Vitamix - Ascent X4 Blender - Graphite

I have been using Vitamix blenders a few times a week for more years than I want to remember given I work in a kitchen, and if I can sum up my thoughts on this unit in a few words they would be, “it will do everything you want or need, do it very well, and last for many years.” Specific to this unit, I am very impressed. Everything is well-built, solid, seals perfectly, and just “feels good.” The base has some weight. Some good not moving around weight. Stable. I really like the container size, not only just with regards to volume (48 oz, which is reasonable), but also shape and height. It is a little stouter than I am used to. I don’t really have a lot of counter space, so while the base has a little bit of a footprint, that its height comes in a “little bit” lower gives me a “little” more play in where I can store it as an entire unit. Beyond that, the screen is very clear, the dial has a nice feel and it as well as all of the buttons are responsive, intuitive, and easy to understand. Admittedly, it is taking me a bit to get used to the lack of physical buttons, but that is more of a muscle memory thing specific to my experience. Lastly, the inclusion of an attachable tamper holder is a nice add. All in all, zero complaints with the hardware. For me, while a fair amount of this unit is familiar, the styling is not, as it is clearly geared towards home use…and I think it looks great. All black. Clean. Simple. Some may say plain, or boring, but it Is perfect for me. They do also offer a couple of other color choices. That said, I do think the all black would work in just about any setting. So, generally, it has the build, and the looks, which of course is important, but where this blender really shines is in use. It is extremely versatile, with much more power than I think you will ever need. It can get a tad loud, but a lot of that is not the blender itself (it does have some noise), but rather the materials it is bending (blending?) to its will. New to me are all of the blending programs, the digital timer, the tamper indicator, and the add 15-seconds button. While I haven’t gotten into more than a few smoothies and a killer batch of loaded baked potato soup (ok and some drinks) so far, I think these are all really nice value adds. I lean heavily on the pulse and especially the variable speed and they have been perfect for me. I am looking forward to getting into a lot more, especially with fall arriving in my area with (hopefully) some cooler weather. Also new to me is the self-cleaning program. I love it. As is, everything is easy to clean on its own, but this added bonus (to me) is welcome. I, sadly, do not have a dishwasher, so any help is appreciated, even if I just use it to assist in what I typically would do. Vitamix does include a fairly nice little recipe book for those looking for inspiration or something new. Lastly, this blender is designed to be part of what Vitamix calls their self-detect system. I had never heard of this before, and it is pretty wild and I think a fairly innovative system where they offer a few different compatible containers and attachments that the blender…self-detects and allows you to use. Clearly this unit is somewhat of an investment, and these accessories are more of the same, but given I think this blender will last for some time, I like having the option to increase its usefulness. Less useful, but more fun, they also offer containers in a few colors as well as stainless steel. In the end, I really do like this blender, and I am very happy with it so far. It is extremely versatile, works very well, is built very well, and is easy to use as well as easy to clean. I like having a little peace of mind that it comes from a reputable brand in the space, carries a solid warranty, and should last for many years. The option to possibly expand the system is nice, even if I never decide to, and while it does come at a slight premium, I think for the quality you get and all that comes along with it, the value is there.

The Vitamix Ascent X4 is the middle blender in the new X series. We watch a lot of cooking shows and Vitamix blenders are a fixture in most. Having received the product, I can see why - the build quality is top notch. The interface took a little getting used to, but I found it able to handle the recipes we tried and having the provided tamper is nice. We tried the smoothie program using our own recipe. It came out very smooth. But it includes strawberries and blueberries, so the container was a mess with seeds. The self-clean option only cleaned the blades, but to be fair I didn’t expect much more. We also tried the hot soup program using the provided Coconut Red Curry Squash Soup recipe. It was silky smooth. One of the notations is that the soup would be heated by the blades when blending (timer ran for over 10 minutes). I was skeptical but the soup came out piping hot (hotter than when put in blender). We also tried peanut butter but with no installed program we used recipe suggestions. It came out a tad gritty, but tasty. Was afraid to run the mixer too long so maybe would have been smoother if we had or possibly add a touch of oil? Cleaning was as you would expect with something as thick as peanut butter. But running it through process twice did clean up the buildup just under the blades. Unit details; There is a Container Detect that will not operate blender if container is not properly positioned. Sleep mode dims the screen if not used for 30 seconds. Screen saver mode displays if control panel not used for 60 seconds. Error code if unit experiences an issue. Timer when using variable speed or pre-programmed options (that have preset times) Programs are - Smoothie, Frozen Desert, Hot Soup, Frozen Cocktail, Dips & Spreads as well as clean cycle - all have a pre-set time. There are less options with X3 but more with X5. It also has an alert to use the tamper for thicker recipes and/or when the unit is starting to overheat. There is also an option to add 15 seconds but limits its use to 2 times. To access the options there is a center dial (controls variable speeds, 1 through 10, and program selection) with 2 switches on either side – one on left for pulse and one on right for start/stop. Base is sturdy at over 13 lbs and is 7.5 inches tall, 7.75 inches wide and 9.75 inches deep. With container height is about 17 inches – just fitting under our upper cabinets. A quick wipe is all that is needed for cleaning. Has over 40-inch heavy duty 3-pronged power cord. 48-ounce container is clear plastic with a removable lid and center plug to allow use of tamper and is dishwasher safe. Has a built is spout as well. A recipe book is included but is somewhat limited. Comes with 10-year warranty Really no issues with unit at all and seems very versatile. Look forward to trying more recipes and with a 10-year warranty I feel more confident in day-to-day use. Definitely worth a look and would recommend it.

I have been thoroughly impressed with my new Vitamix blender! I have owned at least 2 blenders which I thought was the epitome high quality blenders. My last blender is one which has most of the features of my new Vitamix, yet somehow the Vitamix blows it away. I will start with the physical attributes of the blender. The base is very heavy and features a wheel to select your mode, and touch icons to run the blender. The pitcher is plastic and has a nice hefty feel to it and features a snap on lid. The snap on lid is much better than a rotating locking lid in my opinion. My only dislike is the rubber handle. It moves a little too freely for my liking and feels like gunk could easily get into it. The good thing is, with a little work, it can be removed for cleaning. There is also a large tamper used for helping mix some of the larger chunks or stubborn ingredients. The blender features easy to use modes, such as soup, smoothies, and even a self cleaning mode. I love the cleaning feature as all you do is fill half way with water, add a drop of dish liquid, and run the cycle. All you have to do then is rinse the pitcher. The motor is super quiet. The most quiet blender I have ever owned. The only thing that makes it loud is if you are blending ice cubes. Which brings me to my next point, the blending capability. I made several smoothies and they all came out perfect! None of the drinks I made had any chunks in them, regardless the ingredients. This includes fresh berries, frozen berries, and ice cubes. I whipped together a quick soup and used the soup feature and the liquid became very hot. It was a very basic cream based soup, but I plan to use this more and more in the future. The soup comes out nice and hot, and buttery smooth. Cleanup is a breeze each time I use it. It takes no labor at all. The base also features a rubber pad that allows you to remove and clean when there are spills. The rest of the base just wipes down for a nice quick cleanup as well. Overall, I absolutely love my new Vitamix blender! I keep coming up with new things to blend in it, much more than ever before. This weekend I am going to go shopping specifically with the intent to make new blended creations!

I’ve had a blender I’ve been using since I got married, just shy of 15 years ago. It wasn’t cheap but it wasn’t incredibly expensive, and I’ve been satisfied with it all this time. It only has an on and pulse setting and sounds like you’re running a construction site in the neighborhood when it’s in use. Its results were fine. Nothing amazing, nothing bad enough I thought anything of it. That all changed when I got the Vitamix Ascent X4 Blender. Sure, they’re both blenders, but that’s like comparing your Toyota Corolla to an F1 racecar – they’re league apart. The first thing you notice about the Vitamix Ascent X4, besides it’s hefty 14.25 weight is that, in my opinion, it’s smaller than I anticipated. Yes, it’s larger than my older cheap blender, but for all the bells and whistles Vitamix claims it can do it does not take up that much counterspace. The base is boxy and you definitely need two hands to lift and move it, but it’s not cumbersome by any means, with two inset side area helping act as handles as you may move it closer or further from your wall. There is a tamper with stand that can be attached to either the left or right of the machine – it’s a small piece of plastic that holds a tiny cup that fits the tamper. It’s not necessary to keep attached for anything to function, but it’s certainly helpful when you remove a dripping tamper from the top of the blender jar. Setup cannot be breezier. Plug in the cord, fill the 48-ounce container with warm water and drop of dishwashing liquid, attach the lid, flip the power button, press the button for the automatic self-cleaning program, hit the start button and you’re golden. After less than a full minute you rinse out the soapy water and you’re good to go. This is the same method you use for cleaning post every blend. I find it weird to be totally enamored with self-cleaning feature, but if you’ve ever been absolutely terrified of cutting yourself while cleaning a blender you will feel the same way. I cannot tell you the difference that this self-cleaning program has had on my wife and I in terms of wanting to use the machine daily. It’s so stupid easy and effective. The 48-ounce container is plenty big for a small family. The machine itself is compatible with all of Victamix’s “SELF-DETECT” containers and attachments. I’m certainly intrigued by their food processor attachment, but that’s a future purchase. It has clear markings down the sides as you measure some ingredients. The lid is simple – just pop it on the top, it holds by two snap clips. On the lid itself is a vented lid plug – vented, I assume to prevent problems with liquid explosions, something I’ve experienced on cheaper blenders. The lid plug itself also doubles as a 2-ounce measuring cup and when removed provides access to the tamper. It’s worth mentioning that the instructions are clear there’s a load icon to how you fill the container: liquids at the bottom, followed by dry goods, leafy greens, fruits & veggies, and topping with ice and frozen ingredients. This load order is beneficial for an even blend. That tamper itself is fine and completely effective. That said, I feel like the tamper is the weakest part of the equipment provided. It’s plastic and feels very light and hollow inside. Now, it does work just fine – no complaints about how it operates, that is exactly how you expect it to be. But it’s a surprisingly cheep feeling and looking tool for a product that otherwise screams elegance and class. I have no evidence apart from a gut feeling, but I think this may be the first part to get damaged. Turning back to the blender itself, the screen and controls are simple and functional. There’s a selection wheel in the center, to the left of which is a pulse button and the right of which is a start/stop button. Turning on the machine itself, you can manually run it using these three options, going from power level 1 to 10 with half increments. The instructions here make it clear that you should always start at a low speed and turn the dial to increase to a high speed while in operations. Above the dial is a menu button, which brings up the programs, the aforementioned self-cleaning button, and a +15 second button. Above that is the tiny display for showing the programs and power level. The built-in programs are really where the Vitamix Ascent X4 shines. Press the menu button and use the dial to scroll through the options: smoothie, frozen dessert, hot soup, frozen cocktail, and dips & spreads. I wouldn’t say it’s exactly set it and forget it as firstly you wouldn’t want to leave this unattended and several programs will show a tamper icon when selecting, flashing during the program at the time you should be using it to ensure an even blend. If that sounds, for lack of a better phrase, stupid easy to use that’s because it is. I didn’t have proper ingredients the day this showed up at my house, but I had juice, a banana, and a Honeycrisp apple. I put in a cup of juice, followed by the banana peeled and halved, and then I cut the apple into a few chunks, removing the core but leaving the skin on. On my old blender this would get blended, but if I didn’t cut the apple small enough it’d be a chunky non-homogenized mess after a few minutes of blending, stopping, spatula-ing, and blending again. On the Vitamix Ascent X4? Hit the smoothie button, used the tamper when indicated and in under one minute had a smoothie that I wouldn’t call the greatest in the world, but so incredibly impressive for the literally 3 ingredients I put in there I yelled for my wife from across the house to try it. It was agreed – that was shockingly well blended and tasty for a truly bare minimum of ingredients. In the days since that sense of “stupid easy” has been applied to all the modes. I’m always wary of automatic programs in lieu of manual adjustments, but I’ve honestly no issues with how everything has come out. In the interest of fairness, this has been with blender ready recipes I’ve found online (and some from the recipe booklet included!). My wife started experimenting with her own blending of frozen coffee making and while none of the concoctions were ever bad, she was after a particular consistency that took some trial and error. It's impossible to talk about Vitamix without the price tag that typically accompanies the name. Yes, it’s costly. However, this is, in my opinion, as “prosumer” as it gets. This is one model below their top of the line for home consumers. Anything fancier and you’re looking at their machines for professional kitchens. As to whether the value is there, that’s a bit on you to decide. At the start of this review, I mentioned that it’s the racing performance vehicles of blenders. If you value that, you’ll be fine with the cost. As for me, this blender has been in use minimum twice a day for the past week. Is it improving my life? I’ve made a smoothie every day, so that’s got to be nutrients I wouldn’t have otherwise been consuming on the regular. It’s simple to use. It’s simple to clean. It’s loud like any blender but it doesn’t deafen the neighborhood. I’ve already loved showing it off to others. It’s not my blender. It’s my Vitamix.

This Vitamix is a masterpiece of a blender. I bought my first Vitamix in 2010 and gifted it to a friend in 2021 when I moved across the country. He is still using that Vitamix today, 14 years after purchase. This new Vitamix is a substantial upgrade from my original one, featuring smart functionality, an LED display, recipe presets, and a tamper holder. The device is incredibly easy to use, with intuitive buttons and a self-cleaning mode. Its blending power is remarkable, effortlessly crushing a container full of ice in seconds when making smoothies. I used this Vitamix for my son’s lemonade stand this weekend, blending real lemons, limes, and a container full of ice to make lemonade smoothies. They were so popular that I had to make two more pitchers, and my son made over $70 selling them. I really love the self-cleaning program; it makes cleanup so much easier. I can just set it and walk away, then come back, empty the container, and I’m good to go! Quality-wise, this blender is unparalleled compared to any other brand I’ve used. Immediately after unboxing, you can tell how high-quality it is by the heaviness of the base and the thickness of the power cord. The entire blender is surprisingly low-profile, just barely fitting under my kitchen cabinets. I was really concerned it wouldn’t fit, but it does! Overall, I couldn't be happier!

Quick Overview ================================= Call me sheltered when it comes to blenders, but apparently I didn't know that in the world of high-end everything, there are also high-end blenders! I'm used to electronics and cars, but this was new to me. This Vitamix Ascent X4 is a top-tier blender that promises premium performance. Let's see how it performs in the real world. Overall build ================================= This Vitamix Ascent X4 is a heavy, sturdy blender. Yes, the main pitcher is plastic, but it is dense and my other top-of-the-range competitor also uses a plastic container. In this case, it's a taller, narrower one then my multi-purpose food-processor machine that currently takes up space on my counter. The base is weighty and I like the central knob and display to directly dial in your choices without making everything a touchscreen. The lid of the pitches stays on firmly and it comes with a large (but hollow) plastic tamper to push your ingredients down when needed. It even comes with a small tamper stand that can affix to the left or right side of your blender. There's a small power switch on the lower right edge if you want to turn it off. Otherwise it stays "idle" and displays a nice spinning animation on the front display. The pitcher itself is dishwasher safe, but since the Vitamix comes with a cleaning mode, and that's what they recommend using, I decided to go that route. Just a drop of soap, some warm water, and let the cleaning cycle do its thing! This thing is high-powered but smooth! There was very little vibration as it ramped up speed. Performance ================================= OK onto the test! I did spend a few minutes reading the instructions and guide since it does recommend a certain way to "feed the machine" when making certain things. For a smoothie, it recommended liquid first, then some ingredients like fresh fruit, then ice or frozen fruit at the end. I loaded up a pitcher just like it described, placed it at the top, selected the picture of the smoothie, then pressed Play! It started slowly then ramped up to max speed quickly! It's loud, but again, very smooth. There was no vibration or shaking. The timer is nice since it counts down until your smoothie is done. You also have the option of pulsing or adding time to it. There's also an indicator if you need to tamp down some things. At the end of the time, all of my chunky ingredients turned into a perfectly liquid smoothie! I did NOT expect to be this impressed, but there was a pretty big difference between this Vitamix Ascent X4 and my old food-processor/blender which left my smoothies, well... not smooth. We whipped up some more smoothies and decided to wash it for the night. Again, cleaning mode really comes in handy here. The next day we tried grinding coffee, nuts, and even making some pesto with fresh basil. Nothing was a challenge for this thing and the coffee and nuts turned out much nicer and more consistent than my old device. There was no contest. Conclusion ================================= You know that saying, "you get what you pay for"? Well, it's not always true, but in this case, it is. This Vitamix Ascent X4 is the "Cadillac" of blenders with the performance of a Ferrari. It's super-powerful, smooth, easy to clean, and fast. I usually had to spend additional time with my old device to try and get my smoothies less chunky. With this Vitamix, you just put your stuff in, select your smoothie, and walk away for just 1 minute. That's it! When something like this comes along and really makes your life easier AND saves you time with its performance and easy cleaning, it's a win-win. Highly recommended!

The Vitamix Ascent X4 Blender is part of the new line of Vitamix blenders. What’s in the box: Vitamix Ascent X4 Blender motor base 48 oz plastic carafe/pitcher/container with blades built-in Lid Lid plug Tamper Tamper base and holder Printed Recipe Book, Start Here Guide and Features/Safety Warnings pamphlet 10 year warranty (One page in plain English!) Four important notes: 1.

The Vitamix Ascent X4 Blender was exceptional. It is the best blender I've had the pleasure of experiencing. The stainless steel heavy-duty body is premium. It is sold and didn't take up much of my countertop space. You receive the motor, holder, tamper, container, lid, instructions, and a booklet inside the box. There isn't much as far as setting up the blender up. It has an on/off switch which is in a weird spot. It is located under the motor on the right side. The turn dial feels amazing because it has noticeable clicks. I didn't encounter any problems with the buttons. They worked when I pushed them. The display the mode selected and the timer. This was a feature I was not used to before. You get a pulse, start/stop, menu, add time, and self-cleaning as far as buttons. The add time button feature worked well while I was making smoothies. Sometimes you just need a little bit more time to finish and have the right consistency. The display shows you the mode/program you have selected. You get a Smoothie, Frozen Desert, Frozen Cocktail, Dips, and Hot Soup program. My two favorites were the smoothie and dip programs. The smoothie settings got it just right for my liking. I didn't have to guess if it was in the right settings. The dip setting makes it much easier when making my homemade dips. You can make some bomb guacamole or red salsa fast. I still need to try out the "Hot Soup" program and I'm not a fan of cocktails. But it's a feature so you never know what the future may bring. One of the best features the X4 blender offers is the "self-cleaning" feature. Blenders can be hard to clean sometimes. You have to make sure you don't slice your finger open while doing so. This has a program for "self-cleaning!" It worked well for fast cleaning. With this feature, you can run it right after you use it. Just add some warm water and a little dish soap. Let the container and lid dry and you're done. Another great feature is it's not overly loud. On level one it's extremely quiet. My roommate was asleep in the room next to the kitchen. On level 10 it didn't wake them up. Staying quiet on the lower levels is always a plus. Even on level 10, it was annoying and loud. For the negatives, I wish the on/off switch was not located under the motor. The tamper feels cheap. But these are all minor subjective negatives. The tamper works as intended. Still, this is an amazing blender! You get that constant consistency with the Vitamix Ascent X4! I know now what a premium blender can do.

If a blender was ever more than a blender, this is it. I have played with every preset and most of the manual settings. This is almost a food processor. There is a salsa recipe that comes in the recipe book. Highly recommended. For smoothies, I put the liquids in first and work my way up to more solid matter. Hit the menu button, and it about 90 seconds, the smoothie is being consumed. Cleanup is a breeze. The parts are 'dishwasher safe' but the self clean does a great job. Just fill the pitcher half way with warm water. Add a couple drops of dish soap. Hit the self clean button....Rinse and let dry. Included along with the recipe book is a tamper and a tamper holder. It simply slides in under the left hand side of the blender and the tamper sits in the shot glass looking cup. The tamper could be confused for a very small wiffle ball bat or Billie club. Yes, my kids have hit each other and me with it. It is hollow and does not hurt, depending on where you are hit. The one oddity I found, and took me a minute to figure out. The lid does not screw on. There are tabs on the edges, simply extend one slightly to remove the lid. The tamper hole screws in though. Overall this is a fantastic blender. Like I said, it is almost a food processor.