Quick Answer
America's Test Kitchen (americastestkitchen.com/equipment_reviews/2450-immersion-blenders) has named the Braun MultiQuick 5 (Model MQ505, about $64.95) its winner for more than a decade running, citing its lightweight, comfortable grip and ventless bell-shaped blade guard that kept food from splattering — it pulverized frozen pineapple and blended 25 smoothies in a row without issue. The catch: the pricier Breville Control Grip (about $169.95) produced some of the smoothest blended results in the lineup, but at 2 lb 3.3 oz it's heavy enough that testers reported hand fatigue — proof a stronger motor and a higher price tag don't automatically make a blender easier to use.
This is the twenty-sixth stop in our countertop-appliance series, after the countertop convection oven, the countertop microwave, the deep fryer, the bread maker, the waffle maker, the electric griddle, the electric skillet, the espresso machine, the pressure cooker, the coffee maker, the rice cooker, the toaster, the stand mixer, the panini press, the sandwich maker, the food processor, the blender, the juicer, the hand mixer, the popcorn maker, the milk frother, the egg cooker, the yogurt maker, the vacuum sealer, and the knife sharpener. This time the claim under the microscope is "more power, smoother results" — and the most powerful model tested came with a real usability tradeoff.
Quick Comparison: Best Immersion Blenders of 2026
| Model | Best For | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braun MultiQuick 5 (MQ505) | Best overall (ATK winner) | Light, easy to maneuver | $64.95 |
| Braun MultiQuick 7 (MQ7035X) | Best for soups & mayo | Moderate | $99.95 |
| Breville Control Grip (BSB510XL) | Smoothest results | Heaviest (2 lb 3.3 oz) | $169.95 |
| Mueller Ultra-Stick (MU-HB-02) | Best budget | Light | $34.97 |
The 4 Best Immersion Blenders
1. Braun MultiQuick 5 (MQ505) — Best Overall / ATK Winner
America's Test Kitchen (americastestkitchen.com/equipment_reviews/2450-immersion-blenders) has recommended this model for more than a decade. Testers said its "lightweight construction and comfortable grip made it a breeze to maneuver around any vessel," and its ventless, bell-shaped blade guard kept food flowing freely instead of splattering out of the pot. In testing it pulverized frozen pineapple and blended 25 smoothies back-to-back without issue — a durability bar most competitors didn't clear. It runs on two simple button controls (no fiddly speed dial) and ships with a whisk attachment and blending jar for $64.95.
Controls: Two-button, no dial · Includes: Whisk attachment, blending jar
Best For: Anyone who wants ATK's decade-plus winner without paying for extra power they won't use
Check Braun MultiQuick 5 Price on Amazon →
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2. Braun MultiQuick 7 (MQ7035X) — Best for Silky Soups & Mayonnaise
One step up from the MultiQuick 5, this model consistently produced silky soups and smooth mayonnaise in ATK's testing — the standout result of the lineup for those two specific tasks. The tradeoff is a trigger-style power button for variable speed control instead of simple buttons, and testers experienced hand fatigue after 30-45 seconds of continuous use due to its slightly heavier build. It includes both a whisk and a chopping jar attachment for $99.95.
Controls: Trigger, variable speed · Includes: Whisk, chopping jar
Best For: Cooks who mainly want silky soups and mayo and don't mind a slightly heavier grip
Check Braun MultiQuick 7 Price →
3. Breville Control Grip (BSB510XL) — Smoothest Results, Heaviest Build
ATK found this model produced some of the smoothest blended results of anything in the test — the strongest raw blending performance in the lineup. But at 2 lb 3.3 oz, it's noticeably heavier than the Braun models, and that extra weight is exactly what causes arm fatigue during longer blending sessions like a big pot of soup. At $169.95, it costs more than two-and-a-half times the ATK winner for a smoothness edge most home cooks won't notice on everyday tasks.
Weight: 2 lb 3.3 oz (heaviest tested) · Best For: Cooks prioritizing peak blend smoothness over hand comfort
Check Breville Control Grip Price →
4. Mueller Ultra-Stick (MU-HB-02) — Best Budget
The lightest-weight option in this lineup and the cheapest by a wide margin, delivering solid blending performance without the two-button simplicity or decade-long track record of the Braun MultiQuick 5. At $34.97, it's a reasonable entry point for occasional soup-pureeing or sauce-blending duty rather than daily heavy use.
Weight: Lightweight · Best For: Budget shoppers who blend occasionally rather than daily
Check Mueller Ultra-Stick Price →
What to Avoid
America's Test Kitchen's testing surfaced four specific design flaws worth screening out before you buy: complicated speed dials that require two hands to operate (the two-button Braun MultiQuick 5 avoided this entirely); blade guards with vents, which caused excessive splattering versus the ventless bell-shaped guard on the winner; heavy designs over 2 lbs, which caused the arm fatigue testers noted on the Breville Control Grip; and safety locks that have to be pressed again every time you pause blending, which turns a quick task into a repetitive annoyance.
Why "More Power" Doesn't Always Mean an Easier Blend
Immersion blender marketing tends to lead with wattage and motor strength, on the assumption that more power means better results with less effort. America's Test Kitchen's side-by-side testing complicates that story. The Breville Control Grip, one of the stronger blenders in the lineup, did produce some of the smoothest results — but its 2 lb 3.3 oz body was heavy enough that testers reported hand fatigue during use, the opposite of "less effort." Meanwhile the $64.95 Braun MultiQuick 5, without a premium motor to point to, has held ATK's top spot for over a decade specifically because it's light and comfortable enough to maneuver one-handed through a full pot of soup. The Braun MultiQuick 7 splits the difference — better blending results than the MQ505 on soups and mayo, but with the same 30-45 second fatigue window the Breville has. Weight and grip, not peak power, are what determined which blender testers could actually use through an entire recipe.
Has Any Immersion Blender Been Recalled?
No immersion blender has a CPSC recall on record as of August 2026, checked directly against cpsc.gov's recall database. The closest related small-appliance recall involved roughly 199,000 standard countertop blenders — a different product category — pulled over a laceration hazard because the blades could keep spinning when the container wasn't properly locked onto the base. That failure mode is specific to a detachable blender jar and doesn't apply to a one-piece handheld immersion wand like any of the models recommended here.
How to Choose (4 Steps)
1. Weigh comfort against raw blending power. ATK's testing found the heaviest model, the Breville Control Grip, produced the smoothest results but caused arm fatigue — decide whether you're blending a quick sauce or a big pot of soup before you pay extra for power you may not comfortably use.
2. Check the control style. Two-button controls like the Braun MultiQuick 5's are simpler and one-handed; trigger-style variable speed like the MultiQuick 7's gives more control but demands more grip strength over time.
3. Skip vented blade guards and repeat-press safety locks. ATK flagged both as real usability flaws — vents cause splattering, and locks that reset every pause make simple tasks tedious.
4. Match the price to how often you'll use it. The $34.97 Mueller Ultra-Stick is fine for occasional use; the $64.95 Braun MultiQuick 5's decade-plus track record makes the stronger case for anyone blending soups or sauces regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best immersion blender in 2026?
America's Test Kitchen has named the Braun MultiQuick 5 (Model MQ505, about $64.95) its winner for more than a decade running. Testers praised its lightweight, comfortable grip and ventless bell-shaped blade guard, which kept food from splattering while it pulverized frozen pineapple and blended 25 smoothies in a row without issue.
Is a more expensive immersion blender always better?
No. America's Test Kitchen found the $169.95 Breville Control Grip produced some of the smoothest blended results in its lineup, but at 2 lb 3.3 oz it's heavy enough that testers reported hand fatigue during extended use. The $64.95 Braun MultiQuick 5 winner costs well under half as much and testers found it easier to maneuver.
What features should I avoid when buying an immersion blender?
America's Test Kitchen flagged complicated speed dials that require two hands to operate, blade guards with vents that cause excessive splattering, designs over 2 lbs that lead to arm fatigue, and safety locks that must be pressed again every time you pause blending.
Has any immersion blender been recalled?
No immersion blender has a CPSC recall on record as of August 2026. The closest related recall was roughly 199,000 standard countertop blenders (a different product category) recalled over a laceration hazard because the blades could keep spinning when the container wasn't properly attached — a mechanism that doesn't apply to a handheld immersion wand.
Do I need an immersion blender if I already have a countertop blender?
They solve different problems. A countertop blender is better for large batches, ice, and frozen drinks, but hot soup has to be ladled out and blended in cooled batches. An immersion blender purees directly in the pot, which means fewer dishes and no risk of hot liquid splashing out of a blender jar — it won't replace a countertop blender for smoothies, but it removes a step soup and sauce recipes otherwise require.
The Bottom Line
Buy the Braun MultiQuick 5 ($64.95) if you want ATK's decade-plus winner and the best balance of comfort, durability, and price. Buy the Braun MultiQuick 7 ($99.95) if silky soups and mayonnaise are your main use case and you don't mind a slightly heavier grip. Buy the Breville Control Grip ($169.95) if peak blend smoothness matters more to you than hand fatigue on longer jobs. Buy the Mueller Ultra-Stick ($34.97) if you blend occasionally and want the lowest entry price. And whatever you choose, skip anything with a vented blade guard or a safety lock that resets every time you pause — ATK's testing found both are real usability problems, not minor quirks.
