The 7 Best Stand Mixers to Buy

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If you think stand mixers are unitaskers, you need to think again. They go way beyond just making cookies.

You can buy attachments that can shred, grate, grind, juice, or even make pasta or ice cream for several models.

However, other stand mixers are designed to just be mixers or have a limited number of attachments. And when you want to make cookies, they save you time and won’t tire your arm muscles.

Also, most stand mixers employ planetary action when mixing. The whisk, paddle, or dough hook spins at the same time it travels around the bowl for more thorough mixing.

Although you can find stand mixers in a wide variety of capacities, keep in mind that bigger isn’t always better.

A giant mixer with a big bowl should be able to knead triple or quadruple batches of dough, but it doesn’t work as well when you want to make small batches of food.

A small mixer might strain at mixing the dough for two loaves of bread. Bigger bowl size is great for larger quantities, but you also need a strong motor for mixing or kneading dense doughs.

Look for a mixer that can handle both the size and the type of foods you’ll be mixing.

All the joy in baking can be instantly quashed as soon as the dough turns tough — better your batter with one of these 7 upstanding stand mixers.

KitchenAid Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer: Best Overall

Not too big and not too small, this 10-speed mixer can mix small amounts and knead a double batch of cookie dough just as quickly.

It doesn’t have all the integrated bells and whistles (timers, automatic shutoff, etc.) of some of our other picks.

What the KitchenAid lacks in technology will make up for in attachments. Usually, when someone says they have a stand mixer, they’re most likely talking about a KitchenAid. Probably even this model.

At least 15 different attachments for this machine include a grater, grain mill, pasta maker, spiralizer, ravioli press, juicer, ice cream maker, and more. (Although please keep in mind that they are all sold separately).

Since the brand is so famous, besides official KitchenAid-branded attachments, there are also third-party attachments and accessories.

You can buy this mixer in a wide range of colors to match or accent your kitchen décor. The tilt-head makes it very easy to switch from paddle to the dough hook, scrape the bowl, and add ingredients.

This mixer has a 5-quart bowl that comes with a flat beater, wire whisk, a dough hook, and a pouring shield.

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Cuisinart SM-50BC 5.5-Quart Stand Mixer: Runner-Up, Best Overall

This 12-speed mixer sports a 5 1/2 quart bowl and has a slow-start function that helps minimize splashing, as well as a slow-fold function that can mix continuously or pulse.

It also has an integrated 15-minute timer and automatic shutoff.

It has three power outlets for the optional attachments (available separately, at various prices), a high-speed power outlet for the blender and food processor attachment, a mid-speed power outlet for the citrus juicer attachment, and a slow-speed power outlet for the large meat grinder and the pasta-maker.

This mixer has a locking tilt head and includes a whisk, flat paddle, dough hook, and a splash guard. It’s available in three colors.

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Breville Scraper Mixer Pro Stand Mixer: Best High-End

This mixer has 12 speeds, a load-sensing technology that protects the motor, and a 10-minute timer with an auto-off function. The pause function temporarily stops both the mixer and the timer as well.

Rather than a flat metal paddle, this mixer comes with a scraper beater that scrapes the bowl’s bottom and sides. So, there’s no need to stop the mixer from making sure everything is thoroughly mixed.

The speed is controlled with a dial, while an LED strip indicates which speed is selected. Another LED display shows the timer. The tilt-head locks in place, and there are handles to make it easier to lift and transport the mixer. The cord stores in the base.

This mixer comes with a scraper paddle, wire whip, dough hook, and pouring shield. It’s available in three colors.

Sunbeam MixMaster Stand Mixer: Best Budget

This MixMaster might remind you of the stand mixer your mom or grandma had. Still, it’s been updated for today’s cooks, yet it’s very affordable.

It has 12 speeds, 350 watts of power, and a locking tilt-head. It includes chrome beaters, whisks, dough hooks, a 2-quart glass bowl, and a 4-quart glass bowl. A sliding selector on the base adjusts for the different bowl sizes.

This has a soft-start feature, so you won’t fling flour all over the kitchen as it starts slow and increases the speed until it reaches the set speed. There is also a burst-of-power function that gives an extra surge of power when you need it.

There’s a large dial for setting the speed and a soft-grip handle to raise and lower the head that locks into place during use.

While this includes dough hooks, it’s likely to be more successful with wet doughs, but it might struggle with more dense bread doughs that more powerful mixers can handle with ease.

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KitchenAid Commercial 8-Qt Bowl Lift NSF Stand Mixer: Best Large Capacity

This giant stand mixer is specially designed for commercial use. However, it’s still feasible for home use for those who often cook or bake large quantities for the family or big gatherings.

The motor is the most powerful and quietest in the KitchenAid line, so it can knead tough doughs without overheating. It can hold up to 14 cups of flour. It has 10 speeds, from a slow mix to a quick whip, with the traditional KitchenAid slide control.

This model has a bowl-lift design, meaning that the bowl moves up and down while the mixer head remains in place.

Although this is a commercial machine, the attachment hub can power all of KitchenAid’s standard attachments. It comes in a smaller color range than the Artisan line.

Still, anyone who opts for this model is probably more focused on size and power than perfectly matching their mixer to their wall paint.

It also includes a wire whip, flat beater, and spiral dough hook. All of them are made from stainless steel, so they’re dishwasher safe.

Sunbeam Heritage Series Stand Mixer Bundle: Best Design

While Sunbeam isn’t the first name, you’d think when someone mentions stand mixers, the company has been making them for a long time, and this machine has features that more well-known brands don’t include.

The bowl is offset instead of centered. This makes it easier to add ingredients while mixing. It has 12 variable speeds, so you can do a soft start to minimize splashing.

The bowl also spins for 3 different mixing actions. There is no need to tilt the head up to pour ingredients into the bowl. The mixer has 2 beaters that revolve independently.

This bundle includes two bowls. You can work with two different batches or recipes without washing a bowl in between, or you can choose which bowl to use based on the amount you need to mix—the bowls are 4.6 quarts and 2.2 quarts.

It includes chrome beaters, dough hooks, and whisks and is available in three different colors to match your kitchen decor.

While this machine is capable of kneading bread dough or thick cookie dough, it’s not as powerful as more expensive models and could struggle with some recipes.

KitchenAid Artisan Mini Series Tilt-Head Stand Mixer: Best for Small Spaces

This small mixer from KitchenAid is 25% lighter. It has a 20 percent smaller footprint than the company’s classic mixer.

Still, the 250-watt motor and hob attachment means that it’s compatible with attachments like the pasta roller, grater, spiralizer, for example. The beaters and bowls, unfortunately, are not interchangeable with other models.

The tilt-head design makes it very easy to access the bowl or change beaters, and the head locks in place to make sure the beaters keep in close contact with the bowl for even mixing. It has 10 mixing speeds.

This model has a 3 1/2 quart bowl, so it won’t hold as much as the full-size models, but it’s perfect for dozens of cookies at a time.

This model also includes a coated flat beater, coated dough hook, and wire whip and comes in 10 different colors.

Buying Guide for the Best Stand Mixer

Having a multifunctional stand mixer, you will get a conglomerate of benefits that can definitely make your life better. It will take over some of your kitchen tasks, and you’ll get a great team player in the kitchen. Allow yourself to enjoy more free time.

You don’t have to spend more money on individual machines. Choose a stand mixer that can perform multiple tasks at the same time.

As long as you choose models that offer robustness and various functions, stand mixers will become your best friends.

We will help you understand the differences between models and which types to look for.

You can save time with intensive work tasks, such as cutting onions, beating cake, grinding nuts and seeds, or even kneading bread dough. Use a good stand mixer and forget about worries.

These machines are equipped with flat and longer blades. They can rotate even more slowly to cut rather than chop.

What a stand mixer does

We expect a stand mixer to perform more tasks. He must be able to cut, mix or mix food in whatever quality we need. With it, you can prepare the base for desserts, make the dough for bread, juices, or sausages with the help of the meat grinder that some models have.

Appliances can have one or more variable volume bowls, smoothie glasses, different pallets, and mixing accessories. Usually, some have discs and cutting blades of various types. Check to have them packed.

You can use the stand mixer as a grinder or even blender because the appliances are versatile, robust, and designed to do a wide range of activities. Using the sharpest cutting blade and the fastest speed you can use as a blender.

It may take a little longer than a classic blender, but it will do its job without much effort. Surely all ingredients will be properly mixed and the consistency you need.

I think it’s one of the best purchases you can make to get a blender, grinder, mixer, meat grinder – all in one body. It saves space in the kitchen and budget.

The type of food a stand mixer can process ranges from smoothies, juices, meat, dough, bases, or creams for dessert. You’ll only have one device with some accessories, and that’s about it. The vast majority of the appliances are reliable and quality. The best stand mixer must be convenient, fast to lead to good use of resources, saving time and effort in the kitchen.

Advantages of a good stand mixer

Stand mixers are useful for a wide range of foods. It is good for cutting, grinding, slicing, and mixing. If you want a single gadget that can make fruit juice, knead the dough, and slice, you’ll have to look.

You must find a stand mixer that can process food with the correct amount of power and have all the necessary accessories.

How to choose the Best Stand Mixer

Power

Since you need a universal solution in the kitchen, the stand mixer must have enough power. You will need a stand mixer with a power of 800 – 1000 W to cope with the mixing of food and their efficient grinding. The higher the power, the smoother the mixing.

On the power control side, some models have modern levers, keys, or touchpads. It is easy to use the button variant, but it may be harder to clean if leaks occur.

A touchpad is almost as easy to use, and wiping during use is incredibly easy. For this cause, the additional investment in a model with touch buttons might be worth it.

Size

It is clear that the space in the kitchen is mostly limited. Some of us are dealing with a studio apartment with a small kitchen. So, we’d need lightweight, portable models.

However, suppose you want a large bowl, lots of accessories, and more power. In that case, you’ll have to be careful with the available space.

Stand mixers that can be placed on the countertop normally have a capacity of between 3.5-5.5-Qt. You can easily choose that model closest to your needs in the house.

Blade types

A common blade used in stand mixers is the multi-large corrugated blade. Most tasks can be performed, such as smoothies or cream soups. Blades of this type can cut and mix very efficiently, especially if you occasionally use the pulsating function. These blades are time-resistant and are made of stainless steel.

Some versions come in a package with additional blades or discs. In contrast, you may need to order accessories separately. Usually, even the simplest stand mixers have a slicing blade, which can act as a radiator. With this, you can slice very fine vegetables for salad or soup.

Plastic dough blades are perfect for kneading bread dough, so it’s worth checking their availability in the package that comes with the device. Not all models have this option, and it can be an additional purchase and an unexpected expense. Best check this aspect in the product description before purchasing.

Bowl size

The best size for the bowl or container of a stand mixer depends exclusively on how large the food preparation needs are. Try to choose a model with a bowl that’s quite roomy for your family.

Blade performance

Better versions should have blades sharp enough to cut vegetables and herbs evenly. On the other hand, they should be extremely versatile for smoothies, fruit and vegetable shredding, nuts, or even solid foods.

To last for several years in a row, the stand mixer’s blades and discs must be made of stainless steel to remain sharp.

They should also be good for combining liquid and soft ingredients. The blades and bowls you use are direct impactors of the device’s performance, so be careful when you want to make your choice.

Other accessories

If you are a smoothie fan, you will often find portable glasses on these devices. These make it super easy to mix the smoothie quickly and be able to carry it with you when you go to work.

Some versions have them in the package. If you want to be able to do this, check the availability of such an accessory.

Citrus juicers, meat grinder, salad slicer, and dough kneading palettes meet the same way. On more expensive models, all these options are included in the purchase cost. They are usually made of quality materials and are resistant.

Safety

High-quality stand mixers have efficient engines and solid bases that anchor them on the worktop. They are protected with caps so as not to splash and protect from the blade inside. They are resistant to solid and liquid foods.

To help keep the device fixed, some more advanced versions have suction cups. There are also safety locking devices fitted to the cover.

Conclusion

You can feel a little discouraged when you have to choose a good stand mixer for your needs. The truth is that the variations of the models are countless, all of which are extremely different.

You may already own an older or smaller model and try to determine whether to update to a newer model. Or maybe you’re just in the process of adding a stand mixer to your arsenal to help you cook in the kitchen.

How many watts are needed for your needs, and what functions matter most to you? Think about the most important things you’d like to see on your kitchen device.

Buying Guide – Stand Mixers

Stand mixers are designed to mix the batter in a bowl or other shaped container. The bowl is lifted up off the machine, and the ingredients are added. The machine is then turned on to mix the batter, and it does the work until the ingredients are completely mixed. Mixers may be hand-operated or motorized.

Stand mixers can be a small hand-operated motorized tool called an eggbeater, a hand-operated rotary beater, or a stainless steel bowl mixer. Stand mixers range in size from very small countertop models to very large industrial machines. Small countertop mixers make the simple mixing process of rolling and lifting the dough from a bowl very convenient.

The ability to mix in a bowl as opposed to a countertop is a feature that many people like to have as the ability to mix large quantities of dough quickly. Most modern mixer models have a stainless steel bowl that locks in the ingredients for a smooth, velvety finish.

Many stand mixers also have a feature that allows you to whip egg whites. This is accomplished by turning the mixer on its lowest setting and tapping the whip attachment down into the bowl. 

Some models have a feature that will allow you to pour the wet ingredients into the bowl while the dry ingredients are being whipped just as easily. For most professional pastry chefs, this feature is indispensable.

Last update on 2024-11-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API