Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This isn't a Vitamix by any stretch of the imagination. But it's I think it's a decent value for the price. Where else can you get a 40oz 5 speed blender with a glass pitcher for under $40 USD? I picked this blender for a couple of reasons 1. The previous blender I had for over 15 years was a Hamilton Beach 2. The toaster I have is also a Hamilton Beach, which I’ve had for over 20 years. Do I like it? I think so... Short recap of below 1. For a sub $50.00 blender I like it. It works well 2. I really like the (heavy) glass pitcher. This is the main reason why I purchased it. 3. I like the base (motor) it feels solid, and it works very well 4. It’s quieter than my old Hamilton Beach blender, which is my only point of reference. For me that’s good. 5. The button feel very similar to my old blender which lasted a long time, so that too is good. 6. I REALLY don’t like how hard the top is to remove 7. I don’t like the cheap feel of the plastic bits attached to the pitcher What I like 1. I like the glass pitcher - yes it's heavy but it's also made of glass thick enough to withstand crushing ice relatively quietly. Plastic pitches sound like they may shatter in the process. 2. I like that the bottom screws off making the pitcher and blades easy to clean. 3. I like the several blending options (though I use the two pulses more than the other 3 options). 4. It makes a great smoothie & crushed ice drinks such as Margarita or Daiquiri very quickly and evenly blended. 5. Worked great for making pesto & Harissa too, though the parsley had to be added in a bit at a time to ensure smooth consistency. I typically make these two items in my Cuisinart Food Processor which performs both of the above tasks in about 1/3 of the time it took in the blender. The consistency is also better in my Cuisinart. I figured I’d give the blender a go on these just as a test. I’m not gonna try making peanut butter. 6. The base and mechanical bits under the pitcher have a quality feel for the price sub $50.00 price tag. The blender stays put, and a hand isn’t required on top of the blender to keep the pitcher from walking off the spinny bits. What I'm on the fence (can’t decide) about it's not particularly quiet - but quieter than my old blender, and definitely NOT quieter than my Cuisinart Food Processor. So I’m on the fence. What I don't like, and I mean really don't like The top is made of LDPE plastic making it extremely hard to get off when at room temp and especially straight out of the fridge. I’m not being a wimp; the top is extremely hard to get off. So hard I'm afraid the "lifting tab" is going to snap off in my attempts. My wife gave up getting the lid off and leaves it for me to struggle with. I don’t even try anymore to get the lid off if its cold. I run the whole pitcher under really hot water before I attempt to get the lid off. The hot water makes the LDPE plastic top pliable, making it easier to remove. Effortless is not be a synonym I’d use to describe removing the lid from the pitcher. This would be a deal breaker for a person with disabilities, Arthritis, weak fingers, and/or an elderly person. There is now way my Mom wouldn’t be able to get the lid off this blender. What I mildly don't like 1. The top has a secondary flap, for what I’m not sure. The flap doesn’t have a proper hinge. The hinge is molded into the lid of the pitcher. Being made of LDPE plastic, I'm pretty confident it's going to snap off in time. 2. The whole top / lid to the pitcher has a ton of nooks and crannies making it a challenge to clean quickly. A brush and soaking in hot soapy water is what works for me. I use it every day, so I wash by hand instead of using the dishwasher. 3. The base that holds the blades onto the pitcher is made of thin ABS plastic which I’m quite certain if the base came into contact with counter top at an angle with a bit of force, aka dropping the pitcher onto the base or inadvertently smacked against the edge of the counter it will result in a broken base.. Maybe shatter would be a better term Those are my thoughts and experiences with this pitcher – You decide.