From velvety purees to silky smoothies, a good immersion blender can handle it all. We put several to the test and found the best.
Last Updated Nov. 10, 2023.
We tested two immersion blenders, including the Black+Decker Kitchen Wand, a cordless model with several attachments, and the bamix Professional Retail. Neither model performed well enough to unseat our winner, which remains the Braun MultiQuick 5 Hand Blender.
The best immersion blenders are great for blending hot soups on the stovetop and can also blend frozen fruit for smoothies and even emulsify mayonnaise. Our winner, the Braun MultiQuick 5 Hand Blender, is lightweight and compact. We love its satisfyingly simple controls and impressive pulverizing ability. It’s also considerably less expensive than many models on the market.
Anyone who has pureed hot soup in a countertop blender knows it can be a hassle. It often has to be done in batches, which requires an extra pot or bowl. You also have to let the soup cool down a little so that pressure doesn't build up inside the blender and cause the lid to pop off. But the best immersion blenders (also called hand blenders or stick blenders) get the job done efficiently, tidily, and safely; all the blending is done directly in the pot. You can also use them for many of the tasks you’d lug out your regular blender for, including crushing ice and making frozen cocktails, emulsifying salad dressings, and blending sauces and marinades. They’re also generally easier to clean and store than countertop blenders, and they often cost less.
Each immersion blender consists of the same two components: a cylindrical handle that houses the motor and controls and a blending shaft that's usually detachable. On one end of the blending shaft sits a blade housed in a cup-shaped guard. A handful of models are cordless and are rechargeable using charging cables or docks. Some models also come with whisk attachments, plastic blending jars, and even chopping chambers with extra blades that look like small food processor bowls. Interested in what factors make the best immersion blenders, we tested a lineup of models, including their extra attachments when available.
The mission of America’s Test Kitchen Reviews is to find the best equipment and ingredients for the home cook through rigorous, hands-on testing. We stand behind our winners so much that we even put our seal of approval on them.
Chase is an associate editor for ATK Reviews. He's an epidemiologist-turned-equipment tester and biscuit enthusiast.