Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This is *better* than the next best (reasonably priced) immersion blender (the Breville) and costs a bit more than half what the Breville does. I've owned both. My first Braun lasted me 10 years, my first Breville lasted 5, the "others" that I've owned turned to junk in less than a year. I give the blender itself high reviews, the carafe ...like all the carafes that come with immersion blenders...sucks...you might as well throw it away now. Instead of the carafe I use a 50 oz stainless steel milk frothing pitcher...this works, doesn't spill and cleans up nicely whatever I'm making (pesto, garlic/olive oil/parmesan puree, smoothies, hummus). The whisk attachment is great for whipped cream or egg whites. I've owned the more expensive Brauns and the weak point is the plastic drive gear...if the more expensive units had metal instead of plastic drive gear, I'd buy those...but they don't...and the extra power is not needed (but the 350 watts this puts out makes a BIG difference over 200 watt immersion blenders for thick stuff).