I just use it for making smoothies. I had one since Spring 2005, and needed a 2nd pitcher rather than waiting for the other to come out of the dishwasher to have a 2nd smoothie in the same day. The price of an additional pitcher, cover & chopper base was not much different than buying the whole blender w/ the motor base, so I got a 2nd blender.Now I have a back up if I ever burn up the motor on my first one.I don't have alot of experience w/ blenders so can't say if it's louder than others or not.But I like mine and 2 years later it's still working.