Blend Soup Right in the Pot: Corded and Cordless Hand Blenders Worth Buying

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This doesn’t change our recommendations or the price you pay.

The best hand blender is the one that lets you purée soup in the pot, whip up a dressing in a cup and rinse the shaft clean in under a minute, without hauling out a countertop blender. Immersion blenders (also called stick or wand blenders) are cheap, compact and surprisingly versatile, but they differ in the details that matter day to day: how deep the shaft reaches, how speed is controlled, what comes in the box, and whether there is a cord at all.

We compared six well-known models sold and shipped by Amazon.com: two KitchenAid sticks (one corded, one cordless), two Braun MultiQuicks, a Cuisinart Smart Stick set and Breville’s Control Grip. For each one we quote the listing’s own claims, and we cite the warranty field, weight and sales rank so you can weigh them side by side. Where a listing leaves a field blank or contradicts itself, we say so.

Need a full-size jar blender for ice and frozen drinks instead? See our main best blender guide.

Our Top Hand Blender Picks at a Glance

Price key: $ under $50 · $$ $50–$100 · $$$ $100–$175 · $$$$ $175+. Prices change often; check Amazon for today’s price.

1. KitchenAid KHBV53 Corded Hand Blender: Best Overall

KitchenAid’s KHBV53 is a corded immersion blender built around one long, removable arm. The 8-inch blending arm carries a 4-point stainless steel blade, and KitchenAid pitches it for smoothies, milkshakes, soups and hummus. You plug it in, lower the arm into a pot, cup or bowl, and squeeze.

Speed is controlled by a variable speed trigger switch rather than buttons, so you press lightly for a gentle stir and harder for a full purée. KitchenAid says that gives you control over your recipes, and it keeps operation to one hand. A U.S.-patented removable pan guard clips over the blade housing to help protect cookware while you blend directly in a pot.

The box is deliberately simple. Model KHBV53 includes the corded hand blender, a dishwasher-safe blender arm, a 3-cup BPA-free blending jar with lid and the pan guard. The jar works for single servings, and the listing notes you can serve from it or store leftovers in it. The listed size is 2.5 by 3.56 by 16.3 inches, at 2.25 pounds, and the warranty field reads “1 Year.” The listing doesn’t give a wattage.

It suits cooks who mainly blend soups, sauces and drinks and want a straightforward stick blender with a trigger, rather than a kit full of attachments they may never use.

Why we like it

• Variable speed trigger
• Pan guard for blending in pots
• Jar with lid for storage

Watch out for

There is no whisk or chopper, and the listing doesn’t state the motor’s wattage.

Check Price on Amazon →

2. Cuisinart Smart Stick CSB-175: Best Budget Hand Blender Set

Cuisinart’s Smart Stick CSB-175 is a corded hand blender set: one motor body with an 8-inch stainless steel blending shaft, plus a chopper/grinder, a chef’s whisk and a 24-ounce mixing and measuring cup. It turns one small appliance into three tools for blending, chopping and whipping.

Cuisinart describes the motor as a “powerful yet quiet 300-watt DC motor” that blends smoothies and purées soups in seconds. Speed is handled by a two-speed fingertip slide control, and the brand says one touch shifts from high to low. A pulse feature gives short, controlled bursts at high speed, which helps when you only want to break up chunks rather than fully purée.

In daily use, the long shaft reaches into pots, bowls and pitchers, and the measuring cup is shaped for gripping and drip-free pouring of shakes and salad dressings. The chopper handles small jobs like herbs or nuts, and the whisk covers whipped cream or eggs. The listed size is 2.7 by 2.7 by 15.5 inches at 2.45 pounds. Cuisinart backs it with a limited 3-year warranty, which matches the warranty field.

It suits budget-minded cooks, students and small households that want a whisk and chopper in the same box without paying for a premium brand set.

Why we like it

• Three tools in one box
• Limited 3-year warranty
• Pulse for controlled bursts

Watch out for

Two fixed speeds are less flexible than a variable trigger or dial, and the 300-watt rating is the lowest stated here.

Check Price on Amazon →

3. Braun MultiQuick 5 Vario MQ5000: Best Lightweight Stick

Braun’s MultiQuick 5 Vario MQ5000 is a slim corded stick blender with stainless steel blades, a 400-watt motor and a Turbo Boost setting, according to the title. Braun describes itself as the “#1 hand blender brand,” citing an independent research institute’s full-year 2024 sales data.

The blending end is the main selling point. Braun’s SplashControl uses a floral bell shape and sets the blades inside the bell, which the brand says virtually eliminates splashing and keeps cleanup easy. That matters most when you purée hot soup in a shallow pot or blend a dressing in a tall cup.

Speed control is a little unclear from the listing. The title advertises 21 speeds, while a bullet describes “five variable speeds” for precise control, so check the manual for the actual setup. The EasyClick system lets attachments switch out at the click of a button, and Braun says its line of accessories covers blending, chopping, whisking and crushing. The listing doesn’t spell out which accessories ship with this model. Braun says the hand blender and attachments are dishwasher safe. The listed size is 2.68 by 2.68 by 15.75 inches at 2.17 pounds.

It suits cooks who want a light, easy-to-hold stick for soups and smoothies and like the idea of adding chopper or whisk attachments later through the same click-on system.

Why we like it

• Light in the hand
• Splash-reducing bell
• Click-on accessory system

Watch out for

The listing’s speed count is inconsistent and the warranty field is empty, so confirm both before you buy.

Check Price on Amazon →

4. Braun MultiQuick 7 MQ7025X: Best Braun Hand Blender Set

The Braun MultiQuick 7 MQ7025X is a corded hand blender sold as a set with a chopper, whisk and milk frother, per its title. It runs on a 500-watt motor, and Braun pitches it as the step up for harder foods and finer results.

Speed works differently from most stick blenders. Braun’s Easy SmartSpeed has no predefined speed settings: you push the button gently for coarse, roughly chopped results and press harder for more power and a finer texture. Braun calls it the world’s first such system, and it means the whole thing runs with one hand.

At the blending end, the ACTIVEBlade design uses a flexible shaft that moves the blade up and down, which Braun says gives 250% more active cutting surface compared with its own MQ700. The POWERBell Plus adds an extra milling blade for more slices per rotation, and SPLASHcontrol is said to prevent splashing with 25% less suction than Braun’s MQ500. The listed size is 2.7 by 2.7 by 15.35 inches at 2.86 pounds, and the warranty field reads “3 year Manufacturer Warranty.”

It suits cooks who make chunky soups, nut-heavy sauces or baby food from firm vegetables, and who want a frother and chopper in the same kit.

Why we like it

• Pressure-sensitive speed
• Chopper, whisk and frother
• Three-year warranty field

Watch out for

Braun’s performance numbers compare against its own older models, not against other brands.

Check Price on Amazon →

5. KitchenAid Go Cordless KHBRV71: Best Cordless Hand Blender

KitchenAid’s Go Cordless KHBRV71 takes the brand’s stick blender design and replaces the cord with a removable 12V MAX battery. You charge the battery, click it in and blend wherever you’re working, whether that’s a stockpot on a back burner or a pitcher on the patio.

KitchenAid rates the battery for up to 30 minutes of continuous runtime and is careful with the fine print: maximum initial voltage is 12 volts, nominal voltage is 10.8, and actual runtime varies with the recipe, the attachments used, and the battery’s age and use. Charging is handled by an included USB-C cable and wall adapter.

The rest will feel familiar. A variable speed trigger switch controls speed, a removable 7-inch blending arm carries a 4-point stainless steel blade, and the U.S.-patented removable pan guard helps protect cookware. The box includes the blender, battery, cable, adapter, a 3-cup BPA-free jar with lid, the arm and the pan guard. The listed size is 2.76 by 3.11 by 14.88 inches at 2.4 pounds, and the warranty field reads “1 Year Limited.”

It suits kitchens where the outlets aren’t near the stove, people who find cords get in the way over a pot, and anyone already using KitchenAid Go batteries.

Why we like it

• No cord to manage
• USB-C charging
• Trigger speed control

Watch out for

Runtime depends on the recipe and battery age, and the 7-inch arm is the shortest here, so very deep stockpots may be a stretch.

Check Price on Amazon →

6. Breville Control Grip BSB510XL: Best Premium Hand Blender

Breville’s Control Grip BSB510XL is a corded immersion blender sold with a 42-ounce jug, a 25-ounce chopping bowl with its own mini blade system, and a whisk. Breville focuses on control: how the blender feels in the hand and how it behaves at the bottom of a pot.

The blending base is bell-shaped with internal ribbing, which Breville calls anti-suction technology. The point is to stop the blender from sticking to the bottom of the pot, so less liquid spills out and you keep steady control. The base is also non-scratch to protect pans, and the 8-inch immersion depth lets you blend large quantities directly in a tall pot.

Operation is through an ergonomic trigger grip with a soft-touch finish, which Breville says lets your hand sit in a natural position. The 42-ounce jug has a dual-purpose storage lid and an anti-slip mat, and the jug houses the chopping bowl for compact storage. The listing gives 7.52 by 6.18 by 12.4 inches and 4.1 pounds, which look like figures for the set rather than the stick alone. The warranty field and bullets both state a one-year limited warranty.

It suits cooks who regularly purée big batches of soup or sauce in deep pots and want a sturdy trigger grip, a big jug and a chopper that store together.

Why we like it

• Anti-suction base
• Trigger grip
• Everything stores in the jug

Watch out for

The listing doesn’t state wattage, and its sales rank is far behind the other picks.

Check Price on Amazon →

How We Chose the Best Hand Blenders

We stuck to well-known brands sold and shipped by Amazon.com and in stock, and none of these models appear in our blender or smoothie blender guides. Then we compared what each listing actually says:

• Reach and blade guard: shaft or arm length where stated, and whether the base is designed to protect pans or reduce suction.
• Speed control: trigger, slide, buttons or pressure-sensitive, and how many speeds the listing claims.
• What’s in the box: jar or beaker, whisk, chopper, frother.
• Power source: corded wattage where listed, or battery voltage and runtime.
• Warranty field, weight and sales rank: taken from the listing data and flagged when empty or inconsistent.

Hand Blender Buying Guide

Best Corded Hand Blender vs. Best Cordless Hand Blender

Five of our six picks are corded, so they run as long as you need them to. The KitchenAid Go is the only cordless option; KitchenAid rates its 12V MAX battery for up to 30 minutes of continuous runtime and notes that actual runtime varies with the recipe and battery age. Cordless makes sense when outlets are far from the stove. For long batch-cooking sessions, a cord removes the guesswork.

Best Hand Stick Blender for Soup and Hot Blending

Blending soup in the pot is the main reason to own an immersion blender. Look for an 8-inch shaft (KitchenAid KHBV53, Cuisinart CSB-175, and Breville’s stated 8-inch immersion depth) for tall stockpots, and for a guard or bell that protects the pan. KitchenAid includes a removable pan guard, Breville has a non-scratch base, and both Braun models use bell designs aimed at reducing splashing. Take the pot off the heat, keep the blade fully submerged before you switch on, and you’ll avoid most splatter.

Best Hand Blender Set: Whisk, Chopper and Jar

If you want one tool to replace a mini chopper and a hand whisk, buy a set. The Cuisinart CSB-175 includes a chopper/grinder, a chef’s whisk and a 24-ounce cup; the Braun MQ7025X adds a chopper, whisk and frother; and the Breville includes a 42-ounce jug, a 25-ounce chopping bowl and a whisk. The two KitchenAids ship with a 3-cup jar and pan guard only.

Best Braun Hand Blender vs. Best Cuisinart Hand Blender

Braun’s MultiQuick line focuses on splash control and blade design: the MQ5000 uses a SplashControl bell and EasyClick attachments, while the MQ7025X adds a flexible ACTIVEBlade shaft and pressure-sensitive Easy SmartSpeed. Cuisinart’s Smart Stick keeps things simple with two speeds plus pulse and a full set of tools. On warranty fields, the Cuisinart and the Braun MQ7025X both list three years; the MQ5000’s field is empty.

Best Small Hand Blender and Mini Options

All six picks are compact compared with a countertop blender, but they still differ. By listed weight, the Braun MQ5000 (2.17 lb) and KitchenAid KHBV53 (2.25 lb) are the lightest, and the KitchenAid Go is the shortest stick by listed height (14.88 inches; the Breville’s listed figures appear to cover its whole set). For small batches, the included jars and beakers do the job without dirtying a bowl.

Best Value Hand Blender, and Is a Hand Crank Blender Worth It?

Value comes down to warranty and what’s in the box as much as the motor. The Cuisinart pairs a limited 3-year warranty with three tools, while the KitchenAid KHBV53 has the strongest sales rank here. Every pick is electric. A hand crank blender is a manual tool that suits camping or off-grid use, but it can’t blend hot soup in a pot the way an immersion blender can. For frozen drinks, a jar blender from our smoothie blender guide is the better fit.

Hand Blender Safety and Your Home Coverage

A stick blender is usually used right at the stove, so kitchen fire safety applies. The NFPA’s cooking safety page notes that cooking is a leading cause of reported home fires and that the leading cause of kitchen fires is unattended cooking, so don’t step away from a burner while you swap attachments. Keep the cord away from burners and unplug the blender before touching the blade. For a cordless model, the NFPA’s lithium-ion battery guidance says not to charge a battery when the charger or battery is damaged.

If a kitchen fire or an appliance problem ever does cause damage, how your policy responds matters. Our Ohio homeowners insurance guide explains what dwelling and personal property coverage typically include, and renters can check renters insurance costs in Ohio.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best hand blender for most kitchens?

The KitchenAid KHBV53 is our top pick. It has the best sales rank here (#2 in Hand Blenders, #52 overall), a variable speed trigger, a removable 8-inch arm and a pan guard for blending in pots.

Is a cordless hand blender worth it?

It is if your outlets are far from the stove or you want to blend away from the counter. The KitchenAid Go Cordless claims up to 30 minutes of continuous runtime from its 12V MAX battery, though KitchenAid says actual runtime varies by recipe and battery age.

What is the best hand blender set with a whisk and chopper?

The Cuisinart Smart Stick CSB-175 includes a chopper/grinder, chef’s whisk and 24-ounce cup with a limited 3-year warranty. The Braun MQ7025X adds a frother, and the Breville Control Grip includes a 42-ounce jug and 25-ounce chopping bowl.

Can you use a hand blender in a hot pot of soup?

Yes, that is what immersion blenders are designed for. Look for an 8-inch shaft for deep pots and a pan guard or non-scratch base. Keep the blade submerged before switching on to limit splashing, and never leave a burner unattended.

Which is better, a Braun or Cuisinart hand blender?

It depends on your priorities. Braun’s MultiQuick models focus on splash control and blade design, with the MQ7025X listing 500W and a 3-year warranty field. Cuisinart’s CSB-175 offers two speeds plus pulse, a full set of tools and a limited 3-year warranty.

The Bottom Line

For most cooks, the KitchenAid KHBV53 is the best hand blender to start with: a popular, trigger-controlled stick with an 8-inch arm and a pan guard. The Cuisinart Smart Stick CSB-175 is the budget set with a whisk, chopper and three-year warranty, and the Braun MQ5000 is the lightest stick here. Step up to the Braun MQ7025X for a 500-watt set with a frother, the KitchenAid Go to lose the cord, or the Breville Control Grip for anti-suction blending in deep pots.

Updating your kitchen and wondering whether your policy keeps up? Call Jeff Smith’s State Farm office at (740) 354-7747 or get a free coverage review.