The Blendtec vs Vitamix discussion humors me.
Yes, they are the two top commercial blenders for use in the home. Yes, they are more expensive than most of the other blenders of similar production. And yes, they have been at the tops of their games for a long time.
The truth is, these blenders could not be more different from each other.
You can't simply flip a coin or throw a dart on the dart board and walk away with one of these brands and life is peachy. Let me brief you on the ways these brands are different. You'll want to remember this information before you purchase a Blendtec or Vitamix.
Size
The Vitamix by nature is much taller than the typical Blendtec blender. What happens if your kitchen cabinets hang low? You won't be able to fit The Vitamix underneath and store your blender on the kitchen counter top. Obviously this would not be an issue if you store it away underneath, but most people leave their blender out as an aesthetic piece. The Blentec blenders will fit much more than the Vitamix Blenders because they are shorter.
Warranty
Vitamix offers seven years on some of there warranties. Blendtec doesn't even come close to this. If you were to weigh two comparable Blendtec and Vitamix blenders side by side, the Vitamix blenders will most always weigh more. Not only are they built with heavier materials, they carry that large warranty with them. This is great peace of mind if you are either very rough with your n appliances or scared to death of an expensive blender breaking down on you with no recourse.
Marketing
Blendtec takes this cake. Their Will It Blend video series is hit and appeals to a younger crowd. I mean blending things like an iPhone into a pulp is right up this generations alley. Vitamix has been around since the the 1920's and it seems as though their marketing lags in the pizazz department. Depending on which reports you believe, Blendtec (formerly K-Tec) was founded in either 1975 or 1987. Blendtec wins the Blendtec vs Vitamix marketing fight, hands down.
Technology
Vitamix blenders are easier to use than Blendtec blenders. That does not mean Blenec blenders are hard to use, it simply means Vitamix is easier to operate. Two power switches a speed/timer dial is all you need to learn with Vitamix. Blendec machines have LCD displays and pre-programmable functions that might scare you away if you don't do technology.