It's difficult to rate this little mixer with stars, because it's such a unique item. It's made to fit into a place that does not have room for a stand mixer, and as such, it has some quirks that have to be dealt with. There is only one bowl that will fit, so if you need to mix two things, you have to mix one, take that out, wash the bowl, then mix the other. The beaters have to be in a certain position to be raised; otherwise, they hit the side of the bowl. But for anyone who doesn't have room for a big stand mixer, it's a wonderful little machine. I have made cookies, bread, whipped cream, and meringue with this mixer, and it did a great job on all. The dough hook is amazingly effective. I am very pleased with this mixer because I have a tiny kitchen, but if I had a lot of counter space, I'd opt for a big Kitchenaid. What led me to buy this mixer is that Cooks Country magazine rated it second to the Kitchenaid in their test of mixers. It's a gem.

It may be compact but it is 400 watts powerful and can really do it all. I got the combo package and I'm delighted with the performance of both the blender and the shredder. Easy salads and great smoothies. Because it is compact, I just leave it out on my counter and find I use it more because it is handy. However, the mixer is light and would be easy to store on a shelf or in a cupboard. It is very stable though and doesn't move around while mixing. The way the accessories attach is a little different, but not difficult. The owner's manual has clear directions and pictures, so it is easy to figure out. This mixer is powerful enough to make whole wheat bread with freshly milled flour, so my next project is to save enough money to get a Nutrimill!