Today, we’re having a Blendtec vs Vitamix blenders showdown. I’ve been dying for a while to pit the Total and the CIA off in some sort of competition as it wasn’t really clear in my mind which was the winner. Choosing between a Vitamix or Blendtec blender is not an easy decision. Both companies have a great reputation, so how is one to decide between the two? Let’s examine their main features, then look at the pros and cons of their differences so that you can truly understand what works best for your needs.
Blendtec Total Blender
The Total can replace up to nine other kitchen appliances such as a grain mill, juicer, smoothie maker, coffee grinder and more.
Its commercial grade 1,560-watt 3-horsepower direct-drive motor ensures all of your recipes are easily tackled.
Its Smart-Touch Technology takes all the guesswork out of making your favorite blends for easier, more straightforward meal times much easier and more straightforward. Simply add your ingredients and press a button on the digital touchpad to start one of the unit’s six pre-programmed cycles: Smoothie, Batters, Hot Soup, Whole Juice, Ice Cream, Ice Crush. This small appliance speeds up and slows down in order to ensure that all of the ingredients are drawn into the two-prong blade for thorough blending.
The 75-ounce Five-sided polycarbonate blending jar with 32-ounce blending capacity features a secure gripper lid with a center opening for adding ingredients safely.
Read our full Blendtec Blender Reviews here.
Vitamix CIA Professional Series
More subtle but razor sharp, the CIA excels at multiple tasks such as making hot soup as well as frozen treats in seconds, grinding nuts and coffee beans, pulverizing ingredients for sauces and smoothies or mixing batters and dough.
This blender is constructed mostly out of metal with a brushed aluminum faceplate, as well as a laser-cut stainless steel blade assembly. Its commercial grade 1,380-watt, 2-horsepower motor can generate blade speeds of up to 240 MPH while maintaining even torque and cool temperature for professional results.
Variable speed control allows you to easily rotate the 10-speed dial at any time in order to achieve a perfect blend.
The Vitamix CIA features a large 64-ounce BPA-free Eastman Tritan copolyester blending jar which creates a powerful vortex as it operates, ensuring all of your ingredients get thoroughly blended.
Accessories include:
*Tamper with collar to help push down more solid foods as they blend designed so that it can’t interfere with the blade operation;
*“Create”, an exclusive recipe book with more than 300 easy recipes from top professional chefs like Michael Symon, Hugh Carpenter and Joanne Weir;
*“Recipes and Techniques from the CIA Master Chefs”, a new recipe book exclusive to Vitamix with over 20 recipes created by the CIA’s Certified Master Chefs;
*“Let’s Get Started”, a DVD cooking class with Chef Michael Symon.
Vitamix Vs Blendtec Comparison
Vitamix or Blendtec? A heated debate has been ongoing between rabid fans from both camps. Let’s compare Blendtec blenders vs Vitamix and find out the main differences.
Motor Power
The Blendtec Total blender has a 3-horsepower motor with a two-prong stainless-steel blade, while the Vitamix has a 2-horsepower motor with stainless-steel hammermill and a four-pronged sharp laser-cut 3”diam. blade. While multiple ‘Blendtec Will It Blend’ videos promote Blendtec blenders destroying iphones, ipads, marbles, etc., the CIA appears perfectly satisfied with the 2HP motor of the Vitamix…
Noise Decibels
The recurring complaint about the Blendtec Total is its noise level bringing to mind a “leaf blower”, while one enthusiastic Vitamix owner compares its sound to that of a “purring Ferrari motor”. On that note: a solid stone countertop like granite may help muffle the sound compared to a laminate countertop…!
Blending Options
Blendtec offers six pre-programmed settings, whereas Vitamix has a single variable speed control appreciated for its ease of use.
Blending Jar
The Blendtec plastic polycarbonate container scratches easily when mixing dry goods like grains, seeds, etc., and there have been complaints about the jar leaking or even cracking, and the bottom seal breaking down leaving residue behind.
The Vitamix CIA professional countertop blender has a BPA-free Eastman Tritan copolyester jar with superb blending ability for liquid blends. However, cavitation can occur with thicker blends, a problem resolved by using the Blendtec Rebel+ Jar on the Vitamix blender base for the best of both worlds…
Blender Base
While the Vitamix is more solidly constructed mostly out of metal with a brushed aluminum faceplate and sports a thermal protection system with a radial cooling fan, the Blendtec gets criticized for the “cheap feel” of its plastic base which does nothing to dampen noise or vibration.
Dimensions
Manufactured in Cleveland, Ohio, the Vitamix CIA measures 7.25”W x 8.75”D x 20.5”H and weighs 10 lbs 9oz.
Made in Orem, Utah, the Blendtec Total measures 7”W x 8”D x 15”H and weighs 7 lbs.
Warranty
The Vitamix warranty extends to 7 years, while the Blendtec warranty covers 2 years.
Blendtec Vs Vitamix: Pros & Cons
Blendtec Total Blender
Pros: more efficient and easier to clean jar, greater horsepower, Smart Touch technology, less expensive, fits under most top cabinets
Cons: occasional jar and motor issues, very noisy
Vitamix CIA
Pros: better lid, stronger built base (slightly heavier but less noisy), comes with a tamper and recipe books
Cons: cavitation issues, more expensive, too tall to fit under most top cabinets
Picking a winner in this Vitamix versus Blendtec battle is not an easy task. As far as price is concerned, count on spending a little more on the Vitamix. The question is: is it really worth it? At the moment, both rate equally, though the Blendtec has over 4 times the number of reviews.
Endorsed by the Culinary Institute of America where it is used to train its future chefs, the higher priced Vitamix CIA Professional is simpler to use and comes with a better quality though noisier and perhaps “over designed” base – the ‘Bruce Lee’ of blending. On the other hand, the Blendtec Total is also an ultra powerful piece of equipment paired with great versatility – the ‘King Kong’ of blenders.
Though there are merits to both blender jar designs, there is no denying that Vitamix jars run into cavitation issues when dealing with thicker blends. This may be the reason why many chain restaurants, coffee houses and smoothie shops such as Panera, Checkers, Dunkin’ Donuts, Jamba Juice, Baskin Robbins, Planet Smoothie and more have put their money on Blendtec as a good Vitamix alternative.
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