I bought the Vitamix A3500 blender end of November 2022 and have been obsessed with it since. I used to have a blender from a competitor that I used for it's digital panel and pre-programmed blending options as well as no tamper as I thought that needing a tamper was a sign that the blender is not that superior. Since I had to give that blender away, I was in search for a new one and opened my options to look into the Vitamix brand. Wow was I pleasantly surprised to find out that it has come a long way. I first noticed that Vitamix had a digital blender on a blogger's site with recipes I follow. I got intrigued by the A3500 model she was using to make all sorts of healthy recipes that I wanted to make as well. Hers and others product review videos made me convinced that this model was definitely worth looking into. I ended up buying the Vitamix A3500 blender. It has everything that my previous blender had and more. I am loving its digital pre-programmed blending options (have used them all), the timer option, how easy it is to use the variable speed dial, the screen display (which shows you the program and the speed used and how much time is left). Although it is not essential at all, the only thing that it would be neat to have is for the screen to also display the count of how many blends in total you've done thus far (which my previous blender had and kept me motivated to keep using it and increase that count :) ). I also like that fact that the blender doesn't automatically start after a blending option is selected but you need to actually press the start. Basically the blender gives you a lot of control over what you want to do.
As for the tamper (that I have never used one before and had a negative opinion about those), I am now using it as well - for nut butters, dips and other thick blends and I now know it's value :)
This blender is very powerful, it definitely gets the job done superbly - smoothies are velvety smooth, soups are hot, nut butters / hummus & dips are creamy and delicious, frozen desserts moved from the recipe videos to my kitchen and the messes get cleaned with the self-cleaning program.
One of the biggest reason I purchased this blender is not only because of its program versatility and excellent reputation but because it finally offered various attachments. I also have a small blender that I used for its individual cups and small cup to make small amounts of salad dressings/sauces, etc. and individual smoothies, so I don't dirty the big blender. Now I don't need it because Vitamix A3500 has it all - and individual 20oz blending cup for smoothies on the go, a small 6oz blending cup for those sauces/dips or baby food. Eventually, I will probably get the food processor attachment. Basically, it offers a complete system and replaces multiple appliances (like a separate food processor, separate small blender for small blends, separate flour grinder, etc.). Keep in mind that in order for the blender base to recognize which cup/attachment you use, I have to tighten the cup over the blade base once it is positioned on the blender until the blender recognizes it. If it is not tight enough, the blender won't recognize it. I am saying this because there were some reviews saying their blender didn't recognize their attachments.
The only thing I am still getting used to is that it was easier to scrape down with a spatula the inside of my previous blender jar (which also had only 2 prong dull blade and you can even use your finger to get under the blade to get the last bits and pieces of goodness there), where Vitamix has a 4 prong sharp blade base and irregularly shaped insides of their jars, which makes it trickier to scrape and get every drop out, it's easier to pierce your spatula too. Hence why I am looking into getting the Vitamix spatulas and see if it makes my cleaning easier (especially when making sticky nut butters).
Overall, excellent blender. A great investment for your health! I am officially converted to Vitamix now :)
