Today we are looking at two titans in the world of blenders. The Vitamix Professional Series 200, and the Vitamix 5200.
On the one hand, the 5200: a true classic in top-tier blenders. It is as beloved in home kitchens as it has been in culinary schools. On the other hand, the Vitamix Professional Series 200 is so similar that the average user probably won’t be able to tell the difference.
There is no clear winner in this head to head. Both blenders succeed spectacularly in their own ways. The 5200 is powerful enough to turn cold ingredients into delicious, hot soup, it features ten different speed settings, and has the benefit of being a little bit more affordable than the 200.
Incidentally, the Professional Series 200 can do all of these things as well. The only difference? This unit has been slightly upgraded, which will be of benefit to buyers looking for the most versatility they can get.
Which unit is right for you? Read on to find out.
What are the differences between them?
Price (Winner – the Vitamix 5200):
As we mentioned in our overview, the 5200 is the more budget friendly of the two blenders. The difference in cost is not massive, but considering how similar these two units are, the 5200 represents a good way to save some money.
While the 200 does have a specialty that is lacking in the 5200 (we will get to that shortly) the biggest difference, really, is design.
Unless you really like the design of the 200, you may find it quite worthwhile to stick with the classic look of the 5200, and save some money.
Versatility (Winner – the Vitamix 200):
These are both extremely versatile blenders. In either case, you are getting a machine that can easily make soup and ice cream. It doesn’t get much more versatile than that.
However, the Pro Series 200 has been slightly more optimized to handle the unique task of working with dry grains.
You can get a special dry grains container accessory for this unit that will allow you to make your own flour, or even knead dough.
If you need this feature, it will certainly be very handy to have. However, if you are happy with just buying flour at the store, you will find that the 5200 and the 200 are more or less completely identical.
Still, regardless of whether or not you will use it, the 200’s ability to work with grains does give it the advantage in the versatility department.
Everything Else: Tie:
Truly, every other component of these blenders is essentially the same. As we have mentioned a couple of times throughout this article, the average user won’t see much of a difference between these two blenders at all.
You get the same speed settings, the same 2.0 horsepower motor, the same motor cooling system, and even the exact same primary container.
For the purposes of the buyer, this may make your ultimate decision a little bit challenging. The good news is that both blenders are really great, so there is no wrong decision.
Create every course of your home-cooked meal – from fresh smoothies to creamy desserts – in minutes. The Vitamix 5200 is the...
Variable Speed Control: 10 Speeds you can easily adjust to achieve a variety of textures. The dial can be rotated at any point during...
64oz Container: The size and shape of the 64-ounce container is ideal for blending small to large batches.
Pros
More Affordable Than the Vitamix 200
2.0 Horsepower Motor
Ten Speed Settings
Cons
Not Quite As Versatile as the Vitamix 200
What the Users Say
The user reception for both options is very positive, and also very similar. Since these blenders are ostensibly the same, we have found consistent praises and complaints between the two of them.
Users really appreciate the power that both of these blenders are able to boast. Many people really enjoy having a blender that can make soup as easily as it can make ice cream.
The Vitamix 200 does get a little bit of special love for its ability to work with grains. However, it seems that only a relatively small fraction of users actually take advantage of this feature.
In terms of cons, there is not much to speak of.
However, we have found that some users struggle a little bit with the lack of preprogrammed modes. Since neither has established modes, users are left to guess for themselves which speeds will be best suited for which foods.
In the long run, this actually gives users more control over the process. However, when you first start out it can take getting used to.
The truth is, these blenders are very similar. The biggest difference between these two is the size, the design, and the 200s optimization for working with grainy ingredients.
Are you willing to pay more for what mostly equates to a cosmetic overhaul?
Nicole is a juice fanatic and overall fitness enthusiast who loves sharing her passion for juicing with others. When she's not blending up a new concoction of her favorite fruits and vegetables, Nicole can be found behind the computer, writing about all things juice!