A hand mixer is a useful appliance that’ll help you do a range of tasks with ease, without the need to fumble in the cupboard for a full-sized mixer.
Here are our tips on why you might want one, what you should look for, and how to use safely.
Why use a hand mixer?
For the occasional baker who may need to whisk eggs, whip cream and mix cake batter every now and then, a hand mixer would be a better option than a full-sized stand mixer.
It’s handy to have if you store your bench mixer in the cupboard and only bring it out for batch cooking. But if you’re a keen baker, then having both is worthwhile.
A hand mixer is:
small, and takes up less bench and storage space than a mixer
relatively cheap
lightweight
easy to use and clean.
It’s worth investing in a good quality, well-made hand mixer. A slightly rounded, narrow bowl is needed to get the best result as you can move the beaters around the bowl to ensure a more even mix.
The models in our most recent hand mixers review range in price from $15 to $199. But price wasn’t necessarily an indicator of quality – there were both cheaper and higher priced models that rated well, or otherwise.
Features to look for
Weight
A hand mixer that’s too heavy is uncomfortable to hold, and one that’s too light will give you little control, so look for something in-between.
Handle
The handle should be comfortable with a non-slip grip.
Attachments
These need to be a good length, as shorter beaters will restrict the size of the bowl you can use. Beater attachments are all you’ll need – whisks and dough hooks don’t necessarily provide better performance.
Dishwasher-safe attachments
These are much easier to clean than those you can’t put in the dishwasher.
Controls
Controls should be easy to access, and speed settings should be smooth to change. With stiff controls you might accidentally push to high speed when only low is needed, which could result in egg on your face, literally!
A range of speed settings
You need a low speed for folding and combining ingredients to avoid splattering, and high speed for whisking egg whites and cream. Five speeds are probably the most you’ll need, so don’t get too excited about any more than that.
Pulse
A pulse function allows you to remove excess mixture from the beaters.
Boost
A boost function provides a quick burst of power.
Stability
A hand mixer should be able to stand upright without the cord getting in the way or tipping over.
Hand mixers can only handle short periods of mixing before they overheat, so to ensure your hand mixer lasts, avoid mixing heavy batters and doughs for more than three minutes at a time.
Mixing for longer periods can also place strain on your hand and wrist as you’ll have to hold and move it around the entire time you’re using it.
I joined CHOICE in 2008 as a work experience student while studying my Bachelor of Science (Nutrition and Food) at the University of Western Sydney. I've been with CHOICE ever since.
My first job was in a room full of muesli, collecting all their nutritional data. When I completed my course, CHOICE offered me a full-time position as a Test Officer in the Kitchen Lab. In 2009, I moved into the role of household content producer.
I write about a wide range of children's and household products, ranging from cots and strollers to ovens, BBQs, espresso machines and electric blankets. I even write about grocery items such as nappies, sanitary pads and laundry detergents.
I love my job and the extremely talented and passionate group of people I work with. I love knowing that our research, testing and results go a long way to helping consumers with their buying decisions by highlighting great products – and singling out poorly performing ones.
You can find me on LinkedIn.
I joined CHOICE in 2008 as a work experience student while studying my Bachelor of Science (Nutrition and Food) at the University of Western Sydney. I've been with CHOICE ever since.
My first job was in a room full of muesli, collecting all their nutritional data. When I completed my course, CHOICE offered me a full-time position as a Test Officer in the Kitchen Lab. In 2009, I moved into the role of household content producer.
I write about a wide range of children's and household products, ranging from cots and strollers to ovens, BBQs, espresso machines and electric blankets. I even write about grocery items such as nappies, sanitary pads and laundry detergents.
I love my job and the extremely talented and passionate group of people I work with. I love knowing that our research, testing and results go a long way to helping consumers with their buying decisions by highlighting great products – and singling out poorly performing ones.
You can find me on LinkedIn.
I'm a home economist and test coordinator at CHOICE. I work in the kitchen lab, testing and comparing kitchen appliances. I am also involved in Test Research, helping manufacturers with product development for kitchen appliances such as microwaves, ovens and cooktops.
I help conduct food taste tests and have been on the judging panel for a number of taste tests such as hummus, strawberry jam and pesto, and coffee when we test coffee machines. I also write recipes for our members on some of the food products that we test so they have the option of making the product themselves (like corned beef, baked beans and mulled wine). I have just been accepted as an associate judge for the Royal Agricultural Society and hope to be participating in the Sydney Royal Fine Food show this year.
I started working at CHOICE in 1997 and previously worked as a dietary supervisor at a children's hospital. I have a degree in home economics and dietary supervision.
I've been at CHOICE for over 20 years and have cooked over 8000 scones, 4000 chickens, 3000 sausages, 1000 meringues and 500 pizzas, to test over 3000 appliances!
I want to help consumers save time and money in the kitchen, reduce waste and landfill, and enjoy eating foods that they've prepared from scratch.
Read more about my day-to-day life at CHOICE (and pick up a few kitchen lab secrets along the way).
You can find me on LinkedIn.
I'm a home economist and test coordinator at CHOICE. I work in the kitchen lab, testing and comparing kitchen appliances. I am also involved in Test Research, helping manufacturers with product development for kitchen appliances such as microwaves, ovens and cooktops.
I help conduct food taste tests and have been on the judging panel for a number of taste tests such as hummus, strawberry jam and pesto, and coffee when we test coffee machines. I also write recipes for our members on some of the food products that we test so they have the option of making the product themselves (like corned beef, baked beans and mulled wine). I have just been accepted as an associate judge for the Royal Agricultural Society and hope to be participating in the Sydney Royal Fine Food show this year.
I started working at CHOICE in 1997 and previously worked as a dietary supervisor at a children's hospital. I have a degree in home economics and dietary supervision.
I've been at CHOICE for over 20 years and have cooked over 8000 scones, 4000 chickens, 3000 sausages, 1000 meringues and 500 pizzas, to test over 3000 appliances!
I want to help consumers save time and money in the kitchen, reduce waste and landfill, and enjoy eating foods that they've prepared from scratch.
Read more about my day-to-day life at CHOICE (and pick up a few kitchen lab secrets along the way).
You can find me on LinkedIn.
