Oster 6684 12-Speed Blender, Black

It's got plenty of power, allowing me to make delicious, refreshing, and healthy smoothies. It crushes ice and frozen strawberries easily and quickly. I got it for $35 from Amazon, so the quality/price ratio is very good.

That said, there are some drawbacks. The main one is that the lid is a bit leaky, so occasionally water or juice will squirt out. It's also very loud. And the cord is shorter than I would like it to be (about 2').

During the past few years, I have really grown to like banana milkshakes and was very disappointed when our old blender bit the dust. After spending a lot of time reading reviews on blenders, I was ready to buy a Waring blender for just under $[...]. The reviews were quite good, and they seem to last a long time. However, after spending a bit more time, I stumbled on this Osterizer for under $[...]. The ratings were all excellent, so I figured I could buy 2 or 3 if needed. It arrived quickly, and except for one issue, has been superb. I really like having 12 speeds - it turns out that the 2nd lowest works great for the banana milkshake (2 bananas and a bit of milk). At that speed it is much quieter than our prior blender. It has also worked well for my wife and daughter in making fresh fruit smoothies (really good). It sets up a great vortex. I didn't give it 5 stars because it has started making an odd noise at a higher speed. I am waiting to see if that ultimately leads to a problem or if I can just avoid that speed. Given that it is used every day and has been for 3 months, I am not too worried.

Not a bad product; definitely a great deal for the $. It liquefies as I expected. Great for smoothies, margaritas, and other icy drinks; haven't used it for other purposes yet. Loud, but it is a blender afterall!

I used a Hamilton Beach for years, and when it finally gave out, I picked up this Oster. It's a little bit more powerful, and it works well. One tip: this blender needs to be at least a third full before you start blending, or it will vibrate. I'm used to adding items a bit at a time, but this blender works better if you load it up first. Fortunately, it blends well.

Overall, the blender is ok. If you aren't a heavy blender user but want one for the occasion when you feel like making a shake or sauce or something, then this blender meets that need.

The Pros:
It has a small footprint, so it won't be taking up too much counterspace.
It has a real glass jar, not plastic.
It does an adequate job blending most things, however you may have to stop and push the ice cream down a few times if making a milkshake
It's medium capacity is perfect for blending 2 good sized milkshakes without accidently making too much or having to make 2 different batches.

The Cons:
The jar doesn't sit exactly level, and if it's off kilt even a bit, it starts shredding the black plastic ring that holds everything on.
Doesn't really make thick milkshakes like we all dream of making. They are ok, but not the uber thick ones. If you try to make the uber thick ones, you are rewarded with the smell of burnt motor.

All in all, it's an ok product, and if you are a casual user of such an appliance, you'll find this one will meet your needs. If you planned on daily use, I'd reccomend something a bit stronger and better made, as the jar sitting and plastic ring could become an issue over time.