For the second test, we used whisk attachments (when included) to beat egg whites to the stiff peak stage. We considered how long it took each mixer to get them to that consistency.
What to look for in a hand mixer
After testing 11 models, these are the criteria that actually separated the good mixers from the frustrating ones.
When choosing a hand mixer, consider what jobs you plan to use it for and how much power those jobs will require. “It doesn’t take much power to mix whipped cream,” says The Forked Spoon’s Jessica Randhawa, “but a small batch of thicker cookie dough can require a bit more power if you don’t plan on using a stand mixer.” The best hand mixers have between 200 to 250 watts of motor power. Mixers in the lower range are better suited for thin batters and sauces, while those in the higher range can handle denser mixtures. Stick with a stand mixer for kneading bread and pizza dough.
“When I am investing in new kitchen tools, I want them to be fun and easy to use, so there are no hesitations or excuses,” says Randhawa. The best hand mixers should be relatively quiet, stand upright when placed on the counter, have attachments that insert and remove easily, and have adjustable speed controls that are simple to navigate.
Hands, wrists, and arms can become tired and fatigued after spending several minutes mixing, so consider models that are lightweight and feature ergonomically designed handles for a comfortable grip. Steer clear of bulky hand mixers that can become cumbersome at high speeds.
Mixers can get messy, since stiff doughs and batters often stick to the beaters and the appliance itself. Choose one that is easy to wipe down and has attachments that can be hand washed, or better yet, cleaned in the dishwasher. Otherwise, Randhawa says, “You may end up avoiding [certain] hand mixer recipes because you do not want to pull out the bad hand mixer you regret purchasing.”
Other hand mixers we liked
Breville and Beautiful may have been chosen as our favorites, but that doesn’t mean the other hand mixers we tested were duds. In fact, a number of models were serious contenders for the top spots. Take a look at some of the stellar hand mixers that created a stir.
Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed Hand Mixer
We liked Cuisinart’s Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed Hand Mixer almost as much as our top pick from Breville, except for the fact that dough stuck in its beaters. Other than that, it’s a fantastic mixer: lightweight, comfortable to work with, and easy to operate. Just press the on/off button at the front of the handle and the extra-long beaters start moving slowly to prevent splattering. Then click the + and – keys to increase or decrease the speed gradually. The Cuisinart hand mixer’s 220-watt motor had no problem powering the beaters through our cookie dough and helping the whisk to create meringue-worthy stiff peaks in our egg whites. Both attachments were easy to hand wash when we were done. The Power Advantage Plus also comes with two dough hooks, a spatula, and a plastic case that snaps onto the mixer’s base for convenient storage.
KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer
KitchenAid
5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer
KitchenAid makes some of the best stand mixers on the market, so it’s no surprise that this 5-speed hand mixer is a standout as well. It delivered a superior performance in each test, rapidly combining the ingredients of our dense cookie dough and quickly whipping egg whites until they formed stiff peaks. Very little dough stuck to the beaters, and it was easy to remove before handwashing. The 60-watt Ultra Power Hand Mixer doesn’t have any bells and whistles — just two beaters, a sliding speed adjuster at the top of the handle, and no storage case — but it doesn’t need them. It’s a mini powerhouse. The mixer is available in 10 colors — if only it came with more attachments and a storage case.
Hand mixers we don’t recommend
Mixers that were hard to switch speeds, couldn’t power through batter, or felt bulky to use didn’t make the cut.
