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Vitamix 5200 Blender vs Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender Side-by-Side Comparison

The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher often struggles with even basic blending tasks, starkly contrasting with the Vitamix 5200's unparalleled efficiency and power.

By , , and ·Published

Vitamix 5200 Blender

Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender

Vitamix 5200 Blender vs Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender

Overall Verdict

Ranking by
OverallScore Performance60% Design20% Usability20% ScoreOverall 60%Performance 20%Design 20%Usability Vitamix 5200 BlenderHamilton Beach Wave...9.69.710.08.72.81.04.76.5
Showing: 2/2 Items

Our testing revealed significant limitations of the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher. Despite a 700-watt motor, it struggled with blending both fresh and frozen fruits. It also didn't perform well in tasks such as liquefying leafy greens, making creamy almond butter, or crushing ice cubes. When compared to the Vitamix 5200, its efficiency is hard to match. 

Design-wise, the Hamilton disappoints somewhat. Its lower price point seems to compromise its durability, making it less sturdy than higher-end models like the Vitamix 5200. For users who need a blender for more demanding tasks and long-term durability, opting for the Vitamix 5200 would be a more sensible investment.

Pros & Cons

  • Many user-friendly features, including the removable blade assembly
  • Versatile speed settings for a diverse range of textures
  • Capable of blending non-stop for up to six minutes
  • Rapid and potent acceleration for efficient blending
  • Excellent for both hot and icy blending applications
  • The 64-ounce container is ideal for preparing family-sized batches
  • The 7-year warranty is notably longer than other blenders
  • Moderate nut and dried berry blending
  • Ease of clean
  • The container does not lock onto the base 
  • Average ice-crushing capability
  • Inability to process greens and frozen ingredients
  • Subpar build quality 
  • Hard-to-remove lid 
  • Unintuitive control panel

Key Specs

Dimensions
H19.7 x L8.8 x W8.8 inches
H14.5 x L6 x W8 inches
Weight
9.7 lbs (4.4 kg)
6.6 lbs (3.0 kg)
Capacity
64 oz
40 oz
Motor Power
1500 watts
700 wattages
Various Speed Settings
Yes
Yes
Pulse Mode
No
Yes

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$474.97
$45.53

*You help support HealthyKitchen101's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners.

Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
9.7
1.0

Smoothie

10
0.0
The Vitamix 5200 motor base and its container stand on a table, accompanied by a glass filled with a green smoothie. Next to it, a white paper features two distinct smoothies spread while a smartphone showcases the blending time of 59 seconds.
The Vitamix 5200 Smoothie Test
The Vitamix 5200 motor base and its container stand on a table, accompanied by a glass filled with a green smoothie. Next to it, a white paper features two distinct smoothies spread while a smartphone showcases the blending time of 59 seconds.
A white paper displays two smoothie samples, showcasing the consistency of a Vitamix smoothie blended for 30 seconds and another blended for a full minute.
Vitamix 5200 blender Green smoothie video
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender motor base and its container filled with apple, banana, and kale, stand on a table. Next to it, a smartphone showcases the blending time of 4 minutes.
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender Smoothie Test
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender motor base and its container filled with apple, banana, and kale, stand on a table. Next to it, a smartphone showcases the blending time of 4 minutes.
Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender Green Smoothie Video
Blending Time
1 min
4 mins
Result
Silky Smooth
Failed

Frozen Fruit Smoothie

9.8
0.0
The Vitamix 5200 motor base stands beside the container, which holds a portion of the smoothie it produced. Next to it, a glass bowl contains the remaining smoothie, while a smartphone displays a blending time of 1 minute and 9 seconds.
The Vitamix 5200 Frozen Fruits Smoothie Test
The Vitamix 5200 motor base stands beside the container, which holds a portion of the smoothie it produced. Next to it, a glass bowl contains the remaining smoothie, while a smartphone displays a blending time of 1 minute and 9 seconds.
A sample of frozen fruit smoothie created with a Vitamix 5200 blender, spread on a white paper.
Vitamix 5200 frozen smoothies video
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher motor base stands beside a glass bowl which contains a portion of the smoothie it produced. Next to it, a smartphone displays a blending time of 5 minutes.
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Frozen Fruit Smoothie
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher motor base stands beside a glass bowl which contains a portion of the smoothie it produced. Next to it, a smartphone displays a blending time of 5 minutes.
A sample of frozen fruit smoothie created with the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender, spread on white paper.
Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender Frozen Smoothie Video
Blending Time
1 min 10 seconds
5 mins
Result
Silky Smooth
Failed

Protein Shake

9.9
6.7
The Vitamix 5200 motor base stands beside the container. Next to it, a metal mesh strainer filtered its protein shake while a smartphone displayed a blending time of 1 minute.
The Vitamix 5200 Protein Shake Test
The Vitamix 5200 motor base stands beside the container. Next to it, a metal mesh strainer filtered its protein shake while a smartphone displayed a blending time of 1 minute.
A mesh strainer filters a protein shake made by the Vitamix 5200, retaining the unblended solids that fail to pass through.
Vitamix 5200 blender Protein sharkes video
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher motor base stands beside the container. Next to it, a protein shake has been strained through a metal mesh strainer while a smartphone displays a blending time of 4 minutes 30 seconds.
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Protein Shake Test
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher motor base stands beside the container. Next to it, a protein shake has been strained through a metal mesh strainer while a smartphone displays a blending time of 4 minutes 30 seconds.
A mesh strainer filters a protein shake made by the Black+Decker Crush Master, retaining the unblended solids that fail to pass through.
Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender Protein Shakes Video
Blending Time
1 min
4 mins 30 seconds
Result
Silky Smooth
Coarse

Almond Butter

10
0.0
The Vitamix 5200 is beside a white plate containing almond butter with a spatula nestled inside, and a smartphone revealing a blending time of 1 minute.
The Vitamix 5200 Almond Butter Test
The Vitamix 5200 is beside a white plate containing almond butter with a spatula nestled inside, and a smartphone revealing a blending time of 1 minute.
A sample of almond butter created with a Vitamix 5200 blender, spread on a white paper.
Vitamix 5200 blender Almond Butter video
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher is beside a white plate containing almond with a spatula and a smartphone revealing a blending time of 4 minutes.
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Almond Butter Test
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher is beside a white plate containing almond with a spatula and a smartphone revealing a blending time of 4 minutes.
A sample of ground almond created with the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender.
Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender Almond Butter Video
Blending Time
1 min
4 mins
Result
Silky Smooth
Failed

Crushed Ice

8.0
0.0
The Vitamix 5200 is beside a black tray containing its crushed ice.
The Vitamix 5200 Ice Crushing Test
The Vitamix 5200 is beside a black tray containing its crushed ice.
The scale's screen shows 2.28 oz of unblended ice cubes remaining from the Vitamix 5200.
Vitamix 5200 blender Crushed Ice video
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender is beside a black tray containing its crushed ice.
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Ice Crushing Test
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender is beside a black tray containing its crushed ice.
The scale's screen shows 9.48 oz of uncrushed ice cubes remaining from the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender.
Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender Crushed Ice Video
Ice Fineness
Fine
Failed
Unblended Ice
19% of 12 oz
79% of 12 oz

Design

Overall Design Scoring
10
4.7

In the Box

A display of the Vitamix 5200 blender and its accessories, including the tamper, carton box, recipe booklet, and user manual, on a table.
A display of the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender, along with the user manual and carton box, arranged on a table.
Unboxing the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender

Dimensions

llustrated dimensions of the Vitamix 5200 Blender showing the height, depth, and width across in inches
Illustrated dimensions of the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender blender showing the height, length, and width in inches.
Height
19.7" (50.0 cm)
14.5" (36.8 cm)
Width
8.8" (22.4 cm)
8.0" (20.3 cm)
Weight
9.7 lbs (4.4 kg)
6.6 lbs (3.0 kg)
Length
7.8" (19.7 cm)
6.0" (15.2 cm)

Build Quality

10
5.0
A close up of the Vitamix 5200 motor base and container
The Vitamix 5200 Motor Base and Container
A close up of the Vitamix 5200 motor base and container
A close up of Vitamix 5200 container’s bottom
Someone is holding the centering pad of the Vitamix 5200’s motor base
A closeup of the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender blender’s motor base and container.
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender Motor Base and Container

Blades

10
4.5
A close up of the Vitamix 5200 blades
A close up of the Vitamix 5200 blades
A close up of the Vitamix 5200 blades
A close up of the Vitamix 5200 blades
A close-up of the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender’s blade assembly
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Assembly
A close-up of the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender’s blade assembly
A close-up of the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender’s blade assembly
Material
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel
Type
Cross
Stacked
Blade Count
4 sharp blades
4 sharp blades
Removable
Yes
Yes
Dishwasher Safe
No
Yes

Motor Base

A close up of the Vitamix 5200 Motor Base
A close up of the Vitamix 5200 Motor Base
A close up of the centering pad of the Vitamix 5200 motor base
A close up of the concealed power cord underneath the motor base
A close-up of the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender’s motor base
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Motor Base
A close-up of the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender’s motor base
A close-up of the underside of the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender’s motor base
Rated Voltage
120 Volts
120 Volts
Rated Power
1500 Wattages
700 Wattages
Working Time
≤ 6 minute
N/A
Protection
Yes
No
Weight
7.2 pounds
3 pounds
Cord Length
5.9 ft (1.8 m)
2.2 feet

Blending Container

Illustrated dimensions of Vitamix 5200 Blender Blending Container showing the height, depth, and width across in inches
Illustrated dimensions of the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher showing the height, depth, and width in inches
Material
BPA-free Eastman Tritan Copolyester
Glass
Capacity
64 ounces
40 oz
Weight
2.5 oz (71 g)
3.5 pound
Dishwasher Safe
No
Yes
Measurement
Yes
Yes
Suitable For
Medium to Large batches
Small to medium batches

Lid

The Vitamix 5200’s Two-Part Lid stands on a table
A close-up of the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher two-part lid
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Two-Part Lid
Material
Plastic
Plastic
Closing Type
Friction
Friction
Features
Lid plug
Slot

Control Panel

10
4.0
A close up of the Vitamix 5200 control panel
A close up of the Vitamix 5200 control panel
The Vitamix 5200 Blender Min Speed
The Vitamix 5200 Blender Max Speed
A close-up of the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender control panel
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher Blender Control Panel
A close-up of the Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender control panel
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender motor base on table, hand pressing digital tachometer attached to tripod, different blenders in background.
The Hamilton Beach Wave Crusher blender motor base on table, hand pressing digital tachometer attached to tripod, different blenders in background.
Activation
Speed dial and Switch
Press-button
Min Speed
1,419 RPM
16,103 RPM
Max Speed
23,122 RPM
19,966 RPM
Presets
No
Yes
Digital Display
No
No
Built-in Timer
No
No
Pulse Mode
No
Yes

Extra Accessory

The Vitamix 5200’s tamper is on a table
Material
Plastic
N/A
Dishwasher Safe
No
N/A
Removable
Yes
N/A

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
8.7
6.5

Ease of Blend

9.0
5.0

Noise Level

7.0
7.7
The Vitamix 5200 blender is on a table, accompanied by a sound level meter displaying its noise level nearby. In the background, other blenders that we tested sit on a nearby shelf.
The hamilton beach wave crusher blender blender is on a table, accompanied by a sound level meter displaying its recorded noise level. In the background, other blenders that we tested sit on a nearby shelf.
Max Level
99.8 dB
96.3 dB

Assembly

9.0
6.5

Cleanability

9.5
8.0

Behind the Comparison

Headshot of Tina Pham
Tina PhamReviewer

Tina Pham is a staff writer and reviewer, with five years of experience in the industry. As a passionate amateur home cook, she loves to discover practical cooking solutions, and has made it her mission to bring her findings to every kitchen. Her ultimate goal is making cooking more of a pleasure for all.

Headshot of Lap Vo
Lap VoTest Lead

Lap is Head of the Research, Testing, and Review Team (RTR Team) at HealthyKitchen101.com, where he directs and supervises the testing of kitchen gadgets and appliances.

Headshot of Nguyen Ntk
Nguyen NtkVisual Specialist

Nguyen Ntk is a graphic designer, photographer, and videographer whose philosophy centers around respecting and celebrating the beauty of reality. Through his lenses, Nguyen strives to capture the true essence of objects and events, showcasing and highlighting authentic features without distortion or exaggeration.

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