The 10 Best Immersion Blenders
Updated by · How we research
Ten stick blenders compared on guard shape, weight, attachments and warranty, from budget kits to a commercial model. The splash-free Braun MultiQuick 5 leads. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
A bigger motor rating doesn't make a stick blender work better. In a large side-by-side comparison, wattage had no link to how fast or smoothly each model blended; the shape of the guard, the grip and the weight mattered more. These tools purée soup right in the pot, whip cream and thicken mayonnaise, for home cooks, parents and restaurant kitchens alike.
Editor's Notes
October 23, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
The Braun MultiQuick 5 now leads. It's light, it doesn't splash, and it beat far pricier models in America's Test Kitchen's 2025 comparison, which timed soups, smoothies and mayonnaise and weighed and measured every model it tried.
The Braun 4-in-1 MQ7077 is gone, so its current version, the Braun MultiQuick 7, takes its place. The Philips ProMix, the Waring WSB50 and the Waring Quik Stik are no longer available. We dropped the KitchenAid KHB2351 Proline after Reviewed found it weak at chopping, whipping and blending, and the KitchenAid KHBV53 replaces it. The Robot Coupe MP 450 Turbo also left, because the Waring WSB60 Big Stix covers restaurant work for less.
New picks fill gaps readers asked about: the Mueller Ultra-Stick for tight budgets, the Vitamix 5-Speed for raw power, and the Cuisinart Smart Stick CSB-179 for its long warranty. The Breville Control Grip, the Dualit 88880 and the Bella 14460 stay.
Earlier notes
August 25, 2020, by Brett Dvoretz:
Immersion blenders are a great time saver in the kitchen. They are not only less cumbersome to clean than standard blenders, but they are more versatile, too. Whether making soups, purees, sauces or smoothies, one of our recommended models can help you tackle the job with ease.
During this latest update, we replaced the Braun MultiQuick MQ777 with the newer Braun 4-in-1 MQ7077, which features a shaft that the user can pump up and down while in operation. This moves the blades up and down, thereby increasing the effective cutting surface and pureeing the ingredients quicker than those with fixed-position blades.
We also replaced the Robot Coupe CMP 250 VV with the bigger and more powerful Robot Coupe MP 450 Turbo. While this latter model doesn't offer variable speeds, it does have a longer shaft that makes it better suited to blending large quantities. Considering this is included for professional chefs, we thought it smart to choose a model with a very high capacity, especially since we already have the Waring Quik Stik, which is also durable enough for restaurant use but has a smaller form that makes it well suited to small batches. The Waring WSB50 is another commercial option, but this does offer variable speed control and spins at a maximum of 18,000 RPM. It can be purchased with a range of shaft sizes too, so there is one to fit most needs.
Other than those changes, we still stand by all of our previous recommendations. When it comes to affordability for the home user, the Braun MQ505 and Bella 14460 both immediately jump to the top of the pack. While similar in functionality, the Braun does seem to be of better quality, so it is probably the smarter option for anyone who plans to use their immersion blender often. If you value versatility over a budget-friendly cost, the Braun 4-in-1 MQ7077 and Breville BSB510XL, both of which feature variable speed control and come with a variety of accessories are going to be a better options.
April 29, 2019, by Christopher Thomas:
If you've never owned an immersion blender, you may be shocked at how incredibly useful they are. They're commonly used in restaurants, where you'll frequently run into models like the Robot Coupe and the Waring, which can both stand up to full-time use without difficulty, though they're not the most versatile for home cooks. If you want to spend the bare minimum, check out the Bella, but don't get it if you plan to use it for multiple meals every day. The KitchenAid and Epica are also good budget-friendly options, but the Braun MultiQuick 5 is similarly inexpensive and is almost as powerful as many high-end models. Speaking of power, the Dualit does a good job pureeing almost any vegetables, and it looks great while doing it. Even more effective are the Braun MultiQuick 7, the Philips ProMix, and the Breville, and while they're a touch on the costly side, they're very much worth the investment.
Special Honors
Globe GIB500-12 Globe Food Equipment's GIB500-12 is a commercial stick blender with a removable 12-inch shaft, a variable-speed motor and a long cord, a mid-size choice for restaurant kitchens that don't need a full Big Stix. It's sold through restaurant supply dealers, often as a special order, so check stock and warranty terms with the dealer before you plan around it. globeequipment.com
Why Wattage Isn't The Number To Watch
On the 15-speed Breville, the testers saw little difference until about speed 13.
Motor ratings on stick blenders run from about 250 watts to well over 1,000, and it's tempting to buy the biggest number. America's Test Kitchen found that wattage didn't predict how quickly or smoothly a model blended. Its winner, the Braun MultiQuick 5, is rated at 350 watts and made 25 smoothies in a row.
What mattered more was the business end. A small bell-shaped guard with no vents pulls food up through the blade and keeps it in the pot. Vented guards, like the one on the Vitamix, can spray soup, and flat disk-shaped guards, like the Mueller's, don't move food around as well in narrow containers. The testers liked models about 15 to 16 inches long, around 2 pounds, with a grip no thicker than about 5.5 inches around.
Controls matter too. Two to five speeds are plenty. On the 15-speed Breville, the testers saw little difference until about speed 13. Buttons or a trigger you can work with one hand beat a dial on top, which needs your other hand while the first one holds a hot pot.
Kits, Cordless Models And Commercial Sticks
Most home stick blenders come as kits. A whisk whips cream and egg whites, a tall beaker suits smoothies and mayonnaise, and a chopping bowl handles nuts, herbs and onions. The Braun MultiQuick 5 comes with a whisk and beaker; the Breville Control Grip and Braun MultiQuick 7 add a chopper. If you already own a food processor, a chopper adds little.
Cordless models are tempting but come with trade-offs. America's Test Kitchen gave its cordless picks lower marks, citing long bodies and flat guards, and battery run time limits big batches. Reviewed also found build problems on several budget models, which is one reason we weigh warranties: Braun, Cuisinart and Vitamix offer three years on the models here, while Breville, KitchenAid, Dualit and Waring offer one.
Commercial sticks are a different class. They're rated by batch size rather than speed, carry NSF food-safety marks, and have shafts long enough for deep stockpots. The Waring Commercial WSB60 Big Stix is rated for up to 25 gallons and can run continuously, but it's far heavier and pricier than any home model.
Using One Safely, Especially With Hot Soup
The blade on a stick blender is exposed and sharp, so the rules in the manuals are worth following. The Vitamix 5-Speed owner's manual says to unplug the blender before changing attachments or clearing food from the blade, and to use a spatula, not your fingers, to free anything stuck. Never put the motor body, cord or plug in water; rinse or wash only the shaft and attachments.
With hot food, take the pot off the burner and let it cool slightly first. Keep the guard fully under the surface before you switch on, start on low and raise the speed slowly, and don't submerge the shaft more than about two-thirds of its length. Home models have run-time limits: Vitamix says no more than 4 minutes at a time, with a minute's rest between runs.
Nonstick pots need care, since a metal guard can scrape the coating. A plastic pan guard, like the one that comes with the KitchenAid KHBV53, or a soft-rimmed base like the Breville's, helps. We also checked the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's recall database for every brand here and found no stick blender recalls.
How we researched this
We compared 18 current stick blenders, from budget kits to restaurant models, read makers' specs for the 10 picks and the Vitamix owner's manual for safety and run-time limits, used lab comparisons from America's Test Kitchen and Reviewed, analyzed owner feedback for recurring problems, and checked every brand against the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's recall database.
Frequently asked questions
What is an immersion blender used for?
It purées soups and sauces right in the pot, blends smoothies and baby food in a cup, and makes mayonnaise and dressings. With a whisk attachment it whips cream, and with a chopper bowl it minces herbs, nuts and onions.
Can an immersion blender replace a countertop blender?
For soups, sauces and single smoothies, yes, and it's easier to clean. It isn't a good choice for crushing ice or blending big batches of frozen fruit, where a countertop blender does far better.
Is a higher-wattage immersion blender better?
Not necessarily. America's Test Kitchen found that wattage didn't predict blending speed or smoothness. A bell-shaped guard without vents, a comfortable grip and a light body mattered more.
Can you use an immersion blender in a nonstick pot?
Yes, with care. A metal guard can scratch the coating, so use a model with a plastic pan guard or a soft-rimmed base, and don't grind the blade against the bottom.
How long can you run an immersion blender?
Check the manual. The Vitamix 5-Speed manual limits it to 4 minutes at a time with a 1-minute rest. Commercial models like the Waring Big Stix are built for continuous use.
Is an immersion blender good for baby food?
Yes. It purées cooked vegetables and fruit in small batches right in a cup or bowl. A smaller guard fits narrow containers better, and a beaker keeps splashes down.
