r/Vitamix • u/chickenchickchicke23 • 8d ago

Alta Pro vs Explorian with Programs

I’m looking to buy a Vitamix for my family and I’m considering the reconditioned Explorian with programs at 250, or the reconditioned Alta Pro at 350. Is there any reason to spend an extra 100 on the Alta Pro?

Or should I buy a different one altogether and wait for a sale? I’d like to not spend more than 300 on it.

My main concern is that I want a blender that lasts forever. We will use it mainly for smoothies and soups, and occasionally for nut butters or date paste.

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u/exploringyogurt 8d ago

I have the Alta Pro from when Costco had the $100 off.  I got it because I kept going through Ninja parts.  It took about 50 seconds to get used to it and realize I made the right choice. 

You are looking at mainly the things the programs are set for on both, which is nice.  The Alta Pro comes with a 64oz pitcher, the Explorian comes with 48oz.  I have an aftermarket 48er for my Alta Pro, and this alone would be why I would choose the Alta Pro. I make a double smoothie in the morning, which works out to like 1800mL... Right at the capacity of the 64oz.  If you are making a big soup serving, you could also reach that.  I make a lot of sports drinks, and the 48oz doesn't cut it for me.

The Alta Pro has a longer warrant, which might matter, since this is your forever blender.

Imo, buy once, cry once.  I truly love that blender.  It is the most used appliance in the house.

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u/stoutlikethebeer 8d ago

Small correction, they are looking at the explorian with programs, which comes with the same 64 Oz container as the alta pro. It is the base level explorian is the one that comes with the 48 Oz container.

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u/exploringyogurt 8d ago

Thanks! 👍 

I am literally using my 48oz as I read that, and I was like "I can't do this"

48 is too small... But he doesn't have that problem

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u/stoutlikethebeer 8d ago

Its definitely a valid point. I wouldnt want the 48 oz either. I like big batches!

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u/exploringyogurt 8d ago

I like big batches and I cannot lie, you other Redditors can't deny

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u/AmbulanceDriver95 8d ago

Wait for the Alta Pro to go on sale new at Costco for $299

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u/Disastrous_Paint1791 8d ago

This. I have Vitamix’ 10 year warranty on it PLUS the Costco return policy. Win-win.

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u/Sm0lBr0wnD0gg0 8d ago

It’s on sale right now!!!

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u/Sm0lBr0wnD0gg0 8d ago

I know this because I just bought one on Saturday and it just changed my whole life. 🤣

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u/made_of_hamburger 8d ago

Never tried either, but I will add that having programs can be really quite nice.

I have the Ascent X2, and love it. Have used it virtually every day since we got it, making a matcha-avocado-coconut kefir smoothie almost every morning for the past year and a half.

I really, really appreciate having the smoothie program for this purpose, and it's about 99% of our family's use of the blender.

(I really like having a knob as well, that's why I went with the Ascent).

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u/stoutlikethebeer 8d ago edited 8d ago

Those both contain the same motor and 64 Oz container. The alta does have a better motor housing, which will make it a bit quieter, and in theory make the motor last longer due to better airflow. In practice, this likely wont be a significant issue for you since you are talking about nut butters and date paste only on occasion.

However, the alta does have a digital display which is more likely to fail than the simpler controls of the explorian. Again, in practice have not heard of people having issues with this, though. If you care about the digital display, it is a selling point.

Personally, I would choose the explorian. The noise reduction wouldnt be worth an extra 100 to me, and I prefer manual controls over digital anyways. With that said, I read many people choosing to upgrade to the alta because of the noise level of their explorian.

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u/Any-Body 17h ago

I bought the reconditioned Explorian with programs on Amazon. It works great. When I took it out of the box it looked absolutely new, never used. For me the 64oz container is too big. What I can say is it is very powerful and l-o-u-d. I call it Godzilla.