Hand Mixer Buying Guide

Getting Started
The power of your hand mixer determines its usefulness. A $10 mixer is not going to work through stiff cookie dough. If dough hooks are not included, assume that you have purchased a mix/whip-only machine. Mixers with limited power will chug through chores and give off a burning odor.

Poor balance leads to safety issues. Look for a hand mixer that is easy to hold. Models with sharp edges or bulky handles are uncomfortable to grip. An anti-slip grip is a plus, as are angled handles that allow the operator's arm to relax.

Machines with too few or too many controls are sometimes poor performers. Controls should be easily accessed, but design should not allow for controls to be turned on accidentally. Choose a hand mixer that changes speeds smoothly and operates at a hum rather than one that clatters. Too few speeds may cause the hand mixer to advance roughly from one level to the next.

Cleanup should be simple. Hand mixers with long-handled beaters access bowl contents better. Beaters with thin wire and no center post perform and clean up well in comparison to flat-edged beaters.