Can this CHEAP Ninja Blender Beat My Vitamix?

Summary

In this video, the creator compares the Ninja Professional 100 Blender and the Vitamix 5200 to determine whether a high price tag is necessary for excellent blending performance. The blenders are tested across multiple tasks, including pureeing tomato soup, making frozen margaritas, smoothies, and peanut butter. While the Vitamix delivers superior results in terms of smoothness and texture, especially in soups and smoothies, the Ninja impresses with its affordability and solid performance. Despite some minor drawbacks in texture, the Ninja proves to be a great budget alternative, though the Vitamix remains the recommended choice for those seeking professional-quality results.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Ninja Blender is significantly cheaper than the Vitamix, making it a popular choice for those on a budget.
• 😀 The Vitamix is considered a commercial-grade blender, known for its reliability and durability in professional kitchens.
• 😀 Both blenders have similar motor power (1400W for the Ninja and 1380W for the Vitamix), making them fairly comparable in performance.
• 😀 The Vitamix's build quality is sturdier, designed for heavy, daily use, while the Ninja is more lightweight and intended for occasional home use.
• 😀 The Vitamix features a metal-to-metal blade connection, while the Ninja has plastic-to-plastic, potentially affecting long-term durability.
• 😀 The Ninja Blender has a locking lid, providing a safety feature that the Vitamix lacks, especially for hot liquids.
• 😀 In the tomato soup test, the Vitamix delivered a smoother, creamier texture, while the Ninja’s result was slightly coarser.
• 😀 Both blenders performed similarly well in making frozen margaritas, but the Ninja's texture was icier compared to the Vitamix's smoother consistency.
• 😀 The Vitamix performed better in the green smoothie test, producing a smooth, cold drink, while the Ninja's smoothie was frothy but grainy and warm.
• 😀 In the peanut butter test, the Vitamix performed outstandingly, making creamy, smooth peanut butter, while the Ninja also made peanut butter but with a less smooth texture and longer blending time.
• 😀 Despite the Ninja's impressive performance for the price, the Vitamix is still the top choice for consistent, professional-grade results across various tasks.

Q & A

Why did the presenter choose to compare the Vitamix and Ninja blenders specifically?

The presenter chose the Vitamix because it's a reliable workhorse and the presenter's top recommendation for blending, especially as a chef who has used it extensively in professional kitchens. The Ninja was selected because it is considered one of the best 'bang for the buck' blenders, and the presenter had minimal experience with lower-priced consumer blenders, which led to an interest in testing its performance.

What are the main differences in the build quality of the Vitamix and Ninja blenders?

The Vitamix has a more robust build, with a heavier plastic body designed for commercial use, while the Ninja is made of lighter plastic, more suited for home use. The Vitamix's motor base feels more durable, and its jar has metal gears, whereas the Ninja uses plastic gears. This difference in materials impacts the long-term durability and performance, especially under heavy usage.

How do the blending speeds and controls differ between the Vitamix and the Ninja?

The Ninja offers three basic blend speeds (low, medium, high) and auto programs that function as timers, but these don't offer as much control over blending. The Vitamix, on the other hand, has 10 variable speeds for precise control, along with a high-speed 'beast mode' for intense blending, though it can be tricky to switch between speeds due to the dial and off/on confusion.

What was the result of the tomato soup test with both blenders?

The Vitamix produced a smoother, more velvety tomato soup with better emulsification of the fat, while the Ninja's soup was a bit coarser and lacked the same smoothness and emulsification. Although both soups tasted good, the texture of the Vitamix's soup was preferred due to its creaminess, earning a 9/10 for the Vitamix and 8/10 for the Ninja.

What feature of the Ninja blender was praised during the tomato soup test?

The Ninja blender's safety feature of locking the jar and lid in place was praised. This feature prevents hot liquids from spilling out, which the Vitamix lacked, as its jar was top-heavy and could easily be knocked off the base.

How did the two blenders perform when making margaritas?

Both blenders were able to crush the ice and mix the margarita ingredients effectively, with the Vitamix producing a slightly smoother result. However, both drinks separated after a couple of minutes and required stirring. The taste test revealed that while both were enjoyable, the Vitamix margarita was smoother and less icy.

What were the results of the green smoothie test?

The Vitamix produced a smoother, darker green smoothie with no noticeable texture from the raspberry seeds or kale fiber, earning an 8/10. The Ninja, however, created a lighter, minty-colored smoothie but left more noticeable particulates from the raspberry seeds and kale, resulting in a lower rating of 6/10 due to its grainy texture.

Why did the Vitamix smoothie get warmer than the Ninja smoothie?

The Vitamix's higher blending speed (38,000 RPM) caused more friction, which warmed up the smoothie to about 60°F. While this may affect the taste, especially with raw ingredients like kale, it also contributed to the Vitamix's smoother texture in a shorter time. The Ninja's lower speed (24,000 RPM) kept the smoothie cooler but resulted in a grainier texture.

What was the outcome of the peanut butter test with both blenders?

The Vitamix performed excellently, creating a smooth, creamy peanut butter within five minutes, with the motor handling the process with ease. The Ninja also made peanut butter, but it took longer (about 11 minutes) and didn't achieve the same smoothness. The Ninja also showed signs of overheating, which made the process more risky, earning it a 9/10, while the Vitamix earned a perfect 10/10.

Based on the tests, which blender would the presenter recommend for everyday use?

The presenter still recommends the Vitamix for its professional-level results, long-lasting durability, and overall superior performance, especially for frequent or demanding blending tasks. However, for those on a budget or with occasional blending needs, the Ninja is a solid option, especially for tasks like frozen drinks and soups, despite some challenges with smoothies.