These mills are awesome. I was hesitant at first because the Peugeot website seemed to advertise the Alaska model more; making me think the Zeli is an older model and the Alaska an improved product. But, I decided to select the Zeli because it was slightly shorter than the Alaska and that means less tipping over. Tip over is important because I broke four Cole & Hahn mills. But what makes me really happy is that the Zeli mills really crank out the pepper and salt way better than both the Cole Hahn and Trudeua I've owned. Very powerful and speedy motors. Within the Zeli, there is an additional lock in the upper assembly to ensure the upper housing holds the battery/motor assembly. I like this because the Trudeau and Cole Hahn mills just slipped over with friction only. Not a big deal except when the locking tabs broke (due to tip over), I'd have to use my other hand to hold the top to the bottom. Otherwise, the base would come apart when I depressed the button and fall into the pot! This can't happen with the Zeli because of the extra lock. The primary lock is a twist-lock that holds the upper to the lower assembly and is a longer than either the Trudeau or the Cole Hahn. This means the plastic lock tab is physically larger so that if and when I drop the mill, it should hold up better. The Zeli mills will become a great cooking tool. I used to have to wait and wait for pepper to accumulate enough using my older mills. The Zeli, I'd say, produces at least twice the rate. That is great for when a recipe calls for 1 tablespoon fresh ground pepper. Also, while seasoning over a hot grill, it should take less time. I'm very pleased… I hope they last years and years. 9/1/2017 Update - Well, the 3 yr old finally broke the pepper mill and I can't find parts online. This mill has been dropped and tipped over countless times but alas it finally had one too many falls. One of the two lower lock guides broke. I gorilla glued it and it worked for months but now a lock tab has broken. It still functions if I hold the two halves together but it's a pain. So, I'll buy another since it has been very satisfying.