Back to Basics 3-Speed Brushed Chrome Personal Blender Express, BPE3BR

I previously owned a Magic Bullet and liked the fact that it did not take up much space on the counter. However, after about a year, it died and I was left with a large number of unused attachments with no motor base. I then purchased this item because of the low price (relative to the Magic Bullet) and the fact that it had the basic attachments that I normally use. Out of the box, the blender worked very well and continued to do so. However, after about 3 months, the blade seized and could not be used. I tried everything to loosen the blade, but nothing worked. A new blade assembly is available from the manufacturer for $5. Not bad, but shipping is $7.95, for a total cost of $12.95. Not worth the cost, given that the total purchase price of the blender was < $20! In all, I think the product works well but 3 months of use is not worth $20. What happened to warranties?

Pros: This is a nice-looking and not-too-big product that is reasonably priced and good for making smoothies. I wouldn't do a whole lot else with this product as the motor is not very powerful, but it manages to cut up ice cubes and frozen fruit quite well. I really like that you can just use the container as a cup and go on your way. That saves cleaning and is very handy. I've only had it for a month so far, so I couldn't comment on longevity. I like this product overall.

Con: Like a lot of other reviewers say, it smells like the engine will burn out any second, so I use the Pulse feature and start and stop it before the smell gets really bad. I also put it on top of my cold, turned off electric burner to provide the motor with some air flow because of the smell.

I gave the item 3 stars for "Meets Expectations" because I did read the reviews prior to buying the item and decided that I could live with the smell in exchange for the feature of using the well as a cup.

My husband goes to the gym and purchases shake drinks there at a whopping $4 a shot. Now he has this personal blender at work and just has to purchase the shake packets, which alot less expensive, and makes his drinks there after his work out. Great all around blender. He really likes that this comes with a seal lid, it does not spill out all over.

This product works great for what its intended.
It's for a single smoothie.....not blending or chopping
for cooking, or for serving 50 smoothies or frozen
drinks at a party.
Lid works great, doesn't leak at all.
Quick and easy to clean.
I've never ate more fruit, protein powder and yogurt. It does take a little practice to get the hang of how much frozen fruit and how much liquid to get the consistency you want. The only thing I would recommend to the
mfg, is to include a pack of longer straws to reach
the bottom of the cup.
I love this product.

It works OK, but it's hard to blend ice cream.

I'm a college student who wasn't eating enough fruits and veggies. I don't like paying for the "all natural drinks" that you find in the stores. I wanted to make my own drinks, so I would know exactly what was going into my body.
Being a student I don't have time or money to spend, this product was everything, and more than what I was suspecting. I have used it everyday since I've gotten it.

This was a great buy. I was somewhat skeptical having read the other reviews about the leaking problem, but I have not experienced that. It's great for mixing up diet shakes at work, and the drinkable mixing container with the coffee mug lid was a pleasant surprise. Chops ice pretty well.

This product burned up the first time I used regular ice cubes, and I only used a few.
It cannot handle being run more than 15-20 seconds at a time. Not suitable for chopping food. if you use ice cubes, break them up first. Very poor motor.
Would not recommend.

It's too bad, because I loved the size of the mug and convenience of not having to wash a blender jar.

Better than the Magic Bullet at a fraction of the cost. Makes coffee drinks just like Starucks.