Brentwood HM48W Hand Mixer vs XcelCraft Electric Hand Mixer

The XcelCraft is the more versatile mixer: 7 speeds, stainless steel beaters and two dough hooks let it knead as well as whip. The Brentwood HM48W is a simpler 5-speed unit with chrome beaters and no hooks, so it suits light jobs like eggs and cream. Owners rate the XcelCraft well overall, but both are plastic-bodied budget mixers, so expect light-duty build rather than heavy-duty durability.

• Choose the Brentwood HM48W if you only beat eggs, whip cream and mix thin batter, and you want the simplest possible tool.
• Choose the XcelCraft if you want dough hooks for kneading and a wider spread of speeds for more control.