Vita-Mix 5200

Both owners and professional reviewers concur that the Vita-Mix 5200 is the best blender if you want an appliance that goes well beyond making smoothies and pureeing soup. Its main competition, the Blendtec Home (*est. $400), is also a good choice, but the only blender that costs less that even comes close to the Vita-Mix's performance is the Breville ikon Hemisphere BBL600XL (*est. $200). The Vita-Mix 5200 has a powerful 2-hp (1380-watt) motor and its blades spin so fast you can cook soup in it. They're also powerful enough to make perfectly blended melted cheese fondues and can grind grains into flour. Reviewers compliment its large 64-ounce polycarbonate jar, but note that polycarbonate can scratch and stain over time. The Vita-Mix 5200 comes with a seven-year warranty. Downsides include the price and, at high speed, its noise level has been compared to that of a jet engine.

We found the best reviews of the Vita-Mix 5200 at Consumer Reports and Cook's Illustrated, where reviewers test a variety of blender models and report on performance and ease of use. At Amazon.com, owners of the Vita-Mix 5200 weigh in on warranty service and long-term durability as well as performance.