Vitamix Vs. Blendtec for smoothies?

[waterjug]

Hi,

So I'm currently using a ninja, but I want to get a better blender that can do more. I was leaning heavily towards a blendtec but a lot of reviews I'm seeing are saying the vitamix produces smoother shakes. I'd be using it daily for that purpose, so now I"m torn.

If it matters, here's what I put in mine usually:

12. oz milk
2 tbls greek yogurt
1 egg
1 tbl flaxseed
1 tbl coconut oil
1 scoop protein powder
1 cup frozen blueberries.

Would both blenders produce equally smooth shakes, with that recipe do you think, or would one or the other have trouble?

Thanks

 

[BoomerD]

Either one should do a very good job. I have a Vitamix and have a hard time believing the Blendtec would do better...but Blendtec owners also feel their blenders are unbeatable...

 

[uhohs]

the only thing that might cause a problem/difference in that recipe is the flax seed.
it might not be perfectly smooth unless you pre-grind the flax seeds or add some time to the standard blend cycle (~45 seconds).

blendtec 2 prong dull blade "punching stuff in the face until it explodes"
vs
vitamix 4 prong sharp blade "slicing stuff like a mutant four armed ninja"

different approaches where the vitamix might be a bit smoother with some recipes when blended the same amount of time.

 

[Dirigible]

Both blenders are great.

We bought the Blendtec because it is shorter and fits on my counter under my upper cabinets. The Vitamix would not have fit.

 

[vi edit]

Both blenders are great.

We bought the Blendtec because it is shorter and fits on my counter under my upper cabinets. The Vitamix would not have fit.

The new 64oz Vitamix containers will fit under the cabinets.

As for why I went vitamix...I like the variable speed knob. Call me a junkie for a bit of analog interaction still available in an appliance.

 

[RGUN]

the only thing that might cause a problem/difference in that recipe is the flax seed.
it might not be perfectly smooth unless you pre-grind the flax seeds or add some time to the standard blend cycle (~45 seconds).

blendtec 2 prong dull blade "punching stuff in the face until it explodes"
vs
vitamix 4 prong sharp blade "slicing stuff like a mutant four armed ninja"

different approaches where the vitamix might be a bit smoother with some recipes when blended the same amount of time.

Vitamix using a sharp blade? News to me. Blades in ours are blunt.

I'm sure you'd be happy with either. Super smooth results. Only complaint I'd make is I hate using the plunger. Have to use it maybe 10% of the time.

 

[Greenman]

Never used the blendtec, but I do know the vitamix does a bang up job on smoothies. They had them at costco for $375.

 

[uhohs]

Costco currently has the blendtec for $299, $349 for the bundle with both wildside and twister jars. 8 year warranty when purchased from Costco.

 

[dr150]

I have 2 friends that are super experienced with blenders. They've tried them all from cheap to super expensive restaurant quality ($1.5k+), including Blendtec & Vitamix.

Both unanimously said Blendtec without batting an eye and went with their collective wisdom.

While both will do the job, the Blendtec is easier to clean (means a lot not having to seriously dick around with a brush), has pre-programmed "set it & forget it" settings (huge plus), a more power engine (3 HP), no need for a stamper like the Vitamix (huge nuisance), easier to store (huge convenience), more reliable (less stressed more powerful engine), easier to store (Vitamix too long), and sexier (comes in colors).

I've been using the Blendtec for over a year now, slogging it with ice and hard frozen fruits and has lived up to its rep. in spades. Couldn't be happier!

Experience is your best friend......Start with the cheaper one (Blendtec) from the current Costco sale and if you don't like it, return it for the more expensive Vitamix. Then you make up your mind.

 

[vi edit]

While both will do the job, the Blendtec is easier to clean (means a lot not having to seriously dick around with a brush),

Not sure what that really means. With my Vitamix you add a bit of water, a drop of dish soap and blend. Rinse, turn it upside down and that's it.

 

[dr150]

Not sure what that really means. With my Vitamix you add a bit of water, a drop of dish soap and blend. Rinse, turn it upside down and that's it.

Because the Vitamix base is so small/narrow, when you blend thicker stuff for soups, sauces, batter, the stickier gunk at the bottom is harder to clean thoroughly...which is absolutely necessary to avoid bacteria risk from that build-up.

 

[vi edit]

That must be a problem of the smaller container for the Vitamix then. The 64oz I have has a bottom the size of my fist and it's certainly a non-issue to clean.

 

[waterjug]

Costco currently has the blendtec for $299, $349 for the bundle with both wildside and twister jars. 8 year warranty when purchased from Costco.

yeah that's why I'm asking vitamix 5200 refurbs for 299 from their website as well

 

[uhohs]

oh, if you're considering refurbs, the refurb blendtec is $279, no tax in some states, and I remember seeing an offer for a $20 amazon gift card. 7year warranty on the refurb blendtec vs 5year for refurb vitamix.

 

[RossMAN]

Have any Blendtec or Vitammix owners tried blending apples either whole or halved/quarters?

 

[The_Dude8]

Have any Blendtec or Vitammix owners tried blending apples either whole or halved/quarters?

i tried quarters on the apple and it destroy it, but not a whole apple, since i want to preserve the vitamix blades.

 

[effowe]

Have any Blendtec or Vitammix owners tried blending apples either whole or halved/quarters?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bGc5imclhw

I haven't tried it personally, don't know why one would, but there's a test on those two particular models.

As for me, I have a Blendtec and am very happy with its performance. It has torn through everything we've thrown at it without breaking a sweat. The only downside is the massive noise it makes, may as well pause the TV and not talk during the blend. Other than that, great machine.

 

[dabuddha]

I got the poor man's version (the Nutribullet!) Love it for my smoothies!

 

[manimal]

Vitameatavegimin

 

[Kaido]

Can't go wrong with either one. I bought a Blendtec because I saw a dude blend a rake with it on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM94aorYVS4

What I like:

1. It has lasted 6 years so far
2. It has a square jar (easy to pour)
3. Liquifies solids (excellent for hardcore smoothies)

What I don't like:

1. Very expensive ($400)
2. VERY loud

It's loud, it's expensive, but it's awesome. My buddy has a Vitamix. Both are great.

 

[Kaido]

Have any Blendtec or Vitammix owners tried blending apples either whole or halved/quarters?

All blenders are better with smaller pieces (physics). A quick quarter-chop of the apple will let the blade get at it better. Huge stuff like a whole apple or a fist-sized chunk of ice from the freezer usually just bounces because the blades make it pop up.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Have any Blendtec or Vitammix owners tried blending apples either whole or halved/quarters?

My vitamix can easily do it. Laughs at a pineapple core, or frozen ANYTHING.

Heck my wife has blended quinoa to make flour in the thing.

 

[jdobratz]

Not sure what that really means. With my Vitamix you add a bit of water, a drop of dish soap and blend. Rinse, turn it upside down and that's it.

I did that with my Blendtec and used, possibly, just a bit more soap than 1 drop. That shit foamed up so fast and shot out the top, despite me holding the cover on, and went all over the kitchen. It looked like a bad accident at a porn shoot

 

[Kaido]

My vitamix can easily do it. Laughs at a pineapple core, or frozen ANYTHING.

Heck my wife has blended quinoa to make flour in the thing.

I make quinoa tortillas. 1/2c water, 1/2c quinoa flour, whisk together. Pour onto a non-stick pan a notch below medium for 8 minutes per side. Pretty tasty. Flour smells weird tho...

 

[SagaLore]

So I'm currently using a ninja, but I want to get a better blender that can do more.

The Ninja is great, what possibly more would you want to do that it doesn't already do when it comes to making a smoothie?