Blender suggestions?

I'm making the move across the pond by the end of the year.  And strangely enough, a decent blender will be my first appliance purchase.  I'm a smoothie addict, so it's justified.  When I was visiting a few weeks ago, we went to a local supermarket to look at blenders.  Umm...why do the UK blenders only have 3 speeds??  My rather cheap US blender has 14 speeds, all nicely labelled.  So... suggestions on a blender?  Preferably with more than 3 speeds...

Thanks in advance!

I can't really speak to blenders specifically, but I do have a Kenwood food processor with a blender...attachment, I guess...and it works really, really well.  It's this one.

I've always had trouble with blenders in the past not being powerful enough to really crush ice when I make smoothies, aside from industrial blenders at the coffee shop I worked at.  I haven't had the same problem with this.

Granted, it's not cheap (though we got mine on sale for about £75) and it wouldn't really be worth it if you don't think you'd use it for anything else, but it is ever so much more than a blender and I love it.  It comes with lots of other fun gadgets.  I haven't had a chance to use the juicer attachment yet!

I use an eye-wateringly expensive Bamix stick mixer. (It was a birthday present; we don't usually buy such up-market gear).

If you want a nice glass jar blender, then I know some people like the kMix, I have the kmix hand whisk and it's FANTASTIC, better than the Dualit I've used.



You could get a kitchenaid, the white classic is around £100 and they hold their value really well on ebay


If you want a more combo machine, can't go wrong with a kenwood chef or I LOVE my magimix, I use it nearly everyday, I got teh smaller size on sale from Debenhams and totally couldn't do without it

I don't actually own one so please forgive my ignorance, but can you really tell the difference between say, speed 8 and speed 13 on a 14 speed blender? 

I have the KitchenAid one and it's brilliant.

Thanks everyone!  I will check out all of the suggestions.  I did see the KitchenAid one on Amazon.  I just thought it seemed a little pricey.  But then again...if it's just like my current one, it's worth it!

I don't actually own one so please forgive my ignorance, but can you really tell the difference between say, speed 8 and speed 13 on a 14 speed blender? 

More buttons!    Actually, you can do magical things with a 14 speed blender.   I mostly use mine for smoothies.  I do sometimes make milkshakes or soup though.

I looked at blenders for months before taking the plunge with a VitaMix. Pricey but I haven't regretted it considering I use it every morning for green smoothies.

Thanks Olive. I'll check that one out.

Does anyone know if it would make sense to ship my blender over?  Or is the electrical different going to be too much, even with a converter? 

JessF, what type of blender do you have in the US? I'm thinking about getting one for DH that makes smoothies, but I've never bought a blender before.

Do I think it's worth shipping your blender over? Not really, if you're able to find an equivalent on UK Amazon.

Umm...why do the UK blenders only have 3 speeds??  My rather cheap US blender has 14 speeds, all nicely labelled.  So... suggestions on a blender?  Preferably with more than 3 speeds...

I told DB I'd buy him a blender for his birthday present (He absolutely LOVES milkshakes), and let him pick which one. Despite me trying to suggest we get a higher end one with more buttons, he opted for a stupid 2-speeder from Argos! It struggles on icecubes, but it's fine with mixing icecream/milk/milkshake fillings. It suits his purposes, but sooner or later, I'm going to have to ask for a real blender for my birthday!! 

CharmCityGirl - I have this one:

Not sure why it gets bad reviews on Amazon.  I love mine!

CharmCityGirl - I have this one:

Not sure why it gets bad reviews on Amazon.  I love mine!

Thanks! It's good with crushing ice?

I say you can't go wrong with a Cuisinart or Kitchen Aid Blender! Those are 2 amazing cook wear brands!

Thanks! It's good with crushing ice?

It handles frozen fruit just fine.  I haven't actually used to it to crush ice, but I'd imagine it would be fine.