Imagine a blender that doesn’t just spin blades but actually understands the physics of a perfect purée. For the past month, my kitchen counter has been a staging ground for the Vitamix Propel Series, specifically the Propel 510 and the Propel 750. These machines represent Vitamix’s push to bring “walk-away” convenience to their classic, rugged legacy. While most high-end blenders require you to stand over them like a watchful hawk, the Propel series introduces automated programs to the mix.
After pulverizing enough frozen fruit to feed a small army and heating raw vegetables into steaming soups, I’ve realized that while they share a name, the experience of using them is tailored to two very different types of home cooks.
The Key Difference: Program Depth and Motor Muscle
The fundamental key difference between the Vitamix Propel 510 and the Propel 750 lies in the automation capabilities, motor strength, and total capacity. The Propel 510 is the “compact” professional, featuring three automated programs (Smoothies, Hot Soups, and Frozen Desserts) and a 48 oz container powered by a 2.0 HP motor. It is designed for smaller households or kitchens where every inch of counter space is a premium.
The Propel 750, by contrast, is a full-scale culinary powerhouse. It upgrades you to five automated programs, adding a dedicated “Dips & Spreads” cycle and a specialized “Self-Cleaning” cycle directly on the dial. It boasts a stronger 2.2 HP motor and a 64 oz low-profile container, making it far better suited for family-sized meal prep. Additionally, the Propel 750 carries a 7-year warranty, offering two extra years of peace of mind over the 510’s 5-year warranty.
- Included: Propel Series 510 blender motor base, 48-ounce container, and tamper; this kitchen blender container allows for small- to medium-capacity blends
- Three Blending Programs: Three automatic Blending Programs for Smoothies, Hot Soups, and Frozen Desserts ensure consistent results; achieve precise textures with 10...
- Included: Propel Series 750 blender motor base, 64-ounce low-profile container, and low-profile tamper; this low-profile kitchen blender container allows for...
- Four Blending Programs: Four automatic Blending Programs for Smoothie, Hot Soup, Frozen Dessert, and Dip & Spread, for consistent results; achieve precise textures...
Comparison Table: Vitamix Propel 510 vs. Propel 750
| Feature | Vitamix Propel 510 | Vitamix Propel 750 |
| Automated Programs | 3 (Smoothie, Soup, Dessert) | 5 (Smoothie, Soup, Dessert, Dip, Clean) |
| Container Size | 48 Ounces | 64 Ounces (Low-Profile) |
| Motor Power | 2.0 Peak HP | 2.2 Peak HP |
| Warranty | 5-Year Limited | 7-Year Limited |
| Cleaning | Manual/Dishwasher Safe | Dedicated Self-Clean Program |
| Batch Size | Small to Medium | Medium to Large |
| Pulse Feature | Yes | Yes |
| Height | 17.5 Inches | 18 Inches |
| Buy NOW | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Detailed Comparative Review: Living with the Propel Series
I’ve spent weeks putting these blenders through the gauntlet, and here is how the “User Experience” actually feels when you’re half-awake on a Monday morning.
Design: The Battle of the Low-Profile Jugs
One of my favorite things about the Propel series is that both models are designed with “Low-Profile” containers. In the past, Vitamix 64 oz jugs were so tall they lived in the pantry because they wouldn’t fit under kitchen cabinets.
The Propel 750 sits at 18 inches tall, and it just cleared my standard cabinets. The Propel 510 is slightly shorter at 17.5 inches. Visually, the 750 looks more imposing; the base is sturdier to handle the extra 0.2 horsepower. The 510, however, has a smaller footprint on the counter. If you have a tiny apartment kitchen, the 510 feels like a sensible tool, whereas the 750 feels like a piece of commercial equipment you’ve “borrowed” from a professional kitchen.
- Included: Propel Series 510 blender motor base, 48-ounce container, and tamper; this kitchen blender container allows for small- to medium-capacity blends
- Three Blending Programs: Three automatic Blending Programs for Smoothies, Hot Soups, and Frozen Desserts ensure consistent results; achieve precise textures with 10...
Ease of Use: The “Walk-Away” Convenience
I am a huge fan of automated programs. On the Propel 510, I used the “Hot Soup” setting for a ginger-carrot blend. I threw in cold broth and raw veggies, turned the dial to the soup icon, and walked away to set the table. When I came back 6 minutes later, the blender had stopped itself, and the soup was steaming.
The Propel 750 takes this a step further. The “Dips & Spreads” program is a game-changer for homemade hummus. Hummus is thick and usually stresses out a motor; the 750’s program uses specific pulses and speed ramps to ensure the blades don’t just “spin in air.” Also, having a dedicated Self-Clean program on the 750 dial feels more polished. On the 510, you have to manually turn the dial to speed 10 for a minute to clean it. The 750 handles the cleaning cycle’s varying speeds automatically.
Functions: Texture and The Vortex
Both machines utilize the iconic Vitamix Vortex. When I made almond butter in the Propel 750, the 2.2 HP motor felt unstoppable. I could hear the motor’s torque adjusting to the thickness of the nuts. The 64 oz container is wider at the base, which makes it easier to get a spatula in there to scrape out every last bit of thick butter.
The Propel 510, despite having a “smaller” motor, actually handled single-serving smoothies better. Because the 48 oz container is narrower, the ingredients are forced into the blades more aggressively when you’re only blending 12–16 ounces of liquid. In the wider 750 container, very small amounts can sometimes splash against the walls and miss the blades entirely unless you use the tamper.
- Included: Propel Series 750 blender motor base, 64-ounce low-profile container, and low-profile tamper; this low-profile kitchen blender container allows for...
- Four Blending Programs: Four automatic Blending Programs for Smoothie, Hot Soup, Frozen Dessert, and Dip & Spread, for consistent results; achieve precise textures...
Performance: Raw Pulverizing Power
If you’re wondering if you can taste the difference between 2.0 and 2.2 horsepower—honestly, you can’t. In a blind taste test of a blackberry and kale smoothie (the ultimate test for grit), both blenders produced a perfectly silk-like texture. Neither left a single seed behind. Both are loud; at maximum speed, they will drown out any conversation in the kitchen. But that’s the sound of professional-grade stainless steel blades pulverizing fiber.
Vitamix Propel 510 Professional Grade Blender
- Included: Propel Series 510 blender motor base, 48-ounce container, and tamper; this kitchen blender container allows for small- to medium-capacity blends
- Three Blending Programs: Three automatic Blending Programs for Smoothies, Hot Soups, and Frozen Desserts ensure consistent results; achieve precise textures with 10...
Pros:
- Space Saver: Perfect for smaller kitchens and low cabinets.
- Small-Batch King: The 48 oz container is superior for single smoothies and small sauces.
- Price: More affordable while still offering three essential automated programs.
- Dishwasher Safe: The container can go right in the rack for easy cleanup.
Cons:
- Limited Programs: Lacks the Dips/Spreads and dedicated Clean cycles.
- Shorter Warranty: 5 years is great, but not as long as the 7-year gold standard.
Vitamix Propel 750 Professional Grade Blender
- Included: Propel Series 750 blender motor base, 64-ounce low-profile container, and low-profile tamper; this low-profile kitchen blender container allows for...
- Four Blending Programs: Four automatic Blending Programs for Smoothie, Hot Soup, Frozen Dessert, and Dip & Spread, for consistent results; achieve precise textures...
Pros:
- Maximum Automation: 5 programs cover almost every kitchen task.
- Family Sized: The 64 oz container is essential for large families or meal prepping.
- Superior Warranty: 7-year limited warranty provides long-term peace of mind.
- Dips & Spreads Setting: Specifically calibrated for thick, stubborn mixtures.
- 2 HP Motor: Offers that extra bit of torque for heavy-duty grinding.
Cons:
- Bulky: Takes up more horizontal and vertical counter space.
- Minimum Volume: Harder to blend very small amounts (under 1.5 cups) due to the wide base.
The Final Recommendation: Which Propel Wins?
After a month of intensive blending, the choice comes down to the size of your household and how much you hate washing dishes.
I recommend the Vitamix Propel 510 if you are an individual or a couple. If your primary use is a morning smoothie for one or two people and a batch of soup now and then, the 510 is the smarter buy. It’s more efficient for small batches, fits better on the counter, and still gives you those “walk-away” programs for the most common tasks.
I recommend the Vitamix Propel 750 if you have a family or if you are a “power user.” If you make hummus, nut butters, and large batches of frozen margaritas for friends, the Propel 750 is worth every extra penny. The 7-year warranty and the “Dips & Spreads” program make it a more versatile, long-term culinary partner.
In my kitchen, the Vitamix Propel 750 is the winner. The dedicated cleaning cycle and the extra capacity for weekend meal prep make it feel like a truly complete kitchen upgrade.
- Included: Propel Series 510 blender motor base, 48-ounce container, and tamper; this kitchen blender container allows for small- to medium-capacity blends
- Three Blending Programs: Three automatic Blending Programs for Smoothies, Hot Soups, and Frozen Desserts ensure consistent results; achieve precise textures with 10...
- Included: Propel Series 750 blender motor base, 64-ounce low-profile container, and low-profile tamper; this low-profile kitchen blender container allows for...
- Four Blending Programs: Four automatic Blending Programs for Smoothie, Hot Soup, Frozen Dessert, and Dip & Spread, for consistent results; achieve precise textures...
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do these blenders come with a tamper?
A: Yes. The 510 comes with a mini tamper, and the 750 comes with a low-profile tamper. It is critical to use the one that came with your specific model to avoid hitting the blades.
Q: Are the containers dishwasher safe?
A: Yes! Both the 48 oz and 64 oz containers in the Propel series are BPA-free and dishwasher safe, though the self-cleaning cycle with a drop of soap and warm water is usually faster.
Q: Can the Propel 510 make peanut butter?
A: Absolutely. It has the same professional-grade blades and plenty of power. You just might have to make it in slightly smaller batches than you would in the 750.
Q: Is the Propel 750 too loud for an apartment?
A: It is a loud machine, as all Vitamix blenders are. However, the automated programs allow you to step into the other room while it does its thing, which helps!
