If you’re struggling to decide between the Vitamix E310 vs 5200, this comparison is for you! This post gives you a clear breakdown of the specs of each of these US models, along with functionality comparisons and an analysis of hundreds of performance reviews.
Vitamix has a strong reputation for making reliable and durable blenders.
With aircraft-grade stainless steel blades and products that are tested to their literal breaking point, Vitamix has earned a reputation for the blender that gets passed down, not thrown away (source: Vitamix.com).
Both the Vitamix E310 and 5200 are easy to use and feature high-performance motors.
Both blenders come with a large container, and a variable speed dial for a range of blending options; from smooth purées to hearty soups.
So, lets find out which is better!
Quick links:
Overview: Vitamix E310 vs 5200
We’ve compared everything from features and performance, to power and ease of use. In the battle of the Vitamix E310 vs 5200, the 5200 is the winner (just!).
The reasons? Because the 5200 has a larger container and longer warranty. Performance, features and reviews are practically identical.
(Note: If you typically only blend for 1-2 people then the E310 is still an excellent choice).
Here is a summary of our findings but read the full blog for a detailed look at the pros and cons of each machine, along with links to the best deals:
| Vitamix Explorian E310 | Vitamix 5200 | |
| Performance | Excellent | Excellent |
| Functionality | Very Good | Very Good |
| Ease of use | Excellent | Excellent |
| Pros | Powerful Medium capacity container (48-ounce) well suited to individual use A wide range of uses Low profile container fits under many kitchen units |
Powerful Large capacity container (64-ounce) great for family or bulk blend use A wide range of uses |
| Cons | Quite expensive Container a bit small for family/bulk use Container not listed as dishwasher safe Loud Struggles with small amounts and lack of liquid |
Expensive Full unit is often too tall to store in one piece Container not dishwasher safe Loud Struggles with small amounts and lack of liquid |
| Cost | $379.95 from Vitamix.com (Or check out Amazon.com for a great deal) (affiliate link) |
$499.95 from Vitamix.com (Or check out Amazon.com for a great deal) (affiliate link) |
Prices correct at the time of publication but are subject to change.
Want to know more about why the 5200 is our winner?
Let’s explore the full comparison and reviews for the Vitamix Explorian E 310 vs 5200.
Images: Vitamix.com. Side-by-side blender comparison. Size comparison is approximate.
Is a Vitamix blender worth the money?
If you’re a regular blender-user, then yes!
Vitamix blenders work hard and can last for many years. In our experience they’re powerful, high-quality and versatile.
Do they have limitations? Of course. They can struggle blending small quantities of ingredients and may need more liquid or the use of the tamper to help blend tough ingredients.
Vitamix produces a high performance blender that is so powerful that the friction can even cause the ingredients to warm up. Great if you’re making soup… not so good if you’re wanting an ice-cold smoothie!
So, which is better? The Vitamix e310 or the 5200?
Specifications comparison: Vitamix E310 vs 5200
Let’s start with the facts and figures for each model. This doesn’t give you the full picture so keep reading to find out more about the functions of each machine and a side-by-side performance analysis:
| Vitamix Explorian Series E310 | Vitamix 5200 | |
| Dimensions Height x Depth x Width (dimensions are with container on base) |
18” H x 11” D x 8” W (46cm H x 28cm D x 20cm W) Short container (which makes the Vitamix easier to store as one piece) |
20.5” H x 8.75” D x 7.25” W (52cm H x 22cm D x 18cm W) Tall container (unit often has to be stored as two separate pieces) |
| Weight | 10.5lb (4.76 kg) | 10.6lb (4.79kg) |
| Capacity | 48-ounce (1.4 litre / 6 cups) Suitable for blending small to medium batches |
64-ounce (1.8 litre / 8 cups) Suitable for blending medium to large batches. |
| Cord length | 4.5ft (1.37m) | 6ft (1.83m) |
| Colour options | Black, slate gray or red | Black, white or red |
| Motor horsepower | 2 HP | 2 HP |
| Electrical info (as per Vitamix.com) |
110-120 V | 120 V |
| Speed dials | 10 variable speeds with pulse feature | 10 variable speeds Variable/high switch so you can easily switch from a variable speed to the highest speed available |
| Dishwasher safe? | No (*see ‘cleaning’ section for more information) |
No |
| Warranty (as per Vitamix.com) |
5 year warranty | 7 year warranty |
| Reviews | 4.6* out of 5 (based on 8,473 reviews analyzed) |
4.5* out of 5 (based on 9,551 reviews analyzed) |
| Usual price | $379.95 at Vitamix.com | $499.95 at Vitamix.com |
| A great deal we’ve found | At amazon.com (affiliate link) |
At amazon.com (affiliate link) |
The Vitamix e310 vs 5200 specs above are from Vitamix.com and are correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication, but are subject to change. Conversions are approximate. The Vitamix E310 review data and Vitamix 5200 review data is amalgamated from a number of sources, analyzing a total of nearly 20,000 reviews.
So, which model performs better, the E310 or the 5200? Let’s find out in our performance review!
Images: Vitamix.com
Performance: Vitamix E310 vs 5200
Let’s see how each of the Vitamix models compare and measure up in the toughest of performance tests… let’s go!
Smoothies
Reviews report that both the E310 and 5200 make light work of blending ingredients into impossibly smooth and silky smoothies.
In just 45 seconds, frozen fruit, fibrous greens and seeds are all obliterated; with both units performing exceptionally well. No spinach bits or raspberry seeds to be found!
For best results add the liquid first and be sure to add enough liquid – if your smoothie is too thick, you’ll likely need to use the tamper to get things moving which can be a little tedious.
Making a protein shake? Watch out! Both Vitamix are so powerful, they tend to make high-liquid mixtures frothy if blended on a high setting. Keep to a low power setting and blend for just a few seconds for a protein shake that’s just protein powder and water.
Ice cream
Both units do a great job at blending frozen fruit into ice cream, with no real difference noted in performance. This is a tough test and one that many blenders fail at.
Making ice cream in a Vitamix can be a slow process, but with patience, a low speed, help from the tamper and a splash of dairy free milk to help things along, you can create a beautifully smooth ice cream from frozen bananas.
Nut butter
The reviews for both the E310 and 5200 report great results when making nut butters. It’s a tough challenge for any blender but with a slow speed and the use of a tamper you should be able to get excellent results.
Both units can struggle if you’re trying to make small quantities. Scrape down the sides of the container between blends, making sure not to overheat the motor and add a little oil to help move things along if needed.
One downside to both units is it can be pretty difficult to get all of the nut butter out from around the blades. A spatula can help with this (once the container is taken off of the base unit) but there is still likely to be some wastage.
Soup
If you like super smooth soup, this is one area a Vitamix excels. Both the E310 and the 5200 are powerhouse blenders and blend soups into a silky consistency in no time.
One thing I learned only recently, despite being a long-time Vitamix user, is that you can warm soup in a Vitamix in just a few minutes! Many reviewers, however, say they avoid doing this due to the noise level of the blenders.
Both Vitamix models perform to a high standard when making soup and there is no difference in the motor horsepower (they’re both 2.0 horsepower) so performance seems to be more or less identical.
One thing to watch out for when blending large batches – start on a slow speed otherwise you tend to get trapped air bubbles and the blender can struggle a little to pull the ingredients down from the top of the container. So start slow and use the tamper as needed to keep things moving.
Image: Sweet potato, chilli and coconut soup, blended in a Vitamix.
Ease of use and functionality
Controls and functionality
The controls on both Vitamix models are simple and easy to use. The E310 has a pulse switch which is good for making chunky pasta sauces, whereas the 5200 has a variable/high speed switch, which enables you to turn on top speed at one flick of a switch.
Some reviewers expected a more premium feel for the price-point, particularly in the dial and on-off switch which can feel a little cheap on both models.
Self cleaning appears to work well (just add warm water and a drop of washing up liquid and blend for 30-60 seconds).
Container use
The containers on both models have measurement lines in multiple units of measurement, which is helpful.
The spout makes for easy pouring with few spills.
Unfortunately, the container on neither Vitamix model is listed as dishwasher safe (see the ‘cleaning’ section below for more information).
Container size
Here is the main difference in the Vitamix E310 vs 5200: The E310 has a 48-oz (1.4L) container as standard and the 5200 has a 64-oz (2L) tall container.
This difference in container size makes the 5200 around 2.5” taller (when the container is sat on the base), compared to the E310. This means that, whilst the E310 may be able to sit on some countertops underneath a wall cupboard, the 5200 is likely to be too tall. It also means you usually have to store it in two parts in a cupboard.
The 48-ounce container of the E310 is more suited for use by 1-2 people, whereas the 64-ounce 5200 container is better for family use or bigger batch blending.
Both containers can feel a little wobbly, particularly when using the tamper, since the containers don’t ‘lock in’ to the base.
Cleaning
The instruction manual for the E310 mentions the use of a dishwasher cycle for cleaning, however when listing the items that are ‘dishwasher safe’ it does not specifically mention the container.
The instruction manual for the 5200 states that the container, lid and lid plug should not be put in the dishwasher.
Self cleaning works well by adding a drop of dish soap and warm water to the container and blending for 30-60 seconds. Alternatively, wash the container, lid and tamper in the sink using a dish brush and warm water.
Images: From vitamix.com. The colour options for the Vitamix E310 and the Vitamix 5200.
Lid use
The lid is generally strong and secure on both models, but it can be difficult to attach properly.
Noise
This is probably the number one complaint for both models – they’re both loud, particularly at maximum speed. So, if you’ve got close neighbours, thin walls or a sleeping baby in the house, you may find this hard to put up with.
Power
The Vitamix brand is well known for producing some of the most powerful household blenders and these two models are no exception. The Vitamix horsepower is impressive, with both models sitting at 2.0 horsepower.
Many reviews note that the power of these Vitamix models is far superior to other brands, and that is certainly our experience of of our own Vitamix too.
Power cord length
The length of the cord is very good on both models and you can wind it underneath the base to keep it tidy.
The 5200 does have a longer power cord than the E310; 6ft (1.83m) vs 4.5ft (1.37m).
Safety
Users report that there doesn’t appear to be a ‘lock in’ mechanism, so the blender container can wobble if the base is knocked.
The blades can also be accessed when they’re in motion as the removal of the lid does not seem to cut out the motor. Something to bear in mind if you’ve got children at home.
Vitamix Reliability and Warranty
The Vitamix E310 comes with a 5 year warranty and the 5200 comes with a 7 year warranty from Vitamix.com.
Vitamix are well known for their excellent build quality, with many Vitamix users reporting that their units long exceed the warranty in age.
Whilst being able to purchase replacement parts is useful, bear in mind that these can be expensive. A replacement or additional container can be around $150-$180 and tampers $12.95.
Image: Both Vitamix blenders make silky smooth frozen fruit ‘ice cream’.
Conclusion
Which is better – the Vitamix Explorian E310 or the 5200?
If money were no object, we’d pick the Vitamix 5200 for two reasons:
- If you like blending large-batch soups like us, the larger container (64-ounce vs 48-ounce) is a valuable upgrade.
- The 5200 comes with an extra 2 years warranty (7 years vs the 5 year warranty of the E310)
Both of these Vitamix blenders have rave reviews and the performance and functionality seems to be practically identical, so it is only really worth the extra $120 if these two things are important to you.
If you live alone and are likely to only want to blend small quanitities, the E310 may be more suitable for you. The smaller container is more suited to single serve smoothies and soups and the performance appears to be just as good as the 5200.
Amazon currently has some great deals on Vitamix blenders:
Get the Vitamix E310 here
Get the Vitamix 5200 here
(Note: these are affiliate links, read more about that here)
More Vitamix Comparisons
Vitamix 5200 vs 750: Which is better? Find out here!
Vitamix E310 vs E320: Which is better? Find out here!
This is not a sponsored post. *We use a ‘Vitamix Creations’ (the UK equivalent of the 5200) which was bought and paid for by us. Product prices are correct as of 6/2/25. Products can change over time, please refer to vitamix.com for the most up-to-date information before purchasing a unit.
This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may make a small commission off of items you purchase via one of these links, at no additional cost to you. I greatly appreciate everyone who chooses to use one of these links to make a purchase, it helps to support this blog and means that I can continue to create free content for you. Please read the policy page for more information.
Tara
Hi, I’m Tara! I’m taking you on a trip around the world in vegan cuisine and bringing the world’s most delicious dishes to your kitchen.
