Vitamix Professional Series 300 Review

Good things: The Vitamix Professional Series 300 is nearly identical to the Vitamix 7500. Like other Next Generation units, it has faster processing and is quieter at high-speed. Plus, it comes with nice hard-cover, jacketed cookbook called “Create.”
Not good things: Featuring a gray face, the Pro 300 offers less color options than the technically identical 7500.
All things considered: Vitamix’s Professional Series 300 is just a slight variation of its flagship Next Generation model, the 7500. The cookbook, gray face and body-color options are the only difference. If you’re considering getting a Pro 300, you can usually save money and have more options by getting the 7500.

Notes

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In this Vitamix Pro 300 review, I’ll be as thorough as possible. Even if it’s something that doesn’t portray this product kindly, I will make note. My goal is to help products like this get designed better. At any price, nobody likes buying a poorly designed product? Nor does anyone deserve to be misinformed or misled.

Yes, I earn money from links out. But beyond referral fees, I am not paid to promote any products. Nor do I accept repeated offers to place ads on the site. My goal to to create a resource that I would use. A place I would go to. A community I’d subscribe to.

Of course, the commentary in this review is from my eyes. My experience and perspective. So, while I tell it like it is, sometimes I make mistakes or leave stuff out. So could you do me a solid? Please do me a favor. Let me know if you see any errors or omissions. Thank you.

Overview

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This wouldn’t be a Vitamix Pro 300 review without talking about the Next Generation lineup. Like all Vitamix blenders in the Next Generation lineup, the Vitamix Professional Series 300 is one of the latest and greatest. It fits more nicely under cabinets and processes food faster than its predecessor 5200 model.

Prices change, but the Pro 300 is usually a bit more expensive than the 7500. The premium is for the name, mostly. The technical specs on the Pro 300 are identical to the 7500.

The colors on the Pro 300 is the biggest difference. The matte gray face distinguishes it from the other Next Generation models. There are two body colors available online for the Pro 300, red and black. The technically identical 7500 has a shiny black face and is available in the same colors as the Pro 300, plus a limited edition white.

Unboxing

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In these massive reviews, I’ll open up the box and explore what’s inside. Credit to my friend Ray Maker for showing me how enjoyable these unveilings are.

Here it is. The Vitamix Pro 300 unboxed.

I must say, the color of this box did not get realized well. The actual box is closer to yellow. Not so green. See the video.

Standard Vitamix box with the handle. They really design these boxes nicely. They feel wrong to discard. I wonder which people are more likely to keep (not discard). A Vitamix box or an Apple box? Most (as of November 2013) Vitamix’s are bought for first-time owners. And those first-time owners don’t know Vitamix will take a return or exchange shipped in any box (not necessarily the original). My guess is that the duration of not discarding the box is longer for an Apple Box if they are kept in the first place.  I digress.

It is a large box. I have several Apple boxes under my bed. Not sure this would fit.

I love breaking the seal.

Pop.

The sun came out from behind the clouds immediately after I snapped this picture. And birds started chirping. And then angels hovered past my window.

I like the sharp cardboard edges around the cardboard hole. Reminds me of when my dad, a grocery store employee, would come home with band-aids on his fingers. The cuts were from cardboard boxes.

On a lighter note, I enjoyed reading the French instructions. Hi, Mme Weiland, Mme Colomb, Mme Miller and Mr. Iforgotyournamecollegelecturer.

Blood free. Ok, I’ll stop.

My second favorite part about opening a new Vitamix. The Welcome Kit. Opening it is such a pleasure.

Rip.

A thank you note that I thought was nice.

The least used thing in the box.  Actually probably most valuable.  Besides the motor, of course.

Shiny “Create” cookbook. Even if you buy a refurbished model, it will look like this. Shrink wrapped and spankin’ new.

Pretty heavy, actually.

Oh, and there’s the getting started guide. Nice little abbreviated version of the cookbook, owners manual, et al.

Hiding tamper.

Mini tamper.

Finally.

Which do I take out first!?!

Container. So beautiful.

Lid. I keep saying these look like tires.

Together.  I like the lighting on this one.

Zero spilling.

And the gray faced base.  Hello, Pro 300.

Other side.

All together now.

Demonstration

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Vitamix Professional Series 300 vs Vitamix 7500

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The Vitamix Pro 300 is in the (very closely) related Next Generation family. In fact, the Pro 300 is technically identical to the 7500.

Just like the 7500, the Pro 300 has all the Next Generation Features. It has a low profile, so it fits nicely under cabinets. Actually, I have found the low profile to be my favorite feature of the Next Generation models. The blades on the Pro 300 are an industry-large 4 inches. This makes for significantly faster, smoother food production. And of course, there’s an on/off switch.

The major difference between the Professional Series 300 and the Vitamix 7500 is only cosmetic. The Pro 300 face is a matte gray. The 7500 face is shiny black. It’s worth noting that the Pro 300 comes with less color options for the base. The Pro 300 is only available in red or black. The Vitamix 7500 is available in those too, plus a limited edition white.

Pro 300 vs 5200

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Compared to the predecessor, Vitamix 5200, also known as Standard, the Pro 300 is newer and superior in a few ways.

While the Pro 300 can fit under your cabinet, the 5200 Standard cannot. I’m finding this to be one of my favorite features of the Pro 300 and the rest of the Next Generation models.

The Pro 300 is quieter than the 5200, but not significantly. The decibel meter, after several tests, indicate a slight difference. Bottom line is that they’re still both loud. The Pro 300 is just a little less loud than the 5200.

The Pro 300, with its longer blades and beefed up motor definitely process food faster. For example, smoothies take 30 seconds instead of 45.

As well, the Pro 300, like all the Next Generation models, have a red on/off switch.

Also unique to the Professional Series 300 is the pulse button. I haven’t found it to be that useful. But, I’m sure some people do.

One thing I prefer on the 5200 is it’s start / stop switch. On the 5200, there is significant space between the start and stop position. And with the naked eye, it’s easy to tell if it’s started or stopped. On the Pro 300, along with all the Next Generation models, it’s hard to tell if the unit is started or stopped. Moreover, I’ve found myself accidentally turning the Pro 300 unit on while moving it on the counter. This never seemed to happen on the 5200.

Vitamix Professional Series 300 vs Vitamix Professional Series 750

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While the Vitamix Professional Series 300 and Professional Series 750 are both Next Generation models and are technically similar, there is one major difference. The Pro 750 has preset programs and the Pro 300 does not. The Pro 300 just has variable speed control (1-10).

Preset programs, the feature the Pro 300 does not have, allow you to use the Vitamix with less worry. Making a smoothie? Set it on the Smoothie Program. Hot soup? Set it on the Soup Program. Ready to clean up? Set it to run the Cleaning Program. If you like the Pro 300 and want some preset programming, you’ll need to get a Pro 750.

The Pro 300 has basic Next Generation controls. The large variable speed dial allows for precise control. And the pulse button lets you, well, pulse it. Just don’t turn on a Pro 300 and walk away expecting it to shut off automatically like a Pro 750 would.

Accessories

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Cookbook

The hardcover “Create” cookbook comes with all new Vitamix Professional Series 300’s. It’s a well-built, well-designed cookbook, like all Vitamix cookbooks. The recipes are advanced and not the most healthy. The best way to understand is by comparison with the “Simply Fresh” cookbook that comes with the 7500.

The “Create” cookbook features many staple Vitamix recipes that can be found in all of their cookbooks and seen in live demonstrations. Literally same recipe and photo. The best example is the tortilla soup. The recipes unique to the “Create” cookbook are more advanced and less healthy.

The book is organized by weekdays and weekend, which is interesting. Then, it’s broken down by meal. And if you’re one to judge a book by its cover, then you’ll want to know it is just like a hardcover book. Dust jacket and all.

Overall, “Create” is a good cookbook, but not the one I’d choose if I’m trying to use my new Vitamix to lose weight. “Simply Fresh”, the cookbook that comes with the 7500, is probably better for that.

DVD

The Pro 300 also comes with a DVD featuring Chef Michael Voltaggio. It’s a well-produced video and nice addition to the Pro 300 package. But, I wouldn’t say it’s a must-see. Plus, who still has a DVD player? I don’t even have one on my computer. I had to dig an old one out of my storage locker.

Post script: The previous note is timely because today, Blockbuster officially announced they’re done. They’re closing the 300 or so remaining stores and stopping the DVD-by-mail service. RIP, Blockbuster.

Disclosure

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Conclusion

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The Vitamix 300 is a great machine. It’s nearly identical to the 7500. Get a Pro 300 if you the gray face and “Create” cookbook. Otherwise, the Vitamix 7500 is the model I recommend.

If you appreciated this review, shop via my link out to Vitamix.

Good things,
Lenny

P.S. Feel free to use this Vitamix promotion code to get FREE shipping.