Which food-prep appliance best suits your style and the foods you prepare? Answering that question is getting tougher as more brands blur the lines.

You'll find $400 blenders that make smoothies, crush ice, and even spin fast enough to "cook" soup from scratch. Food processors can chop, slice, shred, and purée, while powerful stand mixers are ideal for cooks who make bread and cookies. You'll also find mini-choppers that can mince garlic and chop nuts, along with hand mixers aimed at lighter chores like whipping cream or mixing cake batter.

WHAT'S AVAILABLE

Blenders. Rugged construction and increased power are driving blender sales. Ice-crushing ability has become a key attribute along with appearance, since these products are often left out on the countertop—a reason you'll see more colors and metallic finishes. You'll also find handheld immersion blenders with a swirling blade at the bottom. They're popular for stirring soups and puréeing, and are often paired with beaters, whisks, and other attachments. Hamilton Beach and Oster account for more than 40 percent of countertop-blender sales, while Braun controls the handheld segment of the market. Other brands include Black & Decker, Cuisinart, GE, KitchenAid, Krups, Proctor-Silex, Sharp, Sunbeam, Vita-Mix, and Waring. Price: $10 to $400 for blenders; $10 to $100 for immersion blenders.

Food processors. Several brands now have multifunction models designed to work as two or more machines, thanks to interchangeable food-processor containers and glass blender jars and blades. A mini-bowl that fits inside the main container for preparing smaller quantities is another innovation. Dominant brands are Black & Decker, Cuisinart, Hamilton Beach, and KitchenAid. Infomercials have also boasted mini-choppers. Price: $20 to $400.

Stand and hand mixers. More power for heavy dough and other tough tasks is the pitch at the store. Choices range from heavy-duty models with the most power and the largest mixing bowls to light-service machines that are essentially detachable hand mixers resting on a stand. Power range varies from about 200 to 800 watts. KitchenAid owns over half the stand-mixer market; GE, Hamilton Beach and Sunbeam are the next best-selling brands. Black & Decker, GE, Hamilton Beach, KitchenAid, Proctor Silex, and Sunbeam are the dominant brands among hand mixers. Price: $60 to $500 for stand mixers; $15 to $75 for hand mixers.

IMPORTANT FEATURES

For blenders

Three to 16 speeds are the norm, though three well-differentiated speeds are adequate. Power ratings range from about 300 to 500 watts, though lower-wattage models often outperformed beefier ones in our tests. Containers are made of glass, plastic, or stainless steel, and can hold about 5 to 8 cups. A glass container is heavier and more stable, helps keep blenders from shaking, and is easiest to keep clean. Plastic may scratch and is likely to absorb the smell of whatever it holds. Stainless-steel looks good but keeps you from seeing how the blending is going. A wide mouth makes filling and washing easier, while easy-to-read markings help you measure more accurately. A pulse setting lets you fine-tune blending time. Touchpad controls are easy to wipe clean. A removable blade is easier to clean that one permanently attached to the container.

For food processors

All have a clear plastic mixing bowl and lid, an S-shaped metal chopping blade (and sometimes a duller version for kneading dough), and a plastic food pusher to safely prod food through the feed tube. Some have a wider tube so you don't have to cut up vegetables. One speed and a pulse setting are the norm. Bowl capacity ranges from around 3 cups to 14 cups (dry), with most models holding 6 to 11 cups (mini-choppers hold 2 to 3 cups). A shredding/slicing disk is standard on full-sized processors. Some come with a juicer attachment. Touchpad controls are also common.

For mixers

Stand mixers generally come with one bowl and either single or paired beaters, whisks, and dough hooks. Some offer splash guards to prevent flour from spewing out of the bowl, plus attachments to make pasta, grind meat, and stuff sausage. Stand mixers generally have 5 to 16 speeds, though five or six well-differentiated settings are enough. You should be able to lock a mixer's power head in the up position so it won't crash into the bowl when the beaters are weighed down with dough—and in the down position to keep beaters from kicking back when tackling stiff dough. A slow-start feature on some prevents ingredients from spattering when you start up, but you can get the same protection by stepping through three or so speeds. An indentation on the underside of the motor housing lets the mixer sit on the edge of a bowl without taking the beaters out of the batter.

HOW TO CHOOSE

For blenders

Choose the right machine. Blenders excel at puréeing soup, crushing ice, and making fruit smoothies. Look for the performance and convenience features that fit your cooking tasks.

Consider your budget. Power, performance, and price don't always go hand-in-hand. Some modestly powered, inexpensive blenders turn out smooth-as-silk mixtures, while some bigger and fancier blenders leave food lumpy. You'll pay more for extra speeds (which you may not need) as well as a stainless jar (even though glass is a better bet).

For food processors & choppers

Consider capacity. Food processors hold much more than choppers, though we’ve found what the manufacturer claims may not be what you get. While you may want an 11- to 14-cup processor if you cook for a crowd, they tend to be pricier and heavier than smaller versions and take up more space. A midsized model (around 7 cups) should be fine for most tasks. While big food processors can handle small jobs, choppers ease cleanup.

Expect to pay more for kneading. Lower-priced models strained and jumped while kneading dough. They were also noisy compared with higher-end models. Choppers can be noisy too, though they’re typically used only for short periods.

For stand & hand mixers

Decide how much mixer you need. Just about any stand or hand mixer will do for simple mixing and whipping chores. But serious bakers will probably prefer a heavy, powerful stand mixer because it can knead two loaves’ worth of dough with ease.

Look for clearly marked speeds. On some low-priced hand mixers, the speed-selection switch didn’t line up with the speed markings.

Consider size and weight. Hand mixers should feel well-balanced and comfortable in your hand. Also balance the added stability of heavier machines with how much weight you can comfortably hold. And be sure you’ll have enough clearance if you plan to keep the mixer on a counter below cabinets.

Consider beater style and motion. Most of the top-performing hand mixers have wire beaters without the thick center post found on traditional-style beaters. Wire performed well and was easier to clean. Light-duty stand mixers typically have stationary beaters and a bowl that sits on a revolving turntable. The bowl sometimes needs a push to keep spinning.

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