Russell Hobbs Desire vs Russell Hobbs Food Collection
We compare the Russell Hobbs Desire and the Russell Hobbs Food Collection across every dimension that matters - our scores, the key specs, and how each performs on the things you will actually notice day to day.
At a glance
| Russell Hobbs Desire | Russell Hobbs Food Collection | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 7.1/10 | 7.2/10 |
| Best for | Soups, sauces and blending right in the pan | Smoothies, soups and bigger batches blended on the worktop |
| Not ideal for | Heavy daily commercial use, or jobs that really need a food processor | Heavy daily commercial use, or jobs that really need a food processor |
| Brand | Russell Hobbs | Russell Hobbs |
Blending Power and Performance
Russell Hobbs Desire
With 500W power, the blender is designed for everyday blending tasks using its hand blender form factor. The stainless steel blending leg lowers into ingredients, while the motor power helps break down soft to medium textures with the blending position kept close to the food. For thicker mixes, it works best when ingredients are pre-cooked, with blending carried out in short bursts and with stirring. The product description focuses on the 500W rating and does not provide specific speed settings or any additional performance claims, so results can vary depending on the recipe texture.
Russell Hobbs Food Collection
With 400W of power, this blender is designed for everyday blending tasks. It comes with a 1.5L plastic jug for processing ingredients in one go, and it offers 2 speeds plus a pulse setting to suit gentler blending or more intense mixing for thicker blends. The stainless-steel blades are removable, which makes cleaning easier since they can be detached after use. Performance is best suited to basic kitchen prep, where ingredient size is kept in mind.
Capacity and Jug
Russell Hobbs Desire
Capacity and jug space matter because they affect how much can be prepared in one go and how much is left over. For the Russell Hobbs, the 500 ml capacity chopping bowl supports mini-chopper use, while the 700 ml beaker is set up for blending. This split arrangement suits smaller portions for fruit or veg, while keeping the larger beaker available for wider mixing. When the chopping bowl fills up, batching is necessary, particularly for thicker mixtures. The 500 W motor is positioned to handle most blending and chopper tasks, with longer prep times becoming more noticeable on larger volumes due to the need to pause and scrape.
Russell Hobbs Food Collection
Capacity and jug size shape how often someone needs to stop and restart prep, and that matters for both quick drinks and larger batches. The Russell Hobbs uses a 1.5L plastic jug, so larger portions can fit in one go. For smaller recipes, the jug still offers capacity, although leftover mix may be harder to scrape out fully. The pouring and adding flap supports mid-process additions, which can reduce interruptions. With removable stainless steel blades and a dishwasher safe jug and lid, cleaning after a fuller blend is simpler, though the 1.5L capacity can feel limiting for very large family batches.
Speeds, Programs and Controls
Russell Hobbs Desire
Speeds and controls govern how the blender handles different textures, from smooth blends to chopped pieces. With a 500 W motor, the hand blender and included whisk and blades allow switching between tasks depending on texture goals. A 500 ml chopping bowl supports controlled pulses for thicker fruit or vegetable mixes, while the stainless blending leg works with a 700 ml beaker to create smoother results. The main strength is flexible control.
Russell Hobbs Food Collection
Controls on the blender are built around two speeds, plus a pulse setting. This layout allows blending intensity to be matched to the task, with thicker mixes typically benefiting from slower blending and finer results improved by short bursts. Switching between the two speeds is straightforward, and the pulse option supports intermittent refining to break up remaining chunks without running continuously.
Type: Jug, Personal or Hand Blender
Russell Hobbs Desire
How the Russell Hobbs Desire 24702 is designed to be used is understood from its handheld format rather than a traditional countertop blender. It is a hand/stick blender type, so it blends in whatever container the user chooses, which is convenient for small batches. For thicker prep, it uses a mini chopper attachment with a 500 ml chopping bowl, and the whisk attachment suits lighter mixtures. A stainless steel blending leg helps direct blending at the ingredient surface. A 700 ml beaker supports larger blending in one go, though the amount used depends on the volume required.
Russell Hobbs Food Collection
The Russell Hobbs is a jug blender, not a personal or hand blender. It is a countertop model with a 1.5L plastic jug, aimed at batch prep rather than single servings. It uses removable stainless steel blades, and the controls are based on two speeds plus a pulse setting to suit different blend textures. Because it uses a jug format, ingredients need to fit inside the jug and be blended with the lid in place, rather than being processed by a handheld motor. The main limitation with a jug blender is that smaller quantities may not circulate well.
Cleaning and Build
Russell Hobbs Desire
For cleaning, the Russell Hobbs's handheld design keeps day-to-day care simple, as the stainless steel blending leg, whisk attachment, and blades can be handled separately from the main body, helping keep liquid away from the motor housing. After blending or chopping, rinse the removable parts straight away, wash them in warm soapy water, and dry them fully before reassembly. The 500 ml chopping bowl and 700 ml beaker can be cleaned by hand, with any residue gently scrubbed around the blades area. Keep the main body dry and wipe it only.
Russell Hobbs Food Collection
With a removable jug design, the blender is built for easier cleaning than fixed-blade blenders. Its stainless-steel blades are removable, allowing residue around the blade area to be accessed without scraping. After blending, the jug can be detached for immediate rinsing, while the jug and lid can be washed in a dishwasher as they are dishwasher safe. The 1.5 L plastic jug can mark if it is dropped, so careful handling is recommended, particularly around the pouring flap. Blade removal also requires attention during reassembly, as misalignment can lead to leaks.
Who Is This Blender For?
Russell Hobbs Desire
The blender is for people who want a compact hand blender that covers multiple kitchen tasks, with an emphasis on blending and lighter mixing plus dedicated attachments for whisking. It is suited to home cooks who regularly blend soft fruit or veg, and who also need blades and a whisk for tasks such as quicker preparation and mixing. The 500ml chopping bowl and 700ml beaker help it handle small to mid portions, including single servings or prep for a couple of people. With a 500W hand blender design, it is positioned for easier storage in drawers and on worktops compared with larger countertop units. It is less suitable for heavy, frequent batch work.
Russell Hobbs Food Collection
The Russell Hobbs Food Collection 24610 is aimed at people who want a basic, countertop jug blender for everyday blending tasks, particularly where simple cup-to-jug transferring and easy cleaning are priorities. It uses a 1.5L plastic jug with removable stainless steel blades, and the jug and lid are dishwasher safe. Control is kept straightforward with 2 speeds plus a pulse setting, making it suitable for users who want different texture results without complex programmes (not stated). With a stated 1.5L jug capacity, it suits small to medium batches. Buyers looking for more advanced features may find it limited.
Russell Hobbs Desire: pros
- 500W of blending power
- 500ml capacity
- Hand/stick blender
- Makes smoothies, soups and sauces quickly
Cons
- Not a substitute for a food processor on chopping jobs
- Very tough or hot ingredients need the right type and power
- Louder than many kitchen appliances when running
Russell Hobbs Food Collection: pros
- 400W of blending power
- 1.5L capacity
- Jug/countertop blender
- Plastic jug
- Makes smoothies, soups and sauces quickly
Cons
- Not a substitute for a food processor on chopping jobs
- Very tough or hot ingredients need the right type and power
- Louder than many kitchen appliances when running
Our verdict
Our pick is the Russell Hobbs Food Collection (our score 7.2/10) - A practical blender (jug/countertop, 400W, 1.5L) for smoothies, soups and everyday blending at home. The Russell Hobbs Desire is still worth it if it is cheaper when you check, or if it better matches your specific needs.