I would rather spend the extra $'s and get a unit that will last, probably not as long as i would like. But a few years at least. I've got enough ElCheapo stirrers as it is, computer fans with HDD magnets glued onto them, They work, but to maintain a fairly constant temp i have to keep them in a foam box with a heater cable. Which does not give fine control over the temp. Noisy & i have to have the tops poking out so that they can breathe, but it kinda works. I'm expecting the new one to run for 2-4 days a week at this stage. Depending upon how things pan out?