Vitamix A3500 Ascent vs Blendtec Professional 800
Compare features and trade-offs. Catalog scores are editorial assessments, not customer review averages or proof of hands-on testing.
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Facts and prices checked
Vitamix A3500 for most kitchens, Blendtec Pro 800 for quiet
We rank the Vitamix A3500 ahead of the Blendtec Professional 800. Vitamix lists the A3500 at $699.95, $100 less than the $799.95 Blendtec asks for the Pro 800. The A3500 comes with a 64-ounce low-profile container, programs for smoothies, hot soups, dips and frozen desserts, a programmable timer, and a 10-year warranty that covers parts, labor, and two-way shipping. The Pro 800 is the better choice if noise is your main concern. It puts the jar inside a sealed sound enclosure and has an 1800-watt motor, six programs, and its own 10-year warranty.
Key differences
| Vitamix A3500 Ascent | Blendtec Professional 800 | |
|---|---|---|
| List price | $699.95 at Vitamix | $799.95 at Blendtec; certified refurbished $649.95 |
| Motor | 2.2 peak horsepower, 120 V, 12 A | 1800 watts, 3.8 peak horsepower, 15 A |
| Noise control | No enclosure | 360-degree sealed sound enclosure |
| Container | 64-ounce Low-Profile container with SELF-DETECT; works with Ascent and Venturist containers | WildSide jar with a 4-inch blade |
| Programs and controls | Smoothies, Hot Soups, Dips & Spreads, Frozen Desserts, self-cleaning, variable speed, pulse, programmable timer | Six programs (batters, mixed drinks, smoothies, frozen treats, whole juice, soup), 11-speed slider, pulse |
| Size and weight | 11 x 8 x 17 inches, 14.92 lb | 8.5 x 9.13 x 17.25 inches, 16.2 lb |
| Warranty | 10-year full warranty including parts, labor, and two-way shipping | 10-year warranty |
Which one for your seat and trip
Early-morning smoothies in a shared apartment
Pick: Blendtec Professional 800
Its sealed sound enclosure is built to cut noise, which reviewers report makes it much quieter than open blenders.
Blender that lives on the counter under cabinets
Pick: Vitamix A3500
Vitamix lists it at 17 inches tall with its low-profile 64-ounce container.
Hot soups straight from the blender
Pick: Vitamix A3500
It has a dedicated hot soup program and a timer, and Vitamix gives clear lid-plug instructions for hot liquids.
Lowest price for a 10-year-warranty blender
Pick: Vitamix A3500
Its $699.95 list price is $100 below the Pro 800's new price, though Blendtec's certified refurbished unit costs $649.95.
Choose Vitamix A3500 Ascent if…
- you want the lower list price and a 64-ounce container that fits under most cabinets.
- you want a dedicated hot soup program and a programmable timer that stops the blend for you.
- you want a warranty that spells out free two-way shipping for repairs.
Choose Blendtec Professional 800 if…
- blender noise bothers you or others in your home, since the jar runs inside a sealed sound enclosure.
- you want the higher-rated motor: 1800 watts and 3.8 peak horsepower.
- you want more one-touch programs, including batters, mixed drinks, and whole juice.