I bought this blender to specifically use with my bullet proof coffee. It is a good little blender, and is great with my coffee. I don't know how it would work with complete solids or ice. So, if you're using it for BPC, then this review is for you.

Pros:
QUIET - one of my favorite things about this blender is it isn't noisy like others so it doesn't wake everyone up in the morning.
Fast
Simple to use, one button blend
Easy to store with wrap around cord
Doesn't take up much room on the counter
Pretty color

Cons:
In terms of BPC, I'm putting hot coffee in it, and it seems like the lid can't handle the heat too long. Starts getting soft, doesn't seem to cause an issue though.
The lid leaks! - The lid is designed to be able to be a to-go cup, because of this, while blending, if there's too much in the blender it will come out the top of the lid. And I didn't even have the cup over the fill line.

Conclusion:
This is a great little blender for bullet proof coffee, just be careful not to make a mess from the lid, and I wouldn't recommend using it as a travel cup since the coffee is hot and it seems like the cup isn't designed to handle hot liquids for too long.

I got this blender when my workplace stopped serving lunch, planning to use it for protein smoothies. It's met and exceeded all my expectations, producing results far smoothier than my regular blender (a top of the line big-brand name) in record time. For my use (smoothie with fruit, protein powder and milk; no ice), it's absolutely perfect.

PROS:
- Easy to use (pulse operation)
- Easy to clean (jar easily rinses clean)
- Easy to hold (I wear a size 6-7 in gloves and found this as easy to hold as an 8-12 oz. cup)
- Very quiet (as quiet as a blender with sound enclosure; you can carry on a conversation while you blend)
- Produces very smooth, creamy results
- Cord wrap in base
- Portable, convenient size
- Energy saving (prepares a 1-person smoothie in 10+/- seconds)

CONS:
- Lid is tight fitting, but not hermetic
- The dye used in the plastic lid came off the first 10 times I washed it.
So I would recommend washing the lid with soap and warm water many, many times before using it for the first time.
(I ordered the apple green model)

I'm getting another one for my husband, and if they both last (I'll report back), probably another for home use because making smoothies is faster and easier than with my large blender, uses less electricity, and I like the consistency of the drinks better.

Hello! This is a pretty good blender for the price point. I needed something small and light to pack for a longer business trip and wasn't sure if it would last past the 6 weeks I needed it "“ and it exceeded my expectations. Because I was prepared to donate or trash it rather than bringing it home, I really abused this little thing and it held up like a champ, but I did find its breaking point.

I first used it to make daily smoothies with leafy greens and frozen solid fruit. I over filled and smashed down that frozen fruit and got decent smoothies. I was lazy and like thick smoothies so didn't put in enough liquid and I did have to stop and stir frequently, but eventually, every time was able to get that sweet blender vortex going. Benefit here, you can just take the lid off to stir, not take it off, turn it upside down, unscrew and then stir like some models. It also was run in the dishwasher nearly daily. It leaked some when I really was bad about the over filling. I ended up packing it home to take on the next one"¦

This held up to my smoothie abuse for another 4 months, and then"¦ I switched to bullet proof coffee. I use a French press, so I'm putting slightly cooled boiling hot coffee in this thing. (See below for my tips!) Again, it held up for another few months of daily use and dishwasher cycles. Finally, it started to leak and very quickly the rubber/plastic seal on the bottom totally failed. I am not sure if this is from months of hard use, or if the hot liquid did her in. I have just re-purchased, getting the 2 jars at the same price I paid for the 1 jar and will see how it holds up to just the hot coffee

*** Smoothie breakdown ***

"¢ Can handle frozen solid fruit:
"¢ Gets it pretty creamy (not as great as larger and more expensive models).
"¢ I maybe had a chuck or two of fruit that would fit in a straw.
"¢ Add more liquid for better results
"¢ Loading method
1. Add fresh/frozen leafy greens + supplements like powder or pills. Smash down
2. Add liquid and blend until smooth
3. Add fruit from soft to hard
4. Blend until you get the "vortex", stopping to stir as necessary (or add more liquid)
5. Blend until smooth, don't over blend "“ it will start to warm up your smoothie

***Bulletproof Coffee breakdown***

"¢ DO NOT fill it with hot coffee and let "˜er rip "“ you will end up with a mess or worse, burns!
"¢ DO put in your mix ins (oil, butter, etc.) and a small amount of hot coffee (2-3 inches)
"¢ Next secure the lid and hold it down
"¢ Gently tap the power button to pulse a few time, then hold to blend
"¢ Pour blended foamy goodness over the rest of your coffee and sip, it will settle and mix.
"¢ Bonus: pour in another 2-3 inches of black coffee and mix as above to get every drop of oil.

Design pro/con

Pros
"¢ Good for travel "“ small and light, but holds up to abuse
"¢ Top loading "“ simple and easy to remove top to stir
"¢ Can blend and drink from jar
"¢ One touch to run it, pulsing is easy

Cons
"¢ No safety features "“ you can blend with the lid off and with the one-touch design you have to be careful. You can "lock" the jar in place, but nothing prevents it from running when not locked.
"¢ You have to hold down the button to operate (not hands free)
"¢ Lid not very secure "“ it doesn't screw on or snap into place snap on, you just push it on.
"¢ Lid also not air tight, you have to be careful to not over fill or hold it in place, especially with hot stuff.

**************************************************************
TL/DR: Great for the price point. Works for smoothies and bulletproof coffee "“ if you follow above.

I love this thing, except for a couple issues. I've been using it daily 2x a day for the last 8 month for protein shakes mostly. It blends crushed ice and the protein nicely and no issues there. However the one time I blended dry oats in the blender, it scratched up the inside, so it is no longer smooth and clear. I have also noticed that after enough times through the dishwasher the lid no longer fits on the cup correctly -- it leaks through the top (I believe it has shrunk) and today I found a crack in it. I suggest blending just wet items and hand washing the lid to make it last.

I've been using this for 8 years now and I'm on my second one. The first one cracked when I dropped it. My fault.

This Hamilton Beach blender is a great size for 1 smoothie, which is all I need since I am single and ready to mingle fruit and veggies together for a delicious breakfast.

PROS:
--Great price
--For a tiny little motor this thing lasts forever
--Durable (as long as you don't drop it from a tall counter)

CONS:
--The container is hard to clean. It's very difficult to reach the bottom because it doesn't come apart. Grime ends up collecting on the bottom and sides of the container because there's just no way to reach it. I tell myself it's fine because it's just spinach and strawberry remnants. Works for me, anyway.

I would recommend this for single smoothies.