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Are you ready to bake up tasty treats with ease? Our team of culinary experts researched dozens of options and picked the 10 best hand mixers for side-by-side testing. We made hundreds of cookies in doing so, noting how well each performed with beating, mixing, and whipping. We tested how they tackle tough dough and how easily they create stiff meringue peaks. We evaluated their ease of use, comfort in hand, and included attachments. Whether you're just jumping into the baking scene or you're a seasoned expert, our comprehensive review will help you find the perfect hand mixer for all your cooking projects.
Need something a little beefier for your epic culinary undertakings? Our comprehensive best mixer review includes hand mixers and the best stand mixers to help you find one up to the task. We've also rounded up the top-rated blenders for your mixing needs. And that's not all — check out the hundreds of top-notch kitchen appliances we've put to the test to help you make recipes with ease.
Editor's Note: We updated our mixer review on August 2, 2024, to include more information on how we test these products.
Excellent performance, scraper beaters, great interface
Lots of attachments, great performance, large selection of colors to choose from
Storage case, assortment of attachments, great power
Inexpensive, included storage case, quick
Easy to use, sleek design, performed well overall
Simple interface, easy to clean, starts slow
Simple interface, easy to use, quiet
Unique design, easy to clean
Easy to use, lightweight, inexpensive
Lightweight, simple interface
Cons
Heavy, pricey
Loud, strains with thick doughs
Falls over, chrome picks up fingerprints
Loud, hard to clean, no slow start
Loud, picks up fingerprints
Must be charged every time, turns off when strained
Turns off when strained
Buttons aren't responsive, shuts off when strained, poor performance
Subpar performance, loud, difficult to clean
Loud, didn't make stiff peaks, strains frequently
Bottom Line
With its excellent features and top-notch performance, serious chefs and bakers are sure to love this seriously impressive, if expensive, model
With a ton of attachments, this versatile model can handle whatever mixing project is up next
This powerful mixer easily tackles any baking or cooking project on your horizon and has all the right features, is easy to use, and is reasonably affordable
With a great low price and a decent performance, this high-value unit can quickly whip up most recipes
Easy to use, this mixer tackles tough doughs and whips up stiff peaks all while looking sleek and trendy
Our favorite cordless hand mixer thanks to its impressive performance across recipes, ease of use, and sleek design
Enticingly cordless, this average-performing mixer gets the job done but features no bells or whistles
This cordless option doesn't have the most impressive performance, though its simple interface is easy to use
Budget-friendly and lightweight, it's simple to use but also subpar in its whipping and beating capabilities
A lightweight option that's simple but lacks the ability to create loft or handle tough doughs
The Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9 Speed is an impressive hand mixer that tackles any baking project. While making meringue, it whipped up impressive stiff peaks that held up through extensive baking. Likewise, the Power Advantage had no trouble beating tough ingredients into the chocolate chip oatmeal cookie dough. The mixer never once strained and incorporated ingredients quicker than most others in our lineup. Thanks to its slow start settings, throwing flour and other ingredients out of the bowl never once happened. The machine is straightforward to use, with a simple interface, an easy-to-hold grip, and a lever to release attachments. This Cuisinart model includes a plastic snap-on storage case that effortlessly contains its cold and all its attachments (which include whisks, beaters, dough hooks, and a scraper spatula). It's available at a mid-range cost and comes in five colors. “You really can't go wrong with this mixer”, our tester says.
The Power Advantage Plus 9 Speed beats, mixes, and whips without trouble. However, a minor annoyance is that when the beater attachments are clicked in, it won't stand up independently. When set down to rest, it tips over onto its side. It's also one of the loudest mixers we tested, even on slower settings. Its chrome finish tends to hold fingerprints, and it's not the easiest option to clean, with its many ridges. Drawbacks aside, the Power Advantage Plus is a terrific hand mixer that's easy to use and will tackle anything you put in front of it. Another highly versatile nine-speed model that comes with even more attachment options is the KitchenAid 9 Speed KHM926ER. Though it costs a little more out-of-pocket, its included immersion blender rod is a nifty tool to have in your cooking arsenal for whipping up soups, smoothies, and scrumptious sauces.
The Cuisinart Power Advantage effortlessly glides through ingredients and avoiding throwing them.
The Breville Handy Mix Scraper boasts nine powerful speeds and unique silicone-lined beaters. Its interface is simple yet effective, with easy-to-use buttons and a dial to control the speed. We liked the roller dial that adjusts the speed by rotating it with your thumb, as it gives the operation a traditional feel that's easy to adjust. A pause button keeps the mixer at your chosen speed for when you're ready to continue mixing without forcing you to start over from speed one. Additionally, the interface has a built-in timer, preventing the need to reach for your phone to keep track of how long you've been mixing. The Breville had no trouble mixing chocolate chips and oats into thick cookie dough, never once straining. While making meringue cookies, I had no trouble whipping the batter into perfect stiff peaks. It has great features, including a light that shines into the bowl and a clip-on storage container for the attachments, which include dough hooks, whisks, and scraper beaters. The scraper attachments have a silicone coating that actively scrapes the bottom of the bowl, leaving nothing behind. These also give it a softer feel when scraping against the edge of the mixing bowl and prevent awkward clunking around.
At 2.5 pounds, it feels heavy in hand, and prolonged use of this mixer could get tiring. Considering its high price, this mixer might be overkill for the recreational baker. It's also easy to accidentally bump to the “on” position as the dial sticks out and can be hit when adding ingredients or grabbing the mixer. All in all, this is one of the most impressive mixers in our lineup. With its excellent performance, silicone beaters, and storage container, the Breville is worth the investment for the serious chef. In comparison, average everyday cooks who want a high-performing, flexible tool without the heavyweight body and cost will love the 9-speed Power Advantage Plus by Cuisinart.
The Breville Handy Mix Scraper whips up stiff peaks like a pro, and thanks to its bowl light, you can clearly see what's going on.
With a budget-friendly price, the Hamilton Beach 6-Speed performs admirably among stiff competition while costing a fraction of what many others are sold for. Able to whip, beat, and mix in a fraction of the time, this powerful mixer is sure to save some time in the kitchen. We were particularly impressed with its performance in creating meringue cookies. It whipped the mixture into perfect stiff peaks faster than all the others in our lineup. Additionally, it did so while maintaining the non-gritty texture needed for proper meringues. The Hamilton Beach is among the simplest to use, with a straightforward dial that turns on the machine and adjusts the speed. The attachments are released by pushing down the dial, which can only be done when the machine is off, so you can't accidentally do this mid-mix. The machine includes six powerful speeds that are all notably different from one another. One of the most impressive features included is its bowl rest. It has small groves toward the back end of the machine that helpfully rest the mixer on the edge of the bowl. Thanks to this, there's no need to dirty the counter between adding ingredients.
Though we appreciate the included plastic snap-on storage case, the case isn't easy to use. The cord and attachments barely fit, and once shoved on, the case is hard to remove again. The Hamilton Beach 6-Speed has a lot of power but lacks a slow start option. When it comes to powdery recipes, you can expect a flour cloud upon starting the device. For this reason, clean-up is more involved. With a crevasse that runs along the perimeter of the machine, it required a bit more scrubbing to get it clean. Still, we found this mixer impressive, especially given its wallet-friendly value. While no other inexpensive mixers performed as admirably as the Hamilton Beach, we have seen some fantastic sale prices pop up on our favorite everyday mixer, the Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9 Speed HM-90BCS, and we are confident any extra expense is well worth the upgraded performance.
From milkshakes to fluffy bread, the KitchenAid 9 Speed KHM926ER comes with an attachment for whatever the recipe calls for. With standard attachments, like a whisk and beaters, this machine effortlessly creates meringues and cookies. The included hooks excel at mixing thick bread dough. The KitchenAid 9 Speed also comes with an immersion blender rod, allowing you to broaden your scope and make anything from soups to smoothies. The mixer is easy to use, with large up/down buttons that change the speed and a lightbar to indicate the setting. The handle is easy to grasp thanks to its rubberized underbody and ergonomic indents. The nine speeds start slowly, preventing ingredients from being thrown around. Its smooth surface is simple to clean, and it didn't make much of a mess during testing. Available in five classic KitchenAid colors, you can find the perfect option to match your style.
Overall, the KitchenAid 9 Speed performed well. However, it was loud, especially when using higher settings. During our cookie dough trials, we also noticed it strained slightly. It did well creating the dough and evenly incorporating oats but struggled when we added chocolate chips, slowing down and visibly straining. And yet, it still managed to mix the ingredients in evenly. Given its unique set of attachments, this hand mixer is a great option for those who cook a wide selection of recipes. Another option with a similar set of attachments - excluding an immersion blender - is the Cuisinart 9-speed. Or, if you just want the simplicity of a handheld mixer and don't need a host of attachments other than beaters, consider the 7-speed KitchenAid cordless. It comes in a similarly fun selection of color options and won't keep you tethered to an outlet for use.
No need for an additional blender when you can whip up smoothies with the KitchenAid 9 Speed immersion blender attachment.
More companies are beginning to offer cordless hand mixer options, and we didn't forget these during our tests. The KitchenAid Cordless 7 Speed KHMB732 held its own among some seriously impressive corded mixers. Its 12-volt battery sustained high enough power to whip up stiff peaks for meringue cookies. The Cordless 7 Speed starts slowly, so you won't get engulfed in a cloud of flour upon starting the mixer. It has a minimalistic interface, with a simple slider dial that adjusts the settings. Though it didn't make much of a mess, its smooth surface is easy to wipe down, and the lack of seams prevents buildup. It feels great in hand, with an indent for your index finger, and not too heavy. Available in seven classic colors, you can match this mixer to your style.
During our testing, the battery level waivered and required frequent charging. The KitchenAid Cordless lasted for the entirety of all the recipes we made, though it will likely need to be recharged in between projects. Fortunately, charging only takes about 10 minutes. We ran into trouble when oats and chocolate chips were added to our cookie dough. As it strained, it tended to shut itself off. However, this wasn't unique to the KitchenAid Cordless, as all the cordless models we tested did the same. Notably, this one shut off less often than the others. Utilizing a cordless hand mixer means you won't be limited to just one area of the kitchen with outlets. You can mix up your recipe anywhere you want — even outside. If that interests you, we recommend the KitchenAid Cordless 7 Speed. For those whose mixing needs are restricted to the kitchen or other outlet-friendly locations anyway, the nine-speed corded options from either Cuisinart or KitchenAid are sure to impress.
The KitchenAid Cordless 7 Speed flips on with a simple slider dial. It's LED light indicates the battery level.
Credit: Alex Glades
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Putting every mixer through a multitude of tests to learn which are best for what types of tasks.
Credit: Alex Glades
How We Test Hand Mixers
Over the past few years, our culinary experts have been searching for the best kitchen tools and appliances. To help you mix up all your favorite delicious delectables, we've dedicated ourselves to finding the best hand mixers out there. After extensively combing through dozens of options, we purchased the most promising products for back-to-back testing. Our team whipped, beat, and mixed hundreds of meringues and chocolate chip oatmeal cookies to see which mixers could handle the task. With months of sugar-sweet days, we evaluated and measured every aspect of them, including mixing performance, speed settings, sound, weight, and attachment options. We paid particular attention to how well they beat and whipped, assessed how easy they were to use, and evaluated all the offered features.
We divided our tests into 4 mutually exclusive testing metrics:
Beating (35% of overall score weighting)
Whipping (35% weighting)
Ease of Use (20% weighting)
Features (10% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
Leading our hand mixer tests is Alex Glades. In his day job, Alex is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, where he uses his extensive attention to detail and scientific reasoning to help others improve and heal from various conditions. When he isn't in the clinic, he spends his free time cooking up delicious delights for his family, whether that be traditional Swedish meatballs or a flourless chocolate torte. Combining his culinary expertise with his analytical nature allows him to lead these tests with precision. Always tinkering with his recipes and methods, Alex has put in the work to find the top-hand mixers, so you don't have to.
The delicious cowboy cookies made throughout our hand mixer testing.
Weighing the lightweight Black+Decker hand mixer.
Stiff peaks should stay tall, even when turned upside down.
We put these mixers through their paces, making all kinds of interesting and delicious recipes that challenged their abilities.
Analysis and Test Results
To objectively compare these hand mixers, we created a set of test metrics representing their overall performance. Each rating metric is weighted based on its importance for a solid machine. Below are our results, with the particularly notable products highlighted.
What's the Best Value?
You might be wondering, “Are more expensive options worth it?” The answer is “not necessarily.” The Breville Handy Mix Scraper is a top-performing option that is also the most expensive in this lineup. However, some other models performed nearly as well as the Breville — including the Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9 Speed and the KitchenAid 9 Speed — at roughly half the price of the Breville. However, you miss out on some unique features the Breville has that serious bakers and chefs may want. The Hamilton Beach 6-Speed is an interesting case. Though it's one of the least expensive models in the lineup, it did fairly well in our tests. With great features and decent performance, it does the job without breaking the bank. If you aren't planning on mixing up recipes often, you can get away with a less expensive model like the Hamilton Beach.
The Hamilton Beach 6-Speed has just the right level of usability and functionality, and is available for a great price that makes this a solid option for cooks who need a decent mixer, infrequently.
Credit: Alex Glades
Beating
To begin our beating tests, we created delicious chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, sometimes called “cowboy cookies.” These delectable treats put hand mixers to the test, as the dough becomes stiff after adding the oats and chocolate chips. We timed every machine, noting if it slowed down during beating, and inspected its ability to incorporate ingredients evenly.
Leading the pack is the Cuisinart Power Advantage 9 Speed. It is slow to start when turning it on, so the light ingredients stay in the bowl rather than fly out wildly. It never once strained, even when the dough got tough. Additionally, it beats up all the ingredients evenly, making the perfect cookie dough. Impressively, it did all this in just four and a half minutes. Following closely behind is the Breville Handy Mix Scraper. With its silicone-lined beaters, the Breville is able to scrape the sides of the bowl, picking up any left-behind ingredients. This mixer also had no trouble incorporating all the bulky ingredients without leaving the dough stuck to the bowl.
The Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus has a clean look with a chrome finish.
Credit: Alex Glades
The Braun Multimix 5 impressed us with its speedy beating performance. Boasting the quickest time in our lineup, it completed the well-incorporated cookie dough in just under three and a half minutes of active mixing. The KitchenAid 9 Speed and KitchenAid Cordless also have notable performances. Both models evenly incorporated ingredients without flinging flour or dough out of the bowl.
The Braun's attachments are slightly bent, resembling a whisk-beater hybrid.
Credit: Alex Glades
Another cordless option that baked up nice cookies was the Chefman Cordless 7 Speed. This model gave us cookie dough with evenly placed oats and chocolate chips. Though it strained slightly when the dough thickened, it finished the job on average time.
It's easy to see what you're doing thanks to the Chefman's LED light that shines right into the bowl.
Credit: Alex Glades
Whipping
Meringue cookies must have a stiff, fluffy body with a non-gritty texture to hold their swirl shape. Without this, the cookies will fall flat and resemble a French macaroon. This process is tricky, but mixers should be able to handle it, which is why we created batch after batch of meringue cookies to test them out. We noted how long it took to reach stiff peaks (if they formed) and checked if the texture of the resulting batter was gritty. Like our cowboy cookies, we also paid close attention to the mess they created during testing. Achieving stiff peaks can take a lot of patience, but it shouldn't take more than 20 minutes — and we timed each hand mixer.
Tied in first place are the Breville and KitchenAid 9 Speed. Both had sub-nine-minute performances, which might seem long if you're used to a stand mixer. If whipping up meringues is high on your list of priorities, it's worth noting that none of our hand mixers made stiff peaks in under eight minutes. However, both of these models evenly incorporated the ingredients and eliminated all grittiness. Perfect stiff peaks formed, leading to superb meringue cookies.
The Breville whipped up stiff meringue peaks, with no residual grittiness, in a great time.
Credit: Alex Glades
The Cuisinart Power Advantage also did very well here, leaving only a little of the base ingredients on the bowl's side. The Hamilton Beach 6-Speed quickly whipped up this airy batter in about eight and a half minutes, making it the quickest in our lineup. Thanks to its handy bowl rest, the Hamilton Beach was one of the best models at cleanly whipping ingredients. Meringue cookies are made from a sticky mixture of sugar and egg whites. The bowl rest feature of the Hamilton Beach allows you to add ingredients without resting the mixer on the table, and this prevents a sticky mess.
Thanks to the Hamilton Beach's bowl rest, there's no need to dirty up the counter in between ingredients.
Credit: Alex Glades
The Braun MultiMix also did well here, evenly incorporating all ingredients. The Braun allows you to adjust the speed while the power is still off. This handy feature acts as a pause button, allowing you to stop and add more ingredients without having to click through every setting again when you turn it back on. This feature was particularly helpful when creating meringue batter, as you need occasional breaks to grab more sugar. Of the cordless models, the Chefman 7 Speed and the KitchenAid 7 Speed performed decently when making meringue batter. Both made stiff peaks in under 10 minutes, with no grittiness left over.
The KitchenAid Cordless is simple yet effective, whipping up recipes in no time.
Credit: Alex Glades
Only two mixers failed to create stiff peaks within 20 minutes. These were the KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra and the Black+Decker Lightweight 5 Speed. While these mixers stood out in other ways, whipping up stiff peaks isn't their strong suit.
The Black+Decker Lightweight has five speeds and a turbo button. The interface is quick and easy to use, even if its whipping ability is subpar.
Credit: Alex Glades
Ease of Use
To assess how easy these machines were to use, we clicked in/out attachments, played with their interfaces, and noted how they felt in hand. Many are comfortable and even have indents for your index finger. In contrast, others feel like they are trying to run away when powered on.
The Breville Handy Mix and Braun MultiMix were the quietest we tested, barely making much noise even on full power. Both models take a unique take on setting adjustment. The Breville has a spinning dial with its settings indicated on the screen. In comparison, the Braun has an adjustable dial that resembles a speedometer. As you turn the dial to the right, the speed becomes faster, eventually hitting the turbo setting.
The spinning dial of the Braun. A tiny green line indicates which speed you're on. The large button in the middle releases the attachments.
Credit: Alex Glades
With rubberized grips, the KitchenAid 9 Speed and the Chefman Cordless offer excellent in-hand comfort. Both have a divot for your index finger for extra control. This KitchenAid model, along with the Cuisinart Power Advantage, the Breville Handy Mix Scraper, and the Braun MultiMix 5, also boasts nine settings. The Breville and Braun also include an extra turbo power setting, though the high speeds tend to be enough. The Chefman is pleasantly quiet. You can easily converse or watch your favorite cooking show while using this model.
Even when things get choppy, the KitchenAid 9 Speed is easy to grasp onto thanks to its rubberized underbody handle.
Credit: Alex Glades
The Cuisinart EvolutionX Cordless has one of the cleanest interfaces, with only two buttons controlling the mixer. One button powers it, while the other flips through the speeds.
The Cuisinart EvolutionX interface is simple, with a power button and a button to control the speed.
Credit: Alex Glades
Simple models, like the Black+Decker Lightweight, Hamilton Beach, and KitchenAid 5 Speed, are decently easy to use, if a bit rudimentary and loud. These all have similar interfaces, with an adjustable spinning dial. This is what powers the machine and changes the speed settings — though all of these models have fewer speed settings than we would have liked. Whether it be a button or just pulling them out, the attachments were always easy to change. Additionally, the KitchenAid 5 Speed and Black+Decker are the lightest models in the lineup, weighing 1 pound 12 ounces and 1 pound 9 ounces, respectively.
The KitchenAid 5 Speed has a convenient angled power cord that can be locked toward either side.
Credit: Alex Glades
Features
Worth just a small portion of each product's overall score is its features. We inspected the attachments, storage, ease of cleaning, modes, and color options. We also evaluated any other notable features here.
The Breville stole the show in this category. For starters, it comes with three pairs of attachments: whisks, scraper beaters, and dough hooks. The scraper beaters help take this mixer to the next level. The silicone-lined beaters mix up everything from the bottom of the bowl, and its soft material helps dampen any clunking around. Everything, including the cord, fits comfortably into its plastic snap-on storage case. This model particularly impressed us with its light that turns on when you start mixing. It shines right into the bowl, so you can clearly see what you're doing. Additionally, this model has one of the most feature-filled interfaces. The screen that indicates the setting also has a timer. No need to reach for your phone when the recipe says “mix for 60 seconds”, as this built-in tool has you covered.
The magic of the Breville is in these silicone-tipped beaters. They scrape up all ingredients and dampen any clunks.
Credit: Alex Glades
The Cuisinart Power Advantage is another one of our favorites. It includes a handy snap-on case with enough room to hold all its attachments and cord. Its selection of attachments is dishwasher safe, and the machine's body is easy to wipe down. It doesn't have a separate “slow” setting, but its first speed is slow enough to avoid throwing ingredients.
Everything, including the cord and attachments, pack up nicely in the Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus snap on storage case.
Credit: Alex Glades
The KitchenAid 9 Speed has the most impressive selection of attachments to choose from. It comes with a large whisk, beaters, dough hooks, and even an immersion blender rod. Though it takes a while, this is a handy tool for those who don't have a traditional blender, and we handily mixed up some smoothies using this attachment. This unit has no storage features for the main body, but it includes a cloth bag for the accessories. It's also available in seven colors.
The KitchenAid 9 Speed comes jam packed, with beaters, dough hooks, a blender rod, and a whisk.
Credit: Alex Glades
The KitchenAid Cordless 7 Speed, Cuisinart EvolutionX Cordless, and Chefman Cordless 7 Speed all ditch the pesky power cord. With these, there's no need to search for a power outlet. While all have enough juice to mix up most culinary projects, they must be charged between uses.
The three cordless models in our lineup, the Chefman, KitchenAid, and Cuisinart.
Credit: Alex Glades
Conclusion
A hand mixer can go a long way when creating recipes, especially if you're used to stirring by hand. Related to their stand mixer cousins, these options are far more portable and stowable. With so many options on the market, it's understandable how intimidating it can be to choose one. We hope this review has helped you find the right model for your style of cooking and baking — and your wallet.
