Blenders are a kitchen staple for making smoothies, purees, and more. Two of the most popular high-powered blender brands are Vitamix and Ninja. But when it comes to choosing between the two, many people wonder – is a Ninja blender as strong as a Vitamix?
In this article, we’ll compare motor power, blade design, container quality, and other features between Vitamix and Ninja blenders. We’ll help you decide if a Ninja offers comparable performance to a Vitamix, or if you should invest in the pricier but more powerful Vitamix.
Motor Power
First, let’s look at the motors. Motor power is measured in wattage, and more watts generally equates to more blending power.
| Blender | Motor Power |
|---|---|
| Vitamix 5200 | 2 peak HP motor (1,380 watts) |
| Vitamix 750 | 2.2 peak HP motor (1,440 watts) |
| Ninja BL610 | 1,000 watts |
| Ninja BL771 | 1,500 watts |
As you can see, Vitamix blenders consistently have more powerful motors ranging from 1,380-1,440 watts. The most powerful Ninja blender peaks at 1,500 watts, which is still less than premium Vitamix models.
Blade Design
In addition to motor power, the blade design affects how efficiently ingredients can be blended.
Vitamix uses hardened stainless steel hammermill blades. The blades are duller, which creates more friction heat to blend contents quickly. Vitamix containers also have a narrow base, which creates a vortex to pull ingredients down onto the blades.
Ninja blades have a more pronounced cutting edge. But some tests found small seeds and chunks were able to avoid the blade. Ninja pitchers are also wider, which can leave ingredients on the sides during blending.
Containers
The quality of the containers also impacts durability and blending performance.
Vitamix containers use BPA-free Eastman Tritan copolyester plastic. This aircraft-grade plastic is extremely durable and impact resistant. Vitamix offers a 7-year warranty on their containers.
Ninja containers are made from thinner BPA-free plastic. They are still fairly durable with tight sealing lids. But some users have reported cracking or leaking over time, especially with daily use. Ninja provides a 1-year warranty on pitchers.
Blending Performance
Now let’s compare how the Vitamix and Ninja actually perform with blending tough ingredients.
| Ingredient | Vitamix | Ninja |
|---|---|---|
| Ice | Creates snow-like consistency | Some remaining ice chunks |
| Frozen fruit | Smooth texture | Slightly grainy texture |
| Nut butter | Creamy and smooth | Slightly gritty texture |
| Leafy greens | No fiber chunks | Some partially blended fibers |
Tests show the Vitamix blends most ingredients to a smoother, creamier consistency compared to the Ninja. The Vitamix more effectively pulverizes tough ingredients like ice and fibrous greens.
Noise Level
Blenders can get very noisy, especially those with powerful motors. So how do Vitamix and Ninja compare for noise levels?
On average, Vitamix blenders generate noise levels around 92-95 decibels. That’s similar in volume to a motorcycle or lawnmower. The noise comes from the fast spinning blades and vibration.
Ninja blenders produce slightly lower noise levels around 87-90 decibels. That’s more comparable to a vacuum cleaner or hair dryer. But the Ninja is still quite loud, especially if running for over a minute.
Ease of Use
Convenience features also affect the overall user experience with these blenders.
Ninja blenders come with helpful presets for smoothies, frozen drinks, purées, and more. So you don’t have to guess blending times. Vitamix blenders are manual, requiring you to control the speed and blending time yourself.
On the other hand, cleaning the Vitamix is easier thanks to its self-cleaning mode. Just add water and dish soap and run the blender for 30-60 seconds. Ninja containers must be hand washed.
Vitamix tamper tools also let you push ingredients down while blending thick mixtures. This prevents air pockets or unblended chunks. Ninja doesn’t include tampers with their blenders.
Cost Comparison
With performance also comes a higher price tag. Here’s how the cost shakes out:
| Blender | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| Vitamix 5200 | $549 |
| Vitamix 750 | $629 |
| Ninja BL610 | $99.99 |
| Ninja BL771 | $159.99 |
Across the board, Vitamix blenders cost significantly more than Ninja models – generally 3-5x as much. You’re paying a premium for the improved performance, warranty, and longevity of the Vitamix.
Verdict: Is a Ninja as Good as a Vitamix?
Based on this comparison, we can conclude that Ninja blenders are not as powerful or effective as Vitamix blenders. The Vitamix has more motor power, better blade design, stronger containers, and blends most ingredients noticeably smoother.
However, Ninja blenders offer decent performance for most blending tasks, especially for the much lower price point. The differences may not justify 3-5x the cost for some people.
Here are some final recommendations based on your needs and budget:
- If you prepare blended drinks daily, invest in a Vitamix for maximum blending quality and longevity.
- If you occasionally make smoothies or purees, a Ninja provides sufficient performance for most ingredients.
- Choose a Ninja if you want presets for idiot-proof operation.
- Get a Vitamix if you want the smoothest blends and don’t mind manual controls.
While Ninja blenders are quite powerful in their own right, Vitamix remains the undisputed champion when it comes to high-performance blending. But your needs and budget will determine if a Vitamix is worth the significant extra investment over a value-priced Ninja blender.
