Braun PowerMax MX2000

OK – We've had our Braun for 5 years now, which is pretty long, but we haven't used it all that much and when I wanted to crush some pieces of palm sugar (okay, that was a bit much to ask for perhaps), the machine completely disintegrated. That's why I'm looking in this forum in first place. I might go for the rather expensive Breville, because I do like blenders that can crush ice and do tough jobs as well as the occasional smoothie.

All in all, the Braun did a good job but then again, I never really challenged it. Easy to clean

3 speeds & pulse blend not very powerful

fairly loud

Bad – My husband uses this machine frequently to mix up protein drinks and for mixing drinks it is brilliant, but any recipe requiring the mixing of dry ingredients in liquid...forget it! The mixer has an annoying scream which after a short burst of use is accompanied by a burning smell...not a good combo. Overall I can't say I love this machine but it has been reliable and gets used frequently. Excellent for mixing drinks . Very reliable. Extremely noisy and after a minute of use the engine smells like it is about to expire. The machine is only really for anything liquid...hopeless when you start adding flour as it pools in the base and doesn't mix properly.

Excellent – A great blender with a large enough jug to get a large batch blended with ease. I would buy another one like this if I ever needed too. I have had this belnder for a few years now and it is a great little machine. It is very easy to clean, light but heavy enough not to walk all over the kitchen benches when it is in use. Very sharp blades for ice crushing. Large jug for big mixes of pancakes. I just sit the sift on top and measure directly into the blender, when all the ingredients are in, just turn the dial and within minutes you have a perfect smooth pancake batter. Very noisey.