Black & Decker Electric Mixer With POWERBOOST

First impressions

I put this Black & Decker hand mixer to work the same day it arrived—whipped cream, cake batter, mashed potatoes, and a stiff chocolate chip cookie dough. It’s a straightforward, no-frills tool, and that’s part of the appeal. Out of the box, I appreciated the familiar layout: two chrome beaters, a simple five-speed slider, a beater eject button, and the POWERBOOST trigger tucked under my thumb. Nothing to learn, nothing fiddly. Plug in, beaters click in decisively, and you’re off.

Design and ergonomics

The shape is classic, with a slightly arched handle that’s wrapped in a softer, grippy material. It’s comfortable in the hand and well-balanced with the beaters installed, which matters when you’re running it for longer tasks like whipped cream or meringue. While the spec sheet lists a surprisingly heavy weight, in actual use it doesn’t feel anywhere near that. My best guess is that the published number reflects packaged weight or a typo; in hand, it feels like a typical corded hand mixer—manageable for extended mixing without fatigue.

Two resting options are built in and genuinely useful. The heel rest lets the mixer stand upright on the counter without tipping, and the bowl rest lets the body perch on the bowl’s edge between pulses. Both cut down on drips and mess. The beater eject button is firm and positive; the beaters pop out cleanly without a tug-of-war.

If you’re hoping for a storage case, extra whisk, or dough hooks, you won’t find them here. This is a basic two-beater setup. For general cooking, that’s fine, but if you rely on balloon whisks or specialty attachments, you’ll miss them.

Power and performance

Under the hood is a 175-watt motor and five speed settings. On paper, that’s modest. In practice, it’s enough for most common kitchen tasks—whipping, creaming, batters, and softer doughs. The star of the show is the POWERBOOST trigger: a momentary burst of extra oomph that helps you punch through thicker spots without committing to a higher continuous speed.

• Whipped cream: Starting at low and ramping to medium-high, I had soft peaks in a few minutes. The BOOST helped finish to firm peaks quickly without overmixing.
• Cake batter: Creaming butter and sugar was smooth at medium; the motor stayed composed with no bogging. BOOST was handy for incorporating pockets of dry ingredients right at the end.
• Mashed potatoes: With warm potatoes and a splash of milk, the mixer handled the mash at medium just fine; I used BOOST in short bursts to smooth out small lumps.
• Cookie dough: Here’s where the limits show. For a stiff dough with lots of chips, I wouldn’t live at high speed. Mix the butter, sugar, and eggs first, add dry ingredients gradually, then finish with short BOOST pulses if you hit a heavy patch. It works, but don’t expect stand-mixer torque.

What this mixer doesn’t try to be is a bread-dough workhorse. That’s appropriate; hand mixers of this size simply aren’t built for kneading yeasted doughs.

Speed control and the BOOST button

The five-step speed slider moves with a defined click at each setting. The lowest speed is reasonably gentle, though—as with most mixers—if you start above the surface of a wet batter you’ll get splatter. Submerge the beaters before switching on, and step up gradually.

The BOOST trigger is genuinely useful. I liked it most as a “spot correction” tool: when the mixer hits a stubborn ribbon of sugar or a clump of dry ingredients, a quick squeeze clears it. It’s also helpful at the tail end of whipping cream, where a short, controlled burst gets you from soft to firm peaks without overshooting. Important note: BOOST isn’t a replacement for higher continuous power; it’s a momentary assist. Use it in short pulses to avoid straining the motor.

Noise, heat, and vibration

Noise is moderate—on par with other budget-to-midrange hand mixers. At low speeds, conversation is easy; at high, it’s present but not piercing. After several minutes of continuous whipping, the body warmed up but never felt alarming. Vibration is controlled well enough that your grip doesn’t buzz uncomfortably, aided by the padded handle.

Cleaning and maintenance

The chrome-plated beaters are dishwasher-safe, and they also rinse clean easily if you do it right away. The main body wipes down with a damp cloth; there aren’t many seams or crevices for batter to hide in. I appreciate that the beater sockets drain quickly after washing, and the eject mechanism doesn’t trap gunk. As always, eject the beaters with the mixer unplugged to avoid accidental activation.

Corded convenience (and constraints)

Being corded means steady power and no batteries to manage. The cord exits at a sensible angle, and I didn’t find it fighting me during mixing. If your outlets are scarce or far from your prep area, you’ll want an extension, as the cord is typical rather than extra-long. There’s no swivel or wrap storage to speak of; I loop the cord loosely and store it in a drawer.

Stability, rests, and kitchen manners

Both the heel and bowl rests are more than marketing points—they’re practical. Standing the mixer upright between ingredient additions keeps the beaters from puddling on the counter, and the bowl rest is convenient when you’re working with a large mixing bowl and just need a moment to scrape down the sides. Drips are minimized, and because the balance is good, it doesn’t tip easily when parked.

Durability and warranty

Fit and finish are what I expect at this price tier: a solid plastic shell, metal beaters that seat squarely, and no rattly panels. After a week of daily use, everything still felt tight. The two-year limited warranty is a welcome safety net and slightly better than some competitors that offer a single year. As with all hand mixers, longevity depends on using it within its design range—short bursts for heavy tasks, and no bread dough.

What I’d change

• More gradual low speed: A softer “true low” would reduce splatter with thin batters.
• Accessories: An included whisk or dough hooks would expand versatility.
• Storage: A clip-on case or beater clip would tidy up the drawer.

None of these are deal-breakers, but they’re worth noting if you’re comparing models.

Who it’s for

• Home cooks who want a reliable, straightforward hand mixer for everyday tasks.
• Bakers who need a compact tool for whipping, creaming, and light dough mixing.
• Anyone who values a momentary power button to manage thicker spots without going up a full speed.

Who might look elsewhere: If you regularly mix very stiff doughs or large batches, a higher-wattage hand mixer with more speeds or a stand mixer will serve you better. If you rely on wire whisk attachments, pick a model that includes one.

Bottom line and recommendation

This Black & Decker mixer gets the fundamentals right: simple controls, a comfortable grip, stable resting options, and enough power for the cooking and baking most of us do weekly. The POWERBOOST trigger is thoughtfully executed and genuinely useful, and the dishwasher-safe beaters make cleanup effortless. While it lacks extra attachments and a super-gentle low speed, those omissions align with its straightforward, budget-friendly positioning.

I recommend this mixer for everyday home use. It’s a dependable, easy-to-handle tool that covers whipping, creaming, batters, and light doughs without fuss, and the BOOST button adds a practical edge when you need it. If your kitchen rhythm leans on versatility over sheer power—and you appreciate clean, simple design—you’ll be well served here.