Vitamix is a long-time favourite brand for many smoothie fanatics and professional chefs. If you’re familiar with the brand, then you’ve probably heard of the Vitamix A3500. This high-end blender has been taking the blending world by storm, promising to blend anything from smoothies to soups to nut butter. I got this machine as a holiday gift and have used it quite a few times in the last three months. So it’s time to share a review.

Let’s start with the good. First and foremost, the Vitamix A3500 is an incredibly powerful blender, boasting a 2.2 peak horsepower motor. This means it can handle tough ingredients like frozen fruits, nuts, and seeds with ease, creating smooth, creamy blends every time. The blender also has five pre-programmed settings, allowing you to blend smoothies, hot soups, frozen desserts, purees, and self-cleaning with the touch of a button. This feature is especially convenient for beginners or busy individuals who want to whip up a quick meal or snack without having to fuss with manual controls, which is also added for you to customize your blends to your liking.

Considering how powerful the blender is, the Vitamix A3500 operates with very little noise. The motor of the Vitamix A3500 is designed with advanced sound-reducing features, such as a metal motor base that absorbs sound and vibrations, making it one of the quietest blenders on the market. This feature is particularly helpful if you like to blend your smoothies or make your nut butter early in the morning or late at night, without disturbing your family or neighbours.

I don’t particularly like the design. It’s better looking than the previous versions, but still looks bulky and clumsy and take up a significant amount of counter space in the kitchen. Its wide and sturdy base, along with its tall pitcher, can make it difficult to store the blender in cabinets as well. If you have a small kitchen, definitely go with another blender. Vitamix has a lot of options with sleek design. However, its size and sturdiness are also what make the A3500 a durable and long-lasting appliance that can handle heavy use and tough ingredients with ease.

And the 64-ounce low-profile container that comes with the blender is perfect for blending large batches of smoothies, soups, or sauces. The tamper is a great addition to the blender too. It is particularly helpful when blending dry ingredients that may get stuck, ensuring a smooth and consistent blend.

It’s also a bit on the pricey side, regularly selling at above CND$850. While it’s definitely an investment piece, it may not be worth the cost for those who only use their blender occasionally.

Blendtec Classic blender may be a better choice in this case. It’s not cheap, either, but more affordable compared to Vitamix A3500. I used one for about five years and I can say that you won’t regret your purchase. It is a high-quality blender without breaking the bank. At 1.6 peak horsepower, it’s still a very powerful blender that can handle tough ingredients with ease.

In conclusion, you can’t go wrong with either the Vitamix A3500 or the Blendtec Classic Blender. The ultimate decision comes down to personal preferences and individual budget.