The Best Hand Mixers: A Buyer’s Guide

Speeds: 6-Speed

This 6-speed hand mixer from Hamilton Beach is a cost-effective option that still delivers tons of versatility. It can handle both dry and wet ingredients, from flour and butter, with 6 different speed settings, including a burst button for extra power. It comes with 2 dishwasher-safe beaters and a whisk attachment. The small size is not necessarily a bad thing, as it’s easy to maneuver around mixing bowls of different sizes. It even has a handy bowl rest feature, so when you’re not using the mixer, you can stabilize it on the side of the bowl so it doesn’t make a mess all over the countertop. As the motor is low wattage this hand mixer is best suited for lighter tasks like mixing batters, whipping cream, and combining ingredients. 

Features:

• Quick burst button
• Snap-on storage case
• Bowl rest feature 

Pros:

• Great price point
• Easy to clean and store
• Lightweight

Cons:

• Low power motor means it may struggle with denser dough
• It can take longer to achieve the desired consistency 

Speeds: 9-Speed

For a kitchen gadget that does it all, the KitchenAid digital hand mixer is one of the best you can get. While there’s nothing wrong with a traditional mixer, the digital features of this mixer give you an extra layer of control and precision, with 9 different speed settings. You can mix tough bread dough one minute and then whip meringue the next. The soft start feature means you won’t have to worry about ingredients splattering as the mixer slowly comes up to speed. It comes with multiple accessories, including 2 stainless steel turbo beaters, 2 dough hooks, a whisk, and a blending rod. There’s also a lockable swivel cord, so you can lock your cord to either the right or left of the mixer and approach ingredients from any angle. Essentially, this hand mixer is loaded with features! 

Features:

• Six attachments 
• Soft grip handle
• Beater eject button

Pros:

• Less mess thanks to the soft start setting
• Nine speeds for precision control 
• Powerful yet quiet motor

Cons:

• The on/off switch is a slide button, which can be challenging with slippery hands
• Higher price point

Speeds: 9-Speed

The Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus hand mixer has a sleek design, with 9 speeds and a 220-watt motor it's up to just about any job you can throw at it. Attachments include beaters, a chef’s whisk, dough hooks, and a spatula, along with a recipe book and snap-on case for storage. The on/off button is simple, and it has a SmoothStart feature, similar to our premium option, which prevents splattering when you begin mixing. The composition is BPA-free, so you know it’s entirely food-safe, plus it comes with a 3-year warranty, so you can rest assured you’ll be able to use this mixer for years to come. 

Features:

• SmoothStart feature
• Automatic feedback to maintain consistent speed
• Tons of accessories and attachments 

Pros:

• BPA-Free
• Extended warranty 
• Versatile and can be used for a range of recipes

Cons:

• So powerful that even the low speed can be strong