Gotta hand it to this blender

There's something quite satisfying about hitting a button and having a task accomplished automatically. In the kitchen this is especially true; nobody likes to wait around when hungry. When prepping foods, it can almost be like having an extra helping hand: hit a button, and suddenly you're multitasking. This convenience can be seen in all manner of countertop appliances, from the microwave to the toaster oven. But those aren't the only cooks' tools that offer that helping hand.

The Cuisinart PowerEdge Blender features a preset pulse mode that incorporates timed pauses into the blending function. A count-up timer is included that sounds after up to four minutes of blending time, alerting users while they are at other tasks. The blender includes a blade design that enhances the vortex effect; ingredients are drawn down towards the spinning blades, resulting in evenly blended items without the need to monitor them.

Measuring 8.5 inches by 10.5 inches with a height of 14.5 inches, the blender utilizes a heavy-duty die-cast metal base that makes for an impressive presentation. The 64-ounce capacity blender jar also features backlit buttons for easy operability in low light situations. The 1,000-watt motor powers through thick ingredients for making smoothies, crushes ice, or anything in between--perfect for drinks, as long as you've got that extra hand.