Vitamix VX3 Professional-Grade Blender, 3 Programs, Black
Vitamix VX3 Professional-Grade Blender, 3 Programs, Black 48 oz. Container, Kitchen Appliance for Smoothies, Soups and More, Pulse, Variable Speed, Self-Cleaning Program
- Includes: VX3 Blender Base, 48-ounce Container, Tamper, Tamper Holder
- 48-ounce BPA-free container: Soft-grip handle excels at low-volume and midsize blends for 1–4 servings
- BlendPilot adaptive blending technology: Senses the activity in the container to determine the ideal blending cycle
- Three BlendPilot Programs: Smoothie, Frozen Cocktail, and Soup programs simplify everyday blending
- Self-Cleaning Program: Just add warm water and a drop of dish soap
- Variable Speed Control: Adjust the speed at any time during the blend for textures from silky smoothies to chunky salsa
- Pulse feature: Achieve the perfect texture, every time.
- Built to last: Powerful motor, hardened stainless-steel blades, and 7-Year Limited Warranty
VX3 combines iconic Vitamix performance and durability with BlendPilot™ adaptive blending technology. Developed using machine learning, BlendPilot™ senses the activity in the container to determine the ideal blending cycle, giving you perfect results every time. Three BlendPilot™ programs simplify smoothies, frozen cocktails, and soup, while Variable Speed Control and Pulse help you fine-tune textures from silky smoothies to chunky salsa. The 48-ounce BPA-free container with exclusive soft-grip handle excels at low-volume and midsize blends for 1–4 servings. Built with a powerful motor and hardened stainless-steel blades, VX3 is designed to pulverize tough ingredients, blend after blend, and includes a 7-Year Limited Warranty.
| SKU: | B0H4MD5KL6 |
| Weight: | 10.5 pounds |
| Brand: | Vitamix |
| Model: | 075886 |
| Part: | 075886 |
| Colour: | Black |
| Manufacture: | Vitamix |
| Colour: | Black |
At the time of this review, the asking price for this blender is about $500, which is very expensive though the quality of the blender is nothing to scoff at.
The blender is definitely a step above most other blenders, this will be readily apparent if you test making the same smoothie in this blender vs your old one. It blends things very quickly and very smoothly with very little effort. Cleanup is super easy too (btw it advertises a cleaning function, but you can generally just put soapy water in most blenders and pulse them on high for achieve the same effect).
Without a doubt this blender is indeed of very high quality. Now whether or not you should buy one really is up to you and what you intend to use it for and how often you’ll use it. If you won’t use it too often, it honestly probably won’t be worth it to you, if you don’t really care of your smoothies are super smooth or not then you probably also don’t need this blender. If you do indeed use a blender often, especially if you happen to use your blender often for soups where that smooth texture is often a must, then this blender is definitely worth considering.
Wow! I really didn’t think there was that much difference between blenders, but I stand corrected. This is a serious appliance for blending a variety of ingredients with polished results. Taking it out of the package provides a significant difference in weight of base, size of container, and the features offered in the control panel. This is a hoss! It’s heavy, offers significant blades, and a lot of extra features. I am looking forward to trying all the features, but especially the blend soup while using friction, it is automatically heated and ready to eat! There is a soup bowl icon for that function, and it should work automatically to bring soup to temperature. The 48 oz size container means I can create batches of juices and nut butters without guess work, and I can clean it without ever sending the container to the dishwasher with the self-clean cycle. I will update after I try some of the other features, but this gives this minimalist cook hope for more flavorful meals in our future! a word about price: I can say that we go through basic Ninja blenders every year or so, used daily for blending breakfast smoothies, mostly. We have spent between $90 and $160 per blender, and they hold more or less volume depending on unit. They do not beat the power and function of this blender, and this one inspires me to use a blender more for making sauces, cocktails, and soups quickly. That’s 4 12 oz frozen drinks, 6 bowls of soup, and plenty of sauce, gravy, or salad dressing. I would hope that this blender would last 8-10 years with care, and avoid a quick replacement like the Ninjas. Ultimately, food quality and ingredients are becoming more important to us, so this is a logical place to invest in a tool to accomplish that. Since I have received this unit in exchange for reviewing it, I want to add that I don’t suggest a $500 investment lightly. If you use blenders frequently and find that you need to replace them frequently, I would consider this as a step up both in quality and function. For serious cooks, even minimalists like me, this is a great choice for better meals.
The first thing Amazon asks when writing a review is, “What should other customers know about
this product?” Here are some of the highlights:
Highlights
BlendPilot Adaptive Blending Technology — The Defining Feature The VX3’s headline
innovation is BlendPilot, a machine learning-developed system that actively senses the activity
inside the container during blending and automatically determines the ideal blending cycle. Rather
than running at a fixed speed for a fixed time, BlendPilot monitors what’s happening in real time and
adjusts accordingly — resulting in consistent, optimized results without manual intervention. This is a
meaningful step beyond conventional blenders that simply run at whatever speed you set.
Three BlendPilot Programs — Simplified One-Touch Blending Three pre-programmed
BlendPilot cycles handle the most common everyday blending tasks:
Smoothie — Optimized cycle for fruit, vegetables, protein powders, and liquid bases
Frozen Cocktail — Designed for ice-heavy blends; properly handles frozen ingredients
without stalling or over-processing
Soup — Runs an extended cycle that not only blends but friction-heats the contents to
serving temperature — no separate stovetop step required for hot soups
Each program runs automatically to completion — start it and walk away.
Variable Speed Control — 10 Speeds for Precise Manual Blending Beyond the three automated
programs, the VX3 offers 10 discrete variable speed settings adjustable at any point during the
blend. This gives the operator full manual control over texture — from completely smooth and silky
at high speed to rough-chopped and chunky at low speed. Variable speed control is essential for
applications like salsa, nut butters, dips, and batters where texture is a deliberate outcome rather
than maximum smoothness.
Pulse Feature — Instant Texture Control The Pulse function delivers short, controlled bursts of
blending power at whatever speed is currently selected. Pulse is the correct tool for achieving
precise coarse textures — chopped nuts, chunky sauces, rough-ground spices — where running the
motor continuously would over-process the ingredients. It is also useful for dislodging ingredients
stuck on the blades without committing to a full blend cycle.
1,440-Watt Motor — Professional-Grade Power The VX3 is equipped with a 1,440-watt motor —
the power tier associated with professional and commercial-grade blending performance. This
wattage level is sufficient to pulverize whole ice cubes, frozen fruit, raw nuts, fibrous vegetables, and
whole grains without straining the motor. At 1,440 watts, the VX3 sits at the upper end of household
blender power — comparable to or exceeding the motor power of other Vitamix models in the
Explorian and Ascent series.
Hardened Stainless-Steel Blades The blade assembly uses hardened stainless-steel — the
same blade specification found across the Vitamix professional lineup. Hardened stainless steel
maintains its edge under sustained high-stress blending (frozen ingredients, ice, hard vegetables,
whole nuts) and resists corrosion from acidic ingredients like citrus and tomato-based blends. The
blades are not user-replaceable on Vitamix containers — they are engineered as a permanent
assembly to maintain balance and performance integrity.
48-Ounce BPA-Free Container with Soft-Grip Handle The included 48-ounce container is sized
for 1–4 serving blends — the practical sweet spot for household use. Vitamix specifies this container
as optimized for low-volume and midsize blends, where the vortex created during blending efficiently
engages all ingredients. The container is BPA-free and features Vitamix’s exclusive soft-grip handle
— a tactile, secure grip that reduces slippage when handling a full, heavy container. This container
size sits between the standard 64-oz low-profile container (better for large batches) and the compact
32-oz personal container (better for single servings).
Tamper and Tamper Holder Included A tamper is included in the box and comes with a dedicated
tamper holder for storage. The tamper is used to push thick, dense ingredients (nut butters, frozen
blends, thick batters) toward the blades during blending without stopping the motor and scraping
down with a spatula. This is a Vitamix-specific tool designed to work safely through the vented lid
plug while the blender is running.
Self-Cleaning Program — One-Touch Cleaning The VX3 includes a dedicated Self-Cleaning
Program: add warm water and a drop of dish soap, run the program, rinse. The high-speed blending
cycle cleans the container interior, blades, and walls in approximately 60 seconds without
disassembly. No hand scrubbing, no reaching into the blade assembly, no soaking required. This is
particularly valuable for sourdough bakers and frequent blenders where daily or multiple-daily
cleanups are realistic.
Compact Footprint for a High-Power Blender At 9.5″ D 8.25″ W 17″ H, the VX3 fits under
most standard kitchen cabinets (typically 18″ clearance from counter to cabinet). The 17″ height is
worth measuring against your specific cabinet clearance before positioning on the counter
permanently. At 10.5 pounds, it is heavy enough to stay stable during high-speed blending but light
enough to move for cleaning or storage without difficulty.
7-Year Limited Warranty — Industry-Leading Coverage Vitamix includes a 7-Year Limited
Warranty — one of the longest warranty periods in the household blender category. This covers the
motor base, container, blades, and components against defects in materials and workmanship. For a
$499.95 appliance, this warranty is a meaningful value component and a strong signal of Vitamix’s
confidence in the VX3’s build quality and long-term durability.
Price: $499.95 The VX3 is positioned at the premium tier of the household blender category —
consistent with Vitamix’s broader product lineup. At $499.95, it competes with other Vitamix models
(Explorian E310, Ascent A2300, A3500) and premium alternatives (Blendtec Designer 625, Ninja
Foodi Power Blender Ultimate System). The BlendPilot technology and 48-oz container with soft-grip
handle are the primary differentiators from older or lower-tier Vitamix models at similar price points.
FREE Delivery Monday, August 24 — two days from today for Prime members.
Specifications
Brand: Vitamix
Manufacturer: Vitamix
Model Number / Part Number: 075886
ASIN: B0H4MD5KL6
Date First Available: August 5, 2026
Item Type Name: Vitamix VX3 Countertop Blender with BlendPilot Programs, Black
Physical Dimensions
Depth: 9.5 inches. Width: 8.25 inches. Height: 17 inches. Item weight: 10.5 pounds. The 17-inch
height is the critical measurement to check against kitchen cabinet clearance before permanent
counter placement.
Motor and Power
Wattage: 1,440 watts. Power source: AC (standard 120-volt household outlet). Voltage: 120 volts.
No special electrical requirements — plugs into any standard US household outlet.
Speed and Control
Number of speeds: 10. Control type: Variable Speed Control. Pulse feature: Yes — delivers
controlled bursts at the currently selected speed. Mode selection: Variable speed dial plus dedicated
program buttons.
BlendPilot Programs
Three programs: Smoothie, Frozen Cocktail, Soup. Technology basis: Machine
learning-developed adaptive sensing system. Operation: Automatically senses container activity and
runs the optimal blending cycle to completion.
Container
Capacity: 48 fluid ounces. Container count: 1. Container material: Plastic (BPA-free). Special
features: Exclusive Vitamix soft-grip handle. Optimal use: Low-volume and midsize blends for 1–4
servings.
Blades
Material: Hardened stainless steel. Configuration: Permanent blade assembly integrated into the
container (not user-replaceable as a standalone part).
Special Features
BlendPilot adaptive blending technology. Three automated BlendPilot programs. Variable Speed
Control (10 speeds). Pulse. Self-Cleaning Program. Tamper and tamper holder included.
What’s in the Box
VX3 blender base, 48-ounce BPA-free container, tamper, tamper holder, owner’s manual. No
additional containers included.
Warranty
7-Year Limited Warranty — explicitly stated in product attributes. Warranty type: Limited. Coverage
applies to defects in materials and workmanship.
Color and Style
Color: Black. Style: Countertop blender.
What Else Potential Buyers Should Know
BlendPilot Is the Defining New Feature — But Unverified in Real-World Use BlendPilot’s
adaptive sensing technology is the primary differentiator of the VX3 over previous Vitamix models.
The concept is compelling: the blender senses what is happening inside the container and
automatically adjusts the cycle rather than running blindly at a fixed speed and time. However, with
zero reviews, no buyer has yet confirmed:
Whether BlendPilot’s automated programs produce meaningfully better results than
manual variable-speed operation
How BlendPilot responds to unusual ingredient combinations or non-standard ratios
Whether the sensing system performs consistently across repeated cycles with the same
ingredients
How BlendPilot ages — whether its sensing accuracy remains consistent after extended
use
For buyers who want confirmed BlendPilot performance before committing $499.95, waiting 60–90
days for independent buyer reviews to accumulate is a reasonable approach.
The 48-Ounce Container Is the Only Container Included The VX3 ships with a single 48-ounce
BPA-free container — no additional sizes included. The 48-oz is optimized for 1–4 servings, which
covers most everyday blending tasks. However:
Large batch blending (soups for 5+, large smoothie batches, party-size frozen cocktails)
requires a 64-oz container — sold separately, typically
80
120+
Single-serving or personal blending (individual smoothies, small sauce batches, dry
ingredient grinding) is better suited to a 32-oz or 20-oz personal container — also sold
separately
Dry grain or coffee grinding requires a dedicated dry grains container — also sold
separately
Buyers who plan to use the VX3 across multiple use cases should budget for additional containers.
A full multi-container Vitamix setup can add
150
300+ to the total cost of ownership.
Container Compatibility With Existing Vitamix Containers For buyers who already own Vitamix
containers from a previous model, compatibility with the VX3 base should be verified before
assuming existing containers will work. Vitamix containers use a blade-drive coupling system that is
broadly compatible across the Classic and Explorian series, but the VX3 is a new model as of
August 2026, and container compatibility has not yet been independently confirmed in buyer
reviews. Contact Vitamix customer service directly to confirm whether your existing containers are
compatible before purchasing.
Noise Level — A Known Vitamix Characteristic High-wattage Vitamix blenders are loud — this is
a well-documented characteristic of the entire lineup, not unique to the VX3. At 1,440 watts,
high-speed blending cycles — particularly the full-power BlendPilot programs — will be clearly
audible throughout an open-plan living space. The typical operating level for a Vitamix at high speed
is approximately 88–92 dB, which is comparable to a food processor or loud kitchen exhaust fan.
Buyers in apartments, shared living situations, or households with noise sensitivity should factor this
in. A dedicated sound enclosure accessory (sold separately from third parties) can meaningfully
reduce perceived noise if this is a concern.
Cabinet Clearance Is a Real Planning Consideration At 17 inches tall, the VX3 requires 17
inches of vertical clearance from countertop to the underside of overhead cabinets for permanent
placement. Standard kitchen cabinet installations provide 15–18 inches of clearance depending on
the specific kitchen — meaning the VX3 will not fit under all cabinets without adjustment. Buyers
should measure their specific cabinet clearance before assuming counter placement is possible. If
clearance is insufficient, the VX3 will need to be stored and retrieved for each use, which affects
daily workflow in a high-frequency blending household.
The Soup Program — Managing Expectations The Soup program is a genuine and impressive
Vitamix capability — friction heating from high-speed blending raises contents to serving
temperature without an external heat source. A few practical details worth knowing:
Starting with room-temperature or slightly warm ingredients produces better results
and faster heating than starting with cold refrigerated ingredients
The program produces smooth, fully blended soup — not chunky or textured soup. If a
chunky soup texture is desired, Variable Speed or Pulse at low settings is the correct
approach, not the Soup program
The container and contents will be very hot at the end of the Soup program — handle
with care; use the soft-grip handle and avoid touching the container walls directly
Variable Speed and Pulse Remain Available During BlendPilot Programs A useful operational
detail: the Variable Speed dial and Pulse button remain active during any BlendPilot program.
The operator can intervene, adjust speed, or pulse at any point during an automated cycle. This
means BlendPilot programs are not locked — they are automated defaults that can be manually
overridden at will. For buyers who value control, this is a meaningful reassurance that the
automation does not remove manual capability.
Self-Cleaning Does Not Replace All Manual Cleaning The Self-Cleaning Program — warm water
plus a drop of dish soap, run the cycle, rinse — efficiently handles the container interior and blade
assembly. However:
The lid, lid plug, and tamper require manual hand washing after each use
The exterior of the container and base require wiping after use
Strongly pigmented blends (beet, turmeric, berry, spinach) may leave residue that
requires more than one self-clean cycle or brief hand scrubbing
Oily or fatty blends (nut butters, cream-based soups) may require hot water and slightly
more soap than clear liquid smoothies
Self-cleaning dramatically reduces cleaning effort — it does not eliminate it entirely.
The Tamper — Use Only as Designed The included tamper fits through the vented lid plug of the
48-oz container and is sized so it cannot reach the blades — a deliberate safety design. Use the
tamper only with the lid plug in place, only inserted through the lid vent, and only with compatible
Vitamix containers. Never insert any other implement (spatula, spoon, chopstick) into a running
blender to push ingredients — this is a serious safety risk.
The VX3’s differentiation from the A2300 (at similar pricing) is BlendPilot adaptive technology in
exchange for the A2300’s wireless container detection. Buyers choosing between the two should
weight which feature set better matches their actual kitchen workflow.
No Wall Timer or Connected App Integration Mentioned The VX3 listing does not reference app
connectivity, Bluetooth, WiFi, or smart home integration. The Ascent series (A2300, A3500) includes
wireless container detection for the Vitamix app. If connected kitchen appliance integration is
important to your setup, the VX3 does not appear to offer this capability — the Ascent series would
be the appropriate Vitamix choice.
Vitamix Customer Support and Warranty Service — Established Track Record One meaningful
advantage of purchasing a Vitamix over a lesser-known brand at this price point: Vitamix has a
well-established, decades-long reputation for honoring its warranty claims and providing responsive
customer support. The 7-year warranty is not simply a number — it is backed by a company with a
demonstrated history of standing behind its products. This is a genuine purchase confidence factor
that no specification sheet can fully convey.
The Case For Buying It
1. Vitamix Is One of the Most Proven Brands in the Category This is not a new or unproven
manufacturer. Vitamix has built and maintained a reputation for motor longevity, build quality, and
warranty fulfillment across decades. Buying a Vitamix at any tier is buying into an established,
trusted brand with a demonstrated track record of standing behind its products. That institutional
credibility is real value at $499.95.
2. BlendPilot Removes the Biggest Pain Point of Blender Ownership The single most common
complaint across all blender categories — including previous Vitamix models — is inconsistent
results: over-blended, under-blended, or manually timed cycles that require attention and
adjustment. BlendPilot’s adaptive sensing eliminates this entirely for the three most frequently used
programs (Smoothie, Frozen Cocktail, Soup). If you blend these things regularly, you are buying
back time and consistency on every single use.
3. The Soup Program Is a Genuine Kitchen Workflow Upgrade No other feature on this blender
is as transformative for daily cooking as the Soup program. Going from raw vegetables and broth to
hot, fully blended, serving-temperature soup — entirely in the blender, in approximately 5–6 minutes,
without a stovetop, pot, or transfer step — changes how you approach weeknight cooking. For
frequent home cooks, this alone is a compelling reason to choose the VX3 over a less capable
blender.
4. 1,440 Watts Means Never Hitting a Wall At 1,440 watts, the VX3 handles everything: whole ice
cubes, frozen fruit straight from the freezer, raw almonds, fibrous kale stems, whole grains, hot
liquids, thick nut butters. There is no ingredient that will stall or strain this motor under normal
household use. Cheaper blenders at 600–900 watts have real-world ceiling limitations — the VX3
does not.
5. The 7-Year Warranty Is Exceptionally Strong Most blenders at this price point carry 1–3 year
warranties. Vitamix’s 7-year limited warranty is one of the longest in the household appliance
category, and — critically — it is backed by a company that has a verified history of honoring it. This
warranty effectively converts a $499.95 purchase into a long-term kitchen infrastructure investment
rather than a disposable appliance.
6. Variable Speed + Pulse Means Full Professional Control Is Always Available BlendPilot
handles automation; Variable Speed and Pulse give you complete manual control over texture at any
moment. This dual capability means the VX3 is not just a smoothie machine — it handles the full
spectrum of culinary blending tasks: salsa, hummus, dips, batters, nut butters, whipped cream, hot
soups, frozen desserts, sauces, and more. One appliance with genuine professional-grade
versatility.
7. Self-Cleaning Eliminates the Biggest Friction of Daily Use Blenders that are difficult to clean
get used less. The Self-Cleaning Program — 60 seconds, warm water, one drop of dish soap —
removes the primary behavioral barrier to using the blender daily. For high-frequency users, this is a
quality-of-life feature that meaningfully impacts how often the blender actually gets used.
8. Compact for Its Power Tier At 8.25 inches wide and 10.5 pounds, the VX3 is notably compact
for a 1,440-watt professional-grade blender. Competing models at this power level are frequently
bulkier and heavier. The compact footprint makes permanent counter placement more practical.
9. FREE Delivery Prime members get the VX3 in two days — no waiting, no
additional shipping cost.
The honest one-sentence case: The Vitamix VX3 is the right blender to buy if you blend regularly,
value consistent automated results over manual adjustment, cook soups or frozen cocktails with any
frequency, and want a professionally built appliance with a 7-year warranty that you will realistically
still be using a decade from now.
Powerful Blender That Is Surprisingly Easy to Clea
I have been using this Vitamix to make milkshakes and to blend a mixture of vegetables and meat for my Shih Tzu’s food. It handles both jobs extremely well and creates a smooth, consistent blend without needing much effort.
The controls are pretty straightforward once you get the lay of the land, and the 48-ounce container is a practical size that provides plenty of room without feeling overly large. So far I’d say it’s pretty durable, and it should be for being the more “Professional-Grade” blender. The black finish does look clean on the counter. Speaking of clean, what I like most is how easy it is to clean, especially after working with several different ingredients. You just toss in some dish soap and water, the blender has a self clean mode which works really well, you just need to hand wash the lid really.
I have not tested its “warming” capabilities for making hot soup yet, but that is on my list of things to try this winter. So far, the strong performance, simple setup, and easy cleanup make this a worthwhile blender to recommend for the price.
Having had a Vitamix Ascent blender that I love for a few years and having previously had an opportunity to try out the VX1 blender that came out earlier this year (a far more bare-bones base model), I was pretty curious to try out the new VX3 for one reason: the BlendPilot programs, which Vitamix states are adaptive, reading activity in the container and adjusting accordingly. While my Ascent has three blending programs, as well, they are not adaptive, so I was interested in seeing whether the machine learning technology would really make much difference in the final product.
First, let me note that while my older Ascent’s three blending programs are smoothie, hot soup, and frozen dessert, this brand new VX3’s BlendPilot programs are smoothie, soup, and frozen cocktail. This model’s onboard programs seem to lean toward things that are of a slightly less thick consistency: two of the three adaptive programs are for types of beverages, and there are fewer variances of final blend thickness/texture between the programs. Of course, other things can be manually blended with this blender, too, but this blender’s automated programs do focus more toward beverages. This makes some sense since so many people do use blenders primarily for drinks (personally, I do use my Ascent for a lot of other kitchen tasks, so I’m less inclined to focus primarily on blended drinks, but I get it).
This blender seems louder than my Ascent does when it’s running (neither is quiet) but is 1440w rather than the 1500w that many of the current/past Ascent models are. The VX3 has the same wattage as the VX1 model that came out earlier this year, but a slightly better limited warranty at 7 years instead of 5 (the Ascent 2500 that I own had a 10-year full warranty while the current Ascent X series has a 10-year limited warranty).
The base of this model feels a bit better balanced and weighted than the VX1’s base, and while I do wish that the black plastic on the base was more matte (the 2500 Ascent finish was matte, which I think looks better — the glossy black plastic looks a bit cheaper), this one looks a bit better than the VX1. This model also comes with the 48 oz blending jar instead of the 64-oz blending jar that comes with the VX1. I prefer a 48-oz-size blending jar for most things, so I’m glad Vitamix went that route for the VX3 — although I must confess that I prefer to use the 48-oz stainless steel Vitamix blending jar I already had to the plastic jar that comes with it, and this blender works quite well with it.
The adaptive programs on the VX3 work well, and I am pretty pleased with the smoothie program in particular, which adjusted itself multiple times during the blending process and which produced a fruit smoothie that was noticeably smoother than the non-adaptive program on my Ascent (I occasionally have to run that program twice to get the results I want if it’s a thick blend). I really wasn’t expecting a marked improvement in smoothie quality and was already pretty happy with what my Ascent produced. But despite the fact that I didn’t put quite as much liquid into the smoothie as usual, the blender adjusted appropriately to produce a silky smooth smoothie that came out about as thick as soft serve ice cream with no tamper use needed, so I expect it can handle frozen desserts just fine. And the blend was consistent with very few remaining seed bits.
I must confess that I do wish this VX3 blender came with a 4-ft cord like my old Ascent 2500: both the newer Ascent X models and the new VX models have a 3.5-foot cord, instead, and for many kitchen outlet set-ups, a slightly longer cord is better. However, I’ve got to say that if you can find a dedicated space near an outlet for this blender, the cord length will be fine. I like the food processor accessory and specialty blending jars that work with my older Ascent blender, and I really like using that blender for other kitchen tasks, so I won’t be getting rid of it any time soon (it’s a multifunctional workhorse and has its own home on the countertop in my pantry area). But I will say that this blender’s smoothie game has really impressed me so far, and since I do drink a lot of my meals, I’m thinking about making this my dedicated smoothie/frozen protein drink blender and reserving the Ascent primarily for other kitchen tasks (because it’s great for food processing, grinding flour, etc.) except when having parties/gatherings — when having two blenders running at once can be very useful.
While they definitely blend, the Ascents feel to me like multi-functional kitchen appliances because they have some neat accessories to expand function; the VX models, on the other hand, feel primarily like blenders. But based on my experience of the new VX models and their performance, if I had a friend shopping for a VX Vitamix blender who was on the fence between the VX1 and this VX3, I’d recommend going for the VX3 unless the additional cost was prohibitive. The VX1 I tried worked fine for basic blending and I had no particular issues with it, but the VX3 definitely produced better-blended soups, blended cocktails, and smoothies, the tamper is of better quality, and the base feels a bit better constructed.
Of course, this is a new-to-market Vitamix blender with new machine learning technology managing part of its functionality, so only time will tell how it holds up over the long haul. While the warranty isn’t as long on this model as on my Ascent model, I’m hoping that this blender will continue to perform as well. Whatever the future (of this blender) holds, though, I’m currently enjoying a delicious smoothie and am quite content with the VX3 so far.
This Vitamix VX3 Professiinal-Grade Blender is such a brilliant piece of machinery! It is a beast and crushes, shreds, and even makes as it heats up soup as it spins at very high rpm’s! It does everything!!! This blender is very easy to use and even comes with an instruction booklet and recipe book. It’s so nice and works so well that my Husband and I are truly delighted with it! It takes up just a little bit of counter space and it does so much that it’s very much worth its value and then some. The price tag is also definitely worth the value of the Vitamix VX3 Blender as well. It handles with ease and it is so comfortable to use that I can’t help but to look for reasons to use it! The plastic baton makes it easy to push any loose bits to the bottom and is perfectly measured so that the baton doesn’t reach the blades. It’s also very easy to clean with some soap and warm water. It cleans the blades and the interior just by adding it to the inside and turning on the blender! They have thought of everything! Both my husband and I love this machine and are quick now to recommend it to anyone and everyone, especially family members! We love this Vitamix VX3 Professional-Grade Blender! It’s definitely worth the purchase!
Another solid Vitamix
I’ve had a Vitamix 5200 for about 20 years and it still runs perfectly. When the blades started making a noise after the warranty was long gone, they sent a new blade assembly totally free anyhow. So I’m biased toward the brand, but it’s earned.
The VX3 blends like a Vitamix. Smoothies come out smooth, frozen stuff doesn’t leave ice chunks, and the soup program does heat things up from friction like they say. The program buttons are nice if you don’t want to stand there with the dial the whole time. Self clean is easy – warm water, drop of soap, run it, rinse.
Tamper clips on the side which beats losing it in a drawer. 48 oz is a good everyday size. I do prefer the larger container on my old vitamix, but I rarely needed that much so it’s not a huge impact. It’s tall and loud like every Vitamix I’ve used – so be careful about cabinet heights – but it’s worth the size.
$400 is a lot of money, but for something that can last decades and a company that actually stands behind it, I’m fine with that. More than their basic models, less than the fancy touchscreen ones. If you blend a lot, this is the kind of buy that makes sense long term.
This is a true buy it for life type of product. $400 over 20 years is $20/year for the best of the best. Well worth it.
I mulled over ordering this blender for a while before going ahead with it, because I wasn’t sure I’d use it enough. After a bit of research, I learned it’s more than just a smoothie machine. I’m not going to list the features and specifications; they’re all in the item description. Instead, I’m going to focus on actually using the machine and what it’s capable of.
Blenders have been a rarely used appliance in my kitchen, so I faced a learning curve. The Getting Started Guide, included with the blender, was the perfect place to start. It walked me through making a simple smoothie using cantaloupe, an orange, and some vanilla Greek yogurt. I set the BlendPilot to the smoothie setting and let it go. If you had Creamcicles when you were a kid, you know the taste. The blender absolutely obliterated the orange sections until no trace of pulp was left. The texture of the smoothie was thick and luxurious. You can get an idea of the foamy texture from my photo and seeing how deeply into the glass the bubbles go. That foamy, creamy goodness persisted for more than 2 hours after pouring the glass. That’s real deal blending.
Anxious to see what other tricks this blender can do; I browsed the recipes on the Vitamix website. I selected a variety of recipes that I thought would give me the most experience with different settings and types of foods. All of the foods in my photos are made following recipes on the Vitamix website. I stayed true to the recipes for the most part, but I did take a couple of liberties. I substituted all-purpose flour for the whole wheat in the corn bread and added sugar instead of honey. I substituted 00 flour for the all-purpose flour in the pizza dough (yep, pizza dough in a blender). I wanted to bake the pizzas in a wood fired oven, and 00 flour handles the high heat better.
My photos show the cantaloupe/orange smoothie, almond cookies, jalapeno cornbread muffins, apple pie smoothie, pizza dough, and the finished pizza made from the dough and topped with sauce made from the Vitamix Fresh Tomato Sauce recipe. All of the recipes are available on the Vitamix website. The picture of the blender full of white stuff is the self-clean function in action.
So, what do I think after giving this machine a workout? The blending action is downright wicked, it’s phenomenal. Drinks and sauces come out creamier and smoother than any blender I’ve ever used. It’s very competent mixing batters and light doughs. As for the pizza dough, well, I probably won’t make that again. I make all of my pizza doughs by hand, use preferments, and long cold fermentation times. The instant yeast/fast rise thing just isn’t for me.
I’m anxious to try the recipes I didn’t get to today. The lemon bars look delicious. I’m also intrigued by the blender using friction to heat soup as it blends, so I will be putting that to the test. The self-clean function got a real workout today, and it’s awesome. It even cleaned the pizza dough (with a bit of preliminary help from me). After today, I’m a convert. I used to think blenders were a waste of counter space. Not this one, it’s here to stay.