Vitamix A3500i Ascent Series High Performance Blender - Brushed Stainless vs Vitamix E310 Explorian High Performance Blender

Pros

• + Touchscreen with 5 preset programs
• + Self-Detect technology for compatible containers
• + 10-year full warranty
• + 2L container handles big batches
• + Virtually indestructible build quality

Cons

• − Premium price tag - not for casual users
• − Can be quite loud at full speed
• − Large footprint on the benchtop

Pros

• + 2.0HP commercial-grade motor handles ice, nuts and frozen fruit
• + 5-year full Vitamix warranty, the longest in this guide
• + Friction heat takes raw ingredients through to hot soup
• + 10 variable speeds plus pulse for real texture control
• + Self-cleans in about 60 seconds with a drop of dish soap

Cons

• − No touchscreen or preset programs - everything is manual
• − 1.4L container is smaller than most jug blenders here
• − Still a serious outlay next to the mid-range picks below