Do you enjoy baking often? Then you must know how much prep work is needed before the oven is even consulted. There is egg beating, kneading, whisking, and all forms of stirring involved in making homemade delicacies. Appliances, as we know, help to increase the convenience and speed at which we get things done. Mixers are no different; they help you get over the simple repetitive tasks involved in cooking and baking.
Hand mixers are even easier to use. They are kitchen appliances designed to be operated in hand. The typical architecture involves a motor designed to generate rotatory motions at significant speeds, which drives the attached tools, like beaters and whiskers.
The motor is housed within a casing bearing other parts that make the tool function as a whole. In this write-up, we will be looking at our top picks of best hand mixer america’s test kitchen.
See also:
Reviews of the best hand mixer America’s Test Kitchen 2020
Here are top rated hand mixers on the market today
1 – KitchenAid (KHM7210AC) 7 Speed Hand Mixer
This is a piece of art and arguably the most valuable hand mixer in the market. It has a simple and delicate design, optimized for handheld balance. Available in seven ranges of colors, giving you options to choose which best fits your kitchen’s style.
The highly effective motor works incredibly on the dough as well as egg whites. With seven different speed options, it offers precise control of the outcome of your food. Use the first speed to combine ingredients, perfect for stirring chunky soups and meals. The fourth speed is best when you need to mash potatoes, with the fastest speed at seven, optimized for beating eggs. The unique soft start feature cushions the increase of the Mixer’s speed, to help prevent splashing and wastage of ingredients when increasing the speed.
The device has a soft-grip handle that makes it comfortable to hold while working on your ingredients. One thing the users of KitchenAid’s KHM7210AC absolutely love about it is its ultra-lightweight, which makes it easy to maneuver and use for longer periods without much strain on the wrist. For additional convenience, the power cord has a lock on either side of the appliance that holds it in place, giving you room to approach your ingredients from different angles.
Pros:
- – Ultra-lightweight Mixer
- – Easy to maneuver
- – Varying speed settings for precision
- – Ergonomic and easy to grip handle
- – Noiseless operation
Cons:
- – The motor is not very powerful
- – No storage case
2 – Cuisinart HM-90S Power Advantage Handheld Mixer
If you are familiar with the kitchen appliance industry, the name Cuisinart won’t be a strange one to you. They are known for designing, strong, quality appliances at incredibly affordable prices. The HM-90S model is no different. The modern handheld Mixer is available in two color options of white and chrome.
The motor packs a power of 220 watts with an automatic feedback mechanism that modifies the power output based on its performance. The motor enables the appliance to run efficiently in 9 different speed settings.
Each is designed to maximize the results of various mixing processes such as beating eggs, kneading dough, and stirring food. The product materials are just of the same standard. It is made mostly from premium plastics, free of common toxic chemicals like BPA. The HM-90S model is built to North American Electrical Standards.
Operating the device is uncomplicated, with an easy one-touch speed adjustment control as well as simple on/off button. The first three speed settings increase at a deliberately slow pace, so as to prevent splattering of ingredients due to the Mixer’s movements.
A couple of accessories are enclosed in the package, including a chef whisk, a beater, dough hooks, and a spatula. Cuisinart is proactive enough to include clear case storage, which holds the power cord firmly when not in use. The included accessories also get an easy to access storage.
Pros:
- – High-quality materials and build
- – Efficient motor
- – Nine-speed settings
- – Light and easy to handle
- – comes with a storage case
Cons:
- – Makes a bit of noise
3 – KitchenAid KHM512BY 5-speed Hand Mixer
This is a lower-powered hand mixer from KitchenAid that operates on 5-speed settings. The design is more playful with vibrant colors, numbering up to 20. The appliance’s design and the color range make it suitable in a small family kitchen, where it will augment the theme and ambiance of the kitchen.
The early speed settings are slow and provide a steady tool for stirring and mixing ingredients without splattering or spilling them around. The lower power output means that the device won’t be able to handle tougher mixes with larger chunks of ingredients. To mediate this effect, a stainless steel turbo beater II accessory is provided to handle heavier ingredients.
KitchenAid’s ergonomics are on point as usual. With easy to grip handles, that fits comfortably on the hand. When the ergonomics is observed together with its lightness, you can easily understand why the device is so easy to maneuver. The power cable can be fastened to either side of the Mixer to hold it in place. Accessories are easy to fit in and remove thanks to the one-click button that detaches it from the Mixer. The KHM523CB model is easy to clean as it is dishwasher safe.
A one-year hassle-free warranty is provided that covers the replacement of the appliance.
Pros:
- – Steady stirring motions
- – Lightweight and ergonomic handle
- – Incredibly easy to maneuver
- – Easy to clean
Cons:
- – Low power output
4 – BLACK+DECKER MX600B Helix Performance Premium Hand Mixer
From Black+Decker, this ultra-sleek, modern hand mixer with a unique design is both light and balanced to handle. It is a lower-priced hand mixer, which gives an unexpectedly high power output. This model is available in eight beautiful colors, including white and black, depending on your fancy.
The impressive Mixer carries a 250 watts motor, which runs the attachments at five different speed settings. A special turbo boost is included to deal with tougher ingredients that may be difficult for the normal speed to handle. This gives you a compact and powerful machine that makes your cooking or baking preparations a breeze.
The improved beater surface area increases the beater’s contact with the ingredients maximizing beater overlap for faster and more efficient mixing of batters and dough.
For added power, the helix beaters are manufactured from reinforced nylon. This supplies the durability and strength needed by the beaters to process heavy and tough mixes, producing a fast and consistent result.
The accessories included are two helix beaters, two dough hooks, and a wire whisk. All of which can be conveniently stored for easy access within the smart casing that locks into the Mixer itself. The casing is ideal for storing the power cord when not in use.
Pros:
- – Very affordable
- – Impressive power output
- – Safe and sturdy attachments
- – Dishwasher safe and easy to clean
- – Efficient and consistent performance
- – Slow and steady lower speed functions
Cons:
- – Noisy to use
- – Made of plastic arms
- – The dough gets stuck in the beaters easily
5 – Cuisinart HM-70RSLT Power Advantage 7-Speed Hand Mixer
The bright color and elegant design of this 7-speed model from Cuisinart is easily appreciated at sight. Its beaters are purposely made extra-long to give you better access to your cooking bowl. A simple on/off button is located on the thumbs rest by the handle and followed by two other buttons that work to change the speed levels.
The motor has a power output of 220 watts, giving the hand mixer the advantage it needs to handle heavy mixing without burning out. For better control, there are seven-speed settings that offer you a choice depending on the mix you are working on. It has been noted that the lower speed settings are not as slow as many people would prefer.
Otherwise, the speed levels give consistent performance in a different range of usage. The swivel cord offers unprecedented mobility, making it more convenient to operate the Mixer in different positions and angles.
A beater eject lever is responsible for the one-click ejection. Cleaning of the beaters is simple and easy, as it can be safely washed in a dishwasher. A spatula and a chef’s whisk are included in the pack as well as the instruction manual/recipe book.
Pros:
- – Powerful motor
- – Incredible mobility and balance
- – Easy to clean/ dishwasher safe
- – Comfortable to hold
- – Effortless to use
Cons:
- – Can be noisy to use
- – No storage case
- – Not so slow lower speed settings
6 – BLACK+DECKER MX3200B Hand Mixer
Black+Decker here again with a powerhouse at a half the price of other brands. This model has a simplicity to its design with a simple finish on the handle. It is available in a variety of colors. It comes packaged with five attachments and a storage case.
The appliance has a motor with a power output of 250 watts that affords its 6 functional speed levels. There is a sliding switch that lets you adjust the speed levels with your thumb, conveniently placed on the edge of the handle Together with the speed boost, Black+Decker’s hand mixer is guaranteed to handle all types of mixing. The early speed levels have a 20 percent slower start, just to prevent splattering of your ingredients/mixture.
A number of attachments are made available to help you tackle different mixing situations with ease. These include two style wire beaters, one whisk, and two dough hooks. Each can be detached with ease using the easy eject button.
Also, they are to wash with your dishwasher. A large storage case is available. It can fit both the Mixer itself and the attachments, safeguarding integrity, preventing rust or damage, and giving you easy access.
Pros:
- – Very affordable
- – Powerful motor
- – Easy to detach attachments
- – Easy to work with
- – Dishwasher safe
Cons:
- – Noisy to work with
- – Weakly attached beaters
7 – Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer
With Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer, anyone can mix. It comes with a 6-speed option to ensure you can mix any baking recipe. It helps you fold, whisk, and mix.
Also, there’s a built-in bowl rest for setting the mixer down while adding the recipes. The built-in groove prevents dripping over your countertop and goes to where they belong. Its 6-speed options feature a burst function to provide you with extra power at any speed.
Further, it includes a snap-on case to keep the attachments together, which saves you from the hassle of looking for them when needed.
Pros:
- Easy to handle
- Versatile attachment
- Includes a snap-on storage case
- 250 Watts peak power
Cons:
- The motor burns quickly.
8 – Dash Smart Store Compact Hand Mixer Electric for Whipping + Mixing Cookies, Brownies, Cakes, Dough, Batters, Meringues
Next on our list is Dash Smart Store Compact Hand Mixer with 3 speed options: low, medium, or high to let you whip, blend, or mix whip cream, cookie dough, cake batter, egg whites, and more.
It has a beater storage design on the appliance’s side that prevents losing your beater and offers optimum storage. More importantly, this unit is portable and compact to fit your small kitchen, apartment, college dorm life. Also, it features a sleek design that should complement any kitchen decor.
Pros:
- Wide range of color options
- Portable and compact
- Two stainless beater
- 1-year manufacturer warranty
Cons:
- The attachment might be too short
9 – BLACK+DECKER Lightweight Hand Mixer
When it comes to professional-style beaters, the BLACK+DECKER Lightweight Hand Mixer takes the lead. It’s equipped with durable beaters that handle anything from doughs to sauces.
What’s more? The mixer is removable and dishwasher safe for hassle-free cleaning. BLACK+DECKER Lightweight Hand Mixer comes with 5-speed modes, including a power boost to work through all types of recipes. More so, it comes with comfort, ergonomic grip for a seamless operation.
Pros:
- Comfort grip
- Dishwasher-safe parts
- 5-speed options
- Lightweight for easy handling
Cons:
- Beaters might rust
How to Choose the Right Hand Mixer America
You should consider the following factors carefully when purchasing a hand mixer and refer to them as a guide:
Power
Your hand mixer motor is the powerhouse that supplies the machine with the driving force to perform its mixing functions. This force is proportional to the power output afforded by the motor. A lower-powered mixer would be stuck when working on tough, heavy ingredients like a dough.
To use as a baseline, a good hand mixer for home use should have a wattage of at least 200 watts. This gives the appliance the strength to work on heavier ingredients.
Different speed settings are however, available to enable more precision, allowing you to adjust the output based on the amount of driving force your cooking requires. Often, you get at least three-speed settings. This can go up to nine in some models.
Ergonomics and Balance
As a handheld appliance, a hand mixer has to be properly balanced to give you a better grasp of it. This means an appropriate weight that optimizes your hand movements, giving you room to manipulate the device using minimal strength and power—the shape and materials used in the construction of the Mixer matter much as well.
What you want is a handle that is firm to hold, with a non-slip surface. Rubber would be an ideal material. But any material that increases the friction between your clasp and the handle would work well.
Convenience
Other than the increased speed and consistency at which home appliances get things done, the convenience they afford is why we spend our hard-earned money in acquiring them. In the case of a hand mixer, the ease of cleaning is one aspect of such convenience. Some products are not well designed and get food items stuck within the beaters, which makes cleaning more difficult. If you use a dishwasher, you want a hand mixer whose beater detaches easily and is dishwasher safe.
One that is easy to use, without complex buttons or modes makes your time in the kitchen loftier. A few buttons are enough to run a hand mixer effectively. Storage is another factor that you should consider. You want a mixer that is easy to store without taking up much of your kitchen space.
FAQs about hand mixer
1. What is a good wattage for a hand mixer?
For a hand mixer, you should lean toward models with 250 watts of power or more to ensure you can mix thicker recipes like pancake batter with ease.
2. Which company hand blender is best?
While there are tons of brands on the market, it’s important to know a couple of reputable brands: BLACK+DECKER, Hamilton Beach, KitchenAid, Braun, and more.
How to Use a Hand Mixer Effectively video by America’s Test Kitchen
So, what is the best hand mixer?
For the best hand mixer America’s Test kitchen, KitchenAid (KHM7210AC) 7 Speed Hand Mixer comes top of the list. It gives your wrist rest and allows you to bake at a much higher speed with a hand mixer. Let the machine take care of the drone work, while you control its output.