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Cement mixers aren’t just for professional contractors and builders…
They are fundamental in the creation of concrete and although it may be possible to make concrete without a mixer, maybe in an old wheelbarrow, it’ll be a much more complicated and slower process.
If you’re about to embark on your first DIY project having your very own cement mixer is a great start. However, before you jump the gun there are a few key factors you must take into consideration.
The following guide highlights a selection of the top cement mixers, suitable for a variety of users alongside a list of key features for you to look out for while making your decision.
Quick Picks
Here's 3 products we picked out that thought you would be interested in depending on your budget...
The Best Cement Mixers with reviews 2024
Here is a list of the best cement mixers we found:
1. Kushlan 350DD 3.5 Cu Ft. Wheelbarrow Cement Mixer
- Drum capacity of 3.5 cubic feet
- 0.75 horsepower motor
- Weight capacity – 180lbs
- Drum opening diameter – 17’’
- Drum speed – 28 RPM
- Weight when empty – 96lbs
Pros
- Mixes quietly
- Resilient polyethylene drum
- Powerful and efficient motor
Cons
- Heavier than other mixers
- Takes a couple of people to assemble
Overview
The Kushlan Direct Driver Mixer is backed by a 115V, 0.75 horsepower motor moving the drum at a speed of 28 RPM. With a drum capacity of 3.5 cubic feet and 17’’ opening there is plenty of room to easily add and mix your cement, great for those larger projects where bigger batches are used.
Retracting steel handles facilitate easy carrying and storage, while a crack, dent and rust resilient polyethylene drum ensure long product life, however harsh the conditions. Drum capacity stands at 180lbs and when empty weighs roughly 96lbs. 3 steel blades inside the drum with both motor and concrete configuration facilitate the mixing process.
Although heavier than other mixers the wheelbarrow design with retracting steel handles and sturdy wheels allow it to be moved with ease. Assembly is a two-person job.
The Kushlan Direct Driver Mixer is designed with professionals in mind. A powerful motor with a huge drum opening of 17’’ allows users to make large batches with minimal fuss. The resilient polyethylene drum will stand up to the harsh environment of a job site, ensuring this is a mixer that will be working for you for years to come.
2. YARDMAX YM0115 4.0 Cu. Ft. Concrete Mixer
- Drum capacity of 4 cubic feet
- 0.68 horsepower motor
- Weight capacity of 275lbs
- Drum opening diameter – 15’’
- Weight when empty – 102.9lbs
Pros
- Quick 1 person assembly
- Low profile for easy use
- Excellent capacity
Cons
- Front post has a small footprint which may affect stability
- Top-heavy
Overview
The YARDMAX YM0115 is a heavy-duty cement mixer with an excellent weight capacity of 275lba and drum capacity of 4 cubic feet. A 0.68 horsepower motor turns the drum at a speed of 00 rotations per minute to facilitate mixing. The opening diameter of the drum is 15’’
A steel handle with iron ring and safety lock mechanism allow the drum to be safely and easily locked into place. Being low profile allows for easier pouring and portability around the job site.
If this is your first cement mixer you’ll be happy with just how easy this model is to assemble. The motor and gear-box are also IP45 washdown certified, making cleaning straightforward. With the small footprint of the front post, the mixer can be a little unstable when working to capacity.
The value of the YARDMAX YM0115 makes it a great option for anyone from casual users to professionals. Easy assembly makes it attractive to apprehensive first-timers while excellent capacity and power make it useful for professionals.
3. SUNCOO 1/2 HP 2.5 Cu Ft Electric Portable Concrete Cement Mixer
Pros
- Budget price
- Lightweight & portable
- Industrial steel frame
Cons
- Not for industrial or heavy-duty use
- Drum opening is rather small
Overview
The SUNCOO features inertial stirring to achieve 360 degrees of mixing without any dead angles. The drum with thickened inner wall has a capacity of 2.5 cubic feet and an opening measuring 9.4’’ in diameter. It is turned by a 0.5 horsepower motor at a speed of 27.5 rotations per minute. Maximum capacity stands at 70L or 30L mixed wet volume.
An industrial-grade steel frame gives the mixer improved stability and the shockproof, portable and stable load-bearing rubber wheels allow for easy, unrestricted movement. There is a safety lock which means the drum can be adjusted to the users preference safely and easily.
The SUNCOO may be a budget option, but it is still worth some serious consideration for small to medium projects. Build quality is beyond that needed to stand up to the maximum capacity of this mixer so there is no danger of any quality issues.
4. YARDMAX YM0046 1.6 Cu. Ft. Concrete Mixer
- Drum capacity of 1.6 cubic feet
- 0.20 horsepower motor
- Weight capacity of 100lbs
- Drum opening diameter – 9’’
- Weight when empty – 57.3lbs
Pros
- Easy one-person assembly
- Low profile height for easier use
- Great portability
Cons
- Not for large scale projects
- Small foot front post may affect stability
- Small drum opening
Overview
The YARDMAX YM0046 features a 1.6 cubic feet drum with an opening diameter of 9’’. A 0.20 horsepower motor powers the drum, turning it at a speed of … for optimal mixing. Weight capacity of the drum stands at 100lbs, more than enough for a selection of individual projects.
To lock the drum into place and ensure it stays where you need it to, there is an easy to operate steel spring-loaded handle with steel ring and safety lock. Being lightweight, at just 57.3lbs, and low profile allows for easier pouring and maneuverability around the job site. Also, the motor and gearbox are IP45 washdown certified making them easy to clean.
The YARDMAX YM0046 is all about practicality and performance for one or two people working on smaller-scale jobs such as a home renovation project. Delivering rugged performance in all weather conditions, don’t let mother nature get the better of you and give this mixer a try!
5. Goplus Electric Cement Concrete Mixer 1/2HP 2.2 Cubic Ft
- Drum capacity of 2.2 cubic feet
- 0.5 horsepower motor
- Weight capacity of 170lbs
- Drum opening diameter – 10.5’’
- Drum speed – 27.5 RPM
- Weight when empty – 55lbs
Pros
- Great value for money
- Durable construction
- Highly portable
Cons
- Paint inside the drum can peel
- The drum opening could be slightly larger
Overview
The Goplus Electric Cement Concrete Mixer has a drum capacity of 2.2 cubic feet and a weight capacity of about 170lbs. A 0.5 horsepower motor powers the mixer, turning the drum at 27.5 rotations per minute allowing the 0.06’’ thick welding mixing blades to get to work.
An all steel frame supports the entire mixer for greater stability while mixing and two the two rubber wheels sit in a triangular bracket for extra stability on varying surfaces. Designed for years of regular use, the drum is thickened and corrosion and resistant.
The durable design of the Goplus Electric Cement Concrete Mixer lends itself for use in various environments such as construction sites, home renovation projects, farms and more. For the capacity and power it offers, this Goplus mixer is excellent value for money.
Buying Guide
As with any serious purchase, there are factors to consider before you make your decision. When it comes to cement mixers, here are the main ones….
Cubic Feet & Weight Capacity
The capacity you need is determined by the type of jobs you’ll be using your mixer for. Small jobs with only yourself and maybe one other using it, a smaller capacity cement mixer should suffice. Jobs in this category would be something like garden and small home renovation projects.
Large jobs that require multiple people will demand a large capacity mixer. The extra capacity will be needed to make larger batches and more complex pours.
It is worth remembering that when working on your own, you have less time to set the concrete correctly. Because of this, you’ll need to work in smaller batches so a large drum isn’t a necessity. Putting too much into the mixer will only slow down the mixing process. If you’re working as part of a team, go with a larger mixer so you can make bigger batches to save time
Horsepower
The larger the capacity of the drum, the more horsepower you’ll need. Make sure the mixer you have your eye on has a motor with sufficient power to effortlessly drive the drum. Motors can vary anywhere from 0.2 – 0.8 horsepower.
Drum Opening Diameter
The larger the opening diameter of the drum the easier it is to add the mix to the drum. On small jobs where small batches are being used this isn’t a huge issue. Large contractual projects where time is money and large batches are being mixed will benefit from a mixer with a larger drum opening diameter.
Drum speed
Drum speeds don’t tend to vary a great deal across cement mixers, usually sitting somewhere around the 27.5 – 34 rotations per minute mark. The important thing to note is the drum capacity and horsepower of the motor. If the drum has a large capacity but the motor turning it is relatively week, it’ll put more strain on the motor and can lead to issues down the line. When looking at mixers in the capacity range you need, prioritize the horsepower of the motor to ensure consistent and effortless drum speed for the life of the cement mixer.
Empty Weight & Portability
Being able to maneuver your cement mixer around the job site could save you valuable time and effort. If portability is import to you look for models that feature extendable metal arms and good quality stable load-bearing rubber wheels that won’t come loose and are highly resilient to allow unrestricted movement.
Of course, the empty weight of the mixer will play a big role in how easy it is to move. Larger capacity mixers intended for heavy-duty use will be heavier than those aimed at those taking on small projects.
Wrapping it up
Here are what we believe to be the best cross-section of cement mixers on the market. No matter your reasons for needing a mixer, there is sure to be one suitable for you.
Taking everything into account we believe the Kushlan Direct Driver Mixer stands as the clear winner. The saying you get what you pay for springs to mind. Yes, it carries the highest price tag of all cement mixers on the list but for good reason.
It packs a power-efficient motor that drives the larger capacity drum with huge opening diameter. Inside the drum are 3 steel blades with both motor and concrete configuration to facilitate the mixing process. Finally, the mixer is held together with a heavy-gauge steel frame for rigidity and stability.
There are some brilliant options to choose from in this guide but if only the best will do, trust us and go with the Kushlan Direct Driver Mixer!
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