Very strong blender, it has great grip and works and looks great. The first day it smelled funny and I thought maybe there was a problem, but nothing happened so I am probably just not all there. I prepared some smoothies and mouses and once I crushed ice too and it worked for all of it, without any trouble.

Maybe this blender works well with a full blender jar, but I bought it for my morning smoothies-- a cup or so of yogurt, a handful of fruit and 2-3 ice cubes. It does an OK job, but takes a while longer than my old beehive (RIP). From the comments from the margarita makers, I expected it to pulverize the ice more quickly, but there are always pebbles left in my drink. So maybe a design that is effective for big batches is not necessarily good for projects of 16 oz or less.

It is nice looking.

I was sad when my previous blender went by the way side, but it was a serendipity to be sure! My new blender is sleeker, quieter running and does a better job, especially with smoothies. It has special buttons for shakes, smoothies, and icy drinks that are just great. I would definitely recommend Hamilton Beach 52277 Classic Chrome 12-speed Blender.

Easy Assembly and cleaning. Powerful 800W motor yet only need to use the Low output mode for perfect blending on food with medium thick consistency. Excellent on crushing ice.

I just bought this Hamilton Beach 52277 Classic Chrome blender (for under six bills with shipping) to replace an aging but still working Osteriser (just like Belle) that had lasted two decades. With 800 watts, this is far more powerful, and the polished stainless steel base is far more attractive. I also like the glass jar (as my Oster had) for being able to blend hot soups. The heavier lid is very flexible but somehow survives the dishwasher without any softening (unlike the Oster). Moreover, the gear teeth the jar sits on are straight (rather than angled - what was starting to regularly slip on the Oster) for a better fit. Even though I rarely use more than fast, slow, and pulse (this blender has ten speeds and pulse), I'm glad I picked this one over the Oster 4093 Classic Beehive blender with its noisier but weaker 500 watts, the need to handwash a loose fitting lid, and just two speeds (on and pulse). Finally, I have also seen greater splashing as others have commented elsewhere from the new "Wave-Action" blade (common to both newer Hamilton and Oster blenders for more vigerous blending) when adding thick additives to liquids (but the well-fitting Hamilton lid has so far prevented any spilling). I expect this to be my last blender purchase - only a second jar and parts for when one set is in the dishwasher (of course, time will tell).