Blenders, hand blenders, juicers and food processors all chop, mix or blend, but each does its own job best. Pick the wrong one and you end up with a gadget that sits in the cupboard. This guide explains the differences and compares the Kenwood, Braun and Panasonic models we stock, so you can choose the right one for how you cook.
Which one do you need?
- Hand blender (stick blender): blends soups, sauces and shakes straight in the pot or beaker. Compact and easy to clean.
- Jug blender: best for smoothies, milkshakes and crushing ice, and for larger quantities in one go.
- Juicer or juicer blender: extracts juice from fruit and vegetables, and some models also blend.
- Food processor: chops, slices, shreds and kneads, so it saves the most time on big meal preparation.
- Mixer: whisks and beats for baking, such as cakes and cream.
Hand blenders we stock
| Model | Power | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Braun MultiQuick 1 MQ 100 | 450W | 600 ml beaker |
| Braun MultiQuick 1 MQ10.001M | 450W | 600 ml, one-speed button |
| Braun MultiQuick 1 MQ10.201M | 450W | 600 ml, one-speed button |
| Braun MultiQuick 5 MQ 500 | 600W | 600 ml BPA-free beaker |
| Braun MultiQuick 3 MQ3000 | 700W | 600 ml BPA-free beaker |
| Braun MultiQuick 3 MQ3035 | 700W | Dual speed, 500 ml chopper, whisk and 600 ml beaker |
| Braun MultiQuick 3 MQ 3045 | 700W | See product page |
| Braun MultiQuick 3 MQ 3048 | 700W | 2-speed control, blending shaft, whisk, 500 ml chopper and 600 ml beaker |
| Braun MultiQuick 3 Vario MQ 3105B | 750W | 600 ml beaker |
| Braun MultiQuick 5 Vario MQ 5200 | 1000W | 21 speeds, 600 ml beaker |
| Braun MultiQuick 5 Vario MQ 5245 | 1000W | 21 speeds, chopper, whisk and 600 ml beaker |
| Kenwood HBM-02 | 600W | 0.6 litre |
| Panasonic MX-GS1 | 600W | Maximum motor locked wattage |
| Panasonic MX-SS1 | 600W | 0 to 20,000 rpm |
Jug blenders we stock
| Model | Power | Jug size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braun JB0123 | 500W | 1.5L | 4-blade system, 2 speeds plus pulse |
| Kenwood BLP15.360 | 500W | 2L | Smoothie maker, ice crush, 2 speeds plus pulse |
| Panasonic MX-EX1521 | 450W | 1.5L | Blender with grinder |
| Panasonic MX-MG5321 | See product page | 2.0L glass jar | With two dry mills, 2 speeds plus pulse |
| Panasonic MX-MG5421 | 800W | 2L glass jar | With two dry mills, ice crush, 2 speeds plus pulse |
| Panasonic MX-HG6401 | 800W | See product page | Cooking blender |
Juicers and juicer blenders we stock
| Model | Power | Capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panasonic MJ-SJ01WSL | 240 to 270W | 1.5L | 2 speeds, stainless steel screw and strainer, drip stop |
| Panasonic MJ-J176 | 230W | 1.5L jug | 2 speeds plus pulse |
| Panasonic MJ-DJ31 | 800W | 1.5L juice jug, 2.0L pulp container | 2-speed control, rotatable anti-drip spout |
| Panasonic MJ-CB800 | 1000W maximum motor locked | See product page | Juicer blender |
| Braun Citrus Juicer CJ 3000 (also in black) | 20W | 350 ml | Citrus juicer |
| Braun Citrus Juicer MPZ 9 | 20W | 1.0L | Citrus juicer |
| Braun Tribute Collection CJ 3050 | See product page | See product page | Citrus juicer |
Food processors we stock
| Model | Power | Bowl | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenwood FP120 | 400W | 1.4L | 1 speed plus pulse, knife blade and 3 slicing and shredding discs |
| Kenwood FDP-303WH Everyday Essentials | 800W | 1.2L | See product page |
| Kenwood FDP65.400WH | 1000W | See product page | 2 processing speeds |
| Kenwood MultiPro Express FDP65.750WH | 1000W | See product page | 2 processing speeds, 1.5L blender |
| Kenwood FDP65.880SI | 1000W | 3.0L | 3 speeds plus pulse, 1.2L blender |
| Kenwood FDM71.980SS | 1000W | 3.0L | 1.5L ThermoResist glass blender |
| Panasonic MK-F510 | 800W | 2.4L | 2 speeds plus pulse |
| Braun PureEase FP 3132 BK | 800W | 2.1L (1.2L usable for liquids) | 2 speeds plus pulse |
| Braun PureEase FP 3235 SI | 800W | 2.1L (1.2L usable for liquids) | 2 processing speeds |
Mixers we stock
| Model | Power | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Panasonic MK-GH3 hand mixer | 175W | 5 speeds |
| Braun MultiMix 1 HM1010 | 400W | 4 speeds plus turbo |
| Panasonic MK-GB3 stand mixer | 175W | 5 speeds, 3L bowl, beaters and dough hooks |
How to choose
1. Match the machine to the job
- For soups, sauces and quick shakes, a hand blender is enough, and it is the easiest to store and wash. Models such as the Braun MQ3035 and MQ 3048 add a chopper and whisk, so one tool does more.
- For smoothies and crushing ice, choose a jug blender with an ice-crush setting, like the Kenwood BLP15.360 or Panasonic MX-MG5421.
- For dry spices and grains, look for a blender with a grinder or dry mill, such as the Panasonic MX-EX1521 or the MX-MG5321 and MX-MG5421.
- For chopping, slicing and shredding large amounts, a food processor saves the most time. The Kenwood FP120 comes with slicing and shredding discs.
- For baking, a mixer such as the Braun HM1010 or the Panasonic MK-GH3 whisks and beats far more evenly than a spoon.
2. Look at motor power, but do not rely on it alone
Higher wattage usually means the machine copes better with harder ingredients and heavier loads. Within our range, hand blenders run from 450W to 1000W, and food processors from 400W to 1000W. Capacity, blade design and build quality matter too, so read the whole product page. Make sure your wiring can handle the appliance, especially if other heavy appliances share the same line.
3. Check capacity
- Hand blenders: the beaker size, usually 600 ml, limits how much you blend at once.
- Jug blenders: 1.5L to 2L suits families. The Panasonic MX-MG5321 and MX-MG5421 and the Kenwood BLP15.360 offer 2 litres.
- Food processors: 1.2L to 1.4L bowls suit small households. The Kenwood FDP65.880SI and FDM71.980SS have 3.0L bowls for bigger batches.
4. Think about speeds and attachments
A pulse function gives better control when chopping. Variable-speed models such as the Braun MQ 5200 and MQ 5245 offer 21 speeds, while basic ones have a single button. Extra attachments such as a chopper, whisk or slicing discs add value if you will actually use them.
5. Consider cleaning and storage
Removable parts that are easy to rinse get used more often. A glass jar, as on the Panasonic MX-MG5321 and MX-MG5421, is easy to clean, while a hand blender takes the least space in the cupboard.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a blender and a food processor?
A blender is built for liquids, such as smoothies, shakes and soups. A food processor chops, slices, shreds and mixes dry or thick ingredients with blades and discs. Some of our Kenwood models combine a processor bowl with a separate blender jug.
Is a hand blender better than a jug blender?
A hand blender is more convenient for soups and sauces and easier to clean. A jug blender is better for smoothies, ice and larger quantities.
Which of your food processors has the largest bowl?
The Kenwood FDP65.880SI and FDM71.980SS both have 3.0 litre bowls.
Which hand blender has the most power?
The Braun MultiQuick 5 Vario MQ 5200 and MQ 5245 are rated at 1000W and have 21 speeds.
Can I juice with a blender?
A blender makes smoothies with the whole fruit. A juicer separates the juice from the pulp. The Panasonic juicer blenders, such as the MJ-DJ31 with a 2.0 litre pulp container, are made for juicing, and the Braun citrus juicers suit oranges and lemons.
Shop the range
Browse our food blenders, food processors and juicers, or shop by brand: Kenwood, Braun and Panasonic. You can also see all kitchen appliances.