Buying guide for Best Immersion Blenders
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If there is one type of food that I could absolutely live on, it would have to be soup. My favorites are thick, hearty, creamy soups, so potato, tomato and roasted red pepper varieties always top my list. For years, to get the rich, creamy texture I loved, I had to transfer piping-hot ingredients to my countertop blender, risking spills and splatters. And that's not even mentioning the many times I burned myself pouring hot soup into the blender jar.
That all changed when I finally got an immersion blender for my kitchen.
For kitchens with limited space or cooks who value convenience, an immersion blender is a remarkably flexible tool that works in a wide range 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. If you're like me and enjoy creamy soups, you'll also love the convenience of blending your ingredients in any container you like. You can bring a hand blender right to your hot pot of soup and blend it into creamy perfection without worrying about pouring hot liquids into a countertop blender.
Your two main considerations depend on how you plan to use it: power and speed. You will need more power and speed for tasks like grinding and chopping. The best models have a longer arm for deeper immersion and a wide array of attachments. A cordless hand blender costs a little more, but you will appreciate the freedom it offers.
At BestReviews, we researched and analyzed dozens of immersion blenders to identify the best models. Our top pick, the Braun Portable Immersion Hand Blender, stands out for its powerful 500-watt motor and intuitive variable-speed trigger that lets you blend any recipe quickly and easily. It is also designed to reduce splashing and splattering and allows convenient one-handed operation.
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.
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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.
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Start by unplugging your appliance and removing any attachments.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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If food is stuck around the controller buttons, use a cotton swab to remove it.
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Don’t use your hand blender to make small quantities of food. Ideally, the appliance should be fully submerged in the mixing bowl.
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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.
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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.
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.
