Crushing ice for a frozen cocktail? Reach for a full-sized blender. Need a quick smoothie for your morning commute? Break out your personal-sized blender, then hit the road with its on-the-go jar. But ...

There are certain one-trick ponies in the kitchen that are well worth the investment: An immersion blender is at the top of the list. Immersion blenders may do one thing—blend—but they do it ...