I have been using the Blendtec for a couple of months now. I have contacted Vitamix a couple of times now to see if they would let me review their new 5200 model with no success. So the Blendtec has been going head to head with my 5 yr old used and abused Vitamix. So here are my thoughts.. If I ever get Vitamix to send me a 5200 model Vitamix I will have another rematch with Blendtec.
So far my thoughts have been mixed on the Blendtec. While it can do everything my vitamix can do, it doesn’t hold as much. The canister holds 44 ounces and the Vitamix holds 64 ounces. So I have been making a smoothie or shake base in the vitamix then pouring half of the base into the Blendtec and adding ice, blend and repeat. This gives me enough for my whole family. I find that the Blendtec gives me a smoother end product than I am getting from my Vitamix (again I don’t know if this would be the same if made in the newer 5200 model with variable speeds). So far I have tried all the preset buttons and like the Whole Juice button and the pulse buttons the best. I do all of my smoothies and shakes on the whole juice button they come out perfect all the time. I do use the dip/sauces button when I am making a raw dip but always need to use the pulse button afterwards to finish it off.
One downfall with the Blendtec especially for those of us doing large quantities of green smoothies is that with the Blendtec you have to put your ingredients in order- liquids, soft to hard ingredients. I tend to be just adding stuff to my smoothies as it is blending- more bananas, more frozen berries, etc.. This kind of improv in smoothie making tends to overload the Blendtec– at least for me it did. With the Vitamix I have used and abused it. From blending the thickest green smoothies to thinner fruit smoothies not a problem- maybe not as creamy but good nonetheless.
Despite all of this I am finding that I am using both blenders equally, I especially love the square shape of the Blendtec container- easier to scoop out thick dips and condiments.. If I had to help someone make a choice between the two machines I would first find out how big their family was. If they had a big family like mine I would recommend getting the Vitamix first and getting the Blendtec when more funds became available. If they have a smaller sized family then I would recommend the Blendtec.
So I guess that is the biggest issue for me is size of the canister. I do love how creamy it makes my shakes.. I don’t use most of the preset buttons on the Blendtec- I have tried them all but the Whole Juice button seems to be the only one that I can use and not need to use the pulse button afterward to finish it off. Having to put the ingredients in a certain order seems tedious but you get used to it.
The Blendtec is a worthy investment and is very sleek looking, it fits easily under the cupboard on the counter. I just feel that if you are making smoothies for a large crowd at the same time you will be happier with the bigger size of the Vitamix.