Excellent question. This came up because it just died recently. She said the blender (really a hand mixer) cost $26, and she thinks she bought it 1984 or 1985. So that would be approximately $72 in today's US dollar.[0]
I can find hand mixers online from $13 to $238 (amzn). Let's agree that today's mixer will last 5 years. Also, let's pick the price "average" at $50. That would put the total cost at $400. If we go with $13, it is still $104, and unlikely we could get 5 years out of it.
So, to a customer no it is not an improvement. For the environment, no it is not an improvement. Correct me if I am wrong
> Let's agree that today's mixer will last 5 years
Why? Your entire analysis is based around this completely unfounded assertion. My cheap plastic kitchen appliances are lasting much longer than 5 years.
> The average Lifespan of a Kitchen Blender is around 5 years. This average includes all the high-end blenders such as Blendtec or Vitamix as well as low-end cheap blenders by less-known brands. A blender can work for as short as a few months for a poor-quality machine. While a great quality durable blender may keep working for more than 20 years. [0]
And, I cross referenced it with other sites from a search "life expectancy of small home appliances". they were mostly manufacturers, and insurance companies.
Since this is not scientific research, but simply my opinion, I am open for you to suggest an alternate time frame and source for your data that contradicts.
Lol, read the parent. It’s because a relative had a blender die after 3 years. He gives his justification.
5 years is quite a long time for modern devices. It’s sad, but I rarely see something last as long as 3 year; 2.5 ish seems to be the norm.
As an aside, my MBP16in 1st gen has had two motherboards die, each in less than two years. The tech blamed dirty power and said because the customer next to me had a 2012 that was still working it was my fault… he’s right, this was my fault for buying apple.
I routinely find products with obvious faults. My JBL smart speaker had an obvious mechanical problem, that killed it. Same for my acer, which had faulty connectors on two laptops almost a decade apart. I could tell as soon as it was plugged in that it was gonna die.
I can find hand mixers online from $13 to $238 (amzn). Let's agree that today's mixer will last 5 years. Also, let's pick the price "average" at $50. That would put the total cost at $400. If we go with $13, it is still $104, and unlikely we could get 5 years out of it.
So, to a customer no it is not an improvement. For the environment, no it is not an improvement. Correct me if I am wrong
[0]: https://www.saving.org/inflation/inflation.php