From blending to whipping, the best hand mixers can deliver multiple functionalities in a single equipment. This handy kitchen tool is a more affordable and space-efficient alternative to a stand mixer.
While a hand mixer is a great investment, the quality and performance depend on the specific model you will choose. From comfort to power, it is crucial to consider different factors to pick a product that provides the best bang for the buck.
Searching for a hand mixer? You came to the right place. Read on as we walk you through some of the best products in the market, as well as their impressive features.
Table of Contents
Top 9 Best Hand Mixers America’s Test Kitchen, Consumer Reports 2023
Especially if you are buying a hand mixer for the first time, you will most probably end up confused and overwhelmed. Allow us to extend a helping hand. Below are some of the brands and models that deserve your attention.
Breville BHM800SIL The Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer
The brand name itself is already a compelling reason to choose this product. Aside from the reputation of the manufacturer, it is impressive because of the Beater IQ Technology. It automatically detects the attachment that you are using and determines the right speed.
It is also great because of the design of the beaters. They have durable rubber scrapers, which means that the steel part does not directly touch your container. This means that it is quiet when it is beating. Plus, it improves the mixing capability of the beaters.
More so, many people were impressed with the versatility of this product. The latter is because you can choose from nine speed settings. You can quickly customize the speed depending on what a specific recipe requires.
The ergonomic handle is also a plus. This makes it effortless to grab the unit. It promotes the natural position of your hand. It is also built in such a way that it minimizes the vibration that your hands can feel.
If there is one drawback, however, it would be that it is heavy. Hence, some people might not like how it can quickly put a strain on their hand.
Pros:
- Automatically adjusts the speed depending on the beater
- The rubber on the beaters make them quiet
- Choose from nine speeds
Cons:
- A bit heavy
KitchenAid KHM7210ACS 7-Speed Digital Hand Mixer
Our first pick from KitchenAid is well suited for kneading, beating, mixing, and whipping any ingredients. It features 7 different speed levels for all kinds of dough texture, which provide you with precision and excellent results. Speed one is for slow-mixing of bulky ingredients to ensure that the ingredients do not splatter around your working surface.
This hand mixer was designed with a slow start setting, which ensures that the mixer begins slowly before adjusting to your preset speed. It is lightweight but sturdy, making it one of the best options for mashing potatoes and stirring heavy cookies. The beaters are made of durable stainless steel that is easy to detach from the mixer with just a single touch of a button. The handle is nonslip and offers a comfortable soft-grip. This product includes two turbo beaters and a pro whisk.
The retractable cord offers you a clutter-free surface, which allows you to work from any comfortable and aid storage angle. This product operates with less noise, even with the highest speed setting.
Pros:
- Suitable for heavy ingredients
- Single touch button
- Whisper-quiet operation
- Dishwasher safe beaters
- Soft start setting
Cons:
- No storage case
Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer
While many things make this an attractive option for a hand mixer, one of our favorites is its price. It is one of the most affordable on this list, making it perfect for people on a budget. Despite being economical, it packs many innovative features.
The hand mixer stands out because of its 250-watt motor. This is in no way the most powerful, but for most light-duty applications, such is more than enough.
More so, you can change the speed and choose from six different settings. You can go slow or fast depending on what a specific application requires.
We also love how it comes with a built-in bowl, which makes it different from many of its competitors. The latter makes it easy to rest the mixer when you need to do something else. It also has a built-in groove, which will prevent drips on your countertop.
Lastly, it is worth noting that it comes with several attachments. Your purchase will include a set of beaters and whisk. This is one way by which it can provide the best bang for the buck.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Comes with a built-in bowl
- Includes various attachments
Cons:
- Chrome coating can easily peel
KitchenAid KHM512IC 5-speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer
Joining our list is another product from a popular brand. It comes with a 60-watt motor, which some people might find quite low. You can choose from five speed settings, although even the highest setting might be too slow for some users.
The hand mixer is known for having a well-thought design, which shows how the manufacturer thinks of its users. Among others, one thing that we like the most is the lockable swivel cord. You can lock it on the left or right, which will make it easy for you to work.
When you purchase this product, it is inclusive of two beaters, both are made of high-quality stainless steel. They feel solid, which makes it high performing. The beaters are also notable because of the absence of a center post, so it is more thorough when mixing.
Speaking of the beaters, we are also big fans of the eject button on a strategic position. With a push of the latter, you can quickly detach the beater. This also makes it a snap to keep them clean.
Pros:
- Has a lockable swivel cord
- High-quality stainless steel beaters
- The beaters are easy to remove
Cons:
- Can be too slow even at the highest speed setting
Cuisinart HM-90BCS Power Advantage Plus 9-speed Handheld Mixer
When shopping for kitchen appliances, Cuisinart is one brand you will often encounter. With the company’s reputation, we are confident that its performance is exemplary.
Amongst its features, one of the most notable is the 220-watt motor that offers automatic feedback. The latter will let you whiz through any job. Even as a newbie, you won’t have problems in using this product.
Another great feature of this product is Smooth Start. This technology allows it to start smoothly, which will prevent splatter. In turn, it is a great way to keep your work area free of mess.
More so, you can choose from multiple speeds. It has three low settings and six other settings, so you can adjust accordingly.
We also like how it comes with a storage case, which will also let the unit sit upright. This will provide a convenient place where you can keep the accessories that come with the mixer, including the spatula, dough hooks, chef’s whisk, and beaters.
Pros:
- User-friendly design
- Has a Smooth Start function
- Includes a storage case
Cons:
- Prone to having a burnt smell
Braun HM5100 Electric Hand Mixer
Wrapping up our review is another hand mixer from a trusted brand. It has tons of exceptional features, and one of the best is its 350-watt motor. It is one of the most powerful on our list, so it is ideal even for demanding applications.
It has Vario Control, an innovation that allows you to control the unit with just one hand. This is also one of the reasons why you can expect intuitive operation. There is a strategically positioned dial, which will let you choose from nine speeds.
More so, it comes with multiple attachments, so there is an accessory for every task. It has a whisk and a beater in one, which is perfect for light and airy mixes. The dough hook is also great, especially if you love making pizza.
You will also love the super-soft grip. It has an ergonomic shape, which will offer optimal control even in the highest speed setting.
For a brand that is as reputable as Braun, we expect top-notch quality. With this, it is surprising that a lot of people complain about how the beaters easily misalign. It would have been better if they have a more solid construction.
Pros:
- Comes with a powerful motor
- Easy to control even with one hand
- Includes several attachments
Cons:
- Beaters can easily misalign
Cuisinart SM-50BC 5.5-Quart Stand Mixer
The last on the list is also from Cuisinart. This is a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used for grinding meat, making pastries, whipping eggs, kneading dough, whipping cream, and more. It is a hands-free mixer that is fabricated from well-polished stainless steel with a fine shiny finish. Features 12-speed settings can handle any baking task with extra additions such as dough hook, chef’s whisk, flat stirring paddle, and a stainless steel bowl. It is dishwasher friendly for easy maintenance and convenience.
You can utilize this product for all kinds of mixing tasks with its 5.5-quart bowl, holding up more than 5 cups of dry ingredients. The handle is comfortable to grip. The cookbook gives you ideas on different recipes you can try. The head of the mixer can be bend backwards to grant easy access to the mixing bowl. This model includes a splatter guide with a pour spout that prevents the ingredients from splashing all over your working surface.
Although this heavy-duty mixer takes more storage space, it offers great value for your money with consistent results.
Pros:
- Versatile
- Splatter guide
- Ergonomic design
- Tilt-back head
- 500 watts motor
Cons:
- Expensive
- Requires more countertop space
Black+Decker MX600T 5-Speed Hand Mixer
This product includes one wire whisk, two dough hook, two helix beaters, and a storage kit. The various accessories are for accomplishing specific tasks. If your dough gets too thick when using a beater, you can switch to the dough hook. The wire whisk is perfect for aerating and whipping. The dough hooks are for mixing thicker doughs and handling heavy mixtures.
The helix beaters are versatile and can be used for general mixing. This hand mixer has a heel and bowl rest that allows the mixing tool to sit on the bowl’s edge when not in use.
Available in different colour options that will suit any kitchen design and stand out on your countertop. The beater’s surface is two times bigger than other regular beaters, which enhances its mixing performance. It features a button that automatically ejects the accessories for easy cleanup. The extra accessories are dishwasher friendly.
The helix beaters are constructed with enhanced nylon material for durability and superior strength to withstand tough mixtures. They overlap for the rapid mixing of ingredients to perfection. This model allows you to choose the best speed level for your batter, and it operates with 250 watts of power.
Pros:
- Extra accessories
- 5-speed levels
- Snap-on storage
- Non-scratch beaters
- 250 watts
Cons:
- The batter gets stuck in between the beaters
Dash Smart Store Compact Hand Mixer
Whipping your cream becomes so easy with the help of a dash hand mixer. It comes with a year warranty against defects, 2 beaters, online recipe data, and a cookbook. All the removable parts are safe for a dishwasher for convenience. This portable hand mixer is easy to carry around; it is ideal for camping, home kitchens with limited space, and travelling. The beaters have a built-in storage compartment at the side of the mixer; this ensures that your beaters are neatly tucked and safe when not in use.
Dash smart 3-speed is available in a wide variety of colours, which will suit any kitchen decor and adds aesthetic value to your counter. A perfect gift item for your special friend that is budget-friendly. It requires limited storage space, making this hand mixer easy to store in any standard drawer size.
This product has 3-speed levels, which require 150 watts of power for effective results. The low speed is for the slow mixing of all your ingredients together to avoid food splatters. The high speed offers you fast, consistent results.
Pros:
- Ideal for small kitchens
- A year warranty
- Lightweight
- Dishwasher safe parts
- Compact
Cons:
- The stainless steel beaters require extra care to prevent rust.
How To Use A Hand Mixer
A hand mixer is easy to operate even without an instruction manual. To get started, attach the mixing tool you want to use, which could be a hook or whisk, to the allocated space on your hand mixer. Then you plug in the cord to a power source and switch on.
Place the beater inside the bowl with all the necessary ingredients and set the speed level. Your mixer’s motor will begin to whisk or whip the ingredients slowly before adjusting to the set speed. The attached tool will either spin around or swivel till you get your desired outcome.
The hand mixer’s removable parts need to be washed after each use, and the other components need to clean with a towel.
How to Choose the Best Hand Mixer
As you decide what to buy, below are some of the most crucial factors to think about.
Power
One of the most important technical specifications is the wattage of the hand mixer, which is indicative of its overall power and performance. The higher the wattage, the more capable the hand mixer is.
Speed
It is good to have multiple speed settings. The latter means that you can adjust the functionality of the beater depending on the intended application. The hand mixer should also have a strategically positioned control so you can adjust the speed in a snap.
Size and Weight
A hand mixer is a handheld tool. Hence, you should look for one with a compact and lightweight design, which will make it easy and comfortable to hold. If it is too heavy, then mixing can be a burden.
Handle
One of the most important parts is the handle. It should have an ergonomic shape, which makes it easy to grip. It should also be built in such a way that it generates minimal vibrations, even when you choose the highest speed setting.
Beater
Another important part is the beater. This is the one that does all the magic, so its construction is crucial. More so, it is good if it is removable, which makes it easy to clean.
#Video: How to choose the best mixer
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions about hand mixers? We will answer some of them below.
What is the difference between a stand and hand mixer?
One of the most obvious differences is in terms of their design, which affects how they work. A stand mixer has a base that allow it to stand by itself. On the other hand, you will need to hold a hand mixer as it operates.
The price is another differentiator. If you are on a budget, then you are better off with a hand mixer as it is often cheaper compared to a stand mixer.
Power and capacity are also different. A hand mixer is often less powerful and can handle smaller batches.
How do you clean a hand mixer?
The best way to clean a hand mixer is to use a brush with soft and long bristles that can reach even the tightest corners. This will make sure that no dirt will be left behind. The beater is often removable, so you can also soak it in warm water with soap.
What brand of hand mixer is the best?
The answer to this question is subjective. It can be different based on factors like budget and needs. However, some of the best brands to consider include Breville, Black & Decker, Hamilton, KitchenAid, and Cuisinart.
Leave a Reply