If you are looking for a professional-grade blender, then you should definitely learn more about the differences between the Vitamix 5200 and 7500. These two top-tier machines are quite alike, which can make even the most experienced users confused about which one is a better pick.
It takes some time of use to understand the clear differences between them and solve the dilemma. Today, I am shedding light on the performance of the 2 hottest Vitamix blenders on the market and removing doubts about which one could be the one that ticks all of your boxes.
Vitamix 5200 vs 7500 – Most Comprehensive Comparison
| PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | Vitamix 5200 |
| View On Amazon |
 | Vitamix 7500 |
| View On Amazon |
1. Motor Power
Vitamix typically produces powerful blenders, and these two are no different. Without a powerful motor, a blender wouldn’t be able to process anything. I use my blender to make ice cream or crush ice for my fav cocktail, Pina Colada. A blender that comes with the engine that’s less powerful than 2.0 horsepower wouldn’t be able to handle ice or tough ingredients.
The Vitamix 5200 features a 2.0 horsepower motor and the 7500 comes with a slightly more powerful engine of 2.2 horsepower. If you need a blender for typical blending tasks, the 5200 would do. However, the 7500 gives you a little bit of extra power, which could be helpful if you are working with berries and other frozen ingredients, ice, and nuts.
Simply put, some tasks require more power, and, in this respect, the Vitamix 7500 would be a better pick. However, the 5200 compensates for this small lack of motor power. It comes with a cooling system that prevents overheating and makes it possible to blend foodies for hours. If you need a blender that does well for commercial purposes, the 5200 would do, while the 7500 performs better with hard ingredients but not in continuity.
2. Controls
I looove Vitamix blenders for their ease of use. Both the 5200 and 7500 are a breeze to operate. They come with controls so simple even a child could make a glass of juice with each. However, although they may look the same at first glance, they are not. The Vitamix 5200 comes with 10 speed settings and the Vitamix 7500 comes with the same number of speed settings and two toggle switches.
Yet, the Vitamix 7500 is equipped with a pulse button and the 5200 lacks this feature. Of course, you can press the on/off switch several times in 2 to 3-second breaks to achieve the same effect. Me personally, I believe this could only reduce the lifespan of the motor when you use this technique too often. You don’t even need the pulse function if you are blending soft fruits and veggies most of the time.
This button actually makes the biggest difference only when working with ingredients that can make the mechanism clog. For instance, fibrous ingredients such as wheatgrass can cause a stoppage and hinder the normal function of any machine. That’s when the pulse button comes to the rescue! By the way, if you are looking for the best wheatgrass juicer, I’ve created a comprehensive guide about the top picks in this category.
One more difference between the 5200 and 7500 is in the variable speed knob. The Vitamix 7500 comes with a large, easy to operate speed knob that reduces the pressure on the wrist, which you may appreciate if you experience wrist pain, Kienbock’s disease, or arthritis. The Vitamix 5200 can’t offer that type of convenience.
3. Noise Level
Have you ever had a blender? Then you already know it makes some noise, depending on the type of ingredients you process and the speed setting you choose. In the best case, you can find an appliance that makes acceptable noise. It would be a bit absurd to expect a blender to be noiseless but you can try with the Vitamix 7500.
This machine makes significantly lower noise than most units in this category. It produces up to 40% less noise than the Vitamix 5200. Vitamix has constructed a powerful, highly-performing machine that doesn’t make as much noise as typical blenders.
The Vitamix 5200 is bearable when you set it to first, second, or third-speed setting. All of the higher settings were too loud for me but I wasn’t even expecting anything spectacular. The 7500, though, did surprise me. If you need a powerful machine that makes as little noise as possible, keep this one in mind.
4. Blades
Vitamix makes blenders with stainless steel blades only. This is a major pro, as stainless steel won’t corrode or rust and spoil the taste of your beverages or foods. On the other hand, although the blades are of the same material, their size is different, which affects the performance of each model. The Vitamix 5200 comes with a short, 3-inch blade that could be located a bit lower if you ask me. However, as the pitcher is quite narrow, there was no other option for the manufacturer but to place it this way.
The Vitamix 7500 features a wider design and a longer blade. This blade sits lower, which makes the 7500 more efficient. It ensures amazing blending capability and lets no ingredient come through the mechanism whole.
Overall, I appreciate the texture the Vitamix 7500 provides as it is simply better in blending and chopping ingredients and squeezing out the juice. Don’t get me wrong, the Vitamix 5200 is a great blender either way but I am not gonna lie – it delivers a slightly lower yield due to the short blade problem.
5. Pitcher Capacity
Now, here’s one of those things that can mislead you about the choice of a blender. If you would be checking on the pitcher capacity only, you would find both the Vitamix 5200 and 7500 comes with the same pitcher capacity of 64 oz. This capacity is quite admirable and set Vitamix high on the market. However, these 64 oz. pitchers fit differently, which you should be watchful of.
The Vitamix 5200 comes with a 20.5-inch tall and narrow while the 7500 comes with a chubby, shorter pitcher. When the pitcher is too tall, it may not fit into just every kitchen cabinet. This is definitely not a big con but it would be if you have a small kitchen or small cabinets.
The Vitamix 7500’s pitcher is 2.5 inches shorter so you can fit it almost anywhere. Also, the wide base contributes to the overall stability while blending. The durability of this pitcher is just great. It is made of shatterproof BPA-free plastic so you don’t have to worry about whether it would fall apart if you would drop it down.
You should be careful about the choice of a blender if you have a narrow kitchen. Pitcher capacity is important for the volume of juice, soup, sauce, or dough you can make in one batch. However, it makes a big difference in storage as well. If you don’t have much countertop space, the taller version might be a better pick. On the other hand, if you have plans on using your blender occasionally and need a machine that is not overly complicated to store in the cabinet, the Vitamix 7500 could be a better solution.
6. Cleanup
Vitamix offers you a smooth, hassle-free cleaning experience with the 5200 and 7500 blenders. This brand launched the “self-cleaning” technology that makes cleaning a breeze. Of course, that doesn’t mean these blenders literally clean themselves but require minimum effort to do so.
Add a drop of dishwashing soap and warm water into the pitcher, turn the machine on, and let it run a cycle. This applies to both models. Cleanup lasts no more than 60 seconds and you don’t have to take any of these apart. Dry the inside with a cloth and your blender is ready for another session.
The only thing that could be a mutual con to the Vitamix 5200 and 7500 is that neither is dishwasher-safe. You have to clean the pitchers manually but hey – a little bit of elbow grease won’t hurt you. Scrub the inside of the pitcher with a sponge to remove buildup and bacteria. Overall, there is no major difference between these two Vitamix blenders when it comes to cleaning but I still wanted to draw your attention to several important points to remember if you want to extend the lifespan of your blender and its parts.
7. Color Options
I care about the design and outside appearance of my juicers and blenders almost as much as I care about their performance. It’s nice when you have color options so that you can find a machine that ticks all of the boxes for you. Vitamix is one of those blenders that strives for perfection. Not only their blenders are highly performing but most of them look very sleek and modern.
The Vitamix 5200 and 7500 are available in 3 colors – black, white, and red. I had my Vitamix 7500 in red and the 5200 in white. As you can probably guess, the white one was harder to maintain. I was afraid my green and leafy veggies would end up on the outside and cause discoloration of my 5200 blender. Of course, this never happened but I was super careful about handling food as well. With the Vitamix 7500 in red, I had no such worries. This is all a matter of your preference. The color of each blender is durable, won’t chip off or stain over time.
8. Warranty
The Vitamix 5200 and 7500 both come with 7-year warranties. This can give you peace of mind when investing that much money into a blender (give me a second and I’ll discuss this topic as well). Vitamix builds blenders that are meant to last. I haven’t used any of these two models for more than 3 to 4 years but that’s the thing with most of my kitchen appliances. During this time, I had never had a single problem with the 5200 or 7500. Vitamix offers great customer support you can contact if you need any info about your machine or a technical issue.
9. Price
I always put a price at the end of the list. When it comes to first-quality machines, such as the ones by Vitamix, I never ask for the price, knowing the quality they offer always justifies the high price tag. If you need a budget-friendly model, these two models might not fit into your price range. However, if you are willing to pay extra for extra performance, stay around.
The Vitamix 5200 and 7500 are expensive but come at different prices. The first one is a model from an earlier collection so it comes at a lower price. When I say a lower price, that still doesn’t mean an affordable price but you still can spare some money.
The Vitamix 7500 is one of the most expensive, maybe even the most expensive model, in the blender category. Yet, it provides top-notch performance, unbeatable quality, and sleek design. With this one, you truly get what you pay for. The difference in price between this one and the 5200 is totally understandable as the latter blender could use some slight improvements.
Summary
Making the choice between the Vitamix 5200 and 7500 is everything but simple. Both blenders are at the top of the game in this category but they don’t operate in the same manner. The Vitamix 7500 is a durable, highly-performing, commercial-grade blender that can meet the needs of an average to professional user. Don’t run away from it even if you have never had a blender before. It is a breeze to use, very beginner-friendly, and comes with a pulse button.
Vitamix sold literally thousands of copies of the 5200. This blender has been around for years, for a couple of reasons. It is truly an amazing machine that could be a good pick if you want a high-end blender that is not as expensive as the 7500. You may miss a feature or two but it wouldn’t make a drastic difference compared to its counterpart.
