Do You Really Need to Spend $500 on a Blender? | Gear Heads

Blenders are vital for tons of recipes like smoothies, margaritas, hummus, and more. We've tested high end models, inexpensive models, and everything in between. Is a high end blender really worth the money?

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[janehall]

I have my grandmother's Vita-mix that she bought in the 50s(?). It has a stainless steel canister and still runs great. Even as a kid, I was told "be careful with the blender, it was very expensive ". I guess we got our moneys worth as it is on the 3rd generation!

[dougfrith]

In my experience, buy the best you can afford, no matter what kitchen tool you're considering. There's a lot to be said for being able to pick up whatever tool you need and having it do the job easily. Whether it's blenders, knives, colanders, or whatever, you'll really appreciate having the best tools at hand.

[kathyberken]

As my dad always said, "Buy the best you can afford, so you're not always having to replace it, which can cost you more in the long run." So, ta-da, I got a Vitamix, but not until after I could afford it. Since then, I've given one to each of my grown-up kids for their family use. Best investment ever!

[ChrisBakerDrummer]

Vitamix 5200 owner here (after owning a Cuisinart $100 blender and then the Breville Hemisphere). Do yourself a favor and just buy the Vitamix once. You'll be glad you did.

[barryfields]

In 1993 I went to work at a ski resort, and they had a brand new Hobart toaster 4 slice stainless steel $900. Two weeks later it quit working, so they sent it back to Hobart. The manager stopped at the dollar general and got a $12 toaster, and we used it all winter. I went back two years later, and it was still there.

[anneruby]

I bought a Vitamix AFTER my kids were grown and gone. What a mistake—I really could have used it a couple of decades earlier. Now my favorite kitchen gadget.

[angiesayshello]

First off, I love Hanna's personality and Lisa's videos are some of my favorites! I received a Vitamix blender (E320) for Mothers Day. I make tamales fairly often. This thing pureed the chili pods so smoothly that I had no need to sieve the sauce after. I am very particular about feeling those chili pod skins in my food...so this was quite a time saver when making something that already takes a long time.

[juantamez]

I bought my first Vitamix a couple months ago. I would argue that it's louder than my vacuum cleaner, but it does an unbelievable job on making silky smoothies.

[lucydeboxer]

Yeah, the $500 price point was a hurdle. However, I've had my Vitamix for over 6 years and don't know what I ever did without it. Wanted to share that the most interesting use I've put it to so far was making creme brûlée's -- I'm always a little anxious about tempering the eggs so I moved the hot custard mix from the stove top to blender, blended the eggs into the mixture in the Vitamix and then back on the stove top, it was perfect!

[SladeWeston]

I have both a Vita-mix and a Nutri-bullet Rx. While I don't have anything bad to say about the Vita-mix, it is pretty large. It lives on top of my fridge, next to my kitchen aid and 95% of my blending gets done with my nutribullet. It's smaller, a bit quieter, and works just as well on my morning smoothies.

[tradersato]

For as much as you liked the Breville and I too liked it when I purchased it, it’s longevity is marred by the jug and it’s poor quality ball bearing seals. I had to purchase a new jug when my glass one had the bearing go bad due to contamination from foods going in it. It literally smelled like it was catching on fire. Turns out the part was not replaceable so Breville kindly sold me a new jug at full retail price…. That was about a year ago and just a week ago, the plastic replacement jug is doing the same thing. Their bearing seals are horrendous… we don’t use it in any way that would be considered harsh or continuous in our home kitchen. Three or four times a month for a minute or so at most to make juices. When working, it’s as you describe. But unfortunately, it’s quality lacks severely in the most important part of the machine, it’s seals.

[stevyd]

What I like about my ancient inexpensive and multi-button Osterizer is that I can remove the blade attachment and screw it onto canning jars of any size. The tiniest jars are great for grinding individual spices or blends/rubs and can hold any extra for later use. Slightly larger jars work for grinding coffee beans, or blending and storing either salad dressings or marinades. The included jar is both narrow at the bottom and wider at top. The money I saved went for an immersion blender and a food processor since few tools do everything well.

[Stevo]

I bought my Vitamix 5200 in Nov of 2009. After near daily use it still runs like a champ. I did have to replace the blade assembly a year back, not because the blades were worn out but because the blade bearings went south allowing the contents of the container to leak through the worn seals. That blender is the best kitchen tool I’ve ever bought and the one I’d want with me on a deserted island.

[tonyn]

I have the Breville Fresh & Furious (which I purchased based on reviews from ATK and many others) and couldn't be happier. I just couldn't justify the cost of a Vitamix for how often I use a blender. The Breville is a beast and it easily goes through anything I put into it, including making various nut butters which most other blenders struggle with.

[gregoryaz]

I know I wouldn't hear the full volume of the units, but it's too bad to have loud music replace the sound of the blenders so we can't hear the motor work with ease or strain.

[tomwessling]

Bought a Ninja Auto IQ this summer. Beats every blender with just blades at the bottom or stick blender! I love it - only a little over $100 and the best I've ever used.

[justinjrebbert]

I got the Breville based on the review in the magazine, and that I wasn’t at a point where I could afford a $500 blender. So far, I have not been disappointed. I make smoothies several times a week and I’ve had it for a little over a year. My smoothies always have various frozen fruit.

[bubbadeaux]

My Breville worked well, but the motor burned out within a year. Needless to say, I do not recommend a Breville blender. So I was able to get a credit at the store I bought it from, and paid more for a Vitamix (with the shorter canister). Absolutely LOVE it. Well worth the money. Never a single problem with it. It is a workhorse.

[yvonnewilliamson]

This was the most helpful video and demonstration! Thank you! I needed a great blender to help a friend post-surgery to make smoothies and this absolutely helped me make a decision! The Breville is perfect for my needs and I got the exact model and couldn’t be happier. Thank you again for this very helpful and informative comparison!

[exegete]

I’ve had a Vitamix for over a decade. It is worth the investment, IMO. Great for making almost anything from soup to sorbet.