Stand Mixers vs. Hand Mixers: What’s the Difference?

Is a stand mixer all the time higher than a hand mixer? On the threat of sounding too internet-y: the reply could shock you. Stand mixers are an aspirational buy for a lot of residence cooks. With costs that begin within the $300s and climb as much as the $700s, these countertop home equipment are an funding. It is smart that many cooks find yourself shopping for inexpensive hand mixers (generally known as handheld mixers, handheld beaters, or electrical beaters) as an alternative. In reality, our top-rated hand mixer is a whole bunch lower than the least expensive KitchenAid stand mixer.

After all, greater than value ought to be thought-about when making an enormous kitchen equipment buy. You also needs to have a look at its versatility, the quantity of space for storing obtainable in your kitchen, and the way (and the way usually) you propose on utilizing it. Though we just about all the time advocate stand mixers over hand mixers for his or her sheer versatility, they might not be the precise selection for each cook dinner.

Hand Mixers: The Execs  

Hand mixers are designed to be motored round a mixing bowl by hand (no shock there). As a result of they should be small and light-weight by design, you received’t have hassle discovering a spot to tuck them away when not in use. In distinction, stand mixers are so large and heavy, many cooks decide to maintain them on the counter somewhat than discovering devoted space for storing. The Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer is a petite 4 kilos. Our runner-up, made by KitchenAid (yep, that KitchenAid) is simply half that.

In contrast to stand mixers, you need to use hand mixers in virtually any mixing bowl; rubber guards on the beaters will preserve bowl supplies (like ceramic) from turning into scratched or nicked. Hand mixers are additionally simple to maneuver round. You possibly can tilt and regulate the angle of the beaters to scrape along side the bowl as you go. In distinction, with a stand mixer, you’ll want to show off the motor, raise the attachment, and use a spatula to push issues down the bowl’s sides periodically when mixing.

After all, there are a number of bells and whistles we actually like about hand mixers: the perfect of the perfect are impressively quiet, with decibel rankings within the 70s. We additionally like fashions with built-in timers, so you possibly can see how a lot time has elapsed whereas mixing. That’s not a characteristic even the snazziest stand mixers have.

Newer fashions of hand mixers do boast extra versatility than these of yesteryear, though we stay skeptical of how significantly better than hand-kneading dough the hook-style attachments are. 

Stand Mixers: The Execs

To borrow (and barely alter) a line from musical theater canon: “Something a hand mixer can do, a stand mixer can do higher.” Identical to hand mixers, stand mixers can whisk and beat egg whites, heavy cream, and cookie dough. However they’re way more highly effective. Our favourite stand mixer, the KitchenAid 6-Quart Professional 600 Series, has a 575-watt motor, and that’s not even the highest powered model in KitchenAid’s fleet. The Breville Handy Mix, our high hand mixer, peaks at simply 240 watts. Extra wattage usually means a extra highly effective equipment.

After all, a stand mixer already affords your arms a relaxation: no matter mannequin you select, its attachments work independently of the cook dinner. However like self-driving automobiles, these home equipment aren’t absolutely impartial. Some stand mixers “stroll” throughout the counter at larger speeds, and ought to be monitored when in use. 

The versatility a stand mixer offers is commonly what seals the deal for cooks on the fence. Most fashions come customary with a whisk, paddle, and dough hook attachment. With these three instruments alone, you would knead bread dough, whip up a batch of cookies, and make an American buttercream frosting. When you’ve gotten comfy with the machine, you could select to spend money on further attachments: pasta makers and meat grinders are two standard choices that up the ante for from-scratch kitchen fans. 

The visible enchantment is difficult to disregard, too. Though there are actually different manufacturers of stand mixers, the presence of a colourful KitchenAid on the counter is eye-appealing. And of colours, there are a lot: relying on the mannequin you select, KitchenAid affords dozens of hues, together with restricted launch choices (in 2023 it’s a deep pinky-red Hibiscus).

Hand Mixer vs. Stand Mixer: What Can You Use Every For?

Brass tacks: when can—and may’t—you utilize every equipment? On the whole, stand mixers can do greater than hand mixers, because of their bigger and extra versatile attachments, and better wattage.

Hand Mixer: Sure

• Whip cream
• Whip egg whites
• Cream butter and sugar
• Make buttercream frosting
• Can be utilized in virtually any mixing bowl

Hand Mixer: No

• Knead bread dough (until a selected attachment is used, however we’re nonetheless uncertain)
• Make pasta dough
• Grind meat

Stand Mixer: Sure

• Whip cream
• Whip egg whites
• Cream butter and sugar
• Make buttercream frosting
• Knead bread dough
• Make pasta dough
• Grind meat

Stand Mixer: No

• Not extremely moveable
• Some mannequin could wrestle with small elements

Which Is Higher: Stand Mixers or Hand Mixers?

You probably have the area and funds, we advocate shopping for a stand mixer. They’re a real funding buy that can final you years to return. If the worth is a limiting issue for you, you could contemplate shopping for a refurbished model (buying instantly from KitchenAid ensures working high quality). Nevertheless, Iif you propose on utilizing your electrical mixer for simply the fundamentals—whipped cream and egg whites, with the occasional batch of cookies tossed in—a hand mixer will do the job.

FAQs

What’s an electrical mixer?

Each stand and hand mixers are categorized as electrical mixers. Which means they’re powered with a small motor that runs on electrical energy. At its most simple, an electrical mixer—generally known as an electrical beater—is a souped up model of a handheld whisk. Electrical mixers, whether or not they’re handheld or standalone, are fitted with whisk-like attachments that may whip, combine, and cream elements for recipes like whipped cream, sugar cookies, and meringue. Each stand mixers and hand mixers include a wide range of completely different attachments, though stand mixers are extra versatile, can accommodate bigger batches of meals, and supply extra makes use of.  

What’s the perfect stand mixer?

Our favorite brand of stand mixer is KitchenAid. KitchenAid stand mixers are available in three completely different fashions: the Skilled, Artisan, and Traditional collection. There’s a lot to understand about every type, however we overwhelmingly desire the Skilled Sequence. The perfect stand mixer in response to our checks is the KitchenAid 6-Quart Professional 600 Series Stand Mixer. It’s stationary and doesn’t stroll when kneading dough. We particularly just like the design of the blending bowl, which doesn’t have a foot (this implies it may be used over a flame, or double-boiler, as required for some recipes). The extensive design of the bowl makes it a cinch to scrape down when working.

What’s the perfect hand mixer?

The best hand mixer is the Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer. It comes with three units of attachments, is fitted with a spotlight gentle, and has 9 speeds for precision mixing. We additionally preferred the KitchenAid 9-Speed Digital Hand Mixer, which is quieter and lighter (if rather less highly effective). When searching for a hand mixer, search for fashions with a excessive vary of pace choices and which can be quiet. Snug, ergonomic designs are additionally key, as you could be holding it for minutes at a time.