An Immersion Blender Just Makes Sense

We updated this story in February 2022 to ensure all products tested and vetted by the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab are in stock and reflect current pricing.

Immersion blenders — also called hand blenders, stick blenders or wand mixers — give you the freedom to blend and puree foods without needing to transfer them to a full-size blender. Some are constructed as a single piece — the motor cannot be removed from the blender arm that houses the blades. Others are designed with a motor that can be attached to the blender arm as well as other tools like a whisk, mini food processor or beaters like those on a hand mixer. No matter the type, the best models can handle big jobs like blending smoothies and pureeing soups directly in the pot and smaller jobs like making mayo or salad dressing.

The pros in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Technology Lab tested 13 models in our most recent test to find those that are easy to assemble, comfortable to operate and delivered on performance. To test each immersion blender, we blended a smoothie, pureed a soup and made a mayonnaise. We also considered the weight, power and settings of each model to find the best options.

Our top picks:

Read on for more information on how we tested as well as what to consider when shopping for an immersion blender. We also weigh in on whether an immersion blender is worth adding to your kitchen toolkit. Looking for more blender recommendations? Check out our guides on best Vitamix blenders or best personal blenders for smoothies.