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Best Hand Blenders

Updated November 2023
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Braun MultiQuick 7 Immersion Hand Blender Set
Braun
MultiQuick 7 Immersion Hand Blender Set
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Customized Speeds
Bottom Line

Based on our testing, a versatile, time-saving tool with 500 watts of power that you can modulate with a single, intuitive, variable-speed button.

Pros

Technology increases the cutting area while limiting splashing. Easy to swap multiple attachments during use. Has a blending wand for pureeing, whisk attachment, and a 2-cup food chopper for small ingredients.

Cons

Our product testing found that this tool has a bit of a learning curve to figure out the speed adjustment.

Best Bang for the Buck
Hamilton Beach Immersion Hand Blender
Hamilton Beach
Immersion Hand Blender
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Chops Nuts & Veggies
Bottom Line

An affordable blender best suited for lighter kitchen tasks, but that's plenty capable within its wheelhouse.

Pros

Comes with an extra-long power cord. Equipped with a powerful 225-watt motor that handles a wide variety of blending, chopping, and mixing tasks. Accessories include a convenient 3-cup chop bowl. Given the price, it's extremely capable.

Cons

Overheating can be a problem. Whisk is not suited for mashing potatoes or creaming root vegetables.

KitchenAid Variable Speed Corded Hand Blender
KitchenAid
Variable Speed Corded Hand Blender
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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

KitchenAid brings style and function together in this powerful hand blender available in 11 colors.

Pros

Features a long 8-inch blending arm to tackler larger quantities or blend in deeper containers. Includes a removable pan guard to prevent damage to cookware, as well as a BPA-free blending cup. Variable speed switch allows for optimal control of blending power.

Cons

Some users found the variable speed difficult to control on this model.

Braun MultiQuick 5 Immersion Hand Blender
Braun
MultiQuick 5 Immersion Hand Blender
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Unique Design
Bottom Line

Worth a look for its innovative design and practical functions. However, it has some durability and longevity concerns.

Pros

Stands out for its bell-shaped blending top that delivers notably thorough blending. TurboBoost function provides extra power when needed. Equipped with an easy-click attachment removal mechanism. Made with BPA-free components.

Cons

Plastic parts feel flimsy. Whisk attachment may rust. Some blenders stopped working within a few months.

Mueller Austria Ultra-Stick 500 Hand Blender
Mueller Austria
Ultra-Stick 500 Hand Blender
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Affordable & Capable
Bottom Line

Considering the reasonable price, chances are you'll be impressed with the performance and features the Ultra-Stick has to offer.

Pros

Powerful 500-watt copper motor. Takes 30 seconds or less to blend most foods. The contoured handle is comfortable in the hand. Has 9 speed settings. Artisan coffee drinkers will appreciate the milk frother attachment. Backed by a 1-year warranty.

Cons

Somewhat noisy. Bottom of the blender gets warm. Blade has been known to fall off during use.

HOW WE TESTED

After going through an intensive research process to narrow down our short list of top products in this space, we tested Braun MultiQuick 7 Immersion to be sure that it’s worthy of our recommendation. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter and test to verify manufacturer claims.

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Consulted
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Researched
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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.

Content Image
A hand blender is ideal for making soups, such as gazpacho or cream-based recipes. The blender can be put right in the cooking pot to puree.

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

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.

  • Start by unplugging your appliance and removing any attachments.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • If food is stuck around the controller buttons, use a cotton swab to remove it.

  • Don’t use your hand blender to make small quantities of food. Ideally, the appliance should be fully submerged in the mixing bowl.

  • 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.

Content Image
Never blend anything when it is still hot to avoid splatters that could burn. Let hot soups, for example, cool for up to 20 minutes before blending.
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.

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