Blender vs. Juicer vs. Food Processor vs. Mixer: Which Should I Choose?

Should you buy a food processor, stand mixer or something else? Use our guide to find the best kitchen gadgets for you!

Find out the pros and cons of each and learn the difference between kitchen appliances: juicers, mixers, grinders, blenders, food processors.

Buy the world's best collection of small kitchen appliances from the official online stores or from online retailers. You’ll get a good deal on a wide variety of small appliances suited towards all sorts of cooking and preparation needs. 

Main types of food preparation kitchen appliances and what they're for?

Baking (Food mixers)

Chopping, slicing, mincing (Food processors/choppers & grinders)

Soups and liquids (Blenders and soupmakers)

Drinks (Juicers and smoothie makers)

What kind of food you're going to prepare may dictate what kind of kitchen tools you should use. Next we will detail what are they? What is the use? Is it worth buying? What are the brand choices? Which is the best model? What is the best deal?

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Best for baking

• Stand mixer

• Hand mixer

Stand mixer

If you're a big fan of home baking, then you should definitely make sure you have a food mixer in your kitchen. Look out for ‘stand mixers’ too, they do the same thing, but just have a different name.

Stand mixers take all the arm ache out of manual mixing, whipping, and kneading, and make getting that perfect consistency as easy as the flick of a switch. 

Best for making cakes, breads and pizza doughs, stand mixers can handle heavy batters and bigger batches.

A range of settings means you can mix with precision, and different accessories make it easy to get professional results every time.

Why you need one

• Knead the dough, mix the batter, whisk the cream and egg whites.

• Some stand mixers can accommodate other attachments as optional accessories, such as meat grinders, pasta makers, blenders, citrus juicers, sausage makers, food processors, and fruit presses.

• Usually has a larger capacity than a food processor.

• For those who just like to bake cakes, breads, cookies, meringues, marshmallows, puff pastries. Great for baking.

Why you don't need one

• Functionality is limited if they cannot accommodate the optional extras mentioned above.

• Can be expensive.

• It cannot be blended, chopped or pureed.

• May not hold small amounts, such as whisking two egg whites.

• Bulky and takes up space.

What brands and discounts are there for stand mixers?

Popular brands of kitchen stand mixers include Breville, Kenwood, KitchenAid, Smeg and Sunbeam.

Stand mixers (also known as food mixers) are designed for baking tasks. They tend to have a large mixing bowl so you can bake larger batches too.

Kneading, mixing and whisking are their key strengths, but some come with extra attachments for blending, grating, slicing and mincing food. Brands such as KitchenAid and Kenwood sell a wide range of accessories you can use with them, from ice-cream makers to spiralizers, although these can be expensive. 

Stand mixers tend to be larger and more expensive than other food preparation gadgets. Prices range from $100 to $800, but usually cost around $300. 

They can be a worthwhile investment for regular bakers, as they tend to do a better job of key baking tasks. You'll go shopping through Extrabux and find the blender that's right for you, then you can save some money.

These small kitchen appliances are also available in a variety of colors to match your kitchen.

The best stand mixers in 2024

• Best Overall: KitchenAid Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

($399.99 FROM KitchenAid - Save 11% & Get Up To 5% Cash Back)

• Tried and loved by us, the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Qt. Tested on four KitchenAid models (Classic, Artisan, Mini and Pro Line), Artisan is the perfect choice for the everyday baker.

• 10-speed slide control ranges from a very fast whip to a very slow stir

• Includes Flat Beater, Dough Hook and Wire Whip

• Power Hub for Additional Attachments,Volts- 120

• Unique Mixing Action. Hub cover - non-hinged

• Assembled with Pride in Greenville, Ohio

• Choose from all the color options to find the one that best matches your style and personality.

• The power hub turns your stand mixer into a culinary center with more than 15 optional attachments available.

• 5-Qt. stainless steel bowl with comfortable handle offers enough capacity to mix dough for 9 dozen cookies or 4 loaves of bread in a single batch.

• 59-Point Planetary Mixing Action means 59 touchpoints per rotation around the bowl for thorough ingredient incorporation.

• The tilt-head design allows clear access to the bowl and attached beater or accessory so you can easily add ingredients for a recipe.

• Powerful enough for nearly any task or recipe, whether you’re stirring wet and dry ingredients together, kneading bread dough or whipping cream.

• Includes coated flat beater, coated dough hook, 6-wire whip and 1-piece pouring shield. The flat beater and dough hook are dishwasher-safe.

Hand mixer

A smaller version of the stand mixer, perfect for those smaller baking jobs like beating eggs, mixing frosting, or forming batters. And because these don't have a bowl, you can use them with any mixing bowl you have -- big or small.

Why you need one

• Helps reduce the burden of mixing and stirring

• Beat egg whites, whip cream, mix cake batter, mix frosting to make smooth and creamy mashed potatoes.

• Great for small batches.

• Small in size and easy to store.

• Prices as low as $15

• Some include mini attachments, such as mini processors and stir sticks.

Why you don't need one

• You don't like baking.

• May be tired
  

• May be difficult to handle heavier or larger loads

• They cannot knead dough or heavy cookie dough and batter very efficiently due to having to hold a mixer.

What brands and discounts are there for mixers?

Best for lighter jobs or occasional bakers. Handheld mixers usually have attachments for mixing, whisking and kneading and get the job done faster than you would by hand. They are a cheap and space-saving alternative to a stand mixer that you can use with any mixing bowl you have to hand. Popular brands of hand mixers include Kenwood, Breville, KitchenAid, Bodum, Sunbeam.

Best Hand Mixers of 2024

• Best Overall: Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer

Buy it: $140;  Amazon

• Breville's hand mixer won our Kitchen Appliances Lab's test, earning top scores in egg white whipping, cake batter beating, oatmeal cooking mixing, bread dough kneading and more. 

• BEATER IQ TECHNOLOGY: Whether you’re whisking cream or kneading dough, the Handy Mix Scraper detects which attachment you’re using and automatically recalibrates to the perfect speed.

• QUIET SCRAPER BEATERS: No clinging or clanging in your kitchen. The rubber Scraper Beater maximizes contact with the bowl while minimizing sound, to ensure you incorporate all ingredients for more thorough mixing.

• 9 SPEED SETTINGS: 9 speeds plus boost to ensure precise speed for your mixing load.

• COMFORTABLE DESIGN: An ergonomic handle creates a natural hand position so mixing never feels like a chore.

• COMPACT STORAGE: A detachable storage compartment houses all the attachments and swivel cord so you’ll love this mixer even when it’s turned off.

A basic kitchen mixer will get those common, everyday mixing jobs done. However, to ensure you’re getting a mixer that will do what you need it to do, or to get more consistent results, there are a few things to consider.

Size And Weight

If you’ll only be using your mixer for the occasional homemade cake or trying out a simple new recipe, a smaller stand mixer or hand mixer should do the job.

Look for a larger stand mixer with a bigger bowl if you like cooking in batches, run the cake stall at the school fete, or have your own cupcake side hustle. Smaller bowls hold about 3.8 litres while extra large bowls hold about 6.7 litres. Also remember that the heavier the unit, the less likely it is to move or shuffle around on your benchtop while mixing.

This is all about getting the balance between a mixer that’s heavy enough to stand up on its end without falling over, and one that’s light enough to fluff frosting for 5 minutes without your arm feeling like it’s going to fall off. Anything 700-900g should be good.

Power And Wattage

Look for a hand mixer with at least 200 to 250 watts of power for better performance and longevity. Stand mixers should have a minimum 250 watts of power to handle thicker batters, but they go all the way up to 1000 watts. Just remember the higher the wattage, the more powerful your mixer will be.

Speed Settings

The more speed settings your mixer has, the more you can control the end result. You might not end up using all of them, but a mixer with 10 speed settings will give you more options and smoother transitions than one with three settings.

Pulse

Some mixers come with a pulse function that uses a small burst of power whenever you need it, so you’ll never over-egg the pudding! Perfectionists should look out for this little added extra.

Bowl Material

Most kitchen mixer bowls are made from lightweight and durable stainless steel. Glass and ceramic options are also available, but require more care as they can chip or crack.

Style

How it looks in your kitchen is a big deal. You could add a pop of colour with a classic red or go for a cool grey – the choice is yours. You can even choose your preferred metal finish, whether that’s brushed or polished.

Attachments

Most stand mixers will come with a beater for mixing, a dough hook for kneading, and a whisk for… well, whisking. Look out for added extras you might want, like a splashguard. This will cover the mixing bowl when it’s in use and stop ingredients from flying out over the sides.

Best for soups & liquids

• Blender

• Soup maker

Blender

Blenders are a small kitchen appliance best used for preparing drinks like smoothies and milkshakes, crushing ice and frozen ingredients, or foods that you would normally pour or drizzle. Some blenders are designed for both hot or cold, like some of the Ninja blenders or Vitamix blenders that can handle blending hot soups. All blenders will crush ice. Some manufacturers will say to add liquid so make sure you consult the user manual.

There are 3 main types of blenders.

• Full-Size Blenders: 

Designed to be placed on the countertop, also known as a high-performance blenders. Equipped with powerful motors and fast-spinning blades, they can make frozen drinks, hot soups, sauces or churn-free ice cream.They're getting more advanced, and some blenders have the speed and features needed to make homemade butters and spreads, whip natural jellies or jams, and even aerate wine.

• Personal Blenders: 

Personal and single-serve blenders are great for making power shakes and yogurt smoothies, but not for hard-core blends.

While these smaller units typically only hold 1 or 2 servings at a time and lack the shredding and dicing capabilities of full-size models, they are a very popular option. Perfect for making personal-sized smoothies, shakes, and afternoon cocktails, they feature a travel lid and handle so you can take your drink with you on the go.

• Immersion/Stick Blenders: 

Intended to be more of a complement to full-size and personal blenders than a replacement, immersion or stick blender, is a versatile device designed to be immersed in a pot or bowl. They're not designed for chopping or slicing, but are great for making smooth liquids. In addition to its usual use in mixed soups, other unique uses include making whipped cream, balsamic vinegar, pesto or pancake batter.

Standard blenders

Popular brands include Breville, KitchenAid, Electrolux, Sunbeam, Kenwood and Cuisinart.

Why you need one

• Traditional blenders can emulsify mayonnaise, puree soups, make smoothies, and blend frozen drinks and cocktails.

• Relatively cheap.

• More capacity for blending smoothies and soups.

Why you don't need one

• They don't knead dough, mash potatoes, grind nuts, make nut butter, chop vegetables, or chop breadcrumbs.

• May not give you a silky smooth smoothie or blend well with fibrous leafy vegetables.

• Can be noisy.

High-performance blenders

Popular brands of these 'super blenders' include Vitamix, Breville, Optimum, Oster, Blendtec, KitchenAid and BioChef.

Why you need one

• High-performance blender for emulsifying dressings and mayonnaise, making soup purees, making silky smoothies and blending cocktails, sorbets, grinding nut butters and crushed ice. Some spin so quickly that they even heat raw vegetables and liquids to a mild temperature, making for a quick and healthy soup.

• If you are committed to healthy eating and want velvety smoothies, purees and soups.

• Construction-wise, they are stronger than cheaper blenders.

Why you don't need one

• Expensive

• Do not knead dough or mashed potatoes.

• It may be necessary to purchase an expensive dry jug for grinding.

• Can be bulky and take up valuable bench and cabinet space.

• Can be very noisy.

Single-serve blenders

Also known as personal blenders, popular models include the Nutribullet, Nutri Ninja and MagicBullet.

Why you need one

• Blend fruits and vegetables into a liquid that you can drink from the same bottle on the go. Usually some water is added to help with blending.

• It will help you incorporate whole foods into your diet in drinkable form.

• RDIs that can increase your fruit and vegetable intake.

• A great way for kids to get fruits and vegetables into their diet.

• Perfect for busy office workers and school-going kids who can make a healthy blend of fruit and vegetables every day without much supervision.

Why you don't need one

• They are not as powerful as high performance blenders.

• Usually operates on an impulse function.

• You will usually only be able to process it for up to a minute before you need to add liquid to the fruit and vegetables to blend.

• The juice will warm up slightly after processing, so you may need to add a small amount of ice cubes or frozen fruit while stirring to avoid heating the smoothie.

• You don't like juicy, frothy drinks.

• They can be noisy.

What brands and discounts are there for blenders?

Best for whipping smoothies and soups.

The best blenders quickly blend smoothies and soups to smooth consistency. Usually no option to chop, slice, whisk or knead.

Most can also crush ice cubes and dips, and some have extra blades or grinders for grinding and grinding things like coffee, nuts, and spices.

They tend to cost between $25 and $250—though expensive premium models from big brands like Vitamix, Nutribullet, Sage, and Blendtec can cost hundreds of dollars.

These extremely versatile small kitchen appliances puree, stir, mix, chop, liquefy, pulse, crush ice and more. You may want a blender so you can make a daily smoothie or milkshake, but that's just the beginning of your blending opportunities. 

Pesto, dressings, soups, peanut butter, puddings, pizza sauce, pureed vegetables, almond milk, applesauce, gazpacho and more all can be prepared with a food blender or smoothie maker. 

How many watts should my blender have?

The wattage of a blender measures the power consumed to run the engine. The number of watts you will want a blender to have will depend a lot on how you will be using it.

High performance blenders are the most versatile and powerful blenders. These can be used to chop and crush ingredients thoroughly enough to make nut butters, spice pastes, doughs and even mill flour. These blenders are powerful enough to crush large volumes of ice, breaking it down to a snow-like consistency. For these tasks, these appliances work best in the 1200-to-1500-watt range.

If you are looking at a small capacity blender for less intensive tasks, like making smoothies from fresh fruits, then you will get good performance at 300 to 600 watts. An average blender size for casual use, like mixing drinks for a group or blending soups, work best from 500 to 750 watts. Nutribullet blenders for example can range from around 600 to 1500 watts, catering for different uses.

Cutting edge blenders like the Nutribullet make it easier than ever to combine a wholesome mix of vegetables, fruits and ice into yummy smoothies and juice drinks that are brimming with goodness. Thanks to a powerful motor and cyclonic action you’ll even be able to force nuts, seeds, thick stems and skins through the Nutribullet’s tough stainless steel blades.

A top of the range blender from brands like Kitchenaid or Ninja blenders will give you exceptional blending power and an array of exciting features including multiple speed settings and add-on beakers and cups to give you more flexibility than ever. And if you’re after a straightforward blender that offers amazing value for money we’ve got plenty of budget models that offer reliable blending and liquidising for soups, sauces, smoothies and more.

Soup maker

Do you love soups? If yes, you might be interested in soup makers. After all, there is nothing more satisfying than sitting back and enjoying a bowl of hot soup of your choice.

A soup maker is a blender with a built-in cooking function. The soup maker boils the ingredients and blends them into a smooth whole.

Traditional soup recipes require a lot of procedure like chopping, blending and stirring for long hours until you get the desired consistency. Soup makers are great appliances that keep you out of kitchen clutter and save you a lot of time.

Soup is something everyone loves, regardless of age. Soup is also a great baby food and an integral part of the patient's diet. An electric soup maker can also come in handy if you're on a diet.

Not just soups, the soup maker lets you prepare a variety of sauces, dips, preserves, smoothies and healthy shakes. Anything that requires a long, quick simmer can be made perfectly in a soup maker.

Some soup makers have automatic programs, so that you have the right settings for your favorite preparation at the touch of a button.

Key features of a soup maker

Size

Soup makers come in lots of different sizes, from compact 1 litre options to over double that size. If you like to make soup in big batches of around 6 to 8 portions, look for a soup maker that’s around 2 litres. Or if a couple of servings will suit you just fine, a 1 litre option will be perfect – and easier to fit in the cupboard too.

Blending options

Everyone has a preference when it comes to the perfect soup, but whether you like it chunky and rustic or silky smooth, most soup makers come with both settings for you to choose from. Keep an eye out for additional features, like sautéing for cooking your ingredients for added flavour, and juicing that’ll blend without heat for making fruity drinks.

Cooking time

If you need to cook up a soup from scratch in your lunch hour, some models can have a soup ready in just 10 minutes! However, most will cook the ingredients first, which can result in a better flavour, and this will still only take around 20 or 30 minutes.

Cleaning

Speedy soup making is all well and good, but not if it takes you double the time to clean up afterwards. Many soup makers come with parts that you can pop straight in the dishwasher for ease. If you’re hand washing, a non-stick coating or a pre-cleaning setting to loosen any stubborn bits stuck to the sides can make all the difference.

What brands and discounts are there for Soup Makers?

Manufacturers and retailers such as Wonderchef, Phillips, and others known for the best Soup Makers brands have partnerships and connections with Extrabux. So you can easily browse the catalog and buy soup maker online and get up to 10% cash back via Extrabux.

If you are looking for a soup maker, the Wonderchef soup maker will not disappoint you. You can use it to make soup at the touch of a button. This soup maker from Wonderchef heats, boils, blends and mixes automatically to give you a perfect soup that is tasty and healthy. There are four operation modes that you can choose from - Smooth, Chunky, Juice and Blend. To get the perfect soup you need to just add chopped vegetables and water. Choose one of the operation modes and press the corresponding button. Now wait for twenty minutes and enjoy your delicious soup. With this Wonderchef soup maker there is no need to strain the boiled vegetables separately. This makes the soup making process simple as there is no need to stir and constantly monitor a pot of soup. 

Best for drinks

• Juicer

• Smoothie maker

Juicer

Study after study shows that most Americans don't eat enough fruits and vegetables. Appliances such as juicers, food processors, and food dehydrators make it easier to consume more servings of these healthy nutritional elements. Plus, vitamins and minerals extracted from fresh fruits and vegetables are absorbed more quickly and efficiently into our bodies. 

A juicer beautifully squeezes juice from your favorite fruit or vegetable, giving you a glass of fresh juice. Juicers give you a better dose of vitamins, fiber, and minerals in liquid form than eating whole fruit.

Pros:

• Makes smooth fresh juice, with pulpy options available

• Some can be used for other food prep tasks such as making coulis, grinding coffee beans and mincing meat

• Large range to choose from, with different sizes, features and prices

• Particularly good for vegetable-based drinks, using ingredients such as carrots and beetroot

• Best Buy juicers available for around $60

Cons:

• Not usually suitable for making smoothies, although some pricier models come with attachments to help you make thicker drinks

• Not good at dealing with soft or starchy fruits, such as bananas and berries

• Usually have at least five separate parts that need cleaning

• You need quite a lot of raw ingredients to make a decent amount of juice

• Can't generally handle other smoothie ingredients, such as nuts or dairy

• Can be large and bulky

What brands and discounts are there for juicers?

We've found top juicer brands like Currys, Philips, Sage, and Braun for the best deals. When you shop online, you will not only get quality products, but also enjoy extrabux rebates.

The market is full of different kinds of juicers.

Fast juicers (centrifugal)

In a centrifugal juicer, a cutting blade with sharp teeth cuts the material into pulp. At the same time, the machine rotates at a very high speed, separating the juice and pulp in a mesh chamber.

Centrifugal juicers are best for firm, thick fruits and vegetables, such as apples and carrots. Some centrifuges can also handle thick leafy greens and soft, watery fruits.

They are also quite affordable compared to other electrical juicers and efficient as well.

One drawback is that the heat from the blade may destroy some of the enzymes of your fruit and veggies, or oxidize the nutrients in your juice.

Slow juicers (masticating/cold press)

They squeeze and press the juice out of your fruit and veg to get every last bit of goodness out. Perfect for small fruits or berries, they’re also really handy with tougher ingredients like spinach, kale and wheatgrass.

True to its name, the masticator takes much longer than a centrifugal juicer to make juice. They generate less heat than centrifugal juicers.You also don’t have to worry about heat destroying the enzymes and antioxidants.

Masticators will make a higher-quality juice than most centrifuges can. The juice is thicker, fresher, much less foamy, and separates at a much lower rate. 

Twin Gear Juicer

A twin gear or grinding juicer is like a "kung fu" master in the world of juicers. They are the best in the juicer world. Using two augers, this juicer type achieves very high yields by grinding or crushing fruit or vegetables so that the pulp of the juice is completely extracted from the juice.

Just like a masticating machine, a grating juicer is a slow juicer with all its advantages and disadvantages.

It takes time to do the job, but it also produces the most stable, nutrient-dense juice that stays fresh for a long time without degrading.

With its two powerful gears and accessories, the Grinding Juicer can do more than just make juice. It can perform many different roles in the kitchen, from making soups and noodles, grinding nuts and seeds, to chopping vegetables.

Of course, that means it has a larger footprint and slightly more complex construction than the other two types of juicers. Cleaning up can be tiresome. It's easy to be intimidated by the high price tag ($400+).

Smoothie maker

A smoothie maker blends fruit and veg into a tasty drink. They work a bit like jug blenders, except they dispense the blended drink into a single portion. If you want to crush ice as part of your recipes - you might want to look at high powered smoothie makers and blenders.

Looking for the best blender for smoothies? Go for our versatile Ninja blender. Though it can do more than just smoothies. With its powerful motor and sharp blades, it crushes ice, chops nuts and blitzes frozen fruits in seconds. Rustle up post-gym smoothies, healthy breakfast blends, milkshakes and more. Once ready, dispense your delicious drink into your cup through its tap and have a great drink on the go.

If you’re making single-serving shakes then a mini blender by Nutribullet will be a good fit for you. It’s also an excellent choice for making lip-smacking soups, smoothies, sauces, dips and more. Opt for the handy Magic Bullet—an all-in-one food processor, mixer, blender and smoothie maker. Mini but mighty, it fits perfectly in small spaces and packs quite a punch. And it’s a cinch to use and clean.

Key features of a smoothie maker

Size

Our range of smoothie makers come in a variety of sizes, so there’s something perfect for every mealtime. If your model has a few different jugs, a 0.3 litre one is a great way to start the day, while a 0.7 litres portion makes for a perfect lunchtime smoothie.

Power

The higher the power, the harder your smoothie maker will work to crush, mix and blend those fruits and veggies. Smoothie makers vary a great deal; in power with models from around 250 watts right up to 1000. Look out for ice crushing features on higher power models.

Style

Whether you’re starting a new health routine or replacing an old smoothie maker, you need one that reflects your taste. We’ve got models in classic black or white, a nice green to match your healthy lifestyle, or products with a sleek metallic finish that’ll sit nicely in a modern kitchen.

Versatility

Many smoothie makers come with cups for drinking your concoctions straight away, as well as storage containers or additional bottles too, which is great for making a pre and post-workout smoothie in one go. Some also come with additional features like ice-crushing modes or pre-set blending patterns so you can get the perfect consistency every time.