I have owned a Vita-Mix Total Nutrition Center for about 11 years now and can say I have almost used it every single day in that period. I have used some of these copy cat products and can only say don't be fooled by quality. I did some research- Vita-Mix have been making blenders now for over 85 years! - they must know what they are doing. I use all the seeds, peels, stems and fibre from all my fruit and vegetables for ultra smooth juice and make up to 2 L of juice at a time- the others can not do this task. Plus I make hot soups in minutes and ice cream in seconds! I make peanut butter and grind all my grains in minutes- it actually kneads for me! Nothing else compares not even the Blendtec as I used to work with these machines in a kitchen but quickly persuaded my boss to get the Vita-Mix instead. The Vita-Mix is the best thing I have ever bought in my life & I hope it well last another 10 years or longer! 

I bought a sunbeam for a friend a year or so ago.

Now food preparation to me is like the black arts - a thing of great mystery beyond my understanding.

But I can tell you that she is full on into food preparation and regularly uses it to make hummus and other raw creations. She has not had any complaints about it.

It looks to be quite good quality and has some innovative features.

You do get what you pay for though so I would not consider it a lifetime investment like the vitamix.

If you are going to be using it three time a day for life then it makes sense to go for the vitamix.

Just boils down to what you can afford and what you are willing to spend I guess.

Neo.