The Best Hand Mixers To Add To Your Baking Arsenal

For baking tasks that are too labor-intensive for a whisk but don’t require a mighty stand mixers, one kitchen tool fits the bill: a versatile hand mixer. Whether you’re an avid baker or seasoned chef, these handheld devices are must-haves, as they allow you to tackle a crucial baking chore with ease and precision. That’s why it’s worth investing in one the best hand mixers, which are powerful yet lightweight, making them an all around delight to use.

Our favorite hand mixers come from Breville, Black + Decker, Smeg and more.

Illustration: Forbes / Image: Retailers

Our top pick overall is the Breville Handy Mix Scraper, a powerful gadget with several speed options and incredibly quiet beaters, but we’ve outlined the benefits of different models ahead. While some hand mixers have fancy features and additional accessories that make them seem incredibly appealing, you may not need a tricked-out storage case or LED display screen.

For most at-home bakers, a straightforward mixer should work perfectly well. It’s our opinion that the most important thing to take note of is simply how powerful the mixer is. You want something that can stand up to ultra-thick batters without jamming, and you want the consistency of all resulting baked goods to be smooth and thoroughly mixed. Ahead, learn more about our absolute favorite hand mixers on the market.

Best Hand Mixer Overall

An Incredibly Versatile Model With Ultra-Quiet Beaters

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Breville Handy Mix Scraper

Number of Speeds: 9 | Power: 240 watts, 120 volts | Attachments: 2 scraper beaters, 2 dough hooks, 2 balloon whisks | Weight: 4 pounds

This Breville option is versatile, intuitive and sleek—and that’s just the start of why we love it. It comes with three different attachments that will work for almost anything you’re baking, and the mixer actually detects which attachment you’ve chosen, allowing it to recalibrate to the perfect speed for a given assignment. A total of nine different speeds plus a “boost” mode make it easy to adjust as needed, and the ergonomic handle is a big plus (it’s actually comfortable).

What really stands out about the Breville mixer, though, is its rubber scraper beaters. They really do make that irritating scraping-against-the-bowl noise a thing of the past—a fact that’s sure to be appreciated by any frequent baker. A detachable storage compartment adds to the mixer’s overall appeal, as does a swivel cord.

Best Budget Hand Mixer

A Durable Mixer That Is Comparable To More Expensive Brands

Amazon

Black & Decker Helix Hand Mixer

Number of Speeds: 5 | Power: 250 watts, 110 volts | Attachments: 2 Helix beaters, 2 dough hooks, 1 whisk | Weight: 2.91 pounds

At just $30, this is an excellent, budget-friendly option for buyers who don’t want to spend a ton, but still want a high-quality device that can get the job done. Thousands of happy customers have left positive reviews on this device’s product page over on Amazon, raving about how powerful and efficient it is. It’s definitely strong: The beaters are made of reinforced nylon, so they’ll stand up to even the toughest mixtures. What’s more, the mixer offers five different speeds, so you can select the one that’s right for you—and it comes with dough hooks and a whisk to help bring together whatever you’re baking. At just under three pounds, it’s also seriously lightweight. It also comes with a snap-on storage case that holds all of those (otherwise easy-to-lose) attachments.

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Most Powerful Hand Mixer

An Impressive Mixer With Convenient Accessories

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Braun Electric Hand Mixer

Number of Speeds: 9 | Power: 350 watts | Attachments: 2 MultiWhisks, 2 dough hooks, 2-cup chopper | Weight: 2.2 pounds

With an impressive 350 watts of power, this Braun mixer is just about as powerful as they come. It uses smart technology to redistribute the weight of the mixer out of your hand and into the bowl, which means you can put less effort into mixing and more into just enjoying yourself in the kitchen. There’s also a convenient control to help you switch between speeds with one hand while you’re mixing, and the MultiWhisk beaters are—as their name suggests—meant to be both whisks and beaters all in one. That’s a great way to create volume within batters. Finally, as a plus, this hand mixer also comes with a 2-cup chopper.

Best Cordless Hand Mixer

A Convenient Mixer That Keeps Splatter To A Minimum

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KitchenAid Cordless 7-Speed Hand Mixer

Number of Speeds: 7 | Power: N/A | Attachments: None | Weight: 2.09 pounds

Few things are more annoying—or time-consuming—than finding the cord of your hand mixer in your batter. Luckily, cordless hand mixers—like this KitchenAid pick—ensure that such things won’t happen. What’s more, with its rechargeable lithium ion battery, this mixer promises to make up to 200 cookies on a full charge. Another convenient feature: this mixer’s “Soft Start” capability, which gradually brings the beaters up to the speed you choose, limiting the amount of splatter that can happen in the beginning of the mixing process. Buyers, note that there are no additional attachments here (aside from the standard beaters); still, it’s a worthwhile, solid pick.

Most Stylish Hand Mixer

A Chic Mixer That’s Nice To Look At And Powerful

MOST POPULAR

Williams-Sonoma

Smeg Hand Mixer

Number of Speeds: 9 | Power: 300 watts | Attachments: 2 wire whisks, 2 beaters, 2 dough hooks | Weight: 2.5 pounds

If you want your hand mixer to be as chic as the rest of your kitchen, opt for the Smeg Hand Mixer. It’s sleek and retro-inspired, manufactured by a well-known Italian brand that’s beloved for its aesthetically pleasing kitchen appliances. The Smeg hand mixer comes in seven shades, including basic neutrals and several bright shades, all of which can be matched with other Smeg appliances in the same color scheme. But it’s more than just beautiful: The mixer is also powerful, featuring an impressive 300 watts and nine different speeds. A particularly unique feature is the LED display, which counts minutes and seconds as you’re mixing for more precise batter control.

Best Lightweight Hand Mixer

A Basic Mixer That Gets The Job Done

Amazon

KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer

Number of Speeds: 5 | Power: 60 watts | Attachments: 2 beaters | Weight: 2 pounds

At just 2 pounds, this KitchenAid mixer is lighter than many of the other options on our list. That’s a big plus for anyone who doesn’t feel like lugging around a larger device each time they need to get into baking mode. With 60 watts, it may not be as powerful as other mixers on paper, but thousands of glowing reviews on Amazon gush about the fact that it does work incredibly well for its price. The mixer features a lockable swivel cord and button beater ejector, and while it has no other attachments aside from the beaters, it’s a great basic pick.

Best Hand Mixer For Cookie Dough

A Strong Mixer With A Slow Start Option

Amazon

Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed Mixer

Number of Speeds: 9 | Power: 220 watts | Attachments: 2 beaters, 1 chef’s whisk, 2 dough hooks | Weight: 4.3 pounds

Ask any baker, and they’ll tell you the same thing: When you’re mixing cookie dough, you really need a tough device. Well, this Cuisinart hand mixer is indeed tough. With 220 watts, it’s incredibly powerful—and nine different speeds and three different attachments allow you to use it for almost anything. (There are also several low-start speeds to help you avoid splatter.) A storage case keeps everything neatly contained.

How We Chose The Best Hand Mixers

There’s no shortage of hand mixers on the market, but let’s be honest: Not every model is up for the task. To find the very best options for a variety of users, we started by researching the entire category and identifying all the bestselling models that also met our standards for quality. Along with brand trustworthiness, we also considered the functionality, power and value of top-rated models. After determining the best hand mixers, we then sorted our picks into categories to ensure we selected a wide variety of options to meet the needs of every type of baker.

How To Choose The Best Hand Mixer For You

Hand mixers are incredibly versatile, worthwhile tools. That said, it’s not always easy to find exactly the right model for you. Below, here’s what you should keep in mind when embarking on your shopping trip.

Number Of Speeds

Most hand mixers have between five and nine speeds. So, why are more speed options better? For serious bakers, they allow more control over the entire mixing experience. But other bakers still will prefer the simplicity of less speeds. There are also mixers available with “slow start” options, which help reduce splatter by gradually building up to the speed of your choice.

Power And Wattage

A powerful hand mixer is key. After all, you want something that effectively gets through even really thick batter. The standard 200 to 220 wattage is typically fine for most bakers, but if you want something that goes through thicker doughs with no problem, you may want to consider 300 or higher. Remember, the wattage refers to how much power goes into the mixer, not how much goes “out.”

Attachments

Hand mixers will always come with a set of standard beaters, but many models now come with other attachments as well, such as whisks and dough hooks. The attachments are nice, but they’re only necessary if you think you’ll really use them—for most standard recipes, you can get away with standard beaters alone. Whichever route you choose, look for stainless steel attachments—they’re more durable.

Cord vs Cordless

The cord on a hand mixer can feel limiting, especially if it’s on the smaller side. If you don’t mind the appliance being plugged in during use, though, then it shouldn’t be an issue. Cordless hand mixers can feel easier to use since they’re not attached to anything, but they must be charged regularly. You don’t want to reach for your mixer when a batter is ready, only to find that it has died. And besides, a spring cord works well for storage purposes.

Weight

Hand mixers should be lightweight enough to hold up comfortably for more than a few minutes. Around 2 pounds is a fairly standard weight that works for most people. You don’t want the mixer to be so light that it easily falls over, but you also don’t want to be holding something that feels much too heavy.

Which Is The Best Hand Mixer To Use?

We believe that Breville makes the best hand mixer for most people. Not only is the Handy Mix Scraper capable of tackling all sorts of mixing needs, thanks to its 9 speed settings, but it also comes with useful attachments like rubber scraper beaters. That said, we stand behind all the models on this list, all of which come from trusted kitchen brands: KitchenAid, Cuisinart and Smeg, to name a few.