Two blender brands that offer a range of high-powered appliances include Ninja and Vitamix. Although there is a fair degree of difference between their price tags, does pitting a Ninja vs a Vitamix actually justify the cost involved?
Advertised as high-power blenders, the two models vying for your attention today are the Ninja BL642 and the Vitamix A3500. The Ninja BL642 is one of the brand’s top-of-the-line models while the Vitamix A3500 is from the brand’s Ascent Series. Both look and feel like commercial quality machines, but the big question is do they also perform like one?
That is what I am here to find out today. I will be looking at the good and the not-so-good that these two rather popular blender models have to offer before giving a final verdict. So, read along to see if you should invest your money in a Vitamix or get a Ninja instead and save your dollar bills.
Ninja Vs Vitamix: Comparison
Ninja BL642
PROS
- Powerful motor
- Auto IQ technology
- Two sets of blades
CONS
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- Uses plastic parts
- Careful handling of sharp blades required
Ninja BL642 Review
Working with a staggering 1500-watt motor, the Ninja BL642 can give even the most powerful blenders a good run for their money.
Performance Versatility
This model comes with two different types of blades that put the impressive motor power to a true test. The first of the two, the Total Crushing Blades are specially designed to work with the hardest of ingredients such as ice and churn it into soft snow in a flash.
The second set called the Pro Extractor blades get to work pulverizing the toughest of ingredients such as leafy greens and extract all nutrient goodness from them. Together, the two give a formidable performance to yield hearty, nutrient-dense smoothies to kickstart your day.
This powerful performance is good for preparing both small and large-sized servings given the small, medium, and large single-serve cups and the extra-large pitcher that you get with your purchase.
Read More: Comparison between Ninja, NutriBullet and Magic Bullet
Smart Technology
Another highlight of this model is its Auto IQ feature that gives you five automated programs and three manual operation options.
With its smart features, all you do is select the correct setting and let the BL642 do the rest. After working through an automated series of pulses, blending, and pauses, the blender will deliver exactly what you ordered.
Vitamix A3500 Review
Boasting both aesthetics and performance, the Vitamix A3500 is a hard machine to beat. With this purchase, you get a self-cleaning, sleek-looking, time-saving blender, but of course, at a serious price.
Performance Parameters
The A3500 has everything anyone would want in a high-end blender. There are 5 preset options with the ability to work with hot and cold ingredients and self-clean the unit. You also get 10 variable speeds and a touch screen digital timer. Plus, there is a Pulse feature to complete the package.
The built-in programmable timer on this unit prevents the chance of over or under-processing your recipes. Another automatic feature is the blender’s size detection which adjusts the blend to the size of the container selected.
User-Friendliness
Despite an interface full of functions, the A3500 is an easy-to-use machine. The stylish touchscreen is easy to understand while the large speed control and pulse features are also fully controllable.
The fact that this machine comes with a self-clean feature makes it all the more user-friendly. An interesting feature is that the blender caters to both left and right-handed users as you can place the jug on the base with the handle on whichever side you prefer.
All in all, a handy device that is up to the job it promises.
Ninja vs Vitamix: Main Differences
Both are very convenient machines given their smart features, and the A3500 particularly so given its self-cleaning capacity.
Blades
One main differentiating component of the brands is their blade design. The Vitamix typically goes with a set of 4-pronged, blunt blades with slightly tapered edges. These deliver exceptional results in churning and pulverizing both hot and cold liquids.
On the other hand, the Ninja is known for its tower of sharp blades designed to work through anything that you try to blend. Not exactly a design flaw, but the tower construction does present a cutting hazard when handling the blades. You have to be extra careful when putting ingredients in the pitcher or taking the blades out once the blending is done.
The good thing is that since the blades are removable, it becomes easier to wash them.
Interface
The interface on the two models is very different as well. The Vitamix showcases a mix of touch screen buttons paired with a large digital knob in the middle.
The entire panel looks sleek and sophisticated adding to the overall elegance of an already elegant machine.
The Ninja BL642 also has a decent looking interface for some tech-savvy, intelligent blending with a host of one-touch buttons. However, the Vitamix A3500 control panel successfully retains a classic look while the Ninja seems to have been somewhat overstuffed with too many buttons.
And although it’s purely aesthetics, the Vitamix does come out the clear winner in this category.
Metal vs Plastic Parts
The Vitamix uses all metal parts for its gear coupling and drive sockets and comes out on top when compared to the Ninja model. The metal parts are what give this blender the durability and longevity the Vitamix brand is known for.
In this case, the Ninja does take a hit as it uses plastic parts instead. These tend to wear down quicker than their metal counterparts.
Ninja Vs Vitamix: Final Thoughts
Both the Ninja and Vitamix machines are powerful when it comes to performance, but the Vitamix manages to dominate with its superior parts construction and blade design.
The Vitamix A3500 offers blending results that are a cut above the rest, and a decade-long warranty that speaks volumes of the blender’s premium quality. Its 10 variable speeds yield a lot more flexibility in speed control and it comes out a winner when tested for handling hot ingredients.
On the other hand, the Ninja BL642 wins when it comes to cost comparison. It does quite well what it’s supposed to do and does it better for much less than what pricier blenders do. That said, because it’s manufactured at a lower cost, has more plastic parts, and a much shorter warranty, it comes in at a close second to the Vitamix blender.