Vitamix blender, are they worth it?

1a1a
1a1a Posts: 761 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I got to sample some blends from a vitamix on the weekend, a green smoothie and raw soup, it all tasted amazing, but they cost $700. Has anyone splashed the cash? Was it worth it?
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Replies

  • _stephanie0
    _stephanie0 Posts: 708 Member
    i am more-so bumping this than anything. my fiance wants one SOOOO BAD because Joe Rogan always ravvesssss about it. I know a few people that have it and swear by it. One girl i know said if her house was on fire and she could take one thing it would be the vitamix. hahaha so i'm debating going halfers or not
  • gddrdld
    gddrdld Posts: 464 Member
    I really want a Vitamix or a Blendtec. My ex-bf had a Blendtec and it was awesome. I am really balking on spending $500 on a blender though. Maybe if I get a higher paying job. Haha
  • TexasTroy
    TexasTroy Posts: 477 Member
    if I had the money...prolly not. Since I dont..hell no.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    Love Love Love ours!!! Worth every dollar we spent on it... got ours off QVC on the 5 install deal so it was like 93.00 bucks a month.. We went with the 64 oz. model and only thing I would suggest is if you do not have the cabinet height (it will not fit under traditional height cabinets..) We have an island area for ours so it is no big deal.. But if you are going to keep it out on the counter then go with the model with the 48 oz. pitcher. the motor units are the same they just make it with the 48 oz pitcher to fit under cabinet.. We make all kinds of stuff in ours....... Best of Luck
  • maricash
    maricash Posts: 280 Member
    Cook's Illustrated gave the Vitamix 5200 a great review, but they rated a cheaper blender, Breville Hemisphere Control, just as highly and it costs half as much.

    gddrdld mentioned the Blendtec. They gave the Blendtec Total a terrible review and said it couldn't crush ice properly, while over-blending a smoothy to soup-like thinness.

    I don't own any of these products, but I have found Cook's to be pretty reliable in their reviews.
  • djc315
    djc315 Posts: 585 Member
    I bought a 15 dollar blender, and it is still going strong 6mos later. Now, if it lasts me a year...it will still take me 46 and a half years to reach 700 dollars.

    I use it to make smoothies (veggie, fruit, ice) and it does a darn good job. They aren't chunky.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    This is the one with the 48 oz pitcher..

    http://www.qvc.com/Vitamix-Creations-II-Countertop10in1-BlendingMachine-w-48-oz-Jar-Search-Results.product.K30741.html?sc=K30741-SRCH&cm_sp=VIEWPOSITION-_-1-_-K30741&catentryImage=http://images-p.qvc.com/is/image/k/41/k30741.001?$uslarge$
  • mishomart
    mishomart Posts: 25 Member
    I used mine a LOT when we first bought it....as in every single day. Now we only use it once or twice a week. That being said, I bought it refurbished from the vitamix website for righ around $400. I live in northern Saskatchewan and it got here so fast!

    It does work very very well, and you can do all sorts of neat things with it. I'd say that if you know you'll use it, go for it. If you won't use it very often...stil go for it. The warranty they offer is fantastic and lots of reviews I've read have said "I've had my vitamix for 7,10, 12 years and it's still going strong"
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    They are not 700 bucks people...... run about 450....... just sayin... lol
  • AnnaMC1977
    AnnaMC1977 Posts: 241
    I would LOVE to buy one! I love them (rich friend has one), but I cannot afford one. A Ninja is a more affordable choice...
  • k011185
    k011185 Posts: 320 Member
    I got mine at costco in Canada for $450, worth every single cent! I make everything from soup, to batter to smoothies in there.
    I've never actually seen them higher than $450, shop around.
  • Josie_lifting_cats
    Josie_lifting_cats Posts: 949 Member
    My mother in law is obsessed with hers.

    This, of course, is enough for me to never even want to see one in person. You know, logically and all.
  • BlisterLamb
    BlisterLamb Posts: 396 Member
    I've had a vitamix for about 10 years and I just bought a blendtec. They both work pretty much the same, but the blendtec is easier to get stuff out of. I never used the vitamix as a food processor because the stuff I was processing would get under the blades and it was hard to get out. Its narrow at the bottom. Blendtec is much easier to get stuff out of and I use it more. Its lighter and takes up less space on the counter. And the container isn't huge. I always had a hard time finding a place to keep the vitamix container. They are pretty comparable to each other, but if I had to recommend one I would say go with the blendtec because it's pretty much the same and it costs less and is just more convenient overall.
  • gogonunubean
    gogonunubean Posts: 160 Member
    We got gifted a 20 year old Vitamix - they are awesome. Ice, frozen fruit - you name it, it blends it. You can also make soup with them, which you can't do with a normal blender!

    We love ours :smile:
  • MariaMariaM
    MariaMariaM Posts: 1,322 Member
    It is worth every single penny! I love mine. I use it for everything, every day and most days twice a day.
  • fuselighter
    fuselighter Posts: 40 Member
    I love mine, but bought it on Craigslist for $100. I do not use it too much because it is put away and a little hard to get to. I have a magic bullet that gets more use than the Vitamix just because it is so much lighter.
  • Sweet_Potato
    Sweet_Potato Posts: 1,119 Member
    I never understood what the big deal was until I took a raw vegan cooking class where we used the Vitamix for every course. It is so powerful! Much like the KitchenAid mixer that I never thought I needed until I got one, it is probably worth having if you use the blender a lot because it works better and will probably last forever.
  • mommyshortlegs
    mommyshortlegs Posts: 402 Member
    I've had a vitamix for about 10 years and I just bought a blendtec. They both work pretty much the same, but the blendtec is easier to get stuff out of. I never used the vitamix as a food processor because the stuff I was processing would get under the blades and it was hard to get out. Its narrow at the bottom. Blendtec is much easier to get stuff out of and I use it more. Its lighter and takes up less space on the counter. And the container isn't huge. I always had a hard time finding a place to keep the vitamix container. They are pretty comparable to each other, but if I had to recommend one I would say go with the blendtec because it's pretty much the same and it costs less and is just more convenient overall.
    BlisterLamb, what Blendtec model do you recommend as an alternative? (Sorry for the rabbit trail response, 1a1a.)
  • mhotch
    mhotch Posts: 901 Member
    I recently purchased a blend tech from Costco. {I think it was around $350} My son uses it almost every morning for smoothies. I have been experimenting with creamed soups, using non fat evaporated milk. I also made a couple different pasta sauces. Still experimenting, but so far I like it and highly recommend it.
  • DavidYates79
    DavidYates79 Posts: 12 Member
    I have had a Vitamix for around 7 years now and I love it! I don't use mine daily because I don't keep it on the counter, but when I do, I use it heavily. I had a switch issue after about 5 years, called for repair and had it back in about a week. The customer service was fantastic, and shipped and repaired free of charge. My parents have a blendtec, and after seeing them use theirs, I am very happy I got the Vitamix. I sometimes wonder if it was actually worth the cost since I don't use it daily, but these things seem to last forever, and I would probably have gone through two normal blenders already while being less satisfied.
  • sarahslim100
    sarahslim100 Posts: 485 Member
    i've heard thermomix is good too? just more expensive
  • thrudhammer
    thrudhammer Posts: 19 Member
    Cook's Illustrated gave the Vitamix 5200 a great review, but they rated a cheaper blender, Breville Hemisphere Control, just as highly and it costs half as much.

    +2

    I've got a Vitamix and love it. Sturdy, effective, does everything I want and has for years. My only complaint is that for the price the dang thing ought to mow my lawn.

    The folks at Cook's are penny-pinching food geeks that put their tools through a real world workout - when they have an opinion it's worth listening to.
  • 1a1a
    1a1a Posts: 761 Member
    Still sounding very appealing, I'm not fussed about it being the vitamix brand, do we have a name for vitamix things? Or are they just marketed as blenders? (Aka, can I look for other devices with strong motors and blunt blades that will emulsify food)?

    It's totally plausible they'll cost $700 for an Australian consumer, that's the price I was quoted.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    I looked at a Vitamix a while back and they were insanely expensive here in Canada too, I ended up getting a factory refurbished Blendtec commercial model on eBay for a very reasonable price and have been very happy with it.
  • Yummamamma
    Yummamamma Posts: 79 Member
    I bought a ninja blender for 100.00. happy with that one...
  • MariaMariaM
    MariaMariaM Posts: 1,322 Member
    Cook's Illustrated gave the Vitamix 5200 a great review, but they rated a cheaper blender, Breville Hemisphere Control, just as highly and it costs half as much.

    gddrdld mentioned the Blendtec. They gave the Blendtec Total a terrible review and said it couldn't crush ice properly, while over-blending a smoothy to soup-like thinness.

    I don't own any of these products, but I have found Cook's to be pretty reliable in their reviews.

    I had the Breville you are talking about. It died exactly 3 days after their 1 year warranty was up. Good thing I got it from Bed Bath and Beyond and they took it back eventhough I didn't ask them too. I got the Vitamis after my Breville died. It is backed by a 7 year warranty if bought through Costco.
  • melsmith612
    melsmith612 Posts: 727 Member
    I've honestly never heard of a Vitamix blender (probably because $700 sounds more like the price of a car to me than the price of a blender) but I have the classic Oster beehive glass blender and have had it for over 2 years and I absolutely love it. I've never had such a nice blender and I believe it only had a price tag of $60.
  • islandnutshel
    islandnutshel Posts: 1,143 Member
    Bought mine nearly 20 years ago. Fantastic. Worth every penny, I have a tiny kitchen and have got rid of most of the small appliances. I would never let my vitamix go. I would give away my pots and pans first.
  • 1holegrouper
    1holegrouper Posts: 323 Member
    I have had one for over a year. They are amazing and they are worth the money. Best tool in my arsenal next to diet and exercise. I've never met someone who regrets purchasing one.
  • cmcollins001
    cmcollins001 Posts: 3,472 Member
    If I spend $700 on a blender, it had better get the ingredients, mix it the way I like it, wake me up, have my clothes laid out for me by the time I'm out of the shower and have the car pulled out and warmed up by the time I walk out the door.

    I love our cheap blender. Use it every single day and it works just fine. I don't know what special mojo magic a Vitamix blender does that would be much different, but even if I did, I could buy so much more with $700 (or even $450) then purchase a blender. This, of course, is my personal opinion, and as far as I know, I have no need for anything more than what my current blender provides.

    YMMV

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