The Vitamix E520 and E320 belong to the Explorian Series platform, which features blenders with basic build quality and simple controls.
Vitamix E320 came out in 2017. It has a 2.2-HP motor, a variable speed control knob, a pulse switch, and a 64-oz low-profile container.
The E520 is a Costco-exclusive model released in 2022. It has a 2-HP motor, three blending programs, a pulse switch, a 64-oz low-profile container, and two tumblers.
The three blending programs for Smoothies, Hot Soup, and Frozen Desserts are controlled by the E520’s easy-to-use variable speed control knob.
Vitamix E520 vs E320: My Verdict – Get Vitamix A2500 Instead!
I would pick the Vitamix Explorian E320 (Renewed) for its inexpensive price between the two or opt for the Vitamix A2500 for its premium build quality!
Or, simply put, I would get the E320 (Renewed) if I want a cheaper Vitamix or get the A2500 instead of the E520 for the same price!
The Renewed E320 has a 3-Year full warranty covering everything, including parts, labor, performance, and two-way shipping, at no extra cost to you!
It looks and works just like a brand-new Vitamix E320. You still get the same professional-grade blending performance and consistency.
You won’t even notice you’re blending with a renewed product! It can make silky-smooth smoothies, hot soups, bar-quality crushed ice, and much more!
In contrast, the Vitamix A2500 is a premium blender with a combination of easy-to-use analog controls and built-in wireless technology and connectivity.
It has a premium variable speed control knob to adjust the speed settings and its three blending programs for Smoothies, Hot Soup, and Frozen Desserts.
They are the same blending programs you get with the E520 that I strongly advise you avoid, and instead, get the A2500, which has better build quality!
The A2500 comes with a massive 10-Year warranty covering everything from parts, labor, performance, and two-way shipping at no extra cost to you!
What I love about the A2500 is the SELF-DETECT technology and Bluetooth connectivity that lets you unlock a whole new world of Vitamix blending potential.
SELF-DETECT allows your A2500 to recognize the container you are using and adjust the blend settings and maximum blending times for consistent results.
The built-in Bluetooth lets you pair it with your mobile device and access the Vitamix Perfect Blend app with 17 blending programs and 500+ recipes.
The A2500 comes with a 64-oz low-profile container with SELF-DETECT, but you can get an assortment of other compatible Vitamix containers and accessories.
The A2500 comes in Black, Red, Slate, and White, so you can pick a color that matches your other kitchen appliances.
Occasionally, Amazon offers the A2500 at slightly discounted prices! In such cases, you might get it much lower than what you would pay for the E520!
| Vitamix Model | Vitamix E520 | Vitamix E320 |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Explorian Series | Explorian Series |
| Motor Power | 2-HP | 2.2-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 | 64-oz Low-Profile |
| Warranty | 7-Year | 7-Year |
| Colors | Black & Red | Black, Red, Slate, and White |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Vitamix E520 vs E320: Motor Bases
So far, you already know I hail the Vitamix A2500 primarily for its premium build quality with a combination of analog controls and wireless connectivity.
I’ll now delve deeper into how the E520 motor base compares to the inexpensive E320 and the A2500 and why the Vitamix E520 is not worth your money!
2-Peak vs 2.2-Peak Horsepower Motor
The Vitamix E320 has a powerful 2.2-HP motor that delivers exceptionally consistent blending results even when processing tough ingredients.
Vitamix E520 has a 2-HP motor that is about 10% less powerful than E320’s. But, the motor power difference is unnoticeable on blending performance.
As such, you should experience consistent results with either blender! The Vitamix A2500 also comes with a 2.2-HP motor that’s equally powerful!
All three Vitamix blenders will make you silky-smooth smoothies, bar-quality crushed ice, awesome nut butter, baby food, desserts, hot soups, and much more!
But remember, the A2500 has a better motor base build quality and a much longer full warranty of ten years, which makes it a better buy among the three!
Vitamix hasn’t shared any information about the motor base quality of the E520, but we can speculate since it belongs to the Explorian Series platform!
The other Explorian Series blenders, including the Vitamix E310 and the E320, have a basic motor base build quality, which justifies their cheaper pricing.
All three blenders have a radial cooling fan and thermal protection system for reliable blending performance and long-lasting operation!
Vitamix E520 vs E320: Control Settings
Both Vitamix E520 and E320 have simple control settings that are pretty easy to use, even for someone who has never used a kitchen blender before!
Variable Speed Control
Vitamix E520 and E320 have a variable speed control knob to adjust the speed settings from 1 to 10, a standard in all full-size Vitamix blenders.
It lets you easily control the blending process, especially when preparing custom recipes, so you can conveniently get your desired consistencies in the blends.
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.
The automatic programs are for smoothies, hot soups, and frozen desserts. The blender will turn off automatically when the process is complete!
They are the same automatic blending programs you get when you buy the Vitamix A2500, which I suggest buying instead of the E520.
Pulse Switch
All three blenders have a Pulse switch which is quite useful to precisely control the blending process for consistent textures in all recipes!
Vitamix E520 vs E320: 64-oz Low-Profile Container
Both Vitamix E520 and E320 have the same 64-oz low-profile container suitable for processing large batches and preparing family-sized recipes.
It’s the widely used Vitamix container for its short and wider design, allowing the blenders to fit in most kitchen cabinets with the container on top!
Larger 4-Inch Blades
All Vitamix containers have aircraft-grade, laser-cut stainless steel hammermill blades that blend by pulverizing the ingredients at high speeds!
The 64-oz low-profile container has larger 4-inch blades of the same quality, allowing you to achieve consistent results in all your blends much quicker!
It’s the same blade quality and design you get in the 64-oz low-profile container with SELF-DETECT that comes with the Vitamix A2500.
Low-Profile Tamper Included!
The package includes a low-profile tamper that is useful for pushing stubborn ingredients down the blades for consistent results.
Vitamix E520 vs E320: Noise Levels!
The Vitamix A2500 runs slightly quieter than the E520 and E320, but the difference in noise level is barely notable unless you use a sound-measuring device!
Most Vitamix blenders, including high-end models like the Vitamix Professional 750 and Vitamix A3500, are pretty loud when blending at high-speed settings.
But the iconic Vitamix blending performance justifies the high noise levels that deliver consistent results within a few minutes, sometimes seconds!
Blendtec Professional 800 Best Quiet Blender!
The Blendtec Professional 800 is the blender I recommend to people who want a quieter blender, especially if you live in a small apartment!
When blending at the highest speed setting, it has a noise level of 65 decibels which sounds like two people having a normal conversation seated on the couch!
To illustrate, if you live in a tiny one-bedroom apartment with an open-plan kitchen, someone awake in the bedroom won’t notice you’re using a blender.
But the price for the near-silent blending performance is about $250 on top of what you would pay for the Vitamix E520 or the A2500.
For the price, it comes with the iconic Blendtec 90-oz Wildside+ jar, an easy-to-use interface with an 11-Speed touch slider, and preset blending programs.
However, if you prefer a quieter Vitamix, the Vitamix The Quiet One has the same noise level of 65 decibels but costs twice the price of the Vitamix E520!
Vitamix E520 vs E320: Warranty
Both the Vitamix E520 and E320 come with a 7-Year full warranty when you get them brand new. But the Renewed Vitamix E320 has a 3-Year full warranty!
I would say the Renewed E320 is a better buy, given that Amazon sells it at slightly under $300, and you should expect it to perform seamlessly for at least five years!
Vitamix makes its blenders in Cleveland, Ohio, building them for top-notch durability and reliable performance even with multiple daily usage!
Vitamix E520 vs E320: FAQs + My Brutally Honest Answers!
Is Vitamix E320 Worth it?
Yes, the Vitamix E320 is worth the money, especially the certified-reconditioned version with a 3-Year full warranty. It has a powerful 2.2-HP motor, pretty easy-to-use controls, and a large 64-oz low-profile container.
Is Vitamix E320 Good for Smoothies?
Yes, the Vitamix E320 makes delicious smoothies. Thanks to its powerful 2.2-HP motor and the 64-oz low-profile container with large 4-inch stainless steel blades that pulverize veggies and fruits for perfect silky-smooth consistencies.
Is Vitamix E520 Worth it?
No, I honestly don’t think the Vitamix E520 is worth the money! You are better off buying similar-priced Vitamix blenders like the Vitamix A2500 with a 10-Year warranty or even the time-tested Vitamix 7500.
Vitamix E520 vs E320: My Verdict + Recommendations!
The Vitamix E520 and E320 are professional-grade blenders built to deliver an industry-leading blending performance for consistent blends all the time!
The Renewed E320 wins between the two for its powerful 2.2-HP motor, simple controls, 64-oz low-profile container, and an affordable price of under $300!
Alternatively, you can get the Vitamix E320 with Personal Cup Adapter (Brand New) for the same price as the E520. It comes as a bundle with a 64-oz low-profile container, the personal adapter cup blade base, and two 20-oz blending cups with swappable spill-proof lids for drinking smoothies and shakes on the go!
But if you prefer a Vitamix with automatic blending programs, get the A2500 with three program settings for Smoothies, Hot Soup, and Frozen Desserts!
The Vitamix A2500 costs almost the same as E520 and has premium build quality with a 2.2-HP motor and built-in wireless technology and connectivity!
