Buying guide for Best hand blenders
For kitchens with space limitations or for cooks who enjoy convenience, a hand blender is a remarkably flexible tool that can be used in a wide variety of situations. Whether it's whirling up a single cup of cream or making the perfect smoothie, a hand blender is up to the task.
The two primary considerations are dependent on your intended usage: power and speed. You will need more power and speed options for tasks such as grinding and chopping. The best models will have a longer arm to facilitate deeper immersion and a wide array of attachments. Having a cordless hand blender costs a little more, but you will appreciate the freedom that it offers.
During our evaluations, we discovered a number of exceptional models. If you are ready to buy, please consider our highlighted selections. If you'd like more information, however, we also provide a deeper understanding of all this remarkable appliance can do.
What to look for when buying a hand blender
The first commercial hand blenders were hampered by a limited number of blade designs and accessories.
Modern hand blenders arrive with several different blending or whipping blades, plus attachments for chopping, grating, blending, and other tasks.
Here’s what else to look for.
Power
Hand blenders start as low as 100 watts, while higher-end models reach 800 watts or more.
If you will be doing a lot of chopping, look for a hand blender with a lot of power.
Tasks that need less energy, like making a simple smoothie, don’t require a turbo-charged engine.
Speed
Hand blenders range from two-speed models (high and low) to models with 15 variable speeds.
If you will be using your hand blender to whisk, look for one with more than two basic speeds. That way, you can start at a high speed and gradually lower the speed to avoid overbeating.
Size
A hand blender’s arm can range from six inches to well over 20 inches in length.
This is an important factor as you need to immerse a hand blender into food to blend, whip, or stir. A longer arm gives more control, but a 20-inch arm will be trickier to store in a small kitchen than a six-inch one.
Corded/cordless
Hand blenders come either with a cord or cordless.
Cordless blenders are more portable and are rechargeable via a base that plugs into the wall.
Cordless units are also more expensive than their corded counterparts.
Work bowl
Nearly all hand blenders come with a work bowl.
Inexpensive hand blenders come with beaker-style bowls in which you can immerse your blender to mix ingredients. More expensive hand blenders come with work bowls that resemble food processors. The hand blender fits into the top of the bowl to chop, cut, mix, or blend the bowl’s ingredients.
Manufacturers usually sell bowls separately, too, if you need a replacement.
Attachments
Hand blenders usually come with a wand, a whisk, and a work bowl.
But higher-end blenders often include additional blades, a chopper, a slicer, and a grinder.
Controls
Look for a model that allows you to move from speed to speed seamlessly with your thumb. Some models have awkwardly placed controls, which can cause frustration.
Expert TIp
If you have long hair, put it ALL up -- no ponytails or long braids. Beginners and kids are especially likely to focus on the yum in the bowl and lose a sense of proximity to the beaters. If they’re running and get near long hair, they can wrap it up in a split second.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert
We look at how many watts each hand blender has. The more watts a blender has, the better it will be able to chop food items.
We appreciate hand blenders that come with a beaker-style work bowl in which ingredients can be mixed.
Some hand blenders are made of BPA-free plastic, whereas others are made of stainless steel or forged aluminum. We look at blenders made of all material types, noting that BPA-free plastic tends to be the cheapest option.
We find out how many speeds are offered by each hand blender. Some only offer two-speeds (high and low), whereas others offer up to 15 speeds.
We compare cordless hand blenders to corded blenders. While cordless blenders are easily portable, they also tend to cost more.
We note the different attachments offered with various hand blenders. While most come with a wand, whisk, and work bowl, high-end models often include additional blades as well as a chopper, slicer, and grinder.
We note the length of the blender arm, as this impacts the amount of control you have over your mix.
We look for hand blenders that are easy to take apart and clean.
We assess the whisk of each hand blender to determine how versatile it is. Some whisks are only suited for certain types of mixing, while others are more versatile.
We observe the overall design and power of each hand blender to assess its durability.
Taking care of your hand blender
The most important thing in caring for your hand blender is keeping it clean. All you need is some standard dish soap, a sponge or cloth, a bowl filled with hot water, cotton swabs, and vinegar.
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Start by unplugging your appliance and removing any attachments.
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Wipe down your attachments using a cloth or sponge with soap and hot water. Some of the blade attachments can be cleaned in the dishwasher.
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To remove stuck-on food from an attachment, fill a bowl with hot water, dish soap, and/or vinegar. Run the blender in the bowl for no more than 30 seconds to break loose any food.
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To clean the handle, carefully wipe it down with a damp sponge and soap or vinegar. Do not let water get inside the housing of the unit.
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If food is stuck around the controller buttons, use a cotton swab to remove it.
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Don’t use your hand blender to make small quantities of food. Ideally, the appliance should be fully submerged in the mixing bowl.
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For salsa and pesto, use a hand blender; it is better than a food processor because the ingredients do not stick to the side of the bowl.
Expert Tip
Make sure your mixer hand is completely clean and dry before gripping the mixer. An oily or batter-spattered palm can gunk up the handle and buttons as well as cause the mixer to dangerously slip around in your grip.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert
How much do hand blenders cost?
Under $25
There are plenty of units at this low-end price point.
Hand blenders in this bargain range mostly have two speeds and a limited number of attachments.
Under $100
Moving up in price, you’ll find hand blenders with multiple attachments and more power, including some with as much as 850 watts of power.
You’ll also find blenders with variable speeds.
Under $200
At the highest end, you will find models that can crush ice, have variable speed controls, and include extra features like rubber grips to avoid losing control of the blender.
Expert Tip
When cleaning up, make sure to wipe out the beater sockets. Clean sockets make for a clean finished product and help beaters attach solidly.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert
FAQ
Q. Can a hand blender replace my stand mixer?
A. No. Each appliance has its strengths, with a hand blender excelling at quick tasks such as whisking eggs for an omelette or making a smoothie. A hand blender also does not have the variety of attachments that a stand mixer does.
Q. What is the difference between a hand blender and a hand mixer?
A. A hand mixer is a portable mixer that has two beaters and is used for combining ingredients. A hand blender has a blade that chops, liquefies, and blends ingredients.
Q. Do hand blenders come in different materials? How about multiple colors?
A. Higher-end hand blenders are made of stainless steel or forged aluminum. More inexpensive hand blenders are made of BPA-free plastic. You can easily find a hand blender in a color that matches your kitchen’s decor.
