Today it’s Blendtec vs. Vitamix! Two of the most popular high-powered blenders go head-to-head in this closeup {unsponsored} look to figure out which blender really is the best!

Disclaimer: this is an unsponsored post (i.e. I haven’t been paid to talk about these blenders); this post contains a few Amazon affiliate links for products I’ve bought there. As always, feel free to shop around for the best price! 

I fully realize I may be diving into controversial waters today, but it’s finally the day where we talk openly and honestly about blenders.

I know. Hold onto your hats.

Just like the Kitchenaid vs. Bosch debate (over 400 comments on that post!), I am inundated with emails, comments, questions about if I own a Blendtec or Vitamix, and ultimately, which one would I recommend.

I have strong feelings on the matter. This should not surprise anyone who even remotely knows me. {Spoiler alert: I have strong feelings on everything, particularly kitchen appliances. Also, I probably need to get a life.}

As I already mentioned, no company has ever sent me a free blender. Blendtec and Vitamix could probably care less who I am and what opinions I have (it’s ok, no hard feelings, guys).

Here’s a quick back story of my blender history: in about 2010 or thereabouts, my mom gifted me a Blendtec for a Christmas gift. I was stoked. Blendtec was my go-to blender for about 7 years (several models as I had two of them “die” and get replaced through the warranty). A little over a year ago in 2017, I gave my faltering, on-it’s-way-out Blendtec to my sister (I’m so nice like that) and bought a Vitamix at Costco. I’ve been using it exclusively for over a year now. Incidentally, the Blendtec is still working out pretty well for my sis, too (I borrowed it for the pictures in this post, actually).

I know there are many, many other blenders (high-powered or not) on the market, but because Blendtec and Vitamix are the ones I get the most questions about, and they are the only ones I’ve owned and used, they are the ones up for closer inspection today.

Additionally, there are a lot of different models available for both Blendtec and Vitamix. For today’s discussion, I’m comparing two fairly lateral models from each brand – mostly because they are similar to the ones I’ve owned: Blendtec Classic 575 and Vitamix 5300. 

Let’s take a quick look at a few side-by-side comparisons.

You can see that at least for these two models, cost is fairly comparable (in addition, certified refurbished blenders for both brands can be found at a discount). The sky is the limit with these blenders, though. Both brands have professional series blenders that are upwards of $800!

Now let’s go a bit deeper into some of the pros and cons I’ve experienced with each blender.

Performance + Noise

From the above chart, the horsepower of the two blenders is pretty comparable. Keep in mind that the power given for most appliances is the peak power, and the blenders usually never operate at that highest level. Misleading and annoying? Yes.

But operationally, both the Blendtec and Vitamix, for these models, operate at right around 1,400 to 1,500 watts (right around 2 hp). So there aren’t any significant differences in power.

I can only speak from my experience, but although the Blendtec is slightly higher in horsepower, I have enjoyed using the Vitamix much more based on how effectively it blends. 

Can you get a deliciously smooth milkshake with either blender? Yes. Smoothie? Yes. Neither blender skyrockets higher than the other in terms of actual output.

The difference is in how that creamy milkshake or smoothie is achieved. In my experience, the Vitamix blends more quickly and more efficiently than the Blendtec.

I would constantly have to repeat the smoothie cycle on the Blendtec to get our morning smoothies just right, whereas with the Vitamix, I swing the dial up to a 5 or 6 and let it blend for 30-45 seconds, and we’re good to go.

I think this difference boils down to three factors: the design of the jar, the preprogrammed functions, and the tamper.

Although I do feel like there are several cons with the design of the Vitamix jar(s) – more below – the fact that the low-profile, 64-ounce jar is wider and squattier (for lack of a better term) than the Blendtec jars earns a few points in blending functionality.

The wider surface area at the bottom of the jar makes for easier blending with large batches, in my very scientific opinion.

The tamper that is provided with the Vitamix is the source of a lot of controversy (Blendtec blenders don’t have this). Some people love it, some people hate it.

I don’t love that it’s one more piece to clean, but the upside is that I also don’t use it every time I blend food in the Vitamix. I only pull it out for extra thick mixtures (like if I add too much frozen fruit to our morning smoothies or am craving a perfect chocolate milkshake), and it really does make a world of difference for that ultra-thick smoothie or milkshake or ice cream.

Whereas the Blendtec often has to be stopped and stirred with a spoon or spatula so the thicker bits at the bottom transfer up to the top, the Vitamix tamper does the job for you while the blender is running (don’t worry, there’s a safety edge that prevents the tamper from hitting the blades).

And a quick note about noise: both blenders are loud. There’s no getting around it. I’m sure in super scientific tests, there’s a difference between the two, but in my experience, it’s not significant. THEY ARE LOUD!

Options + Ease of Use + Jars

Like I mentioned above, the Blendtec definitely has more options available in terms of blending and preprogrammed cycles.

The model pictured in this post is a little older than the current Blendtec Classic blenders, but preprogrammed cycles are still available on the new models.

The Vitamix is plain and simple. You’ve got yourself a pulse button, start/stop switch, and a speed dial.

Having used both, I think of the Blendtec as the quick, little, strong, whippersnapper of the two, while the Vitamix is a gentle, rumbling, hard working giant.

And yes, I’m weird.

While I really like the design of the 64-ounce Vitamix jar, I also don’t think it’s a very practical size for smaller families or individuals. It’s huge! For us, it’s great because I have a large family and make almost everything in bulk, but it’s not very useful for someone who might want to blend smaller batches of salad dressings and sauces – the smaller batches don’t blend as well in the low-profile jar.

A major plus of Blendtec is that very often, the blender packages come with two jars: the classic jar (32 ounces) and the wild side jar (36 ounces). I also had the twister jar when I owned my Blendtec, and I used it for smaller batches (sauces, salad dressings, graham cracker crumbs, etc). I loved that little jar.

When I bought my Vitamix, it only came with the wider 64-ounce jar. I later bought the 32-ounce jar – I’m often using my blender for multiple things, and so for me, it’s been worth it to have both jars. However, it is an additional expense (I wish Vitamix would add it to their blender packages!).

One note I’ll add in this section is that the Vitamix is definitely heavier, bigger, and bulkier. You can see that just from the pictures. The base is taller and wider. I keep the base and the jars in a kitchen cupboard, and it definitely takes up more cupboard space now that I have a Vitamix instead of a Blendtec.

Cleaning

In my experience, both blenders clean about the same. My mom swears by adding warm water and a drop or two of dish soap to the blender and pulsing or running it on medium speed and then rinsing. I hardly ever do that because I’ve usually put the base back in the cupboard already.

So I do the old-fashioned hand wash action, and it’s fine. Honestly, it takes less than a minute to clean either Blendtec or Vitamix. The jar configurations and lids don’t make a significant difference for cleaning, in my opinion.

However, I will say that I have found the Blendtec splashes around much, much more while blending. The Vitamix doesn’t seem to be quite as…well…energetic (see my above “gentle giant” comment).

For example here are the lids after blending identical batches of smoothies. Now certainly some of this boils down to size and configuration of the jars, but it still may be a helpful visual.

Durability

While I think both Blendtec and Vitamix blenders have their merits (and downfalls), one thing I can speak to from specific personal experience is that over the 6-7 years of owning a Blendtec, the motor burned out two separate times.

This was with fairly average daily use. I never store liquids or food in my blender jars (either brand) overnight, I rarely make ice cream or other ultra-thick concoctions in the blender (milkshakes are another matter), and I always twist the bottom of the driveshaft that spins the blades before using (a tip I learned from a Costco salesman years and years ago).

UPDATE: several of you in the comments have asked for details about this so I took a quick picture of what I mean. Basically, when I pull the jar out of the cupboard, I give a little twist to the metal driveshaft extending out of the bottom of the blender. You might notice it sticks a bit as you twist it – and that’s exactly why it’s important to give it a good spin before blending anything. The way the “blender professional” 🙂 explained it to me is that pre-twisting it with your fingers before blending keeps the driveshaft and blades from sticking while blending which will in turn keep them in tip top spinning shape. A simple step, but one I do out of habit now.

Blendtec always came through with a refurbished warranty replacement (although I did have some sketchy and frustrating experiences with their customer service line once or twice), but after my last Blendtec replacement started having display issues and a burning smell while making our smoothies, I decided to cut ties with Blendtec and try a Vitamix.

I’ve only had the Vitamix for a little over a year, so I can’t say right now that it is more durable than a Blendtec, but I haven’t had any issues so far. My dad has had a Vitamix for several years with no issues.

Conversely, I have many friends who have had Blendtec blenders for many years, also, with no issues.

But in my experience, my Blendtec wasn’t nearly as durable and long lasting as I had hoped and anticipated.

In Summary

Well, if you’ve gotten this far (bless you), you might be wondering – with all this information, which blender really is best?

Obviously this is going to boil down to many personal factors: budget, the exact model you want, size of family (for jar size), room for storage (remember, Vitamix is slightly bigger), desire for preprogrammed settings, etc.

But for me, after using a Blendtec blender for 6+ years and now having experience with a Vitamix blender for the last year or so, I can easily say that the Vitamix wins for me.

It blends better, it’s easier to use, I love the tamper provided to aid in quicker/more efficient blending, and even though the specifications may not agree, it feels much more powerful than the Blendtec blender.

Overall, it’s the blender I would recommend! However, I also know it may not be the right blender for everyone.

And because I know you might also have strong opinions about this, comment below and let me know if you own a high-powered blender, which one you own, and why you love (or hate) it! 

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