Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

For health reasons we wanted a great blender however budget was a big consideration. We put it on our Amazon store card for 6 months financing. We first ordered the 5300 refurbished at the price of 299.00. We instantly fell in love with it. The capabilities of these machines is amazing. However I became interested in the differences between all the models so stared my research. When the 2300 was priced at only $70 more I wondered if would be worth the small difference. For the extra warranty (10 vs 5 ) ad a few other reason we decided to keep 2300 and return the 5300. Here’s why. I want to point out something that is quite important when comparing all the vitamix models sold as home units. There is really NO differences at all in the capabilities of the machine regarding actual blending power!! If you do a search for Vitamix commercial blender on google you will get a completely different part of their website. These are the ones used in bars, commercial kitchens etc. Now these really are the expensive ones!! Even the home use models that say Pro on them offer additional features not power. It also clearly states on the warranty cards of the home use models warranty voided if used in a commercial setting. On to the differences why we decided on the Ascend 2300 vs the 5300. (Note that most of the actual changes of the Ascend series were based on long time Vitamix customers suggestions) Number 1 reason was the warranty. At $70 bucks more. (the price fluctuates daily btw) its a wise financial move. The 2300 has a quieter motor however its really only noticed at the lower numbered setting. As a huge amount of the recipes call for you to blend on setting 10 the noise level is about the same. We prefer the positive click that you hear when attaching the lid. You feel its secure as opposed to the rubber lid of the 5300. Also the lid plug feels more positive when it secured. Its definitely easier to read the measurements on the side of the container of the 2300. The pour spout is improved for less spillage. As some of the recipes call for a time to blend the count up timer feature is helpful but not essential if you can look at a clock of any kind. Probably the thing that tipped me most in favor of the 2300 regarding functionality was the lackluster reviews of the personal size adapter container for the 5300 series. It is functional but clunky and it appears that its too easy to not seal the thing correctly thus getting splattered by your mix! The Ascend personal size container is due to be released anytime now and it is a completely different design. Hope this helps folks. Edit. I would like to point out that I had a detailed discussion with Vitamix support regarding the differences I have posted about. I am after all a truth teller!!