Vitamix Explorian vs Ascent | Which Vitamix model is best? (updated for 2021)

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Vitamix is one of the most popular brands for high-quality blenders, and a lot of their equipment is used in famous kitchens and culinary schools in the US.

Over the years, they’ve produced an array of reliable blenders that are suited for all households but after time, the design and features of all their models can blend and look identical. This is not always the case.

Today we’ll be comparing two of Vitamix’s popular models The Explorian and the Ascent.

Vitamix Explorian vs Ascent

We’ll be reviewing the E310 Explorian with the A3200 Ascent to show you which one is superior and which one you should buy for your needs.

1. Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender

Key Features

• Cookbook included
• 10 variable speeds
• Pulse action feature
• High-performance motor
• Easy cleaning
• Comes with a mini tamper

Vitamix Explorian Review

The Vitamix E310 Explorian is simple to use and is one of the very basic models from the Vitamix brand.

It has a simple on/off toggle, a speed dial, and also a pulse toggle to work the blender, so you won’t be getting confused when you use it.

Price

The Explorian E310 is priced at $349.31 on Amazon (where we purchased ours).

Whilst we do think the model is of great quality and blends nearly everything seamlessly, we do think it’s a lot for the average person to spend on a blender, especially when you consider there are models from cheaper brands available.

Motor

The Explorian E310 features a 2.2 peak horsepower motor and can give very high powered performances with no trouble.

The overall design of the motor allows the blender to deliver efficient power but still be extremely durable.

Functionality

The E310 like many other Vitamix’s can be used to make the following:

• Smoothies
• Soups
• Frozen dishes
• Food prep
• Pureeing baby food
• Milk
• Butter
• Dough and batter

Container

The Explorian model has a container that is smaller in size compared to other models from the Vitamix brand.

This E310 container is 48oz so you’ll be able to serve 3-4 portions of whatever you’re making from just one blend. If you only intend to use the container for personal use then this will be more than adequate.

However, if you want to make recipes for large groups of friends and family, you’ll have to prepare yourself to make numerous batches for there to be enough to go around.

One of the benefits of having a smaller container is it slightly easier to store in cupboards as it won’t take up too much space.

It also means the container has a lower profile, which contributes to the easy blending process as the ingredients fall easier into the blades.

The Explorian models are not compatible with different containers so you are limited to using the 48oz.

Self-cleaning

This model is self-cleaning and is extremely useful when tidying up after a cooking session.

All you need to do is add one to two drops of mild dish soap to your dirty container, fill halfway with warm water and blend on medium to a high level for thirty seconds with the lid on.

Then pour out and wipe clean. You can also put this in the dishwasher but there really is no need to when it cleans itself.

Speed Controls

The E310 has 10 various speed controls which all work well for different things. The slower speeds are best used for making thicker recipes like ice cream or frozen yogurt.

Whereas, if you want to make soups that are ready to eat straight out of the blender poured into the bowl you can do this as well.

The highest speed setting makes the blades make enough friction to turn colder ingredients into hot ingredients.

The pulse setting included is also handy for making chunkier recipes or for just blending ingredients like vegetables to be used in your cooking.

That being said, it is not uncommon for average blenders nowadays to come with a pulse feature.

Accessories

The included tamper is completely necessary for helping to blend harder ingredients, can be daunting to use the first time but you quickly get used to it and you’ll be surprised by how powerful it is.

You’ll also get an included recipe book which is great if you’re starting to use a blender for the first time.

Warranty

Vitamix offers a full 7-year warranty on the Explorian E310 blender, which is less than the normal 10-year warranty that comes with other Vitamix models.

Pros

• Quality construction
• 10-speed settings
• Great at making soups and smoothies
• Tamper is useful for harder ingredients
• Self-cleaning mode
• Easy to store
• Pulse feature is useful

Cons

• Non-removable blades makes it difficult to clean
• Struggles a bit with high volume blending

2. Vitamix A2300 Ascent

Key Features

• BPA-free
• 10 various speeds
• Pulse action feature
• Recipe book included
• Built-in digital timer
• Built-in wireless technology
• Tamper included

Vitamix Ascent Review

Price

We got our Ascent blender from Amazon and it cost $449.37 at the time, but it normally goes for about $550 from other retailers.

This is one of the more premium models from Vitamix and that is clearly reflected in the price.

It has extra bells and whistles which make your blending experience more convenient and seamless.

Whilst it is expensive for a relatively small cooking appliance it can be used in so many different ways.

Motor

The Ascent A3200 also features a 2.2 horsepower motor that works efficiently to chop, blend and puree any ingredients you may want.

It also works extremely well with the 4-point blade included.

Functionality

The A3200 can be used to make both hot and cold recipes including:

• Crushed ice
• Smoothies and juices
• Butter
• Soups
• Chopping & dicing vegetables
• Frozen desserts

Self-cleaning

You won’t need to spend ages scrubbing to get this clean.

All you need to do is pour two drops of mild dish soap into your jug, fill up halfway with water, add the lid back on and mix on the highest level for 30 seconds.

Container

The Ascent A3200 comes with a 64oz container, which is large enough to hold and serve recipes for 5-6 people.

You can buy additional containers that are smaller in size that will be compatible with this model.

However, they have to be Self-Detect containers otherwise the blender will not come on. These additional containers can be very costly.

Speed Controls

This model has 10 various speed controls including a pulse feature that can be used to chop up vegetables or fruit.

The speed dial is easy to use and the manual will help guide you to what number you should pick for different recipes.

Accessories

The Ascent comes with a full-color hardcover recipe book to help inspire you with your new blender.

It also has a tamper to help blend more solid ingredients.

Digital Timer

The digital timer is such a convenient addition by Vitamix.

It means you can set your timer accordingly and let the blender do its thing, which saves you from having to start right next to it and watch to see when it’s ready.

The motor stops automatically after six and half minutes to make sure it doesn’t overheat.

Wireless Connectivity (or Self-detect)

As this blender is compatible with different containers, the motor will automatically adjust the blending times for the container size that you have chosen.

You can pair your Vitamix to an app on your smartphone via Bluetooth, however, it is not great.

Warranty

Vitamix offers an impressive full 10-year warranty on the Ascent A2300 blender.

They even cover shipping both ways if your blender needs to be repaired.

Pros

• Powerful motor
• Easy to operate
• Comes in 4 colors
• Parts are dishwasher safe
• 10-year full warranty
• Digital timer is so handy
• Built-in wireless technology
• Big container capacity

Cons

• A lot more expensive than average blenders
• Doesn’t come with smaller containers
• Additional containers are expensive to buy separately

Also compare Vitamix A3500 vs 780, E310 vs E320, E320 vs 5200 series

Which one is better?

Price

Winner: The Explorian

The Vitamix E310 Explorian is priced at just under $350 whereas the Vitamix A2300 Ascent is at just under $450.

So there is a $100 difference between the two and that’s because the Ascent is of higher quality in appearance, construction, and additional features.

However, if you were looking for a basic model for a decent blender, the Explorian would win on price. Both blenders do pretty much the same job but the Ascent comes with a larger capacity jug.

Capacity

Winner: The Ascent

The Ascent blender features a 64oz capacity jug as standard whereas the Explorian E310 has a 48oz capacity jug.

Some people contemplate that they’d prefer to have a smaller capacity jug included so they can make more accurate personal portions instead of big batches.

However, we think it’s better to have a jug too big than a jug too small.

The 48oz jug with the Explosion will limit you with the size of your batches so larger groups will have to have smaller portions, or you’ll have to reload fresh ingredients and blend again.

There is no ability to upgrade or change the container for the Explorian models so you’ll have to make sure you’ll be happy with the 48oz jug before you buy.

The Ascent models do offer the ability to change the containers to what sizes you’d prefer. So for capacity, the Ascent wins.

Blending Ability

Winner: The Ascent

Both models have the same peak horsepower motor so their blending abilities are on par.

However, due to the capacity of the Ascent being larger, the blending experience is easier as you can do larger portions in one go instead of numerous batches.

Sound Levels 

Winner: The Ascent

The Ascent blender by Vitamix is a lot quieter than the Explorian model.

Both are not silent blenders and it is hard to come across a super quiet blender without it costing you over $1000.

Features

Winner: The Ascent

The Ascent offers a digital timer and wireless connectivity whereas the Explorian does not.

Cleaning

Winner: Both

Both models from Vitamix are extremely easy to clean and very convenient too.

There is no clear winner as they both do the chop exceptionally well.

Warranty

Winner: The Ascent

The Vitamix Explorian offers a 7-year warranty whereas the Vitamix Ascent offers a full 10-year warranty. This is not something to overly worry about as it doesn’t mean that the Explorian model won’t last as long.

It simply means that the Explorian is made with less durable materials so they’ve reduced the warranty for risk management.

Unless you’re someone who wants to have the biggest warranty out there, it won’t be something you need to focus on.

We’ve concluded that Ascent is the winner when it comes to warranty but that is only because the warranty is longer.

Overall, whilst the Ascent is higher in price it does have some very convenient extra features and the ability to be adaptable with other containers is such a draw in for avid blender users.

So we would recommend getting yourself an Ascent Vitamix blender if you’re serious about blending. However, if you’re just getting started then a Vitamix Explorian will be more than acceptable for you.