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Vitamix 5200 Blender vs Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto-iQ (BN701) Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Published

Vitamix 5200 Blender

$499.95 from Amazon(+1 more)

Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto-iQ (BN701)

$87.94 from Amazon
Vitamix 5200 Blender vs Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto-iQ (BN701)

Overall Verdict

In our tests, the Ninja Professional Plus Blender excelled at ice crushing, backed by a sturdy blade and 1400-watt motor. However, its performance was only average when dealing with tougher ingredients like kale, oatmeal, almonds, dried berries, and frozen fruits. This issue is tied to the blender's stacked blade design, which doesn't produce enough upward motion in the liquid, a key factor in creating a strong vortex that ensures all ingredients are evenly drawn into the blades for a consistent blend.

In contrast, the Vitamix 5200 stands out with its ability to handle a diverse range of blending tasks. Its durability, ease of use, and consistent blending quality make it an absolutely more reliable choice over the Ninja Professional Plus. Just make sure you're prepared to invest in its higher price.

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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
  • Modern aesthetic design
  • Intuitive interface
  • Great for ice and nuts
  • The container does not lock onto the base 
  • Average ice-crushing capability
  • Green smoothies a challenge
  • Subpar build quality

Key Specs

Dimensions
H19.7 x L8.8 x W8.8 inches
H17 x L6.6 x W9.3 inches
Weight
9.7 lbs (4.4 kg)
8.0 lbs (3.6 kg)
Capacity
64 oz
72 oz
Motor Power
1500 watts
1400 watts
Various Speed Settings
Yes
Yes
Pulse Mode
No
Yes

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$474.97
$100.38
$499.95 at AmazonCheck Price on Vitamix
$87.94 at Amazon

*You help support Shouldit's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners.

Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
9.7
6.6

Smoothie

10
4.6
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.
Ninja Professional Plus Blender BN701 Smoothie Video
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s 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 Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender smoothies blended for 2 minutes and 30 seconds, 3 minutes, 3 minutes and 30 seconds, and 4 minutes.
Blending Time
40 seconds
3 mins
Result
Silky Smooth
Chunky

Frozen Fruit Smoothie

9.8
6.5
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.
Ninja Professional Plus Blender BN701 Frozen Smoothie Video
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender 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 3 minutes and 59 seconds.
A sample of frozen fruit smoothie created with the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender, spread on white paper.
Blending Time
1 min 10 seconds
4 mins
Result
Silky Smooth
Silky Smooth
Suction

Protein Shake

9.9
7.6
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.
Ninja Professional Plus Blender BN701 Protein Shakes Video
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender 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 3 minutes 49 seconds.
A mesh strainer filters a protein shake made by theNinja BN701 Professional Plus, retaining the unblended solids that fail to pass through.
Blending Time
1 min
4 mins
Result
Silky Smooth
Smooth

Almond Butter

10
7.8
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.
Ninja Professional Plus Blender BN701 Almond Butter Video
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus is beside a white plate containing almond butter with a spatula, blend assembly, and a smartphone revealing a blending time of 5 minutes.
A sample of almond butter created with the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender, spread on white paper.
Blending Time
1 min
5 mins
Result
Silky Smooth
Smooth

Crushed Ice

8.0
10
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.
Ninja Professional Plus Blender BN701 Crushed Ice Video
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender is beside a black tray containing its crushed ice.
Ice Fineness
Fine
Very Fine
Unblended Ice
19% of 12 oz
0% of 12 oz

Design

Overall Design Scoring
10
6.1

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 Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender blender and its accessories, including the user manual and a carton box, on a table.
Unboxing the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender

Dimensions

llustrated dimensions of the Vitamix 5200 Blender showing the height, depth, and width across in inches
Illustrated dimensions of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender showing the height, length, and width in inches
Height
19.7" (50.0 cm)
17.0" (43.2 cm)
Width
8.8" (22.4 cm)
9.3" (23.6 cm)
Weight
9.7 lbs (4.4 kg)
8.0 lbs (3.6 kg)
Length
7.8" (19.7 cm)
6.6" (16.8 cm)
Shaft Length

Build Quality

10
5.5
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 Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender motor base and container
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender Motor Base and Container

Blades

10
6.0
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 closeup of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender stacked blade assembly
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender Stacked Blade Assembly
A closeup of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender stacked blade assembly
A closeup of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender stacked blade assembly
A closeup of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s container, stacked blade assembly, and lid.
Material
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel
Type
Cross
Stacked
Guard Material
Blade Count
4 sharp blades
6 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 Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s motor
A close-up of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s motor
A close-up of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s motor
A close-up of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s motor
Rated Voltage
120 Volts
120 Volts
Rated Power
1500 Wattages
1400 Wattages
Working Time
≤ 6 minute
N/A
Protection
Yes
Yes
Weight
7.2 pounds
5.3 pounds
Cord Length
5.9 ft (1.8 m)
2.8 ft (0.9 m)
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 the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender container showing the height and diameter in inches.
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender’s Container
Material
BPA-free Eastman Tritan Copolyester
Plastic
Capacity
64 ounces
72 oz
Weight
2.5 oz (71 g)
2.7 pounds
Dishwasher Safe
No
Yes
Measurement
Yes
Yes
Suitable For
Medium to Large batches
Large batches

Lid

The Vitamix 5200’s Two-Part Lid stands on a table
A close-up of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s lid
A close-up of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s lid
A close-up of the damage caused by blade assembly misalignment
Material
Plastic
Plastic
Closing Type
Friction
Lock Mechanism
Features
Lid plug
Pouring Spout with Cap

Control Panel

10
8.5
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 Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s control panel
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender’s Control Panel
A close-up of the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender’s control panel
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Min Speed
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Max Speed
Activation
Speed dial and Switch
Touch button
Min Speed
1,419 RPM
4,269 RPM
Max Speed
23,122 RPM
5,101 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
6.7

Ease of Blend

9.0
6.0

Noise Level

7.0
7.1
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 Ninja BN701 Professional Plus blender is on a table, accompanied by a sound level meter displaying its recorded noise level. In the background, other blenders that we tested sit on a nearby shelf.
The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender in Our Noise Level Test
Max Level
99.8 dB
99.3 dB

Assembly

9.0
8.5

Cleanability

9.5
6.5