Vitamix Vs. Blendtec for smoothies?

[vi edit]

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?

No comparison really. I had a Ninja. Then I got a Vitamix. There's a whole 'nuther level of destruction that the industrial strength blenders do that the Ninja can't. I'm talking down to the point of obliterating things like raspberry seeds and liquifying them. A Ninja smoothie is more like a "lumpie" after going back to it.

Try doing an orange in a ninja. It can't break down the pulp. The blades only spin around and don't really create a vortex to pull it down into the whirling instrument of cellular destruction at the bottom of the blenders.

 

[waterjug]

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.

quick tip: put an upside-down mouse-pad underneath it, absorbs a ton of sound I've heard, Or use a rubber mat. You can always trim the pad so that the feet of the blender still rest on the counter.

 

[waterjug]

No comparison really. I had a Ninja. Then I got a Vitamix. There's a whole 'nuther level of destruction that the industrial strength blenders do that the Ninja can't. I'm talking down to the point of obliterating things like raspberry seeds and liquifying them. A Ninja smoothie is more like a "lumpie" after going back to it.

Try doing an orange in a ninja. It can't break down the pulp. The blades only spin around and don't really create a vortex to pull it down into the whirling instrument of cellular destruction at the bottom of the blenders.

yeah that's what I'm finding. The smoothies are still pretty 'grainy' (I do pre-grind the flax seed in a coffee bean grinder). It's not awful by any means, and the ninja does a great deal better than a regular blender. I also can't make things like home-made pb or almond butter in it.

 

[KeithP]

I bought a refurb Vitamix some time back and couldn't be happier with it. It is very easy to clean and I find the stamper to come in handy now and then.

In regards to the blender's power, it appears to me that both Blendtec and Vitamix have different models with different ratings so I am not sure how you could say one is more powerful than another unless you care comparing two specific models.

Anyway, I don't think you can go wrong with either.

-KeithP

 

[poofyhairguy]

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?

I don't think so. The only thing I have ever seen challenge the power of my Vitamix is when I put a ton of frozen stuff in for a smoothie. Maybe if you are not lazy like me and you don't throw in an entire frozen brick of fruit at a time it would be fine.

 

[waterjug]

I bought a refurb Vitamix some time back and couldn't be happier with it. It is very easy to clean and I find the stamper to come in handy now and then.

In regards to the blender's power, it appears to me that both Blendtec and Vitamix have different models with different ratings so I am not sure how you could say one is more powerful than another unless you care comparing two specific models.

Anyway, I don't think you can go wrong with either.

-KeithP

Thanks!

In this case Vitamix 5200 vs. Blendtec Total Blender

 

[poofyhairguy]

Thanks!

In this case Vitamix 5200 vs. Blendtec Total Blender

My Vitamix is very similar to the 5200 model.

 

[Imported]

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

Same here. Only use it for smoothies. Just prefer the personal size thing.

My next blender is gonna be the cheaper of the VitaMix/Blendtec at Costco when the time comes. 😛

 

[Alienwho]

My blendtec is one of the best kitchen purchases I've ever made. Besides smoothies I make almond meal and flax meal. Cut a cooked chicken breast into quarters and stick it in and hit the pulse button for 1 second and you have perfectly shredded chicken. I use it to make awesome homemade hummus.

I'm sure the vitamix is great too and while I am a teeny bit jealous of the option of using an analog dial, the set it and forget it buttons are more valuable to me.

 

[gotsmack]

My friend had both and he returned the blendtec to get the Vitamix because the blendtec whipped too much air into his smoothies. The blendtec is easier to clean though, so it depends on what features you are willing to trade off on. I just use a cheap $35 blender.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I'm sure the vitamix is great too and while I am a teeny bit jealous of the option of using an analog dial, the set it and forget it buttons are more valuable to me.

My Vitamix (and the 5200) kinda has both- one setting allows for the dial, another is set and forget destruction mode.

For best results you run it at first at a lower speed to chop up your ice and hard stuff, then you put it on the destruction mode to smooth out the texture.

And for the record I never use brushes to clean my Vitamix. Just rinsing or I run some soap water in it on high.

 

[JM Aggie08]

I love my Vitamix. We've made boiling hot soup in it, ice cream, protein smoothies, our own flour.

Only a basic bitch would own anything other than a Vitamix on Blendtec. Elevate your game, bro.

 

[Kaido]

I love my Vitamix. We've made boiling hot soup in it, ice cream, protein smoothies, our own flour.

One of the first things I made in my Blendtec was Tang ice cream (in the recipe book).

That was was amazing.

 

[Kaido]

My friend had both and he returned the blendtec to get the Vitamix because the blendtec whipped too much air into his smoothies. The blendtec is easier to clean though, so it depends on what features you are willing to trade off on. I just use a cheap $35 blender.

Now that you mention it, I would have to agree. The Blendtec is a liquifier...you put stuff in, it liquifies it. The commercial smoothies I've had off a Vitamix do seem to come out thicker/smoother rather than pure liquid. Hmm. I've done a side-by-side with my buddy's Vitamix...it's a very small difference & I always thought it was just in my head, but that's good confirmation. Very slight difference.

 

[Mutilator]

Just remember if you get a Vitamix they're like a virus. You'll get one, then family members get one, then friends get one, etc. etc. Thank you QVC 5 installment easy pay lol. Easier to tolerate spending that much money on a blender when you can do it over 5 months. 😉
I got the 7500 btw... 3 inches shorter than the 5200 so you can fit it under cabinets. Overkill? Yes. But it'll probably be the last blender I ever own.

 

[waterjug]

hmmm so many good points. I guess I'm afraid that if I got a vitamix I'd have to stand there timing precisely when to turn up speeds and stuff on it. I just want something I can turn on and walk away for a minute or two in the morning while I get ready for work.

 

[poofyhairguy]

hmmm so many good points. I guess I'm afraid that if I got a vitamix I'd have to stand there timing precisely when to turn up speeds and stuff on it. I just want something I can turn on and walk away for a minute or two in the morning while I get ready for work.

You can do that. I do that every morning. Just put it on blast. Or heck don't get one with the nob at all!

 

[db]

I haven't used a Blendtec but I have been very happy with my programmed Vitamix for 2 years now. Even chia seeds disappear into the mix b/c they're so well cut up. Supposedly the high speed and sharpness cuts open the cell walls of foods, making for faster and easier digestion.

 

[T9D]

Get this one! It's awesome and the best value around. I was looking all over and reading reviews. The price is ridiculous. I would never pay more for a vitamix or anything else after finding this at this price:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought it last week. Love it. So glad I didn't spend $400 more. I promise you you'll be totally happy with it.

 

[BoomerD]

Get this one! It's awesome and the best value around. I was looking all over and reading reviews. The price is ridiculous. I would never pay more for a vitamix or anything else after finding this at this price:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought it last week. Love it. So glad I didn't spend $400 more. I promise you you'll be totally happy with it.

Dude...are you poor?

http://www.costco.com/Vitamix-5200-...10701&keyword=vitamix&langId=-1&storeId=10301

Or...as mentioned by Mutilator...

http://www.qvc.com/Vitamix-Kitchen-&-Food.category.0102.html?refine=1001299+4294936936

 

[T9D]

Dude...are you poor?

http://www.costco.com/Vitamix-5200-...10701&keyword=vitamix&langId=-1&storeId=10301

Or...as mentioned by Mutilator...

http://www.qvc.com/Vitamix-Kitchen-&-Food.category.0102.html?refine=1001299+4294936936

No it's JUST as good as those. That's my point. No need to waste money when you don't need to. It's not a cheap blender by any means even though it's been reduced in price. It's extremely heavy duty and has like the same specs even. Possibly a new model coming out soon. Think of one of your models above going on sale and selling for $400 less. You'd be stupid not to buy it. I'd put money on it if anyone bought the one I posted that you would not have any desire to get those other ones. For $400 less it's worth a try. You can return it if you don't like it, but I bet you'd keep it and have $400 more in the bank.

You can't tell from the photo but the base if huge with a very powerful motor in it. Once you see it in person and use it it's very impressive. If you read the reviews some of the people even say they have or had Vitamix blenders (possibly at different locations or for different things, I don't know). And they say how much they love the Dash blender.

 

[BUTCH1]

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.

3HP? geez, you could cut the grass with it LOL..

 

[BUTCH1]

Dude...are you poor?

http://www.costco.com/Vitamix-5200-...10701&keyword=vitamix&langId=-1&storeId=10301

Or...as mentioned by Mutilator...

http://www.qvc.com/Vitamix-Kitchen-&-Food.category.0102.html?refine=1001299+4294936936

Five hundred dollars for a blender? I've seen washer/dryer combo packages for that much, I'm not getting what the extra $325 gets you, is it the "will it blend " experience?? I paid $550 for a flat-top convection range, I don't get why a blender has to cost so much..

 

[RossMAN]

Suddenly I'm craving a smoothie

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/230246599672177061/

 

[gotsmack]

Five hundred dollars for a blender? I've seen washer/dryer combo packages for that much, I'm not getting what the extra $325 gets you, is it the "will it blend " experience?? I paid $550 for a flat-top convection range, I don't get why a blender has to cost so much..

It breaks down food to a level not achievable with less powerful blenders. Good for people with certain digestive issues, raw foodists, and commercial kitchens.

For the normal home of a healthy person, it's good for some cooking things and smoothies. You can't break down tuscan kale with cheaper blenders, it just turns into pesto.

if you're big into green smoothies it it's worth the money. if you just want a blender to occasionally blend stuff, you're better off with something less expensive