Vitamix Containers

Navigating through the extensive and ever-expanding line of Vitamix containers can be quite challenging.

Should you get a blender with a full-size 64 oz container or is the 48 oz container big enough? Do you need an additional Vitamix container and if so, which one? What about the dry container – is it really necessary? And which Vitamix container is compatible with which Vitamix model anyway?

Whether you’re a first-time Vitamix buyer or just looking at adding an additional container to your existing machine, this review will answer all these questions and help you decide which Vitamix container is the best for your needs.

Vitamix Containers – Compatibility

Vitamix blenders fall into two product lines – Smart System (Ascent and Venturist) and Legacy (Classic, Next Generation, and Explorian). Vitamix also used to offer a line of personal blenders – Space Saving – but those were discontinued in 2019. Each product line has its compatible containers. In the past, all Vitamix containers were interchangeable, but with more recent releases, that’s no longer the case.

Smart System

Smart system Vitamix containers accommodate an NFC tag that communicates with the NFC reader in the blender base. The base detects the container and automatically adjusts blend settings accordingly, changing up to 140 parameters. This system also provides an extra layer of safety because the machine will turn off if the container is nudged off the base. 

Vitamix containers specifically designed for Smart System blenders include:

Most Smart System containers are compatible with Classic blenders. The two exceptions are the 8-oz blending bowl and the 96-oz food processor attachment, which are only compatible with Smart System blenders. No other machine, Legacy or Space Saving, can operate these two containers. 

All Smart System containers are incompatible with Space Saving blenders. They simply don’t fit. 

Here is a simple Smart System containers compatibility chart:

	Smart System	Classic*	Next Generation*	Space Saving
64-oz (low-profile) container with SELF-DETECT™	✓	–	✓
48-oz container with SELF-DETECT™	✓	✓	✓	–
48-oz stainless steel container	✓	✓	✓	–
48-oz Aer™ disc container	✓	✓	✓	–
20-oz blending cup with SELF-DETECT™	✓	✓**	✓**	–
8-oz blending bowl with SELF-DETECT™	✓	–	–	–
96-oz food processor attachment	✓	–	–	–

*The SELF-DETECT features don’t work on any Classic blender
**Personal cup adapter required

Legacy

Vitamix containers specifically designed for Legacy blenders include:

Legacy containers are incompatible with Smart System and Space Saving blenders. With the former, the motor won’t drive the blade on a container without SELF DETECT. With the latter, the containers simply don’t fit. 

Here is a simple Legacy containers compatibility chart:

	Smart System	Classic	Next Generation	Space Saving
64-oz (tall) container	–	✓	–	–
64-oz (low-profile) container	–	✓*	✓	–
48-oz container	–	✓	✓	–
48-oz stainless steel container	✓	✓	✓	–
48-oz Aer™ disc container	✓	✓	✓	–
32-oz container	–	✓	✓	–
20-oz blending cup with an adapter	–	✓**	–	–

*Compatible only with Classic blenders with 2.2 HP motor (5300 and 6500)
**Compatible only with 5200, 5300, 6300, 6500, 7500, 780, TurboBlend, E310, E320

Space-Saving

Vitamix containers specifically designed for Space Saving blenders include:

• 40-oz container
• 20-oz blending cup

Space Saving blenders are limited to batches as big as 40 oz and as small as 20 oz. Bigger containers (Smart System or Legacy) don’t fit on the base, and the 8-oz bowl doesn’t have the proper magnet to trigger Space Saving machine’s motor.

Vitamix Containers – Size & Capacity

Now that you know which Vitamix container works on which blender, the question is – what size is the best for you? Which Vitamix container should you get?

The short answer is that the container that comes with your machine (all Vitamix blenders come with a container), can do all essential blender tasks. But since some containers specialize in certain tasks and have different quantity limitations, you might be considering a second container.

Note: If you don’t own a Vitamix blender yet, don’t pick a blender for your container. It’s more important to find a blender that fits your needs rather than pick the perfect container. You can always get an additional container later.

64-oz Vitamix Container

The 64-oz container comes in two different designs – tall and low-profile.

64-oz Vitamix (tall) Container

• Capacity: 64 ounces
• Height: 13.4 inches (20.5 inches when on the base); doesn’t fit under most kitchen cabinets.
• Blade: stainless-steel, non-removable, 3 inches in diameter.
• Minimum volume of ingredients: designed to process medium and large batches of food. However, because of its unique design and perfectly controlled vortex, it also easily handles single-serving batches. You can blend as small as 8 oz of mostly liquid blends (juices, smoothies, dressings, etc.) and as small as 20 oz of thick blends (dips, nut butters, frozen desserts, etc.).
• Tamper included: yes
• Compatibility: Legacy Classic

64-oz Vitamix (low-profile) Container

• Capacity: 64 ounces
• Height: 10.1 inches (17.25 inches when on the base); fits under most kitchen cabinets.
• Blade: stainless-steel, non-removable, 4 inches in diameter.
• Minimum volume of ingredients: designed to make medium and large batches of food. Because the container is wider, it requires larger minimum quantity compared to the tall and narrow 64-oz container – 16-oz for liquid blenders (juices, smoothies, dressings, etc.) and 28-oz for thick blends (dips, nut butters, frozen desserts, etc.).
• Tamper included: yes
• Compatibility: Smart System (the container must have the SELF-DETECT label), Legacy Classic with 2.2 HP motor (5300, 6500), Legacy Next Generation

48-oz Vitamix Container

• Capacity: 48 ounces
• Height: 10.25 inches (17.4 inches when on the base); fits under most kitchen cabinets.
• Blade: stainless-steel, non-removable, 3 inches in diameter.
• Minimum volume of ingredients: designed to make medium batches of food. Because the 48-oz container is slightly wider than the tall 64-oz container, the minimum blending quantity is larger even though the maximum capacity is smaller – 12 oz for liquid blends (juices, smoothies, dressings, etc.) and 24 oz for thick blends (dips, nut butters, frozen desserts, etc.).
• Tamper included: yes
• Compatibility: Smart System (the container must have the SELF-DETECT label), Legacy.

40-oz Vitamix Container

• Capacity: 40 ounces
• Height: 9.11 inches (15.66 inches when on the base); fits under all kitchen cabinets.
• Blade: stainless steel, removable with a rubber seal, 3 inches in diameter.
• Minimum volume of ingredients: designed to make small batches of food. It has a similar narrow design at the bottom as the 64-oz (tall container). So, you can blend as small as 8 oz of mostly liquid blends (juices, smoothies, dressings, etc.) and as small as 20 oz of thick blends (dips, nut butters, frozen desserts, etc.).
• Tamper included: no
• Compatibility: Space Saving 

Note: online Vitamix only sells the 40-oz container bundled with a Space Saving machine. However, if you call them, you can buy it by itself. 

32-oz Vitamix Container

• Capacity: 32 ounces
• Height: 9.8 inches (16.95 inches when on the base); fits under most kitchen cabinets.
• Blade: stainless-steel, non-removable, 3 inches in diameter.
• Minimum volume of ingredients: designed to make small batches of food. Because the 32-oz container has an identical shape at the bottom as the 48-oz container, the minimum blending quantity is the same – 12 oz for liquid blends (juices, smoothies, dressings, etc.) and 24 oz for thick blends (dips, nut butters, frozen desserts, etc.).
• Tamper included: yes
• Compatibility: Legacy

20-oz Vitamix Cup

• Capacity: 20 ounces
• Height: 8 inches (14.55 inches when on the Space Saving base); fits under all kitchen cabinets.
• Blade: stainless steel, removable with a rubber seal, 3 inches in diameter.
• Minimum volume of ingredients: designed to make single servings of food.
• Tamper included: no
• Compatibility: Smart System (the container must have the SELF-DETECT label), Legacy (the container needs the Personal Cup Adapter)

8-oz Vitamix Bowl

• Capacity: 8 ounces
• Height: 3.8 inches
• Blade: stainless steel, removable with a rubber seal, 3 inches in diameter.
• Minimum volume of ingredients: N/A, designed to make baby food, dressings, and sauces. 
• Tamper included: no
• Compatibility: Smart System

Vitamix Containers – Comparisons

64-oz Tall vs 64-oz Low-Profile Container

The 64-oz tall container is hands down my favorite out of all Vitamix containers. It has been the standard for decades – Vitamix has been selling this container since 1992! – and for a good reason. It has a large capacity yet it’s capable of making single servings. It creates a perfectly controlled vortex, systematically folding ingredients back into the blade, so the contents of the blender don’t splash around or up to the lid during blending. It’s the most versatile out of all Vitamix containers (you don’t typically need an additional container to get any job done).

There are a couple of drawbacks with the tall container though.

The tall container doesn’t fit under most kitchen cabinets when on the base. This isn’t a deal breaker though. First of all, it does fit under some kitchen cabinets (it fits under mine, for instance). Second, I like to keep my kitchen counter clutter-free, so I store the blender in my cupboard anyway. Third, if you really wanted to keep your blender in sight and it didn’t fit, you don’t have to store away the entire machine, just the container. 

I have also heard people complain about cleaning the tall and narrow container. It’s quite hard to clean under the blade with your hands – there is not much room to maneuver and the blade is pointy. But then again – I rarely ever clean the blender by hand. The best way to clean the container is to rinse it thoroughly after each use. Then add one to two drops of dish soap and fill it halfway with warm water. Secure the lid and run the blender on high for 30-60 seconds. Rinse and that’s it! No additional cleaning required (in most cases).

Unfortunately, the 64-oz tall container is only compatible with the Legacy Classic blenders. So, unless you really want a Classic blender, your blender will either come with the 64-oz (low-profile) container (most Vitamix blenders) or the 48-oz container (E310).

48-oz vs 32-oz Container

Those who want to purchase a second Vitamix container most frequently compare the 48-oz container and the 32-oz container.

The containers come in both a wet and dry version, their capabilities are very similar (they more or less do the same thing), the minimum batch size is the same (because the shape of the containers at the bottom is the same), their height is almost identical (the 48-oz is just a bit bulkier), and both lids are vented and tamper-compatible.

So, which one should you get? If you have a 64-oz container already, get the 32-oz container. The 64-oz container is more similar to the 48-oz container, so you will get the more versatility with the 32-oz container.

20-oz Cup vs 8-oz Bowl

The 20-oz cup and the 8-oz bowl are the best containers for making small batches. They both also do blend-and-go.

The difference lays in what they were designed for. The 20-oz cup is best for making smoothies, shakes, and other drinks on the go. It’s also great at making sauces or dressings for a large number of people, e.g. when hosting a party. The 8-oz bowl is indispensable for making baby food. It’s also the perfect size when making sauces or dressings for the family. 

So, which one should you get? It depends on what you would use them for. 

Wet vs Dry Container

The 48-oz container and the 32-oz container come in both a wet and dry version. Vitamix used to also make a 64-oz dry container (I inherited one from my husband’s grandma), but they found that it’s most efficient to blend dry ingredients at smaller amounts (32 ounces or less).

The question is – do you actually need one? Probably not.

The theory behind the dry is it helps to grind it more like a grain mill. In the dry container, ingredients are being pushed up the sides and away from the blade to prevent material packing at the bottom of the container. In the wet container, on the other hand, ingredients are being pulled down into the blade to help the liquefying process. 

However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t make flour, breadcrumbs, or flaxseed meal in a wet container. I have made all of the aforementioned in a wet container with no issues. Unless you’re planning on grinding A LOT, the Vitamix dry container just isn’t worth it. 

Vitamix Containers – Material

The majority of Vitamix containers are made of BPA-free Eastman Tritan Copolyester (a fancy term for plastic). Tritan Copolyester is as strong and durable as polycarbonate, yet formulated without BPA. 

There is now one 48-oz container that also comes in stainless steel (304 grade). Stainless steel was actually the original pre-1991 material Vitamix used for their containers. So, it’s nice to see that Vitamix is going back to basics.

Many people ask if Vitamix offers a glass container. Unfortunately, it doesn’t. You can only find glass containers in conventional blenders because the friction and power of a high-speed blender can make glass shatter. Glass containers are also very heavy (although I would take a heavy container over plastic any time).

Tampers

Vitamix tamper is an indispensable tool designed to remove air pockets and process thick, dense ingredients by pushing the food down into the blade.  Vitamix makes three different tampers for their containers.

• Classic tamper (12.5 inches) for the tall 64-oz container.
• Low-profile tamper (9.75 inches) for the low-profile 64-oz container, all the Smart System containers, and the Space Saving 40-oz container.
• Mini tamper (9.75 inches) for the 48-oz container (without SELF-DETECT) and the 32-oz container.

Which Vitamix Container is Best

So, which Vitamix container should you buy? 

As I already mentioned, if you haven’t purchased a Vitamix blender yet, begin by determining which model is best for you. Then decide which (if any) additional Vitamix container(s) you may need. 

The containers obviously enhance your product, but they should not be the deciding factor.