The one I have has started to leak at the blades (Cuisanart - their product quality has seemed to decreased since the days of yore). Lots of poor reviews of replacement products and parts.

I have no experience but two popular brands seems to be nutribullet and ninja. The latter has origins as chicom and still a major ownership it seems. Either way, both sound less than perfect - some good reviews but still many w/ issues with durability (3 month life?) for products that cost $100-300.

Vitamix has accessories for my blender but it costs an outrageous $130 and sounds like a poor design (strange blender lid; o-ring is in the wrong place leading to leaks).

Any recommendations? Would like to keep this simple and cheap but willing to pay for quality (and not chicom) if necessary.

I'm so tired of companies with well deserved brand equity go to shit because they started making products in chicom. And still charging premium prices. Profits over product and customer. Fuckers, hope they go out of business.

Oh, PSA: I watched a story on NHK about Li batteries, (chicom) supply / manufacturing chain and there is something called "silent change" where one part of the chain makes an unannounced change to component and/or design (from original customer spec) that leads to a number of fires / explosions. Be careful with these devices (ie - USB battery packs and just in general). Brand name may be okay (apple devices) but sounds like Anker (is this a japanese brand?) was hit hard. But mostly no-name brands I guess.

ETA: like this: https://customerservice.costco...swer_view/a_id/11106

nutrabullet...is shitty. my wife used it the other day and it smelled like it was burning. and she wasnt even using ice in it!!

I inherited an Ostorizer (Sp) from my grandfather, probably from the 60’s. I’m pretty sure you could make a kitten smoothie with it.

About 10 years ago an ex talked me into getting a Vitamax.no complaints except for the initial cost.

OZ

Thanks. good to know. I see that in reviews a lot. It's amazing that this simple device (it's just a motor) is prone to failure in this modern age.

Yes, product may technically still be under warranty but the reviews suggest good luck with that - can't reach anybody, need to jump through hoops, takes a long time, etc.

Maybe whatever I buy, get it from N (ordstrom) if they still have a return anytime policy.

this one looks pretty good

https://www.target.com/p/ninja...82809459#lnk=sametab

https://www.nutribullet.com/sh...s/nutribullet-ultra/

I bought this almost a year ago. My wife loves it. We use it daily, for smoothies (fruit, vegetables, sometimes frozen). It seems powerful, it has been reliable, and it comes with enough containers to make it very convenient for the two of us.
My only complaint it that is is quite noisy in operation.

quote:

Originally posted by Ronin101:
this one looks pretty good

https://www.target.com/p/ninja...82809459#lnk=sametab

Thanks. There is something similar that is coming up for sale at costco next week. Considering it but there are a number of negative reviews regarding durability, popping smoke and leakage. But at least I can return it (I think? Need to check the current return policy). Also, ninja is mostly chicom owned (I think - majority share still owned by chicom). If there is another (non-chicom) alternative, that may be preferred.

Are nutribullet and ninja the only players in the personal blender market? Let's say cuisanart and kitchenaid are out - many bad reviews. And vitamix accessory - bad reviews and very expensive ($130 for just cup and blade, no machine).

quote:

Originally posted by TSE:
https://www.nutribullet.com/sh...s/nutribullet-ultra/

I bought this almost a year ago. My wife loves it. We use it daily, for smoothies (fruit, vegetables, sometimes frozen). It seems powerful, it has been reliable, and it comes with enough containers to make it very convenient for the two of us.
My only complaint it that is is quite noisy in operation.

Thanks. Good to know. I looked at the Ultra model before but first hand daily use for one year is promising. But not sure how to reconcile your experience with other reviews and ronin's. This is why it's hard to decide - mixed reviews for every product (and these aren't cheap at $100-150). 10 years, maybe 5 years of product life okay. But 1 year is not acceptable.

Are we talking blender or immersion blender? I have a Vitamix but paid a lot more than $130 for it and I think it will easily outlive me. Their immersion blender was highly rated the last time I looked, when my cheap Cuisinart dies I'll probably get the Vitamix.

I have a Kitchen Aid. Indestructible.

Like this one:

KitchenAid.

I have this one with zero complaints.

Looking for something that blends in a cup (like the nutribullet or the Cuisinart CPB-300 https://www.amazon.com/Cuisina...BO/ref=sr_1_1?sr=8-1

I have a real blender (vitamix) and immersion blender (but could use a better one someday).

This is to make and go smoothies in the morning. And other things like ginger tea (pieces of ginger, lemon, honey, water) - the ginger is a little tough.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
KitchenAid.

I have this one with zero complaints.

Thanks! I'll look into it more but $300 on sale is a pretty steep price ($220 for the blender + 1 personal size cup accessory $60). But if it's a forever purchase (BOCO) then it can be considered.

Way back when when I was trying to be healthy, I'd mix up a slurry of yogurt, berries, and peach/mango juice every morning for breakfast. I was using (and still have) a Cuisinart personal sized blender. Worked great, and still does.

If you don't need/want a full sized blender then that is the one I'd recommend.

ETA: It looks like the one you posted above...although an earlier model.

Thanks. Yea, the cbp300 worked pretty well for awhile but the lots of recent bad reviews make me hesitate to replace. They even have a blade/cap only for $35 (the part that is leaking now) but I'm still given pause since new machines (basic) can be had on sale for about $70 (ie - nutribullet).

May be better to just stick w/ replacement part, I don't know.

Personal sized.....Blendjet2....this will liquify a young Yak. https://blendjet.com/

Thanks! Never heard of them before.

Quick peek - sounds decent but not sure about battery powered vs AC cord.

Also, this came up (sounds related to the psa above):
BlendJet 2 portable blenders were recalled in late 2023/early 2024 due to significant safety issues, primarily the risk of their lithium-ion batteries overheating, catching fire, and the blades breaking during operation, leading to lacerations and property damage. Millions of units sold at major retailers like Costco, Walmart, and Target, between October 2020 and November 2023, are affected. Consumers are urged to stop using them and check the BlendJet website for recall details.

Vitamix commercial. Buy once, cry once. Keep them out of the dishwasher. It gets used every day.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Thanks! Never heard of them before.

Quick peek - sounds decent but not sure about battery powered vs AC cord.

Also, this came up (sounds related to the psa above):
BlendJet 2 portable blenders were recalled in late 2023/early 2024 due to significant safety issues, primarily the risk of their lithium-ion batteries overheating, catching fire, and the blades breaking during operation, leading to lacerations and property damage. Millions of units sold at major retailers like Costco, Walmart, and Target, between October 2020 and November 2023, are affected. Consumers are urged to stop using them and check the BlendJet website for recall details.

They replaced them if you had 'em. We have the new improved version. Old ones are no longer for sale. Internal battery lasts a long time.

I've had a ninja for a while now that has a power base and many attachments, food processor etc, blender. It has never missed a beat.