Our Test Kitchen Found the Best Hand Mixer
Updated: Dec. 12, 2019Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links.
Our culinary team put the most popular mixers to the test stirring up your recipes! After months of blending, mixing and whisking, we found the best hand mixer.
Finding the Best Hand Mixer
While bright and colorful stand mixers often get all the attention in the kitchen, we know that a good hand mixer is indispensable to home cooks. With a smaller footprint than its standing counterpart, the hand mixer is the perfect tool for whipping up recipes quickly using any mixing bowl. A good hand mixer should make quick work of simple tasks like whipping egg whites or stirring up a batch of brownies (have you tried our best-loved brownie mix brand?).
To find our Best Loved Brand (what’s that?), our culinary team obtained five of the most popular hand mixers for our Test Kitchen. They used these mixers over the course of several months to stir up all the amazing recipes readers send our way (we’d love to receive your favorites!). Then they put each mixer through a series of standardized tests. To find the best hand mixer, our Test Kitchen staff recorded how each performed these essential tasks:
- Whipping: How well would the mixer whip a half pint of heavy whipping cream into stiff peaks? How long would it take?
- Blending: How long would it take to tint sour cream with a few drops of food coloring? (This was just a test—we didn’t actually plan to eat green sour cream, just judge how well the mixer blends!) How evenly was the color mixed? Were there any streaks?
- Creaming: How thoroughly would the mixer cream a half cup of butter and a cup of sugar? How much time would it take?
- Price: Is the product affordable? Was the performance reflected in the price?
The Best Hand Mixer: Oster 7-Speed Clean Start Hand Mixer
After undergoing months of use and a series of tests, our Test Kitchen gave Oster’s seven-speed mixer ($40) a perfect score. Our food stylists and prep cooks all found that the Oster mixer was easy to use and made mixing up all kinds of recipes a breeze.
Features We Loved
- 7 speeds: With seven speeds (much better than those three-speed mixers of yore), Oster’s Clean Start mixer allows you a lot of control of how quickly your ingredients come together. Some stylists noted that the hand mixer’s slowest speed was faster than its competitors, but it shouldn’t cause any big messes when you start mixing your flour into your wet ingredients.
- Versatile attachments: Most mixers simple come with a set of standard beaters. This one came with the classic beaters, of course, plus an aerator whisk and two dough hooks.
- Price: Oster’s seven-speed mixer is priced at less than $50. That’s a pretty good deal considering that this mixer is so powerful and versatile. It makes a great substitute for a stand mixer if you just don’t have the space for something larger.
Buy the Oster 7-Speed Clean Start Hand Mixer.
How It Performed
When it came to our tests, the mixer performed well in every single one. Our food stylists had whipped cream in just 90 seconds—half the time of this mixer’s closest competitor. That means that these amazing recipes will stir up faster than ever. Oster’s mixer made even faster work of blending the food dye into our sour cream. It took only 45 seconds and there wasn’t a streak to be found.
What really impressed our cooks and food stylists, though was how well it creamed butter and sugar—the foundation of so many of our favorite cookie recipes. With its traditional beater attachments, the mixer whipped together these ingredients so well you might think a larger stand mixer did the job.
In the end, this mixer was rated 5/5 on our Test Kitchen scale. That means our culinary team found this mixer to exceed expectations. Our staff would happily use this product at home and would certainly recommend it to a friend. Can you ask for more?
We Also Recommend…
The Oster hand mixer was a joy to use, but two other brands stood out to our team of testers, as well.
Krups 10-Speed Digital Hand Mixer ($60, left): While the Krups hand mixer took awhile to whip cream and left behind some dye in the sour cream test, it ran very quietly and had a smooth transition between speeds. The speed button was another perk, but our Test Kitchen warns, you’ll get an arm workout! We wish it came with a whisk attachment.
Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed Hand Mixer ($59, right): This big-name hand mixer did the job, although we noticed the occasional burst of speed while we mixed, which seemed odd. The storage compartment is a clever idea, but we found it easier to wrap the cord around the mixer.
What to Make with a Hand Mixer
Our Test Kitchen’s favorite dish to make with a hand mixer is this Orange Pumpkin Chiffon Dessert. This comforting fall treat makes use of the hand mixer to whip up the perfect light and creamy pumpkin mousse. Once the chiffon is set, all you have to do is swap out the beaters for the whisk attachment to make some homemade whipped cream.
When it comes to mixing up cookie dough, cake batter and more, some folks like to do it the old-fashioned way with just a spoon or whisk; others like to put everything into a stand mixer. There are some recipes, though, that are best suited for a hand mixer—like these 30 reader favorites.
Orange Pumpkin Chiffon Dessert
When pumpkin season rolls around, I like to find new ways to enjoy it in almost all my cooking. This creamy dessert feels so festive this time of year—;it gives you classic pumpkin pie flavor with just a kiss of orange. —Donna Roberts, Manhattan, Kansas
Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Whenever I serve this easy mash, the bowl is always scraped clean. Before holiday feasts, I make it early and keep it warm in a slow cooker so I can focus on last-minute details. —Jill Thomas, Washington, Indiana
Mocha Baked Alaskas
Make these baked Alaskas ahead of time—you can torch the completed desserts and freeze them up to 24 hours before serving. —Kerry Dingwall, Ponte Vedra, Florida
Ricotta Gnocchi with Spinach & Gorgonzola
When my family comes for a visit, they always ask me to make this unique dish for dinner. Homemade cheesy gnocchi is topped with a rich sauce made with butternut squash, spinach and Gorgonzola.— Brud Holland, Watkins Glen, New York
Can't-Eat-Just-One Cinnamon Rolls
My cinnamon rolls have been known to vanish quickly. Once I dropped off a dozen rolls for my brothers, and they emptied the pan in 10 minutes. —Regina Farmwald, West Farmington, Ohio
Cheesy Sausage Stromboli
I've had a hundred requests for this recipe over the years. Perfect for brunch or as an evening snack, this sausage-filled bread is not tricky to make—and I never have to worry about storing leftovers! —Vada McRoberts, Silver Lake, Kansas
Pineapple Carrot Cake
This moist cake with cream cheese frosting is the best I've ever eaten. It's so simple, too, because it uses two jars of baby food instead of fresh carrots that need to be grated. —Jeanette McKenna, Vero Beach, Florida
Midwestern Meat Pies
When I moved to the Midwest in 1966, I discovered many ethnic foods that I had never heard of before. One of my friends introduced me to this runza recipe, and it quickly became a popular dish with my family. —Dolly Croghan, Mead, Nebraska
Chocolate S'mores Tart
I created this tart for my kids, who love having s'mores on the fire pit. It’s truly indulgent. We simply can't get enough of the billowy marshmallow topping. —Dina Crowell, Fredericksburg, Virginia
Cheddar-Veggie Appetizer Torte
A line forms quickly behind this quichelike torte at family gatherings. The wedges are easy to eat as finger food, and it's delicious hot or cold. — Barbara Estabrook, Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake
I said I'd bring dessert to a holiday party and tried this recipe. I'm sure you'll agree it tastes as luscious as it looks! —Dawn Lowenstein, Hatboro, Pennsylvania
Easy Batter Rolls
The first thing my guests ask when they come for dinner is if I'm serving these dinner rolls. The buns are so light, airy and delicious—and help make the meal. —Thomasina Brunner, Gloversville, New York
Frosty Watermelon Ice
Here's a fun twist on watermelon. It's so refreshing on a summer day, and you don't have to worry about seeds while you're enjoying it. —Kaaren Jurack, Manassas, Virginia
Majestic Pecan Cake
This recipe truly lives up to its name. The pecan-dotted cake is stacked in three layers, and made-from-scratch frosting is the crowning touch.—Karen R. Jones, Claypool, Indiana
Bacon & Sun-Dried Tomato Phyllo Tarts
Frozen mini phyllo tart shells are so convenient and easy to use. Just add a savory filling featuring sun-dried tomatoes and bacon, then pop them in the oven.—Patricia Quinn, Omaha, Nebraska
Peanut Butter Caramel Bars
When my husband and our three sons sit down to dinner, they ask, "What's for dessert?" I have a happy group of guys when I report that these rich bars are on the menu. They're chockfull of yummy ingredients. —Lee Ann Karnowski, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Homemade English Muffin Bread
Most of my cooking and baking is from scratch, and I think it's worth the time and effort. Everyone enjoys homemade goodies like this delicious bread. —Elsie Trippett, Jackson, Michigan
Best-Ever Sugar Cookies
What makes these cookies the best ever? A delicious cream cheese dough flavored with vanilla, almond and a hint of nutmeg that's wonderfully easy to work with. The adorable decorations don't hurt, either! —Christy Hinrichs, Parkville, Missouri
Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Tired of the same old side dish, I whipped up this new family favorite. We can't get enough of these loaded mashed potatoes at our house. Often, I'll prepare this casserole ahead and refrigerate it. Then I bake it just before serving. —Dawn Reuter, Oxford, Wisconsin
Red Velvet Crepe Cakes
It's well worth the time to make this beautiful and delicious cake. Each moist layer is separated by a rich and creamy filling. Treat your family on special occasions with this cake. —Crystal Heaton, Alton, Utah
Pepperoni-Sausage Stuffed Pizza
For 30 years, friends have been telling me to open a pizzeria using this recipe. It even freezes well. —Elizabeth Wolff, Carmel, Indiana
Sweet Potato-Cranberry Doughnuts
I grew up near Idaho, which is famous for spudnuts, a doughnut made from mashed potatoes. I reworked a recipe using sweet potatoes and cranberries to come up with this variation. I like to serve them for dessert. —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California
Hot Almond N Cream Drink
Just a few sips of this drink, with its rich almond flavor, will warm you up in a hurry. I'm the food service manager for a Christian camp and it's a favorite each year at our Christmas party. —Kaye Kirsch, Bailey, Colorado
Upside-Down Banana Monkey Bread
Everyone digs in to monkey bread thanks to its pull-apart shape. We add banana slices and pecans to top this already scrumptious showpiece for a brunch or family gathering. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts
Hazelnut Macarons
You don’t have to be an expert in French cooking to whip up these sandwich cookies. The crisp, chewy macarons take attention to detail, but they’re not hard to make—and they’re simply a delight, both for personal snacking and giving as gifts! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Quick and Easy Bread Bowls
Impress all your friends by serving cream soups or dips with this bread bowl recipes. It's one of the most popular recipes on my blog, yammiesnoshery.com. —Rachel Heidenreich, Marshall, Michigan
Meringue Shells with Lemon Curd
We love a dazzling dessert of meringue shells filled with sunny lemon curd. It’s sweet and tart, crunchy and fluffy. Top it with whipped cream and berries. —Kris Brill, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Muffuletta Cheesecake
When I needed a party appetizer and couldn’t find a recipe I liked, I created my own. This savory spread boasts the flavors of a classic Italian muffuletta sandwich. —Helen Flamm, Dayton, Ohio
Come-Home-to-Mama Chocolate Cake
You'll spend less than a half hour whipping up this cure-all cake that starts with a mix. Sour cream and chocolate pudding make it rich and moist, and chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate make it decadent comfort food at its finest. —Taste of Home Test KitchenHow to Care for Your Hand Mixer
After all that work whipping up batters, doughs and our creamy chiffon dessert, you’ll have to take care to clean your hand mixer up right. To keep it looking and performing like new, be sure to eject the beaters and clean them after each use. Leaving dirty beaters in the mixer can lead to permanently stuck blades.
Now, go mix up some new recipes!
About Best Loved Brands
If you’re like us, you want all your favorite recipes to turn out fabulous every single time you make them. That means opting for the best tasting ingredients and the best tools. While picking your favorite brand of chocolate chips or bacon is a task, it’s a delicious one to be relished. Choosing the best gadgets and gear for your kitchen, though, is another story. Unless you buy several stand mixers or food processors and put them through their paces, how can you ever know which will make your recipes turn out their best? That’s where our Test Kitchen comes in. Our culinary experts tried dozens of products our Test Kitchen—testing your recipes—to find out which brands came out on top.
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