As the leading name in professional blenders, Vitamix has a history of offering quality products that satisfy the needs of home cooks and professional chefs alike. Known for their easy-to-use controls, reliable construction, and top-quality materials, their reputation is well-earned. Over the years they have released blenders of all shapes and sizes, though there are two that steal the spotlight.
The choice between the Vitamix 5200 vs Vitamix 7500 is not an easy one, as both blenders have a long list of strengths to consider. That’s why I’ve put together this guide, which breaks down all the specs and features of these two leading models. By looking at performance, pitcher and blade design, overall appearance, and price, I’ve taken every angle into consideration.
In the end, only you can decide which is the best choice for your kitchen, but first you need to arm yourself with the information you need to make the call.
Considering all the Factors
When choosing the perfect blender for your needs, it pays to understand what criteria to look for. Take a look at this quick guide to get an idea of where to get started:
- Performance – A blender’s power is measured in watts or horsepower. Generally, 1400 watts or 2 horsepower is plenty and should let you blend at high and low speeds for maximum versatility.
- Pitcher size – Keep in mind that bigger isn’t always better. A large pitcher lets you serve more people, though it also means you can’t make single servings. For balance, look for a blender around 60 oz.
- Blade – Durability is key here, which means you don’t want to settle for anything other than high-grade stainless steel.
- Size and shape – These days, many people like a blender with a slightly shorter, wider design. This helps simplify storage.
- Price – High-end blenders also tend to come with a high-end price tag. However, it’s best to keep in mind that they’re the only kind made to last more than a year. Look for products that come with a long warranty as this shows the manufacturer’s faith in their product’s quality.
Vitamix 5200
The Vitamix 5200 is the classic model, released in 2007 and since used by professional chefs and eager home cooks across the world. Known for its excellent performance, reliability, and versatility, it has become the gold standard for high-end blenders. Even set against newer models, it continues to prove its worth in the culinary world.
Performance
Armed with a 120-volt motor that can put out two horsepower, this Vitamix blender can handle anything you throw at it. Whether you’re looking to blend nut butter, hot soup, smoothies, milkshakes, or anything else, you’ll never find it lacking. While it’s true that there are more powerful blenders out there, they also usually come with a louder motor, which isn’t ideal for home use.
The turn-dial controls allow you to set your speed from one to ten easily on the fly. The blender works well on all settings and doesn’t overheat even when using the higher speeds for an extended time. Lower speeds are great for thick mixes, while higher settings can heat liquids using friction, making it perfect for hot soup.
Pitcher and Blade
This Vitamix blender comes with a 64 oz pitcher with an elongated shape. This helps ensure you get an even blend while offering a high enough capacity to make smoothies for the whole family. The pitcher is made of shatterproof, BPA-free plastic, which is durable enough to stand up to hears of use. When it comes to storage, this blender is a little taller than other models, meaning smaller spaces might not accommodate it. Though most kitchen cabinets are tall enough.
Inside the pitcher, you’ll find the stainless steel blade. It’s designed to be super tough, made out of the same material as aircraft, letting it chew through anything and everything you throw at it. It also means it stays sharp after years of use.
Appearance
The Vitamix 5200 has an 8.75 by 7.25-inch base and is a little more than 20 inches tall. With the pitcher and motor base included, it weighs just over 10 lbs. You can choose from three standard colors, white, black, or red, letting you match it to the color of our kitchen.
Its 20-inch height makes it a little taller than the Vitamix 7500 model, which does come with one disadvantage: storage. However, its height can also be an asset when blending smaller quantities of liquid. Since the pitcher is narrower, you can get away with as little as one cup of liquid and still end up with a smooth blend.
Price
One major advantage of the Vitamix 5200 is its price. On average, it is about $150 cheaper than its updated counterpart. That means you can get the same Vitamix stamp of quality while saving a few extra dollars. And since it is such a quality appliance, you can be sure it is a good investment.
As a testament to their faith in the product, the blender comes with a 7-year warranty. This can be upgraded to a 10-year warranty for a bit of extra money. Considering how fast many common blenders wear out, this is a refreshing change of pace.
Vitamix 7500
Released six years after the 5200 model, the Vitamix 7500 blender marks a significant step forward. By taking all the things that worked in its predecessor and adding a few improvements, it offers the complete package for a high-end blender. Take a look below for a complete rundown of all the upgrades and advancements in this leading appliance.
Performance
When compared to the Vitamix 5200, this blender offers a significant boost in power, up to 2.2 hp. While it may not look like a lot at first glance, it makes all the difference in terms of performance. This ten percent boost in power allows it to reach higher speeds more quickly, resulting in smoother blends when used at high speeds. It also helps the blades cut through ice and tough vegetables at lower speeds.
If you’re worried that the souped-up power equates to more noise, never fear. The Vitamix 7500 blender is designed to run even more quietly than its predecessor. This makes it excellent for home use.
Pitcher and Blade
Like the previous Vitamix blender, this one offers a 64 oz pitcher. The design team probably stuck with this size because it’s a good medium that allows you to blend small and large batches for all occasions. However, unlike the 5200 model, this one has a streamlined shape. It’s about three inches shorter in height, which simplifies storage, streamlines cleaning, and makes it easier to scrape out blended matter from the blades. While it may look different, it’s still made of the same durable, non-toxic plastic.
The pitcher isn’t the only thing that’s changed. A look inside will reveal a larger blade, made possible by the extra width inside the pitcher. They added another full inch to the diameter of the blade, which makes it significantly more efficient when blending. It’s still made of durable stainless steel and will stand the test of time.
Appearance
Overall, the Vitamix 7500 blender is a bit wider and shorter than previous models, which helps simplify storage. It is available in the same white, black, and red colors, with the same pared-down control panel for easy use.
The ergonomic handle on the side of the pitcher conforms to your hand for easy pouring. It’s securely fastened with a grip texture, so you won’t have to worry about spilling even when handling large quantities of liquid.
Price
With most retailers, you’ll end up spending more than a hundred dollars more when compared to the Vitamix 5200 blender, making this a serious investment. However, you are getting the top-of-the-line blender by the leading name in the industry. There’s a reason why professional chefs prefer this blender, as it delivers the performance they need and is reliable enough to be there when they need it.
Of course, this Vitamix blender comes with the standard 7-year warranty and the offer to upgrade to a ten-year warranty.
Other Vitamix Models
Of course, your choice doesn’t have to come down to the Vitamix 5200 vs 7500, as this manufacturer offers a wide range of different products. Find a quick breakdown of a few other top models here.
Vitamix e320
The Vitamix e320 is similar to the 7500 in many ways, including a 2.2 hp motor, low-profile container, variable speed control, and laser-cut stainless steel blade. In the end though, it seems to have a few manufacturing problems, as customers have rated it lower than its counterpart. This is in part because it runs a little louder than the other Vitamix blender model.
Though if you’re looking to save a bit of money, you can get it a little cheaper.
Vitamix a2300
The Vitamix a2300 model changes a few things about the classic design, adding a digital display to the front control panel. However, its upgrades are about more than just looks. It also incorporates wifi connectivity, which lets you connect to a mobile app to download more than 500 preprogrammed recipes.
It’s a great choice for those who love convenience and high-tech gadgets.
Vitamix Professional Series
The Vitamix professional series is a line of products made to take the classic design and add a few extra perks. The Vitamix 750 is the perfect example, incorporating several preprogrammed settings, a low-profile container, and a 2.2 hp motor.
It may cost a bit extra but can be a good choice for die-hard home cooks.
Vitamix 5200 vs Vitamix 7500: You Make the Call
In the end, you can buy either of these blenders with the confidence that you are getting a quality product. They have each proven the test of time and remain a favorite of both professional and amateur chefs.
The Vitamix 5200 blender offers a classic design at a lower cost, making it more accessible for those that don’t want to break their budget on a new blender. While it is a bit less powerful, a bit louder, and might take a few seconds to blend with its smaller blade, it still outperforms the majority of similar products available today. If this is your first time buying a high-end blender and you want to be sure to make a smart investment, this is the option for you.
The Vitamix 7500 blender takes all that’s great about the 5200 model and improves upon it. More power, a streamlined design, a wider blade, and quiet operation all add up to a superior product. Of course, if you’re looking to save money, it may not be the ideal option. All in all, this makes it a good choice for professional chefs or home cooks who take blending seriously and want to get the most for their money.