We judged the Vitamix 5200 purely as a smoothie machine: how smooth it gets leafy greens and berry seeds, how it copes with frozen fruit and ice, how easy it is to use and clean, and whether the price is fair for what you get.
What we like
- Smoothest green smoothies of any blender we compared
- Tamper makes thick smoothie bowls easy
- Variable speed dial gives fine control
- 7-year full warranty
Watch out for
- Expensive
- Tall 64-oz jar doesn’t fit under some cabinets
- Loud at full speed
Key facts
| Typical price | $480 |
|---|---|
| Type | Full-size |
| Power | 1,380 W (2 HP) |
| Capacity | 64 oz |
| Tamper | Yes |
| Dishwasher-safe | No: self-cleans with warm water and soap |
| Warranty | 7 years |
Checked Oct 9, 2026 on the official site. Prices and terms change: confirm before you buy.
Smoothies to make first
Recipes that show off what this full-size blender does best.
Green · Tropical smoothieKale Pineapple Smoothie
195 cal 4 g protein
Berry smoothieAçaí Smoothie Bowl
345 cal 6 g protein
Nut butter smoothiePeanut Butter Banana Smoothie
495 cal 20 g protein
Smoothie performance
Green smoothies come out completely smooth (no flecks of kale, no gritty raspberry seeds) even with stems and frozen fruit in the mix. Frozen fruit and ice are no problem; it pulls ingredients down into the blades without much stopping and stirring. With the tamper it can make spoon-thick smoothie bowls.
Size, cleanup and day-to-day use
It holds 64 oz, so it suits big batches and families. Dishwasher-safe: no: self-cleans with warm water and soap. The quickest cleanup for any blender: fill it a third with warm water and a drop of dish soap and blend for 30 seconds right after use.
Who should buy it
Best for: daily smoothie makers who want the smoothest result for a decade. The main trade-off: expensive.
Price checked October 2026, blenders go on sale often, so compare a few retailers and check the warranty (7 years) before you buy.
Our verdict
A great pick for: daily smoothie makers who want the smoothest result for a decade. The catch: expensive. If that’s a deal-breaker, see the alternatives below.
Frequently asked questions
Can the Vitamix 5200 make smoothie bowls?
With the tamper it can make spoon-thick smoothie bowls.
Is the Vitamix 5200 dishwasher safe?
No: self-cleans with warm water and soap.
Own a Vitamix 5200?
Notes from owners
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Alternatives to Vitamix 5200
Vitamix’s entry model blends nearly as smoothly as the 5200 with a shorter jar that fits under cabinets. It’s the high-end blender we’d recommend to most smoothie fans.
- Type
- Full-size
- Power
- 1,380 W (2 HP)
- Capacity
- 48 oz
- Warranty
- 5 years
More power than the BL610 plus Auto-iQ programs that pulse and pause for you: press “smoothie” and walk away. Smoother results with greens than cheaper Ninjas.
- Type
- Full-size
- Power
- 1,400 W
- Capacity
- 72 oz
- Warranty
- 1 year
The main Vitamix rival: powerful, very smooth and run by simple preset buttons. A shorter jar fits under cabinets, and the 8-year warranty is the longest we’ve seen.
- Type
- Full-size
- Power
- 1,560 W
- Capacity
- 75 oz (FourSide jar)
- Warranty
- 8 years
A huge pitcher and stacked blades that crush ice and frozen fruit easily for under $100. It’s less smooth with leafy greens and seeds than a Vitamix, but unbeatable value for fruit smoothies.
- Type
- Full-size
- Power
- 1,000 W
- Capacity
- 72 oz
- Warranty
- 1 year