Besides a Vitamix or Blendtec....

Make the investment and go with a Vitamix.  You won't be disappointed.  I've burned through countless blenders of various prices over many years.  I threw a fit when my husband bought the Vitamix, but it's worth. every. penny.  And then some.  

We cook A LOT and blend soups, smoothies, salsas, homemade nut butters, grind coffee, etc.  Oh, and very good cocktails.  

It is the only appliance out on my counter (besides the coffee maker) because I use it almost every day.

On what I've spent on lesser blenders that simply don't do a good job I could have bought 5 Vitamixes, probably.  

We've had ours for over 3 years now and it's still going strong.

Wait til Costco has a road show then snatch one up.  You won't be sorry.

Get a Vita Mix.

Seriously....worth EVERY FREAKING PENNY.

I have had mine for 6 years now and it gets used at least once a day.

Until yesterday.

When I inadvertently tried to blend a spoon.

When I heard the sickening sound of metal on metal , I was devastated. Already in my head I was thinking, " If I have killed this blender, I will not hesitate to plunk down another 500 $ for a new one....."

That is how much I love it.

Luckily, the fine folks at Vita Mix are sending me a new blade and new drive shaft, and then I shall blend again.

Do they usually sell them cheaper at road shows?

There are a few up and coming home and garden shows where they will have a booth. I have been in the market for a good mixer.

Thanks in advance!

They come around to Costco , and I do think they are cheaper there.

You can also check out Costco online.

X301

I know you asked for something other than the Vitamix and Blendtec, but....

We got our Blendtec with 2 jars from Costco online for the same price as it with 1 jar. I was super hesitant to spend that much on a blender (after all, it's "just" a blender!). Now, I'm so glad we did.

x2 on everything she said.  

I didn't believe there was any chance it would be worth all the $, but IT IS.  

I use it a million times a week, and it is also the only appliance besides the coffee maker that is left on the counter.  

I can't imagine having to go back to a "regular" blender now.  I'm too spoiled with the awesomeness that is the Vitamix.

We finally got the vitamix this spring and it is a great improvement over what we have been doing.

Did have good luck with Oster 6811 - actually lasted 18 months (can find around 40) but the vitamix works that much better and provides more flexibility/options (quick and easy ice cream  as well as soups, dips etc)  My wife is extremely happy

I have no personal experience with it (yet!) but Cook's Illustrated did a comparison test (pretty extensive) and ranked this blender as tied with the Vitamix:

http://www.brevilleusa.com/hemisphere-control.html

They said that if it continues to perform over time, they will rank it ABOVE the Vitamix because the performance was equal and the price was about half.  Gotta love that!

I'm in the market for a new blender, so I'm probably going to give this one a try myself.