If you are ready to choose models yourself, then a catalog of countertop blenders is available at this link. So-called immersion (hand-held) devices are collected in the corresponding section. By the way, among the latter, blenders without additional attachments are included in a separate category.

Maybe you need a mixer instead of a blender?

A mixer is a device for whisking (oxygenating) and/or mixing products. They can work with different consistencies, including liquids and thick mixtures. Typical use scenarios include whisking eggs (or creams), and kneading dough.

A blender is used for making different foods into a homogeneous mass or mixing liquids. The most common uses include making smoothies, turning ordinary first courses into cream soups, and sometimes chopping food — from soft vegetables to nuts.

A mixer for whisking and kneading dough, and a blender for chopping and smoothies.

Of course, the general scope of application of both mixers and blenders directly depends on the configuration, so richly equipped devices can almost completely duplicate each other. But in general, the principle is as follows: if you need to whisk and knead dough frequently, this is the task of a mixer; if you need to chop or prepare smoothies, this is the task of a blender. Well, if you need both, it's better to have two devices or a food processor.

Next we will talk about the differences between countertop and immersion blenders. First, let's look at the design features, pros and cons of each type.

Popular mixers

Immersion blender: what is it, what are the pros and cons

Structurally, an immersion blender is a rather compact oblong handle, inside which there is an electric motor. A chopping blade on a blending arm or other complete attachments are attached to this device. Such a blender during use should be held in the hand, and it is possible to work with almost any container — from a deep bowl to a pot. Often these models have a rich set of accessories, including a whisk, discs for chopping, and an attachment for puree.

A typical scenario for an immersion blender is making creamy soup.

Pros of an immersion blender:

  • compactness and mobility;
  • efficient chopping of cooked vegetables and soft fruits;
  • compatibility with any containers and readiness to work with the smallest portions;
  • easy maintenance;
  • a rich set of attachments (or compatibility with them).

Cons of the hand-held model:

  • the need to hold the device in the hand during operation;
  • higher risk of splashing;
  • not ideal homogeneity when working with liquids and preparing cocktails.
Immersion blenders

Countertop blender: what is it, what are the pros and cons

A countertop blender is a device that includes a housing with a motor, and a bowl with a working blade is fixed on top (the latter can be removable or not). Ingredients are added to the existing container, it is closed with a lid, and the chopping and/or cooking process itself occurs automatically — by pressing the button.

A countertop blender will delight lovers of smoothies and various cocktails.

Pros of a countertop blender:

  • maximum automation of work;
  • usually higher power;
  • no splashing;
  • ensuring excellent uniformity of liquids (relevant for cocktails and smoothies);
  • availability for handling solid products (e.g. ice, nuts);
  • may have automatic programs and functions.

Cons of a countertop device:

  • large dimensions;
  • not suitable for the smallest portions and very large ones (exceeding the size of the bowl);
  • chops vegetables worse;
  • usually more expensive than hand-held models.
Countertop blenders

Blender comparison

To better understand the differences between hand-held and countertop blenders, we have prepared a visual comparison table for you:

Comparison criterion Immersion blender Countertop blender
Principle of operation must be held in hand functions itself
Power lower higher
Bowl absent present
Set of blades / attachments can be large usually one
Dimensions compact large
Things a blender does best grinds soft foods prepares smooth cocktails and thick mixtures
Things a blender does worse prepares smooth drinks chops vegetables
Can handle small portions yes no
Additional features no sometimes
Price lower higher

Which is better? It depends on your needs

Which blender is right for you? It all depends on the challenges you face when cooking. First, let's list the main usage cases without reference to the types:

  • processing of liquid consistencies, including for cream soups, sauces, mayonnaise, etc;
  • making cocktails, smoothies and other drinks;
  • cooking thick products such as hummus, pate, nut butter;
  • chopping of solid ingredients — with (primarily fruits and vegetables) and without moisture (nuts, breadcrumbs, etc.).

Earlier, we briefly mentioned which tasks are better handled by a countertop blender and which by an immersion model. At the same time, the final results of processing products are influenced not only by the type of device, but also by other factors (motor power, type of nozzle, etc.), but this is a completely different story.

An immersion blender copes well with relatively simple tasks, such as chopping, preparing cream soups, and mixing liquid mixtures. When working with the latter, it will not provide ideal homogeneity, but it is not always necessary (it is critically important only when preparing complex multi-component cocktails and drinks). This model also mashes cooked vegetables and soft fruits well. And the ability to manually guide the blade allows you to use the device with small portions, which is very important for families with small children. This way you can quickly make purees and cream soup for your baby.

The abundance of attachments expands the scope of application of the immersion blender.

Hand-held blenders with a rich set of equipment can be distinguished into a separate group. They can do everything listed above, but are also ready to perform additional tasks. They are able to chop food for salads, dice cheese, beat eggs, make cream, knead dough, etc. Such devices are already approaching the functionality of food processors, however, they still require more manual work and control over the process. Additionally, you need to take into account that the power of a hand blender is often not comparable to that of a conventional planetary mixer.

The countertop blender is designed for making the highest quality smoothies, thick mixtures (such as hummus), chopping solid foods, including frozen (or ice), as well as nuts, crackers, etc. But such a device often copes with chopping vegetables a little worse than an immersion one. Among the countertop models, we can distinguish the so-called bar ones, that is, semi-professional or professional level models, like Hamilton Beach HBF1100SCE. They are significantly more expensive, but are suitable even for catering needs.

Sometimes you need to make cream soup for your child, as well as hummus or multi-ingredient smoothies. The easiest option is not to look for what is better, but to take two blenders. But such an opportunity is not always available, and it is not only a matter of finances, but also, let's say, in the size of the kitchen. What to do then? Continue to compare devices by other parameters that are not directly related to the tasks to be solved..

Planetary mixers

Which blender is better in terms of size?

An immersion blender is almost always more compact and takes up less space in the kitchen than a countertop blender. Accordingly, for cramped conditions it is advisable to consider a hand-held model, for example, taking a device with a more powerful motor. It will provide decent chopping uniformity when working with most ingredients.

An immersion blender usually does not need a lot of storage space.

An immersion blender with a rich set of attachments is a little less convenient when storing. But let’s say that the main blade and the device itself can be placed somewhere close at hand, and accessories that are rarely used can be left outside the kitchen if there is no other place.

A countertop blender, even when disassembled, takes up a lot of space in the kitchen cabinets. In rare cases (in case of low location of the hinged cabinets from the countertop), the overall height in working form can complicate the process of operation — loading of ingredients. In general, a countertop model is a cool choice for a large kitchen, where it will be constantly on the work surface. As practice shows, if the blender is not at hand, it is used much less often, up to the point that the expediency of the purchase at all becomes questionable.

The winner according to the size criterion is an immersion blender.

Which blender is better in terms of functionality and set of attachments?

In terms of compatibility with additional attachments, a countertop blender is definitely worse than an immersion blender. Even if the latter is not equipped with anything other than the main blade, then, as a rule, additional accessories can be purchased. This includes a special chopping bowl, grinder, chopping discs, etc. For housewives who love to cook, the expanded set may be in great demand.

Countertop blenders have few attachments, but there are preset programs.

A countertop blender rarely comes with additional working accessories. Usually this only includes a grinder — a separate container with a blade. A shaker may be provided as an accessory, but this is just a travel bowl that is in no way related to the direct functioning of the device.

In addition, these are the devices where you can find additional options, such as heating the bowl or profile modes, for example, for crushing ice, making smoothies, etc. Besides, a separate range of devices can be distinguished — soup blenders. There is also a heating element and different automatic cooking programs.

There is no winner based on the functionality criterion. An immersion model may have more attachments, while a countertop one may have more options. But our editors would give preference to immersion blenders.

Mixers with blender attachment

Which blender is better in terms of ease of use?

The convenience factor is important if the kitchen appliance will be used frequently. Here, a countertop model is often preferable. Why? It operates on its own — you don't need to hold it in your hand. In parallel, you can do something else, spending less time in the kitchen. In addition, they simplify the fate of the cook and preset programs. And the only disadvantage is the need to take out and hide the device, which is not the lightest, if the size of the kitchen does not allow you to allocate it a permanent place on the table.

An immersion blender must be held in your hand and moved around the container, which becomes physically tiring after just a few minutes. At the same time, the pursuit of an ultra-light model is unlikely to be justified, because these models, as a rule, have a low-power motor.

The winner in terms of convenience is a countertop blender.

Which blender is best in terms of ease of cleaning?

The cleaning procedure for most blenders does not require much effort. In countertop models, the blade is a little more difficult to wash, because it is often combined with a bowl. Although there are collapsible variations. Sometimes there is a self-cleaning program. And if it is not there, then you can imitate it — add warm water to the container and start the motor at minimum speed.

In an immersion blender, the blade attachment can also be washed while rotating, immersing it in clean liquid. Models with a rich set of attachments and additional included containers may require a little more cleaning time. But difficulties usually do not arise here either.

There is no winner according to the ease of cleaning criterion. Both varieties do not cause any trouble.

The blender bowl can be cleaned with warm water and detergent by turning on the motor.

Which blender is cheaper?

It can be argued that immersion blenders are more affordable than countertop ones. This can be seen across all price segments. That is, the most budget hand-held model is cheaper than the simplest one with a bowl, and the most advanced immersion device costs less than the flagship countertop one.

But we wouldn't highlight a winner based on price. After all, the cost is usually determined by performance characteristics. So, countertop blenders, as a rule, have a more powerful motor, and it directly affects the quality of the results (uniformity) of chopping. Often, a higher price means the use of high-quality materials, and this is a plus for the reliability and durability of the equipment. This also works within each device group. So, for an immersion blender to be more effective in practice, it is worth paying extra for a slightly more powerful motor and/or getting a device with a metal blending arm rather than a plastic one.

Blenders with stainless steel blending arm

Conclusion: which blender is perfect for you?

You should buy a blender that can cope with the tasks you need to perform. If you are preparing thick mixtures, complex cocktails, or chopping solid products, it is better to consider a countertop model. And here a simple rule usually works: the higher the price tag on the device, the better the final result.

If you do not require standard chopping uniformity, typical kitchen processes are limited to cream soups and simple milkshakes, then an immersion blender is probably sufficient, because it is more affordable.

In addition, do not forget that the countertop model is more convenient to use, in some cases it is supplemented with pre-installed programs, including self-cleaning, but is quite bulky. Hand-held blenders are more compact and can be equipped with numerous attachments, but it will not be possible to be distracted from the process by other tasks.

Both blenders usually appear in a kitchen where there is frequent and extensive cooking.

It's also not a good idea to be too categorical. In many kitchens where people cook a lot, often and with love, sooner or later both blenders appear. So you should just decide what is now in priority. In such a situation, the algorithm of actions is quite simple:

  • handle the most relevant tasks;
  • look at the necessary attachments and/or programs (additional functions);
  • if possible, take a more powerful device;
  • consider the assembly quality and materials, comparing them to the price.

We wish you successful choice and ease in implementing the most complex culinary plans!