At their most simple, these stick blenders crush and mix ingredients directly in the pot or bowl, making smooth sauces and pureed soups a breeze. Fancier versions come with attachments, like a whisk or food processor, that turn your hand blender into a multipurpose kitchen accessory. If you’re on the fence about purchasing an immersion blender, Jamie Hunt, a celebrity chef in New York City, recommends one because it “is a convenient way to make smoothies in the morning, which means fewer dishes for busy people on the go. When looking for an immersion blender, the most important criteria to account for include: the placement of the cord, overall power, and ease of cleaning.” Here are the best immersion blenders to tuck in your kitchen drawer. While it’s low in power at 280 watts, this immersion blender still gets the job done and features a variable speed mechanism for flexibility. It comes with attachments, including a 3-cup chopping bowl, a lidded storage jug, and a whisk. The bell-shaped blender base increases efficiency while reducing suction and spatters, for easy cleanup. Since the base is non-scratch, this blender won’t damage cookware. This 2.2 x 2.2 x 15-inch immersion blender has a comfortable handle and comes with a 20-ounce blending jar. Budget immersion blenders tend to spatter and this one doesn’t, thanks to its bell-shaped blending shaft. Attachments, like a chopper, are sold separately, so you can keep the cost down and expand later if desired. Hunt recommends this immersion blender by All-Clad. In fact, it is one of her favorite kitchen tools. “When using an immersion blender, you’ll notice that the cord often gets in the way,” she says. “This one is thoughtfully designed, allowing you to freely move around your kitchen without struggling with a tangled cord. It’s also very powerful, and the controls are right at your fingertips for easy maneuvering between speeds.” The 600-watt tool offers five adjustable blending speeds suitable for a range of kitchen tasks. A gentle start mode reduces spatters for easy cleanup. The immersion blender comes with a charging base, which is designed to sit on the counter and recharge the battery as needed. Note, it isn’t recommended for cast iron or nonstick cookware. Vitamix made this with a 625-watt motor and five variable speeds, so you can puree gently or use a stronger speed as needed. The blade has a bell shape to promote flow and prevent suction, which is when the hand blender sticks to the bottom of the pot. Since the blade guard is scratch-resistant, you can use this immersion blender with any cookware. The 5-foot long cord means this tool can comfortably stretch from a wall outlet to the stove. Just like KitchenAid’s stand mixers, this 2.5 x 2.5 x 16-inch appliance comes in a range of colors. The handle is coated with a soft grip that’s comfortable to use, and the power button is larger than on other models for smooth operation. While there are only two speeds, this 220-watt product has more than enough oomph to crush frozen fruit, ice, and juice into a creamy smoothie. The blender arm detaches from the unit for easy cleanup in the dishwasher. This immersion blender features a bell-shaped blade, designed to reduce suction and ensure a consistent flow of ingredients, which results in a smoother puree. It uses variable speed, so the harder you press the button, the faster the blade whirrs. The blade also adjusts in height to the food you’re blending, which reduces spatters. These thoughtful touches plus the range of attachments make the Braun immersion blender a useful multipurpose kitchen tool. The 600-watt motor is robust enough to make quick work out of pureeing sauces and salad dressings, while the variable speed mechanism allows you to use a light touch when that’s needed, such as when you want soft whipped cream and not butter. Since the immersion blender shaft measures 9.25 inches, it can reach deep into a soup pot with ease. Like All-Clad’s cordless immersion blender, this isn’t intended for use in cast iron or nonstick pots. Optional accessories, like a whisk and chopper, are sold separately.
What to Look for in an Immersion Blender
Wattage
Immersion blenders are small but mighty. You might not expect an immersion blender to have up to 600 watts of power. Some models with 220 to 280 watts of power are appropriate for when you need a light touch, but the more powerful 600-watt models are robust enough for a variety of tough blends.
Speed
Like countertop blenders, immersion blenders have several adjustable blending speeds to choose from, depending on the use. Between 2 to 5 speed options are standard for immersion blenders. Some have variable speeds, so the blades whirr faster the harder you press down. For maximum versatility, opt for an immersion blender with up to 15 speeds.
Length of Wand
Regular blenders have containers to hold ingredients while they blend. Immersion blenders instead are lowered directly into jars, jugs, bowls, pots, or other containers. The length of the wand determines how deep of a container you can use to store your ingredients and blended food. The detachable shaft may have an immersion depth of up to 8 inches to blend large quantities at a time or submerge into deep pots.
Blade
The base of an immersion blender is usually bell-shaped. The shape around the blade helps prevent the suctioning of ingredients and scratching on the bottom of your pots. The construction of the blades will determine the capabilities of the immersion blender. Stainless steel blades that can crush through ice and nuts are the most durable.
Are immersion blenders good for smoothies?
Immersion blenders are great for smoothies. You can add your ingredients to a jar or jug and lower the shaft into it to blend. Some immersion blenders include a container that can be used to make smoothies. Instead of having to wash the blender container and your glass, you’ll only have one dish to wash.
How long do you blend with an immersion blender?
The blending time depends on what you’re making. Blend in intervals of 30-50 seconds and repeat as needed to reach the desired consistency.
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Lindsey Danis is a former professional cook and a food writer for retail and trade publications. Read Next: The Best Mini Fridges
