Im pleasantly surprised! This reasonably priced on-the-go gadget can blend up a soft shake really well! Ive only blended powders, milk, avocado, bananas (unfrozen) and frozen blueberries~ haven't tried ice tray ice or bigger frozen fruit chunks yet, Im scared to test it too hard, but i'll keep experimenting over time to see what it can and cannot handle. It's pleasing aesthetically, streamlined and slim and holds two servings. I put my powders in first, then milk then avocado and/or fruit additions. In my manual shaker blender I always put in my milk first, then any additions after so that powder doesn't coagulate and get stuck in the bottom of the cup which I can't stand, but when I tried that order in this blender, the powders didn't altogether blend properly and I ended up w powder chunks stuck towards the top! Ironic, i know.It's really not that loud at all, low buzz is what I would call it, so i feel comfortable whipping up something super early in the morning in the kitchen while the roommate is still sleeping. I can't do that w my N*nja bullet type blender, that thing is loud!As far as cleaning, I couldn't really figure out how best to clean it afterward, taking it apart and hand washing the cap & cylinder, then gingerly rinsing/ wiping the bladed base and keeping water away from the plug in area while making sure it was thoroughly cleaned was a pain. But then i read another reviewer said to just put a drop of dishwashing soap in the blender after you're finished, filling it w some water then blending that was genius, I don't know why I didn't think of it! Now cleaning is an absolute breeze, and I don't have to worry about getting the base/ electrical components wet!All in all, I am incredibly pleased w this product as it's made my morning routine so much easier! Taking into account the loudness of my N*nja blender and the annoyance of cleaning all the pieces of my manual shaker, this handy gadget solves all those problems w ease and portability and Im so glad I took a chance and purchased it!