Finally, a (More) Affordable Vitamix. But Can the $209 Gadget Do Everything Its Predecessors Can?

There are two types of people in this world: Those who are willing and able to splurge on the most expensive blender they can find, and those who stick with the cheapest model possible—no matter how poorly it works. The Vitamix is known for being the Cadillac of blenders, but odds are you’ve dodged buying one due to its high cost. Friends, meet The Vitamix One, the brand’s cheapest, most compact model to date. We gave it a whirl (sorry) to see if it held up to its higher-priced cousins and were pretty darn impressed.

We’ve put our trust in cheap blenders before, only to resign ourselves to chunky smoothies forever. Thankfully, the laser-cut, stainless-steel blades of the Vitamix One break down ingredients with ease (but—full disclosure—it’s not totally as indestructible as its predecessors). The 32-ounce container, which is BPA-free and equipped with an ergonomic handle, is designed to pull ingredients into the center for an even blend and creamy texture every time. The lid has a removable plug on top, so you can add more food to the blender without removing it completely. And in case your produce gets stuck, the handy mini tamper will keep things moving.

We found the blades to be pretty strong. It took us about 15 seconds to thoroughly blend a smoothie with frozen berries. Even the clunky whole strawberries got sucked down and pulverized after just a few seconds. It’s not the quietest of blenders (especially since there’s no sound enclosure), but it’s not the loudest either. We also loved that it barely shook while it operated.

That said, it may take up to a minute for the Vitamix One to blend ice. So, if you’re planning to make a batch of daquiris or piña coladas, you may need to be a bit more patient than you would with pricier models. Nevertheless, you can optimize and smoothen your blend by putting liquids (including yogurt) and dry ingredients first, then leafy greens and produce, then ice and frozen ingredients on top.

The main con? The One can’t blend soups, nut butters, doughs or grains. Any hot ingredients should also be avoided since they can generate enough heat to damage the container. While you could dare to try your luck, attempting one of these recipes will void your warranty.

The blender’s streamlined design just might be our favorite thing about it. The Vitamix One is much more compact than other models (it’s 8 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches, versus the next smallest model, which is 11 inches by 8 inches by 17 inches), so if you’re a smoothie lover with a tiny kitchen or limited counter space, this one may be just the right fit. And if you don’t use the blender that often, it’s easy to move and stow away until you need it, since it’s lightweight and there are handles built into the motor base.