After a lot of research, I purchased a Breville blender. I especially like its dedicated Smoothie cycle; it runs 2 minutes of varying speeds that does a great job. It has a timer that lets you see how long you are running on any speed or cycle. The blender container is glass, and the blade section disconnects from the container for easy cleaning.

I was afraid of getting anything too cheap and just having to buy again and again, so I went to one of the Sherman tanks of blenders...the BlendTec Home. It's similar in power to a VitaMix, only has a shorter, wider pitcher that's easier to clean out and fits under upper cabs, as well as blends wet and dry with the same blade...so ends up less expensive than the VitaMix, too. We blend ice and/or frozen fruit smoothies every day, and for 10 of us, it can be a lot of blending. My niece and her husband manage and district manage, respectively, for a major coffee shop chain and she says they've used VitaMix and BlendTec, and both do a great job and last and last. Their commercial model is about the same, but with fewer options and a shorter warranty for the higher price tag. Anyway, it's a little painful, pricewise, at $399 for the blender and an extra pitcher. We're not sorry we spent for it, because it's phenomenal.

We got a Breville. After reading reviews on Amazon, we returned the more expensive one and got the one that lists about $199. It also fit my cabinet space without having to adjust the shelves -- the little things, ya know? LOL

It is so much quieter and really smoothes the ice. I didn't think it could be working right the first time. I saw what I think was the same one on sale at Macy's over the summer -- I'd be watching holiday sales for a similar deal. I just wasn't ready to spend more or give up more space for a Vita Mix or BlendTec without trying something more ordinary. The Breville is great for us (4) and frequent but not daily use. I'm very happy with it, but if I had a family of 10 and used it everyday, I'd probably want the biggest workhorse possible -- kind of like the KitchenAid Professional model mixer for me. LOL

Like gizmonike and lascatx, I have the Breville and love it (for our family of 2). Like lascatx, I did some amazon research, but purchased mine at Bed, Bath & Beyond. Online BB&B they quoted a $299 price, but I stopped by the store to see it in person, it was only $199.

Also, mine just barely fits under my cabinets when I have it on the counter (in my current dinky kitchen); with the lid on it is 17 1/4" tall. In my future kitchen it will have a nice storage space.

My DD, who makes up to 3 batches of smoothies a day, has the Vitamix and it is fantastic, but a little noisy. I only noticed the noise level because it woke her baby the first time she used it while he was asleep upstairs. I think he is a light sleeper, though. The next day I saw her take it to the basement to run it - LOL.

I'd have gotten the Vitamix or the BlendTec if I used it all the time like my DD does or had a large family like rhome.

Another Breville here---thanks to someone posting about it on this forum last December. I had no idea blenders could be so good. I think it is also the model that is around $199. I have a thing about too much plastic being used in our food prep/storage/packaging and I really appreciate that this blender has a glass container---an extra bonus on top of its performance.

I have the Vitamix - purchased at Costco - and I LOVE it. It for sure is noisy but we use it a couple times a day to make green smoothies - fantastic!!

I wonder how a factory refurbished Breville would be? They can be obtained on Ebay for around $100.

A little OT, but a good word for Breville, in general. I bought a Breville panini grill on Ebay for about $20. We liked it, but it got dropped and the handle broke. I contacted Breville to see if we could get a new handle. They insisted on sending a whole new unit, and since our model was discontinued, asked 'if it would be OK' if they sent the newer, upgraded model instead! That unit was worth about $95...to replace something bought on Ebay! Amazing customer service and willingness to stand behind their products.

Thanks so much to everyone!

For those recommending the Breville blender, is it the Breville Ikon BBL600XL that was so highly rated by Consumer Reports?

Maydl, that is the model we have and love.

Thanks for confirming, zelmar!

Love my Vita Mix - really amazing for smoothies. Mine is about 5 years old - The newer models have a lid that is easier to get on and off. Haven't had a chance to check out the BlendTec, but it sure sounds nice.

Absolutely love the Breville Blender--DH & I consider it a "family-member"--we even make a form of healthy "ice-cream" (frozen fruit/milk). We have the model you are talking about. Abt.com has a good description of it.

Macy's has it on line at 40% off making it $120.

Here is a link that might be useful: when added to shopping cart it takes the 40% off

Thanks to chefkev,luckloo, and isitdoneyet for weighing in. It looks like Macy's is putting a Breville blender on sale tomorrow morning (Friday after Thanksgiving); I don't know if it's the same model, but if it is, it's 40% off.

The only problem is that a lot of posters on Amazon said that the coupling between the base and the container was made of thin plastic and kept self-destructing. Some posters said that was just in an older model, others said it was in the newest model, too. I guess I should take it out the box before purchase and have a look.

We've got a BlendTec Home. Has been flawless, for over a year, even though we've asked it to do tasks we would never has asked of a blender before. I highly recommend.

isitdoneyet: I think the Breville model that Macy's is selling is the 550XL, not the 600XL. The 500 XL has a 610W motor; the 600XL has a 750W motor. I don't know how much difference that makes in practice.

Revans1, thanks for the additional recommendation, but we use the blender so seldom that I couldn't justify the price of the BlendTec.

Here's a vote for Blend-tec, love it...so easy to clean. Gave away a 6mo. old, expensive blender for the upgrade, never sorry. Bought mine on Amazon.

I could really kick myself. I didn't order the Breville from Macy's when I should have and now the price has gone up to $150. Still not a bad price, but chances are there will be another sale. So if anyone follows sales frequently, would you mind giving us the heads up if you see the price come down again?

Me too, houseful, but I ordered it anyway! I had to order something else online that I couldn't get at the store and needed to up the total to get free shipping. Probably should have waited, but oh, well.

I have to say that I am shocked at Macy's:

A week or so ago, our local store was selling the Breville 550XL (610-watt motor) for $160 on sale ("regularly $249"). On the Breville web site, the 550XL lists for $149.99!!!

And Breville lists the 660XL (750-watt motor) for $199.99, which is what BB&B sells it for before any discounts are given.

So, what exactly is Macy's pulling with its published pricing?

Folks, when shopping with Macy's, make sure what model you are getting and what the price really should be.

Good point about the model number. I've had this problem with other items in the past.