Vitamix 5200 Blender Review

Overview

The Vitamix 5200 is the brand’s classic workhorse blender—trusted by home cooks and pros for years. It features a powerful motor (often listed around 2 peak horsepower), a tall 64-ounce container, and straightforward analog controls. There are no screens or presets—just a variable speed dial and a High switch that puts direct control in your hands.

What sets the 5200 apart is consistency. It produces silky smoothies, smooth purees, and well-blended nut butters that many budget blenders struggle to achieve. It can also make hot soup by using blade friction to heat blended ingredients in roughly 5 to 6 minutes.

The tradeoff: it’s loud, fairly tall, and skips the convenience features found on newer Vitamix models. If you care most about blending performance and durability, it’s a strong contender. This review focuses on everyday use to help you decide.

Who it is for

The Vitamix 5200 is a great fit for anyone who blends several times a week and wants commercial-style performance at home. If your routine includes thick green smoothies, nut butters, pureed soups, or big-batch sauces, the 5200 helps you get smooth results without fighting stubborn chunks or an underpowered motor.

It’s also a smart pick if you value proven reliability over the newest tech. With typical home use and basic care, many owners report years of dependable service, and replacement containers and parts are widely available.

On the other hand, the 5200 isn’t ideal if you have low upper cabinets, you’re sensitive to noise, or you prefer preset programs you can start and walk away from. It’s also more blender than you need if you only make occasional milkshakes or simple protein shakes.

How it feels and performs

In person, the Vitamix 5200 feels sturdy and built to work. The base is heavy enough to stay put on the counter, and the switches and dial feel solid and responsive. The classic 64-ounce container is tall and narrow with an easy-grip handle and a two-piece lid, so you can use the included tamper while blending without making a mess.

For smoothies, the 5200 shines. With the right load order, it forms a strong vortex that pulls ingredients down and smooths out lumps quickly. A blend of frozen berries, banana, kale, and ice typically comes out smooth in under a minute at medium-high speed, often without needing the tamper. Tiny berry seeds may still be noticeable, which is normal even for high-performance blenders.

Where the 5200 really separates itself is with thick blends like acai bowls and nut butters. The motor is less likely to bog down, and the tamper helps keep dense mixtures moving. Peanut or almond butter can go from whole nuts to spreadable in a few minutes, usually coming out warm from the friction of blending.

Hot blending is another standout feature. Starting with cooked ingredients and warm broth, you can blend into a steaming, smooth soup in about 5 to 6 minutes on High. The removable lid plug also lets you vent steam and add ingredients safely while blending.

The biggest downside in daily use is noise. On High, the 5200 is loud—comparable to a powerful vacuum. The upside is that it usually finishes blends quickly, so the noise doesn’t last long.

How to use for best results

Load order matters. Start with liquids at the bottom, then add soft ingredients, followed by firmer produce, with frozen items or ice on top. This helps the blades catch and circulate everything smoothly without constant stopping and stirring.

Start on the lowest speed, then gradually increase using the variable speed dial. Once the mixture is moving well, flip the High switch when you want maximum power. This approach reduces splashing and helps the motor ramp up smoothly. For chunkier textures (like salsa or pesto), stay at lower-to-mid speeds so you don’t over-puree.

The tamper is made to be used while the blender is running, with the lid locked in place. Used correctly, it can’t reach the blades. It’s especially helpful for nut butters, thick frozen desserts, and extra-thick smoothies. If you want a pulse-like effect, quick on/off bursts at low speed can do the job, even without a dedicated pulse button.

Cleaning is easiest right after use. Rinse the container, fill it partway with warm water, add a drop of dish soap, and blend for 30 to 45 seconds. Rinse well. For stuck-on residue (especially from nut butters), a bottle brush and warm soapy water usually handle it. To help avoid clouding over time, it’s best to skip the dishwasher and wash by hand.

One practical note: with the 64-ounce container on the base, the full setup is roughly 20 inches tall. Many upper cabinets sit around 18 to 19 inches above the counter, so you may need to store the container separately or measure your space before buying.

Pros and cons

Here are the key advantages of the Vitamix 5200 for everyday home cooking:

• Exceptional blending performance: Smooth smoothies, purees, and sauces with a consistently fine texture.
• Handles tough jobs: Nut butters, frozen desserts, and fibrous greens are well within its wheelhouse.
• Simple, durable controls: Straightforward switches and a dial—no touchscreen or presets to fuss with.

Those strengths come with tradeoffs that matter for some kitchens:

• Loud operation: Especially noticeable on High.
• Tall profile: The classic 64-ounce container may not fit under low cabinets.
• No preset programs: You run everything manually, which isn’t as hands-off as newer models.

See also

For a deeper look at how this classic model compares within the brand family, you can read the full Vitamix 5200 Blender Review alongside the more modern Vitamix A3300 review.

• Compare with the versatile KitchenAid Artisan 5 quart stand mixer for baking and dough work.
• Explore the stylish Smeg 50s Retro stand mixer as a design-forward countertop appliance.
• Round out your kitchen with the family-sized Crock Pot 7 quart slow cooker for low-effort meals.

Frequently Asked Questions ▾

Is the Vitamix 5200 worth it compared to cheaper blenders?

If you blend only once in a while, a lower-cost blender may be plenty. The Vitamix 5200 is most worth it for frequent use and tougher blends—like frozen fruit, fibrous greens, thick purees, and nut butters—where smooth texture and long-term durability matter.

How loud is the Vitamix 5200?

It’s loud on High—similar to a powerful vacuum. Most blends finish quickly, but if noise is a top concern, you may prefer a model designed with extra sound dampening or a blender enclosure.

Will the Vitamix 5200 fit under standard kitchen cabinets?

With the 64-ounce container on the base, it’s about 20 inches tall, which is too tall for many standard cabinets. If cabinet clearance is tight, measure your space and consider storing the container separately.

Can it really make hot soup without the stove?

Yes, for cooked ingredients. Blending on High for about 5 to 6 minutes can heat the soup through blade friction until it’s steaming. For safety, don’t use it to “cook” raw meat or rely on blending alone to make raw ingredients food-safe.

What’s the best way to clean it after nut butter?

Rinse right away, then blend warm water with a drop of dish soap for 30 to 45 seconds. For oily residue, use a bottle brush with warm soapy water. Hand-washing helps keep the container clear over time.

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