Blendtec has been making changes to how they name their home blender packages. This has been creating some confusion and bringing up questions for many Blendtec shoppers. Here you can learn the difference between the Blendtec blenders that you can buy - the two models,  Blendtec Total Blender and Blendtec HP3 Home blender and the difference between the jars, the FourSide and the WildSide.

Blendtec FourSide vs WildSide vs WildSide Combo

FourSide:

FourSide refers only to the container that comes with the the Blendtec blender that you purchase. This is the same whether you buy the Total Blender or the HP3A Home blender. The FourSide is the name of Blendtec's two-quart container. It is BPA-Free and the blade that comes with it is 3 inches in diameter. Blendtec has recently named this jar. Prior to May of 2011, this pitcher did not have a name. So when you purchased a Total Blender with this jar, you purchased the "Total Blender Basic" - which now has naturally been renamed to the Total Blender FourSide. Blendtec named this jar the FourSide because its square design with four sides.

WildSide:

As with FourSide, the WildSide name refers only to the container that comes with the Blendtec blender that you buy, regardless whether you purchase the Blendtec HP3A or the Total Blender. The WildSide was named and became available for Blendtec's home blenders around the summer of 2010. This was a new three-quart jar offered for the home blender market. The new jar design added a small fifth side to the square container, distinguishing itself from every other square pitcher design. The WildSide is also BPA-Free but comes with a 4-inch blade. Obviously since this container is significantly larger than the FourSide it is commonly used for blending larger quantities at a time.

WildSide Combo:

The Blendtec Wildside Combo is the easiest of all the packages to understand. Now that you understand what FourSide and WildSide really means, the WildSide Combo is simple. It refers to the Blendtec blender package that contains both jars, the FourSide and the WildSide together, again, no matter if you buy the Total Blender or the HP3A Home blender. This tends to be popular with folks who blend a lot and can not only take advantage of having two blender jars but also want the ability to blend large volumes that the WildSide allows while having the FourSide for convenient smaller blends.

Blendtec Total Blender vs Blendtec HP3A

What's the same:

These are the two newest Blendtec blender models made for home use. The model names refer to the blender base and has nothing to do with the jar or container that comes with the blender. Both the Total Blender and HP3A models are USA made by Blendtec, a division of K-Tec, in Utah. They have the same base and come in the same colors, black, white and red. They are essentially the same blender when it comes to power and performance. Both are 13 amps, 1560 watts and are build of the same exact mechanical components. Both the Blendtec Total Blender and Blendtec HP3A now come with a 7-year warranty (*provided you purchase from authorized Blendtec dealers - more about that below) and Blendtec Customer Support for as long as you own your blender. The base price for these two blenders also is the same, currently $434.95, $474.95 and $524.95, for the 3 identical packages offered with each.

What's the difference:

There are only two differences between the Blendtec Total Blender and the Blendtec HP3A Home Blender. First, the Total Blender can ONLY be purchased directly from Blendtec and on occasion, a few big-box stores that they have private contracts with like Costco, Sam's Club, BJ's and the like. The Blendtec HP3A Home blender is sold through authorized dealers, like Beyond Blenders.

The other difference is the built-in programming that the Blendtec model comes with. If you are reading this, you likely already know that one of the defining feature of Blendtec home blenders is that they are computer controlled with their exclusive Smart-Touch Tec-nology that allows you to push a button and have the blender run through a pre-programmed blending cycle for specific blending applications. The Blendtec Total Blender control panel comes with 6 pre-set program cycles to choose from while the Blendtec HP3A Blender comes with 25 different program cycles to choose from. This is the reason most customers prefer the Blendtec HP3A over the Blendtec Total Blender.

I truly hope the above has successfully cleared up the difference between the Blendtec Total Blender and the Blendtec HP3A as well as the differences among the containers and packages that you can purchase. If you still have questions, please don't hesitate to contact us to ask.

Blend often and prosper.

To Your Health,

The Beyond Blenders family

* A note about the 7-year warranty and prices. Your Blendtec blender will include a 7-year warranty ONLY when purchasing direct from Blendtec OR from an Authorized Blendtec Dealer. Beware: Blendtec blenders purchased from sellers that are not authorized are usually not covered under warranty. There are strict guidelines for being an Authorized Blendtec Dealer including pricing. Always keep your receipt and register your blender. If you ever question the legitimacy of a Blendtec Dealer call Blendtec to verify BEFORE purchasing: 800-253-6383