I have a Ninja...I've never had such a powerful blender. I love it. But I learned the hard way never to put the blade in dishwater, I almost cut my finger off. The direction say to wash it in the jar or hand wash. The blade looks like an auger.

Personally, I don't think blenders really do well with ice. I have an ice crusher specifically designed for ice--it's got to be 25 or more years old, and still going strong.

Blenders? I don't use mine often--maybe a half dozen times a year. So I go with cheap ones. Best one I ever had was a combo blender, food processor. Can't recall the brand, but it lasted for years, and I used the food p. part a lot--but they don't seem to make them any more.

Whatever blender you get, why not get an ice crusher, too--I think that will save the motor on the blender.

Vitamix.
You will never be sorry or buy another...
I use it several times a week for smoothies with ice and frozen fruit. Often throwing in a couple carrots or spinach. Everything is creamy smooth.
This week I also made salsa, turkey salad, and shaved some soap for homemade laundry soap.

Most everything cleans up with just a drop of dish soap, hot water and turn on high for a few minutes...rinse out and put it away.

If you ever watch CHOPPED on food network, it is the blender they use. I see it on many shows.
Pretty expensive, but was worth every penny just to save the aggravation from other blender.

Also..my sister has a Blendtec and loves it as much as I love my Vitamix....it also has great reviews.

I have a Vitamix. It was expensive but it will last forever, so it is cheaper in the long run than buying a $50 one every year or two. It will grind concrete into dust so ice is no problem. :)

The Ninja is the best blender I've ever had. It works great for smoothies & frozen coffee too. It come with a mini chopping blender. You can't be it for less the $35

I have an Osterizer blender in a closet somewhere.
Haven't used/needed one in years.

Thanks everyone; guess I'll have to splurge....I need my smoothies and dh needs his malts! lol

I also love smoothies....I have a Kitchenaid. I paid $45.... from the kitchenaid dealer(Kitchenaid uses Ebay to sell their wares)) on Ebay. Came with a manufacturers warranty...

Love it!

Another vote for the Vitamix. This morning, we had breakfast smoothies with flax seeds, almonds, greek yogurt, a banana, oranges, fresh pineapple, mango, and a bunch of fresh spinach. The Vitamix incorporates the spinach so well that there isn't a trace of leaves, just a lovely green color. Plus, the almonds and flax seeds are pulverized. And though it's expensive, I was burning out 1 or 2 blenders a year before and about ready to give up on them. The vitamix also makes beautiful sorbets from frozen fruit, salad dressings, crushes ice, makes nut butters, cashew cream, and tons of other stuff. I use it at least once a day and would not ever switch back to a regular blender.

Another Vitamix user here... LOVE it. It was my first expensive purchase after my divorce.

Favorite drink made with it... Magarita! :)

But it is GREAT for smoothies too.

Moni

I just bought a Kitchenaid blender at the flea market for $10 that retails for $100. It needed a $5 part(bought in amazon and DH installed) and seems pretty powerful. My old blender is a Hamilton Beach that is about 25 years old-still works, but ice gets jammed.

So when you say a Vitamix is pricey; are you talking like $200 or more? What's a good deal on one? Guess I'm off to Google.

I have a very old Oster.

I have a Vitamix.....with the container for liquids and the one for grinding wheat, coffee beans and dry ingredients.
It was expensive.....$400 but I have had it for years and it works great.
I use it a lot and feel it was worth the initial cost.

just checked costco site...it has 3...

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.costco.com/Vitamix-5200-Super-Package.product.11609068.html

Yet another vote for Vitamix. I got mine on Ebay for $250. It is wonderful. My GD asks for ice when she comes over. It always comes out perfectly crushed.

Yikes; $400+ for a blender? Guess I'll have to save my pennies for a while! ;)

My is not only a blender but a grinder of wheat. I can use it to make soup, make rice flour, corn meal and a lot of other things. I save money in lots of other ways so I can afford items I really feel I can use for a long time.
It will last me my life time and my kids can use it another 20 years so if you think of it as a yearly cost, it is reasonable.

Sometimes you can luck out and find them on Craigslist. I see several in my area right now. You can also get refurbished ones on their site for $329.

wow Carol; you make your own flour and corn meal?? I'm all about saving money, but doubt I'd ever make my own flour! It's not that I can't afford it, I just can't justify it right now. At least not today..... ;)

It doesn't take long.....I don't do it often but I can.
You need to have the grinding container to do it....can't use the one for use with liquids.