In-depth review of the Vitamix 6500 blender

Vitamix 6500 Review

A Vitamix blender isn’t just a blender. That’s the message this company has been putting out to the world since 1969 when they released their first model. The Vitamix 3600 was the first blender that could make hot soup, blend ice cream, grind grain, and knead bread dough. And since 1969, Vitamix has been constantly in competition with itself; releasing new blenders, that keep trying to outdo their predecessors.

The 6500 is no exception to that rule. From salsas to nut butters, Vitamix claims this machine can be used for every meal and for every need. But is the Vitamix 6500 actually worth the price? This review sets out to answer the question, and will help you discover if this is the right blender for you.

Table of Contents

Vitamix 6500 – At a Glance

What comes with the blender?

Vitamix 6500

Professional-Grade Blender
  • Powerful 2.2 horsepower motor
  • Large 64oz container
  • Variable speed control

To put it bluntly, the Vitamix 6500 is a professional-grade blender. That means if you’re a value shopper looking for a budget-friendly gadget, and aren’t planning on using the blender for more than your morning smoothies, it’s probably not the right fit for you.

While it may mean business, the 6500 wasn’t just designed for professional kitchen staff. It’s dead simple to use, with three pre-programmed settings: Frozen Dessert, Hot Soup, and Smoothies. Each setting helps you to be sure that you’re always getting the absolute perfect consistency, no matter what it is you’re trying to prepare.

For those that want more control than what the pre-programmed settings offer, the 6500 also has a variable speed control. You have the ability to choose from 1 to 10 to control the speed at which you want the laser-cut blades to spin. For the perfectionist that needs their creations to be just the right texture and consistency, this is a godsend.

And if you’re one of those folks that would like to use one gadget to make your whole meal, you couldn’t ask for a handier tool than the Vitamix (well…maybe the Instant Pot, but that’s a discussion for another time). Silky smooth butternut squash soup has never tasted so good!

WHAT WE LIKE

  • Highly useful pre-programmed settings
  • Beefy motor cuts down everything with ease
  • Protection from overheating
  • Easy to clean

WHAT WE DON’T LIKE

  • One of the more expensive Vitamix models
  • No noise dampening technology
  • No Smart System options (discussed below)

The Features of the Vitamix 6500

The Vitamix 6500 is a strong, professional-grade blender but it is lacking some features that other Vitamix blenders contain. Let’s break down the features it excels in, and what – if any – shortcomings it may have in store for you.

The Motor

The 6500’s motor is a strong one. It has a peak 2.2 horsepower which is plenty powerful for most things. That being said, most Vitamix models are in the 2.0 – 2.2 peak horsepower range. Sp if you’re looking at a Vitamix blender that has a 2.0 horsepower motor versus the 6500, don’t spend the extra money on the 6500 just for the  moderate increase in motor power. You won’t notice the difference in your daily use.

Pre-Programmed Settings

The 6500’s predecessor was the Vitamix 5200 which also had variable speed control. It’s an excellent feature because it gives you the ability to choose the exact consistency of what you’re looking to blend. But it’s not a new feature. The 6500 is part of the C-Series family of blenders, all of which contain some form of speed control.

What helps set the Vitamix 6500 apart from other Vitamix models is its pre-programmed settings. Not even the newer 7500 contains pre-programmed settings. Even if you use your blender often enough that you think that you know what speed everything you make should be at, the pre-programmed settings can still come in handy. For one thing, it’s much quicker to just push a button than fiddle around with the speed control dial to find the right speed. But also, for more complicated meals such as hot soup, it’s peace of mind to leave it to the professionals behind the blender to determine the optimal speed for creating the friction heat to make cold ingredients hot.

How the Vitamix Makes Hot Soup

Noise Dampening Technology

Unfortunately, if you’re looking for noise dampening technology, you won’t find it on the Vitamix 6500. Although there really isn’t such a thing as a silent blender, some recent models are designed with the idea of at least reducing the decibel level so that your neighbors can’t hear every time you have the blender going. The newer 7500 model from the G-series has such technology, and it’s reported that it has a 40 percent reduction in noise levels. Because the Vitamix 6500 has no such technology, it’s definitely one of Vitamix’s louder options. Take this into consideration if you live that apartment life and also like those late night smoothie snacks!

Overheating Protection

Yet another reason why Vitamix ranks among the best is that all their motors are designed not to overheat. It may be a little frustrating if your blender turns off while you’re using it, but that’s the Automatic Overload Protection at work. If you’ve run your blender for too long or didn’t follow the correct order of ingredients, you may be at risk for overheating, something that happens to all blenders. But with the Vitamix 6500 that risk is greatly reduced because the motor recognizes the heating risk and shuts itself off. The 6500 also contains a radial cooling fan to further limit overheating risks.

Good Size, Good Shape

The 6500 is equipped with a 64 ounce container, which means that you can easily make larger batches of anything that you’d like. But just as conveniently, the 6500 comes with a lower base. Even though the container itself is larger, because the base has a lower profile this makes it easy for the full machine to fit into most cabinets for easy storage.

Pricing

A Vitamix blender is always a financial commitment, but for folks that are looking to take greater control over what they eat, it’s also an investment. There really isn’t an inexpensive option out there by Vitamix. However, along with that steep price tag comes high performance and a manufacturers warranty that’s among the best. Depending on what’s being covered their standard warranty is 7-10 years. The upfront cost that’s paid therefore comes with long term peace of mind.

While Vitamixes always have a high price point, the Vitamix 6500 is notably higher than its predecessors, the E310 and the 5200. It is, however, comparable in price to the models in the Ascent series

Popular Vitamix 6500 Alternatives

If you’re looking to invest in a Vitamix model, depending on your individual needs it’s worth considering a couple other Vitamix blenders that may work just as well, if not better for you. It of course comes down to your lifestyle. Here are two of our top-picks for other Vitamix blenders to consider.

Alternative #1: Vitamix 7500

As mentioned earlier, while the 6500 is an excellent blender, it falls short in the noise dampening department. Enter the Vitamix 7500. With noise dampening in the base station and the motor housing, it’s noticeably quieter and worth considering if you’re looking for that as a key feature.

Alternative #2: Vitamix Ascent Series

Vitamix recently came out with their Ascent series which is their Smart Systems blenders. This line of blenders speaks to the direction that blenders of the future are likely headed. Although the Vitamix 6500 has three pre-programmed settings, the Ascent series takes it a step further.

Ascent blenders connect to Vitamix Perfect Blend app on your phone, giving you access to 17 different programs in the blender. Plus, the blenders pair with Vitamix’s Self-Detect containers. All you have to do is mount the container that you want on the blender and it will automatically process the container size you’re using and adjust program setting and maximum blending times accordingly.

The Smart System technology may not be for everyone. That being said, if you are the kind of person who loves smart home technology and enjoys utilizing the latest technological advances, it’s worth considering.

Conclusion

The Vitamix 6500 offers the beefy power that Vitamix blenders are known for, along with the convenience of three pre-programmed settings. The settings offer consistent results: simply select the appropriate setting and walk away – the blender takes care of the rest. Adding to the convenience is its large 64 oz container, which is excellent for handling batch jobs.

If we had to call out one downside, it’s that the Vitamix 6500 does not have the sound insulation of some of its siblings. We found it could get quite noisy in operation. But if you can live with something that’s noisy under operation then the Vitamix 6500 is a solid investment.

A potential Vitamix shopper is likely willing to spend a little bit more than most consumers on a blender. After all, there’s no such thing as an inexpensive Vitamix. Even so, it should be noted that the Vitamix 6500 can sit on the pricer end. However if you’re patient they do go on sale – at which point the pricing can get quite competitive.

In conclusion, whether you’re lucky enough to grab it on sale or not, a potent combination of power and convenience make the Vitamix 6500 a competitive contender as an all-purpose blender.

Vitamix 6500 Ratings
Blending Power
Noise Level
Price
Build Quality
Easy to Clean
Warranty Coverage

Vitamix 6500

The Vitamix 6500 offers both power and convenience in a compact package, thanks to a low profile housing that allows you to fit the blender easily into most cabinets.  Featuring three pre-programmed settings, it allows you to prepare anything from smoothies to soups with the touch of one-button, and walk away convenience. Its powerful 2.2 hp motor ensures you get the perfect consistency every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, all Vitamix containers are made with Eastman Tritan copolyester which does not contain BPA.
The Vitamix 6500 uses 1640 watts running at 120 volts.

Unfortunately not. The only Vitamix containers that are dishwasher safe are S-Series 20 oz and 40 oz containers. However all Vitamix blenders are pretty easy to clean. All you need to do is fill the container with warm water and a littler dish soap. Then put it on your machine’s highest speed and it should self-clean in 60 seconds or less.

Aside from the price point, with the 6500 being pricier, the biggest differences deal with the blades and the motor. The motor of the 6500 gets a modest boost in horsepower, while its blades are also one inch thicker in diameter than the blades of the 5200. This helps it blend faster and more smoothly. Though the Vitamix 6500 does weigh a bit more than the 5200, its dimensions are a bit smaller, making it easier to stow away.

Yes, you can, but keep in mind that the Vitamix 6500 can also heat up ingredients itself. The friction of the blades are able to create hot soups in under 10 minutes so you don’t have to actually start with hot ingredients to make a hot meal in the 6500.

Yes, you can. You can make any sort of nut butter you’d like with the Vitamix 6500. Just choose the speed you want with the speed control dial and you can get the exact consistency you’re looking for. Keep in mind that you’ll have to take breaks every so often to prevent overheating, as making nut butter can take some time.

The Vitamix 6500 comes with a 7 year warranty. It should be noted however that not everything is covered under this. Cosmetic issues, like discoloration, are not covered and neither are avoidable incidences due to negligence or misuse (such as putting it in the dishwasher). If you sent your Vitamix out to get fixed by a company not affiliated with Vitamix, your warranty is null and void. They also don’t cover blade sharpening.

Vitamix doesn’t rely on sharp blades to operate effectively. In fact, compared to some competitors they’re actually dull. They don’t blend through slicing, they actually blend by pulverizing. You should therefore never come across a time where your blades need to be sharpened.

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