The Vitamix A2300 is $50 cheaper than my personal-favorite Vitamix A2500, which belongs to the same Ascent Series platform.
The A2300 lacks the three convenient blending programs for Smoothies, Hot Soups, and Frozen Desserts you get with the A2500, just for an extra $50!
Conveniently, the Costco-exclusive Vitamix E520 has these three blending programs plus two reusable 24-oz tumblers, yet it costs almost the same as the A2500!
The E520 belongs to the Explorian Series platform that features inexpensive blenders with basic build quality, like the Vitamix E320 and the E310.
In a head-to-head battle between Vitamix E520 and A2300, I would pick the A2300 for its premium build quality and built-in wireless connectivity!
However, I advise against picking either of the two and getting the Vitamix A2500 with three program settings on top of what the A2300 offers!
I have already done an expert, hands-on review on the Vitamix E520 vs A2500; click here, where I broadly share my reasons why the A2500 is the better blender!
Vitamix E520 vs A2300: My Verdict – Get Vitamix A2500!
Both Vitamix E520 and A2300 are exceptionally well-built blenders that deliver perfectly consistent results even when blending tough ingredients!
But I will always pick the Vitamix A2500! It’s my favorite Vitamix for its perfect balance of easy-to-use analog controls, digital timer, three convenient blending programs, and built-in wireless connectivity!
In all my Vitamix reviews and comparison guides, I have consistently recommended the A2500. Here are my ten reasons why you, too, should pick it:
- It has a premium build quality for durability even with regular daily use.
- Its 2.2-horsepower motor delivers the iconic Vitamix blending performance.
- The three blending programs offer walk-away blending convenience.
- It has a pretty easy-to-use premium variable speed control knob.
- There is a pulse switch to precisely control the blending process and results.
- It has a count-up digital timer conveniently placed at the top of the knob.
- It comes with a large 64-oz low-profile container with SELF-DETECT.
- The built-in SELF-DETECT lets you use it with various Vitamix containers.
- Its Bluetooth connectivity lets you connect it to your mobile device.
- Lastly, the A2500 comes in four colors; Black, Red, White, and Slate!
What’s more, the Vitamix A2500 has a massive 10-Year full warranty. The warranty covers parts, performance, labor, repairs, and two-way shipping to the service center at no extra cost to you!
Remember that you get all these features with the A2300 except the three blending programs, but they are worth paying the extra $50!
| Vitamix Model | Vitamix E520 | Vitamix A2300 |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Explorian Series | Ascent Series |
| Motor Power | 2-HP | 2.2-HP |
| Height (with Container) | 17.5 Inches | 17 Inches |
| Variable Speed Control | Yes | Yes |
| Blending Programs | 3 | – |
| Pulse Switch | Yes | Yes |
| Container Size | 64-oz Low-Profile | 64-oz Low-Profile with SELF-DETECT |
| Warranty | 7-Year | 10-Year |
| Colors | Black & Slate | Black, Red, Slate, and White |
| Price | Check Price at Vitamix’s Shop | Check Price on Amazon |
Vitamix E520 vs A2300: Motor Bases
So far, you already know I recommend the Vitamix A2500, primarily for its premium build quality and three convenient blending programs!
I’ll now showcase how the Vitamix E520 and A2300 motors bases compare and why the Vitamix A2500 stands out when compared to them.
2-Peak vs 2.2-Peak Horsepower Motor
The motor power is one of the two features that Vitamix never compromises in all its machines, and the other one is the Vitamix blending blades’ quality!
The Vitamix A2300 has a high-powered 2.2-horsepower motor for consistent blending results and textures even when processing the toughest ingredients.
It is the same motor power you get with the A2500 and all the other Ascent Series blenders, including Vitamix A3500 and Vitamix A3300.
E520 has a slightly less powerful 2-horsepower motor. But you won’t notice the difference in motor power when you compare their blending performance.
You will always get consistent blending results and textures regardless of which Vitamix you choose, including the E520, A2300, A2500, and the rest!
Any full-size Vitamix will make steaming hot soup, silky-smooth smoothies, delicious desserts, bar-quality crushed ice, nut butter, and much more!
The main difference in most Vitamix blenders is the motor base build quality and control settings, but NEVER the motor power and blending performance.
For example, the A2300, A2500, and the other Ascent Series models have premium motor base build quality and control settings.
These blenders also feature smart built-in features like SELF-DETECT technology and Bluetooth that let you connect them to your smartphone!
The E520, on the other hand, and other Explorian Series blenders, including the Vitamix E310 and E320, have a basic motor base build quality and simple controls.
It’s the reason the E310 and E320 are the cheapest Vitamix blenders but still deliver the iconic Vitamix blending performance and smoothly consistent results!
All full-size Vitamix blenders have a radial cooling fan and thermal protection system for reliable blending performance and long-lasting operation!
Vitamix E520 vs A2300: Control Settings
Most Vitamix blenders, including the E520 and A2300, have straightforward, easy-to-use control settings for any family member despite their age!
Variable Speed Control
Vitamix E520 and A2300 have a variable speed control knob in the middle that allows you to adjust the speed settings from 1 to 10.
NOTE: The A2300’s variable speed control knob has a premium elegant feel, while the E520’s also lets you use the three convenient blending programs.
Three Blending Programs
As mentioned, the Vitamix E520 has three blending programs for Smoothies, Hot Soups, and Frozen Desserts. You also get them with the A2500!
These three are the widely made recipes by most Vitamix users. Most people use their blenders to make smoothies, desserts, and hot soups!
The programs are super convenient; the machine will automatically stop once the process is complete. So, you can walk away and multitask while blending!
Pulse Switch
The Vitamix E520 and A2300 and other full-size Vitamix blenders have the pulse switch. It lets you precisely control the results and textures.
Digital Timer
The Vitamix A2300 has a built-in digital timer that displays how long your blender has been running, just like a stopwatch, for consistent results!
SELF-DETECT + Bluetooth
All Ascent Series blenders, including the A2300, have built-in SELF-DETECT technology and Bluetooth connectivity!
The SELF-DETECT technology is essentially an NFC chip that communicates with another NFC chip of a SELF-DETECT container.
So, all Ascent Series blenders, including the A2300, are ONLY compatible and interchangeable with Vitamix containers that have SELF-DETECT.
The technology lets blenders recognize the size of the SELF-DETECT container and adjust its settings and maximum blending times for consistent results.
Other SELF-DETECT accessories you should probably get include:
- The Vitamix Blending Cup Bowl Starter Kit with a 20-oz blending cup for smoothies and shakes and an 8-oz bowl for baby food, spices, and much more!
- The 12-Cup Vitamix Food Procesor is a food processor attachment that uses the A2500 blender base to chop, shred, slice, mince, knead, and mix ingredients.
Bluetooth connectivity is another built-in feature of all Ascent Series blenders, including the Vitamix A2300 and A2500.
It lets you connect your blender to your Android, iPhone, or iPad mobile device and access 17 more blending programs and over 500 recipes.
You can download the Vitamix Perfect Blend app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store to access and use these programs and recipes with the blender.
The 17 blending programs include Smoothies, Nut Butter, Hot Soup, Self-Cleaning, Marinades, Baby Food, Salad Dressings, Frozen Desserts, Dry Chopping, Spreads, Spice Grinding, Cold Skim Milk Foam, Frozen Cocktails, Nut Milk, Thick Dips, Batter, and Acai Bowls.
These extra blending programs are super convenient, especially if you often do dry chopping, spice grinding, and make frozen cocktails like me!
Vitamix E520 vs A2300: 64-oz Low-Profile Container
Vitamix E520 and A2300 have a 64-oz low-profile container suitable for making family-sized meals and processing large recipe batches.
But the two containers are different in appearance and aren’t interchangeable. But they are all BPA-free, dishwasher-safe, and self-cleaning.
The E520’s 64-oz low-profile container has a black lid and a clear lid plug, while the A2300’s 64-oz low-profile container has SELF-DETECT so the A2300 blender can recognize it. It also has a transparent lid and lid plug!
Both 64-oz low-profile containers have larger 4-inch blades of the same quality, allowing you to achieve consistent results in all your blends!
All Vitamix blades are made of aircraft-grade, laser-cut stainless steel that is hammermill to pulverize ingredients at high speed to ensure consistency!
A Low-Profile Tamper is Included!
Both E520 and A2300 come with a low-profile tamper to push stubborn ingredients down the blades for consistent results.
Two 24-oz Chilly Tumbler Cups with Straw
The Vitamix E520 has two reusable 24-oz chilly tumbler cups with steel straws to take your smoothies and shakes to work, the gym, school, etc.
Vitamix E520 vs A2300: Noise Levels!
The Vitamix A2300 is marginally quieter than the E520, but the difference in noise levels is barely noticeable when blending side by side!
All full-size Vitamix blenders are quite loud when blending with the higher settings, including the high-end models like Vitamix Propel 750 and its look-alike, Vitamix Professional 750.
But with the Vitamix, you will always get your desired consistency within a few minutes, sometimes seconds, so the high noise levels are justifiable!
The Vitamix The Quiet One – Best Quiter Vitamix!
If you prefer a quieter Vitamix, the Vitamix The Quiet One has a noise level of 65 decibels but costs twice the price of the Vitamix E520 and A2300!
To illustrate this noise level, someone awake in the bedroom won’t notice the blender is running even if you live in a tiny apartment in Manhattan 😀!
At close-up, it sounds like a normal, healthy conversation between two people seated on the couch on a lazy summer evening when nobody wants to shout!
The Blendtec Professional 800 – Best Alternative Quiet Blender!
The Vitamix The Quiet One is exceptionally great but hefty priced! Its perfect alternative is the Blendtec Professional 800!
It also has a noise level of 65 decibels when blending in the highest speed setting. But it costs about $400 cheaper than the Vitamix The Quiet One!
It also comes with the iconic Blendtec 90-oz Wildside+ jar, an easy-to-use interface with an 11-Speed touch slider, and preset blending programs.
Vitamix E520 vs A2300: Warranty
The Vitamix E520 has a 7-Year full warranty, while the A2300 has a 10-Year full warranty. Both warranties cover everything from parts, performance, labor, and two-way shipping at no extra cost!
The A2500 also has a 10-Year full warranty! The decade-long warranty is one of the reasons I prefer the A2500! All Vitamix blenders are US-made for durability and reliable performance, even with multiple daily usage!
Vitamix E520 vs A2300: FAQs + My Brutally Honest Answers!
Is Vitamix A2300 Worth it?
Yes, the Vitamix A2300 is worth the money! But for an extra $50, I would get the A2500 for its three blending programs for smoothies, hot soup, and frozen desserts.
Is Vitamix A2300 Good for Smoothies?
Yes, the Vitamix A2300 makes awesome smoothies. The 4-inch stainless steel blades in the 64-oz low-profile container with SELF-DETECT will pulverize even the tiniest seeds for silky-smooth consistency!
What is the Difference Between Vitamix A2300 vs A2300i?
The A2300 has a 120V power rating to use in the US and Canada, while A2300i has a 220 – 240V power rating to use in the UK, Europe, and Australia!
Vitamix E520 vs A2300: My Verdict + Recommendations!
The Vitamix E520 and A2300 are well-built blenders for unwavering durability, reliable performance, and consistent blends even after many years of use!
The A2300 wins between the two for its 2.2-HP motor, wireless connectivity, and 64-oz low-profile container with SELF-DETECT. But for an extra $50, I would get the A2500 for its three blending programs!
The Vitamix A2500 costs almost the same as E520. But it has premium build quality, and the built-in Bluetooth lets you connect your mobile device!
