I have had like 6 different cheap <$100 blenders over the years and they always give out after a few months.
I had been eyeing the Vitamixes and my dad told me that my mom had planned to get me one for Christmas but she did some research and ended up getting me a Bosch mixer with a blender attachment for about the same price. She's had her Bosch for over 20 years and the thing is still kicking! Anyway, that thing is a BEAST. If you're ready to invest in a powerful machine it gets my recommendation hands down. It completely liquifies greens.
The first time I made a smoothie with it my 7 year old said "Whoa!! This is like Jamba Juice, how did you make it not chunky at home???"
Plus, the mixer itself is amazing for all sorts of things
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