Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

For seven years, I was using a Braun Multiquick that I got at Costco for $20. That little machine would whip up anything from cream to margaritas with barely a peep. Seven years of abuse took their toll and my trusty Braun died. I thougt it would be worth upgrading, and the KitchenAid seemed like a good bet: apparently strong motor, the usual attachments, and a nice bright red. I'm a sucker for color. I managed to go through three of these hand blenders in a year. One of my main uses for a wand-style blender is frozen fruit smoothies. The real test is frozen strawberries, but the first one I killed choked on frozen mango chunks, about four weeks into owning it. The motor jammed up and overheated, eventually shorting out and dying. I have to commend both Amazon and KitchenAid for their customer service. They obliged me with prompt replacements, and finally, after the demise of the THIRD KHB300ER, KA reimbursed me. However, I have to say that there are other wand-style blenders out there that can do the job better, for much less money.