We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

The Very Best Vitamix Products, According to Our Many (Many!) Years of Testing

Including our longtime favorite blender, the Vitamix 5200.

By
Madeline Muzzi
Madeline Muzzi Headshot
Writer
Madeline Muzzi is a food writer with over 10 years of experience covering cooking, restaurants and wine. She is an accomplished cook and certified sommelier. 
Learn about Serious Eats' Editorial Process
Published November 15, 2023
The vitamix Professional Series 750 processing peanuts

Serious Eats / Tamara Staples

Professional kitchens trust Vitamix for a reason: Their blenders are durable, powerful, and versatile. However, they aren’t the only tools that Vitamix offers. The brand has a whole suite of gear (food processors, countertop composters, and immersion blenders—oh my!). 

As such, we’ve tested almost every product Vitamix offers. Below, we’ve compiled the best-of-the-best Vitamix gear across all of the equipment reviews. And no, this isn’t sponsored content: We’ve done this sort of roundup for other brands, too, including Breville and Made In.

Vitamix offers a range of blenders priced between $250 and $650 dollars. We’ve tested almost all of them, and honestly, they’re all pretty good. Buying a Vitamix guarantees a powerful machine that can accomplish tasks like pulverizing tough, fibrous kale for smoothies and crushing ice for cocktails. As always, the best choice for your kitchen depends on your personal preferences and how you intend to use it. However, the 5200 Professional Grade Blender is our ride-or-die because of its power, simplicity, and relative value. At around $450 dollars, this is an expensive machine, but it’s far from the priciest option Vitamix offers.  While the top-tier models include features like presets and touch screens, we’ve found that the simple variable speed controls of the 5200 provide all of the power you need along with a simple user experience. Its 7-year warranty covers repair or replacement if a component of the machine fails as a result of normal use. 

I’ve owned a Vitamix 5200 for eight years, and I put it through daily use. After countless smoothies, the container has started to get a little hazy, but it’s still as powerful as the day that I got it. 

Good to Know

  • Dimensions: 7.25 x 8.75 x 20.5 inches
  • Weight: 10.56 Pounds
  • Warranty: 7 years
a smoothie being blended in the Vitamix 5200 blender

Serious Eats / Tamara Staples

Ascent series blenders combine a powerful Vitamix motor with a few additional bells and whistles. The A3500 features an LED touchscreen, a built-in timer, and several automated presets. It’s available in six different finishes, so users can customize the appliance to suit their taste. If you want something super fancy, this is what we'd recommend.

Good to Know

  • Dimensions: 8 x 11 x 17 inches
  • Warranty: 10 years
  • Weight: 14.92 pounds
a look at the control panel of the Ascent 3500

Serious Eats / Tamara Staples

A Vitamix blender can do almost everything, but there are a few kitchen tasks better suited for food processors. Food processors can chop and shred vegetables, mix pie or pizza dough, and whip up creamy emulsions. During testing, the Vitamix food processor attachment excelled at all of these tasks. Best of all, it eliminates the need to purchase and store an additional bulky kitchen machine. Note: This attachment is compatible with Vitamix blender bases from the Ascent series.

Good to Know

  • Dimensions: 11.75 x 8.5 x 12.75 inches
  • Weight: 6.17 pounds
  • Capacity: 12 cups
  • Warranty: 3-years
vitamix food processor and blender base with the lid on the marble counter

Serious Eats / Grace Kelly

Immersion blenders are the best tool for pureed soups and chunky sauces. Yes, you can blend soups by transferring to a standard blender, but an immersion blender offers a few advantages over this technique. For starters, transferring can be messy. There’s always a risk of splattering and splashing, and if the liquid is hot, then burns are possible. In the worst-case scenario, blending a super-hot soup in a closed blender can cause a minor explosion—steam from hot liquids generates pressure, and can result in a little pop when you take the lid off. With an immersion blender, you can blend right in the pot, pan, or container.

The Vitamix immersion blender is truly exemplary. We’ve used this small, mighty tool to blend chickpeas, emulsify salad dressing, and even crush ice. It’s easy to clean and has a comfortable grip and variable speeds. This tool is so powerful that you may even reach for it in place of a full-sized blender—saving muscle power and clean-up time. 

Good to Know

  • Dimensions: 18 x 3 x 3 inches
  • Weight: 2.86 pounds
  • Warranty: 3 years
an immersion blending is immersed in a plastic container of ice and is blending it into slush

Serious Eats / Jesse Raub

According to the FDA, food waste makes up the majority of trash headed to landfills. Composting is a promising solution, but city composting programs are still few and far between. However, countertop composters provide a way for anyone to compost, even without outdoor space.

The Vitamix countertop composter can turn kitchen scraps into usable compost in under eight hours—we found that it took between six to eight hours to process waste into usable mulch. Check the list of compatible foods to see if it supports your needs. Surprisingly, it can even handle chicken bones. 

Good to Know

  • Dimensions: 12.6 x 11 x 14.2 inches
  • Weight: 21.5 Pounds
  • Warranty: 3 years
The Vitamix FoodCycler on a countertop

Serious Eats / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm

FAQs

Which Vitamix should I buy? 

The 5200 Professional grade Vitamix is our top choice for a traditional blender. It’s powerful, durable, and easy to use. It’s a considerable investment—the machine retails for around $450 dollars—but it offers plenty of bang for your buck. 

Is Vitamix dishwasher-safe?

Some Vitamix pitchers including the S-series 20 once and 40-ounce containers, are top-rack dishwasher safe. Check your owner’s manual for care instructions before placing your pitcher in the dishwasher.  

Is Vitamix worth it?

There’s no denying that Vitamix products are expensive. In our opinion, these high-quality products are a worthwhile investment for home cooks. Vitamix products are powerful, durable machines that last for years, even with heavy use. Most products also include a warranty that covers repairs or replacements.

Why We're the Experts

More Serious Eats Recipes