Vitamix 5200 vs Vitamix 5300 – what’s the difference between these two stunning blenders from the Vitamix C-series? Although the first model Vitamix 5200 appeared on the market back in 2007, it is almost impossible to find an adequate alternative to it, except for the Vitamix 5300.
Today, I want to explain the pros and cons of each model to you. What follows is the in-depth comparison between these two winner products on the Vitamix’s list. There’s much more than it meets the eye about them than a simple difference in a serial number.
Vitamix 5200 or Vitamix 5300?
| PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | Vitamix 5200 |
| View On Amazon |
 | Vitamix 5300 |
| View On Amazon |
1. Speed Settings
The Vitamix 5200 and 5300 feature 10 speed settings. Do you know what it means? There is absolutely no chance these beasts would let large chunks of foods pass through the mechanism. Both models are truly efficient with soft to hard ingredients and everything in-between.
This wide range of speeds also makes it easy to control the texture of your foodies. You can make it smooth, mushy, creamy, or crunchy – whatever you like! This also makes both models suitable for preparing a variety of dishes and beverages – frozen desserts, juices, smoothies, sauces, soups, nut butter, nut milk, hummus, etc.
However, the devil is in the detail. The Vitamix 5300 is equipped with a pulse setting you can use to break through hard ingredients and prevent clogging. Vitamix integrated this feature to set their newer model apart from 5200. This also contributes to the overall durability of this model to a certain extent but I’ll discuss this matter in a bit.
You can achieve a similar result with the 5200 model by turning it on and off several times in a row to penetrate hold-ups. In my experience, this trick can work once in a while but I wouldn’t recommend using it too often. Use a tamper instead.
In the end, it all comes to a simple question. Which type of ingredients do you think you are going to use the most? If you are into frozen desserts and nut butter, the pulse switch would be of great help to you. The Vitamix 5200 works like charm with dips and spreads, baby food, smoothies, soups, and dough while I am not a fan of it when it comes to making frozen treats.
2. Motor Power
Now, if you think I am exaggerating the whole story about the pulse feature, let me give you one more strong reason why the Vitamix 5200 doesn’t work so well with ice. The Vitamix 5300 comes with a built-in 2.2 HP motor while the 5200 comes with a 2HP motor.
I know, 0.2 horses are not a big deal but believe me when I say this slight difference can truly give you a better blending experience with frozen ingredients. Knowing I can go a step further when it comes to consistency and texture of foodies means I can perfect my meals. However, surprisingly, despite this small improvement in motor power, the Vitamix 5300 still can’t beat the 5200 when it comes to its performance with other types of ingredients. Except for its improved ice-breaking capability, the Vitamix 5300 performs pretty much the same then its precursor.
3. Container Size and Countertop Space
There is another subtle difference between the Vitamix 5200 and 5300. Let me just say both appliances come with large 64oz containers. That means they can accommodate large batches of anything you want to make – juices, soups, dough, etc. I was so thankful for this every time I had my friends or family over as I didn’t have to spend most of the time making treats but hang out with them.
Yet, the design of the containers is quite dissimilar. The Vitamix 5200 is tall and narrow while the 5300 is the total opposite. I used to call him “chubby”. The 5200 is 20 inches tall, and the 5300 is slightly above 17.5 inches and much wider, so you get the point.
If you need a blender that is convenient to store in a cabinet, the low-profile 5200 could be a better pick. The Vitamix 5300 is a bit bulky so I wasn’t able to store it away. It was always sitting on my countertop for that reason.
4. Noise
When it comes to this feature, the Vitamix 5200 and 5300 are almost identical. The difference here is rather subtle but hey, some people care about small things. These guys produce bearable noise. When I say bearable, I mean it. Blenders are typically loud as tractors but I can say the Vitamix blenders are not typical at multiple points.
If you want to play it safe, stick to the first and the second-speed setting. There’s no way you would wake up anyone in your home or, God forbid, someone from the neighborhood as long as you stick to lowest speeds. Still, the noise will go up as you upgrade the speed.
I already talked about the motor power of each blender. You might think the 5300 is louder as it has more horsepower. Nah! It produces almost the same level of noise until you reach the tenth speed. Wait for it! The Vitamix 5300 is slightly less noisy than its counterpart. I am not gonna lie, both are loud in this setting but still, the difference is noticeable after some time of use.
5. Cleanup
Vitamix takes pride in its “Easy Cleaning” or “Self Cleaning” systems. Both the 5200 and 5300 are a breeze to clean. We all get lazy sometimes, right? With these two blenders, all you have to do is to mix one drop of dish soap and warm water and run the machines for about 30 to 60 seconds.
Once you dry the inside, which takes no more than 15 seconds, you can lie down on the sofa and enjoy your homemade smoothie. If I would have to find a con here, I would say none of them is dishwasher-safe. However, when the cleanup takes no more than 2 minutes, you don’t even need a dishwasher.
Believe me when I say some blenders take literally ages to clean. One of my friends had a cheaply-made blender that didn’t work so well with leafy greens and did even worse when it comes to removing buildups from the blades and the interior. Cleanup is the most annoying part of anyone’s juicing/mixing/blending experience so it is very important to find a unit that can minimize this annoyance to a minimum. Both Vitamix 5200 and 5300 are so convenient to clean and I couldn’t be happier for I’ve discovered this brand.
6. Durability
The Vitamix 5200 was released first. When I saw Vitamix launched a new, upgraded version of this blender, the 5300, I thought it would feature better durability. Of course, I already had a blender so buying a new one wasn’t a necessity. I waited for about 2 years until I ordered my 5300.
To be honest with you, I expected more. Vitamix did make some improvements with this newer model but it was nothing spectacular. When it comes to durability, 5300 failed my expectations.
I am not saying it broke down or anything like that but I was hoping for more when it comes to its construction. My Vitamix 5200 boasted a sturdy and durable polycarbonate construction while the 5300 felt pretty cheap.
Plastic containers are not my cup of tea. I prefer glass containers, and 5300 came with a basic, plastic one. Also, plastic tends to crack over time and you may risk being covered in juice or dough if things go down. I was disappointed to find out Vitamix wouldn’t replace the container if it cracked.
On the other hand, both the 5300 and 5200 came with plastic tampers. Yet, the 5200 still felt stronger and more durable and the 5300 appeared cheap and too light. I still appreciate the fact you can use the tamper to break any hold-ups while the machine is working so you achieve better consistency of your eats.
You get my point here – the Vitamix 5200 is more durable than the 5300, despite the fact it was designed and launched 8 years after its comrade.
7. Color
Do you care about your kitchen aesthetics? Then you should know the Vitamix 5200 is available in 3 colors – black, white, and red. Actually, the base of the unit is colored while the container is see-through. The Vitamix 5300 comes with a black base that looks elegant but I wish there were more color options here.
Black works well with pretty much anything but, if you want to add a dash of color to your kitchen, the Vitamix 5200 in white or red could make you more enthusiastic about making food. My 5200 is white, and, just in case you think white is harder to clean, I can assure you the base of this amazing blender is easy-peasy to clean.
The blender itself doesn’t make much mess around the kitchen and most of your ingredients will stay inside the container so the base will stay pretty much intact. Just make sure to hold it with your hands for a couple of seconds when processing hard-textured ingredients and you will ensure a mess-free, minimum-clean experience. Again, you can’t go wrong with the sleek Vitamix 5300 but the 5200 could brighten up space and be a better fit for your kitchen interior if you are not a fan of black.
8. Warranty
One more thing that proves my claims on the durability of these two blenders is that the Vitamix 5200 comes with a 7-year and the 5300 5-year warranty. Both warranties cover major defects such as motor failure. I gave my Vitamix 5300 to my parents after 3 years of use. I moved into a smaller apartment and the kitchen was quite narrow so the Vitamix 5200 simply came first in.
My parents were over the moon about the 5300 and have been using it for more than 4 years now. The Vitamix 5200 is still in my kitchen. I don’t use it as much as I used to. In fact, I use it to make the dough, frozen desserts, and nut milk and butter only. However, I have seen some amazing appliances that act as a blender and food processor in one. If you would like to know more about these multi-functional units, check out my guide on the best blender food processor combo.
9. Price
I have no regrets about paying a fortune for a hella good blender, juicer, or any other kitchen appliance. I enjoy experimenting with ingredients but I also know I need a professional kitchen assistant to help me make yummy homemade meals and beverages, and this kind of unit typically comes at a higher price. Thus, when I saw the price tag the Vitamix 5200 came with, I had no doubts I wanted it.
Yet, I actually bought it mostly because one of my friends was rattling about how awesome the 5200 was and it came as a clear sign. I am not that silly to invest so much money without researching the product well beforehand. The Vitamix 5200 can truly provide great value to any kitchen aficionado as it makes preparing the most complicated dishes super-convenient and fun. Its price tag definitely reflects its quality.
When it comes to the Vitamix 5300, it comes at a lower price, which I believe is fair. Considering the construction and features of this model, it would be absurd it costs the came as the 5200. The Vitamix 5300 is still on the higher-end money-wise, but less expensive, and its price reflects its quality when I compare it to 5200.
Summary
Vitamix 5200 vs Vitamix 5300 – have you made up your mind? In this comparison article, I wanted to point out to all of the features of each model that could help you choose the right unit for your kitchen. If you ask me, the Vitamix 5200 could be a good pick if you are looking for a professional-grade, high-end blender that can handle whatever ingredient you feed it with and turn it into a masterpiece. The Vitamix 5300, on the other hand, is a more budget-friendly, yet still reliable option if you are into cocktails, ice-creams, and other types of frozen treats.
