Winner

Cuisinart Powerselect 5-Speed, $40
Egg whites foamed into light clouds; cream beat to stiff peaks. The cord swivels from side to side, so it’s great for right- or left-handed users.
To Buy: www.cuisinart.com.

Runner-Up

Oster 2534 6-Speed, $33
Quite the package deal, this unit comes with beaters, dough hooks, a whisk, a drink mixer, and cookie cutters. The retractable cord makes storage a cinch.
To Buy: www.oster.com.