Vitamix Ascent X5 in Brushed Stainless on a kitchen counter, next to it two smoothie glasses and fresh fruit

The Ascent X series

Touch instead of a speed dial. And a blender that cleans itself.

X2 and X5 with SELF-DETECT® container detection — ten-year warranty.

Vitamix Ascent X Series

Ascent X: X2 and X5 — the Ascent system without a dead end

The Ascent X series is the only Ascent generation whose containers also fit a Classic motor. The 1.4 L, the 2.0 L Low-Profile, the dry grains container and the Aer Disc container fit the X2 and X5 — and equally all Explorian models E310 to E520 and the Pro 750. If you buy an Ascent X today and put a Classic machine next to it in five years, you keep your containers. That's not possible with the Interlock containers of the Ascent Interlock series.

The fit only works in one direction. An X container runs on a Classic motor — a Classic container does not run on an X. It will physically sit on it, but the X base detects its container electronically; a Classic container doesn't send this signal, and the machine won't start. So if you switch from an Explorian to an Ascent X, you don't keep your old containers.

Two models, one difference: the X2 comes with three programs — smoothie, frozen dessert, soup. The X5 has ten, plus a display that tells you when the tamper is needed. You operate both via touch, both come with the 1.4 L container, a tamper and Tamper Manager on the machine, and both have a self-cleaning program: warm water, a few drops of washing-up liquid, done. As with every Ascent, the base uses SELF-DETECT to recognise which container is fitted and sets the program runtime accordingly.

X5 or A3500i? That's the comparison you're most likely to face — both are touch-operated machines with container detection, both clean themselves. They're set apart in three ways. Programs: ten for the X5, five for the A3500i. Container system: the X takes X containers and passes them on to Classic motors; the A3500i takes Interlock containers, which fit no other system. Help while blending: the X5 tells you in the display when the tamper is needed; with the A3500i, you decide that yourself. The operation itself makes little difference when tapping — the decision comes down to the container you'll still want to use in five years.

If you're still torn between the series, start with the three-step decision path; the container question is covered there under which containers can be swapped.