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The Best Hand Mixer According to America’s Test Kitchen Tips and Buying Guides
The best hand mixer is a must-have for anyone looking to improve their home baking. This handy appliance comes with attachments to make beating egg whites, kneading dough, making cake batter, and many more a breeze.
Also, it’s an excellent choice for people who can’t make sense of the high-cost full-size mixer. While hand mixers are cost-effective and more portable, they are not as visually attractive as stand mixers. Nonetheless, they get the job done without having to break the bank.
In this guide, we’ll consider the top 5 best hand mixer America’s Test Kitchen to ensure you make the right pick.
Reviews of The Best Hand Mixer America’s Test Kitchen on Amazon in 2022
Top 1 – BLACK+DECKER MX600B Performance 5-Speed Hand Mixer
If you are in the market for budget-options hand mixers and not looking to splurge on high-end gear, the BLACK+DECKER MX600B Helix might just be what you’re looking for.
This best hand mixer america’s test kitchen takes the lead with its 250W motor and 5-speed setting. Thanks to its turbo control, this mixer can handle just about anything thrown at it efficiently and fast. This affordable gadget mixes everything in the bowl without any untouched ingredients.
What’s more? It comes with two dough hooks, two helix beaters, a whisk for bread dough, general mixing, and light mixing. The accessories can be tossed into the dishwasher for a convenient cleaning experience.
BLACK+DECKER MX600B Helix has a detachable compartment to hold the essential tools for easy organization and storage. This machine never goes unnoticed for stellar performance and incredible durability.
Pros:
- Quiet, smooth operation
- Helix design offers a large surface area for better mixing results
- Dishwasher safe reinforced nylon for effortless cleaning
- Available in different color options
Cons:
- It might not be so ideal for sticky dough
Top 2 – Cuisinart HM-90S Plus 9-Speed Handheld Mixer
Our runner-up is the Cuisinart HM-90S Power Advantage Plus, one of the top-rated hand mixers for dough. It is equipped with a powerful 220-watt motor and a 9-speed option to whip up almost everything and anything thrown at this hand mixer america’s test kitchen.
Its speed options feature three slow start settings perfect for handling chocolate chip cookie dough, rice pudding, and bread dough.
This durable machine is backed by a three-year warranty to protect your investment. Also, it comes with several accessories, including a spatula, a chef’s whisk, dough hooks, and a useful carrying case.
The best part is getting all of these at an affordable price. Despite its price point, the Cuisinart HM-90S Power Advantage Plus is exceptionally durable and delivers incredible mixing performance.
On the downside, it’s a bit heavy, and the power cable is a bit challenging to fit into the storage case. Nonetheless, we find it portable and easy to store – since it takes less space.
Pros:
- Nine-speed options with one-touch speed adjustment
- Dishwasher safe accessories
- Snap-on clear storage case
- 220 watts of power with automatic feedback
Cons:
- Misleading product description
Top 3 – Cuisinart HM-70 Power Advantage 7-Speed Hand Mixer
Similar to our previous model, the Cuisinart HM-70 Power Advantage 7-Speed Hand Mixer has seven different speed options and three low speeds to prevent splattering. This unit is equipped with an automatic feedback feature to automatically offer the much-needed burst of power to handle chunky, thick cookie dough.
This appliance features an easy on/off button for easy operation. The Cuisinart HM-70 Power Advantage 7-Speed Hand Mixer has a clip-on storage case to house the different included attachments.
The attachment includes a recipe book, one spatula, one chef’s whisk, two dough hooks, and two extra-long beaters. These detachable parts are dishwasher safe for a convenient cleaning experience.
Unlike most models with buttons for releasing beaters, this unit rocks a latch instead. On top of that, you can hide away the cord to declutter your counter. This model is a decent choice for both beginner and seasoned bakers looking to improve their baking results.
Pros:
- Equipped with a 220-watt motor
- Automatic feedback
- Three low start speeds
- Snap-on storage case
- Dishwasher safe removable parts
Cons:
- Might not handle heavy-duty tasks
- The slow-speed modes are slightly faster than other brands.
Top 4 – KitchenAid KHM512CB 5-Speed Hand Mixer
When it comes to mixing a wide range of textures, you can go wrong with the KitchenAid KHM512CB 5-Speed Hand Mixer. This appliance offers up to 5-speed options and a soft start model to allow the america’s test kitchen hand mixer to start slowly and work its way up to your preferred speed option.
With this feature, you don’t have to deal with a lot of mess or untouched ingredients. This 2-pound hand mixer features a soft-grip handle to offer comfortable and secure handling. Also, the locking power cord makes maneuvering this machine a breeze – no cord twisting.
Pros:
- Two beater types for different mixing and texture result
- 1-year hassle-free replacement warranty
- Stainless Steel Turbo Beater II Accessories for mixing heavy ingredients
- Locking power cord for easy use
Cons:
- The power is a bit lacking
Top 5 – KitchenAid 7 Speed KHM7210CU Hand Mixer
The KitchenAid 7 Speed KHM7210CU Hand Mixer comes with a whopping seven speeds to deliver smooth results. Also, it includes different attachments, a blending rod, a whisk, two dough hooks, and two beaters to spoil users with choices.
Like the previous model, the KitchenAid 7 Speed KHM7210CU has a soft-start feature to prevent messy splashes as it keeps the ingredient in the bowl. Furthermore, the stainless-steel Turbo Beaters are perfect for handling a large bowl of ingredients and heavy dough.
Even better, it comes with an LED display and a soft-grip handle for more comfortable handling.
Pros:
- Slow start feature
- Seven-speed settings
- Extremely light and easy to use
- Impressive mixing performance
Cons:
- The handle tends to get sticky with time
What is a hand mixer?
A hand mixer is a small, portable kitchen appliance that usually has two to three beaters that are attached to its body with a shaft. The hand mixer allows one to mix ingredients without having to do it by hand – i.e., with a spoon – because of its ability to quickly and efficiently mix whatever is inside the bowl. They come in a variety of power levels and features, including different speeds and attachments. Hand mixers generally allow for better control, but they can’t substitute a stand up mixer for more laborious tasks such as kneading dough or combining dry ingredients from hard-to-reach corners of large bowls.
They’re quick and easy to use, making them ideal for the occasional baker who doesn’t bake often enough to warrant the need for a full-sized stand mixer. They’re also ideal for individuals who have difficulty using their hands or arms, such as people with arthritis or other similar health conditions that limit their movements. Hand mixers are less expensive than a standard stand mixer and they’re more portable, which makes it easy to bring them along on vacations and trips where electricity isn’t always available.
Factors to Consider When buying the best hand mixer america’s test kitchen
Weight
Weight is a very important factor to consider because the heavier the mixer, the less productive it will be. If you have a weak arm or wrist, then a lightweight mixer will be a better choice for you. A small and light mixer can save your energy while mixing ingredients instead of giving up halfway through due to fatigue.
Number Of Speeds
This factor depends on what type of mixture you will be doing. Usually, hand mixers have between two and five speeds to allow for more flexibility when completing tasks such as whisking eggs or mixing batter. It is very important that this factor is considered because it can lead to an inefficient process if not done correctly.
Balance And Design Of The Hand Mixer
When holding mixer with the handle, your thumb should be well placed on the thumb rest without much effort. Without a suitable grip to hold, one can experience fatigue quickly and not be able to complete a mixture in a timely manner. Another factor is how well you are able to maintain control while mixing ingredients, especially when it comes to dough or thick batters.
Handle And Grip On The Hand Mixer
The handle and grip of the mixer will help ease your hands off from tiredness after using for long periods of time. It should provide enough comfort that your hand does not feel fatigued even if holding it for long periods of time before switching hands. It is important that this factor is considered because there’s no point having an efficient hand mixer if your arm becomes sore and unable to complete tasks.
Where Will You Be Mixing Ingredients And How Often?
This factor depends on how often you will be using the hand mixer america’s test kitchen and what type of ingredients will be mixed together before being used. If it is only occasionally that your hand mixer will come into action, for example once a month or less, then you can purchase a cheaper one with fewer features because it does not have to last long.
What Type Of Material Is The Hand Mixer Made From?
This is another aspect that should be considered depending on the frequency of usage of the mixer as well as where it would be kept after use. If you live in an environment with hard water, then stainless steel would do better instead of plastic because it will not rust with constant contact with water. If you are cleaning your hand mixer america’s test kitchen after use, then consider if the attachments are dishwasher safe or not.
What Is The Design Of The Hand Mixer?
A lightweight hand mixer is best for ease of movement when in action while a heavy-duty one would be best for tougher mixtures such as dough and thick batters. A sleek design should also go well with any kitchen interior and decor to help improve its appearance while sitting out on the countertop at home or in an office break room.
Price and Warranties
Hand mixers vary largely in price because of different features available but having a warranty can protect you from unforeseeable damages if anything happens to it within a set number of years from purchase. It is important to check the specifications thoroughly before purchasing one so as not to waste money on an inefficient model that will leave you in need of repairs or replacement.
Why do you should to buy the best hand mixer america’s test kitchen?
Hand mixer is extremely easy to use, with just the push of a button or two, you can whip up fresh batters, doughs and more. Hand mixers vary in style and design, but they all have the same function.
For example, an upright hand mixer has one rod attached to it which allows the user to simply place the wire beaters into the bowl. When the user is ready to start mixing, a simple press of a button will activate the mixer blades. Rotating the rod back and forth creates a stirring motion in the mixture inside the bowl making it easier for you to mix your ingredients.
Hand mixers usually have speed controls so that you can choose how fast or slow you want your batter mixed. Beater attachments are also interchangeable on some models, allowing users to add in other ingredients when mixing without having to stop and remove one attachment.
In addition, when not in use, upright mixers stand up on their own meaning that they don’t take up much room when placed into storage spaces such as cupboards or drawers. Hand mixers do all of this with ease and convenience to save you from stirring batter with your hands all day long.
In conclusion, whether you’re mixing up a cake batter or just whipping cream, hand mixers provide an easy way to get the job done much faster than if you were to use a spoon or whisk. For best results when working with mixes such as eggs, we recommend using a KitchenAid Hand Mixer instead of a hand mixer.
A hand mixer america’s test kitchen should be able to handle any basic baking jobs like creaming butter and sugar together for cakes and cupcakes, combined dry ingredients for brownies and cookies and whipped cream.
There’s no need to spend hundreds on larger stand mixers when you can easily get by with a standard model that won’t cost more than $30.
How to Use a Hand Mixer Effectively
Hand Mixer FAQs
What is the difference between a hand mixer and an upright hand mixer?
This question may be asked because there are so many different types of kitchen appliances that serve the same functions. The only real difference between these two is in their design – they can both be used for similar purposes at home or at the workplace but depending on which sort of boss you work for, one might not allow you to use an upright hand mixer in your cubicle while at work.
A standard upright model has one handle attached to it with wire beaters mounted onto the end while some even have interchangeable attachments requiring you to stop what you’re doing, open up a compartment near where you keep all your tools, insert the attachment, then close it back up and continue using your america’s test kitchen hand mixer.
On the other hand, a hand mixer america’s test kitchen has a few buttons and more than one rotating rod that is inserted into the machine with beaters on both ends: one of them is turned to activate the right motor while the other is activated by pushing another button which will send an electric current through it as well.
The downside of this design is that you cannot use it as easily as you would if it had interchangeable attachments but there are certain kitchen appliances like food processors and blenders for this function, not hand mixers.
What makes a good inexpensive hand mixer?
For those who do not want to spend too much money on appliances they can replace once or twice every year (due to wear and tear on electrical appliances), we recommend looking for a model that has at least three speed settings and is of an ergonomic design to prevent user fatigue.
When price shopping, be sure to compare the wattage of each machine as well; this will give you an idea of how quickly or slowly it can work without burning out too soon (the higher the watts, the more expensive the mixer).
What are good mixes for hand mixers?
Hand mixers were designed with the home cook in mind so they need not worry about mixing up anything other than batters and doughs on their daily menu. If you really need something fancier than that, it’s recommended to go with a larger stand mixer which comes with many more attachments like slicing disks, grating
What are the advantages of using a hand mixer?
A hand mixer is an electrical appliance used for mixing ingredients by rotating beaters inside the bowl instead of having to use spoons or stirring utensils which saves time, is more efficient and can reach into small spaces that larger tools would have difficulty with. All these factors affect the price of a hand mixer depending on its features available for you to choose from before buying one.
Where should I buy my first Beaters?
When buying your first set of beaters it’s important that they’re made out all metal as oppose to plastic as this gives them better durability and won’t break as easily when placed under stress such as during heavy mixing. Try looking in stores such as Macy’s or Williams-Sonoma for good quality sets that will serve you well.
What do Beaters do?
Beaters are small tools attached to a hand mixer which rotate in opposite directions when the appliance is turned on to mix ingredients such as eggs, cream and more thoroughly by cutting through them without becoming stuck inside. They’re interchangeable on some appliances so that they can be replaced if broken or worn out while others have just one set for all tasks.
Wattage is important when buying a new Hand Mixer. How much wattage should I look for?
The wattage of your hand mixer depends on what sort of things you want it to help with most frequently during food preparation. Generally speaking, higher wattages are needed when dealing with thick, heavy batters and mixtures while lower wattages are better suited to light whipping jobs such as egg whites or cream.
How do Speed Settings work?
Speed settings on your hand mixer america’s test kitchen determine the speed at which your beaters rotate when in use so that you can adjust mixing speeds depending on what it is you’re trying to mix together. Most models have only one control for both sets of beaters but some come with separate controls so that each set can be adjusted independently for optimal efficiency no matter the type of mix being made.
Cuisinart Hand Mixer vs KitchenAid Hand Mixer? Which should I choose:
Both Cuisinart and KitchenAid make high quality hand mixers which vary in price according to their features. If you have a larger budget, it’s usually better to pick a KitchenAid Hand Mixer as their effortless power and durability is worth the extra money. However, a Cuisinart Hand Mixer can be just as efficient in most cases with equally good results when making simple mixes with the right attachments.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this guide helps you choose the best hand mixer america’s test kitchen for your needs. These mixers on our list are top quality and deliver a stellar performance. However, you should compare each product to ensure you make the right decision for your mixing needs.
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