If you’ve never invested in a quality blender, finding the right option for your needs might not be easy. There are dozens of brands making quality products today, each of them offering a dizzying number of models and accessories. If you don’t know all the big names in kitchen appliances, you’re likely to feel lost.
In this article, I’ll break down two of the most recognizable names in the industry. Both Ninja and Vitamix have a longstanding reputation for making effective and reliable blenders. However, while they each have their own strengths, there’s a big difference between the two.
Take a moment to learn a little more about the difference Vitamix and Ninja blender models. Once you understand what sets them apart, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision about how to equip your kitchen.
Things to Consider
Both Ninja and Vitamix are well-established brands with a full line of quality products. While they each offer blenders in a range of shapes and sizes, they also follow their own trends and preferences. Depending on which of the aspects below are most important to you, you may lean in one direction or the other.
Power
A blender’s power is usually measured in watts or horsepower, and most blenders tend to fall around 1200 watts or 2 hp. While there are more powerful options out there, they are also much heavier, bulkier, and noisier, which makes them less ideal for home use.
Both Ninja and Vitamix blenders fall near the 1200 watt range, depending on the size of the appliance. Remember that if you’re choosing a small, portable blender, it will probably also lack power.
Reliability
Unfortunately, blenders have a reputation for burning out just when you need them most. However, this perception is not entirely true. The fact is that most people don’t like to invest more than sixty or seventy dollars in an appliance, which usually results in lower-quality blenders that break easily. If you want an appliance that lasts, look toward the higher end of the price range.
On the whole Vitamix blenders are a bit more expensive, but also more reliable than Ninja blenders. While both produce quality products, customers are generally more satisfied in the long run with Vitamix.
Settings
Having a wide range of settings at your disposal makes it easier to create exactly the beverage you like, whether that’s a milkshake, smoothie, or cocktail. Today, blenders have a wide range of settings to suit tastes of all kinds. You can usually find them right on the front control panel.
Overall, Ninja blenders offer a greater selection of settings, which can be easily activated by the press of a button.
Vitamix blenders, on the other hand, do offer all the same power and speed settings, but you need to manually select the speed and know which speed is best for what you’re trying to make.
Cost
If you’re looking to buy a quality blender, it’s best to look at more high-end options with durable construction. While it may be tempting to try a $30 mini blender, be prepared to buy a replacement within the next year.
Generally, Vitamix blenders tend to be on the expensive side, ranging from $200 to $600. Ninja blenders, on the other hand, are more affordable, often as low as $75 up to $250. Below, you can see two products that reflect this price difference perfectly.
A Side-by-Side Comparison
Each of these brands puts out a variety of new blenders every year, leaving customers with plenty to choose from. To get a better idea of what each of them offers, let’s look at two top-of-the-line models in a side-by-side showdown.
Nutri Ninja BL642 Countertop Blender
This Nutri Ninja Blender offers a variety of attachments and settings that put a variety of options at your fingertips. It’s a high-end blender at an affordable price, giving it extra value for the money.
Features
- Intelligent blending programs
- 72 oz blender jar
- 1200 watt motor
- Nutri Ninja cups to blend and serve
The first thing you’ll notice about this countertop blender by Ninja is all of the add-ons it comes with. Included are the 2 hp motor base, 72 oz pitcher, and set of small, medium, and jumbo Nutri Ninja cups with to-go lids for easy travel. The Nutri Ninja cups are intended to complement the large 72 oz pitcher, providing a way to make small batches of smoothies and other drinks to take on the go. This makes it a great choice for both small and large servings.
On the front panel of the blender, you can see the full range of settings this appliance offers. These include blend, ultra blend, pulse, puree, as well as low, medium, and high settings. All of these are powered by the Auto IQ Technology, which is Ninja’s patented system of intelligent blending programs. Some users find all the options a bit overwhelming at first, though when you actually use them for making a drink, the operation is simple.
All of these features are powered by a 1200 watt, 2hp motor, which is plenty for everything from crushing rock-hard ice to whipping up a batch of milkshakes in the blink of an eye. Even tough blends like nut butter or hummus can be easily handled without putting extra strain on the motor. While it’s true that there are more powerful blenders on the market, I’ve found that 1200 watts is just enough to handle most household tasks without making too much noise.
The major draw of using the large 72 oz pitcher is that it excels for crushing ice and frozen fruit, which is perfect for smoothies. Inside is an elongated rod covered in a series of six blades that “turns ice to snow” in seconds. It also helps achieve smoother blends when making milkshakes, smoothies, or anything else.
The one downside of the large pitcher is that it’s not ideal for blending less than two cups of liquid at a time. Since the central blades are distributed along the entire length of the blender, they’re not useful unless the blender is full. Luckily, the Nutri Ninja cups are included to handle different-sized batches. You just have to make sure to choose the right tool for the job before starting.
Overall, the abundance of features included in this blender feel mostly useful. Most people probably won’t the dough setting on a regular basis, though these little additions are nice to have even if they do clutter up the control panel a bit. It is a good choice for anyone who likes high-tech gadgets and who has enough cabinet space available to store all the add-ons.
Vitamix A2300 Ascent Series Smart Blender
The A2300 Ascent Series Smart Blender brings the quality and reliability Vitamix is known for in a pared-down package that anyone can use. It’s designed to last for years, making it a worthwhile investment.
Features
- Easy variable speed control dial
- Sleek look with digital display
- Wireless connectivity with 500 blending programs
- Low-profile design
Compared to the Ninja blender above, this one might look a bit simplistic. If that was your first impression, you’d be surprised to discover all the hidden features that this blender offers. First, the basics: it comes with a 64 oz pitcher, 2.2 hp motor base, and–that’s it! It certainly lacks many of the frills included in its competitor, but let’s see how it stacks up in other areas.
Vitamix blender models are generally known for their pared-down controls, usually with a single-speed knob in the center, a pulse function, and an on/off switch. While this seems like a downgrade from the array of buttons and variety of presets included in other modern blenders, it’s actually not. The ten blending speeds set on the central dial aren’t just for show. They’re each separate functions that can be used for crushing ice, pureeing hot soup, and churning nut butter. The fact that they’re not labeled according to their function does mean you need to learn which setting to use for each job. However, once you do, you’ll find that it has all the tools of competing blenders and more.
Though if you’re still feeling the need for extra features, look no further than the wireless connectivity features. This blender is able to connect to a downloadable app that lets you access more than 500 blending programs to get the perfect results every time. Each program manages the speed and blend time of each recipe, saving you the hassle.
The controls are not the only pared-down aspect of this blender’s design. The 64 oz pitcher has its own low-profile shape. This is intended to make storage and usage easier, reducing the height of the blender to fit in kitchen cabinets and increasing its width to reach the bottom more easily. This also means you can blend small and large quantities of liquid with the stainless steel blade located at the bottom of the pitcher.
On the downside, there are no to-go cups to make travel smoothies and no special ice-crushing settings. While the ten speed settings on the blender’s front dial are able to handle most of the functions offered by competing blenders, it does still fall behind a bit in versatility.
Finally, the most important feature of this blender is its quality design. Vitamix blender models are known for being high-end products and made to last, and this blender is no exception. While it’s true that it is more expensive than other blends, it is a good option for anyone who has the extra cash to invest in a reliable home appliance.
Ninja vs Vitamix – Making Your Choice
Of course, no matter which of these blenders you choose, you’ll have plenty of power and versatility at your fingertips. However, one or the other may be a better pick for you, depending on your priorities.
Are you a lover of kitchen gadgets who needs to have a wide range of add-ons, accessories, and settings at your fingertips? Do you love to have exactly the right tool for the job and don’t mind setting aside a bit of extra space to store them all? If so, then a Ninja blender is probably the best choice for you.
On the other hand, are you’re looking for a quality standby that can handle any task while giving you fine-tuned control over power? If you prefer a more simple design, then consider yourself a Vitamix person. Vitamix blender models are all quality-made, with just the right balance of power and versatility.
Or maybe you’re looking for something else outside the Ninja vs Vitamix debate? If you’d rather see what else is out there, take a look at one of our other best blender reviews.
