Great product, this is the 2nd one I’ve owned. The newer version works a bit differently. You must hold the top button then press the bottom button. Then you can let go of the top, i prefer the older models for that reason. Just my preference.
The Cuisinart Smart Stick 300 is a great improvement over my old Cuisinart Quick Prep, whose motor failed after years of good service. The new model is distinctly more powerful and much easier to clean. I especially like that the mixing and measuring cup is larger than that which came with the Quick Prep
First, if you're using a smaller bowl, use it on slow speed!!! I was blending up some eggs for an omelette on high the first time, oops! Powerful!!! This is very easy to clean, just detatch the bottom half, and wash. Much easier than the older hand blender I used until it gave up on me after 25+ years of using it...
I haven't had my immersion blender very long, but it worked very well when I needed to deal with some fibrous squash. My Smart Stick did a great job getting rid of the "strings" in the squash.