Vitamix or the Ninja?

[noya]

Both got top results in Consumer Reports, but the former is something like 4x the price of the latter. Justifiable?

Thanks!!

[iamreptar]

I have a Vitamix 750 and unlike the other Vitamixes, its short enough to fit under my cabinet. My aunt has a Ninja and I can tell you that it works nothing like on the infomercials. Ninja likes to compare the performance of their machine with Vitamix and while on their infomercial, it appears to be superior, I cant seem to reproduce that performance when I use the Ninja. Its incredibly weak compared to the Vitamix. I would splurge for the Vitamix. They last for a lifetime anyways. It will pay for itself in the long run. Compare the American-made Vitamix to the Made in China Ninja which is much less durable and may not even last a few years. All I can say is, I was stuck for a week with a Nina, and it was a nightmare lol.

[blastingcap]

Neither. Blendtec. Fits under your counter, better designed low-maintenance blades, and with a five-sided "Wildside" Jar it can hold a ton of food and not still not jam up. You sacrifice a bit of manual control but get presets so you can punch a button and walk away to do something besides babysitting your blender. Plus Vitamix blatantly copied Blendtec's jar design, as Blendtec's successful patent infringement suit against Vitamix showed. Lastly, Blendtecs are built better, particular at the coupling.

That said, if you can't get a Blendtec a Vitamix is a viable alternative and both of them are a notch or three above a Ninja.

[yummyrice]

I've used both and definitely prefer Vitamix over Ninja. Vitamix blenders are very heavy-duty and the included stir stick works like a charm.

[1marcus4]

Unfair comparison. The Ninja is made of cheap plastic, 450 watt motor, made in China, 1 year warranty. I broke the machine in about 10 minutes testing it in the local Bed, Bath and Beyond.

The Vitamix is heavy duty throughout, 1200 watt motor, 2.2 horsepower, made in the USA, 7 year warranty. Larger containers, variable speed. makes smoothies, peanut butter, hummus, margaritas, ice cream, hot soup, etc., etc. etc.

And the newly redesigned models (750 and 300 pro) fit under the kitchen cabinets.

You get what you pay for.

[Royboy1256]

Absolutely great post 1marcus4, that's puttin it straight!

[dcrb]

I concur. The VitaMix has stood the test of time. Here is a nostalgic look at an early infomercial.. Just click on the TV.

http://vitamix.com/household/infocent...

[scunge]

I was thinking of buying the Ninja .Would I be better off just buying another Black and Decker with the ice crusher ?????

[Njchicaa]

I use my Ninja to make shakes with ice 1-2 times per day every day. I received it as a Christmas present and it is still working perfectly.

[dcrb]

scunge,

I cannot say. Certainly your budget has to be considered as well as what you intend to use the machine for. I've no experience with either of the machines. We have an ancient Osterizer that served us we'll for many years (almost 40) and it still works. The Vitamix took its place and is phenomenal. But, it was expensive.

The Ninja gets good reviews and some bad. Look at what you want to use the machine for, look at your budget, and buy accordingly. A friend of mine has the Montel Williams blender and swears by it and says it compares favorably with the Vita Mix for all manner of grinding and blending tasks. I have seen reviews of that machine where it bombed.

It comes down to durability, intended use and budget. I wish you luck and good shopping.

[scunge]

Thank you

[dcrb]

scunge,

You are most welcome.

[blondelle]

The Ninja Pulse is 700 watts. It can do everything the Vitamix can do except heat soup. The Ninja model at QVC can also shred, slice and make dough and has individual smoothie containers. It won't hold up anywhere as well as the Vitamix but you can buy 5 of them for that price. About 265 reviews on QVC, and a 4 3/4 star rating out of 5. Several of the reviews are from people who own a Vitamix and prefer to use the Ninja as it's easier and more fun to use and it's much easier to get all the food out of the container as the blade comes out.

[1marcus4]

How does it do with veg smoothies, ground fiaxseed, fresh hummus, and nut butters?

Mark

[blondelle]

I haven't received mine as yet. I heard the green smoothies aren't quite as smooth as the Vitamix. I wanted to see if they would still work for me. Some people say it doesn't grind flax seeds but the company says it can. Maybe you have to do them alone before you blend the smoothie as it won't do them I don't think in blending. Hummus should be fine. Not sure about the nut butters. Someone said trying to make peanut butter broke the 450 watt machine.

I'm still interested in the Vitamix but I want to see first if the Ninja will meet my needs.

[whynotv2]

@1marcus4 I do agree in that it's an unfair comparison, but not everyone has the cash to afford a $400 blender when a $100 blender will do just fine. Also, I'm not sure where you got your info from, or maybe you are looking at a low end/older model, but my Ninja has a 1000 watt motor and a 2 year warranty. Yes, still less than the Vitamix, but double what you quoted. I've also been using my Ninja 4-5 times per week for the past year and a half without issue.

[Windsor]

Vitamix is the best on the market. The main complaint has been the height...it will not fit under most cabinets. They have just released a new lower profile model. The good news would be the former taller models should become somewhat cheaper, and hardly ever seen Vitamix resales will appear on E-Bay.

[Njchicaa]

I love my Ninja! I use it primarily to make shakes and smoothies though.

[jbermo]

I would buy the Ninja now, but also the Vitamix later. I was skeptical about the Ninja until I had used it. The Ninja's sharp double blade trajectories work like no other. It easily grinds ice as fine as powdered snow, easy to clean, and lightweight (which may be a good thing, or a bad thing). My only complaint about the Ninja, is that the nickel sized plastic shaft washer/seal is easily lost.

[dixiegal]

I have the Ninja. I rather sucks for green smoothies. (smoothies made with leafy greans and fruit) Probably works well for chunky types of blending.
If you have the money, I would go with the Vitamix (though I have the Blentec). Go on you tube and watch the blender reviews. Vitamix and Blendtec does wonderful smoothies and hummus. Nut butters, grain meals and warm soups.

[noya]

thought it might be relevant to indicate that I will be using one of the above to make dips like hummus and baba ghanoush, pureed soups, sauces, and the occasional smoothie.

[TeRReT]

If you can afford it, the vitamix will without a doubt be superior. It will last longer, it won't have any problems and it will blend anything you put inside of it. I have heard some good things and a few bad things about the ninja, but I'd not group the two together to be honest. If you do a search you'll find plenty about the vitamix on chowhound. The price hurts, but not as much as buying a $100 blender every other year. The vitamix will be the last blender you purchase.

Hummus and baba ghanoush might be more suited for a food processor though. Its likely possible in either blender, but any experience I have had making it uses a food processor.

[noya]

thank you so much!
is there a specific Vitamix model most appropriate for home use? Or are any suitable?

[blondelle]

The Professional 300 and the Creations Elite models are smaller and more compact and even more powerful. They can fit under a cabinet at 17.25" high and are 40% quieter, and have a pulse feature that the others don't have. The Professional 300 has a 64 oz. jar while the Elite has a 48 oz. one. The machine itself looks the same. A bit scaled down from the 5200 which looks huge in a small kitchen.