Should I buy a stand mixer or a hand mixer?
If you’ve discovered you enjoy baking, a mixer is a must-have purchase. But which should you get?
Hand mixer
What to look out for
A hand mixer can be yours for a tenner, while stand mixers start at about £100. So, that’s one point in favour of a hand mixer. But it’s not as simple as it sounds.
First off, we wouldn’t recommend buying a £10 hand mixer. If you spend too little, you’ll end up replacing it quickly and spending more as time goes on. However, you can get a great hand mixer for £30-£60.
Look for a hand mixer:
When to buy a hand mixer
What does a hand mixer do well?
A hand mixer is best for smaller volumes. If you just want to whip a little cream for a dessert topping, or beat a couple of eggs, a stand mixer will be more trouble than it’s worth. Because the bowl is so large, you’ll spend far too much time with a silicone scraper returning the mixture to the middle of the bowl to get an even texture. It’s quicker to use a smaller bowl and a hand mixer.
It’s also a winner for quick jobs around the kitchen. Whip up omelettes, cupcakes and loaf cakes. When you’re finished, just remove the beaters and put them in your cutlery rack in the dishwasher and your clean-up is almost done.
In general, it’s easier to use and to clean than a stand mixer. It’s also much more budget-friendly and takes up less space.
Weaknesses
Although it’ll save you time and effort compared to mixing by hand, larger volumes of ingredients are a chore (or, if you’re a glass half full type of person, they’re an excellent arm workout). Making dough is also much easier with a stand mixer, and not all hand mixers come with dough hooks, in any case.
Depending on the quality of the motor, you may have to take breaks when working with large volumes of ingredients or very thick mixtures to protect your mixer.
Stand mixer
If your baking sessions leave you with aching arms and sore hands, it’s time to invest in a stand mixer.
A stand mixer is far more powerful than a hand mixer and what’s more, you can add the ingredients and set it going while you get on with something else.
What to look out for
A stand mixer should be a considered purchase. You really need to enjoy using it as it’s an expensive item and you only want to buy it once.
Stand mixers start at about £100 for a good one, but can go up to £500.
Look for a stand mixer:
What does a stand mixer do well?
Weaknesses
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Author: Emma Rowley, Group Home Tech Editor
Emma has been a journalist and copywriter for over 20 years and has been testing and writing about home tech and appliances for seven years. She tries out every appliance she writes about at home, and aims to recommend time- and energy-saving products that will last.
