Just bought a Vitamix for my grandaughter for Christmas. She has used it everyday, making juice, (no pulp), pizza, smoothies, etc. We have a Ninja, which is okay, but nothing compares to the Vitamix. She will put spinach leaves, grapes, carrots, in with fresh or frozen fruits, and you would never know! No seeds, no pulp, and healthy! Ice Cream is frozen solid, and soup is hot due to the powerful motor. We had some leftover baked potatoes, added some cheeder cheese, and had the best HOT Potato Cheeder Soup! She is twelve, and loves cooking, so this was a great gift for her! Vitamix is costly, but it has a 25 yr warranty and is not just for smoothies. It does not have the many insert blades, just use the speed control. Ninja has to many blade inserts to keep up with.