Some stick blenders have whisk and food processor attachments to get more bang for the buck.
Corded blenders can be awkward, but you won't have to remember to charge between uses.
How cheap is too cheap when it comes to stick blenders?
Models range from 2 pounds to over 5. How much can your arm handle?
Some stick blenders have whisk and food processor attachments to get more bang for the buck.
Corded blenders can be awkward, but you won't have to remember to charge between uses.
How cheap is too cheap when it comes to stick blenders?
Models range from 2 pounds to over 5. How much can your arm handle?
If you've been looking for ways to save on counter space, buying an immersion blender might just be a smart choice. These handy gadgets are perfect for pureeing, whipping and mixing nearly any food you can think of. Even better, they can double as food processors. For serious soup makers, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more useful kitchen tool than the immersion blender (though the Dutch oven makes a solid case).
However, there are dozens of options to choose from, and finding the right one can be tricky, but that's where I come in because to find the best I hauled in nine models from popular brands such as Vitamix, Braun and Breville. And after hours of blending, whipping and chopping and a gallon or two of leftover soup, I've decided on these three models as the best immersion blenders to buy in 2024.
What is the best immersion blender overall?
If you're after a great immersion blender on a budget, the $50 Cuisinart Smart Stick gives you plenty of power at a nice price. If you don't mind spending a bit more, spring for the ferocious Breville Control Grip immersion blender. I've been using immersion blenders for decades: In daily use and controlled tests, Breville's stick blender is the best hand blender I've locked my grip around, and it's well worth the $130 price tag to whip up soup, sauce or salad dressing in a flash.
Best immersion blenders for 2024
$130 at Williams-sonoma $130 at Amazon $130 at CrateandBarrel
This was one of the pricier immersion blenders I tested but it gives a whole lot of bang for the buck. The Breville Control Grip is incredibly easy and intuitive to use and packs plenty of power, despite lower total wattage than some others on the list. It also has one of my favorite handles, which is both sturdy and comfortable. This hand blender weighs a manageable 3.8 pounds and has good balance. I also like the rubber protectors on the bottom of the blade guard, which prevent it from scratching a pot or Dutch oven.
For $130, you'll get the mighty Breville stick blender and four handy accessories: a wire whisk, food chopper bowl, large jug for mixing and an ice crusher attachment you can screw into the jug for making mixed drinks and smoothies. All of the attachments are made from extremely high-grade plastic and feel particularly durable. If you're looking for an immersion blender that can do far more than puree soups and sauces, this is the one to buy.
$100 at Best Buy $130 at Amazon
If a corded immersion blender feels restrictive, KitchenAid's cordless hand blender is another excellent option. It has adjustable variable speeds and plenty of power to whip potatoes, blend veggies and emulsify pesto and salad dressings with ease.
The KitchenAid was one of the easiest to attach and operate with a comfortably placed safety switch on the backside of the handle. I also love the look and feel of this stick blender with its durable matte plastic build. It has great weight distribution and is a true pleasure to use. This basic cordless immersion blender with mixing cup can be had for $100. It will run you closer to $160 if you choose the bundle with a whisk, food chopper attachment and blending cup.
Worth noting that you can't use this model if it's uncharged, since it can only be plugged in while the blade is detached. It takes 20 minutes or so to achieve a full charge, which gives you two hours of use. In a pinch, you can certainly charge it for five or 10 minutes and still get enough battery life for most hand blender tasks.
$70 at Amazon $70 at CrateandBarrel $70 at Best Buy
You can purchase this formidable hand blender along with a whisk, chopper and mixing cup in two different colors on a budget. Considering its excellent performance in the tests I ran, that makes it an easy pick for the best value immersion blender of the bunch. The Cuisinart sports 300 watts of power (even more than our top pick) and an easy speed control dial on top of the handle for precision blending and whipping.
If I had one complaint about this budget-friendly model, it's the placement of the safety button. It's located directly above the power button and it can be a bit awkward to hold both down at once. Compare that to the KitchenAid, which has its safety button on the back so you can use your natural grip to hold it down. For what it's worth, the Cuisinart's safety button is probably safer, since it's almost impossible to press by accident.