The Explorian E320 and the C-series 5300 are great offerings from Vitamix. The two blenders are very similar in form and looks. This Vitamix E320 vs 5300 comparisons and review puts both these machines in perspective, so you can choose what works best for you.
This is because they’re quite similar, from the design to performance. However, don’t be fooled into thinking that they’re completely identical. A few important differences set them apart: and these could make one more suited to you than the other.
In this article, we’re going to closely compare the Vitamix E320 with the 5300. In the end, we’ll give you our verdict on what we think is the better overall blender and our recommendations on which one might be better for you.
Vitamix 5300 vs E320: A Short Comparison
Below is a brief comparison of what the Vitamix E320 and the 5300 have to offer. This should give you a fairly good idea of the pros and cons of each blender.
Vitamix 5300
- The Vitamix 5300 comes with a motor that’s capable of 2.2 peak horsepower. This makes it more powerful than Vitamix’s flagship C-series 5200
- It is 17.2 inches tall and therefore under-cabinet storage is possible
- It comes with a 64-ounce pitcher so that you can make large amounts of food at a time
- The Vitamix 5300 has variable speed control and a pulse feature to achieve any desired blend consistency
- It comes in black and red
- The Vitamix 5300 has a five-year warranty
Vitamix E320
- The Vitamix Explorian Series E320 also comes with a 2.2 peak horsepower motor. This allows you to make anything from smoothies to frozen desserts
- It’s slightly taller than the Vitamix 5300 at 18 inches
- It also has a 64-ounce container
- The Vitamix E320 has both the variable speed dial and the pulse switch on its interface
- It comes in black only
- Has a 7-year warranty
As you can see, the two Vitamix models are very similar for the most part, save for a few small differences. In the next section, we will take a closer look at these.
The Features
Before you choose to go with one or the other, we highly recommend that you pay close attention to the features of each. Below is a detailed analysis and comparison of all the features mentioned above:
Motor
Both the Vitamix E320 and 5300 have motors that are capable of reaching 2.2 horsepower as per their spec sheets. However, the actual measured running outputs vary: the E320 achieves about 1.93 horsepower while the 5300 is capable of 1.85.
That being said, the performance of both Vitamix models is almost identical. This means that you can make all the green smoothies you want with either blender, and you don’t have to worry about any chunks in the blend. You could even throw in a hardened block of cheese or a handful of almonds and neither blender should have any trouble dealing with them.
The only difference between the motors of the Vitamix E320 and the 5300 is that the latter is slightly quieter, but only at the highest speed setting. On low-speed settings, both blenders output about 91 decibels of noise. However, when the variable speed knob is turned to 10, The Vitamix E320 registers at 104.5 DB while the 5300 runs a little less noisily at around 102.8 DB.
In summary: both motors have a comparable amount of power but the 5300 is a bit quieter.
Blades
Both the Vitamix E320 and the 5300 have blades made out of high-quality stainless steel. They’re dull to the touch but don’t let that fool you! They’re extremely powerful when switched on.
The blades of each blender differ slightly in size. The Vitamix 5300 has slightly larger blades, with a diameter of four inches. In comparison, the blades of the E320 are 3 inches in diameter. The larger blades essentially mean that you have a greater cutting area, which in turn, gives you more consistency with your blends.
In summary: both Vitamix blenders have stainless steel blades but the Vitamix 5300’s are an inch longer in diameter.
Cooling
Both the Vitamix E320 and 5300 have built-in radial cooling fans and thermal sensors. The latter is triggered when the blender runs too hot and they automatically turn off the blender in order to prevent the components from being damaged.
In summary: both blenders are equally well-equipped against overheating.
Pitchers
While both the Vitamix E320 and 5300 come with 64-ounce containers, their profiles differ. The 5300’s low-profile pitcher has a wider and shorter design, making it easier to store under kitchen cabinets and when using a spatula and tamper.
This wider profile is also necessary to house the larger blades of the Vitamix 5300. In comparison, the 18-inch pitcher of the E320 may make it a bit harder to store, depending on the placement and dimensions of your overhead cabinets.
In summary: both pitchers have the same volume but the 5300’s low profile pitcher makes storage much easier.
Cord Length
At six feet, the Vitamix 5300’s cord is a whole 2.5 feet longer than its rival’s. Hence, if you don’t have many power outlets scattered around your kitchen, then perhaps the 5300 is the better option for you.
Controls
As mentioned above, both blenders come with a variable speed knob. With the ability to choose speed settings ranging from 1 to 10, you could get any sort of consistency from smooth purees to thick soups.
In addition, both the Vitamix 5300 and the E320 also comes with a pulse button. This causes the blender to switch to a fast chopping action, allowing you to get chunky consistencies when you’re making things like salsa or sauces.
Neither blender comes with presets as you would get with the Vitamix Ascent Series A3500 or Professional Series 750.
In summary: both blenders have variable speed control and a pulse feature.
Cleaning
Both the Vitamix 5300 and the E320 are capable of self-cleaning. Start by filling up the pitcher with water and add a very small quantity of dish soap. Then switch on the blades at speed 1 and gradually increase until the soapy mixture reaches the lid. Keep the blender running for a couple of minutes.
After a messy blend, however, you’d have to clean them manually with warm water, dish soap, and a sponge. This is easier to do with 5300, as it has a wider base.
In summary: while both blenders are capable of self-cleaning, it is easier to manually clean the 5300.
Prices
While they aren’t the most expensive blenders that Vitamix offers, they’ve still got relatively high price tags compared to most other blenders on the market. The Vitamix Explorian E320 costs slightly less than the 5300. However, do lookout for sales and refurbished options to get best deals.
Extras
Both blenders come with a tamper plunger and a Getting Started guide which also includes recipes.
Our Verdict: Which is the winner
While both blenders are quite similar, the Vitamix 5300 seems to have a slight edge over its rival in a number of ways:
- Has a slightly quieter motor
- Its larger blades can make the blend more consistent
- The pitcher’s low-profile design and longer cord length makes placement and storage much easier
- It’s easier to clean manually.
Therefore, the Vitamix 5300 is our choice for overall better blender.
Closing Thoughts: Which Blender Is Right For You?
Even though the Vitamix 5300 is the better blender, the E320 may actually be more suited to some people. Remember, both blenders are equal in terms of performance and even build quality. So which one is right for you?
Vitamix Explorian Series E320
This blender is more suited for you if:
- You’d rather buy a brand new blender for the same price than a refurbished one
- You’d rather have a seven-year warranty than a five year one.
Vitamix 5300
This blender is more suited for you if:
- You have traditionally-sized overhead cabinets
- You prefer other color options over black
- You want a quieter blender.
And that’s all there is to know about the Vitamix 5300 and the E320. We trust you’ll be able to make a more informed decision now. We also recommend that you look into the Vitamix Ascent series as well.
They’re expensive but they come with blending presets, which allow you to make hot soups, frozen desserts, smoothies and more with the press of a button.