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How to Choose and Buy a Hand Mixer or Blender

Here are some hints and tips on some of the things to consider when choosing and buying a hand mixer or blender:

Hand Mixer or Blender?

There are many types of hand mixer and blender available, from the old fashioned double whisks, which are now motor operated and have numerous attachments such as dough hooks, to the electric hand blender which is perfect for blitzing soups. You can also buy jug blenders, which can be extremely useful for making a whole range of items including baby foods, salsa and smoothies.

When deciding on the type of mixer or blender to buy, you’ll need to consider your budget, the amount of space that you have available, the tasks that you want it to perform and how much you think you will use the appliance. If you want a really versatile blender that will be able to perform a number of different tasks easily, and you are likely to be using it regularly, you may be better to invest in a jug blender. Jug blenders are also ideal for anyone who has difficulty in using a hand mixer or blender because they are elderly or infirm.

If you want a mixer specifically for certain baking or cooking tasks, you may find a hand mixer more suitable.

Style of Blenders and Mixers

If your hand mixer or blender is likely to be on display in your kitchen, try and find one that will match your other appliances. Hand mixers and blenders can have stainless steel, chrome, or easy clean, white plastic finishes, so you should be able to find one that suits your kitchen.

Wattage

Make sure that you choose a mixer or blender with enough power to cope with any task that you are likely to use it for. If you are buying a blender, you need to ensure that it has a high wattage and if you are buying a hand whisk, you also need to ensure that it has variable speeds, to ensure that when you are blitzing a hot soup you are in full control and that it can be used safely.

Attachments

Both hand mixers and jug blenders usually come with changeable beaters and accessories such as dough hooks to ensure that they are as versatile as your needs. Check the product description of any model you are considering before buying to see what accessories you will get with it.

Storage

No-one wants unsightly and bulky kitchen appliances clogging up their work surfaces. Many blenders are sleek and tall, with removable jugs for ease of storage. Some models of hand whisk come with wall mountings, so that you can store them out of the way whilst always having them handily placed and ready to use.

Dishwasher-Safe Parts

Most manufacturers ensure that the removable parts of their kitchen accessories are dishwasher-safe so that they are easy to clean, but it’s always worth checking the product description of any model that you’re considering to ensure that this is the case.

Warranty

Check the product description before buying a hand mixer or blender to make sure that you’re happy with the length of time that it’s guaranteed for as warranties can vary from model to model.

Price

Hand mixers and blenders can be bought very cheaply, particularly online. However, set yourself a budget and stick to it, and remember that you can get some great deals by shopping around. Take a look at our Where to Buy section for details of some of the leading online suppliers.

Extras

Some hand mixers or blenders may come with extras such as a recipe book, blades, spatula, mixing cup or a storage kit. Check the product descriptions when you are choosing your hand mixer or blender to see whether or not any extra items are included, as these can provide added value.

Further Information

If you want to buy a hand mixer or blender, you can find out more about some of the top online suppliers, including details of their delivery times and postage and packaging costs, in our Where to Buy section.

You can find out about specific brands and models of hand mixer and blender in our Brands and Top Models sections.

You can learn more about other types of kitchen appliance in our Types section.