Vitamix S30: My First Take

Predicting the outcome of my forthcoming Vitamix S30 in-depth review

Vitamix S30

Lenny Gale

Rated:4 / 5

The Vitamix S30 is the latest and smallest edition to the Vitamix lineup.

Today, it retails for $409 (see current price).

Good things

At 8lbs, the S30 is Vitamix's first baby blender.

Not good things

The Vitamix S30 still comes with a Vitamix price tag.

All things considered

The specs and demos I've seen indicate the S30 would be good as an on-the-go blender.

Notes

Unboxing

I’ve researched the S30 thoroughly. I have not, however, had an opportunity to test it. Once I do, I will publish the in-depth review. Photos, video, and everything. Just like the rest of my reviews. Until then, here’s my first take on the Vitamix S30.

Vitamix S30: Reasons I will like it

Based on my research, here’s what I will like about the Vitamix S30.

Smaller footprint

Photo credit: Williams & Sonoma

The Vitamix S30 is the smallest Vitamix ever made. Here are the specs and what they mean.

It weighs 8 lbs.

Similar to a child’s bowling ball, the S30 is very light. By comparison, it weights 33% less than my Vitamix Pro 750.

It’s 16″ tall.

That’s shorter than all Next Generation units. But, only 1.5″ shorter. Like any Next Generation Vitamix, it fits easily under cabinets.

It’s skinnier.

Its literal footprint is only 6″ x 9″. That could be a nice space-saver for me. Certainly, a better fit for my friends living in tiny NYC apartments.

Carry-on ready

The Vitamix S30 is small enough to pack in a carry-on. While I’ve joked about traveling with my Vitamix, it was never realistic with my Pro 750.

Two containers means more flexible

The Vitamix S30 comes with two containers:

• 40oz container, similar to traditional Vitamix containers
• 20oz container, useable as a double-insulated travel cup

So, if I was making a smoothie, I wouldn’t need to use the large container. Plus, I wouldn’t need a separate to-go cup. It would basically be blend-and-go.

In theory, also, I could prepare dishes faster. For example, if I needed to chop onions and make a dessert, I wouldn’t need to clean the container right away. I would just use both containers.

Blade assembly more accessible

The Vitamix S30’s blade assembly is removable from its containers. This design is very similar to how a magic bullet works. This design is unlike any other Vitamix.

For those with OCD, like me, the blade assembly is more accessible. Meaning, it could be easier to clean than full-sized Vitamix containers.

A new cookbook

Like all Vitamix’s, the S30 comes with a cookbook. It remains to be seen how it stacks up against previously released ones. But, if the recipes are specifically calibrated for the S30’s jar sizes, I will be impressed.

Exclusivity

The Vitamix S30 is a brand new design. It looks like no other Vitamix ever released. If I wanted to be an early adopter, I’d love flaunting my S30.

But, the S30 is still a Vitamix. So even having the S30, a blender very few others have, wouldn’t be that exclusive. Who doesn’t have a Vitamix?

Vitamix S30: Reasons I might not like it

Based on my research, here’s what I may not like about the Vitamix S30.

Lacks power, identity

The Vitamix S30 boasts a 790 watt motor. That’s 3x the size of a Magic Bullet’s motor.

But compared to a Next Generation Vitamix, the S30 is weak sauce. Next Generation engines have over 1,600 watts (2.2HP).

So what are you, S30? Are you a big little or a little big?

Who knows? Maybe the S30’s motor is sufficient for my blending needs. Once I’ve tested it thoroughly, you’ll know.

Cleaning an S30 confuses me

Since the blade assembly is removable, the containers are dishwasher safe. So, my first thought is that cleaning would be easier. But what about cleaning the blade assembly?

Let’s assume I want to clean the blade assembly. Wouldn’t I want to run a Vitamix Clean Cycle? And wouldn’t that require using one of the S30’s containers? So what’s the benefit of the containers being dishwasher safe?

Moreover, how would I clean the blade assembly if I were taking the to-go container with me? Run a clean cycle with the 40oz container?

We’ll see once I can test and provide a review. Perhaps I should have been in the Vitamix S30 design meetings? 🙂

Update: Cleaning the S30 is not confusing at all.

Photo by: Vitamix.com

According to Vitamix, all non-electric components of the S30 are top-rack, dishwasher-safe. Read more »» 

That’s actually pretty awesome.

Looking forward to changing the way I clean my Vitamix. Potentially. 🙂

20oz to-go container is limiting

Here’s why I could see the S30’s to-go container being limiting.

Cannot add as I go

The S30’s to-go container has no hole at the top. If I wanted to add ingredients mid-blend, I would have to stop it, unscrew the blade, add ingredients, screw the blade, put it back on the motor, and start again. Way too many steps.

Of course, the 40oz container has a traditional Vitamix hole at the top. But using that exclusively eliminates the benefit of having a container that can be used as a to-go cup.

Only 20oz

All my smoothie recipes are for 24 oz (or more) drinks. The S30 might force me to recalibrate all my recipes.

Yes, I could make my smoothies in the 40oz container and then transfer. But then do I really need the S30’s to-go container?

Safety Concerns

There are unique safety features on the Vitamix S30. Since the blade assembly is removable (transferrable between containers), the machine is designed to shut off automatically if the container is rocked, twisted or bumped.

Still, I’m not sure how I feel about being so close to the blade. Yes, the Vitamix blades essentially come dull. But I like the non-removable blade assembly on my Pro 750 (safest Vitamix, IMHO) because there’s less risk of cutting my (clumsy) fingers.

Only a 5-year warranty

The S30 comes with a 5-year warranty. Perhaps this is the future for Vitamix warranties. Doubtful, though. Why? All full-sized, Next Generation models still come standard with 7-year warranties.

But, what if I was okay with a 5-year warranty? Then, wouldn’t I want a Certified Reconditioned Next Gen at the same price? That comes with a 5-year warranty, too.

Conclusion

This is just my first take on the Vitamix S30. My opinions are based on publically available demos, specs and my years of experience publishing articles on Vitamix.

The Vitamix S30 could be great.

But given what I’ve seen, it doesn’t excite me that much. Either way, I can’t wait to give it a spin and publish a full in-depth review.

Until then, thanks for reading.

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Update

I slept on this first-take review last night. And while I was initially doubtful that the Vitamix S30 is worth the money, I understand the appeal.

The S30 should only be compared to a Magic Bullet — the original, affordable, on-the-go blender.

For fifty bucks, you can get a Magic Bullet. It comes with a 1 year warranty. That’s $50 per year ($50 / 1 year). Yet, the motor is relatively weak — 33% the size of the S30.

For $409 (see current price) you can get the Vitamix S30. It comes with a 5-year warranty. That’s $80 per year ($400 / 5 years).

So you’re basically paying an extra $30 per year ($80-$50) for 3x the power. So you’re getting:

• Quicker blends.
• Smoother blends.
• More efficient blends.

And of course, you’re getting the Vitamix brand.

So, I get it. If you’re going to get a travel blender, the Vitamix S30 makes sense. As a permanent fixture in my home, however, I’d rather have the Pro 750. If I were still traveling every week, I’d probably own both.

Update 2: 30 days of the S30

Starting today, May 15, 2014, I’m going to explore the Vitamix S30 in depth. Each day there will be a new post.

30 days of the S30.

They’ll update as they’re published. Enjoy!