We Tested 15 Immersion Blenders to Find the Best for Blending, Chopping and More
Our top pick is the Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender.
Tested by Tina Martinez and Sarah Gregory
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Immersion blenders — also known as hand blenders, stick blenders or submersible blenders — are small, stick-shaped kitchen appliances that offer versatility, often at a fraction of the cost of other blender models. The best immersion blenders can puree silky smooth soups right in the pot, blend personal smoothies, emulsify vinaigrettes and, with chopper attachments, handle tasks like chopping garlic or making hummus.
Having personally tested over 100 blender models, I can confidently say that the immersion blenders on this list are strong contenders against many full-sized or personal blenders on the market. While they can't entirely replace larger appliances like blenders or food processors, which are better suited for larger batches, a reliable immersion blender excels at smaller culinary tasks, offering the bonus of less cleanup.
Our team of kitchen appliance analysts and cooks have tested 15 immersion blenders over the last two years in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab and Test Kitchen. To find the most versatile, powerful and easy-to-store picks, we put each immersion blender through nearly 10 Lab tests, including blending smoothies, emulsifying mayonnaise, pureeing soup and more.
After testing over a dozen immersion blenders, The Breville Control Grip came out on top with a comfortable handle, variety of speed settings, useful attachments and top performance.
Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender
Pros
- Easy to operate
- Comfortable to grip
- Useful, dishwasher-safe attachments
Cons
- Blending cup can be too large for some tasks
Offering 15 speed settings, this immersion blender offers numerous great features that make it our top choice. Unlike other models that create a vortex causing suction at the container's bottom, the Breville's uniquely shaped blade guard minimizes suction, making it easier to lift while blending and reducing splatters. It requires more up-and-down motion to blend uniformly, but we still found it easy to operate.
The rubber handle is soft, narrow and comfortable to grip, and the "on" button is easy to hold down. The blade guard's plastic edge is gentler on your cookware than models with a stainless steel edge, and the blender attachment clips onto the motor with ease and feels secure.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: This pick came with the largest lidded mixing jar we tested (42 ounces), which is helpful for larger batches but does require more maneuvering for smaller servings. In our test, we found that the jar was too large for a small batch of mayonnaise, but the blender itself produced a beautiful mayo in a smaller vessel. The jar's lid doubles as an anti-slip mat to place under the jar while blending.
It also comes with a 3-cup food processor and was one of the top performers on our chopping tests. It finely chopped garlic and parsley and easily pureed hummus, but it chopped onions a little unevenly. This model also includes a whisk attachment and all attachments are dishwasher-safe.
| Weight | 3.8 lbs |
| Number of speeds | 15 |
| Accessories | Blending arm, whisk, 3-cup chopping bowl, 42-oz jug with lid |
| Dishwasher-safe | Blending arm, whisk and chopper |
| Cord | Yes |
Hamilton Beach Two-Speed Hand Blender
Pros
- Affordable
- Quickly purees soup
- Ideal for blending small quantities
Cons
- Cumbersome to operate for longer periods
This low-cost immersion blender does a great job blending softer foods, such as soups, milkshakes, whipped cream and dressings. It has a 225-watt motor, the lowest we tested, yet it was powerful enough to blend a pot of soup to a smooth consistency in under 90 seconds. It features two blending speeds (high and low) controlled by two large buttons that are easy to press down.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: Of all the immersion blenders we tested, this one has the shortest shaft (5 inches), which is ideal for small-batch blending but would be challenging to use in a deep container. It comes with a whisk and a food processor attachment, both of which are top-rack dishwasher-safe. In our chopping tests, this model chopped garlic and parsley evenly, but the onion was pretty uneven.
Keep in mind that the plastic handle has a wide circumference and can feel a little slippery, making it tiresome to hold, especially if you have small hands. The blending attachment did not feel as sturdy as other models we evaluated, but at this price, it's a nice buy.
| Weight | 2.59 lbs |
| Number of speeds | 2 |
| Accessories | Whisk and 3-cup chopping bowl |
| Dishwasher-safe | Blending arm, whisk and chopping bowl |
| Cord | Yes |
KitchenAid Two-Speed Hand Blender
Pros
- Powerful enough to blend frozen foods
- Available in a variety of fun colors
- Tangle-free cord
Cons
- Lacks additional accessories
We were impressed with the quality of this KitchenAid immersion blender — one of the more affordable ones we tested. It quickly became our go-to for smoothies because it was fairly quiet (nice in the morning when you're still groggy), powerful and easy to use.
This hand blender comes in a variety of different colorways to match your kitchen aesthetic or favorite color. The handle is rubberized for a comfortable grip, and the trigger is easy to press. It doesn't come with many accessories, like a food processor attachment, but it does include a lidded 3-cup mixing jar that makes it easy to store leftover smoothies or dressing in the fridge. However, we wish the jar had a lip for easy pouring.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: This model was able to effortlessly blend the ice and whole strawberries in our smoothie recipe into a creamy, drinkable consistency. It also didn't suction to the bottom of blending vessels like some other immersion blenders we tested, making it easier to move the blender arm around when blending. Once done, the blender arm is dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.
One of our favorite features is the thick power cord that doesn’t bunch up or get tangled. This is helpful when trying to maneuver around a busy countertop — though if you'd prefer no cord at all, we were also impressed with KitchenAid's cordless model.
| Weight | 2 lbs |
| Number of speeds | 2 |
| Accessories | Blending arm, 3-cup blending jar with lid |
| Dishwasher-safe | Blending arm, blender jar and lid |
| Cord | Yes |
Vitamix Immersion Blender
Pros
- Emulsified mayo with ease
- LED light indicators for speed
- Scratch-resistant blade guard
Cons
- Heaviest motor in our tests
This immersion blender from Vitamix features numerous thoughtful details and delivers stellar performance. We appreciated the plastic material on the tip of the blade guard, which helps protect your pots and pans when you purée soups or sauces inside them. While this model had the heaviest motor in our tests, we found the grip comfortable to hold. We also appreciated that the speed settings are clearly marked with lighted indicators.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: This model created a thick and smooth berry smoothie in our tests. But what really impressed us was its ability to make a quick mayonnaise that was silky and flavorful. Mayonnaise can be a tricky condiment to master because the emulsification can break or not come together at all. With this tool, it's virtually foolproof. It emulsified the mixture easily within two minutes.
You can purchase just the immersion blender or opt for the 4-piece deluxe bundle instead, which comes with a whisk attachment, mini chopper and blending jar for added versatility.
RELATED: The Best Vitamix Blenders
| Weight | 2 lbs, 11 oz |
| Number of speeds | 5 |
| Accessories | Only blending arm with option to add more accessories |
| Dishwasher-safe | Blending arm only |
| Cord | Yes |
Other immersion blenders we recommend
- GE Immersion 2-Speed Blender: This model blended the smoothie well but seemed more prone to splatter than the others we tested. It comes with a food processor attachment, which was one of our top performers during chopping tests.
- Black+Decker Kitchen Wand Cordless Immersion Blender: This cordless kitchen multi-tool comes with attachments that let you puree, whisk, open cans and wine bottles, froth milk and grind salt crystals and peppercorns, but there is a lot more to store.
- Breville All-in-One Immersion Blender: For this round, we were only able to test the food processor attachment — but we were impressed. It evenly chopped garlic, parsley and onion, though the onion was a little wet.
- Cuisinart Smart Stick Variable Speed Hand Blender: In our testing, the stainless steel Cuisinart Smart Stick fully pureed a thick vegetable soup in 90 seconds and easily crushed frozen fruit for a smoothie. However, it took about 30 seconds longer to do so than some of the other models we tested. The processor performed well at chopping garlic evenly and was fairly good at chopping onions but struggled to chop parsley and did not puree hummus effectively.
- Braun MultiQuick 7 Hand Blender: Like the Cuisinart Smart Stick, this model from Braun features a useful variable speed button: The harder you press, the more powerfully it blends. However, the blade attachment collects water easily, and the food processor attachment is smaller than others (only 1 1/2 cups) and did not chop the onion evenly.
- All-Clad Immersion Blender: We were impressed with how powerful this immersion blender was in most tests. It has one of the quieter motors we evaluated, but it is heavier than the others we tested and is also more expensive.
- Ninja Foodi Power Mixer System: This system boasts a lot of versatility, but there's also more to store. We found that it was able to blend a nice smoothie, but it took a long time to whip cream.
How we test immersion blenders
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we've tested 15 hand blender models in the last two years to identify the best options. Our evaluation included ease of assembly and use, user comfort and overall performance.
When assessing the performance of immersion blenders, we put each one to the test in common tasks: blending a smoothie in a blending jar, making mayonnaise and pureeing soup directly in a pot.
✔️ Smoothie test: We evaluate a blender's ability to tackle ice and whole strawberries. To confirm that each blend is smooth and even, the smoothie mixture is tasted and then put through a fine-mesh sieve (pictured below).
✔️ Mayonnaise test: Preparing homemade mayonnaise showcases an immersion blender's ability to emulsify — a process that must occur smoothly and gradually to ensure stability. To test this, we prepare mayo using egg, lemon juice, mustard, garlic and oil. We measure the time it takes to emulsify and then allow the mixture to rest for five minutes on a fine mesh sieve to assess its resistance to separation.
✔️ Whipped cream test: To evaluate the hand mixer's ability to incorporate air into cream and produce stable whipped cream, we whip a half pint of cream and measure the time it takes to achieve stiff peaks.
✔️ Soup test: The pureeing of broccoli-potato soup helps us understand the blender's ability to puree large quantities of ingredients without splattering or leaving chunks, as well as whether the immersion blender can do so effectively inside a Dutch oven on the stovetop.
✔️ Food processor tests: If the blender has a food processor attachment, we also put it through a chopping test. For this test, we use each immersion blender's food processor attachment on garlic, parsley, onions, canned tomatoes and hummus. We blend each ingredient once or twice and assess how quickly and evenly the attachment chops, or in the case of tomatoes and hummus, how smoothly it blends.
✔️ Ease of use, comfort and cleaning: We also consider the weight, comfort and available accessories for each blender. We review the instruction manual and appreciate quick start guides, helpful illustrations or images, and tips or recipes. We also evaluate how easily each model can be hand-washed and whether any pieces are dishwasher-safe.
What to consider when buying an immersion blender
✔️ Corded vs. cordless: A cord offers constant power, but it can get tangled or knock things over. Cordless models are portable and convenient, but they require charging between uses, or you risk losing power before completing the job.
✔️ Blade guard vents: The blade guard is the dome-shaped part of the blender arm that covers the blades. We found that wide blade guards with large vents do a better job of circulating the food, resulting in better and faster blending. They are also easier to clean because food stuck under the blades is more accessible. Just make sure the blade guard will fit easily into your favorite pots and smoothie cups.
✔️ Handle and grip: To operate an immersion blender, grip the handle with one hand and press the on, off or speed buttons with your fingers. It should feel comfortable to hold and operate simultaneously. Your hands may fatigue if the handle is too large, the buttons are too small or awkwardly placed, or if the blender feels too heavy. Additionally, the buttons should be easy to press with minimal force. Ideally, your fingers will fall naturally on the buttons when you hold the handle. We found non-slip rubber handles to be softer and easier to grip.
✔️ Design: Look for a model that's compact enough to store in a kitchen drawer. Though immersion blenders are easy to clean, we prefer models with a removable blender attachment that is dishwasher-safe.
✔️ Additional attachments: Many immersion blenders function with a motor that can also be connected to attachments for chopping, processing, whisking or frothing. If you already have standalone versions of these appliances, you can save money by purchasing a model without the extras. However, attachments can be a convenient option if you don't own the individual pieces or want to consolidate your storage. One accessory we highly recommend is a sturdy, tall and narrow blending jar. It helps ensure the blender is submerged, reduces splattering and makes the up-and-down motion needed for blending easier. Plus, you can serve or store food directly in it.
✔️ Wattage: We have found this is less important than other factors. The immersion blenders we tested had motors ranging from 225 to 600 watts. Although wattage is an indicator of power, we did not find it to be a reliable reflection of quality, performance or comfort.
What are the best and worst uses for an immersion blender?
Immersion blenders are great for a variety of recipes, but there are also a variety of applications where we wouldn't recommend using an immersion blender.
Immersion blenders are good for:
✔️ Pureeing a pesto or dip
✔️ Frothing a latte
✔️ Emulsifying mayonnaise, dressings or vinaigrettes
✔️ Whipping cream
✔️ Blending a personal smoothie
✔️ Pureeing soup directly in the pot
✔️ Blending a large batch of whole eggs or whipping egg whites
We don't recommend using immersion blenders for:
🛑 Dense doughs or dry mixtures require liquid to operate correctly; instead, use a stand or hand mixer.
🛑 Hard or fibrous foods like whole almonds, coffee beans, or carrots, which might overheat the model, should be avoided. Use a full-sized blender or coffee grinder.
🛑 Small quantities that don't allow for the blade to be fully submerged; use a personal blender or mini chopper.
🛑 Extra large quantities can result in uneven blends or tire the motor; instead, use a full-sized blender or food processor and process in batches.
Why use an immersion blender instead of a full-size blender?
Good immersion blenders can do the job of a blender, such as whipping up smoothies, milkshakes and frozen drinks for one or two people, and take up much less space. They are great for blending hot items like soups or sauces, as you won't have to worry about heat-related pressure building up like with a full-sized blender. Plus, you can blend directly in your stock pot or saucepan for added convenience and fewer dishes to clean.
However, keep in mind that when considering an immersion blender versus a regular blender: Immersion blender motors and blades are smaller and can only handle smaller jobs before overheating.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Tina Martinez is a food producer in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen. She conducted our most recent round of immersion blender testing, assessing the chopping attachment on each model. She has over 10 years of culinary experience, including recipe development and food styling for print, digital and television platforms.
Sarah Gregory has led our immersion blender testing for several years, and regularly uses them at home, too. She covers all types of kitchen gear, including pepper grinders, electric knives and grill thermometers.
Eva Bleyer has professionally tested all kinds of kitchen equipment, from oven ranges to juicers, kitchen scales and blenders. Eva has rigorously tested almost 100 blenders in the Good Housekeeping Institute over the past three and a half years. As a trained chef from the Natural Gourmet Institute, she has extensive experience using immersion blenders. Eva loves using them for everything from creamy potato soup to quickly whipping up a dozen eggs for a large frittata.
Eva (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she tests kitchen gear, home appliances and culinary innovations. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor of science in food studies, nutrition and public health and is a trained chef through the Natural Gourmet Institute. Eva has more than 10 years of experience in the food industry, working as a food stylist, personal chef and marketing manager.
Tina (she/her) is the food producer of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She comes to Hearst with 10 years experience in the world of food styling for editorial, digital and television platforms. When she’s not cooking in her tiny Brooklyn kitchen, she can be found enjoying a beer at a local brewery, hiking in a national park or enjoying an afternoon at the beach.
Sarah (she/her) is a deputy editor in the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she tests products and covers the best picks across kitchen, tech, health and food. She has been cooking professionally since 2017 and has tested kitchen appliances and gear for Family Circle as well as developed recipes and food content for Simply Recipes, Martha Stewart Omnimedia, Oxo and Food52. She holds a certificate in professional culinary arts from the International Culinary Center (now the Institute of Culinary Education).
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