Simple design keeps operation easy, but after following the directions (put liquids in first, small pieces of frozen items - even used crushed ice), this blender was unable to blend a simple smoothie without my having to scrape the sides many times to pull pieces into the blades. Even then the blending was not optimal. Nice, heavy glass container. Simple to clean, which is a huge plus.  The nice thing is I don't rely on a blender for daily use so this should be just fine for me.  People who are more prone to make a lot of drinks on a constant basis might find it a bit basic.  Overall, not a bad product just not a top model. [This review was collected as part of a promotion.]