This all-in-one hand blender set is a total game changer for home cooking (and here's why)
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I've always loved cooking, and while I'm by no means an expert, I really enjoy trying out new recipes and love that it gives me the opportunity to get creative. For me, there's nothing more relaxing than putting on some feel-good tunes and whipping up one of my favourite comfort dishes.
And as much as I love experimenting with flavours, I can also never resist treating myself to a new kitchen appliance. So I was super excited when I got the chance to review the Laura Ashley 4-in-1 hand blender set by VQ!
Keep reading to find out how I put this all-in-one hand blender to the test – and whether I think it's worth the money...
Jump straight to:
- Summary
- How we tested
- Laura Ashley 4-in-1 hand blender set review
- Our verdict: Should you buy the Laura Ashley 4-in-1 hand blender set
- Test out your appliance with our recipe
Summary
With a 500-watt motor, the Laura Ashley hand blender set by VQ is a powerful piece of equipment that makes whisking, chopping and blending a total breeze. The 4-in-1 design reduces kitchen clutter and comes with a drawstring bag that allows you to pack away and safely store the tools together when not in use. The set is ideal for those with smaller kitchens who are looking for space-saving, all-in-one appliances. The attachments are easy to use and the elegant design makes this tool one you’ll be proud to display in your home.
- Check availability at Amazon
How we tested
I tested the Laura Ashley 4-in-1 hand blender set by using it to make three different food items. I used the food chopper to make pesto, the electric whisk to whip cream, and the immersion blender to create a berry sauce. For the latter, I placed the berries in the set’s measuring cup to test how convenient it is when used with the blender.
By trying out each attachment individually for its intended purpose and using a variety of ingredients, I was able to conduct a more thorough review and form a clearer overall assessment of the set. I also evaluated the setup process and the user experience from start to finish when using this all-in-one tool.
Laura Ashley 4-in-1 hand blender set review
Key features:
- Versatile 4‑in‑1 design
- Simple to use
- Powerful 500 watt motor and multiple speeds
- Stylish design
1. First impressions
The first thing I noticed when receiving the product was its simple and neat packaging. Because it’s so nicely presented, my immediate thought was that it would make a lovely gift. It would be particularly great for someone interested in cooking or as a housewarming present. The all-in-one design would help them build up their kitchen essentials collection.
Inside the box, I received a set of instructions, a stylish taupe drawstring bag, a power stick with a plug, a stainless steel blending shaft, a stainless steel whisk beater, a mini food chopper, and a 300ml mixing and pouring cup. The items are beautifully decorated with the Laura Ashley China Rose print finish, which is a delicate blue and white floral print with a wonderfully vintage feel. It almost felt like decor, and I instantly pictured myself displaying the items on my kitchen counter to add a pop of colour to the space. The finishing touches set the hand blender apart from others on the market and, again, makes it the perfect, special gift.
Despite my belief that the China Rose print makes this blender set too pretty not to display, I appreciate that a drawstring bag is included. This is ideal for smaller kitchens or those who prefer a minimalist aesthetic. The bag enables the power stick and attachments to be stored together (preventing items from being lost) and can be neatly packed away when not in use.
I also noted that the appliances were lightweight and the set seemed compact and super convenient, so I was excited to test it out.
2. Setup
Setting up the various blender appliances was extremely simple, thanks to the helpful instruction manual. The manual includes clear, step-by-step instructions, breaking down how to assemble and use each attachment, along with some additional best practice tips. It also features a labelled diagram of each attachment, which supports the written instructions and makes the setup process even easier to understand.
The booklet also has a section for recipes, including various dips, dressings, pesto, soup and even curry. This is a nice touch and inspired me to make pesto using the food chopper.
While the instructions are thorough and extremely helpful, the super intuitive design means many users may not need them. Both the blending shaft and beater attachments twist onto the power handle and are ready to use. The food chopper requires a couple more steps, but is still very easy to assemble. Simply attach the power handle to the chopping bowl lid, place the blade onto the drive shaft in the chopping bowl, then twist the lid onto the bowl and it’s ready for blitzing.
Ultimately, the intuitive, user-friendly design and easy-to-follow instructions allow anyone to set up the appliances, even if they have never used a blender before.
3. Usability and performance
Once I had learned how to attach the various accessories, it was time to see how they performed! I thought I would start with the mini food chopper, and, as I mentioned earlier, I experienced no issues setting it up. A useful safety feature is that the food chopper only operates when the lid is securely locked into place.
The main limitation of this food chopper is its size. This wasn’t a major issue for me, as I was able to add the pesto ingredients slowly – a bit at a time – which worked well. However, it’s definitely something to consider, especially if you like to batch cook or want to chop a lot of ingredients quickly. On the other hand, the compact size makes the chopper extremely portable and means it will take up less space in your kitchen or cupboards.
Despite its size, the chopper was very efficient. Its 500W motor blitzed up the dry and wet ingredients into a smooth consistency in no time at all. The power handle features two buttons with different speed settings, providing me with more control while chopping. I primarily used the faster setting to finely mince the ingredients. It’s worth noting that while the accessory easily chopped up the soft ingredients needed for pesto, I do not know how it would handle harder ingredients, such as hard vegetables.
The food chopper was somewhat noisy when in use, but this is to be expected given the nature of the tool. I didn’t find it any louder than other food processors I’ve used in the past though.
I used both of the other attachments to make a dessert that included a berry sauce and whipped cream, and found that the sleek, ergonomic power handle was very comfortable to grip. I used the immersion blender for the berry sauce, and it puréed the fruit into a very smooth, thin sauce in a matter of seconds. I also used the measuring container for blending the berries – it was the perfect size for this task and made it easy to pour the sauce over the dessert when it was ready. I haven’t tested this attachment with harder ingredients, but based on how quickly it blended the fruit, I think it would be a very helpful tool for a range of recipes, particularly soups.
The whisk also effectively whipped the cream, although it took a bit of time – making the faster setting necessary. A small point to consider is that the power handle requires you to continuously hold down the buttons for it to operate. While this is fine for foods that don’t take long to chop or blend, I did experience some hand fatigue when whisking the cream. Again, this isn’t a huge problem, but if you think this might bother you, it might be worth opting for an electric whisk that has a continuous operation setting.
Like the food chopper, the blender and whisk did make some noise, but personally, I didn’t find it irritating.
As the accessories are detachable and the food chopper is quick and easy to disassemble, the hand blender set was really easy to clean. I washed everything by hand (except for the power handle, which the instructions clearly state should not be immersed in with water), but the whisk beaters, cup and chopper bowl are dishwasher safe.
4. Value for money
The Laura Ashley 4-in-1 hand blender set is usually priced at £69.99, but it's currently available on Amazon for just £59.99.
What’s in the box:
- Power handle
- Stainless steel blending shaft
- Stainless steel whisk beater
- Mini food chopper complete with a bowl and chopping blade
- 300ml mixing and pouring cup
- Drawstring storage bag
- Instruction manual
Although there are some cheaper hand blender sets on the market, the Laura Ashley 4-in-1 hand blender set is definitely worth the investment.
While the motor is powerful and efficient, the set remains lightweight and compact, and the accessories are extremely user-friendly. Each one is easy to set up, use and clean. The beautiful China Rose print also makes the accessories stand out, and with a 24 month product warranty included, the set offers great value for money.
Our verdict: Should you buy the Laura Ashley 4-in-1 hand blender set
If you’re looking for versatile, lightweight appliances that are as attractive as they are practical, the Laura Ashley 4-in-1 hand blender set is definitely for you.
Complete with a mini food chopper, immersion blender, whisk beater, and measuring cup, this set will kit out your kitchen at a good price. Plus, it comes with a drawstring bag for safe and tidy storage when not in use.
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Whip up something tasty!
If you’re treating yourself to the Laura Ashley 4-in-1 blender, you’ll need a delicious recipe to test it out! Why not use the electric whisk to make our gingerbread cake recipe, right here on Gathered.
