Best hand mixer 2024 – tested by our experts for cake, cookies, and even dough

Not everybody needs (or wants) a stand mixer. If you love to bake, but you're working with a smaller kitchen or a tighter budget, you might be better off with one of the best hand mixers, instead.

There are premium mixers with adjustable speeds and powerful motors, as well as simpler models that master the basics. Hand mixers come in neutral tones to blend into any background and brighter colors to pop against white walls. In fact, there are so many types of hand mixer that it's easy to feel spoiled for choice. 

That's where I come in. As a product reviewer, I'm part of an expert testing team here at H&G. Together, we've tested some of the best kitchen appliances money can buy, from the best stand mixers to hand mixers. I appreciate the flexibility of a cordless design for quick and easy mixing. I've narrowed it down to the eight best hand mixers to suit every style of kitchen and size of budget. 

I've scored each hand mixer on the basis of quality of mixing, quality of construction, ease of cleaning, durability, and the all-important price.  

Quick list

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Best hand mixers 2024 as tested by our team

Best hand mixer overall

The KitchenAid Cordless Hand mixer is our top choice thanks to the fact it combines aesthetics and functionality perfectly. It has the polished retro look that the brand is famous for, the convenience of being cordless, and the performance that you need to get your smaller baking tasks done efficiently. 'The cordless element makes things even more aesthetically pleasing,' says our tester Molly. 'But don't fall into the trap if you know you're horrendous at charging things, as this mixer needs more attention than usual.' 

This is the best quality mixer of all our tests. It has two sturdy beaters which sit somewhere between traditional balloon whisk and beater shapes, meaning they're good substitutes for both. That saves on storage space and means it aced cookie dough and cake batter, despite the lack of added attachments. 

With seven speeds to choose from, you can fold as well as a whisk, so whether you want to keep your mix dense or fill it with as much air as possible, there is a speed setting for you. We're fans of the blue velvet color, but there are seven to choose from. As you'll know if you've read our KitchenAid Artisan review, you can get it in Empire Red or stay classic with a matte black or clean white. 

Our full KitchenAid Cordless Hand Mixer review has more information.  

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Best hand mixer for style

With just one look, we think you'll find it easy to agree that this Smeg hand mixer is the essential choice for those looking to spruce up their kitchen with their purchase. Available in a series of glorious bright and pastel colors, this mixer marries together style and speed, with nine options for various baking tasks. 

'In terms of performance, I was doubly impressed with how powerful and user-friendly this mixer was. It takes mere minutes to do what you need it to when it comes to batter,' says our tester Molly. 'The price tag of this mixer might put some customers off, but if you love the aesthetics on offer here, then you'll be glad to hear the performance matches up.'

It has a full range of attachments, with two dough hooks, beaters, and whisks, and each of these performed excellently in our tests. Another standout feature of excellence with this mixer is the seamless digital control panel, which also features a very handy timer. The finishing touches are all there with this mixer, from the included embroidered dust case to the iconic Smeg lettering on the exterior, and there's no doubt that this is the prettiest mixer you could opt for.

As we found in our Smeg 1950s Stand Mixer review, the nostalgic design here is a crucial feature. Looks aside, we loved the user-friendly display, easy controls, nine speeds to use, and non-slip feet to help the mixer stay in place on our countertop.

Our full Smeg Retro 50s Hand Mixer has more information.  

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Best quality hand mixer

This Dualit mixer is a standout choice thanks to its practical design, genuinely useful features, and the fact it performed adeptly in our tests. Perfect for occasions where you don't need the capacity or power of a stand mixer, this pick will let you get the job done without prior fuss. 'This Dualit mixer is high-quality, with a focus on pragmatism and straightforwardness,' reports our tester Molly.

The main reason this Dualit mixer is such a success is its focus on practicality. There is a year-long guarantee available if you purchase it straight from Dualit, and the parts of this mixer are replaceable, meaning you can carry it with you for many years of your life. This emphasis on quality that lasts is excellent in terms of value and sustainability. 

The feature that we loved the most during testing was the retractable cord, which makes storage as easy as it should be. This mixer also has a full range of attachments and straightforward controls.

Our full Dualit Hand Mixer review has more information.  

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Best hand mixer for performance

The MultiMix is very powerful, with a 350-watt motor that matches some of the most popular food mixers on the market. This was very much so reflected in our tests, with this mixer breezing through all of our mixtures, regardless of the density. It also has a design that promotes easy cleaning, with a sealed body that won't let any mixture seep inside. 'I loved this hand mixer performance-wise as much as the KitchenAid; the only reason it's further down the list is the KitchenAid's looks are so much more alluring,' says Molly, our on-staff tester. 'That said, this is much more affordable.'

There are two dough hooks included with this mixer too, which are excellent for mixing pastries or bread doughs. The controls are also cutting edge, using a dial turn system that you can operate with one hand, whilst you use the other to steady your mixture. Whilst it might not be the most aesthetically pleasing mixer in the world, it contends with the best when it comes to a stellar mixing performance.

Our full Braun MultiMix 5 review has more information. 

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Most versatile hand mixer

If you want the best corded hand mixer and have a larger budget, the KitchenAid KHM926CU 9-Speed Hand Mixer is our top pick. With a cord to help pack in that extra power, and with a stunning design, we think this mixer is very much worth the splurge. Our tester Molly was very clear that this model is just as good as our top pick, also a KitchenAid: 'You get more for your money with the additional attachments, and the controls are a little smoother to use.' Why is it further down the list? We simply find cordless hand mixers more practical to use

One of our favorite features is, of course, the nine speed settings. These use a slow start (to prevent spills and messes) and range from speed one, which is great for folding, to speed nine, which is perfect for meringues. 

Speed is adjusted using the buttons at the top of the mixer, and is clearly displayed on an LED screen. There's also a beater ejector button that keeps fingers from getting messy when you're done and a lockable swivel cord that keeps it from getting in the way when cooking. 

Our full KitchenAid 9-Speed Hand Mixer review has more information.

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Best cordless hand mixer

We like the Cuisinart RHM-100 EvolutionX 5-Speed Cordless Hand Mixer with its five speeds, stand-up display, and impressive runtime. 

There are so many reasons to go cordless when hunting for a new hand mixer. It gives you the option of making Swiss meringue without worrying about finding a place nearby to plug in, and if you have a kitchen island it can sit on the counters without all the clutter of a cord. 

'Though it performed well in all of our tests, it didn't quite feel like it had the push behind it that some of the contending mixers did,' says staff tester Molly. 'However, with an RRP of $79.95, it will remain in my favorite kitchen tools line-up for a long time yet.' 

We noted that you cannot use this hand mixer while it's charging, so be sure to charge it ahead of time if you plan on using it. 

Our full Cuisinart EvolutionX Cordless Hand Mixer review has more information.

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How we test

At Homes & Gardens, we know that how we test products is crucial to whether you can trust our evaluations and our rankings. That's why Molly extensively tested the hand mixers within this round-up side by side in order to truly evaluate which model was the top performer, as you can see from our photos. 

Molly tested each of the hand mixers in this guide simultaneously at the Future testing facility in Reading, England, in order to gauge which models are worth spending your money on. There were various elements to the testing process including three different tasks to evaluate the power of each mixer, and additional time is given to testing out various additional attachments that came with each mixer. A series of tests were devised in order to establish their abilities, from whipping up cream to mixing cake batter. The tests were made as quantifiable as possible, with recordings of time taken to adequately mix as well as decibel readings. In each of the reviews linked here, you'll see the testing process behind the stars awarded to these mixers. 

Below you'll find more information on Molly, who tested these mixers, and why she has the expertise to tell you which model to buy.

Molly Cleary

Molly is an Ecommerce staffer for Homes & Gardens, and spends her time testing out the premium appliances you need for your home. She is a long-time baker and set out to test every single one of the hand mixers within this guide in order to tell you exactly what you need to know as you purchase one. Though the best performer was the KitchenAid Cordless Hand Mixer, Molly's personal favorite has to be the Smeg 1950s Retro Style Mixer thanks to its unbeatable look, especially in the pale blue shade. 

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How to choose the best hand mixer

Speeds
Hand mixers offer anywhere from 5 to 9 preset speeds. Lower speeds are ideal for integrating ingredients without overworking a batter, and a higher speed can beat egg whites or heavy cream to stiff peaks. 

Every hand mixer in our guide has a speed setting for any task you may wish to use it for, but it's no surprise that the more premium options offer more speeds. These will give you more flexibility in the kitchen and offer a wider range of functions for keen home chefs. 

Storage
Many of the best hand mixers come with cases that contain the machine itself as well as all of its attachments in one easy and convenient space. This makes storage simple and prevents clutter when not in use. 

Weight
None of the best hand mixers are very heavy, but if you plan on using it for prolonged periods of time it's worth making sure it won't become cumbersome. 

Attachments
Every hand mixer will come with beaters as standard, but some offer extras including dough hooks, balloon whisks, and even spatulas for increased functionality. 

Considering buying a stand mixer instead? We compared the hand mixer vs stand mixer to see which made a better batch of brownies. 

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FAQs

Can a hand mixer replace a stand mixer?

To understand whether one of the best hand mixers can replace one of the best stand mixers in your kitchen, you need to know what each is capable of and which is most suited to your cooking needs. 

Hand mixers – light and small, as we have seen – can be used to whip, beat and mix small batches and, if cordless, can be really practical for the occasional baker or anyone with little room for a traditional stand mixer. 

Stand mixers are bigger, so can take on bigger batches and, because they have more speed and power and are hands-free, are much more suited to regular bakers who cook for a crowd or freezing ahead. Most stand mixers have more attachments than most hand mixers, so always interrogate what you are getting for your money when comparing. 

The final difference? Price: hand mixers are much cheaper, generally, than stand mixers. So, can you replace one with the other? You can buy a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer if you don't cook too much, too often. 

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