Today we’re going to pit two giants of the blending industry against each other, with Vitamix in one corner and NutriBullet in the other.
Based on a variety of important factors, we’ll attempt to find out which manufacturer provides better value for your money.
Both have stellar reputations for the quality of their blenders and the technology involved in the blending process. That’s what makes both of these brand names synonymous with smoothies and kitchen experimentation.
Whether you’re looking for a model to serve up delicious smoothies in no time, or one that can produce a big enough batch to satiate the whole family, we’ll determine which brand is the right choice for you.
NutriBullet vs Vitamix: An Overview
Before we get into the NutriBullet vs Vitamix breakdown, we thought it’d be useful to give you the lay of the land. Here’s a breakdown of each company and who their blenders are generally best for.
NutriBullet
NutriBullet is a big player in the single-serve blender market. One of the first manufacturers to spearhead the bullet design for blenders, NutriBullet have always been one step ahead in this domain.
In case you were wondering exactly what a bullet blender is, it’s essentially just a compact personal blender that takes the form of a bullet. You’ll typically have the small bullet-shaped base standing on a surface, and a plastic cup that you turn upside down and place into the base to blend.
With this in mind, as you might expect, NutriBullet prides itself on producing highly compact and portable blenders for the most part.
The types of people that usually invest in a NutriBullet blender are those who don’t need large batches of smoothie, or just like to make smoothies wherever they happen to be.
This compact size doesn’t come at the expense of power though. The 2-blade system used in most of their blenders is very efficient, and you can expect great performance regardless of how small the blender might be.
Simple to operate, and not as many settings or options as other blender manufacturers like Vitamix, NutriBullet blenders are accessible to everyone irrespective of previous experience blending.
Another benefit of their smaller size is the price. NutriBullet tends to put out affordable blenders. That makes them one of the best choices for anyone on a budget.
Vitamix
If NutriBullet is the better budget choice, Vitamix is the better premium choice.
Vitamix isn’t known for small personal blenders, – though they do produce bullet blenders – but for powerful countertop machines with lots of settings and functions.
Just as NutriBullet is synonymous with convenience and portability, Vitamix is known for power and functionality. With big blenders that take up space on the kitchen countertop, Vitamix ensures your smoothies come out in large batches with the perfect consistency.
Not only are a lot of this manufacturer’s blenders big, but they are also built to last. The stainless steel blades are robust enough to take on the toughest ingredients like ice and leafy greens without a problem.
Vitamix can also claim to have more variety of blenders than other manufacturers like NutriBullet. With several series and many different models, you can find a blender made by this brand whatever your preferences.
The types of people that usually invest in Vitamix blenders are those who enjoy storing large quantities of smoothie for the whole family, or smoothie purists who care only about the highest quality and better control over the end result.
All of the power and functionality of the Vitamix blenders are reflected in their premium prices. This is one factor that can’t be overlooked.
Related: Vitamix A2300 Review
The Showdown: Which is the Winner?
Now for the head-to-head. In this breakdown we’re going to assess both NutriBullet and Vitamix in a number of important factors for blending.
Of course, it’s difficult to say definitively how each manufacturer performs in each regard due to the large number of blenders each has produced.
So to give you a clearer idea of how they compare, we’ll take similar blenders from each manufacturer when appropriate and compare them.
1. Power
First up, it’s power.
The power of a blender is measured with regards to the wattage and horsepower of the motor. Though the blades can also influence how easily the blender works through the ingredients.
In general, both NutriBullet and Vitamix offer sufficient power to blend most ingredients you could ever need to. In terms of max power, both Vitamix and NutriBullet top out at around 1,700 watts.
So while Vitamix might have more of a reputation for producing powerful countertop blenders, NutriBullet has solid options for power too.
The most powerful model offered by NutriBullet is the Rx. This blender is very reasonably-priced given it’s performance, and doubles up as a food processor capable of dealing with hot foods.
As for the Vitamix, there are several great options for power, such as the Explorian E320 and Professional Series 750 with 2.2 Peak horsepower motors.
Both these blenders by Vitamix are considerably more expensive than their NutriBullet counterpart, but they also come with many pre-programmed settings, variable speed control, and self-cleaning functionality.
Winner:
Draw.
To sum up the issue of power, there is no clear winner. If anything, Vitamix slightly edges this one due to their wide range of high-performing models complete with settings to make the most of the extra power.
2. Speed
A factor that’s closely related to power is the speed of the blender. While it’d be easy to assume that the power of the blender would be the only factor to determine the speed, this isn’t the case.
The wattage of the blender influences the amount of motor torque and the longevity, but you also have to pay attention to the RPM of the blender to ascertain the speed.
The RPM refers to how quickly the blades in your blender will turn, which as a result affects how fast they will grind down the food.
NutriBullet is the underdog in this factor, since the RPM of their blenders tops out at around 30,000 RPM. However, tests have shown that certain models can outperform the theoretically faster models of Vitamix for example.
Vitamix on the other hand has a lot more flexibility with how much control you have over the speed, and has models with an impressive max speed of 37,000 RPM. The variable speed controls allow the user to have more control over the speed with which the blades grind down the ingredients.
While Vitamix might edge it in overall top speed and control, blenders from Nutribullet like the Pro 900 offer incredibly quick blending. In one test, it got through tough ingredients in less time than the Vitamix S30.
This goes to show that although the numbers are important, they don’t necessarily tell you the whole story. The blade design for example is another factor which influences how quickly a blender can operate.
Winner:
Vitamix
With the exception of the NutriBullet Pro 900, Vitamix edges it on speed. The variable controls allow you to set the right speed for whatever it is you want to blend, which is arguably even more important than shaving a few seconds off the overall time spent processing ingredients.
3. Settings
While you might not see the need for lots of different settings on a blender, they can hugely impact how easy it is to use, and how much control you have over what you make.
People of all levels of blending experience stand to gain from comprehensive settings on a blender.
If you are investing in your very first blender, having different settings or pre-programmed cycles allows you to make whatever you want at the touch of a button.
If you’re a seasoned smoothie-making pro, then you’ll appreciate variable speed controls to have more control over the consistency of your drink.
Generally-speaking, Vitamix blenders offer the user a lot more in the way of settings and control.
Many of their models feature variable speed controls, some allowing you to select from as many as ten different speeds. They also often come with a pulse option.
Some of their more premium models will also feature preset programs such as milkshake or soup, which will allow you to make these things at the simple touch of a button.
Meanwhile, NutriBullet blenders are far more minimalist. A lot of their models just have one button and that’s it. Some of their more recent ones will automatically start and stop which is convenient.
This makes them ideal for beginners.
Winner:
Vitamix
With variable speed controls, and preset programs on many of their blenders, the Vitamix puts a lot more power in the hands of the user.
4. Price
As you might have already guessed, NutriBullet has many more solid budget blenders than Vitamix.
But does this equal better value for money?
We’d argue it does.
If Vitamix is a heavyweight in the blending industry, then NutriBullet is an overperforming lightweight that can pack a real punch.
The budget blenders of NutriBullet don’t perform like most cheaper models. You know that when you invest in one of their blenders, you invest in power and performance.
NutriBullet’s blenders prove that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a decent blender.
It would be remiss of us to completely discard Vitamix in this regard, since they have their own range of reasonably-priced blenders too.
But when you take the NutriBullet Pro 900 for example, and put it up against the Vitamix E310, it provides far greater value for money and is substantially more affordable.
Winner:
NutriBullet
NutriBullet excels at the low price range of blending, and it’s hard to find other manufacturers that offer the same excellent value for money.
5. Size
The size and general capacity of a blender is important for several reasons.
If a blender is large, it might take up too much space on your kitchen countertop and be challenging to store.
However, if it’s small you might be able to store it away easily enough, but you won’t be able to produce as much in one session of blending.
The maximum capacity you can usually expect with a Vitamix blender is 64oz, whereas for NutriBullet models it’s more like 45oz.
This doesn’t mean much though, since both brands deliver well to their demographic.
Vitamix has larger pitchers which suit families and those looking to prepare big batches in advance, while NutriBullet has smaller ones which are great for individuals making single-serve smoothies and enjoying them on the go.
One thing we especially like about NutriBullet models is how they will often come with travel cups included, making it very convenient to take your drinks with you wherever you need to go.
Winner:
Draw
The topic of size has to be settled with personal preference.
Though that may sound like an easy way out, it would be wrong to say that the large blenders of Vitamix are better, since you might only need to blend single-servings before you go to work in the morning.
6. Clean-up
A less important factor, but one that should no doubt be at least a minor consideration for potential blender buyers.
Once you’ve made your smoothie, the last thing you’re going to want to do is clean up the aftermath.
Neither NutriBullet blenders nor Vitamix ones are especially difficult to clean, which is good news.
As far as which manufacturer makes it easier for you, it’s hard to say.
Both of them have dishwasher-safe blenders that make life very easy, assuming of course you have access to a dishwasher.
You could argue that NutriBullet blenders have a more straightforward cleaning process due to their compact design.
However, Vitamix compensates for having larger models by adding a self-cleaning function to many of them. This means just add water and soap, and within a minute or so the blender will have cleaned itself.
Winner:
Draw
NutriBullet blenders are small and easy to clean. Vitamix blenders are larger, but have self-cleaning functionality. This round has to be a draw.
7. Warranty
The last factor we’re going to take a look at in this breakdown is the warranties offered by both NutriBullet and Vitamix.
This is an often-overlooked factor that should really be considered more when investing in a blender.
If you buy a blender with a short warranty, even if it works amazingly for the duration of the warranty, after it expires you’re on your own.
This round is fairly straightforward, as Vitamix has a very strong warranty for all of its blenders.
The warranty of most Vitamix blenders lasts a staggering 7 years. Even those models that aren’t covered by this length of time still have a 5 year warranty. That means if your blender gets damaged you can get it repaired or replaced for free during that period of time.
You really can’t beat that.
NutriBullet on the other hand offers a 1 year warranty that pales by comparison. Some models have up to a 4 year warranty, but even still, this is one area in which NutriBullet can’t compete.
However, this isn’t to say that it’s a huge risk investing in NutriBullet blenders, largely due to the fact that many customers are happy with their models and they seem to be reliable.
Winner:
Vitamix
While you could argue that a good warranty isn’t as necessary if the blender is well-made and durable, you can never know when something will go wrong with a kitchen appliance. That’s why Vitamix comes out on top here.
Today we’re going to pit two giants of the blending industry against each other, with Vitamix in one corner and NutriBullet in the other.
Based on a variety of important factors, we’ll attempt to find out which manufacturer provides better value for your money.
Both have stellar reputations for the quality of their blenders and the technology involved in the blending process. That’s what makes both of these brand names synonymous with smoothies and kitchen experimentation.
Whether you’re looking for a model to serve up delicious smoothies in no time, or one that can produce a big enough batch to satiate the whole family, we’ll determine which brand is the right choice for you.
Related: Blendtec vs Vitamix Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions About Vitamix and NutriBullet
Is Vitamix better than NutriBullet?
If your idea of better means producing higher quality, premium blenders then yes. However, it isn’t as black and white as that.
NutriBullet is an excellent manufacturer, and manages to truly optimise the performance of their compact bullet blenders. They really have the single-serve market down, and offer great convenience with how small and portable many of their models are.
Vitamix on the other hand offers a different type of blender. One that tends to be much more expensive, but has a higher capacity, more power, and more settings than say a NutriBullet blender would.
That doesn’t necessarily make their blenders better, but they are definitely better suited to certain demographics.
While a NutriBullet blender is a great choice for individuals who might be on a budget and enjoy their smoothies on the go, a Vitamix blender is the more suitable option for a family who want to create large batches in a single session of blending.
Is there a better blender than Vitamix?
It depends on what you want.
There are certainly better blenders for wanting convenience, portability, and for those who are on a budget.
Vitamix is known as one of – if not the – best manufacturers of high-quality, powerful countertop blenders.
Their models have excellent performance, and provide the user with the flexibility to make things exactly the way they like them due to the various settings and preset programs. There is also an impressive 7 year warranty on most of their blenders making them a fairly safe investment.
When it comes to convenience though, you could argue that they are large and require a lot of countertop space. Their large pitchers aren’t ideal for single-serve smoothies.
In terms of portability, they are far too cumbersome to take with you on a trip. Unlike personal blenders, they aren’t very versatile in that regard, and should generally stay in one place.
Nor does Vitamix have the best blenders with regards to price. If you’re looking for a blender on a budget, you’ll need to look for another brand. The extra functionality and power of their models contribute to a premium price tag.
What blender is better than NutriBullet?
If you want a more powerful blender that has more options, then maybe you’d like the Vitamix Explorian e310.
If you want a blender that doubles up as a bottle for extra convenience, then you might prefer the Hamilton Beach Personal Blender.
If you want a blender that can do it all, you might like a Pro 800 Blendtec blender.
However, NutriBullet blenders are fantastic all-round, excelling in each area and offering excellent value for money. The Pro 900 series is a perfect example of this, and proves that NutriBullet can compete with any other blenders.
An investment in a NutriBullet blender is a safe one. You’ll get a very competent, efficient, and portable blender at a fraction of the price of most other blenders that carry out the same functions.
Does Starbucks use Blendtec or Vitamix?
A long time ago Starbucks would use Blendtec blenders in their stores, but now they have specially designed Vitamix blenders.
They switched to Vitamix mainly because of the extremely quiet blending sound. Dubbed ‘The Quiet One’, the model used in Starbucks stores is silent, which is convenient for avoiding customer dissatisfaction.
It also has an extremely powerful 3 horsepower motor, 34 programs, and 6 programmable buttons for the best results.
Do I need a food processor if I have a Vitamix?
While you might get different results than you would if you used a food processor to grind down food, a Vitamix will do it for you.
If you want to make smoothies, but you’re also interested in making soups, nut butters, and even frozen desserts, then you’ll probably be fine with a Vitamix on its own.
Part of the reason Vitamix blenders are more expensive than the competition is because of the additional food processing function.
As a result, their models are very competent at it and can be used in place of an actual food processor.
That being said, there are some things that might not come out as well if you use a Vitamix blender over a food processor. Soft cheese can come out quite clumpy with a Vitamix, and they don’t tend to do too well with slicing vegetables evenly.
Related: Best Blender for Bulletproof Coffee
Get Your Free "Fight Club Physique" Checklist 
A Final Word From Energetic Lifestyle
When it comes to Vitamix vs NutriBullet, the former might have the upper hand in various factors over the latter, but each manufacturer produces outstanding blenders for their own audiences.
For detailed information on blending and its health benefits, see these websites:
- Is Juicing Healthier Than Eating Whole Fruits and Vegetables? – Mayo Clinic
- Juicing vs. Blending: Which Is Better for Losing Weight?
Very informative article. Nutribullet is really the best choice if you are looking for a cheap blender but made of great quality. I have one and been using it for years!
Hi Lou, thanks for dropping by! We tend to agree, it’s hard to beat a NutriBullet!