KitchenAid Ultra Power Hand Mixer

The KitchenAid Ultra Power Hand Mixer is a good option for cooks who generally mix lightweight ingredients and only occasionally mix heavy cookie batters and bread dough. Manufacturers say the mixer is designed for "quiet, life-long operation," but it only comes with a one-year warranty. It's available in three shades.

Performance

Durable workhorse. The KitchenAid Ultra Power Hand Mixer excels in professional tests, particularly at mixing and whipping jobs. Editors at Good Housekeeping say it works nearly as well as a stand mixer at kneading dough. Owners at Viewpoints.com and Amazon.com also praise its overall performance. While most use it only for light mixing, a few say they use it for bread and pizza dough. Some complain, however, that there isn't much difference between the various speeds and that the highest speed isn't quite fast enough. Several also comment on the mixer's durability; many have used the same unit for several years.

Ease of use

Standard features. Reviewers say the KitchenAid Ultra Power Hand Mixer, with its ergonomic design and rubberized grip, is comfortable to hold. Unlike other hand mixers, it does not have electronic speed controls, but users say that's not a drawback. Owners especially like the heel rest, which allows them to stand the mixer in an upright position on the counter. However, as is true with most hand mixers, testers say they had to scrape the mixing bowl to ensure all ingredients are incorporated into the mix.

Appearance

Featherweight. The KitchenAid hand mixer comes in three colors: red, black and white. Weighing in at just 3 pounds, reviewers love its lightweight design.

Noise

Relatively quiet. The Ultra Power rates high in one professional test for its low noise levels. Owners agree that the mixer is especially quiet compared to other models. One user at Amazon.com says, "I have NEVER heard a mixer that is this quiet, making it pleasant to use even at the highest speed."

The bottom line

The KitchenAid Ultra Power Hand Mixer is powerful enough to handle most mixes with ease, including an occasional kneading of bread dough. It's lightweight, comfortable to hold and very quiet. It only has five settings, however, and there isn't much variation between them. It also lacks some of the features found in top-rated models like the Cuisinart Power Advantage 7-Speed Hand Mixer (*Est. $60).