After previously owning a full-size Vitamix 5200, I bought the S30 when I downsized to a smaller kitchen. Pros: The blender fits nicely and looks great on my counter, and the smaller size is perfect for making smoothies for one. I love that I can put it in the dishwasher. My old 5200 container needed constant scrubbing by hand yet still eventually looked cloudy and gross. Cons: My smoothies and soups are still smooth as ever, but as others have noted, it takes longer to blend ingredients. The extra seconds don't bother me, but I do need to take more effort to make sure no chunks were missed. The S30 easily pulverizes fibrous stems such as kale, but does struggle with frozen banana pieces. I now make a habit of poking around with the tamper to see if any pieces were left behind before pouring... so it's up to you how much this extra step annoys you.

I already had the full sized Vitamin when I decided to get the little S30. The big one is on a shelf in the pantry because it is just too big for my counter. The little one is great because it can sit on the counter and I use it daily. It doesn't do everything the big one does - won't heat soup, and doesn't pulverize seeds. I love them both, and they both do a great job of certain foods. Once you have a Vitamin, you'll never buy another blender. They are built to last.

This blender is perfect for that on the go lifestyle. I often take it with me on business trips and highly recommend it. I also purchased a custom travel case, so my blending habit follows me.