Hand mixers: Features explained
Hand mixers take the hassle out of making cakes
Hand mixers are basically an electric motors with whisking and kneading attachments. They take all the effort out of whisking, whipping and cake mixing. All of the models we tested are good or excellent at whipping and mixing, but we found that a food processor is better at kneading heavy bread dough.
Attachments
Think about what you might do with the mixer and ensure there are suitable attachments. For example, if you make your own bread, ensure there are blades for kneading. If you don't, there is no need to pay extra for one.
Dishwasher safe
Mixers, almost by definition, create goo. Make sure yours is easy to clean and is suitable for use in the dishwasher if you have one. The stands themselves aren’t usually dishwasher-safe.
Grip
You may have to hold on to the mixer firmly for several minutes, so getting one with a comfortable grip is key.
Separate stands
Check how heavy the hand mixer is
A separate stand can save aching arms, but we found that jobs take much longer this way and it’s less convenient than using them handheld.
Set up
Unless you plan to keep your mixer on the side at the ready, you will want to store it away and to bring it out when needed.
This means you'll need to check how heavy it is, and how easy it is to disassemble and reassemble. Try putting it together and taking it apart a few times so you're familiar with the effort required.
Stable base
This will allow you to put the mixer down easily to rest during use. The Dualit has a rubber coating on its base that makes it particularly stable.