The 5200 is the most popular Vitamix blender model of all time! It’s the blender you’ll likely find in most American household kitchen counters, restaurants, bars, and cafes!
It won most people’s hearts, including chefs, for its iconic classic design with a powerful 2-horsepower motor, an easy-to-use variable 10-Speed control knob, and the large 64-oz classic container.
The E520, in contrast, is a recently released Costco-exclusive Vitamix with three convenient blending programs for Smoothies, Hot Soup, and Frozen Desserts.
It retains the classic feel of the 5200 with an easy-to-use variable speed control knob for adjusting the 10-speed settings and using the three blending programs.
The Vitamix E520 has a pulse switch and comes with a large 64-oz low-profile container and two reusable 24-oz chilly tumblers with steel straws.
Both Vitamix E520 and 5200 have a powerful 2-horsepower motor for reliable blending performance, multi-purpose use, and consistent results all the time!
They feature Vitamix’s industry-leading build quality, engineered to last for many years, even with daily use. They both have a 7-year full warranty covering everything including parts, performance, labor, and two-way shipping!
The Vitamix E520 is now available on Amazon without the two reusable 24-oz chilly tumblers for under $350 as a Renewed Premium deal with a 3-Year full warranty!
It’s such a wonderful deal and I 100% recommend getting it! You’re getting a premium-built blending machine with great engineering and with proper care, you shouldn’t be surprised when it lasts for over 10 years!
Vitamix E520 vs 5200: Why Get the E520 Renewed Deal?
Costco sells the Vitamix E520 brand-new with two tumblers for $499.99! It looks like a great deal at first glance until you discover you can get the certified-reconditioned E520 for under $350. It’s now the best-selling Vitamix, and for good reasons!
- Vitamix reconditioned blenders are known to last for many years. Some like the iconic Vitamix 5200 have maintained their exceptional blending performance for 10+ years even with daily multiple use!
- The 2-horsepower motor is extremely powerful. You will not only make silky-smooth smoothies and frozen desserts but it will crush snow-like ice, grind barista-quality coffee, make smooth nut butter, and so much more!
- Despite being a renewed product, the 64-oz low-profile container shell, lid, lid plug, and tamper are brand new. The Vitamix blades are impressively high-quality – made with aircraft-grade stainless steel!
The three blending programs for smoothies, hot soups, and frozen desserts make the E520 the better option when compared to the 5200. They provide walk-away blending convenience, which allows you to multi-task while prepping your recipes!
Does Renewed Mean Used? Will it Last?
I’m a fan of premium renewed products because they come at huge bargains. Certified-reconditioned Vitamix blenders have undergone meticulous technical inspection at the Vitamix service center in Cleveland, Ohio.
They check the motor for performance-related issues since it’s the heart of any blending machine. They also check the control settings to ascertain reliability. The stainless steel blades are polished to work and look like new!
Other cosmetic improvements are also made to give the machine a premium feel! As mentioned, the container shell and tamper are brand new. You can trust you’re getting a machine that works and looks just like brand new!
| Vitamix Model | Vitamix E520 | Vitamix 5200 |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Explorian Series | Classic C-Series |
| Motor Power | 2-HP | 2-HP |
| Height (with Container) | 17.5 Inches | 20.5 Inches |
| Variable Speed Control | Yes | Yes |
| Blending Programs | 3 | – |
| Pulse Switch | Yes | High-Speed |
| Container Size | 64-oz Low-Profile | 64-oz Classic |
| Warranty | 7-Year | 7-Year |
| Colors | Black | Black, Red, and White |
| Price | Check for the Best Price | Check for the Best Price |
Vitamix E520 vs 5200: Motor Bases
Let’s dig deeper into what is hidden inside the motor bases of the E520 and 5200, how they compare on motor power, and overall blending performance.
2-Peak Horsepower Motor
Both the 5200 and the Vitamix E520 have a powerful 2-peak horsepower motor that spins the blades at up to 22,500 RPM at maximum blending speeds.
Their blending performance is impressively great. The 5200 is known for its outstanding job at processing even the toughest ingredients!
It has served in most kitchens, parties, restaurants, cafes, and bars for years, with daily use making just about any blendable ingredient, including nuts!
So, the 5200 will make you silky-smooth smoothies, bar-quality crushed ice, awesome nut butter, baby food, desserts, hot soups, and so much more!
The Vitamix E520 will also do a fantastic job in most blends. It’s at the same level or even better than what the 5200 has done for over 15 years!
Yet, you will have to endure high noise levels with both blenders in exchange for their excellent blending performance. But this is something you can live with!
Vitamix E520 vs 5200: Control Settings
Both Vitamix E520 and 5200 have straightforward control settings. You probably won’t need the included manual to use any of the two blenders!
Variable Speed Control
As a standard for all full-size Vitamix blenders, they both have a variable speed control knob in the middle to adjust the speed settings from 1 to 10.
It allows for a simplified, controlled blending operation, especially when processing custom recipes where you need to tweak the results to your desired textures.
Three Blending Programs
The variable speed control knob of the E520 helps you to adjust the speed settings and use the three built-in preprogrammed settings.
As mentioned, the programs are for smoothies, hot soups, and frozen desserts, the three recipes most Vitamix enthusiasts make with their blenders.
These are the same preprogrammed settings you get when you buy the Vitamix A2500, which I’ve repeatedly recommended getting instead of the brand-new E520 and 5200.
Pulse Switch vs High/Variable Switch
The E520 has a pulse switch, just like the A2500 and most other Vitamix blender models, but the 5200 has a High/Variable Switch. The pulse switch is a useful feature to control the texture and consistency of your blends precisely.
What is the Difference Between Vitamix 5200 High and Variable?
Switching the 5200 to High means it will blend at maximum speed while switching it to Variable lets you manually adjust the speed with the variable speed control knob.
Vitamix E520 vs 5200: Containers
Both Vitamix E520 and 5200 come with large capacity 64-oz containers suitable for processing large, family-sized recipes.
But their designs and blade sizes differ. The 5200 has a 64-oz classic container with a tall, narrow design with 3-inch blades.
On the contrary, the E520 comes with the popular 64-oz low-profile container with a short and wider design with larger 4-inch blades.
The classic container does a perfect job processing small batches due to its narrow design at the base, especially when making nut butter!
The low-profile container, in contrast, delivers consistent results faster when processing large batches due to its larger blade size.
64-oz Classic Container vs 64-oz Low-Profile Container Blades
Both blades are made of aircraft-grade, laser-cut hammermill stainless steel that blends by pulverizing the ingredients at high speed!
So, you’ll get the same impressively consistent blending results and textures regardless of the container or blender you use in all your recipes!
It’s the same blade quality and design you get when you buy the premium Vitamix Propel Series 750, which also comes with a 64-oz low-profile container and a tamper.
Classic Tamper vs Low-Profile Tamper
The tamper is a super-handy accessory that helps you push tough ingredients down the blades without stopping the process for consistent results and textures!
Vitamix E520 vs 5200: Noise Levels!
As mentioned, you must live with a high noise level operation when you get the Vitamix E520, the 5200, and most other Vitamix blenders!
Truth be told, a majority of Vitamix blenders are pretty loud, especially when blending at medium to high-speed settings, which is what you will probably do!
But the high noise level can be justified by their dependable blending performance that delivers consistent results in just a few minutes, sometimes even seconds!
Blendtec Professional 800 Best Quiet Blender!
I often prefer consistency in all my blender buying guides, and I usually recommend the Blendtec Professional 800 as the best quiet blender!
That’s if a near-silent operation is something you highly consider in your ideal blender. I know it’s not a Vitamix, but it has the same blending performance!
The Blendtec Professional 800 has a noise level of 65 decibels when blending at maximum speeds, which sounds like a normal conversation!
To put this in perspective, when using this blender in the kitchenette of a small apartment, the sound won’t wake up someone sleeping on the couch or disturb the neighbors!
However, the Blendtec Professional 800 will set you back over $250 on what you would pay for the Vitamix E520, 5200, or even the A2500.
But for the price, you also get the iconic Blendtec 90-oz Wildside+ jar, an easy-to-use interface with an 11-speed touch slider, and preset blending programs.
That said, if you are a Vitamix enthusiast, the Vitamix The Quiet One has the same noise level as the Blendtec Professional 800 but is priced in the neighborhood of $1,100!
Vitamix E520 vs 5200: Warranty
Both Vitamix E520 and 5200 come with a 7-year full warranty covering parts, labor, performance, and two-way shipping at no extra cost to you!
All Vitamix blenders are US-made in Cleveland, Ohio. They are built for unmatched durability and reliable performance even with multiple daily usage!
As of today, Vitamix has only received about 2% of warranty issues, meaning only two blenders in every 100 they have ever produced are returned and repaired or replaced!
What’s more, if your warranty has elapsed seven years down the line, you can easily source and replace most of the parts of the Vitamix E520 and 5200, including the stainless steel blades!
Vitamix E520 vs 5200: FAQs & Answers!
Is Vitamix E520 Worth it?
Yes, the Vitamix E520 is 100% worth buying! It’s a well-built blending machine with a powerful 2-horsepower motor, straightforward control settings with three blending programs, a large 64-oz low-profile container, and a generous 7-year full warranty!
How Long is Vitamix Warranty from Costco?
The Vitamix warranty from Costco for the E520 is seven years! It’s a full warranty covering parts, labor, performance, and two-way shipping to the Vitamix service center at no extra cost to you.
Is Vitamix 5200 Worth it?
While the Vitamix 5200 has reigned as the best-selling blender in the past 15 years, it’s no longer worth it. Instead, get an improved model like the A2500!
Vitamix E520 vs 5200: Final Verdict & the Best Alternative Blenders!
The Vitamix E520 and 5200 are versatile blenders that deliver outstanding performance in all your blending needs!
However, I wouldn’t pick any of these two blenders (brand-new) in 2024 since the Vitamix 5200 is an older model, and there are much better alternatives to the E520 if the convenient blending programs are a must-have in a blender!
For example, the Vitamix A2500, which is my favorite Vitamix model has a slightly powerful 2.2-horsepower motor, super-easy-to-use control settings, and three blending programs for smoothies, hot soups, and frozen desserts.
You get a massive 10-year full warranty when you get it brand new! It also has smart system features including built-in SELF-DETECT technology and Bluetooth connectivity. Yet, it comes at around the same pricing as the 5200 and E520.
Simply put, pick the certified-reconditioned E520 if you want a good bargain that’s built to last for years!
But go for one of the premium Vitamix models like the A2500 if you want a blend of straightforward controls and built-in wireless connectivity. Or the newly released Propel Series 750 if you want a premium, easy-to-use Vitamix!
