Why Is Vitamix So Expensive?

Few of us would turn down the chance to own a premium blender, but why is Vitamix so expensive in particular?

There’s no simple answer to this question, but it comes down to a few key things:

  • Power & Durability
  • Blade Quality & Design
  • Noise Reduction
  • Versatility
  • Warranty

In this article, I’m going to explore each of these subjects in detail. I’ve also answered some of the most common questions people tend to have about investing in a Vitamix.

By the time you’ve finished reading it, I hope you’ll have a much clearer idea of whether a machine like this is worth the investment for your own kitchen.

(Head back to my massive home juicing and blending guide when you’re done for more help with this side of kitchen life!)

Power & Durability

A lot of manufacturers make a very big deal about the power rating of their blenders.

That’s understandable, as it’s one of the key features any of us look for when we’re shopping around for a new appliance.

It’s true as well that the more powerful the motor, the tougher ingredients each blender will be able to handle.

The thing is, if you really make use of the full power of a budget blender, you’ll wear the motor down surprisingly quickly.

Vitamix blenders, on the other hand, can be put through a tremendous amount of punishment without overheating.

They can be run at very high speed, for a significant amount of time, without any damage occurring to the motor unit.

This is partly due to overall design, and partly down to the cooling mechanisms built into many Vitamix blenders.

The end result is a blender that won’t automatically shut down to cool off, ruining your meal prep plans.

It also puts less strain on the motor in the long run, which extends the lifespan of the appliance.

Blade Design

Vitamix creates some of the most durable and high performance blender blades in the industry, and that of course impacts on the cost.

The company uses aircraft-grade stainless steel to produce the blades, which never require sharpening.

They’re thick, highly durable, laser-cut and can demolish pretty much any ingredient you might care to throw at them.

That, of course, comes at a premium in terms of design, build quality and production standards.

Both the blades and the base are the most important elements of a blender, and Vitamix doesn’t compromise on either.

Noise Reduction

If there’s such a thing as a quiet blender, I’d love to hear about it!

Even saying that, Vitamix blenders – especially the latest machines – are much quieter than their power rating would suggest.

The motor base is designed to reduce noise output as much as possible, without sacrificing performance in the process.

Many of the more affordable blenders on the market are notoriously loud, which is no good if you want to whip up an early morning smoothie!

Although I wouldn’t exactly describe a Vitamix as quiet, it’s possible to at least hold a conversation standing next to one!

Versatility

Vitamix blenders are versatile devices, and can tackle a wide variety of jobs from rough chopping, to smoothies, hot soups, baby foods and more.

If a lot of your kitchen work revolves around blitzing ingredients, then a Vitamix can happily replace your food processor.

In this sense, you can think of it as representing at least two appliances in one.

That means you need less equipment in your kitchen, saving you money in the long run, and countertop space too.

To achieve this sort of multifunction performance requires very fine control of speed and settings though.

You get very precise results across a huge variety of tasks, but that inevitably comes with a higher price tag.

Warranty

This is the big one. Everything I’ve covered so far essentially feeds into this final point.

Along with Blendtec, Vitamix provides some of the best warranties in the blender business.

The amount of coverage you get varies depending on the precise model, but Vitamix covers its products with anything up to 8 years of repair and replacement.

That’s full coverage as well. Vitamix customer support offers a quibble-free repair or replacement for the duration of the warranty period.

In other words, it’s putting its money where it’s mouth is when it comes to build quality and performance.

The upfront cost can be significant, but in the long run it compares very favorably against, say, a $200 blender that comes with a standard 1 year warranty.

Sure you might get a couple of years’ extra use from a cheaper model, but all bets are off after that point.

Over the lifetime of a Vitamix blender (assuming you can afford one now), you’re enjoying superior performance and versatility from day one.

Is A Vitamix Really Worth The Money?

The answer to this depends on a few things:

First of all, can you afford / justify the upfront cost?

If you have a big enough budget for your kitchenware collection, then a Vitamix is certainly worth the money.

In terms of build quality, warranty protection and sheer performance, a Vitamix blender can certainly be justified.

Of course, this all depends on the amount of use you’ll actually get out of it.

If you’re using your blender on a daily basis (and working with a lot of different ingredients), then a Vitamix will offer the kind of convenience and performance that makes the investment worthwhile.

If all you’re going to use your blender for is the occasional smoothie though, then there’s no need to make this kind of investment.

With that said, and if money is no object, then I can tell you that a Vitamix also makes a seriously good smoothie!

Which Is The Best Vitamix For The Money?

At the time of writing this article, I believe the Vitamix Ascent blender series represents the best value for money.

There are three machines in total, the A2500, A2300 and A3500.

This series of blenders represents a relatively recent addition to the Vitamix family, and each one is designed to modernize the classic Vitamix design.

You’ll find new container detection technology, app support, and presets – all folded on top of the famous Vitamix power and build quality.

The individual machines differ in terms of functionality. As you’d expect, the more options you want , the steeper the price becomes…

The Ascent series is definitely the best starting point though, and I recommend researching each one

How Long Do Vitamix Blenders Last?

It’s very hard to quantify this with a simple answer.

Much will depend on the precise Vitamix blender you purchase, how frequently you use it, and how much oversall strain you put it through.

The biggest selling point of a Vitamix blender though is that generous warranty. It varies a little between models, but typically provides between 6 and 8 years of protection.

Beyond that? I would suggest that a Vitamix blender, sold as new, should provide around ten years of reliable service.

Some have lasted even longer than this though!

It’s not unheard of for an old Vitamix to be passed down through the family, but it’s impossible to pin a precise figure on this sort of thing.