Vitamix Ascent A2300i review

Vitamix blenders have come a long way since the professional-standard machines started making their way into our homes. The A2300i is a great example of why they became so popular, combining the brand’s signature ability to heat soup with the friction of its blades, turn frozen fruit into healthy desserts and generally blitz its way through any other food preparation chores. However, the A2300i is more than just one of the best blenders  – it’s sleeker and smarter than its predecessors, looks great out on display and has the ability to ‘evolve’ thanks to auto detection technology. What this means is that it adapts when Self-Detect containers are added to the base – so you can use it with extra blending cups and bowls to create a multipurpose machine, a little like a food processor.  

While the prices of the Vitamix A2300i is high, you need to think of it as an investment piece for your kitchen – it’s designed to last for years, which sets it apart from cheaper models. Its day-to-day price is rarely discounted from the RRP of £449 between retailers, so if you do spot it in a sale, it should be the best time to buy.

Want more blender reviews? Read our in-depth reviews of the NutriBullet Combo and Sage Super Q Blenders here

Vitamix A2300i design

If you’ve ever been frustrated by a blender that felt light and flimsy, the A2300i is for you. Not only is its build quality reassuringly robust, its design is user-friendly, with cable storage at the back for its generous 1.2m cord, a sleek fascia with just two switches and a dial, and a drop-on jug with clip-on lid that doesn’t require any twisting in place – ideal for those with wrist issues. Inside, four blades – two flat and two angled – make short work of anything that comes into contact with them. This is also why there’s a tamper in the box; it  pokes through the lid to nudge frozen ingredients back towards the blades, should they stray. Plus, there are carry handles at either side of the base that enable you to move the food processor around the kitchen safely.

Vitamix A2300i functionality

One area where the A2300i differs from some of the other top blenders on the market, is its lack of programmes. Its control dial features only 10 variable speeds, so at first, you’ll need to rely on the recipe book to ascertain which speeds work best for different foods. There’s also only a count-up timer, rather than a countdown. While this is handy for knowing how long you’ve been blending, it’s not as convenient if you want to walk away and leave the machine to do its work without going too far. 

The exception is when making soup on the top speed; the machine automatically stops after 6 minutes 30 seconds so it doesn’t overheat. Either side of the dial are two switches – one for pulse and one to start and stop the machine – and that’s it. When you’ve finished blending, you can flick it off at the side with the rocker switch or leave the machine to go into sleep mode (which it does after a minute of non-use).

Vitamix A2300i performance

The Vitamix A2300i is one of the best blenders that we tested, handling every task flawlessly. There was no trace of fruit fibres, seeds or flecks of spinach remaining in our green smoothie, and while the ice we crushed with it was a little chunkier than snow, nudging it back towards the blades and running the pulse again made it cocktail-ready. Likewise, the soup made from tomatoes, carrot and stock was beautifully smooth and, by the end of the blending process, steaming hot. The exterior of the jug was very warm to the touch after processing and heating the soup, but not so hot as to burn. One thing to note is that the A2300i is noisy on the top speeds. This is understandable as its peak can be 2.2 horsepower, but it’s not something you’d want to hang around and listen to. See how other models compare in our best blenders report.

Vitamix A2300i weight 

While the A2300i’s two-litre jug is durable yet deceptively light, the base unit is weighty, meaning the whole machine comes in at a bicep-busting 6.93kg. This means it’s best to pick a place for it to live and to leave it there, rather than heaving it in and out of a cupboard or off a shelf each time you want to use it. 

Vitamix A2300i cleaning

The Vitamix A2300i’s wide jug and lid meant it was just as easy to clean by hand as in the dishwasher. A handy trick is to clean both in situ by filling the jug with warm water, a drop of washing-up liquid and running it for up to a minute to shift any stubborn food debris.

Vitamix A2300i warranty

A blender’s guarantee often speaks to its manufacturer’s confidence in its products, so there’s little surprise that the A2300i boasts a 10-year warranty for the whole package. Meaning that you should be able to blitz and blend without issue for years to come.

Vitamix A2300i summary

There’s no getting away from the fact that the Vitamix A2300i is pricier than some of the best blenders on the market. But it does deliver on both professional results and power. It’s the perfect partner if you’re trying to eat more healthily – smoother smoothies, fat-free desserts and easy soups are a few of the treats it can whisk up, as well as nut butters, doughs and dressings. If you’re looking for a blender that’ll tackle a wide range of kitchen tasks as well as be easy to use and maintain, the A2300i should be at the top of your wishlist.