If you love making smoothies, soups, nut butters, or anything that requires a high-powered blender, you’ve probably heard of Vitamix. Vitamix blenders have long been a favorite among chefs and home cooks for their ability to blend just about anything quickly and smoothly.

Vitamix recently released a new line of blenders called the Ascent Series. These blenders have some exciting new features and improvements over previous Vitamix models. My husband and I had the chance to take the Vitamix Ascent A2500 for a test drive over the past few months. Read on for our honest thoughts in this Vitamix Ascent review!

What’s New With the Ascent Series?

The Ascent Series blenders have several upgrades from previous Vitamix blenders:

• Sleeker design – The Ascent models have a slimmer profile and come in trendy colors like slate grey or candy apple red.
• Wireless connectivity – They can connect wirelessly to the Vitamix Perfect Blend app for access to recipes and even custom blending programs.
• New touchscreen controls – A nice size touchscreen makes operation easy.
• Self-detect containers – The blender automatically adjusts program settings and maximum blending times for the container size you attach.
• Longer warranties – The Ascent blenders have 10 year warranties on the motor base, compared to 7 years for C-Series blenders.

Unboxing and First Impressions

We chose the A2500 model since it comes with everything we wanted – built-in wireless connectivity, a touchscreen, and a 64 oz container. It arrived well-packaged in a sturdy box.

Opening it up, we were struck by its sleek design. The metal base has a polished, high-end look. The touchscreen display is bright and very user-friendly. The 64 oz container felt solid and durable. We also received two 20 oz blending cups, perfect for single servings.

After admiring its looks, we couldn’t wait to fire it up and take it for a first blend!

Blending Performance

We use our blender almost daily, so the Ascent has gotten a real workout in our kitchen over the past few months. Here’s how it performed with different ingredients:

Smoothies

We loaded up the 64 oz container with all our favorite smoothie ingredients – frozen fruits, spinach, Greek yogurt, milk, nuts, seeds, etc. The A2500 had no problems pulverizing everything into a creamy, smooth texture in under a minute.

It was definitely an upgrade from our old blender, which would often leave tiny chunks of fruit or yogurt in the mixture. The Ascent left us with silky smooth smoothies every time.

Soups and Purées

Next we tried our hand at butternut squash soup and cauliflower purée. The Ascent quickly and evenly puréed the vegetables into velvety smooth mixtures, with no stringy bits or chunks left behind.

The built-in soup program automatically heated the soup while blending, saving us time and extra dishes. No need for a pot on the stove!

Chopping and Food Prep

The variable speed and pulse options made short work of chopping veggies for salsa, grating Parmesan cheese, and mixing dips like hummus. We could get a rough chop by pulsing just a few times, or keep blending for a fine purée texture.

The Ascent was also great for making our own nut butter. Getting that perfectly smooth consistency usually takes 10+ minutes of blending with standard blenders, but the Ascent did it in just a few minutes.

Frozen Desserts

Who doesn’t love homemade frozen treats in the summer? We tested out recipes for dairy-free banana ice cream, fruit sorbet, and frozen yogurts.

The Ascent churned everything into a creamy, frozen consistency with zero ice crystals. The results tasted like they came straight from an ice cream shop!

Ease of Use

We found the Ascent blender incredibly intuitive and easy to operate. Here are some of the features we loved:

• The touchscreen is very user-friendly, with clearly marked buttons and speed settings.
• The variable speed dial allows you to precisely control the texture as it blends.
• The pulse feature is great for chopping without over-blending.
• The Ascent turns itself off as soon as you stop blending, so no worrying about accidentally leaving it on.
• Clean-up is easy since all parts are dishwasher-safe.

The Vitamix app connected seamlessly to our blender via WiFi. It’s a great source for recipes optimized for the Ascent. We also liked being able to adjust blending times and customize programs from our phone.

Anything We Didn’t Like?

After months of near-daily use, we have almost entirely positive things to say about the Vitamix Ascent A2500. It tackles any blending task with power and precision.

However, there are a couple minor drawbacks to consider:

• It’s heavy at over 11 lbs. Not very portable.
• It’s not exactly quiet, although similar blenders are just as loud.
• The tamper doesn’t fit inside the 64 oz container, so you have to store it separately.

But these are small quibbles for a blender that delivers exceptional performance. For us, the Ascent’s pros easily outweigh any minor cons.

Is the Ascent Worth the Investment?

Vitamix blenders command premium prices, and the Ascent Series is no exception. The A2500 retails for around $550 – definitely an investment!

In our opinion, the performance and durability justify the price. This is a serious blender built to last. With its 10 year full warranty, it should easily last decades with proper care.

For a high-powered, multi-purpose blender that can handle tough ingredients without flinching, the Ascent Series is hard to beat. We use ours every single day without issues.

If you just need something for occasional use, a less pricey blender would get the job done. But the Ascent is worth the splurge for blender-loving cooks!

The Verdict: Who Should Buy the Ascent?

The Vitamix Ascent Series is ideal for you if:

• You blend frequently, especially smoothies, soups, nut butters, etc.
• You want commercial-grade power in a home blender.
• You cook for a crowd and need large batch capacity.
• You want a durable blender that will last for years.

Thanks to its smart features and connectivity, the Ascent is also great for tech-lovers who want a “smart” blender they can customize and control from their phone.

With its combination of power, versatility and updated technology, the Ascent line is one of Vitamix’s finest. It takes blending performance to new heights.

If you’re seeking a top-of-the-line blender that can handle tough ingredients for years to come, the Vitamix Ascent Series is a winner in our book!