Rating of the best concrete mixers 2020: price review, reviews

When a little concrete solution is needed, it can be prepared by hand - there is nothing complicated about it. But what if the solution needs, say, 200 liters? There is only one way out - buying a concrete mixer. How to choose a mixer for concrete and what 6 concrete mixers deserve the title of the best, we will tell in this material.

What are concrete mixers

By transmission type:

• in gravity concrete mixers, the drum with the mortar itself rotates, and mixing occurs due to the force of gravity - the simplest and most traditional option;
• compulsory mixers are arranged differently: here the drum is stationary, and the solution is mixed by the blades inside - this is a more complex system, but also more effective.

By type of drive mechanism:

• geared - the rotational force from the motor is fed here to the drum or blades through a gearbox, covered with a special casing - expensive and difficult to repair, but protected from external damage option;
• crown - a crown made of metal or plastic is installed on the drum of such a concrete mixer, which rotates this entire structure. Such a system is easy to repair and maintain, but it can easily get up if, say, sand gets into the gears.

By drive of the concrete mixer:

• manual - the simplest models, the reels of which need to be rotated manually (who said "Field of Miracles"?). As with any hand tool, their main problem is that they do not add, but take away working hands;
• electric - these mixers are powered by an electrical network or a generator. They are relatively quiet, do not emit exhaust and can be used even indoors, but without electricity they instantly turn into a pumpkin;
• motorized - use an internal combustion engine for operation. The advantages of this type of device are high power and the ability to work where there is no electricity. Cons - in noise and foul-smelling exhaust, so they can only work outdoors;
• pneumatic - they work from a stream of compressed air supplied by a compressor. Convenient and efficient models, which, however, require additional equipment and therefore usually belong to the professional segment.

What characteristics to look at when choosing a concrete mixer

Engine power. Typically, the power of the motors of concrete mixers is from 500 (for household models) to 2000 (for large professional devices) watts. High power means the ability to work for a long time without overheating. An engine that is too weak, forced to turn a heavy drum for it, will quickly fail, working at the limit of its capabilities. So it's better not to save on this parameter.

Crown material. This part for gantry concrete mixers can be made of plastic, steel or cast iron. The first option is the most budgetary, quiet and short-lived. Typically, plastic crowns are installed on small household concrete mixers. These parts are prone to abrasion and do not last long. Steel crowns are more expensive, but much more reliable than plastic ones and last much longer. Cast iron can be attributed to an intermediate option. Due to the combination of relatively high reliability and a relatively low price, it is the cast iron crowns that are most often found.

Drum volume. As a rule, large drums with a volume of 300 liters or more are supplied by powerful professional concrete mixers designed for large-scale construction. For home repairs and the construction of something small, a mixer with a drum of 50-100 liters is enough. Intermediate options are selected depending on specific tasks.

Additional features. These are not the most important characteristics, but in some situations they can have a decisive influence on the choice, so they cannot be ignored. In particular, you can find concrete mixers on sale:

• designed for work in winter conditions (most mixers work only in relatively warm and dry weather);
• equipped with an automatic system for feeding and unloading the solution (this is much more convenient and cleaner than manual fuss);
• equipped with a vibration function that prevents concrete from sticking to the walls of the drum;
• with built-in overload and overheating protection systems that can significantly extend the life of the device.

Top 6 concrete mixers

Best Geared Concrete Mixer

1. Stroymash SBR-132N

Geared concrete mixer of gravity type from a domestic brand. Powered by a 600 watt electric motor. The drum volume is 132 liters, which allows you to prepare up to 64 liters of ready-made solution. The 47 kg unit is equipped with wheels for easy transportation. With a price of 16,000 rubles with a small, this concrete mixer can be called a universal device that is suitable for both home use and for a small construction team. The mixer works quietly, easily disassembled and transported. Of the shortcomings, it can be noted that the impossibility of adjusting the tilt of the drum and some difficulties during assembly.

Price: ₽ 16 100

Stroymash SBR-132N

Best compulsory concrete mixer (mortar mixers)

2. Sturm! CM20160

A crowning concrete mixer of a forced type with a price of about 15,500 rubles. The drum with a total volume of 160 liters allows you to prepare up to 112 liters of solution. The device is powered by an 800 watt electric motor. The engine is protected by a plastic cover. The crown is made of cast iron, so it will last a long time. Two large wheels are provided for transportation and a third fulcrum for stability. The solution is fed and discharged manually: for this, the drum is equipped with a rotary mechanism. A great tool for the modern builder.

Price: ₽ 15 610

Sturm! CM20160

The best concrete mixer for 200 liters

3. Denzel B-200

Large and powerful concrete mixer designed for professional use. In everyday life, a drum with a volume of 200 liters, capable of preparing up to 110 liters of concrete solution, will probably be a bit too much. The device is of the crown type, the crown is made of durable and strong cast iron. The solution is stirred according to the gravitational principle. Uniform and stable rotation is provided by a powerful 1000 watt electric motor. The device weighs over 65 kilograms, so the transport wheels come in handy here. The issue price is less than 18,000 rubles.

Price: ₽ 17 787

Denzel B-200

The best concrete mixer for 180 liters

4. BISON Master BS-180-850

In terms of volume, price and functionality, this concrete mixer is only slightly inferior to the previous model. The total drum volume of this unit is 180 liters. It can prepare up to 115 liters of concrete mortar. The concrete mixer is a gravity type device with a crown drive. The crown is made of cast iron, which ensures a long and trouble-free service. The drum of the concrete mixer can be fixed at any convenient angle, so that it is always comfortable to work with it. The price of 13,000 rubles for such a mechanism looks like a very reasonable offer.

Price: ₽ 12 990

BISON Master BS-180-850

The best concrete mixer for 150 liters

5. ZUBR Master BS-160-600

The "younger sister" of the model is higher: from the same manufacturer, but slightly smaller and cheaper (they ask for 12,500 rubles for this concrete mixer). The volume of the mixer of this device is 160 liters, and the volume of the finished solution reaches 75 liters. The concrete mixer uses a gravitational principle of operation. The power of the built-in electric motor reaches 600 watts, which allows it to maintain a stable rotation speed of 23 rpm for a long time. The crown is made of durable and high quality cast iron. The rather large wheels make transportation easier.

Price: ₽ 12 490

ZUBR Master BS-160-600

The best crowning concrete mixer for home and garden

6. Wester BTM120A

Electric concrete mixer with a crown drive, which is perfect for small individual construction. The gravity-type apparatus is equipped with a rotating drum with a capacity of 120 liters. It is driven by a 600-watt electric motor that rotates the mixer at 28 rpm. The built-in wheels make it easy to transport the 46-kilogram mechanism. They ask for about 13,000 rubles for a concrete mixer, which makes it the most affordable device in our selection, but, despite the modest price, all buyers note its stable and trouble-free operation for several years old.

Price: ₽ 12 999

Wester BTM120A

FAQ

How are concrete mixers cleaned from the inside from concrete that has dried to the walls?
There are various ways, but in most cases they come down to the usual mechanical stress. To clean the concrete mixer, you can load gravel with water inside and turn on the tool for 15 minutes, then drain the mass. You can act rougher and use a sledgehammer, crowbar, drill or grinder with a special brush attachment. Someone even uses a solution of hydrochloric acid, which dissolves dried concrete (the main thing is not to forget to process a concrete mixer with a solution of soda to neutralize the acid, and find where to drain it all without harm to the environment Wednesday). Either way, all of these methods can not only remove concrete, but also damage the inner surface of the drum. So it is best to keep the concrete from drying in the mixer and clean the tool after each shift - there will be enough ordinary water and sand.

How to process the concrete mixer from the inside so that the solution does not stick when mixing?
There are different ways: someone uses machine oil, someone uses diesel fuel or mastic. All these methods have one thing in common - extremely low efficiency. The mortar will still stick, so be prepared, as mentioned above, to clean the mixer after each use.