We Tested 15 Immersion Blenders to Find the Best for Every Kitchen

Our Favorite Immersion Blender

If you're looking for an excellent all-around option, the All-Clad Immersion Blender is the best immersion blender we tested due to its incredibly powerful motor and stunning performance. The Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender impressed us with its versatile attachments and smart design; this is the model we recommend for an all-in-one immersion blender.

Our Immersion Blender Tests

Based on research of best-sellers and top-rated immersion blenders and the results of previous rounds of testing, we chose 15 immersion blenders to test. We set up each model and rated it general design, weight, grip, and maneuverability before proceeding to a series of specific tests.

• Soup Test: To rate puréeing, we made a creamy blended squash soup, timing how long each model took to reach a consistent texture and noting any splatters or suction between the blender and the bottom of the pot that interfered with blending. We measured the maximum sound level during blending with a decibel meter. Of course, we also tasted the finished soups for velvety smoothness and lack of grit or chunks.
• Mayonnaise Test: We made homemade mayonnaise to test the blenders' ability to evenly and thoroughly emulsify ingredients. We measured how long the batches took to blend completely, whether any emulsifications broke, and how stable the blenders were while blending in a small measuring cup or Mason jar.
• Ice Test: To test power and durability, we pitted the blenders against a tough ingredient: ice. We added two cups of water and two cups of ice to a jar and blended on high for 30 seconds to see how much ice was broken apart and how evenly. We measured noise levels and felt the motors for heat after blending to see if any were overtaxed by the ice.
• Cleaning: Between tests, we washed each blender head by hand. Though many of the models we tested have dishwasher-safe parts, we used this as an opportunity to see whether food got stuck in nooks or crannies. We first pulsed the blending head in a container of soapy water, then used a sponge to clean around and under the blades. We also noted how easy (or hard) the appliances were to control and clean.

After testing, we revealed the price of each immersion blender to rate performance against price to determine value. At the time of testing, the retail prices ranged from $50 to $170, with an average of $117.

Factors to Consider

Design and Maneuverability

An immersion blender is undeniably easier to maneuver than its full-sized counterpart, but some are more agile than others. Because of their larger size, heavy motor bases and long blending arms, immersion blenders can be top-heavy and difficult to store. However, if you know you want to blend soups in a tall stockpot or need the power a heftier motor can provide for larger blending projects, it might be worth it to sacrifice a little maneuverability.

Another design element to consider is the shape of the blending head. Some have a silicone or plastic coating on the base that prevents the metal from coming in contact with the container, which is great for blending in nonstick pans or enameled Dutch ovens. Many also have openings at the bottom or sides to help pull liquid through and circulate ingredients more thoroughly. However, the trade-off is that food bits can get lodged in these notches, making the blender harder to clean.

Another possibility to consider is a cordless immersion blender. These models use a rechargeable battery for power, so they don't need to be plugged into the wall to work and offer a lot of flexibility. However, a cordless blender can't support as powerful a motor, and it generally costs more than an equivalent corded model.

Power and Speed Settings

Smooth, creamy soups are likely the first thing you associate with an immersion blender, and while that's undoubtedly an important function, it's capable of so much more. You can also use the appliance to emulsify sauces like mayonnaise or crush ice for frozen cocktails. The best immersion blenders have strong enough motors to power through tough ingredients, as well as sharp blades to create creamy consistencies. The power for immersion blenders starts around 200 watts and goes up to 1,000 watts. However, our testing found that more wattage didn't necessarily mean better performance, especially at the high end.

Power isn't the only factor to consider, though. Lower blending speeds are great if you want to retain some texture, as in homemade salsa. Some immersion blenders have just an on button and single speed setting, while others have a handful of set options or a fully variable speed dial. The more control, the better, but more speed options usually means a higher price as well.

Accessories and Attachments

The great thing about an immersion blender is that it doesn't need a special pitcher or bowl — it can do its job anywhere you need it. But many models come with some helpful extras anyway. One common option is a whisk attachment, which can automate and speed up the laborious process of making whipped cream or fluffy meringue. Other models come with a chopper attachment, essentially a mini food processor for dicing and chopping. This might not be as large as a full-sized food processor, but it's excellent for prep jobs that don't need a full purée.

A very helpful accessory you might overlook is the blending cup. Many immersion blenders come with a container marked with measurements and sized to fit the head just about exactly. This ensures that the contents you're blending mix thoroughly and continually, especially when you're mixing liquids in an emulsion like mayonnaise.

Wand and Blade Cleaning

Cleaning an immersion blender can be easy or...less easy, depending on how it's designed. A detachable blending wand helps, so you can put it in the sink and rinse it off without worrying about getting the motor wet. Some of the blenders we tested even had dishwasher-safe wands for ultimate convenience.

A quick but careful hand-wash inside the head and around the blades with a soft sponge does the trick in many cases. But for stickier messes, pour some hot, soapy water into a tall, narrow container and run the blender in it for a few seconds. This should help loosen up food so you can rinse everything away.

One important rule is never to submerge or rinse the actual motor base — the part connected to the power cord or battery. Instead, use a sponge or damp towel to wipe away any messes and avoid shorting out the electrical parts.

Other Immersion Blenders We Tested

Strong Contenders

KitchenAid Variable Speed Corded Hand Blender ($60 at Amazon)

We were impressed by how quickly and quietly the KitchenAid blended ice, though its performance in the soup and mayo tests was middle-of-the-pack. This is a solid pick for its price, and we don't have many bad things to say about it.


Hamilton Beach Professional Variable Speed Hand Blender ($70 at Amazon)

With nine speeds and a comfortable handle, Hamilton Beach's blender was easy to hold and operate. We were impressed with its speed and velvety results when making smoothies and soup, but we noticed a fair amount of suction that made moving the device around inside the container challenging.

SMEG Retro Hand Blender with Accessories ($140 at Williams Sonoma)

Like all SMEG products, this immersion blender won points for its retro style. It performed well in all our tests, but we didn't love the rubber gasket design and the unbalanced weight. With that said, the high price is the main thing that knocked this model out of the top.

What Didn't Make The List

We tested several more immersion blenders, including other models from brands that made our top picks. Some common themes among these low performers were lack of versatility, power, and consistency. Across the board, two-speed models fell behind their variable-speed counterparts in terms of performance, particularly when it came to achieving a smooth consistency in purées and smoothies. In addition, we noticed that some of the lower-end models came with plastic bodies that felt flimsy and also struggled with overheating. Some other models lacked the performance to justify their high price tags, while others had design features that made them difficult to maneuver and clean.

Our Expertise

Katie Macdonald is a director at Food & Wine, covering everything from chefs' must-have classics to the latest and greatest kitchen deals since 2017. For this story, she researched competitor-tested guides and performed some of our in-depth tests. In addition to Food & Wine, you can find her work on Allrecipes, Cooking Light, and Food52.