Bought this because my other Ninja melted on the stove.  This one is 1 or 2 steps up from the $30 version and it shows.  One of my kids loves icees and snow cones and this delivers.  Smoothies are no problem either.  I only gave it 4 stars because those are the only things I have used this for so far.  It would be nice if it came with a little recipe booklet like many similar products do.  Not sure yet how it is going to do with a non pureed item like salsa when the time comes.