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BELLA 10-Speed vs Mueller Ultra-Stick Side-by-Side Comparison

Tina Pham
Reviewer
Nguyen Ntk
Visual Specialist
Updated
Tested Using Methodology v1.0
Updated Apr 4, 2023
Tested Using Methodology v1.0
Updated Apr 3, 2023
The BELLA immersion blender standing on the gray table with its accessories, including a user manual, plastic beaker, whisk attachment, food processor located above a paper carton box.
The Mueller Ultra-Stick Hand Blender Set including a milk frother attachment, a whisk attachment, a motor body, a blending wand, a paper carton box, and user manuals. The Mueller Ultra-Stick Hand Blender Set including a milk frother attachment, a whisk attachment, a motor body, a blending wand, a paper carton box, and user manuals.
Blenders type
immersion
immersion

Our Verdict

7.1
Overall Score
  • Performance (50%)
    7.4/10
  • Design (20%)
    7.5/10
  • Usability (30%)
    6.3/10
7.2
Overall Score
  • Performance (50%)
    7.3/10
  • Design (20%)
    6.8/10
  • Usability (30%)
    7.4/10

When compared to their rivals, both the BELLA 10-Speed and the Muller Ultra-Stick fall down and their shaky motors make them less user-friendly. With this problem in mind, it can be hard not to feel frustrated when switching between different speeds.

During our test, we noticed that their efficiency was almost equal. Sporting mid-powered motors, they got the job done but couldn’t give us the superior silky results that we desire. And in terms of heavy-duty tasks, they were both quite disappointing. 

On the upside, they both offer a refined package that includes a few extra blending accessories, allowing you to make the most of your appliance.

Competitive Overall Efficiency

BELLA 10-Speed Hand Blender Performance

Mueller Hand Blender Performance: Fine for the Price
7.4
Performance Scores
  • 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
7.3
Performance Scores
  • Hot Soup Purée (35%)7.0/10
  • Frozen Fruit Smoothie (30%)7.0/10
  • Mayonnaise (15%)8.5/10
  • Almond Milk (15%)7.5/10
  • Whipped Egg-Whites (5%)7.0/10
7.5

Hot Soup Purée

7.0
Scooping a spoon of pureéd soup made by the BELLA hand blender from a plastic beaker standing next to a smartphone displaying the total pureéing time (33 seconds).
Scooping a spoon of pureéd soup made by the BELLA hand blender from a plastic beaker standing next to a smartphone displaying the total pureéing time (33 seconds).
BELLA 10-Speed Soup
A batch of soup pureéd by the BELLA immersion blender is checked for smoothness by being drained through a stainless steel mesh strainer.
  • 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.

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.
  • Pureeing Time: 30 seconds
  • Result: Slightly chunky
  • Suction: Tightly

Despite being a low-priced blender, the Mueller Ultra-Stick wasn’t any slower than the others we tested. It took about 30 seconds to yield two servings of pureed soup packed with carrots, pumpkin, and parsley.

That said, it wasn’t so good at drawing ingredients toward its blades, so we needed to move it around for an even blend. Moreover, it sucked tightly to the pot’s bottom, which didn’t cause as much spatter as the Cuisinart, but did cause small scratch marks on our cookware’s surface. It also made it very challenging for us to stir with the blending wand.

Our Mueller soup’s texture was acceptable but not the silkiest; there were still several large chunks of veggies left behind.

9.3

Frozen Fruit Smoothie

7.0
The BELLA 10-Speed Smoothie Testing, from left to right: the BELLA motor body, a batch of green smoothie in a white bowl with parts of it being scooped with a spoon, and a smartphone displaying the total blending time (58 seconds).
The BELLA 10-Speed Smoothie Testing, from left to right: the BELLA motor body, a batch of green smoothie in a white bowl with parts of it being scooped with a spoon, and a smartphone displaying the total blending time (58 seconds).
Bella 10 Speed Smoothe
After finishing blending, the green smoothie was spread evenly throughout a white paper to check for solid chunks.
  • 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.

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.
  • Blending Time: 1 min 15 secs
  • Result: Chunky
  • Suction: Slightly

To ensure this portable machine can do the work of a full-sized blender for making smoothies, we designed this specific test for it. We would award it corresponding points if it could create a homogeneous mixture of just kale and frozen fruit. Disappointingly, we found that the Mueller Ultra-Stick isn’t great at blending solid fruit and leafy vegetables. 

In this task, it had a very hard time breaking up the ingredients. This caused it to demand up to 1 min 15 secs to finish the test. 

And although the Turbo mode is intended to give the blender ​​an extra boost at max speed, we noticed the speed increment wasn’t enough to make any difference. Our smoothie came out pretty smooth, but there were many unprocessed chunks of mango. It was also a bit grainy due to a mass of tiny leafy bits. For about $35 more, you can upgrade to the better Braun MultiQuick-5.

As this blender shouldn’t run for longer than 60 seconds at the time to avoid damage, we took a break after 30 seconds. In the meantime, we used a spatula to dislodge the food that lodged in the blade guard.

9.0

Mayonnaise

8.5
A little bit of mayonnaise sticking in the whisk attachment of the BELLA hand blender when it is removed from the full batch emulsified in a plastic beaker standing between the BELLA motor body and a smartphone displaying the total emulsion time (1 minute and 24 seconds).
A little bit of mayonnaise sticking in the whisk attachment of the BELLA hand blender when it is removed from the full batch emulsified in a plastic beaker standing between the BELLA motor body and a smartphone displaying the total emulsion time (1 minute and 24 seconds).
BELLA 10-Speed 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.

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.
  • Emulsifying Time: 1 mins 45 secs
  • Result: Smooth
  • Suction: No

Although the Mueller’s whisk attachment has thin, floppy wires, it got the job done in less than two minutes. That was 10 seconds faster than the Braun, whose whisk is more sturdy and springy. It was nearly as fast as the high-end Vitamix and handily beat the cordless KitchenAid by a full minute.

It was also easier to clean. For the most part, its mayonnaise tailings rinsed off easily under our running tap. Using the blending shafts, on the other hand, caused the food to get clogged in the blade housing. As such, it was very challenging for us to scrub off the residuals on the blade’s backsides.

6.0

Almond Milk

7.5
  • 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 mins 5 secs
  • Result: Coarse
  • Suction: Tightly

Grinding raw nuts shouldn’t be a challenging task for any hand blender. However, our Mueller couldn’t perform any worse, though part of the reason is due to our blending jar — its small size caused the liquid to overflow all over the countertop every single time we moved the blender. So if you intend to use this blender to prepare watery drinks, it’s best to use a bigger container. 

None of the blenders we tested could avoid suction, but the Mueller’s was so strong that it was hard to stir or withdraw the wand, and when we lifted it up the container came with it. These things caused the liquid to easily overflow.

Not only that, but this blender didn’t grind finely enough for a creamy drink. Our almond milk was drinkable, but quite watery and not as sweet as others.

6.0

Whipped Egg-Whites

7.0
The 24-oz plastic beaker containing testing beaten egg-white is put upside down on the gray table with a BELLA motor body and a smartphone displaying the total whipping time (3 minutes) by its sides.
The 24-oz plastic beaker containing testing beaten egg-white is put upside down on the gray table with a BELLA motor body and a smartphone displaying the total whipping time (3 minutes) by its sides.
BELLA 10-Speed 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.

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.
  • Beating Time: 2 mins 37 secs
  • Result: Stiff
  • Suction: No

Before we began this test, we presumed that all the whisk attachments would perform well at  beating egg-whites, though some may be more efficient than others. Surprisingly, Mueller's performance proved us wrong.

First, it had an advantage over the blending wand in incorporating enough air into the egg whites, allowing the egg-protein to form a stiff, airy foam. What was until its motor seriously overheated several times, requiring us to let it stop and cool down. This issue didn’t regularly occur with the other blenders, and spending so long with the Mueller was tiring.

Even worse, after this test the whisk attachment had lost its original bulbous shape. The strands of looped wire were all out of their initial order, which would impair its performance in the next emulsifying and beating tasks.

Not Really Stand-Out

BELLA 10-Speed Immersion Blender Design

Mueller Ultra-Stick Hand Blender Design: Above-Average Quality
7.5
design Scores
  • Blending Shaft (30%)7.5/10
  • Build Quality (60%)7.0/10
  • Power Cord (5%)10/10
  • Beaker (5%)10/10
6.8
design Scores
  • Blending Shaft (30%)7.0/10
  • Build Quality (60%)7.0/10
  • Power Cord (5%)10/10
  • Beaker (5%)0/10

In the Box of the BELLA 10-Speed Hand Blender

In the Box of the Mueller Hand Blender
The BELLA Stick Blender is shipped with a paper carton box, an immersion blending wand, a motor body, a plastic beaker, a whisk attachment, a food processor, and a user manual.
  • 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.

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.
  • Motor body 
  • Blending shaft 
  • Whisk attachment
  • Milk frother  
  • User manual

Dimensions

The BELLA 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 8.3 inches, and the total length of the unit as 15.2 inches.
  • 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.

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.
  • Height:
    15.6" (39.6 cm)
  • Width:
    2.8" (7.1 cm)
  • Weight:
    2.2 lbs (1.0 kg)
  • Shaft Length:
    7.7" (19.6 cm)

The Mueller Ultra-Stick has a balanced weight that makes it feel good to use. Since its blending shaft is long enough to reach the bottom of even deep pots, making hot puree soups is pretty much exactly what this machine is designed for. With this compact design, it is also very easy to tuck away in your cabinet when not in use.

7.0

Build Quality

7.0
The whisk attachment, motor body, and blending shaft of the BELLA stick blender lie flat on a gray table.

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).

A close-up of the immersion blending wand, motor body, and whisk attachment of the Mueller Stainless Steel Hand Blender.

The Mueller Ultra-Stick is mostly made of plastic reinforced with brushed stainless steel, so there is no chance of plastic’s chemicals leaching into your food. Besides being corrosion-resistant, this blender’s unique design gives it an elegant look, though it doesn’t feel as sleek as its higher-priced peers.

The blender has two buttons and a speed control knob. All seem straightforward to use, but are cheaply made. To reduce spatter-related issues, the blades are surrounded by a metal guard. We like this idea, but in our experience, this type of guard can scratch non-stick cookware.

Speed and Controls of the BELLA 10-Speed Immersion Blender

Speed and Controls of the Mueller Austria Ultra-Stick
A close-up of the two speed control buttons of the BELLA 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.

A close-up of 8 speed settings and a speed dial of the Mueller Hand Blender.
  • Control Type:
    Press and Rotate
  • Min Speed:
    12,550 RPM
  • Max Speed:
    14,640  RPM
  • Presets:
    No
  • Noise Level:
    78 dB
  • Digital Display:
    No
  • Pulse Mode:
    Yes

The Mueller Ultra-Stick has an intuitive interface, with two buttons and an easy-to-rotate speed control knob. During operation, you can adjust the speed in eight increments by gently rotating the speed control knob. However, as we found out during our testing, there is barely a difference between the Turbo mode and the highest speed in terms of power.

7.5

Blending Shaft

7.0
A close-up of the BELLA’s blending wand with 4 sharp stainless steel prongs.
A close-up of the BELLA’s blending wand with 4 sharp stainless steel prongs.
A close-up of the BELLA’s blending wand with 4 sharp stainless steel prongs from the side-viewing angle.
  • 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.

A close-up of the blade assembly of the Mueller Immersion Blender.
  • Material:
    Stainless steel
  • Type:
    Sharp Blade
  • Guard Material:
    Stainless steel
  • Blade Count:
    2
  • Removable:
    No
  • Dishwasher Safe:
    Yes

The blades come relatively sharp, but they look flimsy and may dull under regular use, causing the machine to blend less efficiently. Our Mueller’s blades even slightly deformed after the frozen smoothie test.

10

Beaker

Not Included
A 30-oz plastic beaker of the BELLA Immersion Blending standing on a gray table.
  • 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

10

Power Cord

10
The BELLA 10-Speed  Immersion Blender on a gray table with its power cord rolled up next to it.
  • 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.

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

The power cord is long enough to easily reach our nearby outlets. Like other immersion blenders, there is no place to hide the extra cord, but it has a small loop allowing you to hang the whole blender on a hook.

BELLA Immersion Blender with a Whisk Attachment

Extra Accessories

Whisk Attachment
A whisk attachment of the BELLA hand-held blender lying flat on a gray table.
  • 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.

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

With the whisk attachment, your blender can be a nice replacement for a hand mixer for certain tasks, such as whipping cream, beating egg whites, and emulsifying sauces. That being said, we don’t think this additional tool can ensure high durability, given its poorly-built quality.

Food Processor

Extra Accessories

Milk Frother
A food processor attachment of the BELLA hand blender standing on a gray table.
  • 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.

The Mueller Ultra-Stick Immersion Blender Milk Frother Attachment lying flat on a gray table.
  • Material:
    Stainless steel
  • Dishwasher Safe:
    Yes
  • Removable:
    Yes

We haven’t performed any test on the milk frother, but we’re quite sure this attachment can make foam for your drinks. However, we suppose it will not live up to the expectations of serious latté lovers.

A little Bit Disappointing

BELLA Hand Blender Usability Review

MuellerImmersion Blender Usability: A Little Bit Short On Blending Comfort
6.3
usability Scores
  • Ease of Use (60%)6.0/10
  • Blade Assembly (10%)7.5/10
  • Handling (20%)6.0/10
  • Cleanability (10%)7.5/10
7.4
usability Scores
  • Ease of Use (60%)7.3/10
  • Blade Assembly (10%)8.5/10
  • Handling (20%)6.5/10
  • Cleanability (10%)8.5/10
6.0

Ease of Use

7.3

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.

It didn’t take long for us to figure out how this blender worked. That being said, the buttons have a very awkward clicky feel. Although they’re not too stiff and demand just a light press to activate, we weren’t entirely comfortable pressing them all the way down. If you use them continuously for more than a batch, your fingertips may feel a bit tired. 

The control knob also makes the blender more complicated to use. It’s tough for one person to use the blender, adjust its speed, and hold the beaker at the same time, so we had to stop it to speed up or slow down.

7.5

Blade Assembly

8.5

To blend, attach the blending wand or any mixing accessories to the main body by turning it in a counter-clockwise direction until tightened.

To attach the blending wand or any blending accessories to the main body, simply line up the parts and make a quarter turn counterclockwise until you hear the unit click into place.

There is a plastic coupler that attaches the removal parts to the motor body. So far, we haven’t found any issue with this add-on. After spending several days going through hundreds of customer reviews, however, we were warned that the coupler can easily be irreparably broken.

6.0

Handling

6.5
Someone uses two hands to control the BELLA immersion blender: one for holding the handle and pressing the power button at the same time, the other for rotating the speed dial.

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.

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.

We appreciate that the Mueller is designed with an ergonomic handle to reduce hand and wrist pain. However, because the blender itself vibrated pretty violently in all five tests, our hands got tired anyway.

7.5

Cleanability

8.5

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 the removable attachments are dishwasher-safe, but we recommend you wash them by hand to prevent their finish from discoloring due to abrasive dishwasher detergents. Thankfully, the manual cleaning process isn’t so difficult.

You can either scrub off the residue under the running tap or let the machine clean itself by blending it in a mixture of dish soap and water. Either method should get it perfectly clean.