Vitamix Versus Blendtec
There has been plenty of controversy between these two companies and blenders for years. A majority of people say the Vitamix is better. Some tout Blendtec. Then there's a percentage that says it depends. Here I will give you a completely non-biased, expert in both advice, that comes with experience using both machines ALL WHILE getting 5+ years of feedback from consumers who have used each separately, and people who have used both, and there will be a clear winner decided. I will dissect exactly why, below. This will allow you to decide for yourself. But unless you've used both, you should take my word for it.
Vitamix |
Blendtec |
|
(Most are opposite of the common points)
|
Let's start off with one of the biggest claims with Blendtec and their demonstrators, and that is that they 'don't need a tamper', because of the design and power. This is true and false. If you are making a simple, liquid smoothie, then neither machine needs any tool or tamper. However, this isn't a perfect world we live in. There are simply an infinite number of scenarios where
Tamping
Vitamix fans are generally more passionate about their blender than an average Blendtec owner. Why? This to me is simple. It's because you can do a lot more with a Vitamix due to the tamper stick that is included. Let's give a simple example. Throw in only frozen contents, whether it be for a smoothie, sorbet or ice cream it doesn't matter. The Vitamix will blend it down with help, and sometime it even takes a couple minutes of straight tamping. The bledtec, you just simple can't blend straight frozen ingredients without adding liquid. Now if you add liquid, water would water it down and if your aim is an ice cream, you have no shot. In order for those contents to swirl around in the container, it needs to be loose- unless you want to blend it then freeze it for 2-4+ hours, and that's not any fun. Just know one item of business, with a Vitamix, you can do more and there are no limitations. Now, luckily there is a tamper for the Bledtec. This does change things up significantly to level the playing field. You can now TAMP with the "shortest" Blender Stick in a Blendtec, getting rid of those annoying air pockets while helping you to stir contents.
Variable Speed. Complete control of the speed is crucial if you're trying to be a perfectionist with your soups, chopping and etc. This is one the main reasons why popular Chefs worldwide prefer a Vitamix. You go from a piping hot liquid soup, turn it down, chop a pepper , onion ff even a cooked potato into the soup, and quickly go down down to speed 1 and slowly 'stir' in some vegetables. This is key to make an actual gourmet type of soup, not just a slop. The Vitamix's variable is essential, even with smoothies, ice creams, or stirring protein drinks, whisking eggs into scrambled eggs, etc.
Container. There are Vitamix containers that do fit under the cupboard, but due to the engineering, the tall 64 oz (which blends great), does not. The suction power is there because it is skinnier container. I prefer performance, over look ANY day of the week.
Separately, a Vitamix requires a dry container, it's a bit overrated unless you're grinding coffee or spices/ herbs that are powerful, create scratches and leave powerful smells. Most people don't, so therefor you can decide if you need it, but people who buy it anyway, many times say yea "I'd rather have a second container" than a dry. Blendtec is no different, if you're going to blend up coffee, spices, herbs, well good luck keeping out the scratches and smells. So you may require a second container with a Blendtec as well. Either one can grind simple grains, or rice to rice flour easily in it's standard container.
Flat edge blades. If you don't like the littlest of seeds in your smoothie, then the flat edge hits the seeds like a baseball bad hits a water balloon, Ka boom. Sometimes with the Blendtecs, I notice the seeds can skip around them. So people handling diverticulitis seem to be very leery of a Blendtec when they can't have seeds.
Vitamix's shipping both ways warranty, being quieter, company being around longer, etc are all cherry on a cake.
The only loser out of all issues is Vitamix's higher price tag, but of course you get what you pay for. The difference isn't big enough to justify for my recommendation of a Blendtec over a Vitamix. If it were $200 more, I'd honestly still, even with a budget, reach for the Vitamix. But good news the difference in price is not that much.
If I was truly capped at what I could spend on a blender, I would surely get and enjoy a Blendtec, along with 'Shortest Blender Stick'. Also, I would consider a reconditioned Vitamix model that still has a 5 year warranty. My dad asked for my opinion for what to get my sisters, and I said get the reconditioned machine for all three of them. 1
Tamping
Vitamix fans are generally more passionate about their blender than an average Blendtec owner. Why? This to me is simple. It's because you can do a lot more with a Vitamix due to the tamper stick that is included. Let's give a simple example. Throw in only frozen contents, whether it be for a smoothie, sorbet or ice cream it doesn't matter. The Vitamix will blend it down with help, and sometime it even takes a couple minutes of straight tamping. The bledtec, you just simple can't blend straight frozen ingredients without adding liquid. Now if you add liquid, water would water it down and if your aim is an ice cream, you have no shot. In order for those contents to swirl around in the container, it needs to be loose- unless you want to blend it then freeze it for 2-4+ hours, and that's not any fun. Just know one item of business, with a Vitamix, you can do more and there are no limitations. Now, luckily there is a tamper for the Bledtec. This does change things up significantly to level the playing field. You can now TAMP with the "shortest" Blender Stick in a Blendtec, getting rid of those annoying air pockets while helping you to stir contents.
Variable Speed. Complete control of the speed is crucial if you're trying to be a perfectionist with your soups, chopping and etc. This is one the main reasons why popular Chefs worldwide prefer a Vitamix. You go from a piping hot liquid soup, turn it down, chop a pepper , onion ff even a cooked potato into the soup, and quickly go down down to speed 1 and slowly 'stir' in some vegetables. This is key to make an actual gourmet type of soup, not just a slop. The Vitamix's variable is essential, even with smoothies, ice creams, or stirring protein drinks, whisking eggs into scrambled eggs, etc.
Container. There are Vitamix containers that do fit under the cupboard, but due to the engineering, the tall 64 oz (which blends great), does not. The suction power is there because it is skinnier container. I prefer performance, over look ANY day of the week.
Separately, a Vitamix requires a dry container, it's a bit overrated unless you're grinding coffee or spices/ herbs that are powerful, create scratches and leave powerful smells. Most people don't, so therefor you can decide if you need it, but people who buy it anyway, many times say yea "I'd rather have a second container" than a dry. Blendtec is no different, if you're going to blend up coffee, spices, herbs, well good luck keeping out the scratches and smells. So you may require a second container with a Blendtec as well. Either one can grind simple grains, or rice to rice flour easily in it's standard container.
Flat edge blades. If you don't like the littlest of seeds in your smoothie, then the flat edge hits the seeds like a baseball bad hits a water balloon, Ka boom. Sometimes with the Blendtecs, I notice the seeds can skip around them. So people handling diverticulitis seem to be very leery of a Blendtec when they can't have seeds.
Vitamix's shipping both ways warranty, being quieter, company being around longer, etc are all cherry on a cake.
The only loser out of all issues is Vitamix's higher price tag, but of course you get what you pay for. The difference isn't big enough to justify for my recommendation of a Blendtec over a Vitamix. If it were $200 more, I'd honestly still, even with a budget, reach for the Vitamix. But good news the difference in price is not that much.
If I was truly capped at what I could spend on a blender, I would surely get and enjoy a Blendtec, along with 'Shortest Blender Stick'. Also, I would consider a reconditioned Vitamix model that still has a 5 year warranty. My dad asked for my opinion for what to get my sisters, and I said get the reconditioned machine for all three of them. 1
Winner? Vitamix. For all the reasons stated. But, feel free to decide for yourself. Remember, a Blendtec with a Blender Stick changes the game and makes the blending experience for a Blendtec user much more pleasant.
