#but sometimes the extra functionality is worth the downgrade in overall quality!

[esleep]

you mentioned recently that you really like your immersion blender. what’s it called? could you share the link? i’m interested in getting one myself, also for soups!

sure! i got this one from walmart for about $35 (USD) - it's the Kitchenaid KHB1231 2-speed hand blender, and it has worked quite well so far, although i haven't had it for terribly long so i can't make any claims yet about its longevity. but it does what i need it to do! i am wanting to make a smoothie with some frozen fruit today so i will report back how it handles that, but for soups so far it has been great. apparently the walmart version does not come with the little plastic "pan protector" clip-on, which may come with it if you buy it from a local cooking supply place or directly from Kitchenaid, but honestly i probably wouldn't be using that piece much anyway even if i did have it. the metal blade cover has been working just fine, and i have no plans to try blending inside a non-stick pan.

additional optional details because i typically give way more info than necessary: i went with the Kitchenaid rather than the slightly cheaper Hamilton Beach option that my local walmart also had because a few online reviews claimed the cheaper one tends to overheat, may impart a "plasticky" taste to food when that happens (which i know i am personally super sensitive to - i even had to stop using a really nice-looking pourover set i bought in the past that has a bunch of plastic seams in the metal filter because i could always smell and taste plastic in the coffee it made, so that was a deal-breaker for me) and doesn't last as long, which has been my experience with some other appliances i've owned from that brand as well. i'm not a huge fan of Hamilton Beach as far as quality goes, although their stuff does tend to be more affordable. the Hamilton Beach one is about $10 cheaper and comes with a whisk attachment as well, if that sways you. personally since I already own a hand mixer i knew i wouldn't really use the whisk part anyway, and it was worth it to me to pay a little more for something that is likely to last a bit longer. but ymmv!