With a regular blender, you pour the ingredients into the blender and turn it on. But with the immersion blender, you insert the blender into the ingredients you would like to blend, and then turn it on. The name clearly makes sense!

Obviously, this type of blender is the better choice when you’re trying to make a large quantity of something, like a pureed soup, that won’t fit in a single blender. It’s also the perfect choice when working with something hot, because you don’t have to worry about transferring said hot liquid from one vessel to another

If you’re looking for something cost-effective, you’re likely looking at an immersion blender that only has a few basic speeds and is best for simply pureeing and mixing. They might not do a stellar job with chopping

If you’re looking for something simple and cost-effective, there are 2-speed stick blenders that can handle all the basic tasks. Immersion blenders that offer attachments do even more to earn their keep. Whisks and choppers are typical attachments. Some brands include these in the box with their blenders, while others are add-ons you can purchase separately.