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Vitamix 5200 Blender vs Cuisinart SmartPower Blender Side-by-Side Comparison

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Vitamix 5200 Blender vs Cuisinart SmartPower Blender

Overall Verdict

The comparison between the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower and the Vitamix 5200 reveals distinct differences in their blending abilities, particularly when tackling challenging tasks. The Cuisinart, despite its strengths in simpler operations, faces notable challenges with tougher ingredients. It often struggles to smoothly blend leafy greens and frozen fruits, and its performance in crushing ice and making almond butter is lackluster. 

On the other hand, the Vitamix 5200 stands out as a more capable and versatile machine. Priced higher, it justifies its cost through its superior performance and durability across a wide range of blending tasks. This makes it a preferred choice for serious cooking enthusiasts and those who depend on their blender for frequent, varied use.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Many user-friendly features, including the removable blade assembly
  • Versatile speed settings for a diverse range of textures
  • Capable of blending non-stop for up to six minutes
  • Rapid and potent acceleration for efficient blending
  • Excellent for both hot and icy blending applications
  • The 64-ounce container is ideal for preparing family-sized batches
  • The 7-year warranty is notably longer than other blenders
  • Compact size, suitable for most kitchens.
  • Glass blending container can withstand high-heat blending tasks. 
  • Detachable blade assembly for thorough cleaning.
  • Good for preparing protein shakes.
  • The container does not lock onto the base 
  • Average ice-crushing capability
  • The lid is tricky to remove.
  • Stiff buttons reduce responsiveness. 
  • Blade assembly housing lacks firmness.

Key Specs

Dimensions
H19.7 x L8.8 x W8.8 inches
H14.6 x L8.3 x W6.7 inches
Weight
9.7 lbs (4.4 kg)
6.7 lbs (3.0 kg)
Capacity
64 oz
40 oz
Motor Power
1500 watts
500 wattages
Various Speed Settings
Yes
Yes
Pulse Mode
No
Yes

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$474.97
$70.55

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
9.7
3.7

Smoothie

10
6.8
Vitamix 5200 blender Green smoothie video
The Vitamix 5200 motor base and its container stand on a table, accompanied by a glass filled with a green smoothie. Next to it, a white paper features two distinct smoothies spread while a smartphone showcases the blending time of 59 seconds.
A white paper displays two smoothie samples, showcasing the consistency of a Vitamix smoothie blended for 30 seconds and another blended for a full minute.
Cuisinart SmartPower Blender Smoothie Video
The Cuisinart SmartPower Blender motor base and its container stand on a table, accompanied by a glass filled with a green smoothie. Next to it, a white paper features three distinct smoothie samples while a smartphone showcases the blending time of 4 minutes.
A white paper displays three smoothie samples, showcasing the consistency of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower smoothies blended for three minutes, 3 minute 30 seconds, and four minutes.
Blending Time
40 seconds
4 mins
Result
Silky Smooth
Smooth

Frozen Fruit Smoothie

9.8
0.0
Vitamix 5200 frozen smoothies video
The Vitamix 5200 motor base stands beside the container, which holds a portion of the smoothie it produced. Next to it, a glass bowl contains the remaining smoothie, while a smartphone displays a blending time of 1 minute and 9 seconds.
A sample of frozen fruit smoothie created with a Vitamix 5200 blender, spread on a white paper.
Cuisinart SmartPower Blender Frozen Smoothie Video
The Cuisinart SmartPower motor base stands beside a glass bowl which contains a portion of the smoothie it produced. Next to it, a smartphone displays a blending time of 5 minutes.
A sample of frozen fruit smoothie created with the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender, spread on white paper.
Blending Time
1 min 10 seconds
5 mins
Result
Silky Smooth
Failed
Suction

Protein Shake

9.9
9.0
Vitamix 5200 blender Protein sharkes video
The Vitamix 5200 motor base stands beside the container. Next to it, a metal mesh strainer filtered its protein shake while a smartphone displayed a blending time of 1 minute.
A mesh strainer filters a protein shake made by the Vitamix 5200, retaining the unblended solids that fail to pass through.
Cuisinart SmartPower Blender Protein Shake Video
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower motor base stands beside the container. Next to it, a protein shake has been strained through a metal mesh strainer while a smartphone displays a blending time of 2 minutes.
A mesh strainer filters a protein shake made by the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower, retaining the unblended solids that fail to pass through.
Blending Time
1 min
2 mins
Result
Silky Smooth
Smooth

Almond Butter

10
0.0
Vitamix 5200 blender Almond Butter video
The Vitamix 5200 is beside a white plate containing almond butter with a spatula nestled inside, and a smartphone revealing a blending time of 1 minute.
A sample of almond butter created with a Vitamix 5200 blender, spread on a white paper.
Cuisinart SmartPower Blender Almond Butter Video
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower is beside a white plate containing almond butter with a spatula and a smartphone revealing a blending time of 4 minutes.
A sample of almond butter created with the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender is beside a smartphone and the blender’s motor.
Blending Time
1 min
4 mins
Result
Silky Smooth
coarse

Crushed Ice

8.0
0.0
Vitamix 5200 blender Crushed Ice video
The Vitamix 5200 is beside a black tray containing its crushed ice.
The scale's screen shows  2.28 oz of unblended ice cubes remaining from the Vitamix 5200.
Cuisinart SmartPower Blender Ice Video
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender is beside a black tray containing its crushed ice.
The scale's screen shows 8.17 oz of uncrushed ice cubes remaining from the  Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender.
Ice Fineness
Fine
Coarse
Unblended Ice
19% of 12 oz
68% of 12 oz

Design

Overall Design Scoring
10
6.0

In the Box

A display of the Vitamix 5200 blender and its accessories, including the tamper, carton box, recipe booklet, and user manual, on a table.
A display of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender and its packaging box on a table.
Unboxing the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender

Dimensions

llustrated dimensions of the Vitamix 5200 Blender showing the height, depth, and width across in inches
Illustrated dimensions of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower showing the height, length, and width in inches.
Height
19.7" (50.0 cm)
14.6" (37.1 cm)
Width
8.8" (22.4 cm)
6.7" (17.0 cm)
Weight
9.7 lbs (4.4 kg)
6.7 lbs (3.0 kg)
Length
7.8" (19.7 cm)
8.3" (21.1 cm)
Shaft Length

Build Quality

10
6.0
A close up of the Vitamix 5200 motor base and container
The Vitamix 5200 Motor Base and Container
A close up of the Vitamix 5200 motor base and container
A close up of  Vitamix 5200 container’s bottom
Someone is holding the centering pad of the Vitamix 5200’s motor base
A closeup of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender’s motor base and container
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower Motor Base and Container

Blades

10
6.5
A close up of the Vitamix 5200 blades
A close up of the Vitamix 5200 blades
A close up of the Vitamix 5200 blades
A close up of the Vitamix 5200 blades
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blade assembly
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blade assembly
Cuisinart SmartPower Blender Blades 1
Material
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel
Type
Cross
Cross
Guard Material
Blade Count
4 sharp blades
4 sharp blades
Removable
Yes
Yes
Dishwasher Safe
No
Yes

Motor Base

A close up of the Vitamix 5200 Motor Base
A close up of the Vitamix 5200 Motor Base
A close up of the centering pad of the Vitamix 5200 motor base
A close up of the concealed power cord underneath the motor base
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower motor base
Cuisinart SmartPower Blender Motor Base
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower motor base
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower motor base
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower motor base’s underside
Rated Voltage
120 Volts
120 Volts
Rated Power
1500 Wattages
500 Wattages
Working Time
≤ 6 minute
N/A
Protection
Yes
No
Weight
7.2 pounds
3.0 pounds
Cord Length
5.9 ft (1.8 m)
3.8 feet
Extra Feature
N/A

Blending Container

Illustrated dimensions of Vitamix 5200 Blender Blending Container showing the height, depth, and width across in inches
Illustrated dimensions of Cuisinart SmartPower Blender Blending Container showing the height, depth, and width across in inches
Material
BPA-free Eastman Tritan Copolyester
Glass
Capacity
64 ounces
40 oz
Weight
2.5 oz (71 g)
3.6 pound
Dishwasher Safe
No
Yes
Measurement
Yes
Yes
Suitable For
Medium to Large batches
Small to medium batches

Lid

The Vitamix 5200’s Two-Part Lid stands on a table
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower two-part lid
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower two-part lid
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower two-part lid
Material
Plastic
Plastic
Closing Type
Friction
Friction
Features
Lid plug
Lid-plug

Control Panel

10
5.5
A close up of the Vitamix 5200 control panel
A close up of the Vitamix 5200 control panel
The Vitamix 5200 Blender Min Speed
The Vitamix 5200 Blender Max Speed
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower control panel
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower Control Panel
A close-up of the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower control panel
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender motor base on table, hand pressing digital tachometer attached to tripod, different blenders in background.
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender motor base on table, hand pressing digital tachometer attached to tripod, different blenders in background.
Activation
Speed dial and Switch
Press-button
Min Speed
1,419 RPM
14,000 RPM
Max Speed
23,122 RPM
21,346 RPM
Presets
No
Yes
Digital Display
No
No
Built-in Timer
No
No
Pulse Mode
No
Yes

Extra Accessory

The Vitamix 5200’s tamper is on a table
Material
Plastic
N/A
Dishwasher Safe
No
N/A
Removable
Yes
N/A

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
8.7
7.1

Ease of Blend

9.0
6.0

Noise Level

7.0
6.2
The Vitamix 5200 blender is on a table, accompanied by a sound level meter displaying its noise level nearby. In the background, other blenders that we tested sit on a nearby shelf.
The Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPower blender motor base on table, hand pressing digital tachometer attached to tripod, different blenders in background.
Max Level
99.8 dB
104 dB

Assembly

9.0
8.0

Cleanability

9.5
9.0