In my mind there are two categories of blenders to choose from: pro or economical. The pro blenders will allow you to grind up virtually anything you’d like to drink…including iPads or golf balls… 
The economical will unfortunately regulate you to softer fruits and veggies.
Professional Blenders
Cash flow permitting, this category consists of two amazing blenders: Vitamix and BlendTec. I have tried both over the years and honestly, the differences are negligible. They both rock.
Vitamix ($499) - The “original” pro blender.
BlendTec ($399) - This blender looks cool. It’s super powerful. It’s popular and has more friends than you on social networking sites such as YouTube and Twitter.
I use a BlendTec simply because I think it looks better and they’ve persuaded me with their killer YouTube marketing campaign.
Economical Blenders
You have to start somewhere, right? Many of us can’t initially justify spending so much money on one of the pro models until we wrestle with trying to get a cheaper model to do our bidding. I know, I tried for years.
Oster ($59) – Looks nice and it’s rated the best in the sub $100 category.
I’ve tried many blenders over the years for my green smoothie needs and these 3 are not only my top blender choices but are widely recognized as the best among a variety of sources.
What blender do you use for your green drinks?
Have anything to add? Questions? Comments? (add)
The Euro-pro Ninja Prep blender works very well.
…and it’s rather cheap too (price wise).
OMG!!! That video was sickening to watch. Wheww! How will I erase that from my memory… bound to have nightmares!!!
I have used a Vita-Mix for years. It is an extraordinary blender!
Ha! Brings new meaning to blending apple juice.
Love the Vita-mix, one of best purchases I’ve ever made. Use it multiple times a day. Great machine, great company, great warranty. The “economical” blenders aren’t worth the money if you’re a regular smoothie drinker – they don’t work well and die before their time.
I completely agree. I used one for years until I made the switch to Blendtec. No difference in quality, warranty, etc. The only two I’ll ever use.
I love the Vita-mix, it really is worth the extra cost. I haven’t tried the BlendTec but I starting to get persuaded by their creative YouTube campaign.
Guilty. *points to self*
I love them both.
Nothing compares to the power and ease of the Vitamix – I recommend this to my clients all the time!
…except Blendtec, right?
I loooove my Vitamix and use it several times a day. I just got it about a month ago. However, I have to say my little inexpensive Osterizer rocked as well. It pulverized kale for me for months until I got the Vitamix. Now it sits on the floor in the corner of the kitchen looking dejected. I can’t bring myself to give it away.
My Oster is in the cupboard above the Blendtec collecting dust. Sometimes I take it out and let it watch as the Blendtec destroys 3 pounds of fruits and veggies in the blink of an eye.
Maybe he could blend up your oster blender if you send it to him.
Canniblenderism?
I’m dying to get a Vitamix. I have an old cheapie one that still works, so I just can’t justify it yet. I’ve started to make smoothies daily for me & kids, so maybe if I use it enough, then it will finally give up and THEN I can go get my Vitamix! Here’s hoping for a quick end to my Sunbeam!
Ice. Lots of ice, make that Sunbeam WORK! It’ll tire out soon enough.
Ha! Just found you via Twitter. And funnily enough, just also posted a guest post on a friend’s raw food website comparing Vitamix and Blendtec. See http://www.beautifulheartrawkitchen.wordpress.com/blog. And Blendtec came out on top for me, for pretty much the same reasons as you say.
Loving your work!
Thank, Bo. I’m on smoothie 962 this morning with my Blendtec. I love that it keeps track.
I had a VitaMix for years and recently swapped it out for a BlendTec. Overall I like the BlendTec better. It takes up less space (height in kitchen and I really like the pre-programmed buttons.
One thing the VItamix has over the BlendTec is the tamper . I could make some really good Sorbet (rivalling Haagen-Dazs) with the Vitamix. When you have a consistency so thick, you need the tamper to overcome the cavitation effect
Agreed. Just make sure it’s not 5am and you’re still half asleep…because then you’ll put the tamper in before the top and tiny plastic pieces negate the healthy effects of green drinks.
I never did that, just sayin’