Hand Mixer vs. Stand Mixer: Which Is Better?
While some people may think that these two appliances are interchangeable, we disagree because their uses are different — but if you’re short on funds, you can make ends meet with a hand mixer. If you’re adamant about buying both, we’d still recommend buying a hand mixer first followed by a stand mixer. Let us go over the basics and explain what each type is best for.
The Fundamentals of a Hand Mixer
A hand mixer is a kitchen appliance that you hold in your hand as you mix something with it. These mixers are usually the cheaper alternative and are good for mixing batter, whipping cream, beating eggs, etc.
A hand mixer is good for mixing ingredients in relatively smaller amounts. Even if you enjoy mixing ingredients by hand, you should consider investing in an inexpensive hand mixer since it’ll really help on days you don’t feel like manually whipping cream, for example.
Some moderate to high-end hand mixers may also come with attachments such as a dough hook or a balloon whisk, making them a small but versatile appliance. Nonetheless, you’re likely to grow fond of your hand mixer as you get used to it. Hand mixers can also operate at different mixing speeds.
Why Do We Use a Stand Mixer?
A stand mixer can help you take your baking and cooking to a whole new level, but you shouldn’t just purchase it on a whim. You need ample counter space for this appliance and when it isn’t in use, you’ll need a cabinet to store it. How often do you bake, what do you bake and in what quantity do you bake are some other questions you may want to answer prior to purchasing.
There are two issues with hand mixers: you can’t use a hand mixer for very long since your hands will get tired and they also have less power. With a stand mixer, both these concerns are resolved, resulting in an enjoyable cooking or baking experience. Stand mixers also come with useful attachments, including a paddle, whisk, dough hook and more.
Hand Mixers vs. Stand Mixers: The Pros and Cons
Hand Mixers: Pros and Cons
Pros
- They’re lightweight and portable
- Don’t require much storage space
- Inexpensive — the cheapest one may cost you between $30-$40
- Great for small baking tasks — sponge cake, pancakes, etc.
- Quick to set up and use
Cons
- They don’t have much power — you may have trouble using it for a thicker batter
- Since you have to constantly hold them, it can be difficult to properly mix ingredients — hence, the baking quality suffers
- The ingredients aren’t contained and it can get messy
Stand Mixers: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Excellent for a large number of ingredients and thick batter
- It will look quite nice on a kitchen countertop
- Come with several attachments (perhaps even a juicer)
- Offer several speed settings
Cons
- They’re expensive — even the cheapest ones will cost around a $100
- Bulky and can be difficult to store if you don’t have space
The Takeaway: Verdict
If you need a mixer for baking and cooking, have the funds and have ample cabinet space for storage, we suggest you get yourself a stand mixer. If you don’t need a mixer as frequently and can easily go about your recipes by mixing by hand, you really don’t need to invest in a stand mixer — especially if you don’t have the storage space for it.