Features

4 speed settings plus pulse. 1600ml glass goblet. Cord storage. Pouring lip. Non-slip feet. Dishwasher safe goblet. Blades unscrew from goblet for cleaning.

Comments

Good points: It pureed soup effortlessly and chopped and crushed nuts and ice evenly and quickly. Solid build and heavy jug makes it sturdy in use and free from vibration.

Drawbacks: Instructions are rather brief and could include recommended times for basic functions and troubleshooting advice. The blade is quite awkward to screw on. Controls could be a little clearer.

Stockist: 02392 392333 www.kenwood.co.uk

GHI Test Report - Nov 08

Features

5 pre-set speeds plus pulse. 1250ml glass goblet. Cord storage. Pouring lip. Non-slip feet. Dishwasher safe goblet, blade and collar. Blades partly unscrew from goblet for cleaning.

Comments

Good points: Full marks for blending soup and mayonnaise quickly and evenly. Nuts were chopped roughly rather than reduced to powder. Ice is best chopped using the pulse function. No stirring is needed when making breadcrumbs and it copes very well with two slices of bread at once. Instructions include a useful guide to which setting to use. Goblet lifts off easily and can be replaced in any position on the base.

Drawbacks: Ice was too powdered on ice crush control. Some flour caught under blades when making batter.

Stockist: 0800 988 1266 www.kitchenaid.co.uk

GHI Test Report - Nov 08

Features

Multiple settings plus pulse, ice and turbo options. 1500ml glass goblet. Cord storage. Pouring lip. Non-slip feet. Fruit filter accessory. Dishwasher safe goblet, lid and stopper. Blades unscrew from goblet for cleaning.

Comments

GH GOOD DEAL. Good points: Good blending of soup, some powder when chopping nuts. Ice is crushed very finely using ice crush control. The control lights up when turned, brighter as the power increases. The goblet can fit to the base either on left or right. The highest setting is quite slow but as a result is less splashy.

Drawbacks: Some powder when chopping nuts. Stirring is needed to push bread down when making breadcrumbs and some lumps remain at the bottom when blending milkshake.

Stockist: 0845 601 0354 www.philips.co.uk

GHI Test Report - Nov 08

Features

5 speed settings plus pulse and ice options. 1750ml glass goblet. Cord storage. Pouring lip. Non slip feet. Dishwasher safe goblet, lid and stopper. Blades unscrew from goblet for cleaning.

Comments

Good points: Nuts chopped well with only a little powder. It copes well with chunks of ice, leaving a good even, but still coarse, result. Speed starts slowly and increases for a less splashy start. The lift off goblet can be placed to left or right.  

Drawbacks: Some powder gets trapped under the blades when chopping nuts. bread needs stirring to push it down to the blades. Unmixed flour caught at the bottom when blending batter. It is hard to tell when the ice crush and pulse controls are selected. Speed is quite slow on maximum setting.

Stockist: 0845 602 1454 www.krups.co.uk

GHI Test Report - Nov 08

Features

2 speed settings plus pulse and ice options. 1500ml glass goblet. Pouring lip. Non-slip feet. Dishwasher safe goblet and collar. Blades unscrew from goblet for cleaning. Digital timer.

Comments

Good points:  Ice crush control works really well to produce an even but still course result. The display clearly counts up operating time.

Drawbacks: Wide goblet means the blades take longer to find lumps when blending soup and milkshakes. Nuts are chopped to part powder which catches in the deep recess under the blades. Breadcrumbs get trapped under the blades and the bread has to be stirred to push it down to the blades.

Stockist: 0870 240 6902 www.cuisinart.co.uk

GHI Test Report - Nov 08