We spent 40 hours testing 10 different immersion blenders. These are the six best immersion blenders, according to our data.
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6 Best Immersion Blenders, Tested and Reviewed
Published on Dec. 16, 2024
Immersion blenders may seem like they perform similar tasks to full-sized blenders. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth, according to former Taste of Home Bakeable program leader and cooking expert Lisa Kaminski. Not only are they much more portable, but they also simplify tasks that even the best blenders can’t tackle, like blending up hot soups or liquefying sauces right in the pan.
“Immersion blenders—with or without the fancy added attachments—are incredibly versatile,” says Lisa. “Stick blenders are our Test Kitchen staff’s go-to tool for making smooth soups, like this cauliflower chicken cordon bleu soup. But you can make so much more, like gravies, butters and sauces.”
To find the best immersion blenders, our expert product testing team put 10 different handheld blenders to the test. Over 40 hours of researching, sourcing and testing later, these are the six they recommend for home cooks.
Best Overall Immersion Blender
Ninja Foodi Power Mixer System
Pros:
- Hand-mixer attachment and multiple accessories
- Dishwasher-safe
- Top performer in all tests
- Various speed settings
- Maneuverable
Cons:
- A little messy
- Some arm fatigue
We already love Ninja as a brand, so it was exciting to see the Ninja Foodi Power Mixer System outperform all the other best immersion blenders we tested. Not only is this stick blender impressive, it also costs less than $100. As a bonus, it’s incredibly versatile thanks to a number of included attachments. Inside the box are not only the blending wand and motor, but also a three-cup blending vessel, hand-mixer attachment, beaters and a whisk.
“An accessory that we particularly enjoyed converts the immersion blender into a hand mixer—beaters included,” says former product tester Dylan Fischer of this feature-rich option. The Ninja has five speeds for mixing along with two blending speeds. It creates creamy vinaigrette, beautifully homogenous bisque and airy whipped cream that doubles in volume, according to our tests. It tackles such a number of kitchen tasks that it almost feels unfair to call the Ninja a simple immersion blender.
Despite its slightly exaggerated weight—just a hair over 2 pounds—the testers noted that there was just a touch of arm fatigue, even after performing the tests back-to-back. Additionally, while it suctioned to the bottom of the vessel occasionally (and thus caused a few small splatters), that’s nothing compared to some of the others we tested.
“This killed it on the blending test. Most the other models left the soup with a gritty texture, but the Ninja’s end result was completely smooth and much more appetizing,” notes former Product Testing Manager Annamarie Higley. Cleaning an immersion blender can be tricky, but the Ninja thought of that, too. All attachments, with exception of power base, hand-mixer attachment, and chopper processing lid are dishwasher safe.
Best Splurge Immersion Blender
Waring Quik Stik Immersion Blender
Pros:
- Excellent performer
- No suction
- Easy-to-engage buttons
- Capable of heavy-duty blending
Cons:
- Wand isn't removable
- Slightly difficult to wash
- Expensive
- Heavy
- No accessories
Choosing an immersion blender means setting a budget, especially since they can cost as much as $300 for high-end options. Home cooks with the cash to spend can’t go wrong with the Waring Quik Stik Immersion Blender. While pricey, this powerful stick blender offers an impressive 750 watt motor that emulsifies vinaigrette, tears through soup ingredients and aerates whipped cream in seconds.
There’s only two settings, low and high, but that’s all this blender needs to get the job done. Apart from its formidable motor and easy-to-engage buttons, it’s also one of the only hand blenders we used that didn’t suction to our vessel. Talk about one of the best immersion blenders for families!
That said, there are a few things our testing team didn’t love. “Our biggest complaint is that this unit doesn’t detach. Such an oversight! Aside from that, we’re impressed. The power this blender outputs without producing any suction is what wowed us the most,” says Annamarie.
Additionally, the lack of accessories limits the potential of this powerful blender. While that’s unappealing to some, folks who prefer a straightforward option that’s nothing short of an amazing blender will enjoy putting the Waring to work.
Best Budget Immersion Blender
Nutribullet Immersion Blender
Pros:
- Good value
- Performs well
- Easy-to-press buttons
Cons:
- Bad suction
- Somewhat confusing interface
Yes, you can make your favorite immersion blender recipes on a budget—just look at the Nutribullet Immersion Blender. For under $30, secure a kit that includes a blending shaft, motor unit and detachable whisk. It offers both low and high blending modes for added flexibility. Plus, there’s also an adjustable speed dial on top for even more control while cooking.
Easy-to-press buttons allow home cooks to use this blending wand one-handed. This comes in handy while adjusting the top dial, though our testing team recommends sticking to the button speed controls. “We’d advise against messing with the dial on the top of the unit too much; rather, just switch between pressing the high and low buttons on the front. It makes for much smoother operation,” says Annamarie.
Despite the lower price point, the Nutribullet is still capable of perfectly pureed soups and well-blended vinaigrette. That said, it does take a bit longer to fully emulsify dressings, and Annamarie had to pretty aggressively move the wand around to get everything fully blended which caused a bit of shoulder fatigue. Suction was also an issue, especially when blending the soup. It was hard to even pull it off the bottom of the saucepan, so that made a bit of a mess.
Still, for the price, we highly recommend this option for folks on a budget. This model comes in handy for the occasional grit-free soups and well-blended dips and doesn’t compromise price for quality. Just be sure to hand-wash all components once you’re finished!
Best Cordless Immersion Blender
Cuisinart EvolutionX Cordless Hand Blender
Pros:
- Strong battery life
- Lightweight and ergonomic
- Cordless
- Great at whipping and emulsifying
- Good warranty
Cons:
- Learning curve for operation
- Hand-wash only
- One speed
Investing in a cordless immersion blender is the perfect solution for folks with limited outlets. As an added bonus, cordless models let you blend from anywhere. Hello, tomato bisque camping dinners and tailgate vinaigrettes! Not only does the Cuisinart EvolutionX Cordless Hand Blender impress with its performance, but it also offers a generous three-year warranty for added peace of mind.
Altogether, the unit weighs just over 1 pound, making it one of the lightest options we tested. We found this a bit surprising, especially since the built-in battery barely adds to the total weight of the blender. And the battery itself offers nearly 20 minutes of continued use per charge—that’s pretty stellar!
Inside the box is the unit, whisk, measuring cup, blending shaft, recipe booklet, USB charger and a wall plug. The unit offers a textured handle for better grip, plus divots for fingers. It’s easy to blend one-handed as well, since the buttons depress readily. Thanks to its lack of mess due to zero suctioning, it’s also one of our favorite tart and pie tools.
“Most gripes with cordless appliances are regarding a weak motor. We found this motor to be quite the opposite. The blender emulsified the vinaigrette thoroughly and whipped up the cream perfectly,” says Annamarie. While we were blown away by the power—especially since there’s only one speed setting—it does take a little finagling to figure out how to start it.
To activate the blender, press down the lock button until the blue lights illuminate, then press the power button. While in use, you can then let your finger off the lock button, while keeping the power button pressed. Once you know this, you can get blending in no time!
Best Emulsifying Immersion Blender
Cuisinart Smart Stick Variable Speed Hand Blender
Pros:
- Great at emulsifying and whipping
- Good warranty
- Comes with attachments and accessories
Cons:
- Hard-to-press buttons that cause trigger fatigue
- Requires two hands to adjust
One of the biggest mistakes you can make with oil and vinegar dressing is not emulsifying enough. Luckily, that won’t be a problem for those using the Cuisinart Smart Stick Variable Speed Hand Blender. In 15 seconds, it completely incorporates oil and vinegar into creamy, thick dressings that don’t separate—even after five hours in the fridge.
The blender comes with a whisk attachment, chopper/grinder attachment, measuring cup, motor unit, blending shaft and a recipe booklet. The few things we didn’t love—namely the way you hold the lock and power buttons down at same time for the duration of use and its messy performance with soups—are completely overshadowed by its expert emulsification.
Additionally, the whisk attachment impressed during the whipped cream test. The cream doubled in size after one minute, providing beautiful peaks and lots of incorporated air. It’s worth noting that the way the controls require constant depression means that home cooks must use both hands while changing speeds, which also leads to some arm fatigue.
However, a fair price point that sits just over $60 combined with a generous three-year warranty make this a good pick for those seeking a quick and effective way to whip up dressings and desserts.
Best Powerful Immersion Blender
Vitamix 5-Speed Immersion Blender
Pros:
- Powerful motor
- Sturdy design
- Nice grip
- 3-year warranty
Cons:
- Hand-wash only
- No accessories
- Pricey
We’re already big fans of Vitamix blenders, so we were excited to see how the Vitamix 5-Speed Immersion Blender compares to its full-sized counterparts. Spoiler: We almost liked it better than our top Vitamix picks! Despite the smaller size that slides right into a drawer, it comes equipped with a powerful 625-watt motor that’s perfectly suited towards soups, dressings and whipped cream.
“It should go without saying that you’ll be getting a powerful motor with Vitamix, but we were so impressed with this one that it deserves to be called out again,” says Dylan. Just 90 seconds on low speed was enough to make a creamy soup. Testers note that holding down the power button is a requirement, which leads to a bit of fatigue when operating it for more than a few minutes. However, most blending sessions take so little time that it balances out.
The blender starts slowly, then ramps up gradually in speed. This prevents splatter and kickback, so there’s fewer burns and messes when handling hot soups. Additionally, theres virtually no suction, and the rubber-coated handle makes it much more ergonomic than some of the other immersion blenders we tried.
Five speeds, a sturdy design and a three-year warranty round out this slightly pricier pick. Between the user-friendly interface featuring illuminated power level bars and a reliable, powerful motor, we highly recommend this option for anyone seeking raw power in a hand blender.
What To Consider When Buying an Immersion BlenderÂ
According to our testers, there are several things to keep in mind when shopping for an immersion blender:
Power and SpeedÂ
- Motor Power: Most immersion blenders boast a less powerful motor than a traditional blender. While full blenders bring up to 1500 watts of power (or more) to the table, many immersion blenders top out at around 800 watts.Â
- Speed Settings: While many traditional blenders utilize automatic settings for smoothies, ice and other common foods, immersion blenders typically offer a variety of speeds instead. These can be either “low” and “high” settings, or a set of numbered speeds. Additionally, a few stripped-down options offer only a single speed.
Durability and BuildÂ
- Material and Sharpness: Most blending wands are made of a sturdy metal like stainless steel. While there are some plastic options, stainless steel blades offer the best longevity.
- Removability: While some immersion blenders come as a single piece, many offer a removable wand portion for cleaning purposes. In addition, some immersion blenders even offer attachments like whisks. Consider your needs when thinking about additional attachments.Â
- Corded or Cordless: The majority of immersion blenders are corded. However, there are some cordless models that allow cooks to blend anytime, anywhere.
Arm Fatigue and Suctioning
- Arm Fatigue: The vibrations of the immersion blender combined with the heaviness of the wand sometimes causes arm fatigue. This is especially true for longer blending sessions. To fight the fatigue, opt for a handheld blender that isn’t too heavy, and try not to use it on high settings for prolonged periods.
- Suctioning:Â Sometimes more powerful immersion blenders suction to the bottom of the blending vessel. When detached, this can create splatters. To avoid this, opt for a blender with variable speed settings and use the lowest speed possible when blending up dishes.
Ease of Use and CleaningÂ
- Controls: Some immersion blenders are meant for one-handed use, while others require the use of both hands to switch controls or change speed.Â
- Dishwasher-Safe Parts: Those that prefer an easy cleanup should seek out immersion blenders with dishwasher-safe parts. Typically, this includes the wand attachment and any accessories.Â
Why You Should Trust Us
Our testing team has three years of experience testing and evaluating everything from the best coffee subscriptions to the best flower delivery services. Many of us have backgrounds in kitchen and culinary careers ourselves. The remainder of our team are simply passionate home cooks who want to recommend the very best products using honest and fair testing practices. We would never recommend a product we don’t love, regardless of how popular it is or the size of the brand.
During her six years as an associate editor at Taste of Home, Lisa Kaminski dedicated herself to finding and testing quality ingredients, kitchen gear and home products, as well as writing Taste of Home articles about the best-of beverages, snack foods, ready-made baking ingredients and more. She shared her cooking insights with 500,000 Taste of Home newsletter readers.
How We Tested the Best Immersion Blenders
Overall, we tested 10 immersion blenders, performing roughly nine tests on each. The testing team collected roughly 300 data points—that’s over 40 hours of research, sourcing and testing!
Specs
For this category, the testers weigh each blender (i.e., the blending wand, motor base and cord), measured the length of the blending wand, measured the length of the cord (if corded) and time the full battery life of cordless models.
Performance
For the first test, testers pureed hot soup with ingredients of various sizes and textures. They judged the smoothness and consistency in the finished result. Testers also recorded how maneuverable the blender was in a large pot with warm contents. Testers blended the soup on medium speed, if possible, for 90 seconds, then compared the results.
For the second test, testers made a vinaigrette (1:3 vinegar-to-oil ratio) on high speed, starting at 15 seconds and increasing time from there, to test each wand’s emulsification capabilities. Testers then timed roughly how long it took the dressings to re-separate.
The final test, the whipped cream tests, involved the testers whipping cream. They used the standard blade attachment or, if applicable, the whisk attachment. They started on low speed, then adjusted upward as needed. Testers monitored how much volume was added to the cream during the whipping process. They also noted how long it took for stiff peaks to form.
Testers noted any arm or hand fatigue at the end of each performance test.
Mess and Cleanup
Testers evaluated the overall mess, particularly splatter, produced by the appliance. They then washed each immersion blender by hand, noting the ease of the process and any detachable parts.
Other Immersion Blenders We Tested
- Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender: We really appreciate the bundle of accessories included with Breville — from the chopping bowl to the protective cover over the blades. However, it performed poorly in emulsifying and blending tests, requires two hands, has hard-to-press buttons and its heaviness causes arm fatigue.
- Sur la Table Immersion Blender: Unfortunately, this option kept suctioning to the bottom of our vessels, making blending a messy endeavor.
- Beautiful 2-Speed Immersion Blender: Despite loving Beautiful’s other kitchen items, this blender wasn’t as efficient as we would have liked.
- All-Clad Stainless Steel Immersion Hand Blender: Like the Sur la Table version, this option suctioned messily to the bottom of our vessels.
FAQ
What is an immersion blender?
According to Lisa, the best immersion blenders suited for different tasks than traditional blenders. “These gadgets are much smaller than their countertop counterparts. They consist of a motorized handle with an easy-to-clean, detachable blending mechanism,” she says. “Some models include extra attachments like whisks or even small food processors. Because they’re compact, they’re ideal for making small-batch recipes like vinaigrettes and homemade whipped cream.”
How do you use an immersion blender?
Immersion blenders are usually fairly simple to use. Just choose the setting you want and get blending! The nice thing about this type of blender is that you can use it directly in your pot or pan. This makes it a great choice if you don’t want to dirty any more dishes.
What is an immersion blender used for?
Use immersion blenders for softer foods like soups, vinaigrettes and spreads. They’re amazingly effective for small batches. You can also use them directly inside pots and bowls—just don’t expect to use them for crushing ice.
Can you use an immersion blender for mashed potatoes?
Yes, provided the potatoes are well-boiled and soft. However, be careful not to over mix, as they can become gluey rather than fluffy. For that reason, we typically recommend mashing by hand. Luckily, we have a great mashed potato guide that outlines common mistakes and gives tips for a soft, buttery mash.
