Every so often, appliance companies will introduce upgrades of their existing models. This is a strategy to subtly improve any existing flaws, while simultaneously building on its current success. Vitamix is no exception, and has used the same tactic on multiple occasions.
However, from our experience, not all are better than their predecessors. Several factors play a key role in this outcome – production quality, timing of launch, relevance, and marketability – just to name a few.
But flopping in the eyes of consumers is a real possibility.
In today’s article, we’ll be focusing on a similar case. The Vitamix E3 Series is one of their most iconic product lines. Both the Vitamix E310 and E320 blenders provide incredible value and offer a wide range of handy features.
Together, let’s see if new is always better rings true, or whether the OG still reigns supreme. As an added bonus, we’ll identify what type of user each one is better suited for.
Vitamix E310 Explorian Professional-Grade Blender
When buyers think of Vitamix, the E310 Explorian Professional-Grade Blender immediately comes to mind. This is a timeless classic with multiple practical qualities. And because it’s built so well, it can be used in just about any environment.
This machine is equipped with a high-performance motor that powers its laser-cut stainless-steel blades. These remain steadfast against dulling or bending, and can easily cut through any type of food.
Some blenders experience difficulty when grinding nuts, coffee beans, or ice. It creates a whirring sound as if it’s about to break. But the Vitamix E310 Explorian Professional-Grade Blender doesn’t have any such problem.
Feel free to use it when preparing soups, stews, dips, spreads, frozen desserts, and other tasks in the kitchen.
Another feature worth mentioning is its 48-ounce container. Now, this isn’t the largest capacity, yet still good enough when preparing meals for up to four people. And because the shape is a bit wider, you can just dump everything into the canister.
This saves both time and effort when cooking.
Once all the ingredients are inside, controlling the Vitamix E310 Explorian Professional-Grade Blender becomes much easier. Its variable-speed dial with ten pre-programmed options helps you adjust how fast or slow the gadget runs. So achieving your ideal consistency becomes possible, every single time.
Plus, a pulsing feature is perfect when the situation calls for coarse shops or a chunkier density.
Don’t worry also if you’ve been using it on high for several minutes. The Vitamix E310 comes with a radial cooling fan and thermal protection system. This prevents the motor from overheating, preserving both your body, as well as the initial investment you made.
Owning the Vitamix E310 Explorian Professional-Grade Blender won’t come cheap, for obvious reasons, of course. But having so many benefits makes everything well worth it.
Pros
- Easy to use and control
- Comes with several accessories like a tamper and recipe book
- Extra-long cord measuring 4.5-feet is great for moving it around
- Very versatile; can be used on different kitchen jobs
- Safety features help prevent any untoward incidents
Cons
- A bulkier design makes storing at home more challenging
- Some waste often gets stuck inside the blades
Vitamix E320 Explorian Professional-Grade Blender
Manufacturers realized their E310 model wasn’t perfect. So they made sure the Vitamix E320 Explorian Professional-Grade Blender, its successor, came with some noteworthy features that enhanced their user experience.
For instance, it comes with a larger container at 64-ounces. Some people may find this insignificant, but preparing food for more people becomes much more convenient. You won’t have to do it in batches anymore.
Having a stronger and more efficient motor works the same.
The Vitamix E320 Explorian Professional-Grade Blender has one with 2.2-HP (horsepower) of power. This offers the same capabilities as similar models, but can grind food in a shorter time. Plus, it uses up less electricity, too, especially in the long-run. Compared to blending ingredients over and over again.
This machine can also be used when preparing baby food. Since an infant’s tummy is very sensitive, ingesting any harmful substances may lead to serious digestive issues. Being free from BPA (Bisphenol A), a dangerous industrial chemical, is good news, and one less thing to worry about for parents.
One downside we observed, though, is its bulky size. The Vitamix E320 Explorian Professional-Grade Blender measures approximately 18-inches high, weighs 13-lbs, and has a stocky base. So finding ample storage becomes a problem. Interested buyers may need to alot an entire cabinet, just for this machine.
If you do, then there’s nothing much to complain about. Its high price tag can be excused by a lengthy 7-year warranty. So even if there’s a big cash out initially, it comes back in terms of affordable labor and diagnostic services.
Pros
- Having a pulsing feature add versatility to its already wide range of uses
- A sturdy base provides stability when on high speeds
- No disassembly needed when cleaning
- Can be used either at home or in a more commercial environment
- Includes a complete 7-year-long warranty package
Cons
- Produces a lot more sound than other Vitamix blenders
- May require you to buy additional accessories (like an extra adapter)
Face-to-Face: Vitamix E310 vs E320 Comparison
When consumers are choosing between two options – much more if they’re in the same product line – comparing them based on certain qualifications has been a best practice. This gives them a better idea of which one is better, and best suits their current needs.
In this next section, we’ll be doing exactly that. So once and for all, we can conclude which one among the Vitamix E310 and E320 is a more reliable choice.
Power
The strength of a blender is normally considered a key factor. It can greatly determine what types of tasks it can accomplish, and ingredients it’s compatible with. Naturally, this is where we would begin our comparison.
All in all, both the Vitamix E310 and E320 Explorian Professional-Grade Blenders offer substantial cutting power. They are more than capable of grinding through a wide range of ingredients including fruits and vegetables to produce shakes, smoothies, savory soups, and even frozen desserts.
What’s more impressive is these two can easily crush ice like it was snow. While lesser models require a lot of effort to get that done, the Vitamix E310 and E320 blenders won’t encounter much problems. You can even use it consecutively for several hours. Now that’s power.
The only difference between them is how long it takes to get things done. With a 0.2-HP edge, the Vitamix E320 blender needs less time. In our opinion, it’s better for restaurants, cafes, and other commercial establishments, while the E310 variant would suit homecooks more.
Container Size and Specs
The most prevailing distinction is the container size. Vitamix’s E310 model has a 48-ounce canister (good for 2 to 4 people), while its counterpart, the E320 comes with a much larger 64-ounce holder (good for 5 to 8 people).
Choosing between them all boils to lifestyle.
Obviously, if you’re cooking for a bigger group, the Vitamix E320 Blender is more practical. Caterers, professional chefs, restaurateurs, and cafe owners may also feel the same way. However, for every kitchen prep, the small model should be good enough.
Good thing is that in terms of design, both are incredibly ergonomic. We really like the more slender design with strategically-placed grooves. This way, food doesn’t stick to the sides for too long. Cleaning up requires less time as well.
Another nice detail is both pitchers are BPA-free. So it’s safe for everyone to use.
Storage and Portability
As we mentioned earlier, these blenders aren’t exactly the most compact models. In fact, their fatal flaw is bulkiness. We’ve come across so many reviews that finding additional space at home has become an arduous experience.
The Vitamix E310 and E320 have similar dimensions, and weigh an average of 12-lbs. Although that doesn’t seem so bad, moving it around becomes extra challenging when you’re dealing with multiple tasks in the kitchen.
Given this circumstance, we would recommend these only to consumers with ample storage capacity. Whether that’s on a countertop, inside a closet, or an external location, that’s completely up to you. Just make sure before clicking that checkout button.
Price
For many consumers, the price difference of a hundred dollars is quite big. This is a similar case with today’s comparison.
First things first, we need to say that neither of the Vitamix E310 and E320 Explorian Professional-Grade Blenders are considered affordable appliances. Instead, these provide greater value, which require a higher monetary investment.
So only individuals who are serious about cooking or preparing food will find value in that.
Now, when comparing these two head-to-head, we find the Vitamix E310 model more worth it. Besides a larger container, all the key features are found in both blenders. So for us, the wider price gap isn’t exactly justified.
Warranty
Like we always mention, a product’s warranty functions like a safety net. Whenever something suddenly breaks down, this serves as your direct line to the manufacturer. Also, how long the guarantee is somewhat reflects how confident they are in their items. Consumers can take a similar cue, too.
In this case, we find each one’s respective length of warranty to be commensurate with its price. The E310 costs less and has a 5-year warranty plan, while the E320, which costs more, has a lengthier 7-year plan.
Based on several customer comments, Vitamix has been very cooperative when slight issues do arise. They have multiple service centers around the globe, too, for hands-on concerns, and a dedicated service hotline.
So at least in this item, you won’t go wrong with either blender.
Availability
One interesting tidbit we saw is where these gadgets are sold. Apparently, they aren’t as accessible as everyone thought.
For instance, while the Vitamix E310 Explorian Professional-Grade Blender was distributed across multiple retail channels, its successor didn’t have a similar fate. It was limited only to a handful of platforms, which explains its narrow reach.
As a consumer, the availability of products is almost a deal-breaker. Not everyone will make an effort to drive far or pay additional shipping fees, just to buy a particular model, which isn’t even very different from the predecessor.
In such a case, we would probably give a major advantage to the E310 model. Not only is it more advertised, but also easier to find.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Washing the dishes after cooking for several hours doesn’t exactly sound like happily ever after. We’re sure the majority of our readers will agree. You’d just want to stuff it into the dishwasher, press start, and indulge in a bottle of wine.
Thankfully, neither of these two blenders require much maintenance.
Both the Vitamix E310 and E320 Explorian Professional-Grade Blenders are dishwasher safe, which alone will save you at least two hours.
However, if you feel like doing things manually, there’s an easy option for that, too. Just add warm water and a little bit of soap, crank up the speed, and watch as the gunk slides right off. Not a lot of scrubbing is required, except under the blades. But you can just use an old toothbrush for that.
One good thing is the entire blender doesn’t require disassembly. So cleaning it isn’t as tedious as most people think.
Durability and Versatility
We believe that both these aspects must go hand in hand. It’s not enough that a blender has multiple uses; it must be strong enough to withstand harsh working conditions, too. And that’s what we’d like to discuss next.
The Vitamix E320 Explorian Professional-Grade Blender is bigger and comes with a stronger motor. Since it uses up less energy when grinding through harder foods, it’s resistant to more wear-and-tear as well.
Generally speaking, we’d be more confident recommending this particular model to commercial establishments, where the demands are much higher and more complex.
Of course, this isn’t to say the E310 option isn’t reliable. Quite the opposite, really. In truth, it is a lot more enduring than other blenders for home-use. A stronger base, steel-cut blades, and thicker body help extend its overall life-span.
As a result, you end up using it for more variations of tasks.
Noise Production
Do you currently live in a house where there’s always a sleeping baby? Sadly, blenders often emit a loud screeching sound. This means you might have to avoid preparing smoothies or salsa late at night, and early in the morning.
The E320 model, in particular, is very boisterous. It definitely causes a ruckus, especially within condominium units or apartments. Vitamix’s E310 isn’t so different, despite it being slightly more quiet.
So to be safe, just opt for a different brand altogether if noise is really a big deal. But for those who can live with this setup, we believe it’s worth the potential headache.
What Do Consumers Say About Each One?
Customer testimonials are very powerful forms of feedback. They are rarely manipulated, and often display a person’s raw emotions.
At the possibility of getting all riled up, we compiled a summary of what people think about each blender. To remove all biases, our team is presenting it in numerical values.
Vitamix E310 Explorian Professional-Grade Blender
Based on 5,770 global reviews, consumers rated it a 4.7 out of 5.
Many said they were amazed at how easily it cut through ingredients. Some also marveled at its user-friendliness, especially when preparing healthy juices. The pulp doesn’t get too stuck on the sides, and just slides right off.
Of course, we came across some negative comments that complained about its durability. But these pale in comparison to all the positive feedback sent in.
Vitamix E320 Explorian Professional-Grade Blender
Like its previous model, the Vitamix E320 Explorian Professional-Grade Blender model is also very well-received. Out of 1,170 people, it was awarded 4.8 stars out of 5 – an amazing feat for any product.
While many questioned its increase in price, they are also quick to acknowledge the enhanced features that come with it. Ultimately, buyers were satisfied with the initial investment they made. Many have also remained the same, even after many years of use.
Summary
You probably saw how difficult to compare and contrast products from the same family line. Especially for brands as consistent as Vitamix.
In over 100 years, they were able to introduce countless innovations that have literally changed how we prepare food at home. But alas, we have to end our article by choosing one entry that offers greater overall value.
While it was hardly an easy decision, the Vitamix E320 Explorian Professional-Grade Blender came out victorious, only by a small margin. Its balance of durability, versatility, and performance cannot be outdone, especially since it costs nearly one hundred dollars cheaper than its successor.
That amount of savings certainly cannot be overlooked.
So anyone looking to invest in a reliable blender for home use, we can say confidently that the Vitamix E320 Explorian Professional-Grade Blender won’t let you down. In fact, it will even make your cooking life so much easier.
