Published on Mar. 17, 2025
Our testers set out to determine whether or not the Vitamix Ascent X4 is worth the splurge. Spoiler alert: it's worth every penny for serious blender users.
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If you want to invest in an appliance that can handle just about anything you throw in it, look no further than the Vitamix Ascent X4. Though it is indeed a splurge, this model is one of our favorite Vitamix blenders due to its heavy-duty motor, easy-to-use interface and superior performance.
After testing 14 of the best blenders, our experts on the Product Testing Team are confident that this is one purchase you won’t regret. Not only will its performance exceed your expectations, but it will stand the test of time. Here’s everything our expert product testers had to say about the Vitamix Ascent X4.
VIA MERCHANT
A sturdy design, powerful motor and a variety of technologically advanced features make the Vitamix Ascent X4 a worthy investment.
Vitamix appliances have come a long way since the original Vita-Mix, which was released in 1937, but there are a few things that haven’t changed. To this day, Vitamix blenders are innovative and built to last. Today, the brand has five different blender lines to choose from, and the Vitamix Ascent X4 is their premium model.
It features a heavy base which houses a powerful 1500-watt motor and an attractive digital screen. It includes a heavy duty, 48-ounce BPA-free container. In addition to having a powerful motor and high quality parts, the Vitamix Ascent X4 is jam packed with luxurious features. It boasts five blending programs, including an automated smoothie setting, a digital timer, tamper indicator and self-cleaning mode.
It’s available in four colors and comes with a generous 10-year warranty. It’s also compatible with an assortment of containers and accessories, including a food processor and containers with self-detect technology. This technology allows your Ascent series blender to recognize the container and automatically adjust blend settings for its size.
To find the best blenders for your kitchen, we sourced 14 of the best-selling models from top brands. Our Product Testing Team experts then evaluated the functionality, performance, maintenance and value of each model. They paid special attention to processing time, blending power, smoothness/consistency and peak noise level.
After assembling and measuring the Vitamix Ascent, our team got down to business and made a smoothie. Their almond, kale and banana smoothie called for almonds, torn kale leaves, one banana, two dates, half of a peeled orange, 1/4 cup of almond milk and 1/2 cup of ice. Our testers followed the manual’s instructions regarding ingredient order and turned on the automated smoothie setting. After 45 seconds of blending, they poured the smoothie through a colander to evaluate blendedness.
“It was cool seeing the screen change. It started at setting 2, then jumped to 5, then ended at 10,” explains Sydney. “When pouring the smoothie out, it was the same green color as the other Vitamix smoothies, but this one slightly edged out the rest in terms of blendedness. At the bottom, there was one rice-sized piece of date.” In short, the smoothie test was a success.
Next, our team filled the blender halfway with ice and pulsed two times on 2+ for 30 seconds with consistent, long pulses. They were disappointed to find that the ice was not consistent throughout. “Around 10 seconds in, the ice started to get stuck and compacted at the bottom of the pitcher and eventually stopped moving altogether,” explains Sydney. “Overall, the ice was crushed but pretty inconsistent. There were even two ice cubes that were full-size still unscathed.”
Our testers opted to repeat the ice crush test. For the second round, they attempted to crush the ice with consistent, quick pulses for 30 seconds and were pleased with the results. “For the second trial with consistent, quick pulses, the blender did a much better job,” says Sydney. “The ice pieces were a lot more consistent and much smaller compared to those from the first round.”
During testing, our team really loved the blender’s digital interface. They described it as being nice and intuitive and appreciated how easily the knob scrolled through the programmed options. However, they were a bit confused by the twirling pinwheel displayed on the screen during sleep mode. “The twirling pinwheel that shows up on the screen while in sleep mode is a bit confusing because it leads you to believe the screen is ‘thinking,’ like, say, an Apple computer,” Sydney explains.
Another thing that pleased our testers was the Vitamix Ascent’s lid. Unlike other Vitamix models, which have rubber lids that our team found cumbersome to take on and off, the Ascent has a hard, plastic lid that easily slides on and off. “This lid is the best out of the Vitamix models,” raves Sydney.
But what our testers really loved was the Vitamix Ascent’s self-clean mode. All you need is warm water, a squirt of dish soap, and poof! This blender cleans itself. And if you ask us, it doesn’t get much better than that.
VIA MERCHANT
The Vitamix Ascent X4 serves up perfectly blended soups, smoothies, dips and more.
The Vitamix Ascent X4 retails for $700 and can be purchased directly on the brand’s website. It’s also available at select retailers, including Target, Williams Sonoma and Amazon.
Yes! My family uses our Vitamix to make milkshakes every Friday night.
During testing, our team measured the blender’s peak noise level, in decibels, on the highest setting during the ice crush test. The Vitamix Ascent X4 measured 101 db which is in between a subway train and a power mower, according to the decibel level chart. That said, this model was quieter than most others we tested.
The Ascent’s container, lid, blade base and seal are dishwasher safe.
We have decades of experience testing products and recommending the top housewares to Taste Recipes readers. Our team has tackled everything from toasters to food processors so you can shop with confidence. In order to find the best blenders, our expert product testers brought 14 different blenders into the Testing Lab for close inspection. They spent an estimated 75 collective hours on this test including researching, sourcing, intaking and testing the blenders. Our team performed 10 tests on each model and collected roughly 400 data points.
I have been writing in the e-commerce space for almost a decade. During that time, I have personally tested and evaluated numerous products in order to find the best of the best for every lifestyle and budget. Additionally, I’ve been a proud Vitamix owner since 2015 and can speak to the brand’s overall quality and performance over time.
