The 5200's narrow jar doesn't allow all of the ice cubes to reach the blades as efficiently, so you end up with unprocessed chunks or wet icy patches because you need to blend for longer. The exception is Vitamix models with smaller or narrower jars-like the Vitamix 5200 or Vitamix Explorian E310. There's no significant difference between Blendtec and Vitamix when it comes to crushing ice, so both brands make blenders that are great for blended margaritas, slushies, or just big batches of snow-like ice for cocktails. The Vitamix A3500 and the Blendtec Chef 600 can produce a pretty much perfect pureed broccoli soup, but the Vitamix A3500 has a quicker maximum blending speed and does it faster. That said, the best Vitamix blenders still have an edge. Blendtec models like the Chef 600 and Classic 575 are equal to most Vitamixes for blending stubborn, fibrous elements like kale and broccoli, as long as you're using enough ingredients and enough liquid. The same difference doesn't exist with bigger quantities. Both blenders do a fantastic job, but the ingredients splash further up the sides of the jar in the Blendtec, which results in a few small visible grains leftover-and a not-quite-perfect score for texture.īecause of a few grains in the final blend, the Blendtec Chef 600 gets a 9.5. Here's a comparison of the Vitamix A3500 (left) and Blendtec Classic 575 (right) blending a small batch of fibrous ingredients, like for a single-serve smoothie. However, Blendtec's WildSide+ and FourSide jars have a wider, squarish shape and aren't as suitable for small recipes since they tend to cause ingredients to splash up the sides and into the lid.

Depending on the model, it's just as good for blending small quantities of fibrous ingredients. Many Vitamix blenders (like the Vitamix A3500) come with a shorter, somewhat wider jar. It helps it blend smaller quantities more efficiently since it helps keep the ingredients near the blades instead of splashing up the sides.

Our top pick on our best blenders for smoothies list is the Vitamix 5200, which has a narrow jar. Smoothies and Soupsįor pureed soups and sauces and liquid smoothies, Blendtec and Vitamix blenders perform similarly. Of course, the warranty depends on where you live and buy the blender. That's not bad since one year of coverage is normal for blenders, but Vitamix does a bit better-warranties start at five years for the 'entry-level' Explorian line and go up to 10 years for the higher-end Ascent series. For example, the Blendtec Designer 725's, which is part of Blendtec's higher-end residential line, offers a fantastic build quality equal to any Vitamix, with metal gears, metal siding on the motor base, and no flimsy or cheap-feeling parts, including the control panel.īlendtec offers warranties between 2 and 10 years for their residential machines. Then again, with Blendtec, it depends on the particular model. The plastic used doesn't feel as premium, and there are issues with the controls, like flimsy buttons that don't give much feedback and easily-scratched display screens. Most of the Blendtec models we've tested have middle-of-the-road build qualities. Vitamix models are consistently among the sturdiest blenders. The Blendtec Chef 600's screen is easily scratched. However, some Blendtecs have build quality issues.

Ninja vs blendtec blender