They sound alike, but a hand blender, a hand mixer and a stand mixer do very different jobs. Buy the wrong one and it ends up in the cupboard. Here is what each one is for.

Quick answer

• Soups, sauces, baby food, smoothies: hand (stick) blender.
• Cakes, whipped cream, meringues, pancake batter: hand mixer (electric whisk).
• Bread dough, big batches, hands-free baking: stand mixer.
• Small kitchen, one gadget for most jobs: a 3-in-1 to 6-in-1 hand blender kit with whisk and chopper.

Hand blender (stick blender)

A motor with a blade at the end of a stick. You put it straight into the pan, jug or glass.

• Great for: blending soup in the pan, sauces, smoothies, baby food, mayonnaise.
• Look for: 1000W+ power, a stainless steel shaft (does not stain or melt in hot soup), variable speed plus turbo.
• Kits: 3-in-1 sets add a whisk and milk frother; 5-in-1 and 6-in-1 sets add a chopper bowl and beaker – enough to replace a small food processor.

Hand mixer (electric whisk)

Two beaters that whisk air into the mix. This is the classic baking tool.

• Great for: cake batter, whipped cream, egg whites, buttercream.
• Look for: 300–400W, 5+ speeds, turbo button, dough hooks and a storage case.
• Not great for: heavy bread dough every week – that is a stand mixer job.

Stand mixer

A big bowl with a planetary beater that mixes on its own while you do something else.

• Great for: bread and pizza dough, double batches, long whisking.
• Look for: 1000W, 5-litre bowl, tilt head, splash guard, dough hook + whisk + flat beater.
• Minus: takes counter space and costs more.

Side-by-side

Our pick by budget

• Under £25: Shardor 400W hand mixer with storage case, or a Shardor 3-in-1 hand blender.
• Under £40: Shardor 5-in-1 or 6-in-1 hand blender kit with chopper and beaker.
• Serious baker: 1000W 5-quart stand mixer.

All are available brand new, open-box or used and tested – see our condition grades.

Shardor Hand Blender 3-in-1 Shardor Hand Blender 5-in-1 Shardor Hand Blender 6-in-1 + Chopper Shardor Hand Mixer 400W 6 Speed Stand Mixer 1000W 5 Quart

Shop all kitchen deals → · Blender vs juicer guide

Frequently asked questions

Can a hand blender whip cream?

Yes, if it comes with a whisk attachment (3-in-1 kits and up). Without the whisk, the blade will not add enough air.

Can I knead bread with a hand mixer?

Small batches, yes, using the dough hooks. For regular bread making a stand mixer is much easier on the motor and on you.

How many watts does a hand blender need?

800W is enough for soups; 1000–1200W handles ice, frozen fruit and nuts more easily.