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 GregoryReviewed by Eva BleyerKitchen Appliances Lab Reviews Analyst
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Immersion blenders, also known as hand blenders or stick blenders, are compact, wand-shaped tools that perform many of the same tasks as traditional blenders, often at a fraction of the price. The best immersion blenders can puree silky soups right in the pot, blend single-serving smoothies, emulsify vinaigrettes, and, with the right attachments, chop garlic or make hummus.
Our top picks:
- Best Overall: Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender
- Best Value: Hamilton Beach Two-Speed Hand Blender
- Best for Smoothies: KitchenAid Two-Speed Hand Blender
- Best for Soup: Vitamix Immersion Blender
I'm a trained chef, recipe developer, and contributing analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab. I, along with my expert colleagues in the Lab and GH Test Kitchen, have evaluated 15 immersion blenders over the past several years.
We've pureed frozen fruit into smoothies, blitzed hummus, and made dozens of fluffy mayos to identify four that compete with the best full-sized and personal blenders on the market. While an immersion blender won't completely replace a larger appliance, especially for big batches, our picks excel at smaller tasks, are easier to clean, and take up less storage space.
Best Deal
Pros
- Easy to operate
- Comfortable to grip
- Useful, dishwasher-safe attachments
Cons
- Blending cup is too large for some tasks
With an impressive 15 speed settings, this immersion blender includes several standout features that make it our top pick. Most models work by generating a vortex that suctions the blender to the bottom of the container. The Breville's notched blade guard minimizes suction, making it easier to lift while blending and reducing splatter. You need to move the blender up and down more than others for uniform blending, but it's easy to operate. I love that the 15 speed settings offer more precise control over the texture of your ingredients.
The rubber handle is soft, narrow, and comfortable, and the power button is easy to press. The blade guard's plastic edge is gentler on your cookware than models with a stainless steel edge, and the blender attachment clips easily onto the motor and doesn't budge.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: This pick came with the largest lidded mixing jar we evaluated (42 ounces). It's great for large batches, but requires more maneuvering (and scraping down the sides) for smaller servings. We found the jar too large for a small batch of mayonnaise, but we made a silky-smooth mayo in a smaller vessel. The jar's lid doubles as an anti-slip mat to place under the jar while blending to prevent spills (though you'll still want to hold the jar).
It also comes with a 3-cup food processor attachment, which was a top performer in our chopping tests. It finely chopped garlic and parsley and easily pureed hummus, but it chopped onions a little unevenly. This blender also includes a whisk attachment, and all attachments are dishwasher-safe.
Pros
- Affordable
- Quickly purees soft ingredients
- Ideal for blending small quantities
Cons
- Cumbersome to operate for a long time
This budget-friendly immersion blender performed great with softer items, 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 smooth, uniform pot of soup in under 90 seconds. It features two blending speeds controlled by large, easy-to-press buttons.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: This blender has a 5-inch handle, which is the shortest we tested. I found it great for small-batch blending, but awkward to use in a deep container or pot. 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.
The plastic handle is wider than others and can feel slippery, making it harder to hold, especially for small hands. The blending attachment didn't feel as securely attached to the motor as those on other models, 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 |
Pros
- Powerful enough to blend frozen foods
- Available in a variety of fun colors
- Tangle-free cord
Cons
- Lacks additional accessories
I was impressed with the quality of this KitchenAid immersion blender, which happened to be one of the more affordable ones we evaluated. It quickly became our go-to for smoothies because it was fairly quiet (nice in the morning when you're still groggy or don't want to wake the rest of the house), powerful, and easy to use.
This hand blender comes in a variety of colors to match your kitchen aesthetic. I like that the handle is rubberized for a comfortable grip, and the trigger is easy to press. It doesn't come with a food processor attachment, but it does include a lidded 3-cup mixing jar that's great for storing leftover smoothies or dressing in the fridge. However, I wish the jar had a lip for pouring.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: This model effortlessly blended ice and whole strawberries into a creamy, drinkable smoothie. It also didn't suction to the bottom of blending vessels like other immersion blenders we tested, which makes it easier to move the blender around during use. The blender arm is also dishwasher-safe.
One of our favorite features of this model is its thick power cord, which doesn’t bunch or tangle.
Features at a Glance
| 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 |
Pros
- Emulsified mayo with ease
- LED light indicators for speed
- Scratch-resistant blade guard
Cons
- Heaviest motor in our tests
This Vitamix immersion blender features thoughtful details and delivers stellar performance. I love that the bottom of the blade guard has a soft plastic edge to protect pots and pans from nicks and scratches when you purée soups or sauces. It's also powerful enough to turn a big batch of chunky vegetable soup silky smooth in two minutes without excessive up-and-down motions.
While this model had the heaviest motor in our tests, it's still comfortable to hold and operate. The speed settings are clearly marked with lighted indicators.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: This model blended a thick and smooth berry smoothie, but we were really impressed by its ability to make a quick, silky mayonnaise that tasted great. Mayonnaise can be tricky because it can break or resist emulsification, but this tool emulsified the mixture easily within two minutes.
You can purchase just the immersion blender or opt for the complete bundle, which includes a whisk attachment, a mini chopper, and a blending jar.
| 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
- All-Clad Immersion Blender: We were impressed by the powerful yet quiet motor on this immersion blender. However, it's heavier than the others we tested and expensive.
- Black+Decker Kitchen Wand Cordless Immersion Blender: This cordless tool includes attachments to puree, whisk, open cans and wine bottles, froth milk, and grind salt crystals and peppercorns, but there's a lot more to store.
- Braun MultiQuick 7 Hand Blender: This model features a useful variable-speed button: The harder you press, the more powerful it blends. However, the blade attachment collects water, and the food processor attachment is smaller than others (only 1 1/2 cups), and didn't chop the onion evenly.
- Breville All-in-One Immersion Blender: For this round, we tested only the food processor attachment, and we were impressed. It evenly chopped garlic, parsley, and onion, though the onion was a little wet.
- Cuisinart Smart Stick Variable Speed Hand Blender: This blender fully pureed a thick vegetable soup in 90 seconds. It successfully crushed frozen fruit for a smoothie, but it took about 30 seconds longer than our top picks. The processor chopped garlic evenly and was fairly good at chopping onions, but struggled to chop parsley and did not puree hummus effectively.
- GE Immersion 2-Speed Blender: This model blended a smoothie well, but splattered more than the others. The included food processor attachment was one of our top performers.
How we test immersion blenders
The experts in the Kitchen Lab have tested 15 immersion blenders over the last two years. We run each model through the same series of tests to evaluate ease of assembly and use, comfort, and overall performance.
✔️ Smoothie test: We evaluate a blender's ability to tackle ice and frozen whole strawberries. To confirm that each blend is smooth and even, we taste the smoothie and measure how much passes through a fine-mesh sieve.
✔️ Mayonnaise test: We make mayonnaise to test a blender's ability to emulsify, a delicate process that must occur smoothly and gradually to ensure stability. Too much power can cause mayo to break. We make mayo using egg, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, and oil, and measure how long it takes to emulsify. We then allow the mixture to rest on a fine-mesh sieve for five minutes to assess the separation.
✔️ Whipped cream test: To evaluate the hand blender's ability to make stable whipped cream, we whip a half pint of cream and measure how long it takes to achieve stiff peaks.
✔️ Soup test: Pureeing broccoli-potato soup helps us assess a blender's ability to puree large quantities without splattering or leaving chunks, as well as whether the blender works comfortably inside a Dutch oven on the stovetop.
✔️ Food processor tests: If the blender has a food processor attachment, we use it to chop garlic, parsley, and onions, and blend 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 each blender's weight, hand comfort, and available accessories. We review instruction manuals for clarity, noting helpful visuals, quick-start guides, and useful 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
✔️ Blade guard vents: The blade guard is the dome-shaped part of the blender arm that covers the blades. Wide blade guards with large vents better circulate the food for faster, more uniform blending. They're also easier to clean. Just make sure the blade guard fits 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. It should feel comfortable to hold and operate at the same time. Your hands may fatigue if the handle is too large, the buttons are too small or awkwardly placed, or if the blender is heavy. Additionally, buttons should be easy to access and press with minimal force. We prefer softer non-slip rubber handles over stainless steel or plastic.
✔️ Design: Look for a compact model that will fit in a kitchen drawer. We prefer models with a removable dishwasher-safe blender attachment for easy cleanup.
✔️ 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 running out of power before completing the job.
✔️ Additional attachments: Many blenders have a motor that connects to attachments for chopping, processing, whisking, or frothing. If you already have standalone versions of these appliances, you can save money and storage space by skipping the extras. However, attachments are convenient 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 with a lid. It helps keep the blender submerged, reduces splattering, and makes the up-and-down motion needed for blending easier. Plus, you can serve or store food in it.
✔️ Wattage: We've found that 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, it's not a reliable reflection of quality, performance, or comfort.
Why use an immersion blender instead of a full-size blender?
Good immersion blenders can do many of the same jobs as a regular blender, such as whipping up smoothies, milkshakes, and frozen drinks for one or two people, and take up less space. They're great for blending hot soups or sauces, as heat-related pressure doesn't build up as it does with a full-sized blender. Plus, you can blend directly in your pot for convenience and fewer dishes.
However, keep in mind that immersion blender motors and blades are smaller and can only handle small jobs before overheating.
What are hand blenders best for?
Immersion blenders are great for a variety of recipes, including:
✔️ 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
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Lizzy Briskin is a contributor to the Kitchen Lab, where she tests everything from ice machines to meat cleavers. She's a trained chef and long-time food writer. She helped test hand blenders for this guide and uses hers at home all the time for soups, sauces, and baby food.
Tina Martinez is a food producer in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen. She tested the chopping attachment on each immersion blender in this guide.
Sarah Gregory has led our immersion blender testing for several years and regularly uses immersion blenders at home as well. She covers all types of kitchen gear, including pepper grinders, electric knives, and grill thermometers.
Tina Martinez (she/her) is the food producer for the Hearst Lifestyle Group. Her work for Good Housekeeping includes recipe development and testing as well as food styling. She also brings the Kitchen & Cooking Lab’s expertise to GH’s popular “I Tried It” series, where she tests viral recipes and food trends. She has worked in the food industry since 2007, with experience as a restaurant line cook, culinary educator, and food stylist for editorial, digital, and television platforms. Tina now lives in Westchester with her husband after leaving Brooklyn for a little more suburban greenery. When she’s not cooking, she enjoys discovering local breweries, hiking in national parks, and digging for treasures at thrift stores. Instagram: @tina.d.martinez TikTok: @tinadmartinez
Sarah (she/her) is a deputy editor in the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she tests products and covers the best picks across kitchen, 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).
Eva (she/her) is the Reviews Analyst in the Kitchen & Cooking Lab. She tests kitchen appliances, cooking tools, and cookware using standardized lab protocols in order to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions. With more than 15 years of experience in the food industry—including work as a food stylist, personal chef, and food brand marketing manager—she brings both culinary expertise and practical insight to every review. Eva earned a Bachelor of Science in Food Studies, Nutrition and Public Health from New York University. She completed her culinary training at the Natural Gourmet Institute (now the Institute of Culinary Education) and holds foundational and intermediate barista certifications from the Specialty Coffee Association.
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