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KitchenAid KHBBV53 vs Cuisinart CSB-175 Side-by-Side Comparison

Tina Pham
Reviewer
Nguyen Ntk
Visual Specialist
Updated
Tested Using Methodology v1.0
Updated Apr 3, 2023
Tested Using Methodology v1.0
Updated Apr 3, 2023
Unboxing the KitchenAid Cordless Immersion BLender, from left to right: an user manual, a beaker and lid, the KitchenAid KHBBV53 with its motor body and blending wand, a charger, and a paper carton box.
Unboxing the Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender; from left to right: an owner's manual, paper carton box, blending wand with a motor body attached, and a plastic beaker.
Blenders type
immersion
immersion

Our Verdict

8.0
Overall Score
  • Performance (50%)
    7.9/10
  • Design (20%)
    8.4/10
  • Usability (30%)
    7.8/10
7.7
Overall Score
  • Performance (50%)
    7.4/10
  • Design (20%)
    8.5/10
  • Usability (30%)
    7.8/10

The KitchenAid KHBBV53 vs Cuisinart CSB-175 are priced differently but share the same key features: moderate-quality stainless steel blades, multiple speeds, and an ergonomically-designed handle. However, that is not to say that their efficiency is equal.

Due to its stronger motor, our Cuisinart CSB-175 performed a little more impressively in our hands-on testing. It churned out a batch of vegetable soup and a frozen fruit smoothie without too much effort. Although the results didn’t sport a superior texture, their smoothness would be acceptable for most home cooks.

The KitchenAid KHBBV53, on the other hand, did have a little bit of a hard time processing solid ingredients, but when it comes to simplicity, this battery-powered machine wins hands down.

Top of the Segment

KitchenAid Cordless Variable Speed Hand Blender Performance

Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender Performance: Pretty Good
7.9
Performance Scores
  • Hot Soup Purée (35%)8.5/10
  • Frozen Fruit Smoothie (30%)9.0/10
  • Mayonnaise (15%)6.5/10
  • Almond Milk (15%)8.3/10
  • Whipped Egg-Whites (5%)0/10
7.4
Performance Scores
  • Hot Soup Purée (35%)7.0/10
  • Frozen Fruit Smoothie (30%)7.5/10
  • Mayonnaise (15%)9.3/10
  • Almond Milk (15%)9.0/10
  • Whipped Egg-Whites (5%)0/10
8.5

Hot Soup Purée

7.0
Scooping a spoon of pureéd soup prepared by the KitchenAid battery-powered immersion blender from the full batch in the plastic beaker.
Scooping a spoon of pureéd soup prepared by the KitchenAid battery-powered immersion blender from the full batch in the plastic beaker.
A batch of soup pureéd by the KitchenAid cordless various speed hand blender is checked for smoothness by being drained through a stainless steel mesh strainer.
KitchenAid KHBBV53 Hot Soup
  • Pureeing Time: 30 seconds
  • Result: Smooth
  • Suction: Slightly

This stylish hand blender worked quickly and made acceptable puree soup without a struggle. The sharp stainless steel blades allowed it to hot blend root veggies quite uniformly. Even fibrous ingredients like celery and onions ended up fully incorporated into the mixture. 

Although the KitchenAid KHBBV53 didn’t create a perfect puree, our soup looked good and was much silkier than that produced by its competitors, such as the Mueller Ultra Stick and the Hamilton Beach 2-speed.

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

Despite being among the least expensive mid-range blenders on our testing list, this Cuisinart is plenty quick, taking only 30 seconds to give us a pot of soup. Still, we were just moderately satisfied with its performance. The soup was not well pureed enough to look entirely smooth. After we drained it through a strainer, we noticed many foods still remained unprocessed. For the best pureés maker, we recommend the Vitamix 5-speed.

9.0

Frozen Fruit Smoothie

7.5
A plastic beaker containing a batch of green smoothie whose parts are scooped with a spoon is standing between a timer displaying the total blending time (1 minute) and the KitcheAid’s motor body.
A plastic beaker containing a batch of green smoothie whose parts are scooped with a spoon is standing between a timer displaying the total blending time (1 minute) and the KitcheAid’s motor body.
After finishing blending, the green smoothie was spread evenly throughout a white paper to check for solid chunks.
The KitchenAid Cordless KHBBV53 Smoothie
  • Blending Time: 1 min
  • Result: Smooth
  • Suction: Yes

Featuring multiple speed settings, this KitchenAid KHBBV53 pulverized all the ingredients with ease, which was really surprising. 

The blending process also went as smoothly, though, at certain points, fruits got trapped under the blades, demanding us to stop the machine and dislodge the food. Plus, to achieve an even blend, we had to move the blending wand as constantly and consistently as we could. However, that didn’t make us feel frustrated, especially given that the result was exactly what we’d like — it looked silky and more than appetizing. If you buy this blender, we believe no smoothie recipe could overwhelm it.

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.
  • Blending Time: 1 min 20 secs
  • Result: Slightly Coarse
  • Suction: Slightly

Although the Cuisinart CSB-175 Smart Stick could pass this test in 1 minute and 20 seconds, it had a very hard time grinding frozen fruits. By comparison, its counterparts — the Vitamix 5-speed and the Braun MultiQuick-5 — could turn all the ingredients into a green silky smoothie without a struggle. 

The Cuisinart’s smoothie was acceptable but didn’t have the smoothest texture. It came out rather lumpy due to kale chunks. Our straw got clogged now and then with bits that were still too big.

6.5

Mayonnaise

9.3
The KitchenAid KHBBV53 Mayonnaise
Scooping a spoon of mayonnaise emulsified by the KitchenAid immersion blender from a white bowl to check its creaminess.
  • Emulsifying Time: 1 mins 54 secs
  • Result: Quite thin
  • Suction: No

As a battery-powered blender, the KitchenAid KHBBV53 didn’t work as quickly as its corded counterparts. In fact, it was about 50% slower than the fastest Cuisinart Smart Stick even though it sells for nearly double the price. 

On the bright side, the KitchenAid produced acceptable mayonnaise. Although the sauce didn’t look as creamy as we’d like, its smooth and fluffy texture would be enough for any salad.

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
  • Emulsifying Time: 1 min 10 secs
  • Result: Smooth
  • Suction: Yes

Coming off the other tests, we didn’t expect much out of our Cuisinart when it came to making mayonnaise. For the most part, we agreed that a whisk attachment would emulsify sauce far better than any ordinary blending shaft. But as it turned out, of all the blenders we tested, the Cuisinart was the fastest to yield a creamy, mouthwatering sauce. It even beat the Braun’s whisk attachment by about 30 seconds, though in both cases, the mayonnaise’s texture was essentially the same.

Still, there was a minor drawback. When the mayonnaise began to thicken, our blender suctioned itself tightly to the beaker’s bottom, making it a bit trickier for us to move the blending wand around. Nevertheless, given this blender’s outstanding performance, this issue wasn’t a true dealbreaker and should be tolerated.

8.3

Almond Milk

9.0
  • Grinding Time: 50 secs
  • Result: Coarse
  • Suction: No

The KitchenAid KHBBV53 is adequate for preparing non-dairy milk, but isn’t deserving of much praise. Of all the blenders we tested, this was the only one that created a foamy texture as a result of too much incorporated air. We removed the foam during the straining process so it didn’t impair the milk’s quality in the end. But it’s worth noting that the milk would have overflowed onto the countertop if we hadn’t paused periodically to stir it back into the jar with a long spoon. 

Moreover, this blender didn’t blend as evenly or as consistently as its mid-range counterparts, namely the Braun MultiQuick-5. Consequently, our milk didn’t get all the flavor out of the almonds. It was still an acceptable alternative to store-bought almond milk, but not ideal.

  • Grinding Time: 40 secs
  • Result: Fine
  • Suction: Tightly

This Cuisinart performed fairly well in this test. Besides being the fastest contender, it also blended quite uniformly. While it did create suction and cause a humble mess when we lifted the blending wand upward, it sustained a nice vortex, so our liquid didn’t overflow. In contrast, some models, such as the Hamilton Beach 2-speed and the Mueller Ultra-Stick couldn’t produce the consistent vortex. This caused the liquid to overflow excessively when we turned them up to higher speeds.

0.0

Whipped Egg-Whites

0.0
The blending wand of the KitchenAid KHBBV53 is immersed in a plastic beaker on a white table containing its failed beaten egg-white.
  • Beating Time: N/A
  • Result: N/A
  • Suction: N/A

The KitchenAid KHBBV53 was doomed to failure in this test since there was no way its blending wand could draw enough air into the egg-whites to form them properly. As a result, it left us with a cloudy cup of two separate layers: bubbly film and eggy water. Other blenders with whisking attachments, on the other hand, achieved stiff peaks quite easily.

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.
  • Beating Time: N/A
  • Result: N/A
  • Suction: N/A

Of all the blenders we tested, only machines with whisk attachments could draw enough air into the egg-whites to create a stiff peak. The Cuisinart's ordinary blending shaft, on the other hand, just gave us a cloudy liquid made of two layers: bubbly film and eggy water. We awarded this blender no points for this test.

The Way a Mind-Range Product Should

KitchenAid Cordless Hand Blender Design

Cuisinart Smart Stick 2-Speed Design: Thoughtful-Crafted for the Price
8.4
design Scores
  • Blending Shaft (30%)7.8/10
  • Build Quality (60%)8.5/10
  • Battery (5%)10/10
  • Beaker (5%)10/10
8.5
design Scores
  • Blending Shaft (30%)8.0/10
  • Build Quality (60%)8.5/10
  • Power Cord (5%)10/10
  • Beaker (5%)10/10

In the Box of the KitchenAid Cordless Various Speed Hand Blender

In the Box Cuisinart Smart Stick
The paper carton box, immersion blending wand, motor body, plastic beaker with lid, pan guard, charger, and owner’s manual of the KitchenAid battery blender being side by side.
  • Motor body 
  • Blending shaft 
  • 24-oz beaker with lid
  • Pan guard
  • Charger adapter
  • User manual

The KitchenAid KHBBV53 set includes 6 pieces as outlined above. If you’re looking for a more versatile blender, consider upgrading instead to the KitchenAid KHBBV83. That version works just as efficiently but comes with the whisk and chopper attachments to further enable your culinary creativity.

Owner’s manuals, blending wand, motor body, plastic beaker, paper carton box being side by side.
  • Motor body 
  • Blending shaft 
  • 24-oz beaker 
  • User manual

The Cuisinart CSB-175 Smart Stick set includes 4 items: a blender motor body, a blending shaft, a 20-ounce beaker, and a user manual. Before using your blender for the first time, make sure to clean it thoroughly following the user manual’s instructions. For safe operations, you should also comply with all the basic safety precautions issued by the Cuisinart manufacturers.

Dimensions

The KitchenAid cordless 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 inches, and the total length of the unit as 17 inches.
  • Height:
    17.0" (43.2 cm)
  • Width:
    2.6" (6.6 cm)
  • Weight:
    2.0 lbs (0.9 kg)
  • Shaft Length:
    8.0" (20.3 cm)

The KitchenAid KHBBV53 is well-balanced with a satisfying, weighty feel. It’s really comfortable to hold and the long blending shaft can reach deep into large pots.

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.
  • Height:
    15.6" (39.6 cm)
  • Width:
    2.3" (5.8 cm)
  • Weight:
    1.6 lbs (0.7 kg)
  • Shaft Length:
    8.4" (21.3 cm)

Stylish and portable, the Cuisinart CSB-175 Smart Stick offers a delicate balance of weight, size, and aesthetics. With a reasonably sized blending shaft, it doesn’t have any difficulty operating even in deep pots. Plus, it is compact enough that it fits easily into a drawer for storage.

8.5

Build Quality

8.5
The blending wand and motor body of the KitchenAid cordless immersion blender lying flat on a gray table.
The blending wand and motor body of the KitchenAid cordless immersion blender lying flat on a gray table.
A black spot in the blade housing of the KitchenAid cordless stick blender being scaled up for clearer viewing.

The KitchenAid KHBBV53 is quite an expensive blender, so we’re happy to say its solid construction delivers on that price tag. As a mid-range blender, it doesn’t look as sleek as the premium ones (for example, the Vitamix 5-speed), but this doesn’t mean it’s less durable. Although it is mostly made of plastic, it seems to be high quality and the metal parts resist corrosion pretty well. So far, we haven't noticed any damage on the exterior, even though discoloration is fairly common among immersion blenders with plastic components.

The blending shaft, on the other hand, leaves a bit to be desired. Its blade guard is made of stainless steel but looks relatively flimsy and doesn’t have a good finish. It is flecked with countless black spots which can’t be wiped off. That certainly ruins the interior’s shine but doesn’t impair operation.

The motor body and blending wand of the Cuisinart Smart Stick two-speed hand blender lying flat on a yellow table.

Although this blender is mostly made of plastic, its motor body looks and feels as solid as the stainless steel wand component. Even so, it may become discolored with use.

The stainless steel blending wand is built well enough to endure regular use. So far, our blades have shown no signs of rusting or dulling, but we have found a user’s complaint about her blade that snapped in half after just two months of use. 

The controls are of decent quality. They are easier to press than those of the Braun MultiQuick-5 and seem to be much more durable than the Mueller Ultra-Stick. Other than an awkward power button (to be discussed later) we were quite pleased with this unique design.

7.8

Blending Shaft

8.0
A close-up of the KitchenAid’s blending assembly sporting 2 sharp prongs with a pan guard attached.
  • Material:
    Stainless steel
  • Type:
    Sharp Blade
  • Guard Material:
    Stainless steel (With plastic pan guard)
  • Blade Count:
    2
  • Removable:
    No
  • Dishwasher Safe:
    Yes

The KitchenAid KHBBV53 features two-pronged blades which can withstand consistent use pretty well but don’t look as impressive as the higher-priced counterparts, such as the Vitamix.

Blending with this blender is a pleasure since its blade housing helps limit the splattering. Although the guard is made of metal, it won’t leave scratches on your cookware’s interior if you attach the included plastic pan guard. In our initial soup test, we immersed our blender — with that pan guard attached — into a glass pot and noticed zero damage.

A close-up of the Cuisinart CSB-175 Smart Stick Stainless Steel Blade
  • Material:
    Stainless steel
  • Type:
    Sharp Blade
  • Guard Material:
    Metal
  • Blade Count:
    2
  • Removable:
    No
  • Dishwasher Safe:
    No

The Cuisinart’s blade has two prongs: one sharp and the other blunt. Although it isn’t as high quality as the Vitamix, it can withstand consistent use. It even defeated its higher-priced counterpart in our mayonnaise test despite being the underdog. 

A metal housing partially covers the fixed stainless steel blade to keep splashing to a minimum. This blade guard, however, left much to be desired in our test due to its awkward design. Rather than being a solid piece like others, it has several small holes which significantly degrade the shielding’s effectiveness. 

Not only that, but the metal blade guard also caused scratches on the blender’s original beaker in its smoothie task. This is too awful even to be imagined.

Speed and Controls of the KitchenAid Cordless Immersion Blender

Speed and Controls of the Cuisinart Smart Stick 2-Speed
A close-up of the palm switch on the top back of the KitchenAid’s motor body.
A close-up of the palm switch on the top back of the KitchenAid’s motor body.
A close-up of the speed controller on the front of the KitchenAid’s motor body.
  • Control Type:
    Press
  • Min Speed:
    9,240 RPM
  • Max Speed:
    11,650 RPM
  • Presets:
    No
  • Noise Level:
    70 dB
  • Digital Display:
    Yes
  • Pulse Mode:
    No

This blender offers multiple speed options and its trigger switch is extremely responsive. In a departure from most, the speed is determined by the amount of pressure you apply to the trigger. Your blender will run at its highest speed if you press the controller all the way down.

There is also a palm switch on the blender’s backside which acts as a safety mechanism. To blend, you must hold that switch down along with the trigger switch. We personally appreciate that idea since it helps prevent the motor from being accidentally engaged and hurting someone.

Although the KitchenAid KHBBV53 doesn’t feature a separate switch for a pulse function, you can also get plenty of control over your chopping preparations by pressing the trigger in short bursts.

A close-up of two speed controlling buttons and a speed dial on top of the Cuisinart’s motor body.
  • Control Type:
    Press
  • Min Speed:
    11,670 RPM
  • Max Speed:
    12,660 RPM
  • Presets:
    No
  • Noise Level:
    80 dB
  • Digital Display:
    No
  • Pulse Mode:
    No

At first sight, we thought this blender would be very easy to use since its two-button interface looks really intuitive.

Unexpectedly enough, we couldn’t figure out how to activate the device until we consulted the user manual. Not only that, but we also needed quite a lot of practice to operate it smoothly. Unlike others, this blender has an additional locking button which acts as a safety mechanism. 

The locking button must be held down along with the operational button. That paired-button operation forced us to use two hands in some cases — certainly not what we’d call user-friendly.

The Cuisinart Smart Stick also allows us to switch between the two speed options (Low and High) with the slide control. We’d prefer more than two settings since multiple speeds give us more control over the food’s texture. 

That being said, the slider also makes this blender more complicated to use, especially when the dial’s location is entirely separated from the On/Off button. 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 blending to speed up or slow down.

10

Beaker

10
An included 700 ml plastic beaker of the KitchenAid cordless immersion blender standing on a gray table.
  • Material:
    Plastic
  • Capacity:
    24.0 fl oz (709.8 ml)
  • Measurements:
    Yes
  • Weight:
    0.2 oz (7 g)
  • Height:
    6.5" (16.5 cm)
  • Dishwasher Safe:
    Yes
  • Tamper Included:
    No

Our set included a single-serve jar which is BPA-free and top-rack dishwasher-safe. As a nice bonus, the jar features a thin rubber ring on the bottom to keep it stable while blending. It also includes a tight-seal black lid for fresher on-the-go drinks.

A 24-oz plastic beaker of the Cuisinart Smart stick standing on a yellow table.
  • Material:
    Plastic
  • Capacity:
    NaN fl oz (NaN ml)
  • Measurements:
    Yes
  • Weight:
    0.2 oz (7 g)
  • Height:
    6.5" (16.5 cm)
  • Dishwasher Safe:
    Yes
  • Tamper Included:
    No

Made of eco-friendly food-grade plastic, the beaker is entirely safe for use with any ingredients. It’s top-rack dishwasher-safe but doesn’t resist shattering, so we still recommend washing it manually to avoid any possible damage. Since it isn’t designed to withstand high temperatures, you also shouldn’t use it to blend hot liquid.

Besides the measurement marks, a wide pour spout is also a nice feature of Cuisinart’s beaker. When we used it to pour out the smoothie, we experienced less spillage than with other blender jars.

10

Battery

A close-up of the charging port and charger adapter pin of the KitchenAid stick blender.
A close-up of the charging port and charger adapter pin of the KitchenAid stick blender.
The KitchenAid cordless immersion blender lying flat on a gray table with the 6 ft. charger rolled next to it.
Someone holding the KitchenAid’s handle and pressing its power button so the battery status indicator on top is lighting.
  • Status Indicator:
    Yes
  • Full Charging Time:
    2 hours
  • Quick Charging Time:
    20 minutes
  • Charger Adapter:
    2-prong Plug,  100-240 V input
  • Charger Adapter Pin:
    round, 3.5 mm, 14 V output - 0.8A
  • Charger Length:
    6 ft

The lithium-ion battery can keep the power going long enough for approximately 25 medium bowls of soup if fully charged for 2 hours. The 0.5-amp charger ensures speedy recharging for the first 20 minutes (that takes it from 0% to 30%). With a quick charge, your blender will be set for a batch of purees or smoothies. Our real-world experience, though, suggests that the advertised charging performance can only be achieved at room temperature rather than in the cold of winter.

The light on the top indicates the battery status. It turns green when the blender is fully powered and reminds you to consider charging when it turns yellow or red. 

Not Included

Extra Accessories

Not Included
  • Material:
    N/A
  • Dishwasher Safe:
    N/A
  • Removable:
    N/A

This blender set doesn’t come with any extra blending attachment.

  • Material:
    N/A
  • Dishwasher Safe:
    N/A
  • Removable:
    N/A

The Cuisinart doesn’t come with any accessories other than the 24-oz pitcher.

Issues with Head-Suction

KitchenAid Cordless Hand Blender Usability Review

Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender Usability: Fine and Not Really Impressive
7.8
usability Scores
  • Ease of Use (60%)7.9/10
  • Blade Assembly (10%)7.5/10
  • Handling (20%)7.5/10
  • Cleanability (10%)8.0/10
7.8
usability Scores
  • Ease Of Use (60%)7.6/10
  • Blade Assembly (10%)9.0/10
  • Handling (20%)8.0/10
  • Cleanability (10%)7.5/10
7.9

Ease of Use

Ease Of Use

The KitchenAid KHBBV53 is intuitive to use but maneuvering it isn’t as easy. More often than not, we had a hard time with our blending motions since this machine created a bit too much suction. Every time it sucked tight to the blending container’s bottom, we would hardly stir or draw it up without causing a mess. 

Additionally, it took us a bit of practice to be proficient at using the speed controller. To hit the maximum speed, we simply press the switch all the way down, but things are complicated when you want a mid-range speed.  

Not only that, but we also felt quite apprehensive trying to figure out how to speed up or slow down on our own. The user manual doesn’t provide any instructions for that. It even doesn’t explain that the speed trigger switch is pressure sensitive.

At first sight, we thought this blender would be very easy to use due to its simple-designed interface.Unexpectedly enough, however, we couldn’t figure out how to activate the device until we consulted the user manual. Not only that, but we also needed quite a lot of practice to operate it smoothly.

Unlike others, this blender has an additional locking button which acts as a safety mechanism. The locking button must be held down along with the operational button. That paired-button operation forced us to use two hands in some cases — certainly not what we’d call user-friendly.

Given that the dial’s location is entirely separated from the On/Off button, it’s also quite tough for use to use the blender, adjust its speed, and hold the beaker at the same time. More often than not, we felt very annoyed when having to stop blending if we wanted to speed up or slow down.  

Another drawback was that all sorts of our blending motions, from stirring to drawing up, weren’t performed with ease. In particular, when the mayonnaise began to thicken, the blender suctioned itself tightly to the beaker’s bottom, making it a bit trickier for us to move its blending wand around. 

Likewise, in the hot soup test, the suction force created by the blender was so excessive that it entirely threw off our momentum when we were struggling to pull it out. Together with the absurdly-designed blade guard, this caused us lots of splatter every single time we moved our hand. Indeed, no other blenders we tested created as much mess as the Cuisinart.

There was also a problem in the smoothie test. At some points, this blender demanded we temporarily stop to dislodge the food trapped in its blade guard’s holes. And since blending frozen fruit was a prolonged procedure, it took a toll on the motor. Therefore, we had to let it rest every 60 seconds, and this was so inconvenient.

7.5

Blade Assembly

9.0

We set up our blender by aligning the blending wand to the motor body until they locked in place. To disassemble, we turned the attachment counterclockwise and then pulled it out from the body. That sounds as easy as one-two-three, but since this blender doesn’t include a release button like most others, removal demands more pulling force, which may be trickier to do if your hands are oily.

To set up our blender, we attached the blending wand to the motor body until they clicked. When blending was complete, we removed the wand by pressing the release button and pulling it out. The pulling force is relatively large compared to other blenders we’ve had our hands on, so this one was tough to disassemble when our hands were oily.

7.5

Handling

8.0
Someone holding the KitchenAid KHBBV53 Handle and pressing the speed controller at the same time.

This blender is comfortable to hold thanks to the ergonomically-designed handle, but the slick, polished finish will be slippery when it’s oily or wet. This can make your grip unstable, especially if your hands fatigue quickly.

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.

The Cuisinart’s handle has nothing particularly special. It doesn’t have a rubber layer (like the Vitamix or the Braun MultiQuick-5) to help you maintain a grip. On the bright side, it is ergonomically designed to protect your hand from fatigue.

8.0

Cleanability

7.5

The blending wand is dishwasher-safe, so cleaning will not be a challenging task. However, if you clean it manually, getting the blades’ backsides to sparkle again is almost impossible without a bottle-cleaning brush.

Following each test, we used a soapy sponge to scrub away the food tailings and most of the residue rinsed off easily. However, we couldn’t simply wipe away all sticky remnants (like mayonnaise) that clung stubbornly in the back of the blades. Instead, we had to use a straw-cleaning brush to get into those hard-to-reach spaces.

Since the blending wand isn’t dishwasher-safe, it demands manual scrubbing after use.

Following each test, most of the food residue rinsed off effortlessly under our running tap. We removed more stubborn remnants using a soapy sponge. Along the way, we didn’t have as much difficulty scrubbing the backs of the blades as we experienced with the Vitamix.