Vitamix specializes in full-sized, premium blenders that offer top-tier performance across a wide range of recipes. They excel at making smooth, evenly blended smoothies with fibrous ingredients like kale and blueberries, easily processing thick recipes like nut butter, and blending hot soups directly in the jar. The main things to consider when trying to find the best Vitamix blender for your needs are controls and warranty length. Models with automatic blending programs and a digital display make the process more hands-off, while others keep things simple with a speed dial and a pulse switch. Warranty coverage varies depending on the model and runs from five to 10 years, depending on the series.
While Vitamix blenders are expensive, you can often find deals through third-party sellers that offset a portion of the price. Because of this, we've organized our picks by features and the manufacturer's suggested retail price. For more recommendations, check out our picks for the best blenders, the best blenders for smoothies, and the best quiet blenders.
Updates
- 05/04/2026Vitamix VX1 reviewed
- 12/08/2025Vitamix Alta Pro reviewed
- 12/12/2024Vitamix 2-Speed Immersion reviewed
- 11/07/2024Vitamix Ascent X5 reviewed
- 10/09/2024Vitamix Ascent X4 reviewed
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Best Vitamix Blender
Multi-Purpose9.2Smoothies (Single Serving)9.1Smoothies (Multiple Servings)8.2Ice Crushing8.7Soups8.6Professional Use8.9Main Jar Capacity48.0 oz (1,420 ml)Build Quality9.0Hot BlendingYesSee all our test resultsPower1,440 WThe Vitamix Ascent X5 is the best Vitamix blender we've tested, and it's a great pick if you want top-tier versatility. It's the top model in Vitamix's premium Ascent X series, with a stainless-steel-wrapped motor base, 11 automatic blending programs, and a tamper indicator that tells you when to use the tamper during certain cycles. That program library covers a wide range of tasks: smoothies, frozen desserts, hot soup, nut butter, non-dairy milk, spice grinding, and more. It makes silky, well-blended smoothies with fibrous ingredients, snow-like crushed ice, and smooth, spreadable nut butter, and it can hot blend and heat ingredients directly in the jar. The dishwasher-safe 48-ounce jar and removable speed dial make cleanup easy, and it's quiet for a full-size blender. It comes with Vitamix's most comprehensive 10-year warranty.
The main trade-off is its 48-ounce jar, which is on the smaller side for a full-size blender and limits how many ice cubes you can crush in a single batch. The tamper holder is also difficult to clean after working with sticky ingredients, and there's no cord storage. The Vitamix Ascent X2 is a slightly more affordable option that shares many features with the X5, though it has a plastic shell that feels slightly less sturdy and has fewer blending programs.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Vitamix Blender
Multi-Purpose9.0Smoothies (Single Serving)8.7Smoothies (Multiple Servings)9.1Ice Crushing8.9Soups9.4Professional Use9.2Main Jar Capacity64.0 oz (1,893 ml)Build Quality9.0Hot BlendingYesSee all our test resultsPower1,380 WThe Vitamix 5200 is the best Vitamix blender for you if you prioritize large-batch performance and simple controls over modern features like automatic programs or a digital display. Introduced in 2007, this legacy model is still popular nearly two decades later. This model stands out from the other Vitamix blenders we recommend because of its taller and narrower 64-ounce jar. Its design can help with processing very small amounts of ingredients since a smaller volume will cover the blades. Even with larger quantities, it creates an exceptionally smooth blend, though it takes more effort compared than some other models. It makes easy work of crushing ice and handling thick blends like nut butter, and it can hot blend and heat ingredients.
However, there are some downsides compared to newer models. While you can buy additional jars, including a personal jar, it doesn't work with Vitamix's food processor attachment. Plus, it's louder than the Vitamix Ascent X5, and its simple controls comprise only a speed dial, a power switch, and a pulse switch, with no blending programs or digital display. Its jar isn't dishwasher-safe, and its lid is solid plastic, so you can't see down into the blender while it's running. It comes with a seven-year warranty.
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Best Mid-Range Vitamix Blender
Multi-Purpose9.3Smoothies (Single Serving)9.0Smoothies (Multiple Servings)8.5Ice Crushing8.7Soups8.7Professional Use9.0Main Jar Capacity48.0 oz (1,420 ml)Build Quality9.0Hot BlendingYesSee all our test resultsPower1,400 WThe Vitamix Propel 510 is the best mid-range Vitamix blender we've tested, and a strong pick if you want versatile, smooth blending with easy operation. Like the Vitamix Ascent X5, it makes exceptionally smooth blends with virtually any ingredient, including fibrous fruits and veggies like spinach and pineapple, and the process is actually a bit easier, with no need to stop and scrape the jar. It's also an incredibly versatile option, making snow-like crushed ice and silky nut butter, and allowing you to blend hot ingredients or use the blades' friction to heat ingredients directly in the 48-ounce jar. Plus, it has a sturdy build quality, with a solid-feeling plastic base and dials and switches that feel well-made.
Compared to the Vitamix 5200, you give up a larger 64-ounce jar, a longer seven-year warranty, and stronger soup performance. Unlike the 5200, though, it includes a few automatic blending programs: Smoothie, Frozen Dessert, and Hot Soup, though you won't find a digital display. Additionally, while no blender is quiet, this is one of the loudest Vitamix blenders we've tested, so it's not ideal if you want to limit noise.
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Best Budget Vitamix Blender
Multi-Purpose9.2Smoothies (Single Serving)9.1Smoothies (Multiple Servings)8.7Ice Crushing8.4Soups8.8Professional Use8.8Main Jar Capacity48.0 oz (1,420 ml)Build Quality9.0Hot BlendingYesSee all our test resultsPower1,471 WVitamix doesn't really make budget blenders, but the Vitamix Explorian E310 is the best pick for anyone who wants to enter the Vitamix lineup at the lowest price point. Like the more expensive Vitamix Ascent X5, it comes with a 48-ounce jar, so keep that in mind if you blend big batches or crush a lot of ice. That said, it offers overall versatility. It's a fantastic option for smoothies, as it makes a nearly perfectly smooth blend with small and large batches of fibrous ingredients, and the process is easier compared to the Vitamix 5200, so you won't have to stop and scrape the jar. Despite its more affordable price, it does a fantastic job of crushing ice and making nut butter. And, like the rest of the options listed here, you can use it to hot blend or heat ingredients.
On the downside, this is the loudest blender on the list. It doesn't have any automatic blending programs, either, so you'll always have to stop the blender manually. Its power cord is much shorter than the Vitamix 5200's, but its jar is dishwasher-safe for easier cleaning. Like the Vitamix Propel 510, it has a shorter five-year warranty. For an even more affordable option, consider the Costco-exclusive Vitamix Alta Pro. While it doesn't perform quite as well for single-serving smoothies or nut butter, and it's not as easy to clean as the Explorian E310, it excels at making larger batches of smoothies and soups, and crushes ice better. Also note that, unlike the E310, which includes a full five-year warranty, the Alta Pro comes with a 10-year limited warranty.
Compared To Other Brands
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Incredible build quality.Vitamix blenders have a premium build with materials that feel solid and durable. Some models have U.S. warranties of up to 10 years.
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Additional jars available.
Many Vitamix blenders can be purchased with additional jars, like personal jars for smoothies. However, make sure your Vitamix model is compatible with the accessory you want; personal jars aren't currently available for Ascent models.
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Lots of speed settings.Vitamix blenders have a dial that gives you lots of control over the blender's speed. You can start at a low speed and ramp up to avoid splatters or when you want to prevent over-blending.
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Two-part lid and tamper included.Vitamix blenders usually come with a two-part lid, so you can add ingredients or use the tamper to stir your recipe while the machine runs.
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Fewer extra accessories included.Unlike other brands like Ninja, most Vitamix blenders only have a main pitcher, lid, and tamper. Most are compatible with accessories like personal jars that you can buy separately.
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More expensive.
Vitamix blenders are generally more expensive than other blenders on the market.
Vitamix vs Blendtec
Blendtec is another maker of high-end full-size blenders. The models we've tested aren't as well-built as Vitamix blenders and don't perform as well overall, particularly for recipes like nut butter or hummus. They usually come with a 90-ounce pitcher, while most Vitamix models come with a 64-ounce pitcher. They also have blunt blades that make them easy to clean by hand. For more information, check out our more detailed breakdown of the differences between Blendtec and Vitamix.
Vitamix vs Wolf Gourmet
Wolf Gourmet is a kitchen appliance manufacturer that makes a few high-end blenders. The Wolf Gourmet Pro-Performance isn't as good at processing thick mixtures like nut butter as the Vitamix models in this article. It's also not as well-built. Still, its performance is comparable, and it's quiet for a blender.
Vitamix vs Ninja
Ninja makes a wide variety of full-size blenders that are usually cheaper. They generally don't perform as well as Vitamix models if you're using the main pitcher. They aren't as well-built and usually can't hot blend. However, unlike Vitamix, many have extra jars and attachments included, like single-serve jars and food processors. If you don't mind using different jars for different purposes, some can produce similar results to Vitamix blenders. To see what this brand offers, check out the best Ninja blenders.
Vitamix vs KitchenAid
KitchenAid makes a small range of full-size blenders, including high-end, premium, and commercial options. The higher-end KitchenAid K400 offers comparable performance to Vitamix blenders for making smoothies, soups, and crushed ice. It's less expensive than the Vitamix Explorian E310 but isn't as well-built. It doesn't come with a tamper and is much harder to use for recipes like nut butter. The blade design also makes it harder to clean by hand.
Vitamix makes full-size blenders that are very well-built and versatile in their overall performance. They have a wide range of speed settings, so you can easily adjust the speed based on what you're blending. Some of their blenders are Bluetooth-compatible, allowing you to access additional preset modes like 'Smoothies,' 'Baby Food,' 'Spice Grinding,' and 'Acai Bowls' via the Vitamix Perfect Blend app.
Lineup
Vitamix divides its full-size blenders into a few categories that offer different controls, features, and warranties and are compatible with different accessories.
Ascent X series: The latest, most expensive lineup, which includes four blenders, each with an advertised 10-year warranty. These blenders come with a 48-ounce jar and a removable tamper holder. More expensive models have metal shells, more blending programs, and other features like a tamper indicator. Their jars have rubber handle covers, but they lack cord storage.
Ascent series: Vitamix advertises a 10-year U.S. warranty. Depending on your model, they include features like digital displays and onboard blending programs. They have 'Self-Detect,' meaning the blender can detect which accessory you're using.
Smart System: All Ascent series blenders, plus some other models like the Vitamix Venturist 1200, are 'Smart System' blenders, meaning they have 'Self Detect' and are compatible with the widest variety of accessories, including a food processor jar.
Legacy series: These are 'classic' blenders, older designs that Vitamix still makes and sells new. They have analog controls, a longer power cord, and an opaque lid. The manufacturer offers a seven-year U.S. warranty. The jars aren't dishwasher-safe, unlike Ascent models. There are G-series and C-series Legacy blenders. Some accessories and additional jars are only compatible with one series or the other.
Propel series: These are newer Vitamix blenders that use classic design features. They lack digital displays and don't work with 'Self-Detect' accessories. They share the Legacy blenders' seven-year U.S. warranty, longer power cord, and lid design. However, unlike real Legacy models, they have blending programs and come with dishwasher-safe jars.
Explorian series: Vitamix refers to its Explorian blenders as an 'entry' into the brand. They're less expensive, have more basic controls, and have a shorter five-year U.S. warranty.
Other blenders: Vitamix mainly makes full-size blenders, but they also sell the Vitamix Immersion Blender, meant for blending hot ingredients in a pot or pan, and the Vitamix ONE, a smaller full-size model for smoothies. It has a very different design from other Vitamixes and a less versatile performance.
Recent Updates
May 25, 2026:
We removed the Vitamix Ascent X2 as our top pick and replaced it with the more robust and feature-rich Vitamix Ascent X5. We also switched the order of the Vitamix Propel 510 and the Vitamix 5200 because the 510 is now consistently priced lower.
Feb 17, 2026:
We checked to make sure all our picks were still available and made some edits to the text.
Nov 14, 2025:
We made the Vitamix Ascent X2 our top pick as the Vitamin A3500 has been discontinued. We also made small changes for clarity.
May 09, 2025:
We've made minor updates to the text and checked that the products are in stock, but there hasn't been a change to our recommendations.
Feb 12, 2025:
Verified that all picks are valid and available. No change in recommendations.
FAQ
How do you clean a Vitamix?
Vitamix recommends filling the jar halfway with warm water and adding a few drops of soap, running it for 30–60 seconds, and then rinsing the jar and lid. This does help clean the jar and blades, but you usually need a sponge or brush to completely clean the blender.
Are Vitamix blenders dishwasher-safe?
Some Vitamix blenders come with dishwasher-safe jars. The 'Ascent,' 'Propel,' and 'Explorian' model jars can go in the dishwasher. However, the 'Legacy' blenders have to be cleaned by hand.
How much will a Vitamix blender cost you?
Vitamix makes high-end full-size blenders that cost about $300 USD at the low end to more than $1,000 USD for the most expensive models.
Is Costco Vitamix different?
Vitamix makes some blender models that are only available at Costco (U.S.), including the Vitamix Alta Pro, Vitamix Venturist 1200 and the Vitamix Explorian E520. These blenders can have different designs and vary a little in performance from similar-looking models available elsewhere. For example, the Vitamix Explorian E520 is louder than the Vitamix Explorian E310 and has automatic blending programs. However, the Costco models we've tested are similar to other Vitamix blenders regarding build quality and blending performance.
Can you chop nuts in a Vitamix?
Most Vitamix blenders can chop nuts. However, like with many other full-size blenders, if you over-blend, you'll end up with nut butter instead of chopped nuts or flour, so you might prefer a food processor.
Conclusion
Vitamix is a blender manufacturer that makes well-built, premium-looking blenders. They're generally very versatile, which suits many different users. They usually come with a speed dial and some preset modes and can blend hot ingredients. However, most of their blenders don't have many extra features or accessories.