I want to make a quick banana smoothie in the morning; I like a multi-function blender; I don’t know which one to choose between Vitamix Explorian Vs 5200. Most people who come to our website find it difficult to choose between the Explorian blender series and the 5200. So today, we will bring you the most specific comparisons of these two models: Vitamix Explorian and 5200, and conclude for you which is the most suitable.
We have to be honest, the Vitamix Explorian series is not too different from the 5200 series. Both can meet the basic needs and have a very powerful capacity that you can put all the fruit into smoothies. You often wonder which one to choose because you are not clear about your needs as well as the features of the two lines.
However, there are still certain differences that this article will point out, for example, the crushing strength of the Vitamix Explorian compared to the 5200 will be slightly better, but the blade of the 5200 is easier to clean. And beyond this factor, we will also show you many other differences. So that’s why you shouldn’t miss a word in this article.
The 5200 is an older model than the Vitamix Explorian, it’s part of the classic Vitamix series and was on the market around 2007. It’s an improvement on the 5000 series, and it’s probably already in the kitchens of many people. household for many years, and I have to admit this is a great machine to use to make dishes like smoothies and soups. It is a fairly simple and easy-to-use physical machine.
As for the Vitamix Explorian series, it’s a new model, now you can see the E310 and E320 versions of this line appear on the market quite a lot, it keeps the quintessence of the old line and also upgrades many other functions. It also differs in capacity and design as well. With a different design compared to the old line and improved functionality, it is understandable that the price of Vitamix Explorian is more expensive.
Vitamix 5200
Vitamix 5200 is more suitable for beginners to use a blender when you just want to familiarize yourself with the use and basic features of the machine. The 5200 has the basic switches and it’s very easy to use. It can also make up to 6 cups of smoothies in one go, so if you have a large family, this machine is still adequate.
Vitamix Explorian
It will be the preferred opponent for those who like to upgrade their machines with new technologies and when you are bored of the basic ones. Moreover, the series is also very affordable. It performs the function of grinding ice as well as making a great smoothie. There is also a rotary button in the center for easy control, and its capacity is 48oz.
If you want to choose for personal or commercial use, I think 5200 should be chosen as commercial because it is easier to clean, its capacity is larger, it is more durable although its features are quite basic. The Vitamix Explorian is more personal because it is a bit complicated to handle and its features will be suitable for you to tinker with new dishes at home.
Now read to the end of this article and you will be clear about the differences between the 2 lines.
Detailed Comparison
The biggest difference between these two lines is in terms of grinding ability, capacity, blender body shape, and usage. After studying the two models, we were able to compare the above points more closely for you. Follow to the end of the article to be surprised by what we are about to write.
The Jar/Container
The Vitamix Explorian is shorter and wider, it has a wide base and has a capacity of about 48oz depending on the model, and so it will look more compact than the 5200. Every time you put it away, you just need to store only the mill part. They look quite compact, so putting them in the kitchen cabinet is also quite neat and does not take up space. Vitamix Explorian’s blender is suitable for most uses and different types of dishes. We tested the grip on it and it’s also very comfortable.
If you ask about the difference between E310 and E320, it is similar in function, except that the container of E320 will be a little wider than E310, it can be compared with 5300.
The 5200 is slimmer and longer, they will look taller than Vitamix Explorian. And its capacity is about 64oz, which will be larger than that of the Explorian series. When you put ingredients in, the mill part of the 5200 may fill it faster, but that is only a feature, not a drawback.
Blades
Vitamix Explorian has 4 blades and is fixed in the mill, not removable. You cannot use other metal tools to pry the blade out because it will affect the aesthetics of the mill. Honestly, I still prefer being able to remove it for cleaning, because sometimes when grinding greasy or sticky things like butter, it will also be difficult to clean and leave an odor in the blender. But also recognize that removing and removing will not be as secure as when fixing the blade. The blades of the Vitamix Explorian series are extremely strong and sharp, they can be used with a variety of items including hard vegetables.
The blade of the 5200 is the same, fixed, and non-removable, if you remove it, the warranty may not be responsible for this. And this part can only be cleaned by hand.
Lids
The lid of the two machines will not be too different.
They all have 2 fixed notches to help secure the lid to the jar, and there’s an opening in the middle for you to add items during the blending process. This lid is not completely dishwasher safe and you should wash it by hand.
Weight
Vitamix Explorian will be slightly heavier than the 5200 despite its smaller capacity. These 2 machines will weigh in at around 13lbs, and they are evenly distributed despite the slightly different designs.
This is not lightweight, compared to about 6lbs blenders on the market. The good thing is that with that weight and material, the machine will have high durability and stability when grinding. When grinding the blade will work very hard, so the machine will move a bit if the mortar part is not stable. The thing that you need to keep in mind is that if you need to carry it around a lot and move it often, these two lines can make your arms tired.
Power
The similarity between these two machines is that they both have horsepower in the middle, the blade diameter is the same, and the power is equal. This is a design that makes the blade suitable for a small blender container while still operating at maximum capacity.
With the 2.0 HP engine, Vitamix Explorian will have the same power as the 5200 and give quite similar results if you use it to blend soups, smoothies, and almond butter.
However, due to the design of the container, the Explorian series will receive more power and it will grind hard objects better. For example, if you grind ice, the new lifeline will give a smoother result and not be so squishy.
Color Range
Regarding the selective color section, the 5200 will give you 3 colors which are red, white, and black. I think this will be what makes your kitchen more colorful and outstanding than ever.
As for the Explorian Series, it will be mostly metallic, but this color is also easy to coordinate with other tools and looks quite luxurious. I like both options above.
Durability
As I said above, because Vitamix’s material is very thick and heavy, it’s sturdy and doesn’t wear out too much over time, so it can last up to ten years.
The container part is made from hard and thick plastic. The knife part and the line metal parts are made of stainless steel, so they will avoid collision as much as possible. In addition, the base of both lines has air vents, preventing the motor from overheating during the grinding process.
Talking about warranty, the Explorian series is less than 5200 with a 2-year warranty. You will get about 5 years warranty for the Explorian and about 7 years for the 5200.
Cleaning
5200 is not recommended to put the machine parts in the dishwasher because it will not be able to withstand the temperature there. As for the Vitamix Explorian line, you can put it on the top shelf of the dishwasher, where the temperature is lowest.
They all have a self-cleaning mode, you just need to put water and specialized dishwashing liquid into the container and set the self-cleaning mode, then they will produce a clean finished product. If you find the blender still has an odor, you can rinse it with hot water or vinegar, or alcohol to remove the smell completely.
We recommend that you clean the machine immediately after use, because as you know, the blade part is not removable, so if you leave food on it for a long time, cleaning is a pain.
Performance Of Two Models
The following will be a comparison of the dishes that you are most interested in when using a blender. We will compare the results that 2 lines can produce.
Smoothies
Vitamix Explorian creates a great smoothness for smoothies. Each blend takes less than a minute and you can make 4 to 5 smoothies. Note that maybe because the blender is quite hot when grinding, the result will also be a little warm.
5200 will produce the same smoothness as Explorian, will not leave any residue and you can enjoy your smooth smoothies.
Ice Crushing
I think Vitamix Explorian will be a stronger competitor in ice crushing. Because with only 0.5 minutes, the machine can crush the amount of crushed ice in 2 minutes in other machines. The ice is so smooth, it’s almost like snow.
5200, the grinding time is longer but not much. And its smoothness is only slightly inferior to the Explorian series, but we found that to be not a major drawback.
Almond Butter
With this part, the smoothness for both is the same. But it looks like the Explorian line will make your butter a little more pliable and sticky. In terms of operating time, it will grind in about 1 to 2 minutes. You should note that you should clean the machine immediately after grinding butter because it is very sticky and difficult to clean if left for a long time.
Conclusion: Which Would Be The More Preferred Choice?
As you can see, both lines are quite similar and it’s hard for me to choose which one is better between Vitamix Explorian vs 5200. But I will have advice for you that considers your needs and budget to choose a suitable machine. And I will also repeat that the Vitamix Explorian line will have 2 types, which are E310 and E320. These two types have the same function, only slightly different in design.
With today’s comparison, I think the new line – Vitamix Explorian will have the upper hand. I rely on the product of the two machines and the design and use of the two machines. It can be said that the Explorian series has been improved with many functions, so it will be more attractive to me. If you’ve read this far and you don’t like heavy blenders like these series, you can refer to the following compact blenders.
If you are a beginner and the budget is not too generous, then I would point you to the 5200, but if you want to update and enjoy the latest experience, choose the Explorian line.
Thank you for reading this far, I believe the above reviews have given you a very overview and detailed view of these two models.