Vitamix E520 and E310 are Explorian Series blenders, the Vitamix platform where the inexpensive E320 Renewed Premium belongs!
The E310 came out in 2017 together with the Vitamix E320! E310 is the cheapest Vitamix blender when you compare the prices of all brand-new Vitamix models.
It has a basic build quality with a 2-HP motor, an easy-to-use variable speed control knob, a pulse switch, and comes with a 48-oz container. But it’s worth the price!
The E520 came out in 2022 as a Costco-exclusive model with a 2-HP motor, three blending programs, a 64-oz low-profile container, and two 24-oz tumblers.
It also has a variable speed control knob that controls the speed settings and the programs for Smoothies, Hot Soups, and Frozen Desserts.
The Vitamix E520 is now available on Amazon as a Renewed Premium deal with a 3-Year full warranty for the same price as a brand-new Vitamix E310.
Vitamix E520 vs E310: My Verdict – Pick the Amazon’s E520 Renewed Premium Deal!
The Vitamix E520 Renewed Premium costs about $349.95 on Amazon, which is a super cool deal that I would grab without any second thoughts!
It’s the same price for a brand new Vitamix E310 with a 5-Year full warranty and a medium-sized 48-oz container that suits a family of one to two!
Amazon’s E520 Renewed Premium deal looks and works like new and comes with a 3-Year full warranty and a large 64-oz low-profile container.
Remember, the E520 has three programs for Smoothies, Hot Soups, and Frozen Desserts, which are super convenient for walkaway blending convenience!
The “Renewed Premium” tag means it has been serviced and certified by Vitamix technicians! So, expect it to serve you for many years with multiple daily uses!
| Vitamix Model | Vitamix E520 | Vitamix E310 |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Explorian Series | Explorian Series |
| Motor Power | 2-HP | 2-HP |
| Height (with Container) | 17.5 Inches | 18 Inches |
| Variable Speed Control | Yes | Yes |
| Blending Programs | 3 | – |
| Pulse Switch | Yes | Yes |
| Container Size | 64-oz Low-Profile | 48-oz |
| Warranty | 7-Year (Brand New), 3-Year (Renewed Premium) | 5-Year (Brand New) |
| Colors | Black & Slate | Black, Slate, & Red |
| Price | Check Price at Amazon (Renewed Premium) | Check Price (Brand New) |
Vitamix E520 vs E310: Motor Base Comparison
The Vitamix E520 and E310 motor bases and control settings have noticeable differences despite both being Explorian Series blender models.
E520’s Motor Base + Control Settings
The E520 motor base comes in black or slate colors! Its powerful motor delivers up to 2 horsepower when blending at the highest speed!
It has a basic build quality and simple controls. But it features a radial cooling fan and thermal protection system for long-lasting performance.
Some of the best Vitamix blenders with robust build quality include my personal favorite Vitamix A2500, and the Vitamix A3500 with Brushed Stainless Finish!
I also recommend checking the newly released Vitamix Propel Series blenders, the Propel 750 and the Propel 510. Both have an elegant, premium finish!
Variable Speed Control Knob with 3 Blending Programs
Vitamix E520 has a variable speed control knob in the middle to manually adjust the speed from 1 to 10 and use convenient blending programs.
As mentioned, it has three blending programs for Smoothies, Hot Soups, and Frozen Desserts. The blender will automatically stop when the process is complete!
Remember, while these programs allow for walk-away, blending convenience and multitasking, you may need to control the process actively!
When making a smoothie with frozen fruits and veggies, you may need a tamper to push the fruit chunks and stubborn greens down the blades!
But when making hot soup, you can add your cold ingredients and walk away to handle other tasks, and when the process is done, you will get steaming hot soup!
Power Switch with Blue LED
One unique feature of the Vitamix E520 is the easily accessible power switch at the front with a blue LED. It allows you to power the blender On/Off!
The power switch differs from the On/Off switch beside the variable speed control knob, which lets you Start/Stop the blending process!
TIP: The On/Off switch is an exceptional feature for safety, ensuring that your blender doesn’t accidentally blend before you manually start the process!
Other blenders that feature the NEW power switch with blue LED at the front include the Vitamix Propel 750 and the Vitamix Propel 510!
E310’s Motor Base + Control Settings
The E310 motor base comes in black, slate, or red colors! It also has a powerful motor that delivers 2 horsepower when blending at maximum speed.
Being an Explorian Series model, the Vitamix E310 also has a basic build quality with simple controls that are easy to use, just like the E320 and E520.
Variable Speed Control Knob
E310 also has a variable speed control knob in the middle for manually adjusting the blending speed from level 1 to 10, which is standard with all Vitamix blenders!
But it lacks the three blending programs and the blue LED power switch, which are super convenient, especially if you use the blender multiple times daily!
But the Vitamix E310 will still make you silky-smooth smoothies, steaming hot soups from cold ingredients, and delicious frozen desserts!
Pulse Switch + On/Off Switch
The Vitamix E310 has a pulse switch on one side of the variable speed control knob and an On/Off switch on the other. Both are present in the E520!
The pulse switch is another super useful feature to precisely adjust the textures and consistency of your blends when preparing custom recipes.
NOTE: The E310 also has a radial cooling fan and thermal protection system to cool the blender for seamless, long-lasting performance efficiently!
Vitamix E520 vs E310: Container Comparison
The Vitamix E520 has a large 64-oz low-profile container, while the E310 has a medium-sized 48-oz container!
Vitamix 64-oz Low-Profile vs 48-oz Container
The E520’s 64-oz low-profile container is one of the most popular Vitamix containers. It has a short and wider design with a black lid that tightly snaps to prevent splattering when blending liquid ingredients!
The 48-oz container you get with the Vitamix E310 is ideal for making single-serve recipes or preparing meals for a small family of two! It also comes with a black lid of the same design and has a well-cut spout for easy pouring.
Stainless Steel Blades
Both containers have the iconic Vitamix hardened laser-cut hammermill stainless steel blades of the same quality and hammermill design!
The hammermill blades are the secret to Vitamix’s impressive blending performance and consistent results and textures.
These blades don’t blend by “cutting.” They pulverize ingredients at speeds up to 22,500 RPM for silky-smooth consistency!
The 64-oz low-profile container has larger blades that are 4-inch in size, while the 48-oz container has 3-inch blades of the same quality!
Dishwasher-Safe + Self-Cleaning
Both containers are made of BPA-free material that is dishwasher-safe and self-cleaning. To clean the container:
- Add warm water halfway and two drops of dish soap.
- Tightly put the lid in place and securely set it on the blender.
- Turn the speed to 10 and switch it ON.
- Allow it to blend with the soapy water for 30 to 60 seconds.
- Switch it OFF and take out the container.
- Pour over the soapy water over the lid.
- Thoroughly rinse the container and lid over cold running water.
- Allow them to dry on the dish rack or use a drying cloth.
NOTE: I usually recommend self-cleaning as regular dishwasher use wears down plastic and rubber!
Two Reusable 24-oz Chilly Tumblers with Straws
The Vitamix E520 comes with two reusable 24-oz chilly tumblers with steel straws when you get it brand-new from a nearby Costco.
Although, I don’t recommend this package despite it being quite enticing! You can get the Vitamix A2500 for the same price, which is a better blender!
I, however, highly recommend Amazon’s Renewed Premium E520 deal, which is about $175 cheaper than the Costco brand-new E520.
Remember, the Amazon Renewed Premium E520 deal excludes chilly tumblers. But you can separately buy these for about $29.95!
Vitamix Personal Cup Adapter
If you want to take your smoothies and shakes on the go, I get the Vitamix Personal Cup adapter with two 20-oz blending cups with spill-proof lids. It works with both the E520 and E310!
A Tamper is Included!
The E520 has a low-profile tamper for the 64-oz low-profile container, and E310 has a mini-tamper for the 48-oz container. The tamper is useful for pushing stubborn chunks of the ingredients down the blades for consistent results.
Vitamix E520 vs E310: Performance Comparison
Both E520 and E310 have the same motor size that delivers up to 2 horsepower when blending at the highest speed!
At a closer look, they also have the same build quality. The containers have the same stainless steel blades build design, and quality.
So, when compared head-to-head, you should get the same performance with both blenders despite the container size differences.
High Noise Operation!
A high noise operation when blending with the higher settings is the price you pay for the impressive performance you get from both blenders.
But these blenders deliver consistent results within a few minutes, sometimes seconds. So, the high noise level is something you can endure!
Best Quieter Blender – Blendtec Professional 800
The Blendtec Professional 800 is the quieter blender I recommend! Its noise level of 65 decibels sounds like a normal conversation when blending at maximum speed.
Someone in the other room or your neighbors won’t notice you’re using the blender even when blending at 2 AM on a chilly, silent night!
It has a large Blendtec 90-oz Wildside+ jar, simple control settings with an 11-Speed touch slider, and automatic preset blending programs.
Durability
Both blenders are built with high-quality material for long-lasting performance. You should expect them to last for at least twice the warranty period with daily use without notable changes in performance and blending results.
Warranty
The E520 has a 7-Year full warranty when you get it brand new, but Amazon’s Renewed Premium deal has a 3-Year full warranty. The E310 has a 5-Year full warranty and only comes brand new!
Best Cheaper Vitamix E520 and E310 Alternative – E320 (Renewed Premium)
The Vitamix E320 Renewed Premium is the cheapest Vitamix blender at the time of this writing. It also comes with a 3-Year full warranty!
E320 has a basic build quality like the other two Explorian Series blenders and an easy-to-use variable speed control knob in the middle.
It also has a pulse switch, an On/Off switch, and a 64-oz low-profile container for a deal slightly under $300, which is a huge bargain!
Best Cheapest Vitamix Alternative – Ninja BL610 Professional
Buying the Vitamix blender is a considerable investment, even when you get it at a bargain like the Vitamix E320 Renewed Premium deal!
If you’re looking for the cheapest Vitamix alternatives, I recommend checking the Ninja BL610 Professional, which costs under $100.
It is still a powerful machine, and while it won’t get you the Vitamix blending consistency, you will always make consistent smoothies.
The Ninja BL610 Professional has a powerful 1000-watt motor, easy-to-use controls with three blending programs, and a large 72-oz container.
Vitamix E520 vs E310: FAQs & My Brutally Honest Answers!
Is Vitamix E520 Worth it?
Yes, the Vitamix E520 is worth it when you get it as a Renewed Premium deal from Amazon with a 3-year full warranty! But the Costco-exclusive deal with two chilly tumblers is not worth your money!
Is Vitamix E310 Good for Smoothies?
Yes, the Vitamix EE310 will make awesome silky-smooth smoothies. The 48-oz container suits making smoothies batches for one or two people!
What Comes with Vitamix E520?
The Vitamix E520 comes with:
- 2-HP E520 Motor Base.
- 64-oz Low-Profile Container.
- Low-Profile Tamper.
- Simply Blending Cookbook.
Vitamix E520 vs E310: My Verdict + Recommendations!
Vitamix E520 and E310 are professional-grade blenders, and any of them will make you smoothly consistent blends anytime!
They can make steaming-hot soups, frozen desserts, nut butter, bar-quality-crushed ice, grind barista-quality coffee, baby food, and much more!
But I recommend Amazon’s E520 Renewed Premium deal with a 3-year warranty, as it comes as a huge bargain with a 64-oz low-profile container!
