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Cuisinart CSB-175 vs Mueller Ultra-Stick Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , , and ·Updated

Mueller Ultra-Stick

$39.99 from Amazon

Cuisinart Smart Stick

$49.95 from Amazon
Cuisinart CSB-175 vs Mueller Ultra-Stick

Overall Verdict

The price differential between the Cuisinart and the Muller makes sense given their disparities in terms of efficiency and capability. 

The higher-priced of the two, the Cuisinart Smart Stick, does a better job of blending, mixing, and grinding. It even works more efficiently than its mid-range counterparts such as the KitchenAid Cordless.

The Muller, by contrast, is among the worst immersion blenders we’ve tested. Despite sporting a higher motor power, it struggles to get the job done, and for the most part, the results are inconsistent. The only similarity between these two blenders is that they’re both quite tricky to operate.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • It’s budget-priced but loaded with accessories 
  • The stainless steel exterior is corrosion resistant 
  • The handle is uniquely-designed with a comfortable grip 
  • Wiping it down is not so difficult
  • The whole blender can be hung on a hook with other kitchen tools
  • Powerful enough for a wide range of tasks
  • The ergonomically-designed handle makes the blender easier to maneuver  
  • The included 24-oz beaker allows for easy gripping and drip-free pouring
  • The release button is really helpful during assembly and disassembly  
  • The specially designed blade can be used to emulsify sauces
  • The low-quality construction cannot ensure durability 
  • The blade isn’t good at preparing frozen smoothies or pulverizing solid ingredients 
  • The whisk attachment doesn’t provide consistent performance
  • The stainless steel blending shaft will damage non-stick coatings
  • Fairly complicated to use
  • The blade guard doesn’t prevent splashing very well

Key Specs

Dimension
H15.6 x W2.8 inches
15.6 x 2.3 inches
Weight
2.2 pounds
1.3 lbs (0.6 kg)
Number of speeds
8
2
Pulse/Turbo option
Yes
No
Min speed
12,550 RPM
11,670 RPM
Max speed
14,640 RPM
12,660 RPM

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$36.17
$46.56
$39.99 at Amazon
$49.95 at Amazon

*You help support Shouldit's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners.

Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
7.3
7.4

Hot Soup Purée

7.0
7.0
The Mueller Ultra-Stick Soup Test
Scooping a spoon of pureéd soup from a full batch in a plastic beaker made by the Mueller Ultra-Stick hand blender.
A batch of soup pureéd by the Mueller Ultra-Stick immersion blender is checked for smoothness by being drained through a stainless steel mesh strainer.
Scooping a spoon of pureéd soup made by the Cuisinart Smart Stick hand blender from a plastic beaker.
Scooping a spoon of pureéd soup made by the Cuisinart Smart Stick hand blender from a plastic beaker.
Cuisinart CSB-175BKQVC Hot Soup Test
A batch of soup pureéd by the Cuisinart Smart Stick hand blender is checked for smoothness by being drained through a stainless steel mesh strainer.
Pureeing Time
30 seconds
30 seconds
Result
Slightly chunky
Silky chunky
Suction
Tightly
Slightly

Frozen Fruit Smoothie

7.0
7.5
A plastic beaker containing a batch of green smoothie whose parts are scooped with a stainless steel spoon is between the Mueller’s motor body and a smartphone displaying the total blending time (1 minute and 15 seconds).
A plastic beaker containing a batch of green smoothie whose parts are scooped with a stainless steel spoon is between the Mueller’s motor body and a smartphone displaying the total blending time (1 minute and 15 seconds).
Mueller Ultra-Stick Smoothie Test
After finishing blending, the green smoothie made by the Mueller immersion blender was spread evenly throughout a white paper to check for solid chunks.
A plastic beaker containing a batch of green smoothie whose parts are scooped with a stainless steel spoon is between the Cuisinart’s motor body and a smartphone displaying the total blending time (1 minute and 21 seconds).
A plastic beaker containing a batch of green smoothie whose parts are scooped with a stainless steel spoon is between the Cuisinart’s motor body and a smartphone displaying the total blending time (1 minute and 21 seconds).
Cuisinart CSB-175 Smart Stick Smoothie
After finishing blending, the green smoothie made by the Cuisinart Smart Stick was spread evenly throughout a white paper to check for solid chunks.
Blending Time
1 min 15 secs
1 min 20 secs
Result
Chunky
Slightly Coarse
Suction
Slightly
Slightly

Mayonnaise

8.5
9.3
A white bowl of mayonnaise made by the Mueller immersion blender with a stainless steel spoon inside.
A white bowl of mayonnaise made by the Mueller immersion blender with a stainless steel spoon inside.
The whisk attachment of the Mueller is immersed in a plastic beaker containing egg yolks.
Scooping a spoon of mayonnaise from a full batch emulsified in a white bowl by the Cuisinart Smart Stick hand blender.
Scooping a spoon of mayonnaise from a full batch emulsified in a white bowl by the Cuisinart Smart Stick hand blender.
Cuisinart CSB-175BKQVC Smart Stick Mayonnaise
Emulsifying Time
1 mins 45 secs
1 min 10 secs
Result
Smooth
Smooth
Suction
No
Yes

Almond Milk

7.5
9.0
Grinding Time
1 mins 5 secs
40 secs
Result
Coarse
Fine
Suction
Tightly
Tightly

Whipped Egg-Whites

7.0
0.0
Mueller Ultra-Stick Whipped Egg-Whites
Putting a plastic beaker containing beaten egg-white of the Mueller Ultra-Stick upside down on a gray table.
Inside the plastic beaker containing a batch of beaten egg-white prepared by the Mueller Ultra-Stick immersion blender.
The blending wand of the Cuisinart CSB-175 Smart Stick is immersed in a plastic beaker on a white table containing its failed beaten egg-white with a smartphone next to it.
Beating Time
2 mins 37 secs
N/A
Result
Stiff
N/A
Suction
No
N/A

Design

Overall Design Scoring
6.8
8.5

In the Box

The Mueller Immersion Blender milk frother attachment, motor body, blending wand, whisk attachment, paper carton box, and user manuals lying side by side on a table.
Owner’s manuals, blending wand, motor body, plastic beaker, paper carton box being side by side.

Dimensions

The Mueller Austria Ultra-Stick Immersion Blender standing on top of its blending shaft on a gray table, with the length of the blending shaft being noted to the side as 7.7 inches, and the total length of the unit as 15.55 inches.
The Cuisinart Smart Stick 2-speed hand blender standing on top of its blending shaft on a gray table, with the length of the blending shaft being noted to the side as 8.4 inches, and the total length of the unit as 15.6 inches.
Height
15.6" (39.6 cm)
15.6" (39.6 cm)
Width
2.8" (7.1 cm)
2.3" (5.8 cm)
Weight
2.2 lbs (1.0 kg)
1.6 lbs (0.7 kg)
Length
Shaft Length
7.7" (19.6 cm)
8.4" (21.3 cm)

Build Quality

7.0
8.5
A close-up of the immersion blending wand, motor body, and whisk attachment of the Mueller Stainless Steel Hand Blender.
The motor body and blending wand of the Cuisinart Smart Stick two-speed hand blender lying flat on a yellow table.

Speed and Controls

A close-up of 8 speed settings and a speed dial of the Mueller Hand Blender.
A close-up of two speed controlling buttons and a speed dial on top of the Cuisinart’s motor body.
Activation
Press and Rotate
Press
Min Speed
12,550 RPM
11,670 RPM
Max Speed
14,640 RPM
12,660 RPM
Presets
No
No
Noise Level
78 dB
80 dB
Digital Display
No
No
Pulse Mode
Yes
No

Blending Shaft

7.0
8.0
A close-up of the blade assembly of the Mueller Immersion Blender.
A close-up of the Cuisinart CSB-175 Smart Stick Stainless Steel Blade
Material
Stainless steel
Stainless steel
Type
Sharp Blade
Sharp Blade
Guard Material
Stainless steel
Metal
Blade Count
2
2
Removable
No
No
Dishwasher Safe
Yes
No

Beaker

0.0
10
A 24-oz plastic beaker of the Cuisinart Smart stick standing on a yellow table.
Material
N/A
Plastic
Capacity
NaN fl oz (NaN ml)
24.0 fl oz (709.8 ml)
Measurements
N/A
Yes
Weight
NaN oz (NaN g)
3.8 oz (108 g)
Height
NaN" (NaN cm)
6.5" (16.5 cm)
Dishwasher Safe
N/A
Yes
Tamper Included
N/A
No

Power Cord

10
10
The Mueller Ultra-Stick Immersion Blender on a gray table with its power cord rolled up next to it.
The Cuisinart Smart Stick Immersion Blender on a gray table with its power cord rolled up next to it.
Cord Length
4.8 ft (1.5 m)
6.0 ft (1.8 m)
Type
2-prong plug
2-prong plug
Detachable
No
No

Extra Accessories

The Mueller Ultra-Stick Immersion Blender Whisk Attachment lying flat on a gray table.
Material
Stainless steel
N/A
Dishwasher Safe
Yes
N/A
Removable
Yes
N/A

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
7.4
7.8

Ease of Use

7.3
7.6

Handling

6.5
8.0
Someone uses two hands to control the Mueller Ultra-Stick immersion blender: one for holding the handle and pressing the power button at the same time, the other for rotating the speed dial.
Someone uses two hands to control the Cuisinart Smart Stick immersion blender: one for holding the handle and pressing the controlling buttons at the same time, the other for rotating the speed dial.

Blade Assembly

8.5
9.0

Cleanability

8.5
7.5