Recommendations for handheld blenders?

[ravenvii]

I am looking to buy a handheld blender. I love shakes and smoothies, but my blender is a huge pain to clean. So I'm thinking of getting a handheld blender, because they seem to be much easier to clean.

I'm avoiding the super-cheap ones because I do want to make smoothies and shakes, not just soups and stuff. I don't expect it to be able to blend blocks of ice, but I do want it to be able to blend frozen fruit and stuff.

Any recommendations? I'm looking to spend $150 or less.

 

[mactastic]

Not sure if you're familiar with Cooks Illustrated or not, but they rated the KitchenAid model as their top choice not too long ago. I've not used it personally, but I've got a bunch of their other products (stand mixer, blender, food processor) and all of them are solid performers. (Also, incidentally, all top-rated products by Cooks Illustrated). As I recall, the immersion blender cost about $90.

 

[fotografica]

I have two Kitchen Aid immersion blenders and am very pleased with them. I use them for smoothies,protein shakes,blending soups etc. Well worth it IMO.