How to choose the best hand mixer for whipping cream

Light, airy, and fluffy whipped cream is the ideal topping for nearly every dessert imaginable. It goes well on top of pies, is perfect for piping on cupcakes, or icing a cake, and pairs wonderfully with simple strawberries. 

Sure, you could purchase pre-whipped cream from the grocery store or a canister, but who knows what’s inside? In addition to being infinitely superior, homemade whipped cream is ridiculously simple. Only double cream, optional icing sugar, and vanilla extract are required. 

When it comes to whipping double cream, you have two options: a handheld whisk and some good old-fashioned arm strength or an electric hand mixer. In seconds, whipped cream can transform from liquid to clotted cream-like consistency. 

Because of this, I typically use my handheld whisk and the limited arm strength I possess. This gives me greater control over the consistency of the whipped cream, but it requires a great deal of time, energy, and power. Therefore, I use my electric hand mixer on my lazier days. 

As previously stated, homemade whipped cream can quickly turn into cottage cheese, so the best hand mixer for whipping cream is one that has a slow start, a good amount of power, and can stop quickly enough before the whipped cream turns into cottage cheese. 

Who this is for? 

A high-quality electric hand mixer will significantly expand what can be baked with ease. It can perform tasks that would be time-consuming, exhausting, or impossible to do well by hand, such as whipping cream, incorporating air into cake batter, and thoroughly creaming butter and sugar for cookies. The power of hand mixers is less than that of larger stand mixers, but the two are not necessarily interchangeable. For instance, a hand mixer is ideal for whipping up smaller batches of creams, sauces, or fillings. In contrast, a stand mixer’s giant paddle and additional power will more effectively knead large batches of thick dough or pastries (and save your arms some effort). 

Hand mixers are desirable because they are more compact and lighter than stand mixers. One hand should be sufficient to hold a hand mixer. Most can also fit in a cabinet or drawer, and they frequently include cases for storing attachments tidily. However, stand mixers typically reside on a kitchen counter and can be difficult to relocate if you need to free up space.  

The author of the food blog Smitten Kitchen, Deb Perelman, stated, “I adore my stand mixer, but I use it only a fraction as often as my hand mixer. Because I have a small kitchen, I don’t keep my stand mixer on the counter. Instead, I only pull it out when it will unquestionably save me a great deal of time and effort, such as when mixing something that will take many minutes. Additionally, hand mixers are typically less expensive than stand mixers, making them a low-risk investment for a novice or occasional bakers. 

In exchange for saving money and space, hand mixers are less powerful than stand mixers. Since you must manually move a hand mixer around the bowl, it requires more effort to operate (and your arms can get surprisingly tired after eight to 10 minutes). If you need a more powerful machine or wish to upgrade, consult our guide to stand mixers. 

How to choose the best hand mixer for whipping cream 

The Base of the Hand Mixer 

This refers to the side of the Hand mixer that is placed on the counter when it is not in use. If the base is too small, the Hand mixer will continue to topple repeatedly! It can become highly irritating. 

Ensure that the base does not have any bizarre curves or rounded edges. It is optimal when the body shape of the mixer is flush with a perfectly flat surface. 

Some designers attempt to be adorable by adding a creative little arch below the mixer’s base. Such impracticality! A slight deviation from a perfectly flat surface may not have significant consequences. 

Testing is the best method. 

Test the mixer’s stability by pushing it with varying force on a flat surface. This is the technical term for “poke the mixer” Lol! If it is easily toppled able, I would advise you to continue shopping. 

The base’s stability is the angle at which the power cord exits the hand mixer. If the angle is too steep, it compromises the mixer’s stability when it is in a standing position. Ensure that the cord does not compromise the strength of the object. 

The Shape of the Beaters 

Aren’t beater attachments simply beater attachments? I’ve realized that there’s a great deal more to it! Last year, my dear husband bought us a new refrigerator. He was aware that I desperately needed a new hand mixer. He is aware that I am incredibly particular about the appliances I purchase. 

The appliance store saleswoman strongly recommended a Bosch Hand Mixer and made him an irresistible offer. Despite my initial skepticism, it turned out to be one of the finest hand mixers I’ve ever owned. It satisfies various other criteria, but I adore this hand mixer’s unique twist in the beater attachments. 

The Weight of the Hand Mixer 

Have you ever made frosting in 7 minutes? Or a batter that requires five minutes of beating? After two minutes, even the lightest hand mixer can feel like lead. On the other hand, a Hand Mixer that is so light that it falls over when you look at it is useless. I realize I’m exaggerating, but we’ve all encountered an el-cheapo who topples over 5-10 times daily. 

Not fun. Especially when there is batter on the beaters, and it has spread all over the counter. To my mind, the ideal weight of a hand mixer without attachments is approximately 680 grams (1.5 pounds). You can still reduce the weight to 650 grams, but anything lighter becomes a bit too fragile. 

If the weight of a hand mixer is not listed on the box, bring a scale with you to the store so you can weigh it! It may be nerdy, but it’s also quite tough when you think about it. Oh yeah. You are aware. 

The wattage of the Hand Mixer 

There are some powerful hand mixers on the market, but we have no intention of using one to cross the ocean. On the other hand, you need a powerful mixer to get the job done efficiently. 

I recently viewed a YouTube video in which Cupcake Jemma reviewed various standing mixers. What a revelation! It turns out that a mixer’s wattage has nothing to do with its quality. Click this link to watch the entire video. 

Watts refers to the amount of power that goes INTO your mixer, not out! Typically, a lower wattage indicates that the gears within your hand mixer are of higher quality, requiring LESS wattage to operate. 

Speed Settings of the Hand Mix 

Turbo acceleration is not required. Honestly, I haven’t missed it for a second since my current hand mixer lacks it. It is more crucial that the slow speeds on your mixer are indeed SLOW. I’ve owned two hand mixers where the “slowest” speed was quite fast. Attempt to test this in-store if they permit it. 

Price of the Hand Mixer 

Have you seen the film “Midnight in Paris?” On multiple occasions, Rachel McAdams’ mother states, “You get what you pay for. Cheap is inexpensive! I do not believe that to be true. Some well-known brands produce beautiful hand mixers, which are cumbersome and impractical. Strange, but accurate. 

Spinning the Beater Direction 

This point is highly vital. Typically, we use a hand mixer to incorporate air into substances. Thus, the ingredients must be forced to work against gravity, i.e., from bottom to top. 

To achieve this, the direction of rotation should be from the inside out, forcing ingredients upward. If the spinning direction is from the outside in, then the ingredients will be pushed DOWN, resulting in a mixture with less air. 

When you hold the hand mixer in front of you like a drill, the left beater should spin counterclockwise, and the right beater should spin clockwise. 

Best hand mixer for whipping cream – Buying Guides 

To find the best hand mixers, we searched for new models from Oster, Hamilton Beach, KitchenAid, Breville, and Cuisinart, the industry leaders in electric mixers. In addition, we examined the top-selling mixers at retailers such as Williams Sonoma, Target, Walmart, Sur la Table, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Amazon.  

We also read hand mixer reviews from Epicurious and Good Housekeeping for comparison. To aid in our search, we polled professional and amateur bakers and baking bloggers on their preferred mixers and how they use them. After conducting research, we decided to seek out mixers that met the following requirements: 

Powerful 

A quality hand mixer should be mighty. Although it will never be as effective as a stand mixer, it should come close. We compared hand mixers to stand mixers during testing. We searched for machines that were robust and quick enough to perform a variety of basic baking tasks. A good hand mixer should be able to quickly whip cream or egg whites without excessive splashing, as well as cream butter and sugar to a fluffy consistency. It should also be powerful enough to knead bread or cookie dough without stalling or straining. 

A range of speeds 

Most hand mixers we examined had at least five and a maximum of nine speeds, but more speeds will give you more control over various recipes. High speeds are ideal for whipping egg whites, whereas low speeds are required for gently blending cake batter (over-mixing can yield a gummy cake). And the ability of a hand mixer to smoothly switch between speeds is crucial.  

Michelle Lopez, an author of the blog Hummingbird High, stated, “Sometimes, all that’s required is a quick, light mix as opposed to a heavy, middle-of-the-road mixing session to revitalize something.” To avoid splattering butter all over your kitchen, you must be able to start slowly and increase your speed gradually. We favored hand mixers with nine speeds; we did test one notable five-speed mixer, but it was significantly weaker and required much more time to cream butter and whip egg whites. 

Multiple attachments 

Some inexpensive mixers include a pair of beaters, but we prefer machines with dough hooks for kneading bread and a whisk for whipping cream. 

Comfortable to hold 

Because using a hand mixer can be tiring, we sought out models that were lightweight and easy to hold. A good hand mixer should be strong and sturdy but not so cumbersome that you fear dropping it into the mixing bowl. 

Simple to clean 

Most hand mixers are simple to clean. However, some beater release mechanisms are more efficient than others. We sought mixers with simple attachment installation and removal for mixing and cleaning. 

Simple to store 

Most hand mixers are small enough to fit on a shelf or cabinet. The best hand mixers have storage containers that keep the mixer and all its attachments in one location, preventing dough hooks or whisks from being lost in a drawer. 

Price 

The prices of the hand mixers on this list range from $18 to nearly $150; you can also spend more money. Spending more money on a hand mixer will provide additional features and capabilities. For batters and doughs, a hand mixer costing $18 will suffice, but if you have other cooking techniques, you may need a mixer with more power. Above $100, you are likely paying for a brand name rather than capabilities. 

Uses 

Hand mixers are not limited to mixing cookie dough and soups. They help shred chicken, whip cream, and mash potatoes. But you’ll need an appliance that can handle the tasks you have in mind and the frequency of use. Less expensive hand mixers are acceptable for occasional or even infrequent use. Investing in a higher-quality hand mixer is probably warranted if you’re a busy chef who prepares numerous dishes. 

Capabilities 

While each mixer can perform a variety of fundamental tasks, the more expensive models offer different speeds, attachments, and other features that you may find helpful. For instance, a whisk can whip cream faster than a beater. If you need this attachment for meringues or toppings, consider purchasing a hand mixer with the attachment. If you bake bread, dough hooks are a must; if you don’t, they’re not as important. 

Weight 

Most hand mixers weigh less than two pounds, but when the motor operates at maximum speed, this cannot be easy to manage. If possible, hold and turn on the hand mixer. This will indicate where the running weight of the machine “sits.” Choose the option that you find most comfortable. 

How we evaluated the best hand mixer for whipping cream 

As part of our evaluation, we baked voluminous cakes, cookies stuffed with fruit, nuts, and chocolate, dense pizza dough, dollops of whipped cream, and light frosting to determine how well the mixers handled each task. We also compared the results of hand mixers and stand mixers. 

We began by baking a sponge cake to determine how well each mixer could aerate a batter containing whipped eggs. Then, we made everything-but-the-kitchen-sink cookies and pizza dough to pick how well each model could knead dense doughs in the presence of a great deal of resistance and mix-ins, respectively. We looked for cakes with an even crumb, high dome, and few air pockets (a sign that the eggs had not been sufficiently beaten); cookies that were evenly mixed and did not spread; and pizza dough that had been shaped into a uniform, springy ball. Then, we whipped a half cup of cream and an egg white to determine how well the mixers were beaten in small quantities. We eliminated a few mixers but made seven-minute frosting with the finalists to pick how well they whipped air into meringue by measuring the frosting’s volume yield (the more frosting, the more aeration). In addition, we considered how each mixer felt in hand, whether overheated or strained, how it worked around the bowl, and how simple it was to clean and store the attachments. 

We’ve discovered that a shallow mixing bowl does not work well with handheld mixers because the beaters push the contents up the bowl’s sides, necessitating additional scraping between additions. If you use a bowl with high sides, the ingredients tend to settle to the bottom, and if you’re whipping a liquid, the sides will prevent it from splattering on your countertop). 

My Recommendations for Hand Mixers 

• Check the hand mixer’s standing stability before purchasing. Do not negotiate on this point. Seriously. You can negotiate on the remaining issues, but not this one. 
• Consider purchasing a mixer with twisted beater attachments to save time whipping. (This is not necessary, but a nice bonus) 
• Higher Watts DO NOT equate to superior quality! Typically, a lower Wattage indicates that a hand mixer’s internal gears are fine. In my experience, 350 Watts is optimal. 
• Obtain a hand mixer that is not excessively heavy. Perfect at 680 g (1.50 lb) 
• Practicality should trump aesthetics. You will utilize this hand mixer nearly daily. Beautiful is a bonus. Stylish hand mixers from well-known brands are also considerably more expensive. 
• Always read the product’s specifications before making a purchase. Make your choice based on the facts, not the brand name! 
• The direction of rotation of the beaters should be from the inside out. 
• Avoid being overly romantic. Occasionally, you will have to settle. What is the best value that money can buy? You should be fine if your mixer has excellent standing stability.