Vitamix Ascent X2 Blender Review

The Vitamix Ascent X2 blender is a standout addition to the world of high-performance blenders, delivering the reliability and power that Vitamix is known for. Packed with advanced features like its self-cleaning function, hot soup program, and versatile blending capabilities, the Ascent X2 is designed for those who demand top-tier performance in their kitchen. However, as with any appliance, there are a few considerations to keep in mind, like its noise level and the feel of some of its components. In this review, we’ll break down the Vitamix blender’s design, build quality, performance, and more to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your kitchen.

Overall Design & Size

The Vitamix Ascent X2 blender stands tall with a height of 17.1 inches, making it a noticeable presence in the kitchen. Its width of 7.8 inches and depth of 9.7 inches give it a sturdy, balanced footprint. At 11.8 lbs, it feels solid and well-built, which adds to its premium vibe.

Due to its size, this blender is more suited for countertops than cupboards. Lifting and storing it frequently might feel inconvenient. Its sleek and modern design ensures it doesn’t just take up space but adds to the aesthetics of your kitchen. The smooth edges and matte finish are easy to clean, keeping it looking fresh.

This is a blender that means business, ideal for larger kitchens or homes where it's used daily. If you have limited counter space, you might find its footprint a bit challenging. However, for what it offers in power and capacity, the size feels justified.

Considering its overall size and practicality, the Vitamix Ascent X2 deserves a 80/100 for its size.

Jar Material & Capacity

Using the Vitamix Ascent X2 has been a smooth experience, especially with its 48oz jar. The capacity is smaller than older Vitamix models like the Vitamix A2500 or the Vitamix 7500, which are better suited for larger batches. However, for everyday use or preparing meals for a small family, the size is perfectly manageable. It’s great for smoothies, soups, and sauces but might feel limiting for larger group servings or big batch cooking.

The jar is made from BPA-free plastic, which feels lightweight yet solid in the hands. Despite being plastic, it doesn’t give off a cheap feel. It has a good balance of durability and convenience. The lid fits snugly and doesn’t come loose during blending, even at high speeds. This adds a layer of confidence when you're using it for more intense blending tasks.

One of the best features is that both the jar and lid are dishwasher-safe. After blending, we simply popped them into the dishwasher, and they came out clean without much effort. 

The smaller capacity might be a downside for those who frequently blend in large quantities, but for regular use, it feels just right. The jar’s build quality and convenience in cleaning make it a reliable part of the blender. Overall, it strikes a good balance between usability and maintenance, making it easy to incorporate into daily kitchen routines.

LID Shape and Material

The lid of the Vitamix Ascent X2 blender is thoughtfully designed and functional. It features a two-part lid, which makes blending more convenient. The removable center piece is especially useful. We could easily add ingredients while blending or use the tamper without stopping the process. 

What stood out is that the center piece doubles as a 1oz measuring cup. This small feature is a nice touch, as it eliminates the need for extra tools when adding small quantities of ingredients. The clear plastic design is another plus. It allowed us to see inside the jar during blending, which was helpful to monitor progress and ensure everything blended evenly.

The lid uses friction to close, and it stays firmly in place during use. There’s no fear of it popping off, even at high speeds. However, snapping it on and off requires a bit of effort at times, which might feel inconvenient for some users.

Overall, the lid feels sturdy, functional, and well-suited for a variety of blending tasks. It’s a small but vital part of the blender that works as expected without any major issues.

Build Quality

The Vitamix Ascent X2 blender feels solid and durable in daily use. Its build quality is excellent, much like other Vitamix models. The materials feel robust, and the construction inspires confidence during blending.

The jar handle has a rubber grip that's removable for cleaning, which is convenient. please change it: However, it tends to slide around during use. This can feel a bit frustrating and takes away from the otherwise premium feel. The jar itself is sturdy, and its metal gear connections are reassuringly strong.

The motor base is mostly plastic but doesn't feel cheap. It sits securely on rubber feet, which help stabilize the blender even at high speeds. The rubber centering pad keeps the jar steady, even during intense blending sessions.

The controls are well-designed. The dial and switches feel responsive and give satisfying feedback. Cleaning is straightforward, thanks to the removable dial. The glossy digital display adds a modern touch but might need frequent wiping to stay smudge-free.

Overall, the blender's build feels designed to last, though the sliding rubber grip on the handle is a minor flaw.

Blade Shape and Speed

The blades of the Vitamix Ascent X2 blander are sharp and highly effective. With four fixed blades, it delivers excellent blending performance. While the blades aren’t removable, this hasn’t been a problem. The jar and blades are dishwasher-safe, which makes cleaning easy. We’ve put them in the dishwasher a few times, and they came out spotless.

The speed range is impressive. Starting at 1,400 RPM, the low speed is gentle enough to avoid splatters, which is great for liquids or delicate ingredients. At its maximum speed of 22,100 RPM, it pulverizes tougher items like nuts, ice, or fibrous vegetables effortlessly. This flexibility made it easy to blend smoothies, soups, and nut butters with the desired consistency.

The 1,440W motor provides plenty of power. We noticed it handles thick mixtures without struggling, and the speed adjustment adapts seamlessly based on the jar type. This made it feel smart and efficient during use. The consistent blending power at various speeds ensured a smooth and even texture every time.

However, the blades being non-removable might be a downside for some users who prefer deeper manual cleaning. But with the dishwasher-safe feature, it’s hardly a significant drawback.

Performance 

Hot Soups

Making hot soups with the Vitamix Ascent X2 blender has been a breeze. It quickly blends ingredients into a smooth, creamy texture. We’ve made both creamy tomato and vegetable soups, and the blender did an amazing job. The heat generated by the high-speed blades is enough to warm up the soup without needing to transfer it to a stove.

We simply added our ingredients, started the blender, and used the preset soup function. In just a few minutes, the soup was steaming hot and perfectly smooth. It was easy to adjust the consistency by blending for a bit longer if needed.

One thing we loved is how convenient it is—there's no need to transfer hot ingredients back and forth between a pot and the blender. Plus, the soup came out evenly blended with no chunks or inconsistencies.

Overall, this Vitamix Ascent X blender makes making hot soups incredibly easy and fast. It’s a great tool for busy days when you need a quick and delicious meal.

Fibrous Ingredients

Using the Vitamix Ascent X2 blender for fibrous ingredients like kale or celery has been a great experience overall. It handles tough, fibrous produce effectively, but it does require some extra attention for the best results.

For larger batches, the blender processes fibrous ingredients well at full capacity. However, running the 'Smoothie' cycle alone often isn’t enough. We found it necessary to either blend manually afterward or run another cycle to get a perfectly smooth consistency. This adds a bit of extra time but ensures every bit of the ingredients is properly processed.

For smaller batches, like single-serve smoothies, it truly shines. The 48oz jar is excellent for these tasks, delivering a smooth texture even with stubborn ingredients like kale. A single 'Smoothie' preset, followed by 20 seconds of blending on 'high,' gave us near-perfect results in about a minute.

One minor drawback is that fibrous bits sometimes splash up and get stuck under the lid. We had to stop the blender occasionally to scrape down the sides with a spatula, as the tamper couldn’t reach those areas. This is a bit inconvenient but ensures everything gets blended thoroughly.

Despite the need for a bit of manual effort, the blender performs impressively with fibrous ingredients, making it a reliable choice for health-conscious users.

Making Nut Butter

Making nut butter with the Vitamix Ascent X2 blender has been an outstanding experience. It processes the ingredients quickly and easily, delivering smooth and creamy results every time. We used a mix of almonds and cashews, and the blender handled them with ease, breaking them down into perfect nut butter without any effort.

The tamper is essential for getting the best results. It helps push the ingredients down toward the blades without needing to stop the blender or remove the lid, which is super convenient. The consistency was impressively smooth and creamy, even with tougher nuts.

This process was much faster and easier than expected, and the blender did not struggle at all, even with a thick mixture. We’ve made nut butters a few times now, and the blender consistently delivered excellent results.

The Vitamix Ascent X2 shines when making nut butter, delivering creamy results with minimal effort. It’s definitely a standout in this area.

Frozen Fruits

Blending frozen fruits with the Vitamix Ascent X2 blender has been impressive. It easily crushes frozen berries, mango chunks, and other frozen fruits into a smooth, creamy texture without much effort. The blender didn’t struggle at all, even with ice-cold ingredients.

We used the 'Smoothie' preset, and it worked well, but for an extra creamy finish, we blended on high for a few more seconds. The results were consistently smooth, with no chunks or uneven textures. It handles frozen fruit just as well as fresh, which is a big plus for making smoothies or frozen desserts.

One thing to note is that it might require a quick scrape of the jar’s sides to get everything fully incorporated, especially if the batch is larger or if some fruit gets stuck near the lid. But overall, the process was quick and efficient.

The Vitamix Ascent X2 is fantastic for blending frozen fruits, making it an excellent choice for smoothies and other frozen treats.

User Interface

Using the Vitamix Ascent X2 blender’s user interface has been a smooth and straightforward experience, making it easy to operate even for those who may not be as familiar with high-end blenders. The interface blends digital and physical controls in a way that feels intuitive and user-friendly.

The LED screen is one of the standout features. It displays a countdown timer, allowing you to track how much longer your blend will take. This feature is especially helpful for preset programs like the Hot Soup or Frozen Desserts, so you don’t have to guess how much time is left. It adds a level of precision that’s particularly useful when you're making recipes with specific timing requirements.

The dial is another key component. It lets you easily select either a preset blending program or manually adjust the speed. Whether you're blending something delicate like a smoothie or need maximum power for frozen ingredients, the dial makes switching between settings quick and simple. The ability to control the speed manually provides extra flexibility, allowing you to make slight adjustments based on your specific ingredients and preferences.

The Vitamix Ascent X2 blender comes with four preset programs: Smoothies, Frozen Desserts, Hot Soup, and Self Cleaning. The Smoothie program blends at the right speed for a creamy, smooth texture in 45 seconds, while the Frozen Desserts preset is ideal for making ice creams or frozen treats, blending in 50 seconds. The Hot Soup program doesn’t just blend the ingredients; it also heats them to the perfect temperature in about 7.5 minutes, saving you time and effort. The Self Cleaning program takes just 35 seconds, which is incredibly convenient for a quick cleanup between uses. Simply add some water and a drop of dish soap, and the blender takes care of the rest.

Each of these presets is designed to simplify the process of making specific types of recipes. For example, the Hot Soup program automatically adjusts the speed and duration to ensure ingredients are both blended and heated properly, eliminating the need to transfer soup to the stove.

On the side of the motor base, you’ll find a few extra buttons that add even more control to your blending experience. The On/Off Switch is a straightforward switch for turning the blender on and off, while the Pulse Switch is great for situations where you want quick bursts of blending power, such as when you're chopping tough ingredients or blending a thicker mix. There’s also a Power Switch that’s used to completely turn off the motor base when you’re done blending.

The pulse mode is particularly useful when you're blending ingredients that need to be chopped or broken down quickly, like nuts or hard vegetables. It gives you more control over the texture of your blend, making it versatile for various recipes.

While the interface is feature-rich, it’s also designed with simplicity in mind. There are no overly complicated settings or confusing options. The physical dial, coupled with the digital screen, makes it easy to select and adjust the program or speed you need. The Vitamix Ascent X2 doesn’t overwhelm you with unnecessary complexity—everything is clearly labeled and easy to access.

Easy to Clean

Cleaning the Vitamix Ascent X2 blender is incredibly easy and convenient. We’ve used it multiple times, and each cleaning session has been quick and hassle-free. The blender has a self-cleaning program, which is a huge time-saver. All you need to do is add a drop of dish soap and some warm water into the jar, then activate the self-cleaning cycle. In just 35 seconds, the blender is cleaned, and it works surprisingly well. The high-speed blades, combined with the powerful motor, break down any leftover ingredients and clean the jar thoroughly.

For a more hands-on cleaning approach, you can easily remove the jar and wash it manually. The jar and lid are dishwasher-safe, which is a big plus. The lid comes apart into two pieces, and both are easy to clean by hand or in the dishwasher. However, we’ve noticed that some residue can sometimes get stuck in the area near the lid, so we occasionally need to give that part a quick wipe with a cloth.

The motor base doesn’t require much maintenance. A quick wipe with a damp cloth is all you need to keep it spotless. The rubber feet and centering pad help prevent any food from getting stuck under the base, which makes it easier to clean around.

Noise Level

The Vitamix Ascent X2 blender is definitely on the louder side when it comes to blenders. When we used it, it reached around 92.7 dBA, which is quite noticeable. At this level, it's definitely louder than many other household appliances, like a vacuum cleaner or hairdryer. During blending, the motor is powerful, and you can feel the vibrations as it runs at full speed.

While the noise can be a bit startling at first, it's not overly bothersome when you get used to it. The blender works efficiently and quickly, so the noise doesn’t last too long. However, if you're sensitive to sound or plan to use it early in the morning or late at night, it might be disruptive. For those who don’t mind the noise, it’s not a dealbreaker, especially considering the Vitamix Ascent X2’s performance.

The noise level doesn't really affect its overall functionality or blending ability, but it’s something to consider if you want a quieter appliance.

Final Verdict 

The Vitamix Ascent X2 blender is perfect for anyone who wants a high-performance blender capable of handling a variety of tasks, from making smoothies to creating nut butters and soups. It’s ideal for busy people who want to save time with the self-cleaning feature and appreciate the hot soup program.
While the blender excels in performance, be mindful of the noise level—it can get quite loud, especially at high speeds. If noise is a concern for you, consider using it during the day or when you don’t mind a little extra sound in the kitchen. Additionally, some users may find the handle's rubber grip slipping a bit during use..

If you're after a blender that can do it all, with little hassle and maximum results, the Vitamix Ascent X2 is certainly worth considering. Just remember, it comes with a bit of noise—so if that's a dealbreaker for you, there are quieter alternatives out there. Otherwise, it's hard to go wrong with this powerful, reliable machine.