Blendtec versus Vitamix

First off, thanks for all the comments on the blog challenge. I decided that I'm going to use one of my real cameras (NOT my iPhone) to take a picture every day, so that I have to blog about it since I won't be able to Instagram it. Then, however many times a week I want, I'll blog about one or all seven of the pictures I took. :) 

Second, we have had a Vitamix for a while now. We saw it at a roadshow at Costco, and fell instantly in love and bought it. 

Since then, Eric gets annoyed every time I make soup in it because it blends for 5 to 6 minutes so it can heat up and the noise it makes is SO loud. On another side note, the motor did this weird thing TWICE a while back, and I was concerned it was already going to blow out. So, we took a trip to Costco to see if the Blendtec was on a roadshow and we might be able to hear it. They turned it on, and said it's just as loud, but the soup only has to cook for 90 seconds instead of 5 to 6 minutes. After that test, Eric said he wanted to buy the Blendtec instead. Three days later, we headed back to return the Vitamix and buy the Blendtec. While Eric was returning the Vitamix - it was a huge line - I went and bought the Blendtec. Turns out, I forgot the recipe book in the Vitamix box and he couldn't return it. 

In turn, we went home with a Vitamix AND a Blendtec. So, instead of turning around and taking the Vitamix back right away, we decided to test the noise on both of them which led to quite a few more tests. :)

So, MacKenzie, and anyone else interested in buying either of these, here you go!

The first test was noise (or loudness as I said it. haha). I think the Blendtec is quieter. 

We also tested how long it would take to blend up ice - Vitamix was shorter.

In the Vitamix, whenever I use frozen strawberries, I have to use the tamper stick to push the strawberries down to the blade. Turns out, the Blendtec really DOES NOT need a tamper stick - just like they advertise. It sucked them right down (after freaking me out that it was going to jump off the counter).

This test was how long it takes to blend a smoothie. Vitamix does it in a MUCH shorter time.

Some other notes:

The soup function on a Blendtec is 90 seconds, but only heats up to a cold-warm temp, not to a hot temp that you would imagine your soup being. You would need to heat it longer.

The Blendtec is completely digital, so if you pick one of the functions, you can basically click the button and walk away. It will turn off by itself. (I made a waffle mix, and it wanted you to blend some things first, then put more in. While it was blending, I got all the other ingredients ready and it turned off when it was done - very nice.)

The Vitamix has no digital functions.

The jar to a Blendtec shows lines for four cups. 

The Vitamix has lines for eight cups.

People complain that a Vitamix can't fit in their cabinets. (We don't have this problem because our cabinets have half-shelves, so it fits in the tall part of our cabinet). The Vitamix jar is bigger than the Blendtec - so that makes it taller. The base is also taller.

The Blendtec has a 3 HP motor.

The Vitamix has a 2 HP motor.

The Vitamix and Blendtec have the same warranty. If you buy your Blendtec at Costco, you also get an extra year.

The Vitamix lid is sturdier.

The Blendtec does not need a tamper stick. 

The Vitamix includes a tamper stick as I mentioned above. 

The Blendtec counts how many times you've used it.

Blendtec is local - so if you live here in Utah and like to buy local things, there ya go.

All in all, I think that each have a lot of great pros and only tiny cons. I think either would be a great addition to your home.

So, what would you choose and why?

For me,  I would almost prefer staying with the Vitamix - I love the bigger jar, faster blending, and the lid. BUT I am still worried about the motor doing that funky thing again. And Eric's only complaint about either is the noise. And, it will be Eric's decision in the end. :)