Which Vitamix Should I Buy? Ascent vs Explorian vs Commercial Models Compared

For home, buy the Vitamix Explorian E310 if you want the simplest Vitamix, or a Vitamix Ascent if you want a bigger container, a timer, programs and a longer warranty. The E310 has a 1.4 litre container and a 5-year warranty. The Ascent A2300i, A2500i and A3500i have a 2.0 litre container and a 10-year warranty, and differ mainly in how many programs they have: none, 3 or 5. For a cafe, bar or kitchen, buy a commercial Vitamix, because the home warranties are void if the blender is used commercially.

Raw Blend is the original Vitamix dealer in Australia and has sold Vitamix for over 30 years. This guide compares the models in our Vitamix blenders range, using the specifications and warranty terms on our product pages.

Vitamix home blenders compared

Model	Series	Container	Controls	Programs	Motor	Size	Weight	Warranty (home use)
Explorian E310	Explorian	1.4 L	10 speeds and pulse	None	2.0 HP	28 x 20 x 46 cm	4.76 kg	5 years, full
Ascent A2300i	Ascent	2.0 L	10 speeds, pulse and digital timer	None	2.3 HP	20.32 x 27.94 x 43.18 cm	8.3 kg	10 years, full
Ascent A2500i	Ascent	2.0 L	10 speeds, pulse and digital timer	3: smoothies, hot soups, frozen desserts	2.3 HP	20.32 x 27.94 x 43.18 cm	8.3 kg	10 years, full
Ascent A3500i	Ascent	2.0 L	Touch screen, 10 speeds, pulse and programmable timer	5: smoothies, hot soups, dips and spreads, frozen desserts, self-cleaning	2.3 HP	20.32 x 27.94 x 43.18 cm	8.3 kg	10 years, full

All four are listed for household use, with an Australian plug, and are made by Vitamix in Cleveland, Ohio.

Explorian or Ascent: what is the difference?

Both series give you ten variable speeds and a pulse function, so both let you control texture by hand, from smooth purees to chunky salsas. The differences are in size, features and warranty.

• Container. The E310 comes with a 1.4 litre container, which Vitamix describes as ideal for medium batches for family meals. The Ascent models come with a 2.0 litre low profile container.
• Self-Detect. Ascent bases recognise which container is fitted and adjust the blending time to suit, so you can add smaller containers later. Ascent bases also have interlock technology, which stops the machine running if the lid is not secure. The E310 page lists neither.
• Timer. Every Ascent has a digital timer. The E310 does not list one.
• Motor. The E310 is listed at 2.0 HP and the Ascent models at 2.3 HP.
• Weight. The E310 weighs 4.76 kg. The Ascent models weigh 8.3 kg.
• Warranty. 5 years for the E310 and 10 years for the Ascent models. Both are full warranties covering parts, performance, labour and two-way shipping, for household use in Australia and New Zealand.

If you want a Vitamix for smoothies, purees and soups and are happy to set the speed yourself and watch the blend, the Explorian series does the job. If you blend most days, want larger batches or want the longer warranty, look at the Ascent series.

Which Vitamix Ascent should I buy: A2300i, A2500i or A3500i?

The three Ascent models share the same listed motor, container, size, weight and warranty. You are choosing how much the blender does for you.

• A2300i: no programs. You set the speed and watch the built-in timer. Choose it if you like manual control.
• A2500i: 3 programs, for smoothies, hot soups and frozen desserts. Each one runs the blend and stops the blender when it is done.
• A3500i: 5 programs, adding dips and spreads and self-cleaning, plus a touch screen and a programmable timer that turns the machine off at the time you set. It comes in four finishes, including brushed stainless and black stainless.

Is a Vitamix easy to clean?

Yes. For the E310, Vitamix says a drop of dish soap and warm water cleans the container in 30 to 60 seconds, with nothing to take apart. For the Ascent models it lists 60 seconds at the highest speed. The A3500i has a self-cleaning program that runs this for you.

Can I use a home Vitamix in a cafe?

No. The warranty on the Explorian and Ascent blenders is valid for household use only, and our product pages state it is void if the blender is used commercially. If the blender will earn its keep in a business, choose from Vitamix for business. Those models are made for commercial use and carry a commercial warranty of 36 months on parts and 12 months on labour.

Vitamix commercial blenders compared

Model	Made for	Container	Controls	Motor	Size (mm)
Drink Machine Two-Speed	Milk bars, delis and cafes starting a drinks menu	1.4 L	Two speeds	2 HP, 1170 W	190 x 220 x 500 high
Drink Machine Advance	Signature drinks made the same every time	1.4 L	6 programs, variable speed and pulse	2+ peak HP, 1170 W	190 x 220 x 500 high
The Quiet One	Front of house, where noise matters	1.4 L	6 program buttons, 34 programs in memory, variable speed and pulse	3+ peak HP, 1500 W	216 x 295 x 420 high
Vita-Prep 3	Kitchen food prep	2.0 L	Variable speed, 1,000 to 24,000 RPM	3+ peak HP, 1200 to 1500 W	203 x 229 x 510 high
XL	Large batches	5.6 L	Variable speed and pulse	4.2 peak HP	314 x 314 x 473 high

All five list a 10 amp power supply and an Australian plug.

Which commercial Vitamix suits my business?

• Smoothies, frappes and shakes: the Drink Machine Two-Speed is the entry level commercial model, with two switches. The Drink Machine Advance adds 6 programs with automatic shut-off, so staff can start a blend and walk away.
• Blending in front of customers: The Quiet One has a magnetically secured sound enclosure. Vitamix describes it as up to four times quieter than other commercial blenders.
• Soups, purees and sauces in the kitchen: the Vita-Prep 3 is designed for food preparation and comes with a tamper to push ingredients down.
• Large volumes: the XL has a 5.6 litre container, which Vitamix lists as the largest capacity countertop blender, made for restaurants, hotels, catering, schools, nursing homes and hospitals.

The drinks models are grouped under beverage blenders and the kitchen models under food prep blenders.

What comes in the box?

The E310 comes with the motor base, a 1.4 litre container with blade, lid and tamper, and a recipe book. Each Ascent comes with the motor base, a 2.0 litre low profile container with lid, blade and tamper, and a blending book. Both series are also sold as packages with extra accessories: see Vitamix blenders for home. Extra Self-Detect containers for the Ascent are under accessories and containers for home.

Frequently asked questions

Which Vitamix is best for home use? The Explorian E310 if you want the simplest model with a 1.4 litre container. An Ascent if you want a 2.0 litre container, a timer and a 10-year warranty: the A2300i for manual control, the A2500i for 3 programs, the A3500i for 5 programs and a touch screen.

What is the difference between Vitamix Ascent and Explorian? Ascent models have a larger 2.0 litre container, a digital timer, Self-Detect containers and a 10-year warranty. The Explorian E310 has a 1.4 litre container, manual controls and a 5-year warranty.

How long is the Vitamix warranty in Australia? On our product pages, 5 years for the Explorian E310 and 10 years for the Ascent models, for household use in Australia and New Zealand. Commercial models list 36 months on parts and 12 months on labour.

Which Vitamix is best for a cafe? For drinks, the Drink Machine Advance or The Quiet One, which is built to run quietly in front of customers. For kitchen prep, the Vita-Prep 3. A home model's warranty is void in commercial use.

Which Vitamix models have programs? At home, the A2500i has 3 and the A3500i has 5. The E310 and A2300i are manual. In the commercial range, the Drink Machine Advance has 6 programs and The Quiet One has 34 in memory.

How big is a Vitamix? The E310 is listed at 28 x 20 x 46 cm and the Ascent models at 20.32 x 27.94 x 43.18 cm. The commercial XL is the largest at 314 x 314 x 473 mm high.

Sources: each model's container, controls, programs, motor, size and warranty as listed on our product pages.