Updated 19 July 2026 · Specifications and Amazon availability checked 19 July 2026 · Written by Daniel Wright
An immersion blender purees soup right in the pot, whips up sauces and smoothies, and cleans in seconds, all without a heavy jug to fill and wash. The choices that matter are power, how comfortable and splatter-free it is to hold, and which attachments come with it. We compared five from a premium Braun to a budget Mueller, and matched each to how you cook. We did not run a power lab, so each score is a research-based composite from manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.
For most kitchens the Braun MultiQuick is the best all-rounder: powerful, smooth and comfortable. Want the least splatter and best grip? The Breville Control Grip. On a budget, the Mueller covers the basics for little.
- Best overall: Braun MultiQuick 7 · Check price
- Best ergonomic: Breville Control Grip · Check price
- Best value: Cuisinart Smart Stick · Check price
- Best variable speed: KitchenAid Variable Speed · Check price
- Best budget: Mueller Ultra-Stick · Check price
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This never changes our rankings, and the specifications below come from each manufacturer’s current listing.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Immersion blender | Power | Speeds | Attachments | Best for | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braun MultiQuick 7 | Strong | Variable | Whisk, chopper | All-round blending | Check price |
| Breville Control Grip | Strong | 15 | Whisk, chopper | Splatter-free grip | Check price |
| Cuisinart Smart Stick | Moderate | Variable | Basic | Value | Check price |
| KitchenAid Variable | Strong | Variable | Options | Fine control | Check price |
| Mueller Ultra-Stick | Moderate | Multiple | Basic | Budget | Check price |
How We Evaluated These Picks
We are a research desk, not a lab, so we did not measure power with instruments. We compared motor strength, comfort and splatter control, the range of speeds, included whisk and chopper attachments, and long-run owner feedback. The composite score is weighted as follows.
- Blending power and smoothness: 30%
- Comfort and splatter control: 25%
- Speeds and attachments: 25%
- Cleaning: 10%
- Value: 10%
Why an Immersion Blender, and What to Look For
An immersion, or stick, blender goes to the food instead of the food going to a jug. That means you puree hot soup right in the pot, blend a sauce in its pan, or make a single smoothie in a cup, with no heavy jar to fill, pour and wash. The detachable blending shaft rinses clean in seconds, which is the real everyday convenience.
The features that matter are enough power to puree fibrous vegetables smoothly, a bell-shaped guard that reduces splatter and suction against the pot, a comfortable grip and a trigger that is easy to hold, and useful attachments like a whisk for cream and a mini chopper for herbs and small jobs. Variable speed helps you start slow to avoid splatter, then ramp up.
Best Overall: Braun MultiQuick 7
Research-based composite: 9.1 / 10 · Best for: Most kitchens that want powerful, smooth blending with handy attachments
Specifications
| Power | Strong |
| Speeds | Variable trigger |
| Anti-splash | Yes |
| Attachments | Whisk, chopper |
| Best for | All-round |
| Brand | Braun |
The Braun MultiQuick 7 is the immersion blender to beat. Its powerful motor purees soups and sauces silky-smooth, a smart-speed trigger ramps power to how hard you press for intuitive control, and an anti-splash bell keeps the mess down. It comes with a whisk and chopper, so it handles cream and herbs too, and the shaft detaches for quick cleaning.
It costs more than budget sticks and the smart trigger takes a moment to get used to. But for smooth, powerful, versatile blending it is the best here. Who should skip it: anyone who only purees occasionally and wants the cheapest. Pros: powerful, smooth speed control, anti-splash, whisk and chopper. Cons: pricier, trigger learning curve.
Model reviewed: Braun MultiQuick 7 Immersion Blender, ASIN B085FRKBMF
Best Ergonomic: Breville Control Grip
Research-based composite: 9.0 / 10 · Best for: Cooks who want the most comfortable, splatter-free blending
Specifications
| Power | Strong |
| Speeds | 15 |
| Foot | Grooved anti-splatter |
| Attachments | Whisk, chopper |
| Best for | Comfort |
| Brand | Breville |
The Breville Control Grip is built around comfort and mess control. Its trigger and grip sit ergonomically so your wrist stays neutral, and a bell-shaped foot with grooves reduces suction and splatter better than most, so it does not stick to the pot or spray you. Fifteen speeds give fine control, and it includes a whisk and chopper.
It is a premium-priced tool and a little bulky. But for the most comfortable, splatter-free blending it is excellent. Who should skip it: budget buyers or anyone wanting the smallest stick. Pros: ergonomic grip, low splatter and suction, 15 speeds, attachments. Cons: pricey, slightly bulky.
Model reviewed: Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender, ASIN B004RF7QJW
Best Value: Cuisinart Smart Stick
Research-based composite: 8.6 / 10 · Best for: People who want reliable everyday blending at a fair price
Specifications
| Power | Moderate |
| Speeds | Variable |
| Body | Slim |
| Best for | Value |
| Cleaning | Detachable shaft |
| Brand | Cuisinart |
The Cuisinart Smart Stick is the dependable value pick. It has enough power for soups, sauces and smoothies, variable speed for control, and a slim, comfortable body that is easy to handle and store. The blending shaft detaches for quick cleaning, and it is a proven, popular design.
It is less powerful than the premium sticks and comes with fewer attachments. But for everyday blending at a good price it is hard to fault. Who should skip it: anyone puree-ing lots of fibrous food or wanting a full attachment set. Pros: reliable, variable speed, slim and easy to clean, good value. Cons: less power, fewer attachments.
Model reviewed: Cuisinart Smart Stick Immersion Blender, ASIN B079NJTL29
Best Variable Speed: KitchenAid Variable Speed
Research-based composite: 8.8 / 10 · Best for: Cooks who want precise speed control from a slow start to full power
Specifications
| Power | Strong |
| Speeds | Variable |
| Control | Gradual |
| Attachments | Options |
| Best for | Fine control |
| Brand | KitchenAid |
The KitchenAid Variable Speed gives you fine, gradual control from a gentle start to full power, which helps you begin slowly to avoid splatter, then ramp up to puree smoothly. It has a strong motor, a comfortable body, and attachment options like a whisk and chopper depending on the set, plus a removable shaft for easy cleaning.
It sits at a mid-to-premium price and the corded design tethers you to an outlet. But for precise control it is a strong choice. Who should skip it: anyone who wants the simplest one-speed stick. Pros: fine variable speed, strong motor, comfortable, attachment options. Cons: mid-premium price, corded.
Model reviewed: KitchenAid Variable Speed Immersion Blender, ASIN B08F2QZZPQ
Best Budget: Mueller Ultra-Stick
Research-based composite: 8.1 / 10 · Best for: Beginners who want to try an immersion blender for the lowest cost
Specifications
| Power | Moderate |
| Speeds | Multiple |
| Body | Light |
| Best for | Budget |
| Build | Basic |
| Brand | Mueller |
The Mueller Ultra-Stick is the cheap way into immersion blending. It has multiple speeds, enough power for soups and smoothies, and a light, slim body that is easy to handle and store, all at a very low price. For someone unsure whether they will use one, it is a low-risk start.
It is the most basic here, so it is less powerful for fibrous food, splatters a little more, and its build is not for heavy daily use. But it genuinely blends for very little. Who should skip it: anyone who blends often or wants smooth, splatter-free power. Pros: very cheap, multiple speeds, light, simple. Cons: less power, more splatter, basic build.
Model reviewed: Mueller Ultra-Stick Immersion Blender, ASIN B075X1KPLZ
Which Immersion Blender Should You Buy?
Best for everyday blending
The Braun MultiQuick for smooth power, or the Cuisinart Smart Stick for nearly the same for less.
Best for the least mess
The Breville Control Grip, whose grooved bell foot reduces splatter and suction against the pot.
Best for precise control
The KitchenAid Variable Speed or Braun, both of which ramp gradually from a slow start to full power.
Best on a budget
The Mueller Ultra-Stick for the lowest cost, or the Cuisinart if you want a step up in reliability.
Best for versatility
The Braun or Breville, which include a whisk for cream and a chopper for herbs and small jobs.
Buying Guide
Power matters for smooth purees
A stronger motor purees fibrous vegetables and soups silky-smooth. If you make a lot of soup, prioritise power over the cheapest option.
A bell foot reduces splatter
A guarded, bell-shaped foot cuts suction against the pot and reduces splatter. It is the difference between a clean blend and a sprayed kitchen.
Variable speed helps
Starting slow avoids splatter, then ramping up blends smoothly. Variable or multi-speed control is worth having.
Attachments add versatility
A whisk and mini chopper turn one tool into three, handling cream and herbs as well as purees.
Care and Use
- Keep the blending foot fully submerged before you switch on to avoid splatter.
- Detach the shaft and rinse or dishwasher it; never submerge the motor body.
- Blend hot soup off the heat and start slow to prevent spitting.
- Wipe the motor body with a damp cloth only.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can you make with an immersion blender?
Pureed soups blended right in the pot, sauces, smoothies, whipped cream with a whisk attachment, mayonnaise, and chopped herbs or nuts with a mini chopper. It is a versatile, easy-clean tool.
Immersion blender or regular blender, which do I need?
An immersion blender purees in the pot and cleans in seconds, ideal for soups and single servings; a regular blender makes smoother smoothies and larger batches. They overlap, but many cooks own both.
Can an immersion blender blend hot soup?
Yes, that is a core use. Blend it off the heat, keep the foot submerged and start on low to avoid splatter, and it purees soup silky-smooth right in the pot.
Are immersion blenders easy to clean?
Very. The blending shaft detaches and rinses or dishwashes in seconds, while you just wipe the motor body. That easy cleanup is one of their biggest advantages.
Sources and References
Specifications were checked against each manufacturer’s Amazon listing on 19 July 2026 (Braun, Breville, Cuisinart, KitchenAid and Mueller). Where a maker does not state a figure, we describe the design rather than invent a number.
Final Verdict
For most kitchens the Braun MultiQuick is the best immersion blender: powerful, smooth and versatile with a whisk and chopper. The Breville Control Grip is the pick for the most comfortable, splatter-free blending, the Cuisinart Smart Stick is the reliable value choice, the KitchenAid Variable Speed offers fine control, and the Mueller is the cheap way to start. Prioritise power for smooth soups, look for a bell foot to cut splatter, and choose attachments for versatility.
