The Best Blender
This high-performance machine is worth the investment if you use a blender regularly to make things like thick smoothies, pureed soups, or motor-taxing nut butters.
The Vitamix 5200 offers the best performance you can get in a home blender. This model has been one of our favorite blenders since 2014, and it's the classic Vitamix that has remained the standard for pro chefs and blender enthusiasts. It produced the most consistently good results across all of the tests, and this blender was the most delightful to use.
The Vitamix 5200 consistently blended more gracefully than any other blender. The combination of the jar's shape and the motor strength created a vortex that pulled ingredients down into the blades with ease.
It also made some of the smoothest smoothies in our tests. Though the prize for the absolute smoothest drinks went to the Cleanblend Blender, the difference between drinks made in the Cleanblend and the Vitamix was marginal. The smoothie made in the Vitamix had just a few more whole raspberry seeds.
The Vitamix 5200 excelled at nut butters and mayo. This blender was the only model we tested that smoothly blended peanuts and almonds into butter. Other picks spit bits of mayo up the sides of the jar and out the lid's center hole. But the Vitamix kept the mixture moving smoothly and evenly around the base of the blade.
It had the best range of speeds. The Vitamix 5200's low is really low, and this blender produces a noticeable shift as you advance through each number. This range of speeds made the Vitamix the best blender we tested for hot liquids: You can start at a lazy swirl and gradually increase the speed so that hot liquid is less likely to shoot up toward the lid. By comparison, on its lowest setting, the Cleanblend has a forceful start, which increases the chances of a painful eruption of hot soup.
We pitted a Blendtec blender against a Vitamix model in a series of head-to-head tests, and the winner was clear: Vitamix beat Blendtec every time.
The Vitamix 5200's tamper helps it blend really fast. A tamper is essential for breaking up air pockets and pushing ingredients down toward the blade while the machine is running. By keeping the ingredients moving with the tamper, we were able to whip up a smoothie in less than 60 seconds.
When we used models that didn't have a tamper, we often needed to stop the blender to burst air pockets or scrape ingredients down the sides of the jar with a spatula. In some cases, we also had to add more water to the smoothie to get all of the ingredients to move around the blades. So it took longer to blend a smoothie in those machines—often with more-watery results. The Vitamix 5200 lacks preset speeds, but its variable speed control was the smoothest and most pleasant to use among all the blenders we tried. Photo: Michael Murtaugh
Its Tritan-plastic jar is sturdy and comfortable to hold. And in the five years we used ours in Wirecutter's test kitchen, it also remained clear and free of cracks.
It's easy to clean. Just blend 8 ounces of hot tap water with a couple drops of dish soap for about 30 seconds, and then rinse out the jar.
And it's quieter than others we tested. No high-powered blender could be described as quiet, but we found the Vitamix's noise to be quieter than other models we tested.
The Vitamix 5200 is equipped with an automatic-shutoff feature. Should its motor overheat, this keeps it from burning out. In our experience, this blender should be able to handle a lot before it gets to that point. But if yours does shut off, it's best to let the machine rest for an hour before you try to use it again.
It's backed by a seven-year warranty. This softens the blow of spending $400 on a blender. According to Vitamix's customer service, the approximate time between filing a claim and receiving your blender back in working order (or a certified refurb) is six to 10 days. For an additional fee, you can buy a three-year extended warranty for the 5200. Attachments for the Vitamix 5200 Pictured with the Vitamix 5200 base, from left to right: stainless steel blending pitcher, personal blender attachment with cup, personal blending cup with to-go lid. Photo: Michael Murtaugh
In 2022, we tested some attachments that are available (as separate purchases) for the Vitamix 5200: the Vitamix Personal Cup Adapter and a 48-ounce stainless steel blending pitcher.
We tested the Personal Cup Adapter package (which includes two 20-ounce double-walled blending cups with lids and an adapter fitted with blades) against our personal blender picks.
The Vitamix Personal Cup Adapter works just as well as the personal blenders we recommend. In our tests, it performed on a par with both models at pureeing vibrant kale pesto, silky date shakes, and thick smoothies.
The trade-off is that the tapered cup is small, with a capacity that's 12 ounces less than the Nutribullet's. And the bottom is quite narrow, so if you want to maximize the Personal Cup Adapter's blending capacity, you need to be strategic about filling the cup (tiny fruit first, chunkier fruit later). By comparison, the Nutribullet has wide cylindrical blending containers that can accommodate large chunks of fruit and ice, no matter how you load them.
If you already own a 5200, it's convenient to get the adapter instead of another standalone personal blender. But you have to weigh that convenience against the cost: Compared with our recommendations in our standalone personal blender guide, the Vitamix adapter is more expensive than our top pick.
If you're looking for an alternative to a plastic jar, consider the Vitamix 48-ounce stainless steel blending pitcher. The advantages to stainless steel are that it doesn't stain or retain smells. But the 48-ounce stainless steel blending pitcher has less capacity than the full-size, 64-ounce plastic container that comes with the 5200. And like other low-profile blending containers, the stainless steel jar also works best when it's at least one-quarter full. That said, in our tests it easily blended a thick, 24-ounce berry-kale smoothie, with few seeds left whole. How the Vitamix 5200 has held up This Vitamix 5200 continues to work (and look) great after being in regular use since 2019. Photo: Marguerite Preston
Editorial director Marguerite Preston has used her Vitamix 5200 on a weekly basis since 2019, and she says it's held up great. Her family uses it mainly to make smoothies, herb-based sauces, and the occasional batch of oatmeal-banana pancakes.
We also used a Vitamix 5200 in our test kitchen for five years and had nothing but excellent results. It finally did burn out, but only after we put it through strenuous use over the course of many tests for this guide and others. Still, it easily outlasted other blenders, and it made many more (and better) batches of nut butter and extra-thick smoothies before we pushed it to its limit. Since our Vitamix was still under warranty when it burned out, we contacted customer service, and the representatives promptly replaced it.
Christine Cyr Clisset, deputy editor and author of a previous version of this guide, said she finally bought herself a refurbished Vitamix 5200 after years of long-term testing various Wirecutter blender picks. Christine said the first five (or so) times she used her 5200, she noticed a slight burning smell while making her morning smoothies.
During a call with customer service, she learned that when you're blending a thick smoothie, Vitamix recommends that you start the blender at the lowest variable speed setting, and then immediately turn the dial to 10—while vigorously tamping at the same time. Christine had been starting on low and then very gradually increasing the speed, likely stressing the motor. She reports that the burning smell has subsided since she's followed the advice from Vitamix. Flaws but not dealbreakers
For many people, the biggest issue with the Vitamix 5200 is its steep price. This blender is normally at least twice the price of our runner-up, the Oster Versa. But after years of testing and using the Vitamix 5200, we find that it's more durable and overall more effective than any other blender we've tried.
You can save some money on a Vitamix if you opt for a certified-refurbished model. A certified reconditioned Vitamix comes with a five-year warranty (with an option to extend coverage three more years, for an additional $75).
At more than 20 inches tall, the Vitamix 5200 is a big appliance. It's too tall to fit under some kitchen cabinets. If size is an issue, and you're willing to give up some of the functionality you get from a tall, tapered jar, Vitamix makes other blenders (as mentioned below) that have a shorter profile.
The Vitamix 5200 doesn't come with any presets, just a variable-speed dial. However, even though it's nice to be able to press a button and have your blender run through a smoothie-making program, this is not really essential. You'll probably stick close to your blender anyway, in order to use the tamper to get things moving, and it's not hard to adjust the dial if you feel the need to. With this blender, it's also easy to get good results without any presets.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
a day ago
- New York Times
The Best Things to Get for Your New Laptop
Connie Park/NYT Wirecutter This effortlessly cool, feature-packed bag excels in both form and function. Every laptop needs a good bag. Elegant form and utilitarian features (such as a magnetic top closure and a plethora of pockets) make this wear-anywhere bag look more pricey than it is. Read more about it in our guide to the best laptop backpacks. Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter This waxed-canvas messenger has a distinctive vintage aesthetic, and its smooth nylon shoulder strap is extra-comfy. $119 from WaterField Designs At once stylish and sturdy, this bag transitions seamlessly between the office and more casual settings. Read more about it in our guide to our favorite messenger bags. Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter This versatile case is roomy, waterproof, and sharp-looking—plus, it has lots of handy pockets. The Cary is comfortable to tote, has an impressive capacity, and looks good dressed up or down. Read more about it in our guide to the best briefcases. Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter This simple, soft sleeve comes in an almost limitless number of designs, and it's constructed with stiff canvas-style polyester, which protects against dust, scratches, and impact. A sleeve offers more protection for your laptop and allows you to carry it in any bag that lacks a dedicated computer compartment. Featuring the designs of countless artists, laptop sleeves sold by Society6 have a sturdy construction that should protect your laptop from bumps. Read more about it in our guide to the best laptop sleeves. Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter This affordable sleeve fits laptops better and offers more protection than most other similarly priced options. It has thick, cushioned corners and a plushly protective interior that protects your laptop from most drops, spills, and scratches. Read more about it in our guide to the best laptop sleeves. Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter If you have data on your laptop, you need to back it up, and not just to the cloud. This portable hard drive has the largest capacity available among portable drives, and it's one of the most affordable drives we considered with this much storage. It works with both Windows computers and Macs, and it comes with USB-C and USB-A connectors and a three-year warranty. Read more about it in our guide to the best external hard drive. Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter This portable SSD is the best because it's reliable, fast, and reasonably priced, and like most of the portable SSDs we tested, it's compact enough to partly hide under a stack of sticky notes. Read more about it in our guide to the best portable SSD. Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter With its flexible pricing options, IDrive lets you back up essential files for a low price or an enormous collection of large files for more. $70 from iDrive (per year, 5 TB) If you have only one backup, you don't have a backup. IDrive is easy to set up, and it backs up your files quickly. It offers flexible pricing, so you don't overpay for storage you don't need. Read more about it in our guide to the best online cloud backup services. Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter A good pair of headphones sounds better than the speakers on your laptop, helps you focus by blocking outside noise, and keeps your study music, plane-movie dialogue, or game sounds private. These headphones deliver customizable sound, impressive noise cancellation, stellar call clarity, and long battery life. Read more about it in our guide to the best Bluetooth wireless headphones. Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter Our favorite wireless earbuds provide a great fit and excellent-sounding drivers that keep up with high and low frequencies alike. Read more about it in our guide to the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds. Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter This inexpensive, neutral-sounding pair of headphones is perfect for music, recording, or film students, performers doing session work, podcasters, videographers who need to monitor sound, and folks building up their sound booth — or, really, anyone who wants great-sounding headphones for less than $100. Read more about it in our guide to the best audiophile headphones. Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter These earbuds have a neutral sound profile and a sturdy, detachable cable with no built-in remote or microphone. This is a comfortable pair of earbuds with a neutral sound that should have broad appeal. Read more about it in our guide to the best wired earbuds. Connie Park/NYT Wirecutter With a sound that's neither too trebly nor too bass-heavy, the Linsoul Tin HiFi T3 Plus set is a great entry point for the discerning music fan who prefers wired earbuds. Pleasing sound, comfortable fit, and a replaceable cable make this affordable pair a great entry point. Read more about it in our guide to the best wired earbuds.
New York Times
a day ago
- New York Times
Behold the Satisfying Steel-Peeling Action of This Garden-Tool Sharpener
By my count, there are at least a dozen different types of sharpeners that you can use to touch up your cutting tools. Some look like modified versions of a basic kitchen-knife sharpener. Other options include old-school whetstones, power tools of all shapes and sizes, and even whetstone attachments for power tools. Simple metal files, even the ones that come in a lot of popular multi-tools, can work too. But when I was working on our guide to gardening tools for beginners, one slick, cheap little tool kept popping up again and again in my research and all over gardening YouTube: the Corona AC 8300 Carbide Sharpening Tool. It stood out to me as probably the smallest, simplest sharpening tool I'd seen, and it's one of the best-selling and highest-rated tools of its type at major retailers. It typically costs about $8, and it looks like a frozen-pop stick wrapped in red rubber, with a black safety cap to cover its inch-long carbide scraper. I've been on a bit of a sharpening kick lately after realizing that I've owned most of my tools long enough for them to lose their factory edges. So I picked up an AC 8300 alongside some standard sharpeners that everyone should consider: a set of bastard files and a whetstone (and, uh, a scythe peening jig, but that's another story). Liam McCabe/NYT Wirecutter I found good uses for all of them, and I'm going to keep the entire haul. But the Corona sharpener has been a natural fit in my arsenal, especially to touch up smaller cutting edges that don't need to be razor-sharp. The business end of the AC 8300 is made of carbide, a material that's not quite as tough as diamond but much harder than the steel that most tools are made of. Whereas sharpeners usually have a gritty, textured surface that gradually grinds out a well-honed edge, the AC 8300 can shear off an entire layer of dull, overworked steel in a single pass. The Corona AC8300 Carbide Sharpening tool sharpening a stirrup hoe. Liam McCabe/NYT Wirecutter The AC 8300 made short work of the blunt factory edge on my stirrup hoe. Where I'd dinged up the steel on rocks, the AC 8300 smoothed the dents with just a few scrapes. After just a few minutes, the hoe was keen enough to actually cut weeds, rather than rubbing them to death. When I touched up a set of pruners, the steel-peeling action didn't look quite as dramatic, but the AC 8300 still put a fresh edge on the tool that made it easier for me to chop small branches without squeezing as hard or mashing the bark. Scraping away so much metal isn't particularly elegant, and it isn't the best way to hone the kind of precise edge that you need on a knife, or arguably even a lawn mower blade. But for lopping, chopping, pruning, and weeding, it'll do fine. Jackie Reeve, a writer here at Wirecutter who is also working toward her Master Gardener certification, owns several sharpeners, including some file-type tools. 'But I end up reaching for the little Coronas more,' she said. 'I like that it has a lid, that I can throw it in a tool bag or easily take it with me. And actually, the small surface makes me more precise, even with my big loppers, because I'm short and have kid-sized hands. I just get better control with a smaller tool.' Unlike some sharpening tools, the AC 8300 doesn't have a rough texture, but the carbide block is especially hard and can shear steel. It's also a seriously small tool — the business end is only about an inch long. Liam McCabe/NYT Wirecutter I have giant man hands, and I still preferred the AC 8300 in most cases. When I touched up the teeth on my battery-powered hedge trimmer, one side with the AC 8300 and the other with a round bastard file, I preferred the Corona tool by far. It produced a fresh edge, with a lot less fuss. Although I won't need to do this type of maintenance often, I'd still rather have a sharpener that can squeeze into tight spots and scratch out a fresh edge with a few short strokes. Amazon and other generalist retailers have listings for knockoffs of the AC 8300. I didn't try any. They might work fine, but when the genuine article — likely a lifetime tool, if you don't lose it in the compost pile — costs $8, why take a chance on a copy that might be lousy? If you already have a sharpening tool that you like and you're comfortable using, the AC 8300 probably wouldn't change your life. Plenty of avid gardeners prefer to use milled files, for example. And if you already have a belt grinder or other power tool, you might as well keep using that. But if you've skipped out on sharpening in the past, this pocket tool makes it really easy to get started. This article was edited by Megan Beauchamp and Catherine Kast. There are dozens of useful gardening and landscaping tools, but you should get these ones first. Felco pruners are made to last a lifetime — and if you take care of them, maybe more than one. Gardening sleeves are a triple threat: They offer UV protection, they're scratch-resistant, and they're comfortable. I love gardening. I hate weeding. Thankfully, I have my trusty hoe by my side.
New York Times
a day ago
- New York Times
The Best Accessories for Your USB-C Laptop
Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter This lengthy cable is MFi-certified, sturdily built, and comfortable to grip, and it has a lifetime warranty. Plus, with the right wall charger it can fully charge most iPhones in about an hour. While most people might have a stand-alone wall plug for charging their iPhones, you can also use a USB-C-to-Lightning cable to connect your older iPhone to a MacBook. It won't juice up as quickly as with a fast-charging wall adapter, but it'll get the job done in a pinch. This lengthy cable is MFi-certified, sturdily built, and comfortable to grip, and it has a lifetime warranty. Read more about it in our guide to the best Lightning cable. Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter This 240 W cable can fast-charge even the latest 16-inch MacBook Pro, but the flexible, woven cord works just as well with phones. $14 from Amazon (3.3-foot) This cable supports 240 W charging, which is required for fast charging with certain laptops such as the 16-inch M3 MacBook Pro, but it's still thin and flexible enough to work well as a phone charger. Its aluminum connectors and woven nylon are nice touches, too. Read more about it in our guide to the best USB-C cables and adapters. Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter We like the Cable Matters USB-IF Certified 10 Gbps Gen 2 USB-C to USB-C Cable because it doesn't cost much and passed all of our signal-integrity tests. Read more about it in our guide to the best USB-C cables and adapters. Sarah Kobos/NYT Wirecutter More than just functional, this cable is especially well designed with premium materials and more length options. Some new monitors have USB-C ports, and some laptops still have HDMI or DisplayPort, but most people using an external monitor still need an adapter cable. This cable comes in a range of lengths from 3 to 15 feet, and can transmit a 4K signal at 60 Hz. Read more about it in our guide to the best USB-C video cables and adapters. Sarah Kobos/NYT Wirecutter Most of the DisplayPort cables we tested worked perfectly at 4K resolution and 60 Hz, but this one is made with nicer materials and comes in more lengths. All the DisplayPort cables we tested worked perfectly at 4K resolution and 60 Hz, but this one comes in 3-, 6,- and 10-foot options and its cable and housing materials are top-notch. Read more about it in our guide to the best USB-C video cables and adapters. Nick Guy/NYT Wirecutter This cable supports up to 1920×1200 at 60 Hz. And unlike other, similar cables, its converter chip and DisplayPort controller aren't in a bulky plastic collar. Read more about it in our guide to the best USB-C video cables and adapters. Amazon If you need to connect to an older projector or monitor, this 6-foot cable puts out 1920x1080 resolution at 60 Hz for a reasonable price. Read more about it in our guide to the best USB-C video cables and adapters. This article was edited by Caitlin McGarry.
