Blendtec vs Vitamix Review

Blendtec vs Vitamix Review

In this ORIGINAL Blendtec vs Vitamix review, copied by many, we reveal the similarities and differences between these two excellent high-speed performance blenders. Our complete 2015 UPDATED, unbiased comparison is based on over 8 years of blending experience .

We use Blendtec and Vitamix blenders on a daily basis. We also give classes on improving your health through better nutrition and how to get the most out of your blender investment. Worth every penny, the high cost for either is pretty much the same. Both are great but which blender is better for YOU? –, Blendtec or Vitamix.

Blendtec vs Vitamix –, Blending Performance.

In Blendtec Vitamix reviews, consumers report clearly that they both are incredibly powerful blenders. They both can easily crush ice, make hot soup, blend nut butters, grind seeds, puree fruit and a whole lot more. They are also the best blenders for making smoothies and green smoothies.

Which blender has more power? The latest Vitamix Next Generation models, such as the 7500 and Pro 750 are their most powerful at 12 amps. While the Vitamix classic models such as the 5200 draw less power at 11.5 amps/1380 watts vs. Blendtec’,s13 amps/1560 watts (Blendtec’,s new designer models vary slightly in the watts they draw. Keep in mind several factors add to the draw of power and at this level of power, there is no real discernible difference in results.), we have yet to find anything a Blendtec can blend that the Vitamix can not (we only do food –, no iPhones, magnets, or automobiles tested).

* A note about Horsepower*

We choose to ignore advertised horsepower of these blender for a couple of reasons.

1) Horsepower can be measured and reported using many different methods and is therefore not a good value for comparison.

2) It is not recognized as a standard for measurement in the International System of Units (SI). Therefore HP does not give a confident, comparable measurement.

3) True blending performance is dependent upon more factors than raw power consumed. Compared to other blenders, both Vitamix and Blendtec have more power and torque to effectively break-down cell walls and blend any food product.

Speed: Vitamix variable speed control has a range of 500 to 37,000 Revolutions per Minute (RPM), allowing for more control at slower speeds. Blendtec blenders come with preset speeds (6 to 10 depending upon the model) with blade speed ranging from 4,080 to 28,000 RPM.

Chopping: Neither blender is designed to be a good chopper. Although, in comparing the the Blendtec to Vitamix, the low speed variable control of the Vitamix does allow for better chopping results, especially when used in combination with the tamper.

With power comes noise –, both blenders are loud but Blendtec models are noticeably louder

(the », Vitamix 7500 is the quieter but the », Blendtec Pro 800 is the absolute quietest)

Warranty and Durability

Both of these blenders are built to last and have the best warranty of all household blenders to back it up. They go far beyond the typical 90-days or 1-year warranty of regular blenders that so commonly fail shortly after the warrant expires. Vita-mix set the standard in the industry around 1999 with a complete 7-Years Full Use warranty. Blendtec’,s warranty changed in 2014 to an 8-year warranty. Extended warranties are available direct from both companies at an additional cost and on occasion club stores such as Costco and Sam’,s Club offer warranty extensions as a promotion.

Vita-mix Corporation has been making performance blenders for over 80 years vs Blendtec who has been making blenders for the home for about 17 years. It is not uncommon to learn about a Vitamix customer that has been using their blender for over 20 years without an issue.

Vitamix is “,Made in the USA ”, and Blendtec is “,Designed and Assembled ”, in the USA. Essentially, the difference is that Vitamix is made with more than 70% of its parts manufactured in the US while Blendtec is slightly less than 70%.

Both blender companies are known for excellent customer service and honoring their warranties without hassle.

Vitamix Containers vs Blendtec Jars –, Volume and Blades

Containers: All current Blendtec and Vitamix containers are BPA-Free copolyester plastic with volume measurement marks. These containers are light-weight, very strong and quite difficult to break. Glass blending jars are NOT an option with these blenders. This is primarily due to safety, the power and force generated by these blenders could easily break glass, and for their size, glass containers would be extremely heavy.

The Standard packages for both blenders come with a “,64oz”, volume container. Both companies offer other options and combo packages as well. Blendtec boasts a one blade does it all, both “,wet”, and “,dry”, blending in a single container. There is a 32oz Vitamix “,dry grains”, container available. Think you need a separate container to grind grains? You don’,t, see our » Dry Blending Comparison

In addition to the dry grains container, Vitamix offers a 48oz container as well as a 32oz wet jar. The 64oz container that comes with the Vitamix Classic Series is 13.4 inches tall. The biggest complaint about Vitamix tends to be that this container is too tall to store the blender on their counter-top. Vitamix addressed this issue with the new low-profile 64oz container that comes standard with next generation Vitamix blenders like the 7500. This new container is shorter (

10 inches) with a wider base.

The Next Generation Vitamix 7500 comes with a more efficient low-profile container.

See our », Vitamix 7500 Review for more information.

Blendtec’,s most popular blending jar offered is their Wildside jar with a fifth side added to their square jar design and a 4 inch blade. Also offered is the small Blendtec Twister jar. The Twister jar and NEW Mini Twister jar is by far Blendtec’,s greatest improvement allowing for small volume blends. See more about the Twister jar .

Container volume: While both blenders’, standard containers are advertised as “,2 qt”,, there is a notable difference. All Vitamix blending containers are UL rated to blend at capacity –, their 64 oz (2 qt) container can blend a full container’,s worth of food. The Blendtec jar can not operate at full capacity, Blendtec recommends filling their containers only 1/2 full to operate. Vita-Mix states you can fill them to the maximum volume and blend efficiently.

Blades: Blendtec blenders have a 2-prong, dull Stainless Steel blade. Vitamix blenders have a 4-prong Stainless Steel, 2 dull hammermill blades and 2 cutting blades. Both of these blades are engineered so they will not need replacing when used as recommended.

A unique feature to Vitamix is that you can remove the blade to replace the blending container but there is no such option for a Blendtec as the blade and container is one piece.

Lids: Vitamix containers all come with a rubber spill-proof vented lid with a center plug that can be removed to add ingredients while the machine is running and to make use of the tamper. These lids have a “,locking tap”, that snaps on the lip to keep the lid on securely for blending. Blendtec blending jars come with a square vented Gripper lid that presses in place. It also has a center plug for adding ingredients. A minor flaw in the Blendtec lid design is that it doesn’,t stay on securely. Many customers have complained that the lid pops off when blending is left unattended. This occurs most often when filling the jar more than recommended.

Every Vitamix container comes with a tamper. Blendtec containers do not have them (their claim is that “,they don’,t need them”,. For more information please see tamper details .

Usability and Ease of Use

Both Vitamix and Blendec are easy to use but their controls make the difference. Operation is different depending upon which blender you choose.

Vitamix Classic Controls

Vitamix Next Gen Controls

Speed Control: Vitamix offers complete manual control over your blending pleasure with its variable speed dial vs Blendtec’,s buttons to cycle through its 10 speeds as needed on Classic models (available speeds now vary with most every new Blendtec model –, see our Blendtec Model Comparison ). Blendtec is a microprocessor controlled machine with digital display to keep track of blending times and cycles.

Blendtec Classic Control Buttons

Blendtec Designer Controls

Blending Programs: Blendtec is best know for its Smart-Touch Tec-nology™. This allows you to “,push a button and walk away”, to have the blender run through a hands free automatic program cycle that stops when completed. (We don’,t recommend actually walking away from the blender). While the Blendtec program cycles are very handy for some applications, we often times find the need to continue blending after the program completes to finish the job to our satisfaction or the cycle runs longer than what is needed to do the job. Blendtec does offer some manual control with its ‘,up’,, ‘,down’, and ‘,pulse’,. Higher cost Vitamix models such as the Professional 500 and 750 add program cycles to their operation.

Your Vitamix will continue to run until manually shut off or until the thermal protection kicks in to prevent overheating. Blendtec will automatically shut off after a maximum of 90 seconds of continuous blending (or when the chosen program cycle ends whichever is less ).

Tamper: For such a small part of the blender, the tamper has created a lot of discussion and debate regarding Blendtec vs Vitamix. Every Vitamix blender comes with a tamper to assist in blending solid and whole (uncut) foods without stopping the blender. The tamper is NOT needed for most applications but is extremely helpful for chopping and making frozen entrees, nut butters and thick puddings. With the Blendtec blender, sometimes additional liquid is needed to blend completely without stopping the blender and pushing ingredients into the blades.

The more recent introduction of the Blendtec Twister Jar gives Blendtec owners the ability to make thick purees and small volume dishes. With its unique “,twister lid and tines”,, that function similar to the Vitamix tamper, food can somewhat be directed into the blades while blending.

Dry Blending. Grain Grinding and Making Flour.

Which blender makes flour and does dry blending? Do you need a Vitamix Dry Grains Container?

In our Blendtec vs Vitamix reviews and demonstrations we get a lot of questions about what the difference is in how these two blenders grind grain and make flour. We have done a lot of seed and grain grinding using all blending containers (Blendtec Fourside/WildSide, Vitamix standard “,wet-blade”, and Vitamix “,dry-blade”, container) to find how they truly compare.

Blendtec and the Vitamix Standard “,wet blade”, container blend dry ingredients the same.

Dry Blending REVIEW RESULTS:

Both blenders have no issue with grinding large amounts of seeds, such as flax or sesame, although we generally prefer our dedicated coffee grinder for those tasks.

The Blendtec jars and Vitamix standard “,wet blade”, containers grind wheat berries pretty much the same. The flour appears identical in texture, consistency and temperature. We do notice that it takes slightly less time to grind the berries with the Blendtec if you are blending more than 2 cups at a time.

The Vitamix Dry Grains container does do a superior job of grinding. In a shorter amount of time the flour is noticeably finer with a more consistent texture, did not get as hot in the process and did not clump in the corners. The Vitamix dry-blade is designed to produce an “,opposite vortex”, which evenly pushes the flour up the sides as it grinds.

Conclusion. it doesn’,t matter which blender you chose, no additional container or blade is required for either blender. If your plans include occasional grain grinding, both the Blendtec and Vitamix Standard will do an adequate job. But, if you plan on doing a significant amount of grain grinding then the Vitamix dry grains container (Vitamix Super or Vitamix Deluxe ) would be a wise investment.

Or…, as Blendtec recommends:

“,To get a very fine grind and to keep the nutrients, always use the Kitchen Mill .”,

The Blendtec Kitchen Mill is designed specifically for grain processing and does a superior job compared to any blender we have experienced.

Note: over time these containers become cloudy and more opaque from grain grinding. Both Blendtec and Vitamix recommend a dedicated jar for grains for this reason, because of aesthetics.

Smoothie Making

Which blender is the best smoothie blender? Both blenders do an excellent job at turning out delicious fruit and vegetable smoothies. There is no question about that. In the great Vitamix/Blendtec debate, there is no need to be concerned whether or not either blender can perform.

We’,ve used our Blendtec blenders thousands of times (they include a digital usage counter) and have found the program cycles alone do not always complete the blending to our satisfaction –, but fear not, as every Blendtec offers manual speed control over your blending desires. For common blends and fruit smoothies the Blendtec program cycles can be a blessing. For specialty blends and green smoothies packed with greens it is often necessary to do additional blending after running the Whole Juice cycle. We found the same results with the Vitamix Professional Series program cycles. They work okay for simple smoothies but they tend to run too long and do not have a satisfying result with green smoothies.

With manual control, Vitamix (both the 5200 and 7500) consistently makes creamy, super smooth green smoothies without the need of the tamper no matter how much greens we pack in the container. It is our experience that Blendtec just can’,t make blends as smooth.

Both the Blendtec and the Vitamix process food sufficiently to break down plant cell walls. This makes more nutrients available for use in your body.

Juicing with a Blendtec or Vitamix

A common question by many is “,can it juice? “,. While both blenders make incredible smoothies, it is important to note that they are not “,juicers”,. What they do make is what we call “,wholefood juice “,. The important difference is that Juicers extract the liquid from ingredients by removing all the fiber and blenders do not remove anything from the whole food so you get all the natural fiber –, thus a “,wholefood juice”,.

If you truly want to make juice without the fiber in your Vitamix or Blendtec, you need to take an extra step after blending. You have to strain the wholefood juice to remove the fiber and pulp. While not as effective as a juicer, you can accomplish this using cheesecloth or a nut milk bag.

If you plan on juicing a lot then you should consider a quality juicer –, see the juicers we recommend .

Clean Up

Unlike general kitchen blenders, neither the Vitamix or Blendtec have an easy option to remove the bottom blade housing to access the jar for cleaning. They both are easy to clean but Blendtec is somewhat easier.

The 2 prong blade and smooth square design of the Blendtec jars make it easier to remove your blended goodness and clean than the more narrow, 4 prong blade Vitamix design. The Vitamix New Generation low-profile container is wider and results in easier access than the taller containers but is still not quite as easy to clean down near the blades as Blendtec jars.

Clean up is easy by putting in some hot water with soap and blending. A little hand washing can finish up the job if necessary. The most important factor for easy clean up is to wash your container immediately after use. Blend, wash, and done.

*Dishwasher machine use: some readers have shared that they put their containers in the dishwasher to clean. Blendtec states that it is okay to put their jar in the dishwasher while Vitamix states that you should not. We recommend that you don’,t put either Blendtec or Vitamix containers in the dishwasher –, continual dishwasher use will compromise the seal and bearings of the blade housing over time due to extreme temperatures and detergents If you have older containers that are not BPA-Free they will out-gas. We have had several Blendtec customers tell us that their dishwasher had damaged their containers, which is NOT covered under warranty.

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