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BELLA 10-Speed vs Vitamix 5-Speed Side-by-Side Comparison
Our Verdict
- Performance (50%)7.4/10
- Design (20%)7.5/10
- Usability (30%)6.3/10
- Performance (50%)8.6/10
- Design (20%)9.1/10
- Usability (30%)8.2/10
Cost aside, the Vitamix won us over in every aspect. Overall, it looks modern and distinctive compared to the BELLA 10-Speed.
Sporting an outstanding powerful 650-watt motor, it has been a true workhorse in our kitchen with the outstanding ability to blend even the toughest ingredients like ice cubes or frozen fruits. With a combination of great usability and consistent performance this blender certainly lives up to its name. Indeed, the Vitamix is good enough to be the best.
The BELLA 10-Speed, on the other hand, doesn't have the heavy-duty motor that many icy recipes demand. Although it did complete all five of our tests with acceptable results, we weren’t really pleased with its ease of use and stability.
BELLA 10-Speed Hand Blender Performance
- Hot Soup Purée (35%)7.5/10
- Frozen Fruit Smoothie (30%)9.3/10
- Mayonnaise (15%)9.0/10
- Almond Milk (5%)6.0/10
- Whipped Egg-Whites (5%)6.0/10
- 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
Hot Soup Purée
- Pureeing Time: 30 seconds
- Result: Chunky
- Suction: Tightly
The BELLA is moderately capable at pureeing soup. In our test, it took around 30 seconds to blend and combine all the ingredients. However, we still found lots of tiny chunks when we ran the soup through a strainer. On the whole, blending didn’t go smoothly since the blender itself created a bit too much suction. At the highest speed settings, it vacuumed itself solidly to the beaker’s bottom, making it very difficult for us to make any movements. For a better performer overall, we recommend the Vitamix 5-speed or the KitchenAid cordless hand blender.
- 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.
Frozen Fruit Smoothie
- Blending Time: 58 secs
- Result: Slightly Coarse
- Suction: Slightly
Our BELLA transformed all the ingredients into a drinkable texture in approximately one minute, from start to finish. It didn’t have too much difficulty powering through frozen fruit or kale. The resulting smoothie was acceptable with very few unprocessed 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.
Mayonnaise
- Emulsifying Time: 1 min 25 secs
- Result: Smooth
- Suction: Yes
Making mayonnaise was easy with this blender. Of all the blenders we tested, it was among the fastest, beating our favorite blender — the Braun MultiQuick-5 by up to 30 seconds. That said, its mayonnaise didn’t come out very smooth and creamy. Still, for such a low-priced hand blender, this result is worthy of praise.
- 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.
Almond Milk
- Grinding Time: 1 min 15 secs
- Result: Coarse
- Suction: Tightly
Our non-dairy milk required nearly a minute and a half of blending, but it still didn’t come out as smooth and creamy as it should. And not only couldn’t the machine blend uniformly, but it also created bad suction, causing a mess when we struggled to lift it upward.
- 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.
Whipped Egg-Whites
- Beating Time: 3 minutes
- Result: Stiff
- Suction: No
The BELLA’s whisk attachment drew enough air into the egg whites to create stiff peaks in our test, but its prolonged beating operation left us with exhausted hands and extreme discomfort. So, even though this add-on can do the trick, we don’t think it’s a good alternative to a hand mixer when it comes to preparing emulsified sauces or meringue. There are other immersion blenders that can ensure smoother operations, such as the KOIOS 4-in-1 and the Breville Control Grip.
- 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.
BELLA 10-Speed Immersion Blender Design
- Blending Shaft (30%)7.5/10
- Build Quality (60%)7.0/10
- Power Cord (5%)10/10
- Beaker (5%)10/10
- 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 BELLA 10-Speed Hand Blender
- Motor body
- Blending shaft
- Whisk attachment
- Food processor
- Beaker
- User manual
Our set includes six pieces which are all free of harmful chemicals. All parts except the motor section are top-rack dishwasher safe.
- 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
- Height:15.2" (38.6 cm)
- Width:2.3" (5.8 cm)
- Weight:2.0 lbs (0.9 kg)
- Shaft Length:8.3" (21.1 cm)
So far, we haven’t encountered any challenges caused by this blender’s size. The machine itself is compact enough to store in a drawer, and it isn’t overly heavy. Weight isn’t a hindrance to the machine’s usability.
- 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.
Build Quality
The BELLA can be purchased for less than $30, but that low price tag is a clue as to its quality. The machine itself feels relatively solid, but it doesn’t look as sleek as the mid-range ones. With the exception of the blending shaft, all the parts are made of medium-grade plastic which may deteriorate and collect scratches over the years.
Not only that, but several Amazon users have complained about the inner components. Some claim that the plastic core that connects the blending wand to the main body somehow got shredded, rendering the blender useless. Others were frustrated when the tabs that connect to attachments broke.
All things considered, we don’t think the BELLA is a reliable performer, even though it’s backed by an impressive warranty (two years).
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 of the BELLA 10-Speed Immersion Blender
- Control Type:Press-button & speed dial
- Min Speed:14,730 RPM
- Max Speed:16,000 RPM
- Presets:No
- Noise Level:84 dB
- Digital Display:No
- Pulse Mode:Yes
On paper, the BELLA allows the users to easily switch between 10 speed options using the two front buttons and a top dial. Our real-world experience, though, indicates that while they get the job done, it takes a lot of force to press the buttons.
Likewise, the speed dial isn’t really essential. It’s hard to use because both hands are engaged while blending — one hand to maneuver the blender and the other to keep the beaker from jumping around the countertop with the motor’s violent vibration.
- 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.
Blending Shaft
- Material:Stainless steel
- Type:Sharp Blade
- Guard Material:Stainless steel
- Blade Count:4
- Removable:Yes
- Dishwasher Safe:Yes
The blade has 4 prongs made of medium-quality stainless steel. It comes relatively sharp, but looks a bit fragile. If you use this blender for grinding tough ingredients, the blade assembly may get damaged.
We appreciate that the blade guard was designed to prevent splattering, but don't think that it works as intended. It creates a lot of suction at the bottom of our beaker. And since it’s made of metal with harsh edges, the blade guard can leave marks on your non-stick cookware unless you blend very carefully.
- 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.
Beaker
- Material:Plastic
- Capacity:30 oz
- Measurements:Yes
- Weight:0.29 lb
- Height:7.2" (18.3 cm)
- Dishwasher Safe:Yes
- Tamper Included:No
The BELLA blender comes with a large beaker that shows measurements in both milliliters and fluid ounces. It’s a simple affair with an easy-pour spout and a flared base for stability.
- 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.
Power Cord
- Cord Length:5.1 ft (1.6 m)
- Type:2-prong plug
- Detachable:No
The power cord is long enough to reach your nearby outlets. As a nice bonus, it has a small loop that allows you to hang the whole blender on a hook for easy storage.
- 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
- Material:Stainless steel
- Dishwasher Safe:Yes
- Removable:Yes
With the whisk attachment, your blender can act as a hand mixer for certain tasks such as whipping cream, beating egg whites, and emulsifying sauces. That said, it’s rather poorly built, so it may not survive long.
- 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.
Extra Accessories
- Material:Plastic and Stainless steel
- Dishwasher Safe:Yes
- Removable:Yes
We haven’t tested this attachment, but the stainless steel S-blade can probably chop, mix, and shred certain foods just like any other low-grade food processor.
BELLA Hand Blender Usability Review
- Ease of Use (60%)6.0/10
- Blade Assembly (10%)7.5/10
- Handling (20%)6.0/10
- Cleanability (10%)7.5/10
- Ease of Use (60%)8.4/10
- Blade Assembly (10%)8.0/10
- Handling (20%)8.5/10
- Cleanability (10%)7.0/10
Ease of Use
The controls are easy to understand, but we never got comfortable actually operating it. While its interface is very intuitive with only two buttons and a speed selection dial, the motor’s vibration made our hands entirely numb. Moreover, the buttons are too stiff and unresponsive, so our fingers got tired in a hurry. In some cases our fingers slipped right off the trigger button, causing unplanned interruptions to our testing process.
The low rating of this blender’s usability isn’t all due to its controls, though. Throughout most of the tests, the blending shaft stuck itself so tightly to the container’s bottom that we couldn’t lift it up unless we shut off the motor. That’s quite unacceptable, in our opinion.
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.
Blade Assembly
To blend, attach the blending wand or any mixing accessories to the main body by turning it in a counter-clockwise direction until tightened.
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.
Handling
Designed with an ergonomic handle, this blender is meant to be comfortable to grip, reducing hand and wrist pain. Due to its violent vibration and stiff buttons, however, our hands got tired anyway.
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.
Cleanability
All the included accessories are top-rack dishwasher-safe and easy to clean manually. The main difficulties are in a few hard-to-reach spots such as the backsides of the blades. We had to use a bit of elbow grease on the food tailings.
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!