⚡️ Quick Verdict - VITAMIX Ascent Series A3500 (2017)
- Best For: Daily smoothies, hot soups, nut butters, precise blending.
- Strengths: Powerful motor, intuitive touchscreen interface, versatile pre-set programs, self-detect container technology.
- Drawbacks: Premium price point, substantial counter footprint, potential learning curve for new users.
- Verdict: A premium blender offering exceptional performance and smart features for diverse, high-volume blending needs.
⚖️ Pros & Cons Explained
| Aspect | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Blending Performance | Users consistently praise its ability to create exceptionally smooth textures, even with tough ingredients like frozen fruits, nuts, and fibrous vegetables. Many highlight its power for achieving steaming hot soups and creamy nut butters directly in the container. | Some users mention the noise level can be significant at maximum speed, which might be a consideration in quieter environments or open-plan living spaces. |
| Usability & Features | The touchscreen interface is considered intuitive by many, with pre-programmed settings that simplify complex recipes. The Self-Detect technology for different container sizes is a convenient and safety-enhancing feature. | A few users found the touchscreen less responsive than physical buttons, particularly with wet hands. There can be a slight learning curve for optimizing manual controls for specific textures. |
| Cleaning & Maintenance | The self-cleaning program is frequently lauded for its effectiveness and simplicity, requiring only water and a drop of soap. Components are generally easy to rinse clean. | Some reported that thicker mixtures can occasionally stick to the container sides, necessitating a brief pre-scrape before initiating the self-clean cycle. |
🔧 What’s Included? & Why It Matters
| Component | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Motor Base (2.2-peak HP motor) | Provides powerful blending for smooth results and efficiently handles tough ingredients like ice, frozen fruit, and nuts, ensuring no chunks remain. |
| 64-ounce Low-Profile Container | Ideal for family-sized batches and designed to fit comfortably under most standard kitchen cabinets for convenient storage. |
| Tamper | Safely pushes thick, dense, or frozen ingredients down towards the blades without interfering with the blade assembly, ensuring even processing. |
| Simply Blending Cookbook | Offers a variety of recipes and practical guidance to help users get started and explore the full capabilities of the blender. |
| Self-Detect Technology | Automatically recognizes the container size on the base, adjusting blend settings and maximum blending times for optimal results and preventing over-processing. |
💰 Is It Worth It? – Value & Cost Efficiency
| Aspect | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Durability & Longevity | Many users affirm its robust build quality and high-grade materials, anticipating years of reliable daily use, which helps to justify the initial significant investment over time. | The initial purchase price is considerably higher than many other blenders on the market, potentially making it inaccessible for some budgets. |
| Performance vs. Price | Users who frequently prepare smoothies, hot soups, nut butters, or flour find its superior performance and consistent results invaluable, often reducing the need for multiple specialized kitchen appliances. | For infrequent or basic blending tasks, the extensive features and powerful motor might be overkill, making the cost-to-benefit ratio less appealing compared to more affordable options. |
🔁 Vitamix Comparison – How This Version Improves Over Previous Models
| Aspect | Vitamix Ascent A3300 | VITAMIX Ascent Series A3500 |
|---|---|---|
| User Interface | Digital Timer, Touch Controls | Programmable Touchscreen, 5 Program Settings, Digital Timer |
| Pre-Programmed Settings | No dedicated pre-programmed settings | Yes (Smoothies, Hot Soups, Dips & Spreads, Frozen Desserts, Self-Cleaning) |
| Connectivity | Wireless Connectivity (Vitamix App) | Wireless Connectivity (Vitamix App) |
| Container Recognition | Self-Detect Technology | Self-Detect Technology |
| Build Quality | High-Quality Plastic/Metal Housing | High-Quality Plastic/Metal Housing |
⚔️ Alternatives vs VITAMIX Ascent Series A3500
| Aspect | Blendtec Designer 725 | Ninja Foodi Power Blender & Processor System | VITAMIX Ascent Series A3500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Horsepower | 3.8 HP | Approx. 2 HP (1400 Peak Watts) | 2.2 HP |
| User Interface | Illuminated Touchscreen, 100-speed touch slider | Dial, pre-sets, manual buttons | Programmable Touchscreen, 5 Program Settings |
| Container Versatility | Multiple jar types (e.g., WildSide, Twister, Mini WildSide) | Blender Pitcher, Food Processor Bowl, Single-Serve Cups included | Self-Detect containers (multiple sizes available separately) |
| Noise Level | Relatively High | High | Generally perceived as engineered for comparatively quieter operation at high speeds compared to some competitors. |
| Warranty | 8-Year Warranty | 1-Year Warranty | 10-Year Warranty |
💡 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Can the Vitamix A3500 heat soup?Yes, the powerful friction from the blades can bring cold ingredients to steaming hot in about 5-6 minutes, allowing you to prepare hot soups directly in the container.
- Are Ascent series containers compatible with older Vitamix models?No, Ascent series containers feature Self-Detect technology and are designed exclusively for compatibility with Vitamix Ascent series motor bases. They will not work with legacy Vitamix models.
- Does it come with a tamper?Yes, the Vitamix A3500 includes a low-profile tamper specifically designed to work effectively and safely with the 64-ounce low-profile container.
- Is the A3500 easy to clean?Yes, it features a convenient self-cleaning program. To clean, simply add warm water and a drop of dish soap to the container, then run the self-clean program for about 60 seconds.
👍 Positive Reviews - What Users Love
- The touchscreen presets are a game-changer; I just press a button, and my smoothie is perfect every time. The consistency is unmatched.
- I use it daily for everything from nut butter to hot soups. It handles anything I throw at it without bogging down. Worth every penny for the reliability.
- Cleaning is surprisingly easy with the self-clean function. I barely have to scrub, and it's ready for the next use in minutes.
- The build quality feels incredibly solid and premium. It's a significant investment, but it genuinely feels like it's built to last for decades.
- I appreciate the comparatively quieter operation compared to my old blender. It's still powerful, but less jarring, especially in the mornings.
👎 Negative Reviews - What Could Be Better
- The initial cost is very high, and while it performs exceptionally well, it took a while to justify the price given my basic blending needs.
- While the touchscreen looks modern, I sometimes miss the tactile feel of physical buttons, especially if my hands are wet during food preparation.
- It's undoubtedly a powerful machine, but it takes up a significant amount of counter space, and the container, while low-profile, is still quite bulky.
- For very small batches, it can sometimes struggle to get all ingredients down to the blades efficiently, requiring more frequent use of the tamper than expected.
- The noise at maximum speed, despite Vitamix's efforts, is still considerable. It's not ideal for early morning blending if others are sleeping nearby.
📋 Key Details & Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Motor | 2.2-peak Horsepower |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 11 x 8 x 17 inches (with 64oz container) |
| Weight | Approx. 14.9 lbs |
| Container Capacity | 64-ounce low-profile container included (compatible with other Ascent series Self-Detect containers) |
| Control Interface | Programmable Touchscreen |
| Pre-Programmed Settings | 5 (Smoothies, Hot Soups, Dips & Spreads, Frozen Desserts, Self-Cleaning) |
| Variable Speed Control | Yes |
| Pulse Feature | Yes |
| Digital Timer | Yes (Programmable countdown timer) |
| Self-Detect Technology | Yes |
| Wireless Connectivity | Yes (with Vitamix Perfect Blend app) |
| Blades | Laser-cut, stainless-steel hammermill and cutting blades |
| Housing Material | High-quality plastic with metal accents |
🔚 Summary – Is This the Right Choice for You?
- The Vitamix Ascent Series A3500 is a top-tier, high-performance blender designed for those who demand exceptional blending capabilities and smart, convenient features.
- Its powerful 2.2-peak HP motor ensures consistently smooth results for a wide range of recipes, from creamy smoothies and piping hot soups to homemade nut butters and flours.
- The intuitive touchscreen interface, complete with five pre-programmed settings and a programmable timer, significantly simplifies operation, making complex blends accessible even for new users.
- While it represents a substantial initial investment and has a larger counter footprint compared to basic blenders, its durable construction, versatile functionality, and the efficiency brought by its Self-Detect technology make it a suitable choice for frequent users or anyone looking for a long-term kitchen appliance capable of handling demanding tasks with precision.
- If you prioritize unparalleled power, blending precision, smart features, and are prepared for a premium cost, the A3500 stands out as an excellent, lasting addition to your kitchen.
