Oster Hand Mixer Review - Is it a Sexy Power Tool for Women or a Kitchen Appliance?

Men have their drills and saws.... and finally women have a kitchen appliance that is like a power tool, the Oster Hand Mixer.

Let's be honest, I will be the first thrifty shopper to pick up a cheap appliance at whatever bargain box dollar store sale is closest to my area. When my hand mixer died on me this week, I had the same mind set to replace it with another inexpensive no-name brand piece-of-plastic-junk to get me by. After visiting a close friend, who works in the food brokerage industry, she suggests that Oster is a good brand for hand mixers.

Shopping for groceries one day, I go down my list of items needed...

• Milk.......check

• Eggs.......check

• Flour......check

• Butter......check

• Drinks......check

• Hand mixer ............

Oster....that sounds expensive...

I found myself searching the grocery store for that cheap no-name brand piece-of-junk to get me by again. When I arrived at the appliance section, there were several options, but the choice was obvious for my thrifty habits. In fact, Oster was the cheapest hand mixer on the shelf marked from $39.99 down to $24.99. Even without the hefty $15 discount, the $39.99 was a bargain compared to the other more expensive brands. So, I picked up the Oster hand mixer and headed to check out.

On the way home, although I was happy about the bargain, I questioned whether or not that I purchased the right product. Did I make the right choice? Mulling over my decision, when I got home, I wasn't too excited to unpack the Oster hand mixer from the box. Should I have gotten the more expensive product? Maybe even the one just a little fancier? I barely even looked at the other hand mixers, when I picked this box up. I set the box on the counter, along with the receipt, and decided to look up some reviews on hand mixers online. If I found that the Oster had bad reviews, or if I discovered a better product, I would take the Oster back.

Anytime that I want a good dependable review of any kitchen related product, I rely on the good housekeeping seal of approval. I typed into the Google search engine the keywords "Good Housekeeping Reviews of Hand Mixers". I found that there are a few brand choices to consider, namely, Cuisinart, Sunbeam, KitchenAid, Oster, Dualit, Black & Decker, Hamilton Beach, and Viking. You can read the full review, including exact specifications for each product recommendation here: http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/product-reviews/appliances/mixer-reviews/hand-mixer-reviews#slide-1. There are 14 total different hand mixer models outlined in the Good Housekeeping review. However, I am only going to list the best five recommendations, in order below:

1) Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed HM-90S (Retail $69.95)

2) Sunbeam MixMaster Hand Mixer FPSBHM1502 (Retail $19.99)

3) KitchenAid Architect 9 Speed KHM920A (Retail $110)

4) KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer KHM5APER (Retail $49.99)

5) Oster Hand Mixer with Retractable Cord 2577 (Retail $24.99)

The Oster has a SEXY APPEARANCE, VALUE, and is a QUALITY product.

How did I come to the conclusion that I made the right choice in buying the Oster over the other hand mixer brands? Ok, well first OBVIOUSLY, I considered the prices. That's what I do. I am a thrifty shopper. Oster, from the list I provided above was the second from cheapest product.

1) Oster is a CUTE MODEL - The Oster was $24.99 and the cheapest hand mixer was the Sunbeam Mixmaster at $19.99. Let's compare these two products. The first crystal clear difference is the appearance. Yes, I am just gonna say it...the sunbeam just isn't cute. In fact, the model looks outdated and cheap. Of course, as a thrifty shopper, I want a cheap product. Meaning that I don't like to spend a lot of money. But I also don't want the product to appear significantly low in quality. Plus, the good housekeeping review mentioned that it was hard to select the buttons on the sunbeam hand mixer. The Oster is a sleek and sexy kitchen appliance.

2) Oster is a great VALUE - Now, that I have eliminated the sunbeam as an option, the Oster ($24.99) becomes the least expensive choice of the other three hand mixer models, which are Cuisinart ($69.95), KitchenAid Architect ($110), and the KitchenAid 5-Speed ($49.99). Ok, so let me help you eliminate the KitchenAid Architect ($110) and Cuisinart ($69.95) right off the bat. You saw that coming, didn't you? The KitchenAid Architect is so expensive $110.00!!, and it comes with many bells and whistles, but according to Good Housekeeping, it barely even does what a hand mixer is supposed to do; beat cookie dough and knead bread. Next, I eliminate the Cuisinart ($69.95), because I am just not spending over $50 on a hand mixer. Anything above $50, and I might as well be shopping for a stand mixer.

3) Oster is good QUALITY - This leaves us with the last hand mixer, the KitchenAid 5-Speed ($49.99), to compare with the Oster ($24.99). Now, going just by the Good Housekeeping review, the KitchenAid (5-Speed) has a lower speed range than the Oster (6-Speed). The KitchenAid does not include the drink mixer beater and the Oster does. The Oster has a retractable cord that the Kitchenaid does not feature. Oh, and did I forget to mention that the Oster is cheaper? But you figured that out. And finally, as a side note, I read other online reviews, on Amazon, about this particular KitchenAid model breaking within two weeks of purchase. The defect has to do with the eject button jamming on the KitchenAid, causing the beaters to become permanently disabled.

These are a few features of the Oster Hand Mixer that I love...

A) ERGONOMICALLY DESIGNED SOFT TOUCH HANDLE - The product is easy to handle and does not slip out of your hands easily.

B) RUBBERIZED HEEL & BOWL REST IMPROVES STABILITY - This feature is great for a mom with kids who needs to step away for a second to check on her kids...and now, it becomes a stand mixer...almost.

C) ONE RETRACTABLE CORD CORD FOR EASY STORAGE - This is wonderful! You push the button and the cord springs back into place. Who wants long cords hanging around and getting in the way?

D) STAINLESS FRONT LOOKS MUCH BETTER IN PERSON - The picture on the manufacture box does not do the mixer justice. It is a sleek sexy product. The stainless front is very shiny & clear like a mirror. You can even see me in the reflection taking the picture in the background.

Other specifications, per the manufacturer, include 6 speeds for more control, exclusive burst of power button with 2.1 amp motor, one-touch beater eject level, durable full beaters, and the product includes the full beaters, dough hooks, and a whisk.

WHITE MODEL: 2534

BLACK MODEL: 2577

So, I've been using my mixer this week and just love it so far. When I turned it on, it had a great deal of kick-start power. It is amazing! It's like a power tool! I feel like this thing could jump start a tornado! I even made homemade pizza dough with it for the first time. Which was much easier than I ever anticipated!

...but here is fantastic news... I needed to purchase another Oster 6 Speed 250-Watt hand mixer as a housewarming gift, for my friend that I mentioned earlier. I wanted to ship the product directly to her. So, instead of buying an Oster hand mixer at the same grocery store, marked from $39.99 to $24.99, I decided to shop online for her gift. I was pleased to find the online price for the white model was $23.20 and the black model was just $16.53. Here are the links below...

OSTER 6 SPEED 250-Watt Hand Mixer with Retractable Cord...

• AMAZON HAS A BLACK 2577 MODEL FOR $16.53 at this link below!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012S8NWQ?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B0012S8NWQ&linkCode=xm2&tag=hubp02bfc-20

• AMAZON HAS THE WHITE 2534 MODEL for $23.20 at this link below!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C3S6VU?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000C3S6VU&linkCode=xm2&tag=hubp02bfc-20

Thank you for reading my hub about the Oster Hand Mixer. For a brief guide about how to buy a hand mixer, please read the below hub:

• How To Buy A Hand Mixer Guide