For Vitamix sizing, pick the 48‑oz E310 for small batches and tight spaces; choose the 64‑oz 5200 for family‑size blends.
Vitamix Explorian E310 (48‑oz)
Vitamix 5200 (64‑oz)
Budget Route
- Great texture on smoothies, sauces, dips.
- Easier vortex with small volumes.
- Shorter jar clears more cabinets.
Vitamix Explorian E310
Family Route
- Large pitcher for meal prep and parties.
- High draw‑down for frozen blends.
- Classic variable dial mastery.
Vitamix 5200
High‑power blenders live on the counter and shape daily cooking. A 48‑ounce jar favors smaller batches and tight spaces, while a 64‑ounce pitcher shines when you’re feeding more people. This guide delivers the quick verdict and the trade‑offs that push a buyer one way or the other.
In A Nutshell
The 48‑ounce Explorian E310 is the easier pick for singles, couples, and anyone who blends in modest volumes. It draws small loads into the blades faster, needs less tamping, and fits in more kitchens.
The 64‑ounce 5200 suits bigger households and bulk prep. Its tall classic jar handles large frozen mixes with authority and reduces repeat rounds when you cook for many. You give up some under‑cabinet clearance and small‑batch finesse to get that capacity.
Side‑By‑Side Specs
Vitamix Explorian E310 — What We Like / What We Don’t Like
✅ What We Like
- Small‑batch control: the vortex forms with ≈1 cup, so dips, dressings, and nut butter start swirling fast.
- Compact footprint: shorter jar clears many upper cabinets and stores easier.
- Pulse button on deck: quick chops and texture control without juggling the dial.
⚠️ What We Don’t Like
- Capacity ceiling: big smoothies or soups may require two rounds.
- Less reach for frozen mega‑loads; you’ll tamp more when the jar is packed to the brim.
If your cooking is mostly weekday smoothies for one or two, salsa, pesto, and quick sauces, this container hits the sweet spot. It’s forgiving with small volumes and gives you texture on demand. The shorter jar also cuts visual clutter on the counter, which many home cooks appreciate.
Vitamix 5200 — What We Like / What We Don’t Like
✅ What We Like
- Large‑volume advantage: fewer rounds for family smoothies, soups, and party pitchers.
- Strong draw‑down in tall geometry pulls frozen fruit and ice into the blades fast.
- Classic variable speed dial gives smooth control from low to high without steps.
⚠️ What We Don’t Like
- Tall jar can miss standard cabinet clearance; many owners store the pitcher off‑base.
- Small batches need more coaxing; the vortex forms best with bigger loads.
If you cook for a crowd, this model keeps pace. Think big smoothie rounds, hot puréed soups, and frozen cocktails on weekends. The tall jar rewards generous volumes with quick, silky texture and fewer stops to tamp once the load gets moving.
Explorian E310 Or 5200: Which Fits You Better
Both machines deliver high‑powered blending and the signature smooth pour. The difference lives in geometry, capacity, and how you cook. The sections below break that into practical choices you can feel in daily use.
Power & Throughput
Each unit sits in the same performance class, pushing enough torque to pulverize seeds and fibrous veg. The tall classic pitcher on the 5200 gives you more headroom for frozen stacks and big soup batches. Once loaded, it pulls ingredients down with gusto and stays stable at higher volumes.
The E310 favors everyday portions. Its shorter 48‑ounce jar spins up a vortex with less liquid, which trims the time from start to smooth. You’ll reach for the tamper less with small loads. If you try to pack it like a party pitcher, it still finishes the job—just expect a bit more tamping on frozen peaks near the lid.
Noise & Comfort
These are powerful machines; they roar when they hit high. The shorter jar keeps the sound closer to the base and away from cabinet bottoms, which softens some resonance. The tall jar places the blend head nearer to overheads, which can bounce sound back into the room. Either way, short bursts on high move you through the loudest moments quickly.
Cleaning & Parts
Both pitchers self‑clean with warm water and a drop of dish soap. Run the dial up for 30–60 seconds and rinse. Hand‑wash keeps the Tritan walls clear and the bearings happy. If you prefer formal guidance, see Vitamix’s product‑care page for cleaning steps and safe practices.
The shorter jar is a touch easier to maneuver in a sink and to scrub under the blades with a brush. The tall jar’s reach makes you stretch more, but the wider vortex often throws residue off the walls faster during the self‑clean.
Safety & Standards
Both models use BPA‑free Tritan containers and stainless blades. Lids snap with a firm seal, and the tamper is designed to stop short of the blade path when used through the lid plug. If you want the formal coverage terms, the Vitamix warranty overview explains what’s covered and for how long.
Warranty & Service
The classic line has a strong service record. The E310 typically ships with a 5‑year full warranty. The 5200 steps that up to 7 years. Both can be extended in some channels. Coverage includes parts, performance, and shipping under normal home use. If you blend daily, that peace of mind matters.
ℹ️ Good To Know: Standard upper cabinets sit about 18 inches above the counter. The shorter 48‑ounce setup tends to fit as‑is; the tall 64‑ounce pitcher often lives beside the base when stored.
Accessories matter too. If you often split recipes—half now, half later—the 48‑ounce jar’s lower minimum works in your favor. If you batch‑cook on weekends, the 64‑ounce jar trims your total time at the blender. You can also add a secondary container later, but most buyers prefer to start with the jar that matches daily use.
Cleaning & Parts (Deep Dive)
Self‑clean cycles work best right after blending while residue is fresh. Fill the pitcher a third with warm water, add a drop of soap, run high, then rinse. For sticky nut butters, give it a quick soak and repeat. Both jars use the same tamper style for safe agitation, and both pair with a standard lid plug that doubles as a small measuring cap.
Replacement lids and tampers are easy to source. If you cook with spices or turmeric, a soft sponge and gentle soap keep the Tritan clear. Avoid scrubbing pads that haze plastics. A microfiber towel polishes streaks after rinsing.
Power & Throughput (Textures & Recipes)
Green smoothies, protein shakes, tomato soups, hummus, chickpea flour, oat milk—both machines tackle these staples without fuss. The tall jar pulls ice cream bases and large frozen drinks into an aggressive vortex once the mass collapses. The shorter jar shines when you want chunky salsa or a small batch of peanut butter without chasing ingredients around the walls.
If you blend hot, vent through the lid plug and start low. Heat expands steam; the smaller jar concentrates that headspace near the lid, so give it a few seconds to settle before ramping up. The tall jar has more surface area and benefits from gradual climbs on the dial for smooth results without splatter.
Noise & Comfort (Living With It)
Noise lives in speed and load. A dense frozen blend at full tilt will be loud no matter the jar. Many owners stage blends in two steps: break the mass with short pulses at mid‑speed, then finish on high. That trick cuts overall time and dials back the harshest pitch.
Price, Value & Ownership
That grid captures the gap that matters: volume vs space. The bigger pitcher saves time when you cook for many, while the shorter jar saves effort when you make smaller blends more often.
Where Each One Wins
🏆 Big Frozen Drinks — 5200
🏆 Under‑Cabinet Storage — Explorian E310
🏆 One‑Round Family Smoothies — 5200
Decision Guide
✅ Choose Vitamix Explorian E310 If…
- You cook for one to three and want the jar to grab small volumes fast.
- You value a shorter pitcher that stores under most cabinets.
- You make dips, sauces, and dressings often and want reliable texture control.
✅ Choose Vitamix 5200 If…
- You feed a family and want one‑and‑done batches for soups and smoothies.
- You prefer a tall classic jar that excels with frozen loads once the vortex forms.
- You don’t mind storing the pitcher beside the base if cabinet clearance is tight.
Best Fit For Most Kitchens
Most buyers should start with the 48‑ounce Explorian E310. It’s easier to live with day to day, builds a vortex with less liquid, and fits a wider range of counters and cabinets. If you regularly blend for four or more, the 64‑ounce 5200 is the time saver that keeps big batches flowing. Pick the jar that matches your routine and you’ll feel the payoff every week.
Practical Scenarios That Make The Choice Obvious
Smoothies for two on repeat: The 48‑ounce jar crushes this. You pour once, rinse fast, and move on. No waste, no fishing around for enough volume to get the swirl started.
Salsa night and dips: The shorter jar lets you pulse onions and cilantro into a chunky base without liquefying the whole bowl. A dedicated pulse button nails this control.
Weekend soup marathons: The 64‑ounce pitcher takes the win. Load roasted veg and stock, blend to steam‑hot smooth, and serve. One round per pot means less juggling.
Frozen fruit smoothies for teens: Tall geometry pays off here. Once the ice slope collapses, the 5200 creates a steady funnel that keeps ingredients moving without long stalls.
Nut butters and seed milks: Both can do it. The 48‑ounce jar gets the edge for nut butter because it corrals small volumes better. For oat or almond milk in large batches, the 64‑ounce jar trims time when you’re filling multiple bottles.
Care, Longevity & Ownership Tips
Give the pitcher a quick rinse right after you pour. Then run a 30‑second soapy blend and finish with clean water. This routine keeps bearings smooth and lids fresh. If you blend hot, let the steam settle a moment before opening the lid plug. Store the tamper in the jar to keep the set tidy and ready.
If you want quieter mornings, start at a mid speed to pull ingredients into the blades. Ramp up only when the mass begins to cycle. You’ll reduce the harshest pitch and cut overall time to texture.
Method note: This comparison synthesizes manufacturer specs, care guidance, and everyday ownership patterns to spotlight trade‑offs that affect daily use. Links above point to official support and warranty pages for details.