An immersion blender is one of those tools that sounds like a luxury until you actually own one — then it becomes the thing you reach for three times a week. Soups blended directly in the pot. Smoothies without dragging out the full blender. Sauces emulsified in seconds. The cleanup is a rinse under the tap. It's a genuinely useful tool, and the market is crowded with options ranging from $25 to $200.
We tested 18 models across the full price range, blending everything from hot butternut squash soup to frozen fruit smoothies to homemade mayonnaise. The differences between a mediocre stick blender and a great one come down to three things: motor power, blade design, and how the speed control actually feels in your hand. The five models below are the ones that got all three right — at their respective price points. If you need more blending power for large batches or frozen ingredients, see our guide to the best countertop blenders. For a broader kitchen comparison, check out our food processor vs blender guide, and our picks for the best stand mixers.
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#1 — Braun MultiQuick 9
The MultiQuick 9 is the one we keep recommending when someone asks for the best immersion blender without a hard budget ceiling. The headline feature is ACTIVEBlade technology — the blade shaft has a spring-loaded mechanism that moves up and down as you blend, actively pulling food into the blade rather than waiting for you to plunge and stir. In practice, this means you spend less time chasing chunks around the pot. We blended a thick sweet potato soup in about 40 seconds flat, with no unblended pieces left at the bottom. The 25-speed dial gives you genuinely fine control — not just "low, medium, high" with a turbo button, but a real analog range that lets you start slow to avoid splatter and ramp up as the mixture smooths out. The 500-watt motor handles fibrous vegetables and frozen fruit without bogging down. The stainless steel blending shaft detaches with one click for cleaning, and the whole thing feels like it was built to last a decade. At $99, it's not cheap, but it's the kind of tool you buy once.
Pros
- ACTIVEBlade spring mechanism pulls food into blade
- 25-speed dial for precise control
- 500W motor handles tough ingredients
- One-click detachable blending shaft
- Minimal splatter even in shallow pots
- Excellent build quality — feels premium
Cons
- Higher price than most competitors
- Slightly heavier than budget models
- 25 speeds can feel like overkill for simple tasks
Best for: Home cooks who blend regularly and want a tool that genuinely outperforms the competition — soups, sauces, smoothies, and everything in between.
#2 — Vitamix Immersion Blender
Vitamix's reputation is built on countertop blenders that cost as much as a small appliance budget for an entire kitchen. Their immersion blender carries that same engineering philosophy into a stick format — and it shows. The 625-watt motor is the most powerful on this list, and the 5-blade stainless steel assembly cuts through fibrous greens, raw carrots, and frozen chunks with a confidence that cheaper models simply can't match. We made a green smoothie with raw kale, frozen mango, and a handful of ice — the kind of thing that would stall a lesser motor — and it was silky smooth in under a minute. The variable speed dial runs from 1 to 5, which is less granular than the Braun's 25 speeds but covers the practical range well. The blending wand is all stainless steel, which means it's safe for hot liquids and won't absorb odors over time. At $149, it's the most expensive pick here, and the price is justified if you're blending tough ingredients regularly. If you're mostly doing soft soups and light smoothies, the Braun or KitchenAid will serve you just as well for less money.
Pros
- 625W motor — most powerful on this list
- 5-blade stainless steel assembly
- Full stainless wand — safe for hot liquids
- Handles frozen fruit and fibrous greens easily
- Vitamix build quality and brand reliability
- Easy to clean — no plastic parts near blade
Cons
- Most expensive option on this list
- Only 5 speed settings
- Overkill for light, everyday blending tasks
Best for: Serious home cooks and smoothie enthusiasts who blend tough ingredients daily and want Vitamix-grade durability in a stick blender.
Buying Guide: How to Choose an Immersion Blender
Immersion blenders are deceptively simple tools, but the differences between a $29 model and a $149 one are real. Here's what actually matters.
Power: Anything above 200 watts handles most tasks. For frozen fruit, nut butters, or thick soups, aim for 300W+. The Braun MultiQuick 9 at 700W is overkill for most home cooks, but you'll never hit a wall.
Speed settings: Variable speed (trigger-style) gives you more control than fixed speeds. Pulse is essential for chunky salsas and guacamole.
Shaft length: A longer shaft means less splatter when blending deep pots of soup. Most are fine for standard pots, but check if you're using a tall stockpot.
Attachments: A whisk attachment is genuinely useful for whipped cream and eggs. A chopper bowl turns your immersion blender into a mini food processor. Not essential, but nice to have.