I've always used a stick blender. Since married 28 years ago I have replaced it once and I use it almost daily, for all sorts of blending.
No problems with spilling at all, you have to put the stick on the bottom and not switch it on when it's still partly above the liquid surface. I blend my soups super creamy and all (the ones that I want to be creamy)
I've never known my mum to use anything else but a stick blender either.

The first time I saw soup being blended with a contraption that is a food processer was on British cookery shows and I went
What a bliddy kerfuffle !

I run mine through the blender attachment that is part of my food processor, have never used a stick blender before

Soup thread sounds great, as I'm currently making soup each week for my lunch, so would love to get more idea's.

OK, who's going to start? I'm not too qualified because I only make veg, minestrone and mushroom. Oh, and I did make potato and leek once. Trouble is my OH doesn't think it's a 'proper' meal. I'm determined to make more this winter so bring 'em on!

My wife bought this one from BidTv a few months ago.
We've used it a quite a few times and its better than I thought it would be, just put in the ingredients, press purée or chunky and its done in under 30mins.
You can also use it for smoothies and milkshakes.

Our stick blender is a Bamix The only time I use it is when I need icing sugar and I only have granulated or caster in the house. The grinder attachment makes a nice powder of them in no time.

Maybe people who think blenders/liquidisers are messy don't realise the bladed bottom detatches from the jug so there is little waste and it makes washing super easy. Mind you, when I was young(er) the thought of the washing involved turned me away from many a small kitchen appliance

Whatever I use, stick blender or Kenwood Chef blender, soup benefits from being passed through a sieve to give it extra smoothness.

That's what I use also to make soups such as carrot and coriander although the soup is best blended in the saucepan to avoid splashes. I ensure that I have a supply of good quality instant mashed potato on hand to act as an soup thickener.

Another vote for stick blender here!

I use a stick blender. It is a Robot Coupe which most professionals use. I used to have a food processor (Kenwood I think) and the first one fell to bits so they replaced it with another and that was equally rubbish.

This is much better and great for soups, soufles, omelettes, cream etc. I love it!

which are best to buy,,i might buy one or the other

I can only speak for mine because I have not used others but, as with most things, buy the best you can afford. Depends how much use it will get too.

I have a Bamix and I use it all the time. Blending soups is just one of its uses. I grow all my own veg and often have a glut - which often means soups! I like mine either chunky (like a broth) or super smooth and with the blender you can get both really, because you just stop when you want to.

This particular blender is also more useful because it comes with a mini-processor which chops herbs etc as well as well as making the icing sugar mentioned above.

A bit pricey I know, but certainly worth the money.

Stick blender every time for soup. Much less clean up than using a jug blender and you can 'feel' the consistency of your soup and get it exactly how you like it.

Bought my first one 30 years ago when I lived in France (I'd never seen them here) and am now on number 3 (the original having been passed on to my Mum and having only stopped working two or three years ago).

Buy the most powerful one you can reasonably afford and keep it out on the worktop and you'll find uses for it every day - mashed potato, whisked eggs, salad dressing, mayonnaise, smoothies, soups...

Stick Blender for me too. Apart from the fact I don't actually have a proper blender at the moment I have only got a small one that attaches to the Magic Bullet and my food processor has completely packed up and just been thrown out

That said I prefer the stick blender anyway just so much easier to use.

Stick every time, for me. If I want a chunkier soup, I blend it less. Or take some of the veg out before bending.Then put it back in afterwards. Easy..

Ditto. Too much spillage involved with transferring to a food processor.

Nice idea about taking some veg out.

Stick every time for me, on my second in 20 years.

Use a stick.

There's a knack to it, but once learnt you won't have any spattering.

I find a processor a bit of a faff, transferring the soup, dismantling and washing up afterwards etc.
With the stick I just disconnect and rinse it - sorted.

Exactly this.

I like a surprise carrot sometimes.

Plus stick is a thousand times easier to clean and dry than a food processor.

Could have the whole thing done in about 2 minutes compared to god knows how long with a food processor.