Last Updated May 8, 2013
In my previous post I outlined some key differences between Blendtec and Vitamix blenders, and now I’d like to compare differences within the Vitamix line to help you make the best choice.
The array of different Vitamix blenders is a bit confusing, but it turns out that there is a lot of redundancy between the different models. I am only discussing models made for consumer/home use. Their commercial blenders are not ideal for home use because they are generally more expensive and have shorter warranties (3 years vs 7 years for home use; they are warrantied for constant use—think of how many times per day a blender at Jamba Juice runs compared to at your home).
The Vitamix website currently lists 12 different home models, but they are all variants of two main designs: “standard,” and “next generation” (they used to all be variants of a single design, but Vitamix released a new one in 2012). For each of the two main designs there are a few different options, to make a total of 5 different machine types. The rest of the models are identical bases, but come with different pitchers and/or accessories.
Quick Recommendations
If you don’t want to go through the nitty-gritty of the comparison, here are my quick recommendations: tight budget: reconditioned Standard ($329)
mid-range: 5200 ($449)
latest & greatest: Pro 750 ($689)
UPDATE: I think my previous recommendations unfairly passed over the 7500, and I just noticed that Vitamix has dropped its price to $529. If I were buying a new machine now, this is the one I would be looking at. It’s not that much more than the 5200, and the presets are the only feature the Pro 750 adds. UPDATE II: The 7500 is now available reconditioned for $399! This is such a popular deal that it’s currently out of stock. It’s been going in and out of stock; your best bet of snagging one is to check availability first thing in the morning.
Summary of Differences
I made a comparison chart to show the relations between the different machines (it includes all consumer models, except the Turboblend Two Speed, which is a standard machine that lacks variable speed control). The machines within each box of the chart are identical, but they come with different accessories and cookbooks. Generally I would say that the differences in accessories/cookbooks are pretty marginal, so I’d recommend going for the lowest price model within the box. The main exception is if a vegetarian/vegan/raw cookbook appeals to you, look at the Turboblend VS, which comes with one as well as a nutmilk straining bag.
Standard Motors
There are three types of bases of the standard variety. The differences are in the controls. The dimensions of the base of these machines are 8.75″ deep x 7.25″ wide x 8.25″ tall. There are three different container size options: 32 oz, 48 oz, and 64 oz, which result in height of base plus container/lid of 16.9″, 17.4″, and 20.5″ respectively.
Standard no variable speed
Turboblend Two Speed ($399) This machine comes with a 5-year warranty and lacks the variable speed knob. Most users do the majority of their blending on high, so the lack of the speed control is not a huge deal. Variable speed is useful for cases where you want to have finer control over the texture (i.e. if you don’t want a totally smooth purée). However, you can accomplish some non-liquefying chopping tasks by quickly pulsing the machine. Another task I use variable speed for is this trick to remove bubbles. While this is the most affordable new machine, I’d highly recommend looking at the reconditioned 5200, which has the same warranty and adds variable speed for $70 less.
Standard variable speed
Until recently this was Vitamix’s bread and butter, and they have a lot of models to show for it: 5200 ($449), Turboblend VS ($449), CIA Pro ($529), Pro 200 ($479), Creations II ($449), and Creations GC ($499). These machines are almost identical. The Creations GC comes with a marginally more powerful motor. The aesthetics of the switches and dial are slightly different between the different models. Also, the handles on the Turboblend VS and Creations II containers are not rubberized, while the others have rubberized handles. The Creations models come with a 5-year warranty, while the rest are 7 years. The 5200 comes with their “whole foods cookbook,” the Turboblend VS comes with a vegetarian/vegan/raw cookbook and a nutmilk straining bag, the Pro models come with a cookbook with restaurant-oriented recipes (the CIA one—that’s Culinary Institute of America—comes with an additional recipe book), and the Creations models come with a cookbook that I cannot find any details on. Given the shorter warranty on the Creations models, it does not make sense to buy these from Vitamix; QVC sometimes runs deals on them that make them more attractive. In my opinion the best Vitamix bang for the buck is the $329 reconditioned Standard, which comes with a 5-year warranty and unused container/tamper. Note that if you buy reconditioned, you cannot choose which of the Standard models you are getting; Vitamix will choose for you based on availability, but remember that functionally they are identical.
Standard variable speed + presets
Pro 500 ($649) and 6300. This unit is now available reconditioned for $379. These are the same model, but the 6300 is only sold at Costco roadshows. (Update: Vitamix now lists the 6300 on their website; the only difference with the Pro 500 is that it comes with the “Savor” cookbook, which has a broader range of recipes than the “Create” cookbook, which focuses more on restaurant-style recipes that tend to be richer.) They have 3 preset programs that run the blender for a certain amount of time and speed for smoothies, frozen desserts, and hot soups. Their switches are slightly different from the non-preset models. The non-preset models have an on-off switch, a variable speed knob, and a high-variable speed switch. The preset ones have moved the highest speed setting onto the knob and replaced the high-variable speed switch with a pulse switch. This is really a minor aesthetic difference, since you can achieve pulsing on the non-preset models by quickly flicking the on-off switch on and off. Some people love the presets because you can set it and walk away (assuming the mixture is circulating and you don’t need the tamper), and because they get more consistent results. However, the more consistent results will only hold if you always add the same quantities and types of items to the blender. For example, if you’re making a small smoothie, you can blend it for less time than if you were making a large one. One other thing is that you can set the non-preset machines and walk away—you just have to come back to stop them. I often use the blending time to rinse off the knife and cutting board that I used. You’re not likely to forget that the Vitamix is running because it’s loud enough to hear throughout the house. The variable speed knob goes to the same high speed as the previous models on high, but it’s lowest setting is reportedly a little bit faster than on the 5200 et al., so you lose a tiny bit of fine control. Finally, I’ve heard a rumor that these blenders use some slightly higher spec internal components, but I have not yet confirmed this. I don’t personally think the presets are worth the added cost, but some people love them.
Next Generation Motors
This year Vitamix released a new base that is slightly more powerful and quiet than the standard one. With the extra power, the base can use a new pitcher design that is wider and has longer blades. This design makes the tamper less necessary, and makes it easier to get thick mixtures out. The longer blades reportedly process food faster and work better for chopping. The new machines are compatible with the old containers, so if you want to use the dry blade you can use the same classic dry container. These machines also have improved motor cooling so that they’re less likely to overheat. The standard design only cools efficiently when it’s on high, whereas the new models always maximize cooling. (All Vitamix machines have a thermal overload sensor that will turn off the machine before it gets so hot that it’s destroyed. I’ve never tripped it myself, but if you do set it off, it’s not the end of the world—you just have to wait for the machine to cool down before you can run it again.) Dimensions are 9.4″ deep x 7.7″ wide x 17.5″ tall (with new-style 64-oz container in place).
Next generation motor
7500 ($559 $529), Creations Elite ($557.50), and Pro 300 ($559). Now available reconditioned for $399 (when they can keep it in stock)! These are all the same machine, but the Creations Elite comes with a 48-oz container, while the other two come with the new-style 64-oz containers. The Creations Elite also comes with a 5-year instead of 7-year warranty.
Next generation motor + presets
Pro 750 ($689). This machine has 5 presets: smoothies, 
frozen desserts, purées, hot soups, and self-washing. The presets are different from the standard presets in that instead of just being timed sequences of speeds, they use feedback from the blade resistance and a microprocessor to adjust the speed. So in principle these presets should work better because they can adjust to what’s happening in the pitcher. I haven’t found an objective source that evaluates how much better these work, but most of the opinions I’ve read of them are positive. Update: This model is currently out of stock from Vitamix, Back in stock, but you might find it for less on Amazon.
Satisfaction Guarantee
Vitamix has a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, so if you have second thoughts you can return a machine within the first 30 days for a full refund and they even pay return shipping.
Warranty
If your machine has any problems during the warranty period of 5 or 7 years they will repair or replace it, and they cover any shipping costs both ways.
Reconditioned Vitamix
I know I already mentioned reconditioned machines, but I want to restate what a great deal I think they are. They carry the same warranty as new machines, except for 5 years instead of 7. They are fully tested at the Vitamix factory where any sub-par parts are restored to new condition or replaced with new components, and then they are packaged with brand new containers, tampers, and cookbooks. These factory-refurbished machines offer the best prices you’ll find on Vitamix: 5200 for $329, 6300 for $379, and 7500 for $399. Note that for all of the refurbished Vitamix blenders, Vitamix may substitute an equivalent model. So your machine may come with a different name, but it will be functionally equivalent to either the 5200, 6300, or 7500.
Free Shipping
Clicking on any Vitamix link on this page will automatically apply a promotion code, which gives you free shipping on your order of a Vitamix machine. Alternatively, if you order via phone you can get free shipping by telling the representative that you’d like to apply promotion code 06-007021.
Recommended Accessory
These spatulas are helpful for getting every last bit of thick mixtures out of the container. I reviewed them here. If you get them at the same time as your machine you can save on shipping (my free shipping code only works on orders that include a machine).
Dry Container
If you’re wondering if you should get a dry container, this new post is for you: Is the dry container worth it?
Phew… so that completes my round-up. I’m looking forward to getting back to describing some actual recipes!
Costco is selling the vitamix 6300. I had decided I wanted the 300. can u tell me if the 6300 has the new, quieter motor? what are the differences between the two models? thank you for your help! lynne
Hi this was my exact question to the rep at CostCo today. He said the pro300 was supposed to have the quieter motor. I was leaning towards that (the 300) until I learned that the shorter model aerates the mix more than the taller one. Now, I’m the confused one! I think I would like the 6300 now more than the 300, because of that.
I haven’t seen any evidence that the wider containers lead to more aeration. Any high-speed blender will aerate mixtures, and there are ways to minimize it (don’t over-blend, add foam-forming things last, and the bubble removal trick).
The 6300 does not have the new motor. It has the classic motor, plus three presets (same as the Professional 500). Some of the salespeople at Costco selling the 6300 say that it has a better motor than the classic Vitamixes (5200 etc.), but I spoke with a Vitamix employee who said that there is no difference and that the salespeople at Costco are mistaken.
Thanks for this article. I too just purchased the Vitamix Professional 750 and just love it.
The only thing I would say is that I have used the 500 and this new 750 they claim is not as noisy but I would say that it is. That doesn’t bother me, nor did it with the 500 so to each his own but I have not found one con to owning this wonderful machine!
The americans are so fortunate. Here in Toronto, I just paid $980 for a Vitamix 750 before tax and the 500 is $879 or so before tax. They sure seem to ding us on import duties for some reason ;-(
Lynne, although in Toronto I do have the new motor with the 750 and I don’t personally find it any quieter than the one before, although they claim that it is.
One thing my husband has noticed though, is with the 500 we tried beforehand, on a couple of occasions he noticed a funny smell, as if the motor was overheating. We were making smoothies using pineapple juice that they called for, a cup and a half I believe, but we were told not to straight from a pineapple but we were told we could burn out the motor and to buy pineapple juice and add it that way. We are now doing that and haven’t had that smell show up again. I don’t believe it was bad nor do i believe the motor was giving out but it was just working a bit harder than it might have needed to but in any event, no sign of it with the new motor but as I said it is not any quieter though, than the earlier model
That smell sometimes pops up during a new machine’s first few heavy uses, and is not a sign of a problem. Once the machine is broken in, you shouldn’t smell it unless you mix a very thick mixture for an extended period of time. The automatic thermal protection sensor will turn off the machine before anything burns out though.
By the way, any Vitamix machine should have no problem blending whole pineapple.
I am debating between the 6300 or the 7500. which would you recommend?
Jenn, I’d personally choose the 7500, but I don’t know what’s best for you. If you tell me more about how you plan on using it I could make a better recommendation.
7500 Advantages: 1) Shorter/wider container makes getting out thick mixtures easier and makes storage easier. 2) Longer blades/wider base make chopping slightly more effective and reduce need for tamper. 3) Better sound muffling, though depending on what you’re blending there may not be a noticeable change in sound.
6300 Advantages: 1) Preset modes allow machine to automatically turn off after a set amount of time. (If you really want these, but want the advantages of the 7500, look at the Pro 750.) 2) Narrower container will work better for very small quantities (say, mixing up 1/4 cup salad dressing). (You could match this performance with the 7500 by buying a secondary 32-oz pitcher.)
Thank you very much for your detailed analysis of the various Vitamix products. I’m trying to decide between the 6300 and the 5200 with extra 32oz Dry Blade pitcher. Given your analysis of the presets, and if I can live without the presets, does the 5200 package offer the better deal? Are there any other issues that I should take into account?
Thank you!
Sounds like you’ve got it figured out. It’s just a question of which you value more: the dry container or the presets. Personally, I’d choose the dry container. The only other difference is the cookbooks they come with, but I don’t think it’s a significant difference.
Hello!! i am in love with vitamix, i dont mind pay. but i dont know if i should get the vitammix7500 or professional series 750? i make alot smoothies, nut milks, and dressings, witch one you recomend? or maybe a different one? Please please help me!! =D
If money is no object, I’d say go for the 750. It has the same components as the 7500, but adds the preset modes.
Thank you so much! Your blog is very helpful!! =DD
I am considering a reconditioned, but the Vitamix customer service told me you won’t necessarily get the 5200, you might get a Creations. Considering that, is it still a good deal to buy the reconditioned? Or should I just do a payment plan model off of QVC?
The only difference between the 5200 and the Creations model that you might get is the name on the faceplate. Functionally they are identical. So yes, buying reconditioned is a great deal.
If you’re interested in a payment plan, Vitamix also has a 3-payment option, which can be used on reconditioned units. You just have to phone in your order (800-848-2649, option 1), and to get free shipping tell the representative that you’d like to apply code 06-007021.
Thanks for posting this — Vitamix should hire you or pay you a fee for such a clear explanation of the differences. A few questions:
1. Not to be redundant, but I wanted to get any feedback on the value of the presets. I’m willing to spend the money for the 750 if it is worth it. It is, however, a significant cost difference from the refurbished 5200 or the 5200 package (w/ dry container). I’m guessing my wife will like the presets even though I’ll be good w/o them.
2. What’s the value of the dry container? Is it basically only for making flour?
3. Some 750 reviews say that it is difficult to pour some stuff out of the container (the older containers are better). Any thoughts on this?
Joe, I’m glad you found this page useful. To answer your questions:
1. The value of the presets comes down to personal preference. They don’t allow you to do anything that you couldn’t do without them, but you may find them more convenient. They also can make the machine more accessible at first, but once you make a certain type of thing (smoothie, hummus, soup, etc) a few times, the manual control is easy enough.
2. I’m planning a future post detailing the different containers, but for now I’ll give you a quick rundown on the dry container. First, you do not *need* the dry container for anything; the normal containers will make anything that the dry container will, just not quite as effectively. The main use for it is indeed grinding flour, but I’ve also used mine to grind spices and make powdered sugar. Reasons to get the dry container:
a) It works better for grinding, which means that you will get a slightly finer result along with less heating.
b) Blending hard items will scratch up the inside of the container, clouding it over time, so for aesthetic reasons if you’re doing a lot of dry grinding, your main pitcher will stay clear longer if you have a dedicated dry pitcher. (If you add nuts and seeds to your smoothies as I do, it will still get scratched over time, just not as fast as if you were doing a lot of dry grinding).
c) Multitasking, say you’ve just made a smoothie, to grind grains the container needs to be totally dry, so you’d have to dry it very carefully; there are also some recipes where I end up using both the wet and dry containers (e.g. mega muffins).
So the point is that there is value in the dry container, but only if you plan on grinding dry items regularly.
3. The new containers are shorter and wider, which changes the pouring a bit, but I don’t think it’s a big deal. The flip side is that the new containers make it slightly easier to scrape out thick mixtures, and they also work a bit better for chopping.
1st vitamix user/owner. Newly owner of a Hurom juicer. Just wanted to known if I purchase vitamix 750 pro would I have to purchase a dry mix container? I am a lover of almond butter and was making sure if I purchased the 750, I wouldn’t have to buy extra container…just not sure too confused
Trying to be healthy
Mary
The standard 750 container will make nut butter just fine (and actually the “wet” containers are the containers that are best for nut butter, even if you have a dry container). You would only want to get the dry container if you plan on regularly making flours or grinding things like coffee beans.
Tip: Quick and easy way to make almond milk – blend with water and ice, then pour in Vert juicer.
great blog! quick question. i saw the link you posted for the reconditioned 750 blender for $399. I saw this message on their site on that link
“Certified Reconditioned Next Generation blenders may reflect one of the following labels: 7500, Professional Series 300, or Creations Elite”
what exactly does that mean? i might be getting any of those 3 types of models? sorry–still trying to figure out the differences between all the models. thanks!
Those 3 models are all the same machine. The only difference is the text on the front. Vitamix is just warning you that that text may be any one of those three possibilities.
So, if I understand correctly the 300 and 750 are the same machine except for the presets on the 750?
Yes, that’s right.
I have heard the rumor that the 750 has additional computer controlled speed variations. That is, it changes the speed during the preset programs: say, speed 4 for 15 seconds, then 6 for 20 seconds, then….( just an example). Is this true?
i have the pro 500 (which is the same as the 6300) when you go for the preset it does start out slow and then ramps up on speed (the pro 500 has 3 programmed presets). for the 4 seconds or 6 seconds or for how it is programmed. and it will run 45 seconds for one program, 55 seconds for the second, and soups is 5 1/2 minutes. don’t forget it also shuts itself off after the computer controlled preset has run its’ course. i would tend to think the 750 is the same way.
Yes, this is right, both the 6300 and the Pro 750 have microprocessor controllers that vary the speed—they start at lower speeds for more effective blending. The controller on the Pro 750 also reportedly senses the load on the blades and adjusts the speed accordingly. I am not sure how much practical difference that load-sensing makes.
Thanks for this wonderful information. I just placed an order with Vitamix for a total price of $422.94 including tax for the 7500…Prof 300….or Creations Elite….guess I’ll know which one I end up with when I RECEIVE it as I did purchase it refurbished!
i am a newbie. i just ordered my first vita-mix and i ordered the 500 pro reconditioned. i now want to get super healthy and turn my life back to what it was. i took care of my mother for 7 years who was terminal. i ran myself into the ground. i now have C.H.F. in the 3rd stage moderate (congestive Heart Failure). Let me add this. If you are disabled like I am go for the presets, also set it up where you can do this sitting down at your kitchen table, and where you can turn around to get to the refrigerator and not have to get up. I am getting this so this will all work for me. I have lost 70 pounds so far. I have another 100 to go. i don’t want to tell you how many pills i have too take. But, I want to get it down to none.
Thanks for sharing your experience. As you say, for some people the presets are very useful. Congratulations on your weight loss, and best wishes for your improving health.
Adam, thank you for your kind words in regards to my first post. good and encouraging words go far. best regards david
Wow David.. my heart goes out to you and your venture to get well again. I’m sorry to hear about your Mom and all you must have went through. Each day presents itself a chance to be happy and grow into a better person. Don’t look back only on the good and happy times. I love my Vitamix and no matter which one you get it will be the best thing in your kitchen, besides YOU!
Veg out.. in a good way
Thank you for this insightful information!
I basically am interested in making smoothies, soups, and nut butters. I use my cheap blender daily so if you can recommend what is a good model to look into thoughts would be appreciated!
The good news is any Vitamix will work great for those three tasks.
In terms of a recommendation, it depends on how you weigh the factors of price, preset modes, and container size. If I were buying one now, I would go with the reconditioned 7500.
Hi I don’t know which to choose! I would like one with presets because I feel like it would be easier because I have a 19month old running around and i get distracted easily. I don’t want to spend top dollar so maybe the refurb 6300? I would like a good recipe book because I don’t really know what to make. My thought process for purchasing is to have a healthier lifestyle for my whole family. I’m not sure if the dry container is necessary for what I want to do. Can you help make a recommendation for me? Thank you in advance!!
It sounds like you’ve figured out your choice; presets + wanting to not spend top dollar would indeed lead you to the reconditioned 6300. In terms of the dry container, it sounds like you should not get it now, since money is a concern, and you aren’t specifically planning on grinding a lot of grain. You can always get one later if you find yourself wishing you had it.
thanks for the great tips on the Vitamix. Spent much of day doing research. Decided to go for new motor and ordered a reconditioned one. thank you!
I am torn between purchasing the Certified Reconditioned Next Generation for $399.00 OR the Turbo Blend VS for $449.00. I am liking the Pro 300, but am not sure about the Simply Fresh Cookbook. I can’t find any info about it either on the Vitamix website or Amazon. I am vegetarian/vegan so am thinking the Turbo Blend VS with the Live Fresh Recipe book might be the better choice as far as the cookbook, but wish I could get the cookbook I want with the blender I want!
I can see your dilemma, although personally I wouldn’t worry too much about the cookbook. I found my Vitamix cookbook most useful when I was just getting started to get ratios right, but now I do not use it very much. (I am also vegetarian, so there were recipes I skipped over.)
If you really want it you can purchase the veg/vegan Live Fresh cookbook separately here, in which case you could get your machine and cookbook of choice for $458. You could even consider selling the other cookbook on eBay; it looks like new Vitamix Cookbooks are going for $30-$50.
I agree that it’s a bit weird that Vitamix doesn’t let you pick cookbooks. It seems like it would make more sense to be able to pick your base, container(s), accessories, and cookbook separately. It may be worth sending them some feedback, and maybe they will eventually update their policy. I suspect that their current policy is partly due to a carryover from when they really just had one consumer machine.
Thanks for the suggestion…so if it were you, what would you do?
I would probably just get the reconditioned 7500, but then I don’t mind looking online for recipes.
ok, thanks for your thoughts!
Saw 6300 at costco roadshow and felt like buying but after doing lots of research now am confused which model to buy. Does the presetting in 6300 really should be taken in to consideration when you are a new vitamix user or should I go for 5200 with some extra accessories for the same price the 6300 is? Or should I wait for refurb pro 750 to come up?
It’s really personal preference. I don’t see any need for the presets but some people love them. I don’t know if Vitamix has plans to make the Pro 750 available as a refurb.
I HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT THE 5200 VS 6300 AS WELL. WILL THE 5200 ALSO MAKE HOT SOUP EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NOT A PRESET. I WAS VERY IMPRESSED THAT YOU COULD GO FROM SMOOTHIE TO HOT SOUP TO A SORBET. CAN ALL OF THE MODELS DO THIS?
Yes, all Vitamix blenders can make smoothies, hot soups, and sorbets.
The only difference between the Vitamix 5200 and 6300 models is that with the 6300 you can set the machine to a preset and it will ramp up the speed for you, and then turn off after a certain amount of time. You can think of the presets as built-in timers.
Conflicted on the 5200 vs 7500. I will want the dry container. The presets are not important. Is 2 hp a significant increase? The containers, is there really a significant advantage of one over the other? Suggestions? Comments?
The dry container will work on either. Between the 5200 and 7500 it’s actually a 0.2 increase in peak horsepower, which is not particularly significant. Advantages of the new container: better chopping/”food processing” tasks, easier to get thick mixtures out, less need for tamper, and shorter container may be easier to store. The old-style containers are better for small quantities (you can easily blend 1 cup, whereas the new containers it’s best to have at least 2 cups). You can use the old containers on the new machines, but you cannot use the new containers on the old machines.
Hi
I very recently bought the 5200 Stainless Steel at a Whole Foods Sale. We are just trying it and so far love it. Yesterday I saw the 5200S at Cosco for less. I could not see any difference from the description on the box. What is the difference??? Is there any real difference in the models? Hope you can answer this. Thanks in advance
The only difference is the finish on the base. That’s it.
Also, if you’re looking to save even more, check out the reconditioned 5200 direct from Vitamix for $329 with free shipping (only functional difference is the slightly shorter warranty).
Or is it the 750? Oh my. 5200 vs 750?
The 750 is like the 7500, but with the addition of preset modes.
Thanks Adam. So if I understand right it is better to get the 7500 and if need be buy an old container if I need a smaller quantity. Now, are the presets… worth it? Having upper extremity injuries I understand not having to use the tamper as much but is the 750 a better option? Are the presents helpful? Or better to have control and do manually. I so wanted the 5200 because of the package, three containers but then the reviews on the 750/7500 seemed great too. Wish someone would just send me one and I will pay for it.
The presets are worthwhile to some people. It’s a personal preference. Note that the machines with presets also give you full manual control, so the only possible downside to the presets is the added cost. I know it’s a tough decision, but the upside is that they are all great machines, and they will all handle just about anything you can throw at them.
Dynamics …. Your comment of “wish someone would just send me one and I will pay for it” is exactly how I feel. I had to laugh when I saw that … I’m in the process of deciding which model. What one did you finally end up with? I do agree that Adam’s comments and assistance is unbelievable.
Christiana, TODAY, I have decided to buy the 750 Pro and add the smaller container. I will hold off on purchasing the dry container until I see exactly how much grinding I will be doing. If it is occasionally I will just use the container that comes with the 750. Waiting to sign papers. Once signed, I with place my order. I will post once I actually make the purchase and let everyone know what I ultimately bought. What model did you decided to purchase?
What an awesome review! Thank you so much! I have been researching and researching trying to figure out the differences between the different Vitamix models. I was leaning towards the 750 but then saw the refurbished 300, etc on their website. In general, how much time does it take to make different items? Say smoothies, soups, ice cream. I have young children and I’m debating whether the presets are worth the extra money. If it only takes a few minutes to make things, I could easily sit by the blender to do it. But if it takes 5, 10 minutes or more of sitting there changing the speeds, I know I would be called away and distracted.
I’m glad you found this page useful. Thanks!
Most things blend for 30-60 seconds. The main exception is if you want to use the Vitamix to heat/cook soups starting with room-temperature ingredients. In that case you would need to blend for 4–7 minutes. But you don’t have to sit there adjusting the speed while it’s heating—you’d just be leaving it at max speed. When I make soup I usually either heat the liquid beforehand or use hot ingredients (say steamed, boiled, or roasted vegetables), and in that case it doesn’t have to run for longer than 30-60 seconds. I’m perfectly happy without presets, but many people love them.
You’ve been so patient and I thank you for that and all the information you’ve provided.
I have one last question before making a decision and it has to do with oxygenation. I have read every comment here and its all a muddle now LoL, but do remember someone talking about air, foam and losing nutritional value through longer blending.
Is there a different between the narrow and the wide container for mixing and oxygenation?
I do not think that there is a significant difference in oxygenation between the different style containers. Any blender will mix air into the blending solution. I am interested in oxidation, but I haven’t found any reliable sources that have measured oxidation in different blending conditions. Also, some ingredients are more susceptible to oxidation than others, but again I haven’t found any good source that lists the different susceptibilities.
If you want to minimize oxidation you can blend for the minimum necessary time and consume your right away. By the way, I don’t think oxidation is a major problem, but it is something that happens to some blended foods.
I have the regular container and the dry grain container for a Vitamix 5000 (VM0103). Will these containers work on a model 5200 base unit? Thanks!
Yes, those containers will work. The Vitamix 5200 is very similar to the Vitamix 5000 and it uses the same containers. The only difference in the containers that came with the 5000 is the material they are made out of. The old ones are polycarbonate and are not BPA free, whereas the current containers are made out of Tritan Copolyester and are BPA-free.
Thank you for this info! I am about a breath away from buying a vitamix but trying to discern the right one for our needs. We have burned through 2 blenders and they didn’t even fit all our needs! We are a dairy free, gluten-free family. We make almost all of our food, 3 times a day. I want something I can grind flours in, make nut butters and nut milks because this is what we eat a LOT of. Do you have a specific recommendation? I saw the 6300 at Costco, I like the presets because the kitchen is very busy (I am usually preparing 3 or more things at once). I debate about the Pro 750 because of the additional presets. But can I use a dry container on either of these? I need the functionality of both the wet and dry containers with a good motor (nuts are hard on motors). Thank you for any advice!
When you’ve burned through two blenders a Vitamix is the obvious next step, so you’re on the right track! To answer your question, yes, you can use a dry container on any current Vitamix machine, including the 6300 and the Pro 750. Of the uses you mentioned, for nut butter the Pro 750 has an edge in terms of the convenience of getting the nut butter out of the container, so that would be my recommendation. Other advantages of the 750 include less need for the tamper, better for chopping/food processing, and improved motor cooling. The shorter pitcher also can be easier to store, and the motor has slightly improved sound-dampening.
If the Pro 750 is too expensive, then I’d recommend the reconditioned “Standard Programs” machine, which is the same as the 6300. It comes with a 5-year warranty, but you can extend it to 8 years for $75, and still end up paying less than a new 6300, which would come with a 7-year warranty. Normally I don’t recommend the extended warranty, but for someone who is planning on heavy use as it sounds you are, it might be worth it. Also note that the reconditioned machines come with brand new containers, so you don’t have to worry about dairy or gluten having contaminated the container.
It sounds like you’ll get a lot of use out of a Vitamix, so have fun!
Knowing all of your info, we will get the 750 and a dry mix container. Thanks so much for your advice and time!
Thanks again for the advice. I wanted to report that I got the Pro 750 at Williams-Sonoma. I think everyone should buy through Adam’s link if you can but note that WS has a lifetime warranty on all electronics. So if you’re going to get a new machine not available through Costco, you may want to consider the warranty. On to the machine… It may not be worth the extra price but I don’t regret getting it. I probably won’t need, and may not use, the presets after another week using it, but I think they are good for my wife and house guests. I also like them so you can turn it on using a preset and then turn to something else (assuming you don’t need the tamper). Also, Vitamix claims that the 750 motor is quieter. This is my first one, so I can’t confirm or deny, but I can say that I don’t think it is much louder than my old standard blender. I certainly don’t think that there is any need for hearing protection while using it. If it is quieter, then it is worth every penny, especially with a 2 year old running around. Also, considering Adam’s thought of per/use price, it is not that bad. Last night I made a mixed drink (nice to just throw in a lemon instead of lemon juice), hummus, and milkshakes. Everything was great. So far, I haven’t need the dry container. So my bottom line recommendations thus far–(1) get a Vitamix, (2) if cost isn’t a big issue, get the 750, (3) if cost is more of an issue, get whatever one you can afford.
I’m glad you’re enjoying your new machine.
Regarding Williams-Sonoma’s warranty, I’ve talked to the people at my local store about this, and they actually do not offer a lifetime warranty. Williams-Sonoma will take any returns/exchanges (for any reason) within 90 days of purchase as long as you have your receipt. After that period the warranty is through the manufacturer. There may be two points of confusion: one is that some of their manufacturers do offer lifetime warranties (but Vitamix has a 7 year warranty, extendable to 10 years), and the other is that Williams-Sonoma used to offer a lifetime warranty and very permissive return policy. The policy was getting abused, so a few years ago they changed it to the 90-day policy. You can read more about the policy change in this Chowhound thread (you have to expand the replies and wade through some non-relevant comments).
It may be based on store policy instead of corporate policy. I contacted the store and got the warranty in writing. They’ll replace it with the same or most comparable model.
How does the old vitamix 3600 compare to any of the new ones? I have one and wonder if I need to upgrade.
My understanding is that the new machines are more powerful, but I haven’t used a 3600. I’ve heard anecdotally that the new machines do a better job of blending. Then there are the unambiguous differences of having a clear container, having variable speed control, and not having the spigot. If you’re curious about the new ones, remember that Vitamix has a risk-free 30-day trial period during which you can send the machine back at no cost (they even cover return shipping), so you could easily try one out.
Thank you. Do you know what the horsepower or speed is of the 3600 compared to the 5200? My container doesn’t have the spigot. I had one with a spigot but didn’t like it. It just seemed like it was harder to clean. Now I am looking at a vm0103 Super Total Nutrition Center Vitamix and wondered if it was the same machine as the 5200? Can you shed any light on this question? And, thank you!
I do not know the horsepower of the 3600. Also, horsepower ratings can be a bit misleading; I’ve been thinking about making a post on the topic.
I believe the VM0103 Super Total Nutrition Center Vitamix is the non-US version of the 5000, which is the predecessor to the 5200. The 5200 has a few minor motor improvements over the 5000, and its pitchers are BPA-free Tritan Copolyester instead of the polycarbonate pitchers of the 5000. If you’re looking to save money, I strongly recommend the Reconditioned 5200 purchased directly from Vitamix (unless you’re getting some sort of amazing deal on that Total Nutrition Center machine).
Great article! I just purchased the reconditioned 7500 per your advice. Thinking that if I earn it and drink my greens daily I may add the dry container in 3-6 months. Thanks again for a terrific blog.
1. Anyone know if the new style low profile containers work on the old style bases.
2. Anyone know how to buy the 64oz low profile container?
The Vita-mix site only goes up to 48oz with the low profile replacement and I haven’t been able to find one on line.
It was my understanding that the old containers will work on the new bases, but the new containers will not work on the old bases. I don’t have either yet to try it, but that’s what I read on some other blogs.
Thanks.
Heather is correct. The new 64-oz containers are not designed for use with the classic-style bases. The new containers have longer blades that put a higher load on the motor that the older models are not designed to handle. I think this is part of why they do not sell the low profile 64-oz container separately: they’re afraid people will use it on an old machine and overload the motor.
Thanks.
I have a creations elite and it is my understanding that the new container will work on that–will it be available for sale to people with new bases?
You’re right, the wide 64-oz container would work fine on your machine since the base is the same as the 7500/750, but I do not know the policy on selling the wide containers to Creations Elite owners. I’d recommend giving Vitamix a call to find out.
Whew, so I FINALLY made my decision, just purchased a reconditioned 7500 through your website link. I added the dry container. A couple things to note, I did not get completely free shipping, I got $25 off the $38 shipping costs, probably b/c of the added container? Also, they did not offer me opportunity for the 3 payment plan. Which would have been a ‘nice to have’. Finally, the only thing I would be disappointed in is if I get the 48 ounce container rather than the 64 oz which the 7500 has which it says I don’t geta choice of which of the 3 models I will receive but with the refurb price + 3 yr warranty for a total of 8 yr warranty I still paid less than the new 6300 at Costco AND I have an extra year warranty. When I was watchng the demo at Costo on the 6300 a women told me she had her refurb for 12 years with no issue and loves it. One more note, with the 7500 I still get the pulse button which I wanted and as far as the presets – most of the peeps at the demo who own a Vitamix told me I wouldn’t need the presents after I learned to use my machine and they were not worth the extra $$$.
Congratulations on your purchase! Your unit should definitely come with a compact-style 64-oz container. It’s just that the faceplate may say “Creations Elite.”
Thank you for all this great info!
I have a few questions. My mom just gave me a CIA Creations that she ordered through QVC. I have recently been transitioning to a vegan/raw food diet and I make a LOT of green smoothies and ones with a lot of frozen ingredients. I also have 4 kids who love to make smoothies. The CIA came with a 48 oz wet container and the 32 oz dry container. Can I use a larger wet container with this model base? The machine has only low/hi settings, is there any benefit to having the variable speeds? I’m not sure if this is the right model for our needs. I’d hate to return it, but it is more important to get the best one for our family.I appreciate any advice!
Yes, you can use the tall 64-oz container on that base.
The variable speed control is useful, but not necessary. I use it for chopping, leaving texture in blends (e.g. pesto), and the “remove bubbles trick.” You can use a combination of pulsing and the low speed setting on your machine to do these things, but the variable speed will do them better. If you’re considering swapping out the machine, take a look at the new-style machines (7500, etc), as they have some improvements (discussed above in this post under “Next Generation Motors”).
Thank you for your reply! The 7500 looks awesome, and it is what I would buy if money were no object. I checked the Vitamix website for a 64 oz container and they are $149. The main problem with the one I have is that the container is small for my needs.I’d love the variable speed option, but I could probably live without it. I’m not sure if it will be better to just buy the 64 oz container rather than return the CIA creations machine my mom so generously gave me! I guess if the CIA is as durable and strong as the 7500, this would be the more cost-effective route. Thanks again for your great advice.
One other side note: if you get the 64-oz container, you’ll probably also want to get a full-size tamper to go with it. Your model with the 32 and 42-oz containers most likely came with the mini tamper, which will not reach the bottom of the taller 64-oz container.
I can’t find any mention on the vitamin website to the refurbished models? I keep clicking on your links but it just takes me to the product pages and the names of the blenders are all different from your references…so confused!
I’m sorry to hear your frustration. It’s happening because the Vitamix website detects your browser location and if you are from outside the USA they will display a version that is specific to your country. I think that currently Vitamix only sells reconditioned units in the USA.
Thank you for your quick reply and boooooo to vitamix for playing favorites!
Something to think about…
If vitamixes are such amazing products and last forever…then where are all these refurbished models coming from?
My understanding is that most reconditioned models come from product demos or are returns from their generous, no-questions-asked, 30-day trial policy. A powerful blender isn’t for everyone, and also sometimes they get given as gifts to someone who isn’t so excited about having one.
Just ordered the refurbed 7500. Hope it works out, very excited to use such a powerful and versatile machine. Thank you for all of the great information you have posted on this site. Without it I’m sure I would have had a much harder time deciding what was best for the family. Keep up the good work!
My boyfriend and I are in the market for a Vitamix and your post has been INSANELY helpful. Thank you so much for doing the research and compiling it here!
Where can I find a 7500 or 750 model in Toronto Canada?
…..and what is the Vitamix® 1803 and 1363 CIA Professional Series Blender equivalent to? It is being sold at Bed Bath and Beyond Canada.
I’m realizing that I’ve neglected my non-US readers on this post. When I first wrote it I didn’t realize that availability is different in other countries. When I get a chance I will either expand this post with non-US information, or add a new post. In the mean time, here’s a little info:
My free shipping code (06-007021) works for Canadian orders, but it does not work for countries other than the US and Canada.
Outside the US Vitamix uses some different names for the same blenders. The Total Nutrition Center is the same as the Vitamix 5200 (standard motor, no presets). The Aspire model is akin to the Creations II US model, in that it has the same base as the 5200, but it comes with a shorter 48-oz container and a 5-year warranty.
Sorry, I do not know about availability of the 7500 and Pro 750 in Canada.
You can find the CIA Pro model in my post above; it’s a Standard no presets model.
Thanks for taking the time to reply Adam. I decided to go with a newer generation motor but skipped out on the more expensive 750 (and equivalent) model. Instead I opted for a Pro 300 (7500) at Crate and Barrel for $549.99…best price around in the GTA from searching around. Also it is one of the few places that even sells this model (along with the Pro 500 and Pro 750). Williams Sonoma carries the Pro 300, 500 and 750 as well but priced way higher. Costco has a road show on now and selling the older Total Nutrition Center (5200) model for $499.99. I was willing to pay the $50 more and get the Pro 300 instead. Costco is also selling a smaller 48 oz container for $99 and the 32 oz dry grain container for $99 as a road show special. I will most likely end up getting those as well as I will most definitely be using the smaller container for smaller yields, and the dry container to try out more recipes. The cookbook that came with my Pro 300 is huge with over 200 recipes that I will most definitely be trying out. I made my first item today when I brought the blender home, a vegetable soup and it was amazing. I had my family try it and they too were impressed. Can’t wait to start eating healthy with this blender. Best part about it is how easy it is to clean! Warm water and a couple drops of soap, 30 second blend and it’s spic and span.
Great posts. I am getting ready to buy but can’t decide between the 750 Pro series or the 500. I read on Williams Sonoma site that it is hard to pour from 750. I make smoothies every evening using homemade yogurt and fresh fruit but I only make one serving and it is not 2 cups of ingredients and currently use immersion blender for that. I also make hummus weekly and want it smoother than my food processor gives me and I make fresh salad dressing. My concerns are over the 2 cups needed in the shorter container and my yogurt smoothies coming out heated. Please advise which model to select.
RE: blending under 2 cups — The short 64-oz container is indeed non-ideal for that, so with the “stock” container the Pro 500 would be a better choice. However, you could add a 32-oz wet container to the Pro 750, and it would work great for your small smoothies. In fact, the 32-oz container would also be a nice addition to the Pro 500 because it’s a little handier, especially with small quantities, but it is less necessary because the Pro 500 has the the same narrow bottom as the 32-oz container.
RE: your yogurt+fresh fruit being heated — I don’t think the different machines will make a significant difference. If you are making smoothies without any frozen ingredients you will have to be careful not to over-blend them in any powerful blender. You can certainly do it, you just have to not run it for too long. This is why people often add ice or frozen fruit—then you can blend for longer until it’s ultra-smooth while keeping it cold. It also depends on what sort of fruit you’re using how long you would want to blend to get it totally smooth.
RE: hummus — Any Vitamix will make a nice smooth hummus. The new style wider container of the Pro 750 will make it slightly easier to get the hummus out of the container.
Thank you so much for all your time, energy and expertise in doing the reviews of the Vitamix models. Based on your information, I have just placed an order for the Reconditioned Vitamix 7500. My family has a green smoothie at least once a day and it is time to put the Osterizer out to pasture!! The process of purchasing a blender was seeming to be very daunting until I found your website. However, I am now feeling very confidant that I have chosen the right one for our needs. Thank you! Thank you!
I just want to say a huge thank you to you Adam. With so many options, it’s a little confusing, and since this is an expensive purchase, many people, my self included keep asking the same questions over and over again. You are so incredibly patient and nice in your explanation. It’s just lovely.
I’m buying the refurbished 5200 thanks to your advice.
BTW, your shipping code for Canada…where does one go to use it? When you click on any of the links in your blog, it takes me to the Canadian site showing all models and not the specific model you are linking.
The shipping code is good for any model. (It’s not model specific.) So you would add one of those to your cart and then the shipping code should already be applied in your cart. If it’s not then you can enter it in the “Promotion Code” box.
Which is the best all-around Vitamix recipe book?
I have not seen all the recipe books in person so I can’t really answer that. It’s on my long to-do list to figure out the strengths and weaknesses of the different cookbooks, and I may make a future post about it.
One thing I’d say though is that I don’t think it matters too much. Having a recipe book is useful for figuring out starting points and ratios of ingredients, but many people quickly diverge from published recipes to suit their tastes and available ingredients. The thing about using a Vitamix is that most times you’re just blasting some ingredients together, and you can easily make last minute adjustments, so recipes are flexible and adaptable. Once you figure out the basics it’s mainly a question of finding inspiration, which I like to do online, and I share ideas on this blog.
Hi Adam,
Thanks for your detailed posting! I have a question…I wanted to buy the recondition 7500 with the new style 64oz container, but when I pressed your link to that model, it brings me to the Vitamix center and their names are all different. I do not see a model 7500. Please help! Thanking you in advance.
Sorry, the links in this post only work from the US. Outside the US Vitamix sells fewer models. If you’re in Canada your choices direct from Vitamix are currently the Total Nutrition Center, which is the same as the US 5200, and the Aspire, which has the same motor but comes with a shorter 48-oz container and 5-year warranty.
What exactly does “reconditioned” means?
Not the general sense; just interested what it means for Vitamix products.
Most machines being sold as reconditioned were used as product demos or were customer returns within the 30-day return window, so they generally have not seen much use (note that the same 30-day risk-free trial also applies to reconditioned machines so you can send it back for free if you don’t like it).
But regardless of how they were used, reconditioned Vitamix blenders are tested to perform as new, and if they don’t they are repaired or have components replaced. All reconditioned machines come with brand new containers/tampers. They also come with the same solid warranty/customer support as new machines, just for 5 years instead of the typical 7. (If you’re concerned about warranty length you can extend the warranty to 8 years for $75, less than the cost difference to a new machine.)
We are planning to make a lot of ice cream and blend frozen bananas/fruit– like yonana’s. Any recommendations on the best refurbished model to purchase.. our ninja did an ok job, but did not hold up.
Any Vitamix will hold up to those jobs. Getting thick mixtures out of the container is a bit easier with the Next Generation models. On the other hand, the Standard container will do a better job with small quantities. It depends what you’re blending, but the general rule of thumb is the Next Generation works well down to 2 cups and the Standard container works well down to 1 cup (I’ve blended as little as a quarter cup in the standard container, but that was something easy like salad dressing). Note that you can use standard containers on the Next Generation models, so the ultimate combination would be a 32-oz container paired with the Next Generation machine, but that’s probably overkill for you.
So which is best for you? I’d say probably the Next Generation, but the Standard would also work, and would save you a little money.
Hi Adam,
I found a dealer on Kijiji selling model 4500, have you heard of this model? Please let me know. Thanks.
That’s the Two Speed model mentioned in my post.
Ready to buy a Vitamix! I’m reading about the longer blades, but not sure which models have these other than “new”. If I buy a new 5200S at Costco for $374 which blades are those? Thanks
The models with the longer 4-inch blades are the Next Generation models (7500, Pro 300, and Pro 750). The Vitamix 5200S is the same as the 5200, and comes with the standard 3″ blades.
Wow. Thank you so much for providing all of this information! I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect Vitamix model for me and this article answered so many of my questions. I’m very close to making my first Vitamix purchase (!!! so excited) and I think I’ve narrowed it down to a reconditioned 5200 or newer generation. Price is a concern (which is why I’m doing reconditioned), but I am willing to pay the extra $70 for the 7500 if it’s money well spent. I do like all of the upgrades, but there isn’t one in particular that helping me make my mind up. In your opinion, do you think the 7500 runs better than the 5200? Also, on the Vitamix website, if you buy a reconditioned 7500 or 5200 are you guaranteed that particular model? I’m an avid Consumer Reports reader and they gave the 5200 a score of 91 and the 750 (they only tested this newer generation model) an 81. I think 750 lost points in convenience and the the ability the blend an ice smoothie. I’ll be using this blender mainly for green smoothies, fruit smoothies, soups and occasionally blending nuts. What are your thoughts? Thanks in advance!
Either machine will do a great job of all of the things you mentioned. Remember that people have been loving their Vitamix machines for many years before the latest round of models came out.
I don’t really have anything to add beyond what I put in the post in terms of if the upgrades are worth it. Only you can decide whether that $70 is worth it to you. If it were me I think I’d go for the 7500.
I have not seen that Consumer Reports review. The one thing I can think of is that for small quantities (under ~2 cups), out of the box, the 5200 will do better than the 7500 because the narrower container means that the same quantity of ingredients will go to a higher level in the container and circulate better. I say out of the box because you could add a 32-oz container to the 7500 and make it match the low volume performance of the 5200; but that’s taking you out of the realm of lowest cost.
Regarding whether you are guaranteed a certain model when you buy refurbished, you may get a model that is equivalent but has a different name. (e.g. you could get a Turboblend VS instead of a 5200, or a Pro 300 instead of a 5200.) But I keep stressing this point: there is absolutely no difference other than what is printed on the front of the machine.
Hi Adam,
I bought the 5200, unfortunately,we don’t have any other models here in Canada. The options is to select the dry container or not, the dry one is pretty pricey $699.99 plus tax in Canada.
I have made hummus, you are right about not being able to scope the bottom of the container! A lot has been wasted there. I was thinking of investing in their spatula, do you think it’s worth spending on? Do you have their spatula?
I do have their nylon spatulas, and I’ve found them to work well. I actually reviewed them in this post.
If I plan to make lots of nut milks, smoothies And almknd butter what would you recommend? The 5200 I can get at costco or the 7500? Is the 7500 industrial strength how does it differ from the 5200?
The 7500 is a newer model that has some nice feature upgrades over the 5200, which I described above in the post in the section titled “Next Generation Motors.” The biggest difference is the shorter/wider container, that makes the tamper less necessary, may be easier to store in your kitchen, and makes getting out thick mixtures like almond butter easier.
I’m not sure how you would define industrial strength. The 7500 has a slightly stronger motor than the 5200, although it’s not a big difference. All Vitamix models have powerful motors that are comparable to heavy duty blenders used in commercial settings.
Adam, thank you very much for your detailed replies. With so many choices and information provided, I’m now a bit uncertain which model to get.
Ideally, payment options and lower price is preferred. With that being said, I am only interested in reconditioned models. Initally, I thought presets were needed, but after your input, I see its a nicesity versus a necessity. My only must have is in the container. I must have a 64 oz container. After reading your replies, I see that these containers come short/wide and tall/narrow. And one of the models come with longer blades. Amongst the Creations GC, 5200, 6300 & 7500, which should I get? Are all containers interchangeable amongst the bases? What is height difference between the two 64oz containers?
The height (with lid) of the tall 64-oz container is 13.4″, and the short 64-oz container is 10.2.” Add ~7″ if they are on the base, take off ~2.5″ without the lid. All containers are interchangeable, except the short/wide 64-oz container is not meant to be used with the Standard models because its longer blades could overload those motors.
You mention preferring a lower price, so unless any of the features of the Next Generation models jump out at you, I’d say go for the reconditioned 5200.
Vitamix offers a payment plan, but to use it you have to make a phone order: 800-848-2649, and you can still get free shipping by telling the representative that you’d like to apply code 06-007021. The Vitamix payment plan has a processing fee of $15 and is 50% cost up front, 25% in 30 days, and 25% in 60 days.
RED HERRING ALERT!!!
From a physics viewpoint the additional torque load the longer blades in the new short containers is negligible compared to the torque loads already successfully handled by the old 2HP bases with the short bladed containers. After all, the old motors were made to last for decades under the most torque onerous conditions. Lord knows how long the new motors are designed to last – I HIGHLY doubt they are engineered to last as long as the old machines.
Notice the new 64 oz. container is not for sale, even on Amazon, and while I am supposing one can buy a replacement directly from Vita-mix, IT WOULD REQUIRE PURCHASING THE NEW MODEL as the manual (or any paperwork) is NOT available for download on their site.
It’s pretty obvious it’s purely a marketing ploy, based, I presume, on the near indestructability of the existing machines out there. If a person could just buy the new UNDER COUNTERABLE container, why buy a new machine?
I really really WANT the new shorter 64oz container, but at present would have to buy an entire new machine to get one. But I don’t NEED a new machine, so I’ll wait until the new 64oz containers does become available, hopefully sooner than later.
Planned obsolescence Vita-mix style.
BAD Vita-mix.
You raise an interesting point. It’s actually the first thing that went through my head when I saw the new models come out. However, for thick mixtures I’m not sure if you can just dismiss the added torque. Since you mentioned taking a physics viewpoint, I decided to do a quick/rough calculation. How much more torque should we expect from the 4″ blade compared to the 3″ blade for the same angular velocity? The details of the fluid dynamics inside a blender are too complicated to casually consider, but we can make an estimate based on a super-simplified system. Picture a simple rod, and lets calculate the torque needed to rotate it. It has to overcome the drag force, which at every point along the rod is proportional to v^2 (v is the local linear velocity). Now the velocity of a point on the rod is proportional to the radius, r. So the drag force is proportional to r^2. Meanwhile, torque is the product of the perpendicular force and the radius. So torque is proportional to r^3. Now to figure out the total torque for the summation of all points on the rod we integrate. Integrating r^3 yields a r^4 dependence. I don’t have time to draw a diagram or make the equations pretty, but I found this page, which has a diagram, explanation, and better laid out equations for an identical setup. So making the rod 33% longer increases the torque for a given speed by 1.33^4, or 3.1-fold. (A 210% increase in torque.) Now obviously, what’s happening inside the blender is a lot more complicated, since the blade is not a simple rod, and there are edge effects, turbulence, and cavitation. But a ~3-fold increase in torque sounds to me like it could be significant. (For thin liquids I agree that it shouldn’t matter, but I think it could be a problem for thick things that push the limits.)
Since Vitamix has such a generous warranty, it would make sense that they wouldn’t want to sell containers that could break people’s machines even if that might only happen under certain heavy-load circumstances.
There may also be something to your marketing theory. However, I imagine that the majority of Vitamix’s impressive growth (40-50% annually the past couple years) is driven by new owners, rather than repeat buyers. Regarding your doubts about the new machines, their continued success will largely be based on their reputation for quality, so I would guess that they would not want to compromise on engineering.
I wouldn’t count on the short 64-oz container being available any time soon. Are you familiar with the 48-oz containers? They are approximately the same height as the short 64-oz containers, and use the standard blade.
*edit: The math initially had a mistake: going from 3″ to 4″ is a 33% increase, not 25% as previously mentioned. So the difference in torque is 1.33^4 = 3.1, not 1.25^4 = 2.4. So it’s a closer to a 3-fold increase than to a 2-fold increase, as previously stated. The text has been corrected.
How hard is it to overload a old style machine? This illustrates the power of the 2hp machine vs. a 3 hp Vitamix. Essentially no difference for home use. Those motors are TOUGH and will take this level of abuse for YEARS. But on a home cycle, not a commercial cycle, which is what the 3HP machine does, uses that extra horsepower to cool the motor.
For that matter Vita-mix could put a disclaimer on the new 64oz container stating it’s not recommended for use with the older machines. That covers their liability while allowing older machine owners that option.
In any case, with the new machine becoming more prevalent, it’s only a matter of time before those containers become available.
ps. I do know of the 48oz machine.
It’s possible that it is in fact very hard to overload the old-style machines, but I don’t see what comparing the commercial 3-peak-hp machine to the home machine has to do with it. I don’t know what the threshold is, but I know there is one because I’ve heard stories of broken drive-shafts when someone tried to blend a huge block of frozen fruit or a spoon. (Luckily drive-shaft replacement is not that big a deal.) Also, people do sometimes trip the thermal overload sensor on thick mixtures, which would presumably happen more often with a higher load.
By the way, to anyone considering watching that video, I recommend skipping to the 5 minute mark. I don’t understand why he felt the need to show the whole unedited blending process, when at the end he’s just giving a subjective test that the viewer can’t verify—we have to trust him, so we could have just trusted him that he made the two smoothies the same.
Your idea of a disclaimer sounds reasonable to me, but I’m guessing that Vitamix wouldn’t like it, since they tend to like to take a hands-on approach. You could write to them and suggest it though and see what happens.
WOW. Just want to give you props Adam. You and your site on comparing the Vitamix blenders is amazing. Thank you for all of your knowledge and help. I think I’m going to get the 7500 refurbished!
I am so happy I found this site…I just started juicing and doing smoothies and im useing a juicer for juicing and a blender for my smoothies..which take forever. My friend suggested I look into Vitamix..what do you recommend for me to get?? thx for the help..I so need it
I’d recommend either the 5200 (Standard) or the 7500 (Next Generation). The 7500 costs a bit more, but its wider shape reduces the need for the tamper, and its shorter height makes it easier to store in some kitchens. If you blend small smoothies (less than ~2 cups) the 5200 is better because its narrower container helps the ingredients cover the blades. If you want the best of both worlds, you can get an additional narrow 32-oz container for the 7500, but that’s overkill for most people. If money is tight, I recommend looking at the reconditioned versions of these machines (see links in the main post above).
Thank you…
Adam…someone is selling this one online..would you be able to tell me if its the 5200 or the 7500?? Vitamix Professional Culinary Series Model VM0103
Thank you so much
Tina
That model sounds like what I referred to as the CIA Pro in my post above, which is the same as the 5200.
One side note for anyone wondering about the Vitamix VM0103 distinction: Vitamix used it on the older 5000 models, and for some reason continues to use it on the current 5200 models.
Thank you so much Adam…you have been so helpful.
Adam do you have any info on the vitamix 5000 series? I bought one used from someone online. It works amazing but I am curious how old it is and how it differs from the newer models? One thing I noticed is that the parts under the blender container are all medal and not plastic like the newer models.
Thanks in advance!
The 5000 was released in the early 90s, and it’s replacement, the 5200 was released in late 2007. So your machine is 6-20 years old. It is very similar to the 5200, but there are a few differences. The first difference is the material of the container; with the 5200 they switched from polycarbonate to co-polyester, which is BPA-free. The container lid and handle were also slightly modified. Vitamix also states that the 5200 is slightly quieter and has a more efficient motor that runs cooler. However, ultimately they are very similar machines.
If you want to know exactly when your machine is from, you can look for a date stamp on various parts. On plastic parts there is sometimes a small circle with a two-digit number in the center, and twelve numbers surrounding it, with an arrow pointing to the outer number. The center number is the year, and the outer number is the month it was made. You can look for this on the bottom of your container (though I think it may not be on the older containers), and I’ve also seen it on the bottom of the rubber centering pad (you can gently pull it up and take it off). I think you mentioned your container has a metal retaining nut; it may have two two-digit numbers stamped into it, one above the other. I believe that top number is the month and the bottom number is the year. Newer machines also have the date of manufacture on the back label, but I don’t think your machine will have that.
Can you tell me if the 7500 pulse switch flips UP for the HIGH speed mode?
Machines with the pulse switch have moved the HIGH speed mode to variable speed 10. Also, the pulse switch is activated by pushing it down (it springs back up on its own).
Thank you for so much helpful info. Is the 5200 with compact container (48oz) available as refurbished?
The 5200 with 48-oz container is sometimes available refurbished, but the supply is a bit sporadic so they are not currently listing it on the Vitamix website. Last I talked to my contact at Vitamix, she had a few available. The best way to find out (and hopefully be able to order one) is to call her directly. Her name is Barb Hezel, and her number is 1-800-848-2649 Ext 2310. You can still get free shipping by telling her you’d like to apply promotion code 06-007021.
Thank you. We plan to primarily use the Vitamix to make smaller size smoothies, so from your previous posts, I learned that narrow containers are best. The 48oz size appeals to me because it will fit/can be stored on my counter, but I looked at photos and can’t tell whether the 48 oz has the same narrow design as the 32 oz.? Is the reason you do not recommend the shorter/wider 64oz containers for under 2 cups because it does not blend as smoothly?
At the bottom of the container, where it counts for small volumes, the 48-oz container is narrow like the 32-oz container (and the tall 64-oz container as well). It then flares out higher up to accommodate those extra 16 ounces in the same height container as the 32-oz container. I haven’t used the 48-oz container personally, but I believe it should perform as well as the 32-oz container for small volumes.
Using a container with not enough ingredients (like the wide 64-oz containers under 2 cups) will lead to ingredients bouncing/splashing away from the blades. It may still be possible to blend them smoothly but it will require more coaxing in terms of pushing and/or scraping the ingredients back down into the blades.
The 48-oz sounds like a great choice for you. As I mentioned in an earlier comment, a next generation machine plus a 32-oz container is another good option, but significantly more expensive.
Thank you again for providing so much helpful information and responding so quickly. I ordered my Vitamix today!
So Adam I’ve just bought my reconditioned 7500 and added the 32 oz dry container. Now I’m wondering if I should’ve bought the 32 oz wet container instead and just used it for the dry. I do make small batches although I’ve found that if you have enough liquid you don’t need to tamp and if you see things getting stuck to the sides if you slow it down and speed it up again the content will go back to the center of the container.
What would you suggest returning the dry container and getting the wet or using the 64 oz for small batches and keeping the dry container?
Marty, I don’t think I can tell you what’s best in your situation. 32-oz wet vs dry really comes down to how much dry stuff you make, and if small batches are giving you trouble in the 7500. It sounds like you’re doing OK with the 7500, so my intuition would be to not worry about it. As you’ve found, there are ways of making small batches work–more liquid and modulating the speed both work well. I would say only get the 32-oz wet container if you’re frustrated with thick small batches not working in your wide container.
A week ago I purchased a vitamix 6300. I love it however when I use it for smoothies, I have been using the smoothie setting and it starts blending and then stops mixing however the motor is still running. I try to use the tamper to push down ingredients and it doesn’t help. I then turn it off and use the tamper to move unmixed ingredients down and then turn it on again. Sometimes when I’ve done that it still doesn’t start mixing. I’ve added more liquid to see if it helps but it doesn’t. Am I doing something wrong? I’m thinking the settings are not really worth it if I have to manually intervene. I purchased it from Costco during a demo, but am thinking I should return it and purchase the less expensive model without the settings. Do you think something is wrong with the machine? Maybe I should return this one and buy another 6300 at the next roadshow as maybe something is just wrong with this one.
It’s normal to have to use the tamper with that machine, particularly for thicker blends. You can minimize need for the tamper by cutting ingredients into smaller pieces. You should also aim to put your wettest/softest ingredients in first, and putting hard things like ice on top. In my experience it’s not normally necessary to stop the machine while tamping ingredients down into the blades. You may just need to get the hang of tamping. I agree with you about the limited value of the presets though, because some blends will require manual intervention (especially on that machine—the Pro 750′s wider container makes tamping less necessary).
Thank you for the advice Adam! I Appreciate your input and expertise!
Adam since the 750 is more expensive , do you think I would be comparable to buy a certified reconditioned next generation for 399? Would that be a better machine than to keep the 6300? I used the 6300 again today and a piece of pineapple core was still under the blades.
I personally would choose a reconditioned Next Generation over the 6300, but it’s really up to you. That said, it should be possible to get the 6300 to blend pineapple without getting chunks stuck under the blades. My advice on that issue is to put soft and wet ingredients underneath the pineapple, or if you don’t want any soft/wet ingredients, cut the pineapple up into smaller pieces.
Hey there Adam- I can’t tell you HOW wonderful and informative your review/blog is! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to this site! I know this may be “beating a dead horse” but I just can’t decide between the 5200 and the pro 750 or 300. My husband and I are just starting on the “green smoothie craze” and we make individual smoothies for ourselves twice a day- about 20 oz each. I’m sure we’ll use it for all the other good reasons too but that is our main reason to buy one for now. Which one would be best for our needs? I like that the Pro versions are the shorter, more compact design- but I’ve also read that if we are just making smaller amounts, the 5200 would be better? Which one is easier to get all the smoothie out of? Thanks sooooo much for your time and information!
20 oz is over 2 cups, so I wouldn’t worry about that being too small a volume for the 750/300. If you’re making really thick smoothies, it’ll be a little easier to get it all out of the new models, but I wouldn’t worry about it too much. If you get a long narrow spatula (Vitamix has a nylon set that I reviewed here), getting thick smoothies out of the 5200 is perfectly easy. If you want to save money, consider the reconditioned units. A 5200 with 48-oz container may also be a good choice for you (see up a few comments, I just answered a question from Victoria about it).
It just so happens that these are the three models that I am considering. Is there one that heats better without having to pulverize vegetables into a cream soup?
I like some chunks to chew as I find that psychologically you feel like you’ve eaten something more substantial. The demo I saw had small chunks and it was hot.
Making organic veggie soup in a few minutes is really the reason that I’m looking at a Vitamix more than smoothies, but I will be making them as well.
Thanks in advance!
All of the Vitamixes heat similarly.
If you want to have a chunky soup the trick is to add some ingredients at the very end and only blend them briefly.
Thank you Adam
Thank you for this awesome website and all of your time answering questions! I get an alert with every question and it has helped me so much! I’m still debating which Vitamix to order when we have the funds pulled together. I’ll primarily be making smoothies, nut butters, ice creams and soups (at least to start). Due to allergies, I’ll probably make separate smoothies for each family member, so they’ll be under 2 cups each which would make me lean towards the old style. But I understand the new style is better for nut butters, correct? What would you recommend knowing I’ll make small quantities but still want to be able to make thick items (butters, ice cream, hummus, etc.)?
If you’ve been following the comments I don’t have too much to add, but I’ll try to answer your questions. For nut butters the main difference with the new-style containers is that they make it a bit easier to get the nut butter out. Getting it out of the old containers is perfectly doable though, particularly if you have a long skinny spatula. You can also use the trick of making a smoothie immediately afterword so that any left-behind nut butter is mixed into the smoothie.
For anyone who is going to regularly blend under 2 cups I recommend getting either a standard style machine (5200 etc.) or a next generation (7500 etc.) plus an additional 32-oz container. So to make the final decision, the question is, do you want to save some money, or pay a bit more for added convenience (ease of getting things out, less need for tamping, shorter height).
By the way, even with the standard machine, I’ve found the 32-oz container is a nice addition if you’re making single servings. The bottom of the container is shaped the same, so there’s no difference in blending, but it’s a bit easier to get stuff out, and it’s just a bit handier because it’s a smaller container.
This site is wonderful, but I still can’t make up my mind! Seems like I am not the only one though. I thought I was all set to buy the Turboblend VS because I am vegan & wanted the cookbook (which is pricey to buy separate) to help me learn how to use the Vitamix. I do have concern about the height of the thing, however, as it will not fit beneath my cupboards in my small kitchen. Then I read that the new compact models might be easier for things like nut butter. Unless, of course, you are making small amounts. It’s just the two of us here and could be only me some of the time, so I might be making smaller amounts of nut milks and smoothies. Why, why, why, do they have to make it so hard to decide?!
You certainly are not the only one! See my answer to Heather just above, since I think it at least partially gets at your concerns. The ultimate would be a 7500 plus a 32-oz container. If you’re concerned about height, the 5200 with 48-oz container is another good option to consider (also possibly available reconditioned—see my reply to Victoria above).
Thank you, Adam, for your quick response. I am comparing the 5200 & 7500 as you suggested and have a couple more questions. The clearance between my cupboards and counter is only 16″, so it looks like none will fit with the container in place. So the main difference for me would be noise level and having a pulse control. Is it worth spending extra to get these two things? I use the pulse control a lot on my Osterizer, mainly to keep the contents from getting air-locked. Also, the reconditioned 7500 comes with a Simply Fresh cookbook, which is not listed under cookbooks you can purchase separately. Is this the same as the Live Fresh book that comes with the Turboblend VS? And finally, does the 32 oz container fit on the 7500? It appears to have a different base shape. I hope to make a decision soon and will definitely use the code you provided since you provide so much helpful information.
The advantage of the 7500 that you didn’t mention is the wider container allows for easier chopping, and in general requires less use of the tamper. I would rank those advantages above the ones you mentioned. You can pulse any machine by flipping the on-off switch, so I wouldn’t rank that feature so high, although again, some people think it’s an awesome feature. It depends on what you’re blending whether the noise level is actually significantly different. If you’re blending ice/frozen things on high, any high-powered blender is going to be quite loud, and the improved motor muffling won’t make much difference. If you’re blending softer things, especially below max speed, then the noise difference becomes significant.
“Simply Fresh” is a different cookbook “from Live Fresh.” The various cookbooks have recipes that are optimized for the different machines, and also try to target different demographics. The “Live Fresh” cookbook is the only exclusively vegan/vegetarian cookbook.
And yes, the 32-oz container does fit on the 7500.
Hi Adam,
I live in Canada and was going to order a reconditioned 7500. I spoke with Barb Hezel @ Vitamix and she advised that they will not sell this model to Canadian customers.
I figured it won’t be a problem and advised that I’m planning on having it shipped to my US PO box and I’m buying with a US credit card (with US billing address).
She told me that if I bring it into Canada that the warranty would be void. I understand that the literature isn’t printed in French and that they want to protect the interests of their Canadian partners but this sounds pretty ridiculous to me!
Do you know why they are taking such a draconian stance on this?
Sorry, I don’t know anything about this. I only recently learned that Canadian Vitamix availability is different from in the US. I’ve since read about how Vitamix has different divisions for each country they sell in, and they take a hands-on approach for each country’s distribution. Part of that is presumably so that they can make sure they’re able to provide excellent support in each country, but I also suspect that it’s as you said—to protect interests of their overseas partners. For Canada I would think that NAFTA would mean that there aren’t tariffs, but for other countries tariffs are probably a factor, and there may also be different corporate tax rates. I could also imagine that their US operations are more streamlined/efficient, and it’s only worth it to them to sell to other countries at higher prices. I know it must be frustrating and I hope you can find something that works for you.
Hi Adam,
Thank you for having such a wonderful website. You have answered all my questions. I need your advice, If you have to choose b/w a vitamix blender and a juicer( omega vert 350HD), which one would you choose? The purpose will be to increase veg. and fruit consumption. Please help! Thanks!
Not Adam, but … I have both an Omega Vert HD and a Vitamix. Besides pure juicing, the Omega Vert makes a most marvelous strainer. The Vitamix does a marvelous job of chopping up nuts and stringy stuff like celery. Making an almond milk smoothie with dates and apples for example, I first blend them, then run it through the Vert. All three of those ingredients leave grainy, uncomfortable to swallow, bits even when heavily blended, but straining them in a fine mesh strainer or using cheesecloth is (very) time consuming somewhat messy process, but using the Omega Vert as a strainer is fast and easy and the mesh is far finer than any kitchen strainer you can buy. I used to make my nut milks ahead of time and store in the fridge for that reason, but now I just throw whatever in the blender, chop it up, and run through the Omega vert. I can toss in nuts, wheat or barley grass, celery or whatever into the blender, thru the Vert, fast, easy clean-up and extremely drinkable.
The thing is the Omega Vert will crush,juice and strain whatever is put into it and blender pre-processing doesn’t require Vitamix quality, whatever you have at present can likely provide a sufficiently chopped up mix that the Omega Vert can ‘digest’ it without a problem. Not to say a Vitamix wouldn’t be more optimum, releasing more of the nutrients, and it will handle ice better, and LOTS of ice is better, the cooler the mixture stays throughout, the more nutritious the end product.
The Omega Vert also provides for direct juicing without water, if that is a preference, including wheat grass, which a blender cannot do.
But I also use my blender alone for various tasks where a Vitamix is the bees knees, so I would certainly recommend both when it is affordable.
Thanks psoomah for the perspective from someone who has both. As you can see from the rest of this site, I’m clearly biased—I would definitely choose a blender. Ultimately, the difference between blending and juicing is whether you are removing the fiber or not, so the real question is do you want to remove the fiber? My understanding is that it’s healthier to consume the fiber than remove it (it’s more satiating and it helps spread out digestion, avoiding glucose spikes), though I’m sure juicing advocates would disagree. Other advantages of a blender: less waste/more bang for your buck on produce since you’re not throwing away all the fiber (and juicers will leave behind some nutrients in the fiber as well), and blenders are also generally easier to clean—the Vitamix pitcher is a single piece that you rinse, run with soapy water, and then rinse again and you’re done. A Vitamix will also allow you to make a variety other foods as well. And if you sometimes want a juice, you can use a sieve,straining cloth, or nutmilk bag to filter the fiber out of a total juice. There are plenty of people who have both a juicer and a blender, but I’m happy just having a powerful blender.
Regarding psoomah’s point of apples and celery, I really don’t have a problem with the texture of them in the Vitamix. I use apples in fruit smoothies a lot, and I use celery in savory blends, and I think they come out quite smooth. I also drink almond milk without straining it. I would say the almond milk is the one where the texture is most noticeable, but it does not bother me (lots of people choose to strain it though).
Thank you so much, Adam. I agree, the vitamix is a wise choice. Thank you!
Hi Adam,
Can the 32oz dry container be used as an extra container for making a smoothie( under 2 cups)?
This is an interesting question that unfortunately I do not have a full answer for. Vitamix’s line is that the dry blade does not work well for wet ingredients, but I haven’t really tested it myself. My guess is that it would work fine for liquidy things (like emulsifying a salad dressing or a thin smoothie), but that it would not work so well for an extremely thick smoothie. At some point I’ll try to run some tests, but I don’t know when I’ll get a chance. Conversely, Vitamix says that the wet blade is OK for dry ingredients; I tested it and was surprised with how well it worked.
Thank you,Adam!
Sable … I have that exact juicer on my kitchen counter 24/7. That’s how much I use it. The VitaMix is standing beside it. The Omega Vert 350 is an outstanding auger juicer and you can easily adjust how much pulp you need/want or even take some out of the extraction bin and add to the juice if desired. It’s a superb juicer. I make veggie drinks using both but the Vitamix but use the VM more for the things a juicer isn’t designed to do. In terms of quality of results, both are equal as I’ve seen … its all in how much you want to use the product beyond juicing. Both are staples in my kitchen. Hope this helps.
Thanks for the info, Barb!
The reason I use the Omega Vert Juicer in addition to the Vitamix is because I’m a senior and take a strong probiotic daily and use the Omega green juice for instant nutrient digestion and absorption into my system when I can’t manage all the fibre. My juices are 3/4 veggies and only 1/4 fruit so not meant to be a smoothie. I don’t use the Vitamix for juicing as much because they tend to be more frothy than I like. I want the juice and not the consistency of a smoothie for these particular drinks. It makes a difference. I honestly don’t know what I’d without these two workhorses in my kitchen. I just ordered the dry grain container because I’m getting into the flour thing for freshness and some grindings that will let me use my dehydrator for making crackers, etc. out of seeds rather than just flours.
Thank you so much, Barb. I really appreciate all the information you’ve shared with me. Thanks.
I just wanted to say thanks for writing this review. I ‘test drove’ a 5200 equivalent from BB&B, and it was fantastic, but I wanted something that would fit under my cabinets. The clarification you gave about the differences between the bases of the models I was looking (none, except preset functions) at was invaluable. Also, I really appreciated that you pointed out the differences between the old and new 68 oz wet containers, besides the obvious height/width change.
Just an all around great review. Thanks for taking the time.
Hi Adam,
What a helpful explanation of the differences between the Vitamix models. This will be my first Vitamix and I’m torn between the Pro750 and the 5200 Deluxe Complete Kitchen. The 5200 Deluxe includes 3 containers- 64 oz and 32 oz wet and 32 oz dry. Would you recommend spending the money on the next generation body of the 750 or on getting the extra containers with the 5200 deluxe? I’m not sure yet if I’ll need a dry container and also not sure of the quantities of wet ingredients I’ll be blending. We’re a family of 3 and I’m initially interested in making smoothies and frozen desserts/ drinks. Thanks for any direction you can provide on making this decision.
Sorry, I don’t have any additional advice to offer. They’re both great blenders that will be able to handle just about anything you throw at them. Personally, I like the value of the reconditioned Next Generation machine for $399. For someone who is not sure if they will use the smaller container or the dry container, it may be worth waiting to see if you really have a use for them.
Thanks for the suggestion- I’ll consider the reconditioned Next Generation as well. That would give me the option to add an extra container if I want to later and still not exceed the $649 I’m willing to spend. And if I don’t need the extra container, it is just a savings! So thanks.
Hi Adam,
What is the equivalent to the Vita Mix model 1364 CIA which is offered at Bed Bath and Beyond stores? Is it the 7500(Pro Series 300 or the 6300 (Pro Series 500)? Or some other model?
Thank you.
That model is the model I refer to as the CIA Pro in my post—it is the same as the 5200 et al. (standard, no presets). The only difference between it and the 5200 is the cookbooks it comes with.
You may be wondering, what is the 1364 number? Each Vitamix model and color combination is assigned a four-digit number, and they are not necessarily in any intelligible order. (The color numbers for the CIA Pro you mentioned are 1363, 1364, 1365, and 1709.)
Thank you so much for the comparisons. I don’t know if Vitamix understands just how complicated their website can be given that most machines are exactly the same motor but just marketed with different containers/cookbooks. Whew. I just ordered a Next Gen reconditioned model but I thought I’d pass on something the sales rep told me about the cookbooks in case it would be useful to someone else. The Next Gen machine comes with a cookbook entitled “Simply Fresh” and when I asked about buying the raw/vegan/vegetarian cookbook as well, she said it’d be best for me to wait until I got used to the new, wider container and blade setup first. Evidently the new container design blending times are different from those that are in the cookbooks designed for the standard model containers. I can’t see that the difference would be that great but, I’ll just see what’s what before I spend any more money. I hope this helps someone who might be thinking along the same lines.
Barbara, this helped me since I’ve been wanting the Veg cookbook as well and am planning to buy the Pro 750. I couldn’t understand why that cookbook wasn’t recommended for the 750 and probably would have bought it if I hadn’t read your comment. Thank you.
Do you have any idea why Consumer Reports would rate the 5200 higher than the 750 / 7500? It gave the 5200 a 91 out of 100 but the others 81 out of 100…
I do not know, but I have some guesses. I’ve only seen the print version of that article; I’m not sure if the online members-only section of Consumer Reports gives more details on their Vitamix Professional 750 rating. (If anyone has online access and if there’s any additional information about their rating of the 750, I’d be curious to hear.) The print version ranks the 750 slightly lower on two factors: icy drinks/smoothies and convenience. My speculation is that the icy drinks ranked lower because they were using a lower volume that the wider container doesn’t do quite as well with (unfortunately they do not say how much they blended, so we can’t be sure). Their convenience rating is based on “ease of cleaning, clarity of controls and jar markings, pouring ease, and jar balance.” I’m guessing that they either didn’t like the jar markings (which do not indicate the cup increments quite as clearly as the tall containers) or they didn’t like the pourability, which is a complaint I’ve heard occasionally, but that I do not think is a big deal for most people.
They also ranked the Ninja very highly, which I think is because their tests were designed to test standard blenders, not high-powered ones, so they didn’t fully put the Vitamix blenders through their paces. Specifically, I suspect that a) their durability test wasn’t enough to really tax the machines, and b) they were not blending the more challenging things that Vitamix blenders excel at. Their smoothie test was a pina colada that didn’t have seriously fibrous things like carrot, apple, or kale, they didn’t make frozen desserts or nut butter, and they didn’t include ability to heat in their rankings—they do actually mention that only Vitamix and Blendtec models were capable of heating.
We are subscribers to Consumer Reports, and I tried to figure this out. They don’t really give any more explanation for their lower rating of the 750 than what Adam surmised. Since the lower rating was for convenience, I too figured it was because of the way measurements are marked on the container and the shape of the pouring spout. At this point, I’ve read tons of user reviews which are 99% positive. They are actually what swayed me from going with the 5200 to save money and deciding to get the 750 instead. There are some great You Tube videos by a Henry PJ that also influenced my decision. He does not work for VM and is not an affiliate (he should be). He shows exactly what the 750 can do and puts it up against a Blendtec in one video. He loves his VM but does remark on the markings and spout as flaws in design. Overall, however, he has a very high opinion of the machine.
I’m excited to report that I ordered my Pro 750 today. Barb, the salesperson Adam recommended, was very kind and helpful. When I asked her about the Live Fresh cookbook, she said it would be fine to use with a smaller container (apparently the amounts for many of the recipes are not suited to the 64 oz wider container. I forgot to ask her about the Consumer Reports issue. I was too nervous about spending so much money on a kitchen appliance. But I’m looking at it as an investment in my health and an opportunity to take my dietary choice of plant-based nutrition to a higher level. Now I wait… Up to 3 weeks before it arrives.
Congratulations on making your decision and getting your order in! Thanks for the update. It sounds like you made a great choice!
Thank you Adam for helping me to decide on a Vita-Mix Blender. I was looking on purchasing a vintage V-M blender, but decided on the refurbished 7500. I ordered it yesterday. Now the only problem is waiting for it to arrive. Sales person said a week and a half ! Thanks again.
Thanks for your detailed post. I have an aged Vita Prep that I inherited from a brother in the industry and I’m going to take advantage of the trade-in program (yay!) and pick up a reconditioned next gen. With the trade in program, I’ll stick with the standard warranty and revisit the trade in should I want or need something new in 2018.
Cheers!
The Vitamix trade-in program is awesome, but I’m afraid it might not work for your blender. The Vita Prep is from their commercial line, and I think it might not be eligible. It’s worth a try though—you should call them and ask.
It is eligible. I called a few weeks back, to check on authorized repairs/warranties etc. and the salesperson mentioned the trade-in program as my best option at this point given the age of my Vita Prep. I just had to decide which machine to go with and it includes the reconditioned machines, so even better for me
That’s great to hear. Thanks for letting us know!
Hi, I wanted to bring to your attention that your measurements of the blenders up top seem to be incorrect. For example, the 750 and 7500 are 17.4″ tall with the container in place. Your graph shows under 17″. Not to be nitpicky but when I saw your chart I found it helpful until I verified it on the Vitamix website.
The line that the 750 and 7500 are under is the 18″ line (in between the 16 and 20″ lines). Upon closer examination of my graphic I see that the lines appear to not be perfectly evenly spaced, so I’ll have to fix that, but I still think that the heights of the machines are approximately accurate. By nature the graphic is a rough approximation, since there’s some perspective in the photographs of the machines. I also mention their actual heights in the post.
edit: I fixed the spacing of the lines.
Thanks so much for this blog; it’s been really helpful in narrowing the choices to three finalists! I’m hoping you can help with the final choice. I just lucked into a good annual bonus, and I can technically afford the new Pro 750 model if I wanted to blow the whole thing on a Vitamix. I hate to admit it, but I love bells and whistles. Second option is a split – either a refurbished next gen or a refurbished programmed one. Neither will fit under my cabinets, so that’s a toss-up, and would love your opinion on that also. Third option is a 5200 super package I found on an auction site, new, for $434! Awfully good deal, but I’m always wary of auction sites other than eBay, and not sure about the warranty, etc. Could you speak to these three (okay, four) options? I will primarily be making smoothies, nut butters, frozen desserts and general food prep (assuming I can just do some chopping to then throw in the skillet). Thanks so much!
Any Vitamix should work great for the tasks you mention, though in terms of food prep/chopping the wider (next gen) containers will work better. After that, it comes to questions of convenience: the wider container makes it easier to get stuff out and needs the tamper less; presets allow you to not have to think about how long to blend for. You say you love bells and whistles, so if you can afford it, it sounds like you’d be happy with the Pro 750.
Hi,
What a wonderful information. Thank you. After reading your posts and most comments, I think we will go for the 5200 model, since I do not care too much for the presets vs. the price increase to 6300.
One question though. I do not need the dry one, but was wondering if the smaller wet jar would be better for making coconut butter and nuts butters. (Would it be easier to get things out from the bottom than from the tall 64oz jar?) I am wondering if it is worth investing the extra $ for the small wet jar. (I do not think that the compact 64oz jar for next gen models would help me, since I will be making smaller quantities). Thank you so much again.
The shorter 32-oz jar does make getting nut butters out of the jar a bit easier because you’re that much closer to the bottom of the container. Also, if you’re making 4 cups or less, it’s slightly more convenient to handle the container (in terms of holding, pouring, rinsing, etc.). So it does add some value; whether it’s worth the cost is up to you.
I would also think that the new Next Gen 64oz container base and blade design with the wider area would make getting out nut butters much better than the standard container shape. I hesitated to make things like the nut butters because of how difficult it was to get the finished product out. My Next Gen hasn’t come yet but the pictures at Vitamix show a more open area around the blades which look as if getting a narrow rubber spatula around the bottom much more convenient. That was my main purpose for choosing the Nex Gen … that new container design should work better for many of the things I make.
Great site, thanks for all the info!
I think I’m looking at the “Reconditioned Next Generation” plus both versions of the 32 oz jar, which all together costs just a bit more than the 5200 Deluxe.
One question though…. A big part of my purpose behind the 32 oz. wet jar is to make mayo, which I make with just one cup of oil at a time as we don’t go through lots of mayo. But I’m really concerned about the Vitamix’s potential to heat foods. I know that’s a function of the high RPMs, but I look at that as one of few downsides of the Vitamix. When I make soup I prefer to cook it on the stovetop and then put it in the blender…I can’t imagine “cooking” it in the blender, but at least with soup the heat won’t damage it. Anyway, can the heating of cold (but not frozen) or room temp things be avoided by running the blender on a lower setting? If so, will things like pesto still blend at a lower setting? The idea of things like mayo or pesto getting even a little bit warm doesn’t seem good.
Advice would be appreciated! Thanks again!
Great question. Heating in the Vitamix is only significant at top speed and for extended blending times. The soups that are “cooked” in the blender are done at top speed for 4-6 minutes.
The variable speed control makes it easy to blend at lower speeds. I haven’t made mayo myself, but I know it’s possible with a Vitamix.
I enjoy making pesto in my Vitamix. When I make it I don’t blend it for very long and I use medium speed—mostly because it’s nice to retain some texture, and delicate basil flavor is sensitive to over-blending. I’ve never had it heat up, although there was a time when I slightly over blended it (made it too smooth).
The only time heating is an issue is when you start with room temperature ingredients that you want to blend for a long time. For example, if you want to make a smooth smoothie using fibrous ingredients like kale or carrots you’ll want to blend it for a while, which is why I always add ice or frozen fruit to something like that. Another situation is when I’m grinding whole grains, and want to get a fine flour. In that case I store the grains in the freezer so that they start out cold and then they don’t reach as high a temperature in the blender.
Great info! Thanks again!
thanks so much for your blog. I never would have purchased a Vitamix without your insights. Their web site is ridiculously confusing, insinuating that there are all these different machines, when in fact there aren’t. I just purchased a re-conditioned 7500 using your promo code
Rich … it was wonderful to read that I wasn’t the only person who found it difficult to slog through the different models outside of the obvious differences in dials, container size, addition of stainless design in base. I even opened several browser windows to do a careful comparison and when I couldn’t see the rationale behind the price variances (other than cookbooks, etc.) I finally phoned them and just came straight out and asked them. I bought a reconditioned NextGen eventually but the woman I had told me the machines were identical inside and were just marketed differently. I wonder if they realize how many people they turn off with this obfuscation. Such a wonderful piece of equipment deserves more than this. Glad to see I’m not alone.
Thanks so much for the great info. Ordered through your link. Love the free shipping!
Adam, thank you for all the information on the Vitamix, but I am still confused as to which one to buy. My doctor suggested that I buy Dr. Fuhrman’s book “Eat to Live”, and add more high nutrient foods to my diet. Dr. Fuhrman also suggest the purchase of a Vitamix. I am familiar with these machines, as I have purchased the Creation GC model 64 ounce container on QVC 2 yrs. ago as a TSV on EasyPay for my oldest son. I also purchased the Vitamix 7500 model 64 ounce container on QVC last Christmas as a TSV on EasyPay, which included 2 smoothie travel bottles, a Simply Fresh Cookbook, a 101 Blender Drinks book, and a Get Started DVD for my youngest son.
Adam, can you tell me if my son can use any of the 32 and 48 ounce containers on the Creations GC model?
Now, QVC will have a Vitamix Creations Elite 48 ounce container with variable speed, which includes tamper, Getting Started DVD, Vitamix Creations Cookbook and a 15-oz stainless steel travel mug as a TSV (Today’s Special Value). I have a question on the handle of the container. Why is the handle made of the same material as the container on this particular model? This model also comes in 6 diffferent colors, and only a 5 year warranty. Can you give me your opinion on this model. Thank you!
The 32-oz and 48-oz containers are compatible with all Vitamix machines.
The Creations Elite is a next generation base with a 3-inch blade 48-oz container. I think it’s a slightly weird choice, because the main advantage I see of the next generation machines is the new wider 64-oz container with 4-inch blade. If you’re looking to save money, I don’t think you can beat the reconditioned next generation model direct from Vitamix, which also comes with a 5 year warranty.
Adam, I thought you said that the new containers would not fit on the older models? Are you talking about the 64 ounce containers that would not fit on the Creations GC? I’m still a little confused! Thank you for your suggestion on buying a reconditioned next generation model directly from Vitamix. I will keep that in mind when deciding, which will take me forever!
To clarify, when I said “new containers” I was referring to the shorter, wider, 64-oz containers that come with the Pro 750 and 7500. (Note that there are two kinds of 64-oz containers: the classic tall ones, and the new short/wide ones.) The older machines are not optimized for use with the longer 4-inch blade in the wider containers.
The 32-oz and 48-oz containers use the same 3-inch blades as the tall 64-oz containers, and are compatible with all machines.
That explains it!! Thank you for simplifying this for me. You are very helpful! Thank you so much!
We are in uk. Only three models available here that i have seen, aspire, tnc (same as 5200 i think) and pro 500. I do lots of cooking but have limited budget. I think I can get away without presets and therefore save money for soups and smoothies but am concerned as to how to judge the timing for ice cream. Are the presets on 500 just time based or is there any sensitivity to quantity you are blending as we have 7 children and sometimes do smoothies for 2, sometimes 9?
Yeah, the Pro 500 does not have a way to sense quantity, so the preset programs always run for the same amount of time. That’s the main reason why I think they are of limited value.
The Pro 750 can reportedly sense the blade resistance and adjust its speed, although even it still would not be able to tell how much is in the container.
I’ve been going through the vegetarian recipes on the Vitamix site, all of which are written for use with the 5200 and say you will need to adjust for use with other machines. I am waiting to receive the Pro 750. Will I be able to simply use the variable setting dial instead of the presets and just disregard the “switch to high” instruction? Any other adjustments that may be needed?
Yes, for most things you would just disregard the “switch to high”, since high on the 750 is just speed 10. You may also find that things don’t need to be blended for quite as long. For recipes that are not blended at max speed, the conversion will require a little more finesse. I would recommend trying a few of the recipes from the cookbook that comes with the 750 to get the hang of it. I don’t know of any resource that has a table of equivalent speeds, so you’ll just have to play it by ear. Any recipe should be fully convertible, with the possible exception of low volume ones (under 2 cups), but if I remember right you said that you ordered the extra 32-oz container so you should have that covered.
Barb Hezel advised me to get the 48 oz wet container instead of the 32, as she thought that would allow me to make the smaller volume recipes but still have versatility. Are you saying that the speeds on the 750 are different than the speeds on the other models? Is that because of the different motors?
Yes, the combination of the different motor and control interface means that the speeds are slightly different.
The 48-oz container is indeed more versatile than the 32-oz, but my opinion is that if you have a 64-oz container available, you would use that for recipes that were too large to fit in the 32-oz. But again, here it really just comes to personal preference.
Why does the Vitamix Creations Elite only have a 5 year warranty and not a 7 year warranty???
The Creations models were branded specially for sale on QVC, and I think part of the discounted pricing agreement between Vitamix and QVC is that those models come with the shorter warranty.
I just bought the Creation Elite from QVC thinking it was the machine (7500) I bought for my daughter’s family for Christmas. She LOVES her Vitamix and uses it 3x a day and puts everything in it for perfect smoothies, soups. Will I be able to do the same thing with the Creations Elite?
You can make most of the same things, but the 7500 has the wider container that allows for better chopping, easier access to removing thick mixtures, and less need for the tamper.
Hi Adam-Thank you for all your wonderful information. It is very helpful. I purchased a 6300 yesterday at Costco. I couldn’t decide between that and a refurbished 7500. I’m kind of wishing now that I would have gotten the 7500 instead. I have not unpacked the 6300. What would you advise? Keep the 6300 or return it and order the refurbished 7500? Thanks for your help.
I personally would rank the wider container over the presets, so I would choose the 7500.
Alternatively, if the presets of the 6300 are appealing to you and you want to save money, you could get a reconditioned version of that machine (“Standard Programs”) for less than the Costco price.
I was considering the Creations Elite on QVC today. It looks like it is the same height with the 48 ounce container as the regular 7500 with the 64 ounce container. Is that correct? The 7500 will not fit on my counter and I was hoping the 48 ounce container would. Do you have any comments on the pros/cons of getting the Creations Elite? I know the reconditioned 7500 is a better deal, but my husband is adamantly against purchasing reconditioned items… Thanks!
Yes, the Creations Elite with 48-oz container is just about the same height as the 7500. The difference is the container width, so pros of the 48-oz (Creations Elite): better for minimum volume blends, pros of wide 64-oz (7500): better chopping, easier access for removing thick mixtures, and less need for the tamper.
I hate to open a whole new can of worms, but if fitting under cabinets is extremely important to you and your cabinets are on the low side, it might be worth checking out Blendtec machines, which are 15″ tall.
I understand generally wanting to avoid reconditioned items, although in the case of Vitamixes I don’t think there’s any reason to be concerned. The units have very little use (demos or home trials), then they are fully checked over, and just in case there is a problem, they come with the same strong type of warranty as new machines. And the parts most likely to have cosmetic wear (pitcher, tamper, cookbook) are replaced with brand new ones.
Thank you once again for your informative and quick reply! Fitting under the cabinets would be a big plus, but it isn’t a deal breaker for me. My older daughter is extremely texture sensitive and I understand the Vitamix blends smoother smoothies. I also read online that with the Blendtec digital controls, it takes longer to move from one speed to another. Have you heard anything about those? Thanks!
The new Designer Series Blendtec has a touch slider interface, so you can quickly change the speed (the Classic Blendtec you would have to punch the up/down arrows). I personally like having the physical knob Vitamix offers though.
Another thought on fitting under your cabinets is that a Vitamix may fit without the lid, or with the lid or container inverted. I don’t know all the various heights off-hand, but here’s an example of an inverted container on a next gen machine at 16.75 inches.
Good to know about the new Designer Series Blendtec. Thanks! I’ll look into that.
My plan is to store it with the lid inverted. I borrowed my friend’s Pro 300 when she went out of town for a week and saw that it fits perfectly if I store it like that. Thanks again!
Thanks for your reviews on the Vitamix. I recently bought a 6300, which I love, but am/was consideirng the 750 as well as the 7500. With regards to the 750, the person running the roadshow stated that the motor was 40% quiter? Have you or anyone found that to be true? I was also considering buying the 32 or 48 oz containers, would these work with my machine? I assume that the 6300 uses the older style base so…
The 750 and 7500 (“next generation”) have improved sound shielding of the motor. It’s most apparent when running the motor at less than top speed, although even at top speed the next generation motors are quieter. However, the improved muffling of the motor does not affect the noise from ingredients bouncing around the container, so if you blend something really hard like ice, it will still be loud. The short answer is, yes they are quieter, but depending how fast and what you’re blending, the difference may not be very large.
The 32 and 48 oz containers work on all models.
Hi Adam, first of all, I am really thankful to you for having written this article and tirelessly answering people’s questions. I have a few questions of my own if you don’t mind. I bought a 5200S from Costco today. I love the thing! It pulverized the small seeds in my smoothie (blackberry seeds, chia seeds etc).
However, it’s ridiculously noisy and I live in a small apartment. I am contemplating returning it and ordering a reconditioned 7500. Here are my questions:
1. Is the 7500 really 40% quieter in real life? I know you said that it won’t really matter much at top speed.
2. Will the 7500 liquify the small seeds as well? I am concerned due to the larger base of it’s container.
3. There is no high switch on the 7500. Is the ‘variable 10′ on the 7500 equivalent of the ‘variable 10 + high’ on the 5200?
4. What is the average life span of a Vitamix? I am concerned for having only 5 years of warranty vs 7.
5. Out of warranty, how expensive will it be to get something repaired?
6. Lastly, will they pay return shipping if I order the 7500 but decide against it within 30 days? Also, do they provide free two way shipping for warranty repairs?
Sorry for the long post. Hope to hear from you soon.
Great to hear you’re enjoying your machine. I’ll try to answer your questions:
1. It depends; see my answer to the previous question above yours. Also, depending on the acoustics of your kitchen, a foam pad under the blender can help dampen noise a little bit. I like to use ear protection.
2. Yes. The wider base only becomes an issue at the lower limit of blending volume.
3. Approximately yes. (Note on the 5200 when on high the variable speed setting does not affect speed.)
4. I do not know the hard numbers, but anecdotally I know many machines that are still going after 15 years.
5. Depends on what breaks. Drive shaft can be replaced for $10-15, motor repairs I think start at $150 and go to $250 for a complete machine overhaul. (At which point you’re probably better off using their $100 trade-in credit for a new machine.) You may also be able to get it fixed at a local appliance repair shop for cheaper.
6. Vitamix pays for return shipping on 30-day trial returns. And they provide free two-way shipping on warranty repairs. (They’ll send/email you a prepaid shipping label.)
Thanks a lot Adam! Ordered the reconditioned 7500 this morning. Will get those earmuffs you recommended as well. Found them on Amazon.
Got my Pro 750 yesterday, and I’m a little intimidated by it–afraid I’m going to do something wrong and blow it up!
I made peach soy sherbet tonight, but I didn’t use the tamper from the start, and then everything stopped circulating and it seemed like the machine was starting to overheat. So I hit stop and we ate chunky peach sherbet. It still tasted good.
The cookbooks are a little overwhelming too. I don’t want to make gourmet meals; I just want to make healthy food. Too many of the recipes call for ingredients I don’t have and/or wouldn’t ordinarily buy. I would like to throw in a bunch of what I have on hand and make a smoothie. Can I do that, or do I have to follow the recipes?
It’s going to take some getting used to!
It’s natural to want to protect your precious new investment, but the machine is tough, so you shouldn’t worry about babying it. In the situation you described it would be fine to start using the tamper, even though you weren’t using it from the start. In fact, it’s natural to only start using the tamper if the ingredients are not circulating.
New machines can have a slight burning rubber smell the first few times they are run at high load, but that’s normal, and it should go away after a few uses (there’s a coating on the motor windings that cures). Also, remember that if your motor does happen to overheat (it’s relatively unlikely to happen) the thermal overload sensor will kick in and turn off the machine to protect the motor. It’s a bit of an inconvenience because you have to wait for the motor to cool before you can run it again, but it shouldn’t do any serious harm.
I’m not that big a fan of a lot of the cookbook recipes, which is part of why I was inspired to create this site. For the most part I aim for simple and healthy so I hope you’ll find some ideas by poking around here.
You should absolutely experiment with throwing in whatever you have on hand for smoothies. The thing about smoothies is you can adjust them really easily. (Too thick? Add liquid. Too warm? Add ice. Flavor not quite right? Add something sweet or sour. etc.) The only time smoothies are not easily adjusted is if you have already added a lot of something with a really strong flavor (like maybe a ton of ginger or a bitter vegetable). If that happens you just have to remember to add less in the future, but it’s not really that big a deal. As you make more smoothies you’ll learn what sort of things you like so that ultimately you rarely have to make adjustments.
One other side note about creating your own blends: one guiding principle is to think about if something would taste good outside of the Vitamix. The Vitamix can turn just about anything into a smoothie, but that doesn’t mean it will taste good. For example, you probably don’t want to just throw in every vegetable you have in your fridge. (I do like a nice well-balanced savory blend though.)
If you have any other difficulties or challenges with your machine, I’d be like to hear about them because I’m realizing that it may be useful to make a “getting started” post. I realize it’s intimidating at first, but it’s a little tricky for me to get into the mindset of a new user, since I’ve been Vitamixing for over seven years.
Adam, thanks for understanding my anxiety and for the calming assurances. Besides blowing up the machine, I’m worried that if things don’t turn out right I will feel like I made a bad decision to purchase the VM. So that gives you another insight into the mind of a somewhat obsessive first-time user who has just spent a ton of money on a kitchen appliance.
I’m sure that once I have a few smoothies under my belt, I will begin to feel more confident.
A getting started post from you would be very helpful. What VM provides is really just a chef zipping through everything that can be done with the machine.
Today I am tackling almond milk and perhaps a smoothie.
Adam, I think you said you are vegetarian, so you know how time consuming it can be to prep everything for meals. Do you do most of your chopping in the VM? That would sure make life in the kitchen easier! Any tips for when to use dry/wet methods?
I haven’t used the Vitamix for chopping as much as I could. When I first got it I was too worried about liquifying ingredients, but I’ve now learned that chopping can work well. I hope to try it more in the near future. I did make a post about chopping ingredients for coleslaw a little while back. I’m still learning what works best for chopping, so I don’t really know anything beyond what’s in the Vitamix manual/getting started guide; they have some good information there. (Briefly, dry chopping is usually used for smaller quantities. The main things I’ve seen wet-chopped are cabbage and potatoes.)
Hi Adam,
I returned my vitamix 6300 and ordered a certified reconditioned new generation. I wanted one that would fit under the counter and was having some issues with food or ice not mixing and didn’t want to have to mess with the tamper so much. This one mixes really well, I was just noticing that the consistency of my smoothies is more frothy instead of icy with this machine. Do you think it’s because of the wider base and more air is getting in? I’m using basically the same ingredients as I did with the 6300. Do you have any ideas on what I could do to make the consistency less frothy? Thanks for the time you take to help everyone with our questions!!
You mentioned that your blends are coming out more frothy and less icy, so the first thing to try would be to blend for less time. The longer blades may process the same ingredients faster, so you may be slightly overblending them if you’re using similar times as you had been with the 6300. You could also add more ice or frozen fruit to make it more icy. Finally, you can try the “remove bubbles trick.”
I’m happy to answer questions because I want everyone to be able to get the most out of their blender. Also getting the questions helps me understand what people have trouble with and gives me new ideas for future directions on the blog.
Hi,
I plan to buy refurbished 7500. Before I place order, I just want to check with you one thing.
From the latest consumer report(issued May 13). 5200 is rated higher than 7500. It indicated two areas 5200 is slightly better.
1. Ice drinks(smoothies)
2. Convenience(the explanation for this says, it includes ease of cleaning and replacing blade, clarity of controls, and jar markings, pouring ease, and jar balance makes up the “Convenience” score).
I don’t trust consumer report much after I tried the one rated top. It put Ninja Master Prep as the top 1. I bought it from Kohls with 20% coupon. Good deal. However, it really cannot break small pieces, the small piece from strawberry(not even seed). So, I returned.
Now, I am ready for the Vitamax. Can you make comments in the two areas. Is 5200 better than 7500 in the above 2 areas ?
Thanks,
Leland
Please see my response above to Heather on April 7 for a discussion of the consumer reports ratings. The short answer is that I wouldn’t give them much weight because their tests are geared to test standard blenders and don’t really put the powerful blenders through their paces.
Sorry, I didn’t realize the consumer report issues have been discussed before. I just went through all the discussion. I guess your right. Consumer report staff may not put enough volume to test.
The Ninja master prep is completely a joke after I purchased, used and returned it. My 10 years old son immediately feel it’s not smooth for the strawberry.
Anyhow, I started having more doubt about Consumer Report test. Last time I followed its review to purchase a top rated LG washer. It turned out not that good. I am really not sure how they do the test.
Hi,
I’m super excited that I found your site.
What is the difference in the motors?
Which is the most powerful?
Creations Elite: 2.2-peak HP motor
Creations II: 2-peak HP motor
Creations GC with Compact Container: 2+ peak HP motor
Where can I find the WATTS of the base?
Thanks.
The differences in the power ratings are minimal. The biggest difference between those models is that the motor in the Creations Elite is designed to handle higher loads of the 4-inch blade (which comes with the 750 and 7500).
The power ratings of those three models are 12, 11.5, and 12.5 amps respectively. To get watts, multiply by the voltage, which 120 volts (standard US/Canada mains), so that yields 1440, 1380, and 1500 watts respectively. So the Creations GC is the “most powerful,” but it’s not a significant difference.
The Creations GC is the only Vitamix with that motor rating, which sort of makes me suspect that it’s a marketing gimmick that Vitamix created for QVC, so they could call it “the most powerful Vitamix we’ve ever sold.” I’m not aware of any tests that compare performance of the Creations GC to the other models, but I really don’t think it’s significantly different.
Hello, Adam. I have to say Your comments, review and posts are amazing. Thank you for your hard work, time and patience with all of us asking the similar questions
Thanks to all your posts that I have been reading for last hour I m about to place order. So far I am thinking about reconditioned 5200 or 7500. I am going to make a 1 serving green smoothe at the beginning and looks like your recommendation would be to purchase 5200 for a smaller portions (less than 2 cups). Since Vitamax are such great blenders and can be at great work for decades I was thinking that later I will might need to do the larger servings for my family. Should I get 7500 and it will be still ok for now for smaller portions ? Or i better stay with 5200 ? Which size of cup would your recommend? Could please provide the link again for refurbished 5200 or 7500. Thank you for your time. I am so excited for my first Vitamax. Can’t wait to make some green smoothes. Sincerely, Olga
Ha ha
I just realized I was calling it Vitamax instead of Vitamix 
I guess in my mind I wanted the Max results from it 
A few thoughts: 1) To me, 2 cups is a reasonable single-serving smoothie. 2) The 7500 wide container can make smoothies under 2 cups, going down to about 1 cup, it’s just that it’s more likely to require you to coax ingredients into the blades. The narrower containers will work a bit better for the low volumes. So the point is that you could just get the 7500, and it should work for your single-servings, but if that’s the main thing you’re doing it’s not optimal.
So which should you get? It sounds like a 5200 would be a good choice for you, but it depends a bit on your finances now. For maximum versatility, you’d get the 7500 with an additional small container, but that will cost a bit more. If your main use is blending small smoothies, the 5200 will work just as well, and will save you a bit of money. I would recommend the 5200 with compact container (48-oz) for your single-serving use, which is sporadically available reconditioned. The ordering details are available above in a comment reply to Victoria on April 2. Links to the other refurbished machines that you can buy online are in the main post in the section reconditioned machines.
This page is getting a bit long, so I’m going to try to stop repeating information. If you’re looking for something and don’t want to read the whole thing, try a text search. To do that press Ctrl+F (PC) or command+F (mac) and type the word you’re looking for. If you’re on another device, figure out how to “find on page,” it will save you a lot of time. iOS Android
If in the distant future you want to upgrade, you could take advantage of Vitamix’s $100 trade-in program (assuming it’s still around), or you could always gift your old machine.
I purchased the Vitamix 750. I used it to make smoothies, hummis, sorbet and really liked it (e.g., the presets), but found it to be too noisy. Do you have any suggestions for another Vitamix model (e.g., commercial grade withe cover) or another blender that would be less noisy, but produce similar results? Or is there a cover or something else I can get to reduce the noise on my Vitamix. Thanks
That’s the quietest high-speed blender. Many people don’t have a problem with the noise, but it can be an issue for some. My solution is to wear earmuffs, which I described a while back. I recently got a second pair, so if someone else is nearby they can pop them on. Depending on the acoustics of your kitchen, a foam pad (like a mouse pad) under the blender may help a little.
Vitamix does not make sound enclosures for their consumer models. There are some 3rd party ones, but Vitamix is concerned about them impeding airflow for cooling, so the 3rd party ones will void your warranty. There are commercial Vitamixes that come with enclosures, but they are quite expensive, have short warranties, and are optimized for frozen beverages, so they are not ideal for the home kitchen. It would be nice if Vitamix offered a consumer sound enclosure, but I think the reason they don’t is because it would be bulky and would get in the way of adding additional ingredients and tamping.
There is one brand of high-speed blender (Omni) that does offer sound enclosures for home use, but they are not in the same class as Vitamix. You can find them here.
First, thank you for your efforts in answering so many questions and your patience. I have read the above several times and all of my own questions have have been noted. At first, I was all set to buy the reconditioned 5200, but then after noting the height differences of the 7500 I am set to purchase it. The reason is one not mentioned directly. With the lid inverted the container seemingly will fit in the refrigerator. This is important to me because my wife has health problems and can usually not drink the smoothie until a little later. Thus being able to store the drink briefly is an advantage!
Adam – You are so patient and kind and detailed in your post and replies. Thank you for the time you invest in helping others.
It seems you can’t trust a lot of the information given by the “salespeople” at the places like Costco and places like State Fairs. I also received a bunch of misinformation at the Minnesota State Fair last summer so that I would buy the particular model that guy was selling. Except he was also really rude when I tried to ask questions about other models, so I walked away.
Does anyone with a Pro 750 or Pro 300 use the 32 oz or 48 oz container on their machines? If so, how do you feel the bending ability is compared to the 64oz standard container?
Nik,
I have a 7500 and recently added a 32-oz container. I’ve only made frozen yogurt in it so far, so I can’t really speak too much to the blending ability compared to the standard 64-oz container. But conceptually, the 32-oz only has 3-inch blades vs. 4-inch blades on the 64-oz container, so I would think it simply cannot do as well.
That’s the one and only downside of the 7500 if you are willing to add a smaller container (which I did thanks to Adam’s comments) compared to the 5200 — that since the 7500 can only go up to 24,000 RPM vs 37,000 RPM on the 5200, when you use containers with 3-inch blades the performance at the highest setting is likely to be worse on the 7500.
But since I’ve had my machine for only a month, I’d like to hear Adam’s thoughts or others that have owned the combination longer.
Ken, you raise a good point about blade length/speed that I’ve thought about a bit myself. Unfortunately at this point I haven’t done testing so I can’t comment on the practical implications (I hope to do direct tests at some point). For most things I don’t think the difference in max speed will make much difference. (The speed is more complicated than just the advertised max speed: it also depends on load, and I think the two motors respond differently to load.) I think the main difference will be the one I’ve previously mentioned: that low volumes stay in better contact with the blades with the narrower containers.
Ken
Thanks for the reply. In my experience blending with the 48 oz container on the Pro 750, the consistency of the blend is definitely not as smooth as the 48 oz on the 6300 (or the new 64 ox on the Pro 750). This is unfortunate because I really like using the smaller container. At this point, Im not aware of any plans to make a smaller container with 4″ blades for proper use on the Pro 750. I’ve heard talk of there being a microprocessor in the 750 that can detect the mix and control the blade a little, Im not sure how much of that is true. To me the extra 0.2 HP on the new machine while still spinning at a lower RPM doesnt seem to make much sense.
Does Vitamix sell a refurbished commercial ones? Just looking to set up one at my store for smoothies. Probably no more than 20 a day. Thanks for your help
I do not think so, although I’m not sure since I’ve only dealt with their home sales division. For light commercial use you could use a home machine, but remember that the warranty would be void.
Update to earlier post. What I meant to say was that I wanted to be able to fit the 7500 under my cabinet. I am hoping that by inverting the lid etc. it wiil allow this, since my my cabinets are only 16 and 3/4 inches above my counter. Do you think this will work? Also, the refurbished 7500 is currently out of stock, I am hoping they will have more available soon! Thanks for your helpful info.!
I think you’ll be able to fit it with an inverted lid and/or container. The reconditioned 7500 is still in stock in red (though they could sell out at any time). I’m not surprised that they’re running out of stock of these machines since they’re such a good deal.
I have recently purchased a Vitamix creations elite. Now, I am looking for the weight loss smoothie recipes I can use. I bought this machine because ppl said it is the best. Pls recommend either a website or where I can get weightloss recipes for smoothies/soups. There are so many recipes, I am not sure which ones will help me lose this weight. I do have over 100 lbs to lose. Thank you for your help. My health is at stake.
Have you checked out my recipes section? I don’t focus on weight loss, but I generally focus on recipes that have whole foods with no added sugar, which should help with weight loss.
Adam, I think I read 90% of your post looking for the answer to my question. I’ m wanting to do smoothies and juicing. I know vitamix is great for smoothies, however, I didn’t see much mentioned about juicing. Should I buy a separate juicer or would the one machine do both? Thanks so much
There was some discussion of this further up in the comments (text search for “juicing” or look for the replies to Sable on April 6/7). A Vitamix can easily make “total juices” that retain the fiber of the produce, and you can thin the total juice out with liquid or juicy produce like grapes. If you want to make a traditional juice with no fiber, you can use a Vitamix, but it will require a second step of straining (with cheese cloth or a nutmilk bag). People who want to regularly drink fiber-removed juices often like to use a juicer, but I personally like to retain all of the fiber so I just use a Vitamix.
Does anyone have a feel for how often the recertified blenders go in and out of stock? I’d like to grab a recertified 7500 right now but they only have the red in stock and my wife says that’s a no-go. Will I be waiting forever for a black one?
I don’t think anyone knows. This was the first time that they sold the next generation models reconditioned. My guess is that it will be some months, and even then it’s not certain .
As of this morning the black reconditioned 7500 is back in stock.
Guess I will not be waiting forever. Thanks for the update!
Confirmed, the Next Gen models are back in stock… just ordered one (with the promo code from this article). I’ve been using a Nutri-Bullet for months, and it works fine, but is just too darn small.
I have the NutriBullet too and I LOVE it. However, I eat a lot, and sometimes I have to make my smoothie in several steps to get the volume I want. So I have decided to get the refurbished Vitamix 7500, but they are out of stock right now
grrrr… not sure how much patience I will have to wait, or to get a new one. Do you still use your NutriBullet for something on the side of your Vitamix?
As of today the reconditioned 7500 is back in stock in blue and in white.
Yes, Adam, I noticed early this morning. Went to look at the vitamix website and saw it, so I quickly snatched a blue one
now I can’t wait for it to arrive and start experimenting.
Congrats! They’ve gone back out of stock again!
I inherited a Vitamix from my sister. She bought the machine in 2003 or 2004. I moved years ago and have not been able to find the base for the life of me. I still have the 2 containers, but no base. Have the bases changed over the years or will I still be able to use my older containers with a newer base? Can you tell me what bases should work with a machine purchased in this time frame so I can purchase one?
Those containers are compatible with any new model base.
Thanks, Adam. That’s great news!
Adam you are amazing! I spent a lot of time this afternoon reading all the questions and your very helpful answers/comments/suggestions. This week I had planned on going to Costco to purchase a Vitamix! Ha! Whoa! Now that I am better educated thanks to you, I plan to slow down my purchasing process and think this through. I may even order the red reconstructed 7500. I have a friend who has red appliances in her kitchen and they look marvelous in both her house in Phoenix and her condo on Maui. I will let you know what I decide and how I am doing with it after it arrives. I am total newbee with blenders but excited to get back into the kitchen! Until I retired my husband did most of the cooking!
thank you for such helpful information.
i am interested in a blender for making coconut milk from fresh coconut. i have a tree in the backyard. which blender would you recommend for this. i think it needs to be more powerful than one for making smoothies.
I’m jealous of your coconut tree! Any of the machines on this page (or really any powerful blender) should work for coconut milk. If you want a really smooth coconut milk you’ll want to strain it through something like a nutmilk bag.
I am able to get a reduced price/ free Vitamix through my company’s Wellness program. Employees get points for working out, having annual checkups, not smoking, healthy weight, etc. The points can be traded in for products. There are several Vitamixs avaliable. One is listed as “Vitamix (PSA) Professional Series 300 Blender” Any idea what the PSA stands for? Several of the other models list “64 oz” rather than “PSA”. There is a “Vitamix 64 oz Professional Series 300 Blender” listed but it requires more points/ cost more. I’ve googled Vitamix PSA and gone to the Vitamix websight but I don’t get any clarrification and was hoping you might be able to help me uravel what “PSA” is.
I’ve never heard of PSA Vitamixes. My guess would be that there’s no difference and that “PSA” is an indication that that model was designated to a program like yours rather than retail. The fact that they require fewer points sounds weird, and my guess would be that it was some sort of mistake. If you’re really concerned your best bet would be to call Vitamix (prepare to wait on hold for a while though).
Thanks so much for your suggestion to call Vitamix, Adam. As you said I was on hold for around 25 minutes give or take. But in the end the manufacturer confirmed that PSA simply stands for Professional Series. I was able to purchase a 300 Pro model for $100.69 shipped (along with 3 years of working out, having annual physicals and enduring physical and testing and blood work to prove I am staying in shape). I’m so phsyced! Wouldn’t have been able to figure out which model to get without this post. I so appreciate it that you take the time to keep it update, too.
The smell coming from the motor under heavy use and especially when new is coming from the magnet wire insulation used on the stator and/or rotor parts of the motor. The insulation is typically a varnish and the heat generated under use is baking the varnish more. When you smell it then you will very slightly decrease the life of the appliance. If you really bog it down so there is smoke coming out from the vents then shut the appliance off before you burn it up and/or severely reduce the life. Again, the slight periodic smell from the motor is normal and of minor concern. How do I know? I spent 5 years working with Underwriters Laboratories when doing safety evaluation of motors with a major international power tool company.
Any word on if Vitamix will have any Mother’s Day specials this year?
We can’t be absolutely certain, but I do not think they will. I think the best option for discounted pricing is a reconditioned unit.
We are moving to China for 2 years. Thinking of buying the 7500, my question is the vitamix compatible with 240v 50hz, will this have any impact on warranty? I can use step down transformer for 120v. Thank You in advance.
Vitamix does make 240 V machines, but as far as I know they have not started making next generation ones yet. The 120 V machines sold in the US, including the 7500, are not compatible with 240 V. I think you could use a transformer, but you would have to be very careful to ensure that it could handle the high loads of Vitamix blenders. My understanding is that using a transformer would void the warranty because the transformers do not always work as advertised, and that is out of Vitamix’s control.
Allo from Montreal !
All this is really helpful but now that ive made a choice, I find it difficult to know where to buy it from Canada and not getting to pay crazy amount of fees and shipment
Can you help me on that ?
Merci
Sorry, I do not know what the best Canadian deals are. All I know is that my free shipping code (06-0070201) will still work for direct Vitamix purchases for you guys.
Adam: I’m a little confused by the pricing structure for VM’s reconditioned program. E.g. They are asking less for reconditioned 6300s / Pro 500 ($379) than for reconditioned 7500s / CElite / Pro 300 ($399). Yet the 6300s/ Pro 500s have a higher retail price.
Any ideas why?
BTW a great website. Very helpful. Thank you.
Yup, one of the mysteries of Vitamix. My only explanation is that it’s related to their targeting of different machines to different markets (which is also related to how they have different model names for identical machines).
hello – my daughter sent me this link and I love it…so much valuable information…now to make a choice! I have just a few questions. I found the code for free shipping but I am unable to find the promotion code – would you be able to provide this code? I need help deciding which of the following: Vitamix 5200 Deluxe Complete Kitchen(comes with 3 containers,cookbooks, start up dvd,set of spatulas and cutting boards not bad for the price) the 6300 or the 7500. Also unsure of purchasing recondition models 6300 and 7500. I was on the Vitamix web site. Again thank you for all of the time that you have dedicated to this link !!!
The promotion code is the same thing as the free shipping code.
As far as choosing a machine, which one is best for you depends on how much you’re willing to spend, what types of things you’re planning on making, and which features are appealing to you….
Thank you for this post! I was on hold with Vitamix for over 15 minutes the other day and when someone finally got to my call, I asked my question and they put me on hold again! I finally hung up, very frustrated. You just answered all of my questions – thanks again!
Please advise which model would be the least heavy & easiest to lift, as I have some strength and grip issues with my hands. Thanks much.
There are two weights to consider: the pitcher weight and the base weight. Most people leave their Vitamix on their counter so they do not lift the base regularly. The difference in weight between Vitamix models is minimal (the standard models are 11 lbs and the next generation models are 12 lbs). If you’re concerned about grip issues, I would recommend one of the smaller containers: either the 48-oz or the 32-oz. The 32-oz container is only available as an accessory, while you can purchase a machine with the 48-oz container—they call it the “Compact Container.”
If you are concerned about the weight of the base, I would recommend looking at the Blendtec machines, which are lighter than Vitamix blenders. (7 lbs vs. 11 or 12lbs)
I wonder if you would care to comment on this video comparison of blenders (including the 5200). My wife recently bought an Oster that worked great for smoothies at first. Now it takes minutes, including stopping to manually stir the contents or un-jam them. I don’t want to spend the money for a 7500 if it will have the same problem.
I’ve seen that video, and I can’t stand it. I do not understand how it ranks so highly in YouTube searches. I don’t think blending a whole unpeeled orange with a tiny bit of liquid is a reasonable test.
That said, the wide style of the 7500 will make manual intervention less necessary. And if things do get stuck, you don’t have to stop the machine and open it up; the included tamper is designed to reach to just above the blades without hitting them (it has a stop that hits the lid to keep it from going into the blades). Also, in the unlikely event that you’re unsatisfied, Vitamix has a money-back guarantee with a 30-day trial period that even covers return shipping.
Fair enough. Do you know how well do they handle frozen fruits? My wife freezes fruits (usually strawberries and banana pieces) that are too ripe for her fresh and uses them in smoothies. Her current blender now takes almost 10 minutes to blend them and requires a lot of stopping and manual stirring, hence the search for a new blender.
Vitamix blenders will handle frozen fruits with ease. Frozen fruit will be totally blended in 30-60 seconds.
One thing to look out for is that if you use all frozen fruits you’ll get more of a sorbet than a smoothie, and you would need to use the tamper to circulate it. But as long as you have something non-frozen (likely some liquid), you’ll get a nice smoothie.
I just received my reconditioned 7500 and used it for the first time. What a difference! Previously we were using a popular high end blender (C) and it was alright, it left our smoothies with bits of greens and seeds to chew. Our first taste of a smoothie from the Vitamix 7500 was amazing! The texture was completely smooth with no little bits of seeds or anything else. We were not sure of spending that much money initially but after using it we are wishing we had purchased a Vitamix blender sooner! We are confident of using this blender for a long time, with its obvious quality and heavy duty construction. If anyone is still undecided about purchasing one of these machines, please take my advice and wait no longer!