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KitchenAid KHBBV53 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 KitchenAid Cordless Immersion BLender, from left to right: an user manual, a beaker and lid, the KitchenAid KHBBV53 with its motor body and blending wand, a charger, 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

8.0
Overall Score
  • Performance (50%)
    7.9/10
  • Design (20%)
    8.4/10
  • Usability (30%)
    7.8/10
8.6
Overall Score
  • Performance (50%)
    8.6/10
  • Design (20%)
    9.1/10
  • Usability (30%)
    8.2/10

Many brands, including the KitchenAid, claim their immersion blenders can create the full range of textures, but the Vitamix is among the few that can genuinely inspire your culinary creativity. Whether the task at hand is preparing hot soup, creating icy blends, or emulsifying sauces, this high-end blender is not only up to the job, but also does it with style.

As evidence of such, in our pumpkin soup test, it churned out a purée that no other blenders’ smoothness could compare with. In addition, its outstanding 650-watt motor was more than enough to power through the solid ingredients, making our frozen fruit smoothie recipe as easy as one-two-three.

The KitchenAid KHBBV53, in contrast, only performs moderately even with light-duty tasks. At around under $100, it may save you a few bucks over the fancy Vitamix but definitely won’t meet your expectations in the long run.

Top of the Segment

KitchenAid Cordless Variable Speed Hand Blender Performance

Performance
7.9
Performance Scores
  • Hot Soup Purée (35%)8.5/10
  • Frozen Fruit Smoothie (30%)9.0/10
  • Mayonnaise (15%)6.5/10
  • Almond Milk (15%)8.3/10
  • 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
8.5

Hot Soup Purée

9.5
Scooping a spoon of pureéd soup prepared by the KitchenAid battery-powered immersion blender from the full batch in the plastic beaker.
Scooping a spoon of pureéd soup prepared by the KitchenAid battery-powered immersion blender from the full batch in the plastic beaker.
A batch of soup pureéd by the KitchenAid cordless various speed hand blender is checked for smoothness by being drained through a stainless steel mesh strainer.
KitchenAid KHBBV53 Hot Soup
  • Pureeing Time: 30 seconds
  • Result: Smooth
  • Suction: Slightly

This stylish hand blender worked quickly and made acceptable puree soup without a struggle. The sharp stainless steel blades allowed it to hot blend root veggies quite uniformly. Even fibrous ingredients like celery and onions ended up fully incorporated into the mixture. 

Although the KitchenAid KHBBV53 didn’t create a perfect puree, our soup looked good and was much silkier than that produced by its competitors, such as the Mueller Ultra Stick and the Hamilton Beach 2-speed.

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.

9.0

Frozen Fruit Smoothie

8.8
A plastic beaker containing a batch of green smoothie whose parts are scooped with a spoon is standing between a timer displaying the total blending time (1 minute) and the KitcheAid’s motor body.
A plastic beaker containing a batch of green smoothie whose parts are scooped with a spoon is standing between a timer displaying the total blending time (1 minute) and the KitcheAid’s motor body.
After finishing blending, the green smoothie was spread evenly throughout a white paper to check for solid chunks.
The KitchenAid Cordless KHBBV53 Smoothie
  • Blending Time: 1 min
  • Result: Smooth
  • Suction: Yes

Featuring multiple speed settings, this KitchenAid KHBBV53 pulverized all the ingredients with ease, which was really surprising. 

The blending process also went as smoothly, though, at certain points, fruits got trapped under the blades, demanding us to stop the machine and dislodge the food. Plus, to achieve an even blend, we had to move the blending wand as constantly and consistently as we could. However, that didn’t make us feel frustrated, especially given that the result was exactly what we’d like — it looked silky and more than appetizing. If you buy this blender, we believe no smoothie recipe could overwhelm it.

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.

6.5

Mayonnaise

8.3
The KitchenAid KHBBV53 Mayonnaise
Scooping a spoon of mayonnaise emulsified by the KitchenAid immersion blender from a white bowl to check its creaminess.
  • Emulsifying Time: 1 mins 54 secs
  • Result: Quite thin
  • Suction: No

As a battery-powered blender, the KitchenAid KHBBV53 didn’t work as quickly as its corded counterparts. In fact, it was about 50% slower than the fastest Cuisinart Smart Stick even though it sells for nearly double the price. 

On the bright side, the KitchenAid produced acceptable mayonnaise. Although the sauce didn’t look as creamy as we’d like, its smooth and fluffy texture would be enough for any salad.

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.

8.3

Almond Milk

9.3
  • Grinding Time: 50 secs
  • Result: Coarse
  • Suction: No

The KitchenAid KHBBV53 is adequate for preparing non-dairy milk, but isn’t deserving of much praise. Of all the blenders we tested, this was the only one that created a foamy texture as a result of too much incorporated air. We removed the foam during the straining process so it didn’t impair the milk’s quality in the end. But it’s worth noting that the milk would have overflowed onto the countertop if we hadn’t paused periodically to stir it back into the jar with a long spoon. 

Moreover, this blender didn’t blend as evenly or as consistently as its mid-range counterparts, namely the Braun MultiQuick-5. Consequently, our milk didn’t get all the flavor out of the almonds. It was still an acceptable alternative to store-bought almond milk, but not ideal.

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
The blending wand of the KitchenAid KHBBV53 is immersed in a plastic beaker on a white table containing its failed beaten egg-white.
  • Beating Time: N/A
  • Result: N/A
  • Suction: N/A

The KitchenAid KHBBV53 was doomed to failure in this test since there was no way its blending wand could draw enough air into the egg-whites to form them properly. As a result, it left us with a cloudy cup of two separate layers: bubbly film and eggy water. Other blenders with whisking attachments, on the other hand, achieved stiff peaks quite easily.

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.

The Way a Mind-Range Product Should

KitchenAid Cordless Hand Blender Design

Design
8.4
design Scores
  • Blending Shaft (30%)7.8/10
  • Build Quality (60%)8.5/10
  • Battery (5%)10/10
  • Beaker (5%)10/10
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 KitchenAid Cordless Various Speed Hand Blender

In the Box
The paper carton box, immersion blending wand, motor body, plastic beaker with lid, pan guard, charger, and owner’s manual of the KitchenAid battery blender being side by side.
  • Motor body 
  • Blending shaft 
  • 24-oz beaker with lid
  • Pan guard
  • Charger adapter
  • User manual

The KitchenAid KHBBV53 set includes 6 pieces as outlined above. If you’re looking for a more versatile blender, consider upgrading instead to the KitchenAid KHBBV83. That version works just as efficiently but comes with the whisk and chopper attachments to further enable your culinary creativity.

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 KitchenAid cordless hand 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 8 inches, and the total length of the unit as 17 inches.
  • Height:
    17.0" (43.2 cm)
  • Width:
    2.6" (6.6 cm)
  • Weight:
    2.0 lbs (0.9 kg)
  • Shaft Length:
    8.0" (20.3 cm)

The KitchenAid KHBBV53 is well-balanced with a satisfying, weighty feel. It’s really comfortable to hold and the long blending shaft can reach deep into large pots.

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.

8.5

Build Quality

9.5
The blending wand and motor body of the KitchenAid cordless immersion blender lying flat on a gray table.
The blending wand and motor body of the KitchenAid cordless immersion blender lying flat on a gray table.
A black spot in the blade housing of the KitchenAid cordless stick blender being scaled up for clearer viewing.

The KitchenAid KHBBV53 is quite an expensive blender, so we’re happy to say its solid construction delivers on that price tag. As a mid-range blender, it doesn’t look as sleek as the premium ones (for example, the Vitamix 5-speed), but this doesn’t mean it’s less durable. Although it is mostly made of plastic, it seems to be high quality and the metal parts resist corrosion pretty well. So far, we haven't noticed any damage on the exterior, even though discoloration is fairly common among immersion blenders with plastic components.

The blending shaft, on the other hand, leaves a bit to be desired. Its blade guard is made of stainless steel but looks relatively flimsy and doesn’t have a good finish. It is flecked with countless black spots which can’t be wiped off. That certainly ruins the interior’s shine but doesn’t impair operation.

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.

7.8

Blending Shaft

9.5
A close-up of the KitchenAid’s blending assembly sporting 2 sharp prongs with a pan guard attached.
  • Material:
    Stainless steel
  • Type:
    Sharp Blade
  • Guard Material:
    Stainless steel (With plastic pan guard)
  • Blade Count:
    2
  • Removable:
    No
  • Dishwasher Safe:
    Yes

The KitchenAid KHBBV53 features two-pronged blades which can withstand consistent use pretty well but don’t look as impressive as the higher-priced counterparts, such as the Vitamix.

Blending with this blender is a pleasure since its blade housing helps limit the splattering. Although the guard is made of metal, it won’t leave scratches on your cookware’s interior if you attach the included plastic pan guard. In our initial soup test, we immersed our blender — with that pan guard attached — into a glass pot and noticed zero damage.

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.

Speed and Controls of the KitchenAid Cordless Immersion Blender

Speed and Controls
A close-up of the palm switch on the top back of the KitchenAid’s motor body.
A close-up of the palm switch on the top back of the KitchenAid’s motor body.
A close-up of the speed controller on the front of the KitchenAid’s motor body.
  • Control Type:
    Press
  • Min Speed:
    9,240 RPM
  • Max Speed:
    11,650 RPM
  • Presets:
    No
  • Noise Level:
    70 dB
  • Digital Display:
    Yes
  • Pulse Mode:
    No

This blender offers multiple speed options and its trigger switch is extremely responsive. In a departure from most, the speed is determined by the amount of pressure you apply to the trigger. Your blender will run at its highest speed if you press the controller all the way down.

There is also a palm switch on the blender’s backside which acts as a safety mechanism. To blend, you must hold that switch down along with the trigger switch. We personally appreciate that idea since it helps prevent the motor from being accidentally engaged and hurting someone.

Although the KitchenAid KHBBV53 doesn’t feature a separate switch for a pulse function, you can also get plenty of control over your chopping preparations by pressing the trigger in short bursts.

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.

10

Beaker

Not Included
An included 700 ml plastic beaker of the KitchenAid cordless immersion blender standing on a gray table.
  • Material:
    Plastic
  • Capacity:
    24.0 fl oz (709.8 ml)
  • Measurements:
    Yes
  • Weight:
    0.2 oz (7 g)
  • Height:
    6.5" (16.5 cm)
  • Dishwasher Safe:
    Yes
  • Tamper Included:
    No

Our set included a single-serve jar which is BPA-free and top-rack dishwasher-safe. As a nice bonus, the jar features a thin rubber ring on the bottom to keep it stable while blending. It also includes a tight-seal black lid for fresher on-the-go drinks.

  • 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

Battery

A close-up of the charging port and charger adapter pin of the KitchenAid stick blender.
A close-up of the charging port and charger adapter pin of the KitchenAid stick blender.
The KitchenAid cordless immersion blender lying flat on a gray table with the 6 ft. charger rolled next to it.
Someone holding the KitchenAid’s handle and pressing its power button so the battery status indicator on top is lighting.
  • Status Indicator:
    Yes
  • Full Charging Time:
    2 hours
  • Quick Charging Time:
    20 minutes
  • Charger Adapter:
    2-prong Plug,  100-240 V input
  • Charger Adapter Pin:
    round, 3.5 mm, 14 V output - 0.8A
  • Charger Length:
    6 ft

The lithium-ion battery can keep the power going long enough for approximately 25 medium bowls of soup if fully charged for 2 hours. The 0.5-amp charger ensures speedy recharging for the first 20 minutes (that takes it from 0% to 30%). With a quick charge, your blender will be set for a batch of purees or smoothies. Our real-world experience, though, suggests that the advertised charging performance can only be achieved at room temperature rather than in the cold of winter.

The light on the top indicates the battery status. It turns green when the blender is fully powered and reminds you to consider charging when it turns yellow or red. 

Not Included

Extra Accessories

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

This blender set doesn’t come with any extra blending attachment.

  • 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.

Issues with Head-Suction

KitchenAid Cordless Hand Blender Usability Review

Usability
7.8
usability Scores
  • Ease of Use (60%)7.9/10
  • Blade Assembly (10%)7.5/10
  • Handling (20%)7.5/10
  • 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
7.9

Ease of Use

8.4

The KitchenAid KHBBV53 is intuitive to use but maneuvering it isn’t as easy. More often than not, we had a hard time with our blending motions since this machine created a bit too much suction. Every time it sucked tight to the blending container’s bottom, we would hardly stir or draw it up without causing a mess. 

Additionally, it took us a bit of practice to be proficient at using the speed controller. To hit the maximum speed, we simply press the switch all the way down, but things are complicated when you want a mid-range speed.  

Not only that, but we also felt quite apprehensive trying to figure out how to speed up or slow down on our own. The user manual doesn’t provide any instructions for that. It even doesn’t explain that the speed trigger switch is pressure sensitive.

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.

7.5

Blade Assembly

8.0

We set up our blender by aligning the blending wand to the motor body until they locked in place. To disassemble, we turned the attachment counterclockwise and then pulled it out from the body. That sounds as easy as one-two-three, but since this blender doesn’t include a release button like most others, removal demands more pulling force, which may be trickier to do if your hands are oily.

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.

7.5

Handling

8.5
Someone holding the KitchenAid KHBBV53 Handle and pressing the speed controller at the same time.

This blender is comfortable to hold thanks to the ergonomically-designed handle, but the slick, polished finish will be slippery when it’s oily or wet. This can make your grip unstable, especially if your hands fatigue quickly.

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

The blending wand is dishwasher-safe, so cleaning will not be a challenging task. However, if you clean it manually, getting the blades’ backsides to sparkle again is almost impossible without a bottle-cleaning brush.

Following each test, we used a soapy sponge to scrub away the food tailings and most of the residue rinsed off easily. However, we couldn’t simply wipe away all sticky remnants (like mayonnaise) that clung stubbornly in the back of the blades. Instead, we had to use a straw-cleaning brush to get into those hard-to-reach spaces.

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!