Vitamix Ascent X5 vs Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender
Vitamix Ascent X5 (#1, best overall) vs Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender (#4, best value): in our Blenders scoring the Vitamix Ascent X5 totals 9.4/10 and the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender 8.6/10.
We may earn a commission when you buy through our links.
TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| Vitamix Ascent X5 | Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender | |
|---|---|---|
| Motor | 2.2 HP (1,500W) | 1400W |
| Container | 48 oz | 72 oz + 2x 24 oz cups |
| Controls | Touch interface + variable speed, digital timer | Auto-iQ + manual |
| Programs | 10 presets + self-clean | 4 presets |
| Speeds | Variable + pulse | — |
| Warranty | 10 years | 2 years |
| Price | Check price → | Check price → |
How they differ in real use
Built from our blenders scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the Vitamix Ascent X5 and the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender made our Top 5 Blenders, at #1 (best overall) and #4 (best value). The most complete blender here. Its 10 automatic programs (hot soup, nut butter, non-dairy milk, spice grinding and more), digital timer, tamper indicator and self-cleaning cycle go well beyond the Vitamix 5200's single speed dial, and its 10-year warranty outlasts the 5200's 7 years and the Blendtec's 8. RTINGS rates it the best Vitamix it has reviewed and quieter than the Ascent A3500 it replaces here. The catch is capacity: its 48 oz jar handles smaller ice batches than the 5200's 64 oz container, and it costs the most. 1400W power with Auto-iQ presets at a fraction of Vitamix pricing. Includes personal blend cups for on-the-go.
We score blenders on Blending Power (35%), Versatility (25%), Build Quality (20%), Noise Level (10%) and Value (10%). On that basis the Vitamix Ascent X5 totals 9.4 out of 10 and the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender 8.6. The widest gap is Blending Power, where the Vitamix Ascent X5 scores 9.5 against 8 for the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender: ice crushing and smoothness. Build Quality also separates them: 10 for the Vitamix Ascent X5 versus 8 for the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender. The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender claws back ground on Value.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Motor: 2.2 HP (1,500W) on the Vitamix Ascent X5 versus 1400W on the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender; Container: 48 oz on the Vitamix Ascent X5 versus 72 oz + 2x 24 oz cups on the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender; Controls: Touch interface + variable speed, digital timer on the Vitamix Ascent X5 versus Auto-iQ + manual on the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender; Programs: 10 presets + self-clean on the Vitamix Ascent X5 versus 4 presets on the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender; Warranty: 10 years on the Vitamix Ascent X5 versus 2 years on the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender.
Check current pricing at the merchant links below. Owners praise the Vitamix Ascent X5 for 2.2 HP (1,500W) motor with variable speed and pulse and 10 automatic programs, including hot soup, nut butter and non-dairy milk; the most common complaint is 48 oz container is small for a full-size blender; RTINGS found it works best with about six ice cubes per batch, versus about twelve in a 64 oz Vitamix. Owners praise the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender for 1400W powerful motor and auto-iQ presets; the most common complaint is not as smooth as Vitamix.
Vitamix Ascent X5
- 2.2 HP (1,500W) motor with variable speed and pulse
- 10 automatic programs, including hot soup, nut butter and non-dairy milk
- Digital timer, tamper indicator and self-cleaning program
- Rated very sturdy and quiet for a blender by RTINGS
- 48 oz container is small for a full-size blender; RTINGS found it works best with about six ice cubes per batch, versus about twelve in a 64 oz Vitamix
- A single Smoothie program cycle can need extra manual blending for the smoothest result
- Most expensive model in the Ascent X line
Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender
- 1400W powerful motor
- Auto-iQ presets
- Total Crushing pitcher
- Two single-serve cups
- Not as smooth as Vitamix
- Louder operation
- Shorter warranty
Which should you buy?
The Vitamix Ascent X5 is the better fit for daily smoothie, soup and nut-butter makers and buyers who want hands-off programs and self-cleaning; it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Blending Power and Build Quality. The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender is the better fit for value seekers and family smoothies, and the stronger choice if Value matters more to you than the overall score. The Vitamix Ascent X5 is a poor fit for large-batch or big-family blending; the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender is a poor fit for silkiest textures.
Choose the Vitamix Ascent X5 if
- Daily smoothie, soup and nut-butter makers
- Buyers who want hands-off programs and self-cleaning
- Households of one to three
Skip it if
- Large-batch or big-family blending
- Budget buyers
Choose the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender if
- Value seekers
- Family smoothies
- Those wanting Vitamix results for less
Skip it if
- Silkiest textures
- Professional use
Common questions
Is the Vitamix Ascent X5 better than the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender?
In our Blenders ranking the Vitamix Ascent X5 scores higher overall, 9.4 to 8.6, with the biggest advantage in Blending Power. The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender is stronger on Value, so it is the better pick if that matters most to you.
What is the main difference between the Vitamix Ascent X5 and the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender?
The headline spec difference is Motor: 2.2 HP (1,500W) on the Vitamix Ascent X5 versus 1400W on the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender. In use, the gap that matters most is Blending Power (9.5 vs 8 in our scoring): ice crushing and smoothness.