A good blender is a necessary kitchen tool for any foodie that loves to cook and make healthy, nutritious dishes. But which ones are the best blenders for your needs? We’re going to compare two similar products: immersion blenders and hand mixers, so you can find out which one will be more helpful in your kitchen.
It’s not always easy to figure out which type of blender is best for you. Immersion blenders are perfect if you need a quick whirl in a dish or want to blend something in a pan or pot. They’re also great if you don’t have much space on your counters or would like something that’s lightweight and convenient. Hand mixers are great for if you want to blend something with more power and need more power than what an immersion blender can offer.
The main difference between these two products is in the design of the motor. An immersion blender has a fixed motor in its head, so it’s not meant to be taken apart. A hand mixer on the other hand has a removable head that you can take apart and place attachments on or swap out for a different one if it becomes worn out or damaged.
Another difference is the speed that they’re able to go at. While both factors are important, it will only be noticeable with certain tasks. If you want to mix something up in a large pot, then you’ll need the power and speed of an immersion blender. A hand mixer can’t handle a large batch but is better suited to working with smaller amounts. Hand mixers are also better if you want to add more ingredients while it blends, because you won’t have to stop what you’re doing and try to fish out the head of the immersion blender that’s stuck inside the pot.
Aside from these differences there are also other factors to consider when making your decision. You have to decide whether or not you want something that can blend frozen foods, because some immersion blenders can’t handle it. You also need to consider where the handles are located on each device. If your hand mixer has plastic, rubber or nylon handles then it’s probably not as durable and will wear out more easily.
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a blender and just need something that’ll make a smoothie in 20 seconds then an immersion blender is all you’ll ever need for making simple mixtures. And if you don’t have much space on your counters and want something that’s small and lightweight, then a hand mixer is a good choice.
We’re still comparing similar products here, so all the blenders offered by Vitamix, Blendtec and Ninja are essentially the same. They all have powerful motors, are easy to use and offer great customer service if you ever have any problems with them. If you need more power than that though then we suggest looking at other models like the Oster Classic 76 Bar Mixer or the KitchenAid 3-Speed Hand Mixer as options for more power than what an immersion blender can give.
Is An Immersion Blender Better Than A Hand Mixer?
There are pros and cons to both products. While there may be some differences in speed and power, the end result is basically the same with either appliance. The most important factors to consider when choosing an immersion blender or a hand mixer are what you’ll be using it for, how much money you want to spend, and whether or not it will fit your kitchen (hand mixers take up less space).
Immersion blenders usually sell for about $50, which is a pretty good price for something that’s so useful. Hand mixers usually cost more, ranging from $50 – $200 depending on the brand. As we mentioned earlier, they take up less space so they’re more convenient in small kitchens. Hand mixers also offer more versatility and power than immersion blenders. Some hand mixers have interchangeable blades that allow you to make purees or mixtures of different consistencies.
If you don’t have a lot of space on your countertops but still want to be able to blend something up quickly, then an immersion blender is probably the right choice for you. They aren’t as versatile as hand mixers are, so if you want to add ingredients while blending then an immersion blender might not be the best option.
The most important part is deciding whether you’ll be using it in the kitchen or not. If you’ll be using it in the kitchen then definitely go with an immersion blender. If not, then you should consider a hand mixer instead.
Some of the pros and cons of both products are listed below, but it’s important to keep in mind that all blenders have their own pros and cons, even those models we included. You’ll have to make your decision based on which details are most important to you.
Pros And Cons Of Immersion Blenders:
An immersion blender has no separate blades or ceramic disks that have to be replaced or cleaned. So both the motor and blade are connected permanently inside the blender for optimal blending power and efficiency. They are also great for making quick smoothies, frozen fruit smoothies and cocktails. They can also be used to puree soups, meat and sauces.
Pros:
Have a permanent motor in the head and an unbreakable blade that’s reinforced with stainless steel. This makes them durable, lightweight and easy to clean. The mix paddle fits directly into the unit which keeps it secure while blending food.
You can make very large batches of food without having to take the blender apart so it doesn’t take up much extra space on your countertops. They tend to blend things very quickly with no extra power needed for more than small amounts of work.
Cons:
Can’t be used for tasks that require more power or speed, like making bread dough or working with large batches of food. The motor can only be assembled on one side of the blender and isn’t meant to come apart.
Pros And Cons Of Hand Mixers:
A hand mixer uses two beaters that rotate independently if they have variable speeds. They also use a separate rotary beater that spins against a series of gears, so they aren’t “imbedded” in the head like an immersion blender is (its motor and blade). This means that you can replace your attachments when they wear out or break and switch them out for different ones.
Can You Use An Immersion Blender In Place Of A Hand Mixer?
In the end if you’ll be using the blender in your kitchen you’ll want to go with an immersion blender. Because they’re more convenient and versatile, they have more power and make a better smoothie than hand mixers can. If you don’t need them for mixing up food in your kitchen though then a hand mixer might be a better option since it will save space on your countertop.
How Much Should You Spend On An Immersion Blender?
We’ve already mentioned that immersion blenders sometimes cost $50 or less which is a decent price to start with. But you could also get a more expensive blender for $200 or even more. At the end of the day it all depends on your needs from a blender. If you need one that’s versatile and can make a smoothie, soup, frozen drink and many other things then you’ll want to spend more money. Those with less space on their countertops and need something that’s going to blend something up quickly should focus on hand mixers since they’ll save space in the kitchen and won’t require taking the base apart after use.
Is There A Difference Between A Hand Blender And An Immersion Blender?
In our opinion the only difference between a hand blender and an immersion blender is that the hand blender can be used for blending small amounts of food. If you’re looking for one to make smoothies, soups or other drinks then we recommend getting an immersion blender since it’ll make it much easier to do so.
Which Immersion Blender Is Best?
The Cuisinart TOB-260N is easily the best immersion blender we’ve ever tested and personally our favorite model on the market. It has powerful, stainless steel blades that are protected by an easy-to-remove central hub so there’s no need to disassemble your unit after each use. You can puree, chop, mix and whip ingredients all in one quick step. It’s also quite affordable so it will cost you less than some of our other recommended products. We also recommend this immersion blender from KitchenAid since it has an exceptionally powerful motor that will last for years to come and give you any texture you want for your smoothies.
Hand Mixers & Food Processors
Most cooks who want a multi-purpose appliance that does more than just make smoothies turn to food processors or hand mixers instead of immersion blenders. These are very versatile appliances that are sometimes used by people who don’t even own a kitchen knife because they have so many uses. You can use them for chopping up garlic, grinding nuts, making batter, preparing sauces and even whipping cream. Plus they’re much cheaper than an immersion blender or food processor. So it’s important to know what they can do so you can make sure to get the right one that fits your needs.
Food processors are more powerful than hand mixers but both of them can be used for a wide variety of tasks. Chopping up vegetables, grinding meat and blending smoothies are just a few examples of the things you can do with a food processor or hand mixer.
Can You Use An Immersion Blender For Batter?
We don’t recommend using an immersion blender for batter because it will add too many bubbles to the mixture and only the blade of a mixer will do that. A normal attachment will simply move the batter around. So when you’re making batters for pancakes or other foods you’ll want to use a mixer instead of your immersion blender.
Which One Is Right For Me?
Food Processors:
A food processor is great for chopping, mixing with dough and pureeing food. They have an unbreakable base (non-removable), plastic parts and can be used in place of blenders, mixers or mix bowls when preparing a meal. You’ll also find food processors that have a normal attachment that you can use for mixing, some have strictly a dough attachment and others will fit into a bowl where they’re mixed together in a large mixing bowl.
Hand Mixers:
When you’re just looking to make a batter or send ingredients through the blades of your blender or mixer then you should get a hand mixer. Some hand mixers only have 2 speeds while others allow you to choose between high, medium and low levels so it’s important to read the instructions and look at how it’s constructed if you’re unsure about what your options are.
Can I Use A Hand Mixer Instead Of An Immersion Blender For Soup?
We always recommend using an immersion blender to make soup. It’s easier to clean up, is more versatile and will give you a cleaner end result in the end. Hand mixers are great for mixing other things but it’s best not to use them for making soup.
Which Hand Mixer Is Best?
The KitchenAid Pro Line Series 3 with Attachements is easily one of the best models we’ve reviewed. It has three speeds and you can choose between a whisk, whisk attachment or dough hook depending on what you’re making. It also has a slotted blade that can be quickly removed so it’s easy to clean and store when not in use.
Which Immersion Blender Is Best?
The Cuisinart CB-2 is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a powerful immersion blender that you can use to make any kind of recipe. It’s made of stainless steel so it’s going to last longer and has an ergonomic shape that makes it easy to grip and control the blender. Plus it has a six-foot power cord which will allow you to make some large batches without having to move your other appliances around. The unit itself is also quite easy to clean as is all of the attachments that come with the blender.
Final Thoughts:
The tools above are just a few of the different kitchen appliances that you can use to make smoothies. If you only have a little bit of money to spend then we recommend looking at the hand mixers, food processors and immersion blenders/mixers. These are all very versatile tools that can be used for blending, chopping, mixing and more. In addition they’re much cheaper than other appliances so it won’t cost you as much.
Now that you know what’s available we recommend focusing on your budget, the number of people who will be using your blender and the physical space that’s available in your kitchen for a new appliance before making a decision about which one is best for your needs.
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