Hand mixers are the workhorses of the home kitchen. Lightweight and compact, the best hand mixer can quickly mix up batters and frostings, beat egg whites, and even knead pizza dough. And when the job is done, hand mixer is easy to clean and store. But with so many hand mixers available for sale, it’s hard to know which is the best for your home kitchen. Our guide to the best hand mixer will help you find the perfect one.
Product FAQ
1. What Are Hand Mixers Used For?
Because they are lightweight and portable, hand mixers are great for blending batter, whipping cream and eggs, and other small baking and cooking tasks. They’re also a nice mixing option for home cooks with small kitchens who can’t devote the counter space to a stand mixer. Plus, a hand mixer is often less expensive than a stand mixer. Home cooks planning to bake in large amounts, however, may be better served by a stand mixer or a food processor.
2. How Powerful Is the Best Hand Mixer?
Most hand mixers have motors with around 150 watts of power, but you can buy mixers with the additional power of up to 250 watts. Hand mixers with higher-watt motors are good for blending and kneading thicker doughs. Hand mixers come with anywhere from 2 to 10 different speed settings.
3. What Kind of Attachments Does the Best Hand Mixer Have?
The best hand mixer generally comes with two beaters, and for many home cooks, those two beaters are sufficient. But if you want to use a hand mixer for more than basic batters, you might want to look for one that comes with attachments like whisks, dough hooks, or even a spatula.
Stainless steel attachments are ideal because they’re sturdy and will last a long time. If you’re worried about the noise a hand mixer makes, look for one that has stainless steel attachments with a silicone coating. This coating protects the attachment and also cuts down on noise.
4. What’s the Best Hand Mixer for a Small Kitchen?
If you’re tight on space in the kitchen, look for a hand mixer that has a smaller body so that you can squeeze it into your kitchen cabinet or closet. Some hand mixers also come with retractable cords, and those can be a good option in a space-challenged kitchen.
Another option for a small kitchen is a hand mixer with a storage container that snaps on, allowing you to keep the mixer and its accessories together. Hand mixers that have a storage unit attached to them also tend to stack well, so you may find it easier to stack this type of unit in a closet or cabinet.
5. How Heavy Should My Hand Mixer Be?
Weight is an important consideration when selecting a hand mixer. However, the right weight is a personal decision, and the answer is different for everyone. A good weight for one home cook might be too much for another. When you’re shopping for a hand mixer, be sure to pick up the model in the store and get a sense of how comfortable it will be to hold.
You should be able to comfortably hold the mixer without overly tiring your hand, wrist, or arm. In addition to the weight of the appliance, look at the handle, and make sure it’s designed in a way that’s comfortable to grip. The best hand mixer is one that can be operated without strain or fatigue.
6. What Other Features Should I Look for When Shopping for the Best Hand Mixer?
In addition to the attachments and the overall weight and comfort of the appliance, look for a hand mixer that is easy and intuitive to operate. You want one that’s easy to turn on and has speed settings that are simple to toggle through. It’s also a good idea to look at how easy the hand mixer is to clean. Are the attachments dishwasher safe? Is the housing of the mixer enclosed and easy to wipe down?
7. What Is the Slow-Start Feature?
Slow-start features are increasingly found on the best hand mixer. A hand mixer with a slow-start feature automatically starts out at a slower speed before adjusting up to the speed setting you’ve selected. The advantage of a slow start is that it minimizes messy splattering, which often occurs with the mixer starts up suddenly. Some hand mixers have more than one slow-start setting, giving the home cook a range of options.
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How We Reviewed the Best Hand Mixers
We took a range of factors into consideration when reviewing the best hand mixers. We looked at the amount of power each hand mixer has as well as the durability of the mixer and its attachments. We also evaluated the number of speeds on each appliance and took into consideration how easily each mixer can be used.
What We Reviewed
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Braun Multi-Mix Hand Mixer
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Black+Decker 6-Speed Hand Mixer
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Hamilton Beach Electric Hand Mixer
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KitchenAid 5-Speed Hand Mixer
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Oster 270-Watt Hand Mixer with Heatsoft
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Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus Hand Mixer
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KRUPS Hand Mixer
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Dualit 4-Speed Professional Hand Mixer
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Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer
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Oster 6-Speed Retractable Cord Hand Mixer
Braun Multi-Mix Hand Mixer
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The Braun Multi-Mix Hand Mixer has a powerful 350-watt motor and 9 speeds that make quick work of beating, whisking, and kneading. This mixer can be used with 2 MultiWhisk attachments, which are both a whisk and beater in one, and 2 dough hooks that are great for kneading pizza and bread dough. The design of this mixer shifts the weight of the appliance out of your hand and into the bowl, minimizing the effort involved. A one-handed control dial makes it easy to adjust the speed. Other features on this hand mixer include an ergonomic grip and an easy-to-clean design.
Warranty
The Braun Multi-Mix Hand Mixer comes with a 3-year warranty.
Black+Decker 6-Speed Hand Mixer
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The Black+Decker 6-speed hand mixer comes with 2 wire beaters, one whisk, and two dough hooks. This mixer has a 250-watt motor, 6 different speeds, and a turbo button that increases the mixer to its maximum speed. A unique feature on this appliance is the slow-start feature, which starts the mixer off 20 percent slower than usual to prevent the messy splatter that comes with abrupt starts. An accompanying storage case holds both the mixer and its accessories. The accessories that come with this mixer are dishwasher safe.
Warranty
The Black+Decker 6-Speed Hand Mixer comes with a 2-year warranty.
Hamilton Beach Electric Hand Mixer
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The Hamilton Beach Electric Hand Mixer has 6 speeds and a QuickBurst feature that adds a boost of extra power at any speed. This hand mixer is designed to minimize wrist and arm stress. The position of the handle allows the user to keep the elbow lowered and the wrist in a neutral position, making operating the mixer easier and less strenuous. This mixer has a slow-start feature that allows the appliance to start off slowly, minimizing splatter. This quiet mixer, with a 250-watt motor, also has an automatic shutoff that prevents overheating.
Warranty
The Hamilton Beach Electric Hand Mixer comes with a one-year warranty.
KitchenAid 5-Speed Hand Mixer
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The KitchenAid 5-speed hand mixer comes with 2 stainless steel dishwasher safe beaters and capably tackles most mixing and beating tasks, from mashed potatoes to meringues. Available in 16 different colors, this mixer has a cord that can be locked into either the left or right side, giving the user flexibility in which angle to approach the ingredients at. This appliance’s round power cord is easy to clean.
Warranty
The KitchenAid 5-Speed Hand Mixer comes with a one-year warranty.
Oster 270-Watt Hand Mixer with Heatsoft
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The Oster 270-watt hand mixer with Heatsoft uses mild heat to soften butter and other ingredients, allowing you to bake right away without waiting for the ingredients to come to room temperature. This mixer has a 270-watt motor and 7 speeds. An extra power burst brings an additional pulse of energy when needed, and the removable magnetic nozzle is dishwasher safe. The Oster 270-watt mixer comes with 2 full-sized beaters, dough hooks, and whisk. A storage case holds the mixer and its accessories.
Warranty
The Oster 270-Watt Hand Mixer with Heatsoft comes with a one-year warranty.
Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus Hand Mixer
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The Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus Hand Mixer has a 220-watt motor and 9 speeds. The mixer operates easily with a simple on/off switch and one-touch speed control. Lightweight and portable, this mixer has 3 different slow-start speeds, ensuring a splatter-free start. The beaters on this mixer release by latch rather than a button, making it harder to accidentally release the beaters. This mixer comes with beaters, a chef’s whisk, dough hooks, a spatula, an instruction/recipe book, and a snap-on clear storage case that holds all of the parts. All of the removable parts on this mixer are dishwasher safe.
Warranty
The Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus Hand Mixer comes with a 3-year warranty.
KRUPS Hand Mixer
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The KRUPS Hand Mixer is a 200-watt mixer with 10 speeds. This hand mixer also has a Turbo Boost feature that briefly amps up the power. This quiet hand mixer comes with 2 silicon-coated beaters, 2 dough hooks, a whisk, and a compact case. The KRUPS hand mixer also features a count-up timer that allows you to keep track of your mixing time.
Warranty
The KRUPS Hand Mixer comes with a 2-year warranty.
Dualit 4-Speed Professional Hand Mixer
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The Dualit 4-Speed Professional Hand Mixer is a commercial-grade appliance with a 300-watt motor. This mixer has a chrome finish and an easy-grip handle. It comes with a balloon whisk, 2 oversized flat beaters, and dough hooks. A unique feature of this appliance is the manually retractable cord, which makes it easy and less bulky to store.
Warranty
The Dualit 4-Speed Professional Hand Mixer comes with a one-year warranty.
Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer
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The Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer is a 9-speed 240-watt mixer that is able to detect the type of attachment in use and adjust the speed accordingly. This automated feature is especially helpful for beginning bakers. The Breville Handy Mix Scraper comes with 2 scraper beaters, 2 dough hooks, 2 balloon whisks, and a detachable storage compartment. Other features on this quiet hand mixer include a mixing light, an ergonomic handle, and a count-up timer.
Warranty
The Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer comes with a one-year warranty.
Oster Inspire 6-Speed Retractable Cord Hand Mixer
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The Oster 6-Speed Retractable Cord Hand Mixer is a 250-watt mixer with 6 speeds and a power boost that briefly amps up the mixer. This mixer has a slow-start feature that is designed to minimize splattering associated with sudden starts. This Oster mixer comes with 2 beaters and 2 whisks. It has a convenient retractable cord that makes storing this appliance simple.
Warranty
The Oster 6-Speed Retractable Cord Hand Mixer comes with a one-year warranty.
The Verdict
The best hand mixer is the Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus Hand Mixer. With a 220-watt motor and 9 speeds, this mid-priced mixer has enough horsepower to tackle just about any baking task, from kneading bread dough to whipping up meringues. The Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus also has a number of features that ensure seamless baking.
Three different slow-start speeds keep the mixer slow early on, minimizing the chance of splatter. We also liked the fact that the beaters on this mixer release by latch rather than push-button, making it harder to accidentally release them. This mixer also comes with a nice array of attachments, including beaters, a chef’s whisk, dough hooks, a spatula, an instruction/recipe book, and a snap-on clear storage case that holds all of the parts.
