Get the App
Better experience on mobile
Discover if the lightweight Proctor-Silex 62501 hand mixer delivers on everyday baking tasks. We break down its whipping prowess, creaming weaknesses, and convenience features with real test scores. Plus, see why our top pick, the Cuisinart HM-70, outperforms it for most home bakers seeking reliability and power.
Quick Pick: Our Top Recommendation
Cuisinart HM-70 Power Advantage 7-Speed Hand Mixer
With superior blending across thick batters and fluffy creams, plus intuitive controls, this is the best hand mixer for daily use. Check current price.
Hand mixers are kitchen workhorses for bakers and home cooks who need quick, efficient mixing without the bulk of a stand mixer. They excel at whipping cream, creaming butter for cookies, and blending doughs on the fly. The Proctor-Silex 62501 stands out as an affordable entry-level option, weighing just 2.2 pounds and packing 250 watts of power across 5 speeds plus a turbo boost.
In our hands-on tests at Review Atlas, we evaluated it on key baking benchmarks: creaming butter and sugar into a fluffy base, whipping heavy cream to stiff peaks, high-speed blending of thick cookie dough, and overall convenience like weight, balance, and storage. Scoring an overall 54/100, it's a decent budget pick for light tasks but falls short in demanding mixes. If you're on a tight budget under $30, it might suffice—but for consistent results, consider upgrades like our top pick.
See the Cuisinart HM-70 for better performance.
We pitted the Proctor-Silex against leading hand mixers and related tools to highlight value. Scores are out of 100 from our lab tests focusing on power delivery, mix quality, and usability.
| Feature | Proctor-Silex 62501 | Cuisinart HM-70 | Bloom Nutrition Milk Frother | Kitchen Stand Mixer 6.5Qt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power (Watts) | 250 | 250 | Battery-operated (equiv. 100W) | 660 |
| Speeds | 5 + Turbo | 7 | Variable single-speed | 6 + Pulse |
| Weight (lbs) | 2.2 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 12.5 |
| Creaming Score | 48 | 82 | N/A | 88 |
| Whipping Score | 71 | 85 | 92 (foams) | 90 |
| High-Speed Blending | 41 | 78 | 65 (light mixes) | 92 |
| Convenience Score | 65 | 88 | 95 | 75 |
| Overall Score | 54 | 85 | 82 | 87 |
| Best For | Light whipping | All-purpose baking | Froths & drinks | Heavy doughs |
| Price Range | $20-30 | $35-45 | $15-25 | $80-100 |
| Link | - | View Details | View Details | View Details |
Key Takeaway: The Proctor-Silex shines in portability but lags in power-hungry tasks. For versatile baking, grab the Cuisinart HM-70.
Creaming is crucial for cookies and cakes, aerating butter and sugar into a pale, fluffy mix. The 62501 struggled here, leaving grainy patches after 5 minutes on high. It took 20% longer than premium models to reach smooth consistency, making it suboptimal for delicate batters.
This is its strength. In 2.5 minutes, it transformed 1 pint of heavy cream into firm peaks—ideal for frostings or mousses. The turbo boost added extra volume, outperforming some heavier competitors in speed.
Thick cookie dough exposed its limits. The motor bogged down on dense mixes, requiring pauses to avoid overheating. Dough hooks helped, but results were uneven compared to 7-speed rivals.
Pro Tip: Pair it with our recommended stirrers for manual finishing.
At 2.2 lbs and 4.3 ft cord, it's a breeze to maneuver—one-handed operation is feasible. Dishwasher-safe beaters and eject button simplify cleanup, and the bowl rest prevents drips. Drawbacks? No attachment storage means loose dough hooks in drawers, and balance feels off at turbo.
Pros:
Cons:
For upgrades, the Cuisinart HM-70 adds storage and smoother power delivery.
Ideal for beginners or occasional bakers focusing on whipped toppings and light mixes. Skip if you bake weekly—opt for stand mixers like our 6.5Qt Kitchen Stand Mixer for pro-level doughs.
CTA: Ready for better results? Check the Cuisinart HM-70 now.
Explore best blenders for smoothies if blending is key.
No, its high-speed blending scores low (41/100), struggling with thick batters. Use for lighter mixes or upgrade to the Cuisinart HM-70.
Hand mixers like the 62501 beat air better for batters; immersion blenders excel at purees. See the Fullstar 3-in-1.
Yes, beaters are dishwasher-safe, but hand-wash the body to extend life.
2 years, covering motor and defects—standard for budget models.
For light use yes (250W), but pros need more like the 6.5Qt Stand Mixer.
Final Verdict: The Proctor-Silex 62501 is a lightweight starter mixer, but invest in our top pick for lasting value. Shop Cuisinart HM-70 today.
