Latest news with #Vitamix5200
New York Times
08-05-2025
- New York Times
The Best Blender
Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter 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.
Business Insider
23-04-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Vitamix blender sale: Save $150 on the 5200, our top pick
You don't have to like drinking smoothies to make investing in a good blender worth it. These useful appliances can be used for all sorts of recipes, like soups, sauces, and more, and they can even be used to prep ingredients so you don't have to spend more time chopping. Vitamix makes the best ones out there. They're not cheap, though, and Vitamix sales are rare. Luckily, if you've been waiting to try one for yourself, our favorite Vitamix, the 5200 Blender, is on sale now for a limited time at Amazon. The Vitamix 5200 is an easy-to-use, easy-to-clean blender with the power and speed variation to handle any task, making it the best blender we've tested overall. Vitamix has been a tried-and-true kitchen supply brand for years, and we can see why. Our kitchen editors on the Reviews Team have tested a dozen blenders, and the Vitamix 5200 was the clear winner in our best blenders guide. Out of all of the models we've tested, the 5200 was by far the most consistent in its performance and had enough power to handle even the toughest ingredients. Vitamix also makes some of our other favorite kitchen supplies, including one of the picks in our guide to the best food 5200 Blender features a 64-ounce container that easily blends ingredients in medium and large batches. Its radial cooling fan and thermal protection system allow it to work with all different temperatures, whether you're blending a hot soup or making an ice-cold sorbet. Its simple, user-friendly design doesn't have tons of confusing presets, so operating it is a over 6,000 five-star ratings, Amazon shoppers love this blender just as much as our kitchen team does. "The Vitamix 5200 Blender is an absolute powerhouse in the kitchen, exceeding all expectations for performance, versatility, and durability. This blender has revolutionized my cooking experience, making it effortless to create smoothies, soups, sauces, nut butters, and even ice cream with consistently smooth and delicious results," said one reviewer. "The self-cleaning feature makes cleanup a breeze.""What I like the most is how simple it is to use. The controls are straightforward with just a variable speed dial," said another reviewer. "You can adjust it while blending for complete control. The motor is strong and blends even through tough ingredients like frozen fruits or nuts without any trouble."With the current discount on Amazon, the Vitamix 5200 Blender is 30% off. Add it to your cart now for just $349 while the deal shopping? Browse through more of Amazon's kitchen deals.
NBC News
21-04-2025
- Business
- NBC News
Deal of the Day: This buy-for-life Vitamix blender is $150 off right now
Deal of the Day This powerful 8-cup Vitamix 5200 blender is 30% off and at its lowest price in three months.
Forbes
01-04-2025
- Forbes
The 5 Best Blenders For Smoothies, Backed By Real-World Testing
The best blenders for smoothies can make your mornings easier and turn your favorite shake into a smoother drink without extra steps or cleanup. Whether you're blending protein-packed shakes after a workout or sneaking spinach into your family's breakfast, investing in a quality blender like the Vitamix 5200—our top recommendation and my personal go-to—means you won't have to deal with the gritty texture or stubborn lumps that can ruin a smoothie. With powerful blades and a motor strong enough to crush ice and pulverize veggies, the popular model consistently yields creamy, flavorful blends. The best blenders for smoothies make it so much easier to blend frozen fruit, leafy greens and ice. Professional chef and recipe expert Dennis Littley, who's also a fan of the Vitamix 5200, says a blender's performance comes down to two factors: power and consistency. "You want a machine that can handle everything from frozen fruit to leafy greens without leaving chunks behind," he explains. But other factors matter, too. Maybe you're short on space and prefer a personal blender, or perhaps you regularly whip up thicker smoothie bowls that require specialized features. From premium models loaded with extra settings to budget-friendly picks that still perform reliably, we've researched and tested top-rated options that'll fit right into your routine. Vitamix Dimensions: 20.5 x 8.8 x 7.3 inches | Capacity: 64 ounces | Settings: Variable speed dial (10 speeds) | Warranty: 7 years What you'll love: Keep in mind: If smoothies are an essential part of your morning routine—or you just want them blended perfectly every single time—the Vitamix 5200 is your best bet. I've personally owned this blender for over five years and use it almost daily to blend smoothies packed with frozen strawberries, spinach, protein powder and peanut butter. It consistently turns tough ingredients into a creamy, silky texture in around 30 seconds, with no gritty residue or leafy bits left behind. One of the biggest perks for me is how easy the Vitamix is to clean. Just add warm water, a drop of dish soap and let it run for about a minute. I really dislike handwashing appliances with sharp blades, so this feature alone makes a huge difference. Peanut butter occasionally sticks around the blades, but it's rare—and even then, it easily wipes clean with a sponge or bottle brush. This blender is also exceptionally durable and reliable. I once accidentally turned it on while a small metal spoon was inside, which cracked the container only slightly. When I contacted Vitamix, the brand replaced it immediately under warranty, no questions asked. Customer support like this adds peace of mind to the investment, making the higher upfront price easier to justify. Littley, who has also relied on this blender for years, sums it up best: "It's not the cheapest, but if smoothies are part of your daily routine, it's an investment you'll thank yourself for every morning." Amazon Dimensions: 17.5 x 9.0 x 6.75 inches | Capacity: 64 ounces | Settings: 3 Auto-iQ presets (smoothie, frozen drink, ice crush); 4 manual speeds (low, medium, high, pulse) | Warranty: 1 year What you'll love: Keep in mind: This Ninja model proves you don't need to pay a premium to make a great smoothie at home. I tried this blender after years of owning pricier models and was impressed by how easily it blended ingredients that usually cause problems: whole frozen strawberries, raspberries and large chunks of ice. Part of what makes this pick so consistent it its stacked blades that extend further up into the pitcher, which keeps all the ingredients moving evenly. That means no chunks get stuck at the top while the bottom portion blends smooth. In other words, you don't need to constantly stop and scrape down the sides manually, which you often have to do with budget-friendly models. Registered dietician nutritionist Nicole Jones, who recommends this blender to her clients, loves that it's reliable, affordable and doesn't need to live on the counter. "I don't have a ton of counter space, so I wanted a blender I could take apart easily," she says. "It's durable enough for daily smoothies and big enough to serve more than one person." Cleaning is simple if you have a dishwasher, as the pitcher and blades are dishwasher safe. If you prefer hand-washing, just know that giving the stacked blades a thorough clean can be a little tricky. Vitamix Dimensions: 17 x 9.8 x 7.8 inches | Capacity: 48 ounces | Settings: 10 blending programs, variable speed, pulse | Warranty: 10 years What you'll love: Keep in mind: Released last year, the Ascent X5 is Vitamix's most souped-up blender. With 10 built-in programs, including presets for smoothies and smoothie bowls, it's a great fit for anyone who wants an ultra-powerful model that can handle all kinds of blending tasks with just the press of a button. (For example, it's mighty enough to make nut butters with ease.) You still get full control with the variable speed dial and pulse function, but when you're short on time—or you're just not in the mood to babysit your blender—it's nice to press a button and walk away. (Just note that it has a slightly smaller capacity than most blenders on this list.) Senior home and kitchen editor Amanda Arnold has tested out the blenders in Vitamix's Ascent X Series, which have impressed her with their efficiency and ease of use. The X5's design is also sleek: It has a touchscreen, built-in timer and useful features like a button that adds 15 seconds to your blend, which comes in handy when your mixture could use just a little more time. In addition, it has a self-cleaning mode, so you can skip the hassle of handwashing blades. At nearly $800, the Ascent X5 is a splurge, no question—but if you're serious about smoothies, it's one of the best you can get. BestBuy Dimensions: 10.79 x 6.69 x 6.69 inches | Capacity: 14-ounce bowl, 24-ounce cups | Settings: 4 Auto-iQ presets, 2 manual programs | Warranty: 1 year What you'll love: Keep in mind: If you've ever tried to make thick smoothie bowls in a regular blender, you've probably run into a common issue: The blade gets stuck, nothing moves and you end up with a mix that's either uneven or watered down. The Ninja Foodi Smoothie Bowl Maker solves for that. The 14-ounce bowl is designed to handle thick mixtures with minimal liquid, plus it has a built-in tamper to keep frozen ingredients moving without needing to stop and stir. The bowl is on the smaller side—enough for a single serving—which may be limiting if you like to prep ahead or make smoothies for more than one. But the compact design also makes it easier to get that spoonable, scoopable texture without thinning it out. Additionally, it comes with two 24-ounce cups and spout lids if you want to blend and take your smoothie with you, and all parts are dishwasher safe. Nutribullet Dimensions: 15.94 x 7.72 x 12.01 inches | Capacity: 24- and 32-ounce cups | Settings: No presets; press-to-blend | Warranty: 1 year What you'll love: Keep in mind: The Nutribullet Pro has been a staple in many kitchens—including mine and Arnold's—for years. Featuring a 32-ounce capacity, this compact blender naturally isn't as powerful as a full-size model like the Vitamix, but for single-serve smoothies, it's easy to use and blends quickly. The Nutribullet powers through most ingredients, including frozen chunks, without ever needing more than a gentle shake—and most smoothies are done in under a minute. It also doesn't take up much space, so you can either leave it on your kitchen counter or tuck it away in a cabinet when not in use. And since you blend directly in the same cup you drink from, there's less to clean. Chef Littley recommends it for exactly those reasons: It's convenient, reliable and powerful enough for everyday smoothie-making. At Forbes Vetted, we've tested and researched dozens of kitchen tools, from the best iced tea makers to the best stainless steel cookware sets, to help our readers make confident and informed decisions about what to buy for their homes. To find the best blenders for smoothies, we researched and compared popular models across a range of sizes, styles and price points. Some of the blenders on this list were tested firsthand by our editors, while others came highly recommended by trusted experts. If making smoothies at home is part of your daily routine, choosing the right blender can make all the difference. Here's what to keep in mind as you shop. Many of the best blenders for smoothies land somewhere between 900 and 1,500 watts, but numbers don't tell the whole story. 'Motor power matters most when you're blending frozen or fibrous ingredients such as ice, kale or mango,' says Littley. 'But without a good blade system and proper jar shape, even a high-watt motor won't give you the creamy result you're after.' That's why power should always be considered alongside design. 'The best blenders pull ingredients down toward the blades, rather than just whipping things around the top,' says Littley. 'So you get that super-smooth texture without having to stop and stir constantly.' High-end models from Vitamix are known for getting this right; they have such a loyal following because their smart design and durability justifies the higher price tag. A blender that's annoying to clean probably won't get used much. 'One mistake that many make when shopping for blenders is focusing only on the power and not thinking about how easy it is to clean,' says Littley. 'If the cleanup is a pain, that blender is going to end up in the back of the cabinet gathering dust.' He suggests looking for models with dishwasher-safe containers. At the very least, your blender should be easy to rinse and wipe down. Think about how many servings you typically make at once. If you're blending for more than one person, a larger container (usually 48 ounces or more) gives you room to prep multiple smoothies in one go. But if you're mostly blending for yourself, a personal blender might be more convenient and easier to store. Just keep in mind that those models tend to be a bit less powerful. 'The smaller ones are great for single servings and take up less space, but they can struggle with harder ingredients or larger batches,' Littley explains. Some of the most powerful blenders can cost upwards of $700, but that doesn't mean more affordable picks aren't worth considering. 'You don't need to spend a fortune to get a decent smoothie blender,' says Littley. If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, he recommends the Nutribullet Pro and models in Ninja's Professional series, which "consistently do a good job with daily use.' Jones agrees the right model depends on your habits. 'There are definitely cheaper and smaller options that will still make you a great smoothie,' she says. 'It just may be a more involved cleanup, and you may have to make the fruit you put in the blender smaller.'
Buzz Feed
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Wedding Guests Are Sharing The Most Unreasonable Things The Bride And Groom Asked Them To Pay For, And It's Actually Making My Blood Boil
We recently asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us the ridiculous wedding expenses a soon-to-be married couple asked of their guests. Here's what they had to say: 1. "I was recently invited to a wedding with an 'entrance admission fee.' The cost was $500 per person. My husband and I weren't able to attend, and I later found out most of her friends (and some family) didn't go because of the cost." — lunallee212 2. "A 'friend' assigned gifts to specific couples. My assigned preferred gift was a Vitamix 5200 blender at $500. The bride's second choice was an $800 patio set with her custom upholstery choices. She said the mixer recommendation was meant to take any possible budget restrictions I might have into account. My regrets were sent to the happy couple. Within our budget, my husband and I enjoyed missing that circus of greed." — awfuldolphin90 3. "They catered Chick-fil-A. Anyone who didn't want it for moral reasons or had dietary restrictions had to chip in to order something else." — kat3stl20 4. "The bride planned a $3,000 per person bachelorette trip with an unknown itinerary." —Anonymous 5. "They wanted their wedding party to spend weeks in the Dominican Republic, but at least they gave us two years' notice." — DogPack 6. "I was a bridesmaid at my friend's wedding. Her other bridesmaids were her three sisters and one mutual friend. Her sisters planned her bridal shower and asked me for $700 to help cover costs. There were a total of five of us. The bridal shower was at a public park in a free-to-rent gazebo. They served a box of frozen hamburgers and a couple of sides, and the game prizes were very clearly items someone had and didn't want. I also had to pay for my dress, the tailor (she chose Alfred Angelo dresses, and they don't make dresses for big chests, so I had to order a dress six sizes too big), buy specific shoes, get a specific manicure and pedicure, and wear my hair and makeup in a particular way. At least there was free wine." — grrzzlybear84 7. "It was a destination wedding, first of all. We had to pay for an expensive rehearsal dinner even though we weren't in the wedding, and the food was literally served over an hour after being ordered—to the point where some guests left with their food in to-go boxes. The bachelor party took place the day before the wedding and involved expensive golfing. There were also party favors that all the guys who attended the bachelor party were charged for, including alcohol, even though my husband doesn't drink. The wedding was pretty, but damn." — funnyyface 8. "I was once asked by a sorority sister to buy five separate dresses, an outfit, a lingerie loungewear set, and a swimsuit or bikini. One dress for the engagement party, one dress, outfit, and swimsuit for the bachelorette party, one dress for the rehearsal dinner, one dress for the ceremony, and a different dress for the reception. The bride selected all the items, and it would have cost me over $1,000. I said, 'No, thank you.' On the plus side, I was never asked to be in another sorority sister's wedding." —Anonymous Universal Pictures 9. "The couple had a destination wedding. We all had to pay for a trip to Hawaii to attend. They also wanted the parents to pay for the wedding, even though it was her second marriage, they were already legally married (the ceremony in Hawaii was just for the party), and they had a kid." —Anonymous 10. "My son was engaged. Her dad is a multimillionaire (we are from a much more modest background), and it was going to be an extravagant wedding. We were not involved in any of the planning, but suddenly, she expected us to pitch in for some of the reception costs because the rehearsal dinner wasn't enough of a contribution. I was also going to have to pay for my own hair and makeup. Fortunately, my son came to his senses and dumped her six weeks before the wedding." —Anonymous Universal Pictures 11. "My friend of eight years was getting married and sent me the guest registry. Apparently, you had to register for three gifts at once—some were four-digit items. Being a broke fast-food worker, I couldn't afford any of those, so I went with no gift. At the wedding, there were a lot of other people with no gifts, and the bride threw a huge fit. The groom stormed out, and they never got married. All the people who brought gifts returned them. She got slapped in the face with karma." —Anonymous 12. "My girlfriend's son and fiancé are expecting us to pay for their photographer. They found one for five hours, and they would only charge us $2,500. They believe that we should be able to afford it easily because I make 'good money.' Reality is going to hit them hard real soon." — evilminion33 13. "They wanted me to pay for a hotel room in their wedding block. I live in the city where they're getting married. I paid almost half of my monthly rent for two nights in a hotel in a city where I already live." —Anonymous 14. And finally, "My friend who was getting married was insanely stressed and would take it out on everyone. For some reason, she decided that we had to plan the reception at the most expensive place in NYC and wanted us each to pay $50,000 to pitch in. I was unemployed at the time, living in a small apartment, and could not afford that. She went ballistic and kicked everyone out of her wedding. All the bridesmaids couldn't pay that much, so we all left. A week later, she called me, crying about how sorry she was and how her fiancé told her they could book somewhere else. The poor man didn't even know about this until she told him days later. In the end, she had us not pay at all and had a beautiful wedding in a garden. They are both happily married now, and we bridesmaids are very happy for them—especially because we never paid that $50,000." —Anonymous Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity. What's the most unreasonable thing a couple getting married asked you to spend money on for their wedding? Tell us in the comments (or use this Google Form if you want to be anonymous).
