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View Full Version : Vitamix vs Ninja blenders


parco
07-29-2017, 01:46 PM
This may have been already discussed here. Can anyone comment on these two or a suitable alternative?

Cicli
07-29-2017, 01:50 PM
My wife uses the hell out of the vitamix. She loves it.

rzthomas
07-29-2017, 01:52 PM
Don't get a Ninja -- Cooks Illustrated panned the machines for a number of reasons mostly owing to its inability to make sauces and nut butters effectively.

I have a refurbished BlendTec that I got for $250 or so four years ago and it works perfectly to blend everything and anything.

I've also used a Vitamix extensively and those machines are the real deal BlendTecs are a little cheaper, but don't come with the plunger and the jar is square (which may not means anything to you).

JasonF
07-29-2017, 01:59 PM
We have owned both and had better luck with the Ninja.

toytech
07-29-2017, 02:11 PM
we have 2 vitamix, they rock and parts are readily available. Super powerful.

nmrt
07-29-2017, 02:15 PM
i have a vitamix. used a ninja at my brothers house.
there is no comparison at all.
vitamix is way powerful and better.

bthornt
07-29-2017, 02:19 PM
I have this: https://www.vitamix.com/shop/personal-series

Does a great job. I should note that I only use it for smoothies. Can make for one or two.

Peter B
07-29-2017, 02:21 PM
Vitamix offers certified reconditioned blenders (https://www.vitamix.com/Shop/Certified-Reconditioned-Series) at a decent discount. That's what I chose 5 or so years ago and its worked out quite well.

smontanaro
07-29-2017, 04:05 PM
My wife got a Vitamix, I think when she worked for Crate and Barrel. She eventually sold it and got a Ninja. I don't quite know why. Maybe the Vitamix was overkill, as all she uses it for is to make smoothies. She seems happy enough with the Ninja. I hate the noise they both make.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

ldamelio
07-29-2017, 05:02 PM
Vitamix at home, Ninja for the beach house. World of difference for serious cooking. Ninja OK for smoothies, etc. but can't compete making sauces, soups, etc.

StanleySteamer
07-29-2017, 05:59 PM
Vitamin or Blendtech are the best. We have both and yes they are noisy.

huck*this
07-29-2017, 06:31 PM
Have had a Vitamix for some time. I think it has a 7 year warranty and we had an issue where the variable speed wasn't quite as sensitive as it used to be. 1 Year out of warranty no questions asked Vitamix replaced the machine.

john903
07-29-2017, 06:40 PM
We waited years to buy a Vitamix finally bought one. My vote is Vitamix don't bother with the others. It is very powerful, reliable, user friendly. Ok it is kinda loud but with that much power you finish making your smoothie quicker.

yngpunk
07-29-2017, 07:34 PM
Also, if you have a Costco membership and catch one of the demo days where they have Vitamix demos going on in store, you usually can get them on sale

Spinner
07-29-2017, 08:00 PM
Have been making my morning protein shake for three years with no issues. I've also made soups and sauces with great results.

jruhlen1980
07-29-2017, 08:14 PM
I think it's like comparing a Nissan to a Mercedes. Both are quality cars but they are in entirely different classes.

It also depends on what you are going to use it for.

I have a ninja and I like it a lot, but for the most part I make smoothies, sometimes soups. I'm sure the vitamix is vastly superior but the ninja is sufficient for my purposes.

What I really came here to add is that I was impressed with ninja's customer service. The pitcher started cracking after less than a year & they didn't give me any hassle, just verified my purchase info & sent me a new one immediately. Didn't make me send them any pictures or fill out any forms or anything. It was shockingly simple.

Ken Robb
07-29-2017, 08:45 PM
Consumer Reports liked them both but thought the Ninja was a big bargain.

45K10
07-30-2017, 06:00 AM
We have a vitamix and really like it, never used a ninja though. We use it to make rice flour and other gluten free flours. It also makes awesome butternut squash soup!

It is loud

A1A
07-30-2017, 07:57 AM
My wife just bought me a Nutribullet Pro which is pretty cool if you are just making smoothies. There a couple types of handles (one with cover, one without) that you just screw onto the container you make the smoothie in. Easy peasey...

Very little cleanup compared to the blender I was using before.

rockdude
07-30-2017, 08:07 AM
I have been using a Blendtec Pro daily for 6 or 7 years. It will be the best $1100 you will ever spend.

1697943616

KJMUNC
07-30-2017, 08:41 AM
We own both and I completely disassembled both to compare the build quality and understand what drives the differential in price. As someone mentioned earlier, it's akin to Mercedes (or Bentley) vs Nissan....in short the quality of materials, including amount of plastic (both weight and thickness), electronics (basic wiring vs beefy gauge and simple vs complex switchboard) is clearly obvious when you put the piece-parts side by side.

It's also pretty interesting to do side by side comparisons using the exact same ingredients. The Vitamix is far quieter and does a more efficient and complete job in every way.

Comparing the two is kind of like saying "well Walmart sells bikes, so why would I go to a bike shop and pay big $$$ for some fancy carbon bike?"

Either is sufficient, but the Vitamix is far superior.

spinarelli
07-30-2017, 09:12 AM
Like mentioned above, get the vitamix at costco, on sale on a regular basis. I use it every day, usually with a lot of frozen fruit. 7 year warranty is a plus.

krhea
07-30-2017, 11:08 AM
What are you planning to use it for? I'd hardly think spending either Blendtec or Vitamix money for a machine that will primarily make smoothies is a smart investment. If you're looking for something that can make soups and sauces on the regular that might be a different story.

Otherwise your question is similar to the age old, which bike is "better" question that drives most all of us crazy without knowing how the bike will be used OR what the buyer's expectations are.

We used a Ninja for 5 or 6 yrs on a daily basis with at 3 users and sometimes four making smoothies and loved it, no problems AND I could whip up some soup when needed, rarely, but it always did the job. We've now had a "Bullet" for a couple yrs and are happy again using it the same way with fewer users.

I'm the family "chef" and if we were into soups or I was a regular sauce maker I'd "invest" in a Vitamix or Blendtec but neither of those fit our user profile nor our wallet "weight" just to have a cool machine on our counter.

SlackMan
07-30-2017, 02:22 PM
i have a vitamix. used a ninja at my brothers house.
there is no comparison at all.
vitamix is way powerful and better.

Ditto.

oldguy00
07-30-2017, 07:50 PM
I've had my vitamix for 18 years now, still going strong, has never needed warranty anything. Mostly used for smoothies with frozen fruit, etc.
IF you think it is something you'll really make use of regularly, I'd pony up the extra 200-300 to get the vitamix.

zambenini
07-31-2017, 06:35 AM
we love our vitamix - can be bought for less via open item sales at target or costco, sometimes open items sold online too. Easier to justify the price that way.

chiasticon
07-31-2017, 07:20 AM
I'm not huge into blenders and admittedly my wife is the one who does the real cooking in our house; I'm the cleanup guy. anyway, you didn't give any context but I'd suggest assessing what you're actually going to use it for. we got a vitamix as a wedding gift and it just sits now. too bulky and just overkill for our needs. we end up using this cheapo "magic bullet" deal as it's perfect for the main thing we like to make: smoothies. super simple to use and cleanup. you basically just put the base of it away, throw a straw into the mixing cup and start drinking. awesome when you're shredded from a ride and want a recovery smoothie but have very minimal energy to screw with extra crap.

anyway, just an alternative thought from what's been mentioned.

tuxbailey
07-31-2017, 07:26 AM
We have a factory certified unit and we have been very happy with it. 5 year warranty and they have additional discounts from time to time.

b3pkay
07-31-2017, 10:37 AM
I have a ninja and loathe using it. It works okay for smoothies, but does not get them even close to the smooth consistency vitamix or blendtec can. Leaves dates and nuts like almonds chunky where the vitamix I've used makes everything a smooth, drinkable consistency.

flydhest
07-31-2017, 12:20 PM
Echoing some of what has been said, but trying to be specific to be helpful. When I make smoothies I put spinach or kale in, usually along with chia seeds. The vitamix is much, much better than the ninja for that. If your smoothies have fruit and yogurt, the ninja will be fine, but raspberry and strawberry seeds will still be mostly there. If you get the ninja and want to do spinach or chia seeds or berries with seeds, use the single serving cup and blade. The single blade at the bottom works much better than the series of blades on the shaft of the Ninja. Never used a blend tec. Heard good things. Love my Vitamix.

Ken Robb
07-31-2017, 01:41 PM
Isn't Ninja a brand with several different models? If so, that might explain the differing reviews here.

shamsixnine
07-31-2017, 03:24 PM
Another Vitamin user here. It's a killer machine. Ice cold smoothies or hot vegetable soup from the same machine. You can't go wrong.

ORMojo
07-31-2017, 06:31 PM
Costco has several models of both Blendtec and Vitamix on sale this week.

Williams Sonoma also has a lot of Vitamix models currently on sale, plus you can choose either the Blending Bowls or Blending Cups set for an additional $50 (regularly $100 or $130).

belopsky
07-31-2017, 06:36 PM
Costco has several models of both Blendtec and Vitamix on sale this week.

Williams Sonoma also has a lot of Vitamix models currently on sale, plus you can choose either the Blending Bowls or Blending Cups set for an additional $50 (regularly $100 or $130).

Whats the price of the costco one?

belopsky
07-31-2017, 06:38 PM
Hard to beat the factory refurb'd blendtec price
https://www.amazon.com/Blendtec-TB-621-25-WildSide-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B00TKRQWS8