If you enjoy baking, then you’ll want the tools to make that as easy on you as possible. The easier mixing is, the more time you have to get creative and to experiment in your kitchen. With a stand mixer, you’re much more limited on where you can go and what bowl you can use. And if you don’t enjoy spending time in the kitchen, a hand mixer is certainly one way to minimize your time there. If you’re in the market and don’t know where to start, let us do the work for you.
We reviewed dozens of hand mixers to identify the best of the best. We’ve found the simple hand mixers that will give you the tool you need for basic food preparation, and those that have so many speeds you’ll be prepared for any specialized recipes. We found the mixers that are lightweight and those robust mixers that can handle thicker recipes. No matter what you need in a hand mixer, we have the right one for you.
During our research, we found the KitchenAid 7-Speed Digital Hand Mixer and it remained the clear winner of our top spot. With 7-speeds and a soft grip handle that makes using it easier than ever, it’s no wonder it’s our overall best hand mixer.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Hand Mixers
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall Hand Mixer | KitchenAid 7-Speed Digital Hand Mixer | 4.3 |
| Best Lightweight Hand Mixer | BLACK+DECKER Helix Performance Premium 5-Speed Hand Mixer | 4.2 |
| Best Budget Hand Mixer | Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer | 4.2 |
| Best 9 Speed Hand Mixer | Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed Handheld Mixer | 4.4 |
| Best 5 Speed Hand Mixer | VonShef BLACK Hand Mixer | 3.9 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Overall Hand Mixer: KitchenAid 7-Speed Digital Hand Mixer
The KitchenAid 7-Speed Digital Hand Mixer has a locking swivel cord to help you mix without getting tangled into the power cable. You can keep it unlocked and allow it to swivel for more range, or you can lock it on either the left or the right to prevent it from turning and getting in the way of your task. It has a slow start option so that you can ease up to the speed you need for the ingredients you’re using. That means no more spreading flour all over your kitchen, and that’s a big win.
Included with this mixer are the turbo beaters that make mixing heavy ingredients a bit easier and a pro whisk that will allow you to whip meringue or make whipped cream. The different attachments are all machine washable to you can pop them in the dishwasher when you’re done, making clean up a breeze.
With right around 1,500 customer reviews on Amazon, you can trust that the rating is an accurate representation of the quality of the product. And because the overall rating of this mixer is 4.3 stars, you know you’ll be getting a good one.
KitchenAid 7-Speed Digital Hand Mixer Key Features:
- 7 color options
- 7-speeds
- 1-year warranty
Best Lightweight Hand Mixer: BLACK+DECKER Helix Performance Premium 5-Speed Hand Mixer
The BLACK+DECKER Helix Performance Premium 5-Speed Hand Mixer has the three most common attachment accessories already included with purchase (beater, dough hooks, and whisk), and they’re dishwasher safe so you won’t need to worry about how difficult it is to get in between the wires. Though you may still struggle with them as you lick them clean, no design has tackled that problem just yet. With its 5-speed motor, you’ll be able to prepare nearly any food you can imagine with ease and efficiency.
And though the mixer’s features themselves are impressive in their own right, the bit we think is most appealing for this hand mixer is the weight. With a heft of just under three and a half pounds, you’ll easily be able to tackle the long whipping necessary for your rich and creamy, homemade whipped cream.
Nearly 500 people have felt strongly enough about this hand mixer to come back on Amazon and leave a review. That speaks enough on the credibility of the rating that when you discover that its overall rating is a solid 4.2 stars, we think you’ll be swayed.
BLACK+DECKER Helix Performance Premium 5-Speed Hand Mixer Key Features:
- 5-speed and Turbo boost
- 8 color options
- Includes 2 Helix beaters, 2 dough hooks, 1 wire whisk, and a Snap-On storage case
Best Budget Hand Mixer: Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer
The Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer uses 250-watts of power to effectively blend your recipe’s ingredients just as they’re intended, without worrying about the motor burning out or stalling when it becomes too much for the motor. The 6-speeds will even give you a fair amount of variety on what you can do with it, and for any kitchen gadget, that’s a big selling point.
The motor includes a built-in bowl rest that will allow you to rest the mixer steady onto the side without worrying about it falling and making a mess while you grab another ingredient. And if you’ve ever sent your mix splashing across the room by accident, you’ll know what a useful little divot this can be.
While the customer reviews and ratings are impressive on their own, (overall rating of 4.2 stars left from over 2,600 customers on Amazon), the real selling point is the price point. You can pick up this versatile mixer for just under $15!
Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer Key Features:
- 6-speeds and QuickBurst
- 2 color options
- Includes beaters and whisk
Best 9-Speed Hand Mixer: Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed Handheld Mixer
The Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed Handheld Mixer features a digital display on which you can control the nine speeds with just one touch of a button. It’s operated on a 220-watt motor and the simple on/off button means you’ll be able to turn the motor off the second you drop too much flour into the mix. (And that feature is going to save you a whole lot of clean up time!)
The mixer includes a recipe book along with its instruction manual and if you’re just starting out, that can be a big help. If you’re not new to the mixer world, these recipes may just help you break out of your shell and experiment with new recipes. There is also a spatula that is specifically designed to remove batter and mix from the beaters so you won’t need to struggle getting them all clean.
Over a thousand customer reviews on Amazon speak to the quality of this hand mixer. And when the overall rating earned by those reviews is as high as this one’s 4.4 star rating, there’s plenty to tempt your purchase. If you have any remaining doubts, take a glimpse at the reviews and you may just be sold.
Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed Handheld Mixer Key Features:
- 2 color options
- 3-low start speeds
- Includes beaters, dough hooks, and chef’s whisk attachments
Best 5-Speed Hand Mixer: VonShef BLACK Hand Mixer
The VonShef BLACK Hand Mixer is just what you’ve come to expect from a good hand mixer, both in variety and quality. It has dishwasher safe attachments to tackle your most common kitchen tasks and the turbo function will allow you to get that burst of speed you need from time to time. A 250-watt motor makes sure you have the power to efficiently back up each of the mixer’s five speeds and the Turbo operation, whether you want to whisk, mix, or knead.
It’s a lightweight mixer with an ergonomic feel to let you hold it for as long as the recipe requires, and the speeds start slow enough to gradually ease your ingredients into the heaving mixing. With a one-push eject, you can get to cleaning up as quickly as you could ever want and the attachments are stainless steel to make the clean up even easier, should you opt not to run them in the dishwasher (in other words, if you want to lick them clean, the dough will come off easily).
With an overall rating on Amazon of 3.9 stars and over a thousand customer reviews, this hand mixer is a solid investment that you’re statistically likely to be satisfied with. After all, 72% of this mixer’s satisfied customers can’t all be wrong!
VonShef BLACK Hand Mixer Key Features:
- Lightweight; under 3 lbs
- Includes beaters, whisk, and dough hooks
- 2 color options
Who Should Buy a Hand Mixer
If you’re big on baking, then there’s a definite need in your home for a hand mixer. Not only will you be more prepared for any recipe you’ll encounter, it will open your options for the types of foods you’re preparing. There are only so many recipes that you can make without a hand mixer, actually. You may not be able to make more robust recipes with all hand mixers, like a heavy bread or thick cookie dough, but for the recipes that don’t require a heavy duty stand mixer, a hand mixer is the perfect way to save your wrists. (And you certainly can find plenty of hand mixers that can handle those breads and doughs, if that’s what your goal is.) If you’re making a lot in one day or you just want to make sure you’re not straining yourself with the required mixing, the hand mixer saves you the potential for huge pain.
One huge perk for hand mixers that set them apart from other kitchen gadgets, is that you can use the hand mixer in conjunction with any and all containers – not just those that fit on your mixer’s stand. So if you want to whip your sweet potatoes up directly in the casserole dish you plan on baking your sweet potato casserole in, feel free! If you plan on making baby food for your little one and would like to puree it directly in the Tupperware container you plan on storing it, you absolutely can do so. Mashed potatoes are made all the easier when you can make them directly in the pot you boil them in.
A hand mixer also travels well. That could mean you can take it with you for a friends cookie party or it could just mean you take it to the other side of the kitchen. As long as you have a plug (and sometimes not even that is necessary), you’ll be able to use your hand mixer for whatever foods you’re preparing. So if you’re throwing a party at a friend’s house or at an event venue, you can bring the hand mixer and still do all your food preparation at the place you’re serving it. For example, a shower or birthday party that has a guest list your home simply can’t accommodate, taking a hand mixer to a place that can is a no-brainer for easy event prep.
Important Features to Consider
A hand mixer should do several things well. Here’s what to consider when selecting a hand mixer for your kitchen:
- Speeds. You’ll very likely need variable speeds for even just a singular recipe. You won’t want to start a mixer on a high speed even if you’ll need it for proper mixing. Thicker batters and recipes will require higher speeds, but they may actually appear to rotate more slowly. Sometimes the speed dial is more an indicator of power and not speed; and sometimes the number of speeds does not actually indicate how much power the mixer has. A less powerful motor could still use 250-watts with nine speeds, but mix slower and less consistently than a mixer with fewer speeds and lower wattage. However, those mixers with less power in the initial speeds will do one thing superior: ease into gradually high speeds. Most often, the more speeds there are does not indicate that the top speed is more powerful, but rather that the lower speeds are slower. – And there’s plenty of use for that gradual build in the kitchen.
- Weight. Unlike a stand mixer, the weight of a hand mixer is actually a negative. While the stand mixer’s weight will hold the mixer down while it’s struggling through the heavier combination recipes, a hand mixer will need to be held by you. And if the weight is too much for you to hold for the duration of the recipe, then you won’t be able to use it effectively. A good mixer will weight well under five pounds, and some will weigh as little as two. Keep in mind, bigger motors are required for more robust tasks and that the bigger the motor, the more it will weigh. For your day-to-day use, however, a smaller hand mixer will go a long ways towards making your kitchen a more productive one.
- Turbo. If you’re aiming to get a short burst of speed without maintaining the power for a longer period of time, the Turbo function that a lot of mixers will offer can provide you with a pulsing speed that you can control completely. It will allow you to quickly blend liquid ingredients after initially adding them and then rest back at a more manageable speed for the long haul. This works well for combining eggs with your butter and sugar mixture before you add the flour at a much slower speed. It will also allow you to test a higher speed to see if that’s the kind of setting you should adjust it to before you do so. If you’re mixing in that flour, then you may need to test the higher speed before you gradually work your way up to guarantee you won’t be making a powered mess by going too fast, too soon.
- Attachments. While you may be able to tackle the bulk of your kitchen’s mixing with just a few attachments, some other specialized tasks will require specialized tools. It’s true that most recipes can easily be tackled by a standard set of beaters, but the more creative or ambitious the recipe, the more you’ll require. The most common uses of the hand mixer are for dough, batter, potatoes, and creaming. The three most common attachments (dough hooks, beaters and whisks) will handle these recipes effectively. However, there are rubber beaters and spatulas to make removing the ingredients from the side while you mix even easier. There are also liquid blender attachments that will let you use your mixer for soups and smoothies. You can find a paddle attachment to stir liquid (or thin mixtures) smoothly and gently. There are undeniably more attachments on a stand mixer, but there is no shortage of variety for your hand mixer, either.
- Submersible. For liquids, the splashing is often the biggest pain in the neck. You’ll struggle with using nearly any type of hand mixer on a smoothie or soup, for example. However, if you find a submersible attachment that will allow you to blend from the bottom up, you’ll be able to blend your homemade tomato basil soup while preventing any large chunks of tomato. The submersible is also a great tool for creamy mashed potatoes or gravy, especially in order to prevent splashes when you first pour the milk or meat drippings in to the bowl.
- Storage. The more attachments you have, the more tools you’ll need to store and for several of us, real estate in our kitchen is a very valuable commodity. If you can find a hand mixer that will compactly store the attachments either on board or within an enclosed container that holds the power cord, attachments, and the bottom half of the mixer, that’s a feature you won’t want to ignore. If you use the mixer regularly, even a counter top storage will help minimize your space and it will allow easy access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hand mixer and how does it work?
A hand mixer is a kitchen tool that will allow you to blend or mix the ingredients from a recipe together without requiring the extended use of your own muscles and sweat. The mixer is a gear operated device, most often electric and not battery powered, that will rotated “beaters” in a bowl or pan to combine the ingredients. They will automate your kitchen habits, making your own effort minimal. For several recipes, you’ll find your arms getting tired after the repetitive stirring and sometimes the batter becomes too thick or your arms too sore to ever manage a consistent and well-blended mixture. You can use the mixer for liquids, like eggs and milk, or for solids, like batters or doughs. If you’re planning on creating a specific type of blend, then you may need to use a specific attachment.
Rather than a standing mixer that requires you to place a specifically designed bowl under a stationary mixer, the hand mixer is less heavy and will be connected only via the power cord. You’ll be able to use it in whatever container you choose (as long as it’s durable enough to withstand the mechanical “beaters”) and it will add to the versatility of the mixer.
What is a hand mixer used for?
You’ll use a hand mixer for anything you want to whisk, beat, blend, or mix together. In a broad sense, mixers are used to combine ingredients and if your recipe calls for that, then a mixer will probably be able to help you out. You’ll find them the easiest way to make cake batters and cookies, and if you plan on creaming butter, a hand mixer will prevent your arms from wearing out while you try to do that. After being spoiled by your hand mixer, adding in a few eggs or sugar will seem impossible without it. And if you love a good batch of mashed potatoes, a hand mixer will make sure to distribute the milk, butter, salt, and garlic so that you have the perfect flavor in every single bite.
The only kind of mixing that you may want to be hesitant on using your hand mixer with is the recipes that call for folding. While the hand mixer can give you more control on your mixing, it can only go so far when the point isn’t to actually mix, but rather disperse. For example, you won’t want to use your mixer to combine a sweet bread’s cinnamon swirl.
What is a good wattage for a hand mixer?
As with most mechanical gadgets, its quality is not entirely up to the power used. A gadget like the hand mixer is also largely dependent on the efficiency of the power. To that end, you won’t find a be-all, end-all answer for the best wattage for a hand mixer. We can, however, point out that the bulk of mixers do tend to fall within a pretty narrow range of wattage. They typically fall between 200 and 250 range. Thinner mixtures won’t need more than 200-225w, and even the thicker recipes will only really need about 250w. If you go much higher than that wattage in a hand mixer, it will sometimes become difficult to control or impossible to use effectively; the weight will be too great or the vibration too unpleasant.
The attachments will also play a large part in the wattage requirements. For example, if the attachments that you use with your hand mixer are of a poor quality, a higher powered motor may actually be a big negative. You can bend or break the attachments and if your machine is held back by less than peak quality, it may even burn out the motor.
Can I use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer?
For the most part, you can use a hand mixer for anything for which you’d use a stand mixer. The motor quality may limit your tasks a bit, though. If you have an inexpensive mixer that’s meant for your more basic recipes, you won’t want to use it for a heavy bread dough, for example. The thicker the mixture, the more robust the mixer need be. A stand mixer relies on its own bulk to create space and weight that’s necessary for those heavy recipes. For example, a stand mixer will very frequently top over 500-watts of power and weigh over fifteen pounds. That means you can turn it on (without needing to lift it with your own strength), and let it blend without the bowl toppling over with the force, or without straining to keep the mixer going. Unless you regularly work with these recipes, though, the mixer will remain be your kitchen go-to. Even if you do have the stand mixer, you’ll probably want the hand mixer for the versatility.
In fact, the hand mixer may actually still be a bit easier for the bulk of your every day recipes (of course that’s dependent on for what you use the mixer). You’ll find that just by using your hand to move the beaters, dough hooks, whisk, or other attachments from side to side, you’ll ensure a more consistent mixture that will give you the ability to create a recipe that tastes exactly the same very time you make it.
Other Hand Mixers We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other hand mixers. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best hand mixers list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for your home. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
- Hand Mixers with Less Than 5 Speeds
- Hand Mixers with 5 Speeds
- Hand Mixers with 6 Speeds
- Hand Mixers with More Than 6 Speeds
Hand Mixers with Less Than 5 Speeds
Dash Smart Store Compact Hand Mixer Electric
The included beaters store compactly on the handle and the power cord is wrapped around the mixer for compact storage.
Key Features:
- 3 colors available
- 3-speed motor
- 1-year warranty
Cost: $20
Russell Hobbs Retro Style Hand Mixer
This mixer has a soft touch handle that makes using it comfortable so you can ensure a thorough mixture.
Key Features:
- 2 color options
- 4-speeds + Turbo boost
- 275-Watts
Cost: $60
Vremi 3-Speed Compact Hand Mixer
With a retractable cord and on-board attachment storage, this mixer travels very well.
Key Features:
- 4 color options
- 3-speed
- Stainless steel blades
Cost: $10
This mixer is a submersible one with a focus on whisking and an adjustable head.
Key Features:
- 2-speeds
- Cordless; 60 minute battery life
- 3 attachments
Hand Mixers with 5 Speeds
Cuisinart Power Advantage 5-Speed Hand Mixer
This hand mixer features an easy-eject button and speed control that makes transitioning speeds a cinch.
Key Features:
- 2 color options
- 220-watts
- Recipe book and instruction manual included
Cost: $35
With an acrylic container that will store all the attachments and the power cord neatly, you won’t be stressed on how you’ll be able fit this into your kitchen.
Key Features:
- 2 color options
- 250-watts
- Dough hooks, beaters, and whisk attachments included
Cost: $40
For those of us who use our hand mixer daily (or very frequently at least), this mixer is easily stored on your counter top for constant access.
Key Features:
- 300-watts
- 2-year warranty
- Beaters, whisks, and dough hook attachments included
Cost: $30
KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer
From the name known for its mixer, comes this handheld version of its much sought-after product.
Key Features:
- 16 color options
- Locking cord
- 1-year warranty
Cost: $30
Oster 2500 Inspire 5-Speed Hand Mixer
This lightweight handheld mixer is impressively under two pounds, making it no problems to hold for longer periods.
Key Features:
- 2 color options
- Ergonomic design
- Turbo burst function
Cost: $20
This hand mixer will allow you to comfortably adjust the speed with a slide of your thumb, never require you to stop your mixing, no matter how many adjustments you make.
Key Features:
- 250-watts
- Chrome attachments
- 1-year warranty
Cost: $20
With two standard beaters, two whisks, and two dough hooks, your prep time decreases substantially with this hand mixer.
Key Features:
- Counter top storage
- Stainless steel attachments
- Easy-eject button
Cost: $25
The built-in cooling system for this hand mixer will allow you to mix hot and cold recipes while not over-heating itself.
Key Features:
- Counter top storage
- 2 colors available
- Stainless steel beaters and dough hooks included
Hand Mixers with 6 Speeds
Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer
The pulse function on this hand mixer will operate at the lowest speed to give you maximum control on your gradual build-up.
Key Features:
- 4 color options
- 290-watts
- Includes beaters, whisks, and dough hooks
Cost: $25
Hamilton Beach Classic 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer
The brushed stainless steel attachments that are included with this hand mixer make clean up a breeze!
Key Features:
- 290-watts
- Traditional beaters, whisks, and wire beaters included
- QuickBurst button
Cost: $30
This hand mixer has an ergonomic soft grip handle that will let you use it for as long as it takes to complete your recipe.
Key Features:
- 200-watts
- Heel and bowl rest
- Includes 2 chrome beaters
Cost: $20
Sunbeam Heritage Series Hand Mixer
This hand mixer allows you to use a burst of extra speed with its Power Burst button.
Key Features:
- Counter top storage
- Includes 2 chrome beaters
- 250-watts
Hand Mixers with More Than 6 Speeds
Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer
This smart hand mixer detects the type of attachment you’re using and automatically adjusts the speed to the best range for each attachment.
Key Features:
- 240-watts
- Quiet scraper beaters
- Power boost button
Cost: $105
This mixer has an available extra chopper attachment available in the listing that will allow you to chop and mince with the aide of its nine speeds.
Key Features:
- Includes dough hooks, wire beaters, and storage bag
- Ergonomic grip
- Dishwasher safe attachments
Cost: $60
Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed Handheld Mixer
For the recipes that require a very gradual increase in speeds, this hand mixer includes three low start speeds.
Key Features:
- 9-speeds
- Beaters, whisk, and dough hooks included
- Acrylic storage case
Cost: $65
The included silicon coated beaters will make the operation of this hand mixer amazingly quiet without sacrificing any of its power.
Key Features:
- Includes beaters, dough hooks, and whisk
- Stainless steel accessories
- 10-speeds
Cost: $40
