If you’ve ever attempted to bake anything as basic as a cake, cupcake, or cookie, or mashed potatoes or made pancake batter, you know how useful a hand mixer can be.
Rather of dragging out big equipment, hand mixers are best suited for lighter, beating and mixing chores or creating products in smaller amounts. Some of the common chores that a hand mixer may help you with include:
- Whipping eggs or egg whites
- Whipping cream
- Mixing cake batter
- Preparing icing
- Creaming butter
- Mixing salad dressing
- Preparing homemade mayonnaise
- Sauces, dips and marinades
- And much more
Hand mixers with attachments allow you to go beyond light duty mixing and into moderate to heavy duty mixing, such as creating pizza dough or kneading bread dough.
Stand mixers, on the other hand, are a superior alternative for the most demanding mixing duties since they have more powerful engines and can handle denser doughs effectively.
Contents
- Hand mixer attachments
- What Else To Consider
- The Cost Factor
- So which is the best hand mixer overall?
- Are there other hand mixers to consider?
- Final thoughts
- FAQs
- Which hand mixer is best for baking?
- What is the most common type of mixer used in baking as well as cooking?
- What is the best hand mixer for stiff cookie dough?
- Which is better hand mixer KitchenAid or Cuisinart?
- What brand of mixer is used on Bake Off?
- What size mixer is best for baking?
- What is the most commonly found mixer in a professional bakeshop?
- Which mixers are recommended?
- What are the three 3 basic types of mixers?
- What is the best mixer for dough and baking?
Hand mixer attachments
Hand mixers come with several simple accessories in addition to built-in features such as numerous speeds, LED displays, and retractable wires. These accessories are intended to perform certain mixing jobs and may greatly simplify the work.
These attachments may be classified as follows based on their design features:
Beaters
A set of conventional center post beaters is included with every hand mixer. Beaters are used for various types of mixing and beating, from light batters for crepes to heavy batters for cakes.
They are also appropriate for jobs such as creaming butter and sugar without whipping in too much air, or mashing cooked potatoes.
Wire beaters
The wire beater, a variant on the standard center post beater, is thinner than the center post beater and integrates more air into the mixture. Wire beaters are also less difficult to clean. You may use them for whatever that conventional beaters are used for.
Whisk
This is the accessory you need to make whipping considerably simpler. It is used to integrate air into the mixture or to level out the contents by removing lumps. The greatest are manufactured of stainless steel and will rapidly assist you in whipping up cream, egg whites, or mousse.
Some types’ whisk attachments may additionally include a balloon whisk.
Dough hooks
Dough hooks are made to handle dough and knead it to perfection. They are a lot simpler and more handy alternative to hand kneading and remove most of the labor out of it.
In fact, the dough hooks may be used for anything that needs kneading. This attachment has a pair of hooks that spin and fold the dough in the bowl, resulting in a well-kneaded dough that can then be used as directed by the recipe.
Snap on storage
A snap on storage piece is always a good choice, more of a feature than an attachment. It allows you to keep all of your extra accessories in one location, removing the aggravation of missing them.
What Else To Consider
Comfort
A great hand mixer should be balanced and comfortable to handle in terms of comfort. It should be simple to move into and out of its storage location.
It should also be light enough to be comfortable if you need to use it for a lengthy mixing or beating session, such as whipping up a meringue.
Speed
Hand mixer settings may range from simple three-speed beaters to a staggering 16 speeds. However, having more speed settings does not result in a better mixer.
Quality mixers with just 4 to 5 speeds can handle most mixing chores just as effectively as those with many more speed possibilities. However, seek for a gradual start speed to minimize splattering and a turbo boost option to provide more power during mixing.
Stability
Look for hand mixers that have a bowl rest. Because you’ll need to rest the mixer somewhere while you’re doing other things, a bowl rest function allows you to seat the machine against the bowl to collect any drippings.
Purchase a hand mixer with a simple release mechanism. Sometimes, after doing a good job, the challenge begins after all of the work has been completed. It might be inconvenient if accessories do not readily detach from the mixer.
Additionally, check for dish washer-safe accessories for extra ease.
The Cost Factor
If you don’t need anything too elaborate, hand mixers are reasonably priced gadgets. Most clients can easily locate a nice device priced between $50 and $100 that has a wealth of capabilities that will allow them to handle any kind of mixing work.
Even if your budget is less than $50, you can discover enough variety and models to produce strong results with a few sophisticated features added in.
Just keep in mind that, unless there is a distinct design benefit, you should not have to pay a premium for a simple device. Price is generally influenced by the number of possible speeds, power, and other accessories.
For the most part, the ordinary client may get the greatest bang for their buck by spending between $50 and $100.
So which is the best hand mixer overall?
We’ll take a look at some of the finest this category has to offer. Our list includes both low-cost and high-end hand mixers, but it is mostly based on performance, durability, and satisfying expectations.
Sunbeam Heritage Series Hand Mixer (Top Pick)
Sunbeam provides a selection of mid-priced mixers in a number of colors. This model has a 250 W motor and 6 speed settings. When you need more speed, there is also a burst power button.
This model has a beautiful design and three unique color choices. The ergonomic shape of the handle ensures optimal comfort and simplicity of usage. This model’s shape makes it simple to handle for long periods of time.
A cable wrap function is also included for simple storage.
Customers like the vertical storage caddy that comes with this Sunbeam hand mixer, which makes it a highly space-efficient appliance. The vertical storage caddy not only effectively stores accessories, but also enables the mixer to stand on the countertop or in the cabinet.
Overall, this item is simple to use, has good looks, and is recommended for anybody searching for style and longevity in a new hand mixer.
Pros:
- 250 W motor
- 6 speed settings
- Soft grip handle
- Power burst button
- Chrome beaters
- Storage caddy provided
- Available in 3 colors
- 1 year warranty
Cons:
- Its light weight may make it delicate to handle
Hamilton Beach 6 Speed Ergo Hand Mixer (Budget Pick)
Hamilton Beach has built a solid name in the mixer market by manufacturing both hand and stand mixers. This model was designed with ergonomics in mind, with a design that does not put strain on the wrists when using the mixer.
Instead, this Hamilton Beach model has a one-of-a-kind design that stresses the user’s comfort and control while using the unit. This model’s handle position lets the user to maintain their elbows down and their wrist in a neutral posture.
You may change speeds without readjusting your hand while remaining in this comfortable posture.
To reduce splattering, the Hamilton Beach hand mixer offers a gradual start setting and a Quickburst option. There are six different speeds to choose from to meet your stirring, folding, mixing, beating, creaming, and whipping needs.
Pros:
- Ergonomic design
- Comfort grip
- Slow start option
- Quickburst feature
- Stainless steel attachments
Cons:
- May be difficult to use for some people
- Some people are concerned about the motor’s noisy functioning.
- Dough hooks not included
Are there other hand mixers to consider?
Dualit 4 speed hand mixer
The Dualit 4 speed hand mixer is a neat little kitchen tool that will get you started. It has a sleek design with delicate curves and a glossy finish.
This type has a large, ergonomic, and easy-to-grip handle. There is also a speed slider and an eject button to disengage attachments.
The rear of the hand mixer has a swivel base that allows for dual use. First and foremost, the back works as a strong foundation to lay the mixer on when not in use, and it also functions as a winder to pull in the power cord for storage.
The Dualit hand mixer features two attachment-fitting holes on the bottom. One of the attachment places is round, while the other is hexagonal, which makes this distinctive.
To guarantee that the proper attachment fits into the corresponding slot, both apertures match to the attachment stems.
The balloon whisk attachment may be inserted into any slot. The machine also features a safety function that prevents it from overheating.
We would suggest this hand mixer to anybody who wants to save time beating eggs or cream. It has a strong motor that outperforms many other mixers with comparable characteristics.
Pros:
- Stylish design
- Powerful motor at 400W
- 4 speed settings
- Three attachments
- Retractable cord
- Plug store
- Safety cut off feature to prevent overheating
- Available in different colors
- Comes with recipe ideas
Cons:
- Speeds slower than other mixers
- Suggested running times seem too short
- Unit gets heavy after holding for a while
Cuisinart 7 Speed Hand Mixer
Cuisinart is a well-known brand in the field of small appliances. This Cuisinart model is perfect for everyday usage at home.
With 7 speeds to select from, this device can handle all of your mixing requirements, including aerating, whipping, and simply beating. There are three low speed settings for getting things started without creating a mess, as well as different speeds to work with depending on your recipe’s requirements.
The hand mixer has two extra-long, extra-wide beaters as well as a whisk. On the other hand, no dough hooks are supplied.
The beaters’ distinctive design lacks a middle post, preventing the mixture from adhering to the beaters. There is also an LED speed display to help you interpret the settings.
The Cuisinart 7-speed mixer includes a swivel cable that allows it to revolve in any direction. A plastic spatula and a recipe book are also supplied to keep you occupied.
We suggest it to anybody looking for an excellent hand mixer for routine culinary work.
Pros:
- 220 W motor
- 7 speed options
- 3 low speed settings
- Swivel cord
- LED speed display
Cons:
- Not ideal for working with thicker doughs
- More expensive than other similar models
- No dough hooks
- No storage option
KitchenAid KHM5120B 5 Speed
KitchenAid is a leading brand in the mixer industry, with more models than any other. The KitchenAid KHM5120B is a powerful, sleek, and user-friendly appliance that is well-suited to most kitchen duties.
This hand mixer has five variable speeds for consistent mixing. You may quickly adjust your culinary experience depending on the recipe’s needs. This unit’s strong beaters are well suited to mix any recipe to the proper consistency, from a leisurely stir to a vigorous whip.
The machine also has a gentle start option, a beater ejector button, a pro whisk, and the ability to choose from a variety of color selections.
The turbo beaters are dishwasher safe and include a swivel cord for the user’s convenience.
The only disadvantage of this machine is that no dough hooks are provided. So, if all you need to do with the mixer is light to moderate duty work, this is a dependable, basic hand mixer to consider.
However, if you need something to deal with doughs and heavier mixes, we suggest checking out some other KitchenAid models.
Pros
- Reliable basic unit from a reputable brand
- 5 speed setting, enough for most jobs
- Quiet operation
- Cost effective unit
Cons:
- Not suited for very heavy duty tasks
- No dough hooks included
- No storage option
Final thoughts
Hand mixers are tiny, space-saving equipment that provide good performance for regular kitchen activities.
Anyone who likes cooking or baking will find our list of suggested hand mixers useful for preparing anything from a small cake to a four-course feast.
So you have mixers in various price ranges, with several advantages and the promise of delivering a high-profile performance, all in one spot. Which one will be most effective for you?
FAQs
Which hand mixer is best for baking?
Best Overall: Amazon’s Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer. Go to the Review section.
Amazon has the best price on the Cuisinart 9-Speed Handheld Mixer. Go to the Review section.
Amazon has the best cordless mixer, the KitchenAid 7-Speed Cordless Hand Mixer.
Amazon’s Best Buy for Beginners: KitchenAid 5-Speed Hand Mixer.
Smeg Hand Mixer at Amazon has the best design.
What is the most common type of mixer used in baking as well as cooking?
Planetary Blender
The planetary mixer is the most popular choice in household kitchens. A stationary dish is rotated by the center mixing wand.
KitchenAid 9-Speed Digital Hand Mixer is ideal for cookie dough. KitchenAid is on the list of best mixers for the second time, this time with the 9-Speed Digital Hand Mixer. This mixer weighs little under two pounds and includes a “soft grip” handle for safe and comfortable holding during long mixing sessions.
Which is better hand mixer KitchenAid or Cuisinart?
The Cuisinart is also more difficult to use, clean, and store than our top selection. However, when compared to the similarly priced KitchenAid and VonShef mixers, the Cuisinart is significantly more effective, with a longer guarantee, and a convenient storage container.
What brand of mixer is used on Bake Off?
Artisan stand mixer by KitchenAid
The KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer (available in colorful and metallic colors) is the batter-mixer of choice in the Bake Off tent.
What size mixer is best for baking?
It is critical to choose the size that will be most beneficial to you. The normal size ranges from 4.5 to 5.5 quarts. This is big enough to knead a loaf of bread or bake a batch of cookies. If you often bake big batches of cookies or bread, a larger mixer may be preferable.
What is the most commonly found mixer in a professional bakeshop?
The planetary mixer, perhaps the most prevalent form of commercial dough mixer seen in bakeries throughout the globe, is more of a one-size-fits-all dough mixer. These mixers come with replaceable accessories such as a dough hook, spiral, and whisk, as well as an interchangeable stainless steel bowl.
Which mixers are recommended?
Our Favorite Stand Mixers
Overall winner: KitchenAid Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer.
Hamilton Beach All-Metal Stand Mixer is the best buy.
KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5-Qt Stand Mixer is the best compact.
The most affordable option is the Costway Stand Mixer.
Wolf Gourmet High Performance Stand Mixer is ideal for large batches.
What are the three 3 basic types of mixers?
The three kinds of commercial mixers and their applications are discussed further below.
Dough Blenders. Dough mixers, also known as spiral mixers, are made out of a stationary spiral-shaped agitator that circles around the bowl.
Planetary Blenders.
Mixers with Vertical Cutter.
What is the best mixer for dough and baking?
Reviews of the Best Bread Dough Stand Mixers
What’s Cooking in Blair’s Kitchen: 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer from the KitchenAid Artisan Series.
Hamilton Beach 7-Speed Stand Mixer is the most affordable option.
Delish by Dash Stand Mixer is the best mini.
Ideal for Attachments: Ankarsrum Original 7-Liter Stainless Steel Stand Mixer.