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While a stand mixer is a helpful tool in any kitchen, the bulky appliance can take up too much space. As an alternative, hand mixers provide power and versatility while being small enough to store away when not in use. The most convenient of all is a cordless hand mixer.
As a former bakery owner and professional baker, I have tested dozens of the best stand mixers and the best hand mixers. While I often turn to my stand mixer for tasks like kneading pizza dough, I reach for KitchenAid's Cordless Hand Mixer for lighter lifts. Read on to see why this cordless hand mixer has topped my list of favorite kitchen tools for over a year.
This cordless hand mixer makes it simple to move and control the mixer around a bowl. It’s lightweight, yet powerful enough to work through cookie dough.
Design
The KitchenAid Cordless Hand Mixer comes with the mixer body, a small charging cord, and a set of stainless steel beaters. The lightweight body weighs two pounds and has a flat edge so it can stand on the countertop when not in use. It's comfortable to hold and still gives you full control of the mixer's movement in a bowl. The mixer has seven variable speed settings and a soft start feature to prevent ingredients from flinging out of the mixing bowl. Once you're done mixing, there is an eject button on the top to release the beaters.
The charging cable for the 12-volt battery is compact. There is an indicator light on the top of the hand mixer, which will turn yellow as battery power is reduced and red or green based on its charge.
Performance
The cordless KitchenAid hand mixer offers impressive control and power. It has been thoroughly tested by creaming butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, along with finishing batters for cakes, cupcakes, and quick breads. It has no problem powering through cookie dough to incorporate mix-ins such as chocolate chips, oats, nuts, and M&M's. I've also used this hand mixer with a batch of pizza dough and a batch of cinnamon roll dough. There was a small amount of resistance, but I managed it.
But it's not just used for baking in my household. Because it's cordless, the mixer is that much simpler to grab from the cupboard and put it to work. When I'm making mashed potatoes, I'll often use the hand mixer to mash the potatoes and whip in butter, milk, seasonings, and cheese for the ultimate side dish. It also comes in handy for shredding cooked chicken and even making guacamole.
While it is possible to leave this hand mixer plugged in, I typically only need to charge it once every few weeks. I'm always impressed by how long the mixer holds its charge.
Hand mixer versus stand mixer
Hand mixer | Stand mixer | |
Pros: | Takes up little space, better mixing control | More power, can handle larger batches, better for multitasking |
Cons: | Not great for mixing for a long time or for multiple batches | Takes up more space, louder while mixing |
Best for: | Batters, cookie doughs, frostings | Batters, doughs, whipped cream, meringue, frosting |
Not good for: | Some tough doughs, double batches | Very small batches |
Cons to consider
The main disadvantages come down to power and size. Stand mixers are much larger because of their more powerful motors, ranging from 300 to 500 watts. A hand mixer can easily tackle most tasks, but can generally only power through one batch, rather than offering the option to mix a double batch. And, while this hand mixer can be used for making items such as pizza dough or bread dough, it's not the best choice for making those recipes on a regular basis.
What are your alternatives?
The main advantage of the KitchenAid Cordless Hand Mixer is its maneuverability, but if you're searching for more speed and don't mind having a cord, the KitchenAid 9-Speed Hand Mixer is a powerful option. The hand mixer has a wide range of speeds, along with attachments including dough hooks and a blender rod. Breville's Hand Mixer is another one of our top choices for bakers who want control and versatility. The 9-speed hand mixer has a light built into the body, making it easy to see in the bowl, along with rubber-coated beaters that double as spatulas to scrape the sides of the bowl while mixing.
For even more power, while still choosing a mixer that can be easily stored, KitchenAid's Mini Artisan 3-Quart Stand Mixer tops our list of best small stand mixers. It brings impressive power and versatility, while still being lightweight for moving and compact enough to store when it's not in use.
The bottom line
KitchenAid's Cordless Hand Mixer is an impressive small appliance at an approachable price point. There is no need to worry about plugging in a cord, making it that much more versatile. With seven speeds, it can be used for baking cakes and cookies, or for savory items such as mashed potatoes or shredded chicken. It's a multi-purpose kitchen tool for novice bakers, home cooks, and professional bakers alike.
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