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- Five speeds plus pulse
- Large 58-ounce jug
- Heavy, doesn't "walk" across counter
- Potential durability issue with plastic drive gears
- Flimsy construction
- Burning plastic smell
Reviews indicate that the Braun PowerMax is adept at everything from making frozen margaritas to puréeing soups. It's also a bit quieter than other blenders in tests; however, owner reviews for its durability are more mixed. Many owners complain that the plastic drive gears are prone to breaking and that the unit's construction feels flimsy. Some also report a burning-plastic smell. Although Braun claims to have resolved this issue, owners say the problem remains.
We read professional evaluations of the Braun PowerMax MX2050 blender at Cook's Illustrated. Good Housekeeping magazine editors also review the MX2050 in a comparison test of 16 blenders, but they don't detail their methodology. In addition, more than 100 owners have posted reviews of this blender to Amazon.com, Cooking.com and Epinions.com, balancing out the professional reviews and providing a good impression of real-world reliability.
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Our Sources
1. Cook's Illustrated MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Editors put several blenders through ice crushing, puréeing and smoothie-making tests. The Braun PowerMax MX2050 blender is one of the blenders tested on its ability to crush peanuts into peanut butter, among more mundane tasks.
Review: Sizing Up Souped-Up Blenders, Editors of Cook's Illustrated, July/August 2006
2. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
Thirty-one blenders are evaluated on their ability to crush ice, puree soup, make smoothies and blend icy drinks. The Braun PowerMax MX2050 is included in the ratings chart.
Review: Blenders to quench a summer thirst, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, Updated August 2007
3. Cook's Illustrated MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Cook's Illustrated testers also examine the Braun PowerMax MX2050 in an earlier report, where it is compared with other inexpensive blenders on its ability to make smoothies, puree soup and crush ice.
Review: Inexpensive Blenders, Editors of Cook's Illustrated magazine, June 2005
4. Good HousekeepingDetails/Subscribe
Good Housekeeping's editors test 16 blenders and provide brief reviews of the four top performers. The Braun PowerMax MX2050 performs the best in testing, is relatively quiet and has the largest capacity of the top four.
Review: The Best Blenders, Editors of Good Housekeeping magazine, July 2007
5. Amazon.com
At Amazon.com, the PowerMax MX2050 blender receives more than 125 reviews, resulting in 3.5 stars out of five. Although Braun claims that it redesigned the plastic teeth, which were the target of many complaints, many owners say that the problem remains unresolved. Owners who like this blender say that it's a good ice crusher that's easy to clean.
Review: Braun MX2050 PowerMax 525-Watt 58-ounce Jug Blender, Contributors to Amazon.com
6. Epinions.com
The PowerMax has accumulated a few dozen owner-written reviews here, but the average rating is low. Several owners say that the gear teeth broke after weeks or months of use. Owners who like this blender say that it has a powerful motor and a heavy-duty glass jar.
Review: Braun MX 2050 PowerMax 5-Speed Blender, Contributors to Epinions.com
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