THANK YOU! I have been looking at a vitamix for over a year now and I just could not bring myself to pay that kind of money for a blender. I owen an Oster beehive right now and I hate it, it would have never occured to me to try out another one from the same manufacturer.

I have an ancient Oster -- they are great. (By ancient, I inherited over 25 years ago -- and I do use it frequently for both food and margaritas!)

I've never understood these expensive blenders -- the only thing you need to be sure of is to get a glass jar (or metal for the bar) -- plastic jars are awful.

Perfect timing! I plan to get the oster this weekend. Thanks for the affordable option. :)

I have the KitchenAid 5-Speed blender (model # KSB560) which was top rated by Cook's Illustrated. I trust Cook's Illustrated equipment reviews a bit more over consumer reports because they tend to test appliances in a manner more similar to how a home cook would use it.

I didn't realize when I registered for this blender (it was a wedding gift) that it had a plastic jar, which I would normally not prefer. But it is very high quality and sturdy polycarbonate and is dishwasher safe...

I have the Oster Beehive and can't even use it. The motor is SO loud it is like a jet engine taking off. I hate it too.
I need to just get a new one. Thanks for the post.

Vita-Mix. 'Nuff said.

I just got a new 5 speed Kitchen Aid blender for Christmas, and I am so happy with it! I am surprised it wasn't on the list..

I don't have an Oster beehive, but a different Oster model which cost about the same as the one listed in this article (with a glass jar). I've had it for close to 8-9 years and it still works great. I chose Oster because my mom still has hers from her wedding registry close to 30 years ago and it still works like a champ.

I think a big thing to consider when investing in a nice blender is blender use and how to stack your ingredients for efficient blending. Are there any previous posts on this subject?

I want a Vita-Mix so, so badly. Working with those in professional kitchens has ruined me for every other type of blender.

megangogo & kellybell223 - The Kitchen Aid was next on the list, so it made the top 6!

I highly recommend the Waring blender - one-piece glass jar which means there are no rings or gaskets to wear out and cause leaks.

I need a new blender I think I'll try the Oyster. I don't use a blender often enough between the food processor and immersion blender to spend the money for the Vita-mix; BUT my BFF has one and it's really amazing. And she uses it every morning for breakfast and when her kids were still eating babyfood.

I just bought a vita-mix and I am in love! It may cost a lot but it is absolutely worth every penny.

I picked up an old Oster (the 8-speed Osterizer) at a garage sale when I was in college. Fifteen years later it's still going strong. Last month, there was a mishap and I finally had to replace the gasket that originally came with it. The gasket still had life in it but it got cut in half during a cooking fiasco. Thankfully the replacements are easy to find and cheap ($1.50).

I love my Oster but I wouldn't say no to a Vitamix if it fell into my lap.

I have a Kitchenaid that's perfect for frappuccinos and frozen fruit smoothies. It was $69 on sale and Bed Bath & Beyond.

My Oster's been running strong since 1993. Every time I think I should upgrade (mostly because it's not the prettiest thing anymore) I realize that's just plain silly. If it ain't broke...

I wonder if I got a bad Oster, since it died on me fairly quickly after I tried to make hummus in it.

I also once had an oster which I killed one clumsy morning. I now have a cuisinart with is fine but I hardly ever pull it out because I love me my magic bullet!

I have a fifteen year old Waring pro blender. It has a powerful motor and I love the industrial, no nonsense toggle switch. It's still going strong.

I have to say that although expensive, Vita-Prep are the best out there. The first time I used one, it scared the you-know-what outta me it is so powerful. We use them at work and now I'm so spoiled, I don't like using my home blender because it just doesn't do as good a job.

I've noticed the Vita-Mix increasingly being touted as The Best Blender, especially as the raw food lifestyle has been adopted by diet fad seekers. The warranty and variable speed controls do sound nifty, but $500 for a plastic jug blender makes me think that somebody is pulling wool over some eyes. I'd think twice about blending hot soups in a plastic jug. I've been in love with my Braun glass-jug, blender for going on 10 years, and when I recently called to get replacement blades they were still in stock and cheap. I don't think I'll ever have to sink as much as $500 on this blender, even if I have to buy two new Braun blenders to carry me to the end of my life. For the savings alone, I'll "settle" for the glass jug and 5 speeds.

We love, love, love our Blendtec. After doing copious research we decided to go with a Blendec, mainly because it fits under the counter. We had a Cusinart before purchasing the Blendtec, can't even compare to what we have now. We couldn't make basic smoothies without unclogging it multiple times. Each use was wrought with frustration. Asta la vista.
We use the Blendtec everyday mainly for smoothies, almond milk, ice cream, hummus and on and on and on.
My only complaint is the carafe. We purchased the larger version which isn't good for making smaller batches. But that's where the Magic Bullet comes in!

I convinced three people dear to me (husband, dad and bff) to go in for a VitaMix for my birthday last week. I am in love! It is just awesome.

I did a ton of research as well and I went with the blendtec since it would fit under my counter and it doesn't need a pusher. I think you have more variety with the blendtec. You don't have to buy separate jugs for different purposes. The blendtec is also cheaper. I've made soup, peanut butter, smoothies every morning and milkshakes. Ice cream is my next goal! A blendtec is also waaaaay easier to clean and more sanitary.