This Small Appliance Has Officially Earned a Spot on My Counter for the Rest of the Summer (It’s 30% off for Prime Day!)
No matter the size of the kitchen, counter space is always prime real estate — ideally, reserved for either the stuff we actually want to look at or the gear we use on a regular basis. The counter space in my small kitchen in my very old stone house? As you might have guessed, it’s incredibly limited! I leave a few things out all year long (most notably, my beloved coffee maker and my stand mixer), and I pull out other items on a seasonal rotation. My slow cooker, for example, tends to earn a spot during the winter. And now that summer is officially almost here, my Vitamix ONE is back! Proudly sitting on the counter for all to see… and for me to use. Bonus: It’s 30 percent off during Amazon Prime Day, which just kicked off today!
If you’re not familiar with this model, allow me to back up. It hit the market last May to kick off Vitamix’s 100th-anniversary celebration and give home cooks a smaller, less expensive, more streamlined machine. It retails for $250 (other Vitamix blenders can cost more than $600!), but is on major sale for a limited time during Prime Day and takes up less counter space (yay!) compared to other models. It also features just one control: a single, simple-to-use dial. But how does it perform? I’ve been using mine for more than a year (with heavy use during the warmer months), and I’m still amazed every time.
The ONE excels when it comes to making vinaigrettes, salsas, and especially smoothies. (If you want to make hot soups or nut butters, you’re better off considering one of the bigger models.) In my house, it’s currently smoothie season, which is why the ONE has earned a spot on the counter for these hot, hot months. (Did I mention that my house doesn’t have air conditioning?)
I toss all sorts of produce inside — spinach, frozen bananas, mangos, strawberries, kiwi, etc! — and I’ve never found a single oddly shaped chunk left at the bottom of the container. The stainless steel blades can easily churn through tough, fibrous fruits and veggies, consistently turning out a super-smooth drink. Some of my favorite recipes to make in this machine: Raspberry Ginger Power Smoothies, Strawberry-Mango Smoothies, this Avocado-Berry Smoothie, and this Easy Banana Kiwi Smoothie.
The 32-oz. blender container has helpful measurement markings on the side. The lid snaps onto the container just like other Vitamix lids, and the center hole makes it easy to add ingredients or to tamp things down if needed. The machine comes with a tamper, but I rarely have to use it because the container has been designed to pull ingredients into the blades as it blends.
I appreciate that the controls are basic. Actually, I should say control. (Again, it’s just the one dial.) The dial doesn’t beep or light up, but I can feel it click as I turn it. With the dial turned to the max, the machine is fairly loud compared to other Vitamix machines, but it works so quickly that I can usually make a smoothie in 20 or so seconds without waking up my sleeping husband and pup.
And you know what else? It’s not half bad to look at, either. It features a cool, retro-like design that I definitely don’t mind looking at while it sits on the counter in the name of convenience.
- Pros: Small footprint; less expensive than other Vitamix models; super-intuitive dial control; churns out incredibly smooth smoothies; comes with a two-year warranty
- Cons: Can’t be used for hot soups, nut butters, or grinding grains; still more expensive than many other blenders out there
- Who it’s best for: Anyone who wants to start making smoothies at home or anyone looking for an entry-level Vitamix
Buy: Vitamix ONE, $174.95 (normally $249.95)
Have you added any small appliances to your counter for the summer? Tell us in the comments below!