We judged the Vitamix E310 Explorian 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
- Near-identical smoothness to pricier Vitamix models
- 48-oz jar fits under cabinets and suits 1-3 smoothies
- Includes tamper
- Frequently on sale
Watch out for
- Still a big investment
- Shorter warranty than the 5200
- No presets
Key facts
| Typical price | $350 |
|---|---|
| Type | Full-size |
| Power | 1,380 W (2 HP) |
| Capacity | 48 oz |
| Tamper | Yes |
| Dishwasher-safe | No: self-cleans |
| Warranty | 5 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 48 oz, so it suits one or two smoothies at a time. Dishwasher-safe: no: self-cleans. 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: getting Vitamix performance for about $100-$150 less. The main trade-off: still a big investment.
Price checked October 2026, blenders go on sale often, so compare a few retailers and check the warranty (5 years) before you buy.
Our verdict
A great pick for: getting Vitamix performance for about $100-$150 less. The catch: still a big investment. If that’s a deal-breaker, see the alternatives below.
Frequently asked questions
Can the Vitamix E310 Explorian make smoothie bowls?
With the tamper it can make spoon-thick smoothie bowls.
Is the Vitamix E310 Explorian dishwasher safe?
No: self-cleans.
Own a Vitamix E310 Explorian?
Notes from owners
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Alternatives to Vitamix E310 Explorian
The benchmark high-performance blender. It pulverizes kale stems, seeds and ice into a perfectly smooth drink, makes thick smoothie bowls with the tamper, and a 7-year warranty means it lasts.
- Type
- Full-size
- Power
- 1,380 W (2 HP)
- Capacity
- 64 oz
- Warranty
- 7 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