My Braun has held up pretty good.
But I must admit, I don't use it all that often.

Rusty

I also have a Braun that I got as a gift and I love it.

Looks like the Brauns have it. I don't use it often either. Mostly to make my own mayo without all the sugars and unpronounceable additives. Small batches that I can use up in a short period of time. Frankly that's why I thought even the cheap one should have lasted longer. Oh Well! Youse gets what youse pay for.

I used to have a Braun and liked it, but now I have Kitchenaid stick blender and like it even better. It's important not to buy the rechargeable kind, as the batteries soon become unchargeable. Also, you will want to have a good variety of speeds. I got mine at Target, but you can probably get it cheaper on line. My brother had Target store credit from his work (Target is one of his customers), which is why I got mine there. I use my stick blender for lots of things, but often to make marinades and to smooth out sauces and soups. You need a fairly powerful motor for that.

Lars

here are some listed at consumersearch
Hand Blenders: Reviews
and Good Housekeeping
Immersion Blender Reviews

However I think by reviews of actual users the Swiss Made Bamix is a big winner, pricy but lasts. I can not afford one myself.
Bamix Immersion Blender

Fine Immersion Blenders from Switzerland

Oh, my cuisinart smart stick was right up there at the top in Raven's review links, nice to know :)

Truthfully, I don't use it often, the few times I have put it to work it's done the job. I don't remember what I paid, I'm sure it wasn't full price because I always buy discounted or on sale, must have been minimal if I don't remember.

I have a Braun Immersion Blender. Have had it for many years. It has a range from #1-cream to #6 puree. It also came with a small chopping cup. We use that for when we have to chop a lot of nuts for baking. We use the immersion blender mostly for pureeing soups. It gets used frequently during the colder months when we eat more soups. NancyLouise

A few thoughts about hand/stick (immersion) blenders:

I agree with Lars. Don't get cordless ones. Not enough power and will not last long.

I don't understand most of the reviews.

By necessity and by design, most H blenders are hermetically sealed and not repairable. Two things can go wrong: The motor can be burned out or the detachable shaft can be striped. Few of the reviews rate durability.

The best H blender cannot last very long because they most use permanent magnet DC motors which uses carbon brushes for the rotor and the carbon brushes get worn out at some point no matter what.

Because of the sealed design (to prevent electric shock) the motor cannot be ventilated and can easily be burned out. Many blenders specify that if you operate the unit longer than 5 minutes you will void the warranty. I don't see the reviews look into that.

Personally I will not use the H blender to grind ice or chop nuts. If you stall the blades, the motor can get overheat in seconds or you can strip the connecting shaft and the recycle bin it goes.

dcarch

I've had a Braun for about ten years and use it a lot, especially in conjunction with the food processor attachment. Love it.

Thanks to jessyf, the Braun has changed my life! I love it. Mine has a mini food processor that I use a LOT -- best thing ever for chopping up herbs or garlic -- a whisk I have rarely if ever used, and of course the immersion blender.

I don't think that that model is still available for the US. But Cuisinart seems to have a similar product.

Well, that took awhile. I checked out the links you provided and looks like my first decision is do I use it enough to pay for a more expensive one. I'm thinking not. I have a Vitamix for heavy duty chopping so won't be chopping nuts or ice. I would like one a little better than The B&D I had so I'll probably go with a $30 to $50 replacement. I don't remember what I paid for mine but it wasn't over $30.

Thanks for all the help. You guys are awesome.

My first stick blender was a Braun and it lasted only about a year. I don't remember the brand of the second one or third one but they didn't last very long either. I gave up buying them new & just pick them up at garage sales when I see them for a dollar or two. The one that I'm using now is a second hand Rival and I've been using it for at least a couple of years. Have two more stick blenders in the basement waiting for when the Rival crashes.

LOL Gellchom isn't that Braun the best? Mine has lasted years. I even have another one stashed away in case mine breaks but it is still in the closet. I wish Braun hadn't discontinued that model.

I use all of it - the immersion blending main shaft, the chopper, and the whisk is great for beating one or two egg whites/salad dressing.

Another one with a Braun that's has to be at least 12 -13 years old.

David

Reporting back with my final decision. I ended up getting the Cuisinart csb-80 Smart Stick. Found it on Amazon for just for $79.95 with free S&H. I've only used it once so far and am so pleased. 700 watt with cord and all attachments. Now we'll see if I can break this one.

Thanks for all the help.

Pris

I have a cheaper & lower power smart stick, and I use it all the time and love it. I had a more expensive one at first- a kitchenaid or something- and burned out the motor on the first use.

Posted by pris "-----700 watt with cord and all attachments. Now we'll see if I can break this one. ---"

I can't understand a 700 watt hand blender. Are you sure?

That's a very powerful motor!

dcarch

Sorry. I meant to say 400 watt. Finger hit the wrong key. At any rate, much more power than my previous one. I was taking your advise as I probably pushed my first one beyond its' limits. That plus the added attachments justified the increase in price in my mind. Time will tell.

I've had various ones and most worked for a long time. This last time I dropped, cracked and broke mine and wanted another one soon. Christy happened to go to CVS that day and saw this $5 one, figuring it would work until he maybe got me another good one. That was last spring and it's still going strong.lol.

Today Chris Kimball happened to tweet the Cook's Country immersion blender test results. Winner is only $25

Here is a link that might be useful: Immersion Blenders

I prefer my cuisinart with stainless steel shaft. Corded and I don't have to worry about the tomato sauce coloring the stick or random plastic melting into the soup/ sauce.

Lalitha