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The Spruce Eats / Chloe Jeong
An immersion blender, also called a handheld blender, can be a convenient, easy-to-clean, and compact alternative to a full-size blender since it can be tucked into a drawer or cabinet. It can be used for a variety of everyday kitchen tasks, such as mixing pancake batter, whisking eggs, whipping cream, blending smoothies or sauces, and even pureeing baby food. It's an essential tool for blending creamy, pureed soups, like butternut squash soup, right in the pot. Ready to get going? We found the best immersion blenders on the market.
Best Overall
Cuisinart Smart Stick Variable Speed Hand Blender
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Variable speed control
Convenient attachments included
Easy to clean
Reasonably priced
Awkwardly placed safety button
Not easy to store
Cuisinart may be the most familiar name in food processors, and this immersion blender lives up to the brand's reputation. It has a button for either continuous or pulse blending, as well as variable speed control so you can choose exactly the speed that’s right for you—no need to rely on a preset. We preferred using the highest speed setting for most recipes, but the adjustable speed is useful for blending softer foods like avocados or recipes that may splatter.
The blender only has two buttons on its front; an on button and a lock button, which needs to be depressed before the blender will turn on, but then it can be released. (While that might be a safety feature, we found it awkward to use.) It comes with a jar that’s perfect for blending smoothies or making mayonnaise, a chopper attachment that’s great for making salsas and prepping veggies, and a whisk attachment for making whipped cream or beating eggs.
Price at time of publish: $70
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The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
Power Rating: 300 watts | Speed(s): Variable | Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5 x 13 inches | Warranty: 3 years
Runner-Up, Best Overall
KitchenAid 2-Speed Hand Blender
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Courtesy of Walmart
Comfortable soft-grip handle
Variety of colors to choose from
Simple, easy-to-use design
Blending arm can detach while in use
This simple two-speed blender has a removable blending arm that makes cleaning easier and comes from a brand that’s much-loved when it comes to kitchen appliances and gadgets. The blender doesn’t include a lot of accessories or frills that add to the price, so it’s quite affordable despite the quality. The soft-grip handle is easy to hold when blending, so it’s comfortable to use no matter how much you need to blend, and it comes with a handy blending jar with a lid, so it can be used for storage before or after foods are blended.
Like many KitchenAid products, this comes in a wide range of colors, so you can match this to your stand mixer or kitchen décor, or add a pop of color to the kitchen.
Price at time of publish: $52
Power Rating: 220 watts | Speed(s): 2 | Dimensions: 2.3 x 2.3 x 15.8 inches | Warranty: 1 year
"This KitchenAid blender gets the job done well—and fast. Plus, it's so easy to clean. The blending arm quickly detaches, so you can rinse it in the sink." — Julia Warren, SVP of Commerce Operations
Best Power
Vitamix Immersion Blender
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Amazon
Long running time
Safe for nonstick cookware
Easy, one-handed button controls
Easy to clean
Expensive
No blending jar or accessories included
Vitamix makes blenders that have a top-of-the-line reputation for professional and home use, and its immersion blender fully lives up to that hype. Thicker soups, sauces, and smoothies can be tricky to get all-the-way smooth and cause some immersion blenders to overheat, but this handheld blender has the power and durability to handle tough jobs and large batch sizes every time.
It has five different speeds and can run continuously for up to four minutes before automatically shutting off. Lastly, the heat-safe shield at the bottom will keep this blender from damaging your nonstick cookware. When tested, it was both easy to use and easy to clean, and the 5-foot-long cord helped to reach between pots and faraway outlets.
At around $150, the Vitamix Immersion Blender is one of the more expensive immersion blenders on the market. If you can spring for it, it's worth the price and will last a long time.
Price at time of publish: $150
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The Spruce / Donna Currie
Power Rating: 625 watts | Speed(s): 5 | Dimensions: 3 x 18 x 3 inches | Warranty: 3 years
"Except for the time when I purposely let the blender run for the full four minutes, I never needed to run it that long. Most tasks were accomplished in under a minute."
Best Budget
Mueller Austria Ultra-Stick 500 Watt 9-Speed Immersion Hand Blender
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Courtesy of Amazon
Easy to clean
Powerful
Sturdy
Noisy
Mueller's stick blender is a great option if our top picks don't quite fit within the budget for an immersion blender. With a full copper motor and 500 watts of power, this handheld blender is plenty powerful to handle making baby food purees, smoothies, smooth soups and sauces, and even homemade peanut or almond butter. Reviewers say everything about this blender feels sturdy, durable, well-made, and comparable to blenders that cost twice as much.
It includes a milk frother for the ultimate upgrade to homemade lattes and a whisk attachment so you can use it to whip cream, beat eggs, or make a batch of homemade mayo for sandwiches. Clean up of the blender and attachments is as simple as running under warm water or popping them in the dishwasher for a more thorough cleaning.
Price at time of publish: $40
Power Rating: 500 watts | Speed(s): 9 | Dimensions: 2.68 x 4.92 x 15.59 inches | Warranty: 1 year
Best for Smoothies
UTALENT 5-in-1 Immersion Hand Blender
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Amazon
8 speeds
Includes 4 attachments
Pleasing design
Blender head can be tricky to clean
For smoothie-making, you’ll need a blender that can handle ice and frozen fruits—this one can handle that and so much more. In fact, this particular model comes with four different attachments: an immersion blender, food processor, whisk, and milk frother.
The blending wand is made from durable stainless steel and has four blades total, making it a powerful and efficient blending tool. The food processor attachment can hold up to 500 milliliters worth of ingredients and is ideal for salsas, sauces, and soups. In addition to the whisk and frother attachments, the bundle comes with a beaker lined with measurements.
With a total of eight speeds and a turbo setting, the UTalent Immersion Hand Blender is a strong, versatile tool able to tackle all sorts of kitchen duties.
Price at time of publish: $50
Power Rating: 250 watts | Speed(s): 8 | Dimensions: 2.4 x 2.4 x 15 inches
Best Commercial Blender for Home Use
Waring 7-Inch Light-Duty Quik Stik Immersion Blender
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Courtesy of Amazon
Durable
Great for large batches
Easy to operate
Difficult to clean
Made for commercial kitchen use but priced in line with home-use immersion blenders, this has the power to blend 3 gallons of soup. While this is called a light-duty blender, it’s designed for light duty in a professional kitchen environment, so it will be more than enough for your home kitchen.
This is lighter in weight than more robust commercial units, so it’s easy to hold and use. It has two speeds so you can control the texture of your food, operated with a simple button. This doesn’t come with any extras, but it’s a powerful choice for cooks who prefer commercial appliances.
Price at time of publish: $109
Power Rating: 100 watts | Speed(s): 2 | Dimensions: 4.5 x 4.5 x 16 inches | Warranty: 1 year
Best Cordless
All-Clad Cordless Rechargeable Stainless Steel Hand Blender
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Amazon
Easy, one-handed use
Solid construction
Cordless, making cleaning and storage easier
Bulky end won't fit in smaller containers
Shaft must be washed by hand
This may be one of the easiest immersion blenders to clean since there's no cord to worry about, and the shaft removes from the body of the blender. The removable shaft also gives you options for storage in small spaces where the full blender might not fit as well. It is important to note, however, that the components of this blender must be washed by hand. This is the cordless version of the blender we reviewed previously.
This is a high-powered immersion blender with a variable five-speed setting so you’ll have complete control of the texture of your refried beans, soups, or pureed vegetables. You can even use this for a quick chop of nuts since the blade shroud gives you plenty of space. This cordless model has the same power as the previously reviewed blender at 600 watts, but you will pay a premium for the convenience of cutting the cord.
It comes with a recharging base that doubles as upright storage housing. While this doesn’t include any accessories that you might find with other blenders, a mini chopper and a whisk are available for purchase if you need those options.
Price at time of publish: $230
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The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
Power Rating: 600 watts | Speed(s): 5 | Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.9 x 10.9 inches | Warranty: 2 years
"We liked the variable speed control at the top of the blender and found there was a very noticeable difference from low speed to high speed."
Best for Food Processing
Breville All In One Processing Station
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Courtesy of Amazon
Extremely versatile
Includes compact storage case
Powerful
Can overheat when run for long periods
While most immersion blenders are designed to mimic the functions of a blender, this one also takes on many of the functions of a food processor, with a 6-cup processing bowl powered by the blender body. The bowl includes an adjustable slicing blade with 18 thickness settings, so you can slice potatoes for chips or carrots for soup. A reversible shredding disk lets you choose from two different shredding options, while the processor bowl’s S-blade lets you chop, blend, or puree, just like a larger food processor.
Another unique accessory is the Variable Mashing Leg, which lets you choose fine, medium, or coarse mashing with a twist of the head, so you can use your immersion blender for mashing potatoes without the risk of them turning into glue.
When you’re using the immersion blender in its traditional mode, the shape of the blade housing reduces suction, so it won’t get stuck to the bottom of your containers while you blend. Plus, it has 15 speeds, giving you greater control of the result. Ice crushing blades and a whisk attachment are included, making this an incredibly versatile appliance.
Price at time of publish: $160
Power Rating: 240 watts | Speed(s): 15 | Dimensions: 9 x 11.5 x 11 inches | Warranty: 1 year
Best for Baby Food
Braun MultiQuick 5 Baby Hand Blender
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Courtesy of Amazon
Includes lots of convenient extras
Perfect for smaller jobs
Easy to operate
Freezer tray is flimsy
While any immersion blender can be used to puree bananas or cooked carrots, this set was created with babies in mind. It has an extra blade and larger cutting area, so purees get smoother faster. The bell-shaped shroud over the blades keeps splashing to a minimum, so there will be less mess to clean up when cooking is done, and there are two speeds, so you can adjust the food texture to suit your baby’s needs. The included 1.5-cup chopper lets you chop as well as puree, so you can add some texture to the baby food or make a dip for yourself at the end of the day.
This includes a 20-ounce blending beaker that’s the perfect size for the blender, so you don’t have to scramble for a jar to use. You can also use the beaker for making smoothies or cocktails. A flexible silicone freezer tray lets you make and freeze up to nine portions in advance, then just pop them out and thaw or heat them when you need them.
Price at time of publish: $74
Power Rating: 350 watts | Speed(s): 2 | Dimensions: 2.2 x 2.2 x 15 inches | Warranty: 2 years
"Multipurpose tools are a must for small kitchens, and Braun's Multiquick has everything you need. The blending wand makes ultra-smooth soups and smoothies, and the mini chopper is great for blitzing together small batches of sauce or homemade baby food." — Patty Lee, Senior Food Editor
Best for Soup
Bella Immersion Hand Blender with Whisk
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Amazon
Long blending shaft
Attachments are dishwasher-safe
Straightforward operation
Motor heats up quickly
Soup is such a cozy and comforting meal, perfect for wintery nights, sick days, or any occasion, really. If you want to make quick, homemade soups, an immersion blender is a must-have in the kitchen.
This particular hand blender has a 6-inch long stem, so you’re able to blend ingredients in deep pots with ease. Many reviewers praise how straightforward the operation is: There are two speeds, the blending and whisk attachments switch with ease, and cleaning is simple since both attachments are dishwasher-safe. That said, multiple reviewers did note that the handle grew warm after a few minutes of blending.
The overall design is sleek and beautiful. Thanks to the ergonomic handle, it’s easy to grip and hold while operating. There are seven colors to choose from so you can find one that matches your kitchen decor.
Price at time of publish: $30
Power Rating: 250 watts | Speed(s): 2 | Dimensions: 2.44 x 2.44 x 14.57 inches | Warranty: 2 years
We love the Cuisinart CSB-179 Smart Stick Hand Blender for its overall quality, versatility, and useful included attachments that should cover almost all your needs. For something that costs less but doesn't skimp on performance, we recommend the Mueller Ultra-Stick 500 Watt 9-Speed Immersion Hand Blender.
What to Look for in an Immersion Blender
Design
Immersion blenders are meant to be smaller, more compact, and easier to store than regular blenders and food processors, but that doesn't mean there isn't variation when it comes to size, weight, and style.
Pay attention to the size of the blender head—some are too bulky to fit in a standard smoothie cup and are designed for large batches. Also, decide whether you want a corded or cordless model. Cordless models offer convenience but need to be recharged often. Finally, pay attention to whether the shaft detaches, which makes for easier cleaning and storage.
Power
Think about what you will be using your immersion blender for the most. Some are perfect for purees, like when you want to make baby food. Others are designed to slice through ice for quick smoothie-making. Most immersion blenders start at about 200 watts but can go up to 1,000 watts. In general, the higher the wattage, the greater the power.
Speed Settings
Most immersion blenders offer a high and low speed. High speeds are best for blending tougher ingredients, like fibrous vegetables or ice, while low speeds can chop vegetables for salsa and retain some texture.
Some models have variable speed settings, which gives you greater control and versatility over the finishes texture and consistency of your blends.
Included Accessories
If all you want is a stick blender, then there's no reason to pay more for lots of extras—particularly because they might not be the highest quality. However, a lot of immersion blenders come with convenient items like a chopper or a whisk attachment and blender jars. If you're getting an all-in-one immersion blender package, keep in mind how you'll store everything—some come with storage cases for all the pieces so nothing gets lost.
FAQs
Why use an immersion blender instead of a regular blender?
An immersion blender gives you more flexibility, since you can blend recipes directly in a cooking pot, cup, jar, or mixing bowl. Not having to transfer recipes into a regular blender saves time, makes less of a mess, and cuts down on the number of dishes to clean.
Immersion blenders also do a better job of blended or pureeing small amounts of food. Regular blenders often need to be filled to a certain level for the most efficient blending. They're also smaller and therefore easier to store compared to countertop blenders.
Can you froth milk with an immersion blender?
Yes, you can froth milk with an immersion blender. Place your milk of choice in a container with tall sides to prevent splashing. A Mason jar or drinking glass will work.
Can you use an immersion blender for mashed potatoes?
Immersion blenders will mash potatoes, but many cooks report the texture of the potatoes turns gummy and starchy due to the high speed of blenders.
The best tool to mash potatoes for a creamy, but not gummy, texture is either a hand masher or a ricer.
How do you use an immersion blender without splashing?
Blend in a container with tall sides to keep splashing to a minimum. Tall drinking glasses, Mason jars, pitchers, and deep pots are your best options. Another tip to cut down on splashing is to make sure the blade head of the immersion blender is completely submerged.
Can you use an immersion blender in a nonstick pan?
You can, but you run the risk of scratching the nonstick coating if the blades make contact with the bottom or sides of the pan. To prevent this, don't touch the blades to the bottom of the pan and hold the immersion blender at an angle.
Some immersion blenders, like the Vitamix model, have been specially designed with blade guards for use in nonstick cookware. Still, if you're worried about your nonstick pans, it may be better to blend in another container to be safe.
Can an immersion blender replace a hand mixer?
While an immersion blender can handle some of the same tasks as a hand mixer, like whipping egg whites into stiff peaks or making whipped cream, it cannot replace a hand mixer. Immersion blenders are not equipped to mix stiff batters or cream sugar into butter.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Donna Currie is a cookbook author and food writer who specializes in product reviews and recipes. Her kitchen is filled with all the latest gadgets, from smart blenders to immersion blenders, and she's tested out models from numerous brands on this list.
Julia Warren, SVP of Commerce Operations at The Spruce Eats, loves using her KitchenAid immersion blender, featured above, and Patty Lee, Senior Editor for The Spruce Eats, uses her Braun immersion blender to make everything from sauces to homemade baby food for her son.
This roundup was updated by Katrina Munichiello, a writer and editor who specializes in the tea and food industries, Katya Weiss-Andersson, a professional chef who is an evangelist for the convenience and versatility of immersion blenders, and The Spruce Eats Staff Writer Allison Wignall, who focuses on food and kitchen products.
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