This is the Cadillac of blenders. Are you reading the reviews to decide whether or not you want to buy this? You do. You've already come this far. It crushes ice AND it heats soup. It mixes dough AND makes nut butter. There is a ying for every yang with this blender. No more slicing your hand open on the blades, because it literally cleans itself with a few drops of soap. I've used this for cookie dough, green smoothies, homemade frose' - everything to supplement my basic lifestyle and I am obsessed. I've used this over my Kitchenaid stand mixer when I've been too lazy to pull it out. Plus it comes with a substantial recipe book that'll give you ideas on what to make. I love this because I truthfully will never need another blender again. That's what you're investing in, longevity. This will blow your current little smoothie blender out of the water and will last a lot longer.