Top 5 Hand Mixers

The electric hand mixer is a versatile kitchen tool, ideal for both home cooks and bakers looking for an affordable and convenient alternative to stand mixers or manual mixing. 

It excels at handling various recipes and can be easily stored. While stand mixers are great for heavy-duty tasks, hand mixers shine when it comes to lighter jobs like beating eggs or mixing batters. 

They are also handy for non-baking tasks like shredding chicken and making fluffy mashed potatoes. When choosing a hand mixer, prioritize power, versatility, ease of use, and storage convenience. 

We conducted thorough testing on nine leading hand mixer models, evaluating their design, performance, and practicality. In this article, we’ll introduce our top pick and other models that impressed us.

What is a Hand Mixer?

A hand mixer is an electric, handheld kitchen appliance designed for quick tasks and blending smaller ingredients. This versatile tool usually features two removable beaters and can include various attachments for added flexibility and easy cleaning.

List of Top 5 Hand Mixers

Breville The Handy Mix Scraper

The Breville Handy Mix Scraper is our top choice for a hand mixer. It has nine different speeds and a digital display with a timer and a light.

The timer helps you mix ingredients for the right amount of time, and the light makes it easier to see what you’re mixing. This mixer has a powerful motor that blends ingredients smoothly, and it’s easy to control even at high speeds.

It’s also quiet and comes with rubberized beaters that mix well without leaving ingredients on the sides of the bowl. It even includes extra accessories like dough hooks and whisks, and there’s a case to keep everything organized.

Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed Hand Mixer

This mixer did really well in our tests, and we like how easy it is to use. It comes with two beaters, two dough hooks, a whisk, and a spatula, all in a handy case. It has nine speeds and is good for both light and thick recipes.

It doesn’t splatter much when you use it because it has three slow-speed settings. If you don’t need nine speeds, there are options with fewer speeds.

In our tests, it worked great for making whipped cream, but it took a bit more work to control when mixing thicker things. It’s a bit noisy, especially at higher speeds, but that’s not a big problem.

Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer

This mixer has six speed options, but some reviewers mentioned that it has a relatively slow speed, so it might be a bit tricky to start gently or mix flour slowly into a batter.

However, it has a “QuickBurst” button, which gives it a burst of extra power to handle tough things like firm cream cheese or nutty cookie dough.

A useful feature is the snap-on case it comes with, which lets you neatly store the two beaters and whisk along with the mixer itself instead of leaving them loose in a drawer.

KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer

If you want a simple and effective hand mixer without spending too much money, the KitchenAid 5-Speed Hand Mixer is a great pick.

It’s easy to use, comfortable to hold, and has good power. In our tests, it did a great job mixing cookie dough and making whipped cream without making a mess.

It has some handy features like a cord that you can lock in place to keep your kitchen tidy, and a button to easily remove the beaters for cleaning.

You can also choose from different colors like blue, pink, red, and black. This mixer is a good choice for beginners and anyone who wants a straightforward and reliable option.

Oster Hand Mixer With HeatSoft Technology

If you’re someone who likes to bake on the spot and can’t wait for ingredients to warm up, this mixer is a great choice. It has a built-in fan that blows warm air into your mixing bowl to gently soften cold butter, so you don’t have to wait or use the microwave.

In our tests, it softened butter in just a minute and a half, while it normally takes 30 minutes at room temperature. We also liked the comfortable handle, and the mixer can stand upright when you’re not using it, so you won’t make a mess on the kitchen counter.

This mixer has seven speed options and can handle tasks like mixing cookie dough and whipping cream. It comes with beaters, dough hooks, and a whisk attachment that you can store in a snap-on container. However, remember that all these attachments need to be hand-washed.

Factors to Consider before Buying Hand Mixer

Power

A good hand mixer should have a strong motor that can mix everything, from thin liquids to thick batters. Aim for models with 200 to 300 watts of power, but lower wattage can still work well.

Speed

When choosing a hand mixer, make sure it has various speed settings. Low speeds are useful for delicate mixing to prevent splattering, while high speeds are necessary for handling thick and challenging batters.

Comfort

Hand mixers are meant to make mixing easier, so they should be lightweight, easy to hold, and comfortable to use. They should also have a stable base that doesn’t tip over when resting.

Switching between speeds should be simple with one hand, and the mixer should feel smooth and manageable at all speeds. We assessed ease of use, weight, and wrist comfort during our tests.

Accessories

Most hand mixers come with detachable beaters, but some models include additional attachments like whisks or dough hooks. While these can increase the price, they make your hand mixer more versatile.

Cord vs. Cordless

If you have few outlets in your kitchen or they need to be more conveniently placed, a cordless hand mixer might be a good choice. You’ll need to remember to charge it, but it’s more convenient for both right- and left-handed users. If you prefer a corded model, look for one with a swivel cord to keep it out of the way.

Storage

Consider storage space when buying kitchen gadgets, especially if you have limited cabinet space. Hand mixers take up less space than stand mixers, but it’s helpful to find one with a storage case to keep the attachments organized and easy to find.

Final Note

Our top pick is the Breville Handy Mix Scraper, which is great for a variety of home cooks. It’s a bit pricey at over $100, but it’s worth it because of its versatility with multiple attachments, nine-speed settings, and handy features like a built-in light and timer. 

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, we suggest the Hamilton Beach Electric Hand Mixer.

FAQs

What are mixers used for?

A mixer is a kitchen tool that uses gears to spin a set of beaters in a bowl with food or liquids, helping to mix, stir, whisk, or beat ingredients. When you swap out the beaters for a dough hook, a mixer can also be used to knead dough. It makes kitchen tasks like stirring and kneading easier and more efficient.

Is a hand mixer a blender?

Hand mixers and immersion blenders have distinct differences in their design and the culinary tasks they are best suited for. Hand mixers are primarily used for mixing wet and dry ingredients with beaters or a whisk. On the other hand, immersion blenders are equipped with blades for blending, pureeing, chopping, and processing foods, including nuts.

What are the main parts of a hand mixer?

A hand mixer typically consists of four main parts: an on/off button, a power burst button, the mixer body, and a bowl rest button. To attach the mixing attachments, you usually have to do that manually and separately, as there is no dedicated button for it.