Vitamix Explorian (Review of E310)

The Explorian Series from Vitamix Delivers Classic Look and Feel (with a great price point!)

Vitamix Explorian

Lenny Gale

Rated:5 / 5

The new Vitamix Explorian E310 is a great way to get into the Vitamix family. Vitamix quality at a great price (especially when paired with easy payment plans). Available now us USA and Canada!

(see current price)

Good things

This classically designed Vitamix comes with a low-profile 48 oz (1.4-litre) container and a five year full warranty

Not so good things

The Explorian Series has far fewer features than the Ascent Series.

All things considered

There's very little not to like about the Explorian Vitamix E310.

Notes

Unboxing

Here’s a video of Shalva unboxing the E310. Enjoy!

Overview: What you ought to know about the Vitamix Explorian Series

The Vitamix Explorian series is a new offering from Vitamix. It’s intended to come in at a very affordable price point.

But don’t let the price fool you.

As with every Vitamix, the quality is second to none. And, this model, the E310, can do everything you need:

• Smoothies and juices.
• Hot soups.
• Nut butters.
• Dips and spreads (queso!).
• Frozen desserts (ice creams!).
• Flours, batters, everything.

We’re really excited about the Explorian series!

For people wanting to spend between three and four hundred, have the old-school narrow-body container, and don’t need all the bells and whistles that come with Ascent, this model, the Explorian E310, is a great fit.

Now that you have an overview of the E310, let’s talk specifics.

Body

The body is similar to the old G-Series models. There are some slight differences, but we’ve yet to identify them.

The dial is a bit different than anything we’ve seen. But the switches look pretty classic, almost identical to the ones on a Pro 750.

Side note from someone who has been doing this a long time: The C-Series used to be the classic look (when G-Series were first released). Now it’s the G-Series that’s “classic”.

Motor

These days, there are really two different size motors inside Vitamix machines. 2.0 and 2.2 HP.

The larger motor is designed to drive the low-profile, 64 ounce containers which feature 4 inch blades.

Because it comes with the narrow-bodied container featuring the 3 inch blade, the Explorian E310 has the 2.0 HP motor.

Now, this is a lot of detail about motor size when in reality, the difference in blend quality isn’t really affected.

So let’s move on. 🙂

Container

The E310 comes with the 48 oz, narrow-bodied, low-profile container. For many this is great because you get:

• A Vitamix machine that is cabinet-friendly.
• A midsize container that’s big enough for most (but not too big).
• A container that’s narrow (and thus can accommodate smaller batches).

Plus, the E310 is compatible with all Legacy containers. So if you have a narrow 64 oz, 32 oz, or 32 oz dry grains container, they will work with this model.

One more thing: The E310 is also compatible with the Personal Cup Adaptor. So if you want to use a 20 oz container for blend-and-go, you can!

Okay, now that we’ve discussed the E310 container and compatibility, let’s talk about how it compares with Ascent and Pro 750.

Explorian (E310) vs Ascent

It’s simple to compare the Vitamix Explorian to Ascent. Less features!

Warranty: Explorian comes with a 5-year full warranty (Ascent comes with 10).

Bluetooth: Ability to control by mobile app and integrate with Perfect Blend scale are Ascent only.

Lid: Explorian’s lid is the classic rubber while the Ascent’s is see-through clear.

Pre-set programming: Several of the Ascent models (A2500, A3500) come with preset programming. The E310, does not.

Dishwasher compatibility: The E310, unlike Ascent Series, is not dishwasher safe. The E10, however, can self-clean with a couple drops of soap and warm water.

Personal cup compatibility: Explorian is only compatible with the Personal Cup Adapter (not the 8 and 20 oz designed for Ascent).

Sound levels: The E310 is significantly louder than the Ascent A3500. Hard to say exactly why, although our ears and mobile phone app measuring decibels agreed.

Okay, so that’s how the E310 compares to Ascent.

And to be clear, we’re not insulting the Explorian. It’s a great model. Just less feature-rich than Ascent.

Related: Here’s me walking through the differences between Explorian and the Ascent in a fun video from our YouTube channel.

Explorian (E310) vs Pro 750

It’s simple to compare the Vitamix Explorian to a Pro 750.

Quite similar, actually!

Warranty: Explorian comes with a 5-year full warranty (A new Pro 750 comes with seven, and a CR-version comes with five).

Lid: Both the E310 and the Pro 750 come with the classic rubber lid.

Handle: A small but notable difference is the handle. The E310 does not have the ergonomically designed rubber handle that comes on the Pro 750.

Pre-set programming: The Pro 750 comes with five preset programs. The E310 comes with none.

Self cleaning: Like all Vitamix models, even the ones that are dishwasher safe, both the E310 and Pro 750 can self-clean with soap, warm water, and 30 seconds on Variable Speed 10. The only difference is that with the E310, you can’t press a button and walk away. (See above.)

Personal cup compatibility: Both the E310 and Pro 750 are compatible with the Personal Cup Adapter (and not the 8 and 20 oz designed for Ascent).

Legacy container compatibility: Both the E310 and Pro 750 are compatible with all Legacy containers. That includes any container without the “Self Detect Technology” label. So all all 32 oz containers (wet and dry), are compatible with the E310.

Sound levels: The E310 is quite a bit louder than the Pro 750. Informal tests (our ears and iphone app) confirm. The difference is similar to the 5200 by comparison.

To be clear, we’re not insulting the Explorian. It’s a great model. Just less feature-rich than the Pro 750.

Related: Here’s me walking through the differences between Explorian and the Pro 750 in a fun video from our YouTube channel.

Who an Explorian E310 may (may not) be for

This Vitamix, an Explorian E310, may be for you if:

• You have some legacy containers (32 oz wet or dry) already.
• You want a machine with a smaller minimum batch size.
• You want to get a Vitamix but don’t need extra features.
• You’ve always thought you can’t afford a Vitamix right now because they’re “like $600.”
• You live by yourself and are looking for a Vitamix that is good for just one person.
• You’re visually impaired and would appreciate a tactilely controlled Vitamix.
• You wanted to spend under $400, but weren’t sure you wanted a Certified Reconditioned model. (The E310’s are brand new!)

This Vitamix, an Explorian E310, may not be for you if:

• You want the quietest Vitamix model (that’s the A3500).
• You want to be able to utilize the Perfect Blend Smart Scale and App.
• You want a model that features “walk-away” blending.

So that’s who the Vitamix E310 may and may not be for. Now, some FAQ.

FAQ

Do the Legacy, low-profile, 64-ounce (2.0 litre) container’s (without Self Detect) work with the E310?

Officially, no. Vitamix does not recommend using the low-profile, 64 oz container on the E310. Technically, the low-profile 64 oz container requires 2.2 HP to run efficiently due to the 4 inch blade. The E310 has a 2.0 HP motor and thus in insufficient to run the low-profile 64.

What happens if you do use a low-profile 64 oz container on the E310?

You run the risk of overheating the machine.

Are the narrow, tall 64-ounce containers compatible with the E310?

Yes! If you want to make large batches in your E310, you should use a tall 64-ounce container. You can get one new here or use one that came with an earlier model (like a C-Series).

Now let’s conclude. 🙂

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Conclusion

We’re really excited about this Vitamix and you should be, too!

• 5-year warranty (extendable to eight!).
• Laser cut blades.
• Low-profile container.
• Brand new Vitamix for under $400 that becomes a no brainer at $22/mo with their easy payment plans.

Friends ask me all the time: “I want to get a Vitamix, but don’t want to spend a fortune. Which one should I get?”

Until now, the answer was always, “Get a Certified Reconditioned. Great price, great value, everything you need.”

But now?

Now you can have all that with a brand new machine. The Vitamix Explorian E310.

Go get this Vitamix!