Is Vitamix E320 Good?
Yes, the Vitamix E320 makes sense if you want one blender for more than cold drinks. Its ten-speed dial lets you build speed as the food starts to move. The pulse switch gives you short bursts for coarse blends. Its supplied tamper helps push thick food toward the blades when you use it through the secured lid. In Vitamix E320 vs Ninja BN701, that mix of tools is why I lean toward the E320 for keen home cooks. It gives you more room to steer the blend.
Picture a Sunday meal prep session with a large smoothie batch, a dip, and a soup recipe. I would choose the E320 for that kind of plan. Those are use cases, not accounts of my own tests. The wide 64-ounce jar suits medium and large batches, though it can be a poor match for a tiny portion of thick sauce. You also need to set the speed and stop the blend yourself. The E320 has no preset drink cycles. Its higher usual price makes most sense when you will use that extra range often.
What Makes It Stand Out
- Ten variable speedsA dial lets you change speed as the blend moves from coarse to fine.
- Pulse switchShort bursts help you keep some texture in foods such as salsa.
- 64-ounce low-profile jarThe wide jar suits medium and large batches for meals or guests.
- Supplied tamperThe matched tamper helps move thick food with the lid secured. Follow the manual.
- Friction heatingThe blades can heat a suitable soup blend through friction. There is no built-in heater.
- Blend-to-clean methodWarm water and a drop of dish soap can clean the jar in 30 to 60 seconds.
- Seven-year warrantyNew US E320 models carry seven-year coverage, subject to terms. Check the exact listing and condition.
My Recommendation
In Vitamix E320 vs Ninja BN701, I would choose the E320 for frequent cooking, thick blends, and fine speed control. Buy it when those uses justify the extra cost.
| Best For | Why |
|---|---|
| Frequent home cooks | More control across drinks, dips, sauces, and soup recipes. |
| Thick-blend fans | The supplied tamper helps keep food moving. |
| Family meal prep | The 64-ounce jar suits larger batches. |
Is Ninja BN701 Good?
Yes, the Ninja BN701 is a good fit if cold drinks lead your wish list. It pairs a large pitcher with stacked blades and three Auto-iQ cycles. These cycles mix timed bursts, pauses, and blending. You can also use low, medium, high, or pulse. In Vitamix E320 vs Ninja BN701, I see the Ninja as the simpler choice for a household that wants frozen fruit drinks without much dial work. Its 72-ounce pitcher has a 64-ounce maximum liquid fill, so the larger number does not mean it holds more liquid than the E320.
For a backyard cookout, I would put the Ninja on the list for a batch of frozen drinks. For a weekday breakfast, its timed cycles could help make the process feel less like guesswork. These are practical examples, not firsthand test results. There are clear trade-offs. The BN701 has no tamper, so thick food may need a stop and stir with the power off. Its loose blade stack also needs care when you clean or pour. It is not for hot liquids. Still, if cold drinks are the main job, its lower usual cost is hard to ignore.
What Makes It Stand Out
- 1,400 peak wattsNinja advertises peak power for ice and frozen blends. Peak watts are not a direct test of blend quality.
- 72-ounce pitcherThe pitcher has a 64-ounce maximum liquid capacity.
- Three Auto-iQ cyclesTimed blend patterns reduce the need to judge each blend by hand.
- Manual controlsLow, medium, high, and pulse give you simple hands-on choices.
- Stacked blade assemblyRemovable blades sit at several levels in the pitcher for ice and cold blends.
- Dishwasher-safe partsThe pitcher and blades can go in the dishwasher when placed as the manual directs.
- One-year limited warrantyThe standard US warranty is shorter than the E320 warranty and remains subject to its terms.
My Recommendation
For Vitamix E320 vs Ninja BN701 on a tight budget, I would pick the Ninja for cold drinks and preset ease. Choose it when soup and thick spreads are not key uses.
| Best For | Why |
|---|---|
| Frozen drink fans | Stacked blades and timed cycles suit ice-based drinks. |
| Budget buyers | The usual purchase cost is much lower. |
| Shared kitchens | Clear buttons make common blends easy to start. |
Vitamix E320 vs Ninja BN701: Side-by-Side Test
This Vitamix E320 vs Ninja BN701 comparison uses specs and design features, not a hands-on test. The scores below reflect my view of each design for the stated task. They are not measured lab scores.
Think of the E320 as a set of kitchen tools in one base. The BN701 is more like a shortcut to a cold drink. Neither choice needs to stretch your budget past what your meals call for.
Blend Control: Which Gives You More Say?
Control is a key split in Vitamix E320 vs Ninja BN701.
| Feature | Vitamix E320 | Ninja BN701 |
|---|---|---|
| Speed choices | Ten variable speeds | Low, medium, and high |
| Pulse | Dedicated pulse switch | Pulse button |
| Preset cycles | None | Three Auto-iQ cycles |
⭐ Vitamix E320 – 9/10 | Ninja BN701 – 8/10
The E320 has the edge for fine control; the Ninja wins for preset ease.
Thick Blends: Which Helps Food Move?
A thick dip needs more help than a thin shake.
| Feature | Vitamix E320 | Ninja BN701 |
|---|---|---|
| Tamper | Included | Not included |
| Help during blending | Use matched tamper through secured lid | Stop and power off before stirring |
| Design fit | Better equipped for thick recipes | Better suited to flowing cold blends |
⭐ Vitamix E320 – 9/10 | Ninja BN701 – 6/10
The E320 has the edge because its tamper helps keep thick food near the blades.
Frozen Drinks: Which Makes More Sense?
For Vitamix E320 vs Ninja BN701, both can make frozen drinks, but the workflow differs.
| Feature | Vitamix E320 | Ninja BN701 |
|---|---|---|
| Ice handling | Manual speed and pulse control | Total Crushing stacked blades |
| Timed cycles | User controls run time | Auto-iQ timed patterns |
| Main appeal | Control across more recipes | Easy cold drinks at lower usual cost |
⭐ Vitamix E320 – 8/10 | Ninja BN701 – 9/10
The Ninja has the edge for frozen-drink ease and value, without a claim of better measured texture.
Hot Soup: Which Can Handle It?
Hot soup is one of the clearest gaps in Vitamix E320 vs Ninja BN701.
| Feature | Vitamix E320 | Ninja BN701 |
|---|---|---|
| Hot liquids | Permitted with manual precautions | Do not blend hot liquids |
| Heat from blending | Can heat suitable soup through friction | Not intended for this use |
| Built-in heater | No | No |
⭐ Vitamix E320 – 9/10 | Ninja BN701 – 0/10
The E320 wins for hot soup; the Ninja’s zero score marks an unsupported task.
Batch Size: Which Holds More?
Check the fill limit before you treat the pitcher size as usable drink space.
| Feature | Vitamix E320 | Ninja BN701 |
|---|---|---|
| Stated jar size | 64 ounces | 72 ounces |
| Liquid fill | Follow 64-ounce jar markings and recipe limits | 64-ounce maximum liquid capacity |
| Tiny thick portions | Wide jar may need a larger batch | Large pitcher is not ideal for tiny portions |
⭐ Vitamix E320 – 8/10 | Ninja BN701 – 8/10
This is a tie for family batches; the Ninja’s 72-ounce label does not add liquid capacity.
Cleanup: Which Fits Your Routine?
In Vitamix E320 vs Ninja BN701, cleanup comes down to fixed blades versus removable parts.
| Feature | Vitamix E320 | Ninja BN701 |
|---|---|---|
| Routine cleaning | Blend warm water with a drop of dish soap | Wash removable parts or use dishwasher as directed |
| Blade removal | Not needed for routine cleaning | Removable sharp blade stack |
| Main trade-off | Sticky food may need extra cleaning | More care needed when handling blades |
⭐ Vitamix E320 – 9/10 | Ninja BN701 – 8/10
I give the E320 a slight edge for routine rinses; the Ninja suits dishwasher users.
Cost and Coverage: Which Is Better Value?
The best value in Vitamix E320 vs Ninja BN701 depends on how often you blend and what you make.
| Feature | Vitamix E320 | Ninja BN701 |
|---|---|---|
| Usual price level | Higher | Lower |
| Standard new US warranty | Seven years, subject to terms | One year limited, subject to terms |
| Best value case | Frequent use across many recipes | Cold drinks with a lower upfront cost |
⭐ Vitamix E320 – 8/10 | Ninja BN701 – 9/10
The Ninja wins on upfront value; the E320 offers more range and longer standard coverage.
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
My overall choice in Vitamix E320 vs Ninja BN701 is the E320 for cooks who want more range. Its tamper, ten speeds, and hot-soup ability give it more jobs to do. The longer standard warranty helps support its higher cost.
I would choose the Ninja BN701 for cold drinks, preset ease, and a tighter budget. If smoothies and frozen drinks cover your needs, it may be all you need. Pay for the tasks you will use each week.
