Vitamix 5200 vs A2300: Is the 5200 Still Worth it in 2022?

Vitamix is arguably the best blender money can buy according to Consumer Reports and blender reviews from different platforms. 

Vitamix blenders are powerful, highly reliable, versatile, and much more durable than the competition. Only Blendtec manages to rival them!

The Vitamix 5200 has graced most kitchen countertops for over a decade. It’s in fact one of the top-selling kitchen appliances of all time!

Thanks for its easy-to-use controls, rock-solid performance, and proven durability. The 5200 is also relatively affordable and would suit you if you don’t fuss about smart technology and preset programs.

Conversely, the A2300 would suit you if you prefer smart technology feature sets like a premium knob, a digital timer, and built-in Bluetooth connectivity to pair with your smartphone. 

In this guide, I’ll compare Vitamix 5200 vs A2300 head-to-head while helping you decide which best suits your blending needs. I’ll also offer my best Vitamix blender recommendations for 2022.

What are the Differences Between Vitamix 5200 and A2300?

  • Vitamix A2300 runs on a 2.2-peak horsepower motor, while the 5200 features a 2.0-peak horsepower motor.
  • The 5200 comes with the standard easy-to-use, basic Vitamix blender controls, while the A2300 also features smart controls like a digital timer and built-in Bluetooth to pair with your smartphone.
  • The A2300 has a pulse switch, while the 5200 has a High-Speed switch that acts as the pulse feature.
  • Vitamix A2300 is designed to protect itself from overheating by auto-shutting after it has run for too long, a feature that the 5200 lacks.
  • The 5200 comes with the 64-oz classic tall container, while the A2300 comes with the 64-oz Low-Profile container with Self-Detect.
  • Vitamix 5200 is available in Black, Red, and White, while the A2300 is available in Black, Red, Slate, and White.
  • With the A2300 you get a 10 years warranty, while the 5200 comes with a 7 years warranty.
  • And when it comes to pricing, the 5200 is slightly more affordable than A2300!

What are the Similarities Between Vitamix 5200 and A2300?

  • Both come with a tamper tool for an easy blending experience.
  • They both come with 64-oz BPA-free plastic blending containers.
  • Both containers are self-cleaning. 
  • Both can be quite loud when blending.
  • They both are great blenders for making smoothies, soups, creamy desserts, and frozen drinks among a whole lot of other blender recipes that you might want to try.

Vitamix 5200 vs A2300: Blender Base & Motor Comparison

The Vitamix 5200 features a 2.0-peak horsepower motor, while the A2300 comes with a slightly powerful and improved 2.2-peak horsepower motor. 

Yet, despite the slight difference in motor power, they all are still powerful enough to cut through virtually any ingredient!

At the very least, both the 5200 and A2300 will make you great smoothies, soups, and creamy desserts. But the extra power of the A2300 makes it a little better for tough ingredients.

As such, if you are a fan of blending hard or dry ingredients like grinding coffee, nuts, sauces, frozen desserts, ice cream, and dressings the Vitamix A2300 is perfect.

But that isn’t to say the 5200 won’t cut it! In fact, it’s still widely used for blending dry ingredients with the 32-oz dry container!

Yet, I would recommend the A2300 for this type of blending including milling flours and tough frozen fruits due to its high-performance motor.

That said, both blenders are engineered and assembled in the USA. As such, they are built to last – with durability in mind!

Vitamix 5200Vitamix A2300
Power Cord6-Feet6-Feet
Motor Power2.0-Peak HP2.2-Peak HP
Motor CoolingAir FlowYes
Noise InsulationNoNo
Variable Speed Dial10-Speed10-Speed Premium Digital
Pulse ButtonHigh-Speed SwitchYes
Available ColorsBlack, Red, & WhiteBlack, Red, Slate, & White
Height (with Jar)20.5″17”
Weight (with Jar)10.56 lb11.86 lb
Wireless ConnectivityNoYes, Built-In Bluetooth
Touch InterfaceNoNo
Digital TimerNoYes
Warranty7 Years10 Years
PriceCheck PriceCheck Price

How Do the Vitamix 5200 Controls Compare to the A2300?

The A2300 features the Self-Detect Technology where the motor base auto-recognizes the size of the container you are using and adjusts its program settings and the maximum blending times.

The Self-Detect Technology is a standard feature with all the four Ascent series blenders. That’s including the A2500, A3300, and Vitamix A3500 that I recommend as the overall best Vitamix to buy for 2022 and beyond!

The advantage of the “Self-Detect” technology is that Vitamix is basing most of its new accessories, jars, and attachment on it. Such include:

  • 8-oz blending bowl with Self-Detect. 
  • 20-oz blending cup with Self-Detect. 
  • 12-Cup Food Processor Attachment with Self-Detect – this converts your Vitamix into a fully functioning food processor. 
  • 48-ounce Dry Grains Container with Self-Detect.
  • 48-ounce Container with Self-Detect. 

All these along with the 64-ounce Low-Profile Container with Self-Detect that come with all the Ascent series blenders including the A2300 that I have featured in this review!

The Self-Detect is the main reason I would recommend the A2300 over the 5200. That’s, you’re assured that you’re covered in the future when Vitamix innovates that new attachment or accessory that’s worth considering.

Besides, the A2300 still features easy-to-use controls. It has a physical On/Off switch, a Pulse switch, and a variable 10-Speed premium digital knob. 

The design is akin to that of the 5200, which features an On/Off switch, a High-Speed switch, and a variable 10-Speed knob.

Therefore, both are quite easy to use when in the hands of large families with people across different ages from kids to teens to busy working adults to the always essentialist boomers!

The only “physical control’ difference between the two is the digital timer that comes with the A2300. Well, it’s quite handy at helping you avoid over or under-processing your recipes. It’s a simple timer that displays how long your blend has been running.  

Simply put, both the Vitamix 5200 and A2300 control interface are quite straightforward!

Vitamix 5200 vs A2300

Well, apart from the digital timer and Self-Detect, another thing worth noting with the A2300 is the built-in Bluetooth wireless connectivity. 

It lets you connect the A2300 with your smartphone or iPad so you can enjoy the benefits of using the Vitamix Perfect Blend App. 

With this app, you get access to over 17 pre-programmed blending settings (preset custom programs) and over 500 Vitamix recipes.

Some of the preset custom programs include smoothies, spreads, soup, frozen desserts, salad dressings, nut butter, nut milk, and frozen cocktails among others.

Vitamix 5200 vs A2300: Container & Blades Comparison

The Vitamix 5200 comes with the 64-oz classic tall container while the A2300 comes with the 64-oz low-profile container with Self-Detect.

NOTE: While both the containers are of the same volume (64-oz), they are not interchangeable!

The advantage of the 64-oz classic tall container that comes with the 5200 is that its tall and narrow design makes it suitable for small to large blend batches. You can prepare single-serve smoothies to medium frozen dessert batches to large family-size salad dressing.

That said, both the containers are self-cleaning! But the 64-oz low-profile container with Self-Detect that comes with the A2300 is dishwasher safe. 

Vitamix 5200 vs A2300

How Do the Vitamix 5200 and A2300 Blades Compare?

Vitamix makes its blender blades with the same technology and material. That’s the laser-cut hardened stainless steel!

The 64-oz classic tall container features a 3-inch blade, while the 64-oz low-profile container with Self-Detect has a 4-inch blade. 

Vitamix 5200Vitamix A2300
Container Size64-oz Classic Tall64-oz Low-Profile
Self-DetectNoYes
Blade Size 3-Inch4-Inch
BPA-FreeYesYes
Self-CleaningYesYes
Dishwasher SafeNoYes
Includes a TamperYes, Classic TamperYes, Low-Profile Tamper

Vitamix 5200 vs A2300: FAQs and Answers

1. Is Vitamix 5200 the Best?

The Vitamix 5200 is a proven blender when it comes to reliability, unmatched performance, and durability. It’s super easy-to-use and will handle virtually any ingredient and recipe from fruit smoothies to nut butter. 

So YES, the 5200 is perhaps one of the best blenders money can buy. And when compared to the A2300, it’s also relatively affordable. I would recommend the 5200 if you want a versatile Vitamix with easy-to-use controls. 

2. Is the Vitamix A2300 Worth It?

Absolutely YES! The A2300 is a versatile Vitamix Ascent series blender with a high-powered motor for the best blending experience. It also features smart technology including a digital timer and wireless connectivity.

The A2300 would suit people who want the easy-to-use features that come with 5200, but also with the option to pair with a smartphone and use other Ascent series accessories like the 8-oz blending bowl with self-detect and the Vitamix 12-cup food processor attachment.

Simply, if you have the extra dollar to spend, go for the A2300. But if you’re on a budget and ok with the basic controls of the 5200, then go for it. In any way, you will still get a wonderful blender to last you the next decade and beyond!

3. What Does E17 Mean on Vitamix A2300?

The error code E17 occurs while blending at speed-10, and then you end the blending process by pushing the start/stop button without first turning the speed back to 1. To avoid encountering this error, always turn the speed back down to 1 before hitting the start/stop button.

4. Is Vitamix A2300 Self Cleaning?

Yes, like all Vitamix blenders, the A2300 is self-cleaning! All you need is to fill it with warm water halfway and add a bit of dishwashing soap. Then turn it from 1 to 10 for about 60 seconds. Pour the soapy water over the lid and rinse well.

5. Is Vitamix A2300 Dishwasher Safe?

Yes, the 64-oz low-profile container with Self-Detect that comes with the A2300 is dishwasher safe. That’s including the lid!

6. Can Vitamix 5200 Go in Dishwasher?

Absolutely NO! I DON’T recommend placing the 64-oz classic tall container or lid in the dishwasher. This may harm its components!

7. Is Vitamix 5200 Container Glass or Plastic?

The 64-oz classic tall container of the Vitamix 5200 is made of BPA-free plastic. This plastic is rock-solid and durable, and with good maintenance, it can last as long as your blender base! 

8. How Many Watts is Vitamix A2300?

Vitamix A2300 comes with a 2.2-peak horsepower motor, which draws a 1440-watt electric charge.

9. Why Does My Vitamix 5200 Smell Like Burning?

Vitamix motors are all checked and tested at the factory. Although this burning smell can be caused by heavy use or overloading which makes the motor curing winding in new machines. 

Although this curing gives off a burning smell and is typical for wound motors. This smell will quickly dissipate after a few heavy uses.

10. What is the Container Capacity of Vitamix A2300?

The Vitamix A2300 comes with a 64-oz low-profile container with Self-Detect. The container is made of BPA-free plastic. It’s rock-solid and durable, and with proper maintenance, it can last as long as your blender base.

Vitamix 5200 vs A2300: Which Do I Recommend & Why!

If you have read this guide this far, then you basically know that I recommend the Vitamix A2300.

It offers smart technology including a premium digital variable 10-speed control knob, pulse switch, digital timer, and in-built wireless connectivity to activate the additional processing programs with your smartphone device.

The A2300 model has proven to be reliable and durable no matter what ingredient you put in it! This is what you get when you need an all-in-one blending machine for all your needs.

However, that doesn’t mean the Vitamix 5200 is not good. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an affordable Vitamix which is a little cheaper compare to A2300.

The 5200 is also powerful, durable, and rock-solid reliable to suit your day-to-day family blending needs! And while at it, it’s worth noting that I recommend the Vitamix A3500 is the overall best Vitamix blender to buy in 2022.

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