Vitamix 5200 vs 7500 – A Generation Apart

The 5200 is probably the most popular Vitamix blender there is in the market.

This is Vitamix’s most popular and scrutinized blender. And other brands have copied it’s design like Cleanblend.

 

Large consumer review sites like Good Housekeeping and Consumer Reports have given the 5200 very good scores.

Related: Looking for a great blender deal? Check out this page to get the best blender deals in Amazon just in time for Christmas!

In a test done by America’s test kitchen, the 5200 aced every test and basically beat the competition to the dust.

You can watch the whole video below…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZArusuuQrc

If you think it’s price tag isn’t worth it think again. You’re basically paying for the robust motor that can actually handle abuse

The 7500 belongs to a newer generation of Vitamix blenders that use the 2.2 horsepower motor and the larger 4” blade.

This variant still retains the traditional manual controls that their fans love. But they’ve added some cool new features that consumers clamored for.

Features like a pulse button and a shorter pitcher.

Now remember that the new 7500 costs close to $20 more than the 5200. But I think when you look at the added features along to go along with the robust motor – it is all worth it.

In this article I’ll compare the features of the 5200 and the 7500, how it differs and which consumer will benefit most from each one.

Let’s begin.


Motor

The Vitamix 5200 uses the 2hp motor that spins the blades at over 240 mph – that’s super car fast!

This motor is proven to be robust and able to withstand anything you throw at it.

You can throw in a block of cheese in it and it will grate it, throw in ice and it turns it into snow. That’s how powerful the motor is.

But Vitamix didn’t think this was enough.

New motor and better cooling

With their new generation Vitamix’s (one of which is the 7500) they’ve upgrade the motor and the cooling.

Under the hood of the 7500 (as well as the 750) is a 2.2 horsepower that produces 1,440 watts.

This motor spins the blades at an absurd 37,000 rpm. That’s faster than any high performance race engine.

In short, while the 5200 is already powerful, the new motor in the 7500 has more power.

Combine that with the better cooling system you’ll have a bone crushing blender capable of making anything inside the kitchen. The better cooling allows it to run for longer without overheating.

That means you can make hot soup, mix dough, crush ice (without water) and make frozen desserts without stressing the motor. That’s why you’ll find a Vitamix in a lot of juice bars.

Winner: 7500


Controls

Controls

At first glance, you’d think that the 5200 and the 7500 have exactly the same control setting but look closely and you’ll see the subtle differences.

Both have variable speed zero to ten and the toggle switches left and right.

But when you look at the toggle switch to your left, the 7500 has one feature that’s lacking in the 5200.

It’s the pulse option. If you wanted to pulse with the 5200, you’ll have to use the on/off switch quite a lot.

This has been a gripe of a lot of consumers when the 5200 came out and the 7500 has it.

Other than that, the other options remain the same. The pulse feature is one of the most important when it comes to food prep.

Heck, even if you make smoothies, you use the pulse button a lot.

Winner: 7500


Blade Size

Both of these blenders use a stainless steel hammermill blades that will not rust or corrode.

That’s where their similarities end. In the 5200, the blade diameter is a healthy three inches. But in typical Vitamix fashion they’ve upsized the size of the blade to a whopping four inches.

Personally I think it was out of necessity, those three inch choppers won’t work in the newly designed wide low profile pitcher that new generation Vitamix blenders use.

So they had to widen it to maintain its performance with the wider pitcher.

7500 has wider blade

The wider blade of the 7500 means more chopping and blending power when you combine it with the more powerful motor.

If you look at the blade design closely there are also subtle differences, the 5200 had a smaller diameter and each of its four blades are fatter.

The 7500’s blades look more skinny with more angle on the tips of the blade. Make no mistake both of these blades are sharp be careful when if you wash it by hand.

Winner: 7500


Pitcher

One of the biggest complaints by consumers who bought the 5200 was the sheer size of this machine – particularly the height.

From top to bottom this variant measures over 20 inches (20.5 to be exact). This won’t fit under many countertop cabinets.

Vitamix rectified this with the 7500, they shaved off 2.5 inches but retained the capacity. In order to do this they widened the pitcher which to be honest I like better than the skinny tall pitcher.

Winner: 7500


Price

If you’re gonna buy a Vitamix, now is the best time. The 5200’s price has gone down from $500 to $400.

Still to expensive for you?

Well, you can opt for a certified refurbished for $360 – don’t worry about the warranty as it comes with a 5 year warranty with a 30 day guarantee.

Right now the 7500 is only around $20 more expensive than the 5200 at $420.

Unfortunately, Vitamix does not sell a refurbished 7500.

Winner: 5200


What can this make?

This is where things get interesting. Despite the larger motor and blades both of these machines are roughly even in terms of what they can make. It’s a big reason why the 5200 is still one of the most versatile blenders that you can buy in the market.

From making green smoothies, crushing ice, mixing dough, frozen dessert and nut butter.

The same goes with the 7500, it’s the same you can basically blend anything you can think off in a 7500 and yes even a block of cheese. You don’t believe me? Just watch this.

Combine the powerful motor, blade design and a jar designed to pull everything down, you’ll have a machine that will blend with consistency.

This is a tool that at-home chefs will appreciate and make their jobs of preparing dishes much easier and enjoyable.

This is the reason why the Vitamix is so expensive. It’s not just a smoothie maker. But an all around food prep tool that can replace a food processor and mixer.

Let’s see how the 5200 and the 7500 makes several recipes that would otherwise give most other blenders trouble.

Let’s start with one of the toughest things to make in any blender – almond butter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9CfpY3ON9I

When making almond butter, one important thing you need to do is roast the almonds, if you don’t roast the almonds, you’ll end up with a gooey mess.

If you watch the video closely, it says that you have to roast the almonds for 15 minutes.

Roasting nuts also brings out the oil but if you forgot to roast your nuts, you can add a bit of coconut oil.

Second tip is to use the dry container because the blades rotate faster but you can also use the pitcher that comes along with it but make sure to put enough almond nuts.

Here’s a hummus recipe in the 7500…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW4UQvreepk

If you want a sneak peak of the DVD that comes with the Vitamix 7500, watch this video.

Disclaimer: The video is 30 minutes long!

It should give you a good idea what this machine can do for you and if it’s worth the investment. I like to call it an investment.

Green Smoothie

One of my personal favorites is the green smoothie and here’s a demo with the Vitamix 5200. This recipe includes lots of spinach, kale, ginger, lemon and apple.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr8s1czPzB0

One of the toughest things to make in any blender would be green smoothies because leafy greens are very though to chop and can be fibrous.

On a weaker blender making one would be possible but you almost have to stop the blender several times, remove the cover and manually move things around. It is important to add some water to help get things going.

Soup

One of my favorite foods to eat is soup. I’m not talking about homemade soup with whole ingredients in there but smooth creamy soups that are soothing.

I never thought that it would be possible making this at home until I discovered the Vitamix. Here’s one recipe worth trying – broccoli cheese soup.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOx1wLF1ars

You don’t need to put it on a stove because the 7500 heats it for you.

The soup cycle will blend it for 6 minutes and this alone is enough to make a piping hot soup. And you don’t have to worry about the motor overheating because of the robust motor and cooling.

This is how chefs in Michelin star restaurants make gourmet soups and the great news is you can make one at home!


Product Specification

Model
5200
7500
Pitcher capacity
64 oz
64 oz
Power
2hp
2.2hp
Blade width
3"
4"
Width
7.3"
7.7"
Height
20.5"
17.5"
Cord length
6 ft
6 ft
Warranty
7 yrs
7 yrs

Where can I buy these blenders?

Both these blenders are available in Amazon. The Vitamix 7500 would be more expensive at close to $470, while the 5200 is more than a hundred bucks cheaper. These are eligible for the 2-day free shipping if you join Prime. And Amazon offers extended warranties if you think the 7 year warranty is still short.


To Wrap Up

Let me make this clear, you don’t just buy a Vitamix to make smoothies. But if you’re someone who likes to cook or you just want a tool that can help you eat healthier, the 5200 or the 7500 is worth the investment.

It also saves you time in food prep and if you like to make soup – this is one of the best options out there in the market.

5200 still good value for money

Despite being the better blender all around than the 5200, it is hard to justify spending more on the 7500 just for the pulse option.

In terms of performance both of these machines aren’t far off from one another.

If you don’t mind the tall pitcher and the lack of a pulse option save your $100++ and go for the 5200. But if you’re forward thinking. And want the extra power then the 7500 gives you for making your recipes then opt for the next generation model.

Take a look at the Ascent Series

Vitamix also has a new series in their product line – the Ascent series. This next generation blender combines the old school controls found in the older Vitamix blenders with a digital touch. Surprisingly the price difference between these two and the Ascent isn’t a lot. So it’s another option.

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