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Cuisinart CSB-175 vs Braun MultiQuick 5 Side-by-Side Comparison

Cuisinart Smart Stick vs. Braun MultiQuick-5: Which one is the better blender? Our in-depth comparison is meant to answer that question.

By , , and Updated

Cuisinart Smart Stick

Braun MultiQuick 5

Cuisinart CSB-175 vs Braun MultiQuick 5

Overall Verdict

7.7
Overall Score
8.6
Overall Score
  • Performance (50%)7.4
  • Design (20%)8.5
  • Usability (30%)7.8
  • Performance (50%)8.8
  • Design (20%)8.1
  • Usability (30%)8.7

The motors on these two blenders come with the same power rating. But in exchange for a higher price tag, an extra whisk attachment gives the Braun MultiQuick-5 greater versatility overall. You can get the full range of possibilities from blending solid foods to emulsifying sauces and whipping up egg whites.

Not only that, but our Braun also blends food much more harmoniously, though aesthetically it looks neither as solid nor as stylish as the Cuisinart.

In short, if you don’t want to spend a fortune on a fancy blender like the Vitamix, but are still focused on versatility and high power output, consider buying the Braun MultiQuick-5 rather than the Cuisinart Smart Stick.

Pros & Cons

  • 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
  • Consistent performance with minimal splashing
  • Nearly as efficient as the higher-priced Vitamix 
  • Ergonomically-designed handle ensures a confident grip
  • Doesn’t get hot even under heavy-duty use
  • A generous set of accessories means greater versatility
  • The stainless steel blending shaft will damage non-stick coatings
  • Fairly complicated to use
  • The blade guard doesn’t prevent splashing very well
  • The metal blending shaft and whisk may damage non-stick coatings

Key Specs

Dimensions HW
15.6 x 2.3 inches
W2.2 x H15 inches
Weight
1.3 lbs (0.6 kg)
1.6 lbs (0.7 kg)
Number of speeds
2
2
Pulse/Turbo option
No
No
Min speed
11,670 RPM
12,200 RPM
Max speed
12,660 RPM
13,700 RPM

Where to Buy?

Price at publication
$46.56
$62.87

*You help support HealthyKitchen101's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners.

Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
7.4
8.8

Puree Soup

7.0
8.5
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.
Scooping a spoon of pureéd soup from the plastic beaker to check its smoothness.
Scooping a spoon of pureéd soup from the plastic beaker to check its smoothness.
Braun MultiQuick-5 Soup Hot Soup Purée
Draining the soup with a stainless steel mesh strainer to inspect solid chunks.
Pureeing Time
30 seconds
30 seconds
Result
Silky chunky
Smooth
Suction
Slightly
No

Frozen Smoothie

7.5
8.8
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.
Scooping a spoon of smoothie from the plastic beaker to check its texture after the Braun MultiQuick-5 Vario Hand Blender had completed the test in 59,99 seconds.
Scooping a spoon of smoothie from the plastic beaker to check its texture after the Braun MultiQuick-5 Vario Hand Blender had completed the test in 59,99 seconds.
Braun MultiQuick-5 Smoothie Test
After finishing blending, the green smoothie was spread evenly throughout a white paper on a gray table to check for solid chunks.
Blending Time
1 min 20 secs
1 min
Result
Slightly Coarse
Smooth
Suction
Slightly
No

Mayonnaise

9.3
8.3
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
A little bit of mayonnaise was sticking on the blender whisk attachment when it was removed from the full batch emulsified in a 24-oz plastic beaker.
A little bit of mayonnaise was sticking on the blender whisk attachment when it was removed from the full batch emulsified in a 24-oz plastic beaker.
Braun MultiQuick-5 Mayonnaise Test
Emulsifying Time
1 min 10 secs
1 mins 54 secs
Result
Smooth
Smooth
Suction
Yes
No

Almond Milk

9.0
9.3
Grinding Time
40 secs
45 secs
Result
Fine
Fine
Suction
Tightly
Tightly

Whipped Egg Whites

0.0
10
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.
Putting the 24-oz plastic beaker containing testing beaten egg-white upside down on the gray table.
Putting the 24-oz plastic beaker containing testing beaten egg-white upside down on the gray table.
Braun MultiQuick-5 Whipped Egg-Whites Test
Looking down at stiff peak egg whites in the 24-oz plastic beaker from above.
Beating Time
N/A
1 mins 56 secs
Result
N/A
Stiff
Suction
N/A
No

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.5
8.1

In The Box

Owner’s manuals, blending wand, motor body, plastic beaker, paper carton box being side by side.
The package, motor body, blending shaft, plastic beaker, user manual, and whisk attachment of the Braun MultiQuick-5 Immersion Blender on a yellow table.

Dimensions

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.
The Braun MQ505 standing on top of its blending shaft on a yellow table, with the length of the blending shaft being noted to the side as 6.7 inches, and the total length of the unit as 15 inches.
Height
15.6" (39.6 cm)
15.0" (38.1 cm)
Width
2.3" (5.8 cm)
2.2" (5.6 cm)
Weight
1.6 lbs (0.7 kg)
1.6 lbs (0.7 kg)
Shaft Length
8.4" (21.3 cm)
6.7" (17.0 cm)

Build Quality

8.5
8.0
The motor body and blending wand of the Cuisinart Smart Stick two-speed hand blender lying flat on a yellow table.
The motor body, blending shaft, and whisk attachment of the Braun MultiQuick-5 lie flat on a yellow table. The motor body, blending shaft, and whisk attachment of the Braun MultiQuick-5 lie flat on a yellow table.

Blades

8.0
7.5
A close-up of the Cuisinart CSB-175 Smart Stick Stainless Steel Blade
The blending assembly of the Braun MultiQuick-5 features 2 sharp prongs.
The Braun MultiQuick-5 Blending Wand (Cre: Nguyen Ntk/HealthyKitchen101)
Material
Stainless steel
Stainless steel
Type
Sharp Blade
Sharp Blade
Guard Material
Metal
Stainless Steel
Blade Count
2
2
Removable
No
No
Dishwasher Safe
No
Yes

Power Cord

10
10
The Cuisinart Smart Stick Immersion Blender on a gray table with its power cord rolled up next to it.
The Braun MultiQuick-5 on a table with its power cord rolled up next to it.
Cord Length
6.0 ft (1.8 m)
4.9 ft (1.5 m)
Type
2-prong plug
2-prong plug
Detachable
No
No

Speed And Controls

A close-up of two speed controlling buttons and a speed dial on top of the Cuisinart’s motor body.
The Two Speed Settings of The Braun MultiQuick-5 Immersion Blender
The Braun MultiQuick-5 Speed Settings (Cre: Nguyen Ntk/HealthyKitchen101)
Activation
Press
Press
Min Speed
11,670 RPM
12,200 RPM
Max Speed
12,660 RPM
13,700 RPM
Presets
No
No
Noise Level
80 dB
65 dB
Digital Display
No
No
Pulse Mode
No
Yes

Accessories

The whisk attachment of the Braun MultiQuick-5 lies flat on a yellow table.
Material
N/A
Stainless steel
Dishwasher Safe
N/A
Yes
Removable
N/A
Yes

Main Jar

10
10
A 24-oz plastic beaker of the Cuisinart Smart stick standing on a yellow table.
The hand is holding a 20-oz plastic beaker with a green plant background.
Material
Plastic
Plastic
Capacity
24.0 fl oz (709.8 ml)
20.0 fl oz (591.5 ml)
Measurements
Yes
Yes
Weight
3.8 oz (108 g)
3.2 oz (91 g)
Height
6.5" (16.5 cm)
6.5" (16.5 cm)
Dishwasher Safe
Yes
Yes

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
7.8
8.7

Blade Assembly

9.0
9.5

Handling

8.0
8.5
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.
A close-up of the non-slip handle of the Braun stick blender.

Cleanability

7.5
9.0

Easeof Use

7.6
8.6

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Behind the Comparison

Headshot of Tina Pham
Tina PhamReviewer

Tina Pham is a staff writer and reviewer, with five years of experience in the industry. As a passionate amateur home cook, she loves to discover practical cooking solutions, and has made it her mission to bring her findings to every kitchen. Her ultimate goal is making cooking more of a pleasure for all.

Headshot of Lap Vo
Lap VoTest Lead

Lap is Head of the Research, Testing, and Review Team (RTR Team) at HealthyKitchen101.com, where he directs and supervises the testing of kitchen gadgets and appliances.

Headshot of Tuyet Pham
Tuyet PhamProfessional Chef

Tuyet Pham is an award-winning Saigonese chef passionate about delicious and healthful foods. At HealthyKitchen101, she develops recipes and collaborates with our Research, Testing, and Review lab to evaluate the performance of cooking appliances. Her assessments add a strong authoritative voice to our product scoring process.

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