This comprehensive Blendtec versus Vitamix review will give you all you need to know to make your decision on the best blender for your business.
Is there a best blender for smoothies? Which one is the best blender for juice bar businesses? Ultimately it comes down to the question – What are your blending needs and preferences?
Both blender brands have pros and cons, as well as a lot of similarities. So we’ve scoured the internet and compiled the following info from various online reviewers comparing the two brands, to give an in-depth analysis of Blendtec and Vitamix blenders.
Though objective in our research, by the end of this article, you’ll get some insight into our personal verdict of which blender we choose when it comes to professional-grade blending.
Before we dive into the Blendtec versus Vitamix review, here are some key facts about the two companies.
Operating since 1921, Vitamix has been around just shy of 100 years. The company is headquartered in Ohio in the United States and sells its models in 140 different countries.
Interestingly, Blendtec actually sued Vitamix in 2006 for infringing Blentec’s patents on the ‘wide side’ jar design, and Vitamix was forced to pay $24 million in damages.
Founded in 1975, the company operates from Utah, in the United States. Blendtec is a brand name under the parent company K-TEC, which the models of blender were previously named after. Blendtec is also the parent company of the plant-based nutrition company Blendfresh.
Blendtec ships to 90 countries worldwide, and currently has 9 different models of blenders available.
For this Blendtec versus Vitamix review, we’re going to compare two of the most well-known models of each brand:
The Vitamix 7500 and the Blendtec Total Blender
The difference between Blendtec and Vitamix is mostly seen in the size and motor capacity of the blender, though there are some key features that each of them has that also differ, as you see in our breakdown below.
Note that these are the common high-grade household blenders, so if you’re looking for a commercial-grade blender for a business, each brand has its own models of commercial quality machines. This Blendtec versus Vitamix review will still give you an insight into the brand’s common features that are consistent throughout their different models.
Vitamix 7500: $479.99
Blendtec Total: $399.95
Both blenders are in the more high-end price range on the market as they are professional-grade home blenders. There isn’t a big difference between the prices here, though generally with the different models of the brands, Vitamix tends to be a little more expensive than Blendtec.
At the end of the article, we also give a few options of different models of each brand that are suited to different budgets and functionality.
Expert tip: If you’re on a budget, try refurbished options (that both brands offer), which will save you a couple of hundred dollars.
Vitamix 7500: 12.5 pounds.
Blendtec Total: 7.30 pounds.
Vitamix 7500: 9.4″ x 7.7″x 17.5″
Blendtec Total: 8″x 7″ x 15.5″
As you can see, both the weight and size of the blenders differ considerably. Blendtec is more compact and lighter, making it easier to fit underneath cabinets as well as being lightweight enough to move around. Vitamix is bigger and heavier, so for spatial reasons, Blendtec has the upper hand here.
Vitamix 7500: 2.2-peak horsepower motor, 1500 watts.
Blendtec Total: 3.0-peak horsepower motor, 1560 watts.
The 2.2 peak horsepower of Vitamix doesn’t match the power of the 3.0 capacity of Blendtec. Additionally, some models of Blendtec also go up to 3.8 peak horsepower. As far as how this affects performance, both blenders can blend frozen fruits, nuts, and grains well, so the difference of power isn’t extremely noticeable in the usage.
Vitamix 7500: Pulse & 10 variable speeds.
Blendtec Total: Pulse & 10 manual speeds & auto-turn off.
Another key difference between Vitamix and Blendtec blenders is the speed functions available. Again, Blendtec has the upper hand here in the ability to select automatic programs with a touchscreen interface. The patented Smart-Touch TechnologyTm offers the function of selecting one of 6 automatic programs to cycle through on its own with various speed fluctuations depending on the purpose (smoothie, soup, etc) until the time is completed.
In contrast, Vitamix continues to blend until you power it off manually or until the thermal protection kicks in to stop it from overheating. In short, the Blendtec Total Blender allows for more freedom in the kitchen – which comes in handy for juice bar operations – to leave the blender on its cycle as you complete other tasks.
Vitamix 7500: Four 4-inch diameter laser-cut stainless steel blades.
Blendtec Total: One 3-inch double wing-tipped stainless steel blade.
Vitamix 7500: BPA free copolyester plastic blending jars, approx. 2000ml total capacity.
Blendtec Total: BPA free copolyester plastic blending jars, approx. 1800ml total capacity.
Blendtec allows all containers to work with all of its blender models, whereas Vitamix only allows certain jars and containers to work with specific models. All Blendtec jars are dishwasher safe, and some Vitamix jars aren’t.
Both blenders have clear markings for capacity fill lines, though the biggest difference would be the pouring ability. Vitamix’s small spout makes it more difficult for pouring thick contents cleanly, where the wide 4 corner design of Blendtec’s model makes pouring easy for any liquid thickness.
The difference in the lids is that though they both have removable gripper lids with a chute for adding ingredients during processing, only Vitamix has a tamper to push and swirl the contents during blending.
Vitamix 7500:
Blendtec Total:
This is a big selling point for personal and professional blender usage – and often the deciding factor for many. Both brands offer a no-risk 30-day return policy, though the full warranties for each of these models differ.
Vitamix 7500: 7-year full warranty that covers parts, labor, performance, and two-way shipping.
Blendtec Total:
It’s apparent that Blendtec offers a more comprehensive warranty policy out of the two brands.
Below is a sample of Amazon Reviews from customers purchasing each of the models. This is by no means an exhaustive list, yet gives an insight into real-world comments on using each blender.
“It’s very powerful, not loud AT ALL in comparison to the smaller blenders. In fact, I think it’s pretty quiet for the power it has! The only negatives I have about it is that you can’t leave the blender alone without holding it down if the speed dial is higher than about 3, because it’s so powerful I guess it shakes and moves all over the counter. So you have to hold it down while you’re blending.”
“I use the Vitamix 7500 every day. The only thing that is annoying is that the plastic container is no longer clear. It is cloudy and I cannot see the measurements along the sides.”
“I frequently make smoothies using fibrous items like celery and fresh ginger. With my old blender, you’d be chewing on bits and pieces of the celery no matter how much you puréed it. With the Vitamix, I get a completely smooth product – no hint of graininess or fiber bits in the juice. Ice, vegetables, fruit, etc all blend with absolute ease. Making nut butter is also very simple but takes more time.”
Blendtec Total Blender Reviews
“I used this to make a fruit smoothie with frozen berries and soy milk. I used the smoothie button, which gives a countdown of 60 seconds before turning off. The frozen fruit processed perfectly and there were only a little bit of berry seeds left behind (not even enough to really notice). It was a perfectly smooth texture. No lumps, no chunks of ice, and no clumps of fruit.”
“I like that this blender has the power switch in the back too. The jar is very easy to clean because it’s square. I like this design a lot better than other brands because I hate having to take apart the jar to clean it thoroughly. I haven’t used the other features on the blender but for a first try, it worked perfectly.”
“Refurbished Blendtec Total Classic met and exceeded expectations. The product appears as new from the factory, no sign that it was a refurb, and is a large upgrade to the blender we were previously using. Three-year refurb warranty seems more than fair, especially in the context of standard 1-year warranties for new products from other companies.”
“We’re using this blender in a commercial application in our bar, and it is great. We looked at several brands after purchasing cheaper blenders about every 6 months. It was down to this and the Vitamix and so far we are very happy in choosing this blender. We saved a few bucks, and it seems to work every bit as good as the Vitamix that we’ve seen demonstrated”
Quietest: Blendtec Pro 800
Most Features: Blendtec Designer 725
Best commercial-grade model: Blendtec Pro 800
Best on a Budget: Blendtec Designer 625
Quietest: Vitamix 750
Most Features: Vitamix A3500
Best commercial-grade model: The Quiet One
Best on a Budget: Vitamix E310
After examining the specs and features in this Blendtec versus Vitamix review, although it’s a close call when it comes to these two blenders, the Blendtec blender positions itself as the best professional blender on the market.
Taking into consideration its automatic cycles and functions, the more accessible size and weight, and it’s a comprehensive warranty, if we were to recommend any smoothie blender brand to juice bar owners, it would be Blendtec.
Are you interested in finding the best blender for your juice bar? Fill out the form below and we’ll be happy to recommend a product based on your needs and budget.