Amazon Basics Multi-Speed Immersion Blender Review
Overall Verdict
It seems the more time we spend with our Amazon Basics Multi-Speed, the more we see this immersion blender for what it is: an affordable handheld machine with average performance and limited versatility. And though its testing results were within tolerable limits considering its low price, the blender's ease of use was met with some constructive criticism. Among the choices, it didn’t make it onto our list of favorite immersion blenders. However, if you're looking only for a basic hand blender that fulfills very common tasks, like puréeing hot soup, blending smoothies, and emulsifying sauces, this Amazon blender is not a bad option in general.
Things We Like
- The blender is more affordable for those with budget constraints.
- A straightforward design keeps it user-friendly.
- There are several speed options, making it adaptable for a wide range of tasks.
- Assembly is hassle-free, and cleaning can be done with little effort.
Things We Don’t Like
- The motor works unstably, causing intense vibrations while in use.
- Due to its tendency for bottom suction, the blender often has more difficulty moving smoothly.
- The lock mechanism between the shaft and the motor body doesn’t hold firmly.
Next to upscale hand blenders, like the Vitamix 5-speed, Breville BSB510XL Control Grip, and All-Clad Stainless Steel, the Amazon Basics immersion blender is apparently an underdog. Priced under $30, it doesn't offer much, just a 500-watt motor inside an ordinary stainless steel body and an entry-level blending stick with 4-prong blades. Still, don’t judge a book by its cover. Follow this review, take in the full picture, and then you’ll be in the best position to decide for yourself how well this blender performs.
7.8 Performance
The Amazon Basics blender's abilities were evaluated across four performance tests. Out of them, three were clear with fairly strong outcomes, and one unfortunately ended in failure. In fact, this result didn’t really come as a surprise to anyone; we’ve had enough time in our testing kitchen to realize that there are hardly any hand blenders at this price range that can keep up with their higher-end competitors.
8.5 Hot Soup Purée
To pass the test, our Amazon Basics immersion blender must pureé successfully 2 servings of vegetable soup in 30 seconds. And as it happened, it met the requirement by churning out a mixture that was not only smooth to the eye but also pleasing to the palate. Before serving, we strained the soup through a mesh strainer and caught some remaining solids. Still, they were so tiny that you could hardly feel them on your tongue. All the ingredients were thoroughly processed, giving a melt-in-your-mouth sensation with every spoonful.
Frankly speaking, this was a very impressive outcome for a low-range gadget, but only after we had to wrestle with it every step of the way. Because of suction, the blender "glued" firmly to the beaker's bottom, making it significantly difficult for us to move it around. At this point, we had to struggle and apply a lot of force just to loosen it. Things even became more stressful when we knew we were wasting precious seconds fighting to break the vacuum instead of blending.
Why did this happen? We initially blamed the restricted size of the beaker. Often, less room for circulation leads to a tighter seal effect, causing suction to become more intense. However, this assumption was quickly dismissed when we noticed other models could ensure ease of maneuverability, even though the same beaker was used. With the beaker ruled out, the issue appeared to be a drawback of the blender’s design.
7.8 Frozen Fruit Smoothie
Not many hand blenders in the market could break down solid frozen fruits into smaller chunks, let alone turn them into a chill, refreshing smoothie. That's why we were really shocked by the Amazon Basics's efficiency in this test.
The moment we powered the blender on, it caught everything right away. Overall, it took one and a half minutes to cut through all the fruits, which was pretty quick, comparable to top-tier models. Still, what impressed us the most was how the blades pulled fruit and liquid into a steady whirl without getting stuck or making a harsh grinding noise.
We had to pause, stir, and scrape the clinging food down the blade guard now and then, but who cares? Everyone does this in real kitchens; it’s not a hassle at all.
8.5 Mayonnaise
If you want to get the most out of this Amazon Basics immersion blender, use it to make sauces, particularly mayonnaise. We did, and the result was more than satisfying.
Emulsified in one minute and fifty seconds, our homemade mayonnaise came out pretty close to perfect. Spreadable and spoon-smooth, it was thick enough for structure yet soft enough to melt in your mouth.
Similar to the second test, we had to pause the blender mid-blend to manually return any food sticking to the sides into the blade’s reach. Again, this wasn't a big deal from our side, though.
8.0 Almond Milk
Despite our milk ending up with a fair creaminess and noticeable hint of almonds, we found it really frustrating to let this blender work in a liquid-heavy mixture.
It was literally impossible to lift or move the blending stick even when the blender was running at its slowest setting. And unless we halted the process to break the suction before continuing, the blender only pulverized in place rather than pulling the rest of the almonds down the blade zone.
Such a problem aside, however, this was a commendable performance of the Amazon Basics, given the short operating time it took to deliver that decent outcome.
Failed Whipped Egg-Whites
The Amazon Basics didn't succeed in this aeration test, but this limitation was expected. Out of 30+ hand blenders we've tested, only those coming equipped with the whisk attachment could generate a stable stiff from egg whites. The blending stick of this blender is simply designed for cutting and mixing, not trapping and stabilizing the bubbles. So if that's something you need, we recommend looking at these models: the Braun MQ5025 Multiquick Vario and the KOIOS 4-in-1.
6.8 Design
True to its name, the blender's design is at its most basic. You'll get only original style, standard features, and mediocre build quality. After months of regular testing in our kitchen, it still operates as it is, though its exterior has been showing early signs of discoloration and a few fine scratches. And when it comes to long-term use, we’d say we’re not convinced, to be honest.
In the Box
- Motor body
- Blending shaft
- User manual
The Amazon Basics immersion blender comes packaged with only one other item: the instruction manual.
Dimensions
Our Amazon Basics is about the same size as a typical hand blender, and at 2.6 pounds, it’s not noticeably lighter nor heavier. Due to its detachable design, storage is no longer a problem as it tends to be with bulkier full-size blenders, even though your kitchen space is limited or feels crowded. Most importantly, the blending shaft is long enough to reach all the way to the bottom of your deep pots, which ensures you can get even blending without splashing.
7.0 Build Quality
Don't expect premium quality at this price; your blender will look as cheap as it costs. Although it can get the job done at an average level, the overall quality leans toward the flimsy side, with a mid-grade stainless steel surface prone to scratching and rusting. Our closer inspection revealed a lack of refinement in its finish, but for what we paid, we believe it's quite unreasonable to complain.
Speed and Controls
Switching between different speed settings takes just a slight twist of the dial. For a quick burst of maximum power, press the Turbo button, and the blades will then spin at their highest. It's not clear how many speeds this blender offers in total, yet we believe even two is sufficient for most common tasks, and obviously, the Amazon Basics exceeds that.
At its slower speeds, the blender runs quietly, but as the power builds up, you may start noticing the odd rattling sound, which is often an indicator of poor-quality parts and subpar bearings (components that locate around a rotating shaft to minimize friction, support the shaft, and ensure stable rotation under load).
On the bright side, the motor accelerates smoothly from low to high speed, giving pretty good control during the blending process.
7.0 Blending Shaft
The whole blending shaft is made from stainless steel, which feels relatively solid and is resistant to warping. That said, if you use it directly on plastic, enamel, or non-stick coatings, the metal sharp edges of its head will damage these surfaces, leaving behind visible wear marks.
Sharp and finely honed, the blade has two prongs. It's fully rustproof, even after our repeated washing, and so far, we haven't noticed any chips or bends on the cutting surface.
0.0 Beaker
The package does not include a beaker
10 Power cord
The cord length provides adequate flexibility in the kitchen without creating clutter. Rest assured, you won’t need to stay close to a power outlet to blend.
Extra Accessories
No additional attachments come with this handheld blender.
7.2 Usability
As far as usability is concerned, feedback from our testers has been overwhelmingly negative. It seems as though the blender's budget-friendly price and fair efficiency have failed to outweigh its inconvenient operation. The straightforward design doesn't offer much blending comfort, and neither does the ergonomic handle. All in all, don’t purchase this blender if you can’t live with the trade-offs.
7.0 Ease of Use
Apart from the issues already mentioned, we also cannot overlook the vibrations produced by the motor, which is so strong that it can quickly cause a buzzing sensation in your hand. Though it’s not usually dangerous, it makes the blending experience feel less refined and more tiring than it should.
Moreover, if you use a small, lightweight blending container, the intense suction will make the container tilt, slide, or even tip over, so it relies on your hand to keep it in place. Meanwhile, the other hand holds the blender itself, and at the same time, it has to manage the speed controls. As a result, you end up struggling to change the speed smoothly instead of just taking a quick, simple adjustment. Most of the time, we have to pause the operation should we want to increase or decrease the speed.
On the bright side, you can sort out how this blender works the moment you unbox and pick it up. Instructions are almost unnecessary.
7.5 Blade Assembly
Assembling the blender is a breeze. Simply align the blending stick to its body and then twist it into place until you feel it lock.
The drawback is that the coupling between the motor and the shaft lacks firmness, making the two parts feel as though they could come apart too easily, and they did, actually, in the smoothie test. Instead of focusing on blending, we had to constantly put the parts together since our effort against frozen fruits just kept the shaft rotating counterclockwise, unintentionally unlocking it from the motor.
7.0 Handling
The handle features a rubberized coating, so in your hand, it feels slightly soft and grippy, which provides a pretty comfortable grip and prevents slipping when your hands or wet or greasy. However, because both the power and Turbo buttons have an awkward feel when pressed, not exactly too firm or unresponsive, but far from satisfying, our fingertips went a little numb after one or two minutes of blending.
8.5 Cleanability
The motor body only needs to be wiped with a damp cloth, while the blending shaft can be put in a dishwasher for a hassle-free cleaning. When cleaning manually, however, it’s often tricky to rinse off residue on the blade’s backsides with a normal sponge. Hence, make sure you always have a bottle brush available.