Illustrative editorial image, not an exact product photograph.
Blenders compared at a glance
| Product | Typical AU price | Capacity | Rated power | Controls | WB score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimum 9400 3rd Gen | $365 | 2L | 1500W | Variable speed | 9.1/10 |
| Breville Fresh & Furious | $249 sale price | 1.5L | Not stated on AU listing | 5 speeds + 3 programs | 8.8/10 |
| Vitamix E310 | $699 RRP | 1.4L | ~1200W / 2HP | 10 speeds + Pulse | 9.0/10 |
Optimum 9400 3rd Gen
- Typical price
- $365
- Capacity
- 2L
- Power
- 1500W rated
- Controls
- Variable speed
- Worth Buying
- 9.1/10
Breville Fresh & Furious
- Typical price
- $249 sale price
- Capacity
- 1.5L
- Power
- Not stated on AU listing
- Controls
- 5 speeds + 3 programs
- Worth Buying
- 8.8/10
Vitamix E310
- Typical price
- $699 RRP
- Capacity
- 1.4L
- Power
- ~1200W / 2HP
- Controls
- 10 speeds + Pulse
- Worth Buying
- 9.0/10
Prices are Australian figures recorded during research and may change. The Optimum’s current $365 price is a promotional launch offer; $445 is the regular listing shown alongside it. Rated power is used where available—not short-duration peak marketing figures.
How we chose
We compared current Australian models for real blending capability, jug capacity, control, cleaning effort, local availability, warranty support and value. Professional testing and Australian owner feedback were assessed separately from manufacturer specifications.
The shortlist deliberately covers three buying decisions rather than three price points that do the same job. The Breville suits normal household blending. The Optimum adds capacity and high-performance capability at a competitive price. The Vitamix is for buyers who specifically value its established platform.
Worth Buying scores are our research-based editorial judgements. Customer ratings shown separately come from third-party owner-review sources.
Optimum 9400 3rd Gen
Illustrative editorial image, not an exact product photograph.
The Optimum 9400 3rd Gen is the strongest overall balance of capability and cost. Its 2L BPA-free wet/dry jug, stainless-steel six-blade assembly, tamper, variable speed and pulse control are designed for work that exposes the limits of an ordinary smoothie blender.
Use the 1500W rated motor figure for comparison. Froothie also advertises 2611W peak, but that is not the normal rated draw and should not be treated as directly comparable with another blender’s continuous rating. The Australian listing showed $365 as a special launch offer against a $445 regular price, with a five-year domestic warranty option.
| Jug | 2L BPA-free wet/dry jug |
|---|---|
| Motor | 1500W rated; 2611W advertised peak |
| Controls | Variable 12-speed dial and pulse |
| Blade | Stainless-steel six-blade assembly |
| Included | Tamper, recipe book and product manual |
| Australian warranty | Five-year domestic option; one-year commercial option. ACL rights also apply |
| Price and availability | $365 special launch offer; $445 regular listing at Froothie Australia · checked 16 Sep 2026 |
What owners say
Current-model reviewers repeatedly praise smooth results, power, value, cleaning and its ability to handle demanding foods. Complaints mention noise, occasional uneven blending and isolated faulty units. The wider Optimum 9400 family held 4.9/5 from 968 ProductReview reviews and includes reports of 8–10+ years of use, but those longevity reports concern earlier generations and do not prove the current 3rd Gen will last equally long.
Pros
- High-performance capability for much less than premium Vitamix pricing
- Large 2L jug
- Handles thick and demanding blends
- Tamper included
- Strong current and wider-family owner feedback
Cons
- Noisy
- Occasional uneven-blending complaints
- Isolated faulty-unit reports
- Smaller service footprint than Breville or Vitamix
- Prominent peak-watt claim can confuse comparisons
Breville Fresh & Furious BBL620
Illustrative editorial image, not an exact product photograph.
The Fresh & Furious is the sensible mainstream choice. Its 1.5L BPA-free Tritan jug, five speeds, Smoothie, Green Smoothie and Ice Crush programs and LCD timer cover normal household blending without charging for high-performance capability many buyers will never use.
Independent testing found strong smoothie and ice-crushing performance, including tougher ingredients such as pineapple and spinach. It is not intended for hot blending or regular flour grinding and thick nut-butter workloads. Australian RRP was approximately $329, but it was frequently available around $249 on sale.
| Jug | 1.5L BPA-free Tritan |
|---|---|
| Controls | Five speeds; Smoothie, Green Smoothie and Ice Crush programs; LCD timer |
| Hot ingredients | Not intended for hot blending |
| Best use | Smoothies, shakes, frozen drinks, sauces and everyday blends |
| Australian warranty | Confirm Breville’s current written BBL620 warranty; ACL rights also apply |
| Price and availability | Approximately $329 RRP; frequently around $249 on sale · researched 16 Sep 2026 |
What owners say
Owners commonly praise smoothie performance, ice crushing, simple controls, easy cleaning and value when discounted. Recurring negatives are noise and the smaller 1.5L jug. Independent testing also observed minor lid leakage under some heavily filled conditions.
Pros
- Strong smoothie and ice performance
- Simple, useful controls
- Easy to clean
- Widely supported mainstream brand
- Excellent value around $249
Cons
- Noisy
- Smaller jug than the other picks
- Not for hot blending
- Less suited to heavy grinding or nut butter
- Minor lid leakage observed under some heavily filled conditions
Vitamix Explorian E310
Illustrative editorial image, not an exact product photograph.
The Explorian E310 is the premium choice without jumping to the much more expensive A3500i. Its 1.4L container, 10 variable speeds, pulse, tamper and simple mechanical controls put the emphasis on blending rather than screens or automatic programs.
CHOICE has tested the E310 in Australia as a high-performance blender. The approximately 1200W / 2HP manufacturer specification, radial cooling and thermal protection support demanding workloads, but the $699-class price is difficult to justify if basic smoothies are the only job.
| Container | 1.4L |
|---|---|
| Motor | Approximately 1200W rated / 2HP manufacturer specification |
| Controls | 10 variable speeds and pulse; mechanical switches |
| Cooling and protection | Radial cooling and thermal protection |
| Included | Tamper |
| Australian warranty | Confirm current E310 Australian written warranty and service terms; ACL rights also apply |
| Price and availability | Approximately $699 RRP · researched 16 Sep 2026 |
What owners say
Owners repeatedly praise excellent blending, power, straightforward controls, build quality and the established Vitamix platform. Complaints focus on price, the 1.4L capacity and noise—CHOICE measured approximately 86dB. Some Australian reviewers also report frustration with warranty or service handling.
Pros
- Excellent demanding-blend performance
- Simple mechanical controls
- Established Vitamix platform
- Strong build-quality feedback
- Tamper included
Cons
- Expensive
- Only 1.4L
- Loud at approximately 86dB in CHOICE testing
- No automatic programs
- Some Australian service complaints
What type of blender do you actually need?
Standard blender
Best for normal smoothies, shakes, cocktails, sauces and everyday blending. For most buyers, this is enough.
High-performance blender
More useful for fibrous greens, thick mixtures, nut butter, milling and demanding workloads.
Personal blender
Best suited to individual portions and portability. Personal models are not included in this guide.
What matters when buying a blender
Buy for the hardest job you will genuinely do. Occasional fruit smoothies do not require a premium high-performance machine. Fibrous greens, thick frozen bowls, nut butter and milling create a stronger case for the Optimum or Vitamix.
Rated power is more useful than peak marketing claims. Wattage still does not tell the whole story: blade shape, jug geometry, cooling, speed control and the availability of a tamper affect real performance.
Capacity and bench space matter. A larger jug is useful for batches, but a tall machine can become inconvenient under cupboards. Also compare replacement jugs, lids, tampers and local service support before buying.
Noise is unavoidable. All three are powerful appliances. Vitamix’s E310 measured about 86dB in CHOICE testing, and noise is a recurring owner complaint across the category.
Which one should you buy?
For most people wanting a dependable everyday blender, the Breville Fresh & Furious provides the strongest value and may be all the blender they need.
Choose the Optimum 9400 3rd Gen when the additional capacity and high-performance capability will genuinely be used.
Choose the Vitamix E310 when you specifically value Vitamix’s established platform and expect demanding, frequent use. The most expensive product does not automatically produce a meaningfully better result for basic blending.
Useful FAQ
Can these blenders handle hot liquids?
Do not assume they can. The Breville Fresh & Furious is not intended for hot blending. Follow the exact Australian manual for the Optimum and Vitamix, including fill limits, venting and safe operating instructions.
Do I need a high-performance blender for green smoothies?
Not necessarily. The Breville performs strongly for normal green smoothies. A high-performance model becomes more useful when recipes are especially fibrous, thick, large or frequent.
Is more wattage always better?
No. Rated power, cooling, blade design, jug shape and control all matter. Peak numbers should not be compared directly with normal rated wattage.
Why are personal blenders excluded?
They serve a different need: individual portions and portability. They are not directly comparable with the full-size models assessed here and may be covered separately.
How should I clean a blender?
Rinse immediately after use. For compatible full-size jugs, warm water and a drop of detergent can usually be blended briefly before a thorough rinse. Follow the manual, take care around blades and never immerse the motor base.