Vitamix A3500 Review (2022) Flagship Ascent Series Smart Blender

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Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Blender, Brushed Stainless
Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Blender, Brushed Stainless

Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series is one of the best smart blenders in the market, featuring a sleek modern design and unrivaled functionality. There’s no wonder why Vitamix Ascent is the most popular countertop blender right now.

It’s the perfect machine for making any kind of smoothie, crushing ice, hot soups, dips and nut butter, and occasional healthy frozen treats. With an optional attachment, you can even turn it into a proper food processor. It’s a total utilitarian package.

Awards

  • → Best Smart Blender

What made it stand out from hundreds of competitors is its over-the-top high-tech features. If you pair your blender with the Vitamix Perfect Blend App, you’ll have a total of 17 programmed settings. That feature takes away the guesswork for a perfect blend.

If you’re looking for a premium smart blender with gorgeous color options, Vitamix A3500 is an exciting choice.

Now, let’s take a look at its pros and cons.

PROS

  • Minimalist design
  • Five built-in program settings
  • Programmable timer
  • Plus 17 preset programs when linked to the Vitamix app
  • Robust motor power
  • Touch interface
  • Ten variable speed with pulse control
  • Includes 64-ounce (1.89 L) low profile container
  • Ounce and cup measurement markings
  • Transparent lid for a better view
  • The lid plug can be used as a measuring cup
  • Laser-cut hardened stainless steel blade
  • Built-in wireless connectivity
  • Optional accessories with Self-Detect system
  • BPA-free
  • Dishwasher safe and self-cleaning
  • 10-year warranty

CONS

  • Top end product with a premium price tag

Vitamix Ascent Series A3500 Features

What can I make with Vitamix A3500?

This Vitamix Ascent Series Blender will work best for making smoothies, pureeing hot soups, making dips and spreads, and frozen desserts. It has a preprogrammed setting specifically for those food processing functions. No need to guess how long you need to blend an item.

Here’s a partial list of what you can do with your A3500 Blender:


a glass of green smoothie
Smoothies
crushed ice
Crushed Ice
hot soup
Hot Soup
nut butter
Nut Butter
baby food
Baby Food
salsa sauce
Sauces & Dips
salad dressing
Salad Dressing
almond milk
Nut Milk
flour
*Flour
dough
Dough
frozen dessert
Frozen Desserts
Smoothie bowl
Smoothie Bowls
Strawberry Cocktail
Cocktail
coffee grounds
*Coffee Grounds

*This will work best with the Dry Grains attachment.

We barely scratched the surface; just wait until you see all the accessories.

In the meantime, let’s answer the question: Is it easy to use?

Is the A3500 Vitamix Blender easy to use?

Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Touch Interface

The five pre-programmed settings make Vitamix Ascent A3500 extremely easy to use, especially for beginners. Just press on the recipe you’re making, and it will cast its magic for you. These pre-sets can also be adjusted depending on what you like.

If you’re concerned about the maintenance of this blender, all detachable parts are dishwasher safe. The container, lid, lid plug, centering pad, and tamper are dishwasher-proof. It also comes with a self-cleaning feature, so you won’t have to deal with the blade manually.

The touch screen feature also allows you to wipe the blender after use easily. No more food debris in-between buttons!

But, how smart is it?

Ascent Series Technology

Vitamix A3500 comes with excellent smart features. Let’s start with its touch interface. As I mentioned above, it has five pre-programmed settings to make blending a whole lot easier. As an added safety feature, it won’t run without double-tapping.

If you need to work on something not covered by those settings, the timer will surely come in handy. This function will record your entire process and save it for future use.

Perfect Blend App
Get the most out of your Vitamix A3500 Blender with the Perfect Blend App.

This Vitamix Ascent Series product has built-in wireless connectivity for over-the-air updates. And to top it off, it’s compatible with Vitamix’s Perfect Blend app, which opens up 12 more settings, 500 recipes, and integration with Vitamix’s smart scale.

All in all your smart blender can make smoothies, hot soups, frozen desserts, spreads, chop dry ingredients, nut butters, foam milk, salad dressing, grind spices, baby food, marinades, frozen cocktails, nut milks, thick dips, batter, acai bowl, and clean itself at a push of a button. You might need extra accessories to take advantage of all these 17 presets.

Update:

After using the Perfect Blend App, we’re not really impressed with it. It’s like a half-baked outsourced project with a lot of room for improvement. I believe they still need to polish the design and overall usability to reflect the brand.

One thing that annoys me is that you still have to press the blender’s physical start/stop button when engaging any of the 17 blending presets from within the app. It might be a safety feature, but it doesn’t make sense from a usability standpoint.

Still, the Ascent Series is the only smart blender in the market. So, hats off to the whole team!

See Vitamix A3500 in action

Don’t take my word for it, watch this video:

The Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Blender is the highest-rated blender in the market. With a whopping 2.2 horsepower (1500-watt), it can blend the most challenging ingredient to a fine consistency with ease. The Vitamix A3500 Blender also highlights five automatic blend settings and a timer to multitask in the kitchen efficiently.

Accessories

Apart from its high-tech features, the A3500 Vitamix Blender has self-detect technology. Compatible attachments like jars, cups, and bowls will automatically activate the appropriate blending time for extra precision.

All these containers are BPA-free and dishwasher safe.

64 oz (1.89 L) Container -Included

Vitamix 64 oz Container, model no. 63126

Model # 63126

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This self-detect low-profile 64-ounce (1.89 L) jar is included with your purchase. It’s the perfect all-around container for a big family, capable of making 6-12 servings of smoothies.

48 oz (1.4 L) Container

Vitamix 48 oz Container, model no. 063852

Model # 063852

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If you’re only planning on making smaller batches, this self-detect low profile 48-ounce (1.4 L) wet container is a perfect companion for the 64-oz jar. It’s convenient to have an additional jar when you’re working on multiple recipes.

48 Oz (1.4 L) Dry Grains Container

Vitamix Dry Grains Container, model no. 063884

Model # 063884

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This 48-ounce (1.48 L) low-profile self-detect container is specially made for dry grains. It features a reverse vortex that pushes ingredients away from the blade. This mechanism prevents grains from clumping at the center of the chamber for a finer and consistent grind.

Stainless Steel Container

Vitamix Stainless Steel Container, model no. 067891

Model # 067891

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If you’re a pro, you might want to include this 48-ounce (1.48 L) stainless steel container in your culinary arsenal. It’s highly durable, non-reactive, and odor and stain-resistant. You can process hot, cold, tough items and even acidic ingredients with it.

8 oz (240 mL) Blending Bowl Starter Kit

Blending Bowl Starter Kit, model no. 66196

Model # 66196

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Need a dipping sauce or perhaps a nut butter? This 8-ounce (240 mL) blending bowl starter kit is the perfect accessory for the job. If you’re only making a sauce, hummus, or nut butter in small batches, you don’t have to bring out a big container. These 8-ounce bowls self-detect enabled are more than enough.

20 oz (591 mL) Blending Cup Starter Kit

Blending Cup Starter Kit, model no. 66197

Model # 66197

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If you’re only making a smoothie for yourself, this 20-ounce (591 mL) self-detect Vitamix blending cup starter kit doubles as a to-go container. It’s made of highly durable BPA-free material that will match your active lifestyle, or if you simply want to bring smoothie at work or whatever your activity is.

12 Cup Food Processor Attachment

Vitamix Food Processor Attachment, model no. 067591

Model # 067591

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You won’t have to buy a separate food processor when you can get this self-detect Vitamix food processor attachment. It’s more convenient to own a single motor base that can perform multiple culinary tasks.

Aer Disc Container

Vitamix Aer Disc Container, model no. 065421

Model # 065421

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Take your Ascent blending machine to the next level with the Vitamix Aer Disc attachment. It’s an impressive patent-pending accessory that challenges your good old mixer. It can whip, emulsify, froth, and muddle ingredients. I have never seen a blender that can do so much.

Vitamix Perfect Blend Smart Scale and App

Vitamix Perfect Blend Smart Scale and App, model no. 061725

This Vitamix Smart Scale work hand in hand with Vitamix’s Perfect Blend App. It will guide you through its library of hundreds of recipes.

Say you want to make a smoothie; it will tell you precisely what ingredient to add and precisely how much in a step-by-step fashion. It’s not ready for prime time yet, but it’s a good start.

Model # 061725

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*Product Images and Video Courtesy of Vitamix

Technical Specifications

TypeCountertop Blender
Brand/SeriesVitamix Ascent Series
Model #61005 / VM0185
Price$$$$$
Ratings4.9 out of 5
Motor2.2 HP
Speed10 variable speed settings with pulse feature
Wattage1500 Watts
BladeStainless Steel
Container capacity64 oz (1.89 L)
Sold separately:
48 oz (1.4 L) pitcher
20 oz (591 mL) cup
8 oz (240 mL) bowl
Dishwasher safeYes
BPA FreeYes
ColorsBlack Stainless Metal Finish
Brushed Stainless Metal Finish
White
Candy Apple Red
Graphite Metal Finish
Dimensions 11 x 8 x 17 inches
Cord Length4 ft (122 cm)
ApplicationHome & Personal Use
Warranty10 Years
Related ProductsVitamix A3300, Vitamix A2500, Vitamix A2300, Vitamix V1200, Ninja Foodi Blender, KitchenAid K400, KitchenAid K150
This table shows the technical specifications of Vitamix Blender A3500.

Is Vitamix A3500 worth it?

Vitamix A3500 Ascent Smart Blender checked all the boxes. Not only does it make ultra-fine smoothies, but it’s also a versatile culinary tool. It’s highly recommended for intermediate and advanced home cooks, chefs, and beginners who have the budget.

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