Vitamix Immersion Blender Review

We purchased the Vitamix Immersion Blender so our reviewer could put it to the test in her kitchen. Keep reading for our full product review.

Vitamix is known for its powerful lineup of blenders, and having used plenty of blenders, I was curious to see what the brand's immersion blender had to offer. So I put the Vitamix Immersion Blender to the test to see how it measured up. Immersion blenders, also known as handheld blenders, are greatly admired for their ability to purée soups, smoothies, sauces, and other liquids. Not to mention, their slim design is great for tucking away in a cabinet or drawer, unlike a normal countertop blender.

I readied pots of beans to be blended, gathered ingredients for smoothies, and looked up recipes for smooth, silky soups. I used the blender for everything I could think of to thoroughly test its potential. Read on for the results.

Design: Classic colors

Since form follows function, it would be hard to pick this hand blender out of a lineup if we were looking at silhouettes. A closer look, though, reveals some extra design elements. Most of the blender is either brushed stainless steel or matte black, but the buttons are shiny black and a band around the blender with the Vitamix name has a bright finish. The blender would look at home in a high-end kitchen and be just as comfortable in a more casual kitchen.

There are just two buttons on the front of the blender, so it can be operated with one hand. Holding the top button turns the blender on, while the bottom button controls the speeds. Lights on top illuminate to show what speed is chosen. There are five speeds, which is plenty. The lowest speed is gentle enough to start, and the highest speed is more than normally needed.

When the blender is set aside for a short while, the speed defaults back to the lowest setting, which makes sense. It would be an unpleasant surprise if it started at full speed when that wasn’t desired. This blender separates into two pieces with a simple twist and reassembles just as easily.

I particularly appreciated the hard plastic shroud that protects the blade and makes this blender safe for nonstick cookware. While I try not to scrape a hand blender across the bottom of my cookware, it’s good to know that this one won’t cause any damage if it suctions itself to the bottom of a saucepot and I drag it a bit.

The Vitamix Immersion Blender does not include a blending jar, which is often included with hand blenders. However, since it fits perfectly into wide-mouth canning jars—not to mention pots, pans, and bowls—I didn’t mind not having an extra piece to store. I've read that a chopping jar is in the works for this hand blender, but I don’t know when it will be available.

Performance: Zooooooommmm!

After working with Vitamix blenders, I expected its hand blender to be powerful. I was not disappointed. It had no trouble blending cooked fruits to make a tasty mostarda, it handled freshly cooked dried beans to make refried beans, and it made a silky smooth tomato soup.

Unlike some of its peers that are supposed to run continuously for no more than a minute, this blender can run for 4 minutes. After 4 minutes, it turns off, but it can be started again with no problem. The shut-off is a good reminder to check for overheating.

Except for the time when I purposely let the blender run for the full 4 minutes, I never needed to run it that long. Most tasks were accomplished in under a minute, or I was blending by turning the blender on and off as I worked around a pot.

The blade seemed set deeper in the shroud than other stick blenders I've used, so I wondered how it would handle small quantities. With a small amount in a shallow pan, the blending worked well, but I got some splashing when I accidentally lifted the blender as I moved it.

But how would it handle blending small amounts in a jar? I began with a whole-egg mayonnaise, starting with a single egg in a pint jar. The head of the blender fit perfectly in the jar and the blender had no problem whipping that single egg prior to adding the oil. It made a thick, smooth, silky mayonnaise in no time.

Next, I made an oil and vinegar salad dressing. I put the ingredients in a pint canning jar, and almost immediately after turning the blender on, I had an emulsified dressing in the bottom of the jar. I moved the blender up and down a few times and I was done. Not only were the ingredients mixed, but the dressing was beautifully thick. After a full 24 hours in the fridge, there was almost no separation.

I normally wouldn’t choose a hand blender to make an icy smoothie, but I decided to give it a try since instructions were included. I used a quart jar and layered ice on the bottom with a banana on top, then poured in the chocolate milk. I moved the blender up and down in the jar, tap-tap-tapping on top of the ice. Suddenly, the blender’s base was at the bottom of the jar and the ice was gone, like magic. I won’t say the result was better than using a standard Vitamix blender, but it was better than many cheap blenders I've used.

Cleaning: Easy

There are a couple of easy options for cleaning this blender. Much of the time, a simple swish in soapy water and a quick rinse are enough to clean the blender head. For stickier foods, a small sponge or brush helped. Another option is to fill a jar halfway with water, add a drop of dish soap, and let the blender clean itself. After that, a quick rinse finishes the job.

Price: Expensive

Retailing at around $150, this is one of the more expensive hand blenders on the market. While there are a few that are more expensive, there are many, many more that are cheaper. Considering this is from a high-end brand, the high price isn’t surprising.

Vitamix Immersion Blender vs. Cuisinart Smart Stick Variable Speed Hand Blender

While I loved the Vitamix Immersion Blender, the price isn’t within everyone’s budget. That’s where the Cuisinart Smart Stick Variable Speed Hand Blender, which I also tested, comes in. Retailing for around $60, it’s a much more affordable option and includes accessories that might be useful. I'd happily recommend it to budget buyers who want a whisk and chopping jar. However, for those who can afford it, I give the nod to the Vitamix, particularly because it’s built to be able to blend for longer sessions.