Vitamix and Blendtec are true competitive brands in the niche of high-end professional-type blenders for home use. Normally, it is a challenge for customers to choose between the two brand blenders. In addition, each brand has numerous models and a few product lines that make a choice even more confusing.
What is true is that the comparison should be made between the appropriate Vitamix and Blendtec models, the one that ranges from the basic to the top brand models.
Here we will compare budget Vitamix and Blendtec models that perform all the key Vitamix and Blendtec tasks but do not have the typical premium models’ “bells and whistles” features. For this purpose, we selected the Vitamix Explorian E310/E320 and the Blendtec Total Classic Original blenders.
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Check the Best Blender for Smoothies and More article for more options.
Table of Contents
Vitamix Explorian E310/E320 Blender
The Vitamix Explorian blender is available in two models, E310 and E320 (refurbished only), which differ from the jar option.
Motor: Both Vitamix Explorian blenders have similar base units design and powerful 2.2 HP/ 1440 watts (= 12 Amps X 120 V) motors. It is constructed with durable all-metal to-metal blades for motor coupling. As with all machine Vitamix, the base unit is heavy and sturdy and comes with a cooling fan and automatic overheat and overload protection system that shuts off the unit automatically and prevents the motor from burning out.
The Vitamix Explorian blender pack contains the following:
- Base unit with 2.2 HP motor;
- 64 oz. (E320) or 48 oz. (E310) Container with lid;
- Tamper;
- User Manual;
- Cook Book.
Container and blades: Both E310 and E320 models feature premium-quality shatter and temperature-resistant containers. However, the jars are differed by capacity and design. For example, the E310 unit comes with 48 oz. narrow bottom jar with 3” inbuilt blades jar while the E320 blender has a 64 oz. wide bottom jar with 4” inbuilt blades.
Both jars are equipped with a signature Vitamix tamper to help to process thick blending mixtures.
Although 48 oz. and 64 oz. container blades differ in size 3” (for 48 oz.) and 4” (for 64 oz.) but have an identical semi-dull design, and both handle wet and dry food.
Control Panel: Both models have a very simple and minimalist control panel. It is equipped with ON/OFF and Pulse levers and a 10-speed dial knob. The lowest speed one (1) spins between 1,400 and 1,600 rpm, while the highest speed spins at 23,000 – 28,500 rpm (depending on the blade’s size 3” or 4” while delivering the same blending result). The true low speed and good option of speeds allow the user a lot of control over the blending process.
The blender is designed to run for 10 minutes without stopping after 10 minutes if the unattended blender shuts off.
Functionality: So this machine is designed to execute the following tasks:
- Makes flawlessly smooth and free of chunks drinks from soft, hard, and berries seeds ingredients;
- Crushes the ice into the impeccable snow and can produce perfect snow cones, ice cream, and slushy drinks;
- Creates smooth smoothies, aka “whole juice”;
- Designed to handle hot ingredients, able to process hot liquid for soup, make bulletproof coffee, heats liquid with friction, and within just 7 minutes deliver steaming hot liquid;
- Prepares perfect quality sauces and dips, including hummus and pesto, chops, veggies, and nuts;
- Puree raw and cooked fruits and veggies and perfectly suited for making baby food;
- Powerful enough to process nut milk;
- Without effort, makes nut butter from any nuts type without adding oil; the tamper is great to help in this task;
- Kneads faultless dough, prepares batter;
- Grinds, spices, flax seeds, powdered sugar, or ground coffee make baking quality flour from any grains and seeds.
Warranty: The Explorian E310 comes with 5 years and the E320 (reconditioned) the 7 years of FULL WARRANTIES that cover all machine parts from top to bottom. The Vitamix warranties are transferable, so it continues to apply even to the second-hand Vitamix owner.
Blendtec Total Classic Original Blender
Blendtec Total Classic Blender comes with 90 oz. WildSide and 75 oz. FourSide+ jars, and both are available in refurbished condition.
Motor: The Total Classic model has a compact, lightweight base unit that houses a powerful 1560 Watts (= 13 Amps X 120V) with a long-lasting metal drive socket and coupling. The unit is also equipped with a motor protection system that automatically shuts off the machine when it is overheated, overloaded, or jammed.
So the packages for this machine include:
- Motor base;
- 70 oz. FourSide or 90 oz. WildSide container with lids;
- Recipe book with over 200 recipes(for new models only);
- User Manual.
Container and blade: The Total Blender is available with a 75 oz. FourSide+ jar with markings up to 32oz. and 90 oz. WildSide+ jar with markings up to 36oz. Both containers were made from heavy-duty shatter and temperature-proofed Eastman Tritan co-polyester material. The 75oz.
FourSide jar has a square shape and narrow bottom with 3” inbuilt blades. While the WildSide+ jar with wide bottom and 4” inbuilt blades though, looks very similar to the square FourSide container but has a 5th side that, according to the Blendtec, is supposed to perform even better.
Both jars have blade systems permanently inbuilt into the jar. The wing-tip cold-forged stainless steel blades are blunt.
The gadget does not include a tamper, so it has some hassle in processing thick mixtures and may require stopping during the blending to mix ingredients.
Control panel: The Total blender control panel has 9 buttons to manage 6 pre-set programs — Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt, Ice Crush/ Milkshakes, Soups/Syrups/Fondues, Sauces/Dips/Dressings/Batters, Whole Juice, and Smoothies — Pulse mode, “+” and “ –“ buttons for selecting 10 incremental speeds. The lowest speed, 1 is spun at ~ 4100 rpm, while the highest speed 10 rotates the blade at 29,000 RPMs. Each speed cycle stops automatically after 50 seconds. For example, the longest Soups/Syrups/Fondues pre-set 90 sec.
Functionality: This machine is designed to accomplish the following duties:
- Makes outstanding fruit, vegetable, and green smoothies from fresh and frozen food, fibrous ingredients, and ruptured berry seeds;
- Process ice or frozen fruits into ice cream, sorbet, or frozen yogurt; shaves ice for snow cones or frozen drinks;
- Outputs velvety smooth so-called whole juice;
- Handles hot ingredients for hot soup or bulletproof coffee, heats liquids via blade frictions in 3–4 soup cycles;
- Chops raw and cooked veggies for salads, salsa, and dressings;
- Purees any fresh and cooked food for baby food;
- Pulverize any nuts and liquid to make nut milk;
- It makes excellent nut butter, though it will involve some re-blending and scraping since the blender has no tamper;
- Mixes batters and kneads dough;
- Makes baking quality flour from beans and grain, grinds coffee or spices.
Warranty: Blendtec Total Classic Original Blender comes with 8‑year Limited Warranty. In comparison, the Certified Refurbished model has only a 3‑year limited warranty. However, the warranty covers the entire machine and all parts from top to bottom but you will be expected to pay for return shipping if it is sent for repair.
Vitamix Explorian E310/E320 Blender vs. Blendtec Total Classic Original Blender Comparison
| Vitamix Explorian E310/E320 Blender | Blendtec Total Classic Original Blender | |
| Motor | 1440 watts, all-metal the blade to the motor connections; | 1560-watt, all-metal motor to the blade coupling; |
| Blades | 3” or 4” permanently built into container 4‑prongs semi-sharp stainless steel; | 3” or 4” irremovable blunt wing-tip stainless steel; |
| Containers | Tritan copolyester shatter and temperature resistant 64 oz. and 48 oz. with vented lid; | Tritan copolyester shatter and temperature-proofed 90 oz. (36 oz. marking) and 75 oz. (32 oz. marking); |
| Using & Cleaning | Very easy to assemble, use, and clean; dishwasher safe; | Very easy to assemble, use, and clean; dishwasher safe; |
| Control panel | 10 speeds dial knob, pulse, and on/off switches; | Touchpad with 6 pre-sets programs, ten speeds, and pulse buttons; |
| RPMs | 1,400 – 1,600 rpm – 2,3000 – 2,8500 rpm | 4,100 rpm ‑29,000 rpm |
| Warranty | 5‑year full warranty for the new model;
3‑year Full Warranty for the reconditioned model; |
8‑year Limited Warranty for the new model;
3‑year Limited Warranty for the reconditioned model; |
| Performance | · Blends excellent drinks, including green smoothies;
· Makes whole juices; · Pulverizes frozen food and ice easily, makes snow cones; · Handles hot liquids; · Designed to process nut butter; · Purees, chops, and mixes food; · Makes nut butter easily; · Mills flours, and grinds beans; · Kneads dough. |
· Produce perfect quality smoothies and green smoothies;
· Process whole juices; · Crushes ice and frozen food in drinks; Make snow cones; · Able to process hot liquids; · Purees, mixes, and chops; · Makes nut butter; · Makes flours, grinds herbs and coffee beans; · Kneads dough; |
| Dimensions | 11 in x 8 in x 17 in, fits under standard upper cabinets. | 7 in x 8 in x 15 in fits under all kitchen cabinets. |
How to Choose Between the Two Blenders
Both blenders come with heavy-duty, durable, and powerful motors. While the Blendtec Total Classic unit has a slightly more powerful one, the difference is so negligible that it does not impact the blending outcomes.
Both blenders can perform the same blending functions with the perfect final result, though the Vitamix makes it slightly easier to process thick mixtures such as nut butter and hummus because it is equipped with the tamper, while Blendec is not designed to use the tamper. The Vitamix also chops better because it has blades more suitable for this function.
The Blendtec has 6 pre-set programs, whereas the Vitamix comes only with 10 speeds. However, the Vitamix lowest speed is lower than Blendtec’s one, so the Vitamix allows slightly more flexibility while blending.
The Blendtec has a longer warranty than Vitamix; however, the Vitamix has a Full Warranty as opposed to the Limited Blendtec. So, Blendtec customers are eligible for paying some repair shipping fees, while Vitamix customers do not pay any shipping at all. Besides, Vitamix has a transferable warranty, while Blendtec does not. Although both companies have excellent service, Vitamix Customer Service is slightly more reputable.
The Blendtec is a shorter and lighter machine, so it will fit under any kitchen cabinet, but it travels over the counter, while Vitamix does not. But the light unit is more convenient to take when you travel because the Vitamix is a heavier machine; it is also a 1–2 Decibels quitter than the Blendtec blender.
Summary
There is no winner in the battle between Vitamix and Blendtec; both blenders are awesome. Both machines are very versatile and able to accomplish similar functions with outstanding performance for all of them. Both blenders are easy to use and clean. Which one is better is very specific and depends on personal preferences.
For example, someone who finds the idea of pre-programmed settings very convenient and just wants to press the appropriate button and go away will go for the Blendtec Total Blender machine. But, no doubts, the pre-set programs usually work very well when you follow the recipe in the cookbook.
However, if you stray and prefer more experiments in the kitchen, then the Vitamix Explorian minimalist speed dial knob will certainly allow more flexibility. You also may keep in mind that a rotary speed dial has a longer life expectancy than the electronic touchpad control panel.
Besides, there are some more Vitamix and Blendtec parameters that could matter to you – a slightly longer warranty for Blendtec but better Customer Service for Vitamix, a smaller and lighter Blendtec unit that fits under all kitchen cabinets but travels over the counter during the blending process, or larger and sturdier Vitamix Explorian blender with less noise released to the surrounding.
With all of the above, you will make your final decision and choose the machine that will best suit you.
Check here our article Which Vitamix to Buy? – Vitamix Models Explained for models clarification guide.
Or visit the Vitamix Certified Refurbished Blenders – Are They Worth to Consider? page to find out about bargain options
Very good review!