Looking to buy a mixer grinder or just tired of guessing which one does what? you’ve landed in the right place. This guide breaks down different types of mixer grinder, explains what each one does, gives a clear description, features, specifications, pros & cons for each, and helps you decide which model fits your daily life.
In the kitchen, some tools are just a must-have, and a good mixer grinder is definitely one of them. It’s the machine that does all the hard work for you—from grinding spices for your favorite curry to making a smooth paste for a chutney. But when you go to buy one, you’ll see there are many different kinds. How do you pick the right one? This guide will make it easy by showing you the different types of mixer grinders and what each one is best for.
Different Types of Mixer Grinders at a glance
- Dry mixer grinder — best for dry spices, nuts.
- Wet mixer grinder — batter, chutneys, pastes.
- Juicer Mixer Grinder (JMG) — combines juicing with grinding.
- Personal / Bullet blender — single-serve smoothies & shakes.
- Hand (immersion) blender — blend directly in the pot.
- Food processor / Combo — slicing, shredding, kneading + blending.
- Stone / Wet Grinder — slow, stone-ground batter; great for South-Indian batters.
- Silent / Low-noise models — for baby rooms, late-night cooking.
- Commercial / Heavy-duty — cafes, cloud-kitchens, heavy use.
Different Types of Mixer Grinders – Comparison table
| Type | Best for | Typical Wattage | Jar(s) | Main advantage | Main caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry mixer | Spices, coffee | 500–750 W | 0.4–1 L SS | Fine powders fast | Heat if overloaded |
| Wet mixer | Batters, pastes | 750–1000 W | 1–1.5 L + chutney | Smooth batters | Needs duty cycles |
| Juicer Mixer Grinder | Juice + grind | 500–1000 W | 3–4 (incl. juicer) | All-in-one | Juice yield less than slow juicer |
| Personal/bullet | Smoothies, shakes | 300–700 W | 250–700 ml cup | Quick & portable | Not for heavy grinding |
| Hand blender | Soups, sauces | 200–600 W | immersion | Blend in pot | No dry grinding |
| Food processor | Slicing, kneading | 700–1200 W | 1.5–3 L bowl | Multi tasks | More parts & cleaning |
| Stone/wet grinder | Idli/dosa batter | ~150–250 W (high torque) | 1.5–3 L drum | Best batter texture | Bulky |
| Commercial | Restaurant use | 1000–2000 W+ | Heavy SS jars | Long runtime | Heavy & noisy |
8 Different Types of Mixer Grinders
Let’s break down the different kinds of mixer grinders you’ll find and figure out which one is the perfect fit for your kitchen.
1. Dry Mixer Grinder
This is the one most people think of when they hear “mixer grinder.” It’s your basic, versatile workhorse. It usually comes with two or three jars of different sizes. The small one is great for grinding spices or making a small batch of chutney. The medium jar is perfect for pastes like ginger-garlic or for making a quick smoothie. The big one is for things like idli or dosa batter.
Key features:
- High-torque motor for short bursts
- Thick, serrated dry blades
- Small-to-medium SS jars (0.4–1.0 L)
- Splash-proof lids, often with tighter gaskets
Typical specifications (range):
- Wattage: 500–750 W
- Jar size: 0.4–1.0 L (stainless steel)
- RPM: ~15,000–20,000 (model dependent)
Who it’s best for:
This type is a great choice for everyday home cooks. It handles a bit of everything without being overly specialized. If you need a machine that can do a little bit of everything—from grinding dry spices to making a thick batter—this is your go-to.
Releted Readng: 10 Best Mixer Grinder In India 2025
2. Wet Mixer Grinder
Designed to grind soaked grains, lentils, coconut, and other wet ingredients into smooth batters and pastes. Usually the most-used appliance in many Indian kitchens.
A wet grinder is a kitchen appliance that specializes in turning soaked grains and lentils into a super smooth, fluffy batter or paste. Unlike a regular mixer grinder that uses fast-spinning metal blades to chop and pulverize ingredients, a wet grinder works on a different principle. Wet grinder usually comes on high wattage range from 750–1000 Watt.
Think of it like a modernized, electric version of the traditional hand-cranked stone grinders used in many cultures. It has a heavy, cylindrical stone or a set of stones that rotate slowly inside a drum. As the stones turn, they crush and grind the ingredients, along with water, against the bottom of the drum. This slow, steady process has a few key benefits:
Key features:
- Curved blades or special flow-breakers for wet grinding
- Larger liquidizing jar plus a chutney jar
- Good ventilation and thermal protection
Typical specifications (range):
- Wattage: 750–1000 W (750W is often the sweet spot for families)
- Jar sizes: 1.0–1.5 L (liquidizer) + 0.3–0.5 L (chutney jar)
- Duty cycle: recommended intermittent use (e.g., 2–4 minutes on, cool down)
Who it’s best for:
This is the big one. If your family regularly eats dishes like idli, dosa, vada, or appam, a wet grinder is almost a necessity. It’s the only way to get that perfectly smooth, fermented batter that results in super soft idlis and crispy dosas. A regular mixer grinder just can’t achieve that same texture.
Related Reading: Which Is The Best Wet Grinder In India
3. Juicer Mixer Grinder (JMG)
A hybrid that offers grinding and fruit/vegetable juicing. Great for small kitchens that want a single appliance for breakfast juices and everyday grinding.
This is the multi-tasker of the group. As the name suggests, it’s not just for grinding and blending. It comes with a separate juicer jar that has a special filter to separate the pulp from the juice. So, you can make fresh orange juice in the morning and grind spices for lunch, all with the same machine.
Key features:
- Fruit filter / pulp management jar
- Multiple jars (juicer + liquidizer + dry + chutney)
- Often includes a pulp-spout or sieve
Typical specifications (range):
- Wattage: 500–1000 W
- Jars: 3–4 with at least one fruit-filter jar
- Juicing type: mostly centrifugal in JMGs (faster, foamy)
Who it’s best for:
This is ideal for people who love fresh juice but don’t want a separate juicer taking up counter space. It’s a great space-saver for a small kitchen or for someone who wants to do it all with a single appliance.
Related Reading: 10 Best Juicer Mixer Grinder in India 2025
4. Bullet Blender
A “bullet blender” is a type of personal, single-serve blender that is designed to be fast and easy to use, with a compact footprint. The name “bullet” comes from the original and most famous brand, the Magic Bullet, which was known for its sleek, cup-shaped design that looked a bit like a bullet.
Today, many brands make similar blenders, often called personal blenders or smoothie makers. Small, single-serve blenders for smoothies, protein shakes, and quick blends. You blend in the cup and carry it with you.
Key features:
- Quick one-touch or pulse buttons
- Portable cups with lids
- Small footprint, easy storage
Typical specifications (range):
- Wattage: 300–700 W
- Cup size: 250–700 ml
- Blades: lightweight, designed for fruits/soft nuts
Who it’s best for:
- Busy people on the go: If you’re rushing to work or the gym and want a quick, healthy smoothie, this is your best friend. You can blend and run in a minute or less.
- Health-conscious individuals: People who want to add more fruits and vegetables to their diet through daily smoothies or shakes will find a bullet blender essential.
- People with small kitchens or limited counter space: Their compact size means they take up very little room and can be easily stored in a cabinet.
- Students or people living alone: If you’re only making one or two servings at a time. A bullet blender is the perfect size for single-person meals or drinks.
Related Reading: 10 Very Small Mixer Grinders That Fit Any Kitchen
5. Hand / Immersion Blender
Sometimes, you don’t need a big, clunky machine. Maybe you just want to make a quick protein shake, a single smoothie, or a small puree for a baby. That’s where a hand blender or immersion blender comes in. It’s a slim stick with blades at the end that you simply dip into a container.
It’s super easy to use and even easier to clean.A stick you plug in and zap soups, sauces, or baby food in the pot. No transfer, less mess.
Key features:
- Detachable stainless shaft for cleaning
- Accessories: whisk, mini chopper, beaker (on some models)
- Variable speed or simple two-speed control
Typical specifications (range):
- Wattage: 200–600 W
- Use: short bursts (1–3 minutes)
Who it’s best for:
A hand blender is perfect for a bachelor, a student, or anyone with very limited kitchen space. It’s also great for quick, light tasks like blending soup directly in the pot.
Related Reading: 10 Best hand blenders for home in India 2025
6. Food Processor
A multi-attachment machine that slices, grates, kneads, chops, and also mixes. Think of it as a small kitchen factory. A food processor is a versatile kitchen appliance that’s designed to take care of all the tedious, repetitive tasks in food preparation. Think of it as a multi-talented kitchen assistant that can chop, slice, shred, grind, and even knead dough, saving you a huge amount of time and effort.
While it might look a bit like a powerful blender, it’s actually quite different. The main distinction is that a food processor is made to handle a wide variety of solid and semi-solid foods, and it doesn’t require a lot of liquid to do its job. A blender, on the other hand, is a specialist in blending liquids and creating smooth purees.
Key features:
- Wide bowl, S-blade, dough hook, slicing & shredding discs
- Multiple jars & attachments
- Strong motor with heavy-duty coupling
Typical specifications (range):
- Wattage: 700–1200 W
- Bowl size: 1.5–3.0 L
Who it’s best for:
- If you enjoy making things like sauces, dips, hummus, or dough from basic ingredients, a food processor is an invaluable time-saver.
- Often cooks for a family or entertains guests and prepare large quantity of food to chop, slice, and shred large quantities of vegetables.
- The single biggest benefit of a food processor is its ability to handle all the repetitive, manual tasks like chopping onions, mincing garlic, or grating cheese in seconds.
- For anyone who bakes bread, pies, or pizza, the dough blade feature on many food processors makes kneading a breeze, with minimal mess and effort.
Related Reading: 10 Best food processor in India for Home 2025
7. Stone / Traditional Wet Grinder
Low speed, stone-on-stone action traditionally used for dosa/idli batter. It entrains air for fermentation-friendly batter. When someone talks about a “traditional wet grinder,” they are usually referring to the old-school, large-scale, and incredibly durable grinding machines that were—and still are—found in many Indian households and small restaurants. These aren’t the sleek, modern tabletop models; these are the heavy-duty, powerful workhorses.
A traditional wet grinder is essentially a large, heavy-duty appliance with a simple but effective design. It consists of a heavy stone base (often granite) and one or two cylindrical stone rollers that spin around inside a large metal drum. The motor is typically at the bottom of the unit, and it’s designed to be robust enough to handle hours of continuous grinding.
Key features:
- Granite stones / rollers, slow RPM, large drum
- Designed for long, steady grinding (not high speed)
Typical specifications (range):
- Wattage: ~150–250 W for stone rollers (but high torque)
- Capacity: 1.5–2.5 L and up
Who it’s best for:
- Families Who Regularly Eat Idli and Dosa
- Commercial Kitchens and Caterers
- passionate about authentic flavors and textures will choose a traditional wet grinder.
- People with Ample Kitchen Space
Related Reading: Which Is The Best Wet Grinder In India
8. Commercial / Heavy-Duty Mixer Grinders
Built for long runtimes and heavy loads. This kind is require for running a cloud-kitchen, dhaba, or small catering unit. Sometimes, you need a machine that can handle some serious work. Think about grinding tough ingredients like turmeric or making large batches of masalas.
That’s where a heavy-duty mixer grinder comes in. These models usually have a much more powerful motor (think 750 watts or more). They’re built with stronger blades and a more robust body to withstand intense grinding sessions without overheating.
Key features:
- 1000+ W motors, metal couplers, oversized bearings
- Designed for extended duty cycles and serviceability
Typical specifications (range):
- Wattage: 1000–2000 W+
- Heavy stainless jars, sometimes with reinforced couplers
Who it’s best for:
If you cook for a large family, prepare your own spice blends from scratch, or frequently grind tough ingredients, this is the one for you. It’s built for power and durability.
Related Reading: 10 Best Mixer Grinders for Large Families and Heavy Use
FAQs: Different Types of Mixer Grinders
Q1: Do I really need a wet grinder if I have a mixer grinder?
A: If you want authentic, airy dosa/idli batter that ferments well, a stone wet grinder gives a superior texture because of slow, low-heat grinding. For occasional batter, a good wet mixer does the job. (Crompton)
Q2: What wattage should I pick for a family of four?
A: Aim for 750–1000 W. That range balances torque, smoother grinding, and reasonable heat management for daily household use.
Q3: Can a juicer mixer grinder make fresh juice as well as a dedicated juicer?
A: It can make juice, but yield and nutrient extraction of a slow / cold-press juicer are generally better. A JMG is great for convenience and multi-functionality, not for maximum juice yield.
Q4: How often should I service my mixer grinder?
A: For home usage, clean after every use, and get a professional check every 1–2 years or sooner if you notice unusual noise/vibration.
Q5: Are “silent” mixers really quiet?
A: They’re quieter than budget models thanks to dampers and better balancing, but they’re not silent. Expect modest reductions in perceived noise — a true quiet experience depends on motor size, load, and mounting surface.
Related Post:
- Difference between 500w and 750w mixer grinder
- 10 Very Small Mixer Grinders That Fit Any Kitchen
- Top 10 Affordable Mixer Grinders Under 2000 in India
- Top 10 Mixer Grinder for Idli Dosa Batter
- How a Mixer Grinder Can Save You Time in the Kitchen