An immersion blender, or as commonly referred, a hand blender is a perfect companion for any modern kitchen today. Aside from its easy-to-clean parts and compact size, it offers excellent versatility. This multi-purpose tool is a great choice to beat cream or eggs, puree soup, chop vegetables, and lots more.
Without breaking the bank, you can own a hand blender with blades and motor powerful enough to handle just about all greens thrown at it. With proper maintenance, the best immersion blender consumer reports should serve you for more than three years.
However, with a plethora of options out there, choosing the right model doesn’t come simpler. We understand how challenging this can be, which is why we’ve carefully handpicked the best immersion blender America’s test kitchen for the year.
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What Are Immersion Blenders Best For?
Immersion blenders are great for small jobs like making pesto, dips, mayonnaise, whipped cream, scrambled eggs, and so much more. They can also make smoothies, milkshakes, and frozen drinks for one or two people — but only for one or two people because the motor (and blades) are smaller and cannot run for a long time without overheating.
Hard foods (nuts and seeds) and fibrous foods (kale and carrots) should be avoided because they will not become silky smooth. Instead, use a powerful blender or food processor. Also, the blade must be completely submerged in order to work – you may have difficulty blending very small amounts.
Best Immersion Blender Consumer Reports – Top 5 Products from American’s Test Kitchen
Here are top rated immersion blender consumer reports in 2020
Top 1 – Breville BSB510XL Control Grip Immersion Blender
When it comes to kitchen appliances, Breville is one of the reliable brands in the industry. Their quality and construction are impressive, and this model from the brand is no exception. Powerful yet noise-free, this appliance will make cooking a lot convenient.
It’s no surprise that this machine is rated as the best immersion blender by America’s test kitchen for quality. Made of stainless steel, this unit offers longer-term functionality and machinery durability, which means you don’t have to worry about your investment breaking down at any time.
Thanks to the 15 variable speeds, this machine offers precise control to ensure you get the preferred texture and all ingredients are thoroughly and evenly blended. Plus, all components of this model are hassle-free to clean and very practical.
For instance, the whisk attachment comes in handy for making whipped cream and beating eggs — also, the rightly-sized chopping bowl which accommodates your chopped onions, vegetables, and more. Since Breville BSB510XL Control Grip Immersion Blender is a food processor that is capable of handling large basil pesto batch, you don’t have to get your large food processor.
The main drawback of the unit is its height and a heavy top, which results in some instability when paused during use. Still, this unit is always a good buy for any modern kitchen.
Pros:
- Handy attachments
- High power motor
- Durable construction
- Efficient and noise-free
Cons:
- Undesirably tall
- Fails to crush whole ice cubes
Top 2 – KitchenAid KHB2561OB 5-Speed Hand Blender
Another versatile option is KitchenAid KHB2561OB 5-Speed Hand Blender with exceptional performance when it comes to blending chunky fruits and vegetables into delicious, creamy smoothies.
This everyday use for a hand blender is whipping up protein and fruit smoothies. While all of the products reviewed in this list can do that, this machine just does it better with its specially-designed interchangeable bell blade setup.
Thanks to its S-blade assembly, users can easily puree and mix. The multi-purpose blade setup makes chopping frozen fruits or ice cubes, and also mincing ingredients and shredding cooked meat hassle-free. So also, there’s a beater and frother blade setup for whipping airy and light smoothies, batters, and coffee drinks.
KitchenAid KHB2561OB 5-Speed Hand Blender takes away the struggle and requires to twist for switching the blades – no tools required. Further, this model is noise-free and packs a real punch. Plus, it offers five different speeds to pick from and a blending arm measuring 8 inches, which makes this appliance suitable for tall smoothie cups and deep pots of soup. So also, when not in use, this product is easy to stash away.
Similarly, there’s a whisk attachment to help make whipped cream, salad dressings, and mayonnaise; a 2.5-cup chopper to tackle herbs, nuts and cheese. That’s not all: it includes a 4-cup baker featuring a lid to measure and store protein drinks, smoothies, baby food and others.
Pros:
- Ergonomic design
- Powerful performance
- Interchangeable blade setups
- Five different speed options
Cons:
- Some components are not dishwasher safe
Top 3 – KOIOS oxasmart 800-Watt/ 12-Speed Immersion Hand Blender
Sturdy and versatile, this powerful immersion blender features a handy set of attachment to help make your cooking task easy to accomplish and turn your green items into healthy, delicious frozen dessert without any hassle.
This appliance features a stick blender, a whisk attachment and a beaker. All these attachments sport a simple method of attachment to the motor, which controls the power and speed. Best of all, they are built from high-quality materials and dishwasher safe, making them very easy to wash and maintain.
Speaking of build quality, it features a sturdy motor housing and very well made metal parts. The only downside is the blade sharpness, which is not quite impressive, but still enough to chop dry, wet, or even frozen foods.
That’s not all: it includes a lit-up dial featuring six various speed settings to allow you to choose the right power to blend the food item. The power controls are incredibly designed to offer ease of use unlike other models on the market. So also, it comes with a “Turbo” button to provide extra power burst without turning the dial when needed.
Keep in mind that KOIOS oxasmart 800-Watt/ 12-Speed Immersion Hand Blender is not ideal for blending hot liquid according to the manufacturer. This reason for this isn’t included, perhaps to prevent hot liquid splattering on the Blender and user, which pose a serious danger. As a result, it becomes difficult to know whether or not this impactful Blender can be used for making soup.
The KOIOS oxasmart 800-Watt/ 12-Speed Immersion Hand Blender comes in a vertical design, which saves more space on the counter. While people may be quick to judge this model due to its compact size, it’s up for the tasks except you need a model that mix cement.
Pros:
- Ideal for mixing items
- Easy to assemble
- Multiple speed options
- Sleek design
Cons:
- Not recommended for blending hot liquids
Top 4 – KitchenAid KHB2351CU 3-Speed Hand Blender
To begin with, this is another model with a sturdy feel, decent power and simple mode of operation. It features three variable speeds to allow you to blend, puree, chop, whisk, and crush to make soups, milkshakes, and smoothies. Also, it does a great job of making your baby food.
Unlike most products on this review, KitchenAid KHB2351CU 3-Speed Hand Blender includes a storage bag to house some attachment and make travelling around with the unit hassle-free. Another thing is the included small chopper attachment and whisk, which offer impressive versatility and endless options.
Particularly, the chopper attachment works best for creating cracker crusts and processing nuts and hard cheeses. Also, the whisk does a great job in beating eggs, whipping cream, and mixing things. Bear in mind that this hand blend can’t be as fast as a dedicated mixer.
Let’s talk about the disappointing part of this model. The cup included is prone to scratching, which means it requires extra care when handling it. Next. Regardless of how fast or slow you go, this model tends to splash.
In the end, you may have to clean your counter due to the mess and deal with the wastage. We’d have preferred that this model comes with a built-in lid with a hole in the middle to help tackle this issue.
Pros:
- Simple operation
- Dishwasher safe components
- Quick and conveniently
- Ideal for baby foods
Cons:
- Blender cup prone to scratches
- Poorly-constructed chopper attachment
Top 5 – KOIOS Powerful 800W Stainless Steel Stick, 4-in-1 Hand Immersion Blender
With an 8-inch blending arm and blade locks, KOIOS Powerful 800W 4-in-1 Hand Immersion Blender offers smooth operation. It comes with a wide blade guard to ensure that this unit easily blends and chop sturdy or thick items.
With quick operations, you can treat yourself to produce-packed smoothies as you rush out of the door during busy mornings. Further, it comes with a 500ml BPA-free food chopper attachment to process cheeses, cooked meats, chop herbs, and nuts.
The immersion blender chopper attachment features a reversible blade. The blade has a blunt and sharp side, and it’s attached to a plastic ring, and lets users choose the right blade. Moreover, there is a 600ml beaker suitable for blending.
What’s more? The stainless steel balloon whisk attachment offers fantastic versatility allowing you to stir, blend, froth, beat, thicken and whisk your favourite ingredients. This model offers a beautifully smooth sauce or custard without lumps.
Pros:
- Soft grip and ergonomic handle
- Easy to maintain
- Offers a high level of convenience
- 12 speed and turbo function
- Comfortable touch silicone buttons
Cons:
- Misleading product description
What To Consider Before Buying An Immersion Blender?
- Blade Guard: This is the blender’s dome-shaped cover for the blades. We discovered 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 between the blades is easier to reach. Simply ensure that the blade guard will fit easily in your favorite pots and smoothie cups.
- Handle and Grip: To use the immersion blender, grip the handle with one hand and press the on, off, or speed buttons with your fingers, so it should be easy to hold and use. If the handle is too big, the buttons are too small or awkwardly placed, or the blender is too heavy, your hands will get tired. Furthermore, the buttons should be easy to press without exerting too much force. When you hold the handle, your fingers should naturally fall on the buttons. Non-slip rubber handles were found to be softer and easier to grip.
- Design: Look for a model that is small enough to fit in a kitchen drawer. Though immersion blenders are extremely simple to clean, we prefer models with a removable blender attachment and are dishwasher-safe.
- Corded vs cordless: Electric cords provide constant power, but they can become tangled, burned, or knock things over on a busy kitchen counter and stove-top. Although cordless models are portable and convenient, they may lose power before you complete the task.
- There may be additional attachments for chopping, processing, whisking, or frothing. If you already have these appliances, you can save money by purchasing a model that does not include the extras. A sturdy, tall, and narrow blending jar reduces splattering and makes the up-and-down motion required for blending easier. You can also serve or store food directly in it!
- Wattage: The immersion blenders we tested had motors ranging from 225 to 600 watts, and while wattage is an indicator of power, we discovered that it does not reflect quality, performance, or comfort.
Alternative Video: Why You Want An Immersion Blender?
Conclusion
We’ve done our part by reviewing the best immersion blenders, and now it’s up to you to make a choice based on your personal preference and needs.
The Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender is an excellent immersion blender that can quickly and thoroughly blend tough ingredients with minimal splatter or suction. If you’re looking for a less expensive option, the Nutribullet Immersion Hand Blender provides incredible power and precision without the bells and whistles of the Breville.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you make pureed soups, an immersion blender is a must-have tool. We recommend upgrading from an older immersion blender only if it doesn’t produce smooth textures, is difficult to hold and use, or if you want more attachments, such as a mini chopper or whisk.
The immersion blender’s superpowerful blades are equally adept at pulverizing frozen fruit as they are at pureeing vegetables. Simply combine your smoothie ingredients in the beaker that came with your immersion blender and chug that bad boy.
A handheld immersion blender, also known as a hand blender or stick blender, can perform many of the same functions as a standard blender. This means that you can use an immersion blender instead of a blender to combine or process ingredients in many recipes, such as lightly lemony blender cheesecake.