In this article we review, we ask what is the best cement mixer, that is currently available in the UK market? There are a wide variety available to choose from with quite a range of prices too.
Please note, that we have only included, electric cement mixers in this article. That is because they are the most suitable for home use and for those who enjoy their DIY. Once you get into the fuel driven models then really you are moving way above the home DIY users that we are aiming our reviews at.
One thing is certain, there are plenty of mixers to pick from. To make your job a bit easier, we have reviewed, and then rated them based on information from real life buyers. This is the best type of review or recommendation that you can really trust as they come from actual users.
Cement mixers are used to mix up various aggregates (cement, sand, gravel, water). Those are what are used to make concrete and mortar. We don't find many people mixing cocktails with them !
They are, however, an essential tool if you are doing any medium sized building project. Its amazing how much time and effort they will actually save you.
Which is the best cement mixer?
Currently, the best electric cement mixer in the UK is the Charles Bentley 63 Litre 230V 220W portable cement concrete sand mixer with wheels.
Top 5 Rated Electric Cement Mixers
Just below you will find an easy to read table, that is easy to understand. There we have placed the cement mixers in a specific order.
The order we have used is the highest buyer rated first. In other words we have placed the mixers in order of what buyers judged their quality to be.
As we mentioned earlier, there are a few cement mixers to pick from.
Cement Mixers Summary Reviews
Underneath, we have completed short and concise reviews, on these top 5 products. That way you can see at a glance, which one is the best choice for you. If you click on the links they will take you straight through to Amazon where you can check the latest price.
No 1 Choice - Charles Bentley Portable Cement Concrete Sand Mixer - 63L 230V 220W
- This cement mixer is made from steel that has been powder coated
- It has a 63 litre drum capacity, which allows you to mix up to 45 litres of mix
- It measures 111cm (height) x 93.5cm (width) and 55cm (deep)and weighs 25 Kg
- The drum mouth measures 24cm and the drum diameter is 46cm
- It uses a 220w motor, operates off the standard UK mains 230v and comes with a UK 3 pin plug
- It has a tipping handle
This electric cement mixer meets European Standard IP44 as it has double insulation. This model comes with a manufacturer's 12 month warranty.
Some assembly is required and that takes about half an hour.
The manufacturer classes this model as a heavy duty cement mixer, and as such, it is suitable for home and professional use. However, the reviews tell us that this is better suited for doing smaller jobs such as a small patio or installing fence posts and other small jobs.
Online buyers stated that this mixer is easy to use and the two wheels makes it easy to move around. It can be used to mix concrete, mortar and plaster.
The drum rotates 360º on the stand, which enables a stable, smooth tipping action and the drum has a speed of 28 revs per minute.
No 2 Choice - Charles Bentley 140L 230V 550W Portable Cement Concrete Mixer with Wheels
- This is the larger version of the mixer mentioned above as this is the 140 litre version
- This cement mixer is made from steel that has been powder coated
- It has a 140 litre drum capacity, which allows you to mix up to 126 litres of mix
- It measures H128 x D71 x W115cm and weighs 46 Kg
- The drum mouth measures 36cm and the drum diameter is 57cm
- It uses a 550w motor, operates off the standard UK mains 230v and comes with a UK 3 pin plug
- It has a tipping handle
This electric cement mixer meets European Standard IP44 as it has double insulation. This model comes with a manufacturer's 12 month warranty.
Some assembly is required and that takes about half an hour.
The manufacturer classes this model as a heavy duty cement mixer, and as such, it is suitable for home and professional use. However, the reviews tell us that this is a great time saving mixer for the occasional DIY builder
It has 2 wheels and can be used to mix concrete, mortar and plaster.
The drum rotates 360º on the stand, which enables a stable, smooth tipping action and the drum has a speed of 28 revs per minute.
No 3 Choice - Switzer 240V Volt 250W Portable Electric Concrete Cement Mixer
- This cement mixer from Switzer is made from an industrial grade steel frame
- It runs off the UK mains 220V-240V supply
- It can be used to make concrete, stucco, and mortar and has 70L capacity
- Like all mixers it has 360 degree mixing and the conical shaped drum shape makes it easy for cleaning and emptying
- It has 2 rubber wheels
- Measures 1025(W) X 575(D) X 1010(H)MM;
This upright machine has a good working height and is free standing so it can be positioned to suit your requirements, the attached wheels also make it highly portable for moving the mixer closer to your repair or in and out of storage.
As a portable concrete mixer with manual tilting you have complete control over the position of the drum for loading with materials and pouring straight into a wheel barrow or onto a tarpaulin.
Giving homeowners the ability to take on renovations and projects such as paving the drive way, building a wall or laying foundations.
No 4 Choice - 70 Litre Electric Cement Mixer 250W Portable Mortar Concrete Mixing Machine with Wheels
- 70 litre drum capacity. Mains powered 250W motor produces a drum speed of 30 reps per minute
- This mixer is suitable for all small to medium building projects
- It has 2 wheels that making transportation easy
- It has an extra thick drum and long lasting and fast moving mix paddles
This is the cheapest machine we have looked at and one of the smallest but it's a good seller and gets great reviews.
It is pretty new to the market so we will have to see how it performs long term but it is looking pretty good so far.
Electric Cement Mixer Buying Guide (UK)
People buy these for a whole variety of reasons. They are especially popular for those considering the following tasks:
- Putting up fences and especially the posts for fences
- Building a patio
- Making foundations for garages and sheds
- Building walls
- Building on extensions to their homes
- Building a new garage
- During certain types of landscaping
- Making paths
You can of course hire out a cement mixer. Normally these are charged using daily rates and these vary depending on the type of mixer. On average this works out at around £25 -35 a day depending on where you live.
If you are doing a small job, that you can finish in one or two days, then that is probably the best thing to do. However, if the job is going to take longer than that, it might be worthwhile buying one of your own.
The most popular types to buy are the small electric portable ones. Typically these cost around £125-200, depending on the capacity of them. It is worth considering a purchase if you plan to do lots of work, that involves mixing concrete, mortar or cement.
The two most important considerations when buying a cement mixer are:
- The drum size or capacity - how much can they make?
- How well constructed and tough the mixer actually is?
Cement mixers can either be electric, like the ones that we have shown here. You can also get them with a petrol motor. Irrespective of that, they will have a rotating tank. There will also be a crank wheel that can incline and fix the tank in different positions.
It can also then tilt to empty the aggregate into a wheelbarrow. The last element of the cement mixer is a tough and rigid chassis mounted on wheels.
Video - How to Mix Mortar & Cement in a Cement Mixer?
I found this useful video, which is especially helpful if you are a young person, and not exactly sure how to properly use a cement mixer. If that is the case, then this one is well worth a watch. There is a difference between cement, concrete and mortar.
Cement Mixer Drum Sizes
The main element of a mixer is the large empty drum that spins around on an axis. These are typically made of some type of reinforced steel. Also inside the drum is a paddle, and it is that which will mix together, the sand, cement, gravel and water.
The drum then sits on a frame, which is also made from a tough type of steel. That helps support the weight of the parts, plus the substantial weight of the mixture inside the drum.
These drum sizes are almost always measured by capacity in litres. That is simply the volume of mix that they can make. Typical sizes are:
- 63- 70 litres
- 120 Litres
- 150 -180 Litres
You should buy the size based on how much cement or mortar mix, you will be able to use at any one time before it hardens. For the bigger jobs, you should always buy the bigger 140 or 180 litre sizes.
It is worth noting that, although a mixer has a stated capacity, you can only fill a mixer to 2/3 of its capacity, otherwise the mixture would fall out. Just be aware of that when you are buying. The mixing capacity of a cement mixer is approximately 80% of the total volume of the tank. It is always worth bearing that in mind.
For guidance 120 litres of cement is about two normal sized wheelbarrows.
How Much Cement Do you Need?
As a guidance the actual cement powder is sold in 35 Kilogram bags. With that in mind, you will need to work out the number of bags you'll need for each batch, you plan to make. So as an example a cement mixer with a mixing volume of 110 Litres will take half a bag of cement for each mix.
Cement Mixer Motors
The motor is the part of the mixer that will turn the actual mixer in a circular motion. The more power you have the better. It means it will not struggle with a heavy load, and it also means that the motor is not under pressure. A motor that can easily do its job, will last much longer than one that is under continued stress.
The typical range for motor size is anything from 250-650 watts of power and its pretty obvious that the bigger the drum is then the more powerful motor is required.
Cement Mixer Portability & Wheels
In almost all cases, you will want to be able to move the cement mixer around from location to location. Most of these smaller electric ones come with a set of wheels. That does make moving them around very simple. Do not be tempted to buy a cheaper model that doesn't have wheels, you will regret it from the day you get it till the day you get rid of it.
When buying always look out for large and thick wheels with a good thread on them. There are usually two at the rear which are attached to an axle. You clearly want something that is solid, and will grip in slippy or muddy conditions.
Cement Mixer Mouth
This may initially not sound that important. When we talk about this, we are referring to the part of the mixer, where you add the cement, sand , gravel and water. The bigger this is the better, as it avoid spillage and mess. More importantly, it also stops you whacking your fingers off the edge of the drum.
Hopefully you have found this DIY cement mixer guide useful. They are a real time saver, when you have to do medium to large projects. With a little maintenance, especially regular cleaning, they can last you for many years. I always like to go for best model but any of the mixers reviewed here should for you.
Electric Cement Mixer FAQ
How big of a cement mixer do I need?
It all comes down to the size of the job.
For small jobs a 65 litre will do nicely and is cheaper
For medium to larger jobs a 120-180 litre size is a much better choice.
Can you use a cement mixer for mortar?
Yes you can use most electric mixers for cement, mortar and plaster.
Do Screwfix sell cement mixers?
Yes they sell Belle, Scheppach and the Handy LCHCM brand mianly.
Is a cement mixer worth it?
The average price for a cement mixer is around £170-180. The alternative to buying one is to rent one out. Depending on what businesses are close to you the prices range from about £40-80 for a week.
You also need to have a means of transporting it, so really it will depend on what you need it for, and how often you may need one.
If you are still not sure, don't forget you can find our our top rated mixer at Amazon UK by clicking here.
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