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The best hand mixers, in plain English

A hand mixer is small, cheap and great for cake batter, cookies and whipped cream. We read hands-on tests and boiled them down: which are most powerful, which splatter less and which cheap ones are fine.

  • Last reviewed October 20, 2026
  • 6 hand mixers
  • 5 expert reviews read

We didn't test these ourselves. We read reviews from experts who test products hands-on, then summed up where they agree and where they don't. Every source is linked. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Our top pick in each group. Tap one to jump to the details.

Best overall Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed Hand Mixer (HM-90) $70–$100 Powerful, easy and less splatter. See details Best budget Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Hand Mixer $20–$30 Fast mixing for about $25. See details Best cordless KitchenAid Cordless 7-Speed Hand Mixer (KHMB732) $90–$120 No cord, lots of colors. See details

Before you buy: 3 quick checks

A slow start and comfy grip matter more than extra speeds.

Look for a slow start

A slow first speed keeps flour and sugar from flying out of the bowl. It's one of the biggest differences between cheap and better mixers.

Hand or stand mixer?

Hand mixers are perfect for cakes, cookies and whipped cream. For lots of bread dough or very big batches, a stand mixer does the work for you.

Check the weight

You'll hold it for several minutes. A lighter mixer is easier on your wrist, especially for long jobs like whipping egg whites.

Compare at a glance

On a phone, swipe the table sideways to see every column.

MixerBest forTypical priceSpeedsPower
1. Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed Hand Mixer (HM-90) Best overall $70–$1009 speeds, slow startCorded
2. Breville Handy Mix Scraper Best splurge $140–$1809 speedsCorded
3. Braun MultiMix 5 Hand Mixer Easiest to hold $70–$1059 speeds plus turboCorded
4. KitchenAid Cordless 7-Speed Hand Mixer (KHMB732) Best cordless $90–$1207 speeds, slow startCordless (rechargeable)
5. KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer Best KitchenAid $50–$705 speedsCorded
6. Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Hand Mixer Best budget $20–$306 speeds plus QuickBurstCorded

The 6 best hand mixers, explained

Best overall first. Prices are typical ranges, not live prices, so check Amazon for today's price.

#1Best overall

Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed Hand Mixer (HM-90)

  • 9 speeds, slow start
  • Corded
  • Storage case and extra attachments

$70–$100typical price

A powerful, easy hand mixer with a slow start that cuts down on splatter. Reviewed names it the best hand mixer overall, America's Test Kitchen the best buy, Food Network the most powerful, and TechGearLab the best for everyday use.

What testers liked

  • Easy, intuitive speed controls.
  • Slow start means less flour flying.
  • Snap-on case keeps all the attachments together.

Common complaints

  • It tips over when you stand it up.
  • You may need to scrape the bowl more often.

Skip it if: You want built-in extras like a timer. The Breville has them.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (4)

Summed up from Reviewed, America's Test Kitchen, Food Network, TechGearLab.

#2Best splurge

Breville Handy Mix Scraper

  • 9 speeds
  • Corded
  • Timer, bowl light and scraper beaters

$140–$180typical price

The fanciest hand mixer, with a timer, a light that shines into the bowl and beaters that scrape the sides. America's Test Kitchen names it the winner, TechGearLab picks it for serious cooks, and Taste of Home calls it the best splurge.

What testers liked

  • Fastest mixer in America's Test Kitchen's test, with no clogging.
  • Silicone-edged beaters scrape the bowl.
  • Built-in timer, light and storage case.

Common complaints

  • Expensive.
  • Heavier than most hand mixers.

Skip it if: You bake only now and then. The Cuisinart does almost as well for less.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (3)

Summed up from America's Test Kitchen, TechGearLab, Taste of Home.

#3Easiest to hold

Braun MultiMix 5 Hand Mixer

  • 9 speeds plus turbo
  • Corded
  • Light and well balanced

$70–$105typical price

A light, well-balanced mixer that makes quick work of batters. Food Network names it the best hand mixer overall, and Taste of Home picks it as the best for bakers.

What testers liked

  • Lots of power with little effort.
  • Lightweight and quiet.
  • Comfortable soft handle.

Common complaints

  • Some versions skip the classic whisk.
  • Pricier than basic mixers.

Skip it if: You want the cheapest mixer that works. Try the Hamilton Beach.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (2)

Summed up from Food Network, Taste of Home.

#4Best cordless

KitchenAid Cordless 7-Speed Hand Mixer (KHMB732)

  • 7 speeds, slow start
  • Cordless (rechargeable)
  • About 4 batches of cookies per charge

$90–$120typical price

A cordless mixer you can use anywhere in the kitchen. TechGearLab, Food Network and Taste of Home all name it the best cordless hand mixer.

What testers liked

  • No cord to get in the way.
  • Slow start and intuitive controls.
  • Lots of colors.

Common complaints

  • Needs charging, and it shuts off if you push it too hard.
  • Heavier than corded mixers, and comes with only basic beaters.

Skip it if: You make stiff doughs often. A corded mixer has more steady power.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (3)

Summed up from TechGearLab, Food Network, Taste of Home.

#5Best KitchenAid

KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer

  • 5 speeds
  • Corded
  • Light; many colors

$50–$70typical price

A light, simple mixer that's great for whipping cream and egg whites. Food Network names it the best KitchenAid hand mixer, and America's Test Kitchen recommends it.

What testers liked

  • Light and easy to handle.
  • Clearly marked speeds and a one-hand beater eject.
  • Whips cream and egg whites fast.

Common complaints

  • Struggles to get going in stiff cookie dough.
  • Only 5 speeds.

Skip it if: You bake thick cookie dough a lot. Pick a stronger mixer.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (2)

Summed up from Food Network, America's Test Kitchen.

#6Best budget

Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Hand Mixer

  • 6 speeds plus QuickBurst
  • Corded
  • Rests on the bowl edge

$20–$30typical price

A very cheap mixer that's fast enough for cakes and cookies. TechGearLab and Food Network both name it the best value hand mixer.

What testers liked

  • Costs less than half what most mixers do.
  • Fast mixing.
  • Rests on the edge of the bowl, with a snap-on case.

Common complaints

  • No slow start, so expect some splatter.
  • Hard to clean.

Skip it if: You bake every week. A sturdier mixer will last longer.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (2)

Summed up from TechGearLab, Food Network.

How we pick

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