Vitamix is synonymous with products sporting quality craftsmanship and well as rugged durability. And it’s not a surprise that the brand is a mainstay in many households. One of Vitamix’s specialties is the manufacturing of blenders.
This brand boasts of a slew of premium blenders, and today, we are going to review and compare two of Vitamix budget options; the E310 and E302.
What are E310 and E302?
The E310 and E302 are part of the Vitamix Explorian Series. Both of these models are the latest release from Vitamix and were designed to offer performance at an affordable price.
Speaking of price, these two options are budget options and probably the least expensive options that you’ll find in the entire Vitamix collection.
Though quite inexpensive, it does not mean they are not as powerful as their premium counterparts. In reality, they’re performance-oriented and just as much as capable as the more expensive Vitamix flagship C-series 5200 model.
The build quality isn’t flimsy either; in any case, the overall construction, in particular, the blades are designed from the same aircraft-grade steel that is standard on the pricier models such as to Vitamix 7500 and the 750.
Now, before we pit these two models, let’s have a summary of each model and see what each has to offer.
Vitamix E310 Summary
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The major selling point for the Vitamix E310 is the value for money. A budget option, the Vitamix E310, has all the desirable features, just like in any other classic brand, but a relatively lower price.
Again, despite the budget label, it’s highly versatile, thanks to the pulse feature, which by the way, even the more expensive Flagship C-series 5200 lacks.
On the flip side, however, the performance is a little bit jerky, and the smaller container limits the efficiency of this unit.
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Vitamix E320 Summary
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The biggest highlight of this Vitamix model is the powerful motor and larger blades. Unlike the latter model, the E320 is more consistent, though the overall performance is much or less similar.
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Similarities between Vitamix E310 and E320
In the section below, we shall look at some of the similar aspects between these blenders.
Entry-Level Blenders
Both the E310 and 320 blenders are entry-level units, but still, they make incredible options for commercial use.
While they may not have the frills and frays of the premium options, they’re flush with features and will deliver a decent performance.
Many of the reviewers tend to place these two models at the highest echelon of the entry-level blenders and a gateway to the heavy-duty and commercial blenders.
Budget-Friendly
Sure, there’s a disparity between the pricing of these two blenders, but if you look at the prices from a holistic view and relative to other blenders, you’ll realize they’re budget options.
These two blenders are affordable and will not require you to dig deep into your pockets.
Design
Both of these blenders are identical in design, and this is large because they fall under the “Next Generation”; release, or rather G-series.
Launched in 2012, the Vitamix G-Series blenders boast of an updated design. In particular, this series comes with wider design for better chopping capability, slightly better sound muffling capability, and a better-cooled motor.
This updated series comes with a 4-inch blade, contrary to the 3-inch blade we have in the standard/classic C-Series.
Blending Consumables When it comes to blending performance, both of these blenders have a near-similar performance.
Besides soup, these blenders can effectively make silky smoothies, frozen desserts, flour, nut butter, and even ice cream.
The variety of consumables that these models can make is the reason they are a staple in a majority of the households.
Cooling Systems
Both of these models feature radial cooling, and they prevent overheating. Besides the cooling fans, they are equipped with thermal sensors that trigger an automatic switch-off in case they get too hot.
And in case the blender turns off because of heat, you have to give it a break of 20 minutes before resuming blending.
Differences between Vitamix E320 and E310
Jar Size/Capacity
One of the major differences between these two blenders is the capacity of the blending jar. The E310 features a low profile 48-oz container, while the E320 sports a larger 64-oz container.
The dimensions of the E310 jar are modest and will fit nearly under all cabinets. The E310 jar sports a narrow base, therefore suitable for blending the smaller and single-serve portions.
The E320 jar, on the other hand, is relatively huge, and will only fit under cabinets. However, it comes with a wide base at the bottom, letting you blend a large serving of at least 2 cups.
But remember that bigger is not always better. Each jar capacity has its strong points. For instance, while the E320 is ideal for doing large volumes of blends, it does terribly at making single-serving blends.
So, there’s really no absolute winner here because it all comes down to what you plan to blend. The E310 makes small blends for personal use, while the E320 can cater for family-sized blends.
Blending Performance
The motors on this unit are similar in a variety of respect. The Vitamix E3010 features a 2.0 horsepower motor that is common in the Vitamix 5200.
Vitamix E320, on the other hand, features a tad powerful 2.2 horsepower motors that are also common in the Classic Vitamix 750.
Now, what does the difference between these two mean? Obviously, Vitamix E320 is the stronger unit, but on paper.
However, when it comes to actual performance, both of these models can handle anything you throw at them. In any case, the 2.0 Hp blenders will give you similar results to the 2.2 Hp Vitamix blenders.
Despite a 10% power increase on the E320, the actual performance is not too different. The difference is so negligible that even the most discerning users cannot distinguish between the performances of these units.
You can make anything with either blender from the soups to the hard blocks of cheese.
Blades
As we have mentioned above, the Vitamix E320 comes with a 10% increase in horsepower. The increase is a necessity because the E320, contrary to the E310, comes with a pitcher with a wide base.
And because of the extensive area, the E320 consequently requires larger blades (4 inches) as opposed to the 3-inch blades on the E310. The additional horsepower on the E320 will help to drive the larger blades with ease.
Variable Speed
The control settings on these two blenders are identical. Each of these blenders comes with ten variable speeds alongside pulse control.
Now, if you’ve used a blender before, you know that the variable speeds are critical, especially when you don’t want to liquefy your blend.
This is particularly true when you want to blend pesto, salsa, or chopping veggies. While the lack of variable speeds lets you get away with quick pulsing, it limits your overall control.
The ten speeds settings on this unit let you create a texture from your products. Also, the setting gives you power and control on your fingertips as the blending possibilities are endless.
Noise
Noise has always been a major consideration when choosing a blender or any equipment for that matter. Now, with both models generating noises with a rating above 90 decibels, it would be deceitful to say that they’re quiet.
At high speed, or when blending the hard foods, these two units are really noisy. Ironically, the Vitamix 5300, which happens to be an older version of the G-series blenders, offers a less noisy performance.
Controls
These two blenders are budget options, and expectedly, there are several limitations, including the number of features.
Both of these models are no-frill types but instead come with simple controls and an intuitive layout. Like the older Vitamix blenders, the E310 AND E320 comes with basic control features, which include;
- On/off button
- Pulse switch
- Variable speed dial
Generally, using these blenders is a cinch, and the entire blending experience is pleasurable.
Pricing
The Vitamix E320 is a newer model and has a generous blending capacity, and expectedly, it's a tad expensive than the E310.
However, as we had mentioned earlier, the decision to go with the higher-priced model is not entirely on performance, but rather what you plan to achieve with the blender.
The good news with Vitamix line of blenders is they’re priced accordingly, and there’re several ways that you can save money in your next Vitamix 320E blender purchase.
Saving your Money for Vitamix Blender Purchase
Vitamix offers the E320 as a certified reconditioned blender. The recertification process of the Vitamix blender happens in Vitamix Company, where all the subpar parts are replaced with new ones.
The recertification process follows a 17-point checklist that includes both function and aesthetics. In most cases, the certified reconditioned blenders usually consist of lightly used blenders or those that have been used for display or demo purposes.
All worn out parts, including the lids, containers tamper, and the pitcher, are fixed or replaces, guaranteeing that everything looks new and does not look beat-up.
Each of the refurbished models passes the exact inspection that the new models pass, and this means that as far as quality is concerned, a reconditioned Vitamix blender is as good as new only that it’s now cheaper. However, one thing I not completely sure of whether its replaced is the blade.
Conclusion: Vitamix E310 vs Vitamix 320
Well, both of these models are quite similar in various respects. Performance-wise, they can blend the same quality of products and will do with utmost efficiency.
When you come to the design, they’re both products from the same G-Series, so they compare a lot in features and design.
The only major distinction between these two blenders is the size of the pitcher. One comes with a 48 oz capacity, and the other one has a 64 oz capacity.
So, if you’re to choose between these two, you probably would want to consider the pitcher size. If you have a family, for instance, the Vitamix E320 (see what other people are saying on Amazon) would be an ideal choice because it can blend more products.
On the other hand, if you’re alone, and looking for a unit for personal use, the Vitamix E310 is an inspired choice.