I have a basic Proctor Silex. It has a cord (110 V) and two blades that are horizontal on a vertically turning shaft. Kind of like a plane's propeller facing downward inside a cowling for protection and to stop side splatter. Mine's at least 10 years old. I did a search - you can find one for $15 or less. It gets the job done with enough horsepower and umph that Tim Allen would like it.

Glenda, that's a much tougher-looking model than the one my friends have.

I have a cuisinart immersion blender which I really like. I bought it at Bed Bath and Beyond and this is it with the attachments. I like having the chopper.

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.ca/store/product/cuisinart-reg-2-speed-smart-stick-hand-blender/1043211555

I have the Breville Control Grip and love it. I use it mostly for sauces, gravies, soups, etc.

I was looking for one for a gift, after much research, I bought the breville control grip. Now I want to get one for me!

I have this Cuisinart. It's a workhorse, and easy to clean.

I have a Breville as well. LOVE it! Mine has the attachment for whipping cream or such too. I bought it after it was recommended on the cooking forum. It had some other attachments that were double what Dale (in Florida) had, and thus, got rid of them, thus, can't really recommend all attachments.

Moni

I'm a big fan of Breville products. I have their All in One set.

I love that the slicing blade has a dial on it that lets you slice paper thin or thick. And the grating blade has coarse on one side and fine on the other.

And I recently bought this one because I wanted a smaller processor bowl for grating cheese, and bread crumbs, etc. as the one I had broke.

AnnT I have the set in your first picture... minus some parts, like I already stated.

Mine looks similar to Glenda's with all the attachments. It's a Tenergy. I checked out all the reviews on Amazon and this one got very good ones. It's stainless steel and very well made and the price was very good. I like it a lot. Love, love, love the immersion blender. When I think of what a mess it was to have to put the soup in a blender in batches, what a pain. I, too, make lots of soup for the freezer.

OklaMoni, the only attachment I wouldn't recommend is the Potato masher. And not because it doesn't work. I just don't need it to mash potatoes.

I have a Cuisinart. Plain as heck, two speeds, with no fancy things with it and it does just fine.

Braun.

I think you can watch this video of Cook's Country ratings without being a member. https://www.cookscountry.com/videos/3936-immersion-blenders

I had a farberware, lost in the flood. If I get a new one I would go for something like Glenda or Ann has with the attachments. Those are items that I would use.

Go low or go high.

Serious Eats: The Best Hand (Immersion) Blenders

US $30 'Blending on a Budget: Hamilton Beach 2-Speed Hand Blender'

This unassuming model ended up being a sleeper hit, consistently doing in much pricier units and comfortably keeping up with our champ throughout rounds of testing. The Hamilton Beach's wide blade guard, with its large vents, creates a perfect vortex when blending. Despite being the smallest and lightest of the contenders, it easily whipped cream, made perfect mayonnaise, and aced crushing ice. It also comes equipped with a mini chopper and whisk for anyone who loves a little extra swag.

US $100 'The Undisputed Champ: All-Clad Stainless Steel Immersion Blender'

Through round after round of rigorous testing, the All-Clad easily knocked out the competition. This heavyweight was the fastest and most efficient at burrowing through burly ice cubes, transforming stubborn celery fibers into a luxurious purée, and emulsifying mayo in a blink.

The sleek design tapers near the top, making it easy to grip and maneuver, although it was the weightiest model we tested. With easy-to-read arrows illustrating which direction to turn in to twist off the blending shaft, it's a cinch to clean and store.

I'll vouch for KA as a great product. One bit of advice, whatever brand you buy, find one that doesn't have one of those blasted safety switches that needs to always be pressed in order to be used. I find with those types, you almost need 2 hands to operate the thing, and it's a pain in the rear.

Just wanted to agree with the others about having a mini-processor attachment. I use mine much more than the big food processor. It will even make dough for a 2-crust pie.

I meant to check the brand I have, but didn't. I think it is a Cuisinart brand similar to the one that Joe T. posted a link to, but mine also has a button on the top in addition to the High/Low switch on the handle.

While I like that fact that it has as much or more power than the two other models I've had in the past, and it is easier to clean than they were (since it comes apart) and is better able to handle hot temperatures (which slightly cracked the plastic shroud of one of my previous models) I have a big problem with the how it works. You have to press down the button on the top at the same time that you press either the High or Low switch, and both buttons must be pressed firmly enough that very quickly your hand will cramp.

I'm sure the button on top was added as a "safety" measure to prevent accidentally turning it on and gravely injuring your fingers (or tongue if you are some who like to lick the "beater") but I had the previous units about 10 years, and never once had a problem.

edited to add: (so basically what gardengrlz said in a previous post)

Mine's a Braun...had it forever.

Mine is older. I have, and use, all the accessories, too. I've never tried to crush ice with it but I'm very happy with its performance. It has variable speed and no safety switch to depress before turning it on. https://www.cuisinart.com/shopping/parts-and-accessories/hand_blenders/csb-77

@Bob_cville - the video I linked to on my post above mentions that the blenders with the buttons on top were crossed off the list so to speak because that design is so much more awkward.

It also didn't like the heavy and thick ones like the All-Clad mentioned in the Serious Eats review quoted above, finding that the weight of the immersion blender was not a correlation to effectiveness, and that lighter ones like the Braun worked just as well and were not fatiguing or difficult to hold.

I have the Cuisinart many posted above. It is currently broken and I am working with their customer service department. I went to make my son a smoothie one morning; almond milk, banana, protein powder- I squeezed to turn the blade on a bit above the concoction and the blade snapped in half. The loose half went flying, hit the tile backsplash, rebounded and sliced my hand. I think I got off easy, it could have broken in the glass and he might have swallowed it.

I have an older Kitchenaid, fairly heavy: variable speed and you hold down a side button to operate it. Since you're holding the button down where your hand naturally falls to hold the handle, it's not tiring or annoying.

Don't use it much, as the kinds of cooking I do don't require many appliances (I think I use my toaster oven 20x more often than the mixer or food processor or blender, LOL).

It is useful for a couple of recipes, so I figured it was worth dropping $25 on (amazing sale price at the time; I think it was normally a retail $89+).

I also have an older Kitchenaid with nine speeds. I would not be happy with only two speeds. I use mine fairly often, but the new ones from KA are not the same. Mine has a 240 watt motor (2 amps x 120 volts), and I would not want one with less power than that. My brother got it for me with points that he earned from a credit card that could only be redeemed with merchandise, and that's sort of why we ended up with this one, but I do like it a lot, and it has similar attachments to the ones shown in the Breville photos. I use the mini-chopper for making relishes but not for dough. I haven't tried chopping ice with it because my refrigerator ice dispenser will dispense chopped ice if I want it.

My KitchenAid is probably 10 years old. Nine speeds, but I generally only use 1 or 2. I use it for soups exclusively.

You can't completely depend on specifications to select a hand blender. There are way too many variables.

First, very few will tell you about rotational speed (RPM). But for a DC motor, faster speed does not mean more power. Also, effectiveness of chopping depends on the shape of the blades and the diameter of the blades.

Wattage rating helps, but not that much. Manufacturers' wattage ratings are not exact, it is related to permissible motor temperature rise under load and how long they allow the motor to last.

Depending on how the variable speed electronic works, power output can be very different. If they do it with voltage drop, there will be less power. If they us PWM method, more power for the blades at lower speeds.

Comparative test reviews are good, but few can tell you how long the blender will last.

Good luck! :-)

dcarch

from what i found so, all have negatives, ugh! so going to find one with longest warranty, comfort, ease of use and ease of cleaning.

putting more thought behind it, i think i will mostly use for soups and when cooking in large quantities (holidays) to do some chopping. i would use it to make scrambled eggs as well.

i have a vitamix for smoothies and pretty sure will not use it for that, but again that perspective could change.

just my wandering thoughts and findings so far.... Thanks everyone!!!!!

I have a Braun and I will say that they definitely last. I bought mine at GoodWill for $2 over 10 years ago. It doesn't have any speeds, just on and off. You hold the button in to make it go and when you let go it stops, which works for me because as soon as I drop the thing into the pot, which I will do, it stops. The button is on the handle where I normally hold it, so like jakkom, I don't find it difficult to hold in or to use. I don't like the cord, that's aggravating and inconvenient. It has no attachments, and that's fine with me because I have a food processor, a KitchenAid with various attachments, a mandoline and a VitaMix, so I use the immersion blender 2 or 3 times a year. It's great for whisking the lumps out of gravy, though!

Annie

I suggest getting two hand blenders.

All immersion blenders soon have very dull blades. That's because the blenders have to use softer steel for the blades to avoid the blade from cracking and become a dangerous flying knife.

I have one blender with very sharp hand sharpened blades for blending very soft foods. And the other blender for blending harder foods such as nuts and frozen foods.

Having two blenders is great in case one dies just when you are making a dinner for 20 people (Murphy's Laws) and must have to have the use of a blender for a recipe.

dcarch

My Braun immersion blender literally fell apart earlier this year after many, many, many years of use (a first generation one from the late 80’s-early 90’s).

We replaced it with a Bamix Professional Immersion Blender from BB&B (with a 20% coupon). The few times I’ve used it so far, it’s worked really well.

Bamix® Professional Immersion Blender

Bamix immersion blender

I have a Cuisiart. It is very basic and works well. I only use it for certain soups and therefore it is the least used small appliance. Meh, I could do without it.

My immersion blenders have always been whatever I find at a garage sale for a couple of dollars. Always keep a back-up one in the basement. Don't use them much, mostly blending soups in the winter or smooshing up beans for refried beans. De-lumping gravy the couple of times a year that I make gravy. Mixing old (water based) paint where the solids have started settling to the bottom of the can.

My first was the only new one that I've owned. Braun, received as a gift. Didn't hold up so that's why I get garage sale ones. I don't mind if a $2 appliance goes belly-up.

For those of you who have a relatively recent Braun, do they have the double button setup to turn the thing on? It's hard to tell from their video, but it looks like it.

I have a Bamix. The original immersion blender. Two speeds. I also have a Vitamix. Either one will do the job. The Vitamix is faster. My mother had a Bamix that I inherited. But, after forty years, I managed to blow it up. I think we got our money's worth on the Bamix. I know I have long since gotten my money's worth on the Vitamix.

Following

I am thinking about getting this one. Has lots of accessories, has an 800watt motor, good customer service, and fairly inexpensive. I don't use one often but think with the accessories I would use it more. If it breaks after a couple of years I don't loose much money. My problem with these that have accessories is that they don't have a containment stand or anything. So lots of pieces to store. This house has limited space. But one item takes the place of several larger units.

MRQ 6-in-1 800 Watt Heavy Duty Immersion Hand Blender Stick Mixer Set with Large Capacity 1500ml Food Processor Chopper, 600ml BPA Free Beaker, Detachable Egg Whisk Attachment, 600ml Cup (Red) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F353RHP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_mtc9BbES01A40

Plastic parts are for noise control, and also metal parts require grease packing.

Blenders use universal type of brushed motor, which generates lots of heat. Immersion blenders do not provide venting for the motor, that's why you shouldn't operate it for too long.

dcarch

Plastic parts are for noise control

Hmm. Well, there are puh-lenty of bad reviews on the KA interchangeable head model because of failure of the plastic connectors in a very short period of time. I do not think noise reduction had anything to do with that decision.

And my old KA will run as long as I can stand to hold the button down. Of course, that is self-limiting to a certain extent, but it is considerably more than a minute.

"---I do not think noise reduction had anything to do with that decision.--"

The engineers who designed those plastic parts probably had never been inside a kitchen. They had no idea how the cooks use those machines.

The price for a nylon gear and a metal gear are not that much different. To put a plastic gear on a metal shaft is a added cost.

dcarch

I have an Oster I bought a few years ago. I love it but I don't use it very often. For my needs, it's perfect and it wasn't expensive.

. To put a plastic gear on a metal shaft is a added cost.

Yes, that's a very interesting point, dcarch.

I have at least six now. Two vintage braun like Annie. My go-to always. Small, simple, one speed, easy to rinse and clean. I just need it for a quick tilt-the-soup-pot. I just like a minor puree sometimes to thicken a soup that has lots of veg....still like it partially chunky. (don't use flours or stash for that).

Highspeed blender for silky smooth blending. A complicated heavy Breville I bought last spring some SurLaTab sale. Attachments, bowls, and variable speed I have never used but day one out of the box. I made an easy go-to spot for it in the kitchen but the Braun is easier to grab last minute. One is for body butters I don't use for foods. Another at work for also non-food. Cuisinart. Both of those have the bowls that I like for non-food use.

A toss-up how much you will use attachments. Read reviews and get the best in your price point.

still reading reviews and looking at specs.

want ease of cleaning and not a lot of attachments.. just the whisk, i think.

liking the breville so far but don't want to spend $88.... i like that its scratch resistant for my LC dutch ovens...does that matter??

waiting to see if i can one at a good price on cyber monday. nothing caught my eye today (black friday)....

wish i could get an oldie!! i'll check eBay now...

A basic immersion blender is not hard to clean. Usually a hot rinse under the faucet is all that is needed. Or just immerse and run it a few seconds in hot soapy water.

@sprtphntc7a, what did you get?

While I don't like the cleaning aspect of the bamix, it looks like it is the most durable, and so that's the one I'm leaning towards. It is pricey, but given its effectiveness I think it would be worth it. Just wish it had a detachable bottom that was machine washable.

The mixing blade on the Bamix comes off for cleaning. You simply wipe off the stem. Or, you can immerse the attached blade and stem in soapy water, being careful not immerse the handle/motor, turn it on and let it clean itself. It's very easy to clean. With this unit, cleanability is very easy. Much easier than a blender.

I have an old Braun that did something to make me replace it years ago with a Cuisinart with the usual complement of Wisk and tiny food processor. It does what I want a wand to do. One speed, easy to use and I can just stick the wand base in the dishwasher. I use it mostly to make cream soups, at Christmas cream of artichoke. In a blue moon I use the wisk. I don't know where that little chopper is. Bizarrely DH found a wand base while riding his bike one morning. He is always finding stuff. I wash the clothes and donate them. People put things on their car but a wand base?It fit my motor perfectly and I just ran it through the dishwasher a couple of times..stainless so no problem. Do I need two? I should pull out the old Braun and find out what happened there?

Regarding the Bamix --

Have any of you had any problems with getting cut while changing blades or finding it hard to change blades? My sister is worried that it may be a safety concern to be pulling off a blade with one's hands.

Never been cut. It's not a problem.