Today we got the June 2013 Issue of Consumer Reports and they list nice "standard" blenders with rankings from 70 to 91.  Two blenders tied for the top score of 91.  They gave no reason for ranking the Vitamix tied with the Ninja this year after ranking the Vitamix 5200 three points higher a year earlier.  The only other change we noticed is they dropped the dash "-" in Vitamix for 2013 from "Vita-mix" in 2012

Oddly, the more expensive Vitamix blenders scored lower on their ratings.  Here is a summary of the top five:

We looked at the May 2013 full issue of Consumer Reports and the only difference we see between the Vitamix 5200 and Vitamix Professional 750 (and Vitamix 7500) is a slightly lower score for "convenience."

The September 2012 Consumer Reports (page 41) rates the VIta-mix 5200 with a top score of 76 and gives second place to the Ninja Master Prep QB1004 with a score of 73.

The Vita-mix 5200 was the top rated blender based on points in the 2010 Consumer Reports rankings of blenders.  The Vitamix was also the most expensive blender on their list at $450.    The new rankings appear to give bonus points for value.

#1 If you want to buy directly from Vitamix, then make sure you get a free shipping code from a site like this. That will save you $25. #2 Buy from Amazon.com for under $400 The Vitamix is also the most expensive blender on Consumer Report's list at $450.   You can buy these directly from Vitamax and at demonstrations at stores like Costco.  The 5200 has a plastic base and weighs 10 lbs. 9 oz.  The "CIA Professional" version by Vita-mix has a metal base and weights approximately 12 lbs.  Buy one with the  Green Smoothie Revolution book and start a healthy lifestyle Today! Vitamix and the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) have partnered to bring you the CIA Professional by Vitamix.  Amazon.com says (as of 10/11/10) the list price for this is $599!  You can buy it for much less HERE with the book Green Smoothie Revolution: The Radical Leap Towards Natural Health and start a healthy lifestyle TODAY!

CIA Professional List Price = $599

The CIA has trained more than 37,000 chefs and food service professionals, including many celebrity chefs. Ordinary blenders can't begin to approach the speed nor the results you'll enjoy while using the powerful CIA Professional by Vitamix machine. Like no other kitchen appliance available, the CIA Professional by Vitamix multi-tasking appliance will unlock the deep rich flavor treasures hidden in all your select ingredients. You can create dishes the way professional chefs do. It easily handles the work of many appliances so you can blend, puree, chop, juice, grind and more, all in this one versatile machine! Included is an exclusive new recipe book, "Recipes and Techniques from the CIA Master Chefs". The book features more than 20 recipes developed by the CIA's Certified Master Chefs. The CIA Professional by Vitamix also comes with "Create", an easel-design recipe book which saves counter space and is packed with over 300 easy-to-prepare recipes from some of the country's top professional chefs, including Joanne, Weir, Michael Symon and Hugh Carpenter. Instructional DVD and owner's manual included. "It's not a blender - It's a Vitamix!" More Vita-Mix Blender Savings Vita-Mix does not offer coupons. What they do have is a special promotion code that people use to save $25 on their standard shipping which makes standard shipping free.  free std shipping code

Through Amazon.com, the Vitamix CIA Professional Counter top Blender is roughly the same price as the Vita-Mix 5200 sold for home use.  It looks like it shares the same motor, capacity and quality but you can get a heavier metal base for about the same price, perhaps less given Amazon.com doesn't charge sales taxes.  Hopefully, Consumer Reports will review this blender in the future but we suspect it is equal to, if not better, than the 5200 sold for home use at Costco.

Vitamix CIA Professional Counter top Blender	Vita-Mix 5200
Technical data     * Power output: 2+ peak hp motor     * Jar capacity: 64 ounces     * Speed settings: Variable     * Jar material: Polycarbonate     * Body material: Metal     * Manufacturer: Vita-Mix     * Color: Platinum     * Included recipes: Yes     * Height: 20 inches     * Length: 7-1/4 inches     * Depth: 8-3/4 inches     * Weight: Approximately 12 lbs     * Product: 7-year warranty      * Included accessories: Instructional DVD, owner's manual, and 2 recipe books	Technical Data    * Power output: Approximately 2 peak hp    * Jar capacity: 64 ounces    * Speed settings: Variable    * Jar material: Eastman Tritan™ copolyester "as durable as polycarbonate"    * Body material: Plastic    * Manufacturer: Vita-Mix    * Color: White, Black or Red    * Included recipes: Yes    * Height: 20-1/2" tall (with 64 oz. container in place)    * Length: 7-1/4 inches    * Depth: 8-3/4 inches    * Weight: 10 lbs. 9 oz.    * Product: 7-year warranty    * Included accessories: Instructional DVD, owner's manual, and 2 recipe books

From our 2011 Review:  The Vita-mix 5200 is the top rated blender based on points in the 2010 Consumer Reports rankings of blenders. Next on their list is the Hamilton Beach Commercial Tempest HBH650 at about the same price. 

Both are good blenders but we bought the Vita-mix 5200 blender some time ago and use it every day but we would buy the Vitamix CIA Professional Counter top Blender today if we were to do it again.  Hopefully, Consumer Reports will review this blender in the future.