The immersion blender is a convenient and easy way to blend large quantities of liquid at once. Unlike the standard blender that comes with its own container, the immersion blender is basically a short pole with blades attached to it. This gives the immersion blender the advantage of not having a limit on the capacity it can blend. Rather than pouring the liquid into the blender’s container, you take the immersion blender and insert it where the liquid is currently being held, like a pot for instance.
Basically, this allows you to blend large amounts of liquid mixtures at once, instead of splitting it into several batches. As you would be blending large quantities of liquid mixtures, an immersion blender must be powerful enough to process various ingredients properly.
Immersion blenders are also popular when creating healthy vegetable and fruit smoothies. However, they may not offer the level of power needed to process mixtures of a thicker consistency, as those are relegated to the more expensive high-end models.
Now, let’s start things off with the most highly-rated immersion blenders on the market today.
Breville BSB510XL Immersion Blender
The Breville brand is one of the more well-known kitchen appliance manufacturers today. They have already amassed a number of highly-rated kitchen appliances and are also trusted for their top-notch heavy-duty blenders. The Breville Immersion Blender captures the superb quality of their standard blenders into a compact and lightweight machine.
The Breville Immersion Blender is a piece of affordable kitchen equipment, which makes it an ideal first choice for those who are interested in using an immersion blender for the first time. Why settle for the cheap ones made by an unknown manufacturer when you can get an affordable one from a trusted brand, right? The Breville Immersion Blender comes with an 8-inch long shaft, which makes it ideal for use with both small and deep bowls.
The blender uses anti-suction technology, which helps prevent mixtures from sticking during processing. The blade also utilizes a protective finish that helps prevent it from scratching the bottom of your bowl. This helps prolong the lifespan of the blender, as well as prevent damages on your bowl.
This product also comes with its own 45-ounce jar, which you can use for preparing eggs and for other baking procedures. You can also use Breville’s jar to prepare vegetable and fruits smoothies and other juices.
The Breville also offers several speed options and its own food processor. It offers a total of 15 different options when it comes to processing food, so you are guaranteed to find the best one to suit your needs in any instance.
KitchenAid KHB2351CU 3 Speed Hand Blender
I personally recommend KitchenAid appliances; in fact, most of my baking appliances are made by KitchenAid. The KitchenAid 3-Speed Hand Blender is an all-in-one immersion blender tool that comes with a variety of accessories to cover everything you need in the kitchen.
It uses a 214 watt 3-speed option motor that KitchenAid has used in their other blenders. The 3-Speed Hand Blender attaches to a 3-inch arm with a fixed blade. The length of this blade means that it might not be ideal with significantly large and deep bowls, but is more than enough for your typical mixing bowls. The whole design premise of this immersion blender is convenience and comfort. It features a non-slip and soft grip material that prevents any strain on your hands.
The product comes with BPA-free 2 ½ cup chopper and 3 cup blending jar. Both of these are also dishwasher safe as well. It works impeccably well with grinding nuts and processing other small ingredients. This one also comes with a machine washable bag for quick and easy storage when not in use. As I have stated earlier, KitchenAid is a personal favorite of mine, and it has yet to fail me when it comes to preparing food or baking cakes.
Braun MQ777 Multiquick 7 Hand Blender
This is one of the most highly rated and highly recommended immersion blenders on the market at the moment. It is easy to see why the Braun MQ777 Multiquick 7 Hand Blender is one of the top brands on the market. This hand blender is designed for heavy duty use and is a multifunctional immersion blender with an impressive design and construction.
A unique feature that the Braun Multiquick 7 has is its exclusion of the traditional button setup when it comes to its speed options. Instead, it uses a throttle that you squeeze to produce the right power when processing food or drinks. This makes it easier to deliver the right amount of spin to the blender, thus producing the right consistency as a result.
Underneath the hood of the Braun Multiquick 7 is a powerful 600-watt motor and a specially designed shaft that incorporates a bell-shaped design. This helps focus the blender blades on a specific area for better results.
Swapping the blades on the blenders is also extremely easy with the EasyClick design feature. You can switch between the blender, chopper, and whisk quickly and easily. There is no need to struggle with dislodging the blade, as all you need to do is press a button.
As for safety, this immersion blender comes with a child lock that prevents it from being accidentally turned on. Every single part and accessory that comes with the Braun Multiquick 7 is BPA-free, as well, so there are no worries about harmful chemicals seeping into your food or drinks.
Cleaning is also made simple with this immersion blender. Every single part, except for the motor part (obviously) and chopper lid, is dishwasher safe. Both the lid and motor parts can be cleaned easily with a slightly damp cloth.
If you are looking for a heavy duty and highly reliable immersion blender, then you can’t really go wrong with the Braun Multiquick 7. While it is somewhat pricey, it makes it up for what it can deliver to the kitchen table. You can use it for a variety of purposes such as baking, mixing together sauce, and making a delicious and refreshing smoothie.
The fact that it is lightweight, compact, and easy to clean makes for a great alternative to using your bulky blender. The grips on the Multiquick 7 use special non-slip material, which is a must since you will most likely be handling these types of equipment with a wet hand. You will also love the safety lock feature included with this blender, especially if you have children at home.
All in all, if you want to head straight for high-end immersion blenders, then the Braun Multiquick 7 should definitely be in your shortlist of choice. It is a high-quality, convenient, easy to use, reliable, and safe blender that can tackle almost every recipe you can think of.
Cuisinart CSB-100 Smart Stick Variable Speed Hand Blender
If you are looking for power without having to burn a hole through your pocket, then the Cuisinart Smart Stick Variable Speed might just be the one you are looking for. This immersion blender comes with a variety of accessories to cover all of your basic kitchen needs. Let’s check what the Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender brings to the table, shall we?
It features a re-design from previous models, as it now uses a one-touch operating button. To turn on the blender, you simply press and hold either the low or high-speed button. Once you release the hold, the device stops. It is a simplified design choice, which I do find convenient.
The handle is designed to fit perfectly in your palm and move around the bowl with relative ease. The blades also come with a different look, as it now has a stainless-steel housing that helps reduce splashing during use.
It comes with a 2-cup mixing beaker that is both dishwasher and microwave safe. The mixing cup beaker is perfect for making drinks, smoothies, and dressings. Detaching the shaft is easy, as you can just press a button to release it from the body for easy cleaning.
One aspect of the Cuisinart that I like is the length of the cord. Most immersion blenders in the market come with a relatively short chord, which makes it a bit difficult to move around the kitchen. Cuisinart is pretty generous with its cord length, which allowed me to use it without the risk of inadvertently pulling out the plug.
I also made a note of how sharp the blades are. Sure, there are metal protections attached to the spinning blades, but even those are considerably sharp. This is great for blending mixtures together perfectly, but it also means that you need to handle this one with extra care. It can easily scratch up the bottom of the bowl if you are not careful, so be mindful when using this immersion blender.
While the redesign does have its advantages, one little nitpick I had was with the safety lock feature. You need to push both the on button and the safety lock at the same time to operate this blender. However, you will need to press two buttons located at different parts of the immersion blender. One button is at the top and the other is on the sides. This means operating it with one hand is next to impossible. Still, this prevents children from accidentally turning on this powerful immersion blender.
Overall, the Cuisinart is a great value for the money immersion blender. It delivers most of the features found in other high-end models at almost half the price tag, which is its main selling point. The only downside is that the redesign, specifically the child safety lock feature, is a tad bothersome to use.
All-Clad Steel Immersion Blender
This is another budget immersion blender that delivers high quality performance. The All-Clad Steel Immersion Blender uses a powerful motor in conjunction with a bare bones approach, but don’t mistake that as its weakness. In fact, by coming in with only the standard features in tow, it can focus on performance, and that is where this immersion blender truly shines.
While some immersion blenders tend to be susceptible to overheating, the All-Clad is not. It can soldier on for quite a while without accumulating too much heat. This is an essential quality of the All-Clad, as excessive heat tends to decrease the integrity of any plastic parts used with the blender. The All-Clad Immersion Blender has an amazing heat dissipating quality that significantly prolongs its use and lifespan.
The All-Clad comes with a powerful 600-watt motor. Combine this with its longevity, and you have yourself a highly reliable blender at a reasonable price. The All-Clad also comes with the option of getting it with a whisk and food processing attachment.
Overall, if you are looking for a heavy-duty immersion blender, then the All-Clad is something you need to check out. It is a tough immersion blender designed for regular use.
Epica Heavy Duty Immersion Hand Blender 4 in 1
The Epica 4 in 1 is somewhat heavier than your standard immersion blenders. This might be an issue for some, although the weight is not that noticeable if you have only handled a few blenders beforehand. You can control the speed of this blender with a simple touch of a button, and it also comes with 3 attachments that you can swap with each other easily.
The attachments are all dishwasher safe as well, as is the norm with blender attachments. One thing I found impressive here is that the Epica 4 in 1 is powerful and sturdy enough to crush ice. The processing bowl that it comes with makes things easier; however, it can only accommodate a 2-cup capacity.
While it does come with a whisk, chances are you would barely use it as the default blender, and it is more than enough to process what you need. Now, the Epica does have its shortcomings, such as lacking flexibility when it comes to the speed options. I found the lowest setting to still be a bit strong for mixing and in need of a more delicate approach. If you plan to use it mainly for blending and chopping, then this is a non-issue.
The Epica 4 in 1 is exactly as advertised, a powerful immersion blender that is just as durable. However, if you need something with better speed control, this might not be the one you want. It is a rough and tumble immersion blender for processing food, but might not be a good fit for your baking needs. Still, as an immersion blender, few can compare to its power and simplicity.
Bamix Deluxe M150 Immersion Blender
The Bamix is considered to be the originator of the immersion blender, which makes sense, seeing as they are among the most trusted brands by chefs today. The Bamix Deluxe M150 comes with the trademark black finish design, which is prevalent with most of Bamix’s products. But this is not a beauty pageant, so a stylish design can only get you so far. So, how about its performance?
Let me just state that Bamix products are built to last, based on my experience with owning a few Bamix kitchen appliances myself. The Deluxe M150 uses odorless, tasteless, rust-resistant, and durable materials. The motor of this immersion blender is also built to last and will not have the standard overheating problems that some budget immersion blenders suffer from.
The product comes with several attachments which include a whisk, chopper, and beater. It also comes with a sturdy bowl and a counter stand that features a minimalist design that will fit well with most kitchen interior designs.
The Bamix Deluxe M150 has an elegant yet practical design. It comes in at 14-inches in length with the grip covering at least 5 inches total. Using this immersion blender is quite comfortable and will cause no straining on the hands and wrist when used.
As for its power, the label states that it operates at 150 to 180 watts and uses the 2-speed button setup. While 180 watts might not sound impressive, remember that it is the quality of the motor that matters most, not how powerful it is. In that regard, the Bamix Deluxe M150 has proven itself to have one of the most reliable immersion blender motors on the market for years. In fact, the Bamix motor can handle and process almost everything you need with equally great results.
Overall, the Bamix Deluxe M150 is a reliable immersion blender. It is currently priced above the $100 mark, but if you want a reliable and tested brand, anything from Bamix is a safe bet. Personally, I feel it is a fair price when considering what the Bamix Deluxe M150 brings to the field.
OXA Powerful 4 in 1 Immersion Blender
One of the top selling immersion blenders in Amazon’s catalog, the OXA 4 in 1 Immersion Blender is a solid and safe choice. It features 2 speed options and a turbo setting as well. It is powered by a 300-watt motor and comes ready with a bunch of attachments and accessories.
Accessories that come with the package include a whisk attachment, splash guard, and a 500ml. food processor. The OXA 4 in 1 has a lightweight and sturdy design, which makes it a great choice for regular kitchen home use.
Every single detachable part of the OXA 4 in 1 is dishwasher safe, so cleaning it is easy and simple. The handle is covered with rubber material for maximum comfort and grip. I also like the splash guard that helps prevent whatever it is you are mixing from flying all over the place. It is an effective way to prevent a messy day in the kitchen.
The 300-watt motor is powerful enough to process liquid and make smoothies quickly. The blades are all made of high quality material that is rust-proof. I have to admit I was a little surprised as it was smaller than I thought it was. But maybe that’s because I’ve used a dozen immersion blenders, and I already have an idea of the perfect length. The OXA 4 in 1 was relatively small, and I found it a little awkward to use at first. I should also note that the motor is a tad loud compared to other immersion blenders.
The OXA Powerful 4 in 1 Immersion Blender is an affordable yet reliable choice for those who are on a budget. It might be a little rough around the edges, but considering its price tag, it is definitely a top choice compared to other immersion blenders within the same price range.
Morphy Richards Total Control Hand Blender Pro Set
The Morphy Richards Total Control Immersion Blender comes with one amazing feature, which is the Smart Response Technology. What this feature does is that it steadily builds up speed to prevent the ingredients you are mixing from splattering outside the bowl. It is a nifty little feature that will surely help messy cooks.
Operating it is also quite simple. You just set the speed and hold the operating button. The blade will speed up gradually once you press the controls and slow down steadily once you release it. If you need the extra power, you can switch to Turbo mode with the press of a button. It is powerful enough to puree, chop, blend, whisk, mash, and even crush ice with little effort. The product also comes with 3 storage lids.
What I found interesting about the Morphy Richards Total Control is how it shakes up the standard design of most immersion blenders with a few tweaks here and there. For example, the unit has a heel rest located at the back, it comes with an ergonomically designed handle that is covered with soft silicon material for added comfort, and a highly responsive button. The top part has a dial that shows the current speed of the blender, which is convenient.
Each of the attachments that come with this immersion blender can be set in place with a simple push into the unit. There is a release button at the back for quick removal of said attachments, as well. What separates this immersion blender from the rest of the crowd is the number of accessories it offers at a reasonable rate. Its primary focus is on delivering functionality and flexibility, which it achieves in spades. It is easy to use, easy to clean, and a dependable kitchen appliance. If you want versatility, the Morphy Richards Total Control Hand Blender Pro Set is the one for you.
Dualit Immersion Blender
The Dualit Immersion Blender is the final entry in this list and is also a high-end blender that delivers in all fronts. First and foremost, it is powered by a 700-watt motor and combined with a 9-inch shaft, which means it is an ideal choice for deep blending. The shaft is also quite sleek and is recommended for use in preparing recipes of up to 10 gallons.
It also incorporates a different approach when it comes to controlling the speed of the blender. Instead of the usual button setup, this one uses a dial that you turn to increase or decrease the speed of the blender. There is also a feature called Turbo, which is basically the pulse functionality that automatically shifts the speed to its highest setting.
It also comes with its own food processor and a double feeding lid similar to what Braun models offer. Additional accessories that come with the Dualit include a 32-ounce beaker and a whisk attachment. The bell-shaped blade is designed to prevent the blades of the blender from gripping the bowl.
The Dualit Immersion Blender is an impressive product designed to be one of the most reliable hand blenders around. It comes with a cavalcade of attachments and utilizes its 700-watt power motor to its fullest. If you have the cash, I suggest you take a look at what the Dualit can offer you in the kitchen.
Immersion Blenders Buying Guide
Do You Need It?
The first question that needs to be answered is whether you need an immersion blender or not. If you already have a blender at home, I understand your apprehension in investing in what is basically a more compact version of your blender.
The biggest factor here is whether you regularly cook large batches of recipes like soup, or maybe a couple liters or even gallons of smoothies. The beauty of an immersion blender is that you can puree, chop, mash, or blend your ingredients straight from the pot. There is no need to separate it into different batches, which more than doubles the preparation time.
However, preparing large batches at once is not the only aspect that immersion blenders are best for. You can also use them to prepare small batches of sauce, smoothies, or baby food without the need to put them inside the large food processor that blenders come with.
Simply put, immersion blenders offer added convenience when preparing recipes. While it does not offer the power that standard blenders deliver, it makes up for it in convenience and ease of use.
Different Types of Immersion Blenders
Once you have decided that you will purchase an immersion blender, it is time to learn that there are different types available for you to choose from. Below are the three general types of immersion blenders that are on the market at the moment.
- Basic Immersion Blenders
As the name suggests, this is the most common type you will come across. They offer the bare bones features you will need. They are compact, easy to use, and affordable. This type of immersion blender is commonly used for making purees, beating eggs, mashing potatoes, and blending ingredients together. Any kitchen will benefit greatly from having this in their cupboard.
- Multi-function Immersion Blenders
This type of immersion blender is known for its versatility. It comes with several attachments and accessories to help tackle a variety of recipes. The attachments that come with multi-function immersion blenders include whisks and choppers, to name a couple. This makes them not only ideal for blending, but also chopping nuts, crushing ice, dicing vegetables, and dicing fruits. High-end models can deliver the smoothest purees you can imagine. Fortunately, some of the more affordable models can also deliver similar results, so there’s no need to break your piggy bank just yet.
- Battery-powered Immersion Blenders
Battery-operated or cordless immersion blenders offer added convenience, as it does away with the power cord. It is a great choice for those who will be cooking outside their homes or love to cook during camping trips. However, as these are battery operated, it does not deliver the same power as corded immersion blenders. There is also the issue of replacing the battery once it is drained. Still, being able to use the immersion blender freely throughout the kitchen has its perks.
What to Look for in an Immersion Blender
Now, you are almost ready to go to your local store and buy an immersion blender of your own. Once you are there, there are several factors that you need to consider in order to make sure that you buy the best possible immersion blender available. Below are the important factors you need to look out for.
- Motor
How you plan to use the immersion blender will determine the appropriate type of motor you need. For the basics like blending and making puree, a 100 – 150-watt motor should suffice. If you need something a little heavier duty that can crush ice, a 500-watt and above should be the range you look for.
- Multiple Speed Options
The cheapest models will likely only have the basic high and low settings. That is all fine, but if you need more control with the blender’s speed, then going for the mid to high-end models is the way to go. These models offer speed settings that come in four or more levels, which is perfect if you need to get the right consistency with the mixture.
- Attachments
Now, some of the more budget-friendly models will usually have one or two attachments in tow. Sometimes they don’t even offer one. However, advanced models will come with a variety of attachments that will greatly help in food preparation. Expensive models will usually come with blades, whisks, froth, and chopper blender attachment. If you want something you can use in most food preparation instances, I suggest you go for these models.
- Convenience and Ease of Use
Obviously, the primary reason you will use an immersion blender is the convenience it offers. Check out the unit and see if its comfortable to handle. Is it lightweight enough that it won’t cause your wrist to strain after a period of use? Can you operate the unit with one hand without any trouble? To answer this question, you might want to do a little research first online. Check customer feedbacks or watch video reviews on YouTube.
- Material Used
What is the immersion blender made of? Does it incorporate plastic or stainless steel in its construction? Check the blade shafts to determine what material it is made of. Stainless steel has always been a safe choice, in my opinion.
- How Easy is it to Clean?
I always go for immersion blenders with attachments that are dishwasher safe. It makes cleaning the blades far easier.
- Heat Accumulation
One of the biggest issues that immersion blenders contend with is overheating. I have used cheaper models before that get far too hot to operate properly after a couple minutes of use. The attachments also tend to accumulate intense heat that can cause burns. Be mindful of this when using your immersion blender to prevent injuries. Also, there are models that can quickly disperse heat, so look for those types of units.
Safety Precautions
Keep in mind that while some immersion blenders can be used for baking, they are not intended to be used with considerably thick ingredients like dough. You should also avoid using immersion blenders with stringy vegetables. This may cause the blender to get stuck or cause tremendous strain on the motor, leading to excessive heat discharge. If you need to remove ingredients that are stuck in the blades, please don’t use your hands. Use a rubber spatula to scoop out the remains to avoid cutting yourself.
Conclusion
Immersion blenders are convenient alternatives to some of your bulkier kitchen appliances. While convenient and easy to use, they are not complete replacements for your heavy-duty kitchen appliances. They do well when handling light to medium recipes, but might not be able to deliver the best results when processing considerably large amounts of ingredients. All in all, I still highly recommend having an immersion blender of your own if you love to prepare food in the kitchen. It is a convenient alternative for light food preparation.