Best Vitamix alternatives 2024: tested blenders at lower prices
You don't have to spend top dollar to get a good blender
Best Vitamix alternatives 2024: Jump Menu
1. The list in brief ↴
2. Best overall: Nutribullet Pro 900
3. Best blender and juicer: Breville the Bluicer
4. Best blender and processor: Ninja Professional Plus
5. Best portable blender: BlendJet 2
6. Best cordless blender: Cuisinart EvolutionX
7. Best budget blender: Nutribullet Smart Touch
8. How we test
9. Meet the team
10. FAQs
We love almost everything about Vitamix blenders. Vitamix deliver powerful blenders with special features and a premium design − at a premium price point. If you want to buy a blender, but you don't have hundreds of dollars to spare, you'll need to find an alternative.
That's where we come in. Here at H&G, we have a team of expert product testers. We've tried all the best blenders to find the strongest alternatives to Vitamix.
These blenders can make everything from pre-workout protein shakes to girl-dinner chunky dips. We've ranked them based on power, capacity, special features, noise levels, and the all-important price.
The Quick list
If you just want to get shopping already, these are the best Vitamix alternatives at a glance. Scroll down for more specifics.
Best overall
This bullet blender is ultra-powerful. It can crush ice, open seeds, crack stems, and shred skins.
Best blender/juicer
Since this product is a blender and a juicer in one, it makes the smoothest smoothies and the creamiest sauces.
Best blender/processor
This blender comes with Total Crushing Blades that are strong enough to crush ice and slice veg.
Best portable
This lightweight blender makes grab-and-go smoothies and shakes to drink straight from the jar.
Best cordless
You can make a shake anytime, anywhere, with this battery-powered blender.
Best budget
This blender offers four programs, three speeds and pulse settings, and a sleek touchscreen, all for less than $150.
The best Vitamix alternatives in 2024
You can trust Homes & Gardens.
The best Vitamix alternative overall
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Buy it if
✅ You want a bullet blender: they're simple to use. Just push the bar into the motor base to blend.
✅ You want smaller servings: this pitcher is on the smaller side, but it's perfectly sized for single servings.
✅ You're on a budget: you can bag this blender at a bargain price, often under $100.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want special features: this old-school blender only has a single speed setting.
❌ You want to make multiple servings at once: since the pitcher is on the smaller side, you'd need to make your shakes one at a time,
❌ You want to blend hard vegetables: for dips and sauces, you'll want a blender with more powerful blades.
The bottom line
🔎 NutriBullet Pro 900 performs exceptionally well at its price point.
We were seriously impressed with the NutriBullet Pro 900 Series Blender. For a smaller machine, it packs a punch. This blender can crush ice, open seeds, crack stems, and shred skins to squeeze all the goodness out of your ingredients. Our smoothies and shakes came out perfectly green, with no seeds or fibers left unblended.
This machine is easy to use. All you have to do is push, twist, and blend. With a 32-oz. capacity, this pitcher is on the smaller side, but it's just the right size for single servings. It's almost entirely dishwasher-safe, and the blades only need a rinse under running water.
Just bear in mind that this blender only has a single speed, so you can't set and save your own programs. For simple shakes and smoothies, you won't find a better blender at this price point.
Our full NutriBullet Pro 900 Series Blender review has more details.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
---|---|---|
Power | Proportional to size | ★★★★ |
Capacity | Suitable for single servings | ★★★★ |
Appearance | Sleek and chic | ★★★★★ |
Easy to clean | Almost entirely dishwasher-safe | ★★★★★ |
The best blender and juicer
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Buy it if:
✅ You want to make smoothies and juices: this machine is both a blender and a juicer in one.
✅ You want to use larger fruits: this machine comes with an extra-wide feed chute.
✅ You want to save cleaning time: this blender comes with bespoke cleaning accessories.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You're a control freak: you'll have to stick to the pre-set programs.
❌You have low cabinets: this blender is almost 17 inches tall.
❌ You don't want to make juice, or you won't get the most out of this machine.
The bottom line
🔎 Breville's 3X Bluicer is a budget-friendly blender for juice lovers.
The Bluicer brings the best of both worlds. It combines the pressure of a juicer with the blades of a blender to create a multifunctional machine. On test, the Bluicer made delicious shakes, as well as a creamy frozen smoothie bowl. Since it was strong enough to handle hot ingredients, it could make soups and sauces, too.
We were particularly impressed with the juicer function. The Bluicer produced glasses of refreshing apple and lime juice, with only a small amount of bone-dry pulp. The blender and the juicer share a base, which should save space on your countertops or in your cabinets.
The pitcher is slightly larger than standard-size. It should be able to accommodate the ingredients for multiple shakes and smoothies, thanks to its 50-oz. capacity. The biggest downside is the height. Almost 17 inches tall, you might struggle to store the Bluicer in smaller cabinets.
Our full Breville The 3x Bluicer review has more details.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
---|---|---|
Power | One of the most powerful on test | ★★★★ |
Capacity | Can accommodate larger quantities | ★★★★★ |
Appearance | Space-saving design | ★★★★ |
Easy to clean | Comes with cleaning accessories | ★★★★★ |
The best blender and food processor
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Buy it if:
✅ You want a combination food processor and blender: this machine can handle all sorts of ingredients, whether they're small or large, soft or tough.
✅ You want to make multiple servings: this pitcher is large enough to make several smoothies at once.
✅ You want a quick and easy clean: these parts are dishwasher-safe.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You're noise-sensitive: this blender is on the louder side. You're tight on storage: it's great that this comes with so many attachments, but they can be hard to store.
❌ You only want to make smaller servings: you're better off with a smaller pitcher.
❌ You have low cabinets: at almost 18 inches tall, this is one of the tallest blenders we've tested.
The bottom line
🔎 Ninja Professional Plus is a good blend and a great food processor, but it's not for everyone.
If you want to make several servings of shakes and smoothies at once, you'll appreciate the sheer size of the Ninja Professional Plus Kitchen System with Auto-IQ. This blender set comes with an enormous 72-oz. pitcher and a 64-oz. food processor bowl, as well as two 24-oz. blending cups to grab and go.
The food processor functions are especially powerful. On test, the Ninja machine chopped zucchini, celery, and carrots, and even had a go at shredding cheese. However, the result looked more like cheese chunks than grated shavings. You might have to sacrifice presentation for power to get the most out of this machine. It's also hard to hand-wash, since you can't remove the blades from the blender.
This machine comes with all sorts of attachments, which makes it much more versatile, and much harder to store. You might struggle to find space in smaller cabinets, and it will certainly sprawl over your countertops. But if you're working wit a bigger kitchen, and you're looking for a big and beefy blender, the Ninja Professional Plus Kitchen System might be the perfect solution.
Our Ninja Professional Plus Kitchen System with Auto-IQ review has more details.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
---|---|---|
Power | One of the most powerful on test | ★★★★★ |
Capacity | Can accommodate large quantities | ★★★★★ |
Appearance | Could clutter your countertops | ★★★ |
Easy to clean | Harder to clean blades | ★★★ |
The best portable blender
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Buy it if:
✅ You want a portable blender: you can make shakes on the move with this lightweight machine.
✅ You're tight on space: this mini machine is just nine inches tall, so it should fit in smaller kitchens.
✅ You want a quick and easy clean: just add water and dish soap, then shake.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want a display blender: this machine is too small to make much of a statement.
❌ You want to make multiple servings at once: this pitcher is designed for single servings.
❌ You want to blend tougher ingredients: you'd need a blender with more powerful blades.
The bottom line
🔎 Blendjet 2 is great on the go, but it can't pack the same punch as a bigger machine.
With this portable blender, you can make shakes on the go. It's lightweight, compact, and pretty powerful, considering its size.
While you might expect a smaller blender to struggle with tougher, thicker ingredients, the BlendJet 2 is up to the challenge. This little machine whipped up a delicious pesto, cutting through nuts and leaves.
The BlendJet 2 also made a fresh fruit smoothie, which left a little more to be desired: a few skins and stalks managed to slip through the cracks. The dregs of this drink got stuck under the blades, so we missed out on some of the mix.
With that said, it's super easy to clean. All you need to do is add some water and dish soap and run a blending cycle, or simply shake.
Our BlendJet 2 review has more information.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
---|---|---|
Power | Proportional to size | ★★★ |
Capacity | Proportional to size | ★★★ |
Appearance | Sleek and chic | ★★★★★ |
Easy to clean | Hands-off washing | ★★★★★ |
The best cordless blender
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Buy it if:
✅ You want something portable: this powerful blender is light enough to grab and go.
✅ You want to blend tougher ingredients: these blades can slice through hard vegetables as well as soft fruits.
✅ You want to make single servings: this pint-sized pitcher is designed to make shakes one at a time.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want to make multiple servings at once: this pitcher can only accommodate enough ingredients for a single smoothie.
❌ You want a display blender: this little machine won't make much of a statement.
❌ You want a longer runtime: this machine can only blend for 20 minutes before it needs to be charged.
The bottom line
🔎 Cuisinart EvolutionX doesn't even need a plug socket to make great shakes, but you might get sick of charging it.
You can use this battery-powered blender anytime, anywhere. It's the perfect size for pre-workout protein shakes or late-night frozen margaritas. Just four inches wide and eleven inches tall, it should sit pretty on your countertop or work surface. It's travel-safe with a tight-fit lid, and should fit snugly inside your purse.
Don't be fooled by the 20-minute battery life. 20 minutes might not sound like much, but it was more than enough time to produce several servings of frappés, smoothies, and salsas. There's a built-in battery level indicator, too, which tells you when you start running low. Charging couldn't be easier: this blender is fully compatible with USB.
Just bear in mind that the Cuisinart EvolutionX takes two hours to charge completely, and you can't use your blender during that time. No spontaneous smoothie-making here: you'll have to plan your blending schedule.
Our Cuisinart EvolutionX Cordless Blender review has more information.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
---|---|---|
Power | Rechargeable batteries | ★★★★ |
Capacity | Suitable for single servings | ★★★ |
Appearance | Sleek and chic | ★★★★★ |
Easy to clean | Dishwasher-safe | ★★★★★ |
The best budget blender
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Buy it if:
✅ You're on a budget: this is one of the best-value corded blenders on the market.
✅ You want to make larger servings: this pitcher can accommodate enough ingredients to make several shakes.
✅ You want a quick and easy clean: it was easy to remove stains and and splatters.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You're noise-sensitive: this machine is on the louder side.
❌ You're a control freak: you'll have to stick to the pre-set programs.
❌ You want to blend baby food: the purée setting isn't the best.
The bottom line
🔎 NutriBullet Smart Touch is everything you need a blender to be, at a very reasonable price.
The NutriBullet Smart Touch is the best value blender on the market. It combines a classic design with all the modern conveniences, such as smart and easy touchscreen controls.
You can take advantage of four intelligent programs that produce smooth purées, hearty soups, frozen drinks, and delicious shakes. If you prefer to take control in the kitchen, you can choose between three blending speeds and a pulse control function.
This blender was particularly adept at processing powdery ingredients, such as protein and creatine, so it's great for fitness fanatics. The pitcher is large enough to make multiple servings at once, and it's totally dishwasher-safe.
While no blender is quiet, this one is relatively loud. It emits plenty of exhaust, and the lid is a little stuff. But if you're looking for a blender that can make big portions, and get rid of most lumps and bumps, then you can't go far wrong.
There's more detail in our full NutriBullet Smart Touch review.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
---|---|---|
Power | One of the most powerful on test | ★★★★★ |
Capacity | One of the largest on test | ★★★★★ |
Appearance | Simple and classic | ★★★★ |
Easy to clean | Dishwasher-safe | ★★★★★ |
How we test blenders
Every one of these blenders is tried and tested by the team at H&G. When we test blenders, we blend frozen fruit into thick shakes, crush ice into shards, and chop fibrous kale and spinach into green smoothies.
If a blender claims to be safe for use with hot ingredients, we use it to make soups. We often include ingredients like turmeric, which are prone to staining, to see the effect on the pitcher.
We wash each blender by hand to test the ease, speed, and safety of the cleaning process. We'll always tell you when a machine is dishwasher-safe or comes with self-cleaning settings, but it's worth learning how to clean a blender yourself.
Our review and testing guidelines contain more detail.
Meet the team
Millie has been testing product and writing for Homes & Gardens since the beginning of 2021. Millie specializes in small appliances like blenders, but as a lover of al fresco dining, she's also always on the hunt for the best grills and pizza ovens for entertaining friends and family.
Helen McCue is a freelance contributor who trained as a Home Economist. After starting her career in the food industry, she moved into home appliance reviews, utilising her cooking skills and experience to put all kinds of products to the test, and over the years has reviewed hundreds of home and kitchen appliances for a variety of publications, including dozens of blenders.
As Head of eCommerce, Alex makes sure our readers find the right information to help them make the best purchase. After graduating from Cambridge University, Alex got his start in reviewing at the iconic Good Housekeeping Institute, testing a wide range of household products and appliances, including food processors and blenders.
FAQs
How do I choose a blender?
It all depends on what you want to make in your blender, and how often you want to use it. With that said, there are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for a blender.
If you're looking to blend frozen fruit or harder produce, then you'll appreciate a machine with a more powerful motor. To make larger servings of smoothies and shakes, you'll need a pitcher with a large capacity. For more control, look out for blenders with a pulse function. These machines will blend while you press the button and stop as soon as you release it. If you're sensitive to noise, you might want to shop for one of the quietest blenders.
Why are Vitamix expensive?
Vitamix are expensive because of materials and ability. They use high-quality steel and plastic. This in turn means a high-quality product that is genuinely far better than a lot of the competition, so they can charge a premium. The problem with that is not all of us can afford it.
Final thoughts
Of course, while all these blenders are great, the Vitamix Ascent is still #1, so it's worth researching the best blenders and seeing how it compares.
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.
Emilia is our resident sleep writer. She spends her days tracking down the lowest prices on the best mattresses and bedding and spends her nights testing them out from the comfort of her own home. Emilia leads a team of testers across America to find the best mattress for every sleep style, body type, and budget.
Emilia's quest to learn how to sleep better takes her all around the world, from the 3Z mattress factory in Glendale, Arizona to the Hästens headquarters in Köping, Sweden. She's interviewed luxury bedding designers at Shleep and Pure Parima, as well as the Design Manager at IKEA. Before she joined Homes & Gardens, Emilia studied English at the University of Oxford.
-
I'm dreaming of a burgundy Christmas this year – here's what I am shopping to bring this oh-so-chic shade into my home for the holidays
Move over red and green, there's a new Christmas classic in town
By Charlotte Olby Published
-
I'm a professional vacuum tester, and this cordless Dyson is so good that it's the only one I use in my own home – and it's now majorly discounted for Black Friday
As a vacuum expert, the Dyson V12 Detect Slim is one of the best vacuums I've tested
By Dan Fauzi Published
-
Nespresso vs espresso – tested for taste, cost, and technical differences
A barista offers some perspective on the Nespresso vs espresso debate. She's tested them for taste, and accounted for cost differences too
By Laura Honey Published
-
I just tested the best small drip coffee maker – and it's surprisingly stylish too
I've tested a range of filter coffee options and it turns out that the best small drip coffee maker is beautiful, sleek, and smart too
By Laura Honey Published
-
Best iced coffee makers 2024 – tested by a barista
These are the best-iced coffee makers on the market, whether you want a machine that makes hot and cold coffee or a special one for your iced lattes
By Laura Honey Last updated
-
Best nut milk makers 2024: tested by an expert vegan
These are the best nut milk makers for almond, oat, coconut milk and more. Our expert vegan barista tested them to see which is best
By Laura Honey Published
-
Best moka pots 2024: barista-approved Italian coffee
These are the best moka pots on the market, covering everything from basic to automatic coffee. We've got some super stylish options too.
By Laura Honey Published
-
Best coffee makers with grinders 2024 – for effortless, fresh coffee
The best coffee makers with grinders span from simple filter carafes to professional espresso makers. Our team have tested the best
By Laura Honey Published
-
Best Nespresso machines 2024 – for every kind of coffee drinker
How do you know whether you want the Lattissima or the Creatista, the Vertuo or the Original, and the Essenza or the Pop? We have the answers
By Laura Honey Last updated
-
Best chest freezers 2024: spacious, dependable, and practical
I've researched the best chest freezers on the market. From garage-friendly to enormous capacity, these are my top picks.
By Lydia Hayman Last updated