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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Dimensions
    2. Build Quality
    3. Jar Capacity
    4. Jar/Beaker Materials
    5. Blades
    6. Lid
    7. Power Cord
    8. In The Box
  5. Performance
    1. Fibrous Ingredients (Small Batches)
    2. Fibrous Ingredients (Full Capacity)
    3. Crushed Ice
    4. Nut Butter
    5. Noise
    6. Blade Speed
  6. Ease Of Use
    1. Controls And Programs
    2. Cleaning
  7. Comments

Breville The Q vs Vitamix Explorian E520

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Breville The Q
Vitamix Explorian E520

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Feb 13, 2025 05:56 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Apr 23, 2025 08:27 PM

Amazon.com
Breville The Q Picture
Vitamix Explorian E520 Picture
  1. Recommended in 2 articles:
  2. Crushing Ice
  3. Frozen Drinks

Variants

  • The Q (Smoked Hickory)
  • Explorian E520 (Black)
  • Explorian E520 (Gray)

Our Verdict

Breville The Q

Vitamix Explorian E520

The Vitamix Explorian E520 is slightly better than the Breville The Q. The Vitamix is better built and has a speed dial that gives you more control over the blending speed. It's somewhat better for making nut butter. However, the Breville has the edge when it comes to crushing ice. It's also much quieter when running and easier to clean by hand.

0 

Check Price

Smoked Hickory
The Q
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Explorian E520
Amazon.com
Smoked Hickory
The Q
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Gray
Explorian E520
Amazon.com
Smoked Hickory
The Q
BestBuy.com
 
Smoked Hickory
The Q
B&H
 

Main Differences for
Multi-Purpose

Threshold 

0.10

Multi-Purpose 

9.2
9.1

Noise 
 

7.3
4.6

Build Quality 
 

8.0
9.0

Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Blender Type 
 

Full Size Blender
Full Size Blender

Box Picture  

Breville The Q Box Picture
Vitamix Explorian E520 Box Picture

Height 
 

18.1" (46.0 cm)
17.3" (44.0 cm)

Width  

8.2" (20.8 cm)
7.7" (19.5 cm)

Depth  

10.6" (26.9 cm)
9.4" (24.0 cm)

Weight 
 

12.1 lbs (5.5 kg)
10.1 lbs (4.6 kg)

Shaft Length (Immersion Blenders) 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.0
9.0

Build Quality Picture  

Breville The Q Build Quality Picture
Vitamix Explorian E520 Build Quality Picture
Show Text 

Jar Capacity 
 

9.5
9.0

Main Jar Capacity 
 

68.0 oz (2,011 ml)
64.0 oz (1,893 ml)

Additional Jar Capacity 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Jar/Beaker Materials 
 

Jar Picture  

Breville The Q Jar Picture
Vitamix Explorian E520 Jar Picture

Optional Jar Picture  

Breville The Q Optional Jar Picture
Vitamix Explorian E520 Optional Jar Picture

Jar/Beaker Material 
 

BPA-Free Plastic
BPA-Free Plastic

Dishwasher Safe 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Blades 
 

Blades Picture  

Breville The Q Blades Picture
Vitamix Explorian E520 Blades Picture

Blade Type 
 

Sharp
Sharp

Blade Count 
 

4
4

Removable 
 

No
No

Dishwasher Safe 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Lid 
 

Lid Picture  

Breville The Q Lid Picture
Vitamix Explorian E520 Lid Picture

Two-Part Lid 
 

Yes
Yes

Lid Closing Type 
 

Friction
Friction
Show Text 

Power Cord  

Cable Picture  

Breville The Q Cable Picture
Vitamix Explorian E520 Cable Picture

Stow-Away Compartment 
 

Yes
Yes

Cord Length 
 

3.9 ft (1.2 m)
6.2 ft (1.9 m)
Show Text 

In The Box  

Bundle Picture  

Breville The Q Bundle Picture
Vitamix Explorian E520 Bundle Picture
Show Text 
Performance

Fibrous Ingredients (Small Batches) 
 

9.3
9.3

Fibrous Ingredients (Small Batches) Photo  

Breville The Q Fibrous Ingredients (Small Batches) Photo
Vitamix Explorian E520 Fibrous Ingredients (Small Batches) Photo

Jar Used 
 

Main Jar
Main Jar

Fibrous Ingredients (Small Batches) Video  

Fibrous Ingredients Processing 
 

6.5
6.5

Fibrous Ingredients Texture 
 

10
10
Show Text 

Fibrous Ingredients (Full Capacity) 
 

9.7
9.7

Fibrous Ingredients (Full Capacity) Photo  

Breville The Q Fibrous Ingredients (Full Capacity) Photo
Vitamix Explorian E520 Fibrous Ingredients (Full Capacity) Photo

Fibrous Ingredients (Full Capacity) Video  

Jar Used  

Main Jar
Main Jar

Fibrous Ingredients Processing 
 

8.5
8.5

Fibrous Ingredients Texture 
 

10
10
Show Text 

Crushed Ice 
 

9.9
9.6

Crushed Ice Photo  

Breville The Q Crushed Ice Photo
Vitamix Explorian E520 Crushed Ice Photo

Crushed Ice Video  

Crushed Ice Preparation 
 

9.5
8.5

Crushed Ice Texture 
 

10
10
Show Text 

Nut Butter 
 

9.3
9.6

Nut Butter Picture  

Breville The Q Nut Butter Picture
Vitamix Explorian E520 Nut Butter Picture

Nut Butter Video  

Nut Butter Preparation 
 

9.0
9.0

Nut Butter Texture 
 

9.5
10
Show Text 

Noise 
 

7.3
4.6

Noise @ Max Speed 
 

92.2 dB
100.7 dB

Noise Video  

Show Text 

Blade Speed 
 

Min Speed 
 

4,000 RPM
1,460 RPM

Power 
 

1,800 W
1,400 W

Max Speed 
 

20,000 RPM
21,200 RPM

Speed Adjustment Based On Jar Type 
 

No
No
Show Text 
Ease Of Use

Controls And Programs 
 

Control Panel  

Breville The Q Control Panel
Vitamix Explorian E520 Control Panel

On/Off Switch 
 

Yes
Yes

Speed Presets 
 

5
0

Hot Blending 
 

Yes
Yes

Speed Dial 
 

No
Yes

Pulse/Turbo Mode 
 

Yes
Yes

Programs 
 

5
3

Blending Time Indicator 
 

Yes
No

Programmable Timer 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Cleaning 
 

8.0
7.5

Self-Cleaning Video  

Cleaning Video  

Show Text 

Check Price

Smoked Hickory
The Q
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Explorian E520
Amazon.com
Smoked Hickory
The Q
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Gray
Explorian E520
Amazon.com
Smoked Hickory
The Q
BestBuy.com
 
Smoked Hickory
The Q
B&H
 

Breville The Q

Vitamix Explorian E520

Comments

  1. Comparison

Breville The Q vs Vitamix Explorian E520: Main Discussion

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