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All-Clad Corded vs. Vitamix 5-Speed Side-by-Side Comparison

Tina Pham
Reviewer
Nguyen Ntk
Visual Specialist
Updated
Tested Using Methodology v1.0
Updated Apr 3, 2023
Tested Using Methodology v1.0
Updated Apr 25, 2023
Unboxing the All-Clad Hand Blender, from left to right: a user’s manual, the All-Clad immersion blending wand with its motor body attached, and a paper carton box.
Unboxing the Vitamix immersion blender, from left to right: an owner’s manual, a recipes booklet, a red receipt, the Vitamix 5-speed with a stainless steel motor body and an immersion blending wand, and a paper carton box.
Blenders type
immersion
immersion

Our Verdict

7.2
Overall Score
  • Performance (50%)
    6.0/10
  • Design (20%)
    9.1/10
  • Usability (30%)
    8.0/10
8.6
Overall Score
  • Performance (50%)
    8.6/10
  • Design (20%)
    9.1/10
  • Usability (30%)
    8.2/10

Both are high-end machines sporting astonishing amounts of power, but only the Vitamix 5-Speed is among our top-rated immersion blenders. The All-Clad is held back by its low versatility and mediocre capability of pureéing soup.

It’s difficult to find a well-rounded device like the Vitamix 5-Speed. Although it shares the same power ratings and build quality with the All-Clad, the Vitamix somehow beats it in every task. Compromises are few and mostly center on its slightly heavy weight, but of all the blenders we tested, the All-Clad is the heaviest so your Vitamix is more comfortable to use overall. 

The Vitamix is also by far the better value considering its 3-year warranty package, which is more than what most immersion blenders, including the All-Clad, offer.

Some Competitors Performed Better

All-Clad Immersion Blender Performance

Performance
6.0
Performance Scores
  • Hot Soup Purée (35%)6.5/10
  • Frozen Fruit Smoothie (30%)8.3/10
  • Mayonnaise (15%)0/10
  • Almond Milk (15%)8.0/10
  • Whipped Egg-Whites (5%)0/10
8.6
Performance Scores
  • Hot Soup Purée (35%)9.5/10
  • Frozen Fruit Smoothie (30%)8.8/10
  • Mayonnaise (15%)8.3/10
  • Almond Milk (15%)9.3/10
  • Whipped Egg-Whites (5%)0/10
6.5

Hot Soup Purée

9.5
All Clad 10942212300 Immersion Hot Soup Purée Test
Scooping a spoon of pureéd soup from a full batch in a plastic beaker made by the All-Clad immersion blender.
A batch of soup pureéd by the All-Clad stainless steel immersion blender is checked for smoothness by being drained through a stainless steel mesh strainer.
  • Pureeing Time: 30 seconds
  • Result: Slightly Chunky
  • Suction: Slight

The All-Clad’s strong motor pulverized carrots and pumpkins easily, but it fell short in handling leafy veggies. After 30 seconds of blending time, several chunks of celery remained quite intact because they got lodged in the blade guard’s holes. The blender somehow couldn't draw them toward the blades. Ultimately, the soup failed to reach the perfect texture. At this price point, we expected a restaurant-quality soup rather than this grainy one.

Scooping a spoon of pureéd soup from the plastic beaker to check its smoothness.
Scooping a spoon of pureéd soup from the plastic beaker to check its smoothness.
Vitamix Immersion Blender Soup Purée Video
Draining the pureéd soup with a stainless steel mesh strainer to inspect solid chunks.
  • Pureeing Time: 30 seconds
  • Result: Exceptionally smooth
  • Suction: No

Pureeing hot soup wasn't challenging the Vitamix thanks to its powerful motor and razor-sharp blades. Although it wasn’t any faster than its counterparts in pureeing time, it warranted the higher cost by providing us with a nutrient-dense purée of silky smooth texture. It also stood out from the rest with a non-suction performance that helped keep splashing to minimal.  

Indeed, the Vitamix is the most suitable hand blender for preparing restaurant-quality soup at home. It’s a great bargain for any recipes that involve fibrous food, too. If you’re now looking for a tool that can consistently ensure the smoothest blends, we particularly love and recommend this blender.

8.3

Frozen Fruit Smoothie

8.8
All Clad 10942212300 Immersion Smoothie Test
A plastic beaker containing a batch of green smoothie whose parts are scooped with a stainless steel spoon is between the All-Clad’s motor body and a smartphone displaying the total blending time (1 minute and 13 seconds).
After finishing blending, the green smoothie made by the All-Clad blender was spread evenly throughout a white paper to check for solid chunks.
  • Blending Time: 1 min 13 secs
  • Result: Smooth
  • Suction: Slight

In this test, the All-Clad 10942212300 blended the thick mixture without struggle. It completed its task in about one minute, which was much faster than average. All the frozen fruits were broken down into the finest of bits. There were a smattering of kale flakes in the final smoothie, but that didn’t affect our taste buds.

Scooping a spoon of smoothie from the plastic beaker to check its texture after the Vitamix immersion blender had completed the test in 1 minute and 5 seconds.
Scooping a spoon of smoothie from the plastic beaker to check its texture after the Vitamix immersion blender had completed the test in 1 minute and 5 seconds.
Vitamix Immersion Blender Smoothie Video
After finishing blending, the green smoothie was spread evenly throughout a white paper on a gray table to check for solid chunks.
  • Blending Time: 1 min 5 secs
  • Result: Smooth
  • Suction: No

The Vitamix took only 1 minute and 5 seconds to complete this test. By comparison, its counterparts such as the UTALENT 5-in-1 and the Hamilton Beach 2-speed required nearly double the time. 

Regarding the smoothie’s texture, of all the blenders we tested, only the Vitamix could churn out a thick, creamy smoothie with almost no solids left behind. Plus, despite being longer and heavier, it operated well in our 24-oz blending jar while the BPA-free plastic bell guard helped prevent scratches on the jar’s surfaces.

0.0

Mayonnaise

8.3
All Clad 10942212300 Immersion Mayonnaise Test
All Clad 10942212300 Immersion Blender Mayonnaise
Scooping a spoon of failed mayonnaise made by the All-Clad hand blender from its full batch in a plastic beaker which is standing between the All-Clad’s motor body and a smartphone displaying the total mixing time (2 minutes and 5 seconds).
  • Emulsifying Time: N/A
  • Result: N/A
  • Suction: N/A

For this test, we tried to whisk together three egg yolks and 240ml oil using the blending wand. To avoid broken mayonnaise, we ran mostly at medium speeds and only sped up once the oil started emulsifying. Each blender is put through the same testing procedure. However, this was the only hand blender that couldn’t reach the emulsion stage. After about 2 minutes of operating, all we got was a jumbled mixture that looked more like broken eggs than an emulsion.

Technically, it’s hard to conclude whether or not the All-Clad can make mayonnaise in the real kitchen since there are many external factors that prevent the emulsion from forming. This also means that the emulsifying capability of this blender is still an open question.

Scooping a spoon of mayonnaise emulsified by the Vitamix immersion blender from a white bowl to check its creaminess.
Scooping a spoon of mayonnaise emulsified by the Vitamix immersion blender from a white bowl to check its creaminess.
Vitamix Immersion Blender Mayonnaise
  • Emulsifying Time: 1 mins 40 secs
  • Result: Quite Thick
  • Suction: No

In this test, most of the blenders produced acceptable outcomes and only our culinary expert could tell the differences between them. However, the Vitamix didn’t have the fastest performance, requiring about one minute and forty seconds to incorporate all the ingredients. This was around 30 seconds slower than the winners, including the Cuisinart Smart Stick, KOIOS 4-in-1, BELL 10-speed, and Chefman cordless

This is because when the mayonnaise emulsified and started to thicken, the blending wand generated a suction force, pulling itself against the container’s bottom. That made movement more difficult and slowed the whole process down. We don’t necessarily consider the time to be a deal-breaker. Since the blender itself is quite heavy, though, the longer the process takes, the more it will fatigue your hands. 

In conclusion, despite this drawback, the Vitamix is an acceptable alternative to a hand mixer for preparing mayonnaise or other emulsified sauces. Still, it is not the best hand blender for this job and ideal results may require extra effort.

8.0

Almond Milk

9.3
All Clad 10942212300 Immersion Almond Milk Test
A white plate of almond pulp being between the All-Clad’s motor body and a smartphone displaying the total grinding time (1 minute).
  • Grinding Time: 1 min
  • Result: Fine
  • Suction: Tight

Considering how evenly and easily it blended frozen fruits, we weren’t surprised that the All-Clad had no trouble pulverizing raw nuts. After the mixture reached our preferred consistency, we extracted the liquid using a nut milk bag. The pulp was finely ground, so the final drink looked creamy and very milk-like. It tasted rich and almondy, exactly as it should. The whole procedure lasted one minute, which was 50 seconds faster than the worst one, the Chefman 6-in-1.

A bunch of almond shells gets clogged in the Vitamix immersion blending wand which is resting on a beaker full of almond milk.
A bunch of almond shells gets clogged in the Vitamix immersion blending wand which is resting on a beaker full of almond milk.
Vitamix Immersion Blender Almond Milk Test
  • Grinding Time: 40 secs
  • Result: Fine
  • Suction: Slightly

The Vitamix took just 40 seconds to yield one serving of drinkable almond milk.  

That said, from start to finish, its crushing process didn’t go very well. The almond skins, along with peeled chunks, became lodged in the blade guard. We had to stop the blender temporarily and use a spatula to dislodge the food, which we didn’t have to do with other models, such as the Braun MultiQuick-5.

That said, from start to finish, its crushing process didn’t go very well. The almond skins, along with peeled chunks, became lodged in the blade guard. We had to stop the blender temporarily and use a spatula to dislodge the food, which we didn’t have to do with other models.

Not only that, but because the Vitamix couldn’t create a consistent vortex, everything got close to overflowing when we increased the speed. 

Suction was a problem again as well. As a result, we got some almond spatter when we tried to lift up the wand. Most of the splatter-related issues could probably be avoided, though, if we blended it in a taller or larger jar.

0.0

Whipped Egg-Whites

0.0
All Clad 10942212300 Immersion Whipped Egg-Whites Test
All-Clad immersion blender review: a paper carton box, the All-Clad blending wand with its motor body attached, and a user’s manual lying side by side on a white table.
  • Beating Time: N/A
  • Result: N/A
  • Suction: N/A

Any whipping task will likely exceed your All-Clad’s capability, but that’s mainly because it doesn't include a whisk attachment. We haven’t tried a single hand blender that could whip egg whites using just the blending wand. More often than not, the whites never even reach the soft-peak stage. In the end, we were left with a cloudy liquid composed of two separate layers of bubble film and eggy water.

The Vitamix blending wand is immersed in a plastic beaker containing failed beaten egg-white with a smartphone displaying the total beating time ( 2 minutes and 17 seconds) next to it.
  • Beating Time: N/A
  • Result: N/A
  • Suction: N/A

The Vitamix could be a great all-around blender if it included a whisk attachment. This is because, in our test, there was no way the immersion blender could beat egg-white with its ordinary blending shaft. Unlike a whisk attachment, the blending shaft can’t force air into the egg whites, which is the way to create an even, bubbly foam. Consequently, the result was a cloudy liquid with two separate layers of bubble film and eggy water. We awarded it no points for this test.

Lots of Premium Features

All-Clad Hand Blender Design

Design
9.1
design Scores
  • Blending Shaft (30%)9.5/10
  • Build Quality (60%)9.5/10
  • Power cord (5%)10/10
  • Beaker (5%)0/10
9.1
design Scores
  • Blending Shaft (30%)9.5/10
  • Build Quality (60%)9.5/10
  • Power Cord (5%)10/10
  • Beaker (5%)0/10

In the Box of the All-Clad Stainless Steel Hand Blender

In the Box
All-Clad immersion blender review: a paper carton box, the All-Clad blending wand with its motor body attached, and a user’s manual lying side by side on a white table.
  • Motor body 
  • Blending shaft 
  • User manual

In the package, you will find a handheld motor section, blending wand, and owner’s manual.

The Vitamix Hand Blender is shipped with a carton box, an immersion blending wand, a motor body, and owner’s manuals.
  • Motor body 
  • Blending shaft 
  • User manual

In the package, you will find a handheld motor section, blending wand, and owner’s manual. The lack of additional accessories like a blending jar or a whisk attachment did make us hesitant about the high price. Nevertheless, as soon as we had a hands-on go at this blender, its solid construction proved that it was worth the money.

Dimensions

The All-Clad immersion blender standing on top of its blending shaft on a gray table, with the length of the blending shaft being noted to the side as 9.4 inches, and the total length of the unit as 17.5 inches.
  • Height:
    17.5" (44.5 cm)
  • Width:
    2.8" (7.1 cm)
  • Weight:
    2.9 lbs (1.3 kg)
  • Shaft Length:
    9.4" (23.9 cm)

With dimensions of 17.5 inches tall by 2.8 inches wide, this blender stands taller than most. At 2.9 pounds, it feels pretty heavy in the hand as well — quite the opposite of many other models. The hefty weight is a consequence of its all-stainless-steel construction that is meant to ensure optimal longevity, but we found several competitors, such as the KitchenAid, could be just as durable without the added heft.

The Vitamix stainless steel immersion blender stands on top of its blending shaft on a gray table, with the length of the blending shaft being noted to the side as 9.2 inches, and the total length of the unit as 17.5 inches.
  • Height:
    17.5" (44.5 cm)
  • Width:
    3.0" (7.6 cm)
  • Weight:
    3.2 lbs (1.4 kg)
  • Shaft Length:
    9.2" (23.4 cm)

Compared with others, this blender is quite tall, measuring about 17.5 inches tall, 3 inches wide, and 3 inches deep. That length may allow it to reach the bottom of deep pots more easily. At 3.2 pounds, it is also heavier than most — we were pretty shocked by its weight at first.

9.5

Build Quality

9.5
 A close-up of the build quality of the All-Clad’s motor body and immersion blending wand.

On the whole, the All-Clad 10942212300 is well-engineered. Its interior is quite refined while the exterior uses high-quality stainless steel. Hard plastics are still present in a few areas, but they look stately and are meant as highlights.

Vitamix Immersion Blender Review: The motor body and blending wand of the Vitamix lie flat on a gray table.

The Vitamix 5-speed is a simple, high-end blender. Mostly made of stainless steel, it is sturdy and appeals to us aesthetically as well. We’re confident when we say it’s among the few hand blenders on the market that provide the right balance of performance, quality, and value. Better built than most, we also believed its exterior is less likely to be damaged or succumb to basic wear and tear over time.

Speed and Controls

A close-up of the All-Clad front interface which features a Turbo button, a power button, and a speed dial on top.
A close-up of the All-Clad front interface which features a Turbo button, a power button, and a speed dial on top.
A close-up of a speed dial on top of the All-Clad’s motor body.
  • Control Type:
    Press-button & speed knob
  • Min Speed:
    7,776 RPM
  • Max Speed:
    12,768 RPM
  • Presets:
    No
  • Noise Level:
    67 dB
  • Digital Display:
    No
  • Pulse Mode:
    Yes

Controls used for this blender’s operation include two press-buttons and a speed selection knob. The “TURBO” button will give you a quick burst of power. For more controlled acceleration or deceleration, use the power button and the knob. It may feel like you need an extra hand, though, if you’re constantly stabilizing the blending beaker on the table. Adjusting the All-Clad’s speed can take some practice.

A close-up of the Power button and Variable Speed Control button of the Vitamix immersion blender.
Vitamix Immersion Blender Speed and Controls
A close-up of the Power button and Variable Speed Control button of the Vitamix immersion blender.
Five speed indicator lights on top of the Vitamix’s motor body.
  • Control Type:
    Press
  • Min Speed:
    8,600 RPM
  • Max Speed:
    15,700 RPM
  • Presets:
    No
  • Noise Level:
    85 dB
  • Digital Display:
    Yes
  • Pulse Mode:
    No

We particularly like this blender’s intuitive interface. You can get five different speeds out of it but there are only two buttons on the front. You won’t need much practice to operate them smoothly; we figured out how they worked before reading the user manual. As a visual aid, this blender also has an LED display on top indicating the speed.

The Vitamix is also different from others in terms of its acceleration. Its speed steps up gradually rather than the violent torques others create. That went a long way toward preventing messes and should also prolong the motor’s lifespan.

9.5

Blending Shaft

9.5
A close-up of the stainless steel blade assembly sporting 2 prongs of the All-Clad stick blender.
  • Material:
    Stainless steel
  • Type:
    Sharp Blade
  • Guard Material:
    Stainless steel
  • Blade Count:
    2
  • Removable:
    Yes
  • Dishwasher Safe:
    Yes

Constructed of hardened stainless steel, the 2-prong blade is super sharp and sturdy. Around it is a metal guard designed to minimize food splatter and head suction, but we don’t think this part is up to the task. Not to mention the fact that it will scratch the interior surfaces of your cookware if you don’t blend very carefully.

The blade assembly of the Vitamix immersion blender features 4 sharp stainless steel prongs.
Stainless Steel Blade Housing with Plastic Guard (Cre: Nguyen Ntk/HealthyKitchen101)
The blade assembly of the Vitamix immersion blender features 4 sharp stainless steel prongs.
A close-up of the sharp stainless steel blade of the Vitamix immersion blender.
  • Material:
    Stainless Steel
  • Type:
    Sharp Blade
  • Guard Material:
    BPA-free plastic
  • Blade Count:
    4
  • Removable:
    No
  • Dishwasher Safe:
    No

The Vitamix’s blade is constructed of hardened stainless steel. Featuring 4 prongs, this is a unique blade assembly found exclusively in Vitamix-brand hand blenders. There is also a permanent bell-shaped guard at the end of the blending wand. As advertised by its manufacturer, this blade guard can efficiently reduce suction. Made of BPA-free plastic, the bell’s rim should help protect the interior surfaces of your cookware or blending containers.

0.0

Beaker

Not Included
  • Material:
    N/A
  • Capacity:
    NaN fl oz (NaN ml)
  • Measurements:
    N/A
  • Weight:
    NaN oz (NaN g)
  • Height:
    NaN" (NaN cm)
  • Dishwasher Safe:
    N/A
  • Tamper Included:
    N/A

This All-Clad  doesn’t come with a blending container, but you can easily use any one you find that’s the right size.

  • Material:
    N/A
  • Capacity:
    NaN fl oz (NaN ml)
  • Measurements:
    N/A
  • Weight:
    NaN oz (NaN g)
  • Height:
    NaN" (NaN cm)
  • Dishwasher Safe:
    N/A
  • Tamper Included:
    N/A

As mentioned above, the Vitamix immersion blender doesn’t come with a particular blending container, but we ensure you can easily buy an optional one of any brand on the market.

10

Power cord

Power Cord
The All-Clad Immersion Blender on a white table with its power cord that features a 2-prong plug rolled up next to it.
  • Cord Length:
    5.1 ft (1.6 m)
  • Type:
    2-prong plug
  • Detachable:
     No

The power cord is long enough to reach any nearby outlet. It has a polarized plug, so it will only fit into the socket in one direction.

The Vitamix hand blender on a gray table with its power cord rolled up next to it.
Vitamix Immersion Blender Hands-on Power Cord
  • Cord Length:
    4.9 ft (1.5 m)
  • Type:
    No
  • Detachable:
    2-prong plug

The Vitamix features a polarized power cord whose one pin is slightly wider than the other. As a safety feature, you can only insert its plug into a polarized electrical outlet in one direction. Should the plug doesn’t fit in your receptacle, make sure you will not force it or try to trim down the pins. Instead, you should contact a qualified electrician for a proper solution.

Extra Accessories

Not Included
  • Material:
    N/A
  • Dishwasher Safe:
    N/A
  • Removable:
    N/A

No additional attachments are included. If you want to use aftermarket attachments other than the standard blending shaft, make sure they’re purpose-built by All-Clad.

  • Material:
    N/A
  • Dishwasher Safe:
    N/A
  • Removable:
    N/A

There is no additional attachment included. If you want to use blending attachments other than the stainless steel shaft provided with this appliance, make sure they’re recommended or offered separately from the Vitamix’s manufacturers.

Not Bad, but Not Great Either.

All-Clad Stainless Steel Immersion Blender Usability

Usability
8.0
usability Scores
  • Ease of Use (60%)7.8/10
  • Blade Assembly (10%)8.0/10
  • Handling (20%)8.5/10
  • Cleanability (10%)8.0/10
8.2
usability Scores
  • Ease of Use (60%)8.4/10
  • Blade Assembly (10%)8.0/10
  • Handling (20%)8.5/10
  • Cleanability (10%)7.0/10
7.8

Ease of Use

8.4

During our hands-on testing, we noticed this blender didn’t deliver its power as cleanly as we would prefer. The motor did not accelerate smoothly, causing hand fatigue and making our blending motion more difficult. Plus, the blades splashed food everywhere.

Due to its heavy weight, the All-Clad 10942212300 is a bit fatiguing to use for extended periods. It’s also quite cumbersome to maneuver, especially when you change speeds, since the blender suctions itself very tightly to the beaker. There may be a way to beat the suction without creating a mess, but we haven’t found it. 

The other inconvenience is that food gets lodged in the blade guard’s holes. You may need to pause repeatedly during the blending process to clear them.

Despite the relatively heavy-weight, The Vitamix is comfortable to hold. It even allows for one-handed operation since there are only two control buttons. Not only that, but this blender is also different from others in terms of its acceleration. Its speed steps up gradually rather than the violent torques others create. That went a long way toward preventing messes and should also prolong the motor’s lifespan.

That being said, we noticed that this blender can cause spattering when operating at the highest speed setting if the container’s sides are not tall enough. This isn’t the case with all immersion blenders (for example, the Braun MultiQuick 5 — a mid-range blender — allowed us to start low and increase as we went without any risk of spattering). 

On the bright side, the Vitamix doesn’t create as much of a mess as the Cuisinart Smart or the cordless KitchenAid. With the bell guard, it doesn’t suction to the pot’s bottom as much as its counterparts, either. As such, you won’t have to simultaneously lift and stir the wand around. Overall, that meant faster blending times and fewer food splatters.

8.0

Blade Assembly

8.0

A simple twist will connect the main body to the blending shaft. But, again, the weight may make that job tricky if your hands are small or greasy.

Like most immersion blenders, the Vitamix breaks down into two parts that connect with a simple twist. Given how heavy the thing is, though, it may be tougher to get the job done if your hands are greasy.

8.5

Handling

8.5
Someone is holding the All-Clad’s handle and pressing its button at the same time.
Someone is holding the All-Clad’s handle and pressing its button at the same time.
Someone is holding the All-Clad’s handle with one hand and rotating the speed dial located on the top of the motor body at the same time with the other hand.

The handle is ergonomically designed to provide a comfortable grip. Not only that, but it also has a rubber grip which is particularly handy when you have sweaty or slippery hands.

The handle of the Vitamix stick blender being held at an angle with 4 speed bars is lighting up.
The handle of the Vitamix stick blender being held at an angle with 4 speed bars is lighting up.
Someone is holding the Vitamix immersion blender with a top-down perspective.
A close-up of the Vitamix’s handle being held from a front view.

We’re really impressed with the Vitamix’s ergonomically designed handle. It’s not just about modern looks; this handle is coated with a rubber layer to ensure a comfortable grip, which makes it practical for processing large batches of soup. It’s nice to have that comfort, especially given how heavy the motor is.

This coating is also very handy when you have sweaty or slippery hands. You can focus on your prep work instead of your grip.

8.0

Cleanability

7.0

Cleaning this All-Clad is less of a hassle than most. You can wash it by hand easily or put the blending shaft in the dishwasher. The only things to be careful of are the blade’s backsides — it’s hard to reach under the blade, so a cleaning bottle brush is practically a necessity.  As with any blender, the motor section cannot be immersed in water and should only be wiped down with a damp cloth.

The removable blending wand is not dishwasher-safe, so after each test, we had to clean it by blending water with dish soap and letting the blades clean themselves. Along the way, we noticed a few extra differences between the Vitamix and its competitors which mainly stem from the blending wand design. 

Although both the soup and smoothie tailings rinsed off easily under the tap, the Vitamix was the most difficult to clean after making mayonnaise. As an oil-based substance that is both sticky and insoluble in water, we couldn’t remove mayonnaise by blending in warm soapy water alone. A lot of gunk remained until we resorted to a bottle-cleaning brush and specialized cleanser.

But the real problem was cleaning the blades. It was a real challenge to scrub the backsides of those blades. And since the 4-pronged blade assembly is razor-sharp, we had to clean it with extreme caution. What a time-consuming and frustrating process that was!