I love how readily the blender cleans up. I don't mind that it has a cord. However, unless there is good level of liquid it splatters everywhere. Unless you pour into the plastic cup it would not be workable for gravy. Even the soup I made (and it was a large batch) was too low and splattered everywhere, even on low. It will take some getting used to.
As we enter fall, I make more pureed soup and this is the best tool to do this. Simple, functional, properly sized. What more could I want? Nothing! This tool does the trick!
I think this is a great little tool. We don't like "lumps" in our tomato sauce, and this is the perfect tool to stick down in the jar, and in a couple seconds, Voila! all the lumps gone. Now I find more and more uses for it, the longer I own it. Great for Shakes, mixes. . lots of things.