Which Vitamix to Buy Today: A Comprehensive Guide

Who should get a Vitamix

Vitamix blenders are for people looking to maintain habits around a healthy lifestyle. People with a solid smoothie-making habit deciding to level up from a Ninja or other alternative are the most common groups of Vitamix buyers. These folks looking for something more durable, reliable, and better performing; silky and seedless berry smoothies, every time, year after year. Getting a Vitamix means you have a blender that, because the blade is fixed to the container, is super easy to clean. And it’s a product made in the USA as we show in this video: Inside Vitamix Headquarters.

We see many new owners using their Vitamix to support a big change. Folks trying a WFPB diet, a pre-diabetes diagnosis, going plant-based, or just trying to eat some greens find that it would be impossible without a Vitamix. My meat-and-potatoes dad who lost his gallbladder due to lifestyle now relies on a Vitamix to make his daily green juice.

“Used right, any Vitamix you get is going to be worth way more than it costs.”

Trusted by chefs, Vitamix blenders get you restaurant-quality textures. For pro home cooks looking to replicate those textures, a Vitamix is the only way. Sugar cubes are the best way to appreciate how purées taste different in a Vitamix than when made in an alternative or food processor. It’s easy to turn sugar cubes into granulated sugar. You can use many tools to do that, but only a Vitamix can make powdered sugar. Both are sugar, yet these two taste completely different. The same goes for the taste of smoothies and whole food juices — they taste amazing in a Vitamix not because of the ingredients, but because of what the Vitamix does to the ingredients.

Though, a Vitamix is still just a blender. A blade that spins in a circle inside of a container. Yes, it can do some special tricks like making hot soup without a heating mechanism. But it cannot defy the laws of physics and turn a container full of ice and frozen fruit into a smoothie bowl without using the tamper. Treat your Vitamix well if you want it to last beyond the warranty period. Here are tips on prolonging your Vitamix’s life.

How we pick

We base the best Vitamix models on the following:

✓ Walkaway blending: Whether via pre-programmed settings or a programmable timer, it’s worth the small premium to have some automation on your Vitamix. Leaning initially on programming can set you up for disappointment — the programs are just timers that start, stop, and change speed on their own. But once you get past the Vitamix learning curve, walkaway blending is worth it in our world where multi-tasking is often inevitable.

✓ Sound dampening: Vitamix doesn’t publish noise levels or loudness of their machines. To be sure, none are quiet. But having tested them all, differences in build quality make some louder than others (and some more hushed). You don’t necessarily need the least loud, but we generally don’t recommend the loudest either without a warning.

✓ Low-profile: An investment in a Vitamix is an investment in yourself. That’s why most people are best getting a Vitamix model that can live on your counter — a constant reminder of that investment. If you don’t have any counter space, consider moving the toaster.

✓ Extra safe: Most of our picks have an extra on/off switch. This keeps everyone extra safe from accidental starts (kids, pets, you on a hectic day). Accidental starts happen, but they are avoidable. Some picks have an infinitely scrolling, variable speed dial that resets to Variable Speed 1 automatically (preventing power on explosions because you accidentally started it at Variable Speed 10). And finally, several picks (the Ascent models) have an extra failsafe that kills the motor if the container is knocked off the base.

✓ Warranty: All Vitamix warranties are equally good — full service with free shipping both ways. Duration is the only difference between the warranties and is worth considering when amortizing ownership costs per year.

✓ Compatibility: Only some machines are compatible with the 8-ounce container and Food Processor Attachment. These machines are better as systems you can build upon. But full compatibility with all containers and attachments is only a consideration, not a requirement.

✓ Minimalism: Take a minimalist approach when you’re picking a Vitamix (and accessories). The bundles are nice, but beyond most of the extras aren’t necessary from the outset. The fewer pieces you have, the happier and more successful you’ll be. You can always add on later. You likely don’t need a second container and can probably wait on the Food Processor Attachment.

✓ Easy to clean: All Vitamix blenders are easy to clean because the blade is fixed to the container. Nothing to disassemble and scrub – just a few drops of soap and water blended for 30 seconds is usually all you need. But having the ability to put the container in the dishwasher is nice. So most of our picks have containers that are dishwasher safe as confirmed by Vitamix Customer Service (even if the website does not yet reflect this).

✓ Current blender: It’s important to set expectations based on where you’re coming from. Nutribullet or Nutri Ninja owners will feel disappointed in the 20-ounce kit if they expect it to perfectly replace their big blend-and-go container. Full-size Ninja owners are generally relieved to say goodbye but sometimes need a reset if they like the extras or the ability to remove the blade. It’s important to remember a Vitamix is just a blender — a blade that spins with power from a motor — it’s powerful but requires following some basic rules for operation.

✓ Power: You want a full-size Vitamix model, but beyond that, power is irrelevant. Actual horsepower can vary, but with nearly identical motors each Vitamix is reverse-engineered to provide identical performance (blend quality). We show this graph a lot: As you pay more you get more features. Blend quality stays the same.

We’ve tested every Vitamix model with multiple days of multiple-times-daily use and fall back upon the subjective questions: “How do we like using it?” “Does it make us happy, and if not, why?” “Are the flaws worth the price?” “What would we tell our very best friends?” Used right, any Vitamix you get is going to be worth way more than it costs.

High-end minimalist: Why the A3500 is worth it

If you want the Vitamix with the very best user experience, both the A3500 Gold LabelA3500 Gold Label and the A3500 OriginalA3500 OriginalA3500i) are blenders you’ll love and use the heck out of for a decade or more. Being folks that do this for a living, we could pick any Vitamix for our home. And through various stages of life (single, newlyweds, new parents, family of five) and several different homes and kitchens, we keep going back to this one: The A3500. We use it a lot; the days when we don’t use it at all are dwarfed by the days we use it multiple times. Thinking back, it’s astonishing how much green juice we’ve made; and PB&J smoothies as after-school snacks; and cake batter shakes after workouts; all the queso we’ve shared with friends; all the acai bowls (the ‘Gram worthy ones and haphazard ones with the kids); all the nut butters straight off a spoon or spread onto toast; all the wild rice soup for cold-weather dinners. I can see our kids grow up with every bowl of 1-ingredient banana nice cream; and our neighbors can, too, with the salsas we’ve made using their tomato harvest. All the filling detox salads and cozy Caesars. All the cornbread and banana bread and garam masalas and pestos. All tied to a moment in time with sounds and smells and heartache and laughter. Our A3500 with Brushed Stainless Finish has been there through it all.

Of course, we’d be fine with any Vitamix. They can all make all the things. Would we get as much use out of a different Vitamix model? Would our multiple-times-daily usage go down? It’s hard to say. But if you said we can’t use the A3500 ever again, we’d be bummed, and here’s why:

All Vitamix blenders are loud, but the A3500 is the quietest (least loud). Decibels are logarithmic, so a jump from 92 to 96 decibels is 50% louder. The A3500s, because of their build quality that dampens a lot of the noise, are on average a few decibels quieter than the mid-range models. It’s speculation, but we believe there’s a correlation between blender loudness and excuses made for not blending (and eating or drinking junk instead). We’ve found the metal-finished A3500s (Brushed Stainless, Copper, Matte Navy, etc) provide an extra bit of sound dampening. But differences in noise between A3500s with metal finishes and ones with plastic shells (white) are pretty immaterial. Most of the benefit comes from what’s inside. Between various metal finishes, loudness does not vary.

The user experience on the A3500 is simply the best of any Vitamix ever made. The touch-on/off, pulse, programs, and plus/minus controls are durable, well-built, and responsive even to a finger with a drop of water on it. These buttons are static; they don’t change form or function like buttons on your phone. Using them is simple and familiar without feeling like you’re using tech for tech’s sake. We love that the physical dial controlling variable speed scrolls infinitely. It always starts at variable speed 1 and goes to Variable Speed 10 with just a flick.

There are two different ways to get walkaway blending on the A3500. The first is by setting the countdown timer. We use this when making green juice — 90 seconds, start, walk away — similar to how you’d use a microwave oven. Turn it on, and it stops when the timer gets to zero. The second is by pressing one of the preset program buttons. Like a popcorn button on a microwave, these programs are shortcuts for common uses. We use the smoothie program, hot soup program, and cleaning program the most.

As with other Ascent models, the A3500 has responsive programming depending on what container you have on it. For example, with the 64-ounce container, the soup program will run for 5:45. With the 48-ounce, 7:30. And if you put an 8-ounce on, it’ll say, “Nope, you cannot do a Soup Program with this container because it’s sealed (and thus ventless).” When you run a program, the timer counts down to zero giving you a nice status update on how much time is left. This is like the sign at the train station telling you how much longer you have to wait — kinda nice. When not using a program, the A3500’s timer counts up to let you know how long you’ve been blending; a small but nice little feature we appreciate on school mornings when blending is one of the dozen things happening all at once.

While we’d survive if it wasn’t, the A3500 is compatible with the 8-ounce container and Food Processor Attachment. With the 8-oz (and 20-ounce), we make tiny smoothies, spice grinds, pesto, and dressings for tonight. You can watch this video about how to get the most out of the Vitamix 8-oz & 20-oz containers. With the FPA we’re able to do the tasks that standard Vitamix containers cannot do: Slicing for hash browns and latkes, heterogeneous mixtures for falafel, and shaving for gourmet salads (Brussels sprouts). You’re best waiting on both of these Smart System-exclusive attachments. But it’s nice to have a system you can grow with into the future.

This particular Vitamix especially is easy to clean. The container is dishwasher safe, though we opt for a cleaning cycle (warm water & soap blended for 30 seconds) most of the time. The face is mostly glass with one physical dial that sticks out. So with just one physical dial, one swoop with a towel gets the front clean. The stainless steel will show fingerprints just like any stainless steel appliance. But it’s not a big deal for two reasons. Unlike your refrigerator which is huge and faces you, the A3500’s stainless steel is tiny and faces the sides. If you want less smudge management, the Graphite A3500 shows smudges the least of the metal finishes. Or, go with the White A3500 which has a plastic, smudge-resistant shell.

We recommend the A3500 with Brushed Stainless Metal Finish because it looks the best in most kitchens. Across simple classic, dark modern, warm modern, and farmhouse, we’ve always picked this one. And in each, it has elevated the design in a way that pops but doesn’t yell. Still, there are several color and finish options, all of which are good choices. Brushed Stainless fits the best in most kitchens; Graphite Metal is like matte black; Black Stainless is like brushed gold or gunmetal; Copper is great but only in ultra-chic kitchens; All-White is a stain-resistant and trendy non-metal shell. (Here’s a video showing the A3500 colors together.)

The downsides:

Ascent containers, with their clear lid and slightly different shapes, have some benefits. The lid locks into place with an audible click that helps you confirm the lid is on securely. The pour spout has a small protruding notch for smoother pouring. But the clear lid is rigid making it a bit more difficult to clean by hand than the rubber lids on other models. Plus, the rubber seal on the lid collects particles underneath and is fairly difficult to remove.

Like all Ascent models, the A3500 can only operate Self-Detect containers. As a new Vitamix owner, this isn’t a huge deal. But if you’re upgrading to an A3500 from an earlier model, chances are you have some still-operational containers that are, unfortunately, incompatible with the A3500. So if you have a fleet of legacy containers or are the type of person willing to risk voiding your warranty coverage by using off-brand containers, you should consider a Legacy model.

The controls on the A3500, while responsive and easy to use, are not accessible for those with visual impairment. There are no ridges like the markers on a keyboard. So if that’s you, choose from the ones with entirely manual controls.

There are a couple of flaws with the A3500’s (and really any full-size Vitamix’s) motor. The variable speed dial provides precise control of how fast the blade is spinning. Turn the dial from Variable Speed 1 to Variable Speed 2 and you can hear and feel the difference. The results are precise controls over textures for things like salsa. But once you get to Variable Speed 9, there’s no difference as you move to Variable 10. At Variable Speed 9, the fans turn on and it’s pretty much full speed. The other problem, and again, this is on all full-size Vitamix models, is an occasional rumbling at Variable Speed 1 when you go there quickly from Variable Speed 10. For example, when our green juice is done, and assuming I didn’t set the programmable timer to stop it automatically, I’ll turn the motor down from Variable Speed 10 to Variable Speed 1 for 30 seconds to get the bubbles out. Sometimes when I do that, the container rumbles at that lowest speed until I completely turn it off and back on. Then, the motor purrs like a kitten as expected.

Specs:

• Height with container on: 17 inches
• Noise: Least loud
• Motor: 2.2 HP Peak
• FPA compatible? Yes
• Warranty duration: 10 years
• Digital timer: Counts up, counts down, programmable
• Programs: 5
• Shell: True metal finish available
• On/off/pulse: Touch
• Dishwasher safe containers? Yes

High-end, plus FPA: Why the A3500 Gourmet SmartPrep Kitchen is terrific

If you want to do more than just blend (and have the kitchen space), get the A3500 Gourmet SmartPrep Kitchen. You’re getting the best Vitamix model and a food processor — two machines in one. So you have the full range of Vitamix tasks for every day. Plus, when you want to get creative or into a raw diet, the Food Processor Attachment is there for you with several different blades. There’s not much overlap between what the standard container and food processor attachment can do with one exception: Nut butters, while pretty easy in the standard Vitamix container (with help from you and the tamper), are easier to make and just as smooth in the Food Processor Attachment.

Jump up to “The A3500 is worth it” ↑

The downside is this bundle is only available in all-white. And  you’ll need a second container for certain small batches. So you can buy that separately, or jump to the A3500 Deluxe which comes with the FPA and a 48-ounce container.

The upshot: A terrific bundle getting you two machines in one.

Specs:

• Height with container on: 17 inches
• Noise: Least loud
• Motor: 2.2 HP Peak
• FPA compatible? Yes
• Warranty duration: 10 years
• Digital timer: Counts up, counts down, programmable
• Programs: 5
• Shell: True metal finish available
• On/off/pulse: Touch
• Dishwasher safe containers? Yes

High-end, plus FPA and 48-ounce: Why the A3500 Deluxe SmartPrep Kitchen is fabulous

If you want to go all-in (and have the kitchen space), get the A3500 Deluxe SmartPrep Kitchen. You’re getting the best Vitamix model and a Food Processor Attachment (FPA) — two machines in one — plus a bonus 48-ounce container. So you have the full range of Vitamix tasks, big and small. When you want to get creative by slicing or shredding the Food Processor Attachment is there for you with several different blades. This attachment is a key component of whole food, plant-based, or a raw foods diet. And when you want to make small batches of dressings or ice cream or nut butters, the 48-ounce container is there for you. This is truly the all-in-one Vitamix bundle wrapped around the very best Vitamix blender, the A3500. Jump up to “Why the A3500 is worth it” ↑

The downside is this bundle requires a decent amount of kitchen storage space as you’ll need a place to house some of the attachments you’re not using every day. And, while the black stainless is an elegant, true metal finish, it’s the only color option for this bundle.

The upshot: The best of the best with total versatility, all in one money-saving bundle.

Specs:

• Height with container on: 17 inches
• Noise: Least loud
• Motor: 2.2 HP Peak
• FPA compatible? Yes
• Warranty duration: 10 years
• Digital timer: Counts up, counts down, programmable
• Programs: 5
• Shell: True metal finish available
• On/off/pulse: Touch
• Dishwasher safe containers? Yes

High-end, small: Why the A3500 w/ SSC is compelling

If you want the very best without ever needing a second container, get the A3500 w/ Steel ContainerA3500 w/ Steel Container. You’re getting the best Vitamix model and a narrow-bodied stainless steel container (reviewed here).

Jump up to “The A3500 is worth it” ↑

The downsides are inherent with a 48-ounce container: Limited capacity compared to a 64-ounce and less efficient coarse chopping and soup heating.

The upshot: The best of the best Vitamix blender with a container that should be sufficient for up to two-person homes.

Specs:

• Height with container on: 17 inches
• Noise: Least loud
• Motor: 2.2 HP Peak
• FPA compatible? Yes
• Warranty duration: 10 years
• Digital timer: Counts up, counts down, programmable
• Programs: 5
• Shell: True metal finish available
• On/off/pulse: Touch
• Dishwasher safe containers? Yes

Awesome deal: Why the Recon A2500 is excellent

If you want one that fits on your counter (under cabinets) and one that’s *not* the least loud, get a Recon A2500. It’s a great pick and a great value (especially with our links’ $100 in-cart discount).  It’s mid-range noise output isn’t the quietest, but also not the loudest. With two switches and a dial, it has tactile controls which is great if that’s your preference or if you have a visual impairment. You can do manual controls with the 1-10 variable speeds or use one of the three programs for automated, walkaway blending. It’s a smart machine, so it adapts its programs to what container is on it. And, being compatible with the Food Processor Attachment, 8-ounce container, and whatever future Self Detect attachments are offered, it’s a system upon which you can build.

The downside is you’ll need a second container for certain small batches.

Specs:

• Height with container on: 17 inches
• Noise: Mid-rance
• Motor: 2.2 HP Peak
• FPA compatible? Yes
• Warranty duration: 10 years
• Digital timer: Counts up, counts down
• Programs: 3
• Shell: Plastic
• On/off/pulse: Switches
• Dishwasher safe containers? Yes

Awesome value: Why the Recon 5200 is awesome

If you want to blend small to large amounts and *not* have the loudest, get a Recon 5200. The 5200’s noise output is mid-range and while it’s not the best Vitamix ever made, the 5200 might just be the best pure blender ever made. It’s an old design, but there’s a reason it’s still the choice in its commercial, albeit identical form, used by top chefs. For sauces, purees, and anything that requires a silky smooth finish, small-ish batches and large, the 5200 with its narrow-bodied 64-ounce container does it best. A commercial version of the 5200 is also the blender many commercial smoothie shops use (if they didn’t opt for the programmable and hooded Mixin’ Machine available only from a commercial dealer).

The downsides are its tall, 64-ounce container is not low-profile and is not dishwasher-safe. Plus, it’s less efficient when using it for coarse chopping and heating hot soups.

The upshot is if you want a 5200, you can save a ton by getting a Recon 5200. (Related: A new Turbo Blend 3-Speed, once you add it to your shopping cart via our links, is the same price as the Recon 5200. It’s identical to the 5200 except instead of 1-10 speeds, the 3-Speed has low, medium, and high.)

Specs:

• Height with container on: 20.5 inches
• Noise: Mid range
• Motor: 2 HP Peak
• FPA compatible? No
• Warranty duration: 5 years
• Digital timer: No
• Programs: No
• Shell: Plastic
• On/off/pulse: Switches
• Dishwasher safe containers? No

Awesome value option 3: Why the E310 is very solid

If you want to blend small to medium amounts and have fit on your counter (under cabinets), consider an E310E310. It’s the other Vitamix blender you see YouTube chefs use. With two switches and a dial, it has entirely tactile controls. It’s made for one or two person homes wanting a new blender to make them Vitamix-quality smoothies on a budget.

The downsides are that it’s one of the loudest Vitamix blenders, it has no programs, and it’s not compatible with the Food Processor Attachment or 8-ounce container or any future Smart-Detect attachments.

The upshot is that if you’re okay with the noise output (either by high tolerance or use of protective ear muffs), it’s a solid and quite popular pick.

Specs:

• Height with container on: 17 inches
• Noise: Loudest
• Motor: 2 HP Peak
• FPA compatible? No
• Warranty duration: 5 years
• Digital timer: No
• Programs: No
• Shell: Plastic
• On/off/pulse: Switches
• Dishwasher safe containers? Yes

Vitamix series: Pros and cons of each

Ascent Series

See our page about the benefits of Ascent Series here.

Pros:

• Most compatibility (FPA, 8-ounce, future attachments)
• Most features (touch control option, digital timer, metal finishes)
• Longest warranty (10-years)
• Premium build
• Dishwasher safe containers

Cons:

• Not compatible with 3rd party containers
• Not compatible with Legacy Vitamix containers

Ascent Series Options:

• A2300:
• A2500: 3 programs
• A3300: fast scroll dial, programmable timer
• A3500: fast scroll dial, programmable timer, 5 programs

Venturist Series

Pros:

• Most compatibility (FPA, 8-ounce, future attachments)
• Programmable digital timer
• Longest warranty (10-years)
• Dishwasher safe containers

Cons:

• Not compatible with 3rd party containers
• Not compatible with Legacy Vitamix containers
• Limited features
• Limited finishes

Venturist Series Options:

• Recon V1200
• V1200 Super Pack ($100 off via this site’s links)

Propel Series

Above is a Propel 750 making our OMG green smoothie.

Pros:

• Automation (programs) standard
• Entirely tactile controls (switches, dial)
• Ergonomic container handle and lid
• Compatible with 3rd party containers
• Dishwasher safe containers

Cons:

• Not compatible with Self-Detect accessories (FPA, 8-ounce, future attachments)
• Limited finishes

Propel Series Options:

• Propel 510: 3 programs
• Propel 750: 5 programs

Explorian Series

Showing the E310 above.

Pros:

• Vitamix quality blends
• Great value

Cons:

• Loudest of them all

Legacy Series

Vitamix is still offering (and warrantying) these classics.

Pros:

• Compatible with 3rd party containers
• Some have programs
• Some have dishwasher safe containers

Cons:

• Not compatible with Self-Detect accessories (FPA, 8-ounce, future attachments)
• Limited finishes

Legacy Series Options:

• 5200
• 7500
• Pro 750 (shown above)
• Et al

Certified Reconditioned

See our page about refurbished Vitamix (aka Recons) here.

Pros:

• Excellent value
• Excellent warranty
• New container

Cons:

• Limited availability
• Shorter warranty duration

Certified Reconditioned Options:

• See current inventory here

Every Vitamix blender, in a nutshell

5300: This is originally a mashup between a no-frills C-Series base and a G-Series top. There are other better choices at its retail price. But at a super duper special price, this is a great pick.

7500:  The 7500 is attractive because of its simplicity. It’s the no-frills classic that’s essentially a Pro 750 without programs. There are better picks; but if you see an offer you can’t refuse, don’t.

7500 Super Bundle: The problem is you just spent six hundred dollars and have a Vitamix you can’t grow with. Plus, the three accessories take up space without naturally integrating into your life. If you already are grinding your dry grains, this package might make sense. Still, getting just the blender first and waiting for a special on the accessories is a better choice.

A2300: This is the entry-level Ascent Series Vitamix. It’s the most affordable way to buy into Vitamix’s Smart System. It’s a no-frills model with no programs, no timer, and no touch controls. But it is a Vitamix you can build upon and grow with through, and hopefully beyond, its 10-year warranty.

A2300 Family Pack: Here’s a no-frills Vitamix you can grow with that comes with an 8 & 20-ounce kit. This is an appealing bundle for those wanting to do small sauces, spice grinds, or baby food right away.

A2300 Smart Prep Kitchen: This is for people who want a more economical way to go all-in food prepping with their Vitamix. Those getting into a new diet love this option. Although, if you’re okay with Certified Reconditioned and can wait, getting the Recon V1200 pack and waiting on the Food Processor Attachment until it’s on sale is a better move.

A2300 Super Bundle: The only reason you’re considering this deal is because of all that you get. The problem is you just spent over six hundred dollars and have all this stuff you don’t need. Not to mention, the Vitamix model you got isn’t all that great. If $600 is what you want to spend, go with a more premium model with few or no accessories. You’ll be happiest in the short term and long. If a deal is what you’re looking for, you can get something for half the price.

A2500: We used to call the A2500 the “best Vitamix for most people.” And then we noticed most people didn’t identify as “Most People.” It fits our requirements quite well — low-profile, some automation, compatible with everything, not the loudest. Maybe despite all that, the A2500 is too boring, not awesome enough at its price. Interestingly, its like-new version, the Certified Reconditioned A2500 is like new and is super popular.

Certified Reconditioned A2500: This is the refurbished A2500 that outsells the new version (at least through Life is NOYOKE) by 10x. At its regular price, this is not a great pick — the savings aren’t enough to justify the ten-year warranty being halved. But at an extra special price, this is a great pick.

Certified Reconditioned A3500: This is a refurbished A3500 and is a popular choice for people wanting an A3500 but also wanting to save $100. These buyers know how well Vitamix machines are built, even from the Certified Reconditioned line, and are willing to bet it’ll last ten years (or more!) like the new ones despite it only coming with the 5-year warranty.

Certified Reconditioned Explorian: This is the name for a refurbished E320. These perform as well as any Vitamix. They’re just some of the loudest.

Certified Reconditioned Professional Series 750: This is a refurbished Pro 750 and most people wanting this model want a new (non-recon) one. But if the savings is special, go for it.

Certified Reconditioned Standard: This is what Vitamix calls its refurbished 5200. It has the name “Standard” because the 5200 has been sold under several aliases over the years and the one you get might reflect that non-5200 name. Still, at its everyday low price, the Recon Standard is a great pick if you just want what chefs or smoothie shops use.

E310: The E310 was the original entry-level Vitamix designed for a single person. It has full power, great performance, and a narrow-bodied 48-ounce container included. For us, this model is just too loud. So loud that we feel uncomfortable recommending it to anyone without also recommending protective headphones.

Immersion Blender: This is usually an accessory for people looking to blend soups in the pot (without transferring them to a Vitamix container). And on its own, it out-powers all other handheld blenders. But because of its ability to do smoothies, sauces, and even simple frozen desserts (nice cream), this is a compelling pick for a single-person or small-kitchen home. We show these types of surprising findings in our video: Vitamix Immersion Blender Review!

Immersion Blender Bundle: With some clever attachments, this turns your Immersion Blender into its own little kitchen system; like a mini blender and food processor. This is a compelling pick for small apartments.

Propel 750: This Vitamix is identical to the Professional Series 750 in nearly every way. They both perform well, are well-built, and have the same specs. The problem with the Propel 750 is that it’s not clearly superior to the Professional Series 750 in any way. At a great price, the Propel 750 makes sense. But without, and while the Professional Series 750 is still available, there are better picks than the Propel 750.

TurboBlend 3-Speed: The 3-speed was originally a retailer’s exclusive. Like all Vitamix machines, it performs well. But there’s usually a better pick than this one.

Which Vitamix accessories to get

We’ve found that people are most successful with their Vitamix when they begin by taking a minimalist approach. So most likely, you should wait on buying any Vitamix accessories or attachments.

But if you still want an accessory, consider these.

The 3 best Vitamix accessories

1. Red Silicone Blender SpatulaRed Silicone Blender Spatula: For getting under the blade and container walls, there’s nothing better. Waste less and work smarter with this purpose-built scraper that’s delightfully useful for getting the last bit off the side and under the blade. It’s far superior to the Under Blade Scraper and a few dollars less.
2. Tamper holder:Life is better when everything has its place. Consider
   this one for Ascent / Venturist
   this one for Explorian
   this one for Legacy (which is a bit clunky, but does the job)
   there isn’t one for Propel yet
3. 48-ounce container with Self Detect: If you want just one accessory container, get this 48-oz container (the standard one, not the Dry Grains). It’s forward and backward compatible in case you ever upgrade, is the most versatile, and is great for:
   • Small batches of thick blends (almond butter, hummus, ice cream)
   • Small batches of for-tonight blends (pesto, sauces, dressings)
   • Extra flexibility if you have a two-blend meal

   If you’re getting a Legacy or Propel you can save a few dollars and get the standard 48-ounce container knowing if you ever upgrade to Ascent, you won’t be able to use it. Also for Legacy and Propel, there’s a 32-ounce option. They have the same minimum batch size as the 48.

All the other accessories

Dry Grains Container

Great if you’re already grinding dry grains today. It’s purpose-built to throw ingredients up; compare with standard containers that pull down.

• 48-oz Dry Grains container with SELF DETECT™48-oz Dry Grains container with SELF DETECT™ —  for Ascent
• 32-oz Dry Grains container32-oz Dry Grains container —  for Legacy

Do you really need a dry grains container? Probably not.

Stainless Steel Container

The Stainless Steel containerStainless Steel container (review) is the best of both worlds

In our tests, we found the Stainless Steel Container was pretty good at grinding dry grains despite not having a dry grains blade. We think the grains processed nicely because of the stainless steel container side’s smoothness (lack of friction).

The Stainless Steel Container was also pretty great at making ice cream. The container walls got cold which gave the ice cream a malt shop feel.

Aer™ Disc container

The Aer™ Disc containerAer™ Disc container is the best accessory if you’re an at-home bartender or barista.

It’s great if you like working with dairy milk to make foams and whips. And it’s also great at making large batches of muddled cocktails like mojitos.

Food Processor Attachment

The Food Processor AttachmentFood Processor Attachment (review) is the best (and only!) accessory for slicing, dicing, and shredding.

The Vitamix can do a lot. But the standard containers cannot slice or dice or shred. So if you’re looking to make hash browns, falafel, or cucumber salad, for example, the Food Processor Attachment is worth considering. It’s as good as any food processor out there.

Foodcycler FC-50

The Foodcycler FC-50Foodcycler FC-50 is the best impulse purchase for Vitamix owners.

It’s not a Vitamix accessory, per se. It’s more of a cousin.

It’s non-essential, but we love it because it fits our lifestyle.

Immersion Blender

The Immersion BlenderImmersion Blender (review) is overkill if you’re just getting started with Vitamix. But, it’s potentially a good fit as a full-time Vitamix on a budget.

Personal Blending Attachments

Great for a few things.

Vitamix’s small-cup blending accessories are great at making baby food, not super thick shakes and smoothies, and little batches of dressings. And we’ve seen them used well for spice blends.

Because of their size, however, they’re not perfect replacements for blend-and-go blenders you may be used to.

Still, we’ve been using ours more and more. It’s about knowing strengths and limitations.

8-ounce Blending Bowl Starter Kit8-ounce Blending Bowl Starter Kit — Tiny blends for Ascent

Blending Cup Starter KitBlending Cup Starter Kit — Small blends for Ascent

Personal Cup AdapterPersonal Cup Adapter — Smalls blends for Legacy

Cookbooks

Your Vitamix comes with a cookbook. It’s pretty good and features a little bit of everything.

Of the ones on the Vitamix website, the “101 Blender Drinks” is pretty good if you like cocktails.

New-ish from Vitamix is their 100th Anniversary Cookbook. It’s fan-sourced and loaded with whole-food (and mostly plant-based) recipes; highly recommended.

We have a cookbook, too: “The Perfect Mix.” We keep it as an ebook because we treat it like software, regularly updating it (so when you buy a copy, it’s yours forever). We’ll send you a code to get it free when you notify us that you ordered through our website’s links.

Related video: 10 Intriguing Vitamix Kitchen Accessories

Still stuck? Try these

Let’s answer some of the most frequently asked questions from buyers just about to get their Vitamix.

Vitamix Warranty (what it covers)

Vitamix warranties are super generous. If you need a repair, Vitamix will:

1. Pick up your blender (free).
2. Repair or replace whatever is broken (free).
3. Send it back as good as new (fast and free).

It’s easy and hassle-free. Of note, under 2% of Vitamix machines ever get sent in for service. The four-person Vitamix service department handles the 4 million households (and many million businesses) with a Vitamix. Might you need to call for a repair? For sure; that’s what the warranty is for. But there’s a better chance your warranty is something you’ll never have to use.

Returns and exchanges

The Vitamix return policy is free returns for 60 days. So upgrades, downgrades, and even complete returns are easy and hassle-free. Partial returns are also accepted. So if there’s an accessory you like but want to exchange for a different Vitamix blender model, you can do that.

How long does it take to ship?

Vitamix shipping times vary. It usually takes a few days; sometimes more, sometimes less. But there’s one thing that stays constant here: Vitamix likes to under-promise and over-deliver. So if the estimated shipping time says 3-5 days, there’s a good chance you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how quickly it arrives. Sometimes there are delays, of course. But we often hear things like this: “I was very surprised the shipping was so fast !! Got it in a couple of days “

Related: Here’s a video showing Which Vitamix to Buy

Our Guarantee

We’ve done thousands of one-on-one sales consults for people picking a Vitamix. The Life is NOYOKE project has been our full-time job for over ten years. And nobody uses a Vitamix at home more than us. This is our livelihood and our lifestyle. We both spent time in the corporate world but left that behind to make health and wellness our work. We changed our lives with the help of a Vitamix blender, and we’re dedicated to helping others do the same.

Our guarantee: Buy a Vitamix through Life Is No Yoke and if you have any regrets at all, we’ll facilitate a return for you and you can keep the Starter Kit, no questions asked.

Look, we know this is a big decision, and you may be feeling paralysis by analysis. It takes most people 3-6 weeks to fully appreciate the Vitamix machine, figure out which model is right for them, and then finally “take the plunge.” The best way to get there is by signing up for our introductory email series. We’ll share insights from the community and keep you updated about upcoming Vitamix deals.