Back to Basics Express features bLENDER, 24 Ounce, Silver

I prefer this blender over all of the other blenders I have in my house. I initially purchased this to use when I am traveling, so I can still make morning smoothies and shakes to start my day. I currently have an old Black and Decker blender, a Krups blender, and a Ninja blender, and this one seems to top them all. I found that the Ninja is super loud and doesn't chop ice the greatest for smoothies. The Ninja and the Krups were super loud and would wake everyone up in the morning. I found this blender to be super quiet in the mornings. It seems loud when you use it, but the sound does not seem to bellow throughout our house. I have used it to make mixed drinks, smoothies, shakes, etc. and it seems to do a well enough job of crushing ice and blending strawberries, bananas, blueberries, purees, alcohol, etc. I have had this for a few months already. The motor seems to hold up. I usually run it for about 15 seconds or so. It blends everything with a nice consistency, but that is really based on the ratio of ingredients you put in the container. It is super easy to clean and washes out real quick. There are no gaskets to worry about, only the motor base, the container and the blade piece. (3 pieces and only have to wash 2). I paid $24 for this, which is much cheaper than what I've seen from the bullet blender, etc. Also, this blender offers you 24 oz, which is more than most typical 16 and 20 oz portable blenders. Its still small and takes up minimal counter space. I have had this for a few months and so far so good. The quality of build seems pretty well and I expect this to hold up for a while. I highly recommend this blender.

I got the Back to Basics blender many years ago as a freebie with credit card points or something like that. (It was just the blender and a single cup with a handle and cutting lid.) I LOVED that thing and about cried when the motor died—which took years. So glad to find it here again on Amazon; I searched for it for years and then gave up many moons ago! I'm telling you, this thing cuts through ice and pretty much anything you can throw at it (with proper use—use that pulse setting!) with absolutely no problems, which I can't say for the more expensive name brands of mini and smoothie blenders I've bought since my original died. Can't say we need all the accoutrements this set includes (we haven't used the chopping cup yet), but having two cups with handles is a nice perk because we have two smoothie freaks in this house. This unit works just as flawlessly as the other one did, no jams, no burning motors.

This is my second Basics Blender Express. The first one lasted 5 years being used 3-5 times weekly. Recently my husband used it and managed to overload it. I replaced it with a different brand and hated it, so was really happy to see that Amazon carried the Express! Unless you abuse it by filling it to the brim with "hard as a rock" frozen fruit and very little liquid, it will do a great job. Love the convenience of being able to drink from the mixing jar.

This blender is very simple. Really not much to it. Takes up almost no space at all. I won't say that the quality is good. I'm on my third one. The first one just had some mechanical failure and the blade siezed up on the lid. I wish I could've just purchased another lid with blade, but I never saw an option for that. HOWEVER, I stick with this blender because it's the least messy, you can purchase extra cups with lids (pack of 2 for $10, I think), they're dishwasher safe (put the cups in the top shelf, though), and they're the perfect size for a protein shake. Why use a regular blender? You'd have to clean out that every time you use it and then also clean out whatever cup you pour it into as well. Gets the job done and keep the mess to a minimum.

Did not work very long.

I wanted a blender that I could make my smoothie in and go out the door.( Handling my Cuisinart blender first thing in the morning is too much for my sleepy brain! ) . This is perfect! I bought some 1/2 cup containers & measured out nuts, seeds, protein powder and some green powder. In the morning I put in almond milk, my measured ingredients, frozen blueberries... etc... I pulse it a few times. Blend on low for a minute and then on high for a minute. It does a great job...even on ice. I tried it on a blended iced coffee and it was delicious. I chose this based mainly on design: to-go cup style and the upside down cup for blending. Many alternate brands do not have handles on the cup, the cup is too small or because of where the blades are you can't take the blender "cup" with you. Clean up is a snap - it takes a quick rinse. After I drink my smoothie, I then refill the cup with water for the rest of the day.

<Sigh> I'm nearly 60 years old and have yet to learn that lesson. I bought this to replace a blender I broke, which I used to make yogurt smoothies (juice, yogurt, banana, frozen blueberries, peanut butter). This blender is not very powerful, so the blueberries are chopped rather than pulverized. I'll buy a blender with more wattage. Also, when you are deciding, check out the part of the blender base that the holder fits in. If it's plastic or rubber, it's easy to not seat the holder perfectly, and the rubber will get stripped out--which is what happened to my other blender and could happen with this one--and there is no way to replace that part, so the whole unit has to be thrown away. Metal parts are of course more expensive, but you might as well buy one blender in your lifetime as opposed to several. Update: After two months the rubber gasket on the lid has stretched and no longer fits tightly. I'll buy a different blender, since it's something I use daily.

Cons: Not for use with heated substance No Large container available as far as I know No automatic shut off when cup is not in it and I recommend unplugging it when not in use or better yet unplug it and put it up somewhere where the kids cannot play with it when not in use. Pros: What it does it does very will Low cost does not leak larger then most other cups that I have seen for single serve Easy to clean Turns Kale that I put into my health shake into pepper size pieces insulated mug weight and feel and appearance of a high end machine If I get a chance I will try flax seed in it also there is another of these machines and it looks like it has an extra cup, another blade and another container that comes with it that I am thinking about buying, it would be nice to buy just the accessories to go with it but it is not that much.