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Bella 10-Speed vs. Chefman Cordless Side-by-Side Comparison
Our Verdict
- Performance (50%)7.4/10
- Design (20%)7.5/10
- Usability (30%)6.3/10
- Performance (50%)7.7/10
- Design (20%)7.4/10
- Usability (30%)8.8/10
Both these immersion blenders provide a pleasing amount of power for simple tasks, but we found the Bella 10-speed did a better job in pureeing hot soup while the Chefman delivered a more milk-like texture.
When you're only blending soft ingredients, the Bella 10-speed feels smooth and easy to maneuver but the motor does slightly rattle toward heavier blending duties. Along with that, it also shakes violently if running at the highest speeds, which may be a problem in a prolonged operation.
The Chefman cordless, on the other hand, is a fun, convenient hand-held device, allowing us to blend with confidence. The only disadvantage of this blender over the Bella 10-speed is its lack of extra accessories.
BELLA 10-Speed Hand Blender Performance
- Hot Soup Purée (35%)7.5/10
- Frozen Fruit Smoothie (30%)9.3/10
- Mayonnaise (15%)9.0/10
- Almond Milk (5%)6.0/10
- Whipped Egg-Whites (5%)6.0/10
- Hot Soup Purée (35%)7.0/10
- Frozen Fruit Smoothie (30%)9.0/10
- Mayonnaise (15%)8.8/10
- Almond Milk (15%)8.5/10
- Whipped Egg-Whites (10%)0/10
Hot Soup Purée
- Pureeing Time: 30 seconds
- Result: Chunky
- Suction: Tightly
The BELLA is moderately capable at pureeing soup. In our test, it took around 30 seconds to blend and combine all the ingredients. However, we still found lots of tiny chunks when we ran the soup through a strainer. On the whole, blending didn’t go smoothly since the blender itself created a bit too much suction. At the highest speed settings, it vacuumed itself solidly to the beaker’s bottom, making it very difficult for us to make any movements. For a better performer overall, we recommend the Vitamix 5-speed or the KitchenAid cordless hand blender.
- Pureeing Time: 30 seconds
- Result: Smooth
- Suction: Slightly
The Chefman managed to create a serving of hot soup in 30 seconds. The soup wasn’t puréed to perfection since there was still a considerable amount of food flakes left behind, but for the most part, we were pleased with its smoothness. If you prefer your purée to be smoother, blend longer. (Or consider other models like the Vitamix 5-speed, the Braun MultiQuick-5, and the KitchenAid cordless hand blender.)
Frozen Fruit Smoothie
- Blending Time: 58 secs
- Result: Slightly Coarse
- Suction: Slightly
Our BELLA transformed all the ingredients into a drinkable texture in approximately one minute, from start to finish. It didn’t have too much difficulty powering through frozen fruit or kale. The resulting smoothie was acceptable with very few unprocessed chunks.
- Blending Time: 1 min 10 secs
- Result: Smooth
- Suction: No
At the highest speed setting, our Chefman broke down all the ingredients quite easily — better and faster, in fact, than we expected from a blender in this segment. The test smoothie came out with a satisfying texture, combining smooth, pulverized fruits with the green of kale for a nice, chilled mouthfeel.
Mayonnaise
- Emulsifying Time: 1 min 25 secs
- Result: Smooth
- Suction: Yes
Making mayonnaise was easy with this blender. Of all the blenders we tested, it was among the fastest, beating our favorite blender — the Braun MultiQuick-5 by up to 30 seconds. That said, its mayonnaise didn’t come out very smooth and creamy. Still, for such a low-priced hand blender, this result is worthy of praise.
- Emulsifying Time: 1 min 30 secs
- Result: Smooth
- Suction: No
Emulsifying with the blending shaft, this Chefman cordless blender passed the mayonnaise test within a minute and a half, which was slightly faster than average. The final mayonnaise looked smooth and was well emulsified, sharing a similar texture with those produced by a whisk attachment, such as the Cuisinart’s.
Almond Milk
- Grinding Time: 1 min 15 secs
- Result: Coarse
- Suction: Tightly
Our non-dairy milk required nearly a minute and a half of blending, but it still didn’t come out as smooth and creamy as it should. And not only couldn’t the machine blend uniformly, but it also created bad suction, causing a mess when we struggled to lift it upward.
- Grinding Time: 1 min 10 secs
- Result: Very Fine
- Suction: Yes
The Chefman cordless device may not be a bad option when you’re making nut milk. Just make sure to use a blending beaker with sufficient capacity.
Our drink was creamy and packed with characteristic almond flavor so we think you will love it as much as we do. During our test, the blender did, unfortunately, suction itself to the beaker's bottom, causing the mixture to splatter every time we moved the blending wand. However, this wasn’t only about the suction — things would work better if we used a larger beaker.
Whipped Egg-Whites
- Beating Time: 3 minutes
- Result: Stiff
- Suction: No
The BELLA’s whisk attachment drew enough air into the egg whites to create stiff peaks in our test, but its prolonged beating operation left us with exhausted hands and extreme discomfort. So, even though this add-on can do the trick, we don’t think it’s a good alternative to a hand mixer when it comes to preparing emulsified sauces or meringue. There are other immersion blenders that can ensure smoother operations, such as the KOIOS 4-in-1 and the Breville Control Grip.
- Beating Time: N/A
- Result: N/A
- Suction: N/A
This machine’s blending shaft was unable to beat the eggs, but it shares this shortcoming with most blending shafts. If you want your machine to properly whip the eggs, we recommend choosing one that comes with a whisk attachment, such as the KOIOS 4-in-1. A whisk’s many thin wires will uncurl the protein strands of the egg whites and incorporate air into them. That way, stiff eggy peaks are able to form and stay stable.
BELLA 10-Speed Immersion Blender Design
- Blending Shaft (30%)7.5/10
- Build Quality (60%)7.0/10
- Power Cord (5%)10/10
- Beaker (5%)10/10
- Blending Shaft (30%)7.0/10
- Build Quality (60%)8.0/10
- Battery (5%)10/10
- Beaker (5%)0/10
In the Box of the BELLA 10-Speed Hand Blender
- Motor body
- Blending shaft
- Whisk attachment
- Food processor
- Beaker
- User manual
Our set includes six pieces which are all free of harmful chemicals. All parts except the motor section are top-rack dishwasher safe.
- Motor body
- Blending shaft
- Blade guard
- Blade edge guard
- Charger adapter & USB cord
- User manual
Beyonds the two main components, the Chefman also comes with a pot & pan guard to prevent scratches on your cookware and a blade guard so you can cover the blade entirely while your blender is not in use.
Dimensions
- Height:15.2" (38.6 cm)
- Width:2.3" (5.8 cm)
- Weight:2.0 lbs (0.9 kg)
- Shaft Length:8.3" (21.1 cm)
So far, we haven’t encountered any challenges caused by this blender’s size. The machine itself is compact enough to store in a drawer, and it isn’t overly heavy. Weight isn’t a hindrance to the machine’s usability.
- Height:16.4" (41.7 cm)
- Width:2.3" (5.8 cm)
- Weight:1.4 lbs (0.6 kg)
- Shaft Length:8.2" (20.8 cm)
This Chefman is the right size to fit comfortably in your palm. At 1.4 pounds, it is a bit on the light side, but so are most immersion blenders that are made of standard plastic.
Build Quality
The BELLA can be purchased for less than $30, but that low price tag is a clue as to its quality. The machine itself feels relatively solid, but it doesn’t look as sleek as the mid-range ones. With the exception of the blending shaft, all the parts are made of medium-grade plastic which may deteriorate and collect scratches over the years.
Not only that, but several Amazon users have complained about the inner components. Some claim that the plastic core that connects the blending wand to the main body somehow got shredded, rendering the blender useless. Others were frustrated when the tabs that connect to attachments broke.
All things considered, we don’t think the BELLA is a reliable performer, even though it’s backed by an impressive warranty (two years).
The Chefman provides a medium level of quality at a very reasonable price. With a black-clad exterior all around, the motor looks charming and notably elegant. After a course of testing, we found a smattering of tiny scratches around this part, but they’re not too noticeable unless you look closely.
Speed and Controls of the BELLA 10-Speed Immersion Blender
- Control Type:Press-button & speed dial
- Min Speed:14,730 RPM
- Max Speed:16,000 RPM
- Presets:No
- Noise Level:84 dB
- Digital Display:No
- Pulse Mode:Yes
On paper, the BELLA allows the users to easily switch between 10 speed options using the two front buttons and a top dial. Our real-world experience, though, indicates that while they get the job done, it takes a lot of force to press the buttons.
Likewise, the speed dial isn’t really essential. It’s hard to use because both hands are engaged while blending — one hand to maneuver the blender and the other to keep the beaker from jumping around the countertop with the motor’s violent vibration.
- Control Type:Press-button
- Min Speed:10,500 RPM
- Max Speed:14,333 RPM
- Presets:No
- Noise Level:72 dB
- Digital Display:No
- Pulse Mode:No
You control this blender’s multiple speeds by varying the pressure on the trigger switch in front. The harder you press, the faster the blade will spin. There is also the safety lock button on the device’s rear. Both buttons must be engaged before the motor will turn. Fortunately, both of them are very sensitive, so you won’t need much pressure to get the job done.
Your Chefman doesn’t have a pulse function, but you can still chop food evenly by pressing and releasing the buttons in short intervals.
Blending Shaft
- Material:Stainless steel
- Type:Sharp Blade
- Guard Material:Stainless steel
- Blade Count:4
- Removable:Yes
- Dishwasher Safe:Yes
The blade has 4 prongs made of medium-quality stainless steel. It comes relatively sharp, but looks a bit fragile. If you use this blender for grinding tough ingredients, the blade assembly may get damaged.
We appreciate that the blade guard was designed to prevent splattering, but don't think that it works as intended. It creates a lot of suction at the bottom of our beaker. And since it’s made of metal with harsh edges, the blade guard can leave marks on your non-stick cookware unless you blend very carefully.
- Material:Stainless steel
- Type:Sharp blade
- Guard Material:Stainless steel
- Blade Count:2
- Removable:No
- Dishwasher Safe:Yes
The whole blending shaft is made of standard stainless steel, but after several uses, we nevertheless found a small rust spot on the blade guard. We’ve tested a myriad of immersion blenders and noticed that rust is rare. We can’t say for sure whether the rust will spread, but if it does, the machine’s integrity and appearance will be severely impaired.
The level of craftsmanship of the blade guard is okay overall but it could stand some improvements. The holes in the guard, for instance, look non-uniform and slightly misshapen.
The blade has two prongs: one is sharp and the other is dull. It’s sturdy enough to puree nearly all kinds of soft foods. It can even make quick work of emulsifying, so you can prepare mayonnaise or any other sauce that needs a creamy, stable base.
Beaker
- Material:Plastic
- Capacity:30 oz
- Measurements:Yes
- Weight:0.29 lb
- Height:7.2" (18.3 cm)
- Dishwasher Safe:Yes
- Tamper Included:No
The BELLA blender comes with a large beaker that shows measurements in both milliliters and fluid ounces. It’s a simple affair with an easy-pour spout and a flared base for stability.
- Material:N/A
- Capacity:NaN fl oz (NaN ml)
- Measurements:N/A
- Weight:NaN oz (NaN g)
- Height:NaN" (NaN cm)
- Dishwasher Safe:N/A
- Tamper Included:N/A
The set doesn’t include a blending beaker, but you can purchase this add-on from any retailer.
Power Cord
- Cord Length:5.1 ft (1.6 m)
- Type:2-prong plug
- Detachable:No
The power cord is long enough to reach your nearby outlets. As a nice bonus, it has a small loop that allows you to hang the whole blender on a hook for easy storage.
Extra Accessories
- Material:Stainless steel
- Dishwasher Safe:Yes
- Removable:Yes
With the whisk attachment, your blender can act as a hand mixer for certain tasks such as whipping cream, beating egg whites, and emulsifying sauces. That said, it’s rather poorly built, so it may not survive long.
- Material:N/A
- Dishwasher Safe:N/A
- Removable:N/A
No extra blending attachments are included.
Extra Accessories
- Material:Plastic and Stainless steel
- Dishwasher Safe:Yes
- Removable:Yes
We haven’t tested this attachment, but the stainless steel S-blade can probably chop, mix, and shred certain foods just like any other low-grade food processor.
BELLA Hand Blender Usability Review
- Ease of Use (60%)6.0/10
- Blade Assembly (10%)7.5/10
- Handling (20%)6.0/10
- Cleanability (10%)7.5/10
- Ease of Use (60%)8.8/10
- Blade Assembly (10%)9.5/10
- Handling (20%)9.0/10
- Cleanability (10%)8.0/10
Ease of Use
The controls are easy to understand, but we never got comfortable actually operating it. While its interface is very intuitive with only two buttons and a speed selection dial, the motor’s vibration made our hands entirely numb. Moreover, the buttons are too stiff and unresponsive, so our fingers got tired in a hurry. In some cases our fingers slipped right off the trigger button, causing unplanned interruptions to our testing process.
The low rating of this blender’s usability isn’t all due to its controls, though. Throughout most of the tests, the blending shaft stuck itself so tightly to the container’s bottom that we couldn’t lift it up unless we shut off the motor. That’s quite unacceptable, in our opinion.
Maneuvering the Chefman is particularly easy and usually doesn’t splatter ingredients around. With the exception of the almond milk test, we didn’t have much trouble with our blending motions; this blender suctioned itself only lightly to the beaker’s bottom.
Most of our testers also praised its pressure-sensitive speed controller, though a few got frustrated trying to switch between mid-range speeds. Either way, it does take some time to get a feel for the speed controls.
The removable plastic guard covers the metal blade housing to minimize scratches on your pots and pans. With it in place, you can be less timid with your motions.
Blade Assembly
To blend, attach the blending wand or any mixing accessories to the main body by turning it in a counter-clockwise direction until tightened.
The shaft-release button not only helps reinforce the connection between the motor housing and the blending wand, but it also allows for easier disassembly. Simply press this button and pull the blending wand to separate the two parts. Setting up the blender is straightforward as well; align the motor body housing with the blending shaft and push them together until you hear them click.
Handling
Designed with an ergonomic handle, this blender is meant to be comfortable to grip, reducing hand and wrist pain. Due to its violent vibration and stiff buttons, however, our hands got tired anyway.
Our Chefman let us blend in comfort thanks to the ergonomically designed handle. It didn’t get slippery even when our hands were oily during the mayonnaise test. The stable grip it provides is meaningful, especially if your hands fatigue quickly.
Cleanability
All the included accessories are top-rack dishwasher-safe and easy to clean manually. The main difficulties are in a few hard-to-reach spots such as the backsides of the blades. We had to use a bit of elbow grease on the food tailings.
All removable parts are top-rack dishwasher safe, but we prefer to clean them by hand since it’s faster and practically effortless. Following each test, we scrubbed away the food tailings with a soapy sponge. Most of the residue rinsed off easily, including the bits stuffed up behind the blades.