Kitchen appliances: Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series vs. Ninja CREAMi NC301

Quick Verdict

The Vitamix A3500 is a versatile, high-powered blender suitable for a wide range of tasks, offering a large capacity and a long warranty. However, the Ninja CREAMi NC301 is the better choice for those specifically interested in making frozen desserts, despite its smaller capacity and shorter warranty.

The Vitamix A3500 is a high-powered blender suitable for a wide range of tasks, while the Ninja CREAMi NC301 is specifically designed for creating frozen treats.
The Vitamix has a larger container capacity (64 oz) compared to the Ninja CREAMi (16 oz), making it better for larger batches.
The Vitamix boasts a 10-year warranty, significantly longer than the Ninja CREAMi's 1-year warranty.
The Ninja CREAMi excels at making ice cream, sorbet, and other frozen desserts, while the Vitamix is more versatile for general blending tasks.
The Vitamix has a self-cleaning function, which the Ninja CREAMi lacks.

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series	Ninja CREAMi NC301
Name	Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series	Ninja CREAMi NC301
Blending Power (HP)	2.2	800 watts
Container Capacity (oz)	64	16 oz (0.5 quart)
Pre-programmed Settings	5 (Smoothies, Hot Soups, Dips & Spreads, Frozen Desserts, Self-Cleaning)	7 (Ice Cream, Sorbet, Gelato, Milkshake, Smoothie Bowl, Lite Ice Cream, Mix-in)
Manual Speed Control	Yes, variable speed control	Not specified
Pulse Function	Yes	Not specified
Self-Cleaning Feature	Yes	No
Dishwasher Safe Parts	Yes, container and lid are dishwasher-safe, but hand washing is recommended for longevity	Yes, containers, lids, and paddle are top-rack dishwasher safe
Warranty Length	10-year full warranty	1-year limited warranty
Noise Level (dB)	Around 84	Estimated 70-75 dB
Dimensions (WxDxH)	11 x 8 x 17 inches (20.32cm x 27.94cm x 43.18cm)	12.07 in x 6.52 in x 15.95 in
Weight (lbs)	14.92	13 lbs
Included Accessories	64-ounce Low-Profile Container with SELF-DETECT , S2 Low-Profile Tamper, Simply Blending Cookbook	Motor Base with Dual-Drive Motors, Creamerizer Paddle, (2) 16oz CREAMi Pints with storage lids, Outer bowl and lid, Recipe inspiration guide with 30 recipes
Price	Not available	Not available
Ratings	Not available	overall: Not available, performance: Not available
Pros	Handles frozen ingredients and ice exceptionally well Effective self-cleaning function Easy to clean manually Accurate and useful pre-programmed settings Durable BPA-free Tritan container Reduces walking or excessive vibration Effective tamper	Transforms frozen solid bases into ice cream, sorbets, milkshakes, and more Can convert frozen fruit into sorbet or smoothie bowls Removable parts are dishwasher safe Paddle rinses clean easily Top lid that holds the paddle also rinses clean easily
Cons	Can be loud May require additional rinsing for the lid and spout after self-cleaning Some users reported an overheating smell when making nut butter	No self-cleaning function A bit noisy (70-75 dB) Pre-programmed settings sometimes result in a crumbly or powdery texture Machine may vibrate a little bit, especially with hard mix-ins like nuts Does not come with a tamper

Overall Comparison

Vitamix A3500: 2.2 HP, 64 oz capacity, 10-year warranty. Ninja CREAMi NC301: 800 watts, 16 oz capacity, 1-year warranty.

Pros and Cons

Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series

Pros:

Handles frozen ingredients and ice exceptionally well
Effective self-cleaning function
Easy to clean manually
Accurate and useful pre-programmed settings
Durable BPA-free Tritan container
Reduces walking or excessive vibration
Effective tamper

Cons:

Can be loud
May require additional rinsing for the lid and spout after self-cleaning
Some users reported an overheating smell when making nut butter

Ninja CREAMi NC301

Pros:

Transforms frozen solid bases into ice cream, sorbets, milkshakes, and more
Can convert frozen fruit into sorbet or smoothie bowls
Removable parts are dishwasher safe
Paddle rinses clean easily
Top lid that holds the paddle also rinses clean easily

Cons:

No self-cleaning function
A bit noisy (70-75 dB)
Pre-programmed settings sometimes result in a crumbly or powdery texture
Machine may vibrate a little bit, especially with hard mix-ins like nuts
Does not come with a tamper

User Experiences and Feedback

Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series

What Users Love

Handles frozen ingredients and ice exceptionally well, producing smooth results without ice chunks.
Effective for cleaning the blades and container, especially after blending sticky substances.
Easy to clean the container and blades manually, especially with the self-cleaning function pre-wash.
Accurate and useful for walk-away convenience and consistent results.
It is heavy, which helps reduce walking or excessive vibration during operation.
The included tamper effectively pushes food into the blades without hitting them.
Versatile for smoothies, soups, nut butters, dips, spreads, frozen desserts, and even hot beverages.

Common Complaints

Some reviews state it can be loud, so avoid using it when someone is sleeping nearby.
May require additional rinsing for the lid and spout.
Some users have reported an overheating smell when making nut butter.

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.

Ninja CREAMi NC301

What Users Love

No highlights reported.

Common Complaints

Some reviews suggest that pre-programmed settings didn't always meet expectations, sometimes resulting in a crumbly or powdery texture.
The noise level is estimated to be around 70-75 decibels, which is comparable to a blender or vacuum cleaner.
The machine may vibrate a little bit, especially with hard mix-ins like nuts.

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.

User Recommendations

A Ninja representative recommended adding some liquid to the mixture before re-spinning to make it creamier.