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Contents
- The Best Hand Mixers
- Best Overall: Cuisinart HM-90S
- Best Quality: Breville Handy Mix Scraper
- Best on a Budget: Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer
- Most Versatile: Braun HM5100 MultiMix Hand Mixer
- Conclusion
- What Are the Advantages of a Good Hand Mixer?
- How to Choose the Best Hand Mixer?
- Before You Go
Every kitchen needs a hand mixer to make baked goodies, delicious dips, creamy sauces, or sweet desserts in just a few minutes. It’s an incredibly useful appliance that can help you get a smoother and more consistent batter – crucial for many recipes. However, with so many products available, it can be tough to decide which hand mixer fits your kitchen perfectly.
That is why we put this fantastic guide together, rounding up the best hand mixers available on the market today. Additionally, we wrote in-depth comparison reviews to help you find a high-quality and robust appliance that suits your needs.
Don’t forget to read our essential buying guide at the end of the article, where we go over the most important factors you need to consider when shopping for a hand mixer.
The Best Hand Mixers
Best Overall: Cuisinart HM-90S
The best overall hand mixer is the Cuisinart HM-90S, as it has decent power, a large number of speed options for more control while mixing, four different accessories, and a 3-year limited warranty. The Cuisinart HM-90S works well for both professionals and newbies in the kitchen who would use this appliance every now and then.
Pros:
The Cuisinart HM-90S hand mixer has a high motor power of 220W, which means it can handle many kitchen duties with ease. Just as a comparison, a similar quality model from KitchenAid with 9-speeds has only a 150W motor power, and it costs a lot more.
Another impressive feature of the Cuisinart HM-90S are the 9 speed options that are easily controlled with a one-touch speed control button and a simple, easily accessible on/off switch. You won’t have to think much or stop whisking to change speeds, as everything comes intuitively.
Because the model comes with three low mixing speeds, you can forget about splattering. It has a unique automated SmoothStart feature. If you forget to start with the lowest speed, the motor automatically slows down and then speeds up as you mix the batter.
Another reason why this Cuisinart model is the best fit for most people is because of its long warranty. It includes a 3-year limited warranty, which means you can return the product if something is not right.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that the Cuisinart HM-90S hand mixer comes with four different attachments. It has double beaters, whisks, dough hooks, a spatula, and a free recipe book. You can beat eggs, whipping cream, thick sauces, custard mixtures, as well as cookie and bread dough.
Cons:
One thing a lot of customers have noticed is that the storage space can be a little tight. For some people, this can be very frustrating. However, opinions are divided, and many people have no problem.
Another drawback is that the Cuisinart HM-90S makes quite a bit of noise and can be considered a little too loud for some people.
The Verdict:
Although maybe not as impressive as the Breville or Braun model, the Cuisinart HM-90S is our pick as the best overall because of its fair price-point, which makes it a go-to choice for most people. It offers great performance, speed, and control. Plus, it comes with all of the essential attachments for every cooking need.
Best Quality: Breville Handy Mix Scraper
If you’re looking for a mixer of the highest quality, we recommend the Breville Handy Mix Scraper. Equipped with automatic IQ technology speed control, and powerful scraper batters, this mixer will make every whisking task a piece of cake. The Breville hand mixer is a wonderful choice for professionals and home cooks who spend a lot of time in the kitchen.
Pros:
Similarly to the Cuisinart HM-90S, the Breville Handy Mix Scraper is powered with a 240W motor but offers much better performance. The motor is very quiet, and it can whisk tough ingredients easily and quickly.
The design and the special features of the Breville model add to the experience of using this device. Although it’s built sturdily, from high-quality materials, it’s ergonomically designed, so it doesn’t feel heavy to hold. You can comfortably whisk for longer periods without tiring the arm.
Some of the special functionalities that really make this model stand out are the timer button, pause button, and the LED light. The timer butter shows how much time you’ve been whisking, which is extremely important as even professional cooks sometimes don’t beat the batter long enough when using hand mixers.
Additionally, the pause button is great for when you need to add ingredients because it will continue with the same speed you used before pausing. And, of course, the LED light will illuminate the whole bowl so you can keep an eye on the batter’s consistency.
And while we’re on the subject of special functionality, the Breville uses an automatic IQ speed technology. It always starts at the lowest speed to avoid splashes, and it automatically regulates the speeds depending on the added ingredients.
Cons:
The only concern with the Breville model would be the rubber scraper beaters, which can wear off after a couple of months. Because this pricey hand mixer uses a protective rubber coating over the stainless steel beaters as a preventative measure against scratches, parts of the rubber can fall off after a while.
The Verdict:
The price is probably the biggest reason why we didn’t recommend the Breville Handy Mix Scraper as the best option overall. After all, not everyone can afford to buy a more expensive hand mixer. However, if you’re willing to invest the money, the Breville Handy Mix Scraper won’t disappoint you. With its powerful motor and quiet operation, it will give you a wonderful experience. Plus, it comes with so many special features that it is, indeed, a few notches above the competition.
Best on a Budget: Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer
The Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric hand mixer is our budget-friendly pick. It’s a compact, light-weight beater with a variety of speeds. For the price, it’s the perfect device for amateur cooking enthusiasts.
Pros:
Taking into account that it costs so little, the Hamilton Beach 6-Speed hand mixer surprised us with a powerful motor of 250W. Although we can’t compare its performance with that of the Cuisinart and Breville hand mixers, it can still whisk, mix, and fold plenty of ingredients.
On top of that, it has an ergonomically built handle with a practical built-in bowl rest feature, which means you can easily set it on the side of the bowl while pausing or adding ingredients.
If we’re talking about storage and space, then the Hamilton Beach model would definitely come out as the winner. It comes with a convenient snap-on case that packs the attachments and the cable cord together. Plus, it’s compact size means that it’s the best option for people that don’t have much space in the kitchen.
Cons:
Having a powerful motor comes with a price, as the Hamilton Beach 6-speed hand mixer heats up when used for longer periods.
Unlike the other recommendations we’ve reviewed, the Hamilton Beach model comes without a dough hook. This is understandable, as this budget-pick is not meant for heavy-duty work.
The Verdict:
All in all, the Hamilton Beach hand mixer is a good-quality product that offers incredible power and performance for quick and light cooking activities. It has the essential features that you would usually expect from more expensive hand mixers, so it can work amazingly for amateur cooking enthusiasts. Even if it’s easily overpowered by fancier mixers, the price point for this mixer makes it a real bargain.
Most Versatile: Braun HM5100 MultiMix Hand Mixer
Whether you need a soft setting for a delicate batter or you’re working with tough ingredients, the Braun HM5100 MultiMix hand mixer is here to handle each task with ease. It’s the perfect option for people who use a hand mixer frequently and work with a variety of ingredients.
Pros:
While other hand mixers might flop when you’re working with thick or heavy batters because they sometimes overheat or put too much strain on the motor (shortening the life of the product), Braun’s incredible 350W power motor blows the competition out of the water. You can work with tough, sticky, dry, or soft and delicate batter – the Braun HM5100 MultiMix can handle all of it.
The experience when working with the Braun HM5100 MultiMix is wonderful, as the device has an innovative in-line vertical motor design, which shifts the weight from the arm to the bowl. You can work for a long time without tiring your arm.
Another amazing feature is the one-handed “variocontrol” speed dial, which makes the device very easy-to-use and provides additional speed control when mixing delicate batters.
Best of all, the Braun HM5100 MultiMix is super easy to clean, as it comes with dishwasher-safe parts. Plus, it has a completely sealed system, so nothing can enter the housing.
Just like our best overall pick, the Braun hand mixer comes with a limited 3-year warranty, which is quite an advantage over the limited 1-year warranty of the Hamilton Beach and Breville models.
Cons:
The downside to this model is that you might need some time to get used to it. Since the motor is vertical (an advantage while mixing), the mixer won’t sit upright as typical hand mixers do.
The Verdict:
The Braun HM5100 MultiMix is definitely a runner up to our best overall pick. It’s a great choice for most people, although it may be a better fit for cooks who use hand mixers very often and for a variety of recipes. It delivers a lot of power, making it the best alternative to a stand mixer for a much lower price.
Conclusion
Our recommendation for the best overall hand mixer is the Cuisinart HM-90S, as we believe its power, practical speed control, and three extra speeds that allow for a soft start will meet the needs of most people wanting to equip their kitchen with a new hand mixer.
While the other recommendations might be better in some aspects and worse in others, the simplicity and effectiveness of the Cuisinart HM-90S make it a product you can’t go wrong with.
However, if you’re looking for the highest-quality hand mixer, with a variety of superior features, like the timer and pause button, we recommend the Breville Handy Mix Scraper. It’s a powerful and very quiet device that will make the mixing process even more satisfying. The Breville comes at a higher price, but considering everything it has to offer, we can’t say it’s not worth it.
Being on a budget does not mean that you’ll have to settle for a low-quality product, because we have the Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer for a very modest price. It’s a decent product with a powerful motor and all the essential features that an amateur cooking enthusiast will ever need. Plus, its small size and compact storing case make it a great option for small kitchens.
Finally, our top pick for every professional working on all kinds of recipes is the Braun HM5100 MultiMix hand mixer. It stands out with its great power and innovative design – all focused on allowing you to work for longer periods. It’s the only hand mixer that comes close to the performance of common stand mixers.
What Are the Advantages of a Good Hand Mixer?
One of the first questions you’ll consider when shopping for a hand mixer is whether you really need a hand mixer – is it better to invest in a stand mixer instead?
To answer this question, we’ll take a look at the advantages of owning an electric hand mixer and some of the drawbacks when compared to stand mixers. Keep in mind that there’s no better or worse – the goal here is to help you find the right appliance for your personal needs and habits.
The first obvious advantage is the price. Buying an electric hand mixer is a lot less expensive than a stand mixer. Even the smallest high-quality stand mixer is more powerful and more expensive than most hand mixers. This is the reason why people go for a hand mixer first and upgrade to a stand mixer later, as their activities in the kitchen advance. However, if you’re an experienced cook with a lot of responsibilities and a busy cooking schedule, or you’re frequently making complicated recipes like a layered cake, for example, you might want to invest in a stand mixer.
The second advantage is that electric hand mixers are very practical. They’re easy to clean and will take minimal space in your kitchen. Not everyone has a big kitchen with a lot of counter space. Many hand mixers are small enough to be stored in a drawer or come with a snap-on case like in three of our recommendations.
Finally, the third advantage is that hand mixers are more suited to quick tasks, such as whipping cream, egg whites, light pancake batter, fruit mixtures, and other similar activities that don’t take more than five to ten minutes. Plus, because the mixer isn’t attached to any specific bowl, you can easily whisk a variety of mixtures in different types of bowls.
On the other hand, almost any stand mixer can overpower a hand mixer and finish the job a lot quicker even when using tough ingredients and all that while you finish other tasks in the kitchen. If you frequently use a mixer for longer periods, you should think about buying a very high-end powerful electric hand mixer (like the Breville and Braun models) or a stand mixer.
How to Choose the Best Hand Mixer?
After you’ve decided that an electric hand mixer is the right kitchen appliance for your needs, make sure you’re making a smart buying decision. Here are the most important factors to consider before setting your eyes on any particular hand mixer.
Power
The first thing you should look in a hand mixer is the motor power, which determines its performance. And, while most hand mixers have around 150-180W, all of our recommendations have 200W+ motors, with the Braun model takes first place thanks to its incredible 350W power motor. How much power you need depends on your daily activities in the kitchen. For example, you can compromise on power if you need more speed and control for more delicate batters.
Speed Control
Aside from power, speed is another major aspect you need to consider. However, contrary to what you might think, you don’t need a lot of speed options so you can mix fast, but instead, you need a speed that goes LOW enough. You don’t want flour or egg mixture splashing out of the bowl every time you start mixing. This is why many brands like our best overall recommendation (the Cuisinart HM-90s), as it offers really soft start speeds.
Changing speeds easily and comfortably is also very important.
Size and Weight
Size and weight are important regarding two things: how much room you have in your kitchen and how strong your arms are. It’s important to consider the size and weight of the hand mixer you’re considering in regards to both. You should be looking for an ergonomically designed handle and proper weight distribution, like in the Braun HM5100 MultiMix.
Attachments
What are you going to use your hand mixer for? Think about this question, then decide what kind of attachments/beaters are most important to you, and what are the attachments that you can do without. For example, if you want a mixer so you can make homemade bread, a mixer that doesn’t include a dough hook won’t do you any good.
The three main attachments are whisks (ballon and french), beaters, and dough hooks. Although, some hand mixers can also include a stirring paddle and a drink rod mixer.
Price
Finally, you should think about the price you’re willing to pay, having in mind all the factors mentioned above. Will you go for a cheaper model and compromise on some of the features, or invest in a more expensive mixer?
An electric hand mixer can cost anywhere from $15 to $150. The price depends on the quality of the materials they’re built with, the functionalities of the hand mixer, and its overall performance. Luckily, on rare occasions, you can find a brand name like Hamilton Beach offering a good-quality mixer in the lower end of that range (see our best budget pick).
Before You Go
We hope you enjoyed our in-depth reviews about the best hand mixers available on the market today and found our detailed buying guide useful. After reading our article, you should have a good idea about what kind of hand mixer you need.
Maybe you’ve already found the perfect match among our recommended products. However, in case you’re still in doubt, feel free to follow the links and find out more details about each product as well as read customer reviews and don’t hesitate to check out our blog for even more useful product reviews, product guides, and even recipes!
Want to see our favorite hand mixers one more time before you go? Here they are!
Amazon product information last updated on March 24, 2022. Images, prices and links from Amazon Product Advertising API.
