If you’re trying to choose between the Nutribullet Pro 900 and the Vitamix Explorian E310 mainly for smoothies, the answer depends on how important texture, versatility, and budget are to you. The Nutribullet Pro 900 is the compact, affordable single‑serve option great for quick shakes and small‑batch smoothies, while the Vitamix Explorian E310 is a full‑size, higher‑end machine that crushes everything from ice to kale into ultra‑smooth drinks and can handle a much wider range of kitchen tasks.
Below is a clear, side‑by‑side comparison focused on smoothie performance, plus a verdict on which is better for most people.
Side‑by‑side comparison table
| Feature | Nutribullet Pro 900 | Vitamix Explorian E310 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (US street, 2026) | Around $70–$110, often under $80 on sale | Around $250–$270 (sometimes lower with reconditioned units) | Nutribullet Pro 900 (much cheaper) |
| Motor power | 900W, about 25,000 RPM | ~1400W, roughly 2.0 peak HP equivalent | Vitamix E310 (more powerful) |
| Capacity & jar size | Uses 24 oz and 32 oz cups (personal‑sized) | 48‑oz pitcher; better for 1–2 servings or batch‑blending | Vitamix E310 for volume |
| Smoothie texture (frozen fruit, ice, greens) | Very smooth for basic shakes; slightly grainier with very fibrous greens | Smoother overall, especially with kale, seeds, and frozen fruit | Vitamix E310 (creamier finish) |
| Controls & presets | Simple twist‑on base; one‑speed blending | 10‑speed dial + pulse, more control over texture | Vitamix E310 (more flexible) |
| Portability & footprint | Very compact; fits small kitchens and is easy to store | Larger base with 48‑oz jar; needs more counter space | Nutribullet Pro 900 (more portable) |
| Extra uses (nut butter, soup, dough) | Great for smoothies, shakes, and some light sauces; limited on heavy nut butters | Can handle hot soups, nut butters, pizza dough, nut milks, and sauces | Vitamix E310 (much more versatile) |
| Cleaning & dishwasher safety | Extractor blade not dishwasher‑safe; cups are | Blades and pitcher are dishwasher‑safe; easier long‑term cleaning | Vitamix E310 (easier cleanup) |
| Noise level | Noticeably loud, typical of 900W personal blenders | Louder under load but better‑damped; still “power blender”‑level noise | Tie (both are loud) |
| Warranty & durability | Standard limited warranty (around 1 year) | 5‑year warranty, built for long‑term use | Vitamix E310 (better long‑term value) |
| Value for money for smoothies | Excellent value if you only want quick, single‑serve smoothies | Higher price, but you pay for smoother texture and broad versatility | Nutribullet Pro 900 (best value) |
Nutribullet Pro 900: smoothie‑focused review
The Nutribullet Pro 900 is a personal blender built around one‑serve cups, with a 900W motor and stainless‑steel extractor blade that spins at about 25,000 RPM. It’s designed to shred frozen fruit, protein powder, yogurt, banana, and even leafy greens into drinkable smoothies fast, with very little cleanup because you blend directly in the cup.
For smoothies, the Pro 900 works very well for:
- Morning fruit‑based smoothies
- Post‑workout protein shakes
- Light green smoothies (spinach, softer greens)
You can count on it producing thick, smooth drinks with minimal bits, but it can struggle slightly with very fibrous ingredients like raw kale or large amounts of seeds if you don’t add enough liquid. The twist‑on base is simple: you push the cup onto the motor, twist until it locks, and blend as long as you hold the handle. There are no speed settings or presets, so you control time manually.
Pros (for smoothies)
- Strong 900W motor for a personal blender; smooths basic and frozen‑fruit smoothies easily.
- Very compact, easy to store, and great for small kitchens or dorm rooms.
- Two common cup sizes (24 oz and 32 oz) plus to‑go lids; simple “blend and go” workflow.
- Much lower price than a Vitamix, often under $80–$90 on major sites.
Cons (for smoothies)
- No speed or preset control; you must time blending by hand, which can lead to over‑blending.
- Only really ideal for 1–2 servings; not great if you want to batch‑blend for multiple people.
- Can be a bit grittier with very fibrous greens or thick nut‑butter‑heavy blends.
If you mainly want quick, single‑serve smoothies on a budget, the Nutribullet Pro 900 is a solid, cost‑effective choice.
Vitamix Explorian E310: smoothie‑focused review
The Vitamix Explorian E310 is a full‑size blender with a ~1400W motor, a 48‑oz pitcher, and a 10‑speed dial + pulse control layout. It’s marketed as the most affordable “true” Vitamix, and it’s built to handle anything from smoothies to hot soups, nut butters, and dough.
For smoothies, the E310 is overkill in the best way possible. It blends frozen fruit, ice, seeds, and very fibrous greens into an almost drink‑bar‑level smooth texture, with almost no bits left behind. The 48‑oz jar is big enough to blend 1–2 large servings at once, and the tamper lets you push ingredients down if you’re making a thicker shake.
The 10‑speed dial lets you start low and build up, so you can fine‑tune texture from chunky to extra‑smooth. Pulse mode is handy if you want to keep some texture in a smoothie bowl or stop blending quickly. The E310 also has a 5‑year warranty, which is a big plus for long‑term use.
Pros (for smoothies)
- Smoother, creamier results, especially with kale, seeds, and frozen fruit.
- 48‑oz jar lets you make larger batches or multiple servings at once.
- 10‑speed dial + pulse gives you more control over how thick or thin your smoothie is.
- Can also handle hot soups, nut butters, sauces, and dough, so it’s not just a smoothie machine.
- 5‑year warranty and reputation for long‑term durability.
Cons (for smoothies)
- Significantly higher price (around $250–$270, sometimes more).
- Larger footprint; needs more counter space and storage room.
- Can feel like overkill if you only ever make single‑serve smoothies.
If you want the smoothest‑possible texture and plan to use the blender for more than just smoothies, the Vitamix Explorian E310 is the better long‑term investment.
Which is better for smoothies: Nutribullet Pro 900 vs Vitamix E310?
For texture and versatility, the Vitamix Explorian E310 wins. It produces smoother, creamier smoothies, especially with frozen fruit, seeds, and fibrous greens, and it can handle a much wider range of tasks around the kitchen. If you ever want to make hot soup, nut butter, or nut milk down the line, the E310 is the clear upgrade.
However, for “which is better” on value and practicality for smoothies, the Nutribullet Pro 900 is the better pick for most people. It’s much cheaper, easier to store, and still delivers very smooth, drinkable smoothies for everyday use. Many reviewers and testers say the Pro 900 already covers the core smoothie needs of an average user at a fraction of the Vitamix price.
So, the verdict depends on your priorities:
- Go Vitamix Explorian E310 if you want the smoothest possible texture, plan to use the blender for more than just smoothies, and are okay with the higher price.
- Go Nutribullet Pro 900 if you mainly want quick, single‑serve smoothies on a tight budget and don’t need the full‑size power or versatility.
If you tell me your budget and how often you plan to use the blender, I can recommend the exact fit for your situation.