EmailBest Reviewed
Hand Blenders
- Best basic hand blender Cuisinart SmartStick CSB-76 *Est. $30
- Best hand blender with attachments KitchenAid KHB300 *Est. $80
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Best basic hand blender
- Inexpensive
- Lightweight
- Three-year warranty
- Not good for chopping nuts or hard foods
- Only one speed
Owners and experts agree that the Cuisinart SmartStick CSB-76 hand blender is the best choice for making sauces, smoothies and soups. Reviews found it was lighter weight and easier to use than similar models by other manufacturers. The SmartStick is a basic immersion blender, with a single speed. Some more expensive models, including the KitchenAid KHB300 (*Est. $80), can extend their functionality by including various attachments (a chopper, a whisk), but if you don't think you'll use those attachments, the Cuisinart stick blender is a better bet. Since it has just a single speed, it's not the best choice for tasks where you want to vary the speed, and reviewers say it doesn't chop nuts very well. One plus is Cuisinart's limited three-year warranty that surpasses the warranty on KitchenAid hand blenders.
We found the best professional review of the Cuisinart SmartStick CSB-76 at Food & Wine, where it places second. KitchenGadgetGals.com prefers the Cuisinart SmartStick CSB-76, along with four other hand blenders they tested. Australia's Choice magazine tests an impressive 17 models in separate hard and soft food categories, and editors like the Cuisinart SmartStick CSB-76 for its ability to blend soft foods. We also found hundreds of positive owner reviews of the Cuisinart Smart Stick CSB-76 at Amazon.com. The majority of owners who post reviews at Cooking.com are happy with it.
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Our Sources
1. Food & Wine MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Food & Wine says that it tested 76 small appliances for its nine-category roundup, but we aren't sure how many immersion blenders were included. The Cuisinart Smart Stick places second among stick blenders, winning plaudits for its simple operation and "noticeably sharp" blade. The deep hood around the blade helps funnel food to the blades.
Review: The Best Immersion Blenders, Kristin Donnelly, 2008
2. Wowzio.com
Using owner reviews from Amazon.com, this new site provides separate rankings in 10 different categories, such as durability, blending, mixing and grinding. The Cuisinart SmartStick CSB-76 receives the top ranking for its ability to blend soups, smoothies and cocktails as well as its durability and mixing capability. The competing KitchenAid KHB300 and KHB100 both receive a lower ranking in all areas.
Review: Best Blenders, Editors of Wowzio.com
KitchenGadgetGals.com chooses the Cuisinart SmartStick CSB-76, along with four other hand blenders that perform well at a variety of blending tasks. The number of models tested and details about the review process are not given, however.
Review: GadgetGals Gift Pick, Nancy Byal and Jan Turner Hazard
4. Choice magazineDetails/Subscribe
Australia's Choice magazine tests 17 stick blenders ranging in price from $10 to $200, but most of the blenders are not available in the United States. Among stick blenders meant for mixing soft foods, the Cuisinart SmartStick CSB-76A is one of the three top picks.
Review: Handheld Blenders: Review & Compare, Editors of Choice magazine, Jan.2009
5. Amazon.com
The Smart Stick CSB-76 earns an average rating of 4.5 stars out of five in over 300 reviews posted to Amazon.com. Most owners are happy with this basic stick blender. Although a few aren't pleased to find the brushed chrome finish is just paint on a plastic handle.
Review: Cuisinart Smart Stick CSB-76 Hand Blender, Contributors to Amazon.com
6. Cooking.com
This cookware retailer allows owners to post brief reviews of their hand blenders. The Smart Stick CSB-76 earns an average rating of 4.5 stars out of five in more than 40 short reviews.
Review: Cuisinart SmartStick, Contributors to Cooking.com
Hand Blenders Runners Up:
3 picks including: Amazon.com…
3 picks by top review sites.
1 pick by top review sites.
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