Which is the Quietest Vitamix Blender

A Vitamix blender can do it all – puree, liquefy, grind, crush, whip… but of all the things a blender can do, here is one thing it doesn’t do well: be quiet.

Fortunately, thanks to the technology, newer Vitamix models are getting quieter, allowing you to make a morning smoothie without waking up the entire house. Vitamix has also produced some quieter models specifically for those who are looking for one.

In this review, I compare the most popular Vitamix models and categorize them based on how loud/quiet they are.

In case you’re not interested in reading the entire review and just want to know which Vitamix blender is the quietest, here is a brief summary:

1. The Quiet One – by far the quietest of all blenders in the world (64 decibels at maximum speed).
2. A3500 (metal finish) – four times as loud as the Quiet One, but the quietest out of all non-commercial Vitamix blenders (84 decibels at maximum speed).
3. Pro 750 (metal finish) – about five times as loud as the Quiet One, but the quietest out of all Vitamix Legacy models (88 decibels at maximum speed).

Noise Levels

The name of the quiet blender game is decibel (dB) level.

The decibel scale is logarithmic (not linear). It goes up in powers of ten, and so every increase of 10dB on the scale is equivalent to a 10-fold increase in sound intensity, which corresponds with a doubling in loudness. 

On the decibel scale, the quietest audible sound is 0 dB (near total silence). A sound of 10 dB is ten times more powerful and twice as loud (a practical example of a 10-dB sound would be breathing). A sound of 20 Db is 100 times more powerful and four times as loud as silence (a practical example of a 20-dB sound would be whispering), and so on. 

As you can see, because decibels are measured logarithmically, a small increase in the number of decibels results in a huge change in the amount of noise. A vacuum cleaner might sound twice as loud as a dishwasher, but the difference is only 10 dB. In the same way, a Vitamix that outputs 84 dB (the A3500) will sound four times as loud as one that is only 64 dB (the Quiet One).

So, if noise is a concern, you might want to stay from the loudest Vitamix models (e.g., the E310 and E320), which go all the way up to 98 dB at maximum speed. That is, the E310 is about ten times as loud as the Quiet One.

It is important to note that the loudness of sounds as perceived by our ears does not conform exactly to the corresponding changes in sound levels in decibels. 

Quietest Vitamix Blenders

There are many features to consider when buying a blender. However, if buying a quiet blender is the top priority, then noise is probably the most important factor. One thing to note is that truly quiet blenders are more expensive than louder blenders due to the extra cost of noise dampening and/or an enclosure. With that said, which are the quietest Vitamix models?

The Quiet One

The quietest blender in the world is The Quiet One with a noise level of only 64 decibels at maximum speed. For reference, a conversation is about 62 dB. So, you can stand next to the Quiet One, blend at maximum speed, and have a normal conversation.

The Quiet One is so quiet due to what Vitamix calls “floating technology”. This technology reduces the vibrations that cause excessive noise when normal appliances are blending. It is essentially a compilation of electromagnetic Sorbothane components which keep the motor, base and cover “floating”. The two primary mechanisms that dramatically reduce noise in this blender are:

1. Magnetically secured sound enclosure: the magnets securely fasten the soundproofing cover while the magnetized Sorbothane rubber on the base absorbs vibration.
2. Floating motor: a great deal of noise comes from motor vibrations. The Quiet One’s motor is surrounded by intricately designed gaskets that prevent vibrations from reaching the rest of the blender. The motor “floats” on these gaskets, which not only dampens the noise, but also improves airflow.

There is no doubt that the Quiet One is a pristine blender that stands out as the first of its kind when it comes to quietness. However, noise levels are not the only factor to consider when buying a blender. Here are some pros and cons of the Quiet One.

Pros:

• Power: the Quiet One is a commercial blender, so it has a very powerful 3-horsepower motor. It quickly pulverizes ingredients  (it can run to speeds up to 37000 RPM) and blends multiple servings at a time.
• Features: this blender is amazingly versatile with 6 program buttons, 34 optimized programs (to keep custom blends consistent), and 93 variable speeds.
• Quietness: the name says it all – the Quiet One is the quietest blender in the world.

Cons:

• Price: commercial blenders are built for consistent daily use in juice bars, coffee shops, and restaurants. They are a significant step-up from non-commercial blenders, which is why they require a bigger initial investment.
• Size: blenders designed for businesses are heavier and bulkier. The Quiet One weighs 20 lb/9 kg and is 24.5 in/62 cm tall when the cover is open. For comparison, the A3500 weighs 15 lb/6.8 kg and is 17.25 in/43.8 cm tall.
• Compatibility: Vitamix is building its future on SELF-DETECT™ technology. The Quiet One doesn’t feature SELF-DETECT™ technology and is incompatible with many Vitamix containers and accessories.
• Warranty: perhaps the biggest drawback of The Quiet One is a short 3-year warranty that only covers commercial use. Using this blender in your home voids the warranty.

Ascent 3500 (metal finish)

The A3500 is a popular blender among both commercial and home users. It is the quietest of all non-commercial Vitamix blenders, blending at 84 decibels at maximum speed. This noise level still allows for maintaining a conversation when the blender is in use, but with a raised voice.

There are two reasons why the A3500 is quieter than other non-commercial Vitamix blenders:

1. Metal finish: blenders with true metal finishes (brushed stainless, black stainless, graphite metal, copper) block the sound of the motor better than plastic ones.
2. Sound-dampening design: the base is slightly wider to enhance airflow cooling, so the motor produces less noise during blending.
   

The A3500 is the most luxurious model Vitamix offers, with the latest and greatest features. If you’re considering the A3500, here are some pros and cons:

Pros:

• Power: one of the most powerful high-speed blenders – the A3500 comes with a 2.2-horsepower motor, which equates to a whopping 1,440 watts.
• Features: the A3500 is the best of the best non-commercial blenders. It features a variable 10-speed dial, 5 preset programs, timer (count up), programmable timer (count down), touchscreen, SELF-DETECT™ technology, and wireless connectivity, which pairs with Vitamix’s “Perfect Blend” app, giving you access to 17 programs and over 500 recipes.
• Compatibility: because of the SELF-DETECT™ technology, the A3500 is compatible with the majority of Vitamix containers and attachments.
• Warranty: the A3500 comes with a full 10-year warranty.

Cons:

• Price: while not as expensive as The Quiet One, the A3500 sits at the end of the price spectrum for non-commercial blenders.
• Container size: all Smart System Vitamix blenders come with a low-profile 64-oz container, which doesn’t handle single servings of food well. This is not a problem if you’re making smoothies for two or preparing meals for four. But if you are planning on using the blender primarily for single servings,  you will need an additional container.

Professional 750 (metal finish)

The Pro 750 is another quiet blender, blending at 88 dB at maximum speed. It is a bit louder than the A3500 but not nearly as loud as most Vitamix models.

Just like the A3500, the Pro 750 relies on:

1. Metal finish
2. Sound-dampening design

The Vitamix Pro 750 was the most feature-rich Legacy (analog) model before Vitamix began offering Smart System (digital) models. Here are some pros and cons of this machine:

Pros:

• Power: there is no difference between the Pro 750 and A3500 when it comes to power. The Pro 750 has a 2.2-horsepower motor, which equates to 1,440 watts.
• Features: the Pro 750 is the most feature-rich Legacy model you can get. The main features include a variable 10-speed dial, 5 preset programs, and a pulse switch.
• Price: there is no cheap Vitamix blender, but the Pro 750 is as good as it gets for the value.
• Warranty: Vitamix offers both new and refurbished blenders. The new Pro 750 comes with a full 7-year warranty, while the refurbished Pro 750 comes with a full 5-year warranty.

Cons:

• Container size: all Legacy Next Generation Vitamix blenders come with a low-profile 64-oz container, which – as I already mentioned – doesn’t handle single servings of food well.
• Compatibility: just like The Quiet One, older Vitamix models, including the Pro 750, don’t feature SELF-DETECT™ technology and are incompatible with many Vitamix containers and accessories.

How to Reduce Blender Noise

If you already own a Vitamix blender and find it too loud, there are a few things you can do to reduce the noise levels. For best results, you might want to combine a few of these options.

• Move the blender away from the walls: sound loves to bounce off and through hard, flat objects, such as walls, ceilings, hardwood floors, tile, or windows. The further the blender is from these objects, the further the sound has to travel and the longer it takes before it bounces. The less the sound bounces, the quieter the blender appears. By simply moving the blender on the kitchen island, it will appear quieter.
• Place a mat under the blender: a blender typically sits on a kitchen counter, which again, is a hard surface. More padding means faster absorption (rather than reflection) of sound waves.
• Create an enclosure for the blender: the more absorbers around the blender, the better. This can mean purchasing an actual enclosure or simply wrapping a towel around the base of the blender, dampening the sound of the blender.
• Blend away from people: while this doesn’t actually reduce the noise of the blender, blending in a room that is the farthest from other family members/neighbors is a practical solution. When my kids are sleeping and napping, I go into the garage, shut the door, and blend away. They have never woken up, and I have one of the loudest Vitamix blenders.
• Soundproof the room where you’re blending: adding sound treatments, such as foam, will certainly reduce blender noise. However, even just adding a rug, plush furniture, or plants can turn a hard, flat room into a softer, quieter area.
• Get a sound enclosure: third party companies, such as Whisper Blend, sell acrylic enclosures compatible with Vitamix blenders that completely shield the sound. At $200, the enclosure is not cheap, but cheaper than Vitamix commercial machine that utilizes a similar form of enclosure.
• Buy a quiet blender: if you have the budget, the best way to reduce blender noise is to buy a quiet blender to begin with. The Quiet One is not only the quietest Vitamix blender but also the quietest blender in the world.

And of course, if it’s just you that bothers the noise, simply wear ear muffs.