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Vitamix E320 Overview + Pros & Cons
A blender that can heat, chop, grind, blend, and emulsify is easy to use! The Vitamix E320 is a very affordable blender that offers all the functionality of more expensive units.
The E320 blender is a larger and more powerful version of the E310. It has a more powerful motor and a more extended warranty (7 years vs. the E310's 5 years). The E320 has a 2.2 horsepower motor that can blend anything you want in a blender.
- Stylish design
- Affordable - Less expensive than most other Vitamix models
- Robust motor - 2.2 horsepower motor is powerful enough to make hot soup
- Easy-to-use controls (10-speed with pulse switch)
- Easy cleaning, no need to disassemble
- Leak-free lid
- 64-ounce (1.89 L) container for a large batch
- 7+ extra accessories
- Durable stainless steel blade
- Dishwasher safe parts
- BPA-free
- 7-year warranty
- Though uncommon, food bits can get in between the switches
- Louder than most Vitamix blenders
- If you get the personal cup attachment, there’s an extra adapter you’d need (a cup within a cup).
Vitamix’s Explorian line of blenders features two models, the E310 and the E320. The Vitamix E320 blender is the bigger brother of the E310. It looks identical, but it has a more powerful motor (2.2 horsepower) and includes a larger container (64 oz). To top it all off, two additional years of extended warranty coverage come. The E 320 features a 7-year comprehensive warranty.
Generally, the E320 costs $50 -$60 more than the E310. Considering the more powerful motor and larger blending container, the E320 is more of a value than the E310. And its my opinion that the E320 provides the most bang for your buck!
The E310 comes with a 48 oz container compared to the E320’s 64 oz container. If you wish to upgrade the container of the E310 to a 64 oz container, it will cost approximately $50-$60. So spend a few more dollars upfront for the E320, which is larger and more powerful.
Let’s take a look at the advantages of Vitamix E320.
Vitamix Explorian E320 Blender Features
What can I make with Vitamix E320?
All blenders can puree, make smoothies, and crush ice. The Vitamix Explorian E320, however, can do those on a whole new level and more! The capabilities of the E320 are some of the best compared to other units at this price point.
Is the E320 Explorian series blender easy to use?
Some high-powered blenders can be intimidating and challenging to use. Just because it’s a high-powered blender doesn’t mean it has to be hard to use. It should be the other way around.
The Vitamix E320 is very straightforward. The unit has a 10-speed dial, a pulse lever, and the power switch. Eliminating clutter on the control panel and using a simple power dial make the E320 one of the easier blenders on the market.
The simplified controls of the E320 are perfect for those who are new to blending. I believe that the basic controls on the E320 are ideal for seniors as well. The pulse feature is nice, as it will allow you to reach the desired texture without having to rely on pre-programmed settings.
Is the Vitamix E320 safe to use?
The Vitamix E320 has a radial cooling fan and a thermal protection system. The Thermal protection system will turn the unit off if the power motor overheats, saving the blender from burning out.
It is normal to smell a plastic or burning smell the first few times the unit is used. The wound motor components will emit a burning smell at they cure during use.
This is entirely normal. The burning smell will disappear over time with regular use.
Is the Vitamix E320 Explorian blender easy to clean?
Cleaning the machine is extremely simple as well. As easy as five steps:
- ½ fill with warm water
- Add a dash of soap
- Run the blender for 30-60 seconds
- Rinse
- You can simply wipe the base with a damp cloth
Or you could run it in your dishwasher.
Is the Vitamix E320 Explorian blender dishwasher safe?
All of the components of the E320 are dishwasher friendly, with the exception of the motor base. JuicingJournal recommends washing any blender parts on the top rack of the dishwasher.
The JuicingJournal team also recommends washing any blender components by hand when possible. Extreme temperatures inside dishwashers can degrade and weaken plastic components over time. Take advantage of the self-cleaning ability of the E320, and let the unit do the cleaning for you!
See it in action
Here’s a quick product demo video of Vitamix Explorian E320.
The Vitamix E320 is a powerful blender that belongs to the affordable series of Vitamix. It highlights a powerful 2.2 horsepower (1500-watt), just like the more premium choices. Moreover, the Vitamix Explorian E320 features a more enormous container, 64-ounce (1.89 L), compared to its E310 sibling—making it ideal for hefty servings.
Vitamix E320 Accessories
One of the major benefits of purchasing a Vitamix brand blender is the number of accessories available. If you want to take your E320 blender to the next level, look no further than the accessories listed below.
Unleash the maximum potential of Vitamix Explorian E320 with these BPA-free accessories.
- Vitamix Container, 48 oz., Clear – 56085
- Vitamix Container, 64oz. Low-Profile
- Vitamix Container, 64-Ounce, Clear
- Vitamix Stainless Steel Container, 48 oz
- Vitamix Aer Disc Container, 48 oz.
- Vitamix 32 Ounce Container
- Vitamix Dry Grains Container, 32 oz.
- Vitamix Personal Cup Adapter
This low-profile 48-ounce (1.4 L) container comes with your E310 blender. It’s perfect for small to medium batches of smoothies or recipes. With its more compact design, it will easily fit under kitchen cabinets. If larger batches are needed, the 64 oz container may be a better option.
A low-profile design doesn’t take much space and is more efficient. A container this big is perfect for making 6-10 servings of smoothies.
The Classic 64 oz container looks like a blast from the past. The only issue I found with this traditional design is that it’s tall (13.5 inches). The 64 oz container is the best option for larger families or higher volume recipes.
The stainless-steel container is geared towards professionals. The stainless-steel container helps to retain the vivid flavors of the ingredients in your recipes. It’s resistant to stains and odors, it’s non-reactive, and most importantly, it’s durable.
Go beyond the Explorian blending capabilities with this Vitamix Aer Disc Container. You can extract juice, emulsify sauces, spreads, dips, dressings, foam drinks, or whip cream with this attachment. Adding the Aer Disc container to the E310, E320, or A2300 turns the blender into a blender / mixer hybrid.
If you’re only preparing for 2 people or yourself, this 32-ounce (946 mL) container is ideal. The 32 oz container doesn’t take a lot of space and is just as easy to clean. I only recommend this for very small recipes. The E310 has a 48 oz container included that may be a little more capable.
If you plan to make flour from scratch, you’d need to get a 32-ounce (946 mL) dry grains pitcher for your Vitamix Explorian E310 blender. It has specially designed blades that create a reverse vortex for a finer grind. You can also use this to grind coffee.
With the Vitamix Personal Cup accessory, your countertop blender can be a personal blender, too! Simply blend and go if you have a busy lifestyle but still want that daily smoothie.
*Please note that the smart detect accessories (for Vitamix Ascent) will not work with Explorian Series blenders.
Is Vitamix E320 worth it?
Vitamix’s Explorian Series is the cheapest offering from the brand. If you need a versatile blender with classic controls and, at the same time, a more modern look, you might want to consider Vitamix E320.
The Vitamix E320 is a powerful blender that belongs to the affordable series of Vitamix. It highlights a powerful 2.2 horsepower (1500-watt), just like the more premium choices. Moreover, the Vitamix Explorian E320 features a much larger container, 64-ounce (1.89 L), compared to its E310 sibling—making it ideal for larger servings.
I highly recommends the E320. The unit’s values cannot be found in any other lines inside the Vitamix family. Sporting a classic look and simple controls, the E320 is hard to beat!
Technical Specifications
| Type | Countertop Blender |
| Brand/Series | Vitamix Explorian Series |
| Model # | VM0197 |
| Price | $$$$ |
| Ratings | 4.3 out of 5 |
| Motor | 2.2 HP |
| Speed | 10 variable speed settings with pulse feature |
| Wattage | 1500 Watts |
| Blade | Stainless Steel |
| Container capacity | 64 oz (1.89 L) container sold separately: 48 oz (1.4 L) pitcher 32 oz (946 mL) container 20 oz (591 mL) personal cup |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| BPA Free | Yes |
| Colors | Black Red |
| Dimensions | 11 x 8 x 18 inches |
| Cord Length | 4.5 feet (1.3 m) |
| Application | Home & Personal Use |
| Warranty | 7 Years |
| Manual | See the Vitamix E320 Owner’s Manual |
| Related Product | Vitamix A3500, Vitamix E310, Vitamix 5200, Vitamix 7500, Ninja BL770, Ninja Foodi Blender |
