Perhaps someone could help me.

[Capt. America]

I need to buy a run of the mill blender for smoothies under 50$. The review websites are probably all company based reivews. I thought one of my DU brothers and sisters would be able to help me.

Any recommendations?

Thank you in advance.

[Renew Deal]

1. I found this Cooks Illustrated review from 2009

I don't know if they've updated. http://common.csnstores.com/common/marketing/Cooks%20Illustrated%20Blender%20Comparison.pdf

The Kalorik has some mixed reviews on Amazon, but it's cheap.

[NMDemDist2]

2. i picked up a Black and Decker for around $40 at WallyWorld

it does great

hang on and i'll edit in a link

i can't find the one i bought two years ago, it's a 12 speed 'cyclone' with push pads instead of buttons.

hope that helps!

[Lucinda]

3. I usually check the customer reviews at Amazon.com

Sorry I don't have a current rec for you.

[cbayer]

4. I like my handheld blender.

Easy to store, easy to clean and great for pureeing a hot soup because you don't have to transfer from one container to another.

[Lugnut]

7. I love my little boat motor.

I make a lot of soup when the weather turns colder and the immersion blender gets a real workout. I made a big pot of Cauliflower Au Gratin soup with broccoli this afternoon.

[maddezmom]

5. I have Hamilton Beach

51101B Personal Blender with Travel Lid list price on Amazon is $21.99 might be able to get it cheaper. Use it almost everyday and can handle frozen fruit.

[WhollyHeretic]

6. We have a GE blender that makes terrific drinks. It is the best blender I've ever had for frozen

drinks. I bought it a couple years ago at Walmart when our blender died right before a party where we were making margaritas. I think it was $30

[Bolo Boffin]

8. Consumer Reports lists this little guy for a price range of $60-$90 as a Best Buy

Ninja Master Prep Professional QB1004

http://www.amazon.com/Master-Professional-Blender-Chopper-Crusher/dp/B003UVG3X4

It's $70 right now at Amazon. Just above your cut-off, but it sounds like a nifty little device.

[freshwest]

9. I use an Oster with a glass container I got for $39. It's worked for over 5 years.

Unfortunately it's now over $50 at Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Oster-4093-Classic-Beehive-Blender/dp/B00005QFKG/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1326296926&sr=1-1

With sufficient water, it juices greens, carrots, etc. if prepared correctly. I use it for all my smoothies, which are usually made of fruit and greens.

I used to put in cacao nibs and bee pollen at first for it to grind with some fruit and kefir or yogurt. They're tough.

But this one looks pretty good, too and is in your price range at Amazon. Hamilton Beach was a good brand and I had a blender from them that I used for many more years than the Oster I have now.

http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-54615-Wavestation-Dispensing/dp/B000SAU3OU/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1326297183&sr=1-2

Amazon is a good source of real customer reviews, so that you aren't having to reliy on the hype by the seller. On this particular model, one of the negative reviewers had purchased this for $20 at WalMart said to go and get the Oster I mentioned above for only $25 there.

That would allow you to get a sturdy one. I hope this helps.

[Major Nikon]

10. The kitchen-aid one does pretty well

Generally the cheaper the blender, the more liquids you must put into the smoothie to keep from burning up the motor or causing other damage. The very best ones can crush ice cubes or frozen fruit without any liquid, but those are big bucks.

The standard Kitchen-Aid 5 speed is a pretty good compromise between price and performance. Normally it's around $80-100, but you can often find them on sale or refurbished in the $50-60 range. They are built very well, they have a good warranty, and you can get parts for them if you need out of warranty repairs. I've had one for many years. The only problem I've had with it was a sheered gear that meets the pitcher. A $5 replacement part got me back up and running.

http://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-KSB560MC-5-Speed-Polycarbonate-Metallic/dp/B000CSRKI0

[Melissa G]

11. Try Craigslist if you have it where you are.

You can get a high end blender for cheap and some of the better blenders are well worth it.
Garage sales are also great for blenders.
I like the vita mix and vitamix knock offs, but I've done okay for smoothies at the office with my magic bullet.

[Capt. America]

12. Thank you all for such great advice. When I told my wife that I posted this question on DU she

said, "What would a political chat board know about blenders"? Then I showed her the results.