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Blender Reviews: The Vitamix vs. the Blendtec & HealthMaster

1/30/2011

21 Comments

 
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Everyone who has attended a class knows that I absolutely adore my Vitamix.  I bought my high powered blender the instant I decided the raw lifestyle was worth investing into. I’m not entirely sure I could do what I do without it.  Not only does it help me create all my yummies, but it saves me tons of time.  It grinds nuts and seeds, completely bursts the cell walls of plants to release that incredible chlorophyll, breaks down frozen fruit to make ice cream, in fact I haven’t found anything my Vitamix cannot do.  The only problem with the Vitamix?  It’s expensive!!!!!  If you buy a new Deluxe Vitamix 5200, with all the bells and whistles, it comes out to $650 (and that’s without S&H!).  You can also buy a Vitamix that has been “factory reconditioned” (aka..used) for 379.00.  I called the company and got the old model – a Factory Reconditioned Vitamix 5000 for $250 – two years ago. While I consider that a steal, $300-$400 for a blender is way beyond most people’s budgets, especially when they also have an expensive stove, microwave, toaster oven, crockpot, rice cooker, etc…just sitting around their kitchen waiting to be used. 
BLENDTEC

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People are always asking if there are other blenders out there that are cheaper, yet have the same performance.  I have personally used two others that come close. The first is a Blendtec, the rival to the Vitamix. It’s much more affordable, coming in at $440 for the “Wild Side” (deluxe version), $400 for the Basic Version, and $350 for the Factory Reconditioned Basic.  It’s actually slightly more powerful than the Vitamix, coming in at 1560 Watts vs. the Vitamix’s 1380 Watts. The Basic comes with a 32 oz. pitcher, the Wild Side has a 44 oz. pitcher, and the Vitamix has a 64 oz. pitcher. The Blendtec has a broader based pitcher – easier to get your food out and nothing gets trapped under the blades. Lastly, the Blendtec is programmable and you can set it and walk away and it will shut itself off.  Very cool!  All in all, the Blendtec is a GREAT BUY.  If you can find one, go for it.  BUT…there are THREE drawbacks.  First, it does not come with a tamper – an instrument to push food into the blades.  Therefore, you need to cut and dice your food smaller so it will move AND you CANNOT make Ice cream in this blender. :/ That’s a big part of my diet, so I cannot imagine having the Blendtec permanently. Second, even though the base of the pitcher is larger (my Vitamix pitcher is tapered), I have problems doing small amounts of food.  One cup of dip in the Blendtec just  spins…doesn’t mix.  And finally, the larger motor doesn’t do any more than I need, but it is a LOT louder – which is not so good when you have kids with sensitive hearing, babies, or need to do any food prep when people are sleeping.

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The second blender I have had the opportunity to try out is Montel William’s HealthMaster.   At 4 easy payments of $49.99 (plus S&H), it’s by far the cheapest at $200.  It comes in at 1100 watts of power, which isn’t much less than Vitamix’s 1380 watts.  It has a monster 70 oz. pitcher that has a nice broad base where no food gets stuck. It comes with a tamper! Yaaay!  Ice cream, here we come! And for those who aren’t completely raw, lots and lots of easy recipes that are fairly healthy.  AND…the base is programmable just like the Blendtec. Cool.  Okay, those are the pro’s.  Here come the con’s. First, like the Blendtec, even though the base of the pitcher is larger (my Vitamix pitcher is tapered), I have problems doing small amounts of food.  One cup of dip in the HealthMaster just  spins…doesn’t mix.  Second, the lower wattage means that it just isn’t as powerful and doesn’t blend as smooth or creamy as mine.  I tried to make a pie crust (crushed nuts and fruit) in the HealthMaster and it got stuck in the pitcher.  The pitcher has pockets where food gets caught and I can’t just spatula it down to the bottom…I’m not sure if you can see from the picture.  The motor is ridiculously loud and slightly smelly (which the manufacturer says will wear off within six months).  Lastly, it has two locking mechanisms that sound like a wonderful safeguard but are actually quite annoying.  The thing won’t run unless the pitcher is locked to the base and the lid is locked to the pitcher.  Both locks are quite difficult to engage and after working with it for a half an hour, my fingers were starting to blister. I got used to it quickly, but my friend said she was less likely to work with it because of this feature. 


So there we are.  Two other options instead of the Vitamix.  Both of the other blenders tackled Green Smoothies with ease and made dips and sauces effortlessly.  They are both less expensive than the Vitamix, which is on sale at QVC right now for $400 in 4 easy payments.  I still recommend the Vitamix.  It is worth the investment and even if you aren’t raw in any capacity it is wonderful for your kitchen.  If you would like to get the Factory Reconditioned Vitamix 5200 and are interested in FREE SHIPING…click on THIS LINK.  :) (It has my referral code – free shipping).  I hope this helped!!!!

21 Comments
Derron
8/5/2011 03:05:39 am

Hey just so you know its really easy to make Ice Cream in the Blendtec. My Favorite that I make all the time is a Spinach Ice Cream. The for the Comparison. ;-)

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tNalan
7/1/2012 02:17:39 am

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Nalani
7/1/2012 02:20:27 am

This was the best comparison of the three that if read so far. Thanks!

Fiverr link
4/11/2012 10:15:09 am

This is awesome! Thanks! I wanted to get a blendtec, because the demo's are quite amazing, and you can make icecream with them. However, it seems to me that the healthmaster might be a good option to start with if funds are limited. I LOVE RAW!

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Yolanda
4/18/2012 01:59:08 am

Thanks for your review, I have been searching and couldn't find anything but this is truely helpful.

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Dennis
7/9/2012 05:44:39 am

I purchased a health master and their are two things you need to know. The health master only has a 60 day warranty while vitamix has a 5 year. Second issue is that if you use it daily the container will start leaking and be the 3ed month it will be useless. I thought maybe I got a bad one but my internet search found hundreds of others with the same issue. New pitchers cost 79.00 + s&h. Health master not recommended.

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Valerie link
8/9/2013 11:28:37 pm

I owned my Healthy Master for two years and was very happy with it. Until the pitcher started leaking. And was told to purchase a pitcher for $75.00. I might invest in the vita mix this time around.

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Tray svott
7/13/2012 09:20:58 pm

I was getting ready to purchase the healthmaster but first decieded to read some reviews...HM had too many of the same complaints over the past few years for me..the general consensus was that vitamix is the best choice, ur review cinched it for me. Yes it costs alot but if used daily,more than once, for several years, one will get their monies worth. Ur comparison was clear,concise,and appeared to not have an alterior motive. Thanks

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Debbie
8/9/2012 05:32:52 am

I'm so glad I found this website! I've been considering buying a HealthMaster for my daughter for Christmas but wanted to know if dry ingredients could be pulverized - i.e. wheat berries to make flour. Now that I've seen this comparison, I'll stick with the VitaMix. Thanks to all who gave input!

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Carole
8/13/2012 09:20:58 am

I purchased a HM three years ago and have been through several pitchers due to the leakage. All of the grease leaks out and it's messy. Over time the spinning mechanisim becomes dry and stops spinning. I wish I had of bought the vitamix from the beginning. I just finished throwing out the HM and purchased my vitamix. I couldn't be happier. I look forward to many years of fresh raw foods and a 7 year warranty on my new vitamix.

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kinsey
9/24/2012 01:07:16 am

You can get the vitamix 5200 with cookbook at costco for under $400.

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Patsy
11/3/2012 12:55:56 am

Thanks for the info. about Costco. :)

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Jennifer- The Adventuresome Kitchen link
3/4/2013 12:56:01 pm

How does the vitamix do with pie-crust? My food processor -the workhorse of my kitchen- just died today after 15 years, and I'm considering a Vitamix. My only concern is whether or not I can make pie-crust and other stiff dough in it. I make a ton of dough, and feel like I can make smoothies in my processor- but I need something that will make dough. Thoughts? Thanks.

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LRBG link
3/4/2013 11:38:06 pm

Hi Jennifer!

The Vitamix will not create the same consistency for a pie crust as a food processor would. A food processor makes a nice fine crumble. A Vitamix would make nut butter. While nut butter in your vitamix is crazy easy and delicious, it's not what you want - so I have a food processor for that. The Vitamix CAN do bread dough and such, though! Some of the newer ones even have pre-programmed settings. Although the 5200 that I have came with a DVD to show you how to do it. :)

Hope this helps!

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Kathy
4/19/2013 05:08:40 am

I was looking for a blender & walked into my local Sam's Club yesterday where the Blendtec was being demo'd. It was $360 classic series with a 7 year warranty. Today I found this link on line & glad I bought the BT instead of a HM. Thanks for your info.

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Linz
5/2/2013 01:50:26 am

I have had my eye on the health master for years but could never afford it. I have a wonderful family and everyone is pitching in to get me the Health Master Elite for my birthday this month now that the Elite has come down to $200. It's shorter than the old one ands its BPA free. I am planning to use it for all that they advertise. They claim that you can make flour from whole grains, that you CAN make hot soup in 8 mins and ice creams. Your review doesn't mention any of these features other than it doesn't make soup. They also offer a lifetime warrantee on the motor and 6 month money back guarantee. I have read a lot of reviews on all the comparable blenders and everyone has good or bad things to say about all of them. I think I'm going to love it and hope to get good use out of it. I trust that the 6month money back guarantee will give me more than enough time to find if it does what it says or I will take full advantage of that warrantee. My fingers are crossed that I get one that will last me many years of healthy eating. ;-)

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Eva
2/11/2014 09:12:07 am

You will be SO sorry that you ever even thought of getting the Health Master! In fact, yours is probably dead or dying as I write this!
I bought one. Used it maybe a total of 30 times. Last time it started smoking and making a horrible grinding noise (more so than usual use), and then little chunks of metal. Yup. It died.
I have been talking with customer service - VERY hard to understand them - and they say that someone will get back with me. I suspect they will try to get me to send in more money and upgrade. But, after reading all the complaints - ALL very simular - it's either the pitcher base oozing, or the motor base grinding to a hault with a horrible stench. I will probably toss it all out in the morning, and look for something else.

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Ronda High link
8/3/2013 03:33:37 am

I am trying to buy the reconditioned Vitamix. I clicked on your link for free shipping, but it's not working. Any ideas?

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Don
3/13/2014 06:35:11 am

I LOVE my Vitamix. I've had it for 20 years and have worn out 2 canisters. I make my breakfast with it 355 days a year, with almond milk, Diet Slim Fast powder, an apple, a banana, and 2 frozen strawberries (to keep the friction of the blades from making my smoothie too warm).

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Joe
6/27/2014 01:47:36 pm

Decent review, however, the BT does indeed make ice cream. I have had a VM for 10+ years and can't say enough good about it. I've used the BT, though not of any extended period of time, and thought it excellent. Through strange circumstance, I have been many miles from home (and my VM) for many months and have had the opportunity to use the HM. The I find HM doesn't do nearly as well on the heavier duty jobs, but does decent work on lighter things like smoothies. It does a passable job on the others, but not on par with the VM or BT. That said, I'm grateful to have the HM to use in the absence of my VM - though 3 months is about all I expect to be using it before returning home.

Of the 3 brands, I find the VM has superior build quality (I know at least 2 people with VM's from teh 70's which are still going strong), next would be BT. The HM, while a good blender, is a distant 3rd - like some commenters, I've known people who had the jars leak with regular use. Another important point for me is that only the VM is designed and built completely in the USA. Sadly, a rare thing these days.

As to cost, I've known people who have bought a VM used and all have been happy.

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Tamil Chat New York link
4/1/2021 07:16:38 am

Thankk you for sharing

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     About the Blogger

    Haley is passionate about Raw Food and how God has used it to heal her. She loves to share what she knows with anyone who is curious, and finds herself talking to everyone around her about her lifestyle. 

    God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.  For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us. (2 Corinthians 3-7)

    This Scripture applies to every area of  life that Haley is passionate about. In order to be grateful, confidant, and assured of anything in your life...it must be tested and proved. That testing is never easy and rarely pleasant...but it IS purposeful. She now can take the comfort that God has given her and share it with you. Amen!

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