Blendtec is the undisputed manufacturer of high-powered, commercial-grade blenders for households and commercial use.
In fact, the premium Vitamix Propel 750 and Professional 750 cannot match the Blendtec Designer 650 S on motor power and overall blending performance.
But Vitamix blenders outshine the powerful Blendtec machines in versatility due to its large pool of compatible containers, accessories, and attachments.
Yet both brands are known for their reliably durable blending machines, like the near-silent Blendtec Professional 800 and the Vitamix Ascent Series A3500.
Unlike Vitamix, which has various platforms with over a dozen blender models, Blendtec blenders are much easier to compare and buy.
This guide should help easily understand how different Blendtecs compare and narrow down to your best fit for all your blending needs!
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TL;DR – Which Blendtec to Buy in 2023?
The Blendtec Designer 650 stands out as the best Blendtec to buy! It has a premium build quality with advanced smart blending technology!
Its powerful 1560-watt motor delivers up to 3-horsepower for commercial-grade blending performance to handle even the toughest ingredients.
Its sleek, sophisticated user interface makes it incredibly easy to use and clean. It has 6 preset blending programs, 8 manual speeds, and a pulse button!
The illuminated LCD timer displays the remaining time when using the preset programs and counts the time when using the manual speed slider.
The manual 8-speed slider is exceptionally intuitive. You can touch with a finger to adjust, slide right to increase, and left to decrease the speed.
The six preprogrammed programs are for smoothies, ice cream, whole juice, batters, ice crush, and hot soup for walkaway blending convenience.
The Designer 650 comes with the 90-ounce WildSide+ jar. It has a thick, strong, blunt, 2-prong stainless steel blade assembly measuring 4-inches.
The WildSide+ container has a unique, patented design with a square shape, a fifth side, and two vertical ridges to accelerate the blending.
The combination of the Designer 650 and the WildSide+ jar makes it a true kitchen workhorse that blends any ingredient to a silky-smooth consistency!
It can blend fibrous green veggies, crush bar-quality ice, make steaming hot soup, mill dry grains for fresh flour, make delicious desserts, and more!
It comes with an 8-year limited warranty, covering parts, performance labor, and shipping! It’s available in black or red molded plastic finish!
But my favorite one is the Blendtec Designer 650 S, which is a sleeker and sophisticated variation with a stainless steel finish but costs $50 more!
The Designer 650 closely compares to the Vitamix A3500, which costs $100 more but has a programmable timer and works with the Vitamix 12-cup food processor attachment.
I suggest getting the Designer 650 with the WildSide+ jar. Plus, the Blendtec GO cup, the mini WildSide jar, and the Tamperla blender stick for Blendtec!
Such a package is an unrivaled blending value! It’s a one-time investment you won’t need to repair or replace for at least the next 10 years!
But if a quieter operation is important, I would go for the Blendtec Professional 800! In fact, this is my overall best blender for household use in the world!
Remember that the Professional 800 costs about $799.95, which is almost twice the price of the Designer 650, about $449.95.
For those who prefer analog control settings instead of touchscreens, I suggest getting the Blendtec Classic 575 for about $400!
Residential Blendtec Blenders Review: A Quick At-a-Glance Comparison Table!
| Blendtec Blender | Total Blender | Classic 575 | Designer 650 | Designer 650 S | Professional 800 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | Classic Series | Classic Series | Designer Series | Designer Series | Professional Series |
| Motor Power | 1560-Watt | 1560-Watt | 1560-Watt | 1560-Watt | 1800-Watt |
| Stealth Sound Enclosure | – | – | – | – | Yes |
| Control Panel | Tactile Buttons | Tactile Buttons | Capacitive Touchscreen | Capacitive Touchscreen | Capacitive Touchscreen |
| Manual Speed Contols | 10-Speeds -/+ Buttons | 5 Speed Buttons | 8-Speeds Slider | 8-Speeds Slider | 11-Speeds Slider |
| Pulse Button | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Preset Programs | Yes, 6 | Yes, 4 | Yes, 6 | Yes, 6 | Yes, 6 |
| Illuminated LCD Timer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (OLED) |
| Noise Level (Decibels) | ~ 88 | ~ 88 | ~ 85 | ~ 85 | ~ 65 |
| Jar Size | WildSide+ Jar (90-oz) | WildSide+ Jar (90-oz) | WildSide+ Jar (90-oz) | WildSide+ Jar (90-oz) | WildSide+ Jar (90-oz) |
| Dishwasher-Safe | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Weight with Jar | 7.28 lbs | 7.28” | 9.8 lbs | 9.8 lbs | 16.2 lbs (with Enclosure) |
| Height with Jar | 15.5” | 15.5” | 15.5” | 15.5” | Up to 24.4” (for Enclosure Clearance) |
| Warranty | 2-Year (+ 6-Year Extended Option) | 2-Year (+ 6-Year Extended Option) | 8-Year | 8-Year | 10-Year |
| Color/Finish | Black/Red Moulded Plastic | Black/Red Moulded Plastic | Black/Red Moulded Plastic | Stainless Steel | Matte Black Molded Plastic |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Blendtec Blenders Review: A Comparison of All Blendtec Models
Currently, only five residential and two commercial Blendtec blenders are in circulation. Blendtec categorizes its residential blenders into three platforms:
- Classic Series
- Designer Series
- Professional Series
Blendtec does a wonderful job updating its blender lineups with new models, but the platforms, overall design, and quality have always remained the same!
I spent days analyzing the performance of these blenders, including going through the Blendtec product guide and reviews from Blendtec enthusiasts!
This is probably the most up-to-date, in-depth Blendtec blender buying guide online. It has my best recommendations and alternatives!
Classic Series Blendtec Blenders
The Classic Series Blendtec blenders directly compare to the Classic C-Series and Explorian Series Vitamix blenders on build quality and usability!
Before the Classic Series, there was a Blendtec Signature Series, which the Classic Series Blendtec blenders are built upon.
In fact, the original Signature Series blender had an overall build design and quality similar to the Blendtec Total Blender and Classic 575 I’ve featured here.
Despite being the most affordable Blendtec blenders, the Classic Series machines have a premium exterior design with an elegant minimalist finish.
The Classic Series blenders also have straightforward controls that are super easy to use. The user-friendly design makes them the best blenders for families!
1. Blendtec Total Blender
The iconic Blendtec Total Blender has a simple, elegant, minimalistic design, straightforward control settings, and durable build quality.
That explains why it’s the most popular Blendtec blender in the world. I would directly compare it to the best-selling Vitamix Classic C-Series 5200.
The current Blendtec Total Blender is based on the original Total Blender, which has long been discontinued. But you still get the same performance!
Blendtec Total Blender Key Features & Benefits!
- The Total Blender is incredibly well-built for durability and long-lasting performance. It’s designed to serve you for at least a decade with daily use and still get the same blend quality, consistency, and smooth textures!
- It has a powerful 1560-watt motor for high-powered, commercial-grade blending operation. The Total Blender can crush through and pulverize even the toughest ingredients and tiniest seeds to a silky-smooth consistency.
- An easy-to-use, fully-sealed user interface with push-button controls. It has -/+ buttons for manual 10-speed adjustment, a Pulse button for precision blending, and six buttons for the built-in blending programs.
- It has six built-in preprogrammed cycles for Smothies, Batters, Hot Soup, Whole Juice, Ice Cream, and Ice Crush. These preset programs provide walk-away blending convenience for multi-tasking.
- A unique feature of the Total Blender is the illuminated LCD timer that displays the remaining time on blends when using the preset programs. It also tracks the number of blends, just like the car odometer.
Blendtec WildSide+ Jar, 90-oz
The unique 90-ounce Blendtec WildSide+ jar pairs with the Total Blender to deliver the best blend qualities in the blending world!
It’s a square container with a patented fifth side for efficiency when handling larger blends. It has a high-quality 2-prong stainless steel blade.
The thick, strong, blunt blade works by pulverizing ingredients at ultra-high speeds to an even consistency and smooth textures.
Like Vitamix wet containers, it blends in a cyclonic vortex where ingredients go down to the blades at the center and rise on the sides of the jar!
It also has two vertical ridges that disrupt the cyclonic action and accelerate the blending process for faster and smoother blends!
All Blendtec containers, including the WildSide+ jar, are made from high-quality, impact-resistant BPA-free copolyester plastic.
The container is easy to clean and top-rack dishwasher-safe! It’s ideal for processing larger blends, batched recipes, and more!
NOTE: The WildSide+ jar is the biggest in the blending world! Vitamix blenders come with 64-oz containers, and Ninja blenders have a 72-oz total crush pitcher.
2-Year Warranty with Extended Warranty Option!
All Blendtec blenders, containers, and accessories are designed, engineered, and manufactured in the USA to serve you seamlessly for many years!
The Blendtec Total Blender has a two-year warranty covering parts, performance, labor, and shipping. But you can extend it up to eight years.
Blendtec allows you to include a 3-year or 6-year extended warranty option when purchasing the Classic Series blender, but I don’t recommend it!
Why? The Blendtec Total Blender price starts from $379.95 to about $400, depending on the season and the available discounts.
A 3-year extended warranty costs $75, while a 6-year costs $125. That puts the price between $454.95 and $525, which is very steep for the Total Blender.
A better purchase would be the premium-built Blendtec Designer 650. It has smart blending technology, a touchscreen, an 8-year warranty, and goes for $449.95.
But if you want the convenience of tactile push-button controls, I recommend getting the Blendtec Classic 575 instead of the Total Blender!
2. Blendtec Classic 575
The Blendtec Classic 575 also features a simple, elegant, and minimalist build design that resembles the original Blendtec Total Blender.
So, the Classic 575 has all the wonderful blending features and benefits of the Total Blender, as I’ve highlighted and briefly explained above!
Between the Blendtec Total Blender and this one, I would pick the Classic 575! It has much simpler controls and a streamlined design.
The Classic 575 also has a powerful 1560-watt motor and an illuminated LCD timer and comes with the 90-ounce WildSide jar and a 2-year warranty.
Blendtec Classic 575 User Interface
Apart from the streamlined exterior design, the other difference between the Classic 575 and the Total Blender is its user interface or control panel.
It has five manual speed settings controlled by five tactile buttons from Low to High. Plus, there is a pulse button and a stop blending button.
It also has four convenient preprogrammed buttons for smoothies, cleaning, and 60-second and 90-second blending cycles.
A power switch at the back and a longer power cord to easily reach any mains electricity socket or extension on the counter.
While the Total Blender has more blending cycles, most people don’t use them! In fact, apart from smoothies and cleaning, most people prefer manual blending!
TIP: The Pulse button is super convenient for quick blending, like grinding coffee beans, which takes about 10 seconds with quick pulses.
Illuminated LCD Display
The Classic 575 also has an illuminated LCD timer that displays how much time is left on the blending cycle when using the preset blending programs.
The timer also keeps track of how many blends you have ever made. It works like your car’s odometer that keeps track of the miles covered!
Some Blendtec enthusiasts claim their Classic Series blenders have made as many as 15,000 blends over their lifetime without breaking down or needing any repair.
If, say, they process five daily blends. Two smoothies, a hot soup, etc! It means they have used their blender for 3,000 consecutive days or about 8+ years.
I only use my blender 3 times daily. Grinding coffee beans for daily fresh ground coffee, a smoothie, and maybe a dessert, soup, or cleaning.
That would mean I would have to use the Blendtec Classic 575 for about 14 years to reach 15,000 blend count, which makes it such a wonderful investment.
Assuming you get it at $400 and give it proper maintenance, the initial investment spread out in ten years is like $40/year, which is a huge bargain!
Blendtec Classic Series Extended Warranties
If you prefer push-button controls over the touchscreen panel of the Designer Series blender, I highly recommend getting the Classic 575.
It comes with a two-year warranty with the option to extend to 5 years with the 3-year extended warranty option or up to 8 with the 6-year option.
I would personally get it with the 3-year option that costs $75, which would set you behind about $475, and for such a powerful machine, it’s worth every penny!
Designer Series Blendtec Blenders
If you want the perfect Vitamix alternative and noise isn’t an object, I suggest you focus on the Blendtec Designer Series blenders.
The Designer models are incredibly powerful and feature the Blendtec exclusive SmartBlend technology with advanced, responsive touchscreen displays.
Like the Vitamix Ascent Series blenders, the Designer Series is sleek-looking with stunning colors to complement your kitchen decor.
3. Blendtec Designer 650
Out of the box, the Blendtec Designer 650 brings a slim, sleek design to your home! It has a powerful 1560-watt motor for commercial-grade blending performance.
It’s the same high-powered motor as the Blendtec Total Blender and Classic 575. It delivers up to 3-peak horsepower to blend tough ingredients to consistency.
The Designer 650 closely compares to the Vitamix A3300 and A3500. These two Ascent Series also feature sleek touchscreen panels and programmable timers.
Blendtec Designer 650 Key Features & Benefits!
- A fully sealed, easy-to-wipe-clean capacitive touchscreen panel with easy-to-use control settings.
- It has six pre-programmed cycles for batters, ice crush, smoothies, ice cream, whole juice, and hot soup.
- Eight manual speed settings with an easy-to-use operation – by touching or sliding your finger.
- A pulse feature for precision blending for quick processing – grinding coffee beans, crushing ice, etc!
- An illuminated LCD timer that displays the remaining timer when using the preset programs or counts up the time when using manual speeds.
- It comes with the 90-ounce WildSide+ jar and the Vented Gripper Lid for blending large batches.
- It has a molded plastic finish and comes in black or red colors to match your kitchen decor.
- It has an 8-year warranty, covering parts replacement, repair, performance, labor, and shipping.
The Blendtec Designer 650 is built to handle just about any ingredient. The touch panel makes it incredibly easy to use and clean with a dampened cloth.
The Blendtec-exclusive SmartBlend technology provides walkaway blending convenience at the touch of a finger, which is great for multitasking.
It’s a powerful machine that does everything from making smoothies, crushing ice, making nut butter, making hot soups, grinding coffee beans, milling cereals, and more!
But the thick, blunt design of the 2-prong stainless steel blades doesn’t allow it to coarse chop ingredients like the Vitamix 4-prong sharp blades would!
4. Blendtec Designer 650 S
The Blendtec Designer 650 S has all the features, build quality, and overall design of the Designer 650 but with a sleek, sophisticated stainless steel motor base.
Which is Better, Designer 650 vs. 650 S?
I would pick the Blendtec Designer 650 S any day! While it costs $50 more than the Designer 650, the stainless steel finish makes it sleeker and quieter.
Professional Series Blendtec Blenders
The Professional Series Blendtec blenders are designed to bring commercial-grade performance and advanced blending features into household kitchens.
Professional Series blenders outperform the high-end Vitamix Ascent Series blenders, the iconic Professional 750, and the premium Propel 750.
The machines are incredibly versatile, making them the best blenders for home chefs, foodies, kitchen bloggers, large families, and house party hosts.
5. Blendtec Professional 800
The Blendtec Professional 800 boasts the world’s quietest blender! It also features the most advanced blending technology in the world!
Simply put, no other brand, including Vitamix, has a blender that matches the Blendtec Professional 800. That’s why it’s worth the $799.95 price tag!
Blendtec Professional 800 Key Features & Benefits!
- An ultra-powerful 1800-watt motor. The best in class in the world, designed for multi-purpose blending multiple times a day, every day!
- It has a Blendtec-exclusive sound enclosure for truly silent blending. You can hold normal conversations while blending at peak performance.
- An easy-to-use, advanced, illuminated capacitive touchscreen interface. Like the Designer 650, wiping clean with a damp cloth is easy.
- It has six preprogrammed programs for smoothies, batter, mixed drinks, frozen treats, whole juice, and hot soup for walkaway convenience.
- An 11-speed capacitive touch slider for manual speed adjustment and a pulse feature for precision blending with quick pulses.
- The illuminated OLED display provides information and feedback about the blends and displays the remaining time when using the preset programs.
The commercial-grade motor power, user interface, and the near-silent blending operation of the Professional 800 make it 100% worth buying!
This blender is a kitchen investment you can never regret! It’s built for use multiple times daily while handling tough recipes in large batches.
Talk of processing large family meals 10 times daily or iced cocktails for house parties 50 times! It’s a true workhorse blender!
An Incredible 10-Year Warranty!
The Blendtec Professional 800 has a 10-year warranty, covering everything from parts to performance, labor, and shipping.
At the moment, it’s only available in a sleek-looking matte black finish. The motor base housing is made of high-quality molded plastic.
The Professional 800 is designed to maintain its commercial-grade performance for at least 10 years with regular, daily use!
Refurbished Blendtec Professional 800 – Is it Worth It?
Blendtec sells the Professional 800 certified refurbished for $150 less with a 1-year full warranty; while it looks like a good deal, I don’t recommend it!
You are better off with the 10-year warranty of the brand-new option! Imagine the decade-long peace of mind that comes with it! It’s worth paying $150!
