Vitamix e320 vs 5300 Blender : What are the differences?

You may want to read on for my comparison of the Vitamix e320 vs 5300, and not just because I spent a fair amount of time researching the matter!

I thought buying a blender would be simple. All I wanted was something that was capable of chopping, pureeing and making a smoothie.

Well was I gobsmacked when I discovered the many different blenders on the market.

After investing a considerable amount of time on my newfound hobby (researching blenders), I finally managed to thin out the long list of unsuspecting competitors to two. The final match off I share with you below.

Vitamix E320 vs 5300 (Comparison Chart)

Both blenders are products of Vitamix, the reason why is because whilst my needs were pretty simple (chop, puree, smoothie) I discovered that both the e320 and 5300 could perform beyond my needs without things becoming complicated.

For instance, I am still amazed that it is possible to produce a hot ready to eat soup in both the blenders, (no stove required) and then go to the complete extreme of a fruity frozen dessert, all in minutes!

The other aspect, which really caught my interest, on both these Vitamix blenders, was their 7-year full warranty.

Vitamix E320 Reviews

At 18 inches tall, and 11 x 8 inches in breadth and width, the Vitamix e320 may not be the smallest blending appliance however it is a neat looking unit that you should have no issues with storing on a counter top.

The height is not excessive so storage on your kitchen counter top should not be an issue. The e320 comes with a low profile 64-ounce container.

The blades, which are situated in the container, are 3 inches in diameter and laser cut from aircraft grade stainless steel.

The e320 offers 2.2 high performance horsepower for your blending needs however, the actual running output is 1.93 horsepower.

What I did find interesting was that there are a number of reports that mention that the e320 produces a considerable amount of noise and vibrates quiet a lot when operating.

For those who were able to get past the noise and vibrating the reports continued to say that these unpleasant aspects of the e320 did pass after about a week. It seems that the motor needs a chance to run itself in before settling down.

The functions, which the e320 offers is a pulse and 10 variable speed blending, dial. All blending should begin and end on the first variable speed.

If a variable speed is selected and the pulse function is used, the speed at which the blender will operate will be equivalent to that of the speed on the variable dial.

The length of the cord of the e320 is 4.5ft, this should be noted because if your kitchen like many does not have enough power points the placement of the unit needs to be considered.

Another reason I mention this is because the e320 is a wider unit and if you have limited counter space in your kitchen you do not want to end up with an appliance that you constantly have to move to be able to operate.

The e320 comes in either black or red.

Vitamix 5300 Reviews

The 5300 is another attractive looking model that comes in either a black or red finish. .

The dimensions of the unit are 17.25 inches tall and the girth is 8.75 x 7.25 inches. These dimensions mean that storing your unit on your countertop may pose less of a challenge.

In addition, the 6 ft. cord may further help to eliminate some of the challenges faced with awkward and poorly thought out kitchen designs.

It too comes with the 64-ounce low profile container, ideal for preparing meal sizes suitable for a family. The 4-inch blades are laser cut from stainless steel are designed to hammermill and cut.

The powerful 2.2 high performance motor makes blending a whizz. On account of the volts and amps the running output of the 5300 equates to 1.85 horsepower.

The functions on offer with the 5300 are the 10 variable speeds and the pulse switch. The principle of the speed of the pulse function is identical to that of the e320. Chopping your different ingredients into various sizes, making smooth purees and silky smoothies are all simple and possible.

Reports on the Vitamix 5300 regarding its noise levels are very positive. There seems to have been a move to reduce the noise level when the 5300 was designed.

Comparison of the Vitamix e320 versus the 5200

Whilst my top contenders have some similarities, there are a number of significant differences. Let us take a closer look to see which wins each round and determine the overall winner.

Blending Power

Whilst both blenders advertise 2.2 high performance units, the running output of the 5300 calculates to a slightly lower figure. It is no wonder that the e320 is the winner in this round.

Blades

The diameter if the blades are 1 inch greater on the 5300 then the e320. Both are made from the same tough material and designed for the same purpose. The 5300 takes round two.

Dimensions

The 5300 is the shorter and skinnier model. The advantages of this is easier storage in the kitchen. The height of both should be suitable to sit on most countertops even if there are overhead cupboards although the almost 1 inch difference may make a considerable difference in terms of the ease of the fit. So round three goes to the Vitamix 5300.

Cord Length

The length of the cord is closely related to the dimensions in terms of storing your unit. The longer cord of the 5300 may make for greater convenience in your kitchen.

If your kitchen is an awkward design and has few power outlets then the longer cord may be a better option for you. Do not forget that warranties will fall away when products are changed so investing in a quality product and then having to change the cord, because it is too short, would be wasteful by my standards.

Another round goes to the 5300.

Noise Level

The issues with the noise and vibrations of the e320 do not seem to be a permanent feature of the unit so given a chance these unpleasant occurrences will subside. Having said that the 5300 was a move to a quitter blender so again the 5300 comes out tops.

Cost

The e320 comes with a smaller price tag than the 5300, so one does need to consider what your budget can accommodate. A round goes to the e320!

Our Take

So from all appearances the 5300 should be the overall winner, right? Well funny enough for me the e320 took first place.

Power is important to me so while the blades are not as wide on the e320 I am prepared to take my chances that the 3-inch blades paired with a motor that outputs 1.93 horsepower will perform just as well as the 5300. The advantage is of course that my gamble comes at a lower price but with a 7-year full warranty, I real am willing to risk it.

The other side to my choice is that I personally just prefer the appearance of the e320 to that of the 5300; this is one that only you can decide for yourself.

Finally, my decision was influenced by the fact that my kitchen has sufficient room to accommodate a beefier blender and my selected spot on the counter for my new purchase is conveniently right next to a power outlet plug, lucky me!

If you like keeping things simple but appreciate a little of that wow factor then both the e320 and the 5300 would be suitable choices for you. The little nitty gritty details like size and cost are all matters that you will need to give some thought to before deciding on your perfect blender. Best of luck.