Page: 6 of 6
Hand Blenders: Ratings of Sources
Total of 8 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. Cook's Illustrated
Mar. 2006
Do You Really Need a Hand Blender?
by Editors of Cook’s Illustrated
Our Assessment Cook's Illustrated tests nine stick blenders ranging in price from $13 to $90, pureeing pasta sauce, broccoli soup and pesto. Although this review is older, it is still the most detailed comparison test we found for hand blenders.
2. ConsumerReports.org
July 2005
Blenders
by Editors of Consumer Reports
Our Assessment

Consumer Reports includes a short section on immersion blenders in its article on jug blenders. Unlike their counterparts at Cook's Illustrated and Which.com, editors say that wattage makes a difference in hand blender performance. Consumer Reports says that immersion blenders are less capable and convenient than countertop blenders or handheld mixers. Because of this article's age, the recommended hand blender is now discontinued.

expand

collapse

The Best Immersion Blenders
by Kristin Donnelly
Our Assessment

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 discontinued Braun Multiquick MR5000 (now discontinued) won praise for its quiet, efficient operation. The Cuisinart SmartStick placed second, winning plaudits for its simple operation and "noticeably sharp" blade. The deep hood around the blade helps funnel food to the blades. The Dualit 500-watt was the most powerful immersion blender tested, but editors found it somewhat unwieldy.

expand

collapse

4. Amazon.com
As of May 2008
Hand Blenders
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Our Assessment

Because so many hand blenders get similar average ratings at Amazon.com, it's hard to get an idea which might be best overall. However, this is a great place to find owner reviews once you have narrowed your choice down to a few models. Highly rated by owners are the Cuisinart CSB-33BC Quick Prep Hand Blender, the Cuisinart CSB-76 SmartStick and the KitchenAid KBH100. The Oster 2-Speed Hand Blender earns a low average rating in owner-written reviews. Owners criticize it for build quality, saying that it's prone to breaking at the shaft. Most other hand blenders receive good ratings.

expand

collapse

5. Choice magazine
Mar. 2006
Handheld Stick Blenders
by Editors of Choice magazine
Our Assessment Australia's Choice magazine tests 14 stick blenders. They rate each blender's performance, ease of use, blending capability and emulsifying ability, along with chopping, grinding and processing performance. However, only two of the tested hand blenders are available in the U.S., and both of those models have been discontinued.
6. Which? magazine
Apr. 2006
Hand Blenders
by Editors of Which magazine
Our Assessment Editors of U.K.-based Which? magazine test 12 blenders by making milkshakes, smoothies and mayonnaise. Only the two Braun models are available in the United States, and both of those models have now been discontinued.
7. Epinions.com
As of May 2008
Handheld Blender Reviews
by Contributors to Epinions.com
Our Assessment

Epinions.com makes it easy to see how many users have written reviews of a given handheld blender. Most models receive an average rating of four stars (out of a possible five) in owner-written reviews. Two exceptions are the Hamilton Beach 59770 Turbo-Twister 2-Speed and the Oster 2611 2-Speed Handheld, which receive low ratings. Among those blenders garnering more than five reviews, the Cuisinart CSB Quick Prep, KitchenAid and Braun MR-430 Multiquick are the top-rated. Overall, there are far more reviews at Amazon.com

expand

collapse

8. Cooking.com
As of May 2008
Hand Blenders
by Contributors to Cooking.com
Our Assessment

This cookware e-tailer allows owners to post brief reviews of their hand blenders. The site's search function is easy to use, and searching for hand blenders brings up few extraneous products. Most blenders earn four stars (out of a possible five), making it hard to tell which might be better than others. Among those blenders garnering more than five reviews, the KitchenAid and Cuisinart SmartStick CSB-76 models are top-rated.

expand

collapse

Back to top