Which Blender is Better: Vitamix vs Ninja?
After burning through 2 Magic Bullets in less than 3 years, I was in the market for a blender. Not just any blender, but something durable and high quality. A blender that can make smooth smoothies, cream frozen bananas into a healthy dessert and various other pulverizing chores that I subjected my Magic Bullet(s) to. After some research, I was down to two options: Vitamix vs Ninja.
IMPORTANT NOTE: while the Ninja series has many options, I was looking at the top of the line Ninja Ultima Blender to make it a valid comparison with the Vitamix.
But with one blender costing more than twice the other, (Vitamix being the more expensive), I was confused. This was not an easy choice between two similar products. It needed a more thorough evaluation. So I broke it down in terms of what features are important for me and compared each blender with the other. Here are my conclusions:
| FEATURE | NINJA Ultima Blender BL810 | VITAMIX (5200 Series) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 1500 Watts 2.5HP | 1380 Watts 2 HP | Both qualify as high speed blenders. Ninja takes a slight edge |
| Speed | Up to 24,000 RPM Pro Variable Speed - 10 speeds plus Pulse | Up to 37,000 RPM Variable Speed Control | Vitamix wins this one |
| Size | 18.5 x 8 x 11 inches (with the 72-ounce container in place) | 20.5 x 8.75 x7.25 inches (with the 64-ounce container in place) | Ninja is 2 inches shorter than the Vitamix, making it easier to store on the counter under the cabinet |
| Weight | 15.9 pounds | 10 pounds | Not a deal breaker either way |
| Material | BPA free plastic | BPA-free Eastman Tritan® copolyester | Comparable |
| Ease of Cleaning | Easy. Manual says to squeeze 2-3 drops of dish soap into the jar, fill halfway with warm water and pulse 5-10 times. The Ninja is also dishwasher safe. | Easy. Just put a few drops of liquid detergent and blend for 30-60 seconds. Rinse and drain. Not dishwasher safe | Both seem easy to clean but Ninja has the added feature of being dishwasher safe. |
| Blender Capacity | 72 oz. (9 cups) | 64 oz (8 cups) | Ninja has slightly more capacity |
| Blade Technology | Dual Stage Blending (Total Crushing and High Speed Cyclonic Technology). | Laser-cut, stainless-steel hammermill and cutting blades measuring 3-in diameter to ensure a consistent blend every time | Users mention the Ninja’s dual blade, while great at blending, is a bit cumbersome to assemble and disassemble. Vitamix is a much simpler design and use |
| What’s in the box |
|
| The Ninja comes with 2 single serve cups which is a nice to have feature |
| Warranty | 2 year Limited Warranty | 7 year warranty, covering all parts, performance, labor, and two-way shipping | Vitamix offers an unbeatable warranty on their product. Includes 2 way shipping! |
| Made in | China | USA | This is a personal preference. Truth is, ‘Made in USA’ carries a much superior perception, whether true or not. |
| Price | Over $200 Check here for latest price | Over $500.00 but often on sale for less Check here for latest price | Ninja costs half of a Vitamix. Is the Vitamix really worth it? |
In addition, Users of both give very high rankings, showing they are equally satisfied. So it’s not an easy choice.
In the end, it comes down to:
- Durability: I like the idea of the 7 year warranty offered by Vitamix and also the fact that according to long time users, Vitamix machines tend to last for years beyond that.
- Intended use: For me, I intend to use my blender a lot. And I mean A LOT. Several times a day. This is why I have burned through several blenders in a short period of time. I need something that can withstand multiple uses per day without burning out.
- Budget: It’s not an easy decision to shell out over $500 for a blender. But the way I look at it, it’s an investment into me and my family’s health! An investment that is warrantied for 7 years and likely to last for more than that.
So while you can’t go wrong with either blender (depending on your needs), for me in the battle of Vitamix vs Ninja, Vitamix 5200 is the winning choice.
Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.