For years, I happily used a vintage one-speed Oster blender with a heavy aluminum base and glass canister, bought for $30 at Cookin' on Divisadero Street in San Francisco. When it finally gave out, my husband replaced it with a multi-speed imposter that I loathe. On my wish list now: an industrial-strength Vitamix blender, described by one happy owner as "a table saw motor with a blender on top."
Above: Real Simple named the Vitamix 5200 the "Best Superpower Blender"; see their other top blender picks at Real Simple. Prices start at $449.95 for the Vitamix Professional 200 Blender at Williams-Sonoma.