Our recommendations are made independently through Research & Testing. We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links.
KitchenAid KHBBV53 vs Mueller Ultra-Stick Side-by-Side Comparison




Our Verdict
- Performance (50%)7.9/10
- Design (20%)8.4/10
- Usability (30%)7.8/10
- Performance (50%)7.3/10
- Design (20%)6.8/10
- Usability (30%)7.4/10
For the most part, folks agree that when it comes to tools generally, corded is better than cordless. However, our hands-on testing has proved that the KitchenAid KHBBV53, despite being the underdog in this match, is the better blender.
Although coming with a whisk attachment that provides extra capabilities, the Muller Ultra-Stick doesn’t blend evenly, is unable to endure prolonged operation, and cannot guarantee consistent quality.
Of all the blenders we tested, this blender ranks among the worst. Although it can make small batches of soups, emulsified sauces, and baby food, it struggled to cope with frozen fruits. Even worse, it overheated after three minutes of beating egg whites. If you intend to buy the Muller, think twice before risking your investment.
KitchenAid Cordless Variable Speed Hand Blender Performance
- 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
- 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
Hot Soup Purée




- 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.



- 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.
Frozen Fruit 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.




- 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.
Mayonnaise


- 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.



- 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.
Almond Milk
- 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: 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.
Whipped Egg-Whites

- 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.



- 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.
KitchenAid Cordless Hand Blender Design
- Blending Shaft (30%)7.8/10
- Build Quality (60%)8.5/10
- Battery (5%)10/10
- Beaker (5%)10/10
- 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 KitchenAid Cordless Various Speed Hand Blender

- 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.

- Motor body
- Blending shaft
- Whisk attachment
- Milk frother
- User manual
Dimensions

- 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.

- 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.
Build Quality



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 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.
Blending Shaft

- 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.

- 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.
Speed and Controls of the KitchenAid Cordless Immersion Blender



- 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.

- 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.
Beaker

- 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.
- 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
Battery




- 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.
Extra Accessories
- Material:N/A
- Dishwasher Safe:N/A
- Removable:N/A
This blender set doesn’t come with any extra blending attachment.

- 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.
KitchenAid Cordless Hand Blender Usability Review
- Ease of Use (60%)7.9/10
- Blade Assembly (10%)7.5/10
- Handling (20%)7.5/10
- Cleanability (10%)8.0/10
- Ease of Use (60%)7.3/10
- Blade Assembly (10%)8.5/10
- Handling (20%)6.5/10
- Cleanability (10%)8.5/10
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.
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.
Blade Assembly
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 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.
Handling

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.

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.
Cleanability
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.
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.