KitchenAid Variable Speed Corded Hand Blender Review
Overall Verdict
Despite its relatively low-powered motor (180 watts), the KitchenAid KHBV53 works perfectly fine for what it’s built for. Ever since the last test, this blender has been a very busy bee in our kitchen due to its impressive performance and high reliability. It also received plenty of compliments for its ergonomic comfort and overall user-friendliness, as well as raves about its visually stunning design. Some of us weren’t particularly happy with the pressure-sensitive trigger because it’s quite subjective, and holding light pressure for long periods often made our fingers tired. For those who prefer things simple and minimalist, however, the KitchenAid KHBV53's one-button operation seals the deal.
Things We Like
- Features you won’t find in rivals, such as the one-touch operation.
- A high-quality build ensures long-term stability.
- Strong motor delivers quick, stable acceleration.
- Secure handling and balanced weight allow effortless blending.
Things We Don’t Like
- It’s tricky to get fine pressure control
- The metal guard can damage your cookware, so make sure you always blend with the removal plastic guard attached.
We bought the KitchenAid KHBV53 for around $70, and to be honest, its stylish look and contemporary design had us hooked completely right from the first glance. There’s a good chance that you’ll feel it too. Performance-wise, we had a few complaints, but nothing major for a mid-range immersion blender. If you're interested in this blender, yet unsure about how well it performs, read on, as this detailed review can help.
6.2 Performance
We put the KitchenAid KHBV53 through four different tests. Among them, one called for the use of a whisk attachment to be completed successfully. Since our blender doesn't come with this accessory, it failed this test by default. Nonetheless, we all still sing many praises for this corded hand blender. Particularly because when it comes to its main functions, be it pureeing soup, blending smoothies, or emulsifying sauces, it’s a strong performer that ticks pretty much every box.
If you do want to get the most out of your blender, KitchenAid offers a higher-tier package that includes a few extra accessories, like a whisk and a food processor. We haven't had a chance to personally experience these add-ons yet, but we'll keep you updated once the testing results are in.
7.5 Hot Soup Purée
For this test, the KitchenAid was expected to make a smooth puree in 30 seconds. To our surprise, this blender could meet such a strict standard with complete confidence.
The final result was not the silkiest soup we've got; the best were those produced by the Vitamix 5-speed and the Ninja Foodi. It, however, came pretty close and was just as delicious. The difference between these soups only becomes clear after you strain them through the mesh strainer. Smooth to the eye, textured to the mouthfeel, KHBV53's creation was an acceptable homemade soup, to say the least.
4.8 Frozen Fruit Smoothie
This was a challenge test for any immersion blender, including even the high-powered All-Clad and the Breville BSB510XL, so it’s no surprise the KitchenAid KHBV53 struggled as well. Since the fruits were solidly frozen, it took more than 2 minutes to power through all of them. The smoothie came out smooth and moderately creamy, not bad for a hot day to cool your mouth. Still, we preferred it to feel more refreshing and chilling, which could only be achieved with a faster process. Blending longer than necessary had melted the frozen fruits, causing the texture to be thinner.
Don't walk away for just this slight inefficiency, though. Given its overall blending performance, we were confident to confirm that your corded KitchenAid can work well on fresh fruits. Leafy greens are not an issue for this blender either. If your main focus is not on frozen smoothies alone and you're not setting the bar too high here, this blender remains a reliable choice.
6.8 Mayonnaise
For the yolks and oil to come together into an emulsion, you need to start the blender at its slow speed, then gradually increase it. If the blades are spinning at a high speed right away, they can over-shear the yolks and prevent them from holding the oil together. Excess shear also incorporates too much air, which destabilizes the system. The result will be a foamy liquid instead of a creamy emulsion.
Our KitchenAid KHBV53 delivered on this task, churning out a batch of mayonnaise that was comparably stable to store-bought versions. That said, success came only after we got familiar with how the speed trigger switch works. Not knowing it well, we'd just pressed the switch randomly and ended up with an oil–water suspension. Turns out, we'd run the blender on high speed, causing the emulsion to separate dramatically. Because of this, the KHBV53 needed more than one attempt to clear the test, which wasn't a common case with blenders featuring fixed speed settings.
Another minor trade-off was that we had to pause it mid-blend to scrape down the blade guard's sides with a spoon. As the mayonnaise thickened, parts of it clung tightly to the stick, outside the blade’s path. Without pausing, the stuck parts were less likely to move back into circulation, leading to an uneven outcome. You probably won't need this extra scraping step when mixing with a whisk attachment.
7.3 Almond Milk
The corded KitchenAid KHBV53 is proof that not everyone needs a full-size blender to prepare nut extract drinks. Its compact, portable footprint makes it a convenient tool for a quick batch of almond milk and removes the hassle of cleaning afterward.
Just be aware that if you let it blend at high speed, the blades will pull a lot of air into the liquid. This traps bubbles on the surface, causing the milk to look foamy. We haven't seen this weird thing happening with other models, only with KitchenAid, both in corded and cordless versions—the KitchenAid KHBBV53. The foam didn't impair the milk's taste or texture, but it kept rising to the top and spilling over the countertop.
We had to pause the process several times to skim the foam off. But the longer we blended, the more air got whipped in. In the end, we must give up, even though we noticed the almonds could be ground more finely. And that was why this blender didn’t receive much praise for its performance in this test.
To blend, we used the 24-oz beaker that was included in the package. However, we advise you to go with a larger blending container. Don't make the same mistake we did, or the small, tight space will push the frothy mixture upward more aggressively, and you might then end up with a huge mess.
Failed Whipped Egg-Whites
The KHBV53's blending stick was incapable of whipping whites, and all its competitors weren't either. You might see a lot of big bubbles at first, but they will quickly collapse, leaving watery liquid under a thin layer of froth. This occurs because there is no way that the fast-spinning blades can create the elastic protein network that makes stiff peaks. As far as we know, it's only blenders coming equipped with a whisk attachment that can develop a stable foam. If that’s what you’re looking for, we recommend checking these models: KOIOS 4-in-1, BELLA 10-speed, Cuisinart RHB-100TG EvolutionX, and Braun MultiQuick 7.
8.7 Design
Even among hundreds of hand blenders, the KHBV53's distinctive look ensures it will never be lost in the crowd. Our appliance is matte black, and we really love its premium finish, though we have to admit that the other available colors are equally stylish. More surprisingly, after a series of tests, the upscale appeal remains intact. So far, we haven't found any signs of tear and wear on either the motor or the blade assembly.
In the Box
- Motor body
- Blending shaft
- 24 oz beaker with lid
- Removal pan guard
- User manual
We bought the most affordable version, so there are only essential parts included. They include a motor, a blending stick, a beaker, a pan guard, and a user manual. Should you be seeking an all-around KitchenAid corded hand blender, move up to the fully-loaded package. That enhanced version is powered by a similar motor but further features a whisk and a chopper attachment.
Dimensions
This hand blender comes in a standard size that isn't too light or too heavy. Its balanced weight gives you stability and prevents fatigue during extended use; meanwhile, its blending shaft is long enough to reach deep into any large pot. For the most part, we have no issue with its footprint.
8.5 Build Quality
The housing of the motor body is made from plastic. While durability is a definite concern, KitchenAid's plastic is well-crafted, lighter, and less prone to discoloration, thus it lasts longer than low-grade metal. Keep in mind that not all stainless steel housings give a higher-quality impression or are better at resisting corrosion; the Mueller is a noticeable example. The blending shaft is above-average stainless steel. Although there's still room for improvement, especially on the metal blades guard, it feels solid, sturdy, and absolutely worth the price.
Taken together, the blender's build quality is very decent, on par with some of the best ones on our list, such as the Braun MultiQuick-7.
Speed and Controls
The blender offers various speed settings, but we're not sure exactly how many of the total. Furthermore, there is no speed indicator light, so it’s not always clear how fast the blades are spinning. This makes it quite tricky to choose the specific speed that your recipes call for.
To blend, simply press the power button. Still, don't press it all the way through right at the beginning unless you want to over-process foods or cause them to splash out before they settle. Technically, the power button adjusts motor speed proportionally to the pressure applied, meaning the blender will run at its highest speed if you provide maximum pressure. We fashion ourselves as pretty easygoing, never complaining about minor issues as long as the overall performance is good enough. Nevertheless, with this design, our testers have to admit it's really uncomfortable and hard to ignore, particularly when it was the main cause of the mayonnaise test’s initial failures.
8.5 Blending Shaft
The whole piece is made from stainless steel, including the blades' guard. This means it can scratch on your non-stick pans unless you use it with the black plastic guard accessory attached. Regarding the blade assembly, you'll get a total of four sharp prongs, which are definitely not flimsy, but not high-end either. Compared to higher-range models, such as the Vitamix 5-speed, All-Clad, or Breville hand blender, it may not look as refined or sleek, but its resistance to rust and corrosion is just as reliable.
10 Beaker
The beaker is BPA-free and top-rack dishwasher-safe. Holding 24 oz, it's large enough for smoothies, soups, or sauces in 1-2 servings. You’ll also likely enjoy the included tight-seal black lid, a very handy add-on for overnight storage.
10 Power Cord
The 10-foot power cord is long enough to reach distant wall outlet sockets, while the 2-prong plug ensures a secure, snug fit; sure, it won’t slip out during the blending process.
Extra Accessories
No additional attachments are included.
8.5 Usability
The one-touch operation works wonders for certain recipes, but when it comes to ones requiring slow to medium speeds, we’ve been receiving increasing complaints from our testers about its ease of use. As mentioned earlier, it's hard to maintain steady pressure on the switch to keep the blender running at a slow pace. Other than that frustrated shortcoming, this KitchenAid KHBV53 operates smoothly with nothing else to worry about.
8.6 Ease of Use
We could figure out how this blender works even without consulting the user manual first. Accelerating was straightforward; you can hold the handle and change speeds with the same hand. Not many machines are convenient for one-handed adjustments. Often, they prioritize accuracy with two-handed use. Keeping the blender running on slow speeds, though, is a different story. Perhaps it takes quite some time to master, and you may fail at the first few tries.
To date, everyone on staff loves the effortless of maneuvering the blender throughout the blending process. Thanks to the anti-suction design, we could move it up and down effortlessly to develop a smooth ingredient circulation. Trust us, the cleanup is worse than you could imagine if you handle a suction-prone blender. Not only will a strong downward pull restrict movement, leading to lumpy results, but it also causes a lot of spatters, especially when you attempt to break the vacuum quickly.
Another regular accolade is its quietness at higher speeds, unlike cheaper models, whose motors are commonly shaky in your hand while on maximum power.
8.5 Blade Assembly
By aligning the wand to the motor body and then twisting clockwise until hearing a “click”, we put our blender together in a matter of seconds. This twist-and-click design is standard for most brands, but some may demand more force to twist, while others may squeak unpleasantly; it may seem like you’re forcing the parts and have broken something inside.
After blending, unplug first, then twist the wand counter-clockwise to remove it for cleaning. Several hand blenders now feature the release buttons for quick disassembly, which is a nice plus, yet we don't think they're much more convenient.
8.0 Handling
The handle fits natural hand posture and has a matte finish, which feels a bit grippy but not rubbery like silicone. Combined with an ergonomic design, it offers a pleasant, secure grip that minimizes strain for long processing sessions. There is a very slow risk of handhold instability, even when your hands are oily or wet.
8.5 Cleanability
People prefer hand blenders to full-size ones because they're simpler and require less effort to clean. Luckily, this KitchenAid KHBV53 cleans up as quickly as expected. You might find it quite challenging to scrub the underside of the blades thoroughly by hand, but most of the time, the stubborn residues will come off easily if you apply the self-rinsing method. The idea is straightforward: fill the cup with soapy water and run the blender until none of the sticky foods remain. Having a soft, bristled toothbrush handy, which can be more flexible to reach tight areas, is also a game-changer for achieving sparkling clean results.