Sunbeam mixer is cheap, but maybe too cheap

Shoppers trying to score a cheap, reliable mixer this Black Friday may be tempted to head to Target. A recently-leaked circular revealed that the store will be offering the Sunbeam Mixmaster Hand/Stand Mixer for only $25. Normally priced at $50, this seems like a great deal. The hitch? We found iffy reviews.

This Sunbeam mixer is unique in that it's convertible from a stand mixer to a hand mixer. However, this mixer doesn't have many reviews, and frankly, what currently exists makes us a little leery. A few owners posting on Epinions.com complain that their mixer's motor broke down shortly after use. Two owners on Amazon.com initially vouch for the Sunbeam, giving it an average of four stars out of five, but both later admit that the motor broke down after only a year or two of use.

Our advice: If you're looking for a mixer with more staying power, skip the Sunbeam and head to Kohl's this Black Friday instead. It plans to offer three highly-rated KitchenAid stand mixers. Yes, they're several times more expensive than the cheapo Sunbeam target is offering, but each has a very strong track record and abundant, positive reviews. Plus, in addition to giving shoppers a hefty discount on the KitchenAid mixers that day, Kohl's will offer all Black Friday shoppers an extra in-store discount for any purchase, plus an attractive mail-in rebate for KitchenAid mixer purchases. You'll be hard-pressed to find a sweeter deal on a quality mixer.