Every Kitchen Needs a Hand Mixer—Two of Our Favorites Are Under $25 (2024)

BLACK FRIDAY DEALS: Some of our favorite hand mixers, the Kitchen Aid Go Cordless, Kitchen Aid Ultra-Powder 5-Speed, Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed, and Ninja Foodi Power Mixer System, are on sale right now.

Hand mixers can be used in numerous ways in the kitchen, from beating eggs and batter to whipping cream to emulsifying salad dressing to even helping your mashed potatoes and shredding cooked chicken.

Nowadays, hand mixer models offer different attachments in addition to the beaters, such as whisks or dough hooks, making them multipurpose kitchen tools. Others may have storage compartments to hold the attachments and cord. For most home cooks, hand mixers are more convenient (and more affordable) than stand mixers for small mixing and blending tasks. We tested top models to find the best hand mixer for your kitchen.

Our Favorites

• Our Top Pick: Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer
• Best Budget: Black+Decker Lightweight Hand Mixer
• Best for Bakers: Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed Handheld Mixer
  
• Best for Beginners: KitchenAid Ultra Power 5-Speed Hand Mixer
• Best Cordless: KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Mixer
• Most Versatile: Ninja Foodi Power Mixer System
• Best Rated: Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer

How We Tested Hand Mixers

In our first round of testing, expert Allrecipes product tester Rachel Johnson prepared Simple White Cake and whipped cream to accurately analyze the mixer's attributes and attachments. We also made whipped cream during our second round of testing, this time with two Allstars. They then used the mixers to make mashed potatoes and any additional baking recipes they were working on. For each model, we considered the following metrics:

• Overall Feel: What is the mixer made of? How functional is the design?
• Durability: Is the mixer made to last? Will it show wear over time?
• Cleanup/Storage: How is the mixer meant to be stored and maintained?
• Efficiency: How powerful is the mixer? How well does it adjust between speeds?
• Overall Value: Is it worth the investment?

Even after two rounds of testing, the Breville Handy Mix Scraper is the best among all the hand mixers we've tried. While this sleek mixer is on the heavier side, it's well-made and thoughtfully designed. Allstar Aimee Broussard liked the ergonomic handle, how quickly she could change the dishwasher-safe attachments, and the swiveling cord.

Aimee's favorite feature though was the built-in count-up timer on the digital pad, which saves you from having to set a separate timer. “So often, a recipe will say ‘until well combined, about 2 minutes’ and while it often seems like it has been 2 minutes, unless you glanced at the clock beforehand, you could be guesstimating incorrectly,” she says. “This product eliminates that issue completely by displaying the timer feature, which is also extremely accurate.”

Aimee also raved about the pause function. You can hit ’pause’ to add more ingredients to your mixing bowl, and it starts up again at the same speed (no more having to dial down and then up again). There's a separate scrolling dial for adjusting it between the nine different speeds, and the motor can handle various mixing needs including those last-step cookie add-ins. There's also an LED light on the bottom to give greater visibility as you whip cake batter.

Overall, the numerous smart features set this mixer apart. The rubberized beaters give a quieter mixing experience, and the additional attachments make this a multifunctional mixer. It's pricey, but it's worth it if you frequently reach for your hand mixer.

The Details: 9 speeds; 240 watts; weighs 3.9 pounds; includes 2 scraper beaters. 2 dough hooks. 2 balloon whisks

There may be cheaper hand mixers on the market, but this one packs a whole lot of bang into a small mixer. Appliance powerhouse Black+Decker has turned this petite—it weighs just over a pound—plastic-bodied mixer into a real contender for the best electric hand mixer.

While it's not the most powerful mixer, it still manages to have five speeds plus a “turbo boost” if you need a quick surge of mixing power. Note: The five speeds don't have as much variance as some other mixers on this list, but you can still manage a decent “slow” and “fast” option from them.

The beaters are dishwasher-safe, and you'll want to wipe down the mixer body after every use, but the model's lighter weight and comfort-grip handle make mixing or cleaning nearly effortless.

The Details: 5 speeds; 175 watts; weighs 1.1 pounds; includes 2 wire beaters

We loved this mixer so much after our first round of testing that we designated it our editor's favorite. And we love it even more after the second round. This has the classic Cuisinart style with a brushed chrome exterior and a powerful motor, and at just above 2 pounds, this is a sturdy mixer that's not too onerous to use.

Allstar Kim Shupe enjoyed how easy to use this powerful hand mixer is. “I thought the Cuisinart was an effective mixer and could handle any dough you could throw at it,” she says. The speed can be increased or decreased using touch-sensitive buttons, plus there is a digital screen where the speed level is indicated. The very powerful higher settings aerated eggs and sugar beautifully as Kim made Easy Hamantaschen cookies.

Just like we did in our first round of testing, Kim had issues with the “Smooth Start” feature. It allows the three lowest settings to beat very fast initially—we still think too fast—and then slows down. To prevent flour and powdered sugar disasters, turn on the beaters outside of the mixing bowl. Kim also wasn't a fan of the automatic feedback feature either. It kicks in when mixing a dense dough, but there's no warning that the mixer is about to speed itself up. This led to dough flying around her counter.

The Details: 9 speeds; 220 watts; weighs 4 pounds; includes 2 beaters, 2 dough hooks, 1 whisk, 1 spatula, 1 storage case

If you don't want to break the bank on a stand mixer just yet, but you're also looking to get a high-quality hand mixer option, KitchenAid has you covered. This hand mixer is on the lighter side of the ones we tested (2 pounds), making it easier to use for extended mixing. This is a great option if you're looking for a straightforward, no-frills mixer because you're just learning how to bake or looking to stock a new home. It includes the machine along with two beaters, but really what more do you need if there's a powerful motor behind it?

While it only has five speeds, there is plenty of variance between the speed strengths for multiple kinds of mixing. It only took a little added time to get the whipped cream just right with the regular beaters, as opposed to the whisk attachments available with some other models. And like any great KitchenAid, this mixer comes in lots of colors so you can match your aesthetic.

The Details: 5 speeds; 60 watts; weighs 2 pounds; includes 2 beaters

Cordless appliances, especially cordless hand mixers, can be a hit-or-miss when it comes to reliability, power, and performance. But not this cordless hand mixer from KitchenAid, which Kim used to make cheesecake, frosting, and the smoothest, fluffiest mashed potatoes.

What sets this rechargeable hand mixer apart? First, Kim loved everything about this cordless mixer's speed. The seven speeds have a great range of variation so this'll be able to handle your collection of recipes. The “Soft Start” feature prevents messes, but Kim noticed that even the lowest speed is gentle enough for mixing powdered sugar and flour. Plus, you can easily adjust the speed with one hand. You won't have to take your other hand off the mixing bowl!

The KitchenAid Go Cordless is powerful enough to fully aerate eggs and butter, and bring together the thickest buttercream, but Kim believes it might not be the best option for thick and dense doughs like gingerbread cookies. Another drawback is the battery. It takes three hours for a full charge, and while that charge can get through multiple recipes, it is only one hour's worth of mixing.

The Details: 7 speeds; weighs 2.6 pounds, includes 2 beaters, 1 charger

The Ninja Foodi Power Mixer System is perfect if you have limited space in your kitchen or only need a hand mixer a few times a year. This mixer system allows you to use the power base as a part of a hand mixer or an immersion blender. With the mixer attachments in place, you'll have five speeds to beat or whip, plus a “turbo” boost.

Aimee liked the innovative design and compact nature of the mixer system. She found changing the attachments was effortless, and it was super simple to toggle between the speed settings. But Aimee needed to crank up the speed, and sometimes add in the turbo boost, to do any heavy mixing. She also didn't like how the one whisk attachment had to be off-center, which made it unbalanced while whipping egg whites.

All of the Ninja mixer system's attachments are safe on the top rack of your dishwasher, while the power base just needs a quick wipe down. Have a place in mind to store the attachments though as it doesn't come with a storage case.

The Details: 5 speeds; weighs 3.1 pounds; includes 2 beaters, 1 whisk, 9-inch immersion blending arm, 3-cup blending vessel, 1 charger

Hamilton Beach makes affordable kitchen tools that provide great results and this mixer is no exception. We found it to have a sturdy feel at about 2.8 pounds, and a powerful enough motor to handle all your mixing needs.

This mixer has six speeds and a “burst” feature that gives a quick boost of power at any speed. The dishwasher-safe attachments release with ease using the trigger located under the handle, and it includes a storage case to hold them when storing. And if our recommendation isn't enough to convince you, it has earned more than 45,600 5-star reviews and a top spot on Amazon's list for best-selling hand mixers.

The Details: 6 speeds; 250 watts; weighs 2.8 pounds; includes 2 wire beaters, 1 whisk

Our Takeaway

We chose the Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer as our top pick for its feel, durability, cleanup, efficiency, and value. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly hand mixer, the Black+Decker Lightweight Hand Mixer is a good option.

How to Pick the Right Hand Mixer

Uses

Hand mixers aren't just for combining cookie doughs or blending soups. You can use them to whip cream, shred meat, and cream potatoes. You'll need an appliance that's up to the tasks you have in mind and can handle your cooking frequency. Less expensive hand mixers are OK for occasional or even rare use. If you're a busy cook with lots of things to make, an investment in a higher-grade hand mixer is likely warranted.

Features

While each mixer can do many basics, the more expensive options come with additional speeds, more attachments, and other features. A whisk, for example, can whip cream faster than beaters and are essential if you make a lot of meringues or toppings. Dough hooks are a must if you make bread; not so much if you don't.

Additionally, keeping tabs on your attachments can get tricky if your kitchen drawers are a little chaotic. In that case, you might opt for a hand mixer with its own storage box or snap-on storage container.

Weight

Most hand mixers are no more than two pounds, but when a motor is at full speed, that can be difficult to manage. If possible, hold the hand mixer and turn it on. This will tell you where a machine's weight is centered when it's running. Pick one that feels most comfortable to you.

The Leftovers: Other Hand Mixers We Tested

We love the slow cooker and the blender from Drew Barrymore's Beautiful line, and had high hopes for the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore hand mixer when we sent it to Kim for testing. Alas, it was not meant to be. Aimee found the Beautiful hand mixer hard to use from the very beginning. She and her husband found it difficult to adjust the speed, with Aimee having to stop mixing to use both hands to move the lever. She also found the lowest speed wasn't gentle enough, the mixer didn't aerate ingredients adequately, and you're warned about using the mixer for more than five minutes. Lastly, this is hard for left-handed folks to use since the cord gets in the way.

Common Questions

Can you mix by hand instead of using a hand mixer?

Yes, if you have the arm strength and stamina to mix or whip by hand, doing so is a possibility. After all, there was a time before electricity and the most advanced hand mixer was a manual egg beater. But many of us don't have what it takes to cream sugar and butter to airy and fluffy, to make a fully smooth batter, or to whip egg whites to stiff peaks.

Do dough hooks really knead with a hand mixer?

If a hand mixer has a powerful enough motor, then yes, you can use the dough hooks to knead bread dough. There will be size limitations to keep in mind, but if your dough is on the smaller side and isn't very dense, they should work. Dough hooks are also great for pie crust!

Why Take Our Word For It?

Melanie Fincheris a Birmingham, Alabama-based food writer who loves to cook, eat, and test out new kitchen gadgets. Kimberly Holland is a writer and editor with 15 years of experience in food, lifestyle, and homes content.

Siobhan Wallaceis the senior commerce editor for Allrecipes. She revised our hand mixer recommendations in 2024, incorporating testing insights from Allstars Aimee Broussard and Kim Shupe.