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- Powerful motor
- Timer
- Crushes ice well
- Cumbersome controls
- Reports of leaks
- Doesn't pour that well
The Cuisinart SmartPower Premier CBT-500 earns mixed reviews in professional testing, and similar varied reports from consumers. On the plus side, professional reviews report that it performs fairly well, especially when crushing ice and making frozen drinks. However, consumers consistently complain that the Cuisinart CBT-500 leaks at the base, and professional testing found this as well. Both professionals and owners dislike the multi-button sequence for turning it on, and complain that the stout jar makes pouring difficult.
We found comparison testing of many blender models at both Consumer Reports and Cook's Illustrated. The Wall Street Journal included the Cuisinart CBT-500 in its article that tests and compares five blenders, with a focus on frozen drinks. Money magazine ranks the Cuisinart CBT-500 as the top pick of three, but testing details are meager and we don't learn how many models were included in the comparison. Owner feedback on long-term reliability can be found at Amazon.com, Epinions and Cooking.com.
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Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
The Cuisinart SmartPower CBT-500 is one of the 30 blenders included in the ratings chart, which documents performance on pureeing soups, crushing ice and making frozen cocktails.
Review: Blenders to quench a summer thirst , Editors of Consumer Reports, Updated Aug. 2007
2. Cook's Illustrated MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Editors here compare performance of eight blenders that claim to go beyond pedestrian blender tasks. Models are tested on their ability to make smoothies, crush ice and pulverize peanuts for homemade nut butters. The Cuisinart CBT-500 is one of the blenders included in the test.
Review: Sizing Up Souped-Up Blenders, Editors of Cook's Illustrated, July/Aug. 2006
Long-time reviewer Charles Passy includes five blenders in this test with a focus on ice crushing. The Cuisinart SmartPower CBT-500 is named the best value, but the wide-mouth glass jar makes pouring a challenge.
Review: Blenders Enter the Ice Age, Charles Passy, June 22, 2007
4. Amazon.com
At Amazon.com, the Cuisinart CBT-500 earns only 2.5 stars out of five in reviews from over 60 customers. Owners complain of burning rubber smells, leakage from the base, and a too-wide spout that makes pouring difficult.
Review: Cuisinart CBT-500 SmartPower 600-Watt Stainless Blender Reviews, Contributors to Amazon.com
5. Epinions.com
More than two dozen reviewers contribute to the Cuisinart CBT-500's average rating of just two out of five stars. Many owners complain that the blade assembly cracked within a short time of use or that the blender leaks at the base. Owners like the blender's aesthetics.
Review: Cuisinart CBT-500 SmartPower Premier 2-Speed Blender Reviews, Contributors to Epinions.com
6. Money MagazineDetails/Subscribe
This short article covers three blenders, but testing details are sparse. The Cuisinart CBT-500 is rated at the top while the Oster Beehive blender is the budget pick.
Review: A Crush of Powerful Blenders, Stephanie D. Smith, July 2004
7. Cooking.com
About ten owners rate the Cuisinart SmartPower CBT-500 very highly. One complains that it broke within a month.
Review: Brushed Stainless & Black Bar Blender Reviews, Contributors to Cooking.com
