An immersion blender, also called a handheld blender, is a convenient, easy-to-clean, and compact alternative to a full-size blender that can be used for a variety of everyday kitchen tasks, such as mixing pancake batter; whisking eggs; whipping cream; blending soups, smoothies, and sauces; and even pureeing baby food. A good immersion blender can be a versatile tool in the kitchen, but some perform better than others, so we tested them to find the best options for your kitchen.
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.
This blender only has two buttons on its front: an on button and a lock button, which needs to be pressed 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.
Power Rating: 300 watts | Speed(s): Variable | Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5 x 13 inches | Warranty: 3 years
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 it to your stand mixer or add a pop of color to the kitchen. Plus, it's so easy to clean: The blending arm quickly detaches, so you can rinse it in the sink.
Power Rating: 220 watts | Speed(s): 2 | Dimensions: 2.3 x 2.3 x 15.8 inches | Warranty: 1 year
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, silky soups and sauces, and even homemade peanut or almond butter. Reviewers say everything about this blender feels sturdy, durable, and well-made, and that it's comparable to blenders that cost twice as much.
This model 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. Cleaning the blender and its attachments is as simple as running them under warm water or popping them in the dishwasher for a more thorough washing.
Power Rating: 500 watts | Speed(s): 9 | Dimensions: 2.68 x 4.92 x 15.59 inches | Warranty: 1 year
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 standard 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.
We tested Breville's Control Grip Immersion Blender, which is the same base model as the All for One set without some of the extra accessories, making frozen sorbet, pasta sauce, hot broccoli cheddar soup, whipped cream, and fruit smoothies—everything came out perfectly smooth and creamy. It was also simple to switch out the blender head for a different accessory, such as the whisk or chopper bowl (which made incredible salad dressing in just seconds). This is, without doubt, the Cadillac of immersion blenders.
Power Rating: 240 watts | Speed(s): 15 | Dimensions: 9 x 11.5 x 11 inches | Warranty: 1 year
Just one button to operate
Easy variable speed control
Whisk attachment included
Not dishwasher-safe
Unless you use your hand blender regularly, you probably have to double check which button turns it on and which changes the speed. With this variable speed blender, there’s just one trigger button. Press it a little and the blender starts off slow. Press harder and the speed increases. We found this easy and intuitive. A display on top shows a speed graph, but you can easily feel and see how fast it’s blending.
Besides the standard blending attachment that did an excellent job making mayonnaise and salad dressing as well as blending soup, this also includes a wire whisk attachment that’s perfect for whipping egg whites, cream, and other thin liquids. The head of the blender fits perfectly into a wide mouth jar for making mayonnaise and works just as well in a pot to blend soups and refried beans.
Power Rating: 300 watts | Speed: Variable | Dimensions: 16.9 x 2.9 inches | Warranty: 3 years
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, though most of the tasks took under a minute to complete. 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 clean, and the 5-foot-long cord helped to reach between pots and faraway outlets.
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.
Power Rating: 625 watts | Speed(s): 5 | Dimensions: 3 x 18 x 3 inches | Warranty: 3 years
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. One thing we really loved was the variable speed control at the top of the blender. We found there was a very noticeable difference from low speed to high speed.
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.
Power Rating: 600 watts | Speed(s): 5 | Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.9 x 10.9 inches | Warranty: 2 years
Can replace an array of small appliances
Cordless, with low-profile charging base
Chargeable in or out of the storage case
Hefty power unit can feel unwieldy
Some attachments lack a secure lock
If you're looking for a compact machine that pretty much does it all, this is it. The Black+Decker Kitchen Wand 6 Kit comes with a cordless, five-speed wand base and six attachments: immersion blender, wine opener, can opener, milk frother, whisk, and salt and pepper grinder. You also get a mixing cup with a lid—all of which arrives with a charger in two storage cases—and you can purchase two additional compatible attachments: a food chopper and hand mixer.
We used the blender to make soup, homemade sorbet, and smoothies, and the frother attachment dissolved chocolate powder into milk, creating a perfectly foamy head. The whisk has enough oomph to whip cream, though the adapter easily twists off the power unit, so you have to be a careful not to shake it loose during high-speed whisking. The wine and can openers are as effective as standalone units, and the two-in-one grinder proved useful for blacking tuna steaks and dusting roasted potatoes.
As far as the food chopper and hand mixer go, the latter smoothed cake batters, and the beaters popped out no problem for easy cleanup, while the former has blades sharp enough to handle almonds and pecans for homemade granola, and they make quick work of pine nuts and basil for pesto. It's a great little machine that can replace a bunch of different gadgets cramming your kitchen drawers and cabinets.
Power Rating: 250 watts | Speed(s): 5 | Dimensions: 5.2 x 18.9 x 11.3 inches | Warranty: 2 year limited
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.
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.