With a smaller footprint than a traditional stand mixer, hand mixers are not only way more compact and versatile, they’re also generally much more affordable. Whether you're whisking eggs, mashing potatoes, or kneading dough for a batch of homemade treats, an electric hand mixer makes those repetitive tasks way easier.
A hand mixer should make your life in the kitchen easier, not more complicated. These are the main things to consider before you decide on the best hand mixer for you:
Weight: A hand mixer will spare your arm from the soreness of repetitive whipping, and may even result in a more thoroughly mixed batter. However, using a heavy mixer to work a tough dough may be just as arduous. Look for a hand mixer that's around 2 pounds, as it will likely have the power level that you'll want while also being less of a pain to maneuver.
Wattage: This number indicates the max amount of power that the mixer can provide. If you've ever experienced the painful sound of stuck beaters trying to churn through sticky batter, you'll know how much of a difference a powerful model can make. While not all manufacturers list this number, you'll want a mixer that's in the range of 220 watts and above — especially if thick bread doughs and chocolate chip-loaded cookies are your specialties.
Storage Ease: The fact that hand mixers are relatively small kitchen devices makes them great for kitchens of pretty much any size. However, some actually come with snap-on covers that allow you to store their beaters and other attachments in one easy-to-find place. It may not be a dealbreaker if a model doesn't have these things, but it definitely sweetens the deal.
Also, nearly all hand mixers now come equipped with multiple speed controls, so this isn't something you need to worry too much about. The models in this guide have between 5-9 settings.
How We Chose
Several of the hand mixers in this guide are longtime favorites of our team, and we've whipped up countless cookies, peanut butter brownies, focaccia, and banana bread batches with them. Other models are included because they've garnered rave online reviews from users who tout their design, power level, and special attachments as major plusses.
In our team’s testing, we focused on in-hand comfort, noise level, and general ease of use with each model. We’ve highlighted design features in these hand mixers that may not be immediately apparent when comparing specs online. To us, it’s important that any user can pick up one of these hand mixers and be able to immediately start using it. We also know that many people prefer hand mixers because they’re lightweight and easy to maneuver and store, so these were important criteria when considering which hand mixers to include in this guide.
Ready to get cooking? Check out our guide to the best hand mixers for all of your baking kneads.
Learn more about how we test products, from the questions we ask our testing team to the types of products we feel are actually worth testing to the overall time we put into our testing process.
With nine different speeds, a one-touch speed control, and a simple on/off button, Cuisinart's Power Advantage Plus Hand Mixer is one of the best hand mixers you can buy.
This mixer’s nine speeds range from slow and steady to surprisingly fast. Instead of a physical toggle, users can press the large buttons on its handle to crank up or turn down the power.
This was one of our team's favorite models to test because it offers pretty much everything that a good mixer should have at a cost that's fair for its performance level. It comes with two standard beaters, two dough hooks, a spatula, and a snap-on storage container to help keep everything organized — even the cord fits inside!
Key Takeaway: This hand mixer is quiet, comfortable in the hand, small, and easily maneuverable. It's the total package and the one we'd most enthusiastically recommend.
Featuring five speeds, a lighter-than-average weight, and endless versatility, this KitchenAid Hand Mixer may not be the most powerful model, but is very beginner-friendly.
It comes with two stainless steel beaters that can easily eject from the mixer with just a push of a button, which is so much safer than yanking them out of the device.
Bonus: When our team tested it, we found that we could lock the cord into either the left or right side of the mixer unit to approach baking projects from any angle. Lefties, rejoice!
Key Takeaway: If you typically bake soft and easy-to-mix projects like pumpkin pie, whipped egg whites, melted chocolate, and pie crusts, this is an easy-to-use mixer that's comfortable enough to hold for several minutes at a time.
Even if you bake infrequently, you should still get a hand mixer — you won’t believe the amount of time it’ll save you! But we understand that you may not want to shell out for a pricey, top-of-the-line model. Thankfully, this lightweight and very budget-friendly hand mixer from Walmart’s in-house brand Mainstays is a crowd favorite, and perfect for the needs of occasional bakers.
This mixer is equipped with five speeds, a moderate amount of power, and an eject button that'll release the beaters with a simple press. They can also snap to the bottom of the piece for easy storage. Reviewers love both of these features, along with the fact that this hand mixer is also comfortably lightweight and quiet.
Key Takeaway: It may be best for mixing things like loose batters, cookies, whipped cream, and eggs, but this small and lightweight $10 hand mixer tackles easy-to-work cooking tasks with total ease.
Breville’s Handy Mix Scraper is one of the smartest hand mixers our team has ever used. Equipped with an electronic sensor that automatically scrolls through nine speeds to ensure consistent mixing, this intuitive kitchen appliance is up to virtually any baking task.
While this hand mixer model is a powerhouse, it is also the heaviest and most expensive of the bunch. Luckily, its ergonomically shaped handle will help you get an easier grip on it. And if you're a serious baker, its ability to power through big batches of all types of dough in less time will help justify the cost (and arm workout).
The Breville comes with two dough hooks, two balloon whisks, and a snap-on case, but we particularly love its dual silicone-tipped scraper beaters that hit every nook and cranny of the mixing bowl without making a loud clacking sound — a very important benefit! They are also much easier to clean than standard beaters.
Key Takeaway: This substantial hand mixer is up to pretty much any kitchen task, from flour sifting to dough kneading. If you're not ready to commit to the shelf space required from a stand mixer, this is a great alternative that packs a punch.
With five speeds, plus a turbo boost feature at any speed interval, durable reinforced nylon beaters, and a very powerful 250-watt motor, BLACK+DECKER's Helix Performance Hand Mixer can handle virtually any baking task, from kneading to whipping. It also comes with two dough hooks and a single whisk.
No need to break out the earplugs with this model: Our team's testing found that its motor runs at a pleasantly low hum. Its beater heads also have no exposed metal at all, which means you won't have to worry about this hand mixer disturbing others while in use. (That's great news for all of you midnight bakers.)
We love its modern, streamlined design and the fact that it also comes in seven other really cute colors. Its included storage case can keep all of its attachments (and the cord) neatly stowed together.
Key Takeaway: This hand mixer looks and feels like a premium product, although it's surprisingly inexpensive. It's powerful yet quiet, which are two features that you rarely see in the same product.
Flexibility in the kitchen is key, and this 2-in-1 device delivers for home bakers who want it all. The Hamilton Beach stand mixer features a 290-watt motor that's suitable for most mixing tasks. Plus, its hand mixer component can also detach from the base to be used independently!
Its 4-quart bowl is perfect for holding small- to medium-sized batches, and its six speeds supply enough versatility for all your basic baking needs. This mixer comes with a double beater attachment, a single whisk attachment, and double dough hooks.
Key Takeaway: This versatile stand/hand mixer may not be the most attractive or easiest to store, but is great for giving your arms a break in the kitchen.
KitchenAid's 7-Speed Cordless Hand Mixer untethers you from your outlets, so you can bake wherever there's more elbow room in your kitchen.
This device is designed with a lithium-ion battery that fully recharges in under 2 hours, and its handy power indicator lets you know its current level so you're never caught mid-mix. In a pinch, you can still use the device while it's attached to its charging cord.
This hand mixer is lightweight and equipped with seven speeds, along with a genius soft-start feature that powers up the device slowly so that you don't splatter your batter everywhere. It comes in seven fun colors.
The cordless design is its key selling point — it doesn't come with any other attachments besides the two beaters, and reviewers say that it's not the quietest device. Its straight handle may also be tricky for those with limited wrist mobility to use.
Key Takeaway: If the words “cordless hand mixer” make your eyes light up, this is the model to get. It is easy to use anywhere and can handle standard baking tasks without an issue. Just keep in mind that you’re paying for design convenience, not versatility.
Melanie YatesSenior Home Decor EditorMelanie is the senior home decor editor of Best Products, where she's been researching and testing out home and bedding products since 2015 — her work can also be found on House Beautiful and Women's Health.
Danielle St. PierreSenior Food & Drink EditorDanielle is the former food & drink editor for BestProducts.com, where she put her knowledge as a cocktail consultant and connoisseur to use; her work can also be spotted on Thrillist, Food & Wine, and Delish.
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