Vitamix A3500 vs 6500 Review: Which Model Is Better Than A Standard Blender For Daily Blending Use & Versatile Recipes?

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You can use either the Vitamix A3500 vs 6500 if you’re looking for a high-quality and powerful blender. But for more programmability, the Vitamix A3500 is the winner. It can do everything a blender/mixer/food processor/chopper/juicer can do. With touchscreen controls, app compatibility, and a flexible self-detect system.

The Vitamix 6500 is just as good and stable as the A3500. Both blenders have the same speed controls, pulse feature, and motor performance. What’s different is how seamlessly customizable the A3500 is for advanced and versatile use.

This is just one of the reasons why the Vitamix A3500 is better than the 6500. Read more to find out the rest…

Vitamix A3500 vs 6500: Comparision Chart

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Vitamix A3500 vs 6500: Differences

The Vitamix A3500 is better than (2 – 0) the 6500 because it gives you more one-touch blending programs for chopping, spice grinding, pureeing, etc. It is also one of the smartest blenders for home use at a low cost.

1. Controls / Settings

The Winner: Vitamix A3500

Vitamix A3500 Controls

+Self-Detect Technology

On its own, the Vitamix A3500 is a 64-ounce blender jar. 64 ounces goes up to 2 liters which means it’s suitable for large households and bigger batches of food. But what’s special about the Vitamix A3500 is that it can, and does, support multiple blending capacities.

The popular ‘Self-Detect’ technology allows you to use other blender jars of smaller sizes on the A3500 without any set up. You don’t have to meddle with the speed or program mode on the A3500, it detects the switch automatically and adjusts on its own.

This means you can use a blender jar as much as 32 ounces for single-serve smoothies, dips and spreads, juices, etc. And switch back and forth between a bigger size such as the 64-ounce jar to make butter, marinade sauces, frozen desserts, etc.

Unfortunately, the 6500 does not come with this stellar technology. It does feature the same 64-ounce container as the A3500. But with no flexible blender jar options. This means if you want a smaller blending jar, you have to buy it separately, along with the motor base, which will cost more.

In that case, it makes more sense to opt for a flexible blender like the Vitamix Ascent A3500 that gives you more options in a single package.

+Blending Modes

Whether you use a blender occasionally or every day to make something or the other, automated blending programs are a must. They allow quick one-touch features for blending intricate recipes like a smoothie, hot soup, frozen desserts, and dips and spreads.

In fact, the A3500 goes as far as allowing wireless connectivity for pairing with the Vitamix ‘Perfect Blend’ app. This has 11 more blending programs and over 600 recipes for you to try out.

The 6500, on the other hand, is effective but entry-level. It has 10 variable speeds (just like the A3500) and only 3 blending programs. The pre-programmed modes are for a smoothie, hot soup, and frozen dessert.

While the 10 variable speed adjustability is capable of performing all kinds of blending. You have fewer one-touch means of setting up a blend in the 6500 – which probably means you have to take some time out to figure out which speed does what.

+Bluetooth App & Digital Timer

The Vitamix can make a host of blending recipes at the tap of a screen. Be it the touchscreen panel of the A3500 or the Vitamix Perfect Blend it pairs with seamlessly. The app has 17 blending programs and an entire recipe catalog. Letting you pick how you would like to adjust the portion size of each ingredient and set up a timer as well.

The 6500 features no wireless connectivity. What you see on the control panel is what you get. This includes the 3 blending modes and 10 variable speeds. But the A3500 offers a lot more, including the digital timer.

2. Utilities

The Winner: Vitamix A3500

Vitamix A3500 Utilities

+Control Panel

By appearance and design, the touchscreen panel of the A3500 is more intuitive and durable. It has touchscreen blending modes, timer settings, and a sleek dial for adjusting the speed from 1 to 10 levels.

On the 6500, you have access to the standard rotary dial for blending modes and speed. And a power switch and pulse feature switch. The durability of control panel is impressively sturdy and easy to maintain.

It does what it’s designed to do which is to help you make faster blending adjustments without guesswork. But when seen from the point of view of design and appearance, the touchscreen panel is versatile, advanced, and responsive to use.

I also found that the smooth polished glass surface of the touchscreen is easier to clean than the plastic-y switches and rotary dial of the 6500.

+Warranty

The Vitamix A3500 is only $50 more expensive than the 6500. And for that extra cost, you get more intricate programmability, wireless app syncing, and a longer warranty.

Unlike the other features that the 6500 does not have but the A3500 does, you can extend its warranty by 3 to 4 years for more money.

This means adding $60 to $80 more to your budget when you want to buy the basic, entry-level Vitamix 6500 blender.

And the Vitamix A3500 will give you a lot of features and benefits plus a longer warranty for much cheaper.

Vitamix A3500 vs 6500: Similarities

1. Speed Control

Vitamix A3500 Speed Control

Whether you buy the A3500 or 6500, both are high-quality Vitamix blenders. And Vitamix blenders are known for their powerful motor (2.2 HP) and high-speed stainless steel blades. And the A3500 and 6500 blenders offer both – 4-inch blades with 10 variable speeds.

They are strong enough to turn chunky fruits and vegetables into soup in a matter of seconds. This not only saves your time while meal prepping but it also increases the nutritional value of the food you’re cooking.

So the 10 variable speeds of the Vitamix A3500 and 6500 are of great help when you want to make a variety of recipes like a smoothie, protein shake, soup, butter, dips and spreads, sauces, frozen desserts, etc.

Speaking of making unconventional recipes in a blender, I want to talk about how fast a Vitamix blender can make soup! Just add all the ingredients to the blender, close the lid tight, and the blender will make hot soup in under 3 minutes.

The fast-spinning blades create friction and produce heat that makes the soup hot without overloading the motor. The blender jar is made of heat-proof materials and is also very sturdy to use.

2. Self-Cleaning Function

After making a sticky and messy recipe like butter, the last thing you want to do is clean the blender jar manually. Thankfully, both A3500 and 6500 feature a self-cleaning cycle that auto-rinses the insides of the jar, including and especially under the fast-spinning blades.

This makes the blending experience easier and hassle-free. You go from prepping to blending to enjoying your meal in lesser time than anticipated.

3. Pulse Feature

The pulse feature comes in handy when you want to coarsely chop vegetables and fruits. This is good for when you want to chop ingredients and not puree them to a pulp. I’ve found it very helpful also when making ice cream or smoothies to ensure that there aren’t any lumps remaining in the final results.

It contributes to maintaining a smooth texture quality consistently. You can start and stop the pulse setting for as little as 1 second or keep it on for longer to cut through thick ingredients like potatoes, shredded chicken, beetroot, and carrots.

Quick Rundown of Vitamix A3500

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Pros

It can crush frozen ingredients without making a loud noise.
Quick and easy to assemble with dishwasher-safe parts.
Self-cleaning cycle is very helpful for daily use.
Additional attachments like tamper, attachment, and cookbook.
You can keep it on the counter without any hassle.
Powerful 2.2 motor with 10 variable speeds.
It pairs seamlessly with Vitamix ‘Perfect Blend’ app.
You can use a smaller-sized jar with self-detect.

Cons

The 64-ounce jar does not blend in small quantities.

Quick Rundown of Vitamix 6500

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Pros

Speedy and consistent 2.2 HP motor performance.
The low-profile 64-ounce container doesn’t take up too much space.
Accurate 10 variable speed dial with 3 blending modes.
The texture quality is consistent and rich.
Straightforward functionality that’s easy to use.
Ideal for entry-level users.
You can walk away from the blender while blending.
The blades get hot to heat up soup quickly.

Cons

It is noisy at higher speeds.
It does overheat after prolonged use.

Product Videos

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References

Vitamix A3500 from Vitamix https://www.vitamix.com/us/en_us/shop/a3500

5/5 - (1 vote)

Foodplayer Linda

I am sure you love food. Otherwise, you won’t be here. As a full-time and a part-time chef at a local restaurant, I know my way around food. Ever since I was a young girl, I enjoyed helping my mom in the kitchen.

We would often experiment with the spices, ingredients, and flavors and create great meals for my brothers and dad. Since cocking was my first passion, I decided to go in that direction. I finished culinary school, got my first job, and started developing my skills.

Later when kids came, I had all the liberty in the kitchen to combine some of the unique flavors. A lot of them were a success, but now and there I would make a couple of mistakes.