An immersion blender purees soup right in the pot, no transferring hot liquid to a blender jar. We scored seven on a five-part rubric weighted toward blending performance. Our top pick is the Braun MultiQuick 9, with an SR Score of 89, because it produces the smoothest purees with minimal splatter thanks to ActiveBlade and SmartSpeed control. If grip comfort is your priority, the Breville Control Grip (87) is the runner-up.
The ranking
| Rank | Model | Best for | Power / price | SR Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Braun MultiQuick 9 | Smooth purees, low splatter | ~400 W / ~$120 | 89 |
| 2 | Breville Control Grip | Grip comfort | ~280 W / ~$180 | 87 |
| 3 | All-Clad Cordless | Large batches | 600 W / ~$160 | 85 |
| 4 | Braun MultiQuick 5 | Value | ~350 W / ~$60 | 84 |
| 5 | KitchenAid Variable Speed | Attachments | ~250 W / ~$100 | 82 |
| 6 | Cuisinart Smart Stick | Budget | ~200 W / ~$40 | 79 |
| 7 | Mueller Ultra-Stick | Cheapest | ~120 W / ~$30 | 75 |
Methodology
The Home Score v2026 rubric weights five criteria that sum to 100:
- Blending performance (30) — puree smoothness, emulsifying, splatter control, ease in deep pots.
- Value for money (25) — performance and attachments per dollar at typical retail.
- Build & durability (20) — shaft material, motor housing, blade, track record.
- Features & attachments (15) — speed control, whisk, chopper bowl, cordless operation.
- Reputation & reviews (10) — aggregate owner ratings and lab testing.
Performance leads because a hand blender that leaves chunks or sprays soup defeats its purpose. Re-weight toward Value and the MultiQuick 5 and Cuisinart climb; toward power the All-Clad rises.
Braun MultiQuick 9
The smoothest blender here. ActiveBlade adjusts vertically for finer results, SmartSpeed gives variable control from one trigger, and the SPLASHcontrol bell minimizes mess. Stainless blade, dishwasher-safe parts, comfortable grip. Around $120.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Blending performance | 28/30 |
| Value for money | 23/25 |
| Build & durability | 18/20 |
| Features & attachments | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: corded, and pricier than the basic MultiQuick 5.
Breville Control Grip
The comfort pick. Brushed stainless, elegant lines, and the most natural-feeling grip with a single-button trigger; it performed on par with higher-wattage rivals. Around $180.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Blending performance | 27/30 |
| Value for money | 20/25 |
| Build & durability | 18/20 |
| Features & attachments | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: the most expensive corded model here for its wattage.
All-Clad Cordless
The big-batch pick. A 600-watt motor and an extra-long 9.25-inch shaft blend large batches in deep stockpots, cordless for freedom of movement. Around $160.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Blending performance | 27/30 |
| Value for money | 20/25 |
| Build & durability | 18/20 |
| Features & attachments | 12/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: battery life limits very long sessions, and it is heavy.
Braun MultiQuick 5
The value pick. Two speeds, a grippy rubber handle, easily clicking attachments, and a stainless blade at a mid-range price near $60. Handles soup to vinaigrette well.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Blending performance | 25/30 |
| Value for money | 24/25 |
| Build & durability | 16/20 |
| Features & attachments | 12/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: only two speeds and less refined than the MultiQuick 9.
KitchenAid Variable Speed
The attachment-rich pick. Variable speed plus whisk and chopper attachments for around $100. Versatile for the price.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Blending performance | 24/30 |
| Value for money | 22/25 |
| Build & durability | 15/20 |
| Features & attachments | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 7/10 |
Trade-off: more splatter than the Braun and a louder motor.
Cuisinart Smart Stick
The budget pick. A simple, reliable two-speed blender for around $40. Good for occasional soup and smoothie duty.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Blending performance | 22/30 |
| Value for money | 23/25 |
| Build & durability | 14/20 |
| Features & attachments | 9/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 7/10 |
Trade-off: less smooth on fibrous ingredients and basic build.
Mueller Ultra-Stick
The cheapest option. Nine speeds on paper for around $30, fine for light use.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Blending performance | 20/30 |
| Value for money | 22/25 |
| Build & durability | 12/20 |
| Features & attachments | 9/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 7/10 |
Trade-off: low wattage struggles with thick mixtures and the build feels flimsy.
Verification
- Braun MultiQuick 9 — ActiveBlade, SmartSpeed, SPLASHcontrol, and pricing verified on braun.com and Yahoo immersion blender testing.
- Breville Control Grip — grip design and performance verified on breville.com and Your Best Digs.
- All-Clad Cordless — 600 W, 9.25-inch shaft verified on all-clad.com.
- Braun MultiQuick 5 — two speeds, attachments, and pricing verified on braun.com.
- KitchenAid Variable Speed — variable speed and attachments verified on kitchenaid.com.
- Cuisinart Smart Stick — two-speed design and pricing verified on cuisinart.com.
- Mueller Ultra-Stick — wattage and pricing verified on retailer listings.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the best immersion blender in 2026?
- For most kitchens, the Braun MultiQuick 9 leads on smooth purees, intuitive SmartSpeed control, and low splatter. The Breville Control Grip is the runner-up for comfort, and the All-Clad is the pick for blending large batches in deep pots.
- Immersion blender or countertop blender?
- An immersion blender purees soups and sauces directly in the pot, emulsifies dressings, and stores easily. A countertop blender makes smoother smoothies and crushes ice better. For soups and small jobs, the immersion blender wins on convenience.
- How powerful does an immersion blender need to be?
- For soups, sauces, and smoothies, 200-400 watts is plenty. Heavy users blending large batches in deep stockpots benefit from 500-600 watts, like the All-Clad. More watts mean faster, smoother results but a heavier, louder tool.
- Why does splatter matter?
- Immersion blenders can fling hot soup if the bell breaks the surface. Designs like Braun's SPLASHcontrol bell and variable SmartSpeed trigger reduce mess and burns, which is a real safety and cleanup factor, not just a luxury.
- Are the included attachments useful?
- A whisk and a chopper bowl turn a single tool into three. They handle whipped cream, small chopping, and emulsions. The Braun MultiQuick and KitchenAid sets include genuinely useful attachments; barebones models trade them for a lower price.