Blendtec Designer 725

I switched from a Vitamix 5200 to this Blendtec and the cleanup difference alone justified it. The wide jar with dull blades means I can reach in with a sponge and wash it in 15 seconds. With the Vitamix, I was always scared of the sharp blades. Blending quality is comparable — maybe Vitamix gets 5% smoother on greens, but Blendtec's convenience factor is 50% better. The touchscreen is my only gripe — you basically can't use it after handling wet ingredients.

For smoothies and soups, this blender is excellent — on par with my old Vitamix. But I bought it partly for making nut butters and hummus, and the WildSide jar is terrible for that. Thick mixtures accumulate at the bottom of the wide jar and the blade spins above them. You need the separate Twister jar ($50-70 extra) which has a scraping lid. With the Vitamix's narrow container, gravity does the work. Great blender for liquids, frustrating for thick preparations.

I'll admit the Will It Blend YouTube videos are what first put Blendtec on my radar. Seven months in, the blender lives up to the hype. The 6 preset programs (smoothie, ice cream, whole juice, hot soup, salsa, clean) mean I rarely use manual speed. My morning smoothie is one button press and done. The 100-speed dial is there when I need it for salsa texture. It's loud and expensive, but the results and convenience are top-tier.