Vitamix A2500 Review 2021

Vitamix has established an enviable reputation for making some of the best blenders money can buy. Have no doubt though, you’re going to need a chunk of that money to get hold of one of its machines!

That said, these are incredibly powerful, highly durable machines that truly stand the test of time. Although they require a relatively large upfront investment, Vitamix backs that up with some of the most generous warranties in the business.

In my Vitamix A2500 review, I’m taking a detailed look at a midrange machine in the company’s latest Ascent range of blenders.

The Ascent machines have proved hugely popular since their release, but how does this particular model hold up?

(Want to learn more about juicing and blending? Take a look through my collection of guides and reviews.)

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About The Vitamix Ascent A2500

The Ascent range of blenders represents Vitamix’s attempt to bring its rather sturdy and industrial-looking machines up to modern standards.

You still get the same power Vitamix is so well known for, but now with the addition of the kind of extra bells and whistles you’d expect from a modern blender.

First and foremost, there are now three pre-programmed settings to help you tackle some of the most common household blending tasks.

There’s also some clever tech built into the base that allows it to detect the container you’ve attached. That will then automatically adjust the blending motor to suit the quantities involved.

Ten variable speed settings and a pulse function round things off, while a digital timer clearly shows how much time the blender’s been running for.

Finally, you can sync up the blender base with a Vitamix mobile phone app. This makes it easy to access plenty of recipes, as well as new preset blending modes to help you tackle each one.

Who’s It For?

Like other machines in the Ascent range, the A2500 is designed for people who want an exceptionally powerful home kitchen blender, and don’t mind paying a premium for it either.

It tackles really tough ingredients without breaking a sweat, and I think it’s arguably good enough that you can dispense with your food processor altogether.

If you want to make smoothies, cocktails, hot soups, purees, salsas, nut butters and more, the A2500 is more than up to the task.

Who’s It Not For?

Although some improvements have been made to slim down the classic Vitamix design somewhat, it’s still a pretty imposing machine.

It might be a struggle to fit it beneath your kitchen cabinets, for example. You can always just leave the base out and store the 64 ounce container in a cupboard – but you’ll still need a pretty big cupboard!

Although they’re backed up by some of the most generous warranties in the business, a Vitamix blender also requires a not-insignificant upfront investment.

I think for longevity and performance they’re worth that investment, but it’s not always an option for everyone.

Pros

• 10 Year Warranty ensures you’ll get a good return on your investment.
• Starter recipe book contains lots of inspiration for soups, dips, smoothies and more.
• Three reliable pre-programmed settings take care of the most common jobs automatically.
• Variable Speed Controls – and Pulse feature – give you manual control over the texture when you need it.
• The classic Vitamix design given a 21st century makeover.
• Dishwasher-safe.
• Quieter than many earlier Vitamix machines.

Cons

• The Ascent range of machines aren’t cheap, and neither is the A2500!
• Quite bulky. You’ll need either a big storage cupboard or plenty of under-cabinet space to accommodate this blender.

Motor & Blades

Vitamix blenders are famous for their ability to tear through just about any ingredient you want to obliterate.

The A2500 achieves this with an incredibly powerful motor base that’s backed up with some of the best blades in the business.

The 4″ blades on the A2500 are thick and strong, and are constructed from laser-cut stainless steel. Even when you’re tackling very thick, fibrous ingredients they perform incredibly well. Even ice gets pulverized.

The blade unit is actually integrated within the container itself, and can be run through the top rack of the dishwasher along with the jar.

(Don’t be tempted to remove them for deeper cleaning, incidentally, as this voids the warranty.)

Finally, there’s some additional wireless tech built into the base.

If you put a different Ascent-compatible container – sold separately – onto the motor base, it will detect that new jar and adjust the blending speeds accordingly.

Container Design

The container on the A2500 has a 64 ounce capacity, and is made from extremely strong BPA-free plastic.

Millimeter, ounce and cup measurements are also clearly marked on the outside. It pours without making a mess, and I like how the tapered design makes it much easier to blend smaller amounts, in closer proximity to the blade unit.

Although the profile of the jar has been improved, it does still take up quite a bit of vertical space, so be prepared for that before buying.

Out of the box you also get a lid that snaps onto the container jar pretty tightly to prevent spillages. You don’t have to worry about holding the thing down on the countertop, even at very high speed.

Earlier Vitamix machines were a little annoying in the sense that they had a dark lid. That made it really hard to see how the mix was going when you were standing over the appliance.

The lid on the A2500, however, is completely transparent which makes meal prep much easier. If you’re working on multiple parts of a recipe, it’s nice to be able to check in on the blend at a quick glance.

The lid’s also got a plug that pops out of the center when you want to add extra ingredients. This plug even doubles as a miniature measuring jug, which I think is a clever little touch.

64 ounces is quite a large capacity overall. If the standard container that comes with the machine is a little too large for the job at hand, you can purchase additional containers that work with the A2500.

The bad news? Only containers compatible with the Ascent range can be used on the A2500. That means you’ll have to build up your blender jar collection all over again.

If you do want to expand your collection though, you’ve got the following options:

• 48 ounce container for smaller blends
• 48 ounce container designed for specifically for dry goods (think flours and grains)
• 20 ounce blending cup kit
• 8 ounce blending bowl

As I’ve already mentioned earlier on in my review, there’s some smart Bluetooth tech built into the base of the A2500.

If you attach one of these official containers to the blender, the base will automatically detect each one and adjust the power of the machine accordingly.

Pre-Programmed Settings

One advantage the A2500 has over the A2300 is the inclusion of a handful of presets.

There are three of them, covering the most common tasks you’re likely to want from this blender:

• Frozen Desserts
• Hot Soups
• Smoothies

These are the sorts of thing you’re going to be blending a lot with the A2500, and it’s really nice to be able to leave the machine to get on with it.

Once you’ve added your ingredients and selected the appropriate program, the A2500 will automatically adjust the blending speed and blending times for each stage of the meal prep.

Handily, the soup function uses the friction heat generated by the blades during the latter stage of the blend. Working at high speed, it gets your soup up to an impressively high temperature.

Variable Speed, Pulse & Timer

Obviously you’re going to want more manual control over certain blending tasks.

For these occasions you’ll want to make use of the variable speed control dial that’s located on the center of the motor base.

There are 10 settings in total. The lowest is ideal for making things like salsas, where you want to leave a decent bite in the finished dish. The highest setting is, of course, tailor-made for whipping the toughest ingredients into shape.

There’s also a pulse button. Select your speed on the dial, hold this button down, and the A2500 will blend until you lift your finger again.

It’s very useful when you want to achieve very specific textures. Even when you’re working with the machine manually though, it’s extremely easy to operate overall.

I really like the timer too. If you’re using a preset it’ll countdown the remaining time. If you use either of the manual control options it’ll tick off the minutes and seconds the blender’s been running for.

There’s also a self-protection mechanism built into the A2500. After around six minutes the machine will automatically shut itself down to prevent overheating.

We’re all prone to being distracted in the kitchen from time to time, so it’s nice to have this kind of back-up!

Design

Vitamix blenders have a very particular look and feel, and the classic design hasn’t been completely thrown out with the A2500.

The main differences between this blender and Vitamix blenders of old is the slightly sleeker design. You also get modern features like a digital display.

Overall though this looks and feels very much like a Vitamix, and the build quality overall is excellent.

Everything’s constructed of solid plastic and metal, and the cable is thick and sturdy. It’s 100% a premium machine.

Specs

Here are the most important specs of the A2500. Pay close attention to the height of this blender if you’re hoping to store it beneath a kitchen cabinet!

• 11 (D) x 8 (W) x 17 (H) inches
• Weight: 11.86 lbs (assembled)
• 3 pre-programmed settings
• 64 oz container
• Colors: Black, Red, Slate (Gray), White
• Warranty: 10 years

Out Of The Box

Here’s a quick snapshot of everything you’ll find in the box when your A2500 arrives.

• Power base
• 64 ounce blender container
• Lid (with removable central section “measuring cup”)
• Tamper (for pushing ingredients in at a later stage of the blend)
• Recipe Book
• User Manual

Ease of Cleaning

Vitamix machines are powerful enough that you can actually perform a sort of “self cleaning” function with them.

Fill the container to around the half way mark with warm water and a few splashes of ordinary dish soap. Next, pulse the machine at a medium speed and the water will be forced around the container sides and under the blades.

Nine times out of ten this will get the job done by itself, but if anything stubborn remains, the container – as well as the integrated blade unit – is dishwasher-safe.

The same applies to all the other items included with the A2500. It goes without saying that the power base should only ever be wiped clean with a cloth!

Performance

In the next section of my A2500 review I want to cover how it handles specific blending tasks. How well can it tackle the most common jobs you’re likely to throw at it?

• Fruit Smoothies: Whether using fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, the A2500 has no trouble tearing through these sorts of simple ingredients. It does such a good job here that even seeds gets broken down to nothing. I hate any kind of grit in my smoothies, and if you’re the same I think you’ll really appreciate this.
• Green Smoothies: These often contain tougher ingredients and leafy greens. It’s not always easy to get a super-smooth consistency with this stuff, but the A2500 handles them fine. There’s no grit and no chunks left in the drink.
• Ice: This is usually where cheaper blenders fall down, as you need a lot of power to crush ice into a fine slush. You definitely get what you pay for with the A2500 though, and if you’re looking to throw a few cocktails together you’ll find this blender is more than up to the job.
• Purees: These come out smooth and creamy. If you’re looking to achieve a certain texture for things like nut butters, you’ll need to experiment a little until you get the manual settings just right.
• Hot Soup: I really think the A2500 shines when it comes to soup preparation. Use the preset for this and the final stage of the blend will work at a furious speed to get the soup piping hot. It’s a really handy way of getting a healthier lunch inside you, and the Vitamix A2500 gets a big thumbs up from me on that front.
• Grinding: Although the A2500 can prepare flour from ingredients like corn, I’d really recommend picking up the smaller, Ascent-compatible dry goods container if you’re planning on doing this sort of thing a lot. You’ll get much better results, as the standard container isn’t really designed for tackling smaller batches. It’s fine for occasional use though.

Warranty

Vitamix has always offered some of the best blender warranties on the market and that’s certainly the case with the A2500.

Whereas the standard Vitamix warranty is between 5 and 7 years (depending on the model), that’s actually been increased to 10 years for the A2500.

That covers absolutely everything, from catastrophic failure to problematic wear and tear. These things are built to last, and Vitamix is happy to put its money where its mouth is.

This is where the higher investment that a Vitamix requires really pays off, in my opinion. You can get through plenty of cheaper blenders in those ten years, and you’ll pay a premium for the inconvenience in the long run.

Alternatives

There are a couple of other Vitamix blenders that I think are worth considering before settling on the A2500.

Vitamix A2300

The Vitamix A2300 is the next machine down in the Ascent series, and so is slightly more affordable than its bigger brother.

There aren’t too many compromises in exchange for this accessibility, but you won’t have access to the presets for things like soups and smoothies.

If that’s not going to be a problem for you though, then the A2300 is an excellent alternative as it means you can save a little money.

(I put together a detailed review of the Vitamix A2300 earlier this year if you’d like to learn more about it.)

Vitamix 7500

The 7500 represents a bit of a step back, but it’s a popular option because it stays so true to the old-school Vitamix design philosophy.

There are no digital timers or preset programs here. This is a vintage-style machine that’s nevertheless stood the test of time – and continues to sell by the bucket-load.

Personally I’d rather have those extra features, given that the price difference between the 7500 and the A2500 is so minimal. Each to their own though!

Verdict

I found a lot to like about the Vitamix A2500 in my review.

The performance is just as good as you’d expect from any Vitamix machine, but the extra features are very welcome and bring the machines right into the 21st century.

The low profile design make it somewhat easier to store on your countertop than the typical Vitamix too, and its an incredible blender if you can justify the investment.

It feels durable as well, and I think that extended warranty makes a very strong case for the A2500. It makes kitchen life so much easier overall, and it’s going to last for years and years.

Click here if you want to learn more about the machine, and read some other reviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

I want to wrap up my review by quickly answering some of the most common questions people have about the A2500 and Vitamix blenders in general.

Is A Vitamix Really Worth The Money?

Compare the 1 year warranty that comes with most low-end blenders against the 10 year warranty Vitamix offers on many of its machines.

They’re not cheap to buy, but they prove their value over the long term.

Of course, not everyone’s in a position to be able to make such a significant upfront investment.

If you can manage it though, I’m pretty sure you’ll get more good service out of your Vitamix than you will from half a dozen “cheaper” blenders.

What’s The Best Vitamix For Home Use?

I think any of the Vitamix Ascent blenders make a great option. They last for years, are incredibly powerful, and they’re hugely versatile.

Take a look at all of the blenders in this range and see which features you really need. There’s money to be saved if you drill down into a blender that doesn’t include any of the bells and whistles you’ll never actually use.

What’s The Difference Between The Vitamix A2300 And A2500?

There’s very little to separate these two machines. With the A2500 you get a handful of useful presets for the most common blending jobs. With the A2300….you don’t.

It’s really that simple. If your blending skills are top notch and you don’t mind taking manual control, by all means save yourself a little bit of cash by going for the A2300.

What’s So Special About A Vitamix?

Build quality and durability is the simple answer here.

Vitamix blenders are incredibly powerful appliances. There’s not much I can think of that can stand up to a Vitamix blender’s blades.

They’re built like absolute tanks as well, which is part of the reason Vitamix can offer such generous warranties on its appliances.