Which is better for smoothies and frozen drinks?

The Drink Machine Two Speed. Its two presets are built for drinks, and its 1.7 kW motor is rated higher than the Vita-Prep's 2 hp. The Vita-Prep works too, but you set speed by hand.

Which is better for grinding spices or making purees?

The Vita-Prep. Its 10-speed variable control lets you start slow and ramp up, which the two-preset Drink Machine cannot do.

Is the Vita-Prep worth the extra money?

Only if you need variable speed or commercial-rated build. At $421.93 versus $375.00, the gap is about $47, which buys control rather than more power.

The Vita-Prep is sold as a commercial blender, so it is the safer bet for daily heavy use. The Drink Machine is a home-style unit with a plastic housing.

Do both hold 64 ounces?

Yes. Both use a 64 oz container. The Drink Machine's jar is Tritan plastic and includes a tamper.

Which has better ratings?

The Drink Machine scores 4.4 from 11 ratings; the Vita-Prep scores 4.2 from 12. The samples are small, so treat the gap as slight.

Vitamix Drink Machine Two Speed Blender vs Vitamix 1002 Vita-Prep Blender

Buy the Drink Machine Two Speed if you want a simple two-setting blender for smoothies and frozen drinks at the lower price. Buy the Vita-Prep if you need dial-in control over texture for purees, spice grinding or chopping. The Drink Machine's lowest recent price was $375.00, about $47 under the Vita-Prep's $421.93.

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