If you buy something from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy. But, when it comes to home baking, a good, old fashioned hand mixer like the one my grandma used to use is my tool of choice.
Unlike stand mixers, hand mixers are generally lightweight so that they can be easily maneuvered around mixing bowls by hand. Hand mixers are considerably less expensive than their stationary cousins, yet they can accomplish almost as many tasks.
I use mine for everything from mixing cake batter and cookie dough, to whipping cream and beating egg whites for meringues. I often do a lot of prep on my dining table, and the idea of schlepping a heavy stand mixer over from my kitchen is enough to get me to abandon my baking plans altogether, but you can use hand mixers practically anywhere.
Plus, hand mixers take up much less space than stand mixers. Stand mixers use a planetary mixing action, which means the mixer doesn't just mix ingredients in the middle of the bowl, but instead moves around the bowl as the attachment counter-rotates for more thorough mixing. They usually come with a large balloon whisk for whipping and whisking , flat beater for cake mixing and pastry and dough hook for bread. Some also include a beater with flexible silicon edges which scrapes any unmixed ingredients off the side of the bowl for a more even mix.
Stand mixers use planetary mixing action for more thorough mixing. Some stand mixers can accommodate a variety of additional attachments such as jug blenders, mincers, food processors and even ice-cream makers, depending on the model. So while they may be initially more expensive, they can double up as a food processor, blender — and more besides.
Many models also include a splash-guard lid which fits over the mixing bowl and helps to keep ingredients in the bowl rather than splattered over the stand mixer itself or your kitchen work surface. To find out more, take a look at our full guide to mixer attachments. Pros: Mixing bowl included, large attachments and bigger motor better suited to larger capacities, no effort involved in mixing, you can leave it to mix while you weigh out ingredients or get on with other things.
Cons: Usually more expensive, large and heavy than other mixers, although this varies widely between models. Some models struggle with very small quantities. Not all stand mixers are created equal — we've found models that fail to mix ingredients properly, leaving you with flat or stodgy results. Use our stand mixer reviews to compare models and find the best mixer for you. If you bake occasionally and only need to whisk eggs, whip cream and mix batter every so often, then a hand mixer could be a better option for you.
Hand mixers are a lot smaller than stand mixers, so will take up a lot less space in your kitchen. While they only mix in a fixed position, you can move them around the bowl to ensure a more even mix. However, they're more labour intensive to use as you'll have to hold and move it around the entire time you're using it, so they can be tiring if you're doing some intensive baking.
Cheaper hand mixers just include basic flat beaters as attachments, but more expensive models will include extra attachments such as a balloon whisk and dough hooks.
Some models will have a limit on the volume of dough you can mix, or how long you can mix for, to protect the smaller motor from burning out. Hand mixers usually have around five speed settings, while stand mixers can have more than You'll need a deep mixing bowl to hand, and it can be hard to prevent the mixer splashing ingredients around as there's no splash guard. Pros: Small and cheap, easy to store. Great for small occasional baking tasks — particularly whipping cream, whipping up a simple cake batter, or whisking egg whites.
Cons: Can't do as many tasks as stand mixers can, more tiring to use — particularly for thicker mixes such as buttercream or kneading dough, less powerful.
Hand mixers with stands are a halfway point between a hand mixer and stand mixer. They have a detachable hand mixer which fits onto a stand with a bowl, so you can pick it up and use it to mix, or slot it into the base and let it mix automatically.
Some have rotating bowls, which helps to reach more of the mixture when using the stand, but generally the lack of planetary mixing action means they aren't as effective with mixing all your ingredients thoroughly. Like with hand mixers, they have less speed options than with a stand mixer and you won't be able to get the same range of attachments. They also don't tend to be as sturdy or powerful either. What makes them even more essential is their set-it-and-mostly-forget-it potential.
Plus, they do a more thorough and more impactful job than you could do manually no offense. Just set a timer, crank up your mixer, and come back right when things are ready.
And stand mixers aren't only for baking: They come with a brilliant array of attachments. Unless you're game to knead for 25 minutes, you'll want a stand mixer to make this milk bread. But really: Do you need one? When stirring together a batch of cookies or a tray of brownies, a good old wooden spoon will likely do the trick.
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