An electric hand mixer is a light, portable mixer with two beaters that you hold over the bowl. It whips cream, beats eggs, creams butter and sugar, and mixes cake batter without the bulk of a stand mixer, and it stores in a drawer.
The six mixers below cover premium, mid-range and compact designs, including one that tucks away neatly. We have not used these products ourselves, so treat the descriptions as a guide and confirm the details on the current listing before buying.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Speeds | More speeds give finer control from stirring to whipping |
| Beaters | Stainless steel beaters hold up better than thin wire ones |
| Weight | A lighter body is easier to hold through long mixing |
| Cord and storage | A snap-on case or clip keeps parts together |
| Extras | Dough hooks and whisks widen what it can do |
| Noise | Quieter motors make long mixing sessions more pleasant |
Specs at a Glance
| Mixer | Speeds | Beaters | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra Power | Five | Stainless steel | Familiar brand; matches other KitchenAid tools |
| Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus | Nine | Stainless steel | Extra speed steps; storage case |
| Hamilton Beach 6-Speed | Six | Stainless steel | Snap-on case; simple design |
| Oster 5-Speed | Five | Stainless steel | Straightforward everyday mixer |
| Breville Handy Mix Scraper | Nine | Scraper-style beaters | Beaters designed to clear the bowl |
| SMEG Hand Mixer | Nine | Stainless steel | Retro styling; check the listing for extras |
The 6 Best Hand Mixers
1. KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer
A compact, familiar corded hand mixer with five speeds and stainless steel turbo-style beaters. It comes in a range of colors, which appeals if you like matching countertop tools. It suits cookies and cakes well.
Suits: regular baking. Strengths: a trusted brand and color choices. Weaknesses: only five speed steps. Skip it if you want a digital display.
View KitchenAid 5-Speed Hand Mixer on Amazon
2. Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed Hand Mixer
A nine-speed corded mixer that gives fine control from slow stirring to fast whipping. It is sold with a set of accessories and a storage case, though the exact kit depends on the listing. Good for most weeknight desserts.
Suits: bakers who like speed steps. Strengths: fine control and tidy storage. Weaknesses: a bulkier case to find room for. Skip it if you want the lightest tool.
View Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus on Amazon
3. Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Hand Mixer with Snap-On Case
A widely sold corded hand mixer with six speeds and a case that snaps onto the body to hold the beaters and whisk. Its simple controls suit anyone who bakes now and then. It copes with batters and whipped toppings alike.
Suits: occasional bakers. Strengths: easy storage and a simple layout. Weaknesses: less refined than premium options. Skip it if you want a very quiet mixer.
View Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Mixer on Amazon
4. Oster 5-Speed Hand Mixer
A no-fuss corded mixer from a long-established appliance maker. It does the standard jobs of whipping, creaming and batter mixing without fancy features. Reliable for everyday batters.
Suits: everyday use. Strengths: a plain design and a familiar brand. Weaknesses: few extras beyond the basics. Skip it if you want many speed settings.
View Oster 5-Speed Hand Mixer on Amazon
5. Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer
A hand mixer with scraper-style beaters meant to sweep the sides of the bowl as they turn. Breville’s design aims to cut down on stopping to scrape by hand. Useful for sticky mixtures.
Suits: those who dislike scraping. Strengths: beaters that clear the bowl. Weaknesses: an unusual beater shape to clean. Skip it if you prefer classic wire beaters.
View Breville Handy Mix Scraper on Amazon
6. SMEG Hand Mixer
A retro-styled corded mixer from an Italian design brand, available in several colors. It is as much a statement piece as a tool, so check the listing for speeds and included attachments. It also makes a handsome gift.
Suits: stylish kitchens. Strengths: eye-catching design. Weaknesses: a design-first focus. Skip it if you only want basic function.
View SMEG Hand Mixer on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Eject the beaters before washing them.
- Wipe the body with a damp cloth and never submerge it.
- Dry the beaters fully before storing them.
- Keep the cord loosely coiled to avoid kinks.
- Let the motor rest if it feels warm during thick mixtures.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Starting on the highest speed and spraying the bowl.
- Using a flimsy bowl that slides around.
- Overbeating batter once flour is added.
- Mixing very stiff dough with light beaters.
- Pressing hard on the mixer instead of letting it work.
Hand Mixer FAQ
Is a hand mixer enough for cookies?
Yes for most drop cookie doughs. Very stiff doughs may strain a light hand mixer.
How many speeds do I need?
Five is plenty for everyday baking. More steps give finer control but are not essential.
Can I whip cream with a hand mixer?
Yes. Chill the bowl and beaters first for the best results.
Can a hand mixer knead dough?
Only light doughs. Heavy bread dough is better left to a stand mixer or kneading by hand.
The Short Version
For a trusted brand, the KitchenAid. For speed steps, the Cuisinart. For easy storage, the Hamilton Beach. For basics, the Oster. For less scraping, the Breville. For looks, the SMEG. Check the listing for the exact speed count, the included beaters and whether a storage case comes with it, since those small details shape daily use.