I am really pleased with this purchase! I am making smoothies every day. It is easy to use, easy to clean, and kind of fun to see what fruits and flavors work. No blender is truly quiet, but this one is often said in online reviews to be quieter than the other personal blenders. I have not used other personal blenders, but I can say that my Beast does not make an unpleasant shrieking sound or an intolerably loud sound. It blends really well, too - i.e., it makes smooth smoothies!