An immersion blender is the tool you reach for when the food is already in the pot. A pot of frijoles de olla becomes a smooth bean soup in a minute. A cooked salsa roja, simmered with its chiles and tomatoes, gets blended right in the pan instead of being ladled, hot, into a blender jar. Crema de elote, a squash soup, chipotle mayonnaise and a pitcher of agua de melón all come together without washing a big jar afterwards.
It will not replace a countertop blender for silky moles or nut sauces, but it saves a lot of hot pouring and washing up. This guide explains what separates a good stick blender from a splattery one, then names seven worth buying, from America’s Test Kitchen’s long-running favorite to a cordless model and a restaurant-supply blender for big pots.
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Quick verdict: which immersion blender to buy
For most kitchens the best immersion blender is the Braun MultiQuick 5 (MQ505): light, easy to hold, with a bell-shaped guard that limits splatter, two simple speeds and a detachable shaft. America’s Test Kitchen has named it its winner for more than a decade. If you want a chopper too, step up to the Braun MultiQuick 7; for no cord at all, the KitchenAid Go Cordless; and for big stockpots of beans or pozole broth, the Waring Quik Stix Plus with its 10-inch shaft.
The details below explain why the small things, such as the shape of the blade guard and the length of the shaft, matter more than the wattage printed on the box.
Five stick blenders compared
Our five standout picks side by side, one for each kind of cook, with the power and shaft each maker or listing states. All seven immersion blenders are reviewed in full below.
| Immersion blender | Best for | Power | Shaft | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Braun MultiQuick 5 Hand BlenderBest overall
|
Soups, beans and cooked salsas in the pot | 350 W, 2 speeds | Detachable, stainless bell | View on Amazon |
Braun MultiQuick 7 3-in-1 Hand BlenderBest with a chopper
|
Blending plus chopping onion and cilantro | 500 W, pressure-controlled speed | Detachable, stainless steel | View on Amazon |
KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand BlenderBest cordless
|
Blending at the stove, away from outlets | 12V MAX battery, variable trigger | 7 in removable arm | View on Amazon |
Cuisinart Smart Stick Variable Speed Hand BlenderBest value kit
|
A starter kit with chopper and whisk | 300 W, variable speed | 8 in stainless steel | View on Amazon |
Waring Commercial Quik Stix Plus Immersion BlenderBest for big pots
|
Stockpots of beans, soup and broth | 350 W (1/2 HP), variable speed | 10 in removable stainless steel | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Power, speeds and shaft details are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best immersion blender
Seven immersion blenders, chosen for comfort, splatter control and the jobs a Mexican kitchen gives them: puréeing beans and soups in the pot, blending cooked salsas, and mixing drinks and sauces in a pitcher or jar.
1. Braun MultiQuick 5 Hand Blender – Light, Simple and Low Splatter
America’s Test Kitchen has recommended the Braun MultiQuick 5 for more than a decade, and its current review keeps it as the winner, calling it a “reliable model” that “would be a great addition to your kitchen.” It is not the most powerful stick blender you can buy. It wins on the things that make a stick blender pleasant to use.
Braun’s spec sheet gives 350 watts, two speeds and an overall length of about 15 inches with the shaft attached, at roughly 1.6 pounds. That is right in the range ATK prefers: long enough to reach the bottom of a Dutch oven of beans, light enough to hold for a few minutes without tiring. The PowerBell guard is bell-shaped with the blades tucked inside it, which Braun says reduces suction and splashing, and that matters when the pot holds hot salsa or soup.
The shaft clicks off for washing, and a 20-ounce beaker and a whisk come with this version, per the listing. Two speeds are all you need: ATK found that blenders with many speeds offered little difference between them. The warranty is 3 years, per the listing.
Why we like it
- ATK’s winner, recommended for over a decade
- Light, at about 1.6 lb, per Braun
- Bell-shaped guard to limit splatter
- Detachable shaft; beaker and whisk included
Key specifications
| Model | Braun MultiQuick 5 (MQ505) |
|---|---|
| Power (stated) | 350 W |
| Speeds | 2 |
| Shaft length/material | Detachable; stainless steel bell and blades; about 15 in overall with motor |
| Attachments | 20 oz beaker, whisk |
| Cordless | No |
| Warranty | 3 years |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want one reliable stick blender for beans, soups, cooked salsas, crema sauces and drinks, and you value comfort over extra features.
Skip it if you want to chop onions and herbs with the same machine; this version has no chopper bowl.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Comfortable, light body
- Low splatter guard
- Simple two-speed control
Cons
- No chopper
- Corded
- Lower wattage than some rivals
2. Braun MultiQuick 7 3-in-1 Hand Blender – Press Harder for More Power
The MultiQuick 7 is the bigger Braun, and ATK recommends it, noting that it “consistently churned out silky soups and smooth mayonnaise.” It adds two things to the MultiQuick 5: speed control by pressure, and a chopper.
There are no fixed speeds. Braun’s SmartSpeed button responds to how hard you press, gentle for coarse results and harder for fine, so one hand controls everything, per the listing. The ACTIVEBlade shaft flexes to move the blade up and down, which Braun says gives more cutting surface, and the listing gives a 500-watt motor. The PowerBell Plus guard has an extra milling blade for large, hard pieces.
The 2-cup chopper is handy for a Mexican kitchen: onion, garlic and cilantro for a pot of beans, or a quick small batch of chipotle in adobo blended with mayonnaise. A beaker and whisk are also included, and the warranty is 3 years, per the listing. The trade-off ATK notes is weight: at just over 2 pounds, it fatigued many testers’ hands after 30 to 45 seconds of blending.
Why we like it
- Recommended by ATK for silky soups
- Pressure-sensitive speed in one hand
- 2-cup chopper, beaker and whisk
- 3-year warranty
Key specifications
| Model | Braun MultiQuick 7 (MQ7035X) |
|---|---|
| Power (stated) | 500 W |
| Speeds | Variable, by button pressure (no fixed settings) |
| Shaft length/material | Detachable ACTIVEBlade shaft; stainless steel |
| Attachments | Beaker, whisk, 2-cup chopper |
| Cordless | No |
| Warranty | 3 years |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a stick blender and a mini chopper in one kit, and you like fine control from a single button.
Skip it if you have weak wrists or blend for long stretches; ATK found it heavier than the MultiQuick 5.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Smooth soups, per ATK
- Chopper included
- Intuitive speed control
Cons
- Heavier than the MultiQuick 5
- Corded
- More parts to store
3. KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender – No Cord at the Stove
A cord is a nuisance at the stove: it drapes near the burner and limits which pot you can reach. KitchenAid’s Go Cordless runs on a removable 12V MAX battery that charges by USB-C, with a wall adapter included, per the listing.
The kit is complete: a removable 7-inch blending arm with a four-point stainless steel blade, a removable pan guard that protects the inside of your pots, a whisk, a chopper and a 4-cup BPA-free pitcher with a lid, according to the listing. A variable-speed trigger controls the speed. The pan guard is a thoughtful touch for anyone blending beans in an enameled Dutch oven or a clay olla, where a bare blade guard could scratch.
Two cautions. The Amazon listing does not state the motor power, run time per charge or the warranty, so check those before you buy. And ATK, reviewing an older KitchenAid cordless model, the KHBBV53, recommended it only with reservations because its length put the hand far from the food. This newer model has a shorter 7-inch arm, but ATK has not reviewed it.
Why we like it
- Cordless, with a removable rechargeable battery
- Pan guard protects pots
- Whisk, chopper and 4-cup pitcher included
- Variable-speed trigger
Key specifications
| Model | KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender (KHBRV75) |
|---|---|
| Power (stated) | Not stated; 12V MAX battery |
| Speeds | Variable-speed trigger |
| Shaft length/material | 7 in removable arm; stainless steel blade |
| Attachments | Pan guard, whisk, chopper, 4-cup pitcher with lid |
| Cordless | Yes (battery and charger included) |
| Warranty | Not stated on the Amazon listing |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if outlets are far from your stove or you hate a cord near the burner, and you want a complete kit with a pan-safe guard.
Skip it if you blend big pots for a long time; a battery model has a limited run time, and the listing does not state it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No cord
- Pan guard included
- Full set of attachments
Cons
- Power and run time not stated
- Warranty not stated on the listing
- Not reviewed by ATK
4. Cuisinart Smart Stick Variable Speed Hand Blender – A Full Kit for Less
Cuisinart’s Smart Stick is a sensible first immersion blender: a 300-watt motor, an 8-inch stainless steel blending shaft and three attachments, a 3-cup chopper and grinder, a chef’s whisk and a 2-cup mixing and measuring cup, according to the listing.
Speed is set with a slide and run with a push button, and an on and off switch with a lock and unlock button keeps it from starting by accident, the listing says. The 8-inch shaft reaches into a medium pot of beans or soup, and the chopper handles small jobs such as a handful of cilantro, garlic or toasted pepitas for a quick pipián.
ATK has not reviewed this exact model, so we cannot point to a performance verdict. What the listing does give is a 3-year limited warranty, longer than many budget stick blenders. Expect the speed slide and lock button to take a little getting used to; ATK’s general finding was that simple one-handed buttons were easier than dials and repeated unlock buttons.
Why we like it
- 8-inch stainless steel shaft
- Chopper, whisk and measuring cup included
- Variable speed slide
- 3-year limited warranty
Key specifications
| Model | Cuisinart Smart Stick (CSB-179) |
|---|---|
| Power (stated) | 300 W |
| Speeds | Variable (slide control) |
| Shaft length/material | 8 in; stainless steel |
| Attachments | 3-cup chopper/grinder, chef’s whisk, 2-cup cup |
| Cordless | No |
| Warranty | 3-year limited |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a complete starter kit from an established maker with a reasonable warranty, for soups, beans, sauces and small chopping jobs.
Skip it if you want the proven comfort and splatter control of ATK’s Braun winner; this model has not been through the same review.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Three useful attachments
- Stainless shaft
- 3-year warranty
Cons
- Lock button adds a step
- Lower power than some rivals
- Not reviewed by ATK
5. KitchenAid Variable Speed Corded Hand Blender – Pan Guard and Blending Jar
The corded KitchenAid is a simple, well-made stick blender with one feature worth singling out: a removable pan guard, patented by KitchenAid, that the listing says helps protect your cookware when you blend. If your bean pot is enameled cast iron or nonstick, that small plastic ring can save the surface.
It has a removable 8-inch blending arm with a four-point stainless steel blade, a variable-speed trigger switch and a 3-cup BPA-free blending jar with a lid, according to the listing, which also says the blending arm is dishwasher safe. The jar is the right size for a small batch of salsa verde with avocado, a crema sauce, or a single licuado.
The listing does not state the wattage, and the warranty is 1 year, shorter than the Brauns and the Cuisinart. ATK has not reviewed this corded model; its reservations about an older KitchenAid cordless model concerned that model’s length.
Why we like it
- Removable pan guard protects cookware
- 8-inch arm with stainless blade
- Variable-speed trigger
- Dishwasher-safe arm, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | KitchenAid Variable Speed Corded Hand Blender (KHBV53) |
|---|---|
| Power (stated) | Not stated |
| Speeds | Variable-speed trigger |
| Shaft length/material | 8 in removable arm; stainless steel blade |
| Attachments | 3-cup blending jar with lid, pan guard |
| Cordless | No |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you blend in nonstick, enameled or clay pots and want a guard between the blade and the pot.
Skip it if you want a chopper or a longer warranty; this kit is blender, jar and guard only.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Pan guard
- Jar with lid for storage
- Dishwasher-safe arm
Cons
- Wattage not stated
- 1-year warranty
- No chopper or whisk
6. Waring Commercial Quik Stix Plus Immersion Blender – A 10-Inch Shaft for Stockpots
Home stick blenders are built for a saucepan or a Dutch oven. When the pot is a 20-quart stockpot of frijoles for a party, or a big batch of soup, you want a longer shaft and a motor rated for longer runs. Waring Commercial makes blenders for restaurants, and the Quik Stix Plus is its medium-duty model.
The listing gives a 1/2-horsepower, 350-watt variable-speed motor that reaches up to 18,000 RPM, and a 10-inch removable stainless steel shaft that Waring rates for blending up to 6 gallons at once. The body is a completely sealed stainless steel design with a rubberized grip. The listing states that it is NSF certified and cULus listed, the marks commercial kitchens look for.
It is a working tool, not a kit: there is no beaker, whisk or chopper, and the warranty is a limited 1 year. It is built for big pots rather than a saucepan, so it suits cooks who regularly blend large quantities.
Why we like it
- 10-inch removable shaft, rated for up to 6 gallons
- Variable speed, up to 18,000 RPM
- Sealed stainless steel body
- NSF certified and cULus listed, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | Waring Commercial Quik Stix Plus (WSB40X) |
|---|---|
| Power (stated) | 350 W (1/2 HP) |
| Speeds | Variable, up to 18,000 RPM |
| Shaft length/material | 10 in removable; stainless steel |
| Attachments | None |
| Cordless | No |
| Warranty | 1-year limited |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you cook for crowds, make tamales and beans by the stockpot, or simply want a commercial-grade stick blender with a long shaft.
Skip it if you mostly blend in a saucepan; a home model is lighter and comes with useful attachments.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Reaches the bottom of big pots
- Commercial certifications
- Removable shaft for cleaning
Cons
- No attachments
- Bulkier than home models
- 1-year warranty
7. MuellerLiving Ultra-Stick Immersion Hand Blender – Budget Kit with a Frother
The Mueller Ultra-Stick is a budget stick blender that comes with more than most: a stainless steel blending shaft, a whisk, a milk frother and a measuring beaker, according to the listing. The motor is rated at 500 watts, with eight speeds and a turbo setting.
America’s Test Kitchen included it in its immersion blender review and recommended it with reservations. Its note was specific: the flat, disk-shaped blade guard “kept food from circulating,” so blending took longer and was less even than with a bell-shaped guard. That is worth knowing before you buy it for thick bean purées. For thinner jobs, such as a pitcher of agua fresca, a vinaigrette or frothing milk for café de olla, it does what most cooks need.
The shaft, whisk and frother are dishwasher safe, the listing says. The listing does not give a warranty length, only a manufacturer’s warranty.
Why we like it
- Shaft, whisk, frother and beaker included
- 500 W with eight speeds and turbo, per the listing
- Dishwasher-safe attachments
Key specifications
| Model | MuellerLiving Ultra-Stick (MU-HB-02) |
|---|---|
| Power (stated) | 500 W |
| Speeds | 8 plus turbo |
| Shaft length/material | Stainless steel; length not stated |
| Attachments | Whisk, milk frother, measuring beaker |
| Cordless | No |
| Warranty | Manufacturer’s warranty; length not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a cheap stick blender for drinks, dressings and thin soups, and like having a frother in the box.
Skip it if you blend thick beans or chunky soups often; ATK found its flat guard kept food from circulating.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Budget-friendly kit
- Frother included
- Dishwasher-safe attachments
Cons
- Flat guard slows circulation, per ATK
- Warranty length not stated
- Many speeds with little difference
How to choose an immersion blender
America’s Test Kitchen’s immersion blender review is unusually specific about what makes a stick blender easy to use, and its findings match what a busy kitchen cares about. Here are the factors that matter.
1. Weight and length
ATK prefers models of about 2 pounds or less, because heavy blenders tire the arm, and an overall length of 15 to 16 inches, enough to reach the bottom of a big pot. For stockpots, a commercial model with a 10-inch or longer shaft is the answer.
2. A small, bell-shaped guard
The guard around the blade decides how much splatters. ATK found small, bell-shaped, ventless guards, about 2.5 inches across or less, kept food circulating and the stovetop clean; vents and flat guards caused splatter or trapped food. That matters most with hot salsa and soup.
3. Simple controls and few speeds
Two to four speeds are plenty; ATK found little difference between settings on models with many. Buttons you can work with the hand that holds the blender beat dials and repeated unlock buttons.
4. A detachable, dishwasher-safe shaft
Bean purée and masa dry hard on a blade. A shaft that clicks off and goes in the dishwasher makes cleanup quick; rinse it under hot water right away, with the blender unplugged, if you are not washing it at once.
5. Attachments, cordless and wattage
Choppers are useful for onion, garlic and herbs; ATK would not pay extra for a whisk. Cordless models are freeing at the stove but depend on battery run time. And wattage is not a guide to performance: ATK found no link between higher wattage or voltage and better blending.
How we picked these seven stick blenders
We began with the jobs a Mexican kitchen gives an immersion blender: puréeing beans and soups in the pot, blending cooked salsas and sauces, and mixing drinks, crema and dressings. We then looked for models from identifiable makers sold on Amazon in the United States and in stock when we checked, and took power, speeds, shaft, attachments and warranty from the makers’ listings and spec sheets.
For performance we relied on America’s Test Kitchen’s immersion blender review. Two brands on many shoppers’ lists are missing on purpose: ATK did not recommend the Vitamix immersion blender, whose vented guard splattered badly, or the All-Clad stainless immersion blender, which it found awkward and tiring to use. ATK’s recommended Breville Control Grip was not in stock on Amazon when we checked. We also searched the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall notices and found none for these models. We have not used these products ourselves; where we describe performance, we say whose findings they are.
Immersion blender questions, answered
What is the best immersion blender for home use?
The Braun MultiQuick 5. It is light, comfortable and low-splatter, and America’s Test Kitchen has named it its winner for more than a decade. If you want a chopper in the same kit, the Braun MultiQuick 7 is ATK’s recommended step up.
Which immersion blender brand is best?
Braun has the strongest record in ATK’s reviews. KitchenAid and Cuisinart make well-equipped kits, and Waring Commercial is the name to look at for restaurant-style, long-shaft models. ATK did not recommend the Vitamix or All-Clad stainless models it reviewed.
What do America’s Test Kitchen and other reviewers recommend?
ATK’s winner is the Braun MultiQuick 5 (MQ505), with the Braun MultiQuick 7 and Breville Control Grip recommended, and the Mueller Ultra-Stick and an older KitchenAid cordless model recommended with reservations. We have not quoted Consumer Reports, Good Housekeeping, Serious Eats, Wirecutter or the New York Times because we did not read their current reviews for this guide.
Can an immersion blender replace a countertop blender?
For soups, beans, cooked salsas, crema sauces and drinks, mostly yes. For silky moles, horchata from soaked rice, nut sauces and crushed ice, no: those want the power and closed jar of a countertop blender.
Can I use an immersion blender in a hot pot?
Yes, that is what it is for, but take the pot off the heat first, keep the blade guard fully under the surface before you switch on, and start on low. Lifting the blade out while it is running is the usual cause of splatter. Use a pan guard or a gentle hand in nonstick and enameled pots.
Is an immersion blender good for refried beans?
It makes a smooth, soupy bean purée fast, which suits frijoles colados and bean soup. For refried beans with some texture, a masher in the pan gives more control; see the best bean masher and our guide to charro vs refried beans.
Our final word on stick blenders
Buy the Braun MultiQuick 5 for everyday soups, beans and cooked salsas, or the MultiQuick 7 if you want a chopper too. Choose the KitchenAid Go if a cord gets in your way, the Cuisinart kit for value, and the Waring Quik Stix Plus for big pots.
For blended salsas specifically, our guide to the best blender for salsa compares stick blenders with countertop blenders and food processors. A good stick blender also pairs well with a fine-mesh strainer for silky soups and aguas frescas, and with a set of mixing bowls for sauces and dressings. For a full-size countertop machine, see our separate best blender guide.
For full-size blending jobs, from salsas to horchata, see the best blender.
More specific guides: the best cordless immersion blenders and the best commercial immersion blenders.
On a budget? See our guide to the best value immersion blenders.
Related guide: Immersion blender vs blender.
Related guide: Immersion blender alternative.
And if you would rather leave the soup pot to us tonight, see the menu or call to order.