Hand mixers can be a saviour in the kitchen of anyone serious about baking. Taking up less space than a stand mixer, and coming in at much cheaper too, they take most of the manual work out of your whisking yet still leave you with enough control to get the end result you want.
If you fancy yourself as the next Mary Berry, or just want to experiment with more home-cooked bakes, then an electric hand held food mixer could be a great help. There is a lot to consider when finding your ideal model though, from weight to power and flexibility. You don’t want to fall out of love with it before you’ve even started using it to the full potential.
We have put them all to the test and found the ten best when considering all of the factors we think you need to bear in mind, too.
The Best Hand Mixer – Our Top Picks
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Best Hand Mixers
If you are to look at any review compilation of the best stand mixers on the market, including our own, you’ll probably see a KitchenAid Artisan model in the top three at the very least, if not at the very top. This hand mixer has everything the stand model has. A sleek, stylish style which will fit into any kitchen and jazz up your decor. A huge choice of nine speeds. An incredibly strong, sturdy build which will certainly make it one of the longest lasting kitchen appliances in your home. Switching between speed settings is made easy with the press of the up or down button. If your mixture requires a slow start but then a steady build-up into a whizz, this can all be done with the hand that’s holding the actual whisk. It is smaller than the stand model, a lot cheaper and just as good at performance. If your kitchen does not allow for a large bulky machine, or you can’t justify spending over £300 at the very least, then spending that little bit more on this hand mixer will be plenty sufficient. In comparison to the other models on the list, the buttons aren’t in the best position. It can be a bit of a stretch to get to them, especially if your hands are on the smaller size. It also can’t really be placed down in between mixes, unlike others with flat bases. But the choice of speeds and attachments will surely please any baking aficionados. KitchenAid Hand Mixer User Manual The stand mixer is a kitchen favourite. This little hand mixer is a more accessible version for many out there, without the loss of power and efficiency You’re torn between an electric hand mixer and a stand mixer. The former offers more control, will likely be cheaper and will store away easier. But the latter is just overall a bit less hard on the wrists. The KENWOOD Chefette has found the perfect balance. It can be used as a hand mixer if you have any requirements which mean you’d like a bit more control or want to whip up a fresh smoothie. But it can also be attached to a stand, tilted and placed over the 3L bowl it comes with to leave your hands a bit freer and offer some stability. To add to the mixing quality, the bowl rotates when in use so more ingredients are captured (as with most stand mixers, some manual combination may also be needed). There is also a bowl cover included in case you want to prevent splashes and escaping mixture. The actual bowl is metallic so sturdy and easy to keep clean. The first few times you use it as a stand mixer, everything seems to be very stiff and the lever to raise and lower the mixer into the bowl is hard to get right, so it takes a while to get moving. When reviewing the Kenwood as a standalone hand mixer, it is easy to use and navigate and comfortable to hold. Price-wise, to say it is pretty much a 2-in-1 item, the fact it is nowhere near twice the price of the average hand mixer is very welcome. In fact, it is pretty great value when considering. KENWOOD Chefette HM680 Hand Mixer with Bowl User Manual A super-handy little device for those of you out there who are wondering whether stand or hand is the way forward, and there is no reason why it won't be up to the job you set it to Fearne Cotton has joined with Swan to launch a brand-new range of kitchen appliances inspired by her love of baking and cooking, and this hand mixer is one of the standouts. The first thing to mention is that it is available in four different pastel shades – honey, lily, peacock and truffle – so if you’re conscious about aesthetics, then it’ll surely please you. There are five speed settings, and a turbo boost option will help get through any trickier thick mixes until they free up a bit more. It is easy to flick between them all using the hand that’s holding the machine, so you don’t have to juggle it and risk it all going a bit wrong. The switch moves freely to each step without going too far. It has a lot of power. The lowest setting could be a bit slower, but in all, it is great for tackling whatever mix you throw at it. Just beware if mixing dry ingredients as you don’t want it to be on a high setting for fear of a bit of a dust cloud. If you ever get beyond choosing your perfect colour, then this mixer will happily become your newest best kitchen friend. The addition of the balloon whisk is welcome, too. Fearne By Swan 5 Speed Hand Mixer User Manual A powerful little device for a great retail price, this Swan mixer is a good pick for any true baker's kitchen and you're probably going to want it in every single colour. Even the user manual and instructions are a stand-out Three dedicated speeds and a pulse function will give you quick results and perfect batters and cake mixes. It is a great size, easy to store even in kitchens short on space. It is also comfortable to hold and manoeuvre around the bowl. Speeds are changed with a handy switch which can easily be moved up or down while the mixer is still in use, which will hopefully reduce any possible mess from batter flying everywhere when it is brought out of the bowl. We liked the little cord grip at the side of the base which will hold your power cord in place when wrapped for storage. There is little more annoying than realising the cable has become tangled around absolutely everything else in your cupboard so when you pull it out, everything comes with it. It will also keep it free of knotting and denting. There is no denying it is on the basic side. But the price does reflect that, and if you don’t need an all-singing-all-dancing mixer, then it will certainly keep you happy. We don’t see why it won’t last for a good few years, either, and with regular use. Basic yet effective and does what it should. Kenwood products are known for being great, and this one doesn’t disappoint Rotating smoothly to capture all ingredients with no mess, the Dualit is one of the easiest hand whiskers which we reviewed to control. When choosing the right speed and fitting, any mixture can be dealt with. From whisking egg whites to combining butter with flour, it is best described as a bit of a multi-tasker. Just push the slider upwards with your thumb when it is in use to increase speed, making it great for starting slowly and finishing on a boost. We liked its shiny metallic style, which is different to the vast majority of others on the market. Great if your kitchen is full of the stainless steel look and you’re struggling to find a whisker that will match. It is also available in white or metallic red, though Now for the feature which made all of us get very excited. There isn’t only a retractable cord storage option to keep the electrical cable completely out of the way of tangling/bending, but there is also integral plug storage. The attachment area isn’t just for your whisks and beaters, but also holds the plug when not in use. Pretty genius in our mind. It is on the heavier side if this is a concern to you, but if not, then the other glowing reviews should definitely sway you if we haven’t. Dualit 89300 Hand Mixer User Manual Stylish and a little bit different, the storage possibilities for this whisker make it a real standout for anyone who doesn't like clutter Surely a welcome helping hand when undertaking baking tasks, this Braun is effortless to operate. It is the heaviest on our list, so not one for anyone who gets tired arms and wrists after a few minutes. But this is relative to the power level it offers the user. The speeds cover a good range, which is great compared to some others which seem to be a bit too fast on all settings. When used correctly with the best attachment, this gives great results and consistency for a range of mixes, especially for smaller batches. Choosing the perfect speed is just a matter of flicking the switch with your thumb when you’re holding the device. There are loads of little design features to make it easier for you to use. The motor is placed over the whisks as opposed to near the handle, so the weight is distributed to the bowl rather than your hand. A soft grip handle makes things both comfortable and secure. A flexi cord outlet keeps the power cable away from the device and your hand whether you’re resting or using it, which keeps the area clear and the cable and body clean. The price is great for the quality you get, and the attachments look and feel sturdy, so you don’t have to beware when working with firmer mixes. Braun MultiMix HM3100 hand mixer User Manual Basic in looks, but certainly makes up for it in terms of quality. A brand perhaps more associated with garden power tools, you would be right in thinking this is one powerful piece of kit. The CleverMixx Hand Mixer from Bosch is versatile and adaptable to your cooking needs. There are four speeds, plus a turbo boost if it doesn’t seem to be powering through your doughy, extra chocolatey brownie mix. It is fast to tackle liquid-based tasks such as cream and eggs, whipping them up in just a few seconds thanks to the powerful motor. The beater seems to be a great shape for adding enough air into the mixes and creating a fluffy, light batter with cakes and bakes. Attachments can be removed using the eject button, and placed straight into the dishwasher, so they’re easy to look after. Wrap-around cable storage will keep everything tidy when it is placed away, and it can be stood on its end when both in storage or in between mixes to stop your worktop becoming messy with drips. It only weighs 0.7kg so is quite light and easy to hold for a long period. It is also quiet when in use despite there being a very powerful motor. Speeds cover a good range from slow to fast, although the slowest is possibly a little fast compared to some others on the market. Bosch MFQ2420BGB CleverMixx Hand Mixer Spec Sheet Packed with power, but retailing at a generous price, this will fit right into any kitchen and is super easy to use An everyday hand mixer with no overcomplicated settings or attachments, this Russell Hobbs is fabulous for anyone who doesn’t want to spend over £20. It isn’t the most powerful. It isn’t the prettiest. It doesn’t have the biggest range of speeds. But for something which can offer help to get through batters and mixtures which would otherwise take a lot of arm power. Speed control is a letdown. Whereas it seems logical to have slow to fast (especially when there are six settings), this model has fast to, well, faster. The differences between each are minimal, so if you have a lot of dry ingredients be prepared for a bit of a flour shower if you don’t plan ahead. Control is also sensitive, so it is easy to turn it off when lowering rather than slowing it down. But the price will likely appeal to you, and it is a lovely compact easy-to-hold shape so great for anyone who finds grip difficult. The mess can be rectified by investing in a deeper bowl and maybe covering slightly with a tea towel, so don’t let it put you off. It is also incredibly lightweight, so great if the kids want to get involved or for elderly relatives. Russell Hobbs Food Collection Hand Mixer with 6 Speed 14451 Our budget option, and it isn't the best performer, but is fab for anyone who wants to take the effort out of baking without breaking the bank With a strong build, variable speeds, and at a budget price, this is a good option if you want a mixer which is for periodic use or it will be your first, and you need to get used to how they work. There have been some improvements with the older design, such as the motor now starting slowly automatically until your mix is stable enough to not risk flyaways. The vents are also far enough away from the whisk to avoid flour and other debris entering, which was a previous issue. It tackles a range of mixtures as expected, from egg whites to cake batter. The five speeds are generous and easily differentiable from each other. We have mentioned the vents, and these are presumably in place to cool the motor down which is not something which features in a lot of other models. It is needed though, as the motor seems to run for about five minutes before needing about ten minutes rest. Therefore, it isn’t one for anyone who likes batch cooking or needs to get through big tough mixtures, but for the occasional egg whisk or part-help with your baking, the price makes it worth having in the cupboard for those ‘just in case’ moments. The big flaw is the design, but in terms of usability and performance it is good for those little short tasks and comes in at a reasonable priceKitchenAid 5KHM9212BCU Hand Mixer
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Kenwood Chefette HM680 Hand Mixer with Bowl
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Fearne By Swan 5 Speed Hand Mixer
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Kenwood HM520 Hand Mixer
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Dualit 89300 Hand Mixer
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Braun HM3100 Multimix 3 Hand Mixer
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Bosch MFQ2420BGB CleverMixx Hand Mixer
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Russell Hobbs Food Collection Hand Mixer with 6 Speed 14451
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Hand Mixer Buying Guide
Price
Hand mixers can fall anywhere between £5 and £100+. Those at the lower end of the scale may be slightly more cumbersome to hold, feature fewer speed settings and have lower quality attachments, but there are some gems out there to be found.
More expensive models are generally better quality, will be more powerful and may include more attachment options. However, there are some which are not worth paying extra money for – high price doesn’t always account for high quality.
Attachments
Hand mixers don’t just whisk liquids. Many can also mix batters or bread dough. Some attachments which may be available with your chosen model are:
- Beater: Your standard whisk attachment, which is included with all hand mixers
- Dough Hook: Also included with most models. They are designed to take some of the arm work out of the kneading process, so great for anyone who home bakes bread
- Balloon Whisk: These are wider and more spacious than ordinary beaters, to incorporate air into batters and cake mixes or make creams and egg whites fluffy for meringues/souffle. But beaters do this too on a smaller scale, so it isn’t a vital attachment unless you know you’ll get the most use out of it
Grip
The hand mixers we reviewed were all comfortable to hold, as we believe this to be an important factor. Think of the style of handle you like, whether you need a rubberised grip, and the positioning of the control buttons in comparison.
Weight
Weight does not make a huge difference in terms of performance, although heavier ones can sometimes be a bit less ‘freely moving’ if you like to have control.
Mostly, it boils down to personal preference. You may find it difficult to hold a heavy appliance for a long period, or hard to navigate it around a bowl.
FAQ’s
Will I Be Able To Purchase Extra Attachments?
You’ve found your perfect mixer, but it doesn’t come with a balloon whisk. Before you buy, check with the manufacturer’s website and see if extras are available to buy.
If you already have a balloon whisk from an older appliance, don’t try using it with your new mixer. Best scenario, it just doesn’t fit. Worst scenario, it overpowers the motor and is dangerous to use, or comes away from the body when in use.
How Would I Use The Dough Hook On A Hand Mixer?
Roughly combine all of the ingredients and dough together, and then attach the dough hook to the mixer. Insert into the centre of the dough, and use a low to medium speed to start the process.
Work until everything is combined and there is an even consistency. Don’t overwork it as it could become tough. Leave to rise as needed.
Could I Make A Smoothie With A Hand Mixer?
Not really. They are designed for smaller quantities of liquid which just need whipping, such as egg whites, rather than for blending.
A hand stick blender could be a better option, and they are widely available.