about the place is manufactured………
thank you
Thanks DL! – I am happy to know that you have found our Blendtec vs Vitamix comparison helpful.
About a year ago Blendtec changed their labeling from “Made in USA” to “Designed and Assembled in the USA”. They did so because California law prohibits companies from labeling Made in USA if parts of a product are manufactured in any foreign country. While Blendtec blenders continue to be built in Utah with minimum 70% Domestic Content, they do contain parts made from outside of the US. Blendtec has not disclosed from where or which parts of their blenders are foreign manufactured.
Great reviews!!! on both products…thanks for some real help!!!
Good review. Seems inline with what others say. I would add that the Blendtec is generally cheaper. Now on Costco it is $100 cheaper and comes with a second pitcher.
I also note that you wrote “super smooth” under the Vitamix and only “smooth” under the Blendtec, but then don’t really elaborate much on it later. I’m confused by the “smoothness” because some places say that the Blendtec makes smoothies faster but other places disagree. It seems there is a little skill in packing the Blendtec to make sure it pulls everything down, but that once you have it figured out not needing the tamper is helpful. (though I don’t see why the Blendtec doesn’t still include one anyways)
Both of the blenders are reviewed highly just about everywhere. For me I wanted the Blendtec because it can sit on my counter under the cabinets with pitcher on. Seems like a minor issue but that was the only “tiebreaker” I could come up with.
Vitamix base is built more sturdy obviously becasue it is heavier despite using a lower wattage/HP motor. However, the Blendtec has a lifetime warranty on the blades while the Vitamix requires new blades when the old ones get dull (apparently it takes a long time to dull the blades, but they will go dull before the base motor gives out).
Thank you for the feedback Jake. Of the, literally, thousands of green smoothies we’ve made in both the Blendtec and Vitamix, it is our experience that those made in the Vitamix are smoother. Can’t say exactly why but my guess is the container and blade design.
The tamper is almost never used for the Vitamix, but for those few exceptions like making frozen sorbet without adding any liquid it is a life-saver. I imagine Blendtec doesn’t include a tamper due to patent protection and because their big marketing slogan is “we don’t need a tamper”.
As for the Blendtec “lifetime blade warranty”, I have not seen that claim from Blendtec for many years. In fact, the blade assembly is not separated from the jar which is explicitly warrantied for 7 years (3 if purchased separate). Nowhere in the current Blendtec warranty documentation will you find “lifetime”. I don’t believe it matters for blender comparison anyway since I’ve never heard of any cause for replacement of either blade because of “dullness”.
All other things being equal, I choose Vitamix over Blendtec just because I like the heavier commercial look and feel of the Vitamix.
I purchased the blend tec after a demo at a local Costco store. I am VERY UNSATISFIED. During the demo, they made juices, smoothies etc without having to put the lid on. NOT the case in reality!! We not only have to put the lid on because contents come up to the very top, but we have to hold it because it Shakes badly!! Almost to the point where it’s about to fall over. I got a replacement from the company but it isn’t any better. This is the last time I trust demos!!! I’ll be my own judge in the future. Working on getting a refund but that may be easier said than done.
Why would I choose do whole juicing over just juicing? I understand that juicing extracts pulp, but why would one want to do that when there are so many nutrients removed?
A true juicer produces a drink with highly-concentrated nutrients. You can get the benefits of a half pound of carrots in one glass. Of course, that also means you have to oay for half a pound of carrots to make one glass of juice! Additionally, when using a true juicer, you lose fiber; in addition to being important to your intestines, fiber reduces the surge of blood sugar. Personally, I think fruit is best consumed the way it is designed—whole—but I can see how a juicer might be beneficial for times when you need to really pack on the nutrients: cleanses, illnesses, etc.
Thank you Sarah, well said.
Great review, I own both the Vitamix and the Blendtec. I end up using the Blendtec more for smoothies and the Vitamix for soups and chopping up stuff. The Blendtec is also easier to clean.
Great review, Thanks alot now am more confuse of which blender to buy.. I will have to do coin toss.
I liked learning that vitamix was made in the usa ( for the last 70 years) .
I have a Vitamix and I’lll tell you what, if this is quieter than ANY other blender then I’d be amazed because this thing is EXTREMELY LOUD!!! The first time I used it, it scared my 3 year old and he covered his ears. He won’t even stay in the kitchen when I use it.
Can you compare the length of time the blade assembly lasts on each? I have used the Vitamix and the Blendtec. I find your review very accurate. Thanks so much! If I were buying one product again I would also look at the L’Equip RPM blender which is in the same league.
reviews or not, the consumer is the best tester because we are using something seen demonstarted on live TV yet i’ve see vitamix always demoed…but it makes much noise and sometimes they use protective noise makers when i see it demoed on QVC by Jan who makes everything from his head ..i have not seen Blendtec on QVC maybe more then twice and not more then once in 2012 so QVC is telling you something when Vitamix is being sold no matter what size,style and colors… i like price but i also think performance is the best policy…
WOW! What a thoughtful, unbiased, specifically and narrowly detailed – while undeniably broad and comprehensive, review. A tremendous quantity of high quality information and insights to allow each reader to reach his or her best decision based on needs, circumstances, and preferences. I am leaning slightly, but now I have decide.
The VitaMixer that my grandparents had for the rest of their lives – which lasted them decades – purchased over 50 years ago, was probably discarded – still working, along with their bottom drawer Fridgedaire due to being “ARCHAIC” – was probably replaced by a more modern concept lasting a year or two. I wish I had it, today. Those home-made soups and ice cream were great! Thank you! It is a wonderful review and walk down memory lane right back to the future!
Thank you for reviewing these in an unbiased forum. I was wondering which one I should buy and I am going with the Vitamix.
FINALLY and UNBIASED REVIEW!! I own a Blendtec and it is still running but I think when it poops out I will get a Vitamix and see what the difference is myself. It is true that you need to run the smoothie twice for a real nice silky consistency in the regular jar but not the 5-sided jar with the 4″ blade. That jar pulverizes ANYTHING, so I think the consistency is directly related to the size of the blade.
Maybe do a test with the Blendtec 4″ blade 5-sided jar against the VitaMix
There’s a Blender Arms Race going on. BlendTek has upgraded its warranty period to 7 years (to match Vitamix). Vitamix is adding models that feature pre-programmed settings and pulsing.
My local Costco has what it called the 6300 — it’s functionally equivalent to the Vitamix Pro 500 — preprogrammed for Smoothies, Ice Desserts and Hot Soup. If your stuff isn’t quite finished, a pulse will spin the blades for however long you hold the switch down.
There are people on eBay who are trying to sell the Costco 6300 for a few dollars more than they paid. (The Costco price is $499. The Vitamix retail for the Pro 500 is 645(or so). The Pro 500 is just a few dollars less than the 750 (which has a few more presets).
It seems to be useful to have some preprogrammed settings — I may be able to walk away from my machine while it’s making soup and do something else – like throw together a salad or something.
DH purchased the Desugner series Wildside combo by BlendTec – like many men, after he shopped & studied & researched, sending it back would hurt his feelings, but, know this: when they say only fill the jar half full, they mean it. It might as well be a smaller jar, forcing me to blend my green smoothie in several batches. Additionally, you can’t just hit a button & walk away. The cover design is flimsy and doesn’t snap or screw down; on 3 occasions the cover has blown off during use sending the contents splattering everywhere within a several foot radius. I have learned to under fill the jar, chop all Ingredients prior to adding them, and hold the lid in place during operation, so the “hit the button & do something else” feature is inaccurate. The mess is unimaginable and. I would strongly suggest BlendTec reengineer the cover. My Kitchenaide screws in place, my Cuisinart cover fits deeply and snugly into the jar- never an issue, and I expect more from a $500 blender. Additionally, the Blendtec blender dances about, vibrating crazily on the countertop , an issue Cuisinart does not have due to solid large rectangular rubber feet hidden beneath the base. Smoothies are smooth, clean up is easy, but the small usable capacity of the jar, the failure of the cover to stay in place, and the vibrations during use make this a very disappointing machine.
MJ Shears needs more help than a blender can reasonably provide.
This review, although biased towards Vitamix, was very helpful. I bought the Blendtec Pro at Costco for and got an 8 year warranty and extra jar. It works beautifully and I can keep it on my counter or mount it into it!
I have to say that I absolutely love my Blendtec. I was at a store that a demonstration was going on. There was a lady who was there to replace her 2 year old Vitamix and saw the demo, she went for the blendtec instead. It comes with a recipe booklet, but the different options for juice, soup, smoothies, dough,ice cream from fresh fruit are endless. This is my pick.
Denise
As good as both these blenders are, I can’t fathom spending almost half a months rent on either one. There has to be a cheaper alternative. Although I guess you get what you pay for, any recommendations?
I have been completely dissapointed with the lack of support from vitamix. If you call them all you get is put on hold. If you email you do not get a reply. If you post asking for help on their Facebook page they delete you withouty replying. I can not afford to keep burining up my minutes being on hold forever. It is unacceptable how they now treat you. They seem to no longer have any level of quality in customer support!
If you do not believe me just call them and see how long they will make you wait. Expect to waste at least a half hour minimum.
I’m really torn between the new Blendtec Designer Series and a Vitamix but your review is so thorough I’m confident the Vitamix is the best choice for me. I can’t buy the Designer Series in Canada yet anyway and I’m tired of chunkie smoothies!
I’ve had my VitaMix for over 6 years… I lOvE it and, oh, by the way… There’s nothing I’ve not been able to make or create in it. I believe my VitaMix has more than paid for itself just in “smoothie” making, let alone the savings by making my own almond butter, peanut butter, “gourmet” frozen mocha drinks or soups. I promise, you, too, will be so glad you invested in a VitaMix!
PS: you’ll end up ridding your cupboards of all of your other prep appliances, except your food processor and KitchenAid mixer!
i GOT A vITA mIX IN THE ’80S AND IT DID A PRETTY GOOD JOB OF B LENDING, ETC. iT WAS FRUSTRATING THAT TWICE, the blades did not work and I have to get new ones at about $70 so it was n ot cheap. I am looking at BlendTec to see if that is better. Now I feel like just getting cheap blenders and replace those since it might be cheaper.
Costco demo demonstrated the blendtec single blunt blade design creates a vortex sucking the ingredients down to be blended while the Vitamix shoots it upward. Advantage Blendtec I guess but does it make a difference.
Sounds like you need to cut vegtables into smaller pieces for the Blendtec – Advantage Vitamix
80 years of good reputation and customer service – Advantage Vitamix
Blendtec appears to aesthetically fit better into a home – Advantage Blendtec.
Blendtec on sale at Costco for $349.99- Advantage Blendtec and ultimately my decision maker unless Vitamix can match it.
Vitamix also creates a downward vortex like most every blender. Their dry grains container pushes grains up the sides to facilitate more efficient grinding. If you are looking for a Vitamix deal you can get a Reconditioned Vitamix for $329 for a limited time.
I’ve had my Blendtec for a year and use it for my veggie smoothies each morning. What I don’t like is the extreme noise level and have to leave the kitchen while it’s running. The Blendtec company suggested putting a mouse pad under the blender to reduce the noise…it helped somewhat, but still too noisy for me. The plastic cap that fits into the rubber lid is hard to clean. Other then these two problems, it blends well, but not worth the $$ for my limited use. Understand the Vita Mix is as noisy, so have given up the idea of purchaseing.
Thank you for an unbiased and comprehensive comparison. I think it has helped me decide on the Vitamix with the 48 oz container. I have been reading review after review and was getting stressed out! lol
Donna
I’ve been a Vita-mix user since the late 70’s. Over that time I have upgraded and given my older blender away as others have said. I have not used a Blend-tec blender, but have no need too. If all the items I’ve ever bought, worked as well as the Vita-mix, I’d be one happy camper. Product quality, exceptional customer service, continued health concerns are the VM way. I use it daily to prepare healthy smoothies and have never been disappointed. It’s the reason why so many commercial food & beverage people use the VM. Check it out the next time you order a frozen drink or smoothie. Amazing product & company. Looking forward to many more years of healthy smoothies and food preparation with my Vita-Mix.
Great comparison! I want to make puddings and ice creams and nut butters too.
There is quite a difference in price if I want to be able to do everything in a Blendtec that the Vitamix can do. The Vitamix @ $450 compared to the Blendtec @ $560 with the Twister jar (@600 with the Wildside and Twister jars). I’m going with the Vitamix thank you.
We are a Vita Mix Family! One of the five Vita Mix blenders we own has been handed down and still runs after 30 years! My girls love theirs and they make everything from hot soup to ice cream. My husband makes healthy flaxseed shakes and the flaxseeds are ground so fine you dont know they are there. Even the tiny strawberry seeds and apple cores are ground up fine. Got a couple at a homeshow, but the best deal was my daughter’s which we got on In the Kitchen with David on QVC home shopping. Great price and free extras including stainless steel travel mugs and cookbook were included! Best quality of anything I have ever purchased!
Our family has five Vita Mix blenders! One is over 30 (Yes I said 30!!) years old and still runs like a top!That one is all stainless steel and it was in the family before I got it! My girls love theirs and make everything from hot soup to ice cream. My husband makes super healthy flaxseed shakes and it grinds up the flaxseed so fine you dont even know they are in there. With strawberries the tiny seeds grind up fine also. No grit..Super Smooth! We use it several times a day and Love it! Even grinds up apple cores which has more vitamins and fiber. Bought some at homeshows and some on In the Kitchen with David on QVC home shopping on tv. You can go to qvc.com. We got best deal on QVC with extras like travel mugs and cookbooks included. We have been loyal for over 30 years and wouldn’t use anything else. We Love Vitamix!!
WE OWN A VITAMIX AND LOVE IT! IT’S GREAT TO KNOW, THAT THESE TWO GREAT PRODUCTS ARE MADE RIGHT HERE IN THE U.S.A.!!
If I had read this comparison a couple of years ago I would have realized that the Vitamix was more than I actually needed. I just gave mine to my step-son who loves to cook and was thrilled to receive it. Now I’m going to purchase the Blendtec knowing it is really the one that fits my needs. Thank you for the most informative and unbiased article comparing these two wonderful machines.
I saw the BlendTec being demonstrated at Costco tonight. I can see how the BlendTec would be really nice for travel because it is very lightweight compared to the Vitamix. One thing I was disturbed about is that the guy knocked the Vitamix left and right, bragged about how the BlendTec could “destroy” a broomstick and cell phone (impressive, but unnecessary).
After sampling what he made with the BlendTec, I can say that the ice cream still had tiny pieces of ice in it but the Vitamix makes ice cream that is *very* smooth. He heated the water before putting it in the BlendTec to make soup (not necessary with the Vitamix). He cut the vegetables rather small before putting in the BlendTec (not necessary with the Vitamix) and only filled the BlendTec container half-full (Vitamix can be filled to the top).
I really appreciate the review given here. Very informative without being biased. For me, I am biased, and after having sampled both, I’ve decided on the Vitamix.
I have had a Vitamix since 1984 and it is still working. Stopped working many years ago out of warranty, sent to Vitamix along with $50, and they fixed and returned it. To say I am satisfied with it is an understatement!
Just to update – Vitamix always seems to win the “warranty” battle, but I bought a blendtec combination (2 jars) from Costco and it says all over the box 8 year warranty. In the manual it states a full 8 years, everything seems to be covered.
A very good comparison!
I try to avoid anything that is computer controlled if I have a choice. The electronics will likely fail long before the equivalent mechanical, especially in a remote lightning-prone area with frequent power surges/brown-outs. Also, a simple electronic failure is usually expensive, as in ‘new computer board from the manufacturer’ instead of ‘new switch from Radio Shack’.
Keep It Simple!
We have had a Blendtec purchased from Costco for about 2 years. We love it and have had no blending performance or mechanical/electrical problems of any kind. Works exactly as advertised. The pre-programmed settings for most needs are a plus IMO.
No first-hand experience with Vitamix. However, I did notice when visiting my son in Brooklyn that the local Baskin-Robbins had two Blendtecs behind the counter, so they must be good and durable.
Appearancewise (demos at Costco), the Vitamix looks like some sort of cheap Walmart houseware, but I understand from the comments here that it too is apparently a quality, robust machine. Either likely a good choice depending on what kind of discount you can arrange and what are your priorities.
What a great comparison! Than you for making it available. If I buy one, I think I’ll go with the Vita-Mix.
It’s really refreshing to find an unbiased comparison.
I enjoyed this review and it answered most of my questions. Either one seems to be a good product. I have a Vitamix 5000 for 8 years. I thought I destroyed it when I absently mindedly left a spoon in it. Turned it on and had to rush to the bathroom. When I got back the motor was spinning but no action in the container. I discovered a destroyed metal spoon in my smoothie. I called Vitamix and they informed me that there was a fail safe designed to prevent motor or internal damage which basically is a shear device that is owner replaceable without taking the unit apart and the cost was $12.00. That was 6 months ago and it still runs as good as the day it was purchased. The blade/bearing assembly is replaceable, but all I had to do is remove the blade and touch up a few small nicks and it works as good as ever. I like the ability to control the time and speed to blend to my preference. Bottom line, the Vitamix is commercial/professional quality and that is why you see the pros use them.
Have owned a Vitamix from Costco for 6 months. Really enjoy this machine as a newbie to the green smoothie crowd. A few complaints that have kept me from LOVED this machine. 1. It’s ugly. 2. The size; The fact that it doesn’t fit under my cabinet really decreases the flexibility of my kitchen. 3. The biggest complaint would be the shape of the container. Very difficult to get thick things out of the bottom. 4. Would be happy if we don’t need to use the tamper.
Going to give the Blendtec a try for next couple weeks to see if it makes smoothies as smooth as our Vitamix. I’m a little concerned by the fact the blade isn’t sharp.
Frank,
What’s your info on the Blendtec? Does it make them just as smooth as the Vitamixer?
Thanks
Qvc currently selling vitamix about $4o cheaper than most others with free shipping and handling…thx for reviews……
I think I’ll take the Reconditioned Vitamix direct from Vitamix for even cheaper ($379) with free shipping and get the 7 year warranty (qvc is only 5)
Jeni -The reconditioned Vitamix from the Vitamix company only comes with a 5-year warranty. Still worth it for the huge savings in my opinion.
Correct. Currently Vitamix reduced the price of the reconditioned units from $379 to $329 with a 5-year warranty. An excellent savings indeed.
Also, you can get an 8-year warranty for an additional $75 if you like.
Wow, I am torn. I just bought a Blendtec Total Blender yesterday after seeing a demo at Costco. I hadn’t even heard of Blendtec before and was considering buying a Vitamix 5200, but I really liked the square Blendtec container and ease of getting stuff out of it, the nice high-tech look and that it would fit under my kitchen cabinet on the counter.
Then I found this site, and it seems that overall folks prefer the Vitamix. I admit that I don’t think it looks as nice, and it seems that it would be a pain to get everything out of the narrower base and with four prongs. But I could order mine with the compact 48 oz. container, which would be plenty big for me I think.
Also, a main reason for buying a heavy duty blender for me is to grind grains to make gluten-free flours, which are really expensive in the store. After reading this site, it seems that the Blendtec won’t be able to grind finely enough for a really fine flour consistency, which is important or I’ll end up with a grainy consistency in my baked goods. Also, the fact that one poster said that when she used the Blendtec container to grind wheat, it permanently clouded and scratched the container which is alarming. The separate Blendtec grain mill costs $179, and I can get a dry Vitamix container for much less I’m sure.
I think I’ll return the Blendtec to Costco and get a Vitamix with dry and wet containers (48 oz.).
Many thanks for this great site and for all the very helpful comments and blog posts!
my Blendtec motor blew after only 116 green food drinks Has anyone else had a problem this early?
I haven’t had that happen but I did just return my blendtec to costco after having it 2 weeks. The motor started smoking everytime I used it.
After reading the review I will not be replacing the blendtec but will be ordering a vitamix. I am SO EXCITED!
I have had a Vitamix 5200 for 2 years now and I absolutely love it. Like many here I was torn on which to purchase. I had originally seen the Blendtec at a Costco demo and was wowed. A friend recommended that I look at the Vitamix before I jumped in and bought the Blendtec.
What made the difference to me was that I really liked the manual controls on the Vitamix. I have had too many digital do-dads that have their digital readouts or switches break and I liked the simplicity of the Vitamix.
What really swayed me was the Vitamix affiliate program. Four hundred and fifty bucks is a lot to plunk down on a blender and the affiliate program allowed me to recommend the blender to friends and family. Pretty cool. I was able to cover the cost of my purchase in just 6 months.
Honestly, I think the Blendtec is a great blender. The real winners here are the people getting more whole fruits and veggies in their diets!
I just ordered the Blendtec for my wife.
I cant wait to see my wife’s face when she opens that box (Its a anniversary gift).
I did tons of research before purchasing my Vitamix (reading this blog included), and chose it for the edge it was said to have in smoothie smoothness and because of the tamper for making ice creams, etc. I just returned it and purchased the Blendtec instead. I found that I had to use the tamper for EVERYTHING–even to stir whole food juices just to keep the contents moving through the container. It was a lot of work on my part to make anything. Also, sometimes the ingredients would “spit” up the middle and while the ice and food would definitely pulverize, the juice would be separate from the slush making a very chunky texture. Customer service gave me some advise about using the variable speed, but after two months I still felt that there was quite a learning curve. Maybe you need to be chef to really be able to master the control knobs:) For $450 I just found that I was disappointed and things like it not fitting under the counter and not being able to get all of the ice cream out of the narrow base and from around the four pronged blade started to be a much bigger deal. I decided to get the Blendtec instead with it’s alternate technology (it sucks contents down with it’s two pronged design). I haven’t used it very much yet–I do think I will miss the tamper for ice cream (I was able to get a pretty hard served texture without having to add as much liquid), but I am excited about the Blender doing it’s job without so much of my know-how and arm strength needed. and I am excited to make guacamole in the blender again knowing that I can get it all out! We’ll see, but I voted Vitamix and have officially changed my vote.
Just when I narrowed it down to the vitamix I seen an imformercial for the Ninja. Does anyone know of an elaborate comparison like this between the vitamix and the ninja?
I can’t believe you are asking about the Ninja! I just saw one. I’m shopping for a new blender and really want a Vitamix.
My friend from church just bought a Ninja Professional from Walmart so I got to see it in action. I’ve seen the Vitamix in action too and they just don’t compare. The Ninja seems like just a normal blender with a fancy blade. The smoothie we made just didn’t get smooth. She’s thinking about taking it back.
Be sure to see it in person before you buy it. Things can be very different on TV than in real life.
After months of research I finally made up my mind and bought the Vitamix 5200. I must say that I’m in love! I use it every day, sometimes twice a day! Today I made a smoothie with an orange with the seeds, cherries with the pit, carrots, frozen berries, and even a beet! Everything comes out extremely smooth. You wouldn’t have even known there was cherry pits and orange seeds in there!! I couldn’t be more happy!!
I have had my Vitamix for over 10 years. I make green smoothies almost every day with it. Most of the time, the tamper is not even needed! The only time I use the tamper is when I have added a lot of ice and it gets too thick & frozen near the blades. I do like the look of the blendtec container, and thought about getting one, but would be afraid that it won’t be as good. I feel that “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it!” so if it goes out, I guess I will stick to the Vitamix and get another one.
I have owned both blenders and the Blendtec Total Blender is by far superior to the Vita-Mix 5200. This review is dead wrong about the Blendtec jars not being dishwasher safe. Both of Blendtec’s jars ARE dishwasher safe and clean up nicely in the dishwasher.
My main complaint about the Vita-mix is when I tried to liquify globe grapes (seeded). I always found small seeds at the bottom of my jar regardless of how long I left it blending. With the Blendtec, using the Whole Juice button, none of those seeds exist or can be found.
I have no idea what this review is talking about regarding the Vita-mix making smoother smoothies. We switched over to the Blendtec blender because the Vita-mix leaves small chunks of frozen fruits, even when we used the plunger. Oh, BTW the plunger was lost in our kitchen and we couldn’t make smoothies very well without it.
Also, I travel a lot and like to take my blender with me. The Vita-mix is bigger, bulkier, and is heavier than the Blendtec, so my choice was an easy one: Blendtec is the overall winner in our house.
I rarely post my comments on sites like this, but when I read such glaring mistakes, I was compelled to correct those errors.
sam, thank you for sharing your experience and opinion regarding Blendtec and Vitamix.
There is no mention of jars not being dishwasher safe, we just recommend not to put them in the dishwasher for a couple of reasons. 1 – older blendtec containers are not BPA-Free and placing them in the dishwasher will cause out-gassing. 2 – Over time the continual use of a dishwasher will compromise the seal and bearings of the blade housing due to the extreme temperatures and detergents.
Regarding Vitamix making smoother smoothies, that is only with regard to green smoothies. In our experience in making thousands of green smoothies in both the Vitamix and Blendtec it became clear to us that the Vitamix 5200 makes smoother green smoothies. As mentioned in the review both blenders make excellent fruit smoothies without notable differences whether using fresh or frozen fruit.
Regarding the Vitamix tamper/”plunger”, we never use it for smoothie making. If you are making smoothies properly in a Vitamix you should rarely ever need to use the tamper even if you are using frozen fruits. The tamper is useful for making thick puddings and sauces or to process large food items with minimal liquid.
We have never tried to liquify globe grapes with seeds but if you needed to use the tamper for smoothie making and did experience chunks of frozen fruits, it is likely that there was some other issues with how you were trying to make your smoothie.
As we always say, both blenders are fantastic and which one to choose is really about personal preference and how you use your blender. Traveling is a big plus for choosing the Blendtec as it is smaller and lighter. It is great to hear that you are so satisfied with your Blendtec – thank you again for sharing.
Sam,
I respectfully do not agree that the Blendtec is far superior to the Vitamix. I don’t mean this as an argument, I just think something was wrong with your Vitamix. I don’t often post on products either, but was compelled to do so when I saw that people were torn in trying to decide which to buy. I wanted to share my experience in case it helped.
In your case, I think I would come to the same conclusion. I wouldn’t think much of the Vitamix either if that had ever happened to me. As I posted above (before I saw your comment), I have had a Vitamix for over 10 years. not once has it ever left ANYTHING in the bottom! The worst that will happen is that it gets too thick at the bottom and I have to add a tiny bit more liquid. Even flax seeds in my green smoothie get pulverized and you can’t see them anymore (I like them only partially ground, so I had to start grinding them in my coffee grinder and gently mixing them in by hand). I’m wondering if it’s possible that at some point, there was a whole bad batch of the Vitamix, because I have heard of one other person that had the same problem. Every one else I’ve talked to has had an experience like mine.
I have been making green smoothies almost every day. As I stated above, I don’t even use the tamper -unless I put a little too much ice and it freezes up (or I don’t use enough liquid).
I’m not doubting or disputing the fact at all that the Blendtec is awesome as well, just wanted to point out a different experience.
I purchsed the Vitamix at the Dallas Fair then after a few months I purchased Blendtec at Costco. I chose Blendtec because of the convenience of the buttons and which power to use. I liked that over the vitamix. It seemed I was always guessing on the vitamix and felt the vitamix would explode everytime I turned HIGH POWER up. I am very pleased with Blendtec!
Vitamix blenders are made in America. Cleveland, Ohio!!
Blendtecs are made in the USA! UTAH..we asked that question before we bought it.
We have both machines. We use both of them several times every day. …and we love, love, love them both.
They are different.
To me, the Blendtec is like a toy Ferrari. It is fast. It is loud. It wails. It doesn’t look or sound like it would, but it does stay in place on the counter, but just barely. (When you first get one be sure to hold the lid on because until it is ‘broken in’ it can wiggle loose (we watched it do it—hubby didn’t believe me so he had to prove it was operator error; thus, we put a couple smoothies on the ceiling until the lid ‘warmed up’). If you are going for smooth, it does make a superior smoothie—it micronizes EVERYTHING to a smooth liquid if you run it 2 – 3 times at power 10 for the full 50 seconds (watch your temp though—add ice if needed). Also, it is light enough that we can travel (fly) with it.
The VitaMix 5200 is a workhorse. There is just no comparison. If I could only have one, it would be the VitaMix. I think it is more versatile (more control with the manual knobs) for doing sauces, soups, chopping veggies, and blending things where I really care about texture and heat. My husband actually prefers his smoothies most of the time from the VitaMix because they are thicker.
I have both a Vitamix and a Blendtec blender. The blendtec is smaller in overall size, but not in volume it will blend. It stores very nicely under the counter with the jar on the base. The vitamix ends up in a cupboard because it does not fit the same way.
The Blendtec is louder, but not that much, and it is programmable and it does anything I want it to do and I don’t have to stand there and babysit it. So I can have it make 2 quarts worth of whatever, then keep doing something else.
I am partial to the Blendtec, smaller, lighter, more powerful, stores well under the cabinet and usually does what I need in less time (less time for the noise in the kitchen) and I don’t have to babysit it like the Vitamix. Also I have made smoothies side by side and the Vitamix overheats much much faster than the Blendtec.
All in all Blendtec gets my vote… Besides – they are more cutting edge on the technology side – did you read the article about the patent infringement Blendtec was awarded in Federal court against Vitamix?
I do not work for Blendtec, or Vitamix. I just like them both, but the blendtec won me over – simply and powerful!
Lawsuit article:
http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/article_b9e2c1ea-6a50-5639-b982-a84412e93a39.html
The Blendtec definitely wins in the “smaller size” department – that tends to be the major deciding point for many.
With Vitamix”s introduction of the new 48-ounce container it is more than 3 inches shorter and fits under standard cabinets like the Blendtec (although it is a smaller volume).
The lawsuit wasn’t really about technology – it was about container shape. These 2 companies constantly file infringements against each other
Thats a incorrect. I work with motors. The Vitamix has a much robust motor the weight and size speaks for that and is more energy efficient. Maybe that the reason owners had the machine for 10,15 and20 years. Vitamix use commercial motors plus the machine is UL and SA certified.
We bought a Vitamix about ten years ago and only used it a few times a month. Imagine my surprise when the blade froze up on one of the containers. Then just last year the blade froze up again. I was able to find a replacement blade and container from another source than Vitamix, but it still cost in the $100 range. I just bought a Blendtec to give it a try and for its more compact disign, and will give my Vitamix to a relative if I keep the Blendtec. I noticed that Blendtec suggests that one shake out any loose water if letting it drain upside down while drying and also to manually rotate the blade if sitting unused for a while. I suspect that might be good advice for the Vitamix also.
I’m not familiar with the Vitamix blades of 10 years ago but we have not heard of any “freezing” issues with the current vitamix blade.
The blade is guaranteed for 7 years like the motor – and if you ever do need to replace a Vitamix blade, you can do so without having to replace the container (and vice-versa) since they come apart easily. The Blendtec blade and container is one unit.
It’s always a good idea to NOT let your blender sit unused for long. You did buy the blender to use it after all 😉
The blades on a Vitamix or Blendtec are just like a good set of knives there are dos and donts. first and foremost, dont ever leave them soaking in water and never wash them in a dishwasher. The blades will freeze up losing their ability to spin easy free because of the moderate or fast damage to it inner components.
I haven’t used the vitamix, have only used the blendtec, which is great. I bought my blendtec at Costco, and have a 7 year warranty, because Costco adds 4 years to the existing warranty. I spent less money and got the same warranty.
I’ve had a vitamix for 13 years. LOVE IT! Also, my parents and grandparents had one years ago as well. They last forever! I recently bought a new container for about $30 as mine was looking clouded. The blades are still fine after all these years! I love super smooth green drinks…my kids love them too!
I swear by the Blendtec. I have owned two Vitamix machines. I bought the first one around 1982. When it broke the company did not honor the warranty, which I believe back then was a lifetime warranty. I bought a new Vitamix machine. But I found it difficult to use. The salesperson makes it seem like it is so easy, but I found it difficult to use and cumbersome to store.
I have owned the Blendtec for four years and have had no problems. And, as the company has upgraded the system, they have upgraded my machine with no extra cost. Whenever I contacted Vitamix for new parts or help, customer service was not helpful and they charged me for things I needed. Not so with Blendtec.
I have a Vitamix 5200 and have used it almost daily for over two years making fruit/protein smoothies. I bought the machine at Costco and also bought a dry container (which I hardly ever use). I buy fruit which as soon as it is ripe i cut up and put in the freezer. My typical smoothie ingredients: grapes (red globe seeded, green, black), plums, blueberries, Protein powder, flaxseed meal, nutritional yeast, ginger root, mixed frozen fruit (from Costco has variety of, mango, peach, strawberry, etc).I pour in a little olive oil and grapeseed oil and warm or hot water to help defrost the frozen ingredients. Also, I usually add two fresh bananas. Blend it all up and it runs on high (while I put away the supplies) for probably 1-3 minutes. I wish the container was bigger than 64 ounces since I have to share with my two teenage boys. But they love them too! I know how to add just the right amount so that I can carefully take off the lid and the container is full to the rim.
I lusted after a Vitamix for over 20 years and am glad I finally got one. I used many, many inferior blenders before my Vitamix. However, I use a Breville juicer for vegetables, I can’t stand the Vitamix “foam” that it makes from vegetables. That’s OK, I love the smoothies enough to replace the Vitamix if it ever broke.
For those wanting the Vitamix but looking for a shorter solution – you may want to check out the Vitamix 48oz option.
http://gotgreensrevolution.com/go/vitamix/Short-48-ounce/
It’s only a little taller than the Blendtec.
I just purchased the Blendtec after purchasing a Vitamix prior to purchasing the Bledtec. I like the Vitamix a lot better. Blendtec shakes a lot while blending which makes it look like it’s going to take off. Also, if the lid is not pushed in, the content inside the blender leaks out which is annoying. Another thing is the soup button on the Blendtec needs to be pushed several times before the soup heats up. Overall, the Vitamix is better for yuor money, more sturdy and offers more warranty.
I own the vitamix 5200 and use it for many things, frozen lemonade, grinding my own flour, ice cream, soups, whole juice and many more.
I saw a blendtec demonstrated at costco, also where I bought my vitamix, and watched the man do similar things my vitamix did. The fresh fruit smothie wasn’t as blended as the vitamix, had seeds left in it that were whole.
Sometimes I have a hard time of making the things I see deomonstrated the same way, need to add more ice, more water, or a combination? However, this is user issue and not the vitamix. I was going to get the blendtec but I would have to run it longer and for more cycles to get the same result as my vitamix but like the lighter weight and shorter height of the blendtec. Tough call.
I purchased the Blendtec from costco after I got the Vitamix. Blendtec is not what it’s slated to be. I’m returning it since I’m not at all happy with it. Like you, I wanted to smaller container to fit under the cabinet, but the performance of the Blendtec is pretty poor.
I’m a fairly new user of a Blendtec Total Blender and I’ve been very pleased with it so far! The push button settings and digital display are easy and convenient. I dump everything in, push the button that matches what I’m trying to make and let it go. Recently made cashew honey nut butter by literally pushing 2 buttons. 🙂
Ok, here is your bummer. The other day at Sam’s Club the Blendtec demo man was making smoothies. I walk up and he is using a spatula to push down the ice while the blender is on. I say “Hey u should not have to do that. He says, “It sometimes happens with the big chunks.” I say, “Vitamix has that tamper thing to do that and Blendtec says that with its two bladed system a tamper is not needed.” He says “Well…no sometimes the ice gets stuck at the top.” Then he uses the spatula to remove the offending chunk of ice…it is an oval about 4”x3”x1/2” thick…bummer…the Blendtec should have literally chewed that up. The decision was made for me…it’s Vitamix for sure. I was bummed, because I truly thought Blendtec had them all beat, but if u need a tamper then u might as well go with Vitamix…the warranty is better. I was really surprised.
I had to fix the 1/2′ error…it’s 1/2″
We have had the Vitamix for years and use it at least once per day if not 2 or 3 times. We make fruit drinks, frappuccino’s, soups, salsa, peanut butter, beans, and the list goes on…we LOVE it. We did have the dial start giving us some trouble but their customer service was amazing!!! They sent us a call tag and we sent it in when we were leaving on vacation to Chicago, since we can’t go a day without it while home and it was back completely fixed within a couple of days…it was so quick that I thought it never made it to them. I highly recommend this product and I don’t even work for the company!
Hey, Elaine! Thanks for your comment. I’m so glad you enjoy your Vitamix. I am considering whether to buy the Vitamix 5200 or the Blendtec Wildside. I have two questions for you and hope you can help as I can’t seem to find the answers anywhere: 1. In your experience, could the Vitamix blend a carafe full of sliced fruits and veggies completely on its own, without the aide of the tamper, or any water or juice, or ice? (I have seen the Blendtec do this in demos, but not the Vitamix)
2. Have you had any problems blending hard frozen fruit right out of the freezer, such as strawberries? Thanks so much for your generous help! Happy Blending to you!
Although I did not test these products, the Vita-Mix will be able to blend fruit without liquid just as long as you place the most water rich fruits at the base (like grapes). You might need to use the tamper if fruit gets wedged together before it gets down to the blade, but that’s with any blender. Here is a video of blending fruit with only yogurt:
http://community.vitamix.com/_Berry-Purple-Smoothie/video/875975/22442.html
Cheers
I blend hard frozen fruits (strawberries, mixed berries, banana and mangoes) right out of the freezer every morning in the Vitamix. I had no trouble whatsoever. Smoothies come out super smooth and delicious.
My experience with the Vitamix is that it does a lot better if you add some liquid, or blend something first until it turns into liquid and then add more fiberous or frozen things. You have to do this with most blenders. This is not a deal breaker or even much of an inconvenience. It doesn’t change the taste of your smoothie if you have to add a tiny bit of liquid. I actually keep really healthy juices on hand like acai to use for blending for that extra bit of nutrition and flavor, but you won’t notice a little water in there either.
The Blendtec machine requires water to operate (this disclaimer is also in the directions for use). It tells you that you have to put food in a specific order to get good results. Not so with the Vitamix. I bought the blendtec and have had it for a couple months but it will NOT blend frozen bananas and strawberries. I have to put it through 2-3 cycles or I will have a “chunkie” not a “smoothie. So it can blend cell phones and Ipads but not frozen fruit…hmmm curious. Thank god for Costco’s return policy.
My brother in law was considering the two and I suggested the Vitamix even before reading this review. I plan to sell a few other items around the kitchen to go get the Vitamix myself instead.
One other thing, the Blendtec may be lighter and thus more “portable”, but it really does feel like its made from brittle plastic and as a result I never feel comfortable just leaving it to bounce and blend on the counter. And loud, the Blendtec is really LOUD!!!!!!!
I just bought a Blendtec today after a demo at Cosco. It looked good and made excellent ice cream, soup, and smoothies which I sampled. I brought it home and fired it up. All I can say is that the noise was so noticeable that I had to run for the earplugs. I have owned a Vita Mix and the noise was tolerable and it had a much more industrial feel. Fortunately Blendtec has a 30 day return policy.
I’m returning the Blendtec also.
I love my costco Blendtec! Go to the road show and see it in action. I use it every day to make smoothies and my baby’s food…
Just went to Costco and Blendtec was doing a demonstration, what a magnificent machine. makes hot soups, cold smoothies, veggie drinks, fruit drinks, ice cream. who wouldn’t want one, and it’s cheaper than the vitamix and more horsepower, watts, wider container, bpa free. This is Promo.
Thanks for the fantastic review and feedback. Of course, I’m still debating which is the correct blender for me. My solution is to buy both and use them side by side for a month then return the blender I like the least. (Thank goodness for Costco’s very generous return policy!)
Did you do this (compare them side by side?) Which one did you like best??
Thank you so much for all the information. I just ordered a refurbished Vitamix from their site with the benefit of the $25 off promotion code from your site. I am very excited to have my new blender!
Your VitaMix vs. BlendTec article was great! It was exactly what I was looking for: detailed info comparing real world usage. Thanks!
I got the Blendtec. I like it but have a few complaints.
I grind wheat to make bread; as a result the container has gotten completely beat up and clouded so as I can’t see what’s in the container anymore to know if it has blended all the way. It also makes me wonder, if the container is so soft to get clouded up by wheat, what’s going into my food?
Anyone know how the vitamix 5200 containers hold up with grinding wheat?
I also stopped using the pre-sets pretty much all together as they really don’t get the job done. I’ll use them sometimes to get things started but end up blending more to finish anyway.
What I do like is the super power, the low profile and the ease of gettting stuff out.
There is no comparison for me – the Blendtec is the clear winner. It’s more powerful, much better looking, digital, compact and fits on my counter under my kitchen cabinets. It’s so powerful I’ve never needed any kind of “tamper” – who needs one more clumsy plastic part floating around the kitchen? I also love the large square pitcher — it’s so easy to rinse out, and to get food from the very bottom of the pitcher. It’s much more difficult to get food out from around the tiny bottom and the four blades on the Vitamix.
I don’t like the new top that the Blendtecs are shipping with – it’s vented for heat which is great for hot soups but it takes a few more seconds to clean now.
But I freaking LOVE my Blendtec — I use it every day and can make just about ANYTHING in it!
I agree 100%. I use my Blendtec everyday, often more than once, and I wanted an appliance I could leave on my counter and enjoying looking at as much as using. Like you, I love the square container and ease of removing the food.
I make a lot of whole fruit and veggie smoothies and find them incredibly smooth, no chunks or issues at all, even with frozen ingredients. Even with the thickest dips I’ve never needed a tamper.
I was on a cooking spree yesterday to clean out the fridge and used the Blendtec to make: eggplant and fresh green pea dip, beet borstch, carrot and curry soup, cream of spinach with romano cheese, grind up spices for a chicken curry and make two smoothies for breakfast as well.
My only complaint is that the jar itself gets stained a bit from curries and other very highly colored foods. I don’t grind flour (we’re gluten free) so I can’t comment on its’ capabilities for that. Oh, I do wish the lid were a little easier to seat securely. Make certain it is completely sealed or you will have a heck of a mess
All in all, a great purchase that is a perfect complement to my centrifugal juicer. I actually look for recipes to make specifically so I can use it! Yes, it is LOUD – the cats go running, but it works so well and so quickly that I can deal with it.
We’ll see how it performs a couple of years from now.
If you are going to invest this kind of money in a blender, spend the little bit extra and get the Vitamix. Sure, you can save a few dollars if buying a Blendtec but you get much less… an inferior warranty and a product that is lightweight and brittle by comparison. Look at them side by side and pick them up. It’s pretty obvious.
I seriously doubt a Blendtec will last 20+ years of continuous use like Vitamix has proven to. Do yourself a favor and spend the extra for a much superior product.
Hi Tom and everyone else. I am a petite woman and am wondering if the vitamix filled with nut pate or whatever will be a bit cumbersone to lift.
what has delayed me from deciding between the two blenders is also wondering if i make a nut pate or cocoa avocodo mousse if it gets stuck on the bottom like in the hemilton blender i now use.. the only way i can get out my costly ingredients from my Hemilton is to add cold water and drink it… oh well there goes dessert. not at all to my satisfaction. neither blendtec or vitamix have thought about making a bottom that screws off for removal of food and we raw food enthusiasts use premium costly ingredients, so i have been waiting in the hope they’ll improve their design or you vitamix/blendtec owners tell me how you actually manage to get the stuff out…
I loved my Blendtec for two years – then I had to replace the container. One year later the new container is leaking and now it’s not covered by warranty. So I’m shopping again and am going with the vitamix 5200. Thank you for the review! – Jordan
My Blentex container also sprung a leak in less than a year; but thanks to COSTCO, I bought a Ninja which is disappointing after the Blentex; so, I am going to replace it ( COSTCO is sooo good at returns!) and go with either the Vitamix or Blentec. I am really torn. Owning a Blentec may be like owning a Buick; you know you aren’t getting the ‘best buy” but you’re getting what you want.
I have used a Blendtec for 5+ years and have loved how it blends. HOWEVER, I have been through two blender jars in that time. The metal stem of the jar where it sits on the base freezes up and will not turn and the gasket that seals the bottom of the jar starts to leak. The same thing happened both times. Apparently, when the metal stem froze up it did some damage to the mechanics of the motor, because now it is having problems. Since I am out of warranty, I have no recourse. I am going to buy a VitaMix today!!
Have had 2 products for about 20 years, and swear by both: the VitaMix for what it does is absolutely the best. Used it to make lots of flour — worth getting the dry blade option.
Second is a Champion Juicer that I’ve had for about 30 years — and it, too, is absolutely the best for what it does.
Differences — the Champion is best for things like ‘greens’ juices (be sure to use things like carrots or celery in between ‘greens’ to push the ‘greens’ through) and whole juices with pulp (get the big screen optional part). I buy 10 pound bags of organic carrots from Costco — juice them in the Champion. Very delicious when cold.
I am buying a vitamix and am debating whether or not to buy to dry blade as well as the wet blade. You said you have ground lots of flour? How fine does it grind the flour? If I want to grind alot of flour over a long term would it be better to buy a kitchen mill wheat grinder or is the vitamix dry blade sufficient and does it give a fine grained flour? Thanks, you are the only one I can find who has actually used the dry blade for grinding flour.
Ann, the Vitamix dry blade is designed specifically for grain grinding and does a great job. The flour is fine and makes fantastic bread.
If you plan on doing a large volume of grain grinding regularly (wanting to make 4 or more loaves of bread at a time) then you may want to consider a mill. Also, consider that you can also knead in the Vitamix dry container (again for small volumes).
I am on the fence also about a Blendtec and a Vitamix 5200, I have heard that Blendtec is great at coffee drinks and smoothies but they are NOT as good at making whole vegetable and whole fruit drinks, since they don’t have the tamper.
No need to worry. Coffee drinks are a breeze with a VM. I research continually before I buy and money is really no object for me. EX. I have a $1,300 Quick Mill Vetrano Expresso machine so I like coffee drinks. Starbucks uses Vita-mix too. Enough said.
Thankx for the info, will probably be getting a vitamix due to the info you provided.
I noticed both these blenders make soups, nut butters, smoothies, etc. but do they make just simple fruit and/or vegetable juices?
Jane,
These blenders make what some call “whole food juice” – super smooth smoothies, but they are not juicers. ‘Juicers’ extract the liquid from fruits and vegetables thereby removing the pulp and fiber.