The Best Immersion Blenders for 2026: Braun MultiQuick 7 and a Budget Pick
By Claire Whitmore. Last updated October 2026.
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An immersion blender, or stick blender, lets you puree soup right in the pot, blend a single smoothie, emulsify mayonnaise in seconds and whip cream without hauling out a stand mixer. It stores in a drawer, cleans up in moments, and is often the most-used blender in small kitchens, even if it can’t match a countertop blender’s power.
Our picks come from Wirecutter’s immersion blender guide, updated in March 2026. Its kitchen writer researched 26 models and spent 35 hours testing 13, pureeing fibrous root-vegetable soup in a 6-quart pot, blending kale, frozen strawberry and ice smoothies, and making mayonnaise and whipped cream. Testers with mobility and grip issues helped assess comfort. We haven’t tested these ourselves, and prices change often.
Quick answer: the Braun MultiQuick 7 Immersion Hand Blender MQ7035 is the one to buy. The Nutribullet Lite Immersion Blender 2-in-1 is the best budget pick, and the Braun MultiQuick 5 MQ505 is a cheaper Braun that’s nearly as good.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Best for | Included extras | Warranty | Approx. price* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braun MultiQuick 7 MQ7035 | Best overall | Whisk, 2-cup chopper, beaker | 3-year limited | About $110 |
| Nutribullet Lite Immersion Blender 2-in-1 | Budget | Whisk, blending cup | 1 year | About $42 to $50 |
| Braun MultiQuick 5 MQ505 | Braun quality for less | Whisk, mixing cup | 3 years | Less than the MQ7035 |
*Prices from Wirecutter’s buying links at the time of writing.
The best immersion blenders
1. Braun MultiQuick 7 Immersion Hand Blender MQ7035: best overall
Best for: anyone who makes pureed soups, smoothies, sauces or dressings.
The MultiQuick 7 pureed fibrous soups and frozen smoothies faster and more thoroughly than every other model tested, including Wirecutter’s previous, pricier pick, the Breville Control Grip. Braun’s ActiveBlade moves up and down as it spins, creating a strong vortex that circulates food through the blade. It never spattered or suctioned to the bottom of the pot.
Speed is controlled by how hard you squeeze the trigger, so you can adjust with one hand. The grip has raised bumps that help when hands are wet. The wand made thick mayonnaise in under 30 seconds, the whisk whipped cream in under a minute, and the chopper diced onions in seconds. An editor who has used one since 2024 says she uses the chopper constantly for onions, bread crumbs and herbs.
Minor flaws: whisk-made mayonnaise came out runny (use the wand), the chopper can liquefy vegetables if you overdo it, and the beaker’s markings are hard to read. Braun sells versions with smaller or larger choppers and more accessories, but the MQ7035 hits the sweet spot.
Pros
- Smoothest purees in testing
- One-hand variable speed
- Useful whisk and chopper
- 3-year warranty
Cons
- Chopper needs a light touch
- Beaker markings hard to read
2. Nutribullet Lite Immersion Blender 2-in-1: budget pick
Best for: budget shoppers and occasional users.
At around half the price of the Braun, the Nutribullet Lite made root-vegetable soup as smooth as the top pick in three minutes, the fastest of the test, and the most velvety smoothie. Its whisk made creamy mayo and fluffy whipped cream. Two buttons and two speeds keep it simple, and the wand twists on and off easily. It suctioned to the pot a few times and its cup markings are faint. It replaces Wirecutter’s former budget pick, the discontinued NutriBullet NBI50100.
Pros
- Excellent purees for the price
- Whisk and cup included
- Easy twist-off wand
Cons
- Some suctioning
- Faint cup markings
- 1-year warranty
3. Braun MultiQuick 5 MQ505: also worth considering
Best for: people who want Braun performance for less.
The MultiQuick 5 pureed soups and smoothies nearly as well as the MultiQuick 7 and made whipped cream and mayo in under a minute. You must hold a button down the whole time, which gets tiring, and it lacks ActiveBlade, but it includes a whisk and mixing cup and a three-year warranty.
Pros
- Strong performance
- 3-year warranty
Cons
- Button must be held down
- Only two speeds
Immersion blender or countertop blender?
A countertop blender is more powerful, handles nuts and tough ingredients, makes smoother textures and is mostly hands-free. An immersion blender wins on convenience: no transferring hot soup in batches, minimal cleanup and drawer storage. Many cooks own both. If you’re shopping for a high-end countertop model, see our Vitamix vs. Blendtec comparison.
What to look for
- Puree performance: about four minutes or less for fibrous soup and two for smoothies; under a minute for whipped cream and mayo.
- Comfort: easy controls, a good grip and light enough to hold for a minute without fatigue.
- Removable, dishwasher-safe wand: easier cleaning and lets you swap attachments.
- Minimal spatter and suction: important with hot soup.
- Useful attachments: a whisk is great for cream; a chopper handles small dicing jobs.
- Two speeds are enough: testing confirmed you don’t need many more.
Safety tips
Always unplug before touching the blade or changing attachments. Keep the blade fully submerged before switching on to avoid hot spatter, and start on low. Use a deep pot or tall cup, tilt the pot slightly to keep the blade covered, and never blend in a nonstick pan, which the blade guard can scratch. Rinse the wand right away; most detach for the dishwasher.
FAQ
Can an immersion blender crush ice?
Most good ones can handle a few cubes in a smoothie, but they aren’t designed for crushing large amounts.
Is a cordless immersion blender worth it?
Wirecutter found the one cordless model it tested clunky, with a three-hour charge time.
Can I make whipped cream with the blade?
Yes, but the whisk attachment produces fluffier results faster.
What else pairs well with an immersion blender?
A food processor for bigger chopping and slicing jobs.
The bottom line
The Braun MultiQuick 7 MQ7035 is the immersion blender we’d buy for its smooth results, one-handed control and genuinely useful attachments. The Nutribullet Lite is a superb value, and the MultiQuick 5 is a capable cheaper Braun.
