Vitamix A3500 vs A3500i Review: Design, Performance & Final Verdict – Quick Comparison for Serious Blending Enthusiasts

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Both the Vitamix A3500 vs A3500i are super-advanced and high-powered blenders for daily home use, the Vitamix A3500 is the best in the market. It has been designed to simplify blending for the home cook with more automatic blending programs.

It has the Vitamix ‘Perfect Blend’ app which doesn’t work with the Vitamix A3500i. But both blenders feature a touchscreen panel with 10 variable speeds and 5 blending modes. The A3500 has 12 more pre-programmed blends via the app.

The blender is also more lightweight to use. It takes blending, chopping, pureeing, mixing, and food processing to an entirely new level. So you can have more control and precision over your blending needs than what was previously available to you in bulky and noisy food processors or mixers. These Vitamix Ascent blenders are all-in-one.

Vitamix A3500 vs A3500i: Comparision Chart

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Vitamix A3500 vs A3500i: Differences

The Vitamix A3500 is more feature-rich than the A3500i with its Vitamix Blend app compatibility. It also weighs less which makes it all the easier to use on the counter. That’s why it wins 2 – 0 against the A3500i even though both blenders share the same characteristics in blending capacity, speed, and power.

1. Cleaning / Maintenance

The Winner: Vitamix A3500

Vitamix A3500 Maintenance
Vitamix A3500 Maintenance

+Weight

Having the same 64-ounce blending jar made of BPA-free Tritan, you’d expect both the Vitamix A3500 and A3500i to weigh the same as well.

The Vitamix A3500 measures 11 x 8 x 17 inches while the A3500i has a convenient 7.9 x 10.9 x 16.9 inches construction. Though the A3500 is slightly taller than the A3550i that does not contribute to anything significant.

The only difference that is palpable between the Vitamix A3500 vs A3500i –you will notice straight away – is the lightweight construction of the A3500. Especially when putting side by side the A3500i that weighs at least 3-4 pounds heavier: 14.9 vs18.2 lbs.

The motor base of the A3500 is heavy-duty without the added bulkiness. You won’t find many blenders that come with this size and shape of construction. It’s user-friendly and easy to maneuver with dishwasher-safe parts including the jar, lid, and blades.

2. Utilities

The Winner: Vitamix A3500

Vitamix A3500 Utilities
Vitamix A3500 Utilities

+Pairs With Vitamix ‘Perfect Blend’ App

Both the A3500 and A3500i come with wireless connectivity. But on the A3500i, the wireless connectivity is only for their self-detect technology. You can use differently-sized blenders (part of the Ascent Series label) on the A3500i. It will auto-detect the size and adjust the speed and power of the blender accordingly. You don’t have to step in and set things up yourself.

In comparison, the A3500 does 2 things with its wireless connectivity. In addition to the self-detect technology, it also syncs with the Vitamix ‘Perfect Blend’ app. You can access more blending programs, up to 17, and hundreds of recipes with adjustable portions.

With the app, you can also control the programmable digital timer and speed of the blender. The timer has auto-turn off after the time you’ve set up is completed. So you don’t have to physically walk up to the blender to turn it off.

In contrast with the A3500i, the A3500 is more flexible, user-friendly, and supportive of multi-tasking. You can texturize your blends more specifically to certain blending programs. These are smoothies, hot soup, frozen dessert, spread, dry chopping, nut butter, cold milk foam, dressing, grinding, baby food, and much more.

Each recipe has the right measurements with the nutritional profile, pantry lists, shopping lists, and other exciting benefits. And the app can be downloaded on any smartphone or tablet.

Vitamix A3500 vs A3500i: Similarities

Both blenders give you plenty of power for smooth, lump-free, and quiet blending. They are powerful enough to take over most of your food processing, chopping, blending, mixing, grinding, and pureeing needs.

They possess 5 blending programs for smoothies, hot soup, frozen desserts, dips & spreads, and self-cleaning. And 10 variable speeds (for longer blending control) and a pulse feature for lightly chopping/grinding/pureeing ingredients that you do not want to blend for longer than a few seconds.

The sleek touchscreen panel has a striking display that shows you what speed you’re at, what blending program, and how much time has passed since you started blending. Right next to that is the programmable timer settings with ‘+’ and ‘-‘ icons.

There is a dial that you can use to adjust the speed levels. So you always have an accurate experience of setting up the speed without slipping.

What’s the most favorite thing about the Vitamix Ascent Series is how automated its blending programs are. Both do a superb job of blending dry, wet, thin, thick, oily, non-oily mixtures in less than a minute.

The blades also do boast of friction at the highest speeds. So you can make steaming hot soup right out of the jar itself. The motor says cool and quiet throughout. And speaking of the jar, it is a BPA-free Tritan construction with a scratch-resistant and heat-proof design. It’s strong with a tight lid and a convenient handle. Plus, a long tamper makes pouring and scooping easy.

Additional accessories, on both blenders, include a cookbook with lots of exciting recipes, a 1-year warranty, and dishwasher-friendly parts.

Quick Rundown of Vitamix A3500

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Pros
  • Wide-range blender with power 2.2 HP motor.
  • It has 17 auto programs with 10 variable speeds.
  • Programmable timer on the control panel and app.
  • Sleek and brushed stainless steel design with glass panel.
  • Strong and easy to clean 64-ounce blender jar.
  • The ‘Hot Soup’ blending mode is my favorite.
  • It self-cleans in less than 60 seconds.
  • The blades are very sturdy and durable.
  • You can blend continuously with a tamper.
  • Long-lasting 10-year warranty included.
Cons
  • Minor design issues with lid and jar.

Quick Rundown of Vitamix A3500i

Pros
  • Intuitive and response self-detect technology.
  • 5 walk-away blending programs for automatic control.
  • Manual speed control with 10 variable speeds.
  • Best blender for making nut butter with quick clean-up.
  • Touchscreen display with timer, blending modes, speed & pulse.
  • You can use the blender for longer than 10 years.
  • The 64-ounce blender is heat-proof and scratch-resistant.
  • The tamper is useful for scraping the sides without stopping.
  • Stable and efficient 2.3 HP motor.
Cons
  • It is heavier than the A3500.
  • No ‘Perfect Blend’ app compatibility.
  • Not as programmable as the A3500 for recipes.

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References

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