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7 Best Immersion Blenders of 2023, According to Testing

These hand blenders blitz up quick smoothies, sauces and soups.

By Sarah Wharton and Myo Quinn
a hand hold an immersion blenders to blend a pink smoothie as part of a lineup of the immersion blenders tested by the good housekeeping institute
Mike Garten

We updated this story in February 2022 to ensure all products tested and vetted by the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab are in stock and reflect current pricing.


Immersion blenders — also called hand blenders, stick blenders or wand mixers — give you the freedom to blend and puree foods without needing to transfer them to a full-size blender. Some are constructed as a single piece — the motor cannot be removed from the blender arm that houses the blades. Others are designed with a motor that can be attached to the blender arm as well as other tools like a whisk, mini food processor or beaters like those on a hand mixer. No matter the type, the best models can handle big jobs like blending smoothies and pureeing soups directly in the pot and smaller jobs like making mayo or salad dressing.

The pros in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Technology Lab tested 13 models in our most recent test to find those that are easy to assemble, comfortable to operate and delivered on performance. To test each immersion blender, we blended a smoothie, pureed a soup and made a mayonnaise. We also considered the weight, power and settings of each model to find the best options.

Our top picks:

  • 1
    Control Grip Immersion Blender

    Best Overall Immersion Blender

    Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender

    $100 at Williams Sonoma
    Read more
  • 2
    Two-Speed Hand Blender

    Best Value Immersion Blender

    Hamilton Beach Two-Speed Hand Blender

    Read more
  • 3
    Two-Speed Hand Blender

    Best Immersion Blender for Smoothies

    KitchenAid Two-Speed Hand Blender

    Read more
  • 4
    MultiQuick 7 Hand Blender

    Most Versatile Immersion Blender

    Braun MultiQuick 7 Hand Blender

    Read more
  • 5
    Immersion Blender

    Best Immersion Blender for Emulsifying

    Vitamix Immersion Blender

    Read more

Read on for more information on how we tested as well as what to consider when shopping for an immersion blender. We also weigh in on whether an immersion blender is worth adding to your kitchen toolkit. Looking for more blender recommendations? Check out our guides on best Vitamix blenders or best personal blenders for smoothies.

1
Best Overall Immersion Blender

Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender

Control Grip Immersion Blender
1
Best Overall Immersion Blender

Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender

$100 at Williams Sonoma
Credit: Breville
Pros
  • Easy to use and operate
  • Comfortable to grip for long periods
  • Useful, dishwasher-safe attachments
Cons
  • Blending cup can be too large for some tasks

This immersion blender offers 15 speed settings and has a lot of great features that make it our top pick. Some models create a vortex that pulls food into the blades and results in suction on the bottom of the container, but the Breville’s blade guard is uniquely shaped to reduce this, which allows you to raise the tool more easily as you blend and helps prevent splatters. It requires more up-and-down motion to blend uniformly, but we still found it easy to operate. The rubber handle is soft, narrow and comfortable to grip and the “on” button is easy to hold down. The nonstick edge on the blender arm means you can blend in your pots without fear of scratching. The blender attachment clips onto the motor with ease and feels secure.

This pick came with the largest lidded mixing jar we tested (42 ounces), which is helpful for larger batches but does require more maneuvering for smaller servings. In our test, we found that the jar was too large for a small-batch mayonnaise but that the blender itself made a beautiful mayo in a smaller vessel. The jar's lid doubles as an anti-slip mat to place under the jar while blending. We like that it can also accommodate the chopper attachment so that you can take advantage of the blending cup's handle. This model also includes a food processor and whisk attachment, and all attachments are dishwasher safe.

Weight3.8 lbs.
Number of speeds15
AccessoriesWhisk, 3-cup chopping bowl, 42-oz. jug with lid
Dishwasher safeBlending arm, whisk and chopper
2
Best Value Immersion Blender

Hamilton Beach Two-Speed Hand Blender

Amazon’s Choice
Two-Speed Hand Blender
2
Best Value Immersion Blender

Hamilton Beach Two-Speed Hand Blender

Now 13% Off
Credit: Hamilton Beach
Pros
  • Affordable
  • Quickly purees soup
Cons
  • Cumbersome to operate for longer periods

This low-cost immersion blender does a great job blending softer foods like soups, milkshakes, whipped cream and dressings. It has a 225-watt motor, the lowest we tested, yet it was powerful enough to blend a pot of soup to a smooth consistency in under 90 seconds. It features two blending speeds (high and low) controlled by two large buttons that are easy to press down.

Of all the immersion blenders we tested, this one has the shortest shaft (5 inches), which is great for small-batch blending but would be difficult to use in a deep container like a tall pot of soup. It comes with a whisk and a food processor attachment, and both are top-rack dishwasher safe. Keep in mind that the plastic handle has a wide circumference, and it feels a little slippery, making it tiresome to hold onto, especially if you have small hands. The blending attachment did not feel as sturdy as other models we evaluated.

Weight2.59 lbs.
Number of speedsTwo
AccessoriesBlending arm, whisk and 3-cup chopping bowl
Dishwasher safeBlending arm, whisk and chopping bowl
3
Best Immersion Blender for Smoothies

KitchenAid Two-Speed Hand Blender

Two-Speed Hand Blender
3
Best Immersion Blender for Smoothies

KitchenAid Two-Speed Hand Blender

Credit: KitchenAid
Pros
  • Powerful enough to blend even hard, tough foods
  • Available in a variety of fun colors
  • Tangle-free cord
Cons
  • Lacks additional accessories

We were impressed with the quality of this KitchenAid immersion blender — one of the more affordable ones we tested. It quickly became our go-to for smoothies: fairly quiet, powerful and easy to use. It was able to effortlessly blend the ice and whole strawberries in our smoothie into a creamy drinkable consistency. It also didn’t suction to the bottom of containers as much as other immersion blenders we tested, and the blender attachment is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.

One of our favorite features is the thick power cord that doesn’t bunch up or get tangled. This is helpful when trying to maneuver around a busy countertop — though if you'd prefer no cord at all, we were also impressed with KitchenAid's cordless model for smoothies. Also, the handle is rubberized for a comfortable grip and the trigger is easy to press. It doesn’t come with a lot of accessories, but it comes with a lidded 3-cup mixing jar that makes it easy to store leftover smoothies or dressing in the fridge, though we wish the jar was lipped for easy pouring.

Weight2 lbs.
Number of speedsTwo
AccessoriesBlending arm, 3-cup blending jar with lid
Dishwasher safeBlending arm, blender jar and lid
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4
Most Versatile Immersion Blender

Braun MultiQuick 7 Hand Blender

MultiQuick 7 Hand Blender
4
Most Versatile Immersion Blender

Braun MultiQuick 7 Hand Blender

Credit: Braun
Pros
  • Adjustable blade height
  • All four attachments are dishwasher-safe
Cons
  • Blade attachment collects water and must be dried thoroughly

Unlike the other immersion blenders we tested, the Braun has a variable speed button: The harder you press the more powerfully it blends. Also, the height of the blade can be adjusted during blending when you push down with the handle. This adds versatility because you can blend smaller quantities by lowering the blade. This feature helped it create a thick, uniform and rich smoothie in our tests. It features a narrow bell-shaped blade guard that has no vents, which means you don’t have to stop the blender to remove food that can get stuck around the vents. It comes with a dishwasher-safe mixing jar, food processor and whisk attachment.

Weight1.9 lbs.
Number of speedsVariable speed depends on how hard you press the button
AccessoriesBlending arm, 20-oz beaker, whisk, 2-cup chopper
Dishwasher safeBlending arm, beaker, whisk and chopper
5
Best Immersion Blender for Emulsifying

Vitamix Immersion Blender

On Sale
Immersion Blender
5
Best Immersion Blender for Emulsifying

Vitamix Immersion Blender

Now 17% Off
Credit: Vitamix
Pros
  • Emulsified mayo with ease
  • LED light indicators for speed
Cons
  • Heaviest motor in our tests
  • Accessories sold separately

This straightforward immersion blender from Vitamix created a thick and smooth berry smoothie in our tests. But what really impressed us was its ability to create a quick mayonnaise that was silky and flavorful. It emulsified the mixture easily within two minutes. While it was the heaviest motor in our tests, we found the grip comfortable to hold. We also appreciated that the speed settings are clearly marked with lighted indicators. It also has a scratch-resistant material on the tip of the blade guard that allows you to puree soup in your pots without damaging them.

Weight2 lb. 11 oz.
Number of speedsFive
AccessoriesNone
Dishwasher safeBlending arm only
6
Best Immersion Blender for Soup

Cuisinart Smart Stick Variable Speed Hand Blender

Cuisinart Smart Stick Variable Speed Hand Blender
6
Best Immersion Blender for Soup

Cuisinart Smart Stick Variable Speed Hand Blender

Credit: Amazon
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7
Best Cordless Immersion Blender

All-Clad Cordless Rechargeable Hand Blender

Cordless Rechargeable Hand Blender
7
Best Cordless Immersion Blender

All-Clad Cordless Rechargeable Hand Blender

Credit: All-Clad

A cordless immersion blender is a smart choice if you don't want to be tethered to one spot in the kitchen or if you don't have an outlet by your stove. The rechargeable battery on this All-Clad model ran for over 15 minutes at high speed in our tests on a full-charged battery (it took about two hours to fully recharge from empty). Keep in mind you will need a little counter space for the charging unit.

We like the safety feature too: Tap the button on top to unlock, then press the trigger to operate. It will automatically lock itself if you don’t press the trigger after 30 seconds. The blade attachment and handle (which is narrow, comfortable and not slippery) are made of stainless steel. We were impressed with how powerful it was, and it has one of the quieter motors we evaluated — it also comes in a less expensive corded model.

How we tested immersion blenders

"
a tester poised to start a timer with one hand and in the other she holds an immersion blender in a blending cup filled with smoothie ingredients

When the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab assess immersion blenders, we put each to the test in common tasks: blending a smoothie, making mayonnaise and pureeing soup directly in a pot.

The smoothie test evaluates a blender's ability to tackle ice and whole strawberries. The mayonnaise test indicates the capacity to emulsify, which needs to happen smoothly and slowly to create stability. The soup test helps us understand the blender's ability to puree large quantities of ingredients (including potato and broccoli) without splatter or leaving chunks.

We also consider the weight, comfort and available accessories for each machine. We review the instruction manual and appreciate quick start guides, helpful illustrations or images and tips or recipes.

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Is an immersion blender worth it?

"

Our experts think it is worth it to add an immersion blender to your kitchen, especially if you are a lover of smooth soups and quick sauces. It's easy to use, reasonable to store and quicker to clean than a countertop blender.

An immersion blender is great for small jobs like making pesto, dips, mayonnaise, whipped cream and even scrambled eggs. Good immersion blenders can whip up smoothies, milkshakes and frozen drinks for one or two people — but that's where they cap out since the motor (and blades) are smaller than a countertop blender and cannot run for a very long time without overheating.

We do advise that you avoid hard foods (like nuts and seeds) or very fibrous ones (such as kale and carrots) because they generally won’t become silky smooth; for those, we do recommend a high-powered blender or food processor. Also note that with an immersion blender, the blade needs to be fully submerged to work; you may find that you have trouble blending very small quantities.

What to consider before buying an immersion blender

"

✔️ Corded vs. cordless: A cord offers constant power, but it can get tangled or burned or could knock things over on a busy kitchen counter and stovetop. Cordless models are portable and convenient, but they need to be charged between uses or they may lose power before you can finish the job.

✔️ Blade guard vents: The blade guard is the dome-shaped part of the blender arm that covers the blades. We found that wide blade guards with large vents do a better job of circulating the food for better and faster blending. They are also easier to clean because food stuck under the blades is more accessible. Just make sure the blade guard will fit easily in your favorite pots and smoothie cups.

✔️ Handle and grip: To operate an immersion blender, you’ll grip the handle with one hand and press the on, off or speed buttons with your fingers, so it needs to feel comfortable to hold and operate simultaneously. Your hands will fatigue if the handle is too large, if the buttons are too small or awkwardly placed or if the blender feels heavy. Also, the buttons should be easy to press without much force. Ideally, your fingers will fall naturally on the buttons when you hold the handle. We found non-slip rubber handles to be softer and easier to grip.

✔️ Design: Look for a model that's compact enough to store in a kitchen drawer. Though immersion blenders are easy to clean, we prefer models that have a removable blender attachment that is dishwasher-safe.

✔️ Additional attachments: Many immersion blenders function with a motor that can also be connected to attachments for chopping, processing, whisking or frothing. If you already have stand-alone versions of these appliances, you can save money by buying a model without the extras, but they can be a convenient option if you don't own the pieces or want to consolidate your storage. One accessory we highly recommend is a sturdy, tall and narrow blending jar: It helps ensure the blender is submerged, reduces splattering and makes the up-and-down motion needed to blend easier. Plus, you can serve or store food directly in it.

✔️ Wattage: We have found this is less important than other factors. The immersion blenders we tested had motors between 225 and 600 watts and although wattage is an indicator of power, we did not find that it’s a reflection of quality, performance or comfort.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

"

Sarah Wharton led the most recent testing for immersion blenders. She has used an immersion blender at home for years to make soup. She covers all types of kitchen gear including pepper grinders, electric knives and grill thermometers.

Myo Quinn is a contributor to Good Housekeeping. She led a previous round of testing for this story and has worked on articles on French presses, countertop microwaves and indoor grills.

Headshot of Sarah Wharton
Sarah Wharton
Deputy Editor

Sarah (she/her) is a deputy editor for the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she tests products and covers the best picks across kitchen, tech, 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).

Headshot of Myo Quinn

Myo Quinn is a professionally trained chef, recipe developer, food writer and on-air talent. When she’s not cooking or planning her next meal, Myo chases her three boys around Central Park in New York City. She is on an endless hunt for the best vanilla ice cream – it should be speckled, aromatic, not too sweet and the perfect balance of creamy and icy. She is also dipping her toes into improv.  

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